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Look out for updates on these bloggers and their amazing work, throughout the month on Twitter.
Time to check out the advertisers
Lady Boss Nomad
A little bit about the blog
Having owned a successful service-based bookkeeping business and started as a small business owner. I’m an intelligent savvy business owner with a creative edge. I can help you with your product creation through launch, list building and marketing your new products. If you’re service-based I can help you set up systems to attract the right clients.
Please also check out:
‘DFY Social media kits’ – this kit includes 90 inspirational social media quotes for Instagram Twitter and Facebook for businesses to use as their own. At a special price of $5.00.
We are The Grumpy Olive, a team of three sisters blogging from London. On our blog, we write about all the things we love and including food, coffee, beauty and books among many things. You can expect to find easy but tasty recipes, the latest in books and also some talk on beauty and travel because we may fancy that here and there. But most of all, The Grumpy Olive is a little corner of the internet where everything is just fun, new and upbeat – just what the doctor ordered!
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I feel privileged to introduce you to my August 2022 advertisers
It’s now time for me to share other people’s wonderful blogs. Please go and show my August 2022 advertisers some love, by commenting, sharing their posts, and interacting with one another. I regularly post on Twitter about the blogging community and how it is great to be part of such a supportive group of people.
Look out for updates throughout the month on Twitter.
This month I have a returning blogger and someone completely new. I can’t wait to share the details with you!
Time to check out the advertisers
Lady Boss Nomad
A little bit about the blog
Having owned a successful service-based bookkeeping business and starting as a small business owner. I’m an intelligent savvy business owner with a creative edge. I can help you with your product creation through launch, list building and marketing your new products. If you’re service-based I can help you set up systems to attract the right clients.
Please also check out Amber’s other blog.
Blog posts you should check out
Please also check out her ‘DFY Social media kits’ – this kit includes 90 inspirational social media quotes for Instagram Twitter and Facebook for businesses to use as their own. At a special price of $5.00.
Hello, I’m Kelly, owner of The Kelly Diane Report. I started my blog as a way to document my life and the things I enjoy. You will find lots of tips, hacks and product reviews as well as so much more. I hope I can inspire you to try new things and enjoy the life you have.
I am taking bookings for the rest of 2022 and you can find more details here.
Did you know?
Selecting the gold package for £6.50 means you get a custom link in my sidebar, as well as your logo. You ALSO get your own dedicated advertisers post! AND four blog posts promoted throughout the month!
Want a special offer?
I am offering a SPECIAL DISCOUNT for the remainder of 2022. Book three months on the silver package for £10.00, instead of £12.00. (this applies to existing bookings and new ones, and you can select any of the remaining months of the year as three months!)
Amber from Lady Boss Nomad, is not only my advertiser for this month. But she has also provided me with an amazing guest post and a useful anxiety workbook for my readers to download.
She has also supported my blogging journey in many other ways and is a true inspiration.
Having owned a successful service-based bookkeeping business and starting as a small business owner running my bricks and mortar greeting card business on Etsy I know a few tricks of the trade. I’m a smart savvy business owner with a creative edge. I can help you with your product creation through to launch, list building and marketing of your new products. If you’re service-based I can help you set up systems to attract the right clients.
Please also check out Amber’s other blog.
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Blog posts you should check out
Self Discovery Through Journaling is the Key to a Fulfilled Life
I want to say thank you to Chloe from Nyxie’s Nook for this amazing guest post. I personally found social media to be the most amazing, supportive community following my mental breakdown and I definitely needed it. This post outlines the reasons it can be helpful for mental wellbeing.
Let’s dive in
Social media has long since been branded as hazardous to our mental and physical health. For those within a certain age bracket, it’s seen as something akin to the fall of socialisation. We constantly hear about children as young as six becoming addicted to social media, or adults missing the world around them because their nose is stuck in their phones.
But what about the positive side of social media? If we look beyond the addiction and online trolls, social media has helped shape the 21st century into a more inclusive place to be.
For a long time, we’ve been under the assumption that asking for help is a weak or attention-seeking behaviour. But with the help of social media, we’re now much further forward in realising that speaking up about our issues is an act of strength.
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5 Positive aspects of social media
Social media can be a great way to raise awareness, bring communities together andhelp those less fortunate.
Before the use of the internet and social media, we all seemed so far away. America, Japan, England, Finland; We were all divided by oceans, land and borders. With the use of the internet and, in turn, social media we’re able to raise awareness for issues that would otherwise be limited by location. By using social media we can reach other, like-minded people who can help spread awareness among their own communities and so on.
We’re better able to keep in touch with our loved ones, arrange online catch-ups and even play virtual games.
With so much of the world in lockdown at different times and for various levels of COVID-19, many of us have become separated from our families and peers. And with the current state of things here in the UK, our isolation isn’t set to end any time soon. The internet and social media have become a way for us to socialize, catch up and even watch movies together while staying safely apart.
Netflix has created their Netflix party to help socially distanced subscribers to watch television shows and movies together. Zoom has become the number one go-to video chatting application for social catch-ups to business meetings. Instagram, Facebook and Twitter also deserve honourable mention for helping us keep in touch and meet like-minded people who are better able to help and support us. Some of the most trusting and inspirational people I know were found via social media!
Finally, although not specifically on social media, as an avid gamer I find the use of online resources helpful in finding gaming partners. There are various places online to connect and even chat with gamers worldwide. I’ve met so many people through my love for Animal Crossing and The Sims. I’m in various community groups online where I can chat about the games, get information, tips and advice, and even swap friend codes.
Of course, this is all done from a safe distance and, as an adult, I’m aware of the danger of meeting others online. If you have a teenager or even a child who frequently games with others online, it’s suggested that you keep an eye on their activity. Have a chat with them about online safety and take an interest in what they’re doing without being overly critical.
Social media can be a welcome distraction from the outside world or a devastating realisation of the world around us
Social media has acted as a means for me to distract myself from the goings-on around me, but it’s also been there to remind me of the harsh realities of the world around us. Without it, I doubt I would be kept as informed as I am. I avoid the news at all costs and have long since stopped trusting state-funded news reports. So various online sources, social media included, have been my direct link to COVID-19 news, election updates and even any new information being spread in regards to mental health services in my local area.
In regards to acting as a distraction, by frequently visiting social media and getting to know others online, I’ve been able to build a small support network. This support network is usually biased and helps distract me just by chatting about things other than what’s on my mind.
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Social media has helped to normalise help-seeking behaviour
For a long time, we’ve been under the assumption that asking for help is a weak or attention-seeking behaviour. But with the help of social media, we’re now much further forward in realising that speaking up about our issues is an act of strength. Many adults and young people are coming forward to encourage others to ask for help for things such as mental illness, grief, sexual assault etc. No longer are these things taboo, rather, we’re unified in our need to speak up!
Social media can offer a creative outlet
Much like writing a blog or sketching in a notebook, creating social media posts can act as a creative outlet but on a much smaller scale. The likes of Instagram are especially good for displaying things such as photography and artwork, while Tik Tok is for the videographer in all of us.Others can view your work, like, share and even become inspired. But, of course, it’s not always about the number of likes and engagement you get. So long as you’re careful about how you manage your life on social media, it can be a wonderful place to find and hone your creative voice.
What are your thoughts on social media and its impacts? Do you feel that it’s a positive, negative or a bit of both? How do you use social media and how do you protect your mental health when using it?
Final thoughts from me
I agree with all these benefits and I hope you enjoyed reading the post. All the details you need to connect with Chloe are below. Please go check out her blog, show some love, comment on posts and do what we do best in the blogging community, interact and show support.
I always wanted to write a book about my life. I have storage boxes full of notebooks, diaries, poems I thought I could use to contribute to becoming a fully-fledged writer.
When the bottom of my world literally fell out from underneath me. Redundancy, a breakdown, a pandemic. Uncertainty central. I decided it was time for a change. Why not start your own blog, I thought? What’s the worst that could happen?
I felt compelled to share my story and what better way to do this than embracing the world of social media and online connections. After all, that’s where it’s at, right?
You have something to add. Your life experiences are unique and someone out there will benefit from what you have to say.
Quick note: Mummy Conquering Anxiety is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and thinkwould be useful for you.
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I have a list of incredible reasons to start your own blog TODAY…
Your own platform
Starting your own blog can get your message out there.
I’m seeing a lot of wonderful people with amazing things to say and messages which should be out in the world for others to see. But sometimes this is limited to one social media site and I would love to see more content from this person.
Having a blog, which is connected to other social media sites, allows you to gain more followers and get your message out to more people. You control the content and create everything on the site.
If you’re thinking of setting up a blog and need web hosting, Bluehost is amazing. They provided me with the best customer service I’ve ever received when I recently lost my website! I HAVE to recommend them to other people.
It’s your chance to create something of your own
How exciting? I did a lot of research before starting my own blog. I decided I needed a chic-looking theme and I wanted to spend money upfront to ensure the branding was good.
After all, this place is like your office, your space, home from home. You’ve created it and why not make it look appealing?
If you need a theme, please check out Bluchic. I’ve had a few technical questions since setting up my blog and their customer service is fantastic. I am considering setting up a second blog and they will be my first choice for a theme.
Before starting my own blog, I was unsure about whether I should do this or not. Self-doubt crept in.
I spent 15 years doubting myself. My confidence wasn’t in a great place and like all bloggers starting out, I was seriously asking myself whether anyone would listen to what I had to say.
I gained a high number of followers on my social media platforms without really putting much content out there. On Instagram, there were 7 posts saying good morning and connecting with people. Despite this, amazing things were already happening when I started interacting with other people.
You have something to add. Your life experiences are unique and someone out there will benefit from what you have to say. Imagine the feeling of helping someone, without really knowing it. Just trusting that you are making a difference.
What are you waiting for?
Gain confidence
Starting the blog has helped me gain confidence in my writing ability. The lovely comments and compliments I receive mean the world to me and confirm I’m on the right path. Just like the one below.
Making connections
I interact with such wonderful, smart, supportive bloggers on a daily basis and I genuinely love commenting on their work and making connections.
The blogging community really is the best. An amazing group of people all supporting each other and I feel lucky to be part of it.
Use is as a diary
Writing is therapeutic and it certainly helped me during a tough time.
Your blog posts can be any format: a diary entry, a rant, or an informative post. You get to choose the type of content you share.
It creates opportunities
Whatever your end goal is, starting a blog WILL create opportunities.
Some opportunities have come to me, through social media messages and emails. Others I’ve had to work hard for.
The main thing is, good things are happening now I have my voice out there in the world. And I am finally doing something I love.
What you need to begin your blogging journey…
A computer
Sounds silly doesn’t it, but it’s true. I’ve heard some people try and run a blog without a laptop. But honestly, there are only certain tasks I can do on my laptop. That said, I do use my phone for some admin tasks like social media interaction and noting down ideas, occasionally writing in google documents.
Research
I spent a lot of time researching how I would set up my blog.
Pinterest was a massive source of information for me. Other bloggers give the best advice because they have walked in your shoes and can speak from experience.
Time
Luckily, due to my situation, I had time to set up the blog. I desperately needed to occupy my mind with something to stimulate my brain but also help my mental health.
Don’t worry if you don’t have huge amounts of time. Sometimes I only manage 30 minutes a day for blogging tasks. But I look at it like that’s a few things off my to-do list and you can only tackle small chunks, which then lead to bigger goals.
Small steps really do amount to something amazing.
Patience
It is correct that it takes roughly three months to rank on Google or start seeing any results in terms of traffic to your website.
I was starting to feel deflated. I went for a weekend away. I had writer’s block and was just not feeling the blogging vibes for about a week. Then I checked my DA score and surprisingly it was at 9, EXACTLY three months after I released my first blog post.
DA is at 9! Wooooooo hooooooooooo! Can’t quite believe it. But I have worked my back side off since 12 August!! 👍
Speak to enough people, and you’ll get a sense that no one really wants to work — they just do it because, well, they have to. Yet, while it’s fine to just make a living so you can enjoy other aspects of your life. We all know that, deep down, it’d be much more satisfying to make an income by doing something that you truly love. If you’re passionate about your work, then, on most days, it won’t feel like work at all. Learn how to Make Money from your passion…
Pexels – CC0 Licence
Making money from your passion can seem like a pipe dream, but it’s more within reach than you might expect. In this post, we’ll look at a few ways that you can earn that bread doing something you love.
Become a Coach
If you have a talent for something, then in all likelihood, they’ll be other people who also wish they had that talent. You might never sell out Madison Square Garden with your guitar, but you can take all your learning and understanding and help other people to improve their own skills. There are plenty of ways to sell your skills online, too — for example, you could consider putting together an online course. If it’s good enough, then you will make sales.
Create Your Own Products
You could also consider creating your own products. All those products you see for sale in the store? They didn’t come out of thin air — they’re there because someone made them. Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever be able to create your own car. But your own t-shirts, makeup products, home decor items, and accessories? As with anything, if they’re good enough, then people will be interested in buying them. Look at selling online and at craft markets.
Start a Marketplace
You don’t even necessarily need to make your own products to begin selling. One increasingly popular option is to put together your own online marketplace where vendors can sell their products. This requires more work than most other suggestions here, but equally, it can be much more profitable, since you’ll get a cut of every product sold. Take a look at this handy ‘create online marketplace’ guide to see the steps that you need to take. The beauty of this business idea is that it can provide a relatively passive income since you’re just creating an environment where other people can buy and sell.
Follow the Path of Others
Everyone wants to make a living via their passion. But here’s the thing — some people have actually been able to do it. It’s these people that you should be looking at. Seeing how other people have made their dreams come true can provide a valuable source of inspiration that can motivate you to carry on even when the going gets tough. How you do it will differ from how they’ve done it, but you’ll likely find that there’s much that you can learn from them. You may even contact them directly to see if they can help you/you can help them.
Today I am so excited to welcome a guest blogger! I am also over the moon to introduce a mummy, also facing difficult issues with a newborn. I can relate to this. My guest blogger today has turned a negative experience of her own into something to help others. All the details you need to connect with Lauryn can be found at the end of this post.
POST UPDATED 30 July 2022
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Let’s dive into why a sleep routine is important
I felt very ready to have a baby in every sense. I was 32 years old and financially secure. It was great that I had a successful teaching career of ten years and my relationship was strong.
As a confessed perfectionist, when we fell pregnant, I did all of the homework to be fully prepared. We did an online hypnobirthing course together. I planned my drug-free, calm labour. In addition, I planned to breathe the baby out (LOL) simply. I also knew all there was to know about the fourth trimester. I was, of course going to breastfeed. It was on the agenda to get started early with a bedtime routine. Additionally, I planned to be back in the gym from six weeks postnatal. I also signed up for lots of baby classes with my NCT friends.
I had all of the right things to ensure a sound night’s sleep for our baby. The right clothes, crib, mattress, baby monitor, and dream sheep to get her sleeping easily. You name it, we had it.
Finally, eight days after my due date, I started feeling labour pains. My feelings were weirdly nervous and excited. I just could not wait to meet this baby I felt so connected to during the pregnancy. Preparing, I calmly got my hypnobirthing tools ready. Bouncing on my ball, candles lit, and a comedy video, had me feeling prepared.
My labour did not go as planned. After 30 hours, I ended up having an emergency C-section and my daughter came out with suspected sepsis and was whisked straight off to neonatal care.
Once I got home, all the planning we had done during pregnancy felt pointless. I felt beyond unprepared for this responsibility. Breastfeeding was not working for us and I felt like the ultimate failure in getting the formula out. My daughter had classic colic and cried for 3-6 hours every evening. It was exhausting and I felt awful I was unable to console her.
How had I gone from feeling as if I knew exactly what to expect, to this? I realised that one thing no one had told me might come with new motherhood. Anxiety.
I have never been an overly anxious person, but all of a sudden every aspect of motherhood was anxiety-inducing. Breastfeeding, sleep, guests coming over, leaving the house. All of it. My plans to go to classes and groups were far too big for me to face and I was so anxious about guests coming in case she would cry and I would not be able to settle her.
How lockdown impacted the situation
Eight weeks after she was born, we were plunged into the very first lockdown. This was great for me because it meant I didn’t have to face my anxiety about going out or guests coming over. Although in hindsight, there were negative aspects, because it didn’t give me a chance to talk to professionals, as medical visits and access to health visitors had ceased.
To regain control, I started a very rigid sleep routine with my little one. Every nap had to be to the minute of my new programme. The sleep environment had to be perfect. If it ever went out of the window, it was a huge stress for me and could ruin my entire lockdown day.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Needless to say, I realised it was time to do some mental digging and see what was going on. I opened up to friends who had suffered postnatally and searched for information online. After thinking about it, I eventually concluded that anxiety was linked to birth trauma. I had not given myself the chance to go over my labour or the fact she was taken straight from me due to being ill upon arrival.
Once I did a little work on myself through the lockdown, the pressure I’d put myself under started to lift. I introduced yoga, meditation, and journaling into my routine.
Turning a negative into a positive
I eased up a little on the sleep routine and now two years down the line I have trained to become a sleep consultant to work with families on gentle sleep schedules and training, to cause the least anxiety possible.
If anyone out there is new to this parenting gig and finding things tough, open up. Talk it out when you’re ready and know that this storm will pass and get better. More beautiful days are coming your way.
Lauryn and her little one
Angelcare were fantastic for all of our baby’s needs when we had a newborn. Check them out.
More details on how to contact Lauryn
Lauryn has worked as a full-time teacher for 10 years, teaching Drama and English in both primary and secondary settings. Since having her first child, Eliza, she realised the importance of sleep for well-being and this led to her training to become a sleep consultant in Summer 2021. Lullaby Lauryn launched in October and she can’t wait to help as many families as possible improve their sleep.
I wanted to write a list of great books by people who’ve found creative ways to manage their anxiety levels. In addition to this, I will also be letting you know about some courses which are geared towards wellness.
Quick note: AD-AFF-GIFTEDSome of the links contained on this page are sponsored and affiliate links. If you go through an affiliate link to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be helpful for other people.
Shall we dive into the list of great resources to help you with managing anxiety?
Education – courses for managing anxiety
Charlotte Lewington
Charlotte is a bestselling co-author, educator and consultant helping children and young people to find their voice, be seen and feel validated. There is nothing she is more passionate about than making sure children know that they are loved and love themselves from the inside out. During her own childhood, Charlotte faced many struggles that only made her stronger. Through these experiences, she learnt that you can either sit down and cry about things or you get up and you move on. Learning the lesson being shown to you.
After 16 years of experience within different health and childcare settings, Charlotte gained a degree in psychology and is currently working towards a master’s degree in children and young people. Charlotte spends most of her time delivering training to nurseries, schools and organisations offering workshops and retreats relating to emotional well-being.
Her mission is to provide support in order to bridge the gap with the mental health crisis that we are currently experiencing.In between all this, you will often find charlotte travelling the world and making the most out of life.
You can view and purchase all of her courses on Udemy UK.
1-2-1 support sessions if anyone is feeling lost or finding the queen’s death a trigger. For anyone finding it challenging with children going back to school or children managing anxiety about anything, parents or carers can book a call. She is also currently looking for people to be involved in a book collaboration.
Miss M Online courses
I recently wrote about how important it is to nurture a business-minded child. And more importantly, teach essential life skills that are usually lacking in the mainstream school system. You can check out the full blog post here.
Well, it’s time to bring you the latest from this amazing platform. Check out some of the courses available below.
What’s the latest?
Why not check out the new business board game? What an amazing gift for a young person this Christmas!
Head over and check out all of their amazing learning resources. Maybe you want to buy the gift of learning for a loved one or friend this holiday season. You know someone who is currently managing anxiety and needs some assistance.
Books for managing anxiety
You can check out my page, dedicated to all things books! Feel free to browse the other book-related posts on my blog
Running For Our Lives is about how running helps people overcome life challenges and mental health struggles. It touches upon how it helped Rachel reclaim her identity after she became a mum. In addition, it contains human stories and experiences from ordinary people.
I knew this title would resonate with time on some level. But I was unprepared for how much I would feel an emotional connection to the stories. A literal pang in my heart because this journey of sharing our mental health struggles is also one I’ve been on myself. I couldn’t put this book down, thanks to honest writing. Not to mention, the sheer power of connection between human beings who have one shared cause.
“It enables us to silence the chimp and write another story for ourselves – one where things become possible.”
“Perhaps it is you seeing the tiniest chink of light in a very dark place, discovering that you have a new friend in the world – one whom you have never met.”
The Cold Fix is about the healing power of cold water immersion in overcoming physical and mental pain. Or anguish including osteoarthritis, seasonal sadness, migraines, alcoholism and overthinking. It’s about growing older and exploring new opportunities; menopause, body image and confidence.
My thoughts
When reading the book, my initial thought was that I was intrigued as to why people do this and I find it fascinating that such an extreme activity can help someone mentally.
I particularly like the sensory and meditative experience which comes with this technique. It feels similar to how I probably feel when doing meditation.
“Coming here on my own had indeed added a risk factor, but it had also motivated and driven me to climb, literally, out of my comfort zone and rediscover a world that had been out of my reach for too long”
“The cold water has given me the key to unlock myself within a place I didn’t know existed: the community of cold-water swimmers right around the world. What binds us all together is the cold and how it makes us feel: brave enough to tackle even the toughest of life’s issues.”
Stand Up Paddleboarding is a guide to paddle boarding. However, Jo explains the sport has got her through grief, anxiety and empty nesting. It’s brought her identity back outside her roles as a mother, daughter, sister, and friend. And her commitment to the environment has strengthened. Back in 2019, she became the first woman aged 54 to stand up paddleboard coast to coast across northern England. Picking up litter and raising money for environmental charities.
My thoughts
The most striking thing about this book is the great images of places to visit. You feel transported there, and it’s wonderful. You are experiencing an adventure alongside reading about Jo’s story. There is a real variation in locations across the UK and I was glad to see some near where we live. It also makes me want to visit the places I haven’t visited and take in the scenery for myself.
The book also includes practical tips on how to get started, if you’re interested in starting your stand-up paddle-boarding journey
“A chance to walk on water, and I hope, appreciate that we all belong there too.”
He has recently been writing for some projects, aiming to help young people with their mental health. If you follow my blog, you will know I am totally on board with this. The current cost of living situation we are facing in the UK is only going to increase mental health problems among young people. Ultimately, it is up to us to raise awareness.
One is about how becoming guise-wise can really help reduce the mental health issues of young people (and not so young!)
Why? Because so many are the result of comparing ourselves to others, often obsessively, and to a disproportionate emphasis on relatively minor or very specific but not all-defining differences. Young people are especially prone to these practices. Supposing I’m a teenager preoccupied with my gender identity. Maybe I suspect I’m different in this respect from most of my friends. At one time, gender identity was not an issue for all but a tiny number of kids. Now it’s an issue for a lot, but that’s not the main point. The main point is that if I am a teenager with gender identity concerns then part of that will involve placing myself on a spectrum of gender gradations. I’m defining myself by what I am not and I’m probably defining my whole self primarily in terms of gender identity markers. This means that I’m not foregrounding all the many things I share with my peers – other aspects of identity, beliefs, preferences, interests and hosts of others that I share with everybody on the planet. Rather, I’m over-focusing on one thing that’s distinctive about me, one particular difference.
Becoming-Guise-Wise: How to dissolve the mental health issues of the young – Dr Michael Waters
The other is about making commonality-first, not difference-first how we should best respond to others – this would be the best legacy for the Queen since this is what she did in her life
She experienced diversity, more than anyone who has ever lived. No one else has been up as close and personal to such a variety of individuals in such a variety of settings. No one else has had more first-hand experience of as many different social and cultural groups. Who else has made official visits to over 117 countries and carried out over 21,000 official engagements, to say nothing of walkabouts and other unscripted exchanges? It’s also clear that she cared deeply for many of those to whom the word “diversity” is usually applied – minorities and the marginalised.
The Queen’s Legacy: Commonality-First – Dr Michael Waters
Workbooks for managing anxiety
I had to share the workbooks that personally helped me with managing anxiety, during the down periods in my life. I still have these on the shelf by my workspace. They proved to be so beneficial in my time of need.
My Bookshelf at home
Final thoughts
I hope you found these tools for managing helpful anxiety. Maybe a book you want to purchase something for yourself or a loved one?
Let me know your favourite book or course – I would love to hear from you in the comments.
Recent posts on the blog
Feel free to check out some of the other posts on my blog:
It isn’t really news to anyone that mental health is an issue requiring more attention than it gets. We’ve all been made conscious of mental health awareness campaigns, even though we’re all perfectly aware of mental health by now, and what we really need is action. While we are stuck with more self-help than outside help, however, there is definitely a lot to be said for getting some brain exercise. Not only does mental stimulation provide a timely distraction from the strain of mental health issues, but it also provides a strengthening effect on our brains and minds, which certainly doesn’t cure depression or anxiety, but makes the battle fairer.
It has been proven time and again that brain exercise boosts the capacity of your brain, speeding cognitive function and boosting memory. While there are always going to be elements of anxiety and depression that try their best to diminish your quality of life, it is worth knowing that improved cognitive function helps to push back against those intrusive thoughts and negative self-image, and so it’s more than worthwhile.
What do we mean by brain exercise?
Essentially, any time you use your brain, it’s brain exercise. All that differs is the intensity and control. So managed brain exercise will usually take the form of puzzles and processes that lead to us using our brains in a targeted way. While filling out your tax return or figuring out how to install a shelving unit are also forms of exercise, they are time-consuming and have a high failure factor – resulting in frustration that is precisely the opposite of what you’re looking for. Doing a Sudoku, where it doesn’t matter if you get it right, or learning a language in your spare time just for the joy of it, are good methods of brain exercise.
If you’re prone to anxiety, you’ll know how your thoughts can shift around, as though the brain is filled with too much energy. Using puzzles to focus the mind can redirect that energy. The more you do these forms of exercise, the better you’ll get too, which is rewarding and mentally gratifying; if you can replace some of those negative thoughts with positive reaffirmation, it will help your condition. Even if you occasionally need to use a tool to unscramble words, it still helps use your mind for better purposes than it will choose if left idle.
Can brain exercise overcome mental health issues entirely?
It’s optimistic to imagine that brain exercise will be enough on its own to “beat” mental health hurdles. Those of us who have suffered from such conditions know that the situation is a lot more complex than something that can be unlocked with one fun trick. However, it’s important to try to elevate your starting level when dealing with any condition. Just as someone with an injury needs physical exercise to rehab the injured part, so someone with mental health concerns can give their brain some help by working on puzzles and other skills.
This form of mental exercise will also have outside benefits: doing puzzles will improve your vocabulary and open up interesting things to read about; learning a language will give you an insight into a different culture and potentially even offer a travel destination that you can work towards. At the base of it, brain exercise is about finding a positive way to occupy your thought processes. It won’t cure any mental health condition, because that takes a great deal of time and guided exploration of your condition – but it is one element of a package that can deliver great results.
What if I don’t enjoy puzzles?
Brain exercise can take a lot of different shapes, and in truth, it is best to let your own preferences and tastes guide what form of exercise you choose. Not everybody likes puzzles. Language learning isn’t for everyone, either, but there are other ways you can direct your thoughts. You could learn to cook a certain kind of cuisine, take up an instrument, grow and tend to a small garden or anything else that gives you moments of joy and small victories.
A mental health condition will try to make you feel small, stupid, and helpless. The best way to put yourself on a path to long-term recovery is to find an enjoyable way to remind yourself that you are none of those things. It won’t always be easy and straightforward, but if you don’t complete a crossword or your minestrone turns out a little watery, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you did something for yourself and had some fun in the process.
Almost six months since starting the blog, I am a bit more comfortable with revealing other details about my life and it feels great to open up about the aspects of life I love.
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How does the tag work?
Be Unapologetically You Tag Rules:
1. Use the Be Unapologetically You banner in your post. It can be your featured image or not. It’s totally up to you.
4. Nominate between 5-10 bloggers, link to their blogs, and tag them on social media to notify them.
5. Most of all, have fun!
Reminder: you don’t need to include the “Be Unapologetically You Tag” in your blog post title if you don’t want to.
Be Unapologetically YouQuestions:
Introduce yourself and your blog while sharing one trivia about you that not that many people know.
What topics do you love geeking out about that you would say are topics that give you bliss?
Do you blog about them? Why or why not? If not, would you like to blog about them one time?
Would you say that you are living life by being unapologetically you? Why or why not? If not, what would your life look like if you were unafraid to share more about the things that make you happy?
Permission to geek out & be unapologetically you: share with us one thing you fangirl or fanboy over and how you became a fan of it. It can be anything. Your love for soy candles, your favorite food, a boy band or an underrated film.
What do you love the most about being a fan?
Share a fun or unforgettable fan experience.
Before we get into the questions, I wanted to say this tag is perfect for me at this moment in time. Following a mental breakdown and redundancy from my job of almost 10 years, I have an overhauled perspective on life. I feel like a new person, with a fresh outlook. And I intend to make the most of this transformation and finally create the life I want to live.
Let’s dive into the questions
Introduce yourself and your blog while sharing one trivia about you that not that many people know.
I’m a mummy to a feisty toddler and a wife, living in the North of England, UK, and making it a priority to enjoy life.
Following my recent breakdown, I believe talking about our mental health struggles is key to recovery. My blog focuses on parenting and mental health, but I also explore other lifestyle topics.
Something people may not know about me, is I eat raw potatoes and I mentioned it in one of my other tag posts. I don’t know where it came from, but I still love them to this day. Although I can’t eat too many, because I don’t think the starch is very good for you.
What topics do you love geeking out about that you would say are topics that give you bliss?
In keeping with the trend of being unapologetically you, I have to talk about my love of gaming. I always thought it was just my hubby who was the geek. However, I am starting to realise it’s also me who loves geeky games. I think it comes from playing these with my dad and brother when we were younger. We have a Sega console and I love playing the old games and feeling a sense of nostalgia.
These days, I also love playing games on my phone as a way to destress. With a job search underway, a tempremental toddler and generally busy life, I need moments to decompress and a task I can easily dip in and out of.
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Do you blog about them? Why or why not? If not, would you like to blog about them one time?
When I first started the blog, I didn’t initially talk about these subjects. Almost six months since starting the blog, I am a bit more comfortable with revealing other details about my life and it feels great to open up about the aspects of life I love.
As the title of this post suggests, I have an overhauled perspective on life. It is inevitable when you go through life changing events.
Stay tuned to the blog for more on my mental health journey and my life adventures, whilst I go through this transition period. My second blog will be launching in the next few weeks and a third one in the next few months. I also plan on doing some freelance writing. The hope is I will gradually feel comfortable sharing more about my life.
Would you say that you are living life by being unapologetically you? Why or why not? If not, what would your life look like if you were unafraid to share more about the things that make you happy?
I am getting better at being more open. Simply because I realise this makes you more authentic and in turn, happier. Discussing my honest thoughts on the blog was the pivotal factor that aided my recovery from a mental health breakdown. I am so over hiding my true self. Whilst I will probably always keep some things private, there is a lot to be said about opening up.
I do have more work to do in this area though. I hid my anxiety from everyone for 15 years. Therefore I am at the beginning of my opening up journey and it is all new to me.
Permission to geek out & be unapologetically you: share with us one thing you fangirl or fanboy over and how you became a fan of it. It can be anything. Your love for soy candles, your favorite food, a boy band or an underrated film
I am a sucker for a candle or wax melt. Gone are the days I used to spend £50.00 in the Yankee candle shop on my lunchtime at work. These days I am all about deals, supermarket candles, and melts seem to be cheaper.
But yes, I have a great love of candles. If you’re looking for some cheap, but lovely smelling candles, I suggest checking out the range at Wilko. I use their tea lights and jar candles, because they smell amazing, but they are also affordable.
What do you love the most about being a fan?
The candle business is huge in the UK, but having them dotted around the house brings a sense of calm. It wasn’t until my breakdown I relaised how important these touches are. A relaxing bath and a candle literally helped to get me out of bed and start the day. Granted, it didn’t solve all my problems. A combination of factors did and this includes medication. However, self-care is a vital part of recovery.
I just love my passion for them because I know it aids my need to keep up self-care. And I always welcome a sense of calm in the house.
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When I previously had my lunchtime candle spending sprees. And spent all the extra money I was earning in the name of stress, I regularly purchased some cute Yankee candle Votive holders (these were also cheap to buy compared with the jar candles). One night, me and my now hubby were chilling and it broke due to increased heat. A bit of the jar cracked and popped across the room and we are lucky it didn’t hit anyone. I am always careful to this day, ensuring the wick isn’t resting on one side of the jar.
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