Ways to Practice Self Care in the Winter

Hey guys! So we all know that our mental health can go downhill in the winter months because of the nights drawing in and the cold, rainy days. This post gives you some insight on how to take care of yourself and your mental health during the winter. Self-care isn't just about face masks, eating chocolate and buying your favourite magazine (although I sometimes do this). There's a lot more to it! Read below for some ideas on how to practice better self-care!

Take a Bath or Shower

I personally hate having a bath because, as Chandler puts it, you are "sitting in your own filth." And that just does not relax me. However, I absolutely love showers and when I'm feeling really low I like to take longer ones and just feel the water hitting me; it keeps me grounded when I feel like I'm floating away. If you like showers like me, why not

But if you're a bath person, one way to practice self-care is to have a long bubble bath, buy some Lush bath bombs or read a book in the tub. Do whatever makes you feel more relaxed. Light a few candles and pamper yourself! You can even get a stand like this one so that you can read/watch TV in the tub.

Start a Bullet Journal

If you're having trouble with figuring out how you feel or just want to document your journey, then bullet journaling is a great idea to keep your mind active and to also be creative. You could use your journal for drawings, paintings, calendars or even a mood chart. You can even download bullet journal spreadsheets and printables for inspiration.

Journals are an excellent way to keep track of your mood for your mental health and gives you a good idea of how you're dealing with certain situations. The journal below is an example of a bullet journal (not mine). It's not only for self-care but it's also a great hobby to have and really lets your creativity shine through.

Declutter

Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed or I'm struggling, I like to sort out my wardrobe and have a clear out of things I don't need or use. It helps clear my mind and keeps me busy. I tend to feel relieved and a little less confused after I've had a clear out.

Declutter your wardrobe and get rid of clothes you don't use or items you don't want. Winter is a great time to throw out the old for the new year ahead!

Take Up Meditation or Yoga

Meditation isn't for everyone, but it can be a very relaxing technique to practice for your self-care. Take ten minutes to reflect, think or listen to some tapes. I used to listen to Paul Mckenna to help with my anxiety.

Yoga is also great for relaxing and releases endorphins. If you aren't a fan of yoga, you could take up a different sport or exercise such as running or cycling. I cycle to work each morning and it really makes a difference. Make it a routine - whether you get out of bed and do the sun salutation each morning or go for a run after work in the evening.

Read

Have you got a favourite book? One that you've read over and over again? On days where you need a bit of TLC, why not read your favourite book or pick up a new read, maybe even a winter one to take your mind off things?

If reading isn't for you, then why not watch your favourite movie? My favourite is Bridget Jones and I always watch it when I need cheering up. You could watch a Christmas movie to get you into the spirit.

Go Shopping

If the cold is getting you down, then maybe you should go out for a coffee date with yourself to try a new spiced latte or hot chocolate. You can learn to be in your own company and try something new at the same time. It's good to be by yourself sometimes and to treat yourself to something new, whether you're buying new clothes for the season or something simple such as a face mask, some chocolate or a hot drink.

Make a Quotes Jar

If you're feeling down, why not ask your friends, family or online friends if they would send you a positive quote, compliment or note for you to write down on a piece of paper and keep. You can create a jar of positivity and look at these words whenever you feel down.

Alternately, create your own quotes or happy memories and read one to yourself every day to keep a positive mind.

I hope this post has given you some self-care ideas! Until next time, love, Vee x

Autumn Date Night Ideas

Hey guys! Since it's autumn, I wanted to publish as many autumn posts as possible because it's my favourite season. If you're struggling for date night ideas or just general activities to take part in, this is the post for you!

Autumn Date Ideas

• Go pumpkin/apple picking
• Carve pumpkins and make funny or spooky faces
• Make a list of horror movies you want to watch and check them off as you go
• Go trick or treating together
• Have a spooky party
• Make Halloween costumes together
• Make sugar cookies
• Create a new hot chocolate recipe 
• Have a bonfire and make smores
• Make a fort with blankets and eat popcorn
• Learn a new recipe together that has pumpkin in
• Make cinnamon roles together
• Go for a walk in the woods and jump in the leaf piles
• Buy a DIY candle making kit and make cinnamon/orange spiced candles
• Go to a harvest festival together
• Visit a haunted house/location
• Bake a pumpkin pie together
• Read spooky stories to each other
• Watch that new crime show on Netflix
• Collect acorns/conkers together and get crafty 
• Make caramel apples
• Go stargazing together and take a blanket and some snacks
• Go on a haunted tour of your city
• Go to a fairground
• Go to your local pottery shop and do some DIY painting
• Have a picnic in the woods
• Go away for the weekend to a log cabin and get away from your phone
• Take up a new hobby/class together
• Make a fall wreath together
• Have a look locally and see if there are any harvest/Halloween events going on in your area

I hope this list has given you some ideas! Let me know some of your autumn date night ideas in the comments. Until next time, love Vee x

Coping With Anxiety

Hi all, in this blog I'm going to be covering anxiety and how I cope with it. I will also be giving you some pointers and tips to help you personally.

So, first off let me explain what anxiety is for those of you who are unsure or curious. Anxiety is a condition where one feels nervous or scared. It feels different for everyone and there are lots of different variations of anxiety. I personally have anxiety when I'm in a situation that makes me uncomfortable. I have anxiety especially if I am alone and out of the house. I sometimes have symptoms such as dizziness where I feel I may faint or fall over uncontrollably and depersonalisation where I feel disconnected from myself, my situation and everything moves in slow motion. One of my biggest fears is fainting which naturally makes me anxious which makes it worse. Basically, it's a vicious circle.

Some people describe anxiety like drowning; it feels like you're sinking and you can't save yourself. Some people are socially anxious where they feel nervous or uncomfortable in social situations. I also have social anxiety because I constantly think people are judging and criticizing me. Anxiety impacts my life by dictating what I should wear, how I walk and what I say. It's also common to go over a conversation over and over again in your head because you think you said something silly or idiotic.

Some people, like me, experience panic attacks where you feel a fire in your chest and all logic melts away. I think the worst possible things I think could happen, even though they won't. Symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, sweating and breathlessness. Your heart rate quickens because of the "fight or flight" instinct and you may feel overwhelmed with bad thoughts and situations.

I try some techniques to try to avoid panic attacks and they help to calm me down. I have listed them below:

1. Affirmation 

When I am on the brink of an anxiety attack I continually tell myself that I am okay; that I need to stay calm and try to say soothing things to myself. I sometimes even create stories in my head to think about something else. Whichever tactic or sentences you come up with to help soothe anxiety, it is an individual choice personal to you and what I say to myself might not work for you - try having conversations with yourself and see what choice of words calms you the most.

You also have to remember anxiety won't hurt you and that you will always be okay - even if you panic, it will be over. You are giving anxiety a voice and letting it control you is something we all have to conquer in our own way.

2. Music

Make sure to have a playlist which you can sing along to which distracts you. Having music on helps me think deeply and distracts me from panicking. Find which songs soothe your anxiety and compile a playlist. You could even title it "Anxiety Relief" or something like that so you can quickly find it on your device.

3. Support

The most important thing is to have a support system of friends or/and family members who understand and want to help you. It can be hard for people to understand anxiety if they have not experienced it, or they have experienced a different type of anxiety. I always find it reassuring to be able to call someone I trust to talk to when I'm anxious. Having these people helps with my recovery and through the bad times.

If you don't have someone who you can call, maybe try joining a local support group or finding friends on a Facebook page. I'll put some links below to some Facebook groups:


https://www.facebook.com/groups/anxietysupport4u/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/letsfightanxietytogether/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AnxietyDUnite/

4. Listen to other stories

Listening to other peoples' stories and their experience with anxiety helps to know you aren't alone. And sometimes you can even gain a few tips. Watching YouTube videos can be a good way to do this or reading blogs. I will probably blog my own story in the not too distant future. I'll also put some anxiety related videos below for you to watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O53tADdnEs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzpky0zQSOk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QIa1kSG45A

5. You are your home

Ever since I began having anxiety and panic attacks, my family have always told me that wherever I am, I'm my own safety net, my own home and I can get through anything. If you have a safe place, like I do (my bed), then you need to try to realise that you are your own safe place and wherever you go, you are strong enough to get through it. It may seem impossible, but you will learn that you are your own safety net and that you carry your home in your heart. It can be scary to realise you're the only person who can help you, but once you know how strong you are, you will be able to conquer the world.

6. Health and well-being

I know a lot of people who do meditation to help with anxiety - personally I don't have the patience - but it's incredibly good for your well-being.

Getting a therapist or a counselor or talking to a doctor is a good idea - don't worry if they act like you're crazy - don't give up till they help you. Talking through how you feel and receiving tips is what to expect from a counselor or therapist. But discuss that more with your doctor.

Rescue Remedy is excellent too. I use Rescue Remedy which helps to calm my nerves. You can get it here:

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/vitamins-supplements/homeopathic-flower-remedies/rescue-remedy/

Eating healthy and drinking less caffeine can also help to boost your mood.


Helpful Links

I will put links to some websites which have more anxiety information down below:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/a/anxiety

http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/#.WLgxTm_yjIU

https://themighty.com/anxiety/


Overall, that is my list of what is hopefully helpful anxiety relief advice. I will be talking more about this subject in future blogs but for now I thought giving some tips would be a good start.

Remember that this is an account of my personal experience and if you have different ways of coping, please comment! Also, always feel free to message me if you ever need someone to talk to.

My social media:

Instagram:
@readycupcake
@pastel.swift