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Tips For Anxiety

Tuesday 17 February 2015

I'm going to write about a subject that is very personal to me and that subject is Anxiety. When I first started having anxiety attacks I had no idea what was happening to me and no one else seemed to know what it was. I wanted to write a blog to share with you some of my tips from my own experience for dealing with this.

For those of you who may not know what anxiety is it feels like fear, everyone has some anxiety it's good for you keeps you alert and makes your body ready for action. 

This becomes a problem when the feelings become too strong and when they carry on even in situations when it is not needed.


You may then because of this experience so of the more unpleasant physical symptoms. For example, you might have:

- a fast heart rate, 
- a thumping heart (palpitations), 
- feeling sick,
- shaking, 
- sweating, 
- dry mouth,
- chest pain,
- headaches, 
- fast breathing.

Anxiety is something that can start at any age. It can be brought on by moments of extreme stress or can seem to occur for no apparent reason.


Every person experiences it differently, for everyone the trigger is different, for some people it can be crowds of people, others it can be confined spaces and for some it can happen for no apparent reason whatsoever.


For me my trigger seemed to be quiet situations and this was heightened even more when I knew I would be unable to leave the room/situation. One example for this being exams. 

It got to the point on where it was affecting my decisions so much so that I didn't want to do things that would involve me being away from home for even one night, and if I did do something that involved this I would feel this immense sense of dread before and during the situation.

Over time I have found some things that help me when I feel like I'm about to have an anxiety attack.


I'm hoping that by sharing them with you it may help you cope as well if you are suffering from this. (Please note these are just the ones that have worked for me personally from what I have read on the internet)


Tips:

1. Breathe - it seems like the simplest thing in the world but when you are panicking it feels incredibly hard to do. By taking deep breaths in and out and focusing on your breathing you are taking your mind off what you are worrying about thus helping to calm your body.

2. Take a step back from the situation and think about what is truly bothering you. By over thinking the situation you are making it seem worse than it truly is by thinking it through with a clear head you can see where the issue lies.


3. If you want to do something do it. Just say yes! You may worry about it for months beforehand and then go and wonder what you were even worrying about to begin with. I have had many situations like this some examples being going to download festival or even staying over a friends house. By saying yes you are not letting the anxiety control you and what you do.


4. Focus on where you are feeling your anxiety this could be anywhere for example your throat or your stomach and notice that while it may not be getting better it is not getting any worse.


5. There are many herbal remedies you can take to help you calm down. My firm favourites are Kalms tablets I used to have one before any exam and for me they would work. I always keep a stash of these just in case I get a bout of anxiety.


6. Allow yourself to feel your emotions. Holding them in and not expressing them is only going to make it worse. If you need to cry cry, if you need to laugh then laugh. It is far better to express too much emotion rather than expressing none at all.


7. Express yourself - I do this through writing down my feelings. However even something as simple as talking with someone about how you're feeling can help you express yourself and make you feel as though a weight has been lifted. (If it does get really bad don't be afraid to seek help from someone like a counsellor!)


8. Change your thought patterns - by choosing to think more positively your whole outlook on life will change and it will show through your actions.


9. Finally remember you are not alone. This is a common problem it's just that it's not one that is regularly talked about. Mainly because it is not understood fully. 


Now that my anxiety has lessened I am finding that more and more people I know seem to know someone suffering from this, and they are in the same boat that I was in to begin with. They don't know what they can do, the doctors are either unhelpful or they just give out antidepressants as if that is a cure and not just a prevention till a later date. 


It is something that can be overcome without drugs I used to have a fear of quiet spaces and now I work in a library which is quite possibly one of the quietest places you can visit.


I am hoping that a few people out there who are suffering and feel lost will read this and find that it gives them some comfort and may even help them on the path to overcoming their anxiety.


If anyone wants to leave comments be it about your own experience or just a general comment please feel free to do so.










Thankful

Sunday 15 February 2015

This week has been good considering I haven't really done that much.

Its been a week of catching up on TV shows and reading. The TV show in question being Desperate Housewives and the reading being Girl Online by Zoe Sugg.

I also went to the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham - haven't been there in years.
Had such a fab time it definitely brought out the inner child in me I think I was more excited than some of the children that were going round. - (there are some photos on my Instagram if anyone is interested @rebeccalaura02 )

When not having my catch up sesh I've spent most of this week with family and friends and its made me feel so grateful for the little things the ones that we all take for granted.

I think people always focus on what they don't have rather than what they do. So this week I'm going to think of three things that I'm thankful for each day.
Today my three things are:
1. Good friends and family
2. Duvet days
3. A good cup of tea - (the simple things)

So leave a comment below let me know the three things that you are grateful for or that makes you happy at the moment.



Valentines Creative Writing

Saturday 14 February 2015

A bit of valentines fiction for you all in honour of today:

It was all set!

The house was ready everything was perfect down to the last tiny detail.

The white roses were brought they were clean and pristine, the gifts were all wrapped with red shiny paper- white bows all tied symmetrically.

The candles- white of course were all lit illuminating the room with a golden glow. 

He stood in the doorway surveying his work, she was going to love it! 

It was valentines day and he had set up the perfect evening.
Drinks and a meal followed by a moonlit walk on the beach and then back to his apartment. It would be a night she would never forget.
Grinning to himself he straightened his white silk tie, put on his jacket and grabbed his keys to head out to the bar.

"The Green Tree" the perfect bar for a certain kind of class, only the attractive and wealthy went out here, it was the mist expensive bar in town. Decked out with chrome tables, green bar stools and chairs. Everything was sleek, smooth and most importantly clean.

He found his usual table it gave him a view of the whole bar, tonight would be the night - she was already here he was sure of it! He could already smell her rose scented perfume, see her golden blond hair bounce up and down as she laughed.

She was going to have the best night of her life - she just didn't know it yet.

Now all he had to do was introduce himself.

My Top Ten Books To Read

Saturday 7 February 2015

As today is National Libraries Day I thought I would do a blog dedicated to my Top 10 books to read.

I am pretty much a reading addict and I work in a library so narrowing this down is going to be HARD!

10. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire - JK Rowling

'When the Quidditch World Cup is disrupted by Voldemort's rampaging supporters and the terrifying Dark Mark is resurrected, it is obvious to Harry that, far from failing, Voldemort is getting stronger. The ultimate symbol to the magic world of the evil Lord's return would be if the one and only survivor of his death curse, Harry Potter, could finally be beaten. So when Harry is entered for the Triwizard Tournament - a competition between three wizarding schools to find the ultimate magician - he knows that rather than win it, he just has to get through the trials alive.'

Out of all the Harry Potter series this one was my favourite having action right from the start. I found seeing how they were all going to get through the challenge and the different challenges themselves interesting. I also enjoyed that they introduced characters from different schools in the magical world. If you haven't read any of the Harry Potter books where have you been? They are must reads!

9. The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella

'Meet Rebecca Bloomwood.
She's a journalist. She spends her working life telling others how to manage their money.
She spends her leisure time ... shopping.
Retail therapy is the answer to all her problems. She knows she should stop, but she can't. She tries Cutting Back, she tries Making More Money. But neither seems to work. The stories she concocts become more and more fantastic as she tries to untangle her increasingly dire financial difficulties. Her only comfort is to buy herself something - just a little something...
Can Becky ever escape from this dream world, find true love, and regain the use of her Switch card?
Confessions of a Shopaholic... the perfect pick me up for when it's all hanging in the (bank) balance.'

This is the perfect girly rom-com book! If you're a girl you will definitely relate to this book. The main character gets into so many awkward situations and is really relatable. Feeling down? This book is definitely a great pick me up.


8. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

'After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying\. The terrifying sequel to The Hunger Games.'

The second book in The Hunger Games Series. Out of all three of them this is my favourite, purely as we get to meet all the other champions and I feel that they bring more elements of humour to the story. Again The Hunger Games Series is a must read!

7. Alphabet Weekends - Elizabeth Noble


'Love lessons from A - Z
A is for Affection - between childhood best friends ; between their parents; between brothers and sisters.
B is for Brokenhearted - Natalie when the boyfriend who was meant to propose dumps her just before Christmas. Her mother when she realises what her life has come to. Lucy, as she thinks of ending one relationship, and maybe beginning another.
C is for Chemistry - Could Natalie and Tom have it (and what does it actually mean, anyway)?'
I feel like this book is a twist in the typical romance novels its such a different yet creative idea. Every chapter begins with a letter from the alphabet describing the activity they would be choosing on the dates. Waiting to see what they would choose for each letter kept me captivated.

6. Carrie - Stephen King
Carrie White is no ordinary girl.
'Carrie White has the gift of telekinesis.
To be invited to Prom Night by Tommy Ross is a dream come true for Carrie - the first step towards social acceptance by her high school colleagues.
But events will take a decidedly macabre turn on that horrifying and endless night as she is forced to exercise her terrible gift on the town that mocks and loathes her . . .'

What reading list doesn't have a good horror book? Stephen King is most definitely the master of horror and Carrie is but one of my favourites by him, it hits on all the typical teen issues with a supernatural twist. 


5. Looking For Alaska - John Green
“In the dark beside me, she smelled of sweat and sunshine and vanilla and on that thin-mooned night I could see little more than her silhouette, but even in the dark, I could see her eyes – fierce emeralds. And not just beautiful, but hot too.”
BEFORE. Miles Halter’s whole life has been one big non-event until he starts at anything-but-boring Culver Creek Boarding School and meets Alaska Young. Gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, screwed up and utterly fascinating she pulls Miles into her world, launches him into a new life, and steals his heart. But when tragedy strikes, and Miles comes face-to-face with death he discovers the value of living and loving unconditionally.
AFTER: Nothing will ever be the same.'
I love all of John Green's books just his writing style really keeps me captivated! This one in particular I could not out down the whole story was just poignant and heart wrenching. 

4. The Babysitter - R L Stine
'Jenny's worst nightmare is coming true! The crazed baby-sitting attacker is out to get her, and he wants her dead!' 
The Point Horror series were basically my childhood they were the Stephen King books for young adults basically. I've managed to collect pretty much all of them and this one in particular remains a firm favourite. 

3. The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
'Opens at Nightfall
Closes at Dawn
As the sun disappears beyond the horizon, all over the tents small lights begin to flicker, as though the entirety of the circus is covered in particularly bright fireflies. When the tents are all aglow, sparkling against the night sky, the sign appears.
Le Cirque des Rêves
The Circus of Dreams.
Now the circus is open.
Now you may enter.'

To begin with I found this book hard to get into, but once I did I was so enthralled the imagery described in the book itself is just beautiful, and the story so different to anything else I've ever read.


2. Glass Houses - Rachel Caine

'College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation, where the popular girls never let her forget just where she ranks in the school's social scene: somewhere less than zero. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they come out fighting when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood...'

So I couldn't complete this list without adding in at least one vampire book. It seems that most of the teenage books being released these days are relating to vampires. Rachel Caine's Morganville series is my favourite out of all of them, there's just more depth to them and the four main characters are all so likeable. 

1. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

"I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once."
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.'
Probably an obvious choice for the top spot but more than deserved. This story is just a raw way of describing living with cancer with lots of dark humour thrown in. The love story between the two main characters is just so beautifully written and there is definitely a reason this book was THE book to have last year.

So those are my top ten reads I found that incredibly hard to narrow down!

Leave a comment below and share with me some of your favourite books and the reasons why you love them!

More Creative Writing

Wednesday 4 February 2015

Had this idea rolling about in my head today. Wrote this quickly so it is a bit rushed. Feedback would be greatly appreciated:

Short story:


Everybody loved Kit Bowman.
From his striking good looks to his even more striking personality. It is not often someone so beautiful and popular could be so nice.
His piercing blue eyes and his dazzlingly white smile made even the harshest of people admirers.
Everything came easy for Kit: girlfriends, friends, jobs. Everything he went after he got.
He was the towns golden boy and not just because of his shining hair.

Then the accident happened.

From then on everybody feared Kit Bowman.
His good looks so striking they seemed almost unnatural. His blue eyes so piercing just a look made you go cold, his smile so wide, his teeth so sinister and sharp.
Now nothing came easy for Kit Bowman except loosing everything he'd built.
No longer the towns golden boy, his hair no longer shined.
Now the town feared him.

After all once you are dead you shouldn't wake up

A Moment Of Creative Writing

Tuesday 3 February 2015

Hi Readers,

I'm going to be lazy on this blog post! Instead of writing a completely new post from scratch I thought I would share some of my creative writing. I did this for a course awhile ago and it had to be kept to 250 words hence the shortness of it. Depending on the feedback this might persuade me to start doing more creative writing again as I procrastinate ALOT.

Here it is:

The door creaked as he slowly pushed against it the room was empty except for a single chair. Jake turned to Doctor Coleman. ‘What am I supposed to do?’

He pointed at the chair ‘Just sit and do as we discussed all will be revealed in the duration of the experiment’ the door shut behind him and the lock slid into place. The room was now draped in darkness the only light coming from a single bulb that just about illuminated the chair.

24 hours that’s what the ad had said just you and your worst fear.

Jake wasn’t exactly sure how this would work, how could you face a fear when you didn’t even know what it was?

This is why he was here sat in this confined space which judging by the barely visible scratches that were etched up the door and on the walls, was probably once used as some sort of confinement cell.

He did as they had discussed he thought about his nightmare. The never ending running always away from someone or something. He couldn’t stop he had to get away.
He thought about it until the fear of it was too overwhelming. He opened his eyes.

The room was as it had been but now another chair was in front of him and it was occupied. The man had the same green eyes, the same messy brown haircut. It was almost as if he was looking in a mirror.


Jake was staring at himself.

Ring My Bella Perfume Review

Saturday 31 January 2015

Hi readers,

This is going to be the first of many reviews!
In the week I was going round the Benefit counter when I came across their 'Crescent Row' fragrance range. I'm rather picky about perfumes but in this range there seems to be a scent to suit everyone. At only £29.50 a bottle it is rather cheap for a fragrance.

I got the Ring My Bella fragrance.
The whole range comes in these cute kitschy boxes each with different stylings.
The box describes the perfume as:

'She flutters and flounces lace, satin and more. Her spirit so sexy Bella's shop you'll adore. Slip sweetly into a lush, juicy fling for a frill-seeking time "go on and ring". "

As for the smell of the fragrance itself:

Top notes: pink rose petals, soft lily, summer daisy

Middle notes: Egyptian jasmine, creamy peony

Bottom notes: white patchouli, vanilla tincture, white musk

I absolutely love this fragrance!! Its so sweet, not overpowering and lasts all day!

My only negative would be the size of the bottle, it's only 30ml so if you happened to use it every day it would run out quickly.

But that is the only negative I can think of!

Other than that I think this would be a great gift either to yourself or to friends or family. I can't wait to try out the different ones in the range!



Some of my favourite things

Sunday 25 January 2015

As I'm sat here on a Sunday evening just browsing on the internet aimlessly, half heartedly watching Desperate Housewives and stuffing my face with galaxy chocolate I decided to share with you some of my favourite things:

I'm going to start with the obvious I'm a massive fan of films and TV series. I'm the kind of person who can get through a series a day. Anything from Buffy the vampire slayer to Dawson's Creek.

A passion of mine is reading my nan used to take me to the library with her from a very young age. I used to read the point horror series when I was younger and have managed to collect practically all of them.

I'm also a massive tea addict! I think I would have withdrawal symptoms without it.

White chocolate is by far the best type of chocolate! In any shape or form an example being hot chocolate!

I'm a massive fan of food I think most of the photos on my phone are food related. I am a big fan of Chinese takeaways and could eat a whole one of those tubs to myself.

When I do have ice cream Ben and Jerry's is the only option (either Baked Alaska or Minter Wonderland).

I'm addicted to Yankee Candles at the moment especially the fresh smelling ones like baby powder. There's nothing more relaxing than sitting in with a cosy blanket a cup of tea and having a nice smelling candle lit.

I'm also addicted to eye shadows I have at least 4 palettes with the Elf cool edition being my favourite.

I'm a huge family person and feel that the holidays are always times for family no matter what!

Going out for meals and drinks is always better than clubbing!!

In the comments below share with me some of your favourite things or hobbies the more random the better!

A Month of Firsts

Saturday 24 January 2015

This month has been one with many firsts for me.
- Paying off my first holiday to the USA ✈
- Having to do a visa for the first time.
- Learning how to do new jobs at work
- Going Water Zorbing

I feel like this year is going to be one of change, one of taking more risks, experiencing new things and taking risks that I wouldn't normally.

Do you ever feel like you worry about other people too much? That you spend most of your time trying to please others than doing things that are the best for you.

This year is going to be different its going to be about new experiences, making the most of every situation - using this to grow as a person.

To start of this year of new experiences today I went water zorbing. This is where you are in a huge inflatable ball on some water - in this case it was a lake. You then have to attempt to stand and move the ball around pretty much resulting in you falling over ALOT.

It is hilarious and good fun for friends or couples to do together.

This should be the year that you go out, do something you wouldn't normally, take a risk you don't know what it may lead to.

My Bucket List of Places to See:

Sunday 11 January 2015

Deciding you want to travel isn't the hardest part. Getting there is harder.
Anyone can pick a few places to go and never have the intention of sorting out the actual details.
So where does the motivation come from? That motivation that makes you save rather than splurging or going out constantly like the rest of the people our age.

For me it's the drive to see more, do more, to know that my money is going towards more than just some drunken nights out every week.

There's stuff you can only learn by seeing things in person rather than through a screen.

My Bucket List of Places to see:
- New York
- Reykjavik Iceland (Northern Lights)
- China (great wall of China)
- Alaska
-New Orleans
- Hawaii
- Tokyo Japan

First stop on my travelling list will be California USA where I will be going on a 16 day guided tour seeing the highlights.
During this I will be keeping a diary and taking many pictures ready to blog ☺

Why I Love No 7!

Friday 9 January 2015

I've had a revelation this week!
The No 7 vouchers are back again at boots 5 pound off skincare and 3 pound off make up.
Being the kind of person prone to having bad skin due to breakouts I have tried so many skin care products its unbelievable! Creams, exfoliators, tea tree oils all claiming to do the same thing. After getting no joy out of these I opted to just cover with foundation which of course just causes a vicious cycle and makes the problem worse.

Then I got one of these vouchers the other day and was having a mooch around the No 7 counter.
From here I ended up getting:

- No 7 Soft and Soothed Gentle Toner
- No 7 Beautiful Skin Blemish Defence Serum

I didn't really hold much hope as I haven't really heard much about serums.
I soon changed my mind within a day of use it had helped my skin no end blemishes reduced and my skin just generally felt fresher than it had done in a while.

I shall definitely be repurchasing!!! For anyone who has troublesome skin this is the skincare range you need!!!

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