Let's Talk About Mental Health

Something I have been seeing more and more of on social media is a positive movement to get people talking about their mental health. I wanted to jump aboard this train, because it is so so so important and I know it is something I always struggle with. I hate feeling like I'm bothering people with my problems, or I can't explain why exactly I'm feeling down or I feel like the reason is too stupid. I wanted to share some tips for those of you who are like me that aren't the usual 'exercise, talk to your GP, be honest with those you love most' (although those are brilliant tips too).

1. Keep a diary. I find it is helpful to write down how I've been feeling, what I've found stressful and how I combatted that stress. This means that I can make connections between life events and emotions and hopefully overcome problems more easily in the future by remembering how I dealt with them in the past. It also doesn't involve other people so you can keep it a bit private without unhealthily bottling up your emotions.
2. Do things that are good for your mental health, but don't use that as an excuse to procrastinate. Taking a bath when you are stressed can be a good idea, but not if you're putting off a time sensitive task (like an essay or report your boss wants by tomorrow morning).
3. Junk food can make you feel better on occasion, but don't allow yourself to have so much that your physical health suffers. It's true that physical and mental health are extremely closely linked.
4. Even if you're very tired or very awake, try to keep your sleep schedule as regular as possible. You'll thank me later.
5. It's okay to cut people out of your life who are toxic to you, no matter who they are.
6. PUT. YOURSELF. FIRST. WHEN. YOU. NEED. TO. Don't ever feel like anything is more important than how you are feeling.
7. And remember, there are plenty of resources available to you. I won't copy in any specifics, but search for them online or ask your doctor.

Why I 'Give a Crap', and You Should Too...

This is not an ad! Just a product I want to tell the world about. Also, apologies for the photo quality, the lighting in my room at uni is poor.

Who Gives a Crap are a company that make eco-friendly toilet paper, tissues and kitchen towels. Often recycled, all paper wrapped so NO PLASTIC (yay) and smaller cardboard tubes with fatter rolls so less wasted card too. You can check out their full range here https://uk.whogivesacrap.org.

Each roll has a different (and pretty) packaging, and each says something amusing like this to explain more about their products.

Furthermore, they are doing charitable things like building toilets! So when you finish your next roll, maybe consider buying them from here next...

Short Paris Vlog

Books Worth Reading

Over my Christmas break I was lucky enough to have time to read lots of amazing books, so I thought I would share some of my favourites with you. This is not an ad! I bought all of these for myself or was gifted them by family members. Just my honest opinions.

The Trouble With Women by Jacky Fleming is as hilarious as it is thought provoking. It has an important feminist message with accurate historical knowledge, but is presented with fun pictures and heavy sarcasm. It was also reasonably short, so I managed to read it cover to cover in the time it took me to finish this bath. I will be recommending this to all of my friends.

the sun and her flowers by Rupi Kaur. You may have seen this book plastered all over your instagram, and there is a reason for that. Beautiful poems, a beautiful cover and the full spectrum of human emotions. I have enjoyed every single one of Rupi Kaur's books but this is probably my favourite.

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy is AWESOME. I LOVE BOOKS ABOUT BODY POSITIVITY!!! This book is funny, it's romantic, it's empowering and it's wonderful. A much more light hearted read than some of the others too. The movie on Netflix is actually a bit different (although also brilliant) so I would recommend watching that too, especially if you're not big on time.

Feminists Don't Wear Pink and Other Lies by Scarlett Curtis (with contributions from many other wonderful ladies). Everyone should read this book. It has sections written by lots of different and brilliant women. Some I enjoyed more than others, but they were all important for building a deeper understanding of feminism and its significance. Not a light read, but so so worth it.

As you can see, I read physical copies of all of these books. For The Trouble With Women and the sun and her flowers I would recommend this, but Dumplin' and Feminists Don't Wear Pink And Other Lies would be just as fabulous on E-Readers! However and if you decide to read these, I hope you enjoy them as immensely as I did 😊