I'm Cool as a Cucumber... NOT! How Can I Keep Myself Relaxed?

Good evening everyone!

I'm not in the best of moods today so I'm hoping that writing up this post will be something to take my mind off things. I had no plans on writing a post about how I remain calm and relaxed but over the last 3 weeks I've had a massive amount of things going on, I've never experienced pressure like I have this last month and that's not even including any stresses from university either. All of this stress had resulted in unexplained chest pain that has lasted 3 weeks and I'm not going to lie it actually felt like I was going to have a heart attack, I've worried about everything from a blocked artery and heart attack, to a viral infection to Lymphoma. Ask any of my family and friends... or lecturers... or random people on the street and they will be able to tell you how much of a stress head I am. I worry about the tiniest of things and can never ever fully* relax. The pain in my chest caused by stress (confirmed by a doctor that stress was the cause after 3 ECGs and ECHO and blood tests), it was scary and I'm not going to lie it's given me a kick up the bum to really start looking after my body spiritually and emotionally rather than focusing on the physical side all of the time.

Being so scared that my stress levels have caused this, and could cause something worse if I get too wound up, had prompted me to write this blog post, maybe I need a little reminder of how I can stay calm, therefore I am using this blog to write down all the ways in which I can help myself, and hopefully give others tips on how to relax as well. So, please read on and enjoy, also note that my ways to relax are different to everyone else's so if my tips are totally different to what you like, try and apply it to something you do like!

My favourite book series. Skulduggery Pleasant

Get into My Hobbies - When I was a young girl and I used to stay inside a lot because of the bullying I got into some interesting hobbies, I've always used reading as a form of escapism but have really lost the lust for reading with having little time because of uni; reading could be a good way to levee my problems behind for an hour or two. I ask love to knit and cross stitch and can't remember the last time I did that either, maybe learning  new skill like crocheting would be good for me as I got lots of knitting and cross stitch stuff for Christmas. I could also get back into playing the piano or clarinet as I used to do both of those and really have lost the drive to do everything I used to love because of being so stressed about one thing or another. 

Pamper Myself - I always try to put time aside each week to do this anyway and it's kind of become a chore where I pick the things I'll use in the bath/shower and just sit there thinking about what else I could be doing. Maybe it is time that I make time for a lovely long nth/shower with the nicest smelling products I own, I never have unpainted toenails so that's another way that I can palmer myself as well. There really isn't a better feeling than being fresh and comfy, looking nice and being chilled out. 

Marsden Rock in South Shields

Exercise - Exercise is usually pretty stressful thing for me to do because it usually ends up with my legs being numb and my back throbbing painfully at best. However, I love South Shields and other beaches in the North East so why not just take a drive up there and walk along the sands for a little, there is something about the sea that is really soothing to me particularly during a storm and the waves are crashing in all their awesomeness. I think i would find that really relaxing. I love walking in the rain as I find that the easiest time for me to walk, I tend not to overheat in the rain and love rain anyway so that might be a good opportunity for me to unwind as well. Oh for the less mobile people out there I would highly recumbent Yoga, it is fab for keeping fit and chilling out. 

Talk to Friends and Family - I don't have many friends, particularly ones that are readily available to i just don't tend to talk to anyone unless I really need to or we are together at the time. I've been let down a lot with friends and family and if I truly need someone to talk to about anything it's my Nana I will go to as she is the most understanding, compassionate and diplomatic woman ever. She usually gives me awesome advice or makes me think about things in a different way so if you have friends and family you can talk to then that's awesome but if not then sometimes talking to yourself helps, I have found that arguing with myself can help me straighten things out in my head sometimes... that makes me sound off my rocker doesn't it?

One of my Cross stitch designs - did it without a pattern!

Go Driving - Every week my Nana and Granda will go for a short drive somewhere, they never pick a destination just flip a coin and drive in a particular direction, usually until Nana spots something or Granda gets sick of driving. They once ended up having fish and chips in the car park of Lightwater Valley and headed straight home haha! Nana always says that just getting out of the house lightens her mood and chills her out. I'm sure I get my stress habits from my Mam and Nana. Getting out of the house is usually a good way for me to relax, if my essays are stressing me then if I am out of the house and away from my computer/work then there's nothing I can do about it is there? I have no choice but to enjoy myself while I'm out so that's a pretty good idea too. 

Light Candles - My Hygge book says that the Danish are so happy because they often light a lot of candles and that... I guess makes them happy because candles are just SO cozy. I don't really understand why candles make the Danish (and me) so happy and content but they apparently do. I'm a sucker for candles but also a candle hoarder, I don't like using them because once they're gone they're gone and sometimes they smell far too nice. I had a sea foam candle once which just smelled divine, the whole house smelled like the seaside and that was brilliant. I always have candles so that'll be an easy one to keep to haha!

Best piece of technology Apple ever created!

Listen to Music - This one is pretty much a guaranteed way to relax me. Music is my lifeblood and I honestly couldn't live without my music and my taste is so eclectic you wouldn't think that I listened to country, elvis, Eurodance, classical, one direction and so so so many more. I love closing my eyes and just drifting away to whatever I'm listening to, it's just perfect trying to listen deeply and hear all the instruments involved in a particular song. You can even start to imagine different scenarios in your head and sometimes I get really blown away by the imagination of the human mind. Music is amazing and this is a sure fire way to help me relax. 

So, there's 7 ways that I am going to try and keep myself relaxed, it's much easier said than done and I have 100 other ways I could chill but again the proof is in the pudding. Please everybody remember that stress can cause some serious physical problems so if you're feeling overwhelmed and have tried different ways to stay calm maybe talking to your GP could help, they could offer alternative methods such as counselling, or if necessary medication. 

If you've got any tips of your own about how to stay chilled I would absolutely love to know them so get commenting below and let me know! 

Hope you all enjoyed this post, see you guys soon!

Katherine.  xo

Driving Test Tips!

Hi All!
Trying to tackle those pesky driving test nerves can be just as daunting a task as the test itself but don't despair! If you can get your nerves under control, or at least toned down a little, it will make the whole experience much easier no matter what the end result.

Everyone, no matter how old or how experienced they seem to be, gets nervous before taking exams and a driving test is no different, in fact a driving test is one of the most nerve-wracking exams you'll ever sit and it's absolutely understandable that people get stressed and nervous before it. As a teenager particularly there is a significant amount of pressure and expectation from friends and even parents in some cases which makes the experience a whole lot more stressful. I have gathered together some snippets of advice and helpful tips from my experience and others' experiences of the test that should help you prepare for your own UK driving test. One things that should be noted throughout this post is that I recently passed my driving test and I suffered from extreme nervousness, however I managed to pass with only 3 minors first time simply by staying as calm as possible. Here we go:

1. You need to be patient.

When you decide to get your driving license you will be eager to get mobile as soon as possible but you need to be patient, son't expect to be a fantastic driver the moment you get into the car, the more you worry about your own ability the lower your confidence in your ability will sink. This was a major issue of mine, I love to be the best as everything but that just wasn't the case when driving. Driving is a skill that takes time to refine, patience and confidence in yourself. When you're confident and patient with your own ability you then have the change to focus more on what you are learning rather than the negatives e.g. if you've hit the wrong gear or something. This applies on the day of your driving test, be patient with others on the road as you're liable to be agitated or tense, be confident in your skill and this should help lessen nerves.

2. Read up!

It is absolutely essential that you read your literature thoroughly and ensure you are aware and you understand what it all means. Read the Highway Code as well as The DSA Official Guide to Driving: The Essential Skills, The Official DSA Theory Test and The Official DSA Guide to Learning to Drive. It also wouldn't hurt to grab a CD or DVD which you can use on your computer to allow you to watch over people's driving tests, see what they did wrong and so on. I personally recommend GSP Driving Test Complete.

3. Make sure you know your weaknesses.

When you are aware of your weakest areas when driving you can confront your instructor with them, ask for more lessons based around those weaknesses. My weakness for example was roundabouts and lane discipline, I am also aware of people whose weaknesses included traffic signs, motorway rules and many more. You must tell your instructor what your weaknesses are because if they are not addresses they could result in a minor or a test fail.

4. If possible practise out of lessons.

If, unlike myself, you have the chance to drive with insurance outside of lessons with a parent or someone over the age of 21 with a valid driving license older than 3 years, take it! Practise makes perfect after all. However DO NOT drive on the road if you are not confident with your ability. An insecure driver makes for a dangerous driver.

5. Drive in different weather conditions.

Obviously this is going to be a difficult one as weather in Britain is unpredictable. If you can do private practise outside of lessons go out when it is windy, raining, snowing, good weather. Each different weather condition means driving style must be altered. Driving in rain is much different from driving when the weather is good as any driver should tell you.

6. Keep it on the DL.

If you're bad at keeping secrets this one might be difficult. If you tell only a few people about your driving test you will have a lot less pressure and expectation placed upon your already nervous shoulders. I highly recommend that you only tell your parents and a couple of close friends. Also if you tell a lot of people about your upcoming test you're basically asking for trouble, you're inviting people to tell you all of their driving test horror stories, how they failed, their cruel test examiners (who most likely we're very nice but people can get bitter if they're failed). Also don't believe the rumours about people being failed because of their appearance. Of course of you go into your test looking as if you've been drinking for a good 4 consecutive nights that could have an impact. It is important that you're comfortable and refreshed and ready for your test.

7. Sleep, eat, drink.

Make sure you have at least 8 hours of sleep to wake up well rested, have a good breakfast (many driving instructors recommend Bananas for an increase of potassium) and hydrate yourself, take a cold water bottle with you if necessary.

8. If all else fails.

I, and as thousands of other drivers across the UK will, highly recommend Bach's Rescue Remedy which is an over the counter calming mixture. I swear by it as it has gotten me through many educational exams and most recently my driving test.

 I wish all of the prospective young drivers the best of luck in their and your upcoming test!

Love Katherine. X