I was lucky enough to be invited to ‘The Anxiety Detox’ event which was hosted by Chloe Brotheridge in July. If you don’t know who Chloe is, she’s a pod caster, YouTuber and advocate for living a healthy and calmer lifestyle. She’s previously suffered with anxiety and started her journey to live a more mindful life which then made her want to help others. I soon realised at the event that I’d unknowingly been listening to one of her guided meditations for years to help me sleep. Here is the link to that video incase you haven’t already stumbled across it before. Over the years I have suffered with my sleep, previously had to take sleeping tablets, I always seemed to come back to this video. It’s a much more natural way of trying to get sleep and deeply relaxing!
Chloe chatted about tips with dealing with anxiety and had us discuss in groups what makes us feel anxious and one thing we have been avoiding doing. It could be posting a video online, arranging a coffee with someone we haven’t yet met in real life to name a few. I don’t know about you but I’ve been avoiding doing plenty of things because of my anxiety. One being to do an Instagram live. I’m totally overthinking it. I know I am. I feel like some of you will be thinking ‘why is it different from producing video content on stories or feed videos’? The thing is, I worry about the fact it’s live. I worry no-one will watch, or I worry what questions I will get. Irrational thoughts pop into my head like what if someone watches it that I don’t want to? It’s the lack of control I think with a live video rather than an edited one. Anyway, we had to make a promise that we would go ahead with it. So, I posted on my Instagram about doing the live and asked for your input. I’d like to try and prepare for an instagram live as much as possible. If I have some talking points I think it will make me feel more at ease. Across the event were workshops about hypnotherapy, reflexology, art therapy and little health food stalls. Hypnotherapy has always been something which interests me. I feel like it appeals to me much more than going down the medication route. Don’t get me wrong when it comes to depression and anxiety sometimes there isn’t any alternative then to use medication, however I do think there are other options out there which can help, such as hypnotherapy. I really want to go to a hypnotherapist for my anxiety and trauma I have suffered in the past so I feel like this event came at the right time. It’s opened up the doors to approach a hypnotherapist and work with them on my mental health.
TO THE CYNICS
My Grandad was highly cynical. He smoked for a lot of years and didn’t find a way to stop. No matter how much he tried. Someone suggested he go to a hypnotherapist. He did. When he left the session he put a cigarette in his mouth and when he tried to smoke he felt instantly sick. He never touched a cigarette from that moment onwards. Now, if it worked on my Grandad then there’s hope for us all.
LIVING A MORE CALMER LIFE
Chloe really inspired me to implement more activities which will help my mental health, yoga, meditation and just general mindfullness. I’ve always been interested in mindfulness but I think it just kickstarted a healthy mindset again. You can find Chloe’s podcast here: https://www.calmer-you.com/
AWARENESS IS KEY
Within Chloe’s presentation she touched on being aware of what thoughts pop into your head. Sometimes we speak to ourselves awfully. I’ve noticed it when I get ready, I will stand there in the mirror and pick apart what I look like. I’ll look at all my flaws. What kind of start to the day is that? Sets us off in a negative mindset before we’ve even left the house. She told us about the ‘friend filter’. When a negative thought about yourself pops into your head, pop it through the friend filter. If you would never dream of saying it to a friend why do we talk to ourselves like this?
Another tip Chloe gave us was to write down how we’re feeling. Every day jot down your thoughts in a diary. The feelings wheel can pin point our emotions. You can find the feelings wheel here It’s good to get to know how exactly we’re feeling to become more in tune with our mind. If we can recognise our feelings more and recognise when we might be feeling angry or sad it’s good to take action. Jot down why you’re feeling like that. Then write another why, then another why, then another why until you find the real reason why you’re feeling that emotion.
FLOURISH EVENTS
Sarah did an absolutely unreal job at arranging this event. I’ve been to a few events whilst on my blogging journey but this was by far one of the best! From the decor to the organisation, the workshops, everything was wonderful. She really did think of everything. There was a wellness area upstairs which featured art therapy sessions, reflexology sessions, health food stalls and so much more! The venue was Leaf in Manchester which is always a fab venue for these types of events I would highly recommend joining her mailing list for future events because it was an absolute pleasure to be invited to one of her events!
NEXT EVENT
Flourish Events company have got a skincare event coming up in October. There will be a main panel talk with leading dermatologist & author of The Skincare Bible, Anjali Mahto. She will be joined by author, podcast host and renowned fitness expert, Alice Liveing plus registered dietitian, Nichola Ludlum Raine. After the panel talk, we’lll open up the floor for a Q&A with the audience!
You‘ll also have access to a range of mini workshops, 1:1 clinics, taster sessions, shopping & pamper areas and healthy snacks through out the afternoon!
Ticket price includes a welcome drink & goody bag worrh at least £25. You can grab your ticket here:
Thank you so much to the lovely Sarah for inviting me! Go and give the company a follow here