Case study - Anxiety Issue by Alice Farr

CASE STUDY #1 / Anxiety Issue

CONTENTS

#MAKEUPWITHYOURMIND 1

CONTENTS

P.9 #Makeupwithyourmind CAMPAIGN

P.5 8.3 MILLION Everyday anxiety influencers

P.7 INVISIBLE INJURY Blind opinions and stories

P.19 SLOW FOOD Mindful attitude

P.33 BOOKS Recommendations

P.31 From Australia to London SHONA VERTUE

P.27 Sky High-City Living SHAKE IT

P.23 Packing our anxiety JO DAVIS + SAM HARRISON

P.29 DESTINATION SWEET DREAMS Recipe for the perfect night sleep P.34 IN PRAISE OF SLOW Carl Honore Interview

P.21 My Yoga London LINDSAY JESSUP 2

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LETTER #1

THE ANXIETY ISSUE #MAKEUPWITHYOURMIND Words by ALICE FARR

e all know what that overwhelming feeling of fear and unease feels like. The fear which causes our minds to become imaginative with irrational, threatening worries. Anxiety has already caused 8.3 million cases in the UK alone during the past year. This number continues to increase throughout the UK and the world, as does the negative attitude towards it. Anxiety is incredibly common and covers a wide spectrum of forms. Despite this, there is still a heavy abnormal cloud hanging over mental health. We are used to seeing the clinical symptoms of anxiety, however here at Suitcase we know there is so much more to anxiety than a diagnoses. My wonderful Suitcase team have come together to create this special edition, campaign led, insert, #Makeupwithyourmind, to start making progress regarding normalising and promoting anxiety. We hope to diminish the existing stigma and encourage you to slow down and befriend your mind.

Through the creative process of this issue, I have gone on a personal journey, learning so much about my core self. Speaking to others who have experienced such similar stories has helped me to heal the implanted thought in the back of my mind, that told me, something was seriously wrong. The Anxiety Issue is full of bravery from those sharing personal experiences, to those who teach themselves (and others) how to naturally aid their troubles and allow the mind to slow down and focus. I invite you to connect with us and stop this battle between you and your mind. Nothing is abnormal about anxiety, the sooner we realise this, the sooner we can allow our minds to make up. We really hope this read will be as special to you as it has been to the Suitcase team. Enjoy...Slowly of course.

8.3 Million

PHOTO BY ERIKA BOWES

Alex Gaskin Fashion communication Graduate

Rebecca Thompson Sales Assistant

How long have you suffered with anxiety?

How would you describe yourself?

Would you say your anxiety defines you?

Music, I’m always listening to music. It’s something I immerse myself in no matter what’s happening around me.

I have always been a worried person but during Summer 2015 it consumed me. I would wake up and go to sleep with heart pain.

During Summer 2015, yes, it was all I felt and thought about. Now, I make an active decision to get out of my own head.

What have you learnt from having anxiety?

It doesn’t feel like it at the time because you feel weak but it makes me try harder. Most of all, I’ve learnt that I’m not alone in having it.

What do you think about the negative stigma attached to anxiety?

I think some people view anxiety as an excuse for not doing things. People can be quite ignorant towards anxiety. Just because it isn’t a physical injury, doesn’t mean its not there. It’s one of those things you can’t really fully understand unless you have felt it yourself, and that’s a shame. 5

I’m a shy, optimistic person who day dreams about things that will almost never happen.

What one thing could you not live without?

How long have you suffered with anxiety for?

Just over a year ago I began getting panic attacks but didn’t know what they were, until a doctor finally told me after countless tests.

What triggers your anxiety and what makes is worse?

Sometimes I could be sat doing nothing and a panic attack will start out of nowhere, occasionally large crowds can also trigger them.

How does anxiety make you feel?

Useless. Sometimes I find myself saying no to things because I’m scared I’ll have a panic attack.

PHOTO BY ALICE FARR

Jonny Crosby Promotional Events Planner

Emma Townsend Fashion Student

What triggers your anxiety?

How do you creatively express yourself?

The constant striving for credit. I feel the pressure from past generations who ‘achieved’ so much by the time they were 30, looking down at me waiting for the car, the house, the family, when in reality I am eating beans on toast the week before pay day, squashed into a 5 bedroom house share.

Always by wearing red lipstick

What triggers your anxiety?

Social situations or if I feel rushed and disorganised. The smallest situations can feel like the end of the world.

Is there anything positive that comes from anxiety?

What annoys you about having anxiety?

I guess the feeling that I’m not alone. We all have a common ground.

It’s uncontrollable. If I’m anxious I can’t’ forget about it until the outcome is resolved; even in smaller situations.

How long have you suffered from anxiety?

Is there anything positive about anxiety?

It started when working in the night-life industry 5 years ago. I felt a need to portray an image that people were drawn to, which was unobtainable.

How do you deal with anxiety?

I like to think it makes me a kinder person that’s considerate to others. It isn’t something I always like to talk about or tell people about, I am always aware people have a lot more going on in their lives that could be difficult, even if it’s not obvious or if they don’t speak about it.

Exercise is key. I train 3-4 times a week, taking out any frustration. When I can, I like to just sit outside a coffee shop and read. It lets me switch

Would you say having anxiety limits you?

off from emails, bills and the noise of London.

others.

Yes, I find it makes me not as approachable as 6

THE INVISIBLE INJURY Words and Photography by ALICE FARR

hy is it, that as humans, if we can’t see something is doesn’t matter or exist? We seem to find it hard to trust and believe until we have seen the hard copy evidence. Despite this we live with the confidence that our sight will educate us, allowing us to experience people and places. But are we really seeing them? We see the exterior and nothing else. Sight is a remarkable sense, however, it is awfully limiting, especially when looking directly at me. No one can see my feelings; my thoughts and definitely not my anxiety. Believe it or not, I am incredibly thankful anxiety is invisible; I couldn’t think of anything more diminishing, than being visibly defined by anxiety through a single glance. That’s not to say that suffering with something that many can’t see (and therefore don’t understand) is easy. I used to be accused of being irrational if I shared an anxious thought, although for me these thoughts and worries were real and genuine. I went through a long, tiring couple of years experiencing extreme health anxiety. I already knew I had anxiety, but it quickly jumped to a specific bundle of worries. It started through panicking about throwing up and catching minor colds and viruses. I would do all I could to prevent this every single day. I would be wary about eating and wouldn’t stay in my own home if anyone was ill. The anxiety of being around

germs would be too strong and would in turn, make me panic to the extreme of sickness, which is what I was trying to avoid all along. This soon developed to anxiety over life threatening, terminal illness such as cancer. I turned a minor back pain into having a tumor attached to my spine. Until I had proof that this condition didn’t exist inside my body, I felt that I couldn’t live my normal life. I managed to convince myself my hair was falling out, the extreme panic of believing I was going to die 24/7, made me have symptoms of exhaustion which I would scan as evidence for terminal illness. In between these weakening, heavy worries, I was seeing friends, working and going abroad, trying my best to get on with my life. The people I confided in couldn’t understand why I was at the doctors three times a week. I got numerously told I was wasting doctor’s time and that ‘I looked fine’. I didn’t have a terminal illness - I had anxiety that no-one could see and because of this, it was hard for people to care. Luckily, I now look at life in a completely different way. My anxiety is still faintly engraved however I now work towards defeating worries instead of giving them attention. I didn’t want to just exist and try to get through the days, I wanted to live and enjoy them. With a simple change of thought I was able to makeup with my mind and start to restore the damage of anxiety. 8

#MAKEUPWITHYOURMIND

Photography: ALICE FARR Styling: ALICE FARR Model: ISABEL SCHWARZ at Savalas Models 9

Have you ever felt so suffocated by the invisible? No matter how normal and natural you try to imagine itâ&#x20AC;Ś All you see is the synthetic, clinical, stigma

#Makeupwithyourmind

Slow Food Words by ALICE FARR Photos by SILAJA BIRKS

ood and healthy living has become a noticed trendsetter over the last few years, with many of us becoming more interested in the quality of our lifestyles, bodies and minds. We are beginning to make improvements in our dayto-day routine and have started to make simple aspects more concentrated, parts of our day. Food has its place upon the spectrum of anxiety, whether it contributes and triggers your worry through fears of illness, weight or possibly the anxiety of decision making when faced with vast choices. Food also has it ways of helping and aiding anxiety through the process of how we eat and our surroundings, which when done slowly can improve our state of mind. Despite our interest in healthy produce, we still live in a society where we constantly state that ‘there just isn’t enough time in the day.’ With this said, parts of our daily routine, such as meal times, are turned from sociable breaks, to on the go time wasters. We have somewhere grasped the attitude that sitting down with friends and food, is a formal event, which we rarely have time for. Instead we prefer quick, ready-made meals for one and on the go solutions. Not only are we trying to hurry the process of creating and eating meals, but the process of growth is also being forced to increase to meet demands. Sadly, despite our ongoing health movement, food is still linked with

convenience and multi-tasking instead of simply enjoying, tasting and rewarding our bodies and minds with healthy fuel. Emilia Fellows creator of food blog, The Hackney Pantry, is completely for the slow food movement. Through a chat with her she passionately spoke about her belief that food should be a shared experience, a time to bring people together and to enjoy. Emilia started to note her pure, healthy food recipes online during 2013, which has led to her catering for well-being events. Recently, Hackney Pantry has provided high nutrient food for yoga brunch events. These events are all about bringing like-minded people together to experience mindfulness through yoga and the process of eating good food. Though yoga is an incredible calming practice, it can be quite isolating, Emilia tells me. Yoga is all about the concentration on yourself, which is what so many of us are calling for. However, combining that with an uplifting sociable brunch, does wonders and contributes to starting your day off right. ‘Fast’ has become something we’re all too obsessed with, we forget to take time out to look after ourselves because we are all to busy rushing and concentrating on the amount of time left in our day. By slowing down even just a few aspects of your daily life, will help you to make more room for head space, which really is the first step to ultimate well-being and calm. 20

My Yoga London

Interview by ALICE FARR Photos by LIONEL AGBADOU

ver met someone so kind hearted who has a natural urge to help others through their own experiences? Lindsay Jessup, AKQA’S Digital Project Manager for Nike, dedicates her own time to connecting London to Yoga through her recommendations on her site ‘My Yoga London’.

How did My Yoga London start?

I had my first yoga class during third year of university. I left feeling as light as a feather and calm, something I hadn’t felt for a while. My yoga practice was sporadic after. I was moving cities and when I finally made it to London, there were fewer yoga classes than today. I struggled to find recommended yoga teachers and studios. The more I started exploring, the more my friends and colleagues asked for recommendations. I documented and my recommendations for friends to see on a simple site. The more people viewed it, the more it was shared. I started getting emails from teachers inviting me to meet them. I wasn’t expecting it to become anything, but it did - quite quickly. 21

Many people say they practice yoga to aid anxiety. Has yoga given you a better understanding of this?

Absolutely! When I started yoga I had breathing difficulties, I didn’t understand and it was frightening. I now realise it was a product of being anxious. I worried a lot, but didn’t really know a significant way of dealing with it. I then grasped how much yoga was altering this for me. I could not explain to enough people how yoga, diet, practice and mindfulness has been so significant for me.

You connect people in London to a diverse spectrum of yoga classes; do you think location impacts anxiety?

Without a doubt! I read a book called Slow by Carl Honore, it’s totally changed my frame of mind in busy surroundings, especially in cities. Getting caught up in the race to get somewhere ends up being your normal speed through the week and weekends, because cities like London never slow down. My Dad lives in a quiet village in the hills of Spain where it is totally untouched

by tourists (except him!). He’ll always remind us with a slight pull on our shoulder, to ‘take the Spanish pace’ when we go and visit. I hope that from sharing recommended teachers and studios in different parts of the city, it helps yogis find options that are close to them, giving them more options in general.

Why has yoga become incredibly popular over recent years, do you think?

Everyone is more health conscious. Fitness fads come and go but yoga has stuck. I believe it’s because of how it makes people feel. Yoga being; mind, diet, practice...its holistic, that’s the difference. Seeing the NHS and schools starting to offer yoga as a medicine, hugely highlights Do you think it is harder to practice yoga in the city? how effective the benefits are in helping people Yes, if youre lucky enough to live in an area that with physical and mental ailments like anxiety. isn’t in the bustle, and you have a yoga studio nearby that you love, then it’s not hard to find Through your site, what have you learnt about and keep calmness. Unfortunately, a lot of people yourself, about yoga and anxiety? have to travel distance to and from classes, e.g. I’ve been introduced to a lot of books and from the tube, or a cycle ride through London, which the teachers, which opened my eyes to subjects I can easily take you back to an anxiety level you never understood before. The biggest subject its had before class. But over time, it prepares and led me to is myself. Understanding my struggles helps you manage the more stressful parts of your and mind has changed the way I live my life. typical day, finding your own balance. That’s the I’ve underestimated the value of investing biggest lesson I have learnt. I’ve taken my own understanding myself. As a result I’ve opened yoga practice (in all senses of the word) to make up to a whole load of things that I would never ‘living’ here more manageable. Interestingly, a have thought about properly before. This is my lot of teachers are creating new styles that aim to biggest take out so far. target city-living Londoners now. 22

PACKING OUR ANXIETY World 0f Wanderlust Blog

Interview by ALICE FARR Photos by SAM HARRISON

aking a flight and travelling to an unusual culture can be daunting for the majority of us but travelling the world with a mind full of anxiety is a whole new concept.

The frustration of wanting to take in every surrounding whilst being carefree, can be close to impossible when your mind is controlled and riddled with anxiety. So many of us want to see, feel and smell the world whilst immersing ourselves in to opposite cultures but for many of us, staying in our comfort zone is the safest option which only benefits our anxieties. Rebelling against the shackles of anxiety and monotonous daily routine, travel, blogging couple Jo, 23 and Sam 25, share their travelling experience and the effect it has had on their minds as they travel through South East Asia and head to South America.

Alice Farr: How would you describe one another? Jo Davis: Sam is a kind-hearted, intelligent,

gentle person; he is extremely interesting to have a conversation with, although we've had to introduce a buzzword while travelling so he doesn't go off on a tangent.

Sam Harrison: Jo is a thoughtful, loving, and spiritual individual who possess a beautifully deep-rooted consideration for the well being of others.

AF: What made you travel? JD: I actually haven't seen much of the world or experienced different cultures. I hadn't lived like a local in a different country or immersed myself in beliefs and new languages. I'd always lived the English way, which is amazing, but not something I want to do all the time.

AF: How long have you experienced anxiety for? JD: Four years, it began with extreme health

anxiety. If I discovered a spot on my skin, I would think it was cancer. If I had a soar throat I would think I’d have to get my voice box removed. It consumed me and at times I wouldn’t want to leave the house. In social situations I’d think about everything I was saying in depth and sometimes I wouldn’t speak at all.

SH: I have suffered from anxiety since January 2015. My main triggers are food, money, social situations and indecision.

AF: How does anxiety make you feel? JD: As though the whole world is closing in. I feel like I have one thousand decisions pending in my mind.

SH: nervous and uncomfortable, which causes me to lack confidence.

AF: Has travelling impacted on your anxiety at all? JD: Definitely, anxiety has led me to be afraid of a lot of things. But while I’ve been out here I’ve been in situations which have forced me to face these fears head on.

SH: In a wholly positive way, I have managed

to calm and control the regularity of it, which has brought me great respite and relief. Being on the move and having a different setting on a regular basis has allowed me to stay fresh and revitalised.

AF: How do you cope with your anxiety? JD: I have a brilliant yoga teacher called

Thereza. She’s infectious and has taught me that my worries are so much smaller than they seem. I take ten minutes daily to meditate and clear my mind of any negativity.

AF: Have you found a location that calms your anxious thoughts? JD: Bali has calmed my mind; Hinduism is

a beautiful religion and everyone here is appreciative of the world we live in. On the other hand, Cambodia has made me more appreciative of everything I have. It is a third world country and really does make you realise that material things mean so little. I saw children in Cambodia with nothing and realised the richness of happiness in those children is something that money cannot buy.

SH: I have felt most comfortable, relaxed and

calm in Bali. The spiritual vibe of the place does wonders for your anxiety.

AF: What are your ultimate dreams and ambitions? SH: To be a competitive athlete and to be happy.

JD: My ultimate ambition is to become a music publicist, travel writer or radio producer but I’ll let life decide that one for me. 26

SKY HIGH City Living Interview with Harvey Hodd Co-founder of Shake IT Words by Alice Farr Photos by Leanne Dixon

ity life continues to mask its true self from many of us. Abruptly showcasing its desirable qualities, whilst hiding its unobtainable reality. The city of London holds the cruel power of your success. It will either allow you to thrive and achieve, or will completely wrap you up in its fast pace turbulence. For many of us, the city can contribute to great anxiety and stress. However, imagine the contrasting experience of looking over the awakening city from above as the sun positions itself in the sky. Meanwhile deeply breathing, in and out and standing in mountain pose allowing your mind and body to exhale before your day has even begun. Could this change your perception of city life? 27

Shake It was created in the summer of 2014, generating a health and lifestyle accessory brand whose products deal with the modern, daily city environment. Launching its catalyst shaker was the beginning of an expanding, exciting business for co-founder Harvey Hodd “ We never intended on resting on one product and one path. The shaker was the initial spark that allowed us to take a plan on the drawing board and put it in to motion”.

product, which is currently in the pipeline, goes hand in hand with the brands original shaker. Alongside this, many event plans are under way with a warehouse HIIT event in Hackney, which is coming soon. Shortly after this, a second yoga event will be taking place-this time focusing on Bikram yoga.

The founders have always seen Shake It as an umbrella term, allowing them to expand Shake It in to all different aspects of a healthy, more active lifestyle. Which is exactly how the next natural progression of the brand started, the transaction to premium yoga mats “through being a practitioner of yoga for years, I am aware of the incredible effects of yoga and 100% believe living a healthy active lifestyle has benefits to the well-being of the mind.” The launch of the new premium yoga mat was a real spectacle. Shake It teamed up with London’s new edition to the famous skyline, Sky Garden. The event caused complete contrast of peace and calm in the sky as the city below woke and started its rush. This really insinuates the practise of yoga, taking the time to slow the mind despite lifestyle and location. During the event, Phoebe Greenacre took the yogis, Bloggers and business founders through a fiery session of Vinyasa Yoga, the synchronised effect of movement and breath. This culminated with some after class nutrition from Pip + Nut, Moju drinks and Oppo ice cream. The event was an incredibly personal affair with monogram printed yoga mats and tote goodie bags. Keep your eyes peeled as Shake it have got more plans to expose their great design and ethos in to our city lifestyles. Their new

Harevy Hodd’s city living advice HH:

I believe that anxiety and worry is contagious it can affect all areas of your life like wildfire, but only if you let it. There are many ways to relax and refocus in the busy city, don’t overlook these as busy lifestyles take precedence.

Firstly...

Take time for yourself, for the mind and body to allow you to relieve all the stress and anxiety that builds up day to day.

Secondly...

Meditate, try yoga, and exercise. 28

Destination

SWEET DREAMS

3 6

1. LUSH Each Peach (and two’s a pair) Massage Bar £5.95, 2. LUSH The Comforter Shower Cream £4.95, 3. Waterstones The Little Book Of Mindfulness £5.99, 4. LUSH A French Kiss Bubble Bar £4.25, 5. LUSH Karma Bubble Bar £4.25, 6. LUSH Twilight Bath Bomb £3.50, 7. LUSH Serendipity Soap £3.50

Words and Photography by ALICE FARR

leep should be a peaceful finale, but for those who suffer with anxiety, sleep can be a vicious, never ending cycle. During Summer 2014, when my anxiety was at its riddling peak, I remember lying in bed exhausted from a day of subconscious worry. It came to 10:30PM and I was weakly ecstatic that the day was nearly over. I knew that once I was asleep I would escape the reality of anxiety until the next morning, however that night in particularly was abruptly venomous. I switched off my light and turned onto my side; there it was - the worrying thought that I had been stuck with all day. Staring me in the face. I tried to swat it away but it was bound to my mind and wasn’t going anywhere. My mind, and this thought, were inseparable; the more I tried not to concentrate on it, the more the worry grew. This love/hate relationship that my mind had with this worry kept me up, through endless panic attacks, emotional out bursts, pacing walks and the distraction of pointless TV. Eventually, complete exhaustion took over and I slept, fitfully, still anxious that I would wake up with the worry smugly lying beside me. After many nights like this, I have learned the importance of sleep for my body and mind. I have made it priority to effectively improve my night-time routine and through my success have shared my recipe for a calm, worry free sleep, which will come with time.

Recipe For A Perfect Night Sleep 1.Good sleep starts before bedtime, exercise, be active…do what you need to do to exhaust your mind positively throughout the day. 2. Two hours before you intend to sleep, run a hot bath. TIP: use Lush’s Twilight bath bomb. The scent and softness of the water will start to blur your worries. Whilst in the bath, use this time to practise mindfulness, relaxation and your breathing. It’s not codswallop, trust me. 3. Next on the menu is caffeine free, soothing camomile. This sleepy tea literally tucks your mind into bed. 4. Now it will be oddly tempting to be influenced by emails, late night TV, or your phone. But you must resist, as this only awakens and activates the mind. Focus instead on relaxation. 5. For the final half hour of winding down, make sure your room is sleep heaven. Main lights off, with only candles or dim lamplight allowed. Let your mind loosen itself within the imagination of an author’s pages. 6.Dim light off. Reward your body with a productive night’s rest. 7.Finally have a routine regarding times you get to sleep and wake up, your mind will listen and will flow through this structure with you.....

Sweet Dreams!

From Australia to London SHONA VERTUE

Interview by ALICE FARR

fter moving from Sydney Australia to London England, Shona Vertue, yoga teacher, gymnast, personal trainer and ambassador for New Balance, is one of the leading females on the mindfulness scene. From health retreats to Gatwickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-flight yoga routine, Shona is constantly spreading calm and slow in to our daily routine.

Why did you choose to move from Australia to London?

Mainly personal expansion. Australia is incredibly beautiful, but I think the isolation and endless sunshine means I lived sheltered from the realities of life! I wanted to understand more about myself - so decided to throw myself into ‘city living’. Living a peaceful yogic and healthy life is easy in Sydney with sunny outdoor life at your fingertips; I wanted to challenge my spirituality by putting myself into a very intense environment. I’m basically a hippie living and surviving in the city.

Do you find London stressful compared to Australia then?

Yes. Although, we’re humans and we’ll make things stressful if we’re inclined to direct our perspective that way. Even with the beach life that I had back home, I still very much managed to create drama and stress for myself. As much as we believe that stressful situations come from external forces, they don’t. Your external world is very much a reflection of your internal beliefs.

Where in London do you feel most relaxed? At home with my rose quartz crystals.

How does practicing yoga and meditation make you feel? Loved, expansive, light, free, energised, open, authentic, clear, detoxified both in body and mind. I could go on.

How does yoga aid the mind, our stress and anxiety?

A big part of it is focus on the breath. The way in which we breathe is closely linked to the CNS both parasympathetic (rest & digest mode) and sympathetic (fight or flight mode). In yoga we learn to control the breath and stimulate the parasympathetic mode of the nervous system this stimulates calming hormones, recovery and sleep...All the good stuff.

Why does your Vertue Method class include meditation?

It’s such an important part of heath and yet such a neglected aspect. On the road to a healthy and lean body, mental clarity and peace is just as important as nutrition and fitness. The Vertue Method class is a holistic approach to wellness so it had to be included.

Has anxiety ever affected you?

Yes. I still experience it sometimes. I don’t think anxiety ever ‘goes away’ - it comes to you at different points in your life as a reaction to various situations. What you learn in yoga is that you can’t control this external stimulus; instead you can control the way in which you react to it. Just 10 deep breaths can be enough to create space between the thoughts and the anxiety. I also believe it’s a question of perspective. Gratitude can be the perfect antidote to anxiety.

What would your top tips be for people who find it hard to relax and be mindful?

Just remind yourself that relaxation is a practise. It doesn’t come naturally - but it is something that ALL OF US NEED. When you first start to practise relaxation or meditation or mindfulness, you will not feel comfortable. Suddenly you’ve stopped and now your body and mind can harass you with all the things you’ve been ignoring while you distracted yourself with a ‘busy life’. Because of this stillness, uncomfortable and suppressed emotions can resurface. Pain and discomfort in the body becomes prominent and we are suddenly forced to face what we’ve been hiding from. So, give. It. Time. Practice regularly just as you would learn an instrument. Set reminders in your phone to take time out with breathing or just being alone. Give it 30 days and you’ll feel a difference. I promise.

BOOKS

BOOKS FOR CALM THE LITTLE BOOK OF MINDFULNESS BY TIDDY ROWAN

FOR A CHALLENGE IN PRAISE OF SLOW BY CARL HONORE £8.99

FOR COMFORT MY AGE OF ANXIETY BY SCOTT STOSSEL

spend time on yourself.

This best-seller highlights the damage that extinction of slow pace will have. Carl Honore persuades you to embrace the philosophy of slow and in turn live a more fulfilling life.

The New York Times best-seller, gives an honest, brave, narrative on the experience of living with anxiety. This book is full of comfort for those looking to make up with their minds.

FOR TRANQUILLITY PEACE OF MIND BY THICH NHAT HANH

FOR THOUGHT THE ART OF TRAVEL BY ALAIN DE BOTTON

£10.99

FOR THEORY REWIRE YOUR ANXIOUS BRAIN BY PITTMAN AND KARLE

A simple , gentle read, Providing you with reasons to live outside of your mind. Ultimately guiding you to

So many of us use travel as an escape. This great read explains why we travel. 100% recommended to those who

achieve peace of mind.

suffer with travel anxiety.

£5.99

This pocket-sized book allows you to dip in and out, full of over 150 tips, exercises and meditations providing you with the perfect reason to

£8.99

£11.99

A technical insight to what is happening inside our brain when experiencing anxiety. Perfect for those who want answers.

In Praise Of Slow Interview with Author Carl Honore

Interview by ALICE FARR

Do you think anxiety is connected to having a fast pace life?

Yes, when every moment becomes a race against the clock, everyone is set up for failure. No one can ever be fast enough, creating a constant thrum of anxiety. We sacrifice two things that make us happy and healthy which can vaccinate us against anxiety: time to rest and strong human connections.

schedule that do not work to advance that vision. One concrete technique I like is the Not To Do List: Scan your To Do List for next week. Find at least one thing you can ditch on each day. A meeting you can cancel? A dinner you can duck out of? Move it to the Not To Do List and move on. At the end of the week, you’ll probably find that life went on just fine, and possibly even better.

How have your own experiences of anxiety been impacted through pace?

We have seen an increased popularity in healthy living, why do you think that is?

For a short period in my career, I was a staff correspondent for a newspaper. I was getting saddled with an editor, who not only lacked the milk of human kindness but wanted me to cover breaking news, when my specialty was longer, unhurried features. I can remember feeling a nausea when this editor called. I definitely felt unhappy. My solution was to speed up, in order to outrun the unhappiness. This started in work but spilled into my private life. I found myself doing everything, from eating supper to reading bedtime stories to my son – at high speed.

Many people who suffer from anxiety are recommended to practise meditation. What would your tips be for those who don’t have time?

I would say that a starting point for a life well lived, is to look after you. Ignore your own well-being and you’re just building your life on quicksand. As for tips…take time to reflect on what’s really important to you now and in the future: what kind of life do you envision for yourself? Then start dropping things from your

We have lost the art of living well. We’ve mastered the art of busyness, multitasking and performance. But that has left us tired, lonely, unhealthy and unfulfilled. It is no wonder that people are turning to things like yoga, clean food and meditation.

How do you think slowing down can help those with anxiety?

I suspect that one of the root causes of anxiety is a disconnection from the self. We lose touch with who we are and thus get infected by demands, expectations and neuroses that swirl around us. When you know yourself, you stand on solid ground and can cope better. Slowing down and living more mindfully is the best way to get back in touch with yourself. That said, reconnecting with yourself can be scary and might even increase your anxiety-but only to begin with. If you stick with it, you will come out the other end a much better, and less anxious, version of yourself. 34

SHOW US HOW YOU

#MAKEUPWITHYOURMIND

361