


now it's down by my shoulders': Here's what one woman did to try to grow back her hair after cancer treatment 'Changing your parts doesn't make you a woman': Macy Gray makes her views on trans issues clear in a no-holds-barred interviewĮXCLUSIVE: Yazmin Oukhellou 'stable and recovering in hospital after surgery' following car accident which left her seriously injured 'I don't know what I am going to do': Former model Marie Helvin, 69, says she's so broke she may have to work in a supermarketĮlle Macpherson, 58, brings her VERY hunky son Flynn Busson, 24, as her date to the Dior show during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week If you need urgent help for yourself or someone else outside of our Helpline opening hours, contact 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123.Love Island 2022: Casa Amor curse sees Andrew, Davide and Dami share smooches with new girls, leading to an almighty row between Dami and Luca Distraction techniques can be really helpful for helping you through difficult feelings, but ask for help if you need it – you could contact someone you know who is able to support you, or use Beat’s Helpline services.Both can be good depending on what you need to distract yourself from and what kind of mood you’re in. Consider distractions that are quick or don’t require too much effort as well as ones that are more involved or will take up more of your time.Often these are based around the five senses. You might want to go one step further and make a “self-soothe box” – this contains things that ground you, help you relax, and reduce symptoms of panic, anxiety or low mood.Save playlists of favourite songs and videos, keep useful apps together on your phone, and put anything you need to physically distract you, such as crafting materials, favourite books, or stress toys, somewhere you can easily reach them.

Try to make sure that you won’t have to go to too much effort if you need a distraction right away.Consider what activities you find absorbing – something repetitive, like knitting? Something where you can let your feelings out, like journaling? Something transporting, like a good book? The most calming activity will be different for everybody, so have a list ready to go for when things start to become stressful.Try taking a bath, or painting your nails.Try switching off your electronics for a while, and/or putting them in a drawer or a different room.If you have a pet – or know someone who’d let you come and spend time with theirs – you might find it calming to pet or groom them.Concentrate on your surroundings and think about five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. Try using the “5, 4, 3, 2 1” technique to help ground yourself.Try meditation, affirmations, breathing exercises, colouring, or other mindfulness techniques – there are apps that you can use to help you do this, or perhaps you could ask someone you trust to talk you through an exercise so that it feels more personal and tailored to you.What can you accomplish quickly and easily? What might someone be able to help with? Is there anything particularly worrying you that you could get out of the way? What smaller and more manageable things could you do to complete bigger tasks? If you have a lot to do and are feeling overwhelmed, try making a to-do list and breaking it down.Think about ways you might be able to change the thing that is causing you stress – taking a short walk if you’re feeling trapped, for example, or picking a small area to tidy if your living space is messy.
