Hello fellow geeks!
I hope you are doing well and keeping safe during the current restrictions and the pandemic. I'm sorry to say that you will be seeing a bit less of me on Facebook this week, due to a 7 day ban - can you believe it was for sticking up for women's rights? Something that has been very prominent in the news this week. I will still be active on Instagram though, so make sure to check us out there too.
Can you believe International Women's Day was only last week and the subject of our blog? And already I have had a very unpleasant experience this past week and have had to contact the police due to an online threat from a man known to me, who used to harass me at work. When I first made the report to the police, the case was immediately dropped. But due to the outcry of women everywhere about making us feel safe to just LIVE, this prompted them to change their mind and take action. And quite rightly!
This has highlighted to me how scary and severe this horrendous issue can be (especially when you don't even have the police on your side!), so I am going to voluntarily join in the current pharmacy scheme 'Ask for ANI'. If you are unaware of what this is, the government launched the Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) codeword scheme to enable victims of domestic abuse to access immediate help from the police, or other support services, from the safety of their local pharmacy.
In my case, if you are being followed or harassed, please come into store and Ask for ANI, and I will be happy to take you to a secure room, inform the on site security and the police (if needed) to make you safe.
The anxieties and stress that we face every day leads quite nicely to the subject of this week's blog - National Napping Day! You may be working and not have the time to take a nap, but whatever you do to help you relax, take the time today (and every day) to do this - whether before work, during your lunch break or after work.
Here's a few hints and tips that really help us...
Read your favourite book
Heading into the land of fantasy can help you relax and unwind, taking the load of your mind and forgetting your worries - even if for just a while.
Take a long soak in the bath
Stress can take its toll on your body - whether you intend for it to or not - so taking a long relaxing bath can help to ease the tension in your muscles. Add some fizzers or bath salts to the tub for a lovely scent and bubbles.
Relax with your favourite candle or wax melt
Find a nice, soothing scent that can help you unwind. It is widely known that a candle's flame can help to soothe our soul, reducing stress and increasing self-awareness. The soft illumination helps us to calm down and even achieve a meditative state.
Snuggle up in a cosy dressing gown and slippers
There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting into a warm and cosy dressing gown and sinking your feet into a pair of fluffy slippers, with a hot chocolate at the end of a stressful day.
Make yourself a nice brew in your favourite mug
Everyone has a favourite mug. It's the law! So make sure to set aside some time to chill out and relax with your favourite tv series, movie or your favourite book, and a nice mug of tea, coffee or hot chocolate (or wine! No judgement here).
Do a puzzle to take your mind of things
There's actually a lot of science behind why puzzles are so relaxing, but we'll keep it simple. Puzzles take a certain level of concentration that creates mindful moments. These moments take us outside of ourselves and our worries.
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Don't forget we have our MEGA SALE on Sunday 28th March, 6pm-9pm. Click here for details. Right, I think it's definitely time for a brew and a nap!
Until next time...
Team Geek x