CUT and DRY
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My Stress Relievers
We live in an ever changing world - uncertainty, unexpected losses, and challenging situations are part of our lives and can cause stress and anxiety. Let's face it, any major life change can be stressful.
Sometimes, I feel anxious and stressed. When I'm under stress I experience mental symptoms, such as irritability, anger, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. In fact, I'm often feeling on edge and not being able to relax and am excessively worried about things such as health, family, work.
When stress and anxiety trike, these three techniques help keep me calmer.
My Coping Mechanisms When Stress Hits:
1. Deep breathing.
Lie down, or take a comfortable seat. Breathe in through the nose for at least five seconds.
With your mouth closed, exhale until you’re out of breath.
Repeat five to seven times.
2. Nature as a healer. (Eco-therapy).
Walking stimulates relaxation and improves our mood. Spending time in nature and doing outdoor activities can act as a stress reliever. Researchers have found that nature, even looking at trees simply makes us happy.
Have a Happy New Year!
Cut and Dry wouldn't exist without you, lovely people. I am truly grateful to each and everyone of you for reading CAD. My New Year's resolution is to make more time to catch up with you next year, no matter how demanding and crazy work and life gets.
So, warm thanks to all of you! Wishing you a joyous 2023! xx
A Sad Story
A a photographer, sometimes I have people contacting me to use my photographs.
So this past July (July 3rd, 2022), a magazine editor reached out asking for permission to use two of my photographs in an essay he was writing.
July 3
July 15
"There are two of your photographs I would like to use if I may? One is the face of a young man who seems to be on an underground train - about to travel through time and space and the other is of two Iron Maiden fans ( could we get these two photographs to use in the piece?)
Your work is great. I really like how you capture a kind of between worlds - the real - the surreal - in a kind of cinematic noir. It is as if we are waiting for something to happen, will the train doors suddenly open and the young man will flee the train pursued by a couple of heavy, dark villains, are the Iron Maiden fans part of an underground cult that is plotting to take over the world?
Someday I would like to write about you and your work.
I will let you read the essay once I have it written." ...................................................................................................................................................................................
Everyone Is an Artist + Have a Beautiful Weekend
Hello everyone! Happy Friday! It seems ages since I last wrote a blog post; and I am sorry for that. As you may know, I love photography. However, it's safe to say that it is not easy being a photographer. There are hours spent doing editing and/or post-processing photos, countless outings empty handed, lots of expenses, etc. So I've been working on a photography project for the last couple of months. I've also been practicing my photography skills in order to develop my craft and grow as a photographer. But I do love blogging too. So here I am guys.
I thought I'd share a few fresh photographs with you, if you'd like to see. All taken in Athens, Greece 2022.
Hope you have a great weekend! Take some time to spark your creativity and do something cool. It's important to spend your time doing what inspires and recharges you. Remember, everyone is an artist in their own way. xx
P.S. Feel free to visit my Facebook profile and say hello. https://www.facebook.com/betty.manousos/
Walk - Exercise - Relax
Many of us would agree that we are living in trying times because of the pandemic. To say that the virus outbreak has dramatically changed peoples' life and also has affected almost every aspect of our lives is an understatement. But we need, we must stay strong and remain active. Here are some tips I found them to be very helpful:
WALK - EXERCISE - RELAX
* Walking even around your neighborhood. Going for a walk. Breathing in fresh air always helps me think and sort things out. Waking gives me real peace, relieves stress and improves my mood.
* Physical Activity. Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
* Taking time to relax, find time to unwind.
For Aristotle, the famous ancient Greek philosopher who was named a peripatetic for his habit of strolling up and down whilst teaching, walking is important because it can significantly free your mind and clear your thinking.
Hope you have a great weekend! xx