Hannah Cunningham - Brand Ambassador
Hi, I’m Hannah. I have suffered with anxiety for over 10 years and I want to share with you how mindfulness therapy has really helped me to live better with this illness.
I was fortunate enough to receive support through my workplace, which enabled me to see a therapist who taught me the simple concept of mindfulness. I have carried the skills ever since and use them every single day without fail. Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, uplift your mood, create some thinking space in your brain when things get too much...the list goes on. I honestly never believed that one day I would open my eyes and see things so differently. It took time and dedication but I am now at a point where can have an open discussion and share my experiences of having a mental health illness without feeling judged by others. There are also apps, YouTube videos and books available that teach mindfulness meditation and I would highly recommend to anyone suffering to explore these to see if mindfulness can help you too. Mindfulness has also helped me get to a stage where I can talk openly about my mental health and by talking, I have met people who can truly relate which has also been a key part of my recovery process.
Being mindful is also about listening to your body and what it needs. Here are some simple self care mechanisms I use when I feel like my anxiety might be getting a little too much:
Taking a break from whatever it is I am doing and getting some fresh air.
Exercising
A good old natter with friends and family
A nice relaxing bath
A walk in nature
Colouring
An early night
Living with a mental health illness is tough, some days will be harder than others but I promise you those feelings will not last forever. Whatever you are going through please know that it’s ok not to be ok and that you are not alone.
YANA is an acronym for ‘You Are Not Alone’ and we want to help others who are experiencing mental health difficulties to feel exactly that, not alone. The meaningful slogans across the products are designed to raise awareness, encourage more conversations, and work towards breaking down the stigma that we are still facing. Even better, YANA has teamed up with Mind, the mental health charity, and they donate 10% of every sale to help Mind continue with the incredible support they provide for those experiencing mental health problems.
Lastly, please feel free to reach out, there is no better therapy than a chin wag with someone who has been through what you’re experiencing! After all, we are in this together! ❤
Instagram: @hannah_cunningham28
Fancy joining us in spreading the word and beating the stigma? You can use Hannah’s exclusive discount code ‘HANNAH10’ in the our Etsy shop to save yourself 10% across all items - even sale items!
