Off My Chest: The Thing About Stress

Hello and welcome to my blog! If this is your first time visiting, then be sure to check out the other stuff I have on here! I have a number of posts and 'series' on here to hopefully keep you entertained!

Anyway, I have written this blog post because it has hit the news recently that actress Sheridan Smith is taking four weeks off from theatre production Funny Girl due to stress and exhaustion. This was after Smith had missed three performances of her show in a row, rumoured by some to be because of her drinking.

Sheridan Smith

Stress is not uncommon, we all go through it. Work gets on top of us, the stress of adulthood, bills, family troubles, relationships....it doesn't matter what it is because we all experience stress at some point in our lives and some more than others.
I think stress can often be undermined in that it's perhaps not viewed as an illness, but stress can be extremely detrimental to your health. Mental illnesses in general are difficult because it's not visible. It's easy to see a bruise, a cut or a physical injury, but no one can read or experience the thoughts which you carry around with you on a daily basis. It is because of this that it's easy to be misunderstood. Unless someone knows you extremely well or cares deeply for you, they are not going to realise the differences in your character and they are certainly not going to realise that there is any sort of problem unless you talk about it.

Personally I find stress difficult to handle at times. When you go through things without sharing your problems or venting your stress and it builds, it's only a matter of time before the volcano erupts. Pent up frustrations and emotions roll into one and it all comes flooding out at once. The situation seems bigger then it may actually be and it all becomes a bit too much. That's why it's important to deal with these stresses before it all becomes a bit too much.

I haven't followed Sheridan Smith's works all that much but what I do know about her is that this girl is on TV all the time. She seems like an incredibly hardworking actress who is constantly filling the boots of a new role and deserves the much needed break. Hopefully she is able to make a full recovery and do what she does best!

So what do you think? How do you handle stress? Let me know!

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out my other blog posts and follow! :)

Crystal Maze Makes a Return!!!

...as an interactive gaming experience. I heard the news on Crystal Maze hoping for a grande return to our television screens but still, just hearing any news on one of my favourite childhood shows got me all excited.

I actually loved this show as a kid, so much so that I once tried to reenact the crystal dome part of the show. I once actually got some monopoly money and made my cousin sprinkle the money on the ground from her top bunk bed, whilst I scrambled myself on the floor quickly scooping it all up.
Basically, the idea is to bring the 90's game show back in the form of an interactive gaming experience in central london. Apparently this will be happening around autumn and is being developed by theatre company Little Lion Entertainment. This is written on their 'About' page on their website:
"Little Lion's aim is to create the most exciting, engaging and entertaining theatrical attractions London has ever seen, whilst also being a cultural force for change in opening up theatre to broader and more diverse audiences.

There has been a cultural shift in audiences towards content that they can engage in with an active way; modern audiences want to do, not watch."

A little more was written which you can read here http://www.littlelionentertainment.com/about/4587724036, but I think that description sums up what they are hoping to achieve with this Crystal Maze project. I personally think it sounds like a great idea,. The only thing is the price for participating is supposedly £50, yikes. However, if I was hanging out with a big group of friends, I think trying it out would be a great laugh.
Watching Crystal Maze when I was younger, I always thought it would be a fun thing to try out myself. I also felt this way about Supermarket Sweep. I mean, who wouldn't want to run around frantically in shopping isles, just throwing food into your trolley and making a mess while jolly music plays in the background? This is something I also tried in the comfort of my own home. Call me weird, I probably am.

My verdict: bring back the Crystal Maze on TV! If you can bring back Family Fortunes, then you can bring back Crystal Maze :)