Thrive: Feel Stress Free | Review

Thrive: Feel Stress Free is an app dedicated to reducing stress and anxiety. It was created by mental health professionals and contains clinically proven techniques. The app offers quick fixes to acute anxiety as well as aiming to significantly reduce anxiety over a period of a few weeks, when used consistently. Severe anxiety is, unfortunately, something I've dealt with most of my life, so I'm always up for exploring new ways of treating my anxiety. So I was very happy when Sam at Thrive kindly reached out and offered me a free trial of the full program, in exchange for an honest review. Here's what I thought. 

When logging onto your Feel Stress Free app you are transported onto a serene island (soothing ocean sounds included) where you are guided through various anxiety-reducing exercises by a friendly little robot. The available techniques include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation exercises, meditation, mindfulness, CBT and more. Some of the methods offered I was already aware of, but this app enables a more compact and pleasing way to access them, making it less likely to neglect to practice the techniques (which I'm guilty of). There were also some methods that I hadn't come across before and that I found helpful. 

The app also tracks your mood when you use it and identifies what factors influence your mood and stress levels. And with that information it suggests the most effective exercises for you to do in that moment. What I really like is that, even when you're seemingly feeling okay, based on the answers to your questions the app can identify when things might be about to escalate, and then helps you nip potential anxiety in the bud by suggesting appropriate exercises. The app seems to learn about you as it goes along and customizes itself around your unique needs. You are also able to track your process over time. 

A nice extra feature that the app has is the zen garden - where you can build and maintain your own peaceful little garden on the beach, making for the perfect relaxation activity or distraction when feeling anxious. Another cool detail is being able to send out affirming 'messages in a bottle' to other users of the app.

In conclusion, I found the Feel Stress Free app very effective and enjoyable to use, and I would recommend it to anyone who suffers from either stress or anxiety (and will be doing so). A monthly subscription to the app is only £5.99, which I believe is a small price to pay if you're serious about combating your anxiety or stress. There's also a basic version of the app available for free on the app store.

To download Thrive: Feel Stress Free click here.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own.

Amani x

Beauty Temple Mapperley | Launch

Two weeks ago a few local bloggers and I were kindly invited along to the launch of Beauty Temple Mapperley. Beauty Temple already have an established beauty salon in Nottingham city centre but have recently branched out to the quaint area of Mapperley, and I was intrigued to see what the brand new salon had to offer.

Upon entering the salon I was greeted warmly and offered glittery cocktails and mini cupcakes (both which tasted great). There was also a DJ playing, adding to the atmosphere, and a choice of canapes. The salon itself was also very pretty, the decor akin to ones you see plastered all over your favourite Pinterest boards. The salon is large in size with various spaces and rooms dedicated to various treatments.

Each of us bloggers got to choose from a range of beauty treatments to try, options including makeup, nail and hair services. I decided to opt for glitter station makeup, as it's a look I've admired on others but hadn't been brave enough to attempt to recreate myself. I was a bit apprehensive about how it'd turn out on me, but I ended up being in love with how it looked!

I also watched as some bloggers opted for getting streaks of colour in their hair courtesy of Milk_Shake - a hair brand which provides a simple way to add a pop of semi-permanent colour to the hair. The finished result looked great on everyone who had it done.

Beauty Temple Mapperley offer many lavish services at very reasonable prices. These include the Bottomless Proscecco Blow Dry (only £35), the Rose Garden Hand Treatment, the Chelsea Blow Dry (if you fancy having your hair emulate Kate Middleton's signature hairstyle), a Champagne Nail Bar and much, much more.

They also provide all the classic services such as lash enhancements, massage and body treatments, makeovers, facials, St Tropez tanning and male friendly services, to name a few.

If you're looking for a place to host a birthday party, hen-do or girls night you can take advantage of Beauty Temple's Royal Gathering packages. Bridal packages and children's party packages are also available.

A huge thank you to everyone at Beauty Temple Mapperley! I really enjoyed spending an evening at the salon and hope to visit again in the future to try some of the many amazing treatments.

Click here to check out Beauty Temple's website!

Amani x