#How To Reduce Stress Strategies

[365momme]

The Art of Saying No: Protecting Your Time and Energy

As moms, we often wear many hats—mother, worker, caregiver, chef, chauffeur, teacher, friend, and the list goes on. With so much to juggle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched far too thin. The result? Anxiety, burnout, and a constant sense of being pulled in too many directions. While we may have heard the phrase “self-care” countless times, the truth is, it’s more than just…

[bloomzone]

HOW TO HEAL AFTER A BAD DAY ৎ୭ ॱ ₊ . *

“ It doesn't matter what anyone says. If there's something you want to do, don't mind what others think and just trust yourself.” -Lalisa manoban

Healing after a bad day is essential to maintain your well-being and resilience. Here are some strategies to help you recover and find peace after a challenging day:

by: ★﹕bloomzone﹒

1.Acknowledge Your Feelings:

Allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment. Acknowledge what you're feeling, whether it's frustration, sadness, anger, or disappointment.

Journaling: Write down your thoughts and emotions to process and release them. Writing can help you gain clarity and perspective on what happened.

2.Self-Compassion:

Be kind to yourself: Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend in a similar situation.

Positive affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations or self-compassionate statements to counter negative self-talk and boost your self-esteem.

3.Physical Relaxation:

Deep breathing: Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your nervous system and reduce stress. Focus on slow, deep breaths to bring relaxation to your body and mind.

Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and release each muscle group in your body to release physical tension and promote relaxation.

4.Engage in Self-Care:

Take a warm bath: Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts or essential oils to relax your muscles and soothe your mind.

Engage in a hobby: Do something you enjoy, whether it's reading a book, listening to music, painting, or going for a walk in nature.

Healthy meal: Nourish your body with a balanced and nutritious meal to support your physical and emotional well-being.

5.Connect with Others:

Reach out to a friend or loved one: Share your feelings with someone you trust and feel supported by. Talking to others can provide comfort and perspective.

Social support: Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who uplift you and make you feel understood.

6.Mindfulness and Meditation:

Mindfulness practice: Practice mindfulness by focusing on the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness can help you calm your mind and reduce stress.

Guided meditation: Listen to a guided meditation or visualization to relax your mind, release tension, and promote inner peace.

7.Reflect and Release:

Reflect on the day: Take some time to reflect on what happened during the day, what you learned from the experience, and how you can move forward positively.

Let go: Release any lingering negative emotions or thoughts through activities like meditation, visualization, or simply taking a few deep breaths and letting go of what no longer serves you.

You are capable of overcoming any challenge that comes your way. Remember that setbacks are just temporary roadblocks on the path to success. Stay focused on your goals, believe in yourself, and trust in your ability to rise above any obstacle. You have the strength, resilience, and determination to achieve great things. Keep pushing forward, stay positive, and never underestimate the power of your own potential. <143

[mindfulstudyquest]

here's the reason you procrastinate

based on Fuschia Sirois' research

everyone procrastinate at some point. research suggests that almost 1 in 4 people procrastinate on a fairly regular basis, and the rates are even higher among college and university students ( 50% of them procrastinate regularly and about 85-90% do so occasionally ).

because procrastination is so common we tend not to put too much thought into it, in the end what is the problem? it's just delay.

well, it's not. actually procrastination is harmful delay ( so defined by the researchers ); it is a form of delay which is:

voluntary

unnecessary

involves important tasks which you intended to do

people often underestimate the consequences of procrastination and how debilitating and harmful it can be. if you delay dealing with ( for example ) your academic works, of course you can expect some negative results in that area, but what about the collateral consequences of it?

research has shown that people who have problems with procrastination have low physical and mental health and practice less healthy behaviors. they deal with depression, stress and anxiety.

just think about the enormous amount of stress that procrastination brings: first of all, constantly chasing deadlines. deadlines can nag anyone, even those who don't struggle with delaying, but then it ends, the job is turned in, and everything goes back to normal. for procastinators this is not the case, they will keep putting off important things and will constantly end up with an imminent deadline.

so, if it's so harmful for your health, why do people do it? some people think it's about laziness or poor time managment, but actually:

laziness isn't procrastination. if you're lazy you don't have the energy to do anything, instead procrastinators are always busy with a thousand non-essential tasks to do, in fact they avoid doing one specific task, not every task ( for example if i need to study, but i'm procrastinating it, i end up cleaning my room )

poor time managment it's actually a symptom of procrastination, not a cause.

from a psychological perspective the origins of procrastination are rooted in negative emotions and the urge to cope with them through avoidance. so actually procrastination is about poor mood managment, not poor time managment.

procrastination starts when we have a task that's unpleasant, but we have to do it. and we use procrastination then as a way to get relief from those negative emotions associated with the task, so basically it's not even about avoiding the task, but it's about avoid the negative emotions that we associate with the task.

we need to avoid stress and aversive feeling that come with the task, especially when we don't feel like we can manage those negative emotions at the moment. so we take the task, we put it aside, and it's instant relief. it's fast, it's easy and it works for a little while, then that sense of shame, guilt and self-blame starts to kick in.

so why do we keep procrastinating? for that sense of relief, because that made us feel rewarded and we tend to repeat behaviors that rewarded us. this can easily lead to a cycle of procrastination.

however, the negative thoughts that we have ( "why didn't i start earlier?", "i'm letting myself down" etc. ) don't actually make us take action. they just add layers of layers on pre-existing negativity.

so how do you get out of the procastination cycle?

go back to valuing your task, if it's so important that you do it, remind yourself why you are doing it

remember that we tend to overestimate the discomfort that a given challenge will bring us. probably your task isn't even that time-consuming, unpleasant and frustrating

be compassionate and and forgive yourself, it's an effective strategy to reduce the negative emotions associated with the task. you are not the first nor the last person to procrastinate, we are all human and we all make mistakes. research has shown that doing so reduces the risk of procastination.

hope you enjoyed this little explanation, here's my sources: https://youtu.be/xTEPNxx0MsA

[glowupwithamy]

Finish what you started and transform your productivity

Recently i picked up a book i hadn't read in a long time for the past week i hadn't been able to work properly my tasks were going unfinished so i opened my cupboard and saw that book right in front of me. Then i read the whole book in just a one night and it sparked inspiration in me ..So i thought why not share everything i learned with all of you?

So I'm giving you guys a structured summary of Finish The Art of Following Through - Taking Action, Executing & Self Discipline by Peter Hollins -

1. The Importance of Execution

The ability to follow through allows you to create the life you desire rather than settling for the one you currently have. The process consists of focus, self-discipline, action, and persistence

2. Barriers to Follow Through

- Inhibiting Tactics: These include setting bad goals, procrastination, succumbing to distractions, and poor time management.

- Psychological Roadblocks: These encompass laziness, fear of judgment or failure, perfectionism driven by insecurity, and lack of self-awareness.

3. Staying Motivated

To remain motivated holds both external and internal motivators -

- External Motivators: These involve utilizing other people or resources to encourage action, such as accountability partners upfront investments and self bribery

- Internal Motivators: These focus on understanding personal benefits and improvements. Ask yourself questions such as How will this benefit me? and How will my life improve?

4. Developing a Manifesto

A manifesto is a set of daily rules that guide your actions so her are the some key rules -

- Rule 1: Identify if you’re acting out of laziness and avoid it.

- Rule 2: Limit yourself to three major tasks per day.

- Rule 3: Establish daily limitations and requirements

- Rule 4: Reaffirm your intentions through statements like I want I , will and I won't

- Rule 5: Reflect on the future consequences of not following through

- Rule 6: Utilize the concept of "just 10 minutes" to push through discomfort.

5. Follow Through Mindsets

- Mindset 1: Recognize the worthiness of your efforts.

⭐ Mindset 2: Become comfortable with discomfort.

- Mindset 3: Understand that learning comes from completing tasks.

- Mindset 4: Manage stress and anxiety effectively

6. Overcoming Procrastination

Procrastination can be managed through strategies such as:

- Temptation Bundling: Combine unpleasant tasks with enjoyable activities.

- Creating Momentum: Make starting tasks as easy as possible to gain momentum.

- Leveraging Fear: Use productive paranoia to spur action but cautiously

7. Minimizing Distractions

Create a work environment free from distractions and focus on

⭐ Single Tasking: Avoid multitasking to eliminate attention residue ( I will also create a separate blog on this topic i used to face this problem earlier and i have used many methods to reduce my habit of multitasking so i will write a blog about it. Don't worry )

- Batching Tasks: Group similar tasks to improve efficiency.

- Creating a Don't-Do List : Identify tasks to ignore and avoid ( This method is literally too much helpful )

8. The 40–70 Rule

This rule suggests acting when you have 70% of the necessary information as waiting for 100% is unrealistic

9. The Importance of Rest

Recognize the value of rest and relaxation as essential for mental recovery

10. Common Pitfalls

- False Hope Syndrome: Avoid unrealistic expectations and set achievable goals.

- Overthinking: Avoid excessive rumination and focus on taking action.

- Worrying: Concentrate on the present and control what you can.

11. Developing Daily Systems

Establish daily behaviors that promote consistency and long term success

⭐ Keep a Scoreboard: Track progress for motivation ( Ive been using this method for the past four days it literally shows me where I am making mistakes and what I need to do to complete my unfinished tasks )

By following these structured advice you can improve your ability to finish what you start and achieve your goals

If you have any questions or tips to share feel free to drop them in the comments in here to chat , Stay connected for more tips and insights thanks :)

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Revision Strategies

When the time comes for revision, it can cause stress for writers of every level.

After all, it can be hard to delete or change words you spent hours writing.

To help reduce this stress, the following lists a few revision strategies.

READ IT ALOUD

Although it can be awkward at first, reading your work aloud can be one of the best revision strategies.

1. Catching Typos

When reading silently, your brain might skip over or correct small errors because it makes educated guesses about what the words are trying to say.

However, reading aloud forces you to slow down and see what is actually written.

2. Identifying Sentences That Flow Awkwardly

If you have ever read an incredibly long sentence in someone’s work, you know that it can be hard to follow the person’s train of thought.

These sentences are hard to catch in your own writing, but reading aloud will make them almost impossible to miss.

It is natural to take a breath in between sentences, so if you find yourself out of breath while reading aloud a single sentence, or having difficulty following the main idea/s of a sentence, the sentence likely needs to be revised.

SHARE YOUR WORK

It can be unnerving to ask others to read your work, but the payoff is more than worth it.

1. Another Reader Can Offer A New Perspective

It is easy to miss small details in your own work, especially when you have been looking at the same document for a long time.

Furthermore, because you are an expert on your own topic, you may not notice whether your essay effectively lays the groundwork necessary for those unfamiliar with the topic.

Ask a friend, family member, or a writing consultant to read your draft and offer feedback.

Moreover, telling your readers what to focus on ensures they pay special attention to the elements you want to revise.

2. Edit for Grammar Last

Even a grammatically-sound paper can fall flat if the content does not meet a reader’s expectations.

Your top priority during revision should be to make sure that you have made your point/s clearly.

Save the editing of punctuation and grammar until after you finish revising a draft.

3. Manage Your Stress

If you get a lot of feedback on what to revise, make and prioritize a list of the comments.

After taking the time to digest everything, focus on each individual item on your list.

Cross off items as you complete them so that you have a physical representation of the work you have finished.

TAKE TIME AWAY

Leave yourself enough room in your schedule to take time away from your completed rough draft; time away from your writing is an important part of revision.

1. Recharging Throughout the Process

It is taxing to begin revision immediately after finishing a draft and can discourage writers.

Giving yourself a break between writing and revising allows you to rest and recharge, so when you revise, you have more energy to spend on the process.

2. Refreshing Your Perspective

Taking a break allows you to distance yourself from your work so that you can read through it more objectively.

This fresh perspective allows you to see what might need clarification, refined organization, elaboration, or other revision work.

3. Coming Back from a Break

Instead of immediately jumping into sentence-level revisions during your first read-through of a draft, focus on reading your writing from start to finish at least once without interruptions.

This enables you to see how well your writing flows, catch any repetition, and determine whether anything might be missing.

Writing Notes & References

[inclosedwalldelusion]

40 sentences that will teach you more about nutrition than a $400,000 medical degree

From Brett Boettcher @brettboettcher1

40 sentences that will teach you more about nutrition than a $400,000 medical degree.

1) Meat, eggs and animal organs are the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.

2) Bone broth is loaded in collagen and helps repair the gut so you can heal from the inside out.

3) Saturated fat doesn’t cause heart disease, insulin resistance does.

4) Your ratio of triglycerides to HDL is a great indicator of mortality risk; the lower the better. ·

5) Protein is the most metabolically active macronutrient and it isn’t bad for your kidneys.

6) There isn’t quality evidence to show that dietary cholesterol impacts the cholesterol in your blood. ·

7) There is even less evidence to support that total cholesterol is bad for your health since it is inversely correlated to mortality risk. · 4h 8) Walking before and after meals is a great way to improve digestion and reduce blood sugar spikes.

9) Fiber is the last thing you need if you have IBS or diverticulitis.

10) Dairy is great for your health and its saturated fat intake is inversely correlated to heart disease.

11) Most nutritional recommendations were introduced based on profit margins, not health outcomes.

12) Calories in and calories out is all that matter, but some calories make you hungrier (sugar/grains). Other calories (protein) help you burn more calories.

13) Multi grain just means they took 2+ different terrible sources of grain and put them together into one product.

14) Cereal and bread for breakfast will spike your blood sugar and have you starving before lunch. Try Greek yogurt or eggs instead. ·

15) “Intuitive eating” and “listen to your body” makes no sense considering 88% of people are metabolically unhealthy and addicted to food. No one would say “intuitive crack use.”

16) Eating is a stress on your body; The less often you can eat, the healthier you’ll be.

17) Plan your meals around the protein source (with its natural fat) and add a small side of carbs if needed.

18) Eating for satiety is more important than relying constantly on willpower. Find filling foods and avoid foods with addictive properties (ultra-processed).

19) You don’t have to know how to cook. Grill a meat, sauté a green vegetable, bake a potato. Mix and match a million ways.

20) Eating many of the same foods every week isn’t perfectly optimal but it’s likely your best path to consistency and therefore success. ·

21) Becoming more insulin sensitive should be the focus of any health-related nutrition plan.

22) Salad dressings are one of the worst things you can eat for your health. High in calories and inflammatory industrial oils.

23) Eating 5x per day won’t boost your metabolism. If you are trying to gain weight, it’s an excellent strategy.

24) Bacon can be healthy, just avoid the processing with nitrates.

25) Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt are two of the best sources of protein per calorie.

26) Carbs are beneficial around a workout. But many sources of carbs are processed and easily overeaten. Focus on single ingredient foods.

27) You can’t be healthy at any size no matter what your mother or liberal arts professor said.

28) Eat a high protein meal before attending social events that are filled with junk food.

29) If eating out, order the food with the highest protein content.

30) The #1 reason people fail is that they don’t prepare. Meal prep, meal plan, have ready to eat protein sources. · 31) The food you eat directly impacts your mental health and processed foods are correlated with depression and mental illness.

32) Processed foods have been engineered to be as addicting as possible. Your taste buds can be retrained with natural sources.

33) “Plant-based” foods are made in laboratories and are an easy way to sell overpriced junk to consumers at high margin.

34) Eating 1 gram of protein per lb of ideal body weight daily will do more for your body composition than spending 30 minutes on the treadmill.

35) When in doubt, if it comes from the center aisles of the grocery store or has more than 3 ingredients, it’s not good for you.

36) Many foods labeled as “keto” “paleo” or “high protein” are far from meeting the intended definition.

37) Your gut is responsible for 70% of your immune system; feeding it sugar and other inflammatory foods is making you sick now and later.

38) Genetics play a role but over 90% of the country has a resting metabolism within 500 calories daily. Being fit is possible for everyone.

39) Flipping the food pyramid upside down is closer to healthy eating than the traditional suggestions.

40) Eliminating drinking your calories is the first change to make when trying to improve your health.

[nenelonomh]

how to manage feeling overwhelmed

feeling overwhelmed can be really tough, but there are several strategies that can help you manage and reduce those feelings. here are some detailed steps you can take:

ੈ✩‧₊˚ identify the root cause: try to pinpoint what’s causing your stress. is it work, personal relationships, or something else? understanding the source can help you address it more effectively.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ accept your feelings: it’s important to acknowledge that you’re feeling overwhelmed. don’t judge yourself for it. acceptance can reduce the additional stress of feeling guilty or ashamed.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ practice mindfulness: mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help you stay grounded in the present moment. this can reduce anxiety about the past or future.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ break tasks into smaller steps: large tasks can feel daunting. breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps can make them feel less overwhelming and more achievable.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ prioritize and delegate: determine which tasks are most important and focus on those first. if possible, delegate tasks to others to lighten your load.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ take breaks: regular breaks can help prevent burnout. even short breaks to stretch, walk, or simply breathe can make a big difference.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ connect with others: talking to friends, family, or a therapist can provide support and perspective. sometimes just sharing your feelings can help alleviate some of the burden.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ practice self-care: make sure you’re taking care of your physical health by eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising. physical well-being is closely linked to mental well-being.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ use grounding techniques: techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method can help you stay present. name five things you can see, four things you can hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.

ੈ✩‧₊˚ seek professional help: if your feelings of overwhelm are persistent and affecting your daily life, it might be helpful to speak with a mental health professional for additional support and strategies.

remember, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. taking steps to manage these feelings can help you regain control and feel more balanced.

❤️nene

[demonslayerunhinged]

Unhinged theory:

Sanemi has some form of anxiety

Let me explain:

We all know Sanemi is depressed but I think he has some kind of anxiety disorder too. The evidence is based on two categories:

Sleep Deprivation

Anxiety & Stress

Sleep Deprivation

For this point, I made the diagram below(yes, I have no personal life 😔).

The main symptom that supports the sleep deprivation theory is his bloodshot eyes. Sanemi's eyes are always bloodshot and he always has eyebags, even when he's in a relaxed state (you can tell because his 'eye dots' are larger) which could be an indication of lack of sleep.

His scraggly hair could also be a symptom because aside from Giyuu (who has depression) he's the only Hashira that doesn't seem to take care of his hair.

Another observation I made is that Sanemi is always leaning on something or hanging on something. He also puts his chin on his hand/palm, I do that when I'm tired too.

Or sometimes, he hangs on to his belt.

It seems like a stretch but he does these things often and he's the only character -that I know of- that does this. It could just be a character quirk though, due to his ghetto upbringing.

He's also the only one visibly tired after the training session between him, Obanai, and Muichiro.

I noticed in the first episode of the Hashira Training Arc right after the Infinity Fortress trial period expired and he ended up stabbing the floor, he immediately sat down. Why? Seems like a weird thing to do .

Then there's all the wobbling he does in the mansion while fighting the demons.

Anxiety & Stress

The evidence for this has to do more with his behavior and actions, especially his anger and impulsive decisions. Most people associate anxiety with fear which makes sense but anxiety can also manifest as anger too.

From the article linked below,

Anxiety causes anger for several reasons. At its peak, anxiety can cause overwhelming emotions and thoughts that make you lash out in an attempt to regain your sense of power in a stressful situation.

Anxiety as anger can be triggered by:

Flight-or-fight response - when he feels threatened

Emotional exhaustion - from his past trauma and loss

Perceived loss of control - encounters with Tanjiro(bestest boy ❤)

Cognitive distortions - his belief that he's a monster, that he has to shoulder things by himself etc.

The perceived loss of control I feel is a defining factor for the two drastic decisions he's known for:

Stabbing Nezuko – A Corps member has been harboring a demon. In his mind, the Corps has been infiltrated, and Tanjiro’s probably been feeding Nezuko people.

Trying to poke Genya’s eyes out – His brother has been eating demons. He probably fears that Genya will turn into a demon and then he will have to kill his only surviving family member. Or that Genya will die early if he continues eating demons and fighting.

When it comes to stress, he displays the following symptoms:

Irritability

Anger

Grumpiness

Always on edge

Restlessness

Impatience

His impatience with others and with himself, with him trying to get the mark as fast as possible also points to anxiousness. His white hair too! He hair probably turned prematurely grey due to environmental stress, taking care of his family, worrying about keeping them safe, his violent upbringing and probably lack of nutrients from food because he would most likely have his younger siblings eat all the food instead of him.

So everything is all tied together. His anxiety from past trauma contributes to his present anxiety which prevents him from getting proper sleep and increases his stress levels which leads to even more anxiety.

But how does he fight and stay so alert then?

I think his anxiety disorder is high functioning plus he takes a lot of matcha tea which has caffeine. His constant eating of ohagi probably also keeps him hyper too.

Another piece of evidence that solidifies my theory is the appearance of his eyes in the last chapters.

Probably had that sleep he hadn't gotten in years.

In Conclusion, our boy Sanemi has some form of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and is highly stressed due to lack of sleep which is why he acts and looks like a crackhead. He needs some sleep and possibly to get laid.

[theresattrpgforthat]

So, I went to a game store, and I asked if there were any good beginner games for someone who tried the DnD Essentials Kit and found it too complicated, and you'll never guess what one singular game they suggested!

THEME: Simpler Games than DND.

My friend, I’m not a very good guesser, but I hope that I am able to present you with some games that will give you what you’re looking for.

24XX: Chaos Unit, by polyhedralmice

Deep under the busy streets of Sapien City is the headquarters of the Vermin Squad, the espionage wing of a secret organization of urban animals known as the CHAOS Unit. They capitalize on the fact that vermin are virtually invisible human inhabitants of the city and use they use their street smarts to run vital missions for the unit. Raccoons, opossums, pigeons and squirrels each play specific roles and together form teams that take on the most vital of missions. From intercepting life-saving pizza orders to rescuing their colleagues from the dastardly Animal Control, there is no task too daunting for the brave animals of the Vermin Squad. Every night teams are sent out on their missions, and this is the story of one of those teams. Nothing will stop these brave agents from successfully completing their tasks (except maybe a humane trap baited with peanut butter). 

CHAOS Unit is a spy themed hack based on Jason Tocci’s 24XX.

24XX games are great for groups that love different-sided dice. In general, you only have a few skills for your character that are outside the normal parameters (upgraded to d8 - d12), and the success threshold is the same for pretty much every roll. The challenges and situations of any given scenario are typically presented as roll tables, allowing the GM to come up with an adventure just by rolling a few dice.

CHAOS Unit has just a few character options, some simple gear options, and a comparatively light-hearted premise. It’s a great introduction to the system, and learning how to play one 24XX game makes every other 24XX game a piece of cake to learn, even if they include new rules.

Loot, by Gila RPGs.

LOOT is a fantasy TTRPG by Gila RPGs that combines looter shooter mechanics with west marches vibes. When a rebellion toppled a lich overlord and torn down his city, the people were left with a lot of loot, and a lot of problems. That's where you come in.

Get some friends together, fight some monsters, deck your characters out in cool loot. Do it all over again.

Even though LUMEN uses grid-based combat, your character’s stats are simplified, reduced to a few things: health, armour, and three action types: force, flow & focus. Your stats themselves come from the items that your carry - your loot.

Your loot is organized through slots on your character sheet: you can only carry so much, so you’ll have to think carefully about what kind of stat bonuses and abilities you want. I find that a visual inventory can make it easier to keep track of everything you have, and can help some players learn how to think strategically. If you like the fantasy and strategy that exists in D&D but don’t want to do nearly as much math, you might be interested in LOOT - although the lack of dice is certainly a big change.

Slugblaster, by Wilkie’s Candy Lab.

In the small town of Hillview, teenage hoverboarders sneak into other dimensions to explore, film tricks, go viral, and get away from the problems at home. It’s dangerous. It’s stupid. It’s got parent groups in a panic. And it’s the coolest thing ever.

This is Slugblaster. A table-top rpg about teenagehood, giant bugs, circuit-bent rayguns, and trying to be cool.

Forged in the Dark games can be tricky to introduce to a new table, but Slugblaster is one of a few that I think can do the job. It’s a streamlined version of the system, that takes away a lot of the crunch that comes from Stats, Position, and Effect, and boils it all down to Kick and Boost. It also streamlines harm into 2 levels of slams, and keeps stress and downtime to a procedure that you can follow step-by-step when you finish a run. Finally character creation is very easy: you only make few choices in terms of abilities, and many of these choices are descriptive, rather than mechanical.

One thing I’ve noticed about games with “simpler” rules systems is that they typically do require a bunch of improv, which can be scary for new GMs. Slugblaster isn’t that different in this regard, but it does have a few things you as a GM can prepare beforehand if you want to make things easier for yourself. For example, you can set up your map of the different dimensions beforehand, including the doorways that the teens can get through. If you know that the teens get back to your home dimension without going through Operablum, then you can prepare a few location - specific threats to confound the teens as they try to get back in time for dinner.

Another strength of these games is that typically, if a player wants to do something, they just have to be able to describe how they’d do it - you can then work backwards using the gear & resources on your sheet to give you some dice to roll, as well as the logic of the game world, to figure out what happens next.

Lady Blackbird, by John Harper

Lady Blackbird is on the run from an arranged marriage to Count Carlowe. She hired a smuggler skyship, The Owl, to take her from her palace on the Imperial world of Ilysium to the far reaches of the Remnants, so she could be with her once secret lover: the pirate king Uriah Flint.

Lady Blackbird is the first game I ever played, and it’s a game I fell for - hard. It involves rolling pools of dice that you pull from descriptive collections of tags assigned to pre-generated characters. It simplifies game-play by taking away the step of character creation, and gives the group a pretty solid story to pick up and follow wherever your heart may lead.

While the rules of the game are fairly simple, I think that as a GM, you’re going to need to be comfortable with a fair bit of improv to make this work. The game has some excellent pieces of advice on how to come up with scenes for the characters, and even includes some example complications to throw at the party. I’m really glad this was my first game because from the beginning, it affirmed that roleplaying games are a communal experience, and even if the characters and the starting scenario are already written for the group, the players have a lot of freedom to decide who their characters are, and what they’re going to value.

Liminal Horror, by Goblin Archives.

There’s a strange comfort to ambiguity. To stand at the threshold between states of what was and what’s next, to inhabit the places of transition. But you’re never truly alone here. There are things that hunger within the dark places. Strange creatures and mysteries lie in wait and tumbling into the wrong place at the wrong time may put you on the path towards doom.

Grab your flashlights and blood splattered jackets as you try to make it through the night. Beware, snapping bone and rending flesh are often the simplest outcome. While there may be great power within these places… not all mysteries can be solved and not everyone can be saved. Above all, there are fates far worse than death.

LIMINAL HORROR is a rules-lite, adaptable Survival-Horror roleplaying game about normal characters and their struggles against the things that go bump in the night. The game focuses on surviving the weird and Investigating horrors while blending simple, old-school inspired rules with modern, narrative first principles. Survival is not guaranteed and those that do make it through the night are often forever changed.

In Liminal Horror, character creation is rather quick, often easily generated using a few dice rolls. For most tasks, your characters will roll a d20 and try to get a number lower than one of their three stats, so when you get started, teaching the game should be pretty simple. Of course, since it’s a horror game, there’s more than just trying to roll under a stat: characters will find themselves subject to the consequences of being exposed to horrors that are far beyond the limits of human experience. As a result, characters will find themselves dealing with two different kinds of harm: stress & fallout. These two harm systems will make the stakes feel real, and they’ll also inflict changes on your characters as you play.

Liminal Horror has a few things going for it. The basic rules are fairly straightforward, but they’re also free. The game is meant to be paired with pre-written adventures, which often include place descriptions, NPCs, and adventure-specific consequences to torture the characters with. A lot of the adventures available come with a price tag, but if you want to try out the system, there’s a couple of free ones out there - I recommend Messenger National Park, by capacityforwonder.

For the Ship And Its Crew, by Adeline Fowl Games.

We've crewed this Ship for years together. We've seen wondrous sights, gotten ourselves into seemingly insurmountable trouble, and have owed our fair share of creds to the wrong people. And yet, still, we fly. But after all these years, our past may be catching up with us. As the missiles tear across starlit space, we'll be forced to ask ourselves: What will we do, for the Ship and its Crew?

This is a hack of For the Queen, which mostly involves answering prompts, using something like a card deck, or in this case, a digital hosting service. Your group is telling a story by taking turns answering questions, which makes the game fairly easy to teach, even to people who don’t have a lot of roleplaying experience.

These kinds of games can also be played very quickly, which might also make it easier to introduce to folks who aren’t used to sitting around a grid and calculating resources for 2+ hours.

Other Recommendation Posts To Check Out…

Easy To Teach Recommendation Post

First Time GMs Recommendation Post

Little Reading or Writing Required Recommendation Post

[mylonelydreaming]

I really don't like how people completely reduce Link and Zelda to "bossy controlling princess" and "idiot feral"

Zelda is repeatedly mentioned as being loved for being hands-on, caring and kind with her people. Not for her status. She never lords over people. "Orders" from her turn out to be people completely misinterpreting her life advice and taking it too seriously, and an impostor.

Link is not stupid. He used to be responsible for other knights and strategies as a captain. Age of Calamity even shows this a bit. He solved hundreds of Sheikah and Zonai shrines and figured out the technology. Sure, he isn't as smart as Zelda is, but he isn't stupid either. Maybe when he had just woken up from the Shrine of Resurrection with total memory loss, but he canonically has most of his important memories back considering BotW's True Ending is canon to TotK. Consider as well that he genuinely listens to her rambling intently. He has almost certainty learned from her. Consider as well that they are now both teachers at the Hateno school, where Link helps teach history, not just cooking.

Y'all really took one cutscene each of Zelda yelling at him a century ago as a stressed, frustrated 16 year old, and Link eating rocks for comedy in Age of Calamity/fandom korok jokes, and made it their sole personality traits as though they are just more or less identical to the 80's cartoon Link and Zelda with no other personality traits

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Autistic Shutdowns

Text will be below:

autistic shutdowns

What are autistic shutdowns?

Shutdowns are involuntary responses to being overwhelmed. Whereas meltdowns usually result in an external reaction (more of a 'fight' response), shutdowns can be more internal (more of a 'freeze' response) but one can lead to the other.

A shut-down means that the stress, overwhelm and exhaustion is so high that our brains and bodies literally shut down.

This can look different for different individuals.

Shutdowns may look like...

Extreme tiredness

Hiding somewhere quiet and dark

Loss of outward emotion

Not being able to move

Lack of coherent sentences

Not speaking

Withdrawing

Complete loss of energy

Laying down still even if awake

Unresponsiveness

Numbness

Common shutdown triggers:

Sensory overload

Stress exceeding coping ability

Change in plan or routine

High anxiety

Exhaustion from masking

Unmet needs

Social exhaustion

Feeling unable to meet expectations

High emotions or overthinking

Tiredness

Rejection sensitive dysphoria

High demands

What can help during a shutdown:

Finding a quiet space

Being given time to recover - either with a 'safe person', pets, or alone

Reducing sensory input

Anything special interest related that you can engage with

Calming music or meditation

Weighted blankets and headphones

People around you understanding

How you can help someone who is having a shutdown?

Guide them somewhere quiet if they can move

Reduce demands

Remove any anxiety triggers

Give them time and space to recover

Speak calmly

Provide any strategies you know help them - special interest related, calming activities, fidget toys.

After a shutdown

It is important to remember that your body has just experienced an involuntary reaction to high stress and overwhelm - and that is not your fault.

You might feel embarrassed or ashamed, but you need to now take care of yourself to avoid burnout, as repeated shutdowns or meltdowns can be more likely to lead to burnout.

you are trying your best and your best is more than enough ♥️

The Autistic Teacher

[theambitiouswoman]

10 Self-care Ideas to Start Your Day 🧖‍♀🫧🤍🪞🎀

Self care means tending to your own needs and well-being. While many definitions might overcomplicate it, at its core, self care involves prioritizing yourself. Often, we neglect self care due to various reasons, with the primary one being a lack of time set aside for ourselves.

Self care varies for each person. Some might thrive on waking up at dawn, while others prefer a leisurely morning with a good read.

Starting your day with a routine matters because it sets the tone for your entire day. It promotes better functioning, improves your mood, and enhances your productivity.

Early Rise: It might seem counterintuitive, but waking up early has its merits. Early mornings offer a calm start, allowing you to accomplish tasks before the bustle begins. Those extra minutes in bed can tempt you to linger, leading to skipped breakfast or rushed routines.

Additionally, early risers can avoid traffic and find peaceful study spots. For those working remotely, mornings often provide optimal focus due to fewer distractions. Gradually adjusting your wake-up time and syncing it with an earlier bedtime is key.

2. Stretch: Prioritize morning stretches in your self-care routine. After spending hours lying still, your body craves movement. Morning stretches invigorate you and prepare you for the day. If you're feeling adventurous, delve into morning yoga routines.

3. Hydration Boost: Begin your day by hydrating. Your body goes without water for hours while you sleep. Drinking water first thing in the morning can energize you and kickstart your body's systems. Keep a water bottle nearby for those early morning thirsts.

4. Quick Workout: Exercise reaps countless benefits. If you're working on integrating workouts, mornings are perfect. Knock out a workout at the start of your day and feel accomplished. Quick 5-minute workouts fit perfectly into a morning self-care routine.

5. Refreshing Shower: While some opt for cold showers, a gentle, refreshing shower can invigorate you. It's a simple self-care act that can awaken your senses, especially after a workout. After showering, attend to hygiene tasks like brushing teeth, washing your face, and styling your hair.

6. Clean Your Space: Making your bed might seem small, but it's an accomplishment that sets a positive tone. This act reduces stress, enhances organization, and contributes to a cleaner-looking room. It might even inspire you to organize more in your space.

7. To do List: Compile a short list of 2-3 tasks to tackle during the day. This simple practice enhances productivity and streamlines your day. A dedicated notepad is perfect for writing down your tasks.

8. Give Social Media a Break: For at least an hour after waking up, resist the urge to engage with social media. Keep your phone untouched, except for your alarm. This is a powerful addition to your morning self-care routine. By avoiding social media, you grant yourself uninterrupted time before getting caught up in everyone else's activities. Put your phone in a different room or let it charge until you've finished your breakfast or are ready to leave. This strategy keeps you focused and prevents mindless scrolling.

9. Listen to Motivational Content: If you're looking for an early morning boost, listen to motivational podcasts and videos. I've curated a playlist of such content for my daily morning self-care ritual. These motivational resources remind me of my capabilities and aspirations, making them particularly effective if words of affirmation resonate with you.

10. Enjoy a Nutritious Breakfast: A crucial part of morning self-care is having a healthy breakfast. Whether it's a simple smoothie or some toast, make sure to eat something. Remember, your body needs nourishment to power through the day ahead.

How do you establish and maintain a morning routine?

Start by outlining your desired activities for the morning. The night before, create a checklist of tasks. Once you have a clear plan, allocate time intervals for each activity, and adjust them to fit your schedule. Gradually build consistency and make these activities a habit. As you progress, feel free to modify your routine to better suit your needs and time constraints. And remember, make your morning self-care routine enjoyable; have fun with it!

[selfhelpforstudents]

How to Stay Motivated and Productive: Crushing Your Goals Without Burning Out

Staying motivated and productive can feel like a constant battle, especially when life throws distractions, stress, and endless to-do lists your way. But fear not! With the right mindset and strategies, you can keep your motivation high and your productivity on point, without burning out. Let’s dive into some tips to help you crush your goals and stay energized along the way.

1. Start with Your "Why"

Before you even think about getting stuff done, take a moment to connect with your “why.” Why do you want to achieve these goals? Whether it’s personal growth, career advancement, or simply getting through your day with your sanity intact, having a clear purpose fuels motivation. When the going gets tough, reminding yourself of the bigger picture can keep you pushing forward.

2. Set Clear, Realistic Goals

Productivity isn’t just about doing more; it’s about doing what matters. Break your goals down into specific, achievable tasks. Instead of vague goals like “get fit” or “study more,” try “exercise for 30 minutes three times a week” or “study for 45 minutes, then take a 15-minute break.” Clear goals give you a roadmap and make it easier to track your progress.

3. Create a Routine That Works for You

Routines are your best friend when it comes to staying productive. They help build momentum and reduce the mental energy spent on deciding what to do next. But remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all routine—what works for someone else might not work for you. Experiment with different schedules until you find one that aligns with your natural rhythms and lifestyle.

4. Embrace the Power of Small Wins

There’s nothing like the rush of ticking something off your to-do list. Those small wins build momentum and keep you motivated to tackle bigger tasks. Break larger projects into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate each achievement along the way. It’s like giving yourself a mini high-five every time you complete something, and who doesn’t love that?

5. Use the Pomodoro Technique

If you struggle with staying focused, the Pomodoro Technique is a game-changer. Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four sessions, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). This method not only helps maintain focus but also prevents burnout by ensuring you’re taking regular breaks. It’s a win-win for both your productivity and your well-being.

6. Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind

A cluttered workspace can lead to a cluttered mind. Take a few minutes each day to tidy up your environment. A clean, organized space can help you feel more in control and focused on the task at hand. Plus, it’s one less thing to stress about when you’re trying to get in the zone.

7. Prioritize Self-Care

Productivity isn’t just about grinding 24/7. To stay motivated, you need to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying active. Incorporate activities that relax and recharge you—whether it’s reading, meditating, or just chilling out with a good Netflix show. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

8. Mix It Up

Monotony can kill motivation. If you find yourself getting bored or stuck in a rut, mix things up. Try changing your environment—work from a different room or a coffee shop. Switch up your routine or try new productivity tools and techniques. Keeping things fresh can reignite your enthusiasm and keep you engaged.

9. Stay Accountable

Share your goals with a friend, family member, or even online communities. Having someone to check in with can keep you accountable and motivated. Plus, it’s a great way to get support and encouragement when you need it most. Sometimes, just knowing someone else is rooting for you is enough to keep you going.

10. Forgive Yourself for Off Days

Let’s be real—not every day is going to be a productivity powerhouse. Some days, the motivation just isn’t there, and that’s okay. The key is not to beat yourself up over it. Instead, acknowledge it, rest, and come back stronger the next day. Progress isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being consistent over time.

11. Visualize Your Success

Take a few minutes each day to visualize what success looks like for you. Imagine how it will feel to achieve your goals, and let that positive energy drive you forward. Visualization is a powerful tool that can help keep your motivation alive, even when the journey feels long.

12. Reward Yourself

Don’t forget to reward yourself for your hard work. Whether it’s treating yourself to something special, taking a day off, or just indulging in your favorite activity, rewards help reinforce the positive behavior of staying productive. It gives you something to look forward to and makes the grind feel a little less grindy.

13. Keep Learning and Growing

Finally, keep feeding your mind with new ideas and inspiration. Read books, listen to podcasts, watch TED Talks—whatever gets your creative juices flowing. Continuous learning keeps you motivated by reminding you that there’s always more to discover and achieve.

Final Thoughts

Staying motivated and productive isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. By setting clear goals, creating a routine that works for you, and prioritizing self-care, you can stay on top of your game without burning out. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself, celebrate your progress, and keep moving forward. You’ve got this!

Love,

Sophia

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Jack Howl - Club Wear Voice Lines

When Summoned: I don't plan on getting stuck in a pack with everyone else. I'll run at my own pace.

Summon Line: I got a good training regimen going. I'll improve my physique before the next meet... And I'll definitely beat my target time!

Groooovy!!: I'll shake everyone else off. The one who'll cross the finish line first will be... me!

Home: Right! Guess I'll start with some warm-up exercises.

Home Idle 1: Marathon running is a sport where it's important to determine strategies for pacing and positioning. I always have a plan of attack for each one I run.

Home Idle 2: I recommend the woods behind campus as a good running course. The path is unpaved, so it's just right for building your core.

Home Idle 3: I find pole vaulting to be frustrating. Even when I think I've made the jump, sometimes my tail gets caught on the pole. I need to figure out a way to overcome that somehow.

Home Idle - Login: I like how we can visually see our results with proper timekeeping in Track and Field. That helps me see exactly how well I'm doing, and how far I've come.

Home Idle - Groovy: If you're planning to watch our practice, then go sit in the tree shade over there. No, it's not 'cause I'm worried about you. You'll just be a distraction if you're too close.

Home Tap 1: Guess I'll have to do some shoe maintenance soon. I need to make sure my prep is spot on so I can have some real results, so.

Home Tap 2: We went into the mountains for the Track and Field Club training camp. Because of the thinner air at that higher altitude, it made for a harder run and good exercise.

Home Tap 3: Athletic supporters help to reduce unnecessary muscle movement, which in turn helps me from getting tired too quickly. It's definitely a must if we're practicing for long hours.

Home Tap 4: Deuce raced against an upperclassman in the 400 meter dash. Man, no matter how many times he was passed, he would quickly overtake him... He's got mettle.

Home Tap 5: I'm hungry. I want to eat something, but... I'll hold off for now, because I'm about to go running. I don't want to stress out my stomach and lower my time.

Home Tap - Groovy: I tried filming my running form... But it's just not working out. Oh, you'll help me video it? Alright, I'll leave it to you then.

Duo: [JACK]: Deuce, can you keep up with me? [DEUCE]: Don't underestimate me, Jack!

Requested by @dida-books.

[laura1633]

Red Bull's strategy team were on it again this race and Max's crew did great to get that car turned around after the damage in qualifying but their next upgrades need to be significant and effective because they shouldn't have to rely on Max pulling miracles each week.

I was looking roughly at the stats and before Miami Max was around 52 points ahead of Lando. Since that time I do believe that Mclaren have had a faster car and Lando could feasibly have won all races (perhaps with the possible exception of Monaco). Instead Max has been able to increase his lead in this time by around 32 points meaning he is now 84 points ahead. This could have gone very differently, if Lando had picked up the victories in Imola, Canada, Spain, Austria and today (all of which was possible victories) then the championship lead could have been negligible.

Max has truly been driving like the absolute champ he is and this run of races (Miami to Silverstone) is, to me, every bit as impressive as his consecutive race wins. He has been increasing his lead when it could and probably should have been reducing race on race.

Max has proven once again how good he is so my stress levels would be very grateful if he could have a car at least as fast as the Mclaren (and Mercedes) going forward.

Thanks for listening to my random thoughts.

*Take those points as estimates because I've not fully driven down into it all. Basically I am just trying to say Max is doing really well and has now been able to pull a significant gap.

[transmutationisms]

i have a handful of anonymous asks in my inbox right now asking about harm reduction as applied to eating disorders that their loved ones are experiencing. i'm not answering these individually, both because it would get repetitive and because i don't know your loved ones and can't give them personal advice, but i did want to say a few general things on this topic.

the basic principles of harm reduction are the same in regards to EDs as anything else. the point here is not to force a person to stop doing something dangerous (this is impossible) or even to pressure them to stop (this also doesn't work, and will often have the effect of making you into a person they don't feel safe around and can't turn to for help, thus actually decreasing their access to support and resources). instead, the goal of harm reduction generally is to give people the knowledge and resources they need to engage in risky behaviours as safely as possible. the reasons people do things that are physically or socially harmful to them vary, obviously, but in general these behaviours are serving some purpose in the person's life, like providing emotional 'blunting' they need to deal with otherwise intolerable circumstances, or meeting a physical need for specific substances. harm reduction meets people where they are, beginning with the premise that they deserve basic respect, dignity, and self-determination, whether or not they continue to engage in behaviours that may be endangering them.

some baseline harm reduction strategies for EDs could include:

take necessary safety precautions if (over)exercise is a feature of the disorder, or if you are at risk for fainting; ideally, have someone around (or reachable by phone) who can help in case of injury

do your best to compensate for any micronutrient deficiencies resulting from food restriction; dietary supplementation may be necessary

know if any substances/pharmaceuticals you may use (recreationally or not) can affect you more strongly, faster, or more dangerously on an empty stomach; here, harm reduction for EDs will overlap with harm reduction for drug use

know the signs of electrolyte imbalance and resultant cardiac events, particularly in EDs involving purging by laxative use or self-induced vomiting; keep a stockpile of items like sports drinks/gels that can rapidly replenish electrolytes; know where to seek emergency medical treatment and how to recognise when it may be vitally necessary

monitor long-term health risks, like bone density loss, tooth enamel damage, hyperglycaemia (in cases of diabulimia), &c. note that both this step and the above require finding medical practitioners who will treat patients non-judgmentally and without threat of institutionalisation

....and so forth.

harm reduction plans are highly individualised: they depend on the person's own goals and desires. a harm reduction plan might include strategies for engaging in ED behaviours less frequently or intensely, and may even include a long-term goal of recovery. however, harm reduction has not 'failed' if the person doesn't want to, or can't, reduce frequency or severity of behaviours right now or ever. ED harm reduction that does include goals for reducing behaviours, without necessarily trying to eliminate them entirely, might include strategies like:

purge less frequently; avoid or reduce flushing and chew/spit

reduce food restriction by raising calorie limits, not counting calories at all, eating certain 'fear foods', &c

identify triggers for restriction, binging/purging, &c; try to avoid those triggers (& possibly enlist assistance doing this)

ask someone trusted to eat with you if this would help you, for example, become more comfortable with eating non-restrictively, and turn eating into a social connection rather than a stressful event

consume a sufficient amount of food regularly and consistently <- this is the bedrock of all recovery work

again, though, the particular strategies in a person's harm reduction plan will depend on what they want to implement and are capable of doing right now. a person who's not ready for any step that asks them to engage in fewer behaviours, or to engage in behaviours less frequently, can still benefit from a harm reduction approach if they're interested. this is a conversation that should always be approached non-judgmentally and with the understanding that any harm reduction plan depends on the person's own capacities and goals. harm reduction is not about telling someone else what would be 'best' for them in an 'ideal' world. it's about meeting them where they are right now.

something important to note about EDs is that efforts to restrict food and food groups and to shrink body size are considered extremely common and 'normal' in much of the contemporary popular culture, and are frequently encouraged and prescribed by medical practitioners. this means that even when you are worried about someone with a self-endangering ED, there is often a considerable risk that, in trying to help them, you might still be promoting or acceding to the same fatphobic logic that can fuel the ED. if you, for instance, think that pursuing intentional weight loss is generally benign or healthy; if you have ideas about what size a person's body 'should' be based on things like actuarial charts; if you think that some foods are universally 'bad' and need to be restricted or eliminated; if you think that food should be 'earned' or compensated for by physical activity—stop, do not pass go, and do not try to dispense any kind of advice, harm reduction or otherwise, to someone struggling with an ED. you are not capable of being a resource here unless and until you are committed to a politics of fat liberation, disability rights, mad liberation, and anti-racism. you are not reducing harm if you are contributing to further entrenching the cultural beliefs and economic mechanisms of fatphobia and body fascism that the ED itself thrives on.

(**i am not saying that all EDs start or end with the desire to be thin as articulated through white supremacist body ideals, but it is a very common feature at this moment in history, and having these ideas reinforced, including through the lens of medical fatphobia, can certainly contribute to or worsen already-present behaviours and thought patterns where EDs are concerned.)

harm reduction also means giving a person the knowledge they need to evaluate their own goals and needs. in regards to EDs specifically, lots of public health communication is confounded by industry-funded diet and 'obesity' research that prescribes food restriction, compensatory exercise, and other recognisably 'eating disordered' behaviours, especially to fat people. many people with EDs, and their loved ones, may not even realise how many misconceptions they have learned about body size, nutrition, and the health risks of EDs. some basic places to start learning about these things from a weight-neutral / fat-liberationist angle that i would suggest include: christy harrison's podcast 'food psych' (her book is also decent but treads a lot of the same ground); gwyneth olwyn's work; lindo bacon and lucy aphramor's papers on 'health at every size'; jennifer gaudiani's book 'sick enough', which is a good starter resource on the medical effects of EDs. note that none of these resources are working within an explicitly harm reductionist framework, and imo make some missteps in this arena! but they still contain insights and information that can be useful to those who are interested in harm reduction, and to those with EDs generally.

harm reduction can be a tool to recovery, or a step on that road; it can also be an alternative for people who are not ready to seek recovery, and who may never be ready. the reality is that you cannot force someone to stop engaging in behaviours they rely on to live, whether drug use, EDs, or anything else. harm reduction proceeds from this place and from a fundamental commitment to respect for people who are generally already suffering. when approaching a loved one, you may or may not be able to initiate a conversation in which you express, eg, that you are worried about them hurting themselves, and would like to offer whatever emotional or material resources you can to help. but you have to go into any such interaction understanding that they may very well already know all of the risks of what they're doing, and may have other reasons they can't or don't want to stop. if you're trying to impose your will on them---by force, pressure, or coercion---you're not doing harm reduction, and you're most likely alienating them and turning yourself into a person they don't feel safe around where these behaviours are concerned.