#how to care for your smartwatch

[hxzbinwrites]

Idk if you do headcanons or one shots but either or will be fine:

Can I pretty please get a Vox x Emotionless! Reader?

Plot can be whatever you want but just to (hopefully) give some ideas… maybe Vox had no interest in Reader but then uh oh she smiled! Now Vox has a crush (°▽°)

But yeah lol thank you!! Have a good day!

Vox x Emotionless! Reader | Lovestruck Fool |

Warnings ⚠️: Cussing, Vox is a horrible boss

10:00am

(Y/n) walked into Vox’s office, holding an folder with today’s date and Vox’s name on it.

“Mr. Vox.” She said, her dead eyes watching her boss turn around in his excessively large chair.

“Hm, what is it (Y/n)?” He said, giving her a single glance before turning back to his monitors

“You have three meetings today sir. 1:00pm with Velvette in her portion of the tower. 2:30pm with Valentino in the main conference room, and someone scheduled a 4:00 with you, a Mr. Alastor? Called in today for an urgent meeting.”

Vox slammed his hands down on the desk, his face glitching in seething anger. “THAT PRICK!! CALL BACK AND TELL HIM I WILL NOT BE ATTENDING ANY SORT OF MEETING WITH HIM!!”

“He called from a public telephone sir, I can’t trace the caller ID.” (Y/n) said, clearly unfazed by his temper tantrum.

“DAMN IT!” He said, punching a smaller monitor on his right,”DONT YOU EVER LET HIM SCHEDULE ANOTHER MEETING WITH ME OR VOXTECH EVER AGAIN!!!”

Vox turned around, pointing one of his clawed fingers in your deadpanned face.

“Okay sir, is that all?”

“UGH!!” He said, clenching his fists to his side,”WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?? IM AN OVERLORD, I AM THE VOX, YOU SHOULD BE QUIVERING IN FEAR!! IM YELLING MY HEAD OFF AT YOU AND YOU CANT EVEN FORM AN EXPRESSION?? ARE YOU BRAINDEAD??”

(Y/n) slowly blinks, before looking down and rummaging through the folder she still held. “Ah, I almost forgot. Mr. Alastor requested his meeting also in the main conference room. If you need another reminder about your meetings today just call me-“

She was cut off once more by Vox, screaming and yelling, throwing things hazardously across the room. “JUST LEAVE.”

“Alright sir.” (Y/n) said, immediately turning away and walking towards the door.

————

4:45pm

(Y/n) was at her desk, taking calls and rearranging Vox’s schedule for tomorrow when her work phone buzzed.

“Hello? This is (Y/n) with Voxtech. How may I-“

“(Y/n). My office. Now.”

“Sir? This isn’t your work phone number? How can I be sure that this is-“

“MY OFFICE. NOW.”

(Y/n) could hear his voice glitching over the phone before she hung up, and briskly made her way to the door of his office.

She walked in to his Vox in his obnoxiously large chair, his hands covering his screen as he sighed in exhaustion.

“Ah, sir. You called me?”

“Yes (Y/n). I have installed safety features into your desk. Don’t except meetings from Alastor. If he comes in here, press the button under your monitor. He is NEVER allowed in this building.”

“Okay sir.” She said, making a note of that on her smartwatch,”Will that be all?”

“Can you get me a coffee…?”

“Right away sir.”

————

5:00pm

“Here’s your coffee sir.” (Y/n) said, setting it in his outreached hand.

“Thank you (Y/n)” He said, taking a single sip before doing a spit take. On one of the monitors around the city, it showed Velvette and Alastor chatting to one another.

“WHAT?!?” Vox yelled, being as “careful” as he usually is, his coffee flies into the air before landing on his shirt. He hissed in pain at the hit liquid, scrambling around before tripping on the various wires around his monitor setup (that was replaced after his previous temper tantrum) and landing on his ass.

Vox looked up in shock to see (Y/n) covering half of her mouth, revealing a smile. Tears brimmed her eyes as she tried to respectfully hold in her laughter.

Vox’s face felt red hot. Out of embarrassment and admiration. Why didn’t she smile more? Oh that smile, if she could remove her hand it would reveal its full glory. Let him soak it in. Her eyes filled with life and laughter. Has she always been this….beautiful? Yes, I think she has. She has indeed.

She let out a little snort before regaining her composure, before crouching down in front of him, taking the napkins provided with the coffee, and starting to wipe off as much of the liquid as possible. He felt her delicate hands rub across his chest. He hope she didn’t feel his erratic heartbeat.

He wanted this. He’s yearned for this and he didn’t even know it. Vox’s breathing became as erratic as his heartbeat, almost in sync. He felt sweat starting to drip, wether it be from the hot coffee adorning his now ruined shirt or from the stunning woman and her hands on his chest.

Trying to get as much as she could, (Y/n) scooted even closer, not realizing her hips were hovering right over his. Vox’s mind was running wild, his screen glitching and flicking between different error signals. His hands floating near the handles of her hips. Taking a gulp, he almost put his hands on her skin. Almost. He ended up just leaving his hands there, leaving a ghostly stabilization to the assistant who was cleaning him up like a toddler who spilt his apple juice.

(Y/n) looked up at Vox’s eyes, their eyes locking onto one another. A small smile could be faintly seen across her lips before it went back to its neutral state.

She helped him to his feet, her soft hands gently pulling on his clawed ones, slowly helping him to his feet. Handing him the remaining napkins. “I’ll schedule a trip to the dry cleaners. Does 3:45 tomorrow work well for you?”

Vox sat back down, his eyes wide in shock from what just happened. “Yeah, sure, whatever. I don’t care.”

“Alright sir, I’ll get that done, and then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay…”

(Y/n) walked out, the door closing behind her. Leaving the room back in it’s inky black darkness, with the exception of the glowing monitors.

Vox looked at his reflection in the main monitor. He could see his goofy smile. His blush adorning his cheeks. His eyes lighting up like a child who knows no sin. He looked like what he was, a lovestruck fool. A lovestruck fool for his assistant.

————

Word Count: 1006

(sorry it’s so short, i’m trying to get as many requests done as i can 😭)

[chanranghaeys]

🚬 "got a light?"

While having dinner with his hyungs, Dino decides to step out for some air. Then he sees you, minding your own business as you burn out your cigarette after a long day. He thinks to himself, “Maybe you can see me, too.”

pairing: idol!dino x gn!restaurant worker!reader word count: 2.6k tags: slice of life, angst with comfort, open ending 💔, idol!dino is very, very tired :( warnings: anxiety and overwhelm, self-doubt, impostor syndrome, use of cigarettes and vapes, money?

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁masterlist . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

You enter a secluded room in the corner of the izakaya and boisterous laughter fills your ears. Good thing those inside the room were able to control their movements lest their clapping and shoving come into contact with you and make you drop the tray balanced on your hand, full as it already was.

This isn’t the first time, though. You’ve served this bunch of guys loads of times—they’re as regular to this izakaya as you are. And of course, you know who they are—Seventeen, one of the biggest names in K-pop nowadays.

You didn’t even know much about them at first, but this quickly changed when you realized how frequently they visited. Honestly, they aren’t even the only idols who frequent this Japanese restaurant, but you come to realize that this one is Seventeen’s particular favorite.

Everyone knows when they come to the izakaya. After the shift, the whole staff receives a large sum of extra cash whenever these boys visit. It’s obviously a huge tip to make sure none of you leak their location when they’re there—your boss made that especially clear after the first time.

Today though, it was just four of the members—Joshua, Jeonghan, Dokyeom, and Dino—and their manager. In fact, you almost didn’t recognize them as they’ve all changed their hair cuts and colors again.

But their polite demeanor never fails to make you genuinely smile whenever they are there. That, and their crazy jokes and antics, no matter how many members were eating at the same time.

You expertly weave your way around the table and set down the contents of your tray. The boys look in anticipation at the plates of sushi, sashimi, and maki. As soon as they said their thank you’s and you were out of the frame, Dokyeom instantly whipped out his phone.

*chalkak*

You laughed in your head. It was always Dokyeom who took the first pictures. The other members followed suit, but Dino was the first to pick up his chopsticks after. Dokyeom wasn’t done, shifting his phone’s focus from the sushi to his dongsaeng, who immediately picked up on what his hyung was doing.

“Oh, Dino-ya, always camera-ready nowadays!” Exclaimed Joshua. Jeonghan chuckled and followed his dongsaeng’s cue to start eating because he knew how hungry and tired they were. You overheard them talking about a shoot they just finished as you entered and how the others went straight home and crashed on their beds.

Dino gave a final serious look towards his hyung’s phone with a final *chalkak*. “Ah, thank you, thank you. Always gotta have a smile on your face. Isn’t that the life of an idol?” Dino laughed lightly, but you noticed a heavy sigh as he said that.

‘Huh,’ you thought.

While standing at the door of the room waiting for any additional requests, your smartwatch vibrated lightly, signaling your shift break. You slipped out of the room quietly to more noise from the izakaya’s other tables outside.

You weren’t quiet enough though, because while the others were talking about the next story, Dino heard the shift of the sliding door to see you go out of their room. He was silently grateful that you were the one serving them today.

He’s always noticed how particularly careful and respectful you were with them, as outlandish and chaotic as they all were whenever they were together. He couldn’t forget that one drunken night with his 12 hyungs in this izakaya a few months ago.

Dino was surprisingly not drunk—but his Seungkwan hyung was. Dino naturally assumed the caretaker role and quickly realized he was not the best at it when he realized Seungkwan was gone. His other hyungs didn’t notice it right away either. He went out and straight to the comfort room to see the door wide open.

Seungkwan was standing over the sink, his head hung low. And you were beside Seungkwan, rubbing his back and holding a glass of water ready for him to drink. You’ve had enough experience in this department—personal and professional—to know what to do.

“Hyung!” You and Seungkwan turned to see Dino walking towards the open comfort room door.

“Dino-yaaaaa,” Seungkwan dragged out the last syllable as he reached out for his dongsaeng and hugged him.

“Ah, uri hyung, extra clingy whenever he’s drunk.” He laughed and you belatedly registered that he was talking to you.

You gave an awkward laugh and extended your hand with the glass of water. “Oh! I’m so sorry for the trouble, you really didn’t have to!” Dino said as he took the glass from your hand.

“It’s nothing, we’re used to it really. He isn’t the first idol we’ve seen like this here.”

Dino rubbed the back of his neck out of secondhand embarrassment. “Really? Well…thank you for taking care of him. We’ll be heading back then.” He bowed slightly—as much as he could while supporting his hyung���and walked back to the room.

You followed them from a distance just in case. When they were back in their room, you headed straight back into the kitchens.

That night, your manager pulled you aside after distributing the day’s tips and handed over a separate envelope once most of the staff were out of sight. “Seems you did well today. Their manager asked to give this one to you personally.” You looked down at the envelope and read the hastily written note.

Thank you for caring. – 이찬

Lee Chan? You search the name online and see Dino’s face on your phone. You had a hunch Dino was just a stage name, but seeing his real name piqued your interest. Only a single letter? And why did he sign this off with his real name? You opened the envelope to see a stack of bills twice the amount you received in tips tonight.

This generous gift allowed you to buy a new phone and smartwatch, the same one you’re wearing now to keep track of your health with the long shifts and extended work hours. You can’t complain much though, you chose to be in the food service industry, among others.

You signal your co-worker for a quick substitution. He checks his watch and nods, walking toward your abandoned post. You put on a hoodie and grab your small crossbody bag, exit through the kitchens, and out the back entrance. The clamor of the izakaya turned into muted urban sounds as you closed the door behind you.

You take in the cool night breeze as you bury into your hoodie. From your bag, you take out a cigarette and light it, savoring the lightheaded feeling it gives you before blowing out the smoke.

“Got a light?”

You whip your head towards the familiar yet disconnected voice coming from a guy with dark jeans and a black hoodie—luxury-branded, of course. That’s how you recognize him.

“Dino-ssi.”

“Please, call me Chan.” He holds up his right hand, an unlit cigarette between his fingers.

This surprises you. This guy is an idol, he'd never dare be seen in public with a cigarette in his hand, much less lit and resting inbetween his lips.

You look him up and down and say, "Maybe you should put that hood up over your baby pink hair before you ask me questions like that."

Belatedly, he realized this and did as you said. He hoped no one saw that. “Thanks,” he says while taking a step closer toward you and raising the cigarette in his hand again. “So?”

You close the distance between you two and offer him your lighter. Instead, he places the cigarette between his lips and leans toward your hand. ‘Okay then,’ you think, taking this cue to ignite the lighter in your hand as he leans in closer to light the tip of the cigarette.

“Seventeen’s Dino smokes, huh?” You say in a hushed voice out of respect. He lowers the hood over his eyes.

“Socially…occasionally. I just forgot my vape at home.”

“Oh, so Seventeen’s Dino smokes and vapes. Do you just happen to have a stash of cigarettes in your pocket handy, then?”

He smirks. “You think I’m the only one in the group who smokes? And please, call me Chan.” He says this and drops all modes of formality. So you do the same.

“Why?”

“I don’t want to hear that name right now. At least, just for tonight.”

You nod. “Okay. Chan.” You both continue taking drags, smoke rising from the shadows of the dark alley. And you decide to break the silence.

“Why’d you give me the money?”

“I wanted someone to see me.”

“With money? Thousands of your fans around the country—around the world—already see you. And mind you, they already pay a lot of money to do so.”

“They see Dino. They hear Dino. They watch Dino. Maybe this time, someone could see me as Chan.”

“So you think you could do that with money?”

“Well…it worked, didn’t it?”

You laugh. “Not sure if this is how you really wanted it to work. But money talks.”

He takes another drag from his cigarette. “So what did you think of it?”

You raise your wrist. “Technically you gave me this watch.” Then you raise your other hand. “And this phone. And…I really needed them when I did. So thank you, it was a huge help.”

A small smile spreads across his face. “I’m glad to hear that I helped.” It was a simple expression but one you couldn’t read, especially in the dark.

“But I’m sure you hear that hundreds of times over as well, how you’ve helped people. Doesn’t that feel good?”

“Right now, I don’t think it does.”

“Why?”

“You ask that question a lot, huh?” Chan says with a side-eye.

You shrug. “There’s nothing else to ask.”

As you flick the ash off your cigarette, you notice how short yours is compared to his. It seems like he’s biding his time with the single stick…for a reason. You look at your watch, not much time has passed. You take his cue again and light another stick, deciding to take your time with it as well. If he notices, he doesn’t let on.

“Say it.”

This breaks Chan’s reverie. “Huh?”

“You want to say something. Isn’t that why you’re out here instead of in there? You usually have a hell of a time with your members. So why are you here?”

And just like that, you open a floodgate.

“I’m tired. I’m so goddamn tired. I can’t see it anymore—the spark. I look at myself in the mirror and see emptiness. I look at myself dancing in the rehearsal room and give my whole, but when I finally stop and look at myself…I see nothing. I see no spark. I see a husk of someone else. I see Dino. I can’t find Chan anymore. I can’t find him.”

You’re frozen, the fire burning your cigarette, heavy with ash.

“When the lights are on and my face is made up, when I wear the outfits and the red lights of the cameras blink, I smile. I laugh. I become Dino, the Dino they want to see. They don’t see the bruises on my body, the blinding flashes when I close my eyes, the fatigue that weighs me down on my bed every night…the voices that fill my head with dark, dark thoughts. I'm done. I want it done. I want to stop. I want to just—”

“Chan.” He stops and looks at the hand on his shoulder. You know he can’t keep talking like this. It was good to let it out, but you can’t let him spiral.

You both don’t know what to do, but suddenly you find each other in an embrace—and no one breaks it. You hear him taking in deep, heaving breaths in a desperate effort to hold back his tears from a stranger.

Through this, you don’t let go, rubbing his back in an effort to comfort this person who—like any other—has a world on his shoulders that no one can truly understand.

Your mind flashes back to a similar scene, in the park near your best friend’s place, as both of you clutch each other desperately in an attempt to keep holding on to life, but it was you holding back the tears and taking in the deep, heaving breaths.

And sometimes, the best thing you can do for someone like this is to be there and hold them until they can grab a hold of their life again.

So that’s what you do for a good ten minutes, until you notice his breaths getting slower and more even, until he slowly breaks away and brings back the distance and the cool night air between your warmth.

He wipes away fallen and unshed tears from his face, smudging some eyeliner in the process. You reach up and wipe the stain, but he quickly holds on to your hand and keeps it on his cheek, leaning into the warmth it gives. He closes his eyes briefly and when he opens them, he looks straight into you. You offer him a smile.

“Can I see you again? Later? Tonight?”

‘What…?’ Your smile drops and you pull your hand away. “Chan, it doesn’t work that way.”

“It’s not like that. I know my ways. I can find a way.”

“No, I—” A soft notification ping comes from your pocket, signaling five minutes until the end of your break. Your phone screen lights up and flashes a photo of your best friend, who set it as your lock screen from the last time you met. Chan’s eyes glance at it.

“Oh. Okay.” A dejected sound…but one you don’t deny. Your mind whirlwinds with the happenings of the past half hour.

“Life doesn’t always work this way, Chan-ah.”

He starts at how you said his name with a sense of familiarity. “I know.”

“You have three brothers waiting for you inside. I’m sure they’ll understand you.”

“I know they will. But you just have to physically get yourself away from it all sometimes, so thank you. Thank you.” He says the last remark with a courteous bow. “I’ll see you later.” With finality, he heads back into the restaurant, hood still up, through the same door he exited out of a while ago.

You two didn’t have to say it, but you both knew what to do. He went in first, you followed a few minutes later after the second notification ping signaled the end of your break—going as far as adding a minute or two more just to give yourself some space to breathe as well.

“You’re late,” says the guy who took over for you during your break time.

You roll your eyes. “Two minutes, man. I’ll give you two minutes during your break too, okay?”

He laughs. “Not sure I saw it right, but was that Dino-ssi who entered this door? He was gone the whole time I was stationed at their room.”

“I wouldn’t know, I was too busy minding my own business and catching up on sleep.”

“Outside?”

“You think I have a choice? You’d do the same during your break anyway,” you say as you jokingly shove your co-worker aside and return to your post outside Seventeen’s room.

You see Chan—Dino—walking toward your direction. He looks freshened up. Your eyes meet and you both give polite smiles with slight bows. He slides open the door and is greeted by his hyungs.

“Dino-ya! Where have you been? Did you get enough air from outside or maybe you brought some with you back here?”

“Chan-ah.” You hear Jeonghan’s voice. “Are you okay?”

Dino answers with a smile in his voice. “Yes! Yes, I’m okay. I’m feeling better now. Better the air outside actually than the air in here, you guys didn’t even shower after the shoot.” And you hear his recognizable laugh fade out as he closes the door.

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a/n: originally posted this on my stan twt account, thought it would have a better home in a long format post on tumblr! it's also the first ever svt fic i rly wrote and i'm pretty proud of it too <3

if you want to be included in the taglist, shoot me a message or reply here!

[liesmyth]

I want to start running...any tips?

I WAS BORN TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION. Thank you so much for asking! Unfortunately, I am a nerd about my hobbies so this got quite long.

Keep it simple ✨

Running is easy to get into; our bodies are built for it. Don’t stress over technicalities and just do what feels natural to you. My local races are full of 70-something white-haired pensioners who are kicking ass at it. Don’t let anyone tell you that running is meant to feel like dying, that’ll harm your knees, or that you absolutely need to have that specific smartwatch model to get into it. All you need is a solid pair of shoes, everything else is optional.

Medium effort is the way to go

The ideal aerobic running pace is a speed at which you’re able to hold a conversation, even if a bit winded. NO faster. If you’re able to sing along to your playlist or chat with a friend, that’s your ideal running pace. If you’re gasping or wheezing, slow down! You’ll get a bit faster as your lung capacity gets better, but that shouldn’t be a priority unless you want to train for a race. You get most of the health benefits of running just by keeping up a steady, sustainable, conversational pace.

Walking breaks are fine, actually

That’s the reason why I don’t love C25K as a beginner program — the way it’s structured sort of implies that walking breaks are something you should grow out of to become a more experienced runner. If you need to walk for a bit, go ahead.

If possible, jogging is preferable, just because the mechanics of even a glacial-pace jog are more similar to running than those of a faster power walk, so you might try switching to a jog after a bit of a walking interval. But walking is not a failure; there are serious marathon training plans out there that use walk/run intervals as a viable strategy.

(Related: picking up speed helps you keep going! If you feel like you are completely drained, try speeding up for a very short interval, then slowing back down. It’ll often give you an energy boost to keep going)

Run for time, not distance ⌚

Especially for beginners, I find that getting fixated on numbers can be counter productive, and the most important thing is to listen to your body. If you’re aiming to hit a certain mileage, you might get the urge to speed up at the end to get done faster. Instead, set yourself time-based goals and end every run with a cool down jog or walk.

SHOES!! 👟

Good running shoes are essential, and pretty much the only fitness-related purchase on which I’ll always support dropping money. If you get to the point where you’re consistently running 10 km (6 miles) each week, you’ll want to go to a running store — the kind of place where you’ll get fitted, and they’ll have you try on models and jog on a treadmill to evaluate your gait and let you know which characteristics your ideal shoe needs. I can’t stress enough how useful running store staff can be. They’re all running club nerds who LOVE getting new people into running, and they really want to help you find your ideal fit. Also get good running socks while you’re at it.

Be prepared to drop at least 100€ (or equivalent currency) but they usually have a great return policy if the model isn’t a good fit for you. Take care of your running shoes — maintenance, wearing them only for running, gentle cleansing etc — and the cushioning will last for quite a while (600km / 370miles at least). If you decide that you hate running, they’re still great for walking around. Once you find your ideal shoe model, it gets a lot easier to shop for it during end-of-season sales, or looking for online bargains etc. I love stocking on end-of-series shoes and rotating them so they’ll last even longer, and I buy online quite often! Just make sure your FIRST pair is fitted, for ideal injury prevention and joint health.

Injury prevention 💪

I’d love to still be running 10k races when I’m 70, but it takes some care to get there. When you run, you’re slamming your body weight up and down with every stride, and that might be hard on your joints if you’re not used to it. If you’re completely new to running, cap your runs at 15/20 minutes every other day. Do that even if you feel like you could keep going! If you have a good aerobic base already, you need to give your joints time to catch up with you lung capacity, and give your body time to recover. Do bodyweight exercises like lunges and planks and glute bridges to strengthen your core, legs, and hips. Dynamic stretches are great for warmups, and static stretches are better for cooling down. If you have the option, running on softer surface like grass or dirt is better than asphalt, which is better than concrete and pavements.

(If nothing of what I’ve said here makes sense to you, shoot me another ask, or look at some of the resources I’ve linked down below!)

Don't get bored! 🎶

I love running in groups. Running clubs are great. You can learn so much in a hands-on way from seriously experienced people, you can chat about gossip over a running job, and you can make some interesting friends. If you don’t have access to a running community, then personally I love just chilling on a run by myself listening to an audiobook or podcast or exploring a certain area.

Running form❓

Don’t stress about it. Just go out and move your body. Attempting to modify your ‘running form’ too quickly can do more harm than good. There ARE a few things you could pay attention to — I recommend trying to focus on one of these at a time for a minute or so, and alternate between them. After a while, it’ll start to feel natural to keep track of all of them:

1. Don’t slouch! But a slight lean forward is great.

2. Keep your shoulders pulled down and your upper back tense.

3. Swinging your arms in a way that helps with your stride is good, but I shouldn’t feel forced.

4. Even breaths, inhaling through your mouth and expiring through your nose.

5. Take turns to check with every part of your body, and relax them in turn: are your jaw and neck too tense? Are your fists tight?

6. Don’t overstride! shorter strides with quicker leg turnover are better than huge strides that feel awkward to you.

7. Use your glutes to drive up the motion of your legs, not just your quads. This can take a while to get used to, but it’s a game-changer.

8. ENGAGE YOUR CORE. This is a great skill to develop whether you work out or are just existing in the world — basically, let your inner abdominal muscles help you carry your weight forward. This is VERY intuitive once you know how to do it, but it’s hard to get a grasp of it if you don’t know what it means, so here are some resources about it.

an extremely fucking comprehensive article that improved my life and eased my big-boobs back pain

similar content but in video form

a running-specific form video

Personally, learning to do this made me feel like I unlocked a superpower. Go forth and brace.

Accessories and tips 🤓

Like I said above, the only thing I really suggest spending money on for real is running shoes. Everything else is details! However, I’m nothing if not wordy I have Thoughts about those details, too.

Run tracking: I suggest downloading Runkeeper if you want to keep track of your runs — it’s free, intuitive, and solid! If you decide to get into wearables, a low-level Garmin >>>>> anything else.

Self-care: use sunscreen and/or thick face cream as needed. Stop to sip at a public fountain if needed. Get a small fanny pack to hold your phone, keys, or lip balm if needed. If chafing is an issue, anti-glide gel is relatively affordable.

Outfits etc: I get all my running gear and clothes from Decathlon — they are in most countries and ship worldwide. I especially love this thermal shirt for colder weather

Safety: if you’re running on the road, make sure to run in the opposite direction from traffic and to wear something bright. If you run with headphones near traffic, keep the volume down, or get over-the-ear conductor headsets. I love shokz, they're fantastic.

Post-run snack: eating something small and carb-heavy within 30 mins of a workout is great for kickstarting recovery. I love dried fruit personally.

Various resources 📝

Routine basics: check out the r/running order of operations, which is a great “how to” guide to building a basic running routine. I also recommend that subreddit's wiki! Running programming gets exponentially more involved the more advanced you get, etc — if you ever have any questions, hit me up!

Dynamic stretching warmup: a quick leg swing workout to get your legs ready to go. If you’re feeling overachieving, here’s a lunge warmup routine and a how-to bodyweight squat video.

Cooldown routine! Check out Strength and Mobility, a great post-run quick cooldown routine that includes some bodyweight exercises to strengthen your hips and core. Video included.

that's all, folks! 🏃‍♀️

Sorry I got carried away! I love running. I love getting people into running. My mental health, cardiovascular system and my popping quads also love running. But FYI, some people hate running and that's also fine! If you decide it’s not for you, find something you like more. There are a lot of misconceptions out there and a lot of guilt-tripping and body shame-y rhetoric around exercising, especially aimed at women, and I want to make clear it’s all bullshit. Just have fun <3

[transastronautistic]

I can't handle how cute this is. i want a slime pet too

Link to the Tweets. And here's a link to the study. ID in alt text and below the readmore.

Image 1:

tweet by e. @MelytraMithra reading "oh my goddddd

researchers built a smartwatch heart beat monitor that uses a slime mold for its operation. the slime mold has to be fed and cared for, so the users in the trial… developed an emotional attachment to it [two sobbing emojis]"

The Tweet includes a screenshot from the paper, described in next image.

Image 2:

The tweet's screenshot, which reads:

Developing a connection.

All participants expressed various feelings of connection with our device. P1, P2, P4, and P5 all described it as a little friend and/or pet. P2 expressed, “it’s always good to be accompanied by some living creature, I really like different, animals or plants. (. . .) carrying this little friend also made me feel happy and peaceful”. P4 noted that she would be reminded by the slime mold’s presence by its smell, even stating that it felt endearing, “my cat’s kind of have a smell, dogs have a smell, the physarum, I recognize the smell and it smells kind of, organic, it’s kind of yeasty but not like decaying, it smells alive”. In recalling an experience where she had to take a long drive, P4 explained, “oh, I gotta bring my little pet mold friend, during the drive, I was also thinking about how I used to be really into Tamagotchis (. . .) with the physarum, (. . .) it has this smell to it which your Tamagotchis don’t have, it has a sense of physicality, (. . .) they’re definitely different”. P1 stated that their personal care routine ended up linked to the device’s care routine “I think every time I fed myself is when I would remember to at least check it, I think that was actually quite linked”. While she was sick, P5’s partner helped take care of her as well as helped to take care of her device. P5 recounts, “I was taking care of the slime and feeding it oats and stuff, my partner was also feeding me oatmeal because I was sick and so she was like you’re my little slime and I was like yeah, I am (. . .) then she started calling me her slime because I mean me and the slime, like, we were eating the same stuff, (. . .) we were both being fed and watered”. P2 & P4 also stated that the visual appearance of their device affected their mood. P2 explained that growth made them feel refreshed. P4 associated the bright yellow of the physarum with happy feelings, noting this affective quality several times in her diary entries and in her interview.

Image 3: A reply tweet from the original tweeter reading "well nourished. in my lane. lively. growing." There's a photoset from the study described as "a slime mold oscillating between living and dormant stages." There are four images of the slime mold, which is a yellow color. The first shows it "dried / dormant / not growing." Second shows it "water added / resuscitated / growing." Third shows the slime "well nourished / lively / growing." The fourth shows it once again "dried / dormant / not growing."

[nova-amor]

MDNI. simon riley's used to spending his early mornings alone, in fact, he prefers it. well, that was until you started running laps around him. 1.4k

brown leaves crunched beneath the weight of his soles smacking against the pavement, each step measured and calculated as the frosty morning air nipped away at his lungs. the sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting a blaze of reds and pinks through the sky as the shadows of the night faded away. there was not a soul in sight, the earth around him silent and baren aside from the occasional coo from a morning dove or the purr of a truck’s engine passing by.

this was simon riley’s favorite part of the day.

while everyone else on base was beginning the start of their day, simon took advantage of his alone time through a series of routines. every morning simon awoke around four a.m., his body still sore and exhausted from the prior training day, and always began his day with a tall glass of water and a quick review of that day’s schedule. he’d check in at the gym within the hour, the space empty and devoid of any life beyond the occasional fitness spouse.

the next hour or so was spent on strength and conditioning, rolling through the exercises with great ease due to the intense care he maintained over his physique. after a brief cool down and an even briefer rinse in the shower, simon would continue his exercise outside— regardless of rain, shine, snow, or heat, simon would always finish his routine out on the running track.

donned in grey sweats, a black compression t-shirt, and a training mask, simon would hit the tracks at a steady yet quick pace, keeping a close watch over his heart rate and oxygen intake through the assistance of his smartwatch. simon could run for hours at such a controlled pace, his training both in and out of work had allowed him to garner an incredible stamina.

while lost in his mind, simon would bask in the comfort of following such a tight routine. every morning started the same for him. every morning was perfectly tailored to suit his wants and needs. every morning was quiet and calm, allowing simon the peace and time to gather himself before interacting with another soul at work. every morning was—

���on your left.” a flash of grey passed simon in a blur, their heavy footfall to his left reeling him in from his thoughts.

so much for being alone. simon thought to himself, his eyes narrowed on the sight of another individual on the track.

no one was ever on the track at this time. he hadn’t spent his morning run with another person since he began his routine a few years ago. simon rolled his head around, feeling for the satisfying crack of a tight joint in his neck as he chose to ignore you for the duration of his run. he wasn’t going to allow such a small wedge to ruin his routine.

“on your left.” there you were again. passing simon without a care in the world, your pace nearly twice as fast as his. yet, even from afar, he could tell you hadn’t even broken a sweat— most likely due to the cool winter air.

simon’s eyes grazed over you, drinking in your physique. even at a distance, simon could tell you were another special operator, most likely attached to another unit due to how he had rarely seen you before. but, he was sure he had seen you previously. he never forgot a face; he didn’t couldn’t forget someone with such a tight—

“on your left.” simon was beginning to grow annoyed. the constant interruption of his thoughts was beginning to eat at him, his frustration reflecting in how much he had quickened his pace. his long legs began to carry him at a faster stride, catching up to you within just a few seconds. he was so sure he was going to pass you, so sure that he—

a dust cloud bit away at simon’s vision, the orange dust of the track’s ground kicked up purposefully to distract him. by the time simon had regained his vision, you were gone. no, wait, simon scanned his surroundings intensely, you were—

“on your left, lt.” you teased, an amused smirk tugging on your lips as you synced up with simon’s pace. your hands were curled into fists, arms tucked in and breaths controlled at a steady rate as you leisurely jogged next to him.

“need a medic, lt?” your voice was too bubbly, too chipper for this early in the morning. especially for someone who had been running at your earlier pace. simon rolled his eyes, biting away at his bottom lip to maintain a stoic face. even under the cover of the training mask, you would most definitely catch a glimpse of the smile threatening to bloom on his face.

“no need, sergeant,” simon finally realized why you had seemed too familiar, he had worked with you before on previous missions. you were a fac— a forward air controller, attached to a neighboring unit in the squadron. he had worked with you before on a few particular missions that required the use of a fac, your role was pivotal in ensuring that there was a clear line of communication between ground and air forces. “just need a new set of lungs is all. you were doing laps around me.” simon continued, his speech slightly muffled by the mask.

“quite easy to do when i’m competing against an old man,” you joked, your pace slowing down to a walking one, simon was quick to join you. “and, it’s staff sergeant to you, lt. i made rank a few months ago.”

“well, excuse me, staff sergeant,” simon teased, drawing out the syllables of your rank title. he came to a halt along the side of the track, finding shade beneath a nearby tree. you followed after him, unzipping your hoodie and exposing your bare midriff. the minimal sweat you had produced glistened on your smooth skin, simon’s eyes shamelessly dipping over the curve of your sports bra-covered chest. “didn’t realize there was a competition going on between us, otherwise, i would have left you in the dust.” simon’s attention flickered back up to your face, his arms crossing over his chest— puffing his large pectorals out.

“well, there’s always next time, riley,” you winked up at him with a coquettish grin. you then glanced down at the watch on your wrist, a white message drawing your attention away from him briefly.

you were quick to dismiss the message, “ah, sorry, duty calls. got a pre-mission brief to attend to.” you informed him. you then straightened your posture, rolling your shoulders back as you gazed up at simon. “thanks for the run this morning though— well if that’s what you call running anyway.” you poked at him teasingly.

“ouch,” simon recoiled in faux pain, placing a hand over his heart as if your words had truly injured him. “is that how it is? didn’t your parents teach ya to respect your elders?” he played into the fun, no longer choosing to hide the smile that grew beneath his training mask. even under its cover, he couldn’t hide the twinkle of amusement in his eyes nor the way his eyes crinkled at the corners with the rise of his cheekbones.

you took a step back, pulling a small device out from your jacket pocket— most likely a small key fob for your car. “oh, they did. doesn’t mean i had to listen.” with two clicks of a button, your car just a few strides away turned on, white lights beaming even under the looming bright light of the sun.

“see you later, lt.” you called out as you made your way in the direction of your car. with one final wave of your hand and a playful smile on your lips, you disappeared behind the black tint of your car’s glass, fully leaving simon alone on the track as you peeled out of the gym’s parking lot.

simon threw up his hand in a quick attempt to wave ‘goodbye’ as your car rounded the corner, his heart stammering in his chest. as soon as your car was out of his line of sight, he looked back down to his watch. his heart rate was elevated beyond average, beating almost twice as fast as it normally did whenever he was just standing about leisurely. he stood there for another moment, drinking the information in before he began to head off in the direction of his car.

as he stepped into his car, the sickly sweet scent of pine invaded his senses as he peeled his training mask off, a message soon appearing across his watch face. “same time tomorrow, lt? — ssgt [name]”

[narcissarina]

𝔊𝔬𝔩𝔡𝔢𝔫 ℭ𝔞𝔤𝔢, 𝔅𝔩𝔲𝔢 𝔅𝔬𝔫𝔡𝔰

જ⁀➴Previous chapter

Pairings: bodyguard!Leon × college billionaire!reader

Word count: 2,054

Tw: blood, trauma to reader (slayed), Leon being the bad ass agent as he is.

Summary: You found him, he found you.

𝙸𝚇.

You can’t believe it.

You just shot someone, someone’s son or husband.

Panic sets in when you heard footsteps approaching, you want to ask for help but they start to act aggressive and howls like a god damn wolf, started twitching and shaking uncontrollably as the person act aggressively and you shot him right between his brows.

He perfectly got down and died on the floor and right between your legs. Tears escapes from your eyes, you starts to hyperventilating again as you take a couple of deep breaths before standing up with wobbly legs. Taking the bag with you and the gun that happens to be under the bed, it’s in a box so you took it and claim it yours.

Finders keepers, right?

Outside was ruin, forest haunting and creepy.

You couldn’t believe that someone took you away from your home, you comfort and done unspeakable things to your body. You are ruined.

Fighting the tears that blurred your vision, you reload your gun. Leon’s taught you how to handle a gun and loading and unloading it became handy. You steady your focus and analyze your surroundings, good thing your purse is still with you and your smartwatch.

Time check: 5:05 PM

Almost dark, you need to find somewhere safe and if Leon is here, may you pray that he finds you nor you find him.

You’d cry in his arms and sniffle a disgusting snot from your nostrils. How you just crave Korean foods and it results you getting kidnapped. You want to feel his touch, his lips kissing the crown of your head, his fingers caressing your hair and back as he rocks you like a baby you are.

He would sing assurance to your ear, mumbling that it’s not your fault and that you’re brave for making it this far to finding him rather than staying in the cottage that you were held experimented on.

You wanted to cry at that thought, but held back those tears. If Leon was here, he would tell you to fight and take what felt like you have lost.

You were taken away from your home. Your butler must be worried, your best friend crying and your parents constant worry and reporting to every possible authorities.

You need to fight for them and stay alive, you still have a future to fulfill. Do it for them, for yourself and Leon’s.

You held your power-bank light in your free hand, careful not to step to any branches that could potentially make a sound and alert more things than it should be. (Funny that you have your power-bank with you but not your phone, must it be for your smart watch?)

Steps were slow and steady, flashing your light to every corner of your surroundings, which is filled with more god damn trees. The hair from your neck stood up as you snap your head back.

There, stood a human figure, you squint your eyes to get a better look at their face.

“what the fuck..?” you mutter, your eyes widen as you made sure, “that’s not human…” you added, stepping back as you step on a branch. The figure that stood before you in the distance has a menacing smile, bloodshot eyes and tears were black as the void.

Your body was frozen, your breathing became heavy again—your head dizzy and your palm sweating from holding the light and gun too tight.

The figure tilts its head until it rotated to 360° which is humanly impossible for a normal person, it let out a quiet screech. Got down to the ground, and starts chasing after you in speed.

As if in instinct, you ran. You ran away with much speed as possible, it’s laugh were scary and it’ll give you nightmares when you sleep. It’d haunt your dreams and kill you while you sleep.

Tears accidentally slipped down as you mindlessly ran away, not knowing which directions you’d go.

“Help!” you screamed from the top of your lungs as you sniffle, a laugh broke out from the entity that’s still chasing you. It called your name but you didn’t respond. What you needed right now is to find someone to help you.

You don’t have much choice… for now.

Leon was out of the mansion, the sun is setting. His objective for now is to find you as soon as possible—a voice broke out to his earpiece, “Hunnigan,” Leon spoke, “find anything?” he asked.

“I did, but it seems like she’s not in the cottage anymore.” A disappointed sigh was heard from Hunnigan from the other side of Leon’s earpiece, he frowns and take a deep sigh, “all right, thank y—”

“Help!”

Leon’s attention was snatched away, he snap his head to his left. Focusing his hearing to his surroundings, “Leon? Hello, are you still there?” Hunnigan asked.

“I found something, thank you.” Leon whispered and slowly walked towards the trees and move his head to the side. He could hear branches snapping and a cry for help and an inhumane screams and screeching that would make his ear bleed.

He took his gun, pointed between the two trees and waited for someone or something to come out.

“Don’t shoot!” a familiar voice yelled, it was yours but his attention was at something that was following you, you quickly threw yourself at Leon with your aching and bleeding leg. As the entity emerges from the forest and started crawling faster than he could imagine.

He held you in his arm, while he shoots at the monster a couple of times until it was shrieking from each bullets and its pace was slowed down. It lie dead on the ground, twitching and black blood spilling.

Leon turned his attention to you, “princess?” he mutters, you nodded and sniffle at his arm. “It’s okay, I’m here…” he mumbles and pulled you into a tight hug, “I’ll get us out of here, yeah?” he kissed your forehead, his palm cupping your cheeks as he brush those tears away from your eye.

“I’m here, I’m here and you’re safe.” He continuously assured, craving it at the back of your mind that you are safe, he’s with you and he’s not going to let anyone or anything hurt you.

“It’s getting dark, I’m sure you need some energy and sleep.” Leon mutters as you nodded, “you’re bleeding…” Leon frown at the sight of your leg bleeding, he also noticed that you have a bag pack with you.

“Let’s get you ins—” what Leon hates most that he gets cut off every time he fucking talks, “shit!” he curses and turns around to see the entity he couldn’t kill, its body was distorted as its face and laugh. You whine at the sight, he uses his body to shield you from the entity that he failed to kill.

“God fucking damn it,” he carried you bridal style as he knew that you’re too injured to even run. It chases the two of you, you could only close your eyes and muffle your cries and cling closely to Leon.

Leon found the basement was open and made the creature away as far away from that safe zone, he’d shoot any enemies if there are any inside.

“Hold on tight, princess.” Leon mutters right to your ear, his lips brushing against your skin as he made a run for it. You clung to him like a koala, his two hands finally set free as you made sure to hug as tight as you can.

He ran, with you clinging to him. He almost missed to grab the two handles and shut the door of the basement. It was dark, and it reeks of rotten fish. “You can let go now, you’re safe.” Leon mutters and gave your neck a kiss to calm you down.

You slowly let down your feet as it finds the ground and you let down the other. Leon find the light switch and turned it one, there was a few zombies inside and he quickly got them removed from the frame.

“Stay here.” You nod and decides to listen for now. You watch Leon swiftly move one bodies to another and stack them up right in the corner. He found a clean mop and two buckets of clean water, one with powered soap and one clear water.

You watch him clean the floor for you, to get rid of the rotten smell. You smiled at him, lifting the muscle from your face was kind of hard since your tears were practically dried and hard on your face.

“what’s so funny, princess?” Leon asked as he wipe his sweat with his wrist. His attention was now in his earpiece, “have you found her, Leon?”

“Yeah, she’s safe. She’s bleeding though.” Leon turn his head and his eyes scans your injured leg, you were standing idly and tilt your head to Leon.

“Good, after retrieving the item. Make sure to get her home safely.” Leon nodded at Hunnigans words, “you can count on me.” Before the call gets disconnected.

Leon finishes mopping the floor wet and got some clean dry mop again to dry the floor.

He also found a sleeping bag and other useful things inside this basement, he thought to himself that they used this as a storage room.

“Come here, princess.” Leon gestures as he sat down on the sleeping bag, the softness of it makes him relax. You made your way to him, legs still wobbly as you sat down with him. He turn to you and caress your bleeding leg, “may I?”

You nodded and lift your leg to him, you hiss at the pain and choke a sob. “I got some aid kit…” your voice dry and hoarse, he nodded and gestures for you to give him the bag. He takes the aid kit out and began to change your bandage.

“I’m sorry…” an apology got out from your lips, Leon turns his head and cock an eyebrow, “sorry for what, princess?” his voice low and his tone calm, “that I added another burden to your shoulder.” You sniffle and began to have a breakdown.

“Hey, hey…” Leon coos, finishing wrapping another bandage roll when he cleaned your wound. He pulls you into his strong arms as the cologne you’d grew to love hits your nostrils, “It’s not your fault, and you are not a burden.”

“No one wants to be in a situation like this, sweetheart.” His hand caress the back of your hair. “But, you were one brave woman.” He praises, lift your chin with his finger to have your eyes look at his cold yet loving gaze.

“I am here whenever you need me, I’m still on duty as your bodyguard. Am I right?” he chuckles and gently pushed you away to get another sleeping bag, you whined and held his hand, you don’t want him to be away from you more than one second.

He look down at your vulnerable form, you were cute—Leon thought to his mind, he would be damned if he got hard to situations like this.

“I’m just gonna get another sleeping bag.” You shake your head to his words, a voice barely going out to your lips but he manage to catch it, “sleep with me.”

He sigh and nodded, “all right,” he tuck you and himself in and pulled you to cuddle. You clung and acted the little spoon, his hand to the curve of your waist as he sprayed kisses to your forehead and cheeks. You smiled and felt relax to the sensation and scoot yourself closer to him.

“You need some rest, sweetheart.” You nod to his words, sleep finally hitting you when your mind and body felt assured that Leon is here to protect you and that he’ll get the two of you safe.

You were sound asleep, so adorable and little before him. Leon’s mind wonders how he could get the few pieces of the relic he needed to retrieve when it’s inside you. There might be a lab somewhere in this mansion that he could bring you.

But for now, he should get some sleep with you.

A smile forms on his lips, “sleep tight, baby.”

He mutter in a loving tone before getting an eye shut.

Next Chapter>>>

[pixels-not-dreams]

splash || light x reader

Light pulls his hand away with a sharp inhale. He looks like he’s leaned against a stove, having forgotten that it was just on. It occurs to you that this is the first time you’ve ever seen him look surprised. It’s only a split second before he scowls at you. He doesn’t usually do that.

You look down. You’re sitting on the edge of Light’s desk, skirt pushed up to the tops of your thighs. This is, in and of itself, not unusual. Light has myriad ways of keeping his lackeys in line. Forcing you to work in various states of undress is one of his favorites. What is unusual, however, is that you had just pissed on the desk, the carpet, and Light’s hand.

You rewind the last ten minutes in your head, wondering how exactly you’d found yourself in a pool of your own piss in Light’s office. He had commanded you to sit on the edge of the desk with your legs apart. You don't wear anything under your skirts. Light forbids it.

He’d taken his middle and ring fingers, long and tan from playing tennis under the sun, and slid them easily into your cunt. Most people needed to be prepared for something like this; but you were so devoted to him that just being in his office made you wet enough to take him.

He hadn't been paying close attention. He'd been barking text-to-speech into his smartwatch when you realized you were going to come. Light didn't really care about your pleasure, really—it was clear that he enjoyed the activity as a demonstration of his mastery in all things.

Light often lets you finish, and other times leaves you hanging. He pulls his hand out of you and wipes his fingers on your shirt, or makes you lick them clean. He didn't seem to get off on this. You weren't entirely sure what he got out of it, but questioning Light never ended well for you.

“Kira-sama,” you’d squeaked, voice weak and airy as he pumped his right hand and snapped voice commands into the watch on his left. “If you keep going I’m going to—I’m going to—can you let me, this time?”

You didn't think he'd been listening, but he must have been, since he curled his fingers up inside you, pressed the heel of his hand to your clit, and made your eyes roll back in your head. That must have been when it had happened.

You'd had this happen before, alone with your hands between your legs in the shower or in bed, but never like this. Before, you hadn't even been sure what it was. Now it’s unmistakable. Your face burns.

Light casts his eyes down to his hand, the carpet, and back to you again. He looks agape. You haven't seen him like this—never.

He blinks slowly, once, twice, and in slow motion rears back. You brace. He brings his open hand to slap you across the face. It's wet, and still warm. You feel your teeth knocking against each other.

“Kira-sama,” you gasp, pressing your hand to your cheek. “That hurt.”

“Very good, Y/N,” he says. His voice is scathing. “It's what you deserve. Now I need to buy a carpet steamer.” He reaches behind you for a bottle of hand sanitizer and furiously pumps it into his palm. When he's done, he whips it at your head. You flinch just in time for him to miss by an inch.

“It was an accident,” you whisper.

“I don't care,” Light says before you can even get the words out. “This desk is cherry wood.” He sets his jaw and lunges forward, wrapping his hand around your waist and shoving you to the floor. The carpet is still wet when you break your fall with your hands.

He's right—it is disgusting. But you don't want to incur his wrath; not like this. You want to be punished, not hated, so you kneel obediently and duck your head.

“Kira-sama,” you say, folding your hands underneath your nose. “Forgive me. I was overcome with pleasure from your perfect hands. You were too good, too capable, and I lost control. I'm weak, I know. Please let me make it up to you.”

In a final show of submission, you bow your head all the way to the floor, resting your forehead on the tainted carpet.

“Get up, Y/N,” Light snaps. “Pathetic.”

You sit up. Your eyes are still closed. He's standing very close to you—you can smell his orangey cologne. You open your eyes and see the strain near his zipper. After all his puffery, he was hard the entire time. You wrap your arms around his leg, rest your cheek on his cock, and smile.

[lou-struck]

Snow-Covered Slippers

Katsuki Bakugo x reader

25 Days of Ficmas Day 3

W.C: 1.6k

~Bakugo's frosty winter morning with you is interrupted when you bring a guest into your home.

It’s one of those rare, cozy winter mornings with Katsuki. Your living room windows are covered in last night’s frost as you sit cross-legged on the couch watching some morning talk show. The host is learning how to make a delicious-looking maple glaze salmon dish.

You make a mental note to save that recipe for later by slipping it into your boyfriend’s recipe binder so he can make it for you.

“I know that look, you’re up to no good aren’t you?” Katsuki asks, pulling you from your thoughts with a steaming cup of coffee. It smells like cinnamon and vanilla. 

Like Home

Like Him

“thank you,” you hum, blowing on the west of steam before taking a tentative sip. You tiredly sigh into the drink. It tastes like heaven, and you look up at the Blond in thankful wonder. Coffee always tastes better to you when someone else makes it. And he knows it. It only takes him a few minutes to do, but it’s one of the easiest ways he can think of to remind you just how much he cares. Especially since he’s not too fond of the mushy stuff. 

“You should make me that.” You giggle, pointing out the recipe on the screen.

His eyes narrow as he reads the description. “I can make you something way better than that babe,” he scoffs. 

You raise a brow. “Can you really?”

“Hell yeah, I can,” he smirks. Knowing that he had fallen for your very obvious dinner-related plot.

You are interrupted by the knocking on your front door. A happy smile appears on your face as you set your coffee cup down and spring up from the sofa.

 “Huh, what’s Shitty Hair’s car doing out front?” Katsuki asks as your fuzzy socks pad across the hardwood floors.

“You’ll see.” Open the door to see the familiar-looking redhead. Little flakes of snow stand out against the brilliant red shade of his hair, and you notice he is wearing his winter Hero Costume and clutching a tiny black and gray pitbull puppy that wiggles in his gentle yet firm grip as it tries to get closer to you. 

You smile brilliantly as you see the puppy. “You brought my Godson!”

He greets you with a smile full of pointy teeth. “Hey y/n. Thank you guys so much for helping me out with Rocky.”

“Who the hell is Rocky?” Bakugou grumbles, rounding the corner. Stopping in his tracks when he sees the little dog in his friend’s arms. The last time the two of you had dog-sat, he was tormented by your neighbor’s teleporting puppy. So you know this is messing with him.

“Hey, Bakubro,” the redhead beams, looking at his bestie. “I got called in to work at the last minute and didn’t have time to drop Rocky off at his doggy daycare so y/n said you guys would watch him for a few hours.”

Upon hearing your name, Katsuki turns and looks at you with a look of betrayal on his face. “When the hell were you gonna tell me about this?” He asks. 

You go up on your tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Your version of an apology, even though your words say otherwise. “I wasn’t.”

“Why, you little-” he starts to growl, and you ignore him, turning your attention back to the poor Hero, who is still standing out in the cold. He’s too polite to say anything to you, but you can tell that he’s not just cold but also stressed about the time.

“Hey, don’t worry. Rocky is in good hands,” you say, holding out your arms to take the little guy. He squirms in Kiri’s grip, trying to get closer to this new, good-smelling person while letting out the most adorable little yips. 

The Hero looks relieved and, with a sigh, hands the little dog over to you. His paws press against your chest as his little pink tongue gives you a little lick on the cheek. You can’t help but notice that these little paws may seem little to you right now but are far too big for his tiny body. Rocky is going to be huge.

“I’m glad to see he’s in good hands.” Kirishima smiles, taking one less look at his smartwatch, frowning when he reads the time. “I really gotta go, but thank you guys so much. I’ll bring food over when I’m done.”

He turns and walks away, his clunky boots nearly slipping down your snowy driveway as your boyfriend calls after him. “We don’t want your food, Shitty Hair. And stay off my grass. I can see your footprints in the snow.”

“See you later, Grandpa.” The redhead laughs, climbing into his truck and pulling out of your driveway before the blonde can chase after him in his plaid bathrobe. 

You hold the puppy happily, using your nails to scratch behind his little ears. “Hi Rocky,” you murmur, turning away from the cold door and heading back to your couch and setting him down on your hardwood floor. Thoroughly entertained as he runs around, too short to actually jump onto any of the furniture. 

“He’s so cute.” you gush as Katsuki walks back into the room. Immediately, without fear, the puppy creeps up to your boyfriend’s slippered feet, trying to play with the slightly fuzzy decals.

“What are you lookin’ at?” he grumbles, pulling his slippers away from the dog. You think this is a great opportunity to bring out one of the puppy-safe chew toys you had purchased for your godson the day Kirishima had rescued the little guy.

You toss it on the floor and Rocky gives it a little sniff before pouncing on the little carrot dude. His little teeth are not strong enough to damage the guy but you watch in fascination as he drags his new friend around your living room proudly. 

“If that thing pees on anything, I’m blasting him into next year.” Bakugou tsks, narrowing his eyes at the puppy who hasn’t done anything to him at all except steal your attention away from the secretary-clingy Blond. 

“That’s my godson you’re threatening there Katsuki.” You say seriously trying to think what little ole you can do to threaten the Hero convincingly. “Do that, and you’ll be sleeping on the couch.”

“You’d miss me too much,” he smirks, stepping closer to you. 

You hear Rocky’s little footsteps pad past you, but when you turn to see where he has gone, Katsuki tilts your head back towards him to pettily steal your attention with a kiss. You kiss him back shamelessly, losing any backbone you had the second his lips meet your own. 

He pulls back, and you can tell that he is more than proud of his ability to distract you from the puppy.

Puppy?

Shit…

You look around the room but don’t see the little dude or his Plush Carrot buddy anywhere. “Katsuki?” you ask with wide eyes. “Where the HELL is Rocky?”

He looks around quickly, worry etched onto his model-like features. He may have been jealous, but he would truly hate if anything were to happen to his best friend’s dog. “He’s gotta be somewhere around here. He’s too short to climb upstairs.” 

Nodding at his words, you silently agree as you slowly walk through your home. Looking for any sign of your little house guest. Silently cursing at yourself for managing to lose the little guy less than fifteen minutes after he was dropped off. 

What kind of godparent are you?

“Shit.” you hear Katsuki yell. Your feet slide across the hardwood flooring as you rush over toward the sounds. Right away, you notice Three things.

First, your front door is wide open. Hinges creaking slightly in the wind as it opens wider and wider. 

The Second, Mr. Carrot laying outside on your little porch. 

And the Third. Rocky happily frolicking through your snow-covered lawn towards the road.

You start to move, but your boyfriend is quicker. In a flash, Katsuki, in his slippers and robe, sprints out the door with fighting speed. He stumbles on the slippery surface and his slippers furiously kick up snow as he barrels towards Rocky. The Pup is too focused on catching snowflakes on his tongue he doesn’t realize he is getting closer and closer to oncoming traffic. 

“Gotcha,” Katsuki huffs, grabbing the little guy surprisingly gently and holding him close to him. A few cars pass by. An ominous message as to what could’ve been. Katsuki sees this, too, and holds the puppy just a bit close to his chest as he makes his way back inside. His robe and slippers are completely soaked from the snow, as he shrugs them off. You try to shut the door, but there appears to be a loose fixture that requires a bit more of a push than normal. It must be how Rocky was able to get out in the first place. 

“Is he okay?” you ask worriedly, reaching out to gently pet the dog’s snow-speckled ears. He still looks just as happy as before, so you feel way less concerned as Katsuki hands him to you. And he goes back to snuggling up to you. 

“We gotta get that door fixed.” he mumbles, “That was close.”

“Too close, you say, setting him back on the ground. He continues on with his exploration of the house as if he wasn’t in danger minutes ago. “Rocky goes up to the snow-covered slippers and gives them a curious sniff. His little brown nose inhales a clump of snow, and he runs away from the sensation, sniffling adorably. 

You giggle and see the soft smile on Katsuki’s face. “At least you don’t have to worry about him chewing up your slippers today.”

Tagging: @enchantedforest-network

[darkbluekies]

Dr Kry with a male darling who ended up in the hospital because of an attempt (feel free to ignore if it’s triggering, just want some fluff <3)

Hold my heart

Doctor!yandere OC x male!reader

Summary: Dr Kry is meeting a new patient and learns about the night he's had. Dr Kry decides to take him under his wing and protect him forever.

Warnings: mentions of: blood, cutting, self-harm, depression, self blame, interpretation of suicideI've tried to not be too heavy on the dark themes and tried to make it a bit comforting, I don't know how that worked out though

[I want to say that if anyone who's reading this somehow relates to it, everything will be better eventually. Please reach out to someone trustworthy. You're deserving of so much.]

It's late at night. Usually, Dr Kry would be home sleeping by now, but he's been called in for an emergency. A young man who's tried to harm himself is currently sitting in his office.

Dr Kry hurries through the halls to reach his office. He's holding papers containing the young man's information in his hands. 

You look up as the doctor enters. You take a quick scan over him. He looks like everything you want to be. Healthy, strong … satisfied with life. Maybe if you were like him you wouldn't have tried …

"Y/N, hello", the man smiles softly and holds out his hand. "I'm Dr Kry."

"Hi", you almost whisper, taking his large hand in yours.

The shake is firm, making you feel even smaller.

"How are you feeling?" Dr Kry wonders.

"I don't know", you answer quietly. 

"Your family is worried about you, you know."

"Yeah …"

Dr Kry looks at you from head to toe. You don’t look any different from the young men he usually meet. Everyone who comes in here usually have the same look in their eyes.

"Will you let me see your arms?" he asks carefully.

You don't answer. Dr Kry notices how you start to pull your limbs closer to your body and avoid eye contact and decides to back off. 

"You're safe in here, Y/N", the doctor says gently. "The ER nurses were stressful, I understand. I'm not. I'm patient and I will wait until you're ready."

You feel a bit at ease. The nurses were ripping your bloody arms left to right to examine and care for. They put them on display for everyone to see. You've never felt so embarrassed and vulnerable. All of your insecurities and pain were put on a show and tell for whoever wanted to see. You could have been naked and you wouldn’t have felt as exposed as you did. 

Your arms are now covered in stale bandage that you are hiding underneath the purple hoodie. You can still see a trace of the nights deeds on your hands, but you ignore it. 

You two sit there in silence for what feels like hours. Most likely it's only been thirty minutes. Dr Kry sits by his desk, doing some paperwork while you play with your fingers and the hem of your hoodie. 

"What do you like to do, Y/N?" he asks without looking away from the papers.

"Not much", you answer quietly.

"What did you used to like?"

"Drawing, maybe."

"Drawing? What did you draw?"

You shrug, still avoiding eye contact.

"I'd love to see your drawings someday", Dr Kry smiles and meets your eyes.

Normally, blue eyes can be intense, but these are somehow warm despite their cold color.

You yawn.

"Are you tired?" the doctor asks and glances at the smartwatch on his wrist. "Well, the clock’s already two am. Why don't you come with me to a hospital room? You can stay there for the night and we can talk a bit more tomorrow."

You find yourself nodding. Dr Kry stands up and holds out his hand to you. You blink in surprise. 

“I can lead you”, Dr Kry says. “You don’t have to take my hand if you don’t want to.”

Weirdly enough, you take his hand. His last grip on it had made you feel a bit at ease, as if the storming world around you could be controlled by his hands. Dr Kry gives you a soft and gentle smile as he takes you through the corridor. He can feel his heart swell and his body shiver at the touch of you. 

“I like your hoodie”, Dr Kry says, trying to spark up a conversation to learn more about you. “Is that a band you like on the front?”

“Yeah …”, you mumble. “It’s their logo.”

You feel worse about your hoodie getting soaked in blood than your arms taking the initial hit. 

“Do you like music?” the doctor continues and opens the elevator door. 

You nod. Dr Kry sighs and takes another look at you. He has dealt with these kinds of situations before, but he’s never felt this … bad.

He takes you to a hospital room a few floors up. While you stand against the wall, he fixes the bed for you. 

“I’ll be with you all night”, Dr Kry promises. “To make sure that you don’t do anything else to yourself.”

You meet his eyes again. He looks so genuine that it aches in your heart. He’ll stay up to watch you? He’ll protect you from the bad thoughts in your head? He’ll sacifice sleep just for you? Your eyes fill with tears as your legs lose their strenght. Falling down into a sitting position with your back against the wall and hiding your eyes into the pals of your hands. Dr Kry hurries over and squats down in front of you, holding his large hands on your shoulders. 

“How are you feeling?” he asks. “What happened?”

“N-Nothing”, you sob. “Just- … thank you, doctor.”

Dr Kry relaxes and smiles slightly. He lets his hand run through your hair in an attempt to comfort your fragile being. 

“Of course, Y/N”, he says quietly, comfortingly. “I’ll be here for you.”

“Do you blame me?” you sob and look up to meet his blue eyes.

He doesn’t need to ask about what he should blame you for, he knows. 

“Of course I don’t”, Dr Kry says with a soft smile. “I can tell that you’re a good boy. I don’t think you’re a bad person. How can I blame a good heart?”

“B-But … my arms-”

“Your arms are going to heal. And so will both your heart and your mind. It just takes time, okay?”

You nod and sob again. Dr Kry leans forward and embraces you in a protective hug. Your entire body is shaking in his hold and wettening his white lab coat, but he doesn’t care. You feel so right in his arms. He thinks it’s such a shame that you have to be tortured by the demons who have settled in your mind. 

“I shouldn’t feel like this”, you sob against his shoulder. “I-I don’t have anything to be upset about! T-There are others who have it worse … who have a reason to … to be sad.”

“That doesn’t make your pain any less invalid”, Dr Kry promises you. “You ended up here. That’s enough evidence for me to know that you need help.”

“I just did it to … to get someone’s attention. I-I’m not sick … I’m just … a bad person. I’m just bothering everyone, aren’t I? Such an attention seeker …”

“You’re not. If you would have done all of this for attention, then you’re not well.�� Dr Kry pulls back to look at your tearstained face. “You are allowed to feel sad, Y/N. You’re allowed to be mad, to be upset, to be depressed. It doesn’t matter how great your life is otherwise, you’re still allowed to feel this.”

You nod and hug him tighter. Finally someone understands. Finally someone is on your side. 

Dr Kry pulls you up on your now unsteady legs and leads you over to the bed. He tucks you in and sits down on his rolling stool. He pulls out a napkin and starts to wipe your tears gently. 

“You should try to get some sleep”, Dr Kry says. “When morning comes, you and I will eat breakfast together and then talk a bit, okay?”

“Okay”, you whisper and sniffle. 

“Good boy. Just sleep now. I will sit here and watch over you to make sure that nothing is happening. If you need anything, just tell me.”

“Can you … can you hold my hand?”

Dr Kry moves over to the bed and holds your hand in his. You close your eyes with one last tear running down your cheek. Dr Kry reaches out and wipes it with a full heart. He looks back at the door, thinking about locking it. You’re a soul he needs to save … but to do that, he needs to keep you here with him. 

“Don’t worry, Y/N”, he whispers when he’s sure that you can’t hear him. “You’ll never hurt again.”

He’ll protect you. 

[xarrixii]

F/B Chapter_43 : "One of the Good Ones"

CW: none that i can think of previous chapter | beginning | masterlist

/ / / / / | ---

“You’re the best pyro I know, Alph,” Reggie mocked silently. “I’ve never seen anyone in my 34 years of life that wields fire better than you. Good control, Alph⸺”

Alph put a hand over Reggie’s mouth. The gym teacher made them want to vomit excessively all over the floor. With cat hair, stomach acid, and that mildly radioactive meal served on that blue hot-lunch tray. Reggie licked their palm and they pulled off.

“Just saying. He’s weird, dude. Like retired intel recruiter weird. Are you being scouted?”

“No?” As far as Alph knew, the government wouldn’t want a pyrokinetic in its special programs anyway. “I think he’s just a piece of shit.”

“Kineticist piece of shit,” Beth nodded, suddenly leaning on Alph’s shoulder. “This guy needs a new hobby. I think he just stalks all of the kids with kinetics. Doesn’t help he runs the yearly exam. So the government can have information on its citizens.”

Alph snorted impolitely, then laughed at the sound of it.

“The fuck was that?” Reggie snickered, lightly punching Alph.

The gym teacher whistled, yelled blue, and Reggie shrugged and walked back into dodgeball hell. Alph replaced him in line, then turned back to Beth. “What’d you purposefully get out to tell me?”

“I did not purposefully get out,” Beth said loudly, then leaned in, “but Flash Fire’s getting an update. AJ was looking at his smartwatch for notifications on the ‘medic scooter’ waiting for someone to go down. Multiplayer and ranked battles. Something about secret maps for them?”

“Multiplayer?” Alph said louder than intended, glancing over at the gym teacher who stoically stood around doing nothing. “Like, online, anytime, no arcade multiplayer?”

Beth nodded. “They finally figured out how to code their AI models to fight more than one target at once reliably. Also some lag fixes and blah blah blah.”

“Urban.”

“Quit it with the fictitious boyfriend,” Beth understood which Urban Alph meant quick enough to be sarcastic. “We get it, you have to make excuses each time as for why he can’t come down to the arcade⸺”

“For your information he’s real and he’s cooler than you are. And he’s not my boyfriend.”

Beth pretended to become offended, scoffing and rolling her eyes as Alph was whistled back into play. She whispered with her teeth as Alph walked away, “But you wish he was.”

She received a polite middle finger back.

The conversation didn’t resume until Alph was walking home, head buried in their phone screen. “Yeah. They’ve released map teasers and have beta testers testing out the AI right now. Apparently accounts in the top 5% of players can access the beta for early feedback. No online play though, only lobby codes and LAN play.” 

Alph chuckled at the statistic, pausing halfway through a text. Camdyn waved it off. “Yeah, so what exactly? Alph?”

“If we want to play at my apartment, I’m sure my dad wouldn’t care. As long as no one else has any obligations.” Alph hit sent and looked up. “What? Come on. It’d be cool.”

Reggie voiced a leading note before actually speaking at a crosswalk, “Nah. I agreed to take over a shift. I think I’m already gonna be late, so I’m gonna split.”

“Seeya,” Camdyn said. Then he turned to Alph, Reggie already halfway down the intersection. “You’re not actually top 5% are you? I distinctly remember beating you at an arcade before, and it was remarkably easy. And I’m not even top 20%.”

“Uh, 4 point.... whatever. I don’t remember.” The remark reminded Alph all too painfully of walking into Decked Games at twelve years just to find out their high score had been beaten—eight times. UR. Over the next few weeks, with a month lapse stuck in the middle, each and every arcade in the city that had Flash Fire as an available game was overrun by a new winner that Alph could never catch in the act.

It was Urban, obviously. It was rare when Alph beat him on console. UR was for Urban Reichler. The kind of thing most everyone knew now from a simple search query, but four years ago was a fact known by the handful of people who either read the comics or did 100% runs. “Skill curve gets insane beyond that point.”

“We’ll see the real number when we get to your apartment anyway,” Beth jostled.

Alph threw up a hand the second the blast inched their vision, skidding across the street suddenly filled with glass and swiveling around to Beth and Camdyn. Ringing filled their ears more than their own voice, “Are you two okay?”

Beth gave a silent thumbs-up and Camdyn groaned out a thanks.

When they turned back to look at the newly-exploded building, they expected fire, just not the screaming child. “Call the cops,” Alph managed to get out before pushing off the ground back across the street to the burning building. The decision was met with barely any hesitation, Alph’s hands grabbing hold of the fire and whisking it away from themselves as they went toward the kid.

Alph could hear Camdyn protesting outside over the roaring fire.

“Hey, kid! It’s gonna all be okay, I promise you!” Alph yelled into the newly awakened pyrokinetic flame. “We’re gonna walk through this together, alright?”

next chapter | masterlist

/ / / / / | --- missing a content warning? let me know

it's actually so jarring to see how short this is compared to the two latest chapters i've written

taglist (ask to go on or off): @lychhiker-writes, @madeoforgansandtissues, @fins0up

[websneha]

10 Surprising Stress-Relief Innovations You’ll Need in 2025

Stress and anxiety have become an integral part of modern life, especially in India, where rapid urbanization, high competition, and the digital era have exacerbated mental health challenges. According to a recent survey by the Indian Psychiatry Society, 74% of Indians face stress in their daily lives. As we move into 2025, the ways to manage stress have drastically evolved. These innovative stress-relief techniques go beyond traditional methods and offer effective, science-backed solutions to help you stay calm and focused. Let’s dive into 10 surprising innovations that you’ll need to know to reduce stress and anxiety in 2025.

1. AI-Powered Stress Monitoring Wearables

In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we manage stress. AI-powered wearables such as smartwatches and fitness bands not only track your physical health but also monitor your stress levels in real time. These wearables analyze heart rate variability, body temperature, and sleep patterns to detect signs of stress. They can even provide guided breathing exercises or alert you when it’s time to take a break.

Key Features:

Real-time stress monitoring through biometric data.

Personalized stress management tips based on AI analysis.

Integration with apps to provide breathing exercises, meditation, or calming music.

Indian Market Stats:

According to Statista, the wearable technology market in India is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6% by 2025, with stress-management wearables becoming more popular.

Popular AI-Powered Wearables:

Fitbit Sense: Equipped with an EDA sensor that tracks your body’s response to stress.

Oura Ring: Tracks body temperature and sleep patterns, helping to manage anxiety.

2. Digital Detox Retreats

In a world dominated by technology, digital detox retreats are emerging as one of the most effective stress-relief techniques in 2025. These retreats allow participants to unplug from technology and focus on mindfulness, nature, and self-care. With the rise of screen time, especially in India where people spend an average of 6-7 hours a day on digital devices, digital detox retreats offer a necessary escape to rejuvenate the mind and body.

Benefits of Digital Detox:

Reduced screen fatigue and improved mental clarity.

Better sleep quality due to disconnection from blue light.

Enhanced emotional well-being through mindfulness activities like yoga and meditation.

Popular Digital Detox Destinations in India:

Ananda in the Himalayas: Offers yoga, meditation, and spa therapies in a serene environment.

SwaSwara Retreat in Gokarna: A perfect place for digital detox combined with Ayurveda and holistic healing.

3. Neurofeedback Therapy

Neurofeedback is a cutting-edge stress-relief technique that uses brainwave monitoring to help individuals regulate their stress responses. In 2025, neurofeedback therapy has become a mainstream option for managing anxiety, particularly in urban areas of India. By training the brain to recognize stressful patterns and shifting brainwave activity, neurofeedback offers long-term stress reduction without medication.

How Neurofeedback Works:

Electrodes are placed on the scalp to monitor brain activity.

The brain is trained to produce desirable brainwave patterns, helping you achieve relaxation.

Sessions are often combined with mindfulness and deep-breathing exercises.

Effectiveness:

Research shows that neurofeedback therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety by up to 45% over time.

Available in India’s top wellness centers in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.

4. Sensory Deprivation Tanks (Floatation Therapy)

Sensory deprivation, also known as floatation therapy, involves lying in a tank filled with saltwater where external stimuli such as light and sound are completely eliminated. This helps your body enter a deep state of relaxation, reducing cortisol levels and promoting mental clarity. Floatation therapy has become increasingly popular in India’s major cities in 2025 as a way to combat the pressures of daily life.

Benefits of Floatation Therapy:

Decreased cortisol levels and stress hormones by up to 20%.

Promotes theta brainwave activity, which is associated with deep relaxation and meditation.

Improved mental focus and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Where to Try It in India:

1000 Petals in Bengaluru: Offers floatation therapy sessions designed for stress relief.

Mindful Waters in Mumbai: Specializes in sensory deprivation therapy for mental well-being.

5. Cold Exposure Therapy (Cryotherapy)

Cold exposure therapy, or cryotherapy, has emerged as one of the most surprising ways to combat stress and anxiety in 2025. Cryotherapy involves brief exposure to sub-zero temperatures in a controlled environment, stimulating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This, in turn, reduces inflammation, boosts endorphins, and helps manage anxiety.

Key Benefits:

Reduces inflammation and muscle tension caused by stress.

Boosts the production of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.

Enhances mental resilience by improving the body’s response to stress.

Cryotherapy in India:

Leading wellness centers in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru offer cryotherapy sessions.

Cryotherapy is expected to grow rapidly, with a 35% increase in adoption by 2025 as per industry reports.

6. Virtual Reality Meditation

Virtual reality (VR) has made meditation more immersive and effective than ever in 2025. VR meditation apps transport you to peaceful environments like lush forests or serene beaches, making it easier to disconnect from stressful surroundings. These apps combine guided meditation with virtual experiences, making stress management more accessible, even in the bustling cities of India.

Why VR Meditation Works:

Creates a fully immersive experience, helping you detach from daily stressors.

Guided meditation programs are tailored to reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion.

Ideal for those who find traditional meditation challenging or boring.

Popular VR Meditation Apps:

TRIPP: A VR app designed to promote mindfulness and reduce stress.

RelaxVR: Offers calming VR experiences like virtual beaches or mountain views, helping to lower anxiety levels.

7. Biohacking for Stress Relief

Biohacking, a concept focused on optimizing body and mind performance, has taken a new leap in 2025 as a method for stress relief. Techniques such as intermittent fasting, cold showers, and red light therapy are being embraced by individuals seeking to "hack" their stress responses. Biohacking allows you to gain control over how your body reacts to stress, improving both mental and physical health.

Popular Biohacking Techniques for Stress:

Cold Showers: Stimulate the vagus nerve and reduce cortisol production.

Red Light Therapy: Helps lower inflammation and calm the nervous system.

Intermittent Fasting: Promotes mental clarity and enhances stress resilience by balancing hormonal levels.

Indian Biohacking Community Growth:

Biohacking India reported a 40% increase in the number of people practicing biohacking methods in 2025, with stress reduction being a key goal for many participants.

8. Gut Health and Probiotics for Mental Well-Being

The gut-brain connection is now well-established, and 2025 has seen the rise of nutritional psychiatry in India. Probiotics, specifically designed to improve gut health, have been shown to reduce anxiety by promoting the production of serotonin, a key mood-regulating hormone. Incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into your diet can be a natural way to manage stress and anxiety.

Key Foods for Stress Reduction:

Curd (Dahi): Rich in probiotics, which help balance gut bacteria and improve mood.

Fermented Foods: Include pickles, idli, and dosa for natural probiotics.

Asafoetida (Hing): Known to improve gut health, which can directly influence mental well-being.

Stats:

According to a 2024 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), individuals who included probiotics in their diet experienced a 30% decrease in anxiety levels after three months.

9. Breathwork with Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Training

Breathwork has been a traditional Indian practice for centuries, but in 2025, it’s getting a modern upgrade with heart rate variability (HRV) training. HRV is the measurement of the time interval between heartbeats, and it’s a powerful indicator of stress levels. With the help of technology, you can now practice controlled breathing to improve your HRV, thereby reducing anxiety and stress.

How HRV Breathwork Works:

Apps or wearables measure your HRV and guide you through specific breathing exercises to optimize your heart rate.

Increased HRV is linked to better mental health, lower stress, and improved resilience to anxiety.

Popular HRV Devices:

HeartMath Inner Balance: A device that measures HRV and offers personalized breathing exercises.

Garmin Smartwatches: Equipped with HRV tracking and breathing exercises for stress management.

10. Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)

In 2025, forest bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, has become a popular stress-relief technique in India. Originally a Japanese practice, forest bathing involves immersing yourself in nature, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of a forest environment. The benefits of spending time in nature are well-documented, with forest

[topshopupusa]

How to Choose the Best Products for a Healthier and More Sustainable Lifestyle

Finding the right products to support a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle can be overwhelming with so many options available. At TopShop Up, we specialize in offering high-quality products across various categories to help you make informed choices. Here are some top picks from our collection:

Home Workout Essentials Staying fit at home is easier with our range of home workout essentials. From resistance bands to yoga mats, we have everything you need to create a home gym that suits your fitness goals.

Stress Relief Products In today's fast-paced world, managing stress is crucial. Explore our collection of stress relief products, including essential oil diffusers, massage tools, and meditation aids, to help you unwind and relax.

Best Tech Gadgets Stay ahead of the curve with the best tech gadgets available at TopShop Up. Whether you're looking for the latest smartwatches, wireless earbuds with noise-canceling features, or innovative home gadgets, we have you covered.

Gadget Shop Our gadget shop offers a wide variety of tech accessories and gadgets to enhance your daily life. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, you'll find the perfect gadgets to suit your needs.

Best Home Gadgets Upgrade your living space with the best home gadgets designed to improve convenience and efficiency. Explore our selection of smart home devices, kitchen gadgets, and more to create a modern and comfortable home environment.

Best Natural Beauty Products Embrace natural beauty with our range of the best natural beauty products. Free from harmful chemicals, our beauty products promote healthy skin and hair while being environmentally friendly.

Vegan Beauty Products Our vegan beauty products are cruelty-free and made from plant-based ingredients. Discover makeup, skincare, and hair care products that align with your values and support a compassionate lifestyle.

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Best Wireless Earbuds with Noise Cancelling Experience superior sound quality with our best wireless earbuds featuring noise-canceling technology. Perfect for music lovers and professionals alike, these earbuds offer an immersive audio experience.

Bodybuilding Accessories Achieve your fitness goals with our range of bodybuilding accessories. From weightlifting belts to resistance bands, we have the tools you need to take your workouts to the next level.

At TopShop Up, we are committed to providing products that enhance your lifestyle while promoting sustainability and wellness. Visit www.topshopup.com to explore our full range of offerings.

[stylesavingssavvy]

Smartwatch Smarts: Budget-Friendly Options for watch Enthusiasts

Introduction: 

With technology constantly evolving, smartwatches are becoming essential devices for both tech enthusiasts and casual users. These devices provide a special fusion of smartphone functionality and traditional watch beauty. It might be challenging to get a reasonably priced solution that satisfies your requirements and is of good quality. This article will walk you through how to determine what you need, how to do extensive research using user reviews, and how to utilize comparison and cashback sites like Redfynd to get the greatest deals on well-known brands like Fossil, Titan, Daniel klein, and Fastrack.  

Identify Your Requirements: 

Determining what you require from your smartwatch is essential before you dive in headfirst. Consider the following elements: 

Functionality: Do you require GPS, heart rate monitoring, fitness tracking, or just phone notifications? 

Make that the smartwatch is compatible with the operating system (iOS or Android) on your smartphone. 

Battery Life: Battery life has the potential to be a deal-breaker, depending on your usage. While some smartwatches may run on a single charge for many days, others require regular charging. 

Design and Comfort: The watch should be both comfortable and stylish, as you will be wearing it every day. 

Budget: To help you focus, establish a precise spending limit. Being economical doesn't have to mean sacrificing necessary features.  

Analyze User Reviews for Detailed Analysis: 

Once you are certain of what you want, look to customer evaluations for in-depth explanations. User reviews can offer realistic insight into functionality, reliability, and any problems that may not be immediately clear from product descriptions. Here's how to utilize user reviews to your advantage: 

Examine several sources: Review reviews across many platforms to fully understand. 

Pay attention to in-depth reviews: Reviews offering comprehensive details about certain features and use cases should be considered. 

Take note of persistent problems: If the same issue is brought up by several users, it's probably a legitimate worry.  

Use Comparison Sites Like Redfynd to Compare Prices: 

Make use of comparison websites such as Redfynd to make sure you're receiving the greatest deal. By comparing pricing from many merchants, these websites let you choose which one provides the greatest deal. Here's how to utilize Redfynd to its fullest: 

Look Up by Model and Brand: To discover specific results, use precise search phrases such as "Fossil smartwatch" or "Titan smartwatch." 

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Top 10 Popular Watch Brands

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[desitenya]

System Start

Short 1500 word fic about how Kusuomega and Kuusuke became partners. Based heavily on PsiBattle’s plot so i recommend reading at least both Saiki Kuusuke’s Delusion World and True KusuΩ’s Delusion World. ^_^

> Power source detected; Commencing system startup…

> System processing…

>…

> Commencing hardware inspection

> Upper and lower right extremities- Critical state

> Left lower limb- Severely damaged; Left upper limb- Disconnected

The joints he has left creak as he inspects the damage; Cracks spiderwebbed up and down his torso revealing the unsightly carbon mesh used to soften his human features. In areas of more significant wreckage, such as his crushed leg, wires spilled out no longer inhibited by the previous upper layers. What were previously mechanical pumps that managed his movement are now just scraps of steel barely attached.

It would have been a gruesome sight were he human.

> Hardware inspection complete; Processing…

>...

> Accessing Kusuomega Version 2 memory storage…

It’s only thirty minutes of real world time that he has to look through since first activation; and within those thirty minutes to develop a personality, he’s certain it's within his programming to make a snarky joke to make fun of this abysmal situation. But he somehow can't find the energy to care-

“Good morning! Kusuomega was it~”

Kusuomega turned his eyes up to the voice. Of course, he didn't need to see him to know who he was.

Hm. That was where his other arm was.

“Great, I was starting to worry you were damaged beyond repair” Letting out a chuckle. I should've given my AI clone some more credit.”

The blond using one hand drags over an office chair a cautious distance in front of kusuomega and inelegantly plops down on it, sitting on it backwards. In one of his hands is a somewhat damaged mechanical arm. He props it up on his lap almost hugging it as he crosses his arms over the back of the chair.

“You probably don't need an introduction, but just in case your memory has gotten a bit scrambled, I’m Saiki Kuusuke. The creator of your creator.” Kuusuke grins.

Maybe it's because he is the creation of his creation that he can easily tell that Kuusuke doesn't want to be here just as much as he does. What's his deal booting him back up… Is he trying to start something?

Kusuomega looks off to the side.

Frankly he’s kind of done with “final battles to the death”. Probably some kind of power move before he gets disconnected for good. It’s a nonsensical idea, but he wouldn't put it past Kuusuke.

“Hey! Don't shut down. I'm talking to you.”

His plastered smile falters for a second as he barely contains a click of the tongue. Kuusuke stands up from his chair and sets Kusuomega’s arm down on it.

“Just so we’re clear“, he adds, pulling up his sleeve to show a smartwatch as he approaches him. “Any excessive movement will be met with swift termination. Mister K was so cautious as to install a destruction code as he was building you behind my back. That would have been handy to know during our scuffle wouldn't it.”

The smile Kuusuke has on shows even more of a strain, more evident to Kusuomega as he kneels down to his level. Kuusuke pulls out a small flashlight from his pocket and aims it at Kusuomega’s face.

“With that said, follow the light with your eyes or I’ll permanently flip the off switch~”

Ending that sentence with a playful waver, Kuusuke holds the flashlight and slowly moves it left to right as if Kusuomega’s like some kind of drunkard… Seriously?

Staring straight ahead, Kusuomega eyes Kuusuke.

Kuusuke droops the flashlight down and looks at Kusuomega.

Kusuomega continues to stare at Kuusuke blandly.

With a sigh, Kuusuke shuffles over closer to Kusuomega. He roughly picks up his chin and flashes the light into his eyes.

After making sure they were indeed actually functioning, Kuusuke continues his check up with a slight scowl on his face. Heh.

Finishing up inspection of his eyes, Kuusuke pulls out insulating gloves from his pocket and removes Kusuomega’s outer green school uniform jacket. He lifts his nub of a right arm up releasing a mini cascade of sparks onto the ground.

Even though it's his body he’s poking around, Kusuomega isn't really invested. It's not like he has a say about what happens next. 

Not that he knows what ‘next’ is either.

Not really seeing anything else to grab his attention, he turns his head down to stare at the floor. As he does, he notices a pair of glasses hanging on his breast pocket. Probably his, but there’s no way they would have gone this unharmed after the fight.

“Kusuo fixed it.”

Kusuomega looks up at him. Just missing the minute curious stare he was giving to the robot’s twisted expression.

Kuusuke pauses his prodding.

“It was his idea. He wants me to repair you.”

Kuusuke’s eye darts back up to read his expression, but quickly looks back down to continue his work.

He wants him repaired?

He can’t even find the curiosity nor energy to ask himself ‘For what?’. What was there even left for him to do here? His brother- Creator, he supposes, shut down seconds before he was activated. And his main objective of creating a new world and bringing everyone to his superior level fell flat as well.

And now he's…

Kusuomega glances over to Kuusuke testing the mobility in his leg, the only remaining intact limb.

Miserable. That's how most emotion ridden humans would describe how he ‘feels’.

Kuusuke bends and straightens Kusuomega’s left leg.

He didn't want this.

After a few times of this, Kuusuke moves on to his ankle. Rotating it.

Where would he even go from here?

There's some clicks in its movement, Kuusuke decides to leave it alone so as not to exacerbate the damage further.

…

Why didn't Kusuo accept his offer?

Didn’t he agree with him when he said that his peers were nuisances that he had no control over?

But he was okay with that.

No. It was even more than just okay.

Something to be gained from not being the only one in control.

A clap wakes Kusuomega from his thoughts. 

“Alright looks like you’re mostly salvageable!”

Kuusuke puts his hands on his knees and pushes off to stand over Kusuomega. “To be honest, it looks like Kusuo must have gone real easy on you for you to still be this put together.” He finishes while wagging a finger at him.

A bolt jostled loose from earlier inspection falls to the ground with a satisfying ‘plink’, earning a blink from the mad scientist.

“... Anyways, let's talk business.” Walking back towards the chair as he continues, “Like I said, Kusuo wants me to repair you, but he didn’t give me many options. When I offered to repurpose you as an animatronic to set up in the living room, you can guess the weirded out expression he made.”

After a beat, Kuusuke let out an amused huff.

“You are truly a spitting image. Mister K did a really good job emulating his personality.”

Leaving the arm discarded on the floor, he scoots closer on the chair.

“I guess a lab assistant would be helpful, but honestly I don't know if I could get used to my beloved younger brother constantly staring at me as I work.” his smile looking more like a grimace. “But regardless, it looks like you’re going to have to do some kind of work if you’re going to stay around.”

“With your software in probably decent condition, it would be easy to just reuse it for henchman duties. But with your hatred for me being so hardwired, I’m preeeetty sure that would be impossible.”

Resting his chin on his hand, he continues to look down on him as kusuomega continues to look away uninterested.

“You know, you were quite chatty before. Do you seriously hate me that much?”

After a few more seconds of staring, Kuusuke closes his eyes and lets out an exaggerated sigh.

“I’ll let your AI out of its misery I guess~ It’ll be easy for the both of us to-

“I’ll do it.”

Kuusuke’s eye jolts open and flits down. He gapes for a second but closes his mouth letting out a hum.

He eyes the subject minutely. He genuinely wasn’t expecting a response. Let alone an okay.

On instinct his lips press together in a smile and his eye crescents in pretend glee.

“Oh? You would be okay working for me then?” His speedy brain flickers to when Kusuo noncommittally said he ‘removed his evil programming’ with his powers.

However that works.

That bastard and his reality defying existence.

Kusuomega, whose eyes were glued to the floor, looks up and directly into his eyes. He nods firm. Confident although it’s the first decision he’s ever made.

Uncertain where this energy came from, Kuusuke continues to smile and tilts his head. “Well I won't be one to look a gift horse in the mouth. As long as you understand your existence rests in my hands we’re all set.”

“After we do some repairs, I’ll be in your care Kusuomega.”

[twoidiotwriters1]

Copycat: Cryptomnesia —(Marvel Fem!Oc)

A/N: They’re all besties your honor -Danny

Words: 2,028

Phase Five Masterlist

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

Listen to: ‘The 1’ -by Taylor Swift

xxxiii: Silver Lining

Uncomplicated plans were every bad guy's Achilles heel. Arrogance made them think no one would ever try to lie to them so shamelessly, but unfortunately for them, Cat had no sense of shame.

She didn't hear from Spidey in a while, but he'd agreed to contact Kate and ask for help. The archer's sudden disappearance was interpreted as her attempt to hide from Copycat so she didn't kill her, so Russo wanted her to kill Harley Keener instead.

She didn't know what she'd do, and she was getting more and more worried, Kurt's state worsened as time passed by, he couldn't even hold himself up in a sitting position. Then, almost as a miracle, Sergei announced Kate had been spotted in Tibet, and she had to go after her. Cat's inhibitor got deactivated, she had three days to get everything done.

Cat tried to call Spider-man with the old beeper. It seemed that the guy's theory was correct because the artifact turned on for only a second before dying completely.

"Great," she huffed.

Someone knocked on her bedroom window, it was him.

"Webs!" She let him in, quickly pulling him away from view. "Just in time! They found her!"

"She called me," Felix crawled out from under Cat's bed and purred against him. They weren't sure the cat could remember him, Felix had always been nice to strangers. "Kate thinks she knows where Wanda is, but I don't know how we'll find her—"

She put on his wrist the old smartwatch Tony had given her. "We'll talk about that later. Right now you have to go stealth. If Spider-man's seen they'll know I lied and they'll kill my friends."

Her black suit covered him, he looked weird, then she couldn't see him at all.

"Did Kate tell you where she is?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go, then."

Cat knocked on the door and Kate immediately opened it, she tried to hug her but she didn't know Spider-man was in the way and they crashed against each other.

"My bad, my bad—!" Kate coughed. " Is that Copycat's suit? Why are you in stealth?"

"He's dead," Cat explained as she stepped inside and pushed her sunglasses up.

Kate smiled at her. "I'm so glad to know you're okay."

Kate tried to hug her again, but Cat hissed to scare her off. She pointed at her collar. "They send me friendly reminders every five minutes."

Kate glared at the inhibitor. "I wanna hurt them."

"Let's find Wanda first. You can turn that off, bugboy."

Spider-man's suit showed up, but he didn't take off the watch. "Hi, Kate!"

"Hi," Kate looked at Cat with a giddy expression. "I'm friends with Spider-man."

"Everyone's friends with Spider-man, guy's like a golden retriever," she teased.

"So they haven't scorched out your sense of humor," he replied with a scoff.

Cat turned to Kate. "What do we know about Wanda?"

"Strange told me Wanda died and it was best not to look into it, then I told him you wanted to see her because she was like a sister to you— Spidey said not to freak out the others by telling them you were in danger— "

"I don't think they care and if they did, they'd help Russo kill me."

"Don't joke like that," Spider-man scolded her.

"Anyway, Strange told me I could come here and talk to this girl who saw Wanda last, America Chavez."

"And did you?"

"She's from another universe!" Kate said excitedly. "She's got so many cool stories, but I'll tell you about them later. Anyway, Strange thinks Wanda's dead but America's not so sure, she said she's in Wundagore Mountain?"

"Where is that?"

"Europe. Kinda."

"Well, okay. Let's go there!" said Spidey.

"That Mountain fell apart," Kate shook her head. "It's in the middle of nowhere, we can't reach it... You're the only one that can try," the archer gave her a somber look.

"I'd try anything at this point— I rather die trapped in a mountain, than be a slave to Russo."

"That's not better, Cat."

"She's gone through worse, though," the young man pointed out.

"We should get a car, and proper clothing," Cat continued, grabbing Kate's bag and packing her food. "Webs should go stealth again— Kate... you need to dress like you're hidding."

"What?"

She gave her sunglasses to her. "Do you have any relatives in Europe?"

"A cousin I've never talked to?"

"D'you have a picture?"

Kate had to look through her social media, but she did find a picture in the end. Cat mimicked the stranger.

"I'm not sure blonde is your color," Kate quipped.

"The more it doesn't look like me..."

Kate still didn't know how to drive, but Spider-man and Cat knew, so they took turns. Since the driver couldn't be invisible or they would be stopped, Spidey had to take off the mask, and while he had nothing concealing his face, they had to cover their eyes.

"Isn't the whole point of this trip to make me remember you?" Cat complained, tightening the scarf over her eyes.

"You told me not to trust you until you had your memories back," he explained. "I don't think you're lying, but I can't be sure you won't try to turn me in in exchange for Kurt."

"I thought my loyalty to you was stronger than that?"

"Not right now."

"You said you loved me," she reminded him casually. "Is it true that we dated, then?"

He cleared his throat. "Yeah."

"Wait— You guys dated?" She heard Kate sitting up on the passenger's side.

"For a while."

"But Cat said she didn't like dating other heroes!"

"That's thanks to me, I think."

"No, it's because of my other ex-boyfriend."

"Oh, really?" Spider-man sounded interested. "Wait— Isn't Matt a lawyer?"

"Oh, so you didn't know me that well, then," Cat said in satisfaction.

"I know you well," he laughed, "your ex-boyfriend though, all I know about him is that he's way older and you slept together as soon as you were left alone."

"You say that like it's out of character for her," Kate replied. "That's typical Cat behavior. But wait, how long did you two date?"

"About a year and a half?"

"WHAT?"

"You mean you had a long, steady relationship with Spider-man?" Kate said, utterly disgruntled. "And you didn't want to take that risk with me?"

"We were in high school, Kate," he explained patiently. "It wasn't real, we were only playing to pass the time... not that it means we didn't care for each other, but you know... I get it, what you tried to tell me after I came back, there was no way we would've worked out in the end."

"But we... we were happy, weren't we?" She asked, fearing her relationship with Spidey hadn't been that much different from the one she'd had with Matthew.

"Yeah, we were," she could feel him smiling. "We were a good team."

"How did I manage to keep you that long?" Cat asked in incredulity.

"I mean, you'd barely hold hands without feeling awkward, but that doesn't mean you were cold or anything— You were sweet to me, and I never doubted your feelings. You had no reason to lie."

Kate snorted. "No no, I can't believe you! Cat, being a hundred percent honest?"

"It's true!" Now he was a little sorry for her. "You know, Kate, the woman you met is not the girl I fell for."

"I heard that..." Kate's voice sounded weird. "I don't know her as well as I thought."

"Don't feel bad, I don't know myself either," Cat was unbothered by the whole thing. "Hey, Spider, did we ever drink milkshakes together?"

"All the time!"

"What's my favorite?"

He told her, and Cat finally understood why she would always crave one whenever she was feeling down.

"We used to drink them during our Star Wars marathons—"

"You watched Star Wars with him first?!"

"I think he got all my firsts," Cat said amusedly.

"Not all of them," his voice grew quiet. "You had this scar..." she could hear him gesturing at the back of his head. "Wanda did something to it, and you started to get these... visions. But that scar was the reason you didn't like to be touched more than necessary."

"I remember... it's gone now," she said, deep in thought. "But maybe I'll get a new one thanks to this thing," she grazed at the inhibitor.

It sounded like Spider-man knew things he had no way of knowing unless she'd told him, he knew her favorite things, and he even knew a little bit about her love life after the blip, they'd stayed in touch in spite of everything. That meant, that she must've done all she could to keep him around, and if she'd tried that hard, it had to mean he'd been one of the best things that ever happened to her.

For Cat it was far easier to quit things than to hold onto them, so knowing she'd dated this guy for a year and a half, was the revelation of the century. She'd loved someone enough to fight against her nature.

They fell into an awkward silence until Kate changed the subject.

"How long till we get there?"

"An hour, give or take," Spidey replied. "Cat's phone is supposed to let us know once we get there."

"So once she remembers you... what's the plan?"

"He activates Edith, grants access to me, and I send the Stark troops to Russo."

"But you don't know where he's keeping Kurt."

"I know, I gotta go back one last time... How will I do that without your head? That's something I still haven't figured out."

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe Wanda can make you a false one or something, she's magic after all," Spidey suggested.

"She won't be happy to see me, you know?" Cat sighed. She was aware this visit wasn't going to be well-received by her old friend.

"How can she be mad at you when you're just as fucked as she is?" Kate wondered.

"Everything that happened to her was thanks to the accords I signed for my own benefit."

"Did the accords force her to hunt down a fifteen-year-old girl?"

"...no."

Cat stayed quiet for the rest of the ride, trying to think of what she'd say to Wanda after so many years. If Wanda even cared at all. She was so distracted that when the collar stunned her it caught her off guard. The mutant jumped out of her seat, Spider-man's hand tried to reach for her, but she warned him against it.

"Don't touch me!" She choked out.

"Are you okay?" Kate said worryingly.

"Don't take off the blindfold," Cat climbed back to her seat. She was panting. "I'm fine."

Spidey put on the mask and handed the smartwatch to Cat, she wrapped herself tightly in Kate's coat, she had no clue what she'd find down there, but she had to face it.

"We could go with you..." Kate began.

"No. If Wanda's alive, I want to talk to her in private."

"Good luck, C."

Cat started walking away, but before she could go far, Kate ran towards her and without warning, wrapped her arms around her. Cat protested but she ignored her demands.

"I just had to..." Kate moved away, hastily drying her eyes.

"I have to go, Kate."

"Come with me to L.A."

Cat blinked. "What?"

"I'm moving out," Kate explained hurriedly. Cat had the feeling she'd been hiding the information for a long time. "New York is full of people like you, but everywhere else is so neglected... I was going to tell you that day when Sergei found me in your apartment— Clint lives closer to L.A., so it was just... it's convenient for me. And you."

"Me?"

"I want you to come with me. You'll be safe..."

"I can't go anywhere as long as this is on me," she told her, referring to the collar around her throat.

"But you're getting it off, I know you will. Just think about it, okay? It'll be better if you get out of that city— I can't be there, Cat, it reminds me of my old life too much..."

Cat just stared at her, now was not the time for this. She wasn't even sure she'd be alive after that journey. "I'll think about it... later. I have to go."

"I know. Be careful, please?"

Cat cupped her face but didn't kiss her. A funny thought came to her then, and it was that Spidey wouldn't have asked her to be careful. He knew her better. It was weird, how sure she was.

She wondered how different her life would've been if only he'd stuck around. Maybe she'd already wondered that same thing many times before, she just didn't remember.

"See you soon."

Next Chapter—>

Taglist.

@mikaelsonwhxrebae​ @ieatpanicattacksforlunch​ @jesuswasnotawhiteman​ @siriuslysirius1107​ @greengarsstuff​ @itsyagirl01 @23victoria​ @espressopatronum454​​ @jkthinkstoomuch

[free--therapy]

How to Find Happiness: 5 Tips to Help you Find True Happiness

By Ali | Published on February 21, 2022

Is happiness the ultimate human goal? Our search for that elusive happiness state leads us to a never-ending list of books and articles. But we sometimes look for happiness in the strangest of places. Have you ever searched for happiness at the bottom of a bottle? Or perhaps in a nicer car? Maybe you thought happiness would present itself with a new house or job. Does this type of happiness last? 

There are an infinite number of resources telling us where to find happiness. But do these articles actually know us? Do they take our nuances and idiosyncrasies into account? If happiness could be prescribed in a pill, how many of us would line up to take it?

Let’s dive in and discuss how you can find your own happiness. I am not here to tell you to emulate the things I have done that have brought me happiness. I want to guide you to look deep into yourself to find your own happiness. 

What is happiness? 

Happiness is a feeling of joy and fulfillment. That blissful contentment that brings us internal peace. But here’s the kicker. We are perpetually in different fluctuations of happiness. Happiness is not a destination, it’s a journey. 

Happiness is interlinked with our sense of living a life we are satisfied with. One which brings us fulfillment. So, to find happiness we must first find fulfillment and satisfaction. 

The path to fulfillment looks different for everyone. 

Mine involves lots of animals, no children of my own, authentic friendships, and plenty of running. Yours might be centered around parenting. Someone else may find their happiness in activism. There is no wrong or right. 

Two types of happiness 

We can split happiness into what I perceive as acute and chronic. Aristotle distinguished between two very different types of happiness.

Hedonia

Eudaimonia 

Veronika Huta clarifies the differences between these two approaches by suggesting that a hedonic orientation involves actively seeking happiness, positive affect, life satisfaction, and reduced negative affect. 

Whereas a Eudaimonic orientation is more concerned with seeking authenticity, meaning, excellence, and personal growth

Let’s explore these terms in a little more detail. 

Hedonia

Hedonia is not dissimilar to the word hedonistic. In fact, these words share linguistic lineage. Hedonia happiness is pleasure-driven. It is preoccupied with what feels good in the moment. Seeking enjoyment and satisfaction. 

This is linked to the euphoric feelings associated with food, drugs, alcohol and sex. But it is also linked with self-care such as exercise, yoga and meditation. 

Eudaimonia 

Eudaimonia is concerned with seeking meaning and purpose in life. From working towards long-term goals to being concerned for others' wellbeing and nurturing. Eudaimonia brings a sense of satisfaction and happiness from fulfilling responsibilities and finding value in life. 

This makes me think of striving to better ourselves, perhaps serving our community through voluntary work. 

How do we measure happiness? 

And herein lies a little problem. Happiness is subjective. Historically in order to measure it, we have relied on self-reporting through questionnaires. 

There is an interesting modern study that uses technology to measure happiness. It introduced a “Happimeter” which uses a smartwatch to gather data such as heart rate and timely feedback from the wearer. 

The fascinating thing with this is they found that measuring happiness actually increased happiness. Perhaps the process of bringing happiness to the subject’s attention made it a more pertinent thing for them to focus on. Perhaps they strived to see their happiness levels increase on their Happimeter. Either way, it has to be a good thing. 

The secrets of the happiest person on the planet

I couldn’t help but wonder who the happiest person on the planet is. 

Capitalism will have you believe it was someone wealthy. Large consumer organizations will tell you it is someone who drives their car, wears their trainers, eats their food, or uses their magic skin lotions. 

But actually, the happiest person in the world apparently is Matthieu Ricard, a Tibetan Monk. 

For 12 years Matthieu had hundreds of sensors attached to his brain whilst he meditated. This operation was led by Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist from Wisconsin University. 

The results were staggering. They showed abnormal and unheard-of activity in his left prefrontal cortex. This allowed him a greater capacity for happiness and also served to reduce his propensity for negativity. 

Now, this is where things get interesting. Matthieu puts his happiness down to his benevolence. He is a passionate executioner of altruism. In fact, he believes when we focus too much on ourselves, we invite stress into our lives. 

So, in short, the kinder we are, the happier we are. This is supported by a scientific study that suggests that kind people experience more happiness and have happier memories. 

Best of all, Matthieu suggests that all it takes to be happy is to think good and happy thoughts for 10 minutes a day. Try it. 

5 tips to help identify and find your own happiness 

When we join up all the dots of this article, there is a clear distinction between types of happiness. 

We have acute happiness which is perhaps short-lived, represented by Hedonia. And we have chronic happiness, represented by Eudaimonia. Our happiest man in the world taps into Eudaimonia happiness with his benevolence, kindness, compassion and altruism. 

With this in mind, here are 5 tips to help you identify and seek out your own happiness. 

1. Be your authentic self 

Follow your own yearnings. Who are you? Live a life true to yourself. How do you feel? What does your heart seek? Dance to the beat of your own drum. 

There is sometimes a paradox between our innate need to fit in whilst also desiring to stand out.  We want to be part of the group, but we also want to celebrate our differences. We strive to keep the authenticity of being ourselves. Interestingly scientists confirm that following our authenticity leads to greater wellbeing. We can quench our need for belonging by finding community groups of interest. 

When we try to be someone we are not, we won't end up finding happiness. 

This has taken me a while to practice. For a decade or so I was a bit lost. Perhaps I followed the crowd to try and fit in. To seek approval and popularity. But this didn’t bring me happiness. 

I am slowly seeping into my own skin. I may not be the most popular person anymore. But I am the happiest I have ever been. I am learning to be unapologetically me!

2. Find your purpose and passion

Find your own purpose and passion. Does it involve the arts or sport? Maybe you feel your purpose is in helping rescue animals or in the nursing of the sick. Perhaps you are passionate about educating children or fighting for human rights.

Whatever your own sense of purpose is, find it. Explore it, and commit to it with all of your heart. 

I co-founded a dog running club. This year is its 10th anniversary. Whilst I am no longer part of the club, I take great pride in it as my legacy. I dedicated many years of my life to helping people get fit and have fun with their dogs.

For a long time, this was my key life purpose. It was an overarching passion and made me find happiness. 

Our purpose and passion can evolve over time. The important thing is we find our calling and put energy into it. 

3. Find a community where you belong 

Working in your local community is a sure way to find happiness. Giving back through voluntary work has been proven to increase our own happiness and sense of wellbeing. Not only are we helping others when we volunteer, but we are helping ourselves. 

Perhaps you have a skill you can take into your community. Could you offer your services as a befriender? Or maybe you can help at a local charity shop. 

I volunteered for a week at a camp for terminally ill children. The sense of fulfillment and purpose I felt was overwhelming.

When we do good, we feel good. 

4. Meditate 

I have heard that if you only have time to meditate for 10 minutes, then you actually need to meditate for 20 minutes. 

The truth is, I don’t habitually meditate. I want to and I know it will bring immeasurable benefits into my life. But my mum used to describe me as having “ants in my pants”. I struggle to stay still for any length of time. All the more reason for me to commit to a daily meditation practice. 

A daily meditation practice increases our feelings of positivity, reduces our symptoms of illness, increases our connection with ourselves and others, and promotes our overall well-being. 

So, if I promise to start a meditation habit, will you join me?  If this is the secret of the happiest person in the world, then it must be worthwhile. 

5. Be kind to others

I believe kindness is the most important attribute any person can have. Kindness is my superpower. I have recently learned that being kind does not require self-sacrifice. Sometimes a true test of our kindness is in showing kindness to ourselves.

In this manner, I have learned to let go of decomposing friendships. It has taken me 40 years, but I now recognize the importance of meeting my own needs. 

Be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself for past regrets, and speak to yourself with compassion. Help other people with your words and your actions. But when something is no longer bringing you joy or happiness, give yourself permission to let it go.