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Seeing someone you love go through a difficult time is one of the worst things in the world. We all know that life isn’t easy but we can’t help but feel betrayed, angry and devastated when bad things happen to the people closest to us.

Watching your little sister go through a breakup or seeing your best friend come to terms with the loss of their parent is harrowing. We tell them we are there, no matter what, but how else can we help when the person we love so deeply is experiencing one of their darkest moments?

I wish we could just wave a magic wand and make all of the bad things disappear but we can’t, it’s harsh but being honest is the only way to be. However, all is not lost. There are little things you can do that can brighten those dark days, even if it’s just for a moment.

These little acts can bring a glimmer of happiness and hope into your loved one’s life.

1: Call them

People can struggle to ask for help, even when they’re going through difficult times, like a breakup or unemployment. Random phone calls can help them feel like they’re not entirely alone and that someone is always there to listen to their troubles. Reach out to them and show them you’re there. If they don’t want to talk then let the call ring out.

2: Flowers

Material things like flowers are not going to make their worries vanish, but they can help ease anxiety and pain. A recent study found that flowers should be 'complementary medicine' for recovering patients. 

3: Embrace The Bad Feelings

Crying can be good for the soul. Sometimes letting it all out can be the best thing for you. Remind your friend or family member that bottling it all in is no good. Let them cry on your shoulder when times are tough. 

4: Be There

The world can feel like the loneliest place when something bad happens to you. A lot of people tend to isolate themselves and avoid socialising during times like these, which is understandable, but it’s important to make sure they’re not shutting themselves out. Visit them in the evening and simply be there. You don’t have to do anything lavish or exciting. Sometimes just having someone to sit with can help.

5: Be Honest

Don’t sugarcoat the situation or make them feel like a victim. They’ll be inundated with the ‘hope you’re okay’ texts, which may not mean as much as a real message from their best friend or sister. Tell them you understand how horrible they feel and how that feeling isn’t going to change overnight, but they will start to feel better one day. 

6: Help at Home

Help them with tasks that need to be done like going to the supermarket, topping up the electricity meter, washing dishes, walking the dog and cooking dinner. There will be days when they don't want to get out of bed so having an extra set of hands around the house will be a true saviour.

7: Listen

It’s the most simple but helpful thing you can do. Sometimes all we need to do is vent and word vomit so be the person who will listen in their time of need. You don’t have to offer advice or solutions to their problems. All you have to do is let them pour their heart out.

8: Continue the Support

You can’t just flip a switch and move past the grief, heartache and turmoil. Losing a loved one, going through a serious illness, having your heart broken and all those other dreaded life experiences stay with us. It’s important to remember that people don’t just get over these things. They will shape them and change their lives forever. They may be smiling and laughing again but that doesn’t mean you have to stop supporting them. It’s important to remember that even those who seem as merry as ever can be hurting so check in often and be there always.

Obviously these things aren’t going to make all their fears, worries and heartache vanish. I’d sooner make the cancer vanish but we don’t have that power, but we do have the power of friendship and we must make the most of it during these devastating times.

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Anxiety isn’t cute or trendy. It’s not about being shy or bashful. It’s not about being too sensitive or too nervous. It’s a serious mental illness that many people fail to treat with respect or care.

Speaking of his battle with depression, author Matt Haig wrote:

“Depression is also smaller than you. Always, it is smaller than you, even when it feels vast. It operates within you, you do not operate within it. It may be a dark cloud passing across the sky but – if that is the metaphor – you are the sky. You were there before it. And the cloud can't exist without the sky, but the sky can exist without the cloud.”

I think this applies to anxiety too. Even when you are at your lowest, you are more powerful than it, because anxiety doesn’t exist without you.

That said, suffering from an anxiety disorder isn’t easy, but there are little ways to help soothe the disorder, which will make your life that little bit easier.

1: Music:

It’s simple but so effective. I know listening to a Spotify playlist isn’t going to magically cure your anxiety disorder, but it can help a lot. I found that listening to music from my early teens helps trigger positive memories.

I am a firm believer in the power of nostalgia, and experts have found that is helps increase your mood and energy levels.

2: Tell someone:

I know opening up about your disorder is one of the hardest things to do. There is a huge stigma surrounding mental health disorders, especially here in Ireland. However, telling my friends about my anxiety gave me access to a huge network of support. Talking about mental health is difficult, because a lot of people can be dismissive, but confiding in someone who deeply cares about you will make a massive difference.

3: Be organised:

This is the tip that has helped me more than anything. I have hugely benefited from becoming a more organised person as it eases my mind. Sticking to a schedule will keep your anxiety at bay because you will feel in control of the situation. Chanel your inner Monica Geller, but maybe leave your label maker at home if you’re heading out for cocktails with the girls.

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Throughout this pandemic childhood illness hasn't stopped. Unfortunately, Christmas is no different to any other time of year for many families who have seriously ill children in hospital.

In fact, this Christmas there will be 20 families staying at The Ronald McDonald House at CHI Crumlin that desperately wish they were at home. The Ronald McDonald House provides more than just a place to stay for families while their child is seriously ill. The House keeps families together and gives them the chance to make memories that are all the more precious because of their circumstances.

Having hosted more than 4,300 families since opening its doors in 2004, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) provides a home-away-from-home for 20 families, who can rely on a clean and controlled environment to stay, close to their children who are undergoing treatment in Children’s Health Ireland, at Crumlin. This accommodation is especially important for families living outside of Dublin, who would be faced with the financial burden of finding accommodation in the city to stay close to their child.

The staff and volunteers go to incredible lengths to make the whole month of December special for families. So while families are far from home, they are still able to feel the ‘Christmas spirit’ that is so important. A fireplace is even set up in the House so Santa can visit as usual even though these families are not at home.

This year hospitals have had to restrict visits to one parent, and the House provides a haven for families between visits. This service has been vital for families of children with long-term illnesses who cannot rely on the support network of extended family throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Christmas in hospital isn’t something to look forward to. It is stressful and it takes families away from their loved ones and friends. This hardship is only multiplied when you consider the financial burden upon these families at this time of year as well as the uncertainty the pandemic has brought for them. The Ronald McDonald House is striving to give these families a sense of normality this Christmas, and above anything else, to be together.

The current Ronald McDonald House sits onsite at CHI at Crumlin, one of the three main paediatric hospitals in the country.  It houses 20 families a night from across the island of Ireland. The current Ronald McDonald House on average provides over 12,000 meals a year to these families and collectively saves these families approx. €700,000 annually. The Ronald McDonald House has a 95.5% occupancy rate.

This year Ronald McDonald House Charities anticipate €500k shortfall in fundraising due to COVID-19, culminating in December with the cancellation of their annual Christmas Ball. The event that takes place every year usually fundraises €100k+ for the charity. It costs €60 a night to keep a family in The Ronald McDonald House, close to their sick child in hospital. Support is urgently needed to ensure that the charity can continue to provide accommodation to these families in their time of need.

As you can imagine, this year the families benefiting from the House have dealt with the additional anxieties of the pandemic while continuing to manage the impact of life-changing diagnoses. Now that Christmas is around the corner the charity is issuing a final appeal to combat the shortfall in funding this year has brought.

The Ryan family, from Cork, will be one of the families staying at the House this Christmas. The Ryans first stayed together in the Ronald McDonald House when daughter Kate was born with a complex heart condition. Kate’s condition means she needs lifelong treatment. The family stay at the House anytime Kate is admitted to CHI, at Crumlin and look at it as a second home. Kate turned 4 this month (14th of December) meaning the family will be celebrating both Christmas and a birthday this year in the House.

‘Very quickly, our world turned up-side down,’ Kate’s mother, Sandra says, ‘As we were told there was a problem with the baby. And that was horrendous. And then we were told that the problem with the baby meant…she would need numerous surgeries and that meant we would have to stay in Dublin for a prolonged time. So once we got our head around that initial diagnosis, the practicalities of everything hit us.

‘How were we going to do this, how were we going to move to Dublin…what were we going to do?…And the answer down the (RMHC) phone was, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. We will sort you out. When baby is born and everything is settled down, you ring us, and we’ll sort you out.”’

Marian Carroll, Chief Executive Officer (Volunteer), said ’Having a sick child in hospital creates untold physical, mental and emotional challenges and Covid-19 has exacerbated the anxiety and fear felt by our families this year.'

The RMHC mission is to provide a safe and secure home for families while their children receive treatment in hospital and our service is more important today than ever before. Delivering the service this year has been challenging on so many levels.

Since opening in 2004 Christmas has been the highlight of the year and a special time for RMHC families, staff and volunteers. This year it is essential to provide an extra special Christmas in the House at this very difficult time. They need the people of Ireland to help them deliver a wonderful Christmas to all the families that will need to stay with them at The Ronald McDonald House.

To support families of sick children in hospital this Christmas, visit www.rmhc.ie to donate directly or text HOUSE to 50300 to donate €4

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Tesco Ireland and McVitie’s today announced details of a new partnership that sees both brands donating 10c to Temple Street for every pack of McVitie’s biscuits sold in Tesco stores and online over the next four weeks.

All funds raised will help Temple Street to purchase eight new beds and mattresses for a vital new ward, which consists of eight isolation rooms for treating Temple Street’s most vulnerable patients.

The promotion will run across all packs of McVitie’s biscuits for the next four weeks until November 12 and will be supported by in store POS and social media to remind customers that when they are enjoying a well-earned biscuit break, they will be helping to raise vital funds for Temple Street.

Emma Barrett, Head of Corporate Development, Temple Street Foundation said: “We’re so grateful to Tesco Ireland and McVitie’s for their support. Every pack sold will play its part in helping us to continue to provide life-saving treatment and facilities for sick children in Ireland.”

Niamh Twyford, Head of Marketing at McVitie’s said “McVitie’s wants to take this moment to give back. This partnership with Tesco Ireland is about encouraging people to recognise the work that the incredible staff of Temple Street do to help sick children in Ireland. It means while enjoying an 11 o’clock break or an after-dinner cup of tea and biscuit, consumers can know they have also helped in raising much needed funds for Temple Street.”

Each year Temple Street treats over 150,000 children from across the country and operates the busiest A&E department in Europe. For thousands of children, Temple Street is the only hospital in Ireland in which they can be treated. Through the charity partner programme, Tesco colleagues and customers can help little people from all over Ireland get better and be real life heroes to children attending the hospital.

Temple Street has been Tesco Ireland’s charity partner since October 2014 and to-date Tesco Ireland has raised €4.5 million in aid of the little heroes of Temple Street.

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YAS.

The 'due to phenomenal demand' Gods have answered: Mumford and Sons have added a SECOND Malahide Castle tour date.

Marcus Mumford and his fellow brethren have curated an extra day in the capital with another show booked for Saturday 15 June, the day after their original slot.

The amazing line-up will see supports slots from on-the-rise singer Dermot Kennedy, Wild Youth and AURORA.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mumford & Sons (@mumfordandsons) on

Norwegian pop sensation AURORA is slowly breaking into the market, and Wild Youth are Ireland's latest pop band to get their start.

Tickets for the second leg of the Gentleman of the Road spectacular tour are priced €69.75 including booking fees.

Head on over to Ticketmaster to grab them, you 100 percent don't want to miss this unreal summer concert, trust us.

Feature image: Instagram/@mumfordandsons

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Lady Gaga has spoken out against the backlash regarding Cardi B's historic Grammy win for Best Rap Album.

The Joanne artist took to Twitter to express her pride in the Bodak Yellow rapper, who is the first solo woman to ever win the accolade.

Praising the rap star and social media personality, Gaga wrote;

"It is so hard to be a woman in this industry. What it takes, how hard we work through the disrespectful challenges, just to make art. I love you Cardi. You deserve your awards."

She concluded by telling her fans to "celebrate her fight. Lift her up & honoor her", calling Cardi "brave" for entering an industry which is notoriously difficult for women.

Cardi B was also pregnant with baby Kulture Kiara while recoding Invasion of Privacy, and worked tirelessly for months to finish it. The rapper has faced criticism over her Grammy win, with some claiming she is undeserving.

The duo became instant pals after meeting at the Grammy, after Cardi approached the A Star Is Born actress and legit fan-girled. 

In 2016, Cardi tweeted about the Mother Monster's huge impact on her life: "When I was a teenager lady Gaga changed my life," she wrote. "She inspired me to be myself & be different." Gaga replied "Love you girl."

Cardi beat Travis Scott, Pusha T, Nipsey Hussle and Mac Miller in her category for the Best Rap Album Grammy, with Ariana Grande tweeting her disappointment that her deceased ex-boyfriend Mac Miller didn't win posthumously.

The rapper thanked her fans on Sunday night, and then uploaded then deleted an expletive-laden clip defending her hard work on Invasion of Privacy. 

"You know what, it's not my style for people to put other people down to uplift somebody else. That's not my style and that's not what I'm with and I don't support that, however I've been taking a lot of sh*t today," Cardi told the camera.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Cardi B & Beyoncé Updates (@beycardib) on

She continued; "I'm seeing a lot of bullsh*t today and I saw a lot of sh*t last night and I'm sick of this sh*t. I work hard for my mother f*cking album."

She referred to last year's criticism, which was supportive of her in comparison to this year;

"Everybody was like, 'Cardi got snubbed! Cardi got snubbed!' Now this year's a f–king problem? My album went two times platinum my n*gga and every chart that there was my album was always top ten, number one album as well!"

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by THEPINKCHAT.COM (@thepinkchat) on

Cardi's baby Kulture was born on July 10 last year, and fell pregnant while creating the winning album;

"I f–king worked my a– off, locked myself in the studio for three months my n—a and then went to sleep in my own bed sometimes for four days straight—pregnant!" she said about it.

"Some songs couldn't even get on the f–king album because my nose was so f–king stuffy from my pregnancy." Chance the Rapper was another artist who jumped to her defence, as well as J. Cole:

Chance the Rapper called her victory "overly deserved," with J. Cole writing: "I don't never wanna be propped up by tearing somebody else down. Seeing Cardi B win a Grammy make me feel like I won."

Cardi re-tweeted the messages, saying; 

"I listen to my album and I cry because I know the hell I went through doing the album is always a bittersweet memory," she typed alongside Chance's screenshot.

"THANK YOU EVERYONE THAT SUPPORTED ME AND LISTEN. I'm thankful and grateful and again thank you to all the artist that gave me a feature."

Lady Gaga has been outspoken about how difficult the music world is for women, saying at the Golden Globes: "As a woman in music it is really hard to be taken seriously."

The 32-year-old wrote her award-winning song Shallow about communication and having your voice heard;

"This song is a conversation between men and women. Asking each other questions about life and a desire for more depth of the shallowness of a modern era."

We LOVE seeing women support other women, keep it up Gaga.

Feature image: Instagram/thebrainstormersshow

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Picketing officially began this morning for the nurses' strike, which is only the second time in 100 years that the group have carried out work stoppages.

According to The Journal, three-quarters of Irish people support the nurse's 24-hour strike, which is being carried out over an apparent recruitment and retention issue.

Nurses and midwives across the county will be out on the picket line today, fighting for pay and better working conditions at hospitals and private clinics nationwide.

Nursing unions are seeking pay parity with other health service grades, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has announced that talks which were held at the Labour Court on Monday night did not lead to any breakthroughs.

The INMO has over 40,000 members, and announced the strikes earlier in January. Over 90 percent of members which were polled voted in favour of industrial action in a ballot held in November.

According to nurses, increasing their pay is the only way to retain nurses, and this would improve working conditions, as well as the recruitment and retention crisis among members.

The government has expressed it's concern over pay rises for nurses outside of the broader public sector pay agreement reached last year, and has refused to give in to the nurses' demands.

The strikes have gone ahead after the Labour Court claimed it would not intervene in the dispute in a formal way, as the government are anxious that other industries will also request pay rises if the nurses obtain their requested 12 percent rise.

A Claire Byrne Live/ TheJournal.ie poll of 1,000 adults by Amárach Research found huge support for the nurses' action, with 74 percent of participants expressing agreement with the 24-hour strike. 

Only 17 percent said no, while 9 percent were unsure.

Members of the public have been requested by the HSE only to attend emergency services in hospitals if it is totally necessary.

Liam Woods, HSE national director of acute operations, commented; “We would appeal that patients would only attend the emergency services if absolutely essential."

In emergencies, there will be an emergency response, and any patients whose appointments or surgeries have been cancelled will achieve priority in the weeks following the strike.

The INMO has also said that further strikes will take place on the February 5 and 7, and then February 12, 13 and 14 if an agreement cannot be reached. 

Feature image: Limerick Leader

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We all remember the glamorous pre-Reputation days of Taylor Swift's #squad, don't we?

Between Cara Delevigne, Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid and Hailee Steinfeld, they really were an influential troupe. 

Now it looks like Taylor's squad has been reignited, with new bestie Cazzie David and long-time friend Selena Gomez enjoying a gals night in with the singer.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on

The Look What You Made Me Do songtress captioned the snap;"20wineteen", and we are HERE for the vino appreciation.

The trio are clearly enjoying each other’s company, and the glasses of wine too, no doubt.

The candid picture shows Swift's best pal Selena laughing in the back, while Taylor is sporting her signature red lipstick and Cazzie smiles in between them.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by CAZZIE (@cazziedavid) on

David also shared a similar photo to her Instagram, featuring Selena and Taylor in a cute polaroid photo.

The fellow actress jokingly captioned the shot; "Had a meet and greet for my fans last night. I love you all."

Now THAT is a meet and greet we want to attend.

Only last May Selena told 60,000 fans about her bond with Taylor when she gave a surprise performance of Hands to Myself during Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour in California.

Speaking about Taylor's care for her, she said;

“This person has never ever judged a single decision I’ve made. She’s always met me where I’ve been,” she said, according to a fan video.

“She’s encouraged me when I’ve had nothing to be encouraged about, and I don’t know if I would be as strong as I am if I didn’t have you and your family because you’ve changed my life,” Gomez added.

WE LOVE THE FRIENDSHIP. Never let it die, gals.

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“There just aren’t enough hours in the day,” is a phrase we mutter far too often. It feels like we are busier than ever and the pressure to have a lively social life can sometimes take over, resulting in you attending every social event you’re invited to.

Finding the perfect balance is tricky, but it can be worth it and extremely necessary. One thing we should all try to do more of is volunteering.

Volunteering is the perfect way of giving back to those in need. The Me Too movement showed us just how many women suffer from sexual assault on a daily basis. As women we should try to support one another in whatever way we can.

If you’re hoping to volunteer then one very important Irish charity could do with a helping hand. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre have issued a call for volunteers.

They need people, who are over the age of 25, to help with their 24-hour helpline. They are also looking for people to assist victims on visits to court, Garda stations and hospitals.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre explained that volunteers are extremely valuable to their service. In 2016, their 99 volunteers accompanied over 260 survivors of sexual violence to sexual assault treatment units, to court and Garda stations.

Volunteers will be given extensive training by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre team.

If you want to find out more about volunteering you can call 01 6614911 or email the organisation.

Visit their website for more information on how you can donate and support the hard-working organisation.

 

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Once a month us women have to endure the utter joy that is the period. Cramps, bleeding, headaches, tender boobs, backache and acne are just some of the things we have to cope with during our ‘time of the month’.

Many women will spot little signs that warns them their period is on the way, whether that’s feeling extremely emotional or suffering a massive breakout on your chin.

We gorge on as much chocolate as we want, dose ourselves up with Feminax and rush to the local Boots to make sure our sanitary product supply is well stocked up.

I’m sure we’ve all had that moment of dread when you’re out in public and your period decides to surprise you by making an unexpected appearance.

You have no tampons or pads in your bag, but luckily there’s a pharmacy on practically every street in Ireland so all you have to do is pop in and pick up some supplies.

To many, it isn’t a major purchase, but to 50 percent of Irish women sanitary products are a mass expense.

In a study conducted by Plan International, nearly 10 percent of participants admitted they have had no choice but to use a “less than suitable sanitary product” because of the cost.

There are girls as young as 12-years-old struggling to buy pads once a month, something that shouldn’t be happening in 2018.

In recent years, the women of Ireland have proved that together we can make a difference. We no longer underestimate our power, our strength and determination to make this country a better place for women.

There are so many things you can do to help tackle period poverty in Ireland.

1: Normalise periods:

For years, women have been too ashamed to talk about their period, even though it’s a completely natural thing that nearly every woman will experience at some point in her life. We mutter phrases like, “I have my thing,” or “It’s just a girly problem,” as we avoid eye-contact and blush with embarrassment. It’s time for us to realise that simply saying: “I have my period,” is perfectly acceptable.

2: Make a donation to Homeless Period Ireland

The wonderful people at Homeless Period Ireland are trying their best to supply homeless women with sanitary products, however, they can’t do it without the public’s generosity. A packet of pads cost less than the iced white chocolate mocha you buy, so why not cut back on your daily jaunts to Starbucks and purchase some sanitary products with that money instead. There are numerous donation drop off points all around Ireland, including Cork, Limerick and Dublin. See below for the full list of drop off points and donate sanitary supplies to your fellow sisters today.

3: Sign this petition to end period poverty in Ireland:

Too many women have to suffer through their time of the month without any sanitary products or a place to shower. Susan Colgan has launched a petition to introduce free sanitary products in Ireland.

She explained why we need free sanitary products: “Toilet paper is given out for free in almost every establishment nationwide. You wouldn't be expected to keep your own roll of toilet paper in your handbag when you go out to a nightclub, a restaurant or the cinema. It's always provided for you.”

She continued: “This is because it is considered a necessity, it would be morally wrong and unhygienic not to provide it, free of charge. This is the exact same thing when it comes to menstruation. It is not a choice.”

To sign the Free Sanitary Products in Ireland petition click here.

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Today marked the 5th annual March for Choice in Dublin City Centre.

Mothers, daughters, brothers, fathers, friends and even movie stars flooded the streets of the city as they set out in order for the Eight Amendment to be changed and for abortion to be legalised in Ireland.

And even with the downpour of rain and Dublin Bus on strike, the people of Ireland came out in their thousands.

Here, we take a look at the best reactions on social media to the day's event:

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Last month Zayn Malik revealed to the world that he has been suffering with anxiety after he was forced to cancel his appearance at Capital Radio’s Summertime Ball.

At the time Zayn's model girlfriend Gigi Hadid was one of the first people to publicly announce their desire to support Zayn through his issues and it seems Gigi is now eager to keep that promise.

According to Celebs Now, the 21-year-old star wants Zayn to go to a US rehabilitation facility to receive treatment for his anxiety and already has a number of LA-based lifestyle gurus lined up to help the former One Direction band member.  

A source told the Now: "Gigi worries that Zayn’s anxiety attacks could ruin his career and in turn their relationship."

“She’s already lined up some of LA’s top lifestyle gurus to help convince Zayn to take a two-week break at a treatment facility.  But it’s not going to be easy.”

The source went on to explain how the pop star tries to escape his issues and commitments through partying.

They said: “When Zayn’s really in a bad place, all he wants to do is party and escape from his anxiety and pressures of real life and a relationship.”

“He just cuts himself off from the world – like when he has cancelled appearances but been spotted partying the same day.  Perhaps it’s his coping mechanism?”

Zayn has admitted in the past that as well as suffering from anxiety, he also smokes marijuana.

He told Complex magazine: "I smoke sometimes when I’m writing. Sometimes it helps with the creative process, depending on the strength of the weed. It helped me think outside the box."

However despite his personal issues, Zayn and Gigi seem to be closer than ever lately as only yesterday the Topshop model shared a sweet snap of them together.

 

squish ya

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on

We hope Zayn gets whatever help he needs and are glad to see Gigi is so willing to support him.

Feat image: DEBY

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