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Stoptober Fundraising – Join The Band Wagon

Firstly, I would like to put forward a huge congrats to the wonderful and amazing Leya Tanit. Her current fund raiser (although not unique) absolutely deserves your support. It’s nearing the end but also the time to join with the congratulations and show your appreciation by donating to an incredibly important cause.

October began with an announcement by Leya Tanit, the CEO of Pineapple Support.

“As someone who consistently promotes self/care, positive actions toward better mental health and well-being, it seemed fitting to hop on the #Stoptober band wagon and raise some funds to provide much needed mental health resources for persons working in the adult industry”.

Every single dollar donated can help someone in need and even the smallest amount makes a huge difference. If you’ve been helped, or know someone that would like to help, please pass on this important message.

Pineapple Support Fundraiser

The closing party weekend mid-month was always going to be the biggest challenge but in her words

“Well, I am pleased and extremely proud to say, I rose to the challenge. Indulging in the festivities while completely alcohol free. I have never consumed so much sparkling water, or visited the toilet so much during an event, but waking up the following mornings feeling fresh (and rather smug) definitely made it worthwhile”.

If you’ve got any ideas on raising funds and awareness of this incredible charity, please do get in touch as we’d love to hear from you!

Love from the Team x

Leya Tanit Named 2022 XBIZ Honors ‘Community Figure of the Year’

Pineapple Support founder and CEO Leya Tanit was named “Community Figure of the Year” by the 2022 XBIZ Honors, online industry edition.

“I want to thank XBIZ from the bottom of my heart for this recognition,” Tanit said. “This award only increases my determination to meet the increased demand we’re seeing. We’re pulling out all the stops in 2022, with extra support groups, workshops and online events scheduled to be announced over the coming months. This award is for everyone on the Pineapple team, for all the hard work they’ve been putting in.”

Pineapple Support, founded by Tanit in 2018, has so far connected over 5,000 adult performers and industry members to mental health services, including free and low-cost therapy, counseling and emotional support.

Winners of the 2022 XBIZ Honors, online industry edition, were presented Wednesday, Jan. 5 during the XBIZ 2022 conference. Click here for a full list of recipients.

Keeping Active During Isolation

As you would expect, the team here at Pineapple Support have been promoting ways to keep your mind healthy during Covid-19 isolation and lockdown. For example Maintaining a routine, keeping the mind active, continuing regular therapy.

Maintaining some normalcy is incredibly important in caring for your mental health. And good mental health promotes good physical health.

“The American Heart Association recommends adults engage in at least 150 minutes (two and a half hours) per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity. A combination of both would work too, preferably spread throughout the week.”

Being locked inside it is very easy not to move as much as we would ordinarily. That’s why every little bit of movement helps. Build physical activity into your daily routine and make it fun.

While you are watching TV, do some squats during the commercials. If you are cleaning the house, pop on some music and turn your cleaning into a dance routine. If you have stairs, go up and down three times every time you use them. Heel raises when you’re washing dishes. Side lunges when you are putting clothes in the machine. The NHS recommends some seated exercises.

Being active and keeping your body moving, doesn’t always mean raising your heart rate. It is just as important to stretch, relax and work on your breathing. There is a lot going on in the world right now, we all need to take some time to pause.

Pineapple Support has put together a collection of workouts and breathing exercises on our YouTube channel, but there are so many more available online for you to try.

 

 

If you feel you need emotional support or counselling to help you through these unprecedented times. Please, reach out. PineappleSupport.org

 

resources

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/#collapse98faf

Keeping The Mind Active During Isolation

In order to keep our minds healthy during isolation, it is important to keep them active. This doesn’t necessarily mean learning something new or doing math puzzles, unless that is what interests you. The important thing is to positively entertain your brain.

For those under 40 and particularly those in the adult industry, mobile phones and other electronic devices have become a major part of day to day lives. Some of us spending upward of 10 hours a day looking at a phone or computer screen. With social distancing becoming the new norm (for now), we risk becoming more isolated and more connected to our electronic devices.

Although these devices are imperative for our businesses, it is not healthy to spend long periods of time sitting in front of a screen. Especially as the blue light from devices like smartphones can be disruptive to your sleep and overall well being.

Try to vary your activities, keep your brain occupied and challenged. Get creative, try your hand at gardening or cooking new recipes. Read books or listen to podcasts.

The WHO Mental Health Considerations states that “During times of stress, pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly, keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy food. Keep things in perspective. Public health agencies and experts in all countries are working on the outbreak to ensure the availability of the best care to those affected.”

Here are some of my top choices for keeping the mind active:

1) Read a book
There is nothing better than getting immersed in a good book and ordinarily, if you’re like me, this is something I don’t usually have time for.
https://www.goodreads.com/list – book recommendations
https://www.instagram.com/booksandburgs/ – honest book reviews
https://readingagency.org.uk/ – Resources on booked and shared reading

2) Try a new recipe
Whether you’re a whiz in the kitchen or you boil toast, trying new recipes is a great way to vary your meal plan and ensure a balanced, healthy diet.
https://myfridgefood.com/ – use what you have in your fridge
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/83/everyday-cooking/convenience-cooking/ – Quarantine cooking recipes
https://food52.com/blog/25135-easy-coronavirus-quarantine-recipes – 13 easy quarantine recipes
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/food-dining/2020/04/10/coronavirus-quarantine-cooking-easy-recipes-you-can-make-few-ingredients/5131173002/ – Recipes with 5 ingredients or less

3) Work those green fingers
There are many benefits to having plants in your home and garden and now is the perfect time to get planting. As my fingers are more black than green, I’ve taken to planting a variety of cactuses.
https://www.gardenersworld.com/ – Gardening advice and inspiration
If you don’t have any outside space, they also have a guide to house plants https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/must-have-houseplants/

4) Learn something new
https://www.marchnetwork.org/creative-isolation?lightbox=dataItem-k87hyknv – a link to 10 free university art courses
https://www.marchnetwork.org/creative-isolation?lightbox=dataItem-k7vvf8eb – Online Dance tutorials
https://www.duolingo.com/ – Free online language courses

5) Watch a tv series, movie or documentary
https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts – New culture in quarantine programming
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-quarantine-what-to-watch.html – What to watch, read and listen to during isolation

6) Take a virtual tour
Many museums and galleries are offering virtual tours during lockdown:
https://smartify.org/ – Smartify is a web and mobile-based platform for some of the world’s best art and cultural institutions.

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/series/royal-albert-home – Royal Albert Home will see artists sharing their work from their homes to yours.
https://artsandculture.google.com/ – Virtual tours of museums, art galleries and heritage sites.

7) Make travel plans for the future
We won’t be in quarantine forever and looking to the future and making fun and exciting plans are a great way to remain positive.
https://www.earthtrekkers.com/best-travel-adventures/ – 50 travel adventures to have in your life time
https://www.boredpanda.com/amazing-places-to-see-before-you-die-2/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic – 40 Breath taking places to visit before you die

8) Connect with friends and loved ones
Maintaining a connection with loved ones is vitally important during lockdown and we are extremely fortunate to be living in a time when there are so many different way to do this.
Read our blog on Maintaining a Connection With The People You Love.

9) Get active
Keeping the body active is just as important as the mind. So whether you train hard or schedule regular yoga sessions, it’s important to keep the body moving.
Pineapple Support has a selection of workout videos to choose from on our YouTube channel or you surf the web for thousands of options.

10) Play a board game
I know, it’s old skool, but board games are so much fun and can keep you occupied for hours.
https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/3/17/21182427/board-games-2-players-best-quarantine

When it comes to keeping your mind active, the possibilities are almost endless.
Get involved and let us know via Twitter @PineappleYSW what you are doing to keep your mind active during isolation.

 

 

Resources

https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2020/03/30/young_people_are_lonley_too_487793.amp.html?__twitter_impression=true&utm_campaign=April%202020%20Newsletter%20(JDkhGP)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=April%20Workshop&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJ0aGVyYXB5QGRlbmlzZS13b2xmLmNvbSIsICJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogIk41dWJEUyJ9&fbclid=IwAR0SV8WsNK-qJrqtBvYVXlJbFmX_NUj6KSGu0UoyozsU7kT0ilrPwJ0ZoBo

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/coronavirus-mental-health-self-isolate-how-to-manage-quarantine-a9404431.html

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/how-loneliness-from-coronavirus-isolation-takes-its-own-toll?utm_campaign=April%202020%20Newsletter%20(JDkhGP)&utm_brand=tny&utm_term=TNY_Daily&utm_source=April%20Workshop&cndid=28664424&source=EDT_NYR_EDIT_NEWSLETTER_0_imagenewsletter_Daily_ZZ&mbid=&utm_medium=email&esrc=&bxid=5be9f97024c17c6adf0e91ae&utm_mailing=TNY_Daily_032320&_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJ0aGVyYXB5QGRlbmlzZS13b2xmLmNvbSIsICJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogIk41dWJEUyJ9&fbclid=IwAR1i8Z0lDRMjs-z8zHBWj3QbOzq6WIoVrDlFQbaiIkQlW92LYTZGk0IiQ8U

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/#collapsedcafe

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_8

Maintaining a Routine While In Isolation

You’re stuck at home, all your usual hangouts are closed, you can’t do the day to day activities you would usually be doing. It’s all too easy to say “fuck it” and stay in bed, sloth around the house eating random combinations of whatever is in the cupboard and watching crappy TV.

Having a day or two every now and again to wallow in our own filth and enjoy the pleasures of numbing our minds and bodies, is perfectly acceptable. In fact, I recommend it. This is not however a healthy way to spend the majority of your time, particularly in isolation.

Days will drag and moods will drop (and drop and drop) until you find yourself in a downward spiral that is hard to get out of. If you’re currently struggling with this, it’s okay, you’re not alone.

Here are my tips for creating a routine while in Isolation.

Early Morning
Each morning I get up at around 7.30am, feed all my animals (question why I have so many animals), make myself a hot drink and, weather depending, sit in the garden for around half an hour. I use this time to catch up on personal social media and messages, to reflect on the day ahead and to be grateful for all that I have.

Morning
As someone who regularly works from home, I am a huge advocate of dressing for work. The does not mean a suit and full make up, it does mean taking a shower, brushing my hair and putting on something that isn’t pyjamas.

By 8.30am I try to be sat behind my desk and to start setting out what I hope to achieve that day.
Most of us are privileged to be able to do some work from home. Be it editing movies you haven’t released yet, doing admin and upkeep on your clips store or cam profile. Work on your premium site profiles or interact with fans. Use this time to do all the niggling jobs you haven’t yet found the time to do.
If you can’t work from home, get creative, look at picking up an old hobby or discovering a new one.

Each day at 10am I take an hours break from work to exercise with a friend online. We do this by picking a video on YouTube and starting it at the same time.
For me, training is one of those things I will continue to put off, unless there’s someone to hold me accountable. Training with a friend, not only makes it more fun, but creates an environment where you can both encourage each other to keep active.

Afternoon
At around 1pm I take a break from the computer to create a healthy lunch and spend an hour trying not to think about work. Then back to the grindstone until between 5 and 6pm.
I have had to be very strict with myself regarding the hours I work. When you work from home it is all too easy to continue working long into the night and forgetting the importance of “switching off”. As the saying goes; “You can’t drink from an empty cup”.

Evening
Once work is done for the day, I make time to call and check in on friends, either via text or online video platform. It’s actually been amazing to connect with people so regularly. This is something that ordinarily I don’t have time to do as I am usually rushing around to complete some errand. I feel that during this time of isolation, I have made deeper connections with my friends. Paying closer attention to each other’s emotions and learning so much more about one another.

Sometimes I take this time to learn a little Spanish (been living in Spain 5 years and can only just about order a glass of wine).

Dinner usually takes about an hour to prepare. At least once a week I like trying new recipes found online and “making do” with alternate ingredients from the backs of my cupboards, there have been mixed results. Of course, I’m not Mary Poppin’s, some evenings are spent eating left over’s or getting a food delivery.

Late Evening
By the time dinner is finished it is usually around 8pm and time to sit with the fur babies and watch a series or movie on Netflix.

At around 10.30-11pm I ensure that the house is tidy and dishes are washed, etc. This way before heading to bed I know that tomorrow will start with a clean fresh slate.

 

Everyone’s routine is different, the important thing is to have a routine. If there are days that you really don’t feel like getting out of bed or doing some of the things on your list, that’s okay. Let yourself have those days and enjoy them.

Try writing down a daily schedule for yourself, break the day up into segments and make it as detailed as possible. Do your best to stick to your schedule for a week and see how you feel at the end of it.

I do hope that this will have inspired you to KEEP GOING. These strange times will all be over soon and life will return to normal. STAY STRONG.

If you feel you need emotional support or counselling to help you through these unprecedented times. Please, reach out. PineappleSupport.org

Pineapple Support Welcomes Five New Board Members

Pineapple Support, the industry’s leading mental health non-profit, is welcoming five new members to its board. This expansion highlights the significant growth the organisation has undergone in the past year. Pineapple Support is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit in the United States and a registered charity in the U.K.

The new board members are Legal Affairs Chair Corey Silverstein, Fundraising Chair Emma Rainville, Marketing and Website Chair Brad Mitchell, Social Justice Community Chair Tim Valenti and Treasurer Alison Boden. They join President Leya Tanit and existing members Lane Farin (Vice President and Secretary) Dr. Jena Field (Client Support Chair) on the board.

“Our little seedling is turning into a tree,” says Tanit. “In the past four months, the amount we are investing into therapy has grown by nearly 600%. As we’re growing at such a rate, it’s important to have a strong team, our new board members are all exceptional members of our community, who can bring their knowledge and experience to the table. I am grateful and honored to be working alongside them.”

Boden, CEO of BDSM powerhouse Kink.com says she’s honored to join the team.

“Pineapple Support Society is playing a critical role in supporting performers, who truly are the lifeblood of our industry,” “I look forward to working with the organization’s incredible team and my fellow directors.”

Brad Mitchell, Marketing and Website Chair, says the work is personal.

“Having experienced depression myself and lost many friends to suicide, mental health issues are near and dear to my heart. Pineapple Support’s mission is important and I am thrilled to lend my support in every way possible.”

NakedSword founder Tim Valenti is eager to join as Social Justice Community Chair.

“The progress that Pineapple has made in a relatively short amount of time to address mental health issues in the adult industry is both impressive and inspiring. I am thrilled and honored to join Leya and her team to provide expansion and outreach to include LGBTQ models, sex workers, and adult professionals — some of the most marginalized and at-risk members of our industry.”

Activist and Fundraising Chair Emma Rainville agrees.

“Whenever I’m voting on a matter that will affect the people our organization has set out to help, I think of two things. First, what points have been brought to the table by the people who are here? And second, what hasn’t been brought to the table by the people we have set out to serve, but are not present? The voices that are not represented when we are making decisions, those should be the loudest in our ears as we vote.”

Corey Silverstein, Legal Affairs Community Chair is eager to lend his expertise to the cause.

“It’s an honor to get to participate with this organization. Leya and her team have already done so much to help the industry as a whole and I can’t wait to see how far this organization can go.”

Pineapple Support was founded by Leya Tanit in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organisation has connected over four hundred adult performers to mental health services so far, including free and low-cost, therapy, counseling and emotional support.

Pineapple Support continues to receive support from sponsors and partners, allowing 62 therapists and 226 volunteers to have helped over 480 performers since it was founded. The organisation will host the adult industry’s first ever mental health summit, The 2019 Pineapple Summit, for October 30-31. Registrations are now open online for the first Pineapple Summit, which is entirely online and free for all adult performers. Register by visiting www.pineapplesummit.org.

Pineapple Sundae Radio Show Now Available As Podcast

The Pineapple Sundae radio show which is hosted by Pineapple Support’s President Leya Tanit and UK based therapist Shelly is broadcast live every Sunday at 12pm EST on Demonseed Radio and has been growing from strength to strength since it was launched on the 13th of May this year.

Pineapple Sundae hosts discuss different mental health topics each week and interview some of the industry’s biggest stars, new talent and veterans, inviting them to share their personal experiences and opinions. Although many of Pineapple Sundae’s topics may be serious, co-hosts Leya and Shelly always manage to keep a good balance of compassion and humor throughout the two hour shows.

To date the pair has discussed everything from substance misuse, depression, anxiety and coping with suicide, to maintaining a good work/life balance, relationship in the industry and being kinky.

This week all the episodes that have been aired to date were made available to listen to as podcasts. Leya Tanit states “It is of paramount importance that the complexities working in the adult industry can have on a performer’s life and therefore their mental health are discussed openly. It not only helps others within the industry understand that they are not alone in their experiences, but exposes consumers to the fact that performers are real people.”

Pineapple Sundae podcasts are available at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pineapple-sundae/id1439021361?mt=2

Becoming Aware Of Suicide

As September draws to a close I thought it only right to speak about my becoming aware of suicide and all that I have learned since starting my journey with Pineapple Support back in January 2018.

Suicide awareness… I used to think this was a ridiculous statement… everyone is aware that suicide exists. But now, after everything I have learned over the past 9 months I understand that suicide awareness is not about being aware of the existence of suicide, it is about being aware of why it happens and being aware of what people go through, not just those willing to take their own life, but also those who are left behind.

“A selfish act”, I hang my head in shame when I admit to you now that this was my attitude. “How could someone do this to their family?” “Do they not think about all the people that they are leaving behind?”.
Yes, when a person is at a point in their life where they feel that death is their only escape, they most likely are thinking of themselves, or they could be thinking that the world would be better off without them. Either way they are not thinking logically about the devastation and broken hearts left behind. They are in an introspective world where the dark voices in their heads are the only ones they can hear. The feeling of anger at those who chose to leave us is a perfectly natural emotion, a part of the healing process and not one that should be brushed aside.

So many people have reached out to me personally to tell me their stories and I feel incredibly privileged that they have all been so open and candid when sharing their experiences. Opening up about not only the combination of emotions felt but also the legal and financial implications. It has been an education and one that I am extremely appreciative of.

It was in responses to the shocking number of suicides in the adult industry last year and the beginning of this year that Pineapple Support was launched. I hope with all my heart that with this education and the continued support of those inside and outside of the industry, we are able to offer guidance, therapy and hope to all those effected by such tragic experiences.

Love and Pineapples,
Leya Tanit