INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When you arrive at the gravestone, take a few minutes to assess the stone. Look for any obvious signs of damage. Check the front, sides, and top of the gravestone.  Cracks are an obvious sign of damage. Flaking is also an indication that the stone is damaged. If you see signs of damage, clean very cautiously. Damage indicates that the stone is weakened. Avoid putting pressure on the weakened areas. It is better to leave some dirt than to put additional stress on the stone. Once you have checked out the stone, you are ready to start actually cleaning. Follow the directions on your cleanser. Mix it with the proper ratio of water.  Dampen your sponges in your bucket of water. Once they are wet, gently begin wiping down the surface of the stone. After you have removed the first layer of dirt or grime, you can use your brushes. Wet your brushes, then use them to gently scrub each part of the stone. It is best to start at the bottom of the stone and work your way up. This will help you to avoid leaving streaks. Sometimes you will discover growth on the gravestone. Since it is exposed to nature's elements, this is completely normal. Lichen is especially common.  Lichen are living organisms that are similar to a fungi. They come in many different colors, such as grey, green and yellow. You can remove the lichen with an ammonia mixture. Combine one part ammonia with four parts water. Using a clean sponge, gently scrub the affected area with the ammonia mixture. After you are done, rinse with clean, plain water. It is important that you know what type of stone you are dealing with. Different types will require different cleaning methods. Marble needs to be treated even more gently than granite.  Pre-wet the stone with clean water. If there is growth, remove using a wooden scraper. Apply non-ionic cleanser. Use the same method you would use for a granite stone. Repeat this process approximately every 18 months. Cleaning more frequently can weaken the marble. Limestone is another popular choice for headstones. Clean limestone using the same method as the one used to clean marble. When it comes to cleaning gravestones, natural methods might sometimes be best. Some people have effectively used snails to clean their stones. This method is the most environmentally friendly.  Snails consume many of the materials that grow on gravestones. For example, they will eat lichens, mold, and fungus. Create a small tent over the gravestone. Use polyethylene to cover the stone, and use pieces of wood to keep it on the ground. You can likely find several snails on surrounding graves. Collect them and place them in the enclosure that you have made. Make sure to poke several small holes for ventilation. Check back on your snails after a few hours. If they were hungry, the stone will be pretty clean. If you have any concerns about the state of the gravestone, it is a good idea to talk to an expert. For example, an expert will be able to tell you the approximate age of your stone. He will also be able to definitively identify the material.  Contact the cemetery to ask if they can recommend someone you can speak to. Conservationists typically know a lot about gravestones. You can also reach out to a local museum. The staff can likely recommend an expert. Make sure to ask about the proper cleaning method and frequency for your particular stone.

SUMMARY: Check for damage. Clean a granite headstone. Remove growth. Clean a marble gravestone. Use snails. Consult an expert.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Any excess fabric on the inside of the brim or flue should be trimmed away with sewing scissors or shears. While this is not strictly essential since the excess fabric should be hidden, it might make the hat more comfortable to wear. You can leave the top hat plain and wear it as is, or you can add decorative elements to it to personalize it or make it usable for a costume.  If you are using the hat for cosplay or costume purposes, study pictures of the character you are trying to dress as and decorate the hat accordingly. If you want the top hat to look more “classic,” you could try embellishing it by attaching a black satin ribbon around the base of the flue. To make the top hat more versatile, add embellishments that are removable. Your top hat should now be complete and ready to wear.
Summary: Trim away any excess material. Decorate your top hat as desired. Wear your new top hat proudly.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There are quite a few different types of relaxation techniques that you can learn to help with your fear and anxiety.  They include, but are not limited to, the following: autogenic relaxation; progressive muscle relaxation; visualization; deep breathing; hypnosis; massage; meditation; tai chi; yoga; biofeedback; and music and art therapy.   Autogenic relaxation is a technique where you use visual images and body awareness, while repeating words or terms, to help relax and reduce muscle tension.  Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique where you tense and relax each muscle in your body in order to get a sense of what each one feels like in both a tense and relaxed state.  Visualization is a technique where you visualize specific settings that make you feel relaxed and calm (i.e. forest, beach with waves, etc.).  Deep breathing is a technique where you purposely breathe deeply from your abdomen in order to release tension and reverse hyperventilation.   Biofeedback is a technique where you learn to control each of your body’s functions, like your heart rate or breathing. When you’re anxious or afraid you may react by breathing too quickly and hyperventilating.  Hyperventilating can intensify your feelings of anxiety and fear and make the situation worse.  Breathing deeply can help you relax, reduce your tension, and make you feel less anxious.  Follow these steps to relax using deep breathing:  Sit or stand somewhere where you’re comfortable and keep your back straight.  Put one of your hands on your chest and put your other hand on your stomach. Take one slow deep breath in through your nose while counting to four.  The hand on your stomach will rise while the hand on your chest shouldn’t move very much. Hold your breath while counting to seven. Exhale through your mouth while you count to eight.  Push out as much air as you can using your abdominal muscles.  This means the hand on your stomach should move downwards, and the hand on your chest shouldn’t move very much. Repeat these steps until you feel calmer and relaxed. Anxious people also tend to be tense, even when they think they’re relaxed.  Progressive muscle relaxation can help you distinguish between relaxed and tense muscles so you actually know what it feels like to relax.  Practice the following steps twice a day until you really feel it working.  Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably with your eyes closed.  Remove your shoes. Allow your body to go as loose as you can and take 5 deep breaths. Select a specific muscle group to begin with (i.e. your left foot) and focus on those muscles. Work each of these muscles groups: individual feet; lower leg and foot; entire leg; individual hands; entire arm; buttocks; stomach; chest; neck and shoulders; mouth; eyes; and forehead.  Take one slow, deep breath while tensing the muscles you’ve selected for 5 seconds.  Make sure you can feel the tension in your muscles before you move on. Allow all the tension to leave the muscles you’ve selected while exhaling. Pay close attention to how these muscles feels when tense and when relaxed. Stay relaxed for 15 seconds, then select another muscle group and repeat the same steps. Using visualization to relax is exactly what it sounds like — you visualize something that you find extremely relaxing in order to reduce your anxiety and reduce your fears.  A guided visualization is where you listen to a recording where someone talks you through the process step-by-step.  There are many free guided visualizations available online, some with background music or sound effects to help make the process seem more real. Guided visualization recordings will provide the instructions on how to prepare yourself and what to do.  They will also vary in length, so you can select the ones that work best for you.

SUMMARY:
Understand the different types of relaxation techniques. Practice deep breathing relaxation. Perform progressive muscle relaxation. Try guided visualization.