Love is in the air…

All too often we forget about the importance of us and before you know it another day has passed and you realise that yet again you have not done anything to nurture and replenish yourself. You resolve that tomorrow you will do better…

Well today is Valentines day and if you can’t spoil yourself today when can you?

Everyone loves to be pampered now and again, but how many of us actually get around to making this time for ourselves?

Many of us claim that there are just not enough hours in the day to take care of yourself. But today that changes, as today is the day when you are going to make that date with yourself and treat your body, mind, heart and soul to an indulgent spa experience from the convenience of your own home!

First start by setting the scene… Light some candles, dim the lights, turn off the phone and perhaps put on some relaxing music.

The easiest way to create a home spa is to:

Make time for yourself

Enjoy a long RELAXING SOAK

Run a bath and add some relaxing salts to your bath. For the ultimate bathing experience you could add:

• A cup of Epsom salts or Sea Salts
• Lavender flowers
• ½ cup of sweet almond oil
• A couple of drops of the essential oils of orange blossom

This will create a truly luxurious and escapist experience.

N.B If you have any medical conditions you should seek advice before using Epsom salts or essential oils.

For more tips to indulge yourself click here

Kissable lips all year long

This time of year our lips can tend to dry out fastest leaving them in need of intensive protection and moisture, whilst the summer can heat them and leave them feeling sore. But all is not lost; for soft kissable lips all year round, follow my simple10 step plan:

1. Avoid licking your lips or biting the skin on the surface of your lips as its strips them of their natural oils making them dry out faster.
2. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
3. In some cases sensitive or chapped lips could indicate sensitivity to an ingredient in your lipstick or toothpaste, so try switching products.
4. When outdoors use a lip balm to protect your lips from the elements.
5. Add a base coat of lip balm before applying lipstick, especially during the dry winter months for extra protection.
6. But avoid lipsticks with artificial ingredients in them can further irritate chapped lips.
7. Apply lip balm before going to bed to help to moisturise lips while you sleep.
8. Avoid products that contain petroleum as it can cause photosensitivity and strips the natural oils from the skin and actually cause chapping and dryness, it can also cause premature ageing.
9. Choose products that are organic, natural and full of nourishing and healing ingredients.
10. Because our lips can need more intensive protection treat yourself to an Organic Lip Balm that is free from synthetic and chemical ingredients.

Your Daily Routine for Great Looking Skin

 

1. Start your day with some warm water with a squeeze of lemon.
   This helps the liver to detoxify your body.
2. Next use your body brush.
   Start at the feet and move up your body, moving in the direction of the heart. This not only exfoliates the skin, it helps the lymphatic system to detoxify the body, preventing any congestion.

   

   Daily routine for great skin

3. Then have a shower.
   This removes the dead skin cells and debris from the brushing. Use a natural shower gel to gently cleanse and nourish your skin.
4. Pat yourself dry and apply a rich cream to keep your skin soft and supple.
5. Cleanse, tone and moisturise your face.
   Don’t use anything harsh and avoid artificial chemicals and fragrances.
6. Keep up your fluid intake.
   Drink plenty of water throughout the day; this is a great way to ensure your body stays hydrated and your skin glowing.
7. Get some fresh air.
   Step outside and take some deep refreshing breaths of air. You can combine this with step 8.
8. Get moving.
   Walk to walk, take a walk at lunchtime, join a dance club or whatever you fancy. It doesn’t have to be strenuous or for long periods of time, just make it regular. Your lymph system relies upon the movement of your muscles to clear out the toxins.
9. Relax and unwind.
   Take time out of your day to do something for yourself. Whether it’s to catch up with friends, read a book or have a long soak in the bath.
10. Get a good nights sleep.
    Fresh clean sheets, the window open for some fresh air and snuggle down for the night, knowing that as you sleep your body is repairing itself and carrying out any maintenance that you need.

The wonders of skin brushing

I love brushing my skin, it is a wonderful way to start my day, but you may be wondering why should I brush my skin?

Well…Many toxic substances are eliminated through the skin. By lightly brushing the skin with a dry brush stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation and removes dead cells and promotes elimination.

What benefits does skin brushing have?
By regularly brushing your skin you could benefit from the following:

• Stimulates circulation
• Increases cell renewal
• Helps to clean the lymphatic system
• Encourages your body to discharge metabolic wastes
• Removes dead skin cells
• Leaves the skin feeling beautifully soft

 

What should I use to brush my skin?
Ideally you should use a long handled brush so that it is easier to reach all of your body and the brush should be made of natural fibres as synthetic fibres can scratch the skin.

How do I brush my skin?
Start brushing at your feet and brush towards the heart, since it is important to follow the flow of lymphatic fluid.
Then brush from the fingertips up to the shoulders and toward the heart.
Use long strokes and a gentle pressure.
Avoid the facial area and areas of skin irritation.

How often should I brush my skin?
For best results brush your skin once a day, before showering. This can easily be incorporated into your daily routine and only takes a few minutes to do.
By showering after you have brushed your skin allows the dead skin cells to be washed away.

Self Care – How to look after your feet

Our feet are often an area that are neglected and taken for granted, so here is some advice to keep them in tip top condition.

• Exfoliate your feet regularly. After a warm bath work on the soles of your feet with a pumice stone. Gently exfoliate your feet by working in small circular motions, paying particular attention to stubborn patches of dry skin. But be careful not to be too harsh.
• Treat your self to a regular pedicure. To do it yourself soak your feet in a bowl of warm water with a relaxing foot soak, then exfoliate your feet and gently scrub your cuticles with a nailbrush. Then cut your toenails, cut them in a straight line and round the edges with an emery board. Finally apply plenty of rich moisturiser.
• Have a foot massage. This can be a great tonic for the entire body. Apply moisturiser or oil to the soles of your feet, work over the top of your foot and then sweep your hands up your legs.
• To relieve aching and tired feet use a cream with peppermint oil in as this can make your feet feel refreshed and revived, it also has the added benefit of being antibacterial.
• Ensure your shoes fit properly as ill-fitting shoes can cause problems in later life.
• Drink plenty of water to prevent swollen ankles.

Relax with this guide to self massage – Your Body

Massage can be very healing for your body, mind and soul. It stimulates the lymphatic system that helps to clear your body of unwanted waste material. Massage also helps to reduce stress and emotional tension; it also soothes aching muscles and enhances circulation.

For a top to toe treat for your body follow these simple guidelines.

Begin your massage by warming your chosen massage oil in the palms of your hands.

• Start with your arms and your hands.

Smooth the oil over your hands and up your arms in a long sweeping motion, start at the front of your arm, then the outer side and finally the underside of your arm. Repeat this three times.

Then squeeze your forearm gently between your fingers and the heel of your hand, repeat this motion up you arm, being careful not to ‘pinch’ your self.

Next concentrate on your hands, knead the palms of each hand with your thumbs, and then massage up each finger giving it a gentle pull when you reach its tip.

• Next move onto your neck and shoulders.

Press and make small circular movements with your fingers at the base of your neck, work up towards the base of your skull. Repeat these steps working out to the side of your neck.

Massage across your shoulders several times by squeezing the muscle between your fingers and the heel of your hands.

• Now move down to your torso and abdomen.

Massage across the top of your chest in sweeping motions. Then work from just above your breasts (but not over them) towards your shoulders using the tips of your fingers to gently press and massage the area.

Now massage your abdomen, you may prefer to lie down for this, use a loose fist to massage in circular movements in a clockwise direction.

• Next massage your legs.

Use long sweeping movements up your legs. Then pay particular attention to your calves by squeezing the muscle between your thumb and fingers. When you are at your thighs use more pressure by pushing with your knuckles in a circular motion. Then use invigorating ’percussion’ movements by cupping and chopping with your hands on this fleshy area.

Finish massaging your legs by using long sweeping motions.

• End the massage with your feet.

Massage the tops of your feet using stroking movements. Then knead the soles of your feet with your thumbs, using strong circular motions. Massage each toe and then give it a gentle pull.

Finish by using your whole hand to apply light stroking movements over the feet.

Relax with this guide to self massage – Your Face

Massage can be very healing for your body, mind and soul. It stimulates the lymphatic system that helps to clear your body of unwanted waste material. Massage also helps to reduce stress and emotional tension; it also soothes aching muscles and enhances circulation.
 
Self massage for your face
This will help to relax the muscles in your face, improve circulation and give you skin a radiant glow.

• Start with your forehead.
  Massage in an upward direction from the centre of your forehead and then slide your fingers along the hairline.
• Then work around your eyes.
  Use light tapping motion around your eyes and over your eyelids.
  Place a finger on the inside of your eyebrow, lift and then move slightly outwards, lift your finger off and move out wards slightly and repeat. When you reach the end of your eyebrow use a gentle sweep under your eye, over the bone, back to your eyebrows and then repeat twice more.
• Next move to your cheeks.
  Smooth your hands over your cheekbones, working from your nose out towards your ears. Then re work back over this area by applying gentle pressure as you work along the contours of your cheekbones. Finish by sweeping your hands down your nose and out across your cheeks.
• Now move onto your nose and mouth.
  Start by stroking down both sides of your nose, when you reach your nostrils use small circular motions to massage around this area.
  Next follow the contour of your lips, using small circular motions, in an upward direction, from the centre of your top lip working to the outer corners of your mouth. Repeat this on your lower lip.
• Your chin is next.
  Using two fingers massage your chin, staring from the middle and working towards your ears. Repeat this three times
• Finish with your ears.
  Start with your ear lobes and tug them gently downwards. Then work up the outside of the ears by gently pulling them gently outwards as you stroke them in the process. When you get to the top repeat this motion working down the inside of the ear.
  Repeat this three times. Finish by re-tugging your ear lobes.

Enjoy!