HEALTH & BEAUTY
Foam alone? Stir up a whole lot of Christmas
plenty of typical Christmas foods can provide these. Stress Seek out vitamin B5 and vitamin C, which are needed for stress hormone production. You’ll fi nd vitamin B5 in avocado, mushrooms, caulifl ower, broccoli while parsley is packed with vitamin C and is a lovely rich festive green – so add it liberally as a garnish to everything! It’s also found in salad greens, Xmas oranges and, of course, your sprouts! Stress and energy Magnesium is your friend here as it promotes nerve and muscle relaxation and increased energy. Found in chocolate (!) but best only to eat a small amount of 70%+. Also rich in nuts, seeds and green veg. Energy Essential fatty acids (EFAs – for example, omega 3) are needed for the body’s cells and a lack of them can produce fatigue. They can’t be made in the body and so have to be brought in. Found in salmon, mackerel, sardines, nuts (especially walnuts, so get cracking!) and seeds. And don’t forget B vitamin complex, which is needed to convert food into energy – so even if you’re eating lots of food you may still feel tired without it.
AROMATHERAPY
There are some wonderful scents and smells associated with Christmas: warm spices, pine needles from the tree, log fi res and mulled wine – all of which can make us feel cosy and nostalgic.
Indeed, these familiar scents can have
far-reaching associations that trigger feelings of wellbeing. However, whatever our associations with the festive time of year, certain aromas can reduce stress and keep us calm at any time. Aromatherapy is the use of plant essential oils for therapeutic purposes. There are around 400 essential oils, each with its own property – for example, lavender is recommended for anxiety and
healing and rose geranium is said to relax the body and boost mood, making us feel less irritable, reducing pain and soothing the central nervous system. Bergamot, with its elements of refreshing fruitiness, is also believed to reduce corticosterone responses to stress and to help create a state of relaxation and calm. Essential oils are also used in hospitals, hospices and health care settings, where their soothing benefi ts are greatly appreciated. The oils can be used in a variety of ways, including adding a few drops to your bath water, through steam inhalation, and in creams or compresses. One of the most popular ways is through massage, when the oils are blended in a carrier cream or oil – and the result can be calming or uplifting, depending on the blend. • The Federation of Holistic Therapists (
www.fht.org.uk) recommends choosing a qualifi ed aromatherapist.
MOVE INTO EXERCISE
With a long list of Christmas jobs and pressured for time, fi nding half an hour for exercise might be far from your mind. However, according to Anxiety UK there is a strong link between physically activity and positive mental wellbeing. This is because the effects of exercising causes chemical changes in the brain that positively alters the mood and the ability to rise to a challenge – just what is needed at Christmas! Add to this the potential for reduced tension, better sleep and increased energy and it’s a wonder we aren’t all sprinting around the block. The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, which might include walking fast, riding a bike on level ground with few hills, water aerobics or pushing a lawnmower. Sadly, Christmas shopping and cooking don’t count because they don’t get your heart working hard enough!
magic with this warming cinnamon stick. It’s packed with punchy cinnamon leaf and Fair Trade Organic cloves to stimulate the skin and boost circulation while fast- forwarding you straight into the festive season! Treat Grinch-like moments by holding this spicy bubble wand under running water and
slipping into a blanket of hot, almond bubbles. • The Magic of Christmas
Reusable Bubble Bar, £5.95 each, from Lush,
Tunbridge Wells, or visit www.
lush.co.uk
PODS OF GOODNESS
This is the season of Christmas parties, hectic social schedules, endless shopping for presents, one- too-many drinks and far too much food. And while we might not always notice it on ourselves, bad breath is estimated to affect up to 50% of the population, with varying degrees of severity. New from oral care brand Hello
are these fresh breath sprays – 99% natural and available in three fl avours: Spearmint, Pink Grapefruit Mint, and Mojito Mint – guaranteed to keep your mouth fresh.
• Hello Breath Sprays, £3.99, available from Boots, including Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge.
The INDEX magazine
www.indexmagazine.co.uk 73
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