Helpful hacks to better sleep

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All these New Year’s Resolutions are great, and while giving up booze, changing your diet and taking more exercise are a positive step, they can all have an impact on your
sleep habits.

As we change the various elements of our lives, our sleep can improve in the long run, but adapting to a new way of doing things takes time. We have had a look at how you can get a good night’s sleep and bring a holistic change to your life in 2020.

Watch what you eat
You might be trying out a new diet or trying out veganism, but if you don’t eat enough during the day, or are fuelling up on the wrong things late in the evening, this could impact how you sleep. Don’t have caffeinated drinks before bed (remember hot chocolate might not be a sleep choice after all), steer clear of big meals later in the day and try not to have sugary snacks before bed as this can play havoc with your body, and teeth. If you are hungry, a banana or handful of nuts with a mug of warm water and lemon can help give you the balance you need.

Get into a routine
It is really important for you to stick to a bedtime routine, not because you are a child but because this will help both your brain and internal body clock find a new schedule every night. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and while a lie-in at the weekend is nice, just don’t over do it as that evening could spell sleeping troubles.

Relax before bed
While you might want to fit in a run at 9pm, it’s relaxing in the evening that will prepare you for bed and sleep. Taking a warm bath, learning simple relaxation techniques, doing some gentle yoga stretches and meditating are all calm, easy ways to help you unwind and get ready to rest.

Detox your bedroom
If you want to get to sleep, and stay asleep, your bedroom needs to be a quiet, clean, clear space that you want to spend time in. Chairs laden with clothes, shoes on the floor, dirty cups and glasses on the bedside table and endless open beauty products are not conducive to rest. This weekend, why not have a really good clear out, hoover and dust, set the radiator to the right heat, ensure the curtains are dark enough and see if this makes a difference for you. This is also the time to check out your mattress and make sure it is working, because if it is old and lumpy that is how you will feel when you wake.

Go screen free
Whether it’s a TV, laptop, tablet or e-reader, the glare of a screen in the bedroom isn’t going to do you any sleep favours. Keep screens out of the bedroom, get an alarm clock, read real books and you might be surprised how going screen free can help you sleep better.

Keep a sleep diary
If you find that you are doing everything right, but still can’t sleep, try keeping a diary so you can see what is happening. Note down what times you go to bed, what you did before you jumped under the covers, what you ate that day, when you dozed off (if you can remember) and what time you woke up in the morning. This might help you discover what is keeping you awake.

If you’re really struggling, maybe speak to your GP and see if there is an underlying issue they can help you with.

Team Pure Beauty

Veganuary tips for beginners

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It would seem that plant-based diets are the way to go when it comes to not only our health, but keeping the environment safe as well. Many people will be taking part in ‘Veganuary’, and while this might feel like a gimmick, for many of us it could become a way of life.

We have had a look at some of the ways you can try out veganism so that you don’t fall at the first hurdle and head for the nearest burger bar.

Be prepared
As with all things new, do a little research and prepare yourself. It’s a good idea to look at the kind of foods that will nourish you and do a little bit of a restock of your cupboards if you need to. Read books, visit websites, call on bloggers, go to your local health food shop and supermarkets to get a feel for the land. Also decide if you are going all out – are you doing without leather shoes, wool clothes and everyday products that have animal products in them, there’s a lot to think about, so work out what is best for you.

Keep it simple
When people try a vegan diet, many overcomplicate things. Yes, there are fancy, expensive vegan meat, cheese, and milk alternatives are all out there for the taking, but you don’t have to go out and spend a fortune on all of them. Don’t fall into the trap of cooking tricky, time-consuming vegan foods, instead, keep your meals simple and focus on plenty of vegetables, grains, protein, fruits, nuts, and seeds. A spicy chickpea curry, delicious stir fry, mushroom risotto and wholesome stew full of woody veg are all easy to cook and will give you a blast of natural goodness.

Think about snacks
Let’s face it, plant foods are often lower in calories than animal products, so you need to make sure you’re fuelling your body – the idea isn’t to starve yourself, but to look after yourself! Healthy snacks like fresh and dried fruits as well as nuts and seeds are great so keep them handy. You can also have cereal with nut milk, smoothies packed with fruit and veg, rice cakes with almond butter and chopped banana and get in the kitchen and make pecan and raison cookies or homemade flapjacks.

Read the labels
You might think that a product is vegan friendly, but always read labels just to check animal facts or derivatives aren’t hiding in there. Many companies adding “suitable for vegans” and the Vegan trademark is the international standard for vegan product labelling, so keep an eye out for that.

Watch the vitamins
When you start to eat different foods and give up others, you need to make sure that your body has a full range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, or you could come unstuck. It should be that you are increasing the natural goodness in your body, but if you are worried that you aren’t getting the levels of nutrition you need, add a good quality supplement and again, this is where your local health food shop will come into play.

Good luck and remember to enjoy it, it’s a new way of eating and something to embrace and benefit from.

Team Pure Beauty

How to eat for wellness in 2020

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Too many sausage rolls eaten?

Too many cocktails drunk?

Too many chocolates picked from the box?

Christmas is a time for fun and we all like to indulge, but all that rich food and sugary drinks can play havoc with our waistlines as well as our skin, teeth and mood.
Eating a healthy, well balanced, varied diet is key for good health and well-being and it can also help keep things like heart disease, strokes and certain cancers away.
We aren’t going to tell you to try a faddy diet or starve yourself because that won’t do anything for anyone, but we do have some ideas of how you can change what you eat and drink, and feel better for it.

Eat breakfast
We know this isn’t for everyone, but eating breakfast is the best way to start your day. Don’t load up on cereals packed with sugar or knock back an energy drink when you wake up, because you will crash and burn. Wholemeal toast with peanut butter, a fruit and veg smoothie, porridge with banana and blueberries or avocado smash are all perfect morning starters and they will see you through the morning.

A starter for five
Old news maybe, but eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day is the goal. It doesn’t matter if it’s fresh, frozen, tinned, juiced or dried, but get in the habit of having five servings and if you can go further, you are winning.

Drink more water
It’s clear… drink more water if you want to feel good. The advice is to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day and this will impact you mind, body and skin. You might also want to cut the caffeine and fizzy drinks and switch to herbal teas which will help hydrate and calm you.

Keep snacks in your bag
Dried fruit, nuts, rice cakes, bananas and home-made date bars can be kept in your bag, car or desk drawer and not only will they fill you up, they are so much better for you than a bar of chocolate or slice of cake. Yes, have treats, but now and again and not every day.

Make switches
White bread and pasta aren’t going to really do much for you, so why not switch to wholegrain alternatives? Sweet potatoes are a brilliant source of vitamin C, so leave the mash for another day, and a bowl of berries will beat a bag of sweets any day.

Go plant based
This isn’t for everyone but cutting animal products out of your diet isn’t a bad idea. If a full vegan diet isn’t right, maybe think about being veggie or if this is still too much, go meat and dairy free a couple of days and week and let natural plant goodness fill your plate and your tummy.

Exercise more
We aren’t saying that you need to train for a marathon or become an Iron Man candidate but moving your body goes hand in hand with improving your diet. The weather might still be cold, but a run around the park will warm you up, a swim is a low impact exercise many of us can do and if you want to spice up your life, how about a salsa class with a friend? Don’t sign up for an expensive gym membership in January that you won’t use, but do look for something you will enjoy, because then you will want to do it, and you’ll be glad you did. Do remember, that going for a job doesn’t mean you can then eat a massive take-away, but you can make curries and soups from scratch that will nourish your body for longer.

Got a tip for us, let us know as we are all for a happier, healthier 2020.

Team Pure Beauty

Easy ways to add a little exercise into your life

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We know that exercising can impact all areas in your life, for the better, but we also know that getting time to actually do it can be hard. We’ve had a look at how you can fit just a little bit of workout time into your schedule so you feel bright and happy all day long.

Jog on
If you’re not keen on intense cardio training but would like to break out in a slight sweat, then how about some gentle jogging? This exercise helps to strengthen your entire body and keep you in good shape, without putting huge pressure on your joints. We do suggest that you invest in some decent trainers, take water with you, and always warm-up and cool down to prevent injuries.

Speed walking
Taking it down another notch from jogging, we have speed walking. You might not know this but a brisk walk can help build your cardiovascular health and can also boost your mental wellbeing. This really is a low commitment exercise that anyone can fit into their day, and if you have a dog, even better as they need their walk and you can get fit together!

Yoga
As well as keeping your heart healthy, it is also important to ensure you have muscle flexibility and a still mind, and yoga can do this for you. Yoga, as well as tai chi and Pilates, engage your muscles so they stay healthy and you also have the meditative elements that still your mind, allow you to focus on your breathing and bring down your anxiety.

Crunch it out
If you want to work on your abs without going OTT in the gym, simple crunches are the way to go. Crossing your arms across your chest while doing these exercises can help you to avoid pulling on your neck and causing injury. If you aren’t quite sure how to get this right, ask a PT and they will be only too happy to assist so you know you are on the right track.

Shake it out
Dancing is an amazing way to keep fit, stay healthy and make friends. Zumba, ballet, salsa, and tap are just some of the options out there and not only will taking part make you feel good but because of the social element, you will feel like you’ve had a group hug at the end of the session.

Go for a swim
We often think about swimming in the summer but this is a great cardio exercise that will benefit your health and mental well-being all year round. As swimming isn’t dangerous for joints and muscles, it’s something many of us can enjoy, and if you are serious about your strokes, book in a lesson or two and really make this sport work for you.

Raise your heals
Heel raises, which involve deliberately lifting and lowering your heels off the floor, can help to address weakness, balance, range of motion, and coordination of the foot and ankle. This might seem like a really simple move, but it goes a long way to stretch out those muscles and keep you supple.

Skip away
A rope and a little space can really get your heart rate up and those feel-good endorphins pumping! You don’t have to do it for ages, and while you’ll be surprised at how hard it is when you start, build it up over time and your fitness levels will boom.

Team Pure Beauty

The Benefits of Bamboo in Your Beauty Routine

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Photo by Ogo from Pexels

You’d be forgiven for thinking that all bamboo is good for is feeding pandas and propping up your sunflowers, but extracts from bamboo can actually be extremely beneficial to your skin. It is packed with antioxidants, is an anti-irritant and even has anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it helps to provide the skin with essential nutrients, while helping to calm down any signs of damage.

Bamboo is also an excellent source of silica, which is essential for maintaining a youthful complexion. It’s brilliant to use for all skin types as it helps to maintain the elasticity in the skin, by bolstering collagen production and preventing the ‘plumpness’ of your skin from depleting.

Here are some of our favourite bamboo-containing products:

Decleor 2 in 1 Purifying and Oxygenating Mask

This mask from Decleor uses the beautifully named ‘bamboo tears’ to cleanse and deeply mattify without dehydrating the skin. The mask can be used to both cleanse and exfoliate the skin, and contains Egyptian loofah fibres to gently eliminate dead skin cells, while spheres of white jojoba restore hydration and leave your skin feeling soft.

Elemis Daily Moisture Boost

Skin is rarely more vulnerable than it is directly after shaving, as the blades of a razor strip away the oils and protective layers of the complexion. Elemis developed this daily moisture boost especially for male skin and uses bamboo to assist in restoring elasticity, suppleness and essential nutrients stripped away during shaving. It offers a lightweight, fresh, non-oily formula which feels great on your skin and even offers defence from harsh external pollutants.

Dermalogica Antioxidant HydraMist

Another benefit of bamboo is that it stimulates the skin’s own hyaluronic acid production, giving increased hydration and elasticity while tightening and firming skin, which is why Dermalogica has used it in this hydrating mist. The mist also contains ingredients which inhibit the enzymes that contribute to the breakdown of collagen, leaving your face feeling properly hydrated and nicely plumped for a more youthful appearance.

Dermalogica Thermafoliant Body Scrub

This body scrub from Dermalogica is a little different to the other products on the list, because it uses the actual stem of the bamboo, rather than extracts. The bamboo stem helps to physically exfoliate the skin to refine skin texture and brighten tone. It also contains extracts of licorice, white tea, coffeeberry and chamomile, which infuse skin with vital antioxidants, while oils of tea tree and grapefruit peel purify and refresh.