How to put social media boundaries in place

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While social media can be a place to bring people together and share ideas and dreams, it can also lead us down a darker path and take over life.

There might be a sense of community online, but the combination of overuse and the constant need for attention and validation can be detrimental to mental wellness and distracting when it comes to productivity.

We have some top tips around how you can set up your boundaries, so you keep safe online and take what you need from social media and keep the rest away.

Set time limits
Have a think about how long you are spending on social media at the moment each day and then consider what a reasonable amount of time might be.

Two hours?
An hour?
Thirty minutes?

This is for you to decide and we are all going to be different, but what is key here is that once you choose a time limit, stick to it. Keep an eye on your watch, and look at what else you are able to do that brings you back into the real world. Facebook will still be there when you go back and that Twitter DM can wait.

Kick toxicity to the curb
If you are reading posts from a person who is always negative or are in a group that is toxic, get away. We don’t need that in our lives be that in person or online, so go through your feeds, work out what and who aren’t doing you any favours and walk away. No need for this to be a drama, just let things slip away and feel good vibes come back.

Be positive
It’s an oldie but a goodie but “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” is relevant when it comes to social media. Even if you’re speaking out against something, this can be done in a positive way if you offer alternative ideas and solutions rather than just throwing open a bag full of criticism. “I have another” can prevent discussions from becoming nasty and let you pass on your thoughts in a constructive way. Or, just move on and keep your thoughts to yourself rather than plastering it across IG for all to see.

Don’t give it all away
You might be having a bad day, you could’ve won the lottery, and your boss might have annoyed you, but you don’t have to put everything out there online. Yes, be part of the conversation but given that we don’t share everything in real life, you don’t want to let strangers know what’s up every second of the day.

Unplug
Checking social media can be a really bad habit, and an addictive one, but you do have a choice to decide when and how often you use it (see point one). Make one afternoon a week, or one day at the weekend a social media free zone and let your mind wander onto other things. Get outside, meet real friends, watch a movie or go to the beach and let the online world go on without you.

Team Pure Beauty

How to Detox Your Wardrobe

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With Dry January out of the way and your body akin to a temple (right?), February is the perfect time to go ahead and detox your wardrobe.

Why not spend some time this month looking at what you have, and what you might need, and to get really organised so you look fresh and polished from now right through to the summer.

Set aside a morning or afternoon when you can turn the phone off and just get on with the job in hand! Put it in your diary and stick to it.

Ready? Let’s go.

The six-month rule
If you haven’t worn something in your wardrobe in the past six months, the chances are, you won’t wear it again. This is a time to be honest and ruthless so as you go through your clothes, make three piles – keep, sell, and give away. Those bright pink skinny jeans, the fluffy bomber jacket and those lime green cowboy boots didn’t work for a reason, so don’t hang onto them just incase.

Quality over quantity
You might feel good knowing your wardrobe is bursting open with hundreds of items, but how many do you actually wear and really like? You might not believe us, but having 30 pieces you really love to wear will make your clothes work so much better for you. By doing this you can also see what is missing and what you need to buy, if anything.

It’s a matter of jeans
OK, how many pairs of jeans do you have in your wardrobe? 5, 10, 15…..more???? Jeans are a staple but one that is hard to crack. They need to be the right length, colour, shape, style and only then are they perfect. Cropped jeans elongate legs and there is nothing like a flash of ankle, mid-risers are hip flatterers and skinnies work on so many levels. See which ones fit, get rid of the ones that don’t, and buy a couple of new pairs that make you look, and feel, amazing.

Jump to it
Come rain or shine, winter or spring, fine knits in black, grey and navy are essentials, end of. They are the most versatile items in your wardrobe, so it pays to invest in the best you can afford. They can be worn with tailored trousers for a smart casual look, match them with those perfect jeans you have found, or pop over a dress and you look as if you have pulled a new skirt out of the wardrobe!

Stripes
Whether you are 13, 30 or 83, a long-sleeved Breton t-shirt will always be your fashion friend. They are brilliant to wear with trainers and jeans on the school run or pop under a jacket and you have a more tailored look that will work well for a meeting with clients or lunch with friends.

Go by the seasons
When you are organising your wardrobe, do it by the seasons. As we are in the middle of winter, you can pack away bikinis, kaftans, flip flops and straw hats – wrap them in tissue paper with moth balls, and store away until the snow has thawed and spring is in the air. You want everything else, to be visible so you can grab, and go.

Be an outfit builder
If you want the clothes you have kept to really work for you, create three outfits from each item you have kept. For example, that long-sleeved floral maxi dress can be worn alone, add a jumper and boots and you have a daytime staple, and if you layer with a fine knit and fake fur gillet, you have a boho look that Sienna Millar would be proud to be seen in.

Fold or hang?
If you want them to keep their shape, always fold knits, t-shirts and jeans. You can either layer them in a chest of drawers or get storage accessories that hang in your wardrobe. Trousers and skirts can be hung on clip hangers and for dresses, go for slim hangers. The golden rule with hanging is that you should be able to fit two fingers between each hanger, and this way your clothes don’t get crushed or lost in a blur of fabric.

Sort it out
If you have taken the time to find the clothes that work for you, it is worth sorting them out in a way that works too. Hang dresses, jackets and shirts together, and then have subcategories of work, home, gym, out-out and if you want to go one step further, complete with a spot of colour coordination.

So, now you know what you have to wear, you just need to fill your diary with events to go to.

Team Pure Beauty

Make January Magical

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We bet you don’t often think of January as being a magical month?

Credit card bills, back to work and a bulging waistline often get in the way of enjoy the New Year, but why not turn things round and see this as an exciting first chapter the next part of your life?

We have had a look at how you can turn what many people thing is the hardest month of the year, into something special.

Get lost in a good book
Step away from the Kindle, go into town and have a browse the shelves of your local bookshop or library. From chic lit to poetry and thrillers to biographies, there really is something for everyone. Reading lets you escape from the trappings of modern life and an hour or two away from social media and news feeds, has to be a good thing.

Go on a mini break
In true Bridget Jones style, pack your overnight bag and get away from it all. You don’t have to spend a fortune as there are many offers around for hotels and spas around, but a traditional seaside B&B can be just the escape you need. Long walks by the sea, tea and scones by a roaring fire and fish and chips out of the paper watching the sunset could be the perfect antidote to the January blues.

Write it down
They say we all have a book inside of us, why not use January to get that novel down on paper? You might not do it all in one go, but making a start on a kid’s tale or sci-fi story, rather than bingeing on box-sets will give you a creative outlet and you never know, you might produce the next bestseller?

Cook up a feast
Yes, we know we are meant to step away from the cakes and cookies, but January is the perfect time to look at nourishing your body with healthy food rather than punishing it with a detox. From stews and soups to curries and fresh bread, you can use the dark nights to brush up on your cookery skills and with some candles on the table and music in the background you can have friends over for a quiet night of catching up and making plans.

Take a picnic outside
When the sun comes out, pack a picnic, get your wellies and dine alfresco this January. Yes, you might need thermals and gloves, but there is something magical about walking in the crisp countryside and breathing in crystal clear air – take a flask of hot chocolate and you will be warm and toasty.

Plot and plan
There is nothing like a beautiful diary or pretty notebook to start a new chapter in your life. Rather than getting depressed about the parties and presents being over, use January to look ahead and plan your future. Dreams are great, but working on making them a reality can be exciting and inspiring.

Whatever you do this January, make it your most magical ever.

Team Pure-Beauty

The Best Revenge is Perfect Skin

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Image Source: http://bit.ly/2n3ZFzv (CC0 Licence)

A break-up, especially if it’s a bad one, can wreak havoc on your health and appearance – time spent crying into a pillow, eating comfort food and re-watching Bridget Jones’ Diary is never good for your complexion. However, everyone knows that the best way to get over a break-up is to move on, looking FAB-U-LOUS whilst doing so, so we thought we’d take a look at some products which will help you to go from sad-sack to bounce-back in no time at all.

Elemis Absolute Eye Mask

When you spend a lot of time crying, the tissue around the eyes ends up literally engorged with extra moisture, leaving your eyes looking puffy and red, so you’re going to want to use something to take that puffiness away. Elemis Absolute Eye Mask is applied around the eye contour and removed after ten minutes, during which time it hydrates, nourishes and revitalises the delicate eye area, banishing swelling and redness for good.

Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak

Let’s face it, spending hours and hours crying and feeling upset can be utterly exhausting and by the time the tears have passed, you often feel like you’ve run a marathon. Treating your body to a revitalising soak in a botanical bath is a must, and this muscle soak from Elemis is the perfect product. It contains rosemary, juniper, thyme and clove to soothe the muscles, stimulate circulation and lift your mood.

Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush

Giving your body a thorough exfoliation is a brilliant way to feel fresh and new, as well as helping to slough away dead skin cells and reveal the new cells beneath. This brush from Elemis is designed to disperse cellulite, buff the skin, stimulate circulation and new cell growth and just generally help you to scrub your way to glowing skin.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Night Cream

Sleep is an excellent tool against dull, ageing skin and bolstering your defenses is always a good thing. Using this night cream from Elemis will actively resurface your skin while you sleep by stimulating the skin’s cell renewal, uncovering younger looking skin and ridding your face of lines and imperfections.

Elemis De-Stress Massage Oil

Massage is the ultimate way to relax and this oil from Elemis has been specially designed to help to melt away your stress. A combination of rosewood, melissa, marjoram, geranium, rosemary, lavender and chamomile form a unique blend which will unknot tight muscles, deeply moisturise the skin and soothe your senses, leaving you feeling more relaxed and ready to move on with your life.

Take a digital detox

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Unplug.

Disconnect to connect.

Digital detox.

We’re pretty sure you’ve heard these terms being used a lot recently but doing this can be tough.

With so many of us being slaves to screens, living life through a lense and being online pretty much 24/7, stepping away from devices might seem impossible.

The truth of the matter is that sometimes it is exactly what you need to do in-order to reconnect with the real world.

It might seem scary to go digital free but it is pretty easy and we have broken it down to so you can give it a go.

Make a date
There is no point in deciding to go screen free on Monday morning when your schedule is busy and inbox is full. Go for a weekend or during a holiday and put it in your diary so you don’t forget or double book.

Set the time
If you are permanently glued to your screen, going cold turkey for a week might not work for you. Just like a New Year’s resolution, you need to make this achievable so that you keep going and succeed. Go for a balance between realistic and challenging, which could be an hour without emails, turning your phone off at 8pm or only playing computer games at the weekend. You want it to make a difference to your life, in a good way so you can feel the benefits.

Set boundaries
We set boundaries for so many things in life, why not do the same with digital devises? Think about exactly what you want to cut down on, not just during a detox but also in life generally. Is it the volume of junk and joke emails, the constant stream of TV in the house or your over use of social media? If you think about this to start with you will soon see a way out of life glued to a glowing screen.

Plan something special
Taking a break from all things digital means you are free to return to real life. Spend time with family and friends and really focus on the here and now. During your break maybe plan to have a meal with your partner, go for a walk with the kids, play tennis or have a facial – all without checking your phone every five minutes.

Get outside
We aren’t talking about walking around the shoppings or sitting in a pub garden, but really going outside and taking in the beauty of your surroundings. Spending time outdoors – whether it is going for a jog, having a game of rounders or a picnic on the beach – is good for the soul and will help you detox on many levels. Good old-fashioned fresh air and sunshine stimulate Vitamin D and being at one with nature will take away stresses and make you feel happier and calmer.

Go old school
Cast your mind back to your childhood and bring out the board games, packs of cards, books and even colouring books and remember just how simple life used to be.

Eat well
A digital detox is also a great opportunity to prepare and eat healthy, wholesome food. A seasonal salad with sweet potato wedges, fresh fish, green smoothies, humus, fruit salads and iced water are all fantastic options that will leave you feeling satisfied and cleansed.

Learn
After your digital detox don’t run to your iPhone or add a clever status on Facebook straight away, but instead take time to think about how you have felt whilst free from the shackles of screens.

• What did you learn?
• What did you like?
• What did you miss and why?
• When will you do it again?

We are pretty sure that after a little time out you will start to see that too much screen time could be stopping your from being your best you.

Plan a regularly digital detox – weekly if you can – and you’ll be amazed at how different you’ll feel.