How to eat for a less stressed life

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They say you are what you eat, and this is so true when it comes to our stress levels.

Not only is stress linked to serious physical health issues like heart disease, a poor immune system and digestive problems, but it plays a significant factor when it comes to our mental wellbeing.

You might not know this, but eating a balanced, nutritious diet isn’t only good for your body but it’s key for your brain, too.

Food can also affect our hormones, so eating well will help you to keep your cool and you’ll find that the more of the right stuff you eat, the less of the bad stuff you will feel.

We have had a look at some ideas that could help you get a better balance in your life and help the world to look like a better place.

Keep your blood sugar levels steady
This step is so important and can be done if you start to swap sugary and starchy foods for complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats as these are more satisfying and keep things balanced. Sweet potato and broccoli (complex carbs) with salmon (healthy fats and protein) make a great meal for lunch or dinner and will not only fill you up but also keep things steady so your stress levels don’t though the roof. Celery sticks with hummus, a handful of nuts, and a banana with some almond butter are all great snacks that will keep stress away, and if you start your day with porridge, you are onto a winner.

Get your B vitamins
You might not know this, but B vitamins are brilliant because they help your adrenal glands deal with stress. Luckily for us, they are everywhere and in everything from wholegrains, eggs and meat to nuts and seeds. If you can try to eat more of these wholesome, nourishing foods, your stress levels will thank you.

Make time for magnesium
Magnesium is great for helping your body to deal with stress, it is thought that a magnesium deficiency can be linked to anxiety. If you want to boost your magnesium intake, it’s pretty easy – just pile your plate with broccoli, eggs, spinach and pumpkin seeds and if you are worried you aren’t getting enough, take a supplement and let the goodness calm you down.

Cut back on stimulants
We do take them on board so easily, that we forget just how much stimulants can make our stress levels worse. If you love tea and coffee because it powers you up, that’s ok, but try to have just one or two cups a day, rather than ten.

Those energy drinks, even the sugar free ones, are full of nasties that can make you feel as if your heart is racing and your stress levels are off the scale, so cut them out.
If you find yourself needing a caffeine hit, get it the natural way and go for green tea instead – it contains a compound called l-theanine which helps you feel calmer, and the warmth will soothe you but your stress levels won’t go through the roof.

Keep hydrated
One of the best things you can do for your mind and body, is to drink plenty of water. We know we say this a lot, but that’s because it’s true. Starting the day with a cup of warm water and lemon can really help to kick start your system and clear away the toxins from the night before. Carry a bottle of water with you on the go (a reusable one of course) and fill it up when you are running low, adding lemon, lime and ice for taste. As well as a glass on your desk or at your workstation, also try out herbal and fruit teas as an alternative to the skinny, double shot, extra hot flat white that will set your nerves on edge and add to your stress levels.

Managing your diet is key to helping with stress, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed and things are getting out of hand, it’s really important to speak to someone or seek professional support, you don’t have to struggle alone.

Team Pure Beauty

Add a gel product to your basket

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Gels used to be saved for those sticky hair products that kept quiffs in place, but took an age to wash out!

Today there are a whole multitude of cool gel products on the market that help your skin look and feel better than ever. At Pure Beauty we sell some gorgeous gel offerings from iconic brands that really work, and today we are bringing just some of them to you.

The Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask helps refine the skin’s surface, something we often need in the middle of winter. The highly active gel-based mask targets fine lines and helps balance sebum levels without upsetting your skin’s natural pH balance. After the very first use, your skin will feel instantly smoother, it will be shine free, firmer and you will look more radiant.

When you think about night products, you generally go for a rich cream, but this isn’t the case with the Dermalogica Sleep Sound Cocoon Night Gel-Cream. Relatively new to the site, this gorgeous treatment not only cares for your skin, but promotes sleep too. Tamarind Seed Extract promotes natural hydration, Persian Silk Tree Extract reduces signs of fatigue and Wu-Zhu-Yu Extract means your skin looks alive when you wake after a good rest.

Hours spent looking at a computer screen, scrolling through social media and long nights can leave our eyes feeling a little tired and looking a little sad. To get to the heart of the matter, we suggest you try the Elemis Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel which instantly refreshes and soothes the eye area. Sugar Beet Extract, Yeast and Golden Root have been help reduce tiredness, and thanks to Olivine Extract, which is rich in the Magnesium that helps to reduce the effect of stress on the skin, you are left looking revitalised!

Skin needs to be clean, to be healthy, and one way to do this is to use the Jan Marini C-ESTA Cleansing Gel. This potent Vitamin C cleaner, can be used on all skin types and the cool gel turns into a luxurious lather that washes away make up and dirt, to leave you with noticeably softer, more refined skin and a healthy glow.

In the winter, a hot bath might sound great, but a warm shower with the Elemis Revitalise-Me Shower Gel is way better for your skin. Elemis have mixed a blend of Thyme, Basil and Neroli essential oils to create an uplifting shower gel that takes care of your body and senses.

It might be winter but the air is full of dirt and grime, so why not try the Decleor Anti-Pollution Hydrating Gel-Cream? Enriched with Moringa Olifeira Extract, this easy to apply gel-cream not only hydrates skin but also creates a protective layer against pollution particles. The gel has added oils as well as extracts of anti-inflammatory Centella Asiatica so you are left with a beautiful, smooth, luminous complexion which has to be something to smile about.

For more information about these, and all our gel products, get in touch and we would love to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Nuts about nuts

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Nuts are most certainly nature’s way of proving that good things come in small packages.

Nuts are quite literally bite-size nutritional powerhouses that are packed with heart-healthy fats, minerals, protein and vitamins.

We know nuts are high in fat and calories, but as long as you don’t eat handfuls and avoid the ones coated in sugary, salty toppings, adding nuts to your diet can help your health.

So, let’s get the lowdown on what’s good when it comes to nuts.

Almonds
Almonds are a great choice because that are high in Vitamin E, a nutrient that feeds your skin and keeps it looking plump and healthy. The benefits don’t end there, because they also contain bone building calcium making them perfect for anyone who doesn’t eat dairy products. Add almonds to your cereal and make sure you keep the skin on because it is full of the heart-protecting compounds flavonoids.

Brazil Nuts
Talk to most people and they will know someone with a deficient thyroid. If this is you, you need Brazil nuts in your life. Brazil nuts are a fantastic good source selenium, the mineral that is needed to produce the active thyroid hormone that keeps you in good health. Selenium also helps keep your immune system strong and just three or four nuts a day are all you need for good mineral levels.

Chestnuts
You might not know this, but raw chestnuts are a fabulous source of Vitamin C. They also have the lowest calorie and fat count of all nuts but are still rich in starchy carbs and fibre. While they are lower in protein than other nuts they do still contain B vitamins including B6 which helps keep hormones balanced and healthy. Fresh and roasted chestnuts make a healthy snack and ground chestnut flour is delicious when used for baking.

Macadamias
Macadamias are delicious and found in many dishes, and while they have a high fat content this is the healthy mono-unsaturated variety type. They are a rich source of and contain magnesium, calcium and potassium, so enjoy them but in small amounts.

Pecans
If you want to keep your heart in tip-top condition, the mere pecan can be your friend because they are full of compounds that help lower cholesterol levels. They are also antioxidant-rich and contain oleic acid, the healthy fat you also get in avocado and olives. If you get tired, you’ll benefit from snacking on pecans as they are crammed full of energy giving Vitamin B3, so enjoy.

Walnuts
We love walnuts because they are jam-packed with cancer fighting antioxidants and are a brilliant source of mono-unsaturated, heart-friendly fats. If that wasn’t enough, they omega-3 rich so great for a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle.

So, the next time you are in the supermarket, add some nuts to your basket and snack the healthy way.

Team Pure-Beauty