Free your mind

Tags

21st century, aced it, anxious, best friend, bigger picture, bottle, brain, breath, breathing, brisk walk, changes, chill out, close friend, count to ten, desk based jobs, destructive, dwell, endorphins, enjoy, every day, face to face, focus, free fall, free your mind, fresh air, fun, harder and harder, harsh, heart beat, ideas, inside, interview, job, jump to conclusions, laugh, Life is short, Live in the moment, living, long hours, look, make a list, manageable chunks, missing out, mode, month, more to life, mum, new job, on the ball, on trend, one step, over worked, partner, positive, quick swim, regroup, Relax, revolves, right now, sit back, situation, social media, step back, stop, stressed, talk, think back, time, tired, tomorrow, under paid, week, work, world, worst-case scenarios, you

Stressed?

Over worked and under paid?

Tired?

Anxious?

Far from being words that are banded around for the sake of it, for many of us this is the reality of 21st century living.

We are expected to be on the ball, on trend and down with the kids 24/7 and sometimes, things can get a bit too much.

We have put together some easy ideas of how to free your mind so you can relax and chill out once in a while rather than constantly having your brain in free fall mode.

Breath
Before you do anything else, sit back, count to ten and breath. Focus on your breathing, feel the air go into your body and out and just stop for a few minutes and regroup.

Talk
After breathing, comes talking. If you bottle everything up, then it is only going to get worse and seem harder and harder to deal with. Open up to your partner, mum or a close friend and they may have ideas about how you can make changes and find a positive way forwards.

Live in the moment
Whatever is making you anxious right now, isn’t going to last. Breakdown what is bothering you into manageable chunks and tackle it one step at a time. For example, if you are moving house you might feel overwhelmed, but step back, make a list, work out what needs to be done and if you can, delegate.

Not this again
If you are worried about an interview, think back and see if was the same the last time you went for a new job? If it was, and you got the job, what are you worried about? You aced it last time and we bet it will be the same the time round too.

It’s not all about you!
Harsh we know, but not everything that happens in this world is about you. Yes we can all feel put upon or have our sensitive days, but thinking every situation revolves around you in some way can be really destructive and you could be missing out on a lot of fun.

Look at the bigger picture
Ask yourself whether the issue that is on your mind right now will still be there tomorrow, in a week or in a month. It is unlikely it will be, so regroup, relax and look at what is going on in the world and see there is more to life than a difficult boss or messy flatmate.

Preparing for the worst
I will lose my job. He is going to dump me. She doesn’t want to be my best friend anymore. We tend to jump to conclusions and dwell on the worst-case scenarios and this can lead to stress and depression. It is far better to talk to the person involved face to face and find out what is really going on before you make yourself ill believing the world is about to end.

Take some exercise
Social media, long hours and desk based jobs mean many of us get less exercise than ever. Try to get some fresh air every day and even if you have a brisk walk or a quick swim, your heart beat will go up and the endorphins will pump good vibes around your body.

Laugh
If nothing else, remember to laugh. Life is short so make the most of it and enjoy every single day you have.

Team Pure Beauty

Eat for the skin you are in

Tags

a nutritional powerhouse, acne, age, almonds, antioxidant, Brazil nuts, candida, day, dry skin, eggs, firmer, flawless, formation of collagen, fresh fruit and vegetables, ginger, good fats, green tea, gut, healthy life cycle, lycopene, mackerel, menu, mushrooms, oats, olive oil, plumper, porride, production of hyaluronic acid, Relax, salmon, sardines, seafood, skin, soothes, sunflower seeds, UV damage, Vitamin E, wholegrains, youthful complexion

Just as there are certain beauty products that work best for different skin types, there are also foods that feed your complexion depending on what it needs.

The basis of a healthy diet is a balance of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, good fats and plenty of water are is good for us, you can then add certain foods to correct and enhance your skin depending on your specific needs.

If you have acne or blemish prone skin, zinc is your food friend as it helps reduce the production of oil and influence hormones. Pumpkin seeds are a fantastic source of zinc as are Brazil nuts, eggs, oats, mushrooms, ginger and seafood all of which are available in supermarkets and easy to add meals and snacks.

Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to help control inflammation so eating oily fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel as well as flaxseed and walnuts can calm acne.

Acne is associated with candida. Eating raw garlic, which contains the anti-fungal natural medicine, allicin, alongside salads, steamed vegetables and eggs can help clear the gut ease the candida and in turn calm your skin.

A vitamin D deficiency can also lead to skin problems, therefore consuming beta-carotenoid foods like sweet potatoes, squashes and carrots can give you the A boost you need.

You can suffer from dry skin at any time of your life but adjusting your diet can help you get your glow back. A great place to start is with oily fish, like mackerel, which contain the fatty acids that nourish the skin and help lock in moisture. If you have dry skin and really want to benefit from your diet, also up you intake of magnesium as this fantastic mineral helps the body make the most of those essential oils.

Avocadoes not only taste great but they are packed with Vitamin E, a nutritional powerhouse when it comes to dry skin. Vitamin E can also be found in almonds, olive oil, sunflower seeds and peaches so it is pretty each to get it into your daily diet.

Green leafy veg are rich in Vitamin C and magnesium help with the formation of collagen and production of hyaluronic acid – both of which are vital when it comes to nourishing your skin.

As we age it shows on our face faster than anywhere else, but food can be the key to a youthful complexion. Let’s start with the simple tomatoe. Not only are they packed with the collagen building Vitamin C that makes your skin look firmer and plumper, they also contain lycopene, which protects the skin from UV rays and damage. Oats are great for your skin as the contain a natural plant chemical that helps prevent damage to skin cells and soothes irritation, so start your day with a bowl of porridge and beauty boosting blueberries and anti-ageing almonds.

Sipping green tea isn’t only a good way to relax for ten minutes, but it is full of the antioxidants that assist with a healthy skin life cycle. Not many people know this but you can dab cold green tea on your skin and use it as a fantastic antioxidant moisturiser.

We have mentioned, avocadoes, fish and nuts already but if you are looking at flawless skin at any age, put these on the menu and you won’t regret it.

Team Pure-Beauty

Happiness Hacks for 2017

Tags

2017, aunt, bath, bed, bike, birthday, blender, blog, cake, cinema, clothese, control, credit card, CV, date, day, diary, dog, Facebook, friends, gossip, happy, husband, January, journal, letter, level, library, life, lipstick, live it, local, meditate, mum, news, pop, red, Relax, run, short, sister, sleeping rough, smile, smoothies, social media, sore, sunshine, Vitamin C, volunteer

We know that a start of a new year can be a time when many of us make endless resolutions so we can be the very best we can.

The thing is, January is cold and dark and even with the best will in the world, getting out of bed in the dark and running 10 miles to be super fit, can be, well, miserable.

So we have come up with a list of 50 really easy things you can do to make yourself happy in 2017 and to be honest, that’s what really matters.

1. Smile.
2. Write down three good things for each day in a journal – even on the hardest of days there is something good.
3. Plan something fun to do each weekend.
4. Don’t gossip.
5. Say hello to your neighbours.
6. Listen to your favourite song, everyday.
7. Have a bath before you go to bed.
8. Call your mum, sister, aunt, husband once in a while rather than just texting.
9. Eat clean, or at least eat healthy.
10. Go for a walk at lunchtime.
11. Read a book.
12. Donate to charity and give back.
13. Really listen when someone is talking to do.
14. Skip the news.
15. Make a cake and eat it fresh from the over.
16. Light candles.
17. Get a dog.
18. Take up a new sport.
19. Don’t have the argument.
20. Clear out the clutter.
21. Send birthday cards don’t just post a message on Facebook.
22. Drink hot water and lemon when you wake up.
23. Don’t pop that spot on your chin, it’ll make it red and sore.
24. Become a volunteer for a local cause close to your heart.
25. Get on your bike and peddle your way to fitness.
26. Have a manicure and feel polished.
27. Turn the TV off and do something less boring instead.
28. Start a blog.
29. Wear a new lipstick.
30. Don’t keep anything for best, life is short, live it.
31. Go out in the sunshine and up your Vitamin D levels the next way.
32. Tell someone you love them.
33. Make use of your local library.
34. Don’t gossip.
35. Get a blender and make your own smoothies full of goodness and health benefits.
36. Sign up for a challenge and stick to it.
37. Meditate everyday, you will feel the benefits and it will become a part of your routine.
38. Book a spa day for you and a friend and really relax as you catch up.
39. Update your CV and get the job you have always really wanted.
40. Ask your man to marry you – it isn’t a leap year but take control and get a date in the diary.
41. Host a party and let your hair down.
42. Apply to be on a talent show.
43. Go on a digital detox and leave the world of social media behind, even for a few hours.
44. Book a holiday and have something amazing to look forward to.
45. Have a make over and only wear the clothes you love and the ones that make you feel great.
46. Pay off that credit card bill.
47. Write a letter.
48. Buy lunch for someone who is sleeping rough.
49. Go to the cinema in the middle of the day.
50. Smile, did we say that already?

You see, all easy to do and all with great potential for making you happy.

Happy 2017.

Team Pure-Beauty

Sit back and do nothing

Tags

100%, coffee, dream, drink, ease, go, happy, laptop, meditate, neighbour, nothing, pressure, Relax, screens, sleeping, stress, three good things, tired, TV, yourself

Are you always on the go?

Feel stressed most of the time?

Need an extra day in the week?

Feel tired mid-afternoon, however much coffee you drink?

Have trouble sleeping?

Constantly rushing from one thing to another?

Feel as if you never give anything 100%?

Stop, for just a moment and try to remember the last time you sat down and did nothing?

Yes, that’s right, nothing.

Bet you can’t remember?

Bet you feel uncomfortable just thinking about it?

Many of us are busy juggling hectic careers, family and friends and don’t get time to do anything for ourselves. Whilst we know we should relax, most of us don’t.

“I rarely sit on my own and relax, it just feels, well, lazy.”
Jo

“I dream of having a morning off to do nothing but with the school run, a dog to walk, home to run and family to look after, it really is just a dream.”
Sam

“I have exams coming up, a new boyfriend as well as a busy job and lots of friends. Sometimes I just wish I could run away and escape from the pressure for an hour, but I can’t, can I?”
Talia

Whilst you might think that doing nothing is a waste if time, it really isn’t. Making time for yourself to do nothing can help improve your life, ease your stress and in the long run, make you happier and more productive.

We’ve got some easy ideas that we hope will help you sit back and relax, so you can reflect and refresh.

Take stock
This doesn’t have to take up hours and hours but by stopping for ten minutes a day and seeing where you are, you can really make progress. Find somewhere quite where you can time out and reflect. Whether this is in your living room, bedroom or even in the shed, for a little time each day, go there when you want to stop and start to feel calm again.

Drop the gadgets
We are becoming increasingly dependent on our screens and that can actually add to our stresses and pressures. Once a day, and not just at bedtime switch off your phone, laptop or TV and for ten minutes enjoy being incommunicado. We have come to think we can only exist when we are switched on when in reality it is almost the opposite. Give it a go, we think you might like it.

Three good things
Rather than focusing on the bad in life, try to come up with three good things that have happened every day. A promotion, coffee with a friend, sunshine or even a chat with your neighbour – if it makes you smile and helps you connect with the world, and yourself, write it down. Before long it will become part of your routine and however tough your day has been, you will see still the good in it.

Meditate
Meditating is a fantastic way to clear your mind and simply be at one with your thoughts. Sit quietly, close your eyes if you wish, and then focus on your breathing. As you breath in and out let go of your work and family worries and start feeling lighter as you enjoy a moment of stillness.

Turn the lights down
You will never sleep well if you go to bed buzzing. Try not to eat late at night and avoid caffeine in the evening it you can as these can both keep you awake. Run a warm bath, light candles and relax in the bath before getting into bed and leave your day far behind you.

The only thing you’ve got to do now, is decide when to get started doing nothing.

Beat the Sunday Night Blues

Tags

24/7, afternoon, cold, dark, favourite, Friday, happy, meditate, Monday, movie, Relax, Special, Sunday, TV, work, yoga

As we hit the last month of the year, the Sunday night blues are hitting hard as the thought of getting up on a Monday morning and making your way to work in the cold and dark makes you want to hide under the duvet.

In a recent survey by Monster.com, 78% of people said they experience “Sunday Night Blues” with nearly half saying it really gets them don’t.

Whilst we know it can be hard to shake that sinking feeling off, we have some easy to follow tips that can allow you to enjoy all of your weekend rather than spending it dreading the week ahead.

Switch Off
Whilst it is possible to be connected to work 24/7 connectivity, you don’t have to be. You are busy enough checking emails and phones call during your 9 – 5 (or 8 – 8) so at the weekend your need to switch off. We all know it is easy to check in incase of an emergency but the weekend is precious time off so switch off any work devices and relax – if something really bad happens, someone, somewhere will be able to contact you.

Plan Your Week Ahead
Don’t just save fun times for the weekend or you are setting yourself up for a mid-week fall. Plan things to look forward to during the week that will give you something other than work to focus on. We’re not talking anything amazing here but seeing a friend for dinner, tuning in for your favourite TV show, lunch away from your desk and planning a date night. You might think this won’t do anything but with the scheduled in the diary it will help make the week as fun as the weekend.

Make Friday Afternoon the New Monday Morning
Might sound crazy when all you want to do is forget about work but set aside some time on Friday to prepare for Monday. By doing this you can have things organised on your desk, a new to do list, your diary sorted and then on Sunday night your mind will be less likely to race and think about what you have to do at 9am the next day.

Make Sunday Special
Rather than using Sunday for chores and admin, instead, start to make Sunday a time to look forward to. Make it a date night, go out and see a film with a bucket of popcorn, cook a roast dinner, invite people over and really make the most of your day off. Whatever you do, put it in the diary, make it fun and stick to it and don’t think about work or the week ahead of you.

Relax before bed
With preparations for Monday complete, to keep your mind off the blues create a soothing end to Sunday night. Whether you meditate, do some yoga, read a book or have a hot bath; do something relaxing before you hit the pillow and go into a restful sleep. If you really can’t sleep, don’t lie there getting increasingly anxious, instead get up, have a warm drink, listen to some music and then try again.