Stress isn’t just for National Stress Awareness Day

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While the first Wednesday in November each year is National Stress Awareness Day, the world is a pretty stressful place a lot of the time and it is different for us all.

You might feel irritable and impatient, nervous or depressed. There can be knots in your stomach, a sense of dread and the inability to see the good in life. Panic attacks, sleepless nights, loss of libido and feeling sick, dizzy or fainting are all ways stress can be experienced.

If we are to thrive, we need to find our own ways of coping with whatever our busy lives throw at us, so we have some ideas we hope might help.

Know your triggers
A buzz word, maybe, but it’s really good to try to access your triggers, where possible. Stress can come from many things, be that work, kids, family, friends or other people on social media! If you can identify what causes your stress, this will help you to tackle it and get things under control. Start to keep a diary of when you feel stressed, look at who or what sets it off and if a pattern emerges look at the changes you can make so things settle down.

Look at your lifestyle
Exercise is often on the bottom of our to do list, but it is a great way to manage stress. Increasing your heart rate, eating a nutritious diet, drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep are really important if you want to keep stress levels down. Just as you track your stress, look at how good you feel after a run or a swim, and how your skin improves when you swap chocolate and coffee for fruit and veg.

Pick your battles
There can be many things in life that are stressful – from a big bill, unfair boss to an angry customer, but if you react to them all you are going to be ill. Choose which things you are going to actually direct energy at and try to resolve, but the rest can be put behind you because they aren’t worth it.

Let it go
Stamp your feet, shout out loud, cry or jump up and down or do some boxing! No, we aren’t talking about toddler tantrums, but letting out your stress and steam in a more physical way. If you are feeling cross and out of control, it might just help to yell about it and get that stress out of your system.

Switch off
Turning off your phone, not checking your emails and powering down your laptop can all help put a lid on stress. You don’t need to be ‘on it’ 24/7, and no one expects you to work late every night, and if they do, maybe you need to look at how much work is impacting your life and stress levels.

Be mindful
This is talked about a lot, but mindfulness is where you have an awareness of the present moment and you pay attention to thoughts, feelings and sensations in the here and now. Mindfulness is really good for healthy mental wellbeing, so if you feel stressed, take a moment and reflect. If your mind gets busy, mindfulness can help to slow it down.

Kick the bad stuff
Smoking, drinking and binge-eating are ways many people cope with stress, but none of those toxic habits will do you any favours. Giving up cigarettes, cutting down takeaways and going to the gym rather than the pub will help you to feel better in the long run.

If things are getting out of hand, chat to your GP – you won’t be the only one.

Team Pure Beauty

Find fabulous new habits in your forties

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When you get to your forties you may well find that the habits you have formed have been with you for years, but the reality is they might not be doing your mind or body very much good. No one is perfect, including us, so we’ve looked at easy ways to get happier and healthier as you sail through your forties.

Drop the vices
We all know that smoking and drinking isn’t good for us at any age, but this really is the time to try and get things under control. Binge drinking, midnight snacks, gambling excessively and lighting up one cigarette after another will be taking a toll on your health, and wallet. So look at what’s going on and make a decision to stop, and find something better to do with your time, and money.

Have health checks
Diabetes, high cholesterol, certain cancers and heart disease are all conditions that can be detected early through routine GP visits, so book in and get a clear bill of health. If things aren’t 100% good, it’s best to know what’s happening and trying to get it fixed because if you hide you head in the sand, things could get worse and then it could be too late. You might also want to keep a watch on the menopause at this stage in your life.

Get to bed
Sleep is so important and if you don’t get enough, you can feel irritable, miserable and life can quickly get you down. You might however be finding that as you move through your forties, the ease at which you get to sleep, and the amount of time you actually sleep, will change. We would suggest you still aim to get at least seven hours of snoozing a night as this will enhance your immune system, reduce stress levels, and generally help you to cope with life better.

No tech at bedtime
Talking about sleep, the one thing we do suggest is that you don’t take your phones or devices to bed. Yes, they can help you keep connected with the world, but night time is when you need to switch off, so power down and leave those light emitting screens downstairs.

Keep sun damage away
We need to do this all of our lives, but it is critical in your forties to look after your skin if you want to keep your melanoma risks down, as these increase with age. The sun’s UV rays is one of the biggest risk factors you can control, so find a moisturiser that has sunscreen in it, and if you want to go one step further to both protect yourself from skin cancer and keep wrinkles at bay, use an SPF stand alone too!

Look after your eyes
Yes, celebrities wear sunnies all the time, but they are so much more than a fashion statement; they are a good habit to get into. So take Victoria Beckham’s lead (she’s in her forties and wearing it well) and put your sunglasses on not just in the summer, but every time you go outside, and keep your eyes safe.

Smile
Life can be hard in your forties as your kids move away and your parents fall ill, but getting into the habit of smiling and laughing during your day, can be a really good for you. Laughter boosts your mood, reduces stress, and smiling at a stranger could be the lift they also need in their day.

So, what new habits are you going to make, and which badies are you going to ditch to make your forties fabulous?

Team Pure Beauty

How to keep your smile shining

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A bright, healthy-looking smile can make a great first impression and also improves your self-confidence and overall mood.

While we all do out best to look after our teeth, they can easily become stained as a result of smoking, poor oral hygiene, and consuming certain sugary foods and drinks like tea, coffee, and red wine.

We have had a look at how can look after your teeth and ensure your smile shines the way you know it can.

Brush your teeth twice a day, everyday
Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day with a good quality fluoride toothpaste will help to remove the problem plaque that can cause bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and discolouration. Brush your teeth in a circular motion, paying attention to each tooth on all sides. Once you have finished, spit out any toothpaste residue, but don’t rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash as this will wash away the goodness of the fluoride in your toothpaste.

Don’t overbrush
Yes, brushing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth, but you need to make sure you do not overbrush as this can harm your enamel and expose the lower layers of your teeth, known as dentin. It is dentin that has a yellow tone, and it is impossible to whiten even with special toothpaste or professional teeth whitening treatments and kits. Brushing too hard can also cause your gums to recede which can make your teeth look longer, lead to increased sensitivity and, in extreme cases, tooth loss. These are things you all want to avoid, so if you have any questions about brushing, ask your dentist and they will be happy to help.

Floss, floss, floss
Remember to floss between your teeth at least once or twice a day as this can help prevent gums becoming inflamed, uncomfortable or bleeding when you brush. Use a clean section of floss or dental tape per tooth, slide it in between the teeth, and gently move it up and down to remove trapped food particles.

Use mouthwash in the morning
Mouthwash helps to kill bacteria, even in hard-to-reach areas. Use a mouthwash at least once a day, but not immediately after brushing, as this will wash away the residual fluoride from your toothpaste that helps keep teeth healthy.

Avoid sugary foods and drinks
It is a good idea to try to limit your sugar intake as much as possible for the sake of your teeth, as well as your overall health and wellbeing. If you do have it, eat it at meal times and sip plenty of water to help wash away some of the sticky residue sugar leaves behind.

Don’t smoke
Smoking can lead to bad breath, gum disease, mouth cancer, and tooth discolouration, so give it up, today and you will be so pleased you did.

Go to the dentist
It is vital that you have regular, six monthly check-ups at the dentist. Your dentist can identify problems in their early stages and advise on appropriate treatment so that your teeth and gums remain in excellent condition. Also see the hygienist as their specialist cleaning and care helps to keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy, and your smile bright and shiny.

Team Pure Beauty

Make your smile sparkle

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The dress, the crowds, the sunshine and the location were all amazing at the recent Royal wedding, but it was Meghan Markle’s stunning smile that shone for us.

While we don’t all have access to celebrity dentists and expensive treatments, with a little time, care and know how, you can keep your teeth looking great.

Yes, we all know that we need to brush our teeth twice a day and floss (not the dance) at least once a day, but there are various other things you can do to ensure excellent dental health.

Choose your paste well
From extra minty and total whitening, to breath freshening and all day protection, there is more choice than ever when it comes to toothpaste. Opt for a good quality toothpaste with fluoride that helps protect against bacteria, plaque, tartar and decay. If you want one that prevents gum disease, deals with sensitivity, protects enamel or keeps teeth white, have a chat with your dentist to see what they suggest.

Look after your toothbrush
If you want to keep your teeth clean, you need to keep your toothbrush in good condition. This means rinsing it well after brushing and keeping it in a pot in an upright position when you aren’t using it to prevent bacteria growing. It is also good practise to get a new brush every three months, and if the bristles are looking tired and frayed, it is definitely time for a change.

Brush your tongue
Yes, we know it sounds a bit gross, but tongue brushing not only keeps your teeth healthy, it can also help stop bad breath because it removes bacteria from your mouth when you brush.

Go to the dentist
Sounds obvious, but going for a check-up every six months and having regular cleans with the hygienist, are vital for good dental health. This also gives you the chance to ask any questions you have or voice concerns that have been bothering you, like bleeding gums. They can help you with a daily brushing and flossing plan suits your needs. No one really like going to the dentist, but prevention is a lot less painful than cure.

Cut down on sugar
Limiting the amount of sugar in your diet is key to preventing tooth decay. Remember sugar is hidden in many products so do be mindful of what you are eating and drinking because while a smoothie might sound healthy, it could contain a lot of tooth unfriendly sugar. Water and milk are teeth healthy and while you can drink tea, coffee and red wine, they can stain your pearly whites and leave them less than pretty.

Don’t smoke
Smoking can stain your teeth yellow, cause really bad breath and can lead to gum disease as well as other serious health problems and diseases. The best thing you can do for your teeth, and general health is to stop!

If you have any questions, speak to your dentist and they will be only too happy to help ensure your teeth are happy and healthy.

Team Pure-Beauty

Be Healthy on World Heart Day

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Did you know that 29 September is World Heart Day?

Well it is and the event came around in 2012 when world leaders together with the World Heart Federation committed to reducing global mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025.

The World Heart Federation says that cardio vascular diseases, including strokes and heart disease, are the world’s leading cause of death and claim around 17.5 million lives each year.

The thing is, not only does your heart power your whole body but it also lets you love, laugh and live life to the full, so World Heart Day is a good time to assess just how well you are treating it.

We have some easy to follow tips that will keep not only your heart, but your whole body fit and well.

Stop Smoking
One of the single best things you can do to keep your heart healthy, is to quit smoking. Smoking increases the risk of a heart attack as well as heart disease and strokes but the good news is, the moment you quit, the risks are reduced. So, why is smoking so bad for your heart? Well, firstly it affects the vessels that supply blood to your heart, damages the blood vessel walls and reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood stream. On top of this, cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals including nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide which make your heart beat, and work faster while making it harder for you to breathe. Quitting isn’t easy, but it is the best thing you can do for your health.

Look at Your Diet
A balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, protein and good fats can help maintain your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. All of these contribute to well-being and a healthy heart. Reducing the amount of salt and sugar you eat is a good idea and replacing saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats can help reduce your risk of heart disease.

Eat Fish
Eating fish at least twice a week, including a portion of oily fish, can help keep your heart healthy. Sardines, fresh tuna and salmon are all fantastic sources of healthy omega-3 fats, which can help protect against heart disease, so add them to the shopping list and enjoy with fresh veg and brown rice.

Drink Less
It might sound like we are be super-boring, but cutting down your alcohol intake can help your heart as well as your waist line. Men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week and it is good idea to have alcohol free days each week.

Be Active
Regular, moderate physical activity is great for your heart health and just 30 minutes of activity, five days a week can make a difference. Walking to the shops, cycling to work, jogging with a friend and taking a dance class will get your heart rate up and blood pumping around your body. Those feel good endorphins will also be flying around your body helping your mental health too. Also remember, if you work at a desk, get up and stretch your legs and ease your shoulders once an hour and even walking up and down the stairs will help breathe life back into your body.

Weigh In
It is believed that being overweight can increase your risk of heart disease, so keep an eye on the scales and how your jeans feel.

By combining all the lifestyle factors, we have talked about here, you should be able to find a comfortable weight, but if you are struggling, have a chat with your GP who will be able to help.

Team Pure-Beauty