Easy ways to stress less every day

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Life is busy, demands grow every day, the need to be Insta perfect plays on our minds and sometimes things can just get too much. It is just as important to look after your mental health, as it is to keep tabs on your physical wellbeing or things can start to get on top of you.

We have had a look at some simple ways you can take back control when it comes to feeling good about life and stressing less each day.

Think about how you start your day
For many people, anxiety is an issue and it can feel worse in the morning. To help with this, try to avoid activities that trigger your stress levels the moment you get up. Don’t look at your emails as soon as you wake, scroll through social media when you are at your desk and not in bed, and if coffee adds an edge, try a herbal tea and some meditation before hitting the caffeine.

List it
We aren’t talking about a to-do list, but a gratitude journal. Each day write down ten things that you’re grateful for and start to appreciate the little things we often take for granted, like family, health, food on the table and even the sun shinning. When you start to see what you do have and focus less on what you wish you had, shifts can be made and stress levels can go down.

And breath
Tuning into your breathing can make a real difference to how you feel as this really does affect your body. Think about it, when you are stressed out, your breathing becomes shorter and shallower, this can make you feel worse and a vicious cycle is set in place. Meditative breathing techniques can make a big difference to how you feel and allow you to become more relaxed and able to think straight. Start by simply taking deep, full breaths in through your nose, and exhaling slowly out of your mouth. Set aside ten minutes a day, more if you can, and just sit with your breath and feel the tension lift.

Get some exercise
Yes, we are all busy but there are real benefits for our mental health if we exercise. When you move your body releases endorphins, feel-good hormones, and when this happens it helps you to feel more energised and focused. This doesn’t mean hitting the gym twice a day or training for a marathon, but simply walking the dog, getting on your bike or taking a step class are all ways to bring good vibes into your life the natural way.

Be your own best friend
Have you ever stopped and thought about how you talk to yourself? Words like stupid, slow, lazy and failure are negative phrases we often use with ourselves, but now is the time to stop and be your own best friend and look after you.

Sleep it away
When we are tired, our worries seem to get worse and we find it harder to turn off and relax. Try to get yourself into a healthy sleep routine so you are able to give your body and mind time to recuperate and catch up. A set bedtime, having a warm bath with added essential oils, doing some yoga are all ideas that can have a positive impact on your mental health.

Live in the moment
It is all too easy to think about what went wrong in the past, or worry about the future, but why not start to enjoy and appreciate the here and now? You cannot change what has happened and we do not know what will happen tomorrow, next week or next year, so savour the moment and leave those worries at the door.

Team Pure Beauty

How to get better sleep in your life

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Sleep may seem like a bit of a waste of time because as you snooze you could be answering e-mails, doing work or swiping right, but if you don’t get enough rest, you won’t do any of these things very well.

Sleep not only refreshes you and let’s your body, brain and skin recover from the day, it can also help ease depression and anxiety, decrease the illness, help with your memory, improve your immune system, prevent weight gain and make you happier and more productive.

If you want to get more sleep, and better sleep, we have some ideas that might help.

Make exercise a priority
Regular exercise that’s part of your daily life really can help you to sleep. As well as reducing stress and relieving anxiety, exercise, whether it be cardio, strength training or yoga can improve your general wellbeing, boost your mood and help your body to wind down at the end of the day so you can sleep. We wouldn’t suggest a HIT workout at 9pm, but you might find that some gentle stretches in the evening, combined with meditation, will ease tension and get you feeling more rested.

Go for de-caff
Many of us drink caffeinated drinks as a way of staying awake and alert during the day, but the downside is that this can actually keep you awake at night. Try to stop drinking caffeine heavy coffee, tea and fizzy drinks six to eight hours before bed, sipping on water and herbal teas instead, and you will be glad you did.

Make a list
You might find that making a list of things to do the next day will stop things going around in your head when you do get into bed. Another way to end your day is to list three things you have been grateful for and this means you will see just what you have accomplished and how well you are doing in life which means there is no need to lie awake worrying.

De-stress in the evening
Having a warm bath, meditating or listening to a calming app while lying in bed are all gentle ways to get you in the mood for sleep. If you can turn off your daytime worries and switch into a more relaxed mode, it will help you to get ready for sleep.

Get into a routine
You might not think it but your body craves consistency, plus you’re more likely to get enough sleep if you schedule it in the same way you do with other important tasks in your life. Set a time when you turn off screens, have slot for taking a bath or shower and set your alarm for the next day, and if you can, get up at the same time everyday so you keep things in a pattern, even better.

Create a sleeping haven
Bed is not a place for paying bills, writing reports or watching scary movies, it is a place for peace, quiet and sleep. Have clean bedding, comfortable pillows, a decent mattress, make sure the temperature works for you, get soft lighting and black out blinds and make your bedroom a place you want to be in.

Get up and stop fretting
If you don’t fall asleep after 15 minutes, why not get up until you feel ready to drift off? Don’t turn on your phone or start answering emails, instead have a warm drink, read a book, do some yoga or meditation and try to set your mind free.

If you’re still having trouble sleeping, why not speak with your doctor and see if they can help you get back on track.

Team Pure Beauty

Freshen Up After the Gym with Pure Beauty

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bacteria, BB Cream, blemishes, botanical, clean, cleanse, conditioning, decleor, Decleor BB Cream 24 Hour Hydration SPF15, Decleor Imperfections Roll-on, dermalogica, Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash, DOMS, Elemis, Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash, Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub, Elemis Men, essential oils, exercise, extracts, facial hair, fragrant, freshen, gym, hydrate, lather, milk protein base, muscle soreness, oak bark, Panthenol, peppermint, Pro-Vitamin B5, shower, spearmint, SPF, sweat, tension, workout

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Whether you’re a regular gym goer, an occasional class-taker or someone who’s just getting into the swing of fitness, having a post-gym freshen up is absolutely essential unless you want to smell less than pleasant. If you’ve worked up a real sweat, it may feel like your regular products don’t give you that just-washedQ feeling, so we’ve put together a list of products to use after your workouts to help you to feel as fresh as a daisy:

Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash

Although this body wash from Dermalogica is completely soap-free, the unique blend of essential oils and moisturisers will not only leave your skin feeling and smelling clean, it will also soften and soothe your skin in the process. The fragrant botanical extracts provide a natural conditioning lather that gently cleanses and conditions the skin and it’s enriched with moisturising essential oils and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to leave skin smooth and supple.

Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub

If your muscles are feeling fatigued, there’s a good chance that you’re going to be dealing with DOMS (that’s ‘delayed-onset muscle soreness’, in case you were wondering) for a couple of days. Giving your arms and legs a really thorough scrub and kneading while you’re in the shower can really help to reduce the amount of time you ache for and this invigorating scrub from Elemis will only improve things further.

Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash

This facial wash from the Elemis Mens range is designed to deeply cleanse your face, getting rid of daily dirt and impurities and can even help to prevent ingrown hairs. The potent blend of oak bark, spearmint and peppermint in a unique milk protein base will leave your face feeling so clean that it tingles and it’s even great for keeping facial hair clean and soft, too.

Decleor Imperfections Roll-on

Working up a heavy sweat can play havoc with your complexion and sometimes even the best cleansing regime can’t keep blemishes at bay. This roll-on product from Decleor is designed to reduce the appearance of blemishes, kill the spot causing bacteria and soothe the skin, leaving it feeling purified and clean.

Decleor BB Cream 24 Hour Hydration SPF15

If you don’t want to slap on a full face of make-up after your post-gym shower but equally don’t want to go make-up free, this BB cream is a great alternative. As well as containing an SPF and ingredients which will hydrate your skin, it will give a light wash of colour and re-texturising effect like a primer, to give your skin a flawless appearance without feeling too made-up.

Keep calm and try Pilates

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exercise, gym, health, mats, Pilates, stress, teachers, tension, yoga

Fed up of running in the rain and sick of the sight of the swimming pool, why not try Pilates this winter?

Our foolproof guide will tell you all need to know about this popular exercise so you can decide if it is for you.

What is Pilates?
Pilates is a gentle exercise that aims to strengthen the body with specific emphasis on core strength to improve general fitness and wellbeing.

It was created by German-born Joseph Pilates who developed the exercise believing that mental and physical health were linked. Pilates immigrated to the US in the 1920s where he opened New York studio and taught for many years but his legacy lives on today in studios around the world.

I have heard about apparatus and mat work, what is the difference?
Mat work can be done on the floor alone or it can incorporate equipment such as hand weights, stretch bands, gym balls and foam rollers all of which can add intensity to a workout. The Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Spine Corrector and Ladder Barrel are all equipment designed by Joseph Pilates that are part of the plan.

Who can do Pilates?
One the great things about Pilates is that it is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. From total beginners to professional ballet dancers, the exercises can be tailored to each student so they can challenge their body and build strength.

We do suggest that before starting a new exercise regime that you talk to your GP about any health concerns or injuries.

What should I wear?
The key thing when doing Pilates is to be comfortable. Many people go for gym clothes but soft, cotton breathable trousers and a cool t-shirt or top are perfect for a beginner finding their feet.

What do I get out of Pilates?
Practicing Pilates on a regular basis can help improve balance, joint mobility, muscle tone and posture. It is also an excellent way to focus the breath to relieve stress and tension.

Can Pilates help reduce back pain?
There has been research and evidence that claims Pilates can offer pain relief to people with non-specific lower back pain. Using apparatus offers support someone with back pain but for these to be effective, they need to be tailored to the individual by a qualified health professional. Do remember that most Pilates teachers are not medically qualified and therefore they aren’t able to prescribe medicines, treat injuries or offer therapy.

Can Pilates help me lose weight?
As Pilates is a muscle-strengthening activity, it can help maintain a healthy weight. Some classes are gentle and others are more dynamic and offer a harder workout. If you are looking to lose weight, it is best to combine Pilates with a more aerobic activity like cycling, running or swimming as these increase the heart rate and help improve fitness.

Can Pilates cause injury?
In general, injuries are uncommon because Pilates is a low-impact exercise. The key thing is to find a qualified teacher and a class suited to your level of fitness and ability.

What’s the difference between Pilates and Yoga?
Pilates and Yoga are both exercise methods intended to develop balance, flexibility, posture, strength and promote mindful breathing and both connect between physical and mental health. With yoga there is more of a focus on relaxation and meditation is key to this discipline. Pilates can be done using apparatus and mats, whereas classic yoga doesn’t require equipment. The exercises in Pilates flow without the static poses associated with yoga.

How do I know which class is right for me?
Pilates is taught in gyms, village halls, parks and small studios decked out with professional equipment. Classes are taught in small groups or on a one-to-one basis and tend to last between 45 and 60 minutes.

There is currently no legal requirement to be registered or have a Pilates qualification. However, experienced teachers tend to have a minimum of 450 teacher-training hours and there is a recognised level 3 qualification for mat-based Pilates teaching.

As well as looking at experience, it is also a good idea to try a class, see if you like the teacher’s approach and rapport with the students and maybe ask others what they think.

Once you have found a teacher you like, take time to get used to the exercises and find your Pilates comfort zone and we are pretty confident you will enjoy it and find many benefits.