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

Easy ways to boost the heart you love

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Valentine’s Day may have been and gone, but you still need to look after your heart and keep it healthy and strong if you want to live well.

On the go food, desk jobs and social media scrolling can all lead to a life that isn’t so great for your heart.

We aren’t here to spoil the fun or lay down the law, but we have some easy to implement ideas that could help you to boost your heart health and lead a better, fitter, happier life in 2020.

Look at portion sizes
The extra-large hot chocolate with cream, the super-size fizzy drink at the cinema and just one more slice of cake might taste good, but the additional calories, sugar and fat could play havoc with your heart as well as your waistline and your teeth. When it comes to portion sizes, you don’t have to overload your plate at every meal or fill your bowl to the top when it comes to cereal. Go easy on meat, stack up the veggies and be sure to drink plenty of water.

Snack on nuts
Yes, we know they come with fats, but eating nuts can help lower your cholesterol levels and half a handful with a banana will help to fill you up. You might want to try walnuts because they are a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acids that can help decrease inflammation in the arteries and protect your heart.

You generally want to eat a balanced diet that is rich in fruit and veg as well as wholegrains, protein and water. Yes, have treats but don’t make take-aways your daily supper staple or you may end up in trouble.

Think about how you cook
As well as what you eat, when it comes to your heart, you need to think about how you prepare your food. To boost your heart and overall health, we suggest you avoid frying or cooking foods in fat and this includes meat, fish and vegetables. If you bake, boil, grill, steam, or poach you will get all the goodness without the nasty heart harming extras. If you are worried about losing flavour, add in spices, herbs, garlic and lemon juice but ease up on salt, cheese and artery clogging cream.

See your friends
Loneliness and isolation aren’t good for any of us. As well as leaving us sad and prone to eating junk food and binge watching boxsets, it can raise the levels of stress hormones which can interfere with circulation and this makes your heart work harder, but not better. So, why not get out and see your friends, make new ones at a club or start a hobby and fill your heart with happiness and connections? Even better, play some sport or join a dance class and get some of the exercise your heart craves and loves.

Give up smoking
We know quitting is hard, but if you do smoke now is the time to stop. Smoking is one of the main causes of heart disease and as soon as you stop, your risk of a heart attack begins to fall. Quitting will also mean you smell better, breathe more easily, save money and generally live life in a smoke free, heart happier zone. There are many free resources out there to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP for help with this.

Ease up on booze
We always say everything in moderation, and that includes drinking. Some research says drinking red wine could be beneficial for your heart, but this is a ‘may’ so if you want to boost your heart health, limiting your consumption of alcohol will be a step in the right direction. Too much wine, beer or vodka won’t be good for you and can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure as well as strokes, liver issues and some cancers.

The thing is, you only have one heart, so love it and look after it and it will serve you well.

Team Pure Beauty

Quit smoking for good in 2020

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Like so many vices, people know that smoking is bad for them, but giving up can be hard.

There is no getting away from the addictive nature of cigarettes, but stopping is the best you can do for your health, and it won’t hurt your pocket either.

Let’s have a look at how you can get away from the smoke, nicotine, smell and toxicity of one of the worst habits in the world.

Make a list
Having all the reasons you are quitting, written down in black and white can be a great way to kick things off. Whether it is to smarten up your teeth, keep cancer at bay, save money, smell better or just be healthier, write down your reasons. Next, stick them on the fridge door, kitchen cupboards, bathroom mirror and add to your phone so you are reminded all the time – and when you are feeling like cracking and lighting up, those words will help see you through.

Have a clear out
The dirt and smell of smoking is pretty gross, so having a clean-up can help get you in the right headspace to quit for good. Get rid of all the ashtrays, put lighters and matches in the bin, chuck out any old packs, find stubs in the garden and bin them. Then, open the windows in the house, and your car, and have a really good clear up. Wash your bedding, put throws and cushions through the machine, and a valet is good if you smoked when you drove.

Talk about it
Family and friends will be used to seeing you smoke, so let them know you are stopping. Some might join you, but at least if they know you are quitting then they shouldn’t offer you one when they see you, you don’t need temptation to be placed in your path.

Think about what you eat
A lot of people find that they put on weight when they quit smoking, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Eating a balanced diet and not adding in lots of sugary snacks and takeaways is the key to maintaining your weight. Drink plenty of water, stock up on fruit and veggies, and don’t up your alcohol intake as a substitute for smoking.

Get fit
Just as eating well, you might also want to consider doing some more exercise, or taking it up for the first time again. Maybe join a gym, go to a new dance class with a friend or join a local netball team who are looking for new players. Yes, you might find that smoking has had an impact on your fitness levels, but keep at it and in time you’ll get fitter, be able to keep up with others, but more importantly you will become a better, healthier you.

Keep your cash
There is no escaping the fact that cigarettes are expensive and a total waste of money. Whether you were on three a day or thirty a day, get a jar or money box and put the money you were spending on your habit, in it. At the end of the year, treat yourself to something you really want – we think you will be surprised at just how much you’ll save.

Ask the professionals
Before you do give up, maybe speak to your GP or pharmacist and make sure you have the support you need. Yes, you can go cold turkey and place your bets on willpower, but with gum, lozenges and groups out there to help you quit, you don’t have to go it alone.

Good luck and well done for taking the first step towards being a better you.

Team Pure Beauty

At Pure Beauty we have Christmas gifts for all the family

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Haven’t done all your Christmas shopping yet?

Don’t panic.

At Pure Beauty we have something for everyone, and you still have time to place your order and get your goodies under the tree before the big day.

Marvellous Mum
Oh, where to start with the mum who does so much and expects so little. If we had to make one suggestion, it would be the Elemis Frangipani Sweet Dreams Christmas Gift Set. This luxurious collection cleanses and conditions skin and will give your mum the chance to escape to an exotic Polynesian paradise for just a little while. It comes with the Elemis Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream that cleanses skin without stripping protective surface oils. Then there’s the Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil that’s all about giving extra moisture to dry, parched skin. The Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Polish softens, smooths and hydrates skin and let’s not forget the Elemis Frangipani Monoi Hand and Nail Balm that will leave your mum’s hands nourished and happy once again.

Dad dudes
For busy dads, there’s the Elemis Men’s Dynamic Duo Christmas Gift Set. With this set, your dad will get the Elemis Active Hair and Body Wash which will leave him feeling clean and ready for that Christmas movie. With woody and citrus smells plus mood-boosting essential oils, this will help them chill out and get ready for 2020.

The tricky teenager
We know those teenage years can be tough, and spots can rear their ugly ‘blackheads’ right before party season, but we are here to help with that. The Dermalogica Clear Start Clearly Matte Kit contains three great products that are perfect for teenagers with acne or breakout prone skin. We can’t help with the eye rolling or mood swings, but give them the Dermalogica Foaming Wash, Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster and Dermalogica Clearing Defence SPF30 this Christmas and you might get a smile. Maybe a hug too?

Aunty Sue
For something special for that gorgeous aunt, how about the Elemis Joyful Glow Candle Christmas Gift Set? The warming scents of vanilla, orange and cinnamon have been blended to create something special that will fill her home with a burst of natural goodness. This candle comes in a deep purple and gold box that can be used for trinkets, and once the light goes out (it burns for 40 hours) she can use the glass for her water.

Uncle John
If your uncle fancies himself as a bit of a hipster, how about the Elemis Smooth Result Shave and Beard Oil? This multi-purpose face and beard-smoothing shave oil softens hairs and prepares the skin for the ultimate smooth, close shave. Packed with a blend of vitamin-rich herbal oils to suit all skin types, this is a gift your uncle won’t have but will love.

The dog? OK, we can’t help with that member of the family, but we think they will be happy with some festive food and a good long walk on Christmas Day.

Have fun and if you need a hand choosing a present for the ones you love, give us a shout and we’re here to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Keep Your Routine Cruelty-Free

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Photo by William Daigneault on Unsplash

Whether you eat a vegan diet, are veggie, or still have meat in your diet, it’s important to most of us that our beauty products aren’t tested on animals. Cruelty-free beauty means that you can use products with the peace of mind that nothing you’re using has been tested on animals, and here at Pure Beauty, we try to offer as many of these products as we can find. Here are five of our favourites:

Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum

This serum from Dermalogica is deisgned for people with ageing skin who still deal with adult acne or breakouts, giving you spot-busting power which will also tackle the signs of ageing. The AGE Bright™ Complex works with the skin’s natural microbiome for clearer, brighter skin and as well as being cruelty free, the formula is also gluten free, vegan friendly and contains no artificial fragrances, colours or parabens.

Orly Breathable Almond Milk

This beautiful soft taupe colour is the perfect neutral colour for autumn and is cruelty free, as are all of the polishes from Orly. The strong formulation means that you have no need for top coat or base coat and the advanced technology means that oxygen can still penetrate through to the nail, reducing any risk of damage from having your nails painted.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Calm Water-Gel

Many products for deeply dry skin are often oil-based, but this water-gel from Dermalogica is different. It’s designed for use on skin which suffers from sensitivity and redness and treats the underlying dryness using hyaluronic acid technology which works in different skin layers to increase and lock in moisture. It’s vegan friendly and cruelty free, as well as being free from gluten and parabens.

Dermalogica UltraCalming Barrier Defence Booster

This defence booster from Dermalogica is formulated using a combination of oils which not only moisturise the skin but also protect it from environmental stressors. Squalane locks in moisture, while soothing oat oil helps combat sensitivity and support healthy looking skin. It’s made using cruelty-free ingredients and can be applied directly to the skin, or mixed with your usual moisturiser for an added boost.

Dermalogica Phyto-Nature Firming Serum

This vegan, cruelty-free serum from Dermalogica is aimed at ageing skin and provides flash-firming properties with just one application. It’s clinically proven to double skins luminosity and minimise the appearance of fine lines after just one application, while reducing visible wrinkles in 4 weeks.