Skin Care Tips

Wash with mild cleanser & warm water no more than 2x/day. Gently massage skin with circular motions. Don’t scrub. Over-washing can cause irritation, inflammation and dehydration. 

Don't squeeze. Pimples are caused by sebum, dirt and bacteria in a pore festering. Squeezing pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. Treat pimple with topical products from a reputable Esthetician and get regular facials with extractions from an Esthetician.

Don't touch with your hands or objects like telephones (do you know where your cellphone has been?). Touching the face can spread bacteria and other organisms causing inflammation and irritation.

Clean glasses (including sunglasses) often to keep oil and bacteria from clogging and infecting pores. This is especially true for those of you who put your sunglasses in your hair.

 . . . . . . more to follow

How to be Happier

Research shows there are some behaviors associated with life satisfaction and optimal wellbeing.

These include:

• practicing acts of kindness towards others – both in your existing social circle and outside of it.
• devoting time to nurturing and enjoying relationships with family and friends.
• acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the good things in your life.
• practicing optimism when thinking about the future.
• focusing on what you do well rather than your mistakes when you approach a new task.
• learning forgiveness.
• spending periods of time being “mindful” – focusing on the “here and now” rather than planning or worrying about your future.
• identifying goals that are important to you and actively pursuing them.
• working out what so-called “character strengths” you have (such as perseverance or playfulness) and finding ways to apply them often.

While some of these might seem daunting – how do you become more kind or more grateful? – the research has highlighted some specific ways you can take action.
Courtesy of ABC Health and Wellbeing

Reflexology and Gallbladder Warning Signs

Did you know that if you have pain on the right upper back/ shoulder area with pain under your right rib cage... Could be your gallbladder and you should get it checked. In Reflexology, the gallbladder is a small area on the arch of the right foot, between the fourth and pinky toes.

The Heart Remembers

Beating 100,000 times a day, this muscle pumps oxygen, food-derived nutrients, hormones and immune cells throughout every square inch of our bodies. By now, most of us know that a healthy diet (a controversial subject in itself), regular exercise, preventative dental care and plenty of fresh air support a healthy cardiovascular system; and that smoking, obesity, acidic blood, noise pollution, exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and a sedentary lifestyle don’t.

• There is no time in utero that the heart starts to beat. The cells beat from the start. As the cells multiply to create the cardiovascular system, they take their cues on how to beat, at what rate, etc. from the mother’s heart. So, when did the mother’s heart begin to beat? If every cell was beating before it was a heart, then how could there be a single moment it became a heart? The heart (and arteries and veins attached), it turns out, is a circulation system with no beginning and no end. Perhaps that is why the Chinese refer to the heartbeat as the cosmic beat.
• The heart remembers. Modern medicine can now confirm that those early Egyptians were right. The heart has its own intelligence and remembers. Much has been written about transplant recipients receiving not only an organ, but the personality traits, temperament and memories of their donor.
• The Chinese pictograph for the word “busy” is composed of two characters: “heart” and “killing”. Hmm…
• That last one reminds me of a quote from Lily Tomlin that a friend shared today: “For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”

Excerpted from Karen Ball

 

Best Facial Includes Wise Use of Skin Care Products

In the consultation with first time clients I emphasize that we are in this together. Their monthly visit with me will enhance and improve their skin on a professional level. However, for this process to be completely successful they have daily work to do at home with the quality products that I recommend. The initial purchase of the basics which would include a cleanser, toner, daytime moisturizer with SPF, a night cream, and a serum can run over $200 a big investment on top of the cost of a facial.

Here's how to get the most out of your products - wear nitrile or vinyl gloves. These gloves can be purchased inexpensively at most drug stores.

By wearing nitrile or vinyl gloves your products go on your face and neck where you want them and not on your hands. This technique can extend the life of your products by several weeks.

What Are Free Radicals and Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are chemicals that break down or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals - chemicals produced as a byproduct of normal cellular metabolism. Under normal circumstances, there is a balance between the rate at which free radicals are produced and the rate at which they are eliminated by the action of antioxidants. Free radicals are destructive in that they cause oxidative damage to tissues - essentially causing tissues to rust like a piece of iron left outside in the weather. They damage proteins, fat and even our DNA. In fact, damage to our tissues by free radicals is thought to underlie the process of aging, a theory first described by Dr. Denham Harmon in his "free radical theory of aging" proposed in 1956. Indeed, Dr. Harmon laid the groundwork for the whole antioxidant industry when he demonstrated that free radicals are "quenched" by antioxidants.

*Note: excerpted from an article by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM Free Radicals: How They Speed the Aging Process originally published in The Huffington Post on January 25, 2011.

Leg or Foot Cramps? Here's Some Simple Do It Yourself Relief

Here are a couple remedies for foot or leg cramps:

For some leg/foot cramps the muscle needs to flex such as with night leg cramps. Keep a long scarf or cord at bedside. When the cramp occurs, lie on your back and bend the opposite leg, loop the scarf or cord around the arch of the foot that is cramping and slowly pull up with both hands flexing the foot and the whole leg. Hold for about 1/2 a minute and release. Do this a couple of times and the cramp normally vanishes.

On the top of the foot between the ankle bones you will find a little hollow. Press there.
If  the cramps are occurring often you may need to see a health professional.

Interested in more about Reflexology? Click here.

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)

Manual Lymph Drainage is a light touch massage therapy that assists the movement of fluids in the tissues. This light rhythmic massage stimulates the lymph vessels and nodes which are part of the endocrine system. This stimulation encourages the natural flow of the lymph fluid quickly decongesting the connective tissue.

Manual Lymph Drainage was developed in the 1930's by Dr. Emil Vodder in France. His technique is effective particularly for head congestion including allergies, nose and throat congestion as well as sinusitis. The Vodder method of Manual Lymph Drainage is a series of systematic and precise massage movements using a combination of practical experiences, anatomical knowledge and intuition. 

I have been trained in the Vodder method of Manual Lymph Drainage for many years. My clients' all rave about the relaxing treatment and the relief that they receive. 

Read more  about this and other holistic services.