Revitalise yourself

HEALTHWISE

The past couple of years have stressed on accepting yourself as you are. But the past couple of months have shown us how messed up our lifestyles really are. And if you, like me, are feeling the brunt of poor health, now is the time to step up your game and improve the way you feel – and, thereby, look. These are just gentle reminders to just switch off and completely unwind.

Achieve a radiant complexion

1. Start your day with a cup of boiling water mixed with freshly squeezed lemon juice. This detox drink cleanse your palate and flushes out any impurities that may have built up in your system overnight. Lemon also acts a gentle cleanser for the liver.

2. Improve skin condition from within by taking a Cod Liver Oil tablet once a day. Cod Liver Oil is a rich source of Vitamins A and D and essential fatty acids. It is also reputed to help disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.

3. Treat puffy eyes by placing two stainless steel spoons in the freezer for a couple of minutes and then placing them over your eyes. Alternatively, brew a pot of tea, leave it to cool, and then use it as a soothing eye bath.

4. Air-conditioning robs the skin of essential moisture and can aggravate dryness. If you work in an air-conditioned office, invest in a humidifier. Or you can place a bowl of water next to your desk, which will boost the moisture content of the air.

5. Exercise benefits skin as it boosts circulation and encourages blood flow. Exercise regularly. Aim to incorporate at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity into your routine three times each week and also do muscle toning work such as yoga. This combination improves your overall health.

6. Keep smiling. On average, children smile 400 times a day while adults only manage 15. Smiling tightens the supporting connective tissue around your mouth which helps to maintain the shape of your face. It also sends feel-good signals to your brain.

7. Keep your natural body rhythms consistent. Aim to go to bed and wake at the same time each day whenever possible. Get sufficient sleep as the skin’s cellular repair activity is at its optimum during the resting phase.

Maintain your overall body condition

The experts recommend exposing yourself to at least two hours of natural light a day to maintain optimum health. Incorporate this factor into your exercise regime.

• Create a body scrub by mixing a handful of oatmeal and bran with a little rose water. Massage it into damp skin and then rinse it off to get rid of dead cells building up on your body.
• If you have a headache, relax in a warm bath and put a steaming towel around your neck and shoulders to ease the pain. Lying down with your feet raised on a pillow is also beneficial.
• Protect your hands by wearing cotton-lined gloves when gardening or doing household chores and wear rubber gloves when washing up.
• Maintain healthy skin and regulate the functioning of your body’s organs by drinking 1-1 ½ litres of water a day. On average, 10 cups of water a day are lost via sweating and breathing.
• Steer clear of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine for at least four hours before retiring to bed.
• Essential oils of jasmine, chamomile, rose and lavender have calming properties. Use them to relax yourself.

Cope with toxic living

• Start drinking green tea. It’s a natural source of antioxidants, which reputedly boost the immune system.
• Avoid foods loaded with additives and preservatives, and increase your use of raw fruit and vegetables.
• Cut down caffeine intake if it exceeds 350mg (equivalent to four cups of coffee or eight cups of tea) since it can lead to irregular breathing, high blood pressure, and digestive problems.
• A one-day juice fast (consuming only fresh fruit and vegetable juices) once a month will cleanse your system and give you more energy.
• Make sure that you have regular medical check-ups. Always examine yourself for changes in your body’s appearance at home.
• As you breathe, you unconsciously release tension, but shallow breathing doesn’t achieve this effect. For maximum impact, take deep breaths downs into your abdomen, then exhale and relax. Repeat until you feel refreshed.
• Avoid stressful situations; they deplete vital energy reserves. Make changes in your lifestyle to lower levels of stress. For instance, if travelling to work during peak hours makes you uneasy, leave earlier or later to avoid the traffic.

Compiled by SZ