New Year, New You?

It's that time of year again. When we are full of hope and optimism and we are all planning a path of self-improvement to begin to eat better, look after our skin, detox, get fit and to generally feel happier. Yet there is a minefield of advice out there which I feel makes it difficult to know what the correct path is for us individually.
Personally, I think where some of us have got it wrong in the past, is setting ourselves quite 'big' targets - then feel disheartened when we naturally fail to achieve them - instead of setting maybe slightly smaller, more realistic, achievable goals.

I feel the need to get back on track myself after the festive period and far too much indulgence in all things naughty but oh so nice!
So, with this in mind I thought I would share some tips I will be either reintroducing or continuing with in my regime in 2016 to guide and help you along the way.

Food - my advice..do not use the 'D' word..yes, you know the one 'DIET'!
Just eat clean as this is a realistic thing to achieve and can easily be implemented into your daily diet. Reduce your intake of things like processed foods, fast foods etc and introduce whole foods. I love to juice also, this gives my body raw foods and helps me obtain a good supply of nutrients.
I think the key is do not deprive yourself of anything as this can cause you to 'fall off the wagon' then eat more!

Skin - no matter what happens and whatever 'season' it is, this is the one thing that I never sway from, which is a good skin care regime. In recent weeks I have been so thrilled as I have had so many compliments over my skin, which for me is the ultimate because I know what I use is working - although I never doubted the range!
The key is to fully understand your skin type, what your concerns are and then have a consultation with an experienced beauty therapist/facialist as there are so many ranges on the market nowadays.
Sampling can be key too. This gives you the opportunity to 'try before you buy' or even have a facial.

My advice, use products for your skin type and for maximum results use the same product range. Cleanse, tone and moisturise day and night. Incorporate an eye cream and always use a separate eye makeup remover. And, more importantly don't go to bed with your makeup on!
In addition to your daily regime you can link in exfoliation x2 week, followed by a face mask - again, specifically for your skin type.

For skin care advice, or samples of the product range that I use both personally and in my facials - Neal's Yard Remedies Organic - please contact me.

Detox - I began my detox today! I had my first juice of 2016, literally with all I had in my fridge that could be juiced! Carrot, cucumber, ginger and broccoli. The power of raw foods blows my mind! I also added NYR Organic Greens Complex with Purifying Chlorella. This is an amazing addition to juices or even smoothies and helps to detoxify, boost wellbeing, vitality and much more, but more importantly for me today I added it as it 'helps the gut' which I felt I needed as my digestive system has felt very sluggish this past few days.

Organic Greens Complex

This product has so many amazing benefits!

If you are looking to really kickstart your January detox, then Neals' Yard Remedies Organic have just launched a Natural Detox Kit.
It contains all you need to cleanse, recharge and revitalise.
Organic Greens Complex 100g, Vitamin B Supplement (60 capsules), Ginger & Juniper Warming Oil 100ml, Cleanse Aromatherapy Blend 10ml.

Natural Detox Kit

It contains all you need to cleanse, recharge and revitalise.
Organic Greens Complex 100g, Vitamin B Supplement (60 capsules), Ginger & Juniper Warming Oil 100ml, Cleanse Aromatherapy Blend 10ml.

**PLEASE NOTE: SADLY THESE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED SINCE THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN.*

Another great tip that aids detoxification, as well as help alleviate cellulite, is skin brushing daily. This also improves the appearance of the skin as well as exfoliates dead skin cells.  

Use a natural bristle brush. Always use long, sweeping strokes up towards the heart to stimulate circulation.  

Body Brush

Here is an example of a Body Brush, it also has a removable handle. My go to Body Brush - for 20+ years now - is from Espa. The perfect natural bristle brush! So effective and lasts a lifetime I'd say! 

And finally, on a detox tip, why not give your body a wake up call by having a lemon water for your first drink of the day instead of tea or coffee? Adding a burst of citrus can make you feel energised!

Wellbeing - I have used wellbeing as this last topic, because if like me the word  'gym' fills you with dread - particularly in January - then I think we can take small steps, so my advice is to ease yourself into 2016 with those smaller, realistic targets that we spoke of earlier. With that in mind, how about meditation? This doesn't sound 'small' but it doesn't have to be as daunting as it sounds. I personally have to use guided mediation. My favourite are The Honest Guys and you can find them on YouTube. Just find one to suit you and try to introduce it into your daily regime.

Yoga? Find a great centre near you and take advice from teachers on the best classes for you. I for one want to get back not the mat the year as t has been far too long!

Walking? They say walking 20-30 minutes per day can be so beneficial, so I will do it if you will!!

We know that moving helps our lymphatic system, not to mention releases endorphins, which in turn helps our general health and happiness and I for one need to implement more 'movement' into my daily regime in 2016, so let's do it together!! 

I heard something the other day that I resonated with, so wrote it down so I could share...

"Eat less, move more, manage stress"

  

On that note..  Here's to a healthy and happy 2016!