By Isabelle, Head Nutritionist
As health food, beauty and wellness stores or retailers, you may be really busy and actually experience a difficult time in meeting everyone’s needs including yours during Covid-19. So here are some of our self-care tips and product suggestions.
Revamp your skin care and bath time routine and give yourself some TLC! So much more than just bubble baths, self-care in a nutshell is about putting yourself first and taking the time to check-in and ask yourself how you are feeling both mentally and physically. We live in an age where we are constantly switched on, so this can be difficult to do especially at the moment, but it is more important than ever! So be kind to yourself, and remember it is normal to feel anxious as social distancing becomes paramount. It is also OK to embrace the change of pace in life, slow down and do a few things for your wellbeing.
Ease Muscle Tension
One of the ways you can release muscle tension from the comfort of your living room is self-myofascial release, a form of self-massage by way of foam rolling. It is well known that when muscles stay contracted, fascia loses its elasticity which can leave you feeling tight, stiff and actually tired. By doing self-myofascial release, it increases blood flow to the muscles and gives a gentle stretch to the fascia, which can help make you feel more relaxed and energised. Foam rollers can be easily ordered online, and there are YouTube videos to help guide you.
Ease Anxiety with Meditation and Breathing Techniques
Panicking, worrying and fearing the worst provides absolutely no protection against a pandemic. It actually makes you more vulnerable to it, as the immune system does not function as well when the mind tells it to worry. Meditation, according to Light Watkins (a meditation coach and author) acts as a mood stabiliser. Aim to meditate twice a day; upon rising and just before bed are the best times as a rule of thumb. An app may be a good place to start, such as Calm or Headspace. Breathing techniques can also help you to focus on the moment, and help clear the mind. Watkins suggests 10 deep breaths to be taken over a period of 2 to 3 minutes.
Collagen and Self-Care
Collagen has become a well sought after ingredient in the wellness and beauty industry. It is one of the most abundant proteins in the body, and is the main structural protein that forms the connective tissue throughout the body, from skin to bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Collagen provides elasticity and structure to our skin. It is greatly reduced with ageing, but also with UV rays, smoking and other lifestyle factors including a diet high in refined sugars. Stress has an immense impact on our collagen as well. One option is looking at your dietary intake and perhaps increasing your bone broth intake. But making bone broth might not be your priority right now, so why not try this formula:
Neocell Collagen +C pomegranate liquid is a scientific formula that provides hydrolysed peptides of collagen obtained from grass-fed bovine, a burst of Vitamin C and antioxidants derived from pomegranates, elderberries, cranberries and green tea leaf extract. Antioxidants and Vitamin C can help to bring in the glowing skin which we all seek, while reducing any underlying skin inflammation. The hydrolysed collagen peptides help the body absorb the collagen, and results can be achieved after a steady intake. Hyaluronic acid can be taken in addition to this formula, to help support the skin’s moisture and hydration.
The whole Neocell range has something for everyone, be it with a focus on skincare and beauty or joint care for the elderly or active.
De-Stress for the Skin and Soul
Skin can really show the strain in times of stress and anxiety. Inflammation, dry patches, redness and even skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can be exacerbated by stress.
Help calm your skin with hypo-allergenic body care with NEW JASON De-Stress Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Body Wash, which features moisture-rich cannabis sativa seed oil for a luxurious lather, soothing oatmeal plus relaxing lavender and hops extracts, for a relaxing, calming cleanse. It helps de-stress itchy, irritated skin, leaving your body feeling smooth, pampered and balanced. Double up the therapeutic effects with De-Stress Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Moisturising Cream. This gentle moisturiser contains a calming blend of cannabis sativa seed oil and the latest beauty and health buzz ingredient black cumin seed oil! Infused with soothing oatmeal and rich shea butter to help promote hydration for well-balanced, healthy-looking skin with pampered comfort.
Aroma Therapeutic Body Care
Lavender has traditionally been used for many years as a tonic for stress and anxiety relief and is believed to possess anxiolytic effects by potentiating GABA (brain chemical associated with anxiety). Revered to help those who need tranquility and comfort to help ease and quieten a busy mind. This is particularly true when we can’t stop the brain from whirring when it’s time to unwind in the evening and catch up on some quality sleep. Try incorporating Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Bath and Shower Gel into your evening bathroom routine, use lavender essential oils at home or simply use the calming nature of lavender in Avalon Organics body care and hand washes throughout the day.
Saving Face
Stressed skin can sometimes cause dullness and dryness. Antipodes Baptise H2O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel offers a skin-quenching solution. The plant-originated hyaluronic acid here works with New Zealand manuka honey and harakeke gel to deeply hydrate the skin, while the mamaku black fern helps to regenerate and foster healthy skin cells. The South Pacific hibiscus flower gently exfoliates deadened skin cells to freshen your complexion.
Parting Thought
“Inspiration comes from within yourself. One has to be POSITIVE and this is when good things happen”. Deep Roy
See the light down the tunnel, and embrace this time for your overall wellbeing and that of your customers. Mental wellbeing must also be managed during this time, so keep a listening ear to those who may need additional support, that includes you too.
