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Breathe, rest, switch off, listen to yourself. Isn’t it crazy how, in the end, the pandemic might have done us some good as well? By remaining resolutely positive, and seeing a silver lining in every cloud, we have come to realise how important it is to take stock of what we have learnt during this painful and challenging time of our lives – a time which is not yet fully behind us. A little bit of wellness food for thought.
The health crisis has wiped the slate clean. Forced to stop and reflect, wellbeing has become the new statement that even hardcore revellers have taken to heart. Say goodbye to long, sleepless nights filled with bottomless cocktails and forking out for designer trainers just to show off at a party. 2021 will be the year the penny finally drops: we HAVE to take care of our body AND our mind.
LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF
Despite calls to love and take care of ourselves, despite the various “body positivity” movements, it’s not easy to look in the mirror and say “I love you”. Or to forgive those days where we fall short, where we don’t live up to every expectation. Learning to love yourself is a long, personal journey. But why not start by doing a professional photoshoot, and learn to see yourself in a new light? Also, put François Lemay’s “L’amour de soi” on repeat: within 6 minutes max you will let go, cry and feel good.
EAT AND REFLECT
Eating is closely linked to our emotions. That’s why guilt-free eating is the first step towards a healthy relationship with mealtimes. But what does that mean? It’s not real meditation, granted, but rather an approach that awakens all our senses. No Netflix, no books, and definitely not your latest work project. Just you, eating, at the table and in peace. Then you awaken the 5 senses: present your food beautifully and enjoy the aromas. When you eat your food, pay attention to the textures and the flavours. Is it sweet? Savoury? Sour? Take care also to chew each mouthful ideally twenty times, to make it a conscious act, but also to aid digestion and realise when you’re full. And once that happens, stop. Ask yourself: am I still really hungry or do I just want to eat? There’s a subtle difference! Finally, eat happy: don’t worry if you’ve caved in to some chocolate – stop counting those calories and eat for pleasure. You can find happiness on your plate, too.
BRUSH YOUR CARES AWAY
Dry brushing offers various benefits: it helps your skin to eliminate dead surface skin cells, but the exfoliating action also allows the skin to breathe more fully. Blood rushes to the dermis thanks to the repeated friction created by the soft brush as it moves over the skin, nourishing and oxygenating tissues. Brushing also drains toxins. To boost the lymphatic system’s circulation, you should always work upwards, encouraging drainage via the lymph nodes. Major nodes are situated in the groin, the armpits and the neck. Another major benefit is that it leaves your skin feeling super soft and prepped for some pampering!
MASSAGE AND DRAIN!
Lymphatic drainage is the social media craze with nothing more to prove! Our lymphatic system runs throughout our body and plays a major role in our immune system. But it also helps eliminate waste. Whilst it is closely linked to our circulatory system, the lymphatic system does not benefit from the same pumping action provided by our heart. Subject to the force of gravity, lymphatic drainage also often stagnates in our lower limbs, especially in sedentary people. That’s where manual lymphatic drainage comes in, offering the pumping action missing and therefore boosting lymphatic circulation. It relies on two principles: firstly, it calls on the lymph vessels, drawing liquid to the top of the body by applying pressure to various points of the lymphatic system. Next, to stimulate circulation throughout the lymphatic network, gentle, long and regular massage is carried out. What are the benefits? A visibly less swollen body (the Instagram before and afters are staggering / @bodylookcare & @Body_Excellence_Charlotte_I) and reduced cellulite.
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