Tea time -Me time with freshly picked Peppermint leaves, refreshing, cooling and excellent for soothing and calming the digestive system, especially those suffering from IBS problems. It is so easy to grow, and comes in lots of varieties, but best grown in pots as spreads vigirously throughout the garden.
To make Peppermint tea pick a few large sprigs and infuse in water which has just come off the boil. It could’nt be easier! So sit back relax and enjoy!
Mairead x
Summer has arrived and nothing feels more nurturing than happy, pampered feet! So put a spring back into your step and nourish your body with a purifying and bespoke reflexology treatment.
Reflexology not only soothes tired achy feet, but also restores the body’s natural equilibrium, inducing a deep sense of relaxation and creating harmony with oneself. A perfect way to grow and cleanse, the body and mind for those summer months ahead!
Reflexology works on the principle that reflex points on the feet correspond to every organ, gland and area of the body. By working on the feet, this stimulates the thousands of nerve endings and reflex points to revitalise and replenish the mind and body, so energy flows more freely and boosting the bodies self healing process. Thus, at a physical, mental and emotional level a person becomes more balanced and as reflexology has a accumulative effect, benefits will be most noticeable after four to six weekly sessions. All treatments are adapted to suit individual client requirements.
(Reflexology 10% off, valid until 21st July 2016)
Happy feet equals relaxed body and mind, so be good to yourself!
Mairead x
This month I’m going to explore the wonderful refreshing and uplifting essential oil of Grapefruit. It is one of my many favourite citrus fruits, both to eat and use in a massage or a body lotion blend. Perfect to awaken the senses first thing in the morning!
Graperfuit grow in large bunches, on a glossy leaved tree with white flowers and the oil is mostly obtained from Israel, Brazil and USA. The oil is expressed from deep within the peel of the Grapefruit and can range in colour from yellow through to orange/green, yielding a small quantity of oil in comparison to the other citrus oils. It is widely used within food, cosmetics and perfumes.
Due to its balancing effect on the central nervous system Grapefruit can be beneficial during times of stress and anxiety and help stabilise depression. It soothes the body and helps relieve headaches, migraines and premenstrual tension and may help with some of the effects of jetlag.
It is also an excellent lymphatic stimulant, nourishing tissue cells and helping to rid the body of excess water retention and build up of toxins. It’s diuretic effect could help with cellulite. A combination of Grapefruit, Fennel and Juniper essential oils make an perfect cleansing blend to detox the body. Regular massage is the most effective way to improve overall skin tone, helping with flabby skin and stretch marks.
Grapefuit is known for its amazing cleansing properties, aiding the kidneys and vascular system and said to be a liver tonic, improving secretion and function.
It can be a beneficial oil for those taking part in regular sport activity, in treating stiffness and cramps in muscles, as it helps with the release of lactic acid in the muscles, therefore easing muscular aches and pains.
Within skincare it is a particularly good oil for balancing oily skin and treating skin conditions such as acne, resulting in an overall clearer complexion.
Precautions: can cause skin irritation if exposed to sunlight after application. Avoid during pregnancy.
Blends well with: Basil, Bergamot, Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Palmarosa, Rose, Rosewood and Ylang Ylang
Mairead x
Many of us are so focused on how we look on the outside that we completely forget about our inner wellbeing. Taking time to nourish and pamper ourselves through regular relaxation results in outer radiance. Which is why regular massage offers an amazing way to relax and rejuvenate, creating balance and harmony within our mind, body and spirit.
With today’s demanding lifestyles and free time becoming a luxury we only seek to have a de-stressing treatment such as a massage when suffering from a huge build up of tension within the body. The old saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ has never been so appropriate . Therefore it is important that we listen to our bodies and integrate some form of relaxation into our lives, such as a regular massage and other forms of ‘down time’ we enjoy. This means we a less likely to suffer from ongoing muscular tension, high stress levels and mental exhaustion, which we all know can lead to ill health.
So if you find yourself suffering ongoing muscular tension and continually ‘stressed out’, then look no further than a deep tissue massage, with the added bonus of aiding complete relaxation.
We are all in charge of our own bodies, what we put in is what we get out. So be good yourself, it will thank you for ‘me-time’!
Mairead x
We all know the vital importance of a good nights sleep in boosting your mental wellbeing. Continual poor sleep can have detrimental effect on our lives. This can result in us feeling constantly tired, suffering from poor concentration/co-ordination, irritability, and generally feeling low, making us unable to function properly and carry out important daily tasks. This can be dangerous in certain jobs which require good concentration.
I am one of those lucky people who has generally no problem getting off to sleep and can get back to sleep easily when (or if!) I wake during the night.
However this was not always the case. Previously suffering from depression and severe anxiety this resulted in me having an extremely poor sleep pattern. In fact some nights I got no sleep at all and others a few hours when at my worse. I then developed an anxiety around not been able to sleep. It was a vicious circle I was in and needed to get myself out of it, as my health and wellbeing was really suffering.
Once I began to get myself back on track, my sleep started to improve over time. I gradually taught my brain to switch off at bedtime and fill it with happy thoughts. I told myself bedtime is for sleeping and nourishing my body in preparation for daytime and I realised that worry is such a waste of precious time and energy. I now try to fill my life with things which make me happy and smile, leaving very little time for worry!!
Here are some of the things I found which helped me personally. Each persons situation is individual, and it is important if there is a reason for you not sleeping well, it is tackled or resolved if possible.
I would like to thank you for all your kindness and support during 2015. May 2016 be filled with lots of fun, laughter and bring you peace and good health.
With a new year we can all feel obliged into making resolutions to follow a strict regime, rather than filling our lives with things which bring happiness, therefore improving our wellbeing. For me a healthy and happy life is about balance and doing things which bring inspiration and surrounding myself with people, which make me smile.
So lets take a leap into 2016, be good to yourself and make your general wellbeing a priority.
Mairead x
Harmonizing Therapies 