Archive for January, 2010

Dry skin

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

If you have dry skin you will sympathise with my problem because my skin is very dry, especially at the bottom of my legs. Interestingly enough my face is quite oily so I guess the glands that moisturise my skin were all used up when my face was being created and there were not enough to go around the rest of my skin! Every day after my shower I have to moisturise my whole body. The best creams I have found are the Body Shop’s Vitamin E moisturiser or Palmers Coco Butter as they soak in nicely and don’t leave a greasy feeling. This problem gets better in the summer so I cannot wait for the warm weather to arrive. For the little dry patches that sometimes appear I use intensive vitamin E face cream a few times a day. It takes them away in a few days!

Desk job? Read this.

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

The modern workplace usually consists of rows of people sitting at desks, using a computer and talking on the phone. Unless you are really lucky and have a job that involves moving around, you will probably be sat in the same position for hours on end. This is really bad for your back and even with workplace assessments and health and safety measures being taken, it is not surprising that most people who have a desk job suffer from some sort of strain or pain. I am no exception to this but the methods I take to relieve the strain include Pilates which helps your core muscles get stronger and aids in flexibility and also massage. I aim to get a deep tissue massage once a month in order to relieve the pressure and relax me. It is very much recommended and helps my back cope with the constant slumping that a desk job promotes.

Alternative Medicine and Remedies for Eczema

Friday, January 29th, 2010

As an occasional sufferer of eczema I know how irritating it can be so here are a few alternative remedies or preventatives which can help stop a flare up. My eczema is caused mostly by my allergy to animals so try and eliminate allergens, these can also include products that touch your skin ie. your washing powder, creams or perfumes. Keep an eye on your diet – it may be that different foods trigger your eczema, these could be milk or wheat.

Another alternative medicine remedy for eczema is to avoid sunbathing as this can aggravate your skin and the heat can also cause your condition to worsen. Most importantly eczema is primarily caused by stress so avoid getting stressed out!!

Mind over matter

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

There’s definitely an argument that mind over matter works. If you set your mind on getting better when you feel ill it seems remarkable that you start feeling better soon after. You may notice this more when there’s an event you really want to go to that you need to be well for! Your body is its own healer and there are a range of things you can do when you have a small headache, sore throat or a small ailment that will make it go away. The age old ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ will help because you are putting vitamins into your body and providing your body with fibre. Getting an early night will also help you to feel better as your body goes into recover mode when you sleep. For a headache, get someone to give you a shoulder rub, or instead just massage your temples and around your eyes. These little things really do make a difference.

Gym in January?

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

It’s January and most people have made New Year’s Resolutions to get fit and lose that extra Christmas weight. I have just asked around the office and almost 90% of my colleagues have just joined or are currently a long-standing member of a Gym. I feel put to shame. Tonight when I get home I shall dig out my Shilpa Shetty Yoga DVD (yes, I have one that was purchased from the Pound shop – poor Shilpa!) and do an hour of Yoga, followed by a hundred sit-ups. I shall also eat fish and vegetables for my tea. That definitely sounds like a plan, and I bet I don’t ache tomorrow, as much as my friend who has been complaining about his tough gym session two days ago!