YOUR WEEKLY GET TOGETHER TO EXPLORE IDEAS, TASKS AND MANTRAS TO HELP YOU LIVE A MORE POSITIVE LIFE AND STRENGTHEN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. THINK OF IT AS A WORKOUT FOR THE MIND.
FIND YOUR INNER CHILD
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A GOOD BELLY LAUGH OR GIGGLED WITH A FRIEND. WELL ITS TIME TO TAKE A DAY OFF TO PLAY. LET US BRING SOME FUN INTO OUR LIVES.
TODAY I WANT YOU TO CAST YOUR MIND BACK TO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD. WHAT DID YOU LIKE TO DO ? NOW START TO PLAN YOUR FUN DAY. SOME IDEAS MAYBE:
GOING TO THE CINEMA WITH A BAG OF POPCORN CHOOSE A COMEDY AS TODAY IS ALL ABOUT LAUGHTER.
FLYING A KITE.
GOING TO THE BEACH TO COLLECT SEASHELLS AND MAKE SANDCASTLES.]
GO TO A SWING PARK AND TRY OUT THE SWINGS, ROUNDABOUT AND SLIDE. PLEASE DO NOT SCARE THE CHILDREN THOUGH I RECOMMEND YOUY CHOOSE A QUIET DAY FOR THIS ONE.
TAKE A PEDALO BOAT ON THE LAKE.
PLAY HIDE AND SEEK OR KISS CHASE WITH SOMEONE YOU (REALLY) LIKE.
BORROW A POGO STICK AND A HULA HOOP AND SEE HOW GOOD YOU ARE. COMPETE WITH A FRIEND.
GET SOMEONE TO TICKLE YOU AND SEE HOW LONG YOU CAN GO WITHOUT LAUGHING.
YOU PROBABLY HAVE MANY MORE IDEAS OF YOUR OWN. BUT THE MANTRA FOR TODAY IS “THINK LIKE A CHILD ” THAT IS THE ONLY RULE.
MWAH MWAH
JOJO. XXXXXXX
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:REMEMBER TODAYS TASKS IS ALL ABOUT HAVING FUN AND LAUGHTER ONCE YOU START IT WILL IMPROVE YOUR WHOLE MOOD AND LIFT YOUR SPIRITS AND REMEMBER IT IS INFECTIOUS FOR EVERYONE AROUND. THOSE WHO LAUGH TOGETHER STAY TOGETHER. REDISCOVER YOUR INNER CHILD TODAY .
Having experienced Hammam in Turkey and Morocco and the UK I feel I am well qualified to give you a masterclass in the art of Hammam. Some of you may be filled with trepidation or not be versed in what is exactly involved when you sign up for one. Hammam was very popular way back in the Roman empire but is now a prominent feature in the culture of the muslim world. In recent years it has shown increasing popularity in the Uk with most Spas now incorporating a Hammam as the norm.
BENEFITS
Intense cleansing
Deeply nourishing
Detoxification
Skin regeneration
Stimulation of blood circulation
Decongestion of airways
Invigorating
Toning
WHAT TO WEAR
Many do a Hammam fully naked to get the greatest benefits. Or a towel wrapped around the lower half . But many Spas will issue paper panties. If feeling exposed you can opt to wear a bikini top. Be aware that many Hammam therapists will massage over your breasts so please indicate to your terapist if you would rather they omit this and opt for a towel placed to cover the area.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
Please note sequence of events will change dependent on your chosen location/Country but generally most of these next steps should happen.
On entering the steam bath and steaming for 15 minutes to open the pores…….
Rubbed down vigorously with a black eucalyptus soap , decongesting and invigorating. A kessa glove is used to exfoliate all over the body , you will be surprised how much dirt comes off and how smooth your skin feels.
Rinsed down. In Morocco and Turkey this is with icy cold water. Thrown over me in a bucket in Turkey ! But in Uk gentler with lukewarm water although I would recommend you try the cold and hold your breath . Feels great afterwards.
Pat dry. You are taken to an adjoing room away from the steam area. Then apply the Rhassoul, a natural mineral clay mud mask. All over the body, face and hair to remove further dead skin cells and tighten the pores. Relax for 10 minutes once dried this is rinsed with warm water or you are asked to use a shower in the room to ensure all clay is rinsed off.
The deep tissue massage is the final stage usually with an argan oil that can be neutral or you maybe offered an essential oil that can be added. Orange blossom oil is commonly offered which lifts the mood and refreshes the mind. I would not opt for a relaxing oil as the Hammam is not really meant to be a relaxing treatment but an iinvigorating refreshing wake up experience.
Do not shower off after the massage leave the oils on for as long as possible even if you have the oil in your hair just pop on a baseball cap go home and chill.
Well I hope that has dispelled some of the myths of the Hammam turkish bath and you feel confident to try one ! A monthly ritual is recommended for optimum benefit.
MWAH MWAH XXX
JOJO. XXX
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: When rinsing oil or clay from your hair always apply neat shampoo to hair BEFORE adding any water otherwise can take a while to remove !
Your weekly catch up on all things positive ! Tasks and imagination or just a simple mantra to encourage you to exercise and strengthen your mental health in a world full of adversity. We will not just get you through another week but we aim to make your week the best it can possibly be!
Building Your Stepping Stones Wisely
This weeks mantra may give you some deep and positive thinking. It cropped up on my Headspace app the other morning and it really resonated with me. I would like to share it with my followers and readers and I hope it resonates with you too and bring you calmness and serenity.
“A DAY THINKING ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN, SHOULD HAPPEN OR WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IS A DAY MISSED “
This is a mantra that should be lived by every day for life. Repeat it enough times so it becomes an instinctive reality.
YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF INSPIRATION ,THOUGHT AND MENTAL EXERCISES TO ENSURE A HEALTHY AND HAPPY MIND.
BALANCE IS EVERYTHING!
WE ARE ALL MADE UP OF FEMALE AND MALE PERSONALITY TRAITS. FEMALE ENERGY IS OFTEN SEEN AS COMPASSION, NURTURING AND SENSUAL. WHILE MALE ENERGY IS PREDOMINANTLY POWERFUL, DRIVEN AND ASSERTIVE. BUT IN FACT WE ARE A MIX OF BOTH ENERGIES ALTHOUGH SOME MAYBE MORE DOMINANT IN YOU THAN OTHERS. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE IS A HARMONIOUS BALANCE OF BOTH.
SO TODAY MAKE A LIST OF QUALITIES THAT ARE GENERALLY SEEN AS FEMALE/MALE :
FEMALE
NURTURING
COMFORTING
LOVING
CARING
BEAUTIFUL
MALE
POWERFUL
CONFIDENT
COMPETITIVE
PROVIDER
CAREFREE
ASSERTIVE
TICK THE ONES THAT ARE STRONGER WITHIN AND THEN LOOK AT WAYS YOU CAN BALANCE THE OTHERS. SOME MEN MAY FIND THEY POSSESS MORE FEMININE ENERGY AND SOME WOMEN MAY POSSESS MORE MASCULINE ENERGY. TRUE HAPPINESS LIES IN BALANCING BOTH ENERGIES WITHIN ONE PERSON.
WHAT ARE YOU REQUIRING MORE OF IN YOUR LIFE ? CAN INCREASING EVEN ONE OF THESE ENERGIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ACHIEVING THIS. EVEN IN RELATIONSHIPS BY BALANCING THESE ENERGIES CAN MAKE FOR BETTER SYNERGY IN THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.
MWAH MWAH
JOJO. XXXXX
JOJO STYLELIST TIP: MALE AND FEMALE ELEMENTS COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER PERFECTLY . SO IMAGINE THOSE QUALITIES IN ONE MIND. ENJOY WORKING ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT MIND TODAY
OK guys lets get the jokes out of the way. Vagus diametrically opposed to ‘Vegas” this is not a wild, partying drinking exercise but a calming, peaceful experience.
I first learned about the Vagus Nerve and the Thymus gland (fed by the VN) many years ago during my training to become a Sound Healing Practioner. The benefits of stimulating this nerve and gland are so great I thought i would share them with you today.
WHAT IS THE VAGUS NERVE
The Vagus nerve is the longest of all cranial nerves. It travels from the brain through the trachea, larynx, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, pancreas and intestines.
BENEFITS OF STIMULATING THE VAGUS NERVE
Bearing in mind all the organs this nerve passes through the benefits to both your body and your mind can be huge. There is a direct link to mental health such as depression and anxiety. Coping with the effects of stress on the body by calming the heart rate and emotions. Inflammation in the organs. Responsible for making white blood cells therefore boosting immunity. Aids digestion as the nerve is supplying the digestive tract right down into the intestines. The health of this nerve therefore is important to the body holistically.
HOW TO STIMULATE THE VAGUS NERVE
MASSAGE
To calm your anxiety immediately we can use the branch of the vagus nerve in the ear and neck. There are many nerve endings in this area stemming from the vagus nerve. So gently pull on each ear in turn. Massage gently behind the ear in front of the hairline and then in front of the ear. The massage should be light and sensory not full acupressure. When in front of the ear bring the middle finger and fore finger in a straight line down the side of each neck. You will find this action very calming and great for anxiety.
SINGING AND CHANTING
As the vagus nerve is connected to the vocal chords and throat this is a great way to stimulate them and reap all of the aforementioned benefits. Of course belting out Motorhead or heavy metal songs will not have the same effect as gentle music and gentle chants too. As you are probably aware chanting is normally deep in the throat try OHHHHHHH, AHHHHHHHH, EEEEEEEEEH. Humming is also good . Hum every morning when you are in the shower to wake that Vagus Nerve up.
BREATHING
Just rhythmic breathing from the abdomen can really help but combining this with Ujjai breathing is really powerful. If you practise yoga you will be familiar with this style of breathing, throat breathing. Vibrating a sound as you breathe out deep in the back of the throat.
YOGA
Holding poses, breathing, twisting, chanting relaxation. Doing a daily yoga practice can maintain a healthy vagus nerve and keep it at an optimum level.
THE THYMUS GLAND
This gland is located in the centre of your chest just behind the breastbone and directly connected to the vagus nerve. Leading Psychotherapists state that the Thymus Gland “controls the life energy of the body”. Tapping on the Thymus is a simple technique you can use anytime if you want to strengthen your immune system.
The tapping should be heavy enough to make a drumming sound in your chest. Tap in an anti clockwise direction for about 30 seconds. breathe naturally as you do this. The vibration caused by the tapping stimulates the gland and the vagus nerve it is attached to, massaging the heart, lungs and bronchial tubes and draws blood and energy to nourish the thymus.
The thymus tap is also good for jet lag. Tap every hour while travelling to reset your body clock.
So this extra long nerve and this little gland are incredibly powerful and by giving them a little extra attention and some love and care you will reap some amazing rewards.
MWAH MWAH
JOJO xxxxxx
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: As a Sound and Vibration expert never underestimate the power of vibration on the body. Remember 60% of the body is water. Vibration helps to clear the channels and pools of stagnation within the body. .Think of it like a flowing mountain stream with clear fresh water and eliminating those muddy little pools.These exercises contained in these articles will help you to connect with your body and get to know it better.
YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF THE GOOD STUFF. ALL THINGS POSITIVE TO HELP BUILD MENTAL STRENGTH AND A GOOD MOOD TO GET YOU THROUGH TO THE END OF THE WEEK.
SO NOT ONLY WAS THIS ONE OF GEORGE MICHAELS BEST ALBUMS BUT THIS IS ALSO THE TITLE OF THIS WEEKS TASK.
TODAY REALLY LISTEN TO EVERYONE YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH. IS THAT IT ??? I HEAR YOU CRY. THIS IS TOUGHER THAN YOU THINK LISTENING IS DIFFICULT, A SKILL AN ART FORM THAT NEEDS TO BE PRACTISED.
LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE OTHER PERSON AND WHAT THEY ARE SAYING. DO NOT INTERRUPT OR GIVE ADVICE (UNLESS THEY ASK FOR IT ) AND DO NOT JUDGE.
I AM A VERY GOOD LISTENER BUT IT REQUIRES GREAT CONCENTRATION. I ALWAYS MAKE SURE I GIVE MY UNDIVIDED ATTENTION WHEN SOMEONE REALLY WANTS TO TALK. MY PHONE IS SWITCHED OFF , I HAVE EYE CONTACT AND I ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT THEY HAVE SAID. SOMETIMES THAT ALL SOMEONE NEEDS IF THEY ARE HAVING A BAD DAY OR GOING THROUGH SOME MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.
IT IS RARE THAT I MEET A VERY GOOD LISTENER. SO PRACTISE THIS ART REGULARLY AND ONE DAY I HOPE TO MEET YOU SO YOU CAN LISTEN TO ME !!
MAKE THIS YOUR GIFT TO THE WORLD.
MWAH MWAH
JOJO XXXXXXX
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: USE YOUR BODY LANGUAGE TO SHOW THE OTHER PERSON YOU ARE LISTENING AND INTERESTED IN WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. NOD YOUR HEAD, ESTABLISH EYE CONTACT AND OPEN POSTURE, NO CROSSED ARMS REMOVE ANY BARRIER SIGNALS YOU MAYBE GIVING OUT. I TRULY BELIEVE IN THIS BUSY WORLD WE HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO REALLY LISTEN TO EACH OTHER. YOU CAN HEAR ME……….BUT ARE YOU LISTENING ?
Collagen powders are the latest beauty “fad” that all the celebrities are taking and it is now a multi billion pound industry. Well on this one I am ahead of the celebritiies I have been taken collagen powder for over two years and prior to that was consuming Skinade daily for about 5 years.
From your mid twenties collagen declines at about 1 % every day rising to a steep drop in your menopause of about 30% of total collagen.
So does our collagen need large replacement doses as we commence our menopause ?
WHAT IS COLLAGEN ?
The largest protein found in your body. Found in bones, muscles, tendons and skin. Think of it as a scaffold holding up the skin. As this diminishes so does the structure of our skin particularly evident on our faces as the connective tissue start to weaken and sagging and wrinkles appear. It is the glue that holds everything together and is found in teeth, nails, hair even corneas as well as the skin. So a super boost of collagen surely must hold many benefits.
DOES IT WORK ?
Well it certainly has eased my arthiritic joints and my hair is super glossy and my skin is glowing although I am not wrinkle free…..yet. I only embarked on the collagen journey having met up with an old friend whose skin had improved dramatically and she seemed to have a glow about her to which she attributed to Collagen powder.
You have to commit to taking it EVERY day in a hot or cold drink. Although purists say it has to be cold as heat breaks the collagen down. So pop it in your morning smoothie. I have a bovine collagen drink though so I make it into a hot drink rather like a cup of soup. I t can also aid weight loss as it makes you feel quite full.
With these new wonder foods I honestly think the only way to see if they work is try it every day for at least a month and see if you notice an improvement.
MARINE V BOVINE
Collagen powder is either fish or animal derived. There are some vegan options but these seem to be largely vitamin c based. Although I personally have taken bovine collagen there are now some question marks over the sources. In some products large amount of metals and cadmium(also in spinach !!) have been found. Also when you think these powders are largely ground up bones , connective tissue and by products of cows I wonder how regulated these products are especially considering the BSE outbreak a number of years back ! I have now embarked on the marine collagen by Vital Proteins to see if it is just as effective as the bovine appeared to be.
But if taking supplements is not for you then there are foods that are natural sources of collagen.
FOOD SOURCES OF COLLAGEN
Egg whites
Chicken
Fish
Berries
Garlic
Citrus fruit
Kale
Or, you could try making your own bone broth with good quality bones sourced from a reputable butcher.
Remember diet is always first and foremost when it comes to good quality skin. All the above foods I include in my diet on a regular basis then the question would be whether I really need to be taking extra supplement when I cannot be sure on the source of the powder.
MMmmmm that is the big question and definitely ‘food’ for thought.
Mwah mwah. xxxxxx
JOJO x
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: REMEMBER PREVENTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION. THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF LOSS OF COLLAGEN IS UV RAYS SO SPF 50 SUNBLOCK IS A MUST ALL YEAR ROUND. OH AND NO SMOKING!!!
A WEEKLY DOSE OF INSPIRATION, IDEAS AND THOUGHTS TO FILL YOUR POSITIVITY BUBBLE AND BRING JOY AND LIGHT TO YOUR WEEK. ZONE INTO THE MIDWEEK MANTRA EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
ATTITUDE WILL HELP YOU BREAK THROUGH THE CLOUDS TO THE SUMMIT
DURING A RECENT LUNCH (THE RULE OF 6 STRICTLY APPLIED I PROMISE !) ONE OF MY FRIENDS SAID SOMETHING THAT RESONATED WITH ME. I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE IT WITH YOU AS IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE AND HOPEFULLY WILL STRIKE A CHORD WITH YOU TOO.
“IT IS YOUR ATTITUDE NOT YOUR APTITUDE THAT DECIDES YOUR ALTITUDE “
I LOVE, LOVE THIS. WE CAN CHANGE ANYTHING BY JUST CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT OURSELVES. VERY OFTEN THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE PREVENTING US REACHING OUR GOALS AND DREAMS IS US AND OUR SELF LIMITING BELIEFS.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY POIGNANT RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAVE TEENAGERS THAT ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR EXAM RESULTS THIS SUMMER AS IT CAN SEEM LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE. LETS FACE IT SOME OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DID NOT NECESSARILY DO WELL AT EXAMS BUT THEY ALL DO POSSESS A CERTAIN ATTITUDE. SO THIS IS A GOOD MANTRA TO INSTILL INTO YOUR OFFSPRING.
NOW LETS TURN OUR ATTENTION TO YOU. ASSESS YOUR OWN FORGOTTEN GOALS THAT YOU HAVE PUT ON THE BACK BURNER AS YOU THINK THEY ARE BEYOND REACH. REDISCOVER YOUR PASSIONS AND CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE. GO FOR IT. THINK OF ALL THE ACTORS,DESIGNERS,POLITICIANS,COMPANY DIRECTORS WHO ARE NOT PARTICULARLY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO BUT THEY PORTRAYED THEMSELVES AS BEING GOOD UNTIL WE BELIEVED THEM. AIM FOR THE MOON, SO AT LEAST YOU MAY GET THE STARS.
CAN IT REALLY BE THIS SIMPLE ? THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: CHOOSE YOUR ALTITUDE LEVEL THAT YOU ARE HAPPY TO FLY AT…….AND SOAR !
