10 Years Younger

Ten Years Younger

Now and again, a beauty treatment causes a stir – for all the right reasons. So much so, I can’t stop shouting about the ‘Chemical Skin Peel’ from Jo at The Harmony Clinic in Bedfordshire.

I’ve had treatments from The Harmony Clinic before and Jo always goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome and relaxed and this time it was no different.

I’d opted for a course of 3 chemical peels, (a week apart) to rejuvenate and add a little life into my lack lustre skin. I also added extras in the form of a Hydro Jelly Mask and Reiki. Before the facial even begins Jo takes time to get to know you and your skin, and talks you through the best options available, she personalises everything so the treatment is exclusive to you. The treatment began with a thorough make-up cleanse, followed by the application (using a very fine brush) of glycolic acid to my skin, this works by speeding up natural cell renewal by removing the outermost layer of dermis (skin). Which effectively means I am left with a new layer of skin, one which looks fresher and more youthful. As the glycolic acid is applied I can feel my skin tingling and Jo is quick to reassure and check that the tingling doesn’t become unbearable, after a minute a neutralising solution is added and massaged into the skin.

This is then removed before an Esthemax Hydro Jelly Mask is applied, these masks are a firm favourite with celebrities and loved by the aesthetics industry for their extremely nourishing hydration. They have a jelly like feel, that once on the face feels cool and refreshing.

Not only is this treatment amazing for your skin, it’s also amazing for your wellbeing – for the next 20 minutes whilst the mask works its magic, Jo worked her magic performing some complementary Reiki, a Japanese healing treatment, which helps to calm the mind, promoting healing for both body and spirit, which left me feeling refreshed, invigorated and replenished.

After the mask is removed, my skin felt amazing, the chemical peels are miracles – they definitely do what they say on the tin, after only one treatment I had people commenting on what I’d had done as I looked glowing and years younger.

Skin peels offer a revolutionary way to effectively treat aging skin, acne, reduce sun damage and hyperpigmentation. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the results, this is now a must have for me each month.

For more information contact: jo@theharmonyclinic.co.uk or 07716 331255

Ready for a New Chapter:

Refine your Morning Ritual this Spring

As we gradually emerge from a year of COVID and lockdowns, experts at Marley Coffee share their guide to creating a morning ritual that leaves you energised and ready to take on the day, no matter what the coming months might throw at us

Spring is the ideal season to hit ‘refresh’ on our health habits and introduce daily rituals to help achieve optimal physical, mental and spiritual health. And with a life less restricted now in sight, it is more important than ever to revaluate and readjust, as the next chapter unfolds.

Bad habits, stresses of modern life or worries about health or family can quickly creep up on us, hugely affecting energy levels, mood and outlook. Having an established routine that helps set you up for the day can make all the difference, enabling us to feel more positive, alert and productive.

“Taking the time to set up a morning ritual that is personalised to your needs and goals is paramount, as a routine that works for one person might not work for another. Setting dedicated time aside in the morning enables you to focus wholly on yourself and your own needs before tackling the day ahead. The experts at Marley Coffee, (global gourmet organic coffee brand from the family of Bob Marle), share their tips for the perfect morning ritual.

Set your wake-up time, and stick to it

Having a set time to wake up each morning will help your body get into a good sleep-wake cycle. To help reinforce this cycle, avoid hitting snooze, as this can confuse the body about whether it is meant to be asleep or awake and can make you feel groggier when it is finally time to get up. Get into the habit of hearing your alarm, putting both feet on the floor and sitting up (play the ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ Marley mantra in your head to help), taking a stretch, and then making the bed straight away - so you’re less inclined to jump back in!

This will also ensure that you have enough time each morning to fully commit to your morning ritual and aren’t left feeling rushed or flustered at the start of the day.

To ensure a gentle wake up, we suggest using a sunrise alarm clock or lightbox. These work by simulating sunrise and when the light reaches its highest intensity, rather than being woken by a harsh beeping sound, you can listen to the gentle and soothing sounds of the natural world – a much more peaceful and stress-free way of starting the day.

Play some feel-good tunes

Playing music helps set the tone for the day, so once the bed has been made, pop on some tunes and don’t be afraid to have a little sing along and boogie. Science has proven that music helps improve brain function and health in many ways, with studies showing that it activates every part of the brain, leading to increased happiness and productivity. It can also help reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

To incorporate this easily into your morning routine, create a dedicated feelgood morning music playlist on your phone or device that you can play as soon as you get out of bed. The Marley Coffee team suggests a mix of uplifting reggae music for the most soulful start to the morning of course.

Pour yourself a coffee, and take your time to enjoy it

It’s no secret that a good caffeine hit can make or break the start of the day. Coffee has a plethora of benefits to support healthy brain function; specifically memory, mood, energy levels, and reaction times. But don’t rush this part of the morning – it’s important to take the time to enjoy the process and savour the flavour.

Whether you brew your coffee in a Moka pot, French press, Aero press, Chemex or other method, be sure to choose a coffee brand that not only creates delicious blends, but also considers sustainability and the environment.

4. Make a list

Carving out 10-15 minutes each morning to practice gratitude and plan your day will help you keep on top of tasks and commitments and set you up for a productive day. A simple way to start is to write down three things that you are grateful for and three goals for the day. Ensure the list of goals is feasible (don’t set unreachable expectations to only end up letting yourself down!) and visualise what your day needs to look like in order to achieve them.

Getting into the habit of doing this each and every day will help you to live a more purposeful and intentional life, as well as helping you to feel in control.

Get moving!

Get those endorphins pumping with some morning exercise. It doesn’t need to be strenuous – even some light stretching or yoga can have huge benefits. Studies have shown that morning exercise kick starts the metabolism and helps promote better quality sleep come bedtime.

Setting time aside for physical activity in the morning means that you’re less likely to run into scheduling conflicts later in the day, such as working late, or make excuses not to do it after a tiring day at work.

It’s important to note that whatever your morning ritual might be, it must work for you to have the ultimate impact. Don’t force it or you won’t follow it. It might take some time to really refine your routine and form solid habits, so take your time, experiment a little, and figure out what works best for you.