ESPA, MONDRIAN DOHA

Lifestyle Tips

ANXIETY & ENERGY

High hopes

Dopamine is a chemical produced by the brain that reduces anxiety and enhances feelings of pleasure, focus and calm. To optimise this natural high, put apples, watermelons, almonds, natural yogurt, beans, eggs and meat at the top of your shopping list and watch out for excess sugar, caffeine and stress, all of which can suppress dopamine production.

Stand tall

Posture has a powerful effect on both mood and energy. Slouching cuts off the flow of energy and makes breathing less effective. If you stand up straight, draw your shoulders back and breathe in deeply, you’ll feel the benefits both to your mood and your energy levels.

2-Minute yoga

This is Mondrian Doha’s very best reboot tip. Simply take a tennis ball, and then. against a wall, roll it up your spine, from between your shoulders to that little indentation at the base of your skull. Then roll it from side to side along the base of the skull. It’s called the occipital ridge and is full of acupressure points, which may be why it releases so much stress and pressure.

Sweet like sugar

When it comes to a steady flow of energy, sugar is one to put on the watch list. Keeping sugar intake low and looking for alternatives wherever possible helps sustain stamina,

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT supports concentration and allay mood swings. Wheat flour is also a surprising energy-sapper so try to minimise the amount of bread, crackers, pastries, cakes and biscuits you eat.

All in the mind

Peppermint and Eucalyptus essential oils work wonderfully together to swiftly enliven and energise, while Rosemary helps focus the mind so, when spa clients say they just feel the need for a reboot, this is the blend we’ll recommend. The proof is in the pudding. Mondrian Doha’s experts and clients report a real improvement in mental focus and clarity, as well as a lift in spirits, enhanced optimism and positivity. Try using their Energising range if you’re feeling sluggish.

Fats are good

Well, some fats. A diet rich in healthy fats, (along with high fibre foods and complex carbs) will help you avoid energy peaks and troughs – which also makes it easier to control your weight. Healthy fats include: extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter/ghee, avocados, coconut (oil, flesh, milk), whole nuts and seeds and sugar-free nut butters.

Mind full or mindful

Mindfulness is a global, billion-dollar business and the biggest story in health and wellness for decades. With good reason. Mindfulness is, quite simply, living in the present. Being in the here and now, focused only on what can be changed today. It’s a state of mind that grounds us, making us more productive and helping to restore mental and physical equilibrium.

While the whole world is practicing social distancing, our nails made not be on show as much as usual but they still need to be cared for in readiness for Post-Covid life. Here Beauty experts from Nails, Qatar’s multi-awardwinning beauty salon, share their tips on how to maintain your nails at home.

If you weren’t able to remove your extensions and shellac manicure before the quarantine was imposed, you might be feeling anxious now but don’t worry - you can remove them at home!

NAIL CARE DO’S:

• File your nails to the shortest possible length.

• Always keep your nails moisturised with hand creams and lotion. Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer use causes dryness.

• Nourish with nail oils. Rub it into both your cuticles and nails for better results.

NAIL CARE DON’TS:

• Do not use nail clippers to cut nail extensions as this will traumatize your natural nails.

• Do not leave your natural nails long if you have grown your nail extensions as they will break and split if you bump into things.

• It’s very important that you don’t force removal of your nail extensions. Picking the product off will also catch the top layer of your nail plate which will weaken your nails.

• Do not try to remove gel or shellac polish by peeling it off! File the shine off the gel or shellac polish, place a cotton with acetone on your nails then wrap them in aluminum foil. Wait for 20- 30 mins. If there is still some remaining polish, repeat the wrap and wait a few more minutes. Use a wooden stick to push the product away from your nails.