q ua r t e r ly M aga z i n e f o r a l u x u ry l i f e s t y l e
s u m m e r 2 014
hello
summer YOUR NE W LOO K
NEOM IDOL :
BE H IND T H E SCENES :
NEOM
P O P P Y DELE V INGNE
NEOM CANDLES
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
1
Interactive! Click to go to page
Contents Your new look neom p4 NEO m r e g i m e s p8 p o pp y d e l e v i n g n e p 12 Meditation & mindfulness p 16 how the experts de-stress p20 sleep interview p26 the creation of neom c andles p30
2
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
E d i to r’ s Le t ter This is the issue I’ve been looking forward
therapeutic benefits. It means your bath
to all year since I can finally reveal to you
can work that bit harder to help you
the brand new look - including several
unwind, a candle can fill the air with a
beautiful new blends - for Neom Organics
scent that’s not only beautiful but uplifting,
London.
so you aren’t just being kind to yourself
We’ve come a long way since launching our pioneering treatment candles with five fragrance blends in 2005. With a happily packed awards cupboard,
but to the world around us, giving a friend a lovely gift that not only smells and looks pretty but will help give her the best night’s sleep.
proven mood-enhancing blends and fans
Our autumn issue will come out in
around the world, we’re so proud to have
October; in the meantime please do let me
become an essential wellness brand with a
know what you think of our new look and
compassionate ethos that customers feel as
how our Neom fragrances have helped you
strongly about as we do!
on Facebook and Twitter.
We believe in being kind to yourself. A walk in the park, a relaxing bath. That’s why I developed Neom nearly 10 years ago. A beautiful collection of 100% natural fragrances for mind and body, that are free from artificial ingredients, all with
Much love Nicola Elliott Neom co-founder
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
3
YouR Neom N e o m h a s a lwa y s b e e n a b o u t m o r e than just beautiful scents and luxury products.
We bring you true therapeutic benefits by
We’ve taken two years to create the best
using the purest possible essential oils in
containers, ingredients and candle caps,
all of our fragrances, which not only smell
paying attention to the details we know
wonderful but also transform the way you
our customers care about; honest labelling
feel. Our complex blends of 100% natural,
and luxurious, natural products that not
and where possible, organic ingredients
only smell wonderful but also work to
can make you feel happy, relaxed,
enhance your, and your family’s, mood.
energised or de-stressed. 4
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
M e e t t h e N e w N e o m Ra n g e :
We live in a busy world and while we
wick standard candle and 1 wick travel
love the complexities of life, we believe in
candle.
keeping things simple wherever possible. So we’ve reduced four products to two
Customers told us they’d like for our
with our body & hand washes and body &
award-winning Tranquillity bath foam
hand lotions.
to be available in different scents too, so
Our scented candles were our very first product when we launched and have reached iconic status. There was rather a large size gap between our home
we’ve added Real Luxury to the portfolio and you’ll spot some new additions across the whole range – hello, Happiness Room Spray and Great Day Body Scrub.
and travel candles so we’ve added one
Perhaps the most exciting development in
in between; now you can choose from
Neom World is the addition of four brand
between a three wick luxury candle, 1
new blends in our body care range.
Meet the four brand new blends 10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
5
FEEL GOOD GREEN TEA , GINGER & DAMAS K ROSE Chosen from sustainable crops around the world for their powerful mood-enhancing qualities antioxidant rich oils like green tea, ginger, cedarwood and Sicilian lemon make this a blend both calming and uplifting, ideal for any time of the day. A scent that nourishes the soul, pampers and leaves you feeling good. GREAT DA Y W ILD MINT & MANDARIN A complex blend of fresh, spirit-lifting oils - including both high quality peppermint and spearmint extracts - specifically chosen for their uplifting treatment benefits. A great day for us requires these elements: a can do attitude, a calm approach and an abundance of natural energy. The essential oils blended in this mix do just that. Mint not only provides energy but it helps with stress and mandarin helps to lift your mood, calm the body, whilst improving circulation and boosting immunity too. BURST OF ENERG Y GRA P EFRUIT , LEMON & ROSEMARY An intricate and potent combination of 16 essential oils and natural extracts blended with one goal, to provide a terrific burst of energy. The benefits of grapefruit are well documented, from its ability to detoxify the body to mentally lift the spirits. Rosemary stimulates circulation and lemon encourages clear, positive thinking. DE - STRESS CEDAR W OOD , LIME & BLAC K P E P P ER A unique blend of oils that creates the perfect equilibrium, relaxing and reviving in equal measures. Deeply inhaling this scent before or after a big day works to banish stress leaving you feeling cool, calm and collected due to the cedarwood, whilst rejuvenated by the lime and pepper.
6
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
Calm be
a n d Yo u W i l l A lway s b e
H app y
Neom creates
S C ENT TO
make you h a pp y
INSTANTLY DE - STRESS
Its official - over 160 s t u d i e s t e l l u s t h at happy people are h e a lt h i e r
By 2 0 2 0 t h e t o p 4 diseases will be s t r e s s r e l at e d
Whatever your version of happiness
We all need to find extra
is, we believe it starts with a positive state of mind. We created the perfect Happiness regime using a complex blend of essential oils including our Great Day range with mint to provide
8
S C ENT TO
ways to de-stress in our lives and we’ve created the perfect therapeutic de-stress regime using a complex blend of 24 ultra-relaxing
energy and mandarin to lift your mood.
and uplifting essential oils.
Turn over to find out more
Turn over to find out more
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
c a r e f u l ly c h o s e n p r o d u c t s t h a t w o r k t o g e t h e r t o c r e at e a n i n t e n s e t r e at m e n t t h at c a n h e l p w i t h s t r e s s r e d u c t i o n , a b e t t e r n i g h t ’ s s l e e p, m o r e e n e r g y a n d a n uplifted mood.
S C ENT TO
SLEE P
Nothing effects how you look or feel as much as sleep or lack of it
S C ENT TO
BOOST YOUR ENERGY
Energy is the single most powerful fuel t o a cc o m p l i s h anything in life
We have created the
We have created this quick, daily energy
perfect pre-bed three
boosting regime to pep you up wherever
step regime using
you are. The nature of the complex
a complex blend of
blend of therapeutic essential oils we use
relaxing and known
means that the more frequently you use
sleep-inducing
this regime, the quicker your body and
essential oils.
mind reacts to the energising effect.
Turn over to find out more
Turn over to find out more
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
9
Th e h a pp i n e s s K i t :
Th e d e - s t r e s s K i t :
Great Day Body & Hand Wash, Great
Real Luxury Standard Candle, Real
Day Body Scrub, Great Day Body Oil
Luxury Room Spray & Real Luxury Bath Foam*
The Regime:
1
Start a busy day with a dose of our Great Day Body & Hand Wash (a 50 pence piece size will go far) in
your shower. Begin with your shoulders
The Regime:
1
Light the candle to release the oils into the air; allow 20 minutes for the calming effect to begin (this
time will decrease the more often you
and chest and breathe deeply to inhale
use the regime, since your body and
the therapeutic scent. Antioxidising
mind will recognise the essential oils,
pomegranate and Japanese seaweed is
known to work quicker the more often
ultra-nourishing and also helps with the
they’re used) and burn for at least two
absorption of the essential oils through
hours to ensure the natural wax burns
your skin.
cleanly and evenly to the edge.
2
Secondly massage our Great Day body scrub onto dry or damp skin starting at the feet and moving
upwards in a circular motion and rinse
2
Secondly run a warm bath and pour in a capful of bath & shower oil; this includes an incredible
30% of essential oils, their therapeutic
off in the bath or shower. The organic
benefits both inhaled (try at this point
sugar base is mixed with the finest oils
breathing in for 8 from the stomach and
including safflower and jojoba with
out for 4) and absorbed by your skin.
vitamin E for extra skin softening.
3
Next, lock in moisture with an incredible boost of nourishing rehydration with our body oil to
restore and maintain glowing all over
3
Finally spritz the air, your loungewear, a blanket, with the calming room spray - by now the
oils will take instant effect - to complete your scent to instantly de-stress regime.
softness. The organic safflower and jojoba are rich in vitamins A and E as well as essential fatty acids which all help with skin repair and silkiness.
*Also available with the Real Luxury Bath & Shower Oil
10
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
Th e s l e e p K i t :
Th e e n e r g y K i t :
Tranquillity Standard Candle,
Burst of Energy Body & Hand Wash,
Tranquillity Room Spray & Tranquillity
Lotions, Feel Refreshed Reed Diffuser &
Bath Foam*
Feel Refreshed Room Spray
The Regime:
The Regime:
1
Light the candle to release the oils into the air; allow 20 minutes for the calming effect to begin and
burn for at least two hours to ensure the
1
Start a busy day with a dose of our Burst of Energy Body & Hand Wash (a 50 pence piece
size will go far) in your shower. Begin
natural wax burns cleanly and evenly to
with your shoulders and chest and
the edge.
breathe deeply to inhale the therapeutic
2
Secondly run a warm bath - 40 degrees is the optimum sleepinducing temperature to work
with our oils - and pour in a capful of bath & shower oil; this includes an incredible 30% of essential oils, their therapeutic benefits both inhaled (take deep breaths) and absorbed by your
Japanese seaweed is ultra-nourishing and also helps with the absorption of the essential oils through your skin.
2
Next, lock in moisture and layer up the therapeutic scent with our lotion, containing anti-
ageing argan oil, shea butter and sea buckthorn oil.
skin.
3
scent. Antioxidising pomegranate and
Finally spritz your pillow and bed linen with the calming room spray - by now the oils will take instant
effect and will keep emitting the scent
3
Once dressed use your Feel Refreshed spray; spritz the air around you and inhale deeply.
A great complement to Burst of
throughout the night - to complete your
Energy, the high level of basil oil in Feel
scent to sleep regime.
Refreshed aids concentration, perfect for a busy day at work.
*Also available with the Tranquillity Bath & Shower Oil
4
Keep the reed diffuser at your desk - containing an incredible 25ml of hard-working essential
oils - to continually fill the air with natural goodness.
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
11
Po De
Neom Idol:
12
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
oppy leviNgne F r o m L o n d o n t o LA t o S y d n e y , E n g l i s h m o d e l P o pp y D e l e v i n g N e h a s a h e c t i c s c h e d u l e switc hing from time-zone to time-zone, so wh o b e t t e r t o a s k f o r t e n s i o n - r e l i e v i n g t i p s ?
Poppy talks wearing clothes that make you happy, learning to meditate and spending time in the country…
Q
O u r l at e s t c a m pa i g n
Neom’s irresistible scent of Tranquillity; it’s
i s a l l a b o u t ta k i n g
to is full of powerful essential oils that really
t i m e t o d e - s t r e s s – wh at
do make me feel utterly relaxed and calm.
t e c h n i q u e s d o yo u u s e to When life is so hectic,
de-stress?
A
For me, de-stressing is a lot about burning energy, so something like
h ow i m p o rta n t to yo u a r e r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h f a m i ly
Soul Cycle is perfect for me. When my
and friends?
heart races I feel like stress just melts away.
Family and friends are so vital, to keep
But at the end of the day, you can never
your feet on the ground and to keep you
beat a long bath and an even longer sleep...
smiling. They mean the world to me.
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
13
Family and friends are so vital, to keep your feet on the ground and to keep you smiling.
Y o u t r av e l a l o t , d o y o u
but I’m trying to teach it to slow down in
h av e a n y s e c r e t r e m e d i e s ,
quieter times. I read constantly, and am a
b e au t y o r h e a lt h r i t ua l s to
total self-confessed bookworm. And I love
banish any tiredness, help
to work out, and dance like a mad thing. I
yo u s l e e p o r p e r k yo u u p ?
never really stop moving.
I love vitamins, and I take them religiously to keep me healthy, especially when I
W h a t i s y o u r f av o u r i t e
spend so much time on a plane. Vitamin
Neom scent?
C is key! Then little things, like delicious
Ooh, am I allowed two? The lavender
smelling hand creams and eye masks that
and jasmine with Brazilian rosewood
just make the tired days that much easier.
(Real Luxury) or the Moroccan blush rose (Complete Bliss). Both equally as beautiful
W e lov e yo u r l a i d bac k
as each other.
c h i c s t y l e – wh a t s t y l e l e s s o n s c a n y o u pa s s o n ?
I f yo u to o k s o m e t i m e o u t
Just to wear things that make you happy
f o r a t r e a t m e n t a t a s pa
and keep you feeling confident. I have a
14
wh a t w o u l d b e y o u r f i r s t
pair of Sass & Bide boyfriend jeans that
pick?
I’m finding hard to take off at the moment.
A foot massage. I go bonkers for feet.
Sometimes I just want to sleep in them.
Heaven.
H ow d o yo u k e e p f i t i n
I f yo u h a d a w e e k e n d f r e e
bo dy a n d m i n d ?
h ow wo u l d yo u s p e n d i t ?
I’m trying to learn how to meditate, which
With my future husband at our home in
I’m really struggling with but hopefully I’ll
the country. I’m at my happiest when I’m
get there in the end. My brain never stops,
there.
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
t o m o r r o w i s a n o t h e r d ay
Live MANTRA
in th e p r e s e nt tense
T a k e 10 M i n u t e s t o R e a d Th i s :
M e d i ta t i o n & Mindfulness I t ’ s a m y t h t h at m e d i tat i o n d o e s n ’ t f i t w i t h b u s y, m o d e r n l i f e . I n fac t , w r i t e s M i r a n da Vinall of Wellbeing E s c a p e s , i t ’ s m o r e v i ta l than ever Modern life; it’s frantic, busy and it feels like we’re always doing something. But have we become so distracted that we are no longer present in the world in which we live? Next time you’re walking to the station, count the number of people glued to a smart phone, it begs the question, are we missing out on being truly engaged in our lives? It’s easy to assume that’s just the way life is, but that’s not how it has to be. Many people assume that meditation is all about stopping thoughts, getting rid of emotions, somehow controlling the mind, but actually it’s
16
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
about stepping back, seeing the thought clearly and witnessing it coming and going, without judgment, but with a relaxed, focused mind. Meditation and mindfulness are ways of tuning in to your body, letting go of the constant chatter from the busy world around you
Th e e v i d e n c e i s s t r o n g ! H e r e ’ s p r o o f t h at m e d i tat i o n c a n : C o m b a t s s t r e s s - the root of many problems like depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, infertility and
and finding some peace and inner calm.
premature aging. By resting the mind
Recent studies by the
energy washes away leaving you clearer,
the build-up of stress and stagnant
US g o v e r n m e n t h a v e
alert, energetic and balanced.
c o n c lu d e d t h at a b o u t
Reduces biological
90% of disease is caused o r c o m p l i c at e d by s t r e s s This can be especially effective when it comes to managing the many demands and pressures, physical, mental, emotional, or even chemical, that we all
a g e i n g - by increasing DHEA (the ‘youth hormone’) levels. The Journal of Neuroscience published a paper stating that people who have regularly meditated for over 5 years or more have a biological age of 12 -15 years younger
experience, to some degree, each day.
than those who don’t.
Recent studies by the US government
Boos ts your mood:
have concluded that about 90% of disease is caused or complicated by stress. No longer simply perceived as the pastime for anti-materialist hippies, meditation and mindfulness-based practices have become increasingly popular within the western medical and psychological community, due mainly to the observable, positive impact on patients suffering from stress-related health conditions. Meditation is now
Meditation moves activity from right to the calmer left side of the prefrontal cortex (behind the forehead). A US study revealed that a group of stressedout employees who were taught to meditate displayed a pronounced shift in activity to the left part of the cortex, thus becoming more positive, happy and relaxed than their right thinking colleagues.
considered a serious form of treatment
continued
by the NHS and is regularly prescribed as an effective tool for managing pain, depression, heart disease and diabetes.
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
17
As the benefits of meditation can
I m p r o v e s m e m o r y . The
be scientifically measured, through
parts of the cortex associated with
neuroscience, psychology and
memory and decision making
neurobiology, there is a growing movement
functions are thicker and therefore
in mainstream science to fund research in
more effective in those who
this area. A study done by Yale, Harvard,
meditate.
Massachusetts General Hospital have shown that meditation increases grey matter in specific regions of the brain and may slow the deterioration of the brain as a part of the natural aging process. It’s amazing the benefits that can be found from finding those spaces of calm in our life and bringing them out into the world around us. It can have a profound impact on not only our bodies, but our work ethic, relationships and environment. That’s why it’s such a great holistic therapy, it touches every aspect of our lives. But one of the hardest things people find is to sit still for 10 minutes, even the thought of it feels daunting. However, with so many approaches and techniques available, there is something to suit even the most hectic
I m p r o v e s s l e e p . An 8 week study of insomniacs who were introduced to meditation resulted in 75% of those insomniacs being able to fall asleep within 20 minutes. R e d u c e s d i s e a s e . A study of people with heart disease who were monitored over 5 years and used meditation as a relaxation technique found that 47% were less likely to suffer heart disease symptoms. H e l p s P MS s y m p t o m s . A 5 month study of women who were introduced to daily meditation resulted in a 58% decrease in PMS symptoms.
of schedules, so it is doable - I promise! Depending on what technique you are using, you can do it anywhere, even on
If you want to learn how to
busy trains during rush hour! For those
practice mindfulness try our Life
new to meditation, it can feel impossible
Enhancement and Mindfulness
but be gentle with yourself, take your
Workshop in London.
time, try to relax and initially just go with
This three hour workshop is £50.
the flow of your mind. When you see the
18
improvements in your life, carving out a
Check out our little sister website for more
bit of time to yourself to meditate will soon
information and dates:
become a priority.
www.wellbeingescapeslifestyle.com
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
g i v e u p yo u r s e l f u n to the moment.
the
ti m e is now Moloko, The Time is Now
How the Experts
20
NICOLA
Dr. Nigma
N aomi
Sam antha
Kelly
ELLIOTT
Talib
Mart ell -Bun d oc k
Paget
Mo rgan
p.19
p.2 0
p.21
p.22
p.23
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
Nicola Elliott Neom Co-founder & A ro m at h e r a p i s t As a busy mum and business owner the news that 1 in 4 British workers suffer with stress is no big surprise. I adopt a 360 approach to health and wellbeing – practising mindfulness, swimming regularly and eating to nourish. Using the highest quality essential oils can be incredibly powerful, and the extraordinarily complex blends I create are developed to work hard as therapeutic treatments. For example, lavender has been proven to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, but combined with 23 other stress-relieving oils in our Real Luxury blend, it becomes even more effective. Scent to Instantly De-stress is my go-to regime for stressful times; I light the Real Luxury candle, then run a warm bath at 40 degrees - the perfect stressrelieving temperature to work with our oils - and pour in the Real Luxury bath & shower oil, which includes a massive 30% of the purest possible essential oils. Then I spritz the air with Real Luxury room spray. And the good news is that the more frequently you use essential oils, the quicker your body and mind reacts to them. neomorganics.com
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
21
Dr. Nigma Ta l i b N a t u r o pa t h i c D o c t o r To help get to the root cause of your body’s reaction to stress, it is important to regularly test your ‘stress hormones’ by getting an adrenal stress test every year. Once I receive the results of my patients, I can see where their stress hormones are imbalanced and then I can take steps to treat this by diet, lifestyle and custom tailored supplements. I quite often have racing thoughts as there is so much on my plate juggling travelling between my two offices (London and New York), cramming in interviews and trying to balance finding the time to spend with friends and family. But what I have learnt is that racing thoughts can make meditation almost impossible and mediation is one key to ultimately de-stressing. I try to make sure I get enough sleep, because it helps organise my brain thoughts into top de-s tress tip
compartments, kind of like Feng
22
GIGGLING IS
Shui which is used for harmonising
GOOD
the human existence with the
An Oxford University study has found that laughing, even if it’s faked, triggers an increase in
surrounding environment, do the same for your brain and meditation becomes so much easier. healthydoc.com
stress-relieving endorphins.
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
Naomi MartellBundock W e l l b e i n g C oac h When you realise that you are over-stressed, actually point it out to yourself. Stop for a moment, and notice what you are doing and how you are feeling. As soon as I realise I’m snapping at my husband or children, I stop whatever I am doing (because I’m usually doing something like the washing-up at the time,) and I stop whatever’s in my head and I take a deep breath, turn to the person and apologise. “I’m sorry I wasn’t fully concentrating on you. Please can you tell me again?” If I believe that what I am doing is the priority, I pause, take a deep breath (getting more oxygen is key to de-stressing) and say something such as, “I’m sorry I wasn’t fully concentrating on you. Once I’ve finished this I will let you know that I am ready for you.” top de-s tress tip
(Please remember that the timing H AV E A DRIN K
needs to work for them too!)
– Studies have revealed
coresense.co.uk
that dehydration can increase levels of stress hormone cortisol. Remember to sip water throughout the day.
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
23
Samantha Pa g e t Nutritionist I encourage clients, no matter how busy they are, to try and incorporate some ‘me time’ into their daily routine. Whether it’s a leisurely hour-long walk through the park to work, a half an hour soak in the bath in the evening, or a ten minute stretch and deep breathing session in the morning, there is always a window for relaxation, however small. If it helps, I suggest booking ‘me time’ into their diaries like they would any other appointment - because it’s just as important! In terms of foods, B vitamins, magnesium and vitamin C are very important for the adrenal glands. Eat a diet rich in adequate lean protein, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and essential fats. Liquorice tea and magnesium bath soaks are also good remedies for over-stressed
top de-s tress tip
adrenals. In terms of what to avoid,
24
TURN U P T H E
you want to reduce excess adrenal
MUSIC
stimulants such as caffeine, sugar
Research shows that listening
foods which place a burden on the
to 30 minutes of classical music can inspire calming effects equivalent to taking 10 milligrams of diazepam.
Neom magazine
and alcohol, and avoid processed liver as it attempts to excrete excess stress hormones. pagetandcoles.com
s u m m e r 2 014
Kelly Morgan Fitness Ins tructor and founder of 38 Degrees North As well as the mental turbulence your body also struggles to physically deal with stress: part of the stress response involves the release of a hormone called cortisol. While its part of the healthy response, when the stress response is prolonged, cortisol secretion is too high, one of the potential impacts is to cause fat to be laid down on the body (your body is storing up quick release energy supplies) and relative level of muscle mass can decline. This is one of the reasons why one of the first things I do with my clients is test for where your body is currently set in terms of its physiological response to stress an adrenal function test and from there work out how much or how little exercise to give you. I initially recommend exercise like gentle yoga or Pilates can be soothing to the body, allowing a release of nervous energy, while not overtaxing... yoga, swimming and walking are a good mix. thirtyeightdegreesnorth.com
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
25
the
INTERVIEW
26
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
S l e e p i s o n e o f t h e t h i n g s yo u a s k u s to h e l p w i t h m o s t a n d t h e r e a s o n w e c r e at e d o u r r e l a x i n g T r a n q u i l l i t y b l e n d , s o w e a s k e d A n a n d i , a k a Th e S l e e p G u r u t o l e t u s k n o w wh a t e l s e w e s h o u l d b e d o i n g t o g e t t h e b e s t night’s sleep tonight
What do you find with your
You can do it to wind down before bed,
clients is the most common
or during the night if you are tossing and
mistake we can make when it
turning. You can also use it as a recovery
comes to sleep?
tool if you have had a bad night.
People think that sleep issues are a matter
We know about cutting down
of an overnight cure and give up before they have even started a holistic approach. If they could dedicate at least 30 days and
on coffee before bed but how else can diet have an effect on sleep and what should we be eating to
stick to it, there will certainly be some improvement. However, any ‘one’ thing
make the most of it?
will not work without the support of some
Eating huge meals late in the evening will affect sleep as will refined sugar as
lifestyle changes and dietary changes.
m ak e
You’re a great proponent of Yoga Nidra, or Yoga Sleep – what is this and how can it help? Yoga sleep is a stupendous relaxation technique that takes you into a similar state as hypnosis (a state called the hypnogogic state). It is an amazing physical and mental rejuvenation process and I recommend it for anyone suffering from exhaustion.
s ur e yo u g e t at l e as t 7 h our s sleep!
Don’t skimp, sleep is a necessity, not a luxury!
it will play about with your sugar levels. A clean healthy diet rich in foods that contain Tryptophan (an essential amino acid that makes serotonin and melatonin) like yoghurt, milk, chickpeas, wholegrains, hazelnuts, almonds, bananas and kelp will help with sleep issues. Why do you think it’s important to take such a holistic approach, looking at all aspects of life, when it comes to
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
27
getting the best night’s sleep?
rise and melatonin is released to start the
I always say sleep is a matter of balance,
natural sleep cycle. It is very important to
as is good health. Our physical, mental and spiritual being works in synchronicity and as a whole, not in parts, therefore one cannot just take a pill that will treat a symptom, it has to be a holistic approach to make long term change and maintain
and dim the lights in the evening. Harsh strip lights or staring at your computer screen will inhibit the natural sleep process. New research suggests that
health.
pretending to be tired by yawning
Of course, we at Neom know the
on tiredness. What are your
and so on can actually bring
positive effect essential oils can
thoughts on such visualisation?
have on sleep – do you use them
Our thoughts and intentions create our
with your clients?
reality, this goes back to ancient eastern
I love to use essential oils like lavender,
philosophy to modern quantum physics.
sandalwood and jasmine. I think ambience is everything when it comes to creating the
What we focus on we get more of so if we focus more on positive nourishing thoughts
right space for relaxation and sleep.
our health will improve, if we focus on
There seem to be countless studies
on negativity, we will get that! I think
being conducted at the moment around melatonin levels and sleep – can you explain a bit about how melatonin works and the practical, natural ways we can use this information to get better sleep? Serotonin regulates sleep, calms you down and is light sensitive, and melatonin controls your sleep cycle, and they are totally interrelated. As the evening draws in the darkness, the body’s serotonin levels
28
get out in the natural light in the morning
Neom magazine
being tired we will get that and if we focus there are probably better things to focus on at bedtime than tiredness like focusing on deep breathing - tiredness will come authentically! We’re fascinated by the study of sleep and all the interesting findings – what studies are being conducted now that we should be aware of? Sleep is such a current issue, there are so many studies being done and have been done in the past. One that I have found
s u m m e r 2 014
very interesting is the fact that
3
Things You Might be Doing Wrong
there is a special gene that
1 Sleeping in an old bed
enables people to get by on only
Research shows that after 10 years your bed may
6 hours sleep, but this is only
have deteriorated by as much as 70% from its ‘as
3% of the population*... the rest
new’ state.A Research has also found that couples
of us need at least 7 hours sleep
should look at investing in a bigger bed for better
to enable us to function fully.
sleep. Only 15% said they would buy a larger than
My advice, make sure you get at
standard bed before a trial sleeping in one, while
least 7 hours sleep! Don’t skimp,
afterwards, 50% realised the benefit.B
sleep is a necessity, not a luxury! 2 too muc h time indoors What is your personal process for getting your best night’s sleep?
Our body’s melatonin levels increase in the dark making us feel tired but it is thought that the rise in people staying indoors most of the day and night
The most important thing to
in unnatural light is playing havoc with this. The
me personally is to maintain
solution? Get as much daylight as possible and turn
my practice. I have a 1.5-2
off unnecessary lights come bedtime.
hour practice in the morning made up of breath work,
3 N a pp i n g f o r t o o l o n g
yoga posture, meditation,
A 20 minute nap during the day tunes out the
visualisation and mantra. In
nervous system and can give you as much energy as
the evening I absolutely have to
two cups of coffee and last much longer. However
unwind for 2 hours before bed
30 minutes or more will see you entering deep sleep
and then I use deep breathing
and leave you feeling groggy on waking.C
to relax before going to sleep. I also eat lightly in the evening and never drink coffee! A Research by the Furniture Industry Research Association, 2011) B Ergonomic Pilot Study of Bed Size and Sleep Quality by ICE Ergonomics, February 1995 * Research by University of California-San Francisco, 2014
C Gregg Jacobs, Sleep Disorders Centre at the University of Massachusetts Medical School; March 2003
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
29
BEHIND THE SCENES
The creation of
NEOM CANDLES Neom created the first 100% natural treatment candles and our ethos has, and will always, stay the same. Here’s an insight into the intricate creative process of making our natural scented candles “Anyone who has experienced one knows
needed was so immense, they wouldn’t
that a Neom candle is like no other. The
burn properly….three years later, in
original blend, back in 2002 took over
2005, on a rainy day in north London, my
three years to perfect. We were told over
partner Oliver could smell the incredible
and over that the concept of pioneering a
blend of Real Luxury before he opened
truly therapeutic treatment candle, which
the door to our two bedroom flat. We had
had no synthetic parfum in it, and no
finally cracked it.”
chemical additives was impossible. Experts claimed that the amount of essential oils
30
Neom magazine
N i c o l a Co-founder
s u m m e r 2 014
1
“Natural waxes and essential oil fragrances are difficult to work with, one oil, for example the woodier scents, can be so much stronger than others in the citrus family, so for each fragrance blend we trial it with hundreds of different wicks to see which one is the perfect match. Only once we’ve found the best combination N i n e y e a r s l at e r , yo u love them f or so many r e a s o n s : being 100% natural, they burn right to the bottom,
do we create a whole batch and start testing them. We have a strict criteria that the candles have to burn evenly all the way to the bottom and are not allowed to pillar down the centre.
produce minimal soot and absolutely no toxins, smell divine and, importantly, have a true positive effect on their mood. This is all down to the natural wax, cotton wicks and at least 10% of pure essential oils in all our candles, each one carefully crafted by hand. Ivan, our in house candle supremo says, “A new candle can take years to
2
create depending on how tricky the
“The process of making the candles starts with
fragrance has been to formulate.”
ensuring the glass containers are free of any
Here he reveals the long creative
debris, chips, cracks or flaws then pre-wicked
process behind Neom Candles.
for the correct positioning.”
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
31
3
4 The candles are then left to cure for a
“After the wax has been taken to the correct
few days so that the wax and essential
temperature in the vats we then add the
oils can settle. A wander around our
required fragrance dosage and fold in
candle workshop is an incredible sensory
thoroughly before hand pouring.”
experience; the team prefer working with Feel Refreshed to Tranquillity (which sends them to sleep during the day!)
6
5
Finally the candles are hand-packed ready for customers, who we feel confident will love the candles and the way they make
“Once the candles have fully set they are then trimmed, cleaned, labelled and are ready for packing. A new batch takes up to three days to produce.”
them feel. Of course, it would be much easier and less expensive to mass produce paraffin wax candles with predictable synthetic fragrances but, as Neom Cofounder Nicola Elliott says, “Just as I wouldn’t allow someone to smoke in my house, I wouldn’t want to burn a candle that emitted toxins.”
32
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014
ABOUT u s 100% natural fragrances for the mind & body with proven therapeutic benefits to relieve stress, aid sleep, boost your energy or lift your mood. We travel the world seeking out the optimum botanicals from sustainable harvests and carefully distil the essential oils. We expertly blend these together to create extraordinarily complex, 100% natural, and incredibly beautiful fragrances. Every fragrance has a proven therapeutic benefit. We use only natural & where possible organic ingredients, no petrochemical paraffin or mineral wax, no artificial perfume only pure essential oils and no harsh preservatives. Made in Britain from sustainable sources.
www.neomorganics.com
10 0 % n at u r a l f r ag r a n c e s f o r m i n d & b o dy
33
34
Neom magazine
s u m m e r 2 014