12 minute read
Beauty and cosmetics
Wellness
Mairead Robinson experiences how you can find your ‘inner self’.
-an essential element of beauty
‘Wellness’ is one of those new words that have entered into our vocabulary in recent years. We have spoken previously of being well, feeling well and wishing others well, but the concept of “wellness” is a new one.
And yet it encompasses the very essence of our modern lives. Wellness is defined as the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, we are thriving.
Wellness can include sea-swimming, meditation, yoga and Tai Chi, massage, reflexology and many other contemporary and traditional therapies. It can also of course include social activity and friendship and indeed the simple act of walking. Anything that contributes to our mental and spiritual health and basically makes us feel happier, can indeed be a essential part of wellness.
With all the upset in the world right now, and indeed the restrictive lockdowns of the previous couple of years, the idea of wellness has never been more pertinent to our lives than today. This is the time to treat ourselves, to pamper ourselves and to indulge in activities that make us feel calm, content, healthy and indeed happy.
A visit to a good spa works for many of us, and taking a couple of days for a spa break or retreat either on your own or with a close friend or family member is certainly my idea of a perfect treat. And so I set off to Creacon Wellness Retreat near New Ross in County Wexford for a two night break with my daughter. As we live either ends of the country, this was the perfect meeting place. Creacon is pretty unique in that it offers luxury accommodation, contemporary food from their Food is Medicine programme, an extensive range of classes, activities and events, and themed retreats to suit a whole range of interests. From juice cleanses, to energy therapies, body treatments and counselling, their approach is to help you to relax, rejuvenate and renew.
And we certainly did that by enjoying yoga, guided meditation, Tai Chi class, massage and time spent enjoying walking in the beautiful gardens. Creacon is very popular with the locals, as non residents can sign up for many of the classes and the Well Bean Café & Restaurant offers a delicious menu for lunches and for takeaways. I was delighted to see that while enjoying the luxury accommodation, fabulous food and great classes and therapies, they also have a lovely little bar well stocked with excellent organic wines! Find out more about organising a break either just for yourself, or with a friend or family member – I noticed a few other mother/daughter residents besides ourselves - you can check out
www.creaconwellnessretreat.com
One of the very comfortable bedrooms at the Creacon Wellness Retreat near New Ross
Outside class at Creacon Wellness Retreat
The garden at the Montenotte Hotel
And as so many of our hotels now have spa, leisure and beauty facilities, you can actually book a wellness retreat in a luxury hotel if you choose the right one to suit you. For some people it is the swimming pool and gym, for others it is pampering beauty rooms, but for a real wellness break, it is one that offers specific wellness therapies. And so we headed down to the beautifully refurbished Montenotte Hotel in Cork city. We stayed overnight and tasted stylish food and accommodation, enjoyed the beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking the city and had exceptional treatments at their Bellevue Spa.
Along with a full range of facials and massage, Spa Manager Jenifer is a keen practitioner of Reiki, an external energy therapy that can have a very positive cleansing and uplifting effect if you are open to it. As Jennifer explained:‘Usui Reiki here at Bellevue allows you to truly connect with your inner being. Reiki places the client in the deepest state of relaxation and instantly calms the whole body which brings a sense of peace and quietens the mind.
We live in a world full of distractions with a mindset of thoughts stuck in the past or planning the future, so that we struggle to be present. The key to life is living in the present moment with a calm, peaceful mindset. That sounds so simple but is one of the most difficult tasks to achieve’.
Reiki will reconnect you inward to allow you to be fully present. The Therapist will be guided to scan the body for any energy blockages to bring the body back into alignment and so to increase vitality , balance, and grace. People have so much power within, and Reiki can help uncover your true potential”. Certainly after just one session, I could feel how powerful this therapy was. I also had a very therapeutic massage with Marta, whose professional touch sorted out my knotted shoulders!
There is no doubt that people are turning more and more to alternative therapies and ancient Eastern practises that help us to relax and bring about a sense of calm. It is no surprise that “wellness” and selfcare has become so popular with all age groups. Active Retired groups all lover the country are putting on classes in Yoga and Tai Chi, and people are loving them.
So if you are one of the many who have come to realise the benefits, it might be time to take it one step further, and book a proper wellness break. Take off for a few days and allow yourself to be pampered. Learn to breath slowly and deeply, discover new ways to calm your mind and relax. It could be a perfect new year resolution for 2023. Because you know
that you are worth it!
Ann is listening to the classics, you can too.
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Have a Mindful Christmas this festive season, Get the Facts & be ‘Drinkaware’
With Christmas just around the corner, preparations are well under way for the festive season. Christmas can be a time of great joy, fun and time to spend with friends and family, but Christmas can also bring with it many stresses and with the rising cost of living, Drinkaware the national independent charity wants to share some tips and advice on how to protect your mental health and wellbeing, during the festive season.
Christmas is a time to spend with our loved ones, and one way in which many of us do this is over a drink, whether it is with dinner, watching TV or in our local pub. Drinking alcohol is part of many social occasions and celebrations in Ireland with Christmas being no different. As the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse in Ireland, Drinkaware wants to share insights, tips and advice with seniors on how you can enjoy the winter months and be drink aware in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Drinkaware’s annual Barometer survey indicated that weekly+ drinking for 65+ age cohort is at 63% versus the national average of 52%. However, people aged 65 and older are less likely to engage in binge drinking (drinking 6 or more standard drinks in one sitting) which is incredibly positive since we know that binge drinking is linked to lower mental and physical health.
Often information about alcohol use is aimed at younger people, but we all need to be aware of how much we drink and the potential impact it can have on our health and wellbeing. Drinking daily, even in small quantities is not advised – the HSE low-risk weekly alcohol guidelines advise no more than 11 standard drinks for women and no more than 17 standard drinks for men, spread out over the week with a minimum of two alcohol free days a week. But that raises the question ‘what is a standard drink?’ In Ireland examples of a standard drink would be half a pint of beer, 100ml glass of wine or a 35ml pub measure of spirits.
Alcohol is often used as a coping strategy for people when they feel worried or stressed, or to enhance a person’s mood. Over half of Irish adults reported drinking alcohol to help them cope with stresses and worries in 2022. Drinking alcohol to improve your mood or to help cope with stress is an unhealthy coping strategy and can prevent a person from developing healthy coping skills.
There are many factors that can influence wellbeing, including alcohol use. Others include exercise, diet, a sense of belonging, relationships, and finances. Alcohol can have a negative impact on each of these areas of life and as a result, affect overall wellbeing. As we head into the winter months, with the increasing cost of living, we know that this will be a stressful time for many people. Instead of turning to alcohol when stressed or to try and improve your mood why not try some of these suggestions:
• Limit or cut out alcohol: If you find yourself reaching for a glass of wine or bottle of beer to reduce stress, stop and re-evaluate. It may be helpful to take alcohol off your shopping list and try non-alcoholic alternatives instead. If it’s not in the house, you can’t drink it. • Keep an active routine: We all need fresh air and exercise every day. Here in Ireland, we are lucky to have stunning landscapes and green spaces on our doorstep so there are lots of ways to get active, even in the winter months, just make sure to wrap up warm and have a good pair of walking shoes! Maintaining a regular routine of walking or cycling can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. If you struggle to get out, why not ask a family member or friend to join you. You can even sign up for walking groups, which is a wonderful way to socialise with others while keeping the mind and body fit and healthy. Exploring your local area is a great place to start, and it can be an excuse to meet with friends or family. • Talk to friends and or family: Talking about your problems or how you are feeling with someone you trust is one of the best things you can do. A problem shared is a problem halved. Keeping in touch can have a positive impact on our mood and ability to deal with problems. This is also a good way to reconnect with people you have lost touch with over the years or haven’t spoken to in a while. Make a list and plan to call, text or write to one every week. When having a drink in the home it’s easy to think that you’re staying within the low-risk weekly guidelines, but all measures are not the same and it can be easy to pour a drink thinking you are having one when it could actually be two or even three in one serving. Having a measure cup to hand can help keep track of the drinks being poured and Drinkaware has free measure cups that can be ordered on our website: https:// drinkaware.ie/order-resources/ or by email info@drinkaware.ie.
For more information visit: www. drinkaware.ie or contact info@
drinkaware.ie
Help is at hand for reading, writing, numeracy and digital skills
With Christmas just around the corner, there is a good chance that many of us will be receiving new technology, such as our first smartphone or tablet and may be feeling a bit daunted by it.
For others, there may be a feeling of annual dread at having to write out the Christmas cards again and worrying about our spelling or our budget for Christmas gifts. These can be very real concerns for many of us, as figures outlined in a new Government strategy show. The Adulty Literacy for Life strategy highlights that 1 in 5 of us struggle with everyday text, 1 in 4 have difficulties with everyday maths and 1 in 2 don’t have the basic digital skills. What’s more, for older people, often the problem is more hidden, causing problems in the workplace in trying to keep up with the latest technology.
Speaking about the implementation of the Strategy, Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, the State, explains that we need a whole new approach to encourage people to seek help. “One of the key things our research found was that people were really worried about what others would think of them if they sought help. There was perceived to be a real stigma about having problems with digital skills, numeracy, reading or writing. We are changing this view. It is society’s failure that so many have difficulties with literacy, numeracy or digital skills. The individual is not to blame here. The Adult Literacy for Life Strategy recognises this and aims to help individuals, families and communities to get the help they need at a time, place and pace that suits them.”
The report noted that many people may have had bad experiences at school or the last time they were in formal education. Andrew added: “Thankfully, supports and services for adults who need help with their reading writing or digital skills have developed so much over the years. They are really welcoming and supportive environments.”
The Strategy outlines how a lack of literacy, numeracy and digital skills can impact negatively across an individual’s daily life. Those affected can have difficulty in day-to-day tasks such as helping grandchildren with homework, reading the instructions for prescriptions, or calculating household budgets. The COVID pandemic has also shown just how important it is for older people to have some digital skills, with technology such as video calls providing a lifeline for many to stay in touch with family during periods of lockdown. Older people without these skills were at greater risk of becoming isolated during the pandemic.
If you, or someone you know, would like to improve on their reading, writing or digital skills then help is at hand. The network of 16 Education and Training Boards across the country all offer adult literacy services, with help available in many ways and in many different locations. A new Website has been launched where all the contact details for your local services are available in one place and there is a telephone helpline, operated by NALA, the National Adult Literacy Agency, where you can talk in confidence with an advisor about your next steps.
If you or someone you know would like help with reading, writing, or using technology, get in touch in one of the following ways:
By Phone (NALA) : Freephone: 1800 20 20 65. Phone lines are open 9.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
By Text: ‘LEARN’ to 50050 and we will call you back.
