Wellbeing

There's a lot of lovely things about Spring. The air is getting warmer, the flowers are opening up, people are emerging from their winter hibernations and actually socialising again. But there is a downside. Allergies. There are a few conditions that can be triggered in springtime. Here's a quick look at the top three. Hay Fever Hay fever is the most obvious and potentially the most annoying condition to be triggered by this time of year. There are more than 10,000 species of grass throwing pollen in the air, and the gentle breeze is bringing it right into the sinuses of hay fever...

"Last year all of a sudden I had severe eczema after changing jobs. I was covered head to toe and couldn’t manage my body heat. For a few months I tried creams, tablets, change in foods and diet …….everything I could think of! It was recommended I needed to start UV treatment and continuous use of cortisone creams. Instead I started salt therapy. I came three times a week for over 6 months and now have no reactions or rashes except the odd itch if I’m hot. I’m so grateful I tried this and cannot believe my results. No more tears,...

Sick days. Great fun when you're a sneaky kid having a day off school. Not great fun when you're a parent with a house full of cold and 'flu. We all know winter is a rough time for catching colds, with all of those germs circulating indoors. But when it comes to kids, sicknesses seem to spread through classrooms as quickly as new fidget spinners. So how can you keep your children as healthy as possible this winter? Drink up, kids. Keeping your young'uns hydrated is not an easy task, especially in winter. A big cold glass of water is just not...

In case you haven't noticed, it's getting cold outside. Just ask anyone doing the morning commute, or wiping the frost of their windscreens. But what does the cold weather do to our wellbeing? We all know that winter brings with it a charming cold/flu season, where we take it in turns to be the one with the runny nose. But it's not actually the physical state of being chilly that leads to catching a cold. In fact, if you lived alone in Antarctica, you probably wouldn't catch many colds at all. It's being huddled indoors without ventilation (i.e. keeping the doors...

Put on your spectacles and your thinking caps, people. You may be about to learn something. Epsom salt is NOT ACTUALLY A SALT. That's right. That white salt stuff that you've heard so much about is not a salt at all. It's magnesium sulfate, with no sodium. But nevertheless, it's amazing stuff. Long known as a natural remedy, Epsom salt is named for a salt spring in Surrey, England. Both magnesium and sulfate can be absorbed through the skin, meaning a warm bath in dissolved Epsom salt can bring a wealth of benefits. Why we love Epsom salt: The magnificent magnesium. Magnesium is a clever...

Listen carefully. Can you hear that? That's the sound of thousands of tissues being pulled out of their boxes around the country. Cold season is here. Hooray. You know the usual drill. Vitamin C, chicken soup, warm blankets. But here's a few unusual natural remedies and cold prevention techniques that may just surprise you. Here we go. 1. Garlic shot. Look, it's a bit intense, but give it a go. Take 1-2 very finely minced cloves of garlic and stir them into a small glass of water, then throw it back. It won't be as fun as a Tequila Slammer, but it will definitely...

Salt has gotten a bad wrap over the years. According to a lot of diet 'experts', salt will not only make you fat, but it will also kick you in the shins, burn down your house, and RUIN YOUR LIFE. Well, great news, friends. Salt ain't that bad at all. In fact, not only does salt have a variety of health benefits, but a certain level of it is necessary for human bodies to function. Let's chat about it, shall we? Salt aids blood-sugar control. A healthy level of sodium in the diet is required to maintain insulin levels. Those cutting out salt...

New year, new you? We've all been there. And there's one place we all know that leads: sore muscles. Whether it's a 2017 resolution you're actually sticking to (how do you do that?! Are you a sorcerer?!) or you've always been a gym junkie, a bit of relief from those aching muscles is just what you need. Tart cherries. It sounds like a naughty nickname or a delicious dessert, but it's neither. Tart cherry extract can be taken by capsule or by juice (if you like the taste) and has had proven effects on reducing muscle soreness. Long words like 'phytochemical antioxidants'...