Stop Worry In Its Tracks — Seven Ways To Keep Calm And Carry On

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Frostie

Britain is on the verge of a stress epidemic. One in five adults now worries for at least 60 minutes every day, and more than seven million Brits are believed to have a certifiable anxiety disorder. Even low-level worry can negatively impact work, home and quality of life and it’s a situation that costs the UK economy over £6.5billion each year.

But you don’t have to put up with your anxieties a day longer. Here, UK ‘Worry Tzars’ Professor Daniel Freeman and Jason Freeman — authors of new Pearson stress management guide How to Keep Calm and Carry On — provide seven simple but effective anxiety-fighting tips to help win the war against worry.

PUT YOUR FEARS TO THE TEST

Anxiety is the brain’s way of alerting us to potential dangers and equipping us to deal with them. Avoidance of dangers is perfectly reasonable, but not when the fears are unrealistic. Avoiding these fears means that you never put your anxiety to the test. When what you fear doesn’t occur, we assume it is because of the safety measures you’ve taken. You ignore the simplest explanation: the problem wasn’t very likely in the first place. So meet new people or confront your fear of water or dogs etc.

2. THOUGHTS ARE NOT FACTS

It is important to remember that just because you think something, it doesn’t make it a reality. The brain makes its judgement extremely rapidly, and it’s not always correct. You may think your neighbour doesn’t like you, or worry that you’re less intelligent than your work colleagues, but it is entirely possibly – and usually more likely – that you are mistaken.

3. CONSIDER ALL THE EVIDENCE

When thinking about your fears and anxieties make sure you give equal weight to each piece of evidence, rather than giving extra credence to those that support your fears. By acknowledging both sides of the argument you will see irrational worries for what they really are, and overcome them.

WRITE DOWN YOUR FEARS

Three or four times a week write down your fears. Do it in a way that a stranger could read and understand them. This stops irrational fear floating around in your mind. It is as if you physically get the worries out of your head and onto paper.

SCHEDULE YOUR WORRY

Some people can’t stop worrying – no matter what. Therefore set aside a period every day of about 15 minutes and dedicate that to worrying. Choose an uncomfortable spot, a hard chair, or a stool – to ensure you are not relaxing. Then, think through your worries. Don’t run over the 15 minutes and train your brain that this is the period for irrational worrying. If you worry about things during the day, try to put them out of your mind until your designated worry period.

THINK OF A POSITIVE MEMORY

You cannot stop worries occurring, but you CAN develop techniques and coping strategies to stop them controlling your life. One very simple but powerful technique is to think of a positive memory. When you feel anxious, recall a similar situation involving the best outcome rather than the worst.

7. REMEMBER TO RELAX

Many scientific studies have shown a strong link between exercise and stress reduction, so make some time in your daily routine to relax body and mind. Utilise proven relaxation techniques such as yoga, or light to moderate exercise . . . then Keep Calm and Carry On!

How to Keep Calm and Carry On: Inspiring Ways to Worry Less and Live a Happier Life by Daniel & Jason Freeman (Pearson) is out now, priced £10.99, from Amazon and all good book shops.

iGeneration Facing Lifetime Of Back Pain: Jodie Kidd Talks About Her Experience.

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Frostie

We have become a nation obsessed with technology and social media. Much to the detriment of our health. We’re a nation on the brink of a potential back pain epidemic. Experts say the ‘iPosture generation’ spend more time in front of a PC or laptop than they do asleep in bed.

Simplyhealth surveyed more than 3000 adults and found more than 8 out of ten of us have suffered with back pain in the last year (86%) and that we suffer with it on average three times a week.

A combination of work and home screen time (excluding traditional TV) means that over 55s spend an average of 6.64 hours a day in front of a screen compared to 8.83 hour for a typical 18-24 year old.

However, key differences seem to emerge when it comes to the different generations’ use of technology. Two thirds (67 per cent) of 18-24 year olds agree they either slouch or hunch in front of their PC or other devices at work. Their parents on the other hand (45-54 year olds) are more than twice as likely to sit up straight at home, on a chair, with their PC or laptop in front of them.

And parents today are much less likely to tell their children to sit up and stand up straight – 59 per cent of those questioned said they never gave their children this advice.

What do you think? Is the iGeneration destroying their back?

Young People Using Fertility MOTs

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Frostie

An increasing number of young people are discovering the benefit of ‘fertility MOTs’, consultants have said, even if they have no immediate plans to start a family.

Patients can come in for fertility advice even if they aren’t yet trying for children, and have a full range of tests so they can decide when they should start thinking about a family.

Mrs Yasmin Sajjad, fertility consultant at Spire Liverpool Hospital said: “The growing popularity of our fertility MOTs reflects a rising trend of young couples and singles seeking peace of mind on their fertility status.”

As people get older some may find it increasingly difficult to conceive and fertility consultancy is valuable in providing early advice as to how long it is practical to wait.

Yasmin said: “At 25 – 27 years old a woman’s fertility is already starting to decline, and upon reaching 35, chances of conception have often halved. Women who take an early assessment of their fertility can make informed decisions about their options later down the line, including the possibility of having eggs frozen for a later date.”

Erica Wilson used the fertility MOT to help make an informed decision on when she and her husband should start trying for children, she said: “I came to Spire a few years ago for a fertility MOT at the age of 31. I was keen to see if there were any issues, and help become better informed so myself and my husband Ken could find out when we should start trying for children. It ended up being a very good decision because we found out early on that there were problems and it has given us time to address this.”

Erica is now going through a treatment called ICSI, Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. This involves injecting a single sperm into an egg in order to fertilise it, it’s then transferred back to the woman’s womb as an embryo.

Erica said: “So far we have undergone a few treatments of ICSI through the NHS. The treatment went smoothly but unfortunately it hasn’t worked. It’s now been diagnosed by Mrs Sajjad that I have certain cells, which identify the embryo being put back in my womb as a foreign body and I am now on a course of steroid treatment which should prevent this. Ken and I are now really hopeful that we can start a family and having a fertility MOT has given us the time to solve the issues, and have a good chance at trying for a family before time and the odds are against us.”

Yasmin also said that they have seen an increase in the use of the clinic by couples in the middle of trying for a family. “Many couples are leaving it later to try for children, which simply put means they can’t afford to wait around. If they have been trying for a year with no success then they should visit a GP, but often taking this route can mean they end up on waiting lists for tests and to see a fertility expert. This wait can mean the difference between having a child and not, as some couples have left it too close in terms of their fertility or accessing IVF on the NHS, where the cut off for funding is often around the age of 40. This means that the women should be referred for assisted conception treatment at least six months before their 40^th birthday.

“Many older couples are now choosing to pay privately to find out if there is an issue straight away, then they can decide what action to take.”

The Fertility MOT includes a range of packages, all of which require only two visits to the hospital within the space of a week. The comprehensive process will provide a full assessment of a patient’s ability to conceive and identify any underlying factors that may prevent natural conception down the line.

Packages are available for men, women, and couples. Men receive an expert semen analysis, while women will be given a pelvic ultrasound scan, urine test and tubal patency test. Both will also have a full blood test to check hormone status.

Upon the second visit the results are discussed and potential options will be laid out. From there consultants can give expert advice on future options, and advise any appropriate treatments.

Yasmin added: “Modern hectic lifestyles mean that more couples are choosing to postpone a family until later in life, so a fertility MOT can be invaluable in checking one’s options before it’s too late.”

Spire Liverpool Hospital is holding an information event for couples planning a family on Thursday 24 October, from 6.30 – 9pm.

Should You Get A Tattoo?

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Tattoos used to be for sailors, then rebels and cool people and now they’re…everywhere. Which begs the question, are they still cool? Every celebrity these days seems to ink themselves regularly, no matter what their brand might be. David Beckham reminds me of that line in Cape Fear, ‘I don’t know whether to look at him or read him’.

Magazines make getting a tattoo seem as natural as getting a hair cut and it would be easier to count the people I know that don’t have a tattoo than those who do. The fact is, it is beginning to annoy me because getting a tattoo is not like getting a haircut: it is permanent, expensive, painful and carries health risks. I can say this because I, like pretty much everyone else in the world, have one. Albeit one from ten years ago when I was a teenager; the Japanese Tao for courage on my hip bone. It is tiny and can be covered by my thumb. Which is what the criteria for having a tattoo should be in my opinion: making it able to be hidden. If you don’t agree then think of some of my poor acting friends, who have lost work due to their body art, and singers with hand tattoos who can’t get hired. If the entertainment industry is not keen on people with tattoos imagine how the ‘real’ working world is like. CEO’s with lots of tattoos are not exactly common.

Megan Fox had her tattoo of Marilyn Monroe removed because it had ‘negative energy’.

In fact, not everyone can pull of tattoos. Angelina Jolie can but she is so beautiful not much could dent her beauty. It was actually Angelina who inspired me to get a tattoo in the first place. And Jolie is not immune from mistakes, she had her ‘Billy Bob’ tattoo removed after she divorced the actor. Before Jolie actresses were much more boring, after she came along it became okay to ink yourself up and actually have an opinion. Bland went out, personality came in. But that was a brief window, and you have to be a pretty big star to be work the make up artists budget for hiding it all.

Angelina Jolie shows of her tats for Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue.

Lana Del Ray’s hand tattoo

So should you get a tattoo? Let’s break it down.

Think first about the safety concerns. There are serious medical implications in getting a tattoo. Click on this link for more of the safety concerns which include: Tattooing and piercing break the skin and may cause bleeding. They cause open wounds and infection is possible. Infections at the site may cause permanent deformity, scarring, severe illness and even death. Skin infected with resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be life-threatening.

Tattoos are also painful. Very much so. I have a very high pain threshold and I still thought it was painful.

Secondly, what do you do for a living? As much as we should not judge people by how they look, we do. It might hold back your career and even affect how other people treat you.

Thirdly, are you just doing it to be rebellious? Because tattoos are not rebellious anymore. Everyone has them; even Felicity Kendall and my aunt. That is when you know the game is over.

Fourthly, do you really want it for life? Have a very serious think about that. Removal is expensive, as you can see from the information below. Make absolute sure it is what you want, and NEVER get someones name tattooed on you. You will regret it.

THINKING OF HAVING A CHERYL COLE ROSE BUM TATTOO? LIVE TO REGRET IT AND REMOVAL WILL COST YOU £12,000

· Rapper Lil Wayne would have to spend £105k and 173 hours to get rid of all his tattoos

· David Beckham would have to spend £38k and 71 hours to be ink-free

· One Direction’s Harry Styles would need to fork out £11k to remove his tattoos

· 68% increase in Brits enquiring about tattoo removal in the past year

If you’re thinking of copying Cheryl Cole and having a rose bum tattoo, bear in mind that it could cost £12,000 and 20 hours of laser sessions to have Cole’s latest inking removed, according to new research carried out by private healthcare search engine WhatClinic.com.

They have analysed the body art of 10 of the most tattooed celebrities and worked out how much it would cost to have it all removed. The research shows that, should they ever regret their decision to go under the needle, these celebs could end up paying tens of thousands of pounds to be tattoo free.

Top of the league table of inked-up celebrities is U.S. rapper Lil Wayne, who would need more than 500 sessions totaling 173 hours with a tattoo-removal specialist to erase all his artwork – at a mind-boggling cost of almost £105,000. That’s enough to buy a top-of-the-range Porsche or double the average deposit on a property put down by a first-time buyer in the UK last year.

David Beckham’s body is not just a temple, it is also adorned with tattoos from top to bottom, meaning a staggering bill of almost £40,000 – and the equivalent of 48 football matches in time under the needle – to be tattoo free again. And One Direction star Harry Styles may be just 19-years-old, but he’s already an avid lover of body artwork. And the cost to have them removed? Almost £11,000.

While the colossal cost may not be eye-watering for celebrities, for the millions of Brits who have and love tattoos, wiping the slate clean is likely to put a strain on their finances and in many cases may be unaffordable.

There has been a 68% increase in the number of people enquiring about tattoo removal in the past 12 months alone, with the cost of removing a small, black and white tattoo starting at £400. That fits with market research showing that significant numbers of people end up regretting their tattoos – a recent poll by Harris Research showed that almost a fifth (19%) of Britons with tattoos regretted having them done.

The following table, based on average costs provided by three tattoo-removal specialists, estimates how many laser sessions and total cost for some of the most famous tattooed celebrities to have all their tattoos removed:

Celebrity	Number of sittings required	Total number of hours	Total cost
Lil Wayne	520	173	£104,720
David Beckham	212	71	£37,920
Jodie Marsh	218	73	£30,820
Cheryl Cole	104	35	£14,740
Zayn Malik	140	47	£13,500
Rihanna	218	73	£13,120
Harry Styles	182	61	£10,940
Sarah Harding	57	19	£7,660
Tulisa	66	22	£5,480
Cara Delevigne	56	19	£4,480

Wayne Tatzapa, founder of tattoo removal specialist, Discardead, comments: “Despite tattoo removal being an exact science there are many variables that can determine the number of sessions required to remove all trace of the tattoo.

“The time needed to remove a tattoo varies according to the individual, as do the chances of wiping out any trace of it. Skin type, the tattoo’s location and colour, scarring and the degree of density all make a difference.

“Many people don’t realise that removing tattoos can take months or even years, because laser sessions should be at least six weeks to three months apart to get the best results and minimise the risk of scarring and other side effects.”

Do you have a tattoo? Do you regret it?

Anti-Gravity Yoga & Ballet Barre Conditioning at London Dance Academy + Always Infinity Competiton

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Recently I got up at 7:30am to exercise on a Saturday. Was I having a mad moment? No, I went to an Always Infinity event to do some Anti-gravity yoga and Ballet Barre Conditioning. I also had a pep talk from a life coach who also went through the benefits of Always Infinity. These include: These are the most exciting Always innovation in over 20 years and are set to revolutionise the pad. They use new-to-UK Infinicel: while regular pads mostly contain fibres, they are made from liquid foam to absorb liquid. Impressively, they can absorb 10x their weight. They also mould to your body. I love them as they stop a period getting in the way of living your life. They are very light and comfortable. I barely feel like I am wearing them and I am very impressed with the new technology. They are like no other sanitary protection I have ever used. Full marks from me.

I also had a chat with Freya Lingerie about sports bras. They have some really beautiful bras. I also spoke to a nutritionist who said I had a great diet, Yeah! Her only comment was that I might need more calcium.

The Anti-gravity yoga looked like the picture below, except the fabric was a lovely electric blue colour. The London Dance Academy is an excellent venue. Our instructor was amazing and said we would be doing back flips. I did not think I would be able to do this, but I did! I hung upside down and even stretched my legs out, I did a backflip and I even did the ‘chandelier’ which Pink did at the Grammy’s while singing. All respect to that woman. The chandelier is when you hang from your middle and grab your feet behind you, making a chandelier shape. I really loved Anti-Gravity yoga and would like to do it again. It really made me push myself past what I thought I was capable of and my back felt like it had been stretched out.

The Ballet Barre Conditioning was just as much fun. Our instructor was fun and super fit. I could really feel the burn and even the warm up felt hardcore.

Ballet Barre Conditioning combines ballet barre conditioning, pilates, weight training , yoga and isometric. It promotes a leaner, stretched-out look for women. It doesn’t shorten your muscles or make us look like men. Some parts of it reminded me of the Tracey Anderson Method. I definitely want to do it again. It completely works out the body and challenges you. I’m a fan.

I will definitely be doing more Anti-Gravity Yoga and Ballet Barre Conditioning.

We are running a competition to win some pads and Sweaty Betty Yoga Top and Gap Capri Yoga Pants. To win the kit in the photo below like Frost on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube Channel or newsletter. Comment below to say which one you did.

Good Luck!

Top Tips For Joint Health

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Frostie

1) Keep Moving

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), engaging in exercises or activities that improve your joint range of motion can help you reduce your joint stiffness, maintain or improve proper joint movement and flexibility and ward off the effects of osteoarthritis. Exercises that target your spinal segmental range of motion, such as Tai Chi, yoga and pilates, are particularly beneficial, as they help improve your posture and reduce unnecessary wear and tear on your joints. These exercises keep joints strong and muscles limber whilst erasing stress. Research shows that high impact exercises such as kickboxing and aerobics can be more damaging on joints. In contrast, low-impact activities like biking and walking that offer the same calorie-burning benefits without the painful pounding. Water based exercises, such as swimming and aqua aerobics, are also great as they allow you to exercise freely, while taking the weight load off your joints.

2) Maintain a healthy body weight

We all know that being overweight is bad for your health, however it is extremely bad for your joints, as they will be under the added strain of carry excess weight. Every extra pound you gain puts four times the stress on your knees. The flip side is that even a small amount of weight loss will give your knees relief. Research has shown that losing as little as 11 pounds may improve your joint health and cut your risk of osteoarthritis of the knee by 50 percent.

3) Stretch

Stretching before and after exercise is crucially important, and including a few gentle stretching exercises, as part of your day-to-day routine will make you to feel re-energized, and will help keep your muscles and ligaments flexible and strong and prevents muscle and joint stiffness. There are two types of joint stretching that are beneficial: firstly, static stretching, which holds the stretch of a joint usually for about 30 seconds; and secondly dynamic stretching, which involves moving your joints in their full range of motion repetitively in different directions. Perform dynamic stretching before your exercise to stimulate your nervous system and warm up your body, and perform static stretching after your workout to alleviate muscle fatigue.

4) Eat a good diet

Eat beneficial foods. Studies show the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can help not only reduce symptoms associated with joint pain but also change the levels of inflammation that may be causing some of the pain. Fish oil slows the production of inflammation-signaling cells. The best sources are fish such as salmon and tuna, or try taking an omega supplement such as VeEPA (£13.99 from www.nutricentre.com). Research also shows that vitamin D may help protect your joints, too, via an anti-inflammatory effect. Make sure you get 400 to 800 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D daily; one cup of milk contains 100 IUs, and three ounces of salmon has 300-650.

5) Use a warming joint spray to provide relief

When joint pain flares up, painkillers and anti-inflammatories can provide relief but they can also have contraindications with other medication and long-term use can cause other health issues. Phytodol^® Joint Care spray is an effective, all-natural, topical treatment designed to help care for joints and muscles and maintain their health. Containing a unique combination of glucosamine, MSM, arnica, ginger, zedoary and cinnamon oils – all know for their beneficial effects on joints and muscles – it is rapidly absorbed, providing fast, effective relief. (Phytodol® Joint Care spray, £14.80 for 200ml. Available in selected Holland & Barrett stores)

Kirsten Stewart is feeling the fall-out from her recent breakup

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Frostie

Hair loss experts warn that stress-related hair loss is on the rise

Could stress and heartbreak be the cause of Kristen Stewart’s hair loss woes? The Twilight star has been recently spotted with a large bald patch on the side of her head, fuelling rumours that she has been struggling to deal with the recent post break up stress from her ex, Robert Pattison.

A recent study by Nourkrin, found that 89% of women questioned found stress had been a major influence on the health of their hair, with it causing thinning and in some cases major hair loss.

The photo provides a rare glimpse of the star’s natural hair – she is usually wearing a cap and hair extensions when filming or being seen in public.

It’s not only image-conscious stars like Kirsten relying on extensions to add volume to their hair. The survey also found that two thirds of UK GPs have seen a rise in the number of women distressed and seeking help with hair loss with 70% of these hair loss cases being down to an increase in stress levels.

Dr. Wendy Denning, a Harley Street GP with a specific interest in women’s health comments: “I have seen many cases of thinning hair and hair loss over the years. Although most people think of hair loss being a problem for men, it is surprisingly common for women after the menopause and increasingly in young women. Of course there are many reasons for hair loss including hormonal changes, poor nutrition and certain medications – but one of the most common reasons that is on the rise, is stress-related hair loss”.

Celebrity hairdresser Jo Hansford MBE, whose clients include Angelina Jolie and Gwynenth Paltrow comments “Many of my clients are concerned about hair loss, whether it’s due to stress, hormonal changes such as being pregnant, or general over styling issues. Whatever the problem, it feels good to help them by explaining the benefits of Nourkrin. This is a natural, scientifically proven supplement for thinning hair, hair loss and general hair maintenance. Over time I have really seen the difference that Nourkrin makes to encourage hair growth and to the renewed confidence it gives my clients.”

Nourkrin Woman 60 Tablets are available here and from Boots or Superdrug.

Skincare Tips for Men

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Frostie

Don’t use a moisturiser that contains alcohol or perfume after shaving, use a gentle moisturiser. It’s essential to moisturise so that you rehydrate the skin, shaving will strip the skin of its natural moisture.

Do use a face gel/wash for oily, combination skin when cleansing – and a cream cleanser for dry skin.

Don’t dry shave, this can seriously irritate and dry out the skin. Always use a shaving gel or oil. If you have sensitive skin, avoid any products that contain menthol.

Do use any brand. When it comes to skincare, you don’t have to use just the brands targeted for men. If you have similar skin complaints to your girlfriend/mother/sister ask to try their products to see how they work for you.

Don’t rub or pick dry lips; apply a lip balm regularly throughout the day, a stick lip balm is easier and quicker to apply then the balms in little pots.

Do exfoliate dry hands (remove the dry, dead skin) and then moisturise. Start by mixing a little sugar and olive oil together and scrub your hands for roughly a minute, rinse off and then apply some of the olive oil in to your dry hands. For best results, gently warm the olive oil (warm not hot), apply to your hands and then cover your hands with a pair of cotton socks. Leave for a few hours or for even better results, leave on overnight.

Don’t leave sweaty skin after a workout. If you notice breakouts on your body after exercising, use a medicated wash to cleanse the skin as soon as possible after each session. If you don’t have time to shower, quickly wipe over your skin with a clean, cotton flannel and change out of your sweaty workout clothes. Always use a clean flannel and towel.

Do’s and Don’ts from highly-experienced facial therapist, Bravura London founder and Mum of Three, Amanda Elias.

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