Blissful couch therapy

There's a magic moment that you all know and love - it always leaves you speechless, mouth agape, body at ease, stress out the window. You know the one. The head massage in the hairdresser's completely uncomfy chair.

And I admit it's best when someone else is doing it and they're about to make you real purdy, but it is still amazing when you do it yourself. Sit on or in front of a couch with a towel around your neck and a bottle of olive or almond oil. Use one hand and a little oil at a time, slowly work your way from your temple to the middle of the back of your head, making little circles with thumb and fingers, swap hands and do other side. Make sure you're supporting your arms with a big cushion so they don't end up aching. Then work from the front of your head all the way down to your neck. Repeat as many times as necessary. Swap hands. Now spend a little time gently kneading away at your shoulders and arms. Lovely. You don't have to wash your hair straight away, leave it for an hour or overnight if your scalp or ends are dry.

Not so keen on the oil? My fave scalp treatment is Lotion Fortifiante by La Biosthetique - it comes with a dropper, I put in on my scalp an hour before I shower. My fave dry ends treatment is L'Oreal Paris Elvive Re-Nutrition Daily Nutritive Fluid Leave-In, it's a serious moisturizer for wet or dry hair without any greasiness. I have no idea how they made it so good. Maybe it's the royal jelly. Whatever, it works.

A happy balance

I'm in the middle of an article on stress and I happened upon some interesting info on stress/anxiety and how it affects the body. Most of us know that it sends the heart crazy - do not want - by putting us in a fight/flight state, which is only particularly useful when you gotta fight or get the heck outta there.

Researchers in the US discovered a few years back that anxiety literally creates imbalance in the body - not just internal hormones etc, but externally. People who suffer from anxiety have problems with physical balance.

Scientists in Tel Aviv took this a step further. They saw that kids were frequently showing the affects of anxiety - but were unable to deal with it cognitively because of their age. So they gave them physical therapy, 12 weeks of sensory-motor intervention. In the end, these kids not only improved their balance, but their anxiety was down to normal levels and their self-esteem rose.

What a brilliant lesson! Never underestimate the power of a good yoga/pilates/jogging/walking/stretching/swimming session on your mood, wellbeing and sense of self.

Early bird catches the zzzzz

I'm officially used to 6am. I like it. It's the best time of the day. But I'm also enjoying tennis season, and watching our fit aussie battlers going great, or not so great, guns until the wee hours. So that leaves me with a lot of time awake. I could be using these hours rigorously, diligently, ticking and crossing things off the to-do list, but, alas, I'm left tired and soggy. Not so good with so much work on.

This week I discovered the perfect solution. Naps. I've never been a fan - I find it way too hard to recover enough to enjoy the rest of the day/night. And between you, me and the bolster pillow, I think I'm scarred by Gran, she might have said something once about how I needed it when I was miserable. Ok I was eight, and miserable, but we all know how that went. Issues aside, I am now a convert. I don't crash out every day, but every so often I'll curl up and be gone for 30 minutes. It takes me a cup of tea and a hefty slap to get back with it, but then I'm grand. Just grand.

In a napshell, studies have shown that a power nap - 20 minutes of shut eye - can reduce stress, boost patience, improve reaction time, better efficiency and alertness (think less road accidents) and lessen crankypants syndrome. However, naps are only recommended for those who are sleeping less than eight hours a night. Yes ma'am, that's moi.

Beauty babes beware

I'm a sucker for a shiny lipgloss and hair treatment as much as the next gal, and if you've been reading this here bloggie, you'll know I'm also trying to give up the baddies of the beauty world. Because really, cancer just isn't worth it. But the big brands have the money and the talent to make the most incredible - and incredibly alluring - products, advertise them to the hilt and sell them at (mostly) reasonable prices. Who can compete?

This morning I was flipping through Dr Frank Lipman's excellent book, Spent? End Exhaustion & Feel Great Again. Here are some shocking facts from his book that may just leave you spinning... and heading past the staggeringly gorgeous billboards and straight for the organic skincare counter.
I hope.

* Up to 60% of what you put on your skin can end up in your bloodstream
* I'm moving to France: in 2005 a directive passed by the European Union mandated that chemicals determined to be carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins be removed from cosmetics sold in Europe
* Although the American cosmetics industry asserts that its products are safe, 89% of the ingredients used in cosmetics have not been assessed by either the FDA or the industry itself
* Phthalates and parabens, used as preservatives, have been banned in Europe since 2003. Both have been demonstrated to be carcinogenic and particularly linked to breast cancer
* Fragrances in products covers about 4,000 different ingredients. Most are synthetic and are either cancer-causing or otherwise toxic. Exposure to them has been shown to affect the central nervous system
* Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly. Mineral oil is a by-product of the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. Essentially, it's a petrochemical that covers your skin, stopping your skin cells from breathing, absorbing or excreting. This slows the skin's natural cell development, causing skin to age prematurely. Mineral oil with added fragrance is sold as baby oil and is 100% bad for you... and for baby
* Talc is related to asbestos, a known carcinogen, and is the main ingredient in baby powder, medicated and perfumed powders and designer perfumed body powders. Links have been made with ovarian cancer in women who use it in the genital area

Do your health, skin and kids a favour... check out your faves here: cosmeticdatabase.com

The cold and the beautiful

There aren't many guarantees when travelling through South-East Asia... except hot, balmy weather and fresh coconut water, two glorious exceptions. I've always enjoyed using coconut products in cooking, and I keep on discovering more and more healthy reasons to throw them around the kitchen a bit more! Here's a few faves...

* Coconut water is a natural isotonic drink, keeping you cool and super hydrated, its anti-bacterial properties keep you in good health and there's loads of vitamin C. Drink on its own or use to marinate prawns or dress fish.

* Coconut milk might be a saturated fat, but it doesn't turn into bad cholesterol in the body. Instead, it turns into energy, plus it contains potassium and calcium. Splash it all over your muesli in the morning or poach chicken in it with lots of coriander.

* Coconut oil (buy the virgin variety) accelerates the body's metabolism, helps with enzyme and thyroid function, boosts the immune system and may aid in reducing symptoms of diabetes and cystic fibrosis. Use it to fry - it has a high smoking point so it's structure won't change.

Now all I need is a sledgehammer to open them up and I'll be right! Yummers...

Peace, kindness and shiny gold bracelets

I was out shopping yesterday, marveling at how many people work in retail but don't see the importance of looking after customers. Even when they ask. I was getting mighty flustered, it really got inside my impatient nerves. But that all changed when I walked into Witchery and was approached by the nicest woman on the entire planet of retail.

She held eye contact. She was genuine. She left me alone. When I took my marked-down bracelet and scarf to the counter, she treated me like I was buying half the store. She asked me about my day, what I was doing later, how I enjoy working from home. Shared stories about getting caught the freakish storm the night before. And all the day long I felt good, she stayed with me somehow. So my Friday lesson this week, mon amigos, is to focus on the good and the kind, not the millions of people cutting you off on the roads or talking down to you in restaurants. Just the good. You'll feel better for it, trust me.

As good as it gets

There's something so romantic and languorous about devouring warm little scones in the country with a perfect cup of tea. On a recent trip to Berrima (my fave country town), we stopped at a gorgeous cafe, sat in the sun and nibbled our way through the morning.

I recently read about a study by the UK's Institute of Food Research. They found that pectin, a natural gelling agent used in making jams, can obstruct the progress of cancer through the body by "sticking" to a protein (Gal3) which causes tumour growth. Go jam!

So if tea and jam are good for you, scones and cream taste like sunshine and breathing in the fresh country air instead of the city smog is the best soul reviver around... I think that's as good as it gets for me.