Wellbeing Journal
WAYS TO PRACTISE SELF-CARE OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but sometimes the thought of Christmas leaves us feeling overwhelmed rather than overjoyed. On top of the usual stressors the holiday season presents, this year there’s also a certain global pandemic to contend with. With everything that’s going on, it’s only natural that we might find ourselves in a state of unease.In these times, it is more essential than ever to prioritise self-care rituals. Whether you can carve out just 10 minutes, an hour, or an entire afternoon, the trick is to choose what resonates with you most and make it a habit. Read on to discover our top self-care ideas.JournalIf your mind is whirring, it can be helpful to put pen to paper. Offloading your thoughts into a journal is an effective way to find mental clarity. If you’re new to the practice of journaling, then try setting a positive intention for the day ahead by noting down three things you are grateful for each morning. See this as your very own simple self-care planner.Move mindfullyWhether you prefer walking, running, or cycling, it’s no secret that regular exercise can have a profoundly positive effect on maintaining healthy mental health habits. The fact is our bodies love to move and the benefits of doing so are endless. Expect to enjoy deeper sleep, increased energy levels and a brighter demeanour.Practice yogaYou don’t have to attend a studio to experience the benefits of yoga. Instead, seek out an online class or simply practice a few simple postures from the comfort of your own home. Focusing on the breath is an essential part of any yoga practice and is particularly helpful for bringing balance to a stressed-out nervous system.Book a spa treatmentThere’s nothing quite like a professional spa treatment to truly allow mind and body to unwind, so why not book into one of our Jurlique Spas for a luxury facial using natural-based skin care products? Whether you opt for an express treatment or indulge in a 90-minute experience, you’ll certainly leave feeling fresher than when you arrived.Create an at-home spaIf visiting a spa isn’t possible at the moment, try recreating that same experience of self-care at home. Soak in a long, hot bath before indulging in a nurturing self-massage. Add a few drops of our Tranquil Blend Essential Oil to our Jojoba Carrier Oil and apply all over your body in sweeping strokes. Instant calm guaranteed.Up your beauty regimeOur daily beauty rituals offer us a chance to incorporate small moments of self-care into our routines. Using aromatherapy and natural-based skin care is an effective way to bring about feelings of serenity. We suggest keeping our Blackberry & Lemon Zest Hydrating Mist Exclusive Edition on your desk or in your handbag, lightly spritzing it over your face anytime your spirit needs soothing.Get outdoorsIf all else fails, spending time in nature will work wonders in boosting your mood. Close your laptop, leave your phone behind, and embrace the great outdoors. Breathe in fresh countryside air, swim in the ocean, or simply take a walk in your local park – whatever your tonic of choice, getting outside is key to living the healthy life.
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MENOPAUSE AND COLLAGEN PRODUCTION
Responsible for skin firmness and skin elasticity, collagen is the protein that holds our complexion in high regard. But in menopause, skin quickly loses collagen1. As estrogen drops, so too does skin’s collagen production2. COLLAGEN AND THE SKIN Collagen and elastin are the scaffolding in skin3 that keeps it youthful, taut and voluminous. While collagen does decrease gradually with age, the rate is more dramatic in the first five years of menopause4. Continuing to decline for the next 20 years, skin begins to lose its firmness, sag, with wrinkles and jowls more prominent2. MENOPAUSE AND THE SKIN Skin collagen is directly influenced by estrogen loss with approximately 30% of skin collagen lost in the first 5 years after menopause5. As a result of these hormonal changes, skin loses strength and elasticity1. Changes may be seen in the under-eye area; skin may feel thinner and pores may largen. HOW TO INCREASE COLLAGEN NATURALLY As water is a large percentage of collagen’s weight3, it’s important to stay well hydrated6. Eating a diet rich in a variety of proteins and vitamin C, an essential co-factor in collagen production, may support your body’s own collagen production7, 8. And using a daily SPF can also protect the breakdown of existing collagen in your skin9. FACIAL MASSAGE TO BOOST COLLAGEN A nightly facial massage ritual at home. Begin with a neck and shoulder massage to relieve sore muscles. Warm 1-2 pumps of your favourite serum or oil between fingertips, then gently press and smooth evenly onto face, neck and décolletage. Use a warm rose quartz crystal massage roller to help restore firmness to your skin. Follow with a cool jade massage roller to relieve hot flushes and leave skin in a state of calm. Explore our professional salon treatments now, or visit our blog for more skin care and body care tips. REFERENCES Raine-Fenning, N, Brincat, MP, Muscat-Baron, Y 2003, ‘Skin Aging and Menopause: Implications for Treatment’, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, vol. 6 no. 3, pp. 371-378. Reus, TL, Brohem, CA, Schuck, DC, Lorencini, M 2020, ‘Revisiting the effects of menopause on the skin: Functional changes, clinical studies, in vitro models and therapeutic alternative’, Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, vol. 185, no. 111193, DOI:10.1016/j.mad.2019.111193 Lodish, H, Ber, A, Zipursky, SL, et al. 2000, Molecular Cell Biology, 4th edn, section 22.3, W.H. Freeman, New York. Stevenson, S, Thornton, J 2007, ‘Effects of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs’, Clinical Interventions in Aging, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 283-297. Brincat, M, Moniz, CF, Studd, JWW, Darby, AJ, Magos, A, Cooper, D 1983, ‘Sex hormones and skin collagen content in postmenopausal women’, British Medical Journal, vol. 287, pp. 1337-1338. Asserin, J, Lati, E, Shioya, T, Prawitt, J 2015, ‘The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin moisture and the dermal collagen network: evidence from an ex vivo model and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials’, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 14, pp. 291-301 Pullar, JM, Carr, AC, Vissers, MCM 2017, ‘The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health’, Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 866, DOI:10.3390/nu9080866. Schagen, SK, Zampeli, VA, Makrantonaki, E, Zouboulis, CC 2012, ‘Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging’, Dermato-Endocrinology, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 298-307 Ganceviciene, R, Liakou, AI, Theodoridis, A, Makrantonaki, E, Zouboulis, CC 2012, ‘Skin anti-aging strategies’, Dermato-Endocrinology, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 308-319.
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LESSONS ON MOTHERHOOD FROM MOTHER NATURE
The mother and daughter behind Indigenous Australian Art business Miimi & Jiinda, Lauren Jarrett and Melissa Greenwood share important motherhood lessons from Mother Nature. Celebrating the very best of Mother Nature, this year Jurlique’s Mother’s Day gift selection is adorned with the artwork of Aboriginal mother and daughter duo Miimi & Jiinda. Here they share with us the greatest lessons, gifted from Mother Nature herself. We come from the earth and we are part of the earth, our mother earth is our greatest teacher our divine authority Nature teaches us that everything is living, reciprocal and interconnected Nature teaches us to be patient, kind and gentle Nature is a child's playground filled with magical things and mystical creatures Nature teaches that everything is a cycle and everything is forever changing, motherhood is never the same, each day is different and unique. Being a mum is the most rewarding experience life can possibly give Nature is medicine, it’s healing and it's a part of who we are Our ancestors created this earth and all that lives and breathes within we must take care of it and it will take care of us Being born on country gives us strength as Indigenous women, birthing my babies on country was empowering Children are our greatest gift that life can give The Gaagal (the ocean) is our totem and our protector. It heals and cleanses our spirit Our hero ancestors created the waterways, mountains and seas, they created all living things Miimi & Jiinda is an Australian Art business, founded by Aboriginal mother and daughter, Lauren Jarrett and Melissa Greenwood. Hailing from the Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti, and Bundjalung tribes of Australia’s East Coast, Lauren and Melissa share their interpretations of Country, which spring from their own personal cultural identities as Aboriginal women. In the spirit of honouring our First Nations people and deeply acknowledging their connection to this land, we pay our respects to the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. REFERENCES https://miimiandjiinda.com/pages/about-us
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