12/30/2011

image sources: Canyon Ranch, stresstips.com

We posted a little while ago about how stress can affect your health of your body and your skin. When stress is left unchecked, it can wreak serious havoc on your skin’s beauty potential. Breakouts, dehydration, rashes, fine lines and dark circles are just some of the symptoms you’re dealing with higher than normal stress levels.

While reading one of our favorite celeb-blogs, GOOP, we came across this great article of dealing with daily stress and wanted to pass it along.

Here are our favorite tips, suggested by highly respected stress-busting professionals:

When you are stressed, be aware of your blood sugar levels. It is important to eat several times throughout the day and not go hungry.
Keep up with regular exercise so your body has the opportunity to release all the unwanted energy. Showering before bed can be helpful too. It tends to wash off the stress from a long day to allow you to sleep better. – Dr. Oz Garcia

“There is a tool we all have, one of such simplicity and purity, such minimalistic beauty that its power is often and easily overlooked. This tool doesn’t cost a thing, requires no complicated instruction, is available to everyone and can be accessed anytime and anywhere. It is, without a doubt, among the most effective antidotes to stress and a key component to wellbeing that we human beings possess. Let’s consider, for a moment, the power of breathing. – Olivier Bros

There is a kabbalistic tool that can be of assistance in awakening the consciousness of certainty. It is called the mikveh, which is simply immersing our entire body in water, preferably in natural flowing water such as a stream, ocean or river. If that’s not available, then a pool or a bath will also suffice. – Monica Berg

We’d like to add two more de-stressing tips:

Drink more water! When you are stressed, your body uses more H2O and needs more for fuel and hydration. Drinking more water can calm the system quickly and save your face.

Get outside. We live on the coast of Southern California, but wherever you live, getting outside at least once a day to walk, sit, enjoy a sunset or lunch outdoors can do wonders for your overall stress level. The coastline is especially good for de-stressing as the ocean releases negative ions that clear the air and promote healing. Nature can nurture in more ways than one – so go on, get outside.

We live in a world where stress cannot be avoided. We make huge efforts to avoid pesticides, trans fats, harmful chemicals and dyes, but too much stress can be more harmful to our system than all of these things combined. What’s that saying? “The stress will kill you faster than the french fry.” Well, something to that effect anyway. Be sure to take time each and every day to deal with stress in a positive way…your skin will thank you!

In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work, Skin Care 101

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12/22/2011

At bien-etre spa, we believe that it is far far batter to give AND receive!
Discover SD is at it again, and this time, we’ve made the list of last minute Holiday Gifting Ideas:

At Bien Etre, esthetician Jennifer Laz is providing guests with a thoughtful way to give well-being. The spa is celebrating the season with a $50 gift card for every $100 spent. Spoil yourself, and watch how the simple act of self-care can continue to help others!

Read all about it here, and call us for more information on this great offer.

In Spa Community

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12/20/2011

photo credit: Gizmodo, Scientific American

We wanted to give you a heads up on another additive that could be harmful to your health: BVO (brominated vegetable oil.) Sounds less than delicious, yet it is added to certain drinks to prevent product separation.

This additive contains chemicals similar to those used in flame retardants, and is banned throughout Europe and parts of Asia. Yet, it is still FDA approved for use in sports drinks and sodas in the United States. Why the FDA has deemed this ingredient not worthy of a place on their priority list, we do not know.

The brands known to use this additive are Squirt, Mountain Dew, Orange Fanta, some flavors of Gartorade and other sports drinks. To be on the safe (and healthy) side, always check labels of prepared and processed foods and drinks before consuming them. Think of this potentially disturbing news as a great motivation to stop drinking soda and drink more water. Your skin will thank you!

For more information, here’s an article on this topic from Natural News, one from Scientific American and one from Gizmodo.com – Enjoy!

In Skin Nutrition

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12/14/2011

photos via: Restoration Hardware, bien-etre spa, healthyoga, manduka

Feel free to copy or drop some hints of your own!

Manduka Eko Natural Rubber Yoga Mat – did you know that many yoga mats are made of plastic by-products that can expose you to potentially harmful off gassing? Natural Rubber is the way to go when choosing a yoga mat that you plan on using for a long time. Manduka is my favorite brand for its durability, comfort and eco-sense.

Yoga Class Passes – Yoga classes are a great way to get a workout and relax the mind at the same time. They can be expensive, so a yoga pass – or monthly membership – is a wonderful gift for the yogi in the family!

Sanitas Topical C – is the perfect stocking stuffer or gift because there are so many ways to use it to benefit your skin. Topical Vitamin C can be used as a lip balm, eye treatment, diluted to make a perfectly protecting moisturizer or spot treated to rapidly heal minor scrapes or irritated skin.

Soft Spa Robe – who doesnt love a good comfy spa robe? My favorites are the organic cotton waffle weave and these microfiber beauties.

Malie Organics Plumeria Body Cream – smells exactly like Plumeria blossoms of Kauai…wait, that’s because they are made from Plumeria blossoms in Kauai. Blended in a base of organic coconut oil, this body cream leaves skin feeling soft and silky…and forget perfume – your covered!

Osmosis Catalyst Serum – For the wrinkle-conscious on your gift list. This special serum uses Zinc Finger Technology to repair DNA damage and assist in the production of proteins and antioxidants within the cell. It’s a patented combination of amino acids and key co-factors that will improve wound healing, lighten pigmentation, reduce visible capillaries, and stimulate collagen production through a revolutionary process.

In At Home Spa, Product Knowledge

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12/12/2011

Too much stress is the enemy of good health and beautiful, youthful skin.
Stress raises cortisol (a stress hormone) levels in order to create the “fight or flight” response your body thinks it needs. The body automatically responds in this manner to physical, mental and emotional stress. If you happen to be running from a large animal or fighting an intruder, stress can be very helpful. It can give you the boost of adrenaline and energy you need to make a quicker getaway. Mental and emotional stress is a bit different. If you are constantly worrying over work or money matters, a cortisol surge may not be as helpful. In fact, chronic emotional or mental stress can tire your body, push hormones off balance and impede healthy digestion.

Chronic Stress kills brain cells, shuts down digestion, increases fat deposits in the abdomen, and damages chromosomes which leads to premature aging. To put it simply, stress breaks the body down.

National Geographic highlighted a documentary on stress and its effects on the human body. You can view it in its entirety here: National geographic documentary – stress: portrait of a killer

While its impossible to eliminate stress completely, it is possible to manage so that it works for you and not against you. Taking time daily to manage stress is crucial to maintaining your health and preventing premature aging.

Spend time in nature: take a walk outside, eat your lunch outdoors in the sunshine, open the windows to let in fresh air, place air-purifying green plants in your office and home.

Meditate: spend some quality time quieting your mind. To meditate means to focus your mind on one thing. If you find it difficult to do, try a yoga class or relaxation cd with guided meditation.

Take care of yourself with regular facials or massage. These treatments not only relax your mind, they improve the quality of your skin, muscle tone, circulation and more.

Exercise: whether its a game of basketball, a pilates class or a 2-mile run in the neighborhood, working out helps use the extra adrenaline created and stored by stress. Exercise also releases endorphines which help brighten your mood, clear your mind and increase oevrall well-being. Just be sure to drink lots of water!

Quick Fixes
breathe deeper: take a few moments to close your eyes and breathe deeply, inhale through your nose, floowing your breath as it fills your belly then your chest, exhale completely and slowly through your mouth, expelling stale air. This process alone can do a lot to lower stress levels.

use aromatherapy: inhaling vanilla, peppermint*, lavender or green apple can lower stress levels almost immediately. Place a few drops of essential oil into a tissue and inhale deeply and slowly for best results. *Peppermint is not recommended during pregnancy.

drink up: slowly drinking a tall glass or water (or better yet, coconut water) can calm the body and provide essential hydration during times of stress.

In Skin Care 101

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