Category: Natural Health and Beauty Tips

1. Why aren’t You Seeing the Results You Want from your Workout?

   Posted on 9:00am Monday 31st Jan 2022

   Exercise is fun, and most of the time it will bring you a lot of joy. In addition to all of this, you may be somewhat anxious about seeing results. Everyone has different fitness goals, and this is great, but if you don’t feel as though you are seeing the results you are personally seeking, then this will work against you. If you want to find out more, then take a look below.

   
   

   Your Goals are Not Clear Enough

   If you have hit a workout plateau but you have no idea why, then the first thing that you have to do is take a look at the goals you have set. A lot of common mistakes that people and exercisers make is that they set goals that are too high or simply out of reach. This can lead to a lack of motivation, and it can make it much harder to get to where you want to be. A good example of a target goal would be that you want to become stronger. How are you going to measure this goal? Is your goal to do two more push-ups than your current limit? Maybe it is for you to try and double the amount you can lift right now. Either way, you have to set measurable goals as this will help you to get the results you want, and it will also help you to take steps in the right direction. Using supplements can help, if you are struggling with your physique. Take a look now to find out more.

   Your Goals are Not Realistic

   Most of the time, you might not believe in yourself to achieve the goals that you want to achieve. That being said, sometimes people take things to the extreme and they set the bar way higher than it needs to be. They then end up getting knocked down and they end up experiencing a huge amount of disappointment. If you want to avoid this, then you need to try and avoid any unrealistic expectations. You also need to try and avoid throwing in the towel altogether and if you are not careful, this is what will happen. One good way for you to work around this would be for you to try and look at the goals you have achieved in the past. If you have a strong running background then setting yourself up for half a marathon could be wise, but if you have no experience in running at all then doing this could work against you.Self-care is also important, so don’t beat yourself up too much if you do not achieve the goals you have set.

   You Don’t Know how to Monitor Progress

   Setting goals that are attainable starts with being able to measure them. The next step for you to take would be for you to see the best way to monitor your progress. If you do not set small milestones for yourself, then you may find that you end up struggling overall, and this is the last thing that you need. 

   To sum up, your fitness plan should include specific, realistic and achievable goals.  You should also egularly monitor your progress and tweak your plan as and when you need to.

   Until next time

   Zoe 

   x

    

2. 3 Simple Self-Care Rituals to Celebrate Winter Solstice

   Posted on 9:00am Monday 13th Dec 2021

   

   Next week on the 21st December, is the  Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.  It is the shortest day of the year and from thereon, the nights gradually start to get longer, a promise of the return of the sunlight!

   For people who celebrate Christmas, the Winter Solstice can often be overlooked as they are busy focusing on last minute shopping or preparation for the festive period.  However for those who find Christmas all just a bit too much in terms of materialism, pressure and stress, Winter Solstice can be the ideal time to detach from all of that. 

   At this time of year, Nature is all about stillness, there is not much outward activity in terms of life and growth, but surely lots of inward activity in preparation for the first blooms of new life in Spring.  For this reason, I associate Winter Solstice with simple, peaceful, reflective rituals.

   Here are 3 simple self-care rituals to celebrate Winter Solstice

   1) Go for a gentle stroll in Nature, try to be really present and aware of everything with your all your senses.  Make the intention to shake any of the festive stress you may be holding on to.  If you are a crafty type, you could collect some evergreen foliage and make it into a festive wreath. You would need to buy an "Oasis foam wreath ring" in advance though.  To make your wreath, you simply soak the wreath ring in water first then add your foliage.  You could even buy a bunch of flowers and place a few of them in your wreath as well.

   

   2) Do some gentle restorative Yoga - I follow a lovely lady Nourished Natasha on Youtube who often celebrates nature's cycles with a special yoga class. Her classes are very inclusive and I am sure beginners would find her classes accessible, so be sure to check her out. After your yoga class, you could have a soothing cleansing aromatherapy bath with sea salt and essential oils. Some relaxing and uplifting essential oils include sweet orange, lavender, bergamot. Mix 1 tbs of sunflower oil with 6 drops of essential oils, add it to about 200g of bath salts, stir well and then add to your bathwater. 

   3) If the weather isn't great or you don't feel like being active, you could do a simple journal ritual.  Play some relaxing music, light a candle, take your journal and write about all the good that has come into your life this year.  If it has been a challenging year, then take the message of the Winter solstice to be one of hope for you.  Just as the sunlight starts to gradually return into all the countries in the Northern hemipshere from this day, the sunlight can also start to come back into your life as well. Make that intention for yourself.

   

   If you are interested in learning more about living in tune with the seasons, aromatherapy and self-care, feel free to check out these resources which maybe of interest to you:

   Winter Self-Care Guide (Ebook)  

   Aromatherapy Guide (Ebook

   Until next time

   Zoe

   x