Simply Relaxing, as the name suggests if all about helping you relax and let go of everything for a little while but it is becoming clear to me that the last 18 months has taken its toll in many ways and I want to help. Here are my Top Ten Tips:
1 – Spending time outside with nature is very calming, many of you know that I am a big fan of hugging a big old tree but actually there is a little science behind my mad suggestion! A tree is anchored to the earth, therefore it creates a “grounding” effect which helps to release oxytocin, which is the hormone that help calm and relaxes you. Simply the action of hugging releases serotonin and dopamine which are feel-good hormones into your bloodstream. Did you know that if you struggle with upper body muscle tension, this act of hugging a tree stretches the upper body muscles. I am a Reiki therapist and believe that a tree is also anchored into the Universal Life Force, not religious at all, pure natural energy, it can only do you good.
2 – Enjoying a bath eases muscular tension, the warmth of the water soothes and calms nerve endings. Set the scene, light your candle (Helpmeorganics soy candles of course!), and put a little Epsom Salts. This is not a salt but a magnesium compound, Magnesium is very calming. Double-check on the packet if you have high blood pressure first.
3 – Back outside again, walking is very soothing and allows your brain to switch off even just for 15 minutes. You will find you start striding out then as you walk, your pace will slow as will your thoughts. Try walking in a natural surroundings to hear the birds and see the trees.
4 – I am a big fan of Mindfulness meditation. This doesn’t have to be crossed-legged on the floor, simply sitting still, noticing your breathing but not attempting to force anything allows your brain to switch off as all the focus is on your breath. This is a practise so try to do it regularly and you will look forward to your little bit of quiet.
5 – Of course, I am going to add having a massage, reflexology and/or a facial to this list but any Holistic treatment works on your Central Nervous System, soothing your parasympathetic nervous system which allows everything to calm. I use organic essential oils to help achieve relaxation.
6 – Include essential oils into your daily life. You choose how you do this but I love to use different scents for different rooms. In the bedroom, I suggest using a calming, destressing blend, either “help me, it’s way past my bedtime” or “help me have a mindful of calm”. Both are made with mind calming oils. Whereas in the living room, you want something uplifting but calming, I suggest either “help me feel fresh as a daisy” or “help me, apparently I need to chill out”, the scent is not quite as sleep inducing as the other two. If you are working from home, try using “help me they say exercise is good for you” in your office space, motivating, focusing and energising. You choose how you use the blends whether its a candle, room spray or essential oil blend.
7 – Catch up with friends and family. We have all craved this and realise just how important time with people we love is. So even though the restrictions are lifting, I would still suggest on a sunny day, meeting in the garden so that everyone is relaxed and happy. But, masks on, have a big hug, physical contact is so very important for relaxing us.
8 – Have a good sing. This is one of my favourites, if I’m feeling a little fed up, I pop on some Abba and sing my head off, more than likely completely out of tune but I don’t care. Singing delivers oxygen to your brain, releases feel good hormones and they say helps with memory.
9 – Get boogieing – Dancing is a fantastic exercise, you can go for it and properly move around but simply swaying helps to loosen you up, release tension and gets you smiling.
10 – Our last tip is to realise that nothing in life is perfect (except a snowflake), you can’t be good at everything and sometimes stress can be caused by taking on too much, finding it hard to say no and being a perfectionist. Write everything down to get it out of your head, most times the simple action of writing a list makes you realise that you could delegate most jobs.
I hope these tips help you to relax. I know that lots of my lovely customers have struggled through personal lost, medical shocks and proper battles which cannot be helped by the above completely. I believe that if you talk about what is worrying you, sometimes someone close to you, or a friendly holistic therapist, can shed a different light, help you through it and be your support.
Here we are again in lockdown yet this time it feels different, or maybe thats just me. The first lockdown happened in spring so we could all enjoy the warm sunshine and potter about our gardens, keeping away from contact.
The second lockdown was in November, much harder as we were worrying about arrangements for Christmas but it was short so we coped.
This lockdown, open ended in January, feels much harder. Maybe we are aware of the severity more this time, maybe we are emotionally tired and maybe we are aware that the fabulous key workers are at their end too. Yet this time there is a vaccine, not just one but three coming to our aid. Then why does this feel much harder.
January is the darkest month of the year, the days are shorter, nights longer and its cold. But try and look around, have you noticed the bulbs are poking their heads out, it wont be long before we notice aconites, snowdrops, early crocus. Bumblebees will emerge desperate for food. Life begins to feel positive again, a new beginning and we must grab it with both sanitised hands!
If you are struggling with whats going on, spend time noticing how nature is once again trying to help. If you go for a walk, stop and listen, notice the buds on the trees are swelling. Signs are all around us that Spring is coming.
We must adhere to the rules, im sure everyone who reads this post is, Use essential oils in your home and workplace to protect, inspire, relax and calm you, they are little pockets of therapy and can be used in bowls of water, on tissues and in diffusers. Winter is a wonderful time to enjoy a soak in the bath, close your curtains and snuggle down to watch a good movie. Winter is a time to plan your garden, clear those cupboards now so you can enjoy spring and summer without worrying that is a job still to do.
Go over to www.helpmeorganics.com and download the visionboard (its free) and start adding images which make you happy, images of places to visit, hobbies to learn, flowers to grow and people to see.
Afterall “spring will want to know what we did all winter”
It wont be the same but it can still be enjoyable so lets embrace Christmas for its true meaning. Reflect on the good things, the positives as Christmas is all about a wonderful “Light”, the birth of our saviour. It is also a time for family, the look in a childs face is priceless, this year I think we should all forget what we cant have or do and enjoy the bits we can, spending time with people we love. After this year, our families and friends are worth celebrating, I am so sorry if you cannot be with people you love, it will be tough but good times are on the horizon i am sure.
It is important to keep healthy. Keep a 2m distance, wash hands, wear our masks. Using essential oils within the home can help to fight bacteria, viruses. Tea tree, eucalyptus, Lavender, peppermint are the four most powerful essential oils around and Helpmeorganics has combined them in “help me, i’m feeling under the weather” products. Use them in bowls of water placed around your home, room sprays to spray in the hallway, car and kitchen. Candles to burn after cooking. Fill your home with this antibacterial scent, my home does so consider using these powerhouses too
Saturday 5TH DECEMBER IS “SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY” and this year it is more important than ever to support local small business/shops. Instead of filling Mr Amazons pockets, lets consider our own nations businesses and our local economy. There are marvellous makers & independent shops that source their gifts away from China. When you buy from a small business, you make someones day with your purchase! I know as it puts a smile on my face x
Simply Relaxing will be open 9am until 12 midday
Saturday 12th December – we are open 9am until 12 midday
Saturday 19th December – we are open 9am until 12 midday
Christmas Eve – we are open 9am until 1pm
Tuesday 29th – 10am until 6pm
Wednesday 30th – 10am until 4pm
We are then closed until Tuesday 5th January 2021
If you want to buy a gift voucher, please arrange a day/time as we are operating a “one customer at a time” system to keep it all simple and safe
Here we are saying hello to September and the change from summer to autumn which, can be, a real shift in how we feel. We must take extra care of our immune system and eat extra healthily to boost our lymphatic system so that our body can fight off viruses, coughs and colds. you can help by doing these suggestions:
1… Eat more vegetables and fruits/salads as these contain minerals which are highly nutritious, thankfully they are in abundance. Blackberries are coming into season now and are packed full of iron and vitamin C. Have you tried smoothies? They are an excellent way of getting lots of different food groups, grains into a filling snack.
2…September is “Sourdough Month”. Sourdough is an excellent way to get extra iron into your diet and the healthy bacteria used to make sourdough really helps your digestion. A healthy gut will help to fight off infections.
3..Use essential oils within your home and workplace. With schools and colleges returning, it is essential to create a protective bubble around our families. Try Helpmeorganics “help me, i’m feeling under the weather” blend, a powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic blend of organic essential oils have been combined to create a range of products for you to use. With alot of us working from home, there is no reason why you cant incorporate scent into your homelife easier.
4.. September is also Organic month. I am a great believer is eating organic foods, they retain maximum nutrients , are not grown with pesticides and have no impact on nature. The farmers protect the soil structure and welcome insects to help keep the crops healthy. Lets support all organic farmers by buying organic. Its not only eating organic food, using organic products within our home, office and garden is vital to protect insects, wildlife, soil and our waterways. There are many businesses who produce organic products and they tend to be smaller businesses so why not investigate them. Speaking from someone who creates her own organic aromatherapy products, it makes my day when someone buys a candle, room spray, blend, massage oil or gift.
5…Getting out for a long walk is very healthy for our vitamin D levels, our body makes it from sunshine and theres no nicer sunshine than an autumn day. The leaves are changing colour to rich russets, spicy orange, yellows, greens and browns, if you are feeling stressed, spend time connecting in nature. There is no lovelier light than the autumnal light…enjoy it!!
The special offer for September is the Balinese massage with reflexology (£50), this begins with an exfoliation, balinese massage which boosts your energy and helps you to relax. Then after reflexology we apply a hydrating body lotion to seal in the moisture. All this is done without you moving a muscle.
Do you born in Autumn? Here are my observations:
Autumn, season of mists, the garden is at its bountiful peak, flowers are getting ready for their last hurrah and there is a feeling of exuberance and productivity. Colours are bold, intense, muted and very beautiful. Leaves turn an intense shades of red, copper, gold and yellow before fluttering to the ground and leaving a very different landscape at the end of season to the one we started with. The gentle pace of summer is over, autumn runs at a pace.
Passionate, energetic, enthusiastic and highly independent, autumn personalities love to challenge established norms. They are great campaigners and have a strong sense of justice. Warm, friendly, loyal and earthy people, they have a great love and respect for the natural world.
An autumn person often takes on too much, but their organisation, practicality and strong work ethic means that they will rarely let you down. Integrity is very important to them. Whilst family and friends are at the heart of an autumn personality, so is personal achievement. They are lifelong learners and their professional status is very important to them.
An autumn person finds it difficult to see things from others perspectives and can be stubborn when challenged. Whilst they can be bossy, they will be loyal.
An autumn persons loves the past and is often fascinated by history, they can be collectors.
If you have a child off to uni for the first time or returning after Covid
Maybe your child is off to live in accomodation for the first time being away from home, you can help to fight off Freshers flu by giving them a room spray from helpmeorganics “help me, I’m feeling under the weather”. 1-2 bursts in 2 corners will create a protective bubble. If they are feeling homesick, there’s plenty to help:
1… Headspace or the calm app are excellent as they are apps for their phones. Simply pop your headphones in and do some mindful breathing.
2… Rescue remedy is perfect. They are flower essences which help to remedy emotional states of mind. 4 drops in a cold drink will help bring them back into control.
3.. Use “help me have a mindful of calm” room spray at night to help with sleep
What treatments will help me feel healthy during Autumn
1… Try our september offer, massage helps to pump your lymph around and brings fresh nutritious blood to your muscles and organs
2…Ear candles and Sinus Massage helps to clear wax plugs so that your sinuses can drain naturally
3…Look out for our offer in October….The Warm Bamboo massage. Autumn is perfect to enjoy a warming massage
The transition from summer to autumn can be a test for how healthy you are but by eating well, lots of fresh air and using organic essential oils, you will beable to enjoy this most colourful time of the year
We have been told that we can restart Facial treatments, Hopi Ear Candles and Sinus Massage from August 1st 2020, if you would like to book in please let me know.
If you are nervous about coming for a treatment, I have answered some questions to help;
We have been able to reopen but with strict guidelines:
What do I have to do before my appointment:
I will contact you the day before you are due to come to ask 2 health questions:
“Have you been in contact with anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19?”
“Are you showing any symptoms of Covid-19?”
You need to reply yes/no. If YES, we may need to move your appointment forward 7 days to be safe, if NO, then brilliant I will look forward to seeing you the next day.
Please do not bring any food/drink with you for your treatment, I am unable to give you water so maybe have a drink before you leave you car.
Please do not bring anyone with you as there are no chairs in reception.
Please do arrive on time, if you have a problem, contact me
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival, I will take your temperature and note it, then ask for a contact number for NHS Test and Trace service. After you have applied hand sanitizer, I will take you through to the salon for you to enjoy your treatment.
Do I have to wear a mask?
It is good practise to wear a facial mask to come to the salon however I would suggest removing it for your treatment for comfort reasons. I will be wearing a visor and mask. If you would like to wear your mask for your treatment, this is perfectly fine too.
What precautions are in place?
I have removed all soft furnishings as they can harbour the virus, I have replaced them with “wipeable” chairs/tables
I have removed the gowns
I have replaced the hand towels with paper towels in the WC and again added a further hand sanitizer “no contact” dispenser along with a “no contact” soap dispenser
There is a diffuser in the shop pumping out an antibacterial blend between appointments
After every client, the premises are closed for cleaning and ventilation
I will wear both a visor and face mask
All products in the shop are in clear boxes, please do not open the boxes yourself, as this will mean a possible contamination
What happens to the information taken on my arrival?
I have to take personal contact and health information for the purposes of the NHS Test and Trace only. After 21 days, this information is shredded.
I will NOT use this information for marketing purposes and will NOT share it with anyone without your consent
If there is an occasion when I am asked by NHS Test and Trace for information regarding clients for a particular day, I will first ask you for your permission and also to make you aware that they will be in touch.
By arranging an appointment, you are confirming that you are happy with the precautions put in place and that all the information given is correct.
What happens when I pay for my treatment?
Please pay by debit/credit card. I am unable to accept cash
I am also unable to print a card receipt, however my machine can send you a receipt via text or email which can be arranged whilst you are in the shop.
I would like to buy a gift voucher?
At the moment, I am not able to sell gift vouchers, I will reassess this from time to time and will reintroduce vouchers when advised to do so. The guidelines state that I cannot issue any paper items, vouchers, receipts, price lists and appointment cards.
How will I make a note of my next appointment?
I will text, email or facebook message you with your next appointment
What is the aftercare following my treatment?
Please make sure you drink water
Spend time relaxing
If you begin to show symptoms of Covid-19 within 7 days, I need to know
Look forward to your next visit to Simply Relaxing
Tell your friends how lovely, safe and professional we are!!
When the government decided that, carefully, Simply could reopen, it was the best news I’ve had in ages. But they have decided that I am unable to offer you any facial treatments, hopefully, this won’t be for long but there’s many treatments that you can enjoy!
The Special Offer for July is…
Back neck and shoulder massage to ease any tense muscles
Reflexology to help rebalance and restore you
an hour treatment for £40
If you have a gift voucher, please get in touch when you are ready. The valid date for all outstanding vouchers is 31.1.21 so theres no rush but please keep the voucher safe as you will need it.
The salon will look alot different when you come. All soft furnishings have been removed and wipeable furniture is in its place. I will be wearing a visor and mask for your safety and theres lots of hand sanitiser at various points in the salon. When you arrive, please use the santizer and I will take your temperature.
The evening before your appointment, I will contact you to confirm that you have not been in contact with someone showing signs of Covid19 or that you are showing symptoms. I will also confirm my situation too. If your appointment needs to be rearranged, I will move it 7 days on so theres no need to worry about anything.
As you may well of heard, beauty & Holistic salons are not included with the businesses on July 4th. I find this ridiculous and insulting but thats how it is. The government has shown an ignorance to what Holistic therapy is, if you are missing your treatment, it would be lovely for you to write to our MP, Mr Timpson. I have!
I have taken this time to complete my level 3 teacher training and intend to study for my level 4. I have also completed a course on Health & Safety Covid-19 which has given me lots of things to do in the salon. It will look very clinical which is not how I want things but right now, I will do everything to get Simply Relaxing open for you to come back for much needed therapy.
I will give you more information as soon as I receive a firm date by the FHT and Im sorry its taking so long. I remember saying to a customer how lovely 2020 sounds, my goodness we will not forget this year quickly. I hope everybody is managing to stay healthy, I will get back to my daily tips but the news last week knocked me a little but Im back on form again!!!
July is a lovely month to get outside, its exactly half way through the year and the days are longer and lighter, the perfect time to go for a walk or potter in your garden. The bees are busy and you all know I say to plant different plants for bees as they have a different proboscis, some need a flat open flower others a tube type flower. If you are lucky to have a bees nest, wow well done. They will not hurt you or your family and tend to fly off quite quickly. Butterflies are about too, they love Buddleia and sedums
Well only a short update but I will keep my website, facebook and the shop window up to date.
Please dont worry about gift vouchers, they will have a 6month valid date from the day I reopen but keep them safe as you will need to produce it. Courses have been frozen and will continue from the date I reopen.
