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Category Archives: Blog

Joyful June

   Blog  Jun 10, 2023  Comments Off on Joyful June

How to be Joyful This June

Welcome to my latest blog post

I want to share with you today how you can be joyful in June. Such as taking small actions of kindness. But first, if you are new to my blog, here is a quick refresher about me and what I do.

As you may know, my local Massage Therapy practice is based in Elburton, Plymouth. Most importantly, it is run by women for women.  With this purpose in mind, I have created a gorgeous garden studio, which I’m very proud of. As such, I had it purpose-built to offer a quiet, comfortable and safe space with you in mind.

Currently, I provide a range of ‘Natural Therapies to Help Improve Women’s Health and Wellbeing’.  For example, Massage in Plymouth, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology and also Reiki.  To clarify, they are all available here at The Olive Branch Plymouth.  

I also offer Gift Vouchers so you can spread the joy to someone you care about.

Joyful June

I have been involved in the Action for Happiness Charity for a few years now. As such, I wanted to share with you their joyful June calendar. Anyone can join in on the Action for Happiness fun monthly calendar. Check out the daily practical suggestions to make you feel happier. To start off, here are some tips for bringing more joyfulness in your life:

Practice gratitude:

To begin with start a daily gratitude journal. A few moments each day to write down three things you are grateful for. It could be as simple as appreciating a beautiful flower, telling someone how much they mean to you or being grateful for your home. This practice can shift your focus towards positivity and improve wellbeing.

Engage in activities you enjoy:

Make time for activities that bring you joy and make you feel alive. Whether it’s pursuing a hobby, spending time in nature, playing a musical instrument or being creative. Doing what you love can enhance your overall sense of joy.

Surround yourself with positive people:

Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you. Surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded individuals can have a profound effect on your own happiness and joyfulness. Seek out relationships that nurture and support your wellbeing.

Practice mindfulness and presence:

Cultivate mindfulness by paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Engage fully in the activities you’re involved in, whether it’s having a conversation, enjoying a meal or simply taking a walk. Being fully present can help you appreciate the simple joys of life.

Take care of your physical wellbeing:

Prioritise your physical health by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals and engaging in regular exercise. When your body feels good, it can contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing and joy.

Remember that being joyful is a mindset that can be cultivated through consistent practice and a conscious effort to focus on the positive aspects of life. Embrace the small moments of joy, appreciate the beauty around you, and prioritise self-care.

To sum up, by incorporating these tips into your daily life, you can create a foundation for a more joyful and fulfilling life. So go ahead, focus on what you’re grateful for and see how it brings you to be more joyful in June. Take a look at the other prompts on the Action for Happiness website, or download the calendar here.

Further Reading:

https://actionforhappiness.org/

Mental Health Awareness

   Blog  May 23, 2023  Comments Off on Mental Health Awareness

Understanding Stress and Anxiety

Ways To Cope with Stress and Anxiety

Mental Health Awareness Week focused on ways to cope with stress and anxiety. It took place from Monday 15 – Sunday 21 May 2023. The focus for this year was ‘anxiety’. Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to life experiences. Some of my clients at The Olive Branch Plymouth suffer with stress from time to time. So it is important for me that I have Mental Health Awareness and an understanding of stress and anxiety Aromatherapy and other types of Massage therapy can help to relieve stress by relaxing the body and the mind. Stress can be anything from everyday responsibilities like work and family to serious life events such as a new diagnosis, war, or the death of a loved one can trigger stress.

Stress and anxiety often go hand in hand. Anxiety is a common emotion that we’ve likely all experienced at some point in our lives. People living with an anxiety disorder will feel intense levels of anxiety frequently, which can deeply impact their quality of life.

What is stress?

Firstly, stress is the body’s way of responding to any demand or threat. In fact, when you feel threatened, your body releases hormones that prepare you to fight or flee. This is known as the fight-or-flight response.
What are the effects of stress?
As a matter of fact, stress can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. It can cause headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, and sleep problems. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, and irritability.

How can I manage stress?

Indeed, there are many things you can do to manage stress, including:
Take exercise regularly
Try and eat a healthy diet
Aim to get enough sleep
Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or mindfulness
Talk to someone you trust about your problems

Please seek professional help if you are struggling to cope with stress

Actually though, stress is a normal part of life, but it’s important to manage it so that it doesn’t have a negative impact on your health. Having mental health awareness and understanding stress and anxiety is the first step. Consequently, there are many things you can do to manage stress, and if you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. I’ve popped a couple of links to useful websites at the bottom of the page.

How can massage therapy help?

Stress is one of the commonest reasons people seek a massage. It can manifest in so many ways, as discussed above. Why not take a look at my website The Olive Branch Plymouth where you can learn more about stress management and find a treatment that’s right for you.

You can now book an appointment online or feel free to give me a call if you prefer.

Perhaps you want to treat someone special, maybe to a stress-relieving massage? The good news is you can now purchase The Olive Branch Plymouth Gift Vouchers direct from my website.

 

Further information:

mentalhealth-uk.org/aboutanxiety

nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/anxiety

#massagetherapyplymouth

#mentalhealthawarenessweek

 

3 Tips to Avoid Bad Sleep

   Blog  Mar 31, 2023  Comments Off on 3 Tips to Avoid Bad Sleep

a women sitting at a desk yawning

Feeling tired? Here’s 3 tips to avoid bad sleep.

As we moved our clocks forward for daylight savings last Sunday (26th March). The average person may lose up to 40 minutes of sleep. In addition people are at a greater risk of mood disturbance. This is because altering our sleep patterns can affect our brains.

In response, the experts at Brainworks Neurotherapy have shared their insights on how altering our sleep patterns can affect our brains. Their expert knowledge uncovers the potential consequences of daylight savings and how we can adjust to daylight savings this spring.

James Roy from Brainworks Neurotherapy comments on the impact losing an hour of sleep can have on our brain health:

“Daylight is the natural regulator of our circadian rhythms. Even just an hour’s change in our metabolism can disrupt our internal clocks, putting excess strain on the brain and nervous system. 

“On a brain level, the ‘out of sync’ daylight hours and sleep disruption weaken our brain activity. This increases mistakes and impairs memory, decision making and our ability to properly regulate our emotional reactions. As a result you may have noticed that, for a few days after the time change, you were feeling more irritated and moody. Time changes have a very real and visible effect on our brains. It gives us all a little glimpse into what it is like to have an attention deficit for a few days.”

3 Tips to avoid sleep disruption during daylight savings

  • Get as much early morning sunlight as you can

For the week following the time change, try to get as much early morning sunlight as possible to help your body re-adjust to the new time. The body’s circadian clock responds to sunlight, and by taking in natural sunlight you feel more refreshed and energised for the day ahead.

  • Keep a consistent sleep routine

By keeping a consistent bedtime and waking up at a similar time every day, your body will find it easier to adjust. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep alongside this to help hit the ground running now that the clocks have changed. The other thing to consider is a daytime nap. If the clock changing has left you feeling very tired, consider having a nap during the day to help catch up on some of the lost sleep. It is recommended to keep daytime naps short and sweet, with 20 minutes being the optimal time for a power nap.

  • Avoid caffeine close to bedtime 

As much as you may enjoy a cup of coffee or other caffeinated drink, it can cause a disruption to sleep patterns. Try and keep your caffeine consumption to the mornings and early afternoon at the latest.

Further reading brainworksneurotherapy.com

The happiness of Sweet Orange Essential Oil

   Blog  Mar 03, 2023  Comments Off on The happiness of Sweet Orange Essential Oil

The Joy of Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Hi there. Welcome to my March Blog Post. I shall be talking about why I think Sweet Orange essential oil is so wonderful. I hope you will agree. let me know your thoughts. What is your go to oil of choice right now?

Chinese tradition says that oranges are symbols of good luck. This would explain why they are eaten around the Chinese New Year. Citrus fruit is also harvested throughout March, making them a positive sign of abundance and happiness.

On top of this, oranges are delicious and have a pleasant, uplifting scent that many people love. Orange Essential Oil also has a huge number of benefits ranging from relieving emotional tension, encouraging positivity, promoting immune function, and benefiting oily skin, a common skin concern as we enter spring.

I also love the fact that this essential oil compliments most aromatherapy blends and is easy to add to so many other scents.

Keep reading to learn more about sweet orange essential oil, it's benefits, and the different ways you can use this wonderful, happy and uplifting essential oil.

Sweet Orange Essential Oil

What I really love is that it's fruity, fresh, and sweet-smelling. Furthermore, I love this cheerful scent to encourage positivity and to lift the spirits, especially now we are moving out of the dark and dreary winter months! This 100% natural and pure essential oil is widely available to purchase and not expensive either!

Here are some fantastic ways to use Sweet Orange Essential Oil at home

  • Use as a pick-me-up: Add to a carrier oil or lotion and apply to your body for a sweet, bright scent that is sure to give you a mood boost! It blends really well with Lavender or Geranium.
  • Try adding Sweet Orange Essential Oil to your cleaning products for a bright, fresh, and beautiful scent. I happen to love citrus-scented cleaners and they can make deep cleaning your kitchen or bathroom more enjoyable. Orange essential oil is also said to be especially effective for degreasing.
  • Add to a diffuser or inhale to promote a brighter, cheerier outlook and lower emotional stress, anxiety, and tension.
  • Add to a bubble bath. Looking for the ultimate, calming bubble bath experience? Pour five drops of the Sweet Essential Oil into your bubble bath blend, add to your bath water and enjoy a long soak in your bathtub. If you are experiencing tension or feeling a bit down, this may be an especially great scent for you to enjoy during your bath!
  • Combine with other awesome essential oils. Sweet Orange Essential Oil is versatile and pairs well with so many essential oils. I especially like combining Geranium , Sandalwood, Bergamot, Clove or Frankincense with Sweet Orange Essential Oil. However, the possibilities are endless and can be tailored entirely to your personal preferences.

I hope today’s article gave you some fun ideas for ways that you can use this amazing sweet orange essential oil.

Please do let me know ways in which you have used this oil and any blends you have created. As always, I love to hear from you so do share your thoughts and ideas too.

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy March 

Helen

Further reading

Shirley Price Essential Oils

Base Formula Aromatherapy Essential Oil 

Uplifting Essential Oils for the New Year.

   Blog  Jan 29, 2023  Comments Off on Uplifting Essential Oils for the New Year.

Uplifting Aromatherapy Essential Oils For The New Year

We can begin at any time of the year, to get healthier, happier and fitter. But somehow for a lot of people the start of a New Year marks a good time to give your health and wellbeing a boost. That’s where uplifting aromatherapy essential oils for the new year can help. Make some time for your wellbeing and use uplifting essential oils for the new year to ease yourself gently and positively into a Happy New Year! 

Aromatherapy Oils To Lift Your Mood

Aromatherapy Essential oils can help to lift the spirit in the early part of the year. January is a time when people feel quite low and lacking in energy. Many of us don’t cope well with the dark and dreary days. There are many ways to use essential oils at home. However, I thought I’d pick just a couple for you. So let’s get ready for the year ahead. 

Aromatherapy Oil Burners and Diffusers

Aromatherapy Oil Burner

 

 

 

 

Use an electric diffuser (or candle burner) with 5 drops Lemon essential oil, 3 drops Lime and 3 drops Bergamot. Take a few moments to breathe deeply, inhaling the fresh uplifting scent. These essential oils are great for purifying and cleansing.  Our sense of smell is linked to our memories, so soon enough this blend will remind you of uplifting, positive thoughts and help you keep focused!

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon Essential Oil

Relax and unwind with an Aromatherapy bath.

To help you feel more relaxed and calm try to follow this routine:

  1. Run a nice warm bath (or do whatever makes you feel relaxed – if this is just lying down, then do that!)
  2. Set the scene with some essential oils: add 2 drops Bergamot, 2 drops Sweet Orange and 2 drops Rose to your bath or burner.  I love this combination. It feels really indulgent and nurturing. So just lay back and enjoy the wonderful aromas.

Bergamot Essential Oil

Bedtime blend

Try this blend if you need help getting to sleep.  It’s also can be a great help if  you’re feeling a bit anxious or stressed. Diffuse a comforting night-time blend such as 3 drops Lavender, 3 drops Mandarin and 2 drops Chamomile. This combination of oils will hopefully nudge your mind and body to wind down! 

I think using essential oils at home in an oil burner is quite simple and not too expensive. On the positive side, the benefits can be really effective. Try associating the ritual  of choosing the aromas with peace, calm, tranquility and feeling uplifted.

Most importantly, try to be kind to yourself. Why not have a massage and enjoy some precious ‘Me-Time’. After all, you deserve it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you have found this inspiring? I’d love to know what oil combinations you are using. So, why not just drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you.

Wishing you a happier, more positive and uplifting year ahead. 😊

Take care, Helen 💆🏻‍♀️ 🙏🏼

Further Reading

AROMATHERAPY BOOKS

Aromatherapy diffusers and burners

What is Aromatherapy?

 

 

5 Simple Ways To Show Kindness

   Blog  Dec 16, 2022  Comments Off on 5 Simple Ways To Show Kindness

5 Simple ways To Show Kindness

Hi there!

To being with, welcome to my latest blog post. For a start, I want to talk about how to show kindness to others. Without doubt, there are simple ways to show kindness. As the season of goodwill is fast approaching, I find myself thinking about ways to show kindness to others that I can do on a daily basis. These acts of kindness are quite simple for us all. So let’s find out more.

What is kindness?

Today I’d like to chat to you about ‘Kindness’. So what really is Kindness? I think it’s choosing to do something that helps others, motivated by genuine warm feelings. Being kind to ourselves is something we often forget about. But for today I want to focus on 5 simple ways to show kindness to others.

How to Practice kindness

When we practice kindness, we can experience positive mental and physical changes. This is due to lowering stress levels and the body producing more of those feel good hormones. You get that warm, fuzzy feeling. Being kind helps boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure and alleviate anxiety.

image of cartoon character helping Charlie Brown climb up a tree

Here’s what I find most inspiring.

1. Smile.

Seriously, just smile! You know how it feels when someone smiles at you, right? After all, just think how many people you can show kindness to with a simple smile? It’s infectious and in this simple act itself, you are lighting up the world. because what often happens when you smile? Others smile too.

picture of someone smiling

2. Make Eye Contact.

I’m always looking around me and spotting people here and there. As a matter of fact, people go about their business without so much as a glance toward other human beings in their path. Have you ever noticed when you DO make eye contact with someone else? Connection happens. We need more connection.

3. Say “Thank You

A simple thank you can have an enormous impact on a person, don’t you think? I might as well add “Please” to this task too. Any time you have a chance, say these words and mean them. Two words, they make a difference. Let’s all use them more.

4. Acknowledge other people’s presence.

It takes little effort, and yet it goes a long way to acknowledge those people you pass on a regular basis. They are out there in your community, doing their job as best they can. Wave, nod, smile, say please and thank them. Basically, it takes seconds to engage with someone who is often doing a thank less task.

picture of word bubbles. give kind comments

How many people can you be kind to today?

5. Compliment someone.

I just love seeing people’s faces light up after I deliver an impulsive compliment to someone I meet or pass by. If we have nice thoughts about people, why not tell them?  If you are naturally shy, I understand your hesitancy. But may I challenge you to step out of that safe place and go for it?. Most people love a compliment.

Kindness words

In truth, we live in a world where more kindness is needed. For that reason we could all try our best to be as kind as possible. Nevertheless, there are days when we’re not feeling great ourselves. Perhaps, these are the days we need to invest more kindness into the world, because it ultimately makes us feel good about ourselves too.
Further Reading