With the new year we all start with plans to conquer new goals and create grand resolutions for the coming twelve months. More than often the year flies by and we haven’t checked these goals off and they roll over to the following year with only a few modifications. It is important to have ambitions and a desire to want to become healthier, a better person, happier – but realistic changes that match your ability to commit are most important. There’s no point making grand plans if you’re not going to stick to them. Here we come up with a few areas of your life to make positive adjustments to which in turn should make for a happier you!
AT HOME
A different approach to creating a long list of objectives over the next year is simply to look at your current circumstances and to see how to spark more joy in your life. This idea comes from a Japanese theory by Marie Kondo on creating space and decluttering your environment primarily referring to your living space. Once we have learnt how to declutter our living areas it can be wider applied to our general life principals. “Life truly only begins once we have our home in order,” Kondo says. When we look around our home often we have hoarded years and years of collectibles that we just stuff and store somewhere that we more than likely won’t even look at or touch over the next year. This includes our wardrobe, books, photographs, stored boxes in the garage. It can be a daunting task that seems impossible to tackle especially as we all have an emotional attachment to many of our belongings, but once your life is more organised and you have created space it flows onto making your life easier.
DECLUTTER
It is suggested that the decluttering process works through stages and starts with your wardrobe as this has the least emotional attachment when culling. All your clothes need to be pulled out and while deciding on what to keep you ask the question of whether each item sparks joy? If you haven’t worn it in the past twelve months you are probably unlikely to wear it for the next twelve months. It can also create potential for someone else to make use and find happiness from what you are no longer benefiting from. Reselling on apps like Ebay and Vinted are a good way to make some extra cash too. Once you have mastered the decluttering process and worked your way through your home from kitchen, bedroom, bathroom to office, creating an environment where the things you cherish and use are accessible and also visible – your life will feel more simple and organised. Remember decluttering doesn’t mean getting rid of everything, just keeping what makes you happy.
FRIENDSHIPS
This is an important concept which could be applied throughout life. We can ask the same question of our personal circumstances and make positive changes in our employment, interpersonal relationships with partners and friends. Determining the people in our life that create happiness and make us feel better can have huge positive impacts on our well-being. If we all think of our circle of friends and extended circle – we can think of people that make our mood positive but in contrast there are different people that drain us. So focusing your energy on people that make you feel good about yourself instead of people that bring your mood down is an important way to spark more joy in your life. We all have times of need and trouble but there must be a balance and friendships should seek a balance working for both people.
MAKING THE CUT
Before just cutting people from your life you could talk to them at an appropriate time about the relationship you have and how to make it better. There are many ways that can make a friendship feel draining, someone that makes an appointment to see you and always cancels last minute is not respecting your time, someone that never shares their portion of the bill over dinner, someone that only calls you when they have problems but never asks how you are or forgets to call when things are going well for them. In some cases it really can be a situation where your friend is not aware of their behaviour and the affects it has on you. But we all have our limits and before breaking it is better to deal with the issues. Let your friend know these issues or let them slip away quietly.
RELATIONSHIPS
The same can be looked at for our personal relationships with our partner. Do we feel we are being taken for granted, is the playing field honest and respectful?
Whatever your situation, whether being in a marriage, living with your partner, dating, casual meetings you need to feel good in yourself and the other person should enhance your happiness level. We often become complacent in our relationships but seeking a level higher than satisfactory is important for our personal wellbeing. We have a choice with our partnerships and respect and honesty, taking care of each other makes these partnerships special. If we are not feeling cared for or appreciated – then some changes are necessary.
LOVE
You should feel a spark of joy when spending time with your partner so try to find new ways to create happiness and fun in your partnership. This can be anything from date night to taking up a new hobby or interest together.
Remember, there are so many good relationship and marriage counsellors out there if you need a bit of extra assistance this year, it’s not admitting your relationship is bad but just needs some extra work on.
WORK
Another aspect of our life which we dedicate a great amount of our energy and time is our work. Employment is important to feel valued in society and in having a sense of self-worth. Whether your occupation is going to the office, looking after children at home, or being an athlete, it needs to fulfill us emotionally as this is what we do day in and day out and there is no escape from. It may not be possible to change your position in the workplace but if your work is not fulfilling you, creating a sense of self-worth, or sparking joy then you can look at how to enhance your current job, develop into a new role or look at ways to develop a new career path.
MIND MAP
If you create a mind map or plan it will make achieving your goals clearer with a more determined effort. Make 2025 a year to focus on this and if changes need to be made, do so. There is so much help out there and the government backed scheme called the New Enterprise Alliance will guide and fund you along the way. Make changes now if you need to.
TWEAKMENTS
Now this is not for everyone but if it makes you feel happier within yourself then there are so many great new products and procedures on the market these days, there is no need to suffer in silence. They won’t break the bank either. If it can help boost your confidence, if that’s what you are lacking, then you should go for it. If you have a crooked nose and it’s depressing you – Rhinoplasty was the only alternative at £4000 plus a year ago, now you can get filler and at a fraction of the price with no downtime. Thin lips getting you down, filler is not only for celebrities, shun the takeaways for a few months and cook at home to save the £300 you need to boost the new you. Here are a list of some of the new “tweakments” that have come to the beauty world this year that may well lead to a happier you.
SALMON SPERM FACIAL
You thought you’d heard it all, until now! “Salmon sperm injected into your face to reduce fine lines and wrinkles?” No it’s not a joke, it’s the new cutting-edge facial, favoured by celebrities including Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian. And the science behind polynucleotide treatments actually makes sense. The injection, derived from the DNA of salmon (albeit sperm!) – is known to be a very regenerative product known for its health benefits. Yes, we all know eating fish is good but according to leading doctors, the consumption of this DNA in its most potent form (cough, sperm!) if injected directly to an area like the under-eye or cheeks can plump up the skin naturally by activating fibroplasts, the stretchy area of skin that helps maintain the structure of the tissue. Polynucleotides – the new concept in regenerative medicine – is also said to promote cell turnover, improve elasticity, hydration, photoaging and acne scarring, giving a more nourished, healthy and revitalised complexion. Celebs are advocating the new procedure, with ‘Friends’ star Jennifer Aniston being a huge fan and Kim K swearing by her monthly injections. If you fancy trying it out, J’adore La Beaute & Esthetique in Hampton Court are offering the new treatment.
ENDOSPHERES
A new beauty salon has opened in the heart of Guildford offering Endospheres Therapy, the only salon in Surrey that offers the patented technology based on Compressive Microvibration, taking the celeb beauty world by storm.
Endospheres has quickly gained a reputation as a trusted solution for improving skin imperfections on both the body and face. The treatment can in fact be performed on all areas of the body, even those usually more difficult to reach, and has no counter-indications. Get in touch today to try out the treatment at www.baspace.co.uk.
SLIM DRONE
The first body treatment to win the “Winner of Innovative Technology Award” and now available in Weybridge at Lisa Harris Skin Science, recognised as one of the best worldwide clinics for results in Drone Technology Results.
The treatment uses Pharmaceutical Drone Encapsulation with a navigation system to target fat cells and allow product to directly enter the cells, which no other treatment has yet been able to do. The Drone and Electrode pads work together to stimulate collagen production, detoxifying the body and delivering Drone Technology directly inside the cells. It can transform the body in just 3 weeks; so a perfect after Christmas treatment to do if you have over indulged.
Offering 3 different programmes to target; Fat Reduction, Cellulite Reduction & Skin Tightening combining the amazing muscle toning programme to improve muscle definition. Alongside Electrostimulation, LED & Thermal Stimulation helping to deliver the Drone Peptides – to target a range of skin concerns. The benefits include: rebuilding and strengthening muscle definition, helps with sporting performance, improves circulation and skin texture, focused fat reduction, reduction in cellulite, increased collagen and elastin.
BOTOX & FILLER
These procedures seem to be anti-ageing rituals for most women over 35 these days. Always make sure you visit a regulated aesthetician, there are so many rogue traders out there. Surrey Rocks recommends Icon Style Beauty, Face & Fillers and EQlibrium if you are looking for the best local establishments. With proven track records, qualifications and 5 Star Reviews… you will thank us later. Steer clear of cheap ‘Botox’ and ‘Filler’ merchants as you pay for what you get and there’s a lot that can go wrong if you are not in the right hands. With Botox it’s always best to go less is more if you are trying for the first time. Look out for ‘Baby Botox’ which you can test to see if its the right procedure for you without going and fully freezing your face and regretting it later. With fillers always opt for 0.5ml not a full 1ml as there’s nothing worse than a ‘Lesley Ash’ trout pout. If 0.5ml is not enough first time round extend to a 1ml – but try it out before you commit to something you may later regret. Especially as Botox and Filler are de rigeur these days, you don’t want to look like a blown-up version of you with scary consequences.
“You only better”, is the result you want to achieve. Botox and fillers are not fads – they are preventative medicine for your face ageing. Age is just a number when you have tried Botox and Fillers. Be sure to be over 30 before you start these procedures – any younger is a waste of time and money as collagen does not depreciate till you are in your late twenties/early thirties.
DON’T SUGARCOAT IT
Try and cut out sugar from your diet. It’s harmful in so many ways. Take a look at sugar-free advocate Carolyn Hartz. For the past 28 years Carol has shunned sugar in her pursuit of the perfect face and body and has been making headlines in the process. Fed up of the highs and lows associated with sugar and a diabetes scare in her forties, she gave up the drug (yes, drug) almost 30 years ago and has never looked back. Carolyn boasts a bikini body and glowing complexion that many women decades younger could only dream of.
The Perth-based mother-of-three, said of her transformation: “A lot of women post 50 think that it’s not possible to maintain a reasonable shape and weight when they reach 50 or beyond. I even speak to women who are in their 40s and who have had children and think they cannot regain their post baby body. We know our metabolism slows down as we get older it just means we have to take control and make healthier choices and work a little harder,” she said. “I believe it is very important to be aware of the type of food you eat and the quantity of food you eat. Being mindful while you are eating is a huge factor. Mindless eating can lead to unnecessary weight gain. I say to my customers “taste and enjoy every mouthful”… it will help you slow down and you will be less likely to overeat.” And when it comes to food, sugar is most certainly out, with Hartz opting for an alternative called Xylitol. If you can opt for sugar free completely it will work wonders, otherwise aim to cut down on the white stuff.
DESTRESS
All the cells in our body contain tiny clocks called Telomeres that determine how long each cell lives. Telomeres are little caps at the end of chromosomes that prevent loss or injury to genetic information during cell division. However, each time a cell divides, part of the Telomere is lost and it becomes shorter, eventually disappearing because of the divisions and damage that prevents each cell from reproducing itself. Hence the ageing process. Anyway what’s with all this science babble? Well before you throw this mag down – here it is… the chief enemy of Telomeres has been discovered by scientists to be none other than Stress. Therefore the breaking down of cells and premature ageing is primarily to do with leading a stressful life. Did you know Barrack Obama went grey after just a few months in the Oval Office? In which case, this theory is proven in spades.
This outward sign of Barrack’s “grey-ageing” (pronounced gray-ging) was caused by the damage to his Telomeres. Think of this in simplistic terms as the outgoing president elects cells going rusty. So, what can we actually do to combat stress and thus delay the onset of wrinkles? Besides not becoming President of the United States. Well here you go…
YOGA
Research has found that participants in a 3-month yoga programme had increased levels of Telomerase in the bloodstream. Why? Because yoga fundamentally allows you to control your thoughts, not letting them spiral out of control. And if you feel more in control, you will simply be less stressed. That yoga retreat holiday your friend has been barking on about seems somewhat more appealing now?
EXERCISE RIGHT
If you look at a person pounding the treadmill next to you – their face contorted, looking like they’re doing 12 rounds with Mike Tyson rather than a leisurely jog? Well this news will give you even more of a reason to gloat. This painstaking process is actually more counter-productive than the good work they think they are doing as if you don’t enjoy a workout, you will release stress hormones. Exercise should leave you feeling elated so be sure to choose an activity you really enjoy to shed pounds and destress you – be it swimming or a team sport.
POSITIVE THINKING
Research shows that pessimists have shorter Telomeres than optimists. Of course, too much optimism can make us deluded, but we all tend to expect the worst much more frequently than we assume everything will be OK. Think positive as opposed to negative (minus delusion) and you will be taking a leaf out of Carolyn Hartz book in no time.
EAT HEALTHILY
Good news… repeated studies have shown Omega 3s, found in oily fish, encourage our Telomeres to grow. Added to this almonds, cherry and other berry juices all act as anti-oxidants in the fight against cell division. Plus in a recent study, participants who took multi-vitamins had longer Telomeres than those who didn’t.
GO NUTS
Pistachios also protect our DNA by lowering blood pressure in the fight against Telomares destruction. The right food choices can help combat the ageing process so take full advantage of this simple anti-ageing rule.
SLEEP MORE & OTHER BEDROOM ACTIVITIES!
Simple, but effective. Get eight hours sleep or more and you can be winging your way to looking wow, not ow. Oh, and have more sex…it’s good for the cells in the brain, apparently. Regular sex helps people look youthful for longer, an expert claims. Dr David Weeks’s research shows that older men and women with an active love life look between five and seven years younger than their actual age. Other British research has credited regular lovemaking with halving the odds of early death. Dr Weeks, former head of old age psychology at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, said that people of all ages should be aware of the benefits of a healthy love life. Those who looked younger than their age claimed to have sex an average 50% more – in the 40-to-50 age group equating to three times a week rather than twice. Dr Weeks says that the pleasure derived from sex is a ‘crucial factor’ in preserving youth. Biology also plays a role, with sex releasing endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. You have been told!!!
IN SUMMARY
Making small changes to find more positivity and happiness in your life can have huge long-term benefits. Your home should be a place you look forward returning to, the belongings you have should be easily accessible and visible. The people you surround yourself with should be supportive, caring and uplift your mood. Your partnership should make you feel valued and create a sense of contentment. Commitment and determination to focusing on creating an environment that makes you happy will give you a higher level of satisfaction and wellbeing. Simple changes in your mindset and looking for ways to enhance the joy in your life will create higher levels of satisfaction and enjoyment.
