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  • 10 Steps to Boost Your Brain Power

    Maureen Cromey

    by Maureen Cromey

    An Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Expert

    Do you ever walk into a room and wonder why you went in there? Have you driven home and have no recollection of the route you took? Have you been introduced to a couple of new people and then completely forgotten their names? Are you just not feeling sharp or bright, lacking the recall you had in your youth?

  • 10 Tips for Planning an Amazing Trip for Over 40s

    10 Tips for Planning an Amazing Trip for Over 40s

     

    Life begins at 40! The kids are quickly flying the nest, or at the very least gaining more independence, and suddenly you have lot more time and energy to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. As such, you think it’s the perfect time to go on that dream getaway you had always envisioned. Whatever your ideal holiday looks like, whether you want to jet off across the Caribbean or sail through the Adriatic Sea, planning your own holiday can be a difficult undertaking. In fact, it is often the case that the better the holiday is the more of a headache it can be to put together.

    Let us offer you some advice to help you plan the holiday of your dreams, after all you deserve it!

  • 10 Ways to Have a Healthier Christmas

    10 Ways to Have a Healthier Christmas

    While it’s inarguably the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas can become a taxing occasion for everyone. From the stresses of the season’s chaos to unhealthy eating habits and weight gain, ‘merry’ can easily turn into miserable. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent the unwanted side effects of the Yuletide festivities. By making small but significant changes, you can experience a jubilant Christmas that will not only make you happier, but also leave you healthier for the coming year ahead.

  • 12 Ways to Make 2020 a Year of Wellness, with Dana Brown

    Ways to Make 2020 a Year of Wellnes

    Dana Brown has 15 years of caregiving experience, and after seeing some patterns of poor health she became determined to help inform people about healthy living She created HealthConditions.info, to provide Internet users with helpful content and resources that will lead them to making healthier decisions.

  • 25 Easy Tips to Enhance Your Well-being at Work

    Angie Newson

    by Angie Newson

    A Yoga and Pilates Expert

  • 3 Stretches for a Deep Sleep

    3 Stretches for a Deep Sleep

    Lucy Miller

    by Lucy Miller

    A Fitness and Nutrition Expert

    How annoying is it, when you’ve had a busy day, have another one ahead but just can’t switch off? It’s so frustrating! So if you have a tough time falling asleep or you toss and turn in the middle of the night then its time to take action and that doesn’t mean popping a pill. Instead, I advise you to create a bedtime routine that includes stretching your limbs. Nearly all of us are guilty of not stretching – me included, so instead I’ve started to take ten minutes to do this quick routine before bed. Not only does it make me more relaxed, but it also helps to keep my muscles flexible, so I’m less likely to experience discomfort or workout-related injuries. I also find that it makes me put my iPad down, which can stimulate your brain and keep you awake at night. I know, it’s so hard to switch off these days!

  • 5 Simple Tips to Stay Healthy at Work

    Paul Joseph - Health and Fitness Travel

    by Paul Joseph

    Co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel

    Welcome to the world of work; deadlines, meetings, emails and calls. I'm a very physically active person but with my busy schedule it is difficult at times to stick to healthy choices. I find it hard to keep to regular eating times when working long days and usually opt for something quick to eat at my desk. Sometimes I have skipped lunch altogether just so that I can finish a task that needs my full attention which is not good. This only slows down my concentration and productivity levels. Furthermore, my random eating habits do not help when I'm trying to maintain my healthy lifestyle.

  • 5 Tips for Recovery in the Heat on a Fitness Holiday

    Tips for Recovery in the Heat on a Fitness Holiday

    Looking forward to working out in paradise on your fitness holiday but not sure how you will handle recovery in the heat? Read on to find out how your body can restore back to its optimal state ready to take on the next workout and avoid muscle ache. Whether you are boosting your fitness on a bootcamp holiday or keeping moving on a multi-activity holiday, exercising in warm temperatures comes with added challenges for your body, so it is important to find a way of addressing these issues. Whilst improving your fitness levels and ability to exercise, sweating also increases, causing you to dehydrate faster. You therefore need to make sure your body gets the rest and recovery it requires after an intensive workout to function at its optimal level again. Rest and recovery after a workout are two different things; while rest is defined by sleep and time not exercising, recovery refers to actually taking action to repair your body. Take note as we share our five top tips for your body’s recovery in the heat!

  • 5 Ways to Improve Your Health Whilst Working from Home

    5 Ways to Improve Your Health Whilst Working from Home

    Whilst the world is getting ready to open up socially, there are definitely going to be some of you working from home for a good while yet or adopting a hybrid of working some days in the office and others at home. It’s important that we all maintain good health whilst doing so and there are no quick fixes – just healthy habits that provide the foundations for good movement, good sleep, and good mental wellbeing! With this in mind, here are 5 ways to improve your overall health whilst working from home.

  • 7 Simple Steps to Build Your Self-esteem

    Paul Joseph

    by Paul Joseph

    Co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel

    If you have ever experienced a knock to your self-esteem, you’ll know the feeling of losing faith in yourself. However, hope is not lost! The key to building self-image is to turn your gaze inward, to look internally and not be motivated materially by expensive cars, good looks and perfect bodies. Ultimately it comes down to confidence! Many of us admire people who are confident, in control and comfortable in their skin.  I admire people who move through life with ease, dealing effortlessly with any hardships that come their way. While I put these people on a pedestal, it’s important to remember that nobody is perfect and that everyone has flaws.

  • 9 Good Hygiene Tips Whilst Travelling in 2020/21

    Woman wearing mask on train

     From the sticky handrails of the conveyor belt to the departure gate and the recycled air of the pressurised cabin, travelling can present personal obstacles for the hygiene conscious. Common touch points, shared plane bathrooms and food prepared by others only contribute to the anxiety of travellers. You may even be thinking about postponing your holiday due to travel hygiene concerns.

  • A Beginner’s Guide to Pilates Holidays: What you need to know

    A Beginner’s Guide to Pilates Holidays

     

    Thinking of going on a Pilates holiday but unsure about what to expect or how to prepare for it? Learn how to make the most of this transformative fitness experience with our beginner’s guide and discover the 10 things you should know to prepare yourself the best way possible. It is first important for beginners to understand the fundamental principles behind this workout programme to maximise its effects to your health and well-being.

  • A Beginners Guide to Detox Holidays: 10 Things You Should Know

    A Beginners Guide to Detox Holidays: 10 Things You Should Know

    It is important to know the early warning signs signalling that your body is in desperate need of a purifying detox. Expel the toxins from your body with reliable cleansing methods, good nutrition and carefully selected fitness activities available on a detox holiday, as you cleanse your well-being from the inside out. Establish clear goals and ensure that the bad bacteria in your body is washed away whilst experiencing the benefits of a healthy and inspirational lifestyle detox. In this beginner's guide to detox holidays, we'll cover everything you need to know before embarking on your very first!

  • A Beginners Guide to Fitness Holidays: 10 Things You Should Know

    A Beginners Guide to Fitness Holidays

    Welcome to our beginners' guide to fitness holidays where we take you through the initial planning stages of your retreat to your final results and holiday completion. From how to prepare, to what to expect, and getting ready to embark upon your fitness journey.

  • A Guide to Travelling Stress-Free

    Vacations are supposed to be stress relievers. But nowadays with numerous security checks, flight cancellation, and other uncertainties travelling can be stressful. Which is why it is important that you take precautionary measures as you travel to make it as stress-free as possible. The following tips will help you do that.

  • An Interview with Paul Joseph

    We talk to Paul Joseph, Co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel, about his inspirations, daily routines and the secret to success in the ever-growing wellness industry.

  • Become a Paleo Pro with Nutritionist Suzie Walker

    Suzie Walker of The Primal PantrySuzie Walker

    Suzie is a nutritionist and founder of The Primal Pantry. She transitioned to a paleo lifestyle 6 years ago, and decided to set up The Primal Pantry in 2014 after struggling to find healthy, on-the-go snacks that support a paleo diet. Suzie is on a mission to challenge the packaged food industry by forging a real food revolution.

     

  • Crunches vs. Planks: The Best Exercise for Core Strength

    The Best Exercise for Core Strength

    With the ongoing surge for the illusive flat abs and toned tum, Elier Castillo, Fitness Expert at Longevity in Portugal, shares with us the best exercise for strengthening your core.

  • Deepak Rawat on the Art of Yoga, Ayurveda and Naturopathy at Shanti Maurice

    Deepak RawatDeepak Rawat

    Deepak Rawat, Spa Manager at Shanti Maurice, Mauritius shares with us the health benefits of practicing yoga and Ayurveda on our mental and physical well-being, as well as explaining how the healing practice of naturopathy can naturally assist with chronic illness and stress-related symptoms.

     

  • Discovering Complementary Therapies

    Elaine Willams from Grayshott SpaDr. Elaine Williams

    Elaine Williams is qualified in Osteopathy, Naturopathy, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Advanced Massage. She has been the recent winner of the Spa Traveller "Top UK Spa Therapist" award and was voted by the Telegraph as one of the top ten therapists in the world. Elaine is also a registered general Nurse and has a Bachelors (BSC) in Psychology. She previously taught at the International College of Aromatherapy in London and spent two years at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, where she specialised in Cranial Osteopathy. Elaine started at Grayshott Spa twenty years ago and is now the Director of Natural Therapies, in which she is responsible for expanding the range of holistic treatments and for the training of all therapists.

      


    Interview with a Master Practitioner

     

     

    What originally inspired you to pursue and learn about all the holistic and natural therapy treatments?

    I was originally inspired to pursue Complementary Medicine therapies in order to help friends and acquaintances when Conventional Medicine had nothing of help to offer. As I learnt more I became totally fascinated, enrolled to train as an osteopath and continue to study as there is so much of interest to learn in this field.


    How can reflexology pin-point imbalances in the body?

    Reflexology pin-points imbalances in the body using a reflex map on the foot. Specific areas of the feet have been found to correspond to specific areas of the body. By gently palpating the foot the therapist can feel changes in the tissue texture and tension over areas where an organ or structure may not be functioning to its full potential. It is common for the client to simultaneously experience tenderness on this area of the foot as it is pressed should a problem exist.


    Can you explain what Naturopathy is and what are the core benefits?

    Naturopathy is using a non pharmacological approach to restore the body to health as long as this is appropriate for the presenting problem. It largely employs the modalities of correctional nutrition, hydrotherapy and structural treatments such as osteopathy and massage. The aim is to increase the vitality of the person and to remove any obstructions to recovery.

     

    Reflexology at Grayshott Spa

     

    What is involved in an Osteopathy treatment and what type of problems can it help with?

    An osteopathic treatment will begin with an assessment of the whole structure, particularly the spine. It is commonly used to treat back pain, whiplash, and limb problems such as tennis elbow, sprained ankle or painful hips. Additionally there is a branch of osteopathy known as visceral osteopathy, which is dedicated to the treatment of organs and can help with conditions such as asthma or digestive problems. Once a diagnosis of imbalance has been made the treatment may consist of soft tissue manipulation where muscles, tendons or ligaments may be treated. Joints may be articulated or sometimes techniques such as High Velocity Thrusts may be applied which are the techniques that people know as 'having their bones cracked'.


    How can people benefit from acupuncture and can the needles hurt?

    Acupuncture treatments are designed to restore functioning to the body when a health problem exists. It has been found to assist with a multitude of heath problems from digestive disturbances to skin problems, asthma, hormonal imbalances, back pain, anxiety and stress related conditions. The needles are very fine and are more like little hairs than needles. It is common not to feel any sensation from the needle at all as it is inserted, however the more acupuncture one receives and the healthier one becomes, the more likely it is that a slight ache is experience in the point after needling it.


    Is there one specific therapy that you use the most when treating back problems?

    For back problems I tend to favour osteopathy or acupuncture depending on the problem.


    How can people benefit from a detox and what are the best treatments to use?

    People can generally benefit from a detox as it enables the body to clear accumulated toxins which will in turn increase vitality. Many treatments are helpful for detox; at the spa we favour specific nutritional approaches combined with hydrotherapy baths, blitz, massages, particularly the Lymphatic Stimulation Massage, and Thai foot treatment.

     

    Acupuncture at Grayshott Spa

     

    For clients looking to lose weight, along with the right diet and exercise programme which spa treatments can help?

    Weight loss is always more effective when combined with exercise and detoxification so the treatments listed above are effective as are the mud treatments and acupuncture.


    At Grayshott Spa, which holistic therapy do you find your clients request the most for stress?

    For stress Cranial Osteopathy is a popular choice as it relaxes the whole nervous system. Oriental Wisdom and holistic massage are popular choices along with Blissful Slumber, a massage designed to help overcome insomnia. Hypnotherapy is also fabulous for calming the mind.


    What are the key benefits of Aromatherapy?

    Aromatherapy can have a wide range of applications as the therapeutic essential oils do a lot of the work. The oil blends are applicable to a wide range of health problems including hormonal problems, insomnia, digestive disturbances and muscle strains to name a few. It is exquisitely relaxing thus fabulous for combating stress, it assists the circulation and aids lymphatic drainage and a further benefit is that the oils leave one's skin feeling fabulous.


    Tell us your top 3 health and fitness tips?

    • Strive for a balanced diet, including a minimum of seven portions of fruit and vegetables per day (greater than the government guidelines I know!)
    • Aim for at least 15minutes of exercise per day, which can be as simple as going for a short walk or putting on some much-loved music and dancing
    • Finally, be kind to yourself with your thoughts. Can you manage to get through a whole hour without criticising yourself once? Few people can. Be aware of your thoughts and replace criticism with kindness for yourself, you will become much calmer.

     

     

    For more information visit Grayshott Spa.

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