Hello lovely readers! This is Anna Meshach writing.  Firstly, apologies for the delay since our last entry, but what a 10 months it has been!  Last time we wrote was back in November last year, and it seems that markets took over somewhat!  We find that every year, at this time, end of summer, beginning of Autumn, thoughts begin to wonder on the last few months as we begin to wind down and prepare for the busy festive season

Our reflective phase starts towards the end of our financial year, and we use the time to assess how we feel we've done in the business; what things we can change to better Clean & Natural for our customers, ourselves, and of course our family.

Last edition, we were discussing detoxing the body, this edition, we'd like to discuss detoxing the mind and soul! When I talk about detoxing the mind and soul, I should probably explain that this is a step by step process.  Detoxing the mind and body of stress, is so vitally important to the general health of a person, because stress is fast becoming the biggest killer in the UK.  You may already be aware, but when stress builds up, so do stress hormones, which in the long run can cause many health issues, including heart disease, cancers and other terminal illnesses.

When we get stressed, the Fight or Flight process takes place in our system, and as everything in are bodies, this refers to different hormones being released, namely adrenalin.  When adrenal glands get sent messages from the brain, they flood release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which in effect give you that extra surge of energy to keep going rather than give up. 

If however, this occurs too frequently, or unnaturally (through stimulants such as caffeine, sugar etc), then free radicals build up in the system.  With these free radicals comes more defense systems from the body, and these can eventually cause fatigue, exhaustion, irritability, and heightened emotions, as well as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. 

Below is an excerpt from Helpguide.org, and offers a comprehensive guide to stress and symptoms to look out for.

"...Signs and symptoms of chronic stress or stress overload
The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of chronic stress. The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload.

Cognitive Symptoms

• Memory problems
• Inability to concentrate
  
• Poor judgment
• Seeing only the negative
• Anxious or racing thoughts
• Constant worrying

Emotional Symptoms

• Depression or general unhappiness
• Anxiety and agitation
• Moodiness, irritability, or anger
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Loneliness and isolation
• Other mental or emotional health problems

Physical Symptoms

• Aches and pains
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
• Loss of sex drive
• Frequent colds or flu

Behavioral Symptoms

• Eating more or less
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Withdrawing from others
• Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
• Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
• Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)..."

Chronic stress, also know as burn-out, is when your body literally stops, and nothing works as it should.  Who reading this, has ever had those days where literally everything is an effort to work against your bodies need or wish to sleep, rest and rejuvenate? Your mind feels confused; clarity of thought is gone; focus is gone; you feel utterly exhausted; you look terrible; and everything is an overwhelming struggle.  It takes all your effort to work through these feelings because you simply HAVE to carry on despite how you're feeling.  This sadly, is the side effect of modern society.  There is little opportunity to rest and recharge.

We are constantly under pressure to better ourselves; to get that better job; to have better behaved children.  You have to put on this front that everything is fine despite it feeling that everything is about to crumble before your eyes, if you let go of just that one thread.  Modern living is busy; information overload springs to mind; constant noise; constant media in your face; email/facebook/twitter/message alerts constantly.  Always on the go, always juggling, frantically pulling at all the strings to keep them together.

Please, Just.........STOP and ROAR!
Reflect
Open your mind
Assess
Re-evaluate

Once you have stopped, count to 10 then take 5 deep breaths, and lose yourself in the moment. Focus on your breathing, listen to your body's response systems to stress, rise in heart rate, faster breathing, head spinning. Stop and refocus on yourself, and let everything else disappear, even if it is just for a second or two. Breathe deep, relax your shoulders and become aware of tension in your body and breathe that tension out. Then, learn to appreciate the silence, even just 5 seconds of silence, before the busyness starts again.

​As a business owner, a mum of three noisy children, and a constantly busy, noisy, chaotic house; I have trained myself purely by accident to truly appreciate those precious seconds of peace. Without that, I would be sending myself to an early grave. Those microscopic moments of calm are what keep me sane! For more in depth ramblings on my constant juggling act, i will soon be starting a more personal blog as well, so keep your eyes peeled!

Detoxing the body of unwanted toxins and harmful metals is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle and can be achieved in numerous different ways e.g. by eating particular foods with high detoxing properties or getting the heart pumping and forcing toxins out from the pores of the skin through sweat. Detoxing (cleaning the blood) is to clear the body from within through rest, the elimination of toxins and healthy nourishment. The best way to start is to avoid alcohol, cigarettes, refined sugars and processed food all together because these are full of toxins and act as obstacles in the body's healing process.
Topics today will include;

• Cautionary ingredient (to avoid) 
• Natural alternative: (Shea butter)
• Foods for detoxing
• Local exercise video

Now the weather is (finally) warming up, we give you ‘The Clean & Natural Way To Survive Summer!’ 

After many reports of heatwaves causing havoc around the UK of late, and those heatwaves not beginning to emerge until now, it is a great time to start considering your safety during your fun in the sun.  In this week’s blog, we will begin talking about ways for all of the family to get the most out of Summer 2015 safely.

This blog will include the following topics:

1. UV rays from the sun and what they mean for your skin.
2. Summer skin tips including: how to prepare and protect your skin before, and during sun exposure; how diet can help nourish the skin; sunscreens; what to be aware of in skincare products.
3. Summer Relaxation Tips, And finally, Your 30 MIN RELAXATION CHALLENGE.
   
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