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The Key to Hydration

Kellzjade25@live.co.uk (Kelly Moore) — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Hydration is important for a number of reasons- not just for skin.

Well hydrated skin is more plump and elastic. It's also stronger, and looks more healthy than dehydrated skin.

Hydration from the Inside Out

The first step in achieving hydrated skin is to hydrate the whole body and drink enough water! This benefits so much more than your skin: brain function is particularly reliant on hydration, and most body functions are closely tied to the amount of water they can access. If you struggle to drink enough, you might find that drinking from a big bottle makes your daily progress a lot more visible. If this motivates you and helps you monitor your intake, it's definitely worth a try.

Don't forget that food can hydrate you too- fruit and vegetables are typically very high in water content and it all counts towards your intake. Salty foods can dry you out, but they also encourage you to drink more, so there is a silver lining! As a general rule, you do want to keep your salt intake low, but some salt is necessary for proper function.

Avoiding diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol will help you to absorb as much water as you need from your diet. Food is important too- low carb diets limit the amount of water that the body can hold. Fibre is also important for retaining water, although this is more about gut health than general hydration. Water is held within fibre, and helps to keep your bowel moving properly. It does mean the water is lost from the body, but this is not a bad thing.

Hydration from the Outside In

You can complement your hydration and lock it in with the right selection of skincare products. The products you use can be especially important if you're spending time in a very dry environment, such as somewhere with air conditioning or high central heating. Being exposed to the elements can be very drying too- sun exposure and wind weather can strip moisture from the skin quickly, so a well hydrating SPF product is a good idea for outdoor days.

Read more about the key ingredients for healthy skin here . Spoiler- a lot of them are hydration focused! If hydration is a problem for you, we can target that with a facial and advise you on the products that may suit you best. If your skin is prone to dryness, you might find that moisturisers just don't give you the necessary effects for long enough. Building a routine with a range of products to encourage hydration is likely the best plan for you. Also moving away from harsher products is key; you might not realise that your cleanser or toner is taking more away from your skin than you'd like. Avoiding alcohol-based products is a good start, and washing your face with warm water rather than hot can all help. Sometimes a final rinse with cold water can help, as it encourages pores to shrink, giving less capacity for water to be lost from the skin.

The Benefits of Sleep for Skin and Body

Kellzjade25@live.co.uk (Kelly Moore) — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:00:00 GMT

We all know that sleep is vital for health- but what are the details? The first signs of getting insufficient sleep are often psychological, cognitive, and emotional. Physical changes might take longer to manifest, but eye-bags might develop pretty quickly in response to being under-slept.

Benefits to the Body

Sleep is a time of repair for the body, so the more you can get, the better. Overnight, the nervous system is in the opposite state to "fight or flight"- it's in "rest and digest". Blood flow can be diverted back to the digestive system and areas that need repairing, as muscles are not in demand. The blood brings nutrients to the areas that require them, and transports the waste away for healthier tissues.

The repair process is driven by hormones and cells from the immune system. Between them, they can target the areas that need help, fighting off infection as well as healing damaged cells. This is why you typically need more sleep when you're under the weather- the immune system can use this time wisely to make a bigger impact than when you're awake.

From the other perspective, lack of sleep is associated with :

obesity
type 2 diabetes
high blood pressure
heart disease
stroke

Benefits to Skin

Skin largely responds to sleep in the same way as the rest of the body- by benefitting from its repairing process. There are some specific details about the skin that are of particular note when it comes to sleep:

Collagen is one example of a molecule that is best synthesised overnight. This is key for plump skin, and sign of skin ageing is partly due to the reduction of collagen production over time. Support your overnight repair with a deeply hydrating night cream, or the other products that work wonders but don't sit well under makeup.

In another vein, there are things you can do to benefit your skin overnight beyond sleep itself. If you suffer from breakouts, you might find that washing your pillow cases every time you do any washing helps to break the cycle of bacteria proliferation. If you wash at cooler temperatures, or use a non-bio detergent, you might also feel the benefit of ironing the cases while still damp to steam out any remaining bacteria.

Silk pillow cases have gained popularity recently, mainly within haircare circles, as they snag the hair less than cotton and minimise breakage. They may also benefit the delicate skin of the face due to being made from a less absorbent fabric.

Improving Sleep

Avoiding blue light before bed, keeping your bedroom at the right temperature, and winding down in your last waking hour or so can all help. Rejuvenate Within can help with the winding down part- if you struggle to leave work at work you might benefit from some mindfulness training, or simply a good massage to calm you down. Click the button below to enquire about our holistic therapies and find the one that might just help you switch off a little easier.

Daily Mindfulness

Kellzjade25@live.co.uk (Kelly Moore) — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 10:00:00 GMT

Mindfulness has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years, but if you can cut through the noise, you might find something that truly impacts you. If you find that life can be overwhelming or you struggle to find peace within yourself, daily mindfulness practice is a good place to start.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness in this context is defined as:

"a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique."

It has similarities to meditation, as both aim for calmness. However, meditation typically aims to empty the mind, which can be difficult to achieve. Often, this is frustrating in itself, which completely defeats the object! Mindfulness, in contrast, aims to tune in to what you're feeling, and let the thoughts pass when they're ready. The act of taking the time to zone in on your own experience can be deeply calming, and simultaneously energising. Therefore some people find that it's a great way to start the day, and well worth building into their daily routine.

Mindfulness practice can be as simple and accessible as going for a walk and letting your focus fall on the present moment. What do you observe around you? What do you feel physically and emotionally? Tuning into these features and tuning out of everything else can take you to a new mental state in which you feel calmer and more focused.

How Can Mindfulness Become a Daily Part of My Life?

There are so many different avenues to try. If you have tried mindfulness techniques in the past that haven't suited you, try something else, such as:

Gratitude journals
Adult colouring books
Mindfulness podcasts and apps

Some people find that a combination of approaches work best for them, such as regular reiki, less frequent journaling, and taking a walk with focus and intent. In a similar vein to the colouring books, any repetitive but calming hobby can help you achieve a mindful state. Knitting or crochet could work for you, with the added bonus of being left with something that you've made yourself!

Mindfulness at Rejuvenate Within

We offer therapies for body and mind at Rejuvenate Within. You might even find that some treatments have a secondary mindfulness effect- having a massage and laying still with your eyes closed might be the perfect environment for you to focus on your own feelings and let them wash over you.

Kelly is currently studying to provide reiki for her clients in Cheshire. Reiki is non invasive, with the practice moving the body's energy without physical touch. Clients typically leave a reiki session feeling profoundly relaxed. Practice your mindfulness during a reiki session to combine that relaxation with a feeling of peace.

If you would like to book in for a holistic therapy, or you're unsure which would suit you best, you can contact us via the button below.

Why Our Bodies Need to Move

Kellzjade25@live.co.uk (Kelly Moore) — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:03 GMT

We all know that we need to keep active, but have you ever wondered exactly why? There are a myriad of benefits to physical movement, both in preventing new issues from arising, and managing existing problems.

The Body is Responsive

Sometimes people use the analogy that "the body is like a car", suggesting that parts wear out in a relatively linear fashion. This is not particularly accurate, because whereas tyres will only wear with usage, body parts can respond positively to demands placed on them. Bone density is a great example of this. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become less dense as the honeycomb structure within them develops larger holes. There are a number of factors in play, including hormones and diet- but one of the best things you can do to prevent or slow the development of osteoporosis is exercise. This is because the body recognises the demands placed on bones during exercise, and prioritises making the bones stronger again.

Similarly, osteoarthritis is another condition that needs movement in order to improve. This "wear and tear" arthritis is a condition affecting cartilage, which is a living tissue. Cartilage relies on the joint fluid to bring it nutrients, and take away its waste. If you don't move the joint, the fluid isn't replenished as quickly, and the cartilage isn't squeezed (like wringing out a sponge) to encourage nutrients in and waste out. Regular, gentle movement therefore protects against this route of arthritis development. It may also slow the development of existing arthritis.

Spiritual and Mental Wellness in Nature

We've spoken before about the benefits of getting out in nature. As Kelly said:

"Being outside barefoot and grounding and cleansing with nature is the most amazing feeling. When I first started all my treatments I was not very mobile, so being in the garden and being with nature supported me and gave me strength. Grounding balances out the spiritual and physical energy in our body, by connecting yourself with the earth. When you are grounded, you feel like you are here, in the physical, in the present. To be grounded gives your energy a point of steadiness and you will feel clear, centred, strong and focused."

Exercise in the gym is, of course, useful too, but try to get that outdoors bonus if you can. Maybe you'd benefit from using the weights or other equipment in the gym, and moving your cool-down routine outside. Can you walk around the block, or even do a bit of barefoot yoga in the garden when you get home?

Exercise Related Muscle Pains

Although exercise is imperative for general health, it is not without its risks. Post exercise muscle soreness is a common side effect, especially when starting a new exercise regime, or increasing the intensity or frequency of your routine.

We offer a range of therapies to help get you moving again. If low energy or muscle aches are holding you back, you might find that our holistic therapies or massage packages can remove that hurdle from your return to exercise.

The Power Ingredients Your Skin Needs

Kellzjade25@live.co.uk (Kelly Moore) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Although there is no "one size fits all" skincare routine, there are some key ingredients that we all need. Some of these compounds can be found in diet or produced by the body itself, but most can also be absorbed from products applied directly to the skin. We offer facials and other treatments that incorporate some of these ingredients where appropriate- read more about our therapies here .

Niacinamide

This is a form of the vitamin B3, and it is responsible for balancing inflammation and strengthening the skin's barrier layer. Products containing niacinamide are often marketed as "brightening", in reference to their effect on areas of hyperpigmentation or acne scars.

Whereas some ingredients that storm the beauty world can be quite irritating when the skin isn't used to them, niacinamide is a gentle ingredient that aims to soothe. This is particularly useful if your skin is prone to breakouts and you want to target the subsequent redness.

Polyglutamic Acid

Not only does polyglutamic acid have its own set of benefits, but its presence in the skin encourages the production of hyaluronic acid- a big hydrator. It is available in both high and low molecular weights, meaning it can both penetrate and sit on top of the skin for dual benefits. You can find it in hydrating serums, designed to complement the work of your moisturiser.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid, or simply "HA" seems to be an ingredient in every new skincare product lately! The body actually produces it itself, but as we age the production levels drop and skin can become more dry and prone to wrinkles. It is another gentle ingredient that aims to plump the skin with hydration. HA serums applied to damp skin, under a layer of moisturiser aim to push water into the top layers of the skin.

Although it's everywhere, it's worth understanding the science to get the best results. HA molecules pull moisture towards themselves- meaning they might pull moisture up from the deeper layers of your skin too. It's these deep layers that really need the moisture, as the tissues there are still living, whereas surface skin is not. Be sure to drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated from the inside out, and give that HA as much liquid in other products to keep your deep skin's moisture safe.

Pumpkin Seed

Pumpkin seed features in a handful of enzyme-based exfoliants. These products help to remove the outer layer of dead skin to leave your complexion brighter, smoother, and give you a better base for your makeup. You might prefer gentle enzyme exfoliators over harsher mechanical exfoliators even if your skin isn't particularly sensitive. They are much less abrasive (literally), and you might find that you avoid the post-exfoliation redness if you move away from a scrub.

Succinic Acid

Two major attractions of succinic acid are:

its role as an antioxidant
its antibacterial properties

Antioxidants are important for balancing damage done by UV exposure and pollution to name a couple of causes. The acid's antibacterial properties help it to fight against acne. Of course, there are a number of products out there that perform both roles, but succinic acid is also considered a much more gentle ingredient than others, such as retinol. So you might find it a better option for you if your skin is sensitive.

Oatmeal

Not all useful ingredients come in a skincare bottle! Oatmeal is anti-inflammatory, pH balancing, and even has some UV protection. Some brands do capitalise on its benefits, so you can find oatmeal based products on the skincare shelves, and you may have had an oatmeal bath to relieve chicken pox discomfort as a child. If other ingredients are out of your reach, a 70p bag of oats might be able to solve more problems than you expect.

The Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Kellzjade25@live.co.uk (Kelly Moore) — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 09:00:00 GMT

At Rejuvenate Within, we offer a range of massage therapies- you can read more about what's on offer here . But have you ever wondered why we utilise massage, and why it helps you feel better?

The power of touch

We are hard wired to benefit from physical touch from someone else. Combine this with the context of a cosy, relaxing treatment room, and maybe some oils, and your body and mind will soon be ready to be thoroughly relaxed.

Touch can be especially beneficial when you are suffering with pain. There's a reason we instinctively apply pressure to an injury- it helps to override the nervous system and take the edge off the pain. Massage can give a similar effect in three different ways :

directly overriding the way pain is processed (analgesic touch)
breaking down psychological or emotional barriers to pain relief (affective touch)
showing the body that pain is not warranted, and that this touch is safe (somatoperceptual touch)

Mental health benefits

There are reasons why massage has stood the test of time, featuring in all ancient civilisations and still going strong today. Massage is strongly associated with mental health benefits. These include improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as general mental health. Of course, this is no substitution for talking therapies or medication that you may need, but it can certainly complement your progress.

Some of these benefits may be associated with the simple act of having some "me time". When you're laying on the massage couch, you're not at anyone's beck and call on your phone, or overwhelmed with chores, or distracted by a knock on the door when you're mid-thought. Instead, you can let your mind wander without obligation or interruption, knowing that this allocated time is just for you. If you do well with mindfulness or meditation, it might also be an opportune time to take a moment and let your mind clear.

Muscle pain

Of course, deep tissue massage can also help to relieve muscle pain. It's a common misconception that massage is about breaking down scar tissue or other restrictions, but that's not quite right. A tight muscle is only tight because the brain tells it it needs to be, often as a protective mechanism for a perceived threat. This might be an injury nearby, or something completely different that doesn't need to be protected in any way. Another reason a muscle might become tense is that it's following the path of least resistance. For example, if you spend all day sitting at a desk, with your chest muscles shortened as your shoulders hunch forward, it makes sense for the muscle to shorten to the length required of it.

But all of these changes are controlled by the nervous system- not the muscle itself. And as mentioned above, the brain responds to massage. So when we find a tight or "knotty" muscle, working into it can send a message to the brain to stop sending those tightening signals, and allow the muscle to relax.

You can view our massage therapies here

Kelly Moore: Why I Do What I Do

Kellzjade25@live.co.uk (Kelly Moore) — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 09:00:02 GMT

Kelly is the director and lead practitioner at Rejuvenate Within.

What do you do and what is your background?

I am both a holistic practitioner and a Dermalogica professional skin therapist.

Holistic practitioner

As a Holistic practitioner I use the body's natural healing abilities to treat. I use a number of therapies, such as massage therapy, reiki, reflexology, acupressure points, crystal healing, cleansing, life coaching and more.

Holistic health is about caring for the whole person: it's about honouring the mind-body connection and treating the whole person providing for your physical, mental, spiritual, and social needs. The foundations are rooted in the understanding that all these aspects affect your overall health, and being unwell in one aspect affects you in others. With all of these points considered, it's also about developing a strong relationship with a doctor who is committed to getting you healthy and keeping you that way.

A holistic therapist helps to empower you with the education and motivation to make good choices. Rather than suggesting a long list of lifestyle changes, they include you in the conversation and help you determine which changes would make the greatest impact on your health. They help you set wellness goals and then provide you with resources — whether that's a personalised plan or a referral to a specialist.

Dermalogica professional skin therapist

I am also a Dermalogica Professional Skin Therapist. The qualification behind the title is recognised by The International Dermal Institute and is a step towards becoming a skin care expert.

My background

I’ve always been into health and fitness, and I love nature and the outdoors. From the ages of 16-18 I was a race jockey. Then between 18 and 24 I moved to the fitness industry, working my way up to a level 3 personal trainer, class co-ordinator, spin class instructor and gym coach.

I started to dabble within the beauty industry, I wasn't sure why I didn't really like beauty (doing nails and waxing for example), but it led me to skin working with Dermalogica. I loved the science behind skin and helping clients meet their skin goals. Skin led me to opening my own clinic to go more away from level 2 beauty completely and focus more on private skin care.

My health then changed my life again, and led me to my holistic path. This was always waiting for me, even though I didn’t know it.

You mentioned your own health, how has that influenced your work?

Wow, where do I begin! Six years ago I was a couple of months pregnant and getting ready for a new little bundle of joy to come into the world. As a married couple we were planning all sorts of positive happenings, but life throws challenges and it threw our family a huge one, but we were ready to battle it. Two or three weeks after I gave birth I had a perforated bowel, and things were touch and go. It was probably the scariest point in my life, and from here lots of things started to unravel. I now have diagnoses of CFS/ME, hypermobility, vagus nerve damage, gastroparesis and a very weak spine. I couldn’t walk properly: I couldn’t even feel my muscles properly, and I was bent over from the spine and extremely weak.

But natural health: through lymphatic drainage, Reiki, reflexology, cranial therapy, and massage, got me here today. It helped my body repair and restore some strength to get on with every day, and also be able to have amazing special time with my family.

My life became goal after goal after goal. I was newly married, a new mum, I had my business- and then I had all this craziness on top, but I had to make it work with positive thoughts, strength, and support. And I did! Thanks to holistic health I am here today, back with my own business and in a position to be able to support and help others. I am a healthy mum, I am a healthy wife and I am so happy and grateful to be where I am today.

Yes, I have lots of rehabilitation to do on a daily basis and lots of medication to take; and yes, I have good days and bad days. But life is a journey and I managed to take this crazy one and turn it into something good. This is why my path has changed. I started off as a very active sporty person who then went into level two beauty and now I am an advanced holistic therapist with ongoing training and a business.

How has natural health helped you?

Alongside the therapies mentioned above, a huge element in my recovery is mindfulness and nature. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.

Being outside barefoot and grounding and cleansing with nature is the most amazing feeling. When I first started all my treatments I was not very mobile, so being in the garden and being with nature supported me and gave me strength. Grounding balances out the spiritual and physical energy in our body, by connecting yourself with the earth. When you are grounded, you feel like you are here, in the physical, in the present. To be grounded gives your energy a point of steadiness and you will feel clear, centred, strong and focused.

Grounding, also called earthing, is a therapeutic technique that involves doing activities that “ground” or electrically reconnect you to the earth. This practice relies on earthing science and grounding physics to explain how electrical charges from the earth can have positive effects on your body.

It still amazes me to this day how the lymphatic system the nervous system and my gut health literally debilitated me, but it also still amazes me how all my natural health therapy has helped me get well. It isn’t a cure but it has given me my life back, and I continue to get stronger every day. Natural health is a full circle to aiding in health and wellness for the body and mind. This full circle has 100% helped me and many of friends and family that have been on this continuous path with me can vouch for this .

And finally, what drives you to do what you do?

I love to see people develop and thrive, whether physically or mentally. Seeing them reaching their goals or finding themselves through the art of mindfulness is what drives my passion and what I find the most rewarding.