Exfoliation, Seasonal Affected Disorder, Christmas Overspend?

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CAROL'S COLUMN
Views & tips from your side of the counter*........*

At this time of year many of us are thinking of jetting off to somewhere a little warmer for a bit of spring sunshine. Just leafing through the glossy brochures cheers us up a bit, but after the long winter months is your skin really up to being bared. Shedding layers of clothing may also mean you need to shed a few layers of skin.

All those dead, dingy skin cells that have been covered up with thick winter clothes will certainly benefit from regular exfoliation over the coming weeks. If you've been diligent about exfoliating and moisturising during the winter then well done - you'll be one step ahead of the rest of us who've been a bit lazy about our bodies during the long, dark days. If you haven't, then now's a great time to start.

There are many ways to slough off dead skin cells - body brushing is excellent but don't go made, gentle brushing is all that's needed. You could buy a specific body exfoliating shower crème; these are easy to include in your daily shower or bathing routine.

If your skin is particularly sensitive or delicate you could mix up your own body scrub of oatmeal (cheap and easy to get from health food stores) and almond oil - just massage into the skin gently, a bit messy but great fun and extremely kind to the skin and wonderful as an exfoliator. Always follow up an exfoliating routine with a good quality body lotion - we love the inexpensive St Ives range at the moment, containing collagen and plant extracts.

You could also try one of the new 'holiday skin' products to give you a head start in looking spring-like. And if you are lucky enough to be going away somewhere warm, don't forget that you'll need sun protection even at this time of year.

Why not try?

Skin Doctor PowerBrasion Kit
Basil Mint Body Lotion
NaturalTan Self-Tan Mousse

If the long, grey days have been getting you down don't despair, spring is on the way.

Spring has definitely been a slow starter this year, there seemed no end to the cold, miserable grey days that we've been experiencing lately.

For people with Seasonal Affected Disorder this can be a big problem, but even if you're not a sufferer the length of the winter months can affect our overall mood. So at this time of years it's important to make good use of any sunshine that is available. If at all possible, get outside as often as possible and for as long as possible.

If you're working during the day, do try and take a walk at lunch time or even sit outside with your coffee and sandwiches and with the lighter evenings try to do an outside task eg wash the car, weed the garden etc in the early evening.

And to reaffirm to your body that it is really Spring make the effort to find some 'green-space' in your free time - seeing the buds of flowers beginning or just hearing the birds sing can really convince us that better days are on the way. And don't make the excuse that you live in the city - believe me there are green spaces absolutely everywhere just waiting to be discovered, even the most densely build up areas are often surrounded by either woodland, field land or just wild wasteland that can still lift the spirits.

Psychologists are absolutely convinced that people who take an interest in nature and the living world feel healthier and suffer less stress in their lives n no mater what small way that take part, so off you go, make the effort, and you'll soon feel the benefits.

Are you still feeling the financial burden of the Christmas overspend?

A recent report showed that debts incurred over the winter period often drag into the spring adding to the depression that is often felt at this time of the year.

For serious debt problems it is always advisable to seek professional help, but for those who are just fed up of the monthly shortfall on pay day, it's a good time of year to sit down and really take an in-depth look at your finances. It may mean just tightening your belt for a short spell and really denting those larger debts, or you may have to devise more long term adjustments to your spending habits but either way, taking control of your finances can lift a huge weight off your mind - burying your head in the sand won't make the problem go away and can lead to serious depressive problems.

If you need help, call the Citizens Advice Centre, who can offer useful advice on how to get back on track.

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