Indholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2022 i Top Sante

Can you believe Christmas is around the corner? As soon as September hits, the year just seems to speed up for me. With family birthdays in October and November – and now my son being at school, meaning numerous kiddies’ parties! – coupled with planning in festive weekend activities, it seems there’s no spare time or a moment just to breath. Work also compounds the problem as I have to cram more into less time if I want to take a week off between Christmas and New Year. Finding time to oneself can often feel impossible, or even selfish, after all, there’s always stuff to be doing. But as an old friend once used to love saying, “we’re human beings, not human doings”. We’re not meant to be busy bees…

In the past year I’ve dropped two dress sizes. I went to a Juice Master retreat in the summer where I was walking, Spinning, doing yoga and having spa treatments, which kick-started a belief that I could get back into shape. During lockdown with my boyfriend Danny [actor Danny Taylor, 46], I gained 20-odd pounds. I enjoyed that time. We ate butties, cake, sweeties, had three meals a day and cocoa at night. Now I do intermittent fasting and no longer eat sugar, cakes and cookies. At my age, I don’t think my body needs that much fuel. I have enormous willpower. If you set me a task with my work or my figure, I stick to that mission. My physique could be better. In my mind, it could always…

Subscribing to Top Santé is a great way to keep abreast of the latest health news and advice, and is a thoughtful gift for a friend or relative, too. Every issue is packed with the best health, beauty, nutrition and fitness tips to keep you feeling great all year! Editor GREAT REASONS TO BUY A SUBSCRIPTION: Pay from just £37.99 for a year’s subscription. Each issue delivered directly to the recipient’s door for free. Never miss an issue. Receive our fantastic e-newsletter for free every week. Save up to £20 on the yearly cover price. DON’T MISS OUT – ORDER TODAY! ORDER ONLINE at SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/XMAS22TS CALL NOW ON 01959 543 747** Quote ref: XMAS22TS **Lines open Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm. Calls are charged at your standard network rate. Terms & conditions: UK…

TRE gives your body the opportunity to shake off what has been suppressed, retrospectively, from stressful situations such as public speaking or when angry. Normally, it’s only in extreme situations – for example, after an accident, being held at gunpoint or after an intense birth – that we allow ourselves to tremor as the body overrides the brain. Most people’s reaction when seeing someone shaking like this is to try to calm them down and stop them from shaking. ‘This is actually the worst thing you can, do as you’re stopping their body from naturally dealing with the stress,’ says Sylvia. But, unlike deliberately shaking, which you see in other modalities and the ancient practices of indigenous people in Japan and India, with TRE, the tremors originate in your brainstem,…

1 HIT REBOOT If you’re feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, make soft fists with your hands, and press the bases of your thumbs into your forehead. Feel how this instantly relaxes your eyes and your jaw and slows your rate of breathing, soothing your nervous system. Alternatively, if you are seated at a table, fold your hands on the table and rest your forehead on your folded hands. Notice that this posture, or one in which the back of the hand comes to press against the forehead, is one you would naturally come into if you got bad news – the body is hardwired to help you cope and heal. Turn to this practice whenever you feel overwhelmed. ‘Make soft fists with your hands, and press the bases of your thumbs into…

STAR STYLE Move effortlessly from studio to street in Dare 2b’s latest collection, with TV presenter Laura Whitmore. The new Dare 2b x Laura Whitmore Winter Active Edit (from £25, dare2b.com) features must-have sportswear that will last season after season, including waterproof jackets and coats, squat-resistant leggings, lightweight tees and cosy fleeces. There’s a whopping 21 pieces to choose from, meaning you’re sure to find something to fit your active needs. Designed with comfort and support in mind, the waterproof and functional Reputable II Longline Jacket (£130, pictured) is sure to become a wardrobe staple. It comes in Laura’s favourite colour, too. ‘I love the new Barley White colour option, and it’s perfect coming into winter,’ she says. It’s available in sizes 6-20, with selected pieces available up to size…

Revered by the ancient Egyptians for its beauty benefits, frankincense is now to be found in numerous skincare preparations. ‘Frankincense is the dried sap from trees in the Boswellia genus,’ says Dr Daniel Glass of The Dermatology Clinic (thedermatologyclinic.london). ‘It has been widely used in the Middle East and India for centuries and is now a staple in many Western products.’ Added to face masks and oils in part for its antiseptic, disinfectant and astringent properties, it’s often called boswellic acid or boswellia extract on the labels of products. Studies looking at the use of frankincense to treat photo-ageing have come up with positive results, further boosting its reputation as a youth-boosting hero ingredient. Research from 2010* suggested that a cream with a 0.5 per cent boswellic acid extract may…

HEALTHY EATING IS often associated with depriving yourself of the things you love. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can still enjoy the rich, smooth creaminess of chocolate, the comfort of a slice of cake or the bite of a spiced biscuit. It just comes down to a few tweaks when you’re choosing your treats. Remember, too, that it’s not only sweet foods that add to your blood sugar load; baskets of bread, pizzas and other carb-heavy foods will also see your blood sugar heading upward. Check the carbohydrate content of packaged foods to get an idea of the impact they could have. For example, a 100g packet of white rice contains 29g of carbs whereas 100g of cauliflower rice has just 2g – that’s a big…

CONFIDENCE EXPERT Luke Kennedy is a mental health advocate and author of Sex, Drugs and a Buddhist Monk (£14.99, Rockpool Publishing). Q I’m often very anxious, especially in social situations and when meeting new people. With Christmas parties on the horizon, how do I tame feelings of social anxiety and become more confident? A In the past, my social stresses were so high that when I would arrive at a party, I’d look for a corner to stand by myself, awkwardly, or I’d go to the toilet often to escape being approached. It was debilitating. Now, I’m speaking to large audiences, and, while I’d still prefer to chill out alone, I’m now confident in social situations. So, how did I do it? I stepped out of my comfort zone –…

RETAIL THERAPY A Christmas shopping trip may be good for your health, if not your bank balance, according to new research. A report in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found people who shopped frequently lived around 25 per cent longer than those who didn’t, within a study group of 1,850 older adults. One theory to explain this is that shopping involves physical exercise, mental stimulation and social interaction – all of which improve wellbeing. But it’s the act of scouting around for items that’s beneficial, not the parting with cash. So, you don’t need to break the bank! THE GIFT OF WELLBEING Secret Santas are all well and good, but if your employer wants to provide a gift that keeps on giving, they should consider putting on yoga…

Most things are app-based these days and Cora Cora is no exception. You can download the app in advance to start planning your stay. Contactless check-in can also be done prior to arrival and you can fill in and submit the traveller declaration forms, too, which must be done three days before arrival and departure. During your stay, you can check your itinerary, find out what’s on and book all restaurants through the app, which also contains all menus. While this is convenient and suits most tech-savvy people, it’s worth noting that while most of the restaurants have printed menus, Ginger Moon doesn’t so you need either a phone or iPad – I’d suggest the latter as it’s more comfortable to read. I was lucky in that my husband took…

EXERCISE 1 ● Place your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. ● Roll to the sides of your feet, from left to right and back to centre. ● Do this in your own time, about 5-8 times. EXERCISE 2 ● Place your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. ● Like a ballerina, raise your heels high and then lower them back to the floor. ● Keep a scale from 0 (I don’t notice anything) to 10 (I’m exhausted) in mind. ● Stop doing the move when your calves feel tired, which would be roughly a 7 on your tiredness scale. EXERCISE 3 ● Place your feet roughly shoulder-width apart with one foot in front of the other – the front leg is your standing leg, the rear one is for balance. ● Bend your…

YOUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTDOWN… Get prepped for a glamorous Christmas with the ESPA Wellness Advent Calendar (£160, espaskincare.com). With 25 luxurious beauty products tucked away inside every drawer of this elegant white beauty advent calendar, you’ll feel truly pampered. It contains cleansers, moisturisers, scents, serums, lip care, oils, face masks, bath salts and a candle from this luxe holistic wellbeing company. It’s a festive treat for whole body revitalisation that’s worth £319. We love the positivity pulse point oil for a hit of soothing aromatherapy to calm you down when things get a bit too hectic. TRANSFORM PROBLEM SKIN If you have excess oil and acne-prone skin, you’ll love this new range that caters for combination and oily complexions. BLUR London Everyday Cleanser (£18, blurlondon.com) purifies using hyper-fermented botanicals and essential…

Fragrant myrrh oil was used by Queen Cleopatra and is still precious today for its powerful properties, used in skincare and perfumery. The rich, smoky, balsamic-smelling oil is uplifting and purifying, with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic properties. ‘Myrrh has an effect on your hypothalamus, the part of your brain involved in feelings,’ says Neom Organics founder Nicola Elliot (neomorganics.com). ‘This helps to balance your emotions and make you feel more positive.’ In skincare, myrrh is useful for healing dryness and inflammation, including eczema. It’s helpful in improving skin tone by reducing dark spots and even scars, too. The natural resins in myrrh also make it an effective anti-ager, and it helps support collagen and elastin for greater suppleness. Try adding some ground myrrh or a few drops of myrrh essential oil to…

TIME FOR SNOWBALLS! Pour yourself a warming cup of hot chocolate or a cheeky tot of something stronger to enjoy with Lakrids by Bülow Frozen Crispy Mint (from £11, lakridsbybulow.co.uk). A sophisticated treat of sweet liquorice is encased in milk chocolate, with a hint of mint and a dusting of sparkly sugar to look super festive. Or go for the Winter Selection Box (from £42), which contains a mix of flavoured balls, including raspberry, caramel, coffee and sea salt. Festive fish without the fishing! For traditional festive food with a vegan twist, try Revo Salmon (£5.49, greenbaysupermarket.co.uk), which is a new plant-based smoked salmon proving popular with vegans as well as seafood lovers and omnivores. Made with pea proteins, plant oils and algae extracts, the fish substitute contains added omega-3…

The self-compassion one Self-Kindness: How to Grow Your Happiness with the Power of Self-Compassion, by Claire Chamberlain (£7.99, Vie Books). If you always try to be kind to other people but forget to treat yourself with compassion, read this gentle but practical guide to accepting yourself and increasing your happiness through self-kindness. With a combination of practical tips and actionable advice, the book teaches you to nurture a more positive mindset, develop greater self-confidence and enrich your overall health and wellbeing with diet, exercise and uplifting affirmations. The joyful one Choose Joy: Relieve Burnout, Focus on Your Happiness & Infuse More Joy into Your Everyday Life, by Sophie Cliff (£17.99, Blue Star Press). Find your balance in a crazy world by learning how to protect yourself from burnout and stop…

All the trimmings WHAT: Christmas Escape at Kinloch Lodge. WHERE: Isle of Skye, Scotland. WHEN: December 24-27. PRICE: From £840 per person (double room with half-board). WEBSITE: kinloch-lodge.co.uk. With glistening decorations, roaring fires and mince pies galore, the three-night Christmas Escape at Kinloch Lodge is designed to give guests a relaxing and unforgettable holiday season that feeds body and soul. Festivities begin on Christmas Eve, when guests can enjoy seasonal cocktails and a sumptuous dinner. Father Christmas is also rumoured to be delivering local gifts! On the big day, you’ll be treated to a traditional celebration lunch and a gentle afternoon relaxing by the fireside or walking off the excesses around the beautiful grounds, rounded off with a light festive evening buffet. Finally, on Boxing Day, guests can enjoy a…

I TRAINED AS A PODIATRIST and worked in the NHS treating patients who had compromised neurological or vascular systems, mainly due to diabetes mellitus, or orthopaedic leg and foot problems. Most of my work was care-based, helping to salvage feet and lower limbs, and I worked in a multidisciplinary team of vascular consultants, endocrinologists and orthopaedic surgeons. I was always conscious that my patients were taking many different medications and, worryingly, the vast majority were oblivious to what pills they were taking daily, and why. It was this concern that led me to do my own research, as I believed big pharmaceutical companies regularly mimic natural ingredients with cheap, mass-produced, synthetic versions. When referring to pills to treat ailments, we often state that natural is “the alternative” and synthetic is…

CINNAMON Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is milder than Chinese (Cinnamomum cassia), which means you can use greater quantities for added slimming benefits. CLOVES The tiny flower buds of the Eugenia arena tree not only aid your ability to digest food properly, but their carminative properties also help prevent and reduce bloating. GINGER If fresh ginger is too pungent for you, try galangal. Also known as Siamese or blue ginger, it shares many of root ginger’s slimming benefits. Available from Sainsbury’s and Ocado. NUTMEG This spice helps you lose weight by breaking down fats. It loses its flavour if stored ground, so always buy whole nutmeg and grate as needed. STAR ANISE This star-shaped spice aid’s your body’s digestion and fat metabolism.…

● Lie down on your mat and just be. ● Take a couple of deep breaths in and out. ● Feel the length and shape of your body on the mat. ● Breathe consciously, ideally longer out-breaths than in-breaths. ● Really feel your body, stay in the here and now, be open and curious – how will your body react? ● Remember: tremoring is a very innate reaction. ● When you are ready, bring your feet sole-to-sole in butterfly feet (see right). ● Stay there while feeling tension in your pelvis and thighs – maybe there’s already a small tremor? ● Then lift your pelvis and try to stay there for about one minute. This will fatigue the muscles further. ● Lower your pelvis and come back to the mat,…

1 Resist the urge to look at a clock. Checking the time is an attempt by your brain to control sleep. But, like a bar of soap, sleep becomes more slippery the more you try to control it. 2 Don’t fight with reality. If you can’t get to sleep or you wake up and are upset that you’re awake, you become even more alert and frustrated. Acknowledge and accept you are awake. This relaxation leads to a peaceful place where sleep can happen. 3 Befriend wakefulness. Once you accept you probably won’t sleep right now, you can turn being awake from a liability to an asset. Maybe it’s time to pick up that novel you’ve been meaning to read, or to listen a favourite podcast. Once your brain recognises that being awake isn’t…

When used in skincare, this precious metal can benefit your skin in a number of ways, not least in helping prevent premature ageing, thanks to it antioxidant properties. When used in cosmetics, gold is usually in colloidal form (a gold solution in water) or used as fine particles to leave skin with a delicate gold shimmer – perfect for party season! Gold can hold up to 300 times its own weight in water, which thereby boosts the moisture levels in your skin. Its antibacterial properties make it especially beneficial for acne-prone skin, too. Gold is also very gentle and, therefore, suitable for allergy-prone skin. However, if you have any metal allergies, you may want to be cautious. It’s best to always do a patch test before smothering any new product…