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CAROL'S
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Views
& tips from your side of the counter........
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Budding
Buddhist?
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Well
you dont have to go that far to benefit from Buddhist meditation.
This provides an alternative way to beat stress by relaxing into
the very things that cause you to feel bad in the first place,
says Susan Piver, author of Joyful Mind.
So rather than escape a bad day of work by hitting the pub, you
can take the time to sit quietly and reflect on how you can feel
better. Doing so encourages you to look at stress in a more accurate
way, says Piver and allows you to process those feelings usually
left knotted up! So the next time you feel tension, give it a
try. To help you relax Piver suggests bringing awareness to your
breath as you breath normally.
This simple act is calming in itself.
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Go
On Sport!
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Planning on taking up a sport now that spring is here? A website
backed by the charity SportsAid has been designed to help you find
your perfect sporting match.
Log on and you can search the site by sport, playing ability, commitment,
fitness level and so on. So whether you're a beginner or a seasoned
professional you could soon be enjoying good company and better
fitness.
'A well-matched partner, who likes the same sport as you and has
similar playing ability can provide the motivation and encouragement
many people are looking for' says Chris Goldie, National Director
of SportsAid.
To create your own personal profile and get in touch with fellow
sports people, visit www.sportingpartners.net
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No
Smoke without Fire
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Still
struggling to quit smoking? There may be a valid reason why. Scientists
from Keio University in Tokyo, Japan, have found that in some smokers,
the gene normally involved in processing substances such as nicotine
is less active than it should be. In people with this gene variant,
nicotine levels remain high even when theyre trying to give up,
making it harder to do so. If youre quitting, plan ahead and talk
to your GP about available support systems.
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Do
You Need a Toner?
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When
it comes to skincare products, dermatologists and cosmetic companies
often have differing views. Here is what they say about toners:
The Dermatologist- Dr David Fenton works at St Thomass Hospital
and says the need for a toner is a complete myth. He believes that
soap and water is all your skin needs or for dry skin a light cleanser
is all thats required.
The Cosmetic company- Clinique says you definitely need a toner
to get rid of dead surface skin cells which wont have been removed
by your cleanser. This means that your skin will absorb moisturisers
better and give a smother base for make-up.
I dont know about you, but you wouldnt catch me putting soap within
a mile of my face! Whilst I think many toners are far too harsh,
I do agree that a gentle freshener is advisable to remove all traces
of cleanser and provide a smooth base for moisturisers.
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