7 Essential Body Shape-Up Tips
22 September 2016
Whether its Summer or Winter, we need to ensure our bodies are looked after all year round. For skin that glows, a fit physique, feel-good food and more, follow these natural tips to radiate from the inside out. We’ve pulled together our 7 essentials for nurturing your body all year round.
1. Scrub up
As the body ages, it becomes less effective at shedding dead skin cells. Regular exfoliation will unclog pores to reveal fresh, glowing skin and will also help your skin to absorb moistures. To gently polish and stimulate the skin, use buffing body scrub twice a week. For extra exfoliation, try a pair of Scrub Gloves every time you shower.2. Go loco for coco
Coconut oil is now an established member of the superfoods elite – many believe that consuming it can improve digestion and assist with the healthy functioning of the thyroid (the gland in your neck that regulates hormones). It’s also a brilliant moisturiser and is even considered to be kind on skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, since it contains lauric acid, a natural antibacterial and antifungal ingredient. Rub raw coconut oil over your face and body after a shower to keep skin soft and hydrated, and for a deep conditioning hair treatment, comb a quarter of a cup of coconut oil through your hair, leaving it for at least half an hour before shampooing.
3. Brush Benefits
The skin is the body’s largest organ and, like the kidneys and liver, is an organ of elimination. Dry skin brushing using a natural-bristle brush can help to remove toxins by stimulating lymphatic flow and improving circulation, without robbing it of moisture; it’s also claimed that it will help to reduce cellulite and minimise ingrown hairs. To achieve best results, you should brush for two minutes before showering, starting at your toes and using long strokes of the brush towards your heart.4. Pure and simple
Drinking eight glasses of water a day is the optimal amount to stay healthy and hydrated, but the quality we drink makes a difference, too. As our bodies comprise around sixty per cent water, drinking it pure and filtered nourishes and cleanses from the inside out, and helps to flush your system of toxins. A good water-filter jug will get rid of tap-water nasties such as heavy metals and chemicals.5. Scrub up
When it comes to staying body-beautiful, foods packed with skin loving nutrients can make a difference. An easy guide is to include more green and red foods in your diet: spinach, kale and broccoli contain vitamins C, E and K along with the phytonutrient lutein, which may help to keep skin hydrated and protect it from UV damage. Red foods, including tomatoes, carrots, pink grapefruit and red peppers, contain the carotenoid lycopene, which has been shown to help protect against the sun. Raspberries, blueberries, cherries and goji berries are all high in antioxidants.6. Be pro probiotics
The gut contains 70 per cent of the body’s immune system, and is where we metabolise hormones and extract nutrients. Probiotics support the good bacteria in the digestive system, so taking a supplement such as Probio7, can help to keep the gut healthy and happy. Alternatively, eat probiotic-rich natural yoghurt, or include fermented foods in your diet, such as the widely available sauerkraut and sourdough bread.
