When you’re under a lot of stress, a good sense of humour can make a huge difference. Laughter has both short- and long-term benefits.
When you find something funny, physical changes occur in your body. Laughter:
Releases endorphins
Lowers heart rate and blood pressure
Results in a relaxed feeling
Stimulates circulation
Helps muscles relax
The benefits of a good chuckle don’t end there. Long-term results include:
Stronger immune system
Pain relief
Increased personal satisfaction
Better ability to connect with others
Improved mood
So grab your best friend, your partner or a family member you treasure and get giggling!
a warm bath or shower
Warm water can relieve anxiety. If you have a bathtub, a long soak can help you unwind. Adding an essential oil blend ( I love lavender and lime) or Epsom salts can further promote stress relief and muscle relaxation.
In houses with no tub, you can enjoy similar benefits from spending time in the shower. The self-touch and pleasant smells of bath products also contribute to a feeling of well-being.
My favourite thing to do is to light one of our candles and leave it for 20 minutes with the bathroom door closed, gather my skincare essentials and then slip into a pure state of bliss!
A 20 minute bath has been proven to have so many benefits. We all need some moments of self care and time for ourselves and we should never feel guilty for that!
So next time you're stressed, light your favourite Witchy candle, run a bath and soak in those aromas!
a Massage
Research shows that massage relieves stress and helps you feel better. If you can get professional services regularly, take advantage of the opportunity, I highly recommend Lanna Thai in Newcastle, Oi is absolutely outstanding (get the hot stones)!
If you're on a budget, you can ask your partner, or a friend or family member to rub your tense muscles. Some people enjoy helping others in this way.
If you can’t find someone to aid you with this, self-massage is a viable option. Your face is an excellent place to start, especially if you’ve been sitting at the computer for hours.
Close your eyes, and do the following:
Using your thumbs, apply light pressure under your eyebrows, near the bridge of your nose
Make small circles as you slowly move outward
Continue with similar movements around the whole eye.
Applying pressure to these areas can relieve pain. Releasing tight muscles in the neck and shoulders can also alleviate headaches.
what candles are safe for my cats and dogs?
04/04/2022
So you've decided you want to make your home smell beautiful, but you're unsure on how candles and wax melts affect your pets? Look no further!
The first thing I'd advise looking for is a natural wax such as soy, beeswax or vegetable - that's for your health and your pets. The alternative to these natural waxes is usually paraffin wax and when paraffin candles burn, they emit black soot and toxic fumes. Paraffin is a petroleum waste product and has to be deodorized and chemically bleached before it can be made into wax, so I needn't tell you how bad it can be for your and your pets health. The environmental impact of paraffin should also be noted. Crude oil, being the origin of paraffin wax, is considered highly unsustainable, being a non-renewable resource. It has also been the cause of many environmental calamities, in oil spills, damage of natural habitats and climate change.
Being a pet parent, you have to be extra careful about the ingredients of the scented candles you are buying. Avoiding these candles will not only help your pet but also benefit your health. Here are some of the components you should avoid while purchasing scented candles:
Lead - Some candles use wicks with a metal core. Most of these wicks contain lead, affecting you and your pets’ central nervous system. If your dog is chomping at the jaw excessively, it might be a sign of health issues related to lead.
Paraffin Wax - Most of the candles in the market are made of paraffin wax. Theoretically, the paraffin wax is slightly toxic for your dog. If consumed, the paraffin wax will create digestive issues at the very least. In severe cases, it can lead your dog into a coma. Also, as the paraffin wax is created from petroleum waste, it releases carcinogens when burned.
Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde and Acrolein - A 2009 study has shown that burning candles release undesired chemicals in the air and pollutes our indoor air. Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde and Acrolein are some of the substances that the regular scented candles release in the atmosphere of your home. Please read the label carefully before buying the candle to ensure it does not contain any of these chemicals.
Along with all the above chemicals, you should avoid all the candles containing artificial scents and colours. When the synthetic oil of such candles burns, they release carcinogenic particles into the air.
So the moral of the story here is to research who you're buying your products from, make sure they're as natural as possible and you're onto a safer path for you and your pets!
