Pamper Your Body While Keeping Your Intellect Sharp

The human brain weighs approximately three pounds and contains more than 100 billion neurons connected by synapses. The interesting thing about the brain is that when these connections are used infrequently (or not at all), the brain eliminates them to focus on the ones that are used more. Natural wellness techniques are sought after, particularly those that relax one’s body like herbal teas and coffees, as well as mental and physical activity, to keep these synapses functioning at an optimal level and boost brain performance.

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If you struggle with anxiety that you feel is pulling you back from being as sharp as you can be, you can turn to herbal remedies to help this. For example, Kratom, perhaps purchased from a company like Kona Kratom, is a popular option for those wanting to calm their anxiety symptoms. By using products like this, you can deal with the negative feelings you might be having in a positive way, with the aim of becoming more focused. 

There are many methods to induce relaxation and sharpen our intellects as a result. First, you have to nurture your body. Many athletes swear by eating healthy in order to perform at their highest level. Herbal teas can aid in relaxing the body and promote uninterrupted sleep, which maximizes your full mental potential. In addition to taking supplements for the body, playing puzzles, mental and tactical games, and chess can help increase memory, logic, and focus; thus, keeping your intellects sharp. Successful athletes can teach us how to maintain focus and regain this focus when their concentration is lost during a competition.

Studies show that a cup of tea can make your brain come alive in just 30 minutes. Black or green tea noticeably increases neurological activity with antioxidants known as flavonoids. Flavonoids are already being credited with reducing clogging of the arteries and promoting blood vessel function. Because of this, cognitive function improves significantly.

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There are many herbs like Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) and ginseng that aid in keeping the mind sharp. Gotu Kola is an ayurvedic herb that regulates dopamine. Dopamine is the brain chemical that helps protect brain cells from harmful free radicals, boosts pleasurable feelings, and improves focus and memory. Not only do the right herbs enhance memory, but they can also have the “side effects” of staving off major issues like cancer and anxiety.

It is known that the presence of the stress hormone cortisol hampers memory. Tulsi tea, made of an Indian herb called holy basil, can help reduce overproduction of cortisol.

Chamomile is also well-known for its calming and sedative effect. When phytochemicals in chamomile such as chrysin bind to gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, which is an amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, they inhibit nerve transmission in the brain, producing an overall calming effect. Taken half an hour to 45 minutes before bedtime makes this the perfect tea for rebooting the brain and waking up the next morning sharper and ready to take on the day.

Mint tea also has many well-known benefits, but a lesser known one is that it makes you feel awake and focused. The antibacterial lemon balm, a member of the mint genera is considered by many to be calming, being a tea that helps relieve anxiety and insomnia in addition to improving memory. 

Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world besides water, and for good reason. With benefits for both the mind and the body, it is no wonder 80 per cent of Britons are tea drinkers, downing 165 million cups every day, and 158 million Americans are daily tea drinkers. So, do your brain a favour and have a cup today if you haven’t already done so.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Moschino Pink Fresh Couture EDT

Whoever came up with the idea of making a perfume look like a bottle of Windex is nothing short of a genius, the man in question of course is one Jeremy Scott, a designer who is known for his outlandish and cartoonish designs and one who was appointed creative director of Moschino in 2013.

Moschino introduced Fresh Couture, my social media went mad for the fragrance and this year with the launch of Pink Fresh Couture, the very same thing happened and it comes with the following description: 

The story of the now world-famous 'cleaning spray' bottle moves on to the next chapter, with the captivating irony of the design continuing to cause a stir. Moschino pink fresh couture is the new, fresh floral fragrance for her. A brand new object of desire by moschino that interprets the original essence in a delightful and refreshing way.

Slightly humorous, ironic but every bit amazing, Pink Fresh Couture is incredibly pink and everything about it is amazing. How could anyone not want to have this within their collection?

The scent itself very much sits within the Fruity Floral group, my favourite and I am not sure anyone would have been expecting the scent to be as good as it is, infact I prefer it to the original. Opening up with top of of pink grapefruit alongside Cassis and Lily of the Valley which already are an incredible mix together, though the Cassis which is a deep dark scent of wild blackcurrants and blackberries for me are the notable opening scent. With the heart notes as the scent settles we have Pomegranate, Wild Rose and Pink Hyacinth which for me allows the wild rose and Pomegranate to dominate before the base notes of Cedar Wood, Ambrox and Musk which are much lighter than expected but it gives a great fresh scent which for me works really well. After around 15 minutes on the skin, for me this is when the Pink Grapefruit and the Musk, they are both incredible together and it is without question a very feminine fragrance.

Thankfully for me the mister also likes the scent which is always a good thing when I douse myself in it. Even though it is an eau de toilette it has a really strong scent and amazing lasting power to the point that I can spray this in a morning and still catch a whiff some 7-8 hours later.  A 30ml bottle retails for around £30 and a 50ml costs in the region of £42 here

A really lovely, quirky and beautiful scent that is one you will remember for years to come!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cleansing Balm

L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cleansing Balm is the new balm-to-oil cleanser created and enriched with Immortelle essential oil. I absolutely love a good cleansing balm and I double cleanse every single night. The Immortelle range has been part of L'Occitane's lineup for years and the Divine Immortelle range is one of my favourite ranges. Now with the addition of a Cleansing Balm and a Cleansing Cream-in-Foam to the lineup, the famous Divine Oil, Cream and Serum have have been updated with a higher concentration of Immortelle Essential Oil, one which is said to have twice the antioxidant power of Vitamin E. I was kindly sent the Cleansing Balm and have been using it for the past 4/5 weeks and adore it.

The Cleansing Balm is housed inside a beautiful bright yellow heavy glassed pot and it comes with an accompany spatula to help extract some of the balm from the pot and not have to get it stuck in your fingernails.  Described as being a balm which effectively dissolves all traces of make-up while gently cleansing the skin of impurities and pollution. When it comes into contact with water, the balm transforms into a silky lotion which on the skin removes absolutely everything in its path and it is so soft, so smooth and just an incredible balm that it doesn't strip the skin, it doesn't leave that drying feeling on the skin and I just love using it.

The use of Immortelle Essential Oil, which is harvested from the cliffs of the Corsican countryside known not only for its unique anti-ageing properties but also Vitamin E, with antioxidant benefits, it leaves skin brighter and softer. After using the Cleansing Balm, my skin is soft and smooth to the touch and it works perfectly as the first stage of a double cleanse and it is such a treat that it is to use. The 64g pot is priced at £34 here.

Have you tried anything from L'Occitane's Immortelle Range?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

PMD Kiss Lip Plumping Device | PMD Beauty

So the PMD Kiss Lip Plumping Device is one device I actually wasn't excited by, having been offered the chance to review it, I actually said it wasn't for me, but it arrived a good few weeks ago and I ignored it, leaving it sat there in a box unloved and unused, then boredom set in and I thought I would try it out.  I have no issue with how my lips are right now, I've never wanted fillers and those over-done baboon bum looking lips are just not for me, but maybe this could be!

PMD® Kiss is described as being:

A smart anti-ageing lip plumping treatment. It uses pulsating vacuum technology and specially formulated serum to create a fuller appearance of lip volume and restores youthfulness to lips. With daily use, PMD Kiss will boost collagen and create long-lasting plumped up results.

So as well as plumping the lips, it also has other uses, which personally appeal to me much more.  So with the promise of reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, there is also the promise to restore and revitalise your natural lip colour, which as we age we lose slightly and to get long-lasting results with all of this is obviously dependant upon daily usage. 

Using this device is really easy and it starts with the enclosed lip serum which you need to apply to both lips before using the device. Once it has been applied, you choose your preferred setting and the choice is fast or slow. Then switch on the power and place the pink Plumping Tip firmly and directly onto your lip creating a tight seal for suction, it is worth mentioning at this stage that the device is totally pain-free and whilst it does feel slightly weird, you quickly get used to the sensation.  I have found the best way of using my device is to imagine my lips in sections and then 'per section' leave the device on my lips for 15-30 pulses.

After using the device, there is a slight plumping of my lips and whilst I definitely did not get Baboon Bum Lips, the effects last for around an hour but it is said the more you use it, the longer the effects last with an increase in collagen production and lines around the lips looking less obvious.  With that in mind, it is a device I feel I should use for longer than 3 weeks but it is one that leaves me also sitting on the fence.  It is priced at £125 which isn't cheap but you can find it and further information here and also read the review written by Lucy over at Lucy Earnshaw for her view on the device.

Have you tried the PMD Kiss Lip Plumping Device? 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.