by Jackie Brooks | Jul 13, 2016 | Featured, General, GloWellness
Our lives are one big ‘stress ball’ – sounds like a song doesn’t it! Well we are advised endlessly on how to avoid the negative effects of stress itself. But a recent survey has revealed that stress can indeed be a healthy stimulant for the brain and can in fact prolong life and in some cases enhance mental activity.
As someone who has studied psychology and indeed been in therapy myself, albeit as part of my degree education, my very wise counsellor would always say to me if I was feeling the pressure of any situation ‘go with the stress and don’t try to push it away, because if you do it will come back tenfold’. He would also insist, well before his time that a little bit of stress won’t kill you, but indeed would give you the awareness and energy needed to act in certain situations.
A bit like an actress friend who always has first night nerves, which are always viewed as a positive in the theatre, as they give the performers an edge when they appear on stage.
A recent study has revealed that short time stress has a positive impact on the immune system – which is great for fighting infection or healing wounds. In one study, individuals who experienced moderate levels of stress before surgery were able to recover faster than individuals who had low or high levels.
Stress can help us meet our everyday goals at work and at home. The family and financial responsibilities can come with some pressure and stress, but without these elements their endgame would hardly ever be achieved, and as long as the stress does not get out of hand, can help finalize any undertaking, either commercial or domestic. It can even assist with boosting memory.
Technically speaking, when the brain perceives some kind of stress, it starts flooding the body with chemicals like epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. This creates a variety of reactions such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Plus, the senses suddenly have a laser-like focus so you can avoid physically stressful situations — like crossing the road and avoid being run over by a bus!
The key to stress is to keep it under control and not live in a constant state of anxiety. When this happens it can have a negative effect, and there are many self-help books and homeopathic remedies on the market to alleviate this kind of constant pressure without running to your GP and getting hooked on tranquillizers.
We would advise that you pick up Stanford professor Kelly McGonigal’s new book, The Upside of Stress, a fascinating and quick read on some concepts that might just give you an insight into the benefits of stress.
For instance, she states that while we tend to view stress as the enemy, there are actually other beneficial and physiologically positive types of stress; and that making stress to work for you is as simple as changing your mindset and the way you view stress itself. A fascinating and informative read and one that may also change your life.
by Maddie | Jun 30, 2016 | Featured, GloWellness
As the summer term draws to a close, many children will now be preparing to leave their primary school and move to secondary. This can be a massive move, even for those moving between buildings on the same larger school campus.
It can be a big shock to the system, to go from being the oldest in your primary school to the youngest in a secondary school. Many secondary schools also have sixth form students, which can mean your eleven year old is going to school with eighteen year olds; that’s a massive adjustment and can be incredibly daunting for them to begin with.
It can be sad to be leaving behind friends and favourite teachers to take a step into the unknown, but there are many things we as parents can do to help our children with this transition.
Play dates
In the majority of cases, at least one child will be going to the same secondary school as your child – and a lot of the time the entire class will be moving up to a new school. Find out who will be in your child’s new class, and contact their parents to arrange play dates over the school holidays.
When your child is worried about the uncertainty of a new school it’s important to remind them of what will still be familiar after the move.
Rehearse the school run
Secondary school is often a time when children begin making the journey to school alone. Whether this is the case, or you will still be taking your child to and from school, practise the route a few times beforehand. This will mean any first day nerves won’t be exacerbated by worrying which way to go, or not knowing which bus to catch or being unexpectedly stuck in traffic.
Time how long the journey takes, bearing in mind any bottlenecks for traffic. If your child will be walking, discuss the best places to cross roads, where to catch buses and so on.
It’s important to remember that while at primary school the parents are usually told off for children being late, at secondary school pupils are held responsible for their own timekeeping so it’s important to help your child to make sure they can get to school on time in the mornings.
Talk about worst case scenarios
Avoid scaremongering or making up things that could happen, but it is important to think about how your child will deal with certain things happening. What will they do if they miss the bus? What will they do if they lose their bus pass? What will they do if they lose their key, their mobile phone and so on?
Approach this subject calmly and with suggestions prepared, but allow your child to come up with their own ideas so that they feel capable of dealing with these situations should they arise.
Prepare for homework
Secondary school can often see a big increase in the amount of homework a child brings home. Don’t be caught off guard by this; talk about it beforehand, and agree how it will be dealt with. If possible prepare a dedicated space for homework, and talk about when it will be done and what will be expected.
Encourage organisation
In primary school it’s often the parents running around to ensure PE kits are ready, homework is done, books are in bags and so on. In the same way that schools make it the pupil’s responsibility to be on time for lessons, it will also be your child’s responsibility to have the right books and PE kit. You can help with this by encouraging organisation in all areas of home life. Many children will relish the opportunity to take control and responsibility for their own possessions.
Be there
For the first week of the new term, try to make sure you’re there when your child comes home from school. Be available to talk if they have any problems, but don’t push them for details. Even if your child has nothing to report, it will be important over the next few years, that they know you are there to listen when something does come up.
The transition from primary to secondary school can be a scary time for all concerned, but this can also be an exciting time. With a little preparation your child can enjoy their move to secondary school and all the opportunities that are to come.
for more information please visit ISBI Schools
by Dee | Jun 28, 2016 | Fashion, Featured, General, GloWellness
Want some light relief from the doom and gloom of recent events – a little retail therapy always does the trick.
You can of course make grab some brilliant bargains from the luxury of your own home.
The river island website have some fab Orange Gladiator Sandals at only £12 reduced from £30 and a gorgeous Black Leather lace tote handbag down from £40 to £20.
At www.boohoo.com grab this Boutique Asia Lace Side Cutwork Fitted Dress which is now a fab grab at only £8 reduced from £25 and a stunning Eloise 3 piece co-ord now £18 from £30.
If you are prepared to face the great outdoors sales terrain, then you would be well to heed an excellent tip, I picked up from the Lorraine Kelly Show today, and I have to agree with Lorraine is the best bit of shopping advice I have received all year.
To avoid endless queues for the changing room, just go wearing jeggings and a thin camisole, with a jumper thrown over if it is chilly outside, and then you can try items on the spot without fighting for a cubicle.
In finality then, if you are going to visit in person, have a look at the little red dress in Zara, now only £25.99 and the Miss Selfridge jumpsuit reduced down from £55 to £25.
Happy hunting everybody. I am feeling better already.
