Hey there you, yes you…we think you’re pretty great, that lipstick today really suits you and as for those new boots, tell us where you got them from right now please. In fact we’re all pretty great but this time of the year as we say goodbye to holiday wardrobes and sunkissed skin and hello to sofa blankets and a minimum of three layers we can all do with a little reminder to celebrate our bodies. That’s why we’re giving you up to 50% off specially selected body treatments for our Not Just Any Body campaign; we want you to take time out for yourself and remember how bloody brilliant you really are. We’ll see you in the relaxation room.
By Jo Hoare
Celebrate your body now with up to 50% off specially selected body treatments.
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1 Get social savvy
Is your Instagram feed one long scroll of flawless looking lives and limbs? Might be time to mix it up a bit. For body positivity try following model @naomishimada and OINTB actress @daniebb3, for the antithesis of ‘clean eating’ take a look at @notplantbased and for poking fun at it all @celestebarber.
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2 Fresh start
Who says spring is the only season to have a good clean? We think autumn is just as good and the kind of cleaning we’re putting forward has nothing to do with mops and brooms. Say hello to a hammam, this traditional Arabian treatment that scrubs you squeaky clean in a steam room.
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3 Just a touch
We all know that massage is a great de-stresser but there’s heaps of other benefits. It can help lower heart rates and cortisol and increase ‘happy’ neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Insomniacs may sleep better and even sleep-battling babies find it soothing. Fighting winter bugs? Massage can help boost white blood cell counts which make up a key part of your immune system.
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4 Don't forget to breathe
In times of stress we tend to shorten and quicken our breath and whereas that crappy morning commute and important meeting might not have you panting like you’ve just run five flights of stairs, emotional upset is affecting your breathing without you even realising it. Measured, deep breathing has been proven as one of the quickest ways to calm down.
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5 Make a match
If your usual underwear consists of plucked straight from the drier M and S five pack finest pants and whatever bra is clean/doesn’t show through your top/fits you at this particular time of the month then a) we’re the same b) doesn’t occasionally wearing a matching set make you feel invincible?
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6 Phone a friend
Actually don’t phone them. Don’t whatsapp them, text them, imessage them, snapchat them…Recent studies show face to face communication is key to maintain and develop happy friendships and that shared experiences are key for bonding these relationships. So a spa day is the perfect get together treat for you and your bestie.
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7 Ladies that lunch
STOP eating your sandwich at your desk. Reclaim your lunch hour and get moving outside with a walk. Download a mindfulness ap like Headspace or Walking Meditations and listen as you walk to stop you getting bored. Spending time outside is good for our mental health, can help with SAD and is an easy stress-buster.
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8 It's a wrap
The humble body wrap has become a bit of a Cinderella in the spa world but at this time of year when you’re starting to feel the effects of summer excess it can be a great way to kick start some detoxification, get rid of dead skin cells, pack in some much needed post-sunshine moisture and give you some temporary inch loss.
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9 On the list
A super quick way to feel good about your body is to list all the things you like about it, even if they’re really teeny tiny. Do it on your phone if you feel silly writing it on paper and note down every little thing that’s cool about your body.
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10 Scrub n rub
The duo treatment of an exfoliation followed by a massage is the ultimate one stop body pick me up. Say goodbye to the dull, faded tan skin of summer and hello to soft and supple autumn with a professional body scrub then ease in a season of being good to yourself with a luxurious massage.
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11 Pretend you're a friend
What are you beating yourself up about today? The fact you cba for your spin class this morning so pressed snooze? That last nights dinner was wine and cereal? That you didn’t get the pay rise? Stop your inner negative voice and imagine it’s a friend telling you their problems. How would you motivate and encourage them?