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/Thistime of yearcan be stressful- from the assortedexcessesof the officeparty to the gruellingchallengeof late-nightshopping- but it is possibletostaycentredthroughout.AspenWeatherburnsharesthe secretsof eternalcalm

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'- '4 Aromatherapy is a great way to get those stress levels. down. Essentialoils can be absorbed into the bloodstream

4- ~ through massage or simply through your sense of smell;the limbic system, an area of your brain that controls your mood,

takes in the aroma of the oils and changes your mood accordingly.'Rose and jasmine are both fantastic calm infusers and they also work

as anti-depressants: says Sandra Cox,Boots Botanics'aromatherapist.Other essential oils Cox recommends include ylang-ylang, bergamotand cedar wood. Ifyou fancy getting traditionally festive,try Ren's

Frankincense Repair Cream (£19.95for 50ml) - it would make alovely gih too. For stockists,call 020 7935 2323.As well as

moisturising and regenerating the skin,frankincense has a sedatingeffect on the nervous system and calms the mind.

Bis for breathingDid you know altering your breathing instantly changesyour mood? Youcan do it anywhere at any time, and it

doesn't cost a thing. One method to try is EasyBreathing.Start by feeling the natural movements and sensations caused byyour breathing cycle.Payattention to the 'inhale; pause, and thenfocus on the 'exhale:Do this for three to four minutes. For a bit of

extra help, try Origins'Peace of Mind Cease and De-Stress Diffuser,

£11 (call0800 734039 for stockists).Simply inhale the calming, mintyessence from the natty pocket-sized case - perfect for those stressed

moments on the move! For more information on Easy Breathing,visitwww.pe2000.com/breathe_easy.htm.

,. - I for l r, rI Rebalancemind,bodyand spiritby harnessingthe'" powers of colour energy. Used since Ancient Egyptian

~ times, colour therapy is designed to balance the body's

~ chakras or energy centres. Wellbeing is achieved when all the energy

§ centres run smoothly and in harmony. Colour therapy can help to

i rebalance these 'wheels of energy' by applying appropriate colours.~ Tolihyourmood and introducecalm,trysurroundingyourselfwith~ white, gold, violet and blue.

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. Why can some people take whatever life throws at them

4 ' and othersareoverwhelmed? The key is control. Ifyou'---", can teach yourself how to adapt to situations gradually,

stress will become, well,less stressful.Keeping a 'stress diary' is a greatway to teach yourself control. Monitoring events can give you the

perspective you may need to stop stress in its tracks.

Eis for exerciseSerenity is not just about achieving stillness; sometimes a

more active meditation is the way to go. 'Exercise is a

fantastic outlet for stress. Even a 30-minute workout will

clear your mind, re-energise your body and help you cope with all

the stresses of the festive season: says Jamie Baird,fitness instructor

at London health spa Agua. But it's all about getting the balance

right. 'Christmas is such a hectic time for many of us that exercise is

put on hold: says Baird, 'but people should still think about the

maintenance of their fitness and weight.' Agua is based at Sanderson,

50 Berners Street, London W1.To find out more, or to make areservation, call 020 7300 1414.

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r-- Floatationhasbeenshown to induce the deepest form of

relaxation and encourage creativity. 'Floating weightlessly, in

I apoolsosaturatedin DeadSeaSaltsthatit'simpossibletosink, will soon have you winding down when other stimuli such as

sound and light are restricted. And its effects are cumulative, so

regular floating can counter a stressful lifestyle: saysKate Towersey,

spa manager at Apotheke's Jurlique Day Spa and Sanctuary (020

8995 2293), which introduced the first floating pool in the UK.What's

more, the use of Dead Sea Salts instead of the more usual Epsom

Salts is particularly beneficial to the skin and body.

Gis for geraniumInhaling geranium oil eases anxiety and the tension of

mentally and physically demanding days, and, like many

flower oils, geranium oil acts as an anti-depressant. Its ~

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uplifting effect frees the mind from negative or depressing thoughts.

Almost any stress-related condition responds to a few whiffs of

geranium oil. It can also stimulate feelings of sensuality.

'There are many herbal medicines available that help

maintain a sense of calm by relaxing the nervous system:

says Kerrin Booth, a naturopath at Apotheke 20-20 Health& Wellness Clinic in London. 'These are called nervine relaxants,and can

be used in the day to relax a stressed,anxious mind and body, or used

at night to help sleep: Booth recommends trying passionflower, hops,

skullcap, chamomile and valerian. 'Valerian is particularly useful to help

sleeping, and can be found in formulas such as Blackmores'Valerian

Forte: says Booth. 'Oats is another herb we call a "nervine restorative';

and is used to support and nourish the nervous system: Try having

porridge for breakfast to keep work stress at bay.To contact Apotheke20-20, call 020 8995 7531. Blackmores' stockist and mail order

information is available on 020 8842 3956.

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is for Indian head massageThis ancient Ayurvedic therapy treats the head, neck and shoulders

to a calming, yet energizing massage which focuses on vital energy

points, combined with individually-chosen aromatherapy oils. 'This

stress-relieving massage reduces tension, increases the circulation and

leaves you with good posture and a feeling of wellbeing: says the

head therapist at London health spa Agua. 'Some call it 30 minutes ofsheer bliss!' Sessionscost around £35.

A traditional herbal remedy to help maintain emotional balance,

St John's Wort has been used for centuries to help lift flagging

spirits. Recent research suggests this herb, which has

documented uses dating back to ancient Greece, may be a useful

natural pick-me-up. St John's Wort is available from all good health

stores (please seek medical advice before taking it). Alternatively, try Dr

Hauschka's St John's Wort Body Oil (£14 for 100ml) after a relaxing bath

- it's great for sensitive skin and helps soothe and reduce redness. For

stockists' details, call 01386 792642.

K'Sfor Kirlian PhotographyKirlian Photography creates images of what appears to be a

field of energy produced by the body that varies according

o physical and emotional states. Practitioners believe that a

bright, regular pattern is a sign of a healthy, well-balanced individual,

and that disturbances in this pattern precede illness and stress.This

treatment can be used to highlight the changes you need to make in

your life. Allegedly, this method of 'photographing' objects is a gateway

to the paranormal. In fact, what is recorded is quite natural

phenomena, such as pressure, electrical grounding, humidity and

temperature. Visit www.fullspectrum.org.uk for more info.

Rosalie Samet is a healer, therapist and performer of the

sacred art of Hawaiian Huna Massage or Lomi Lomi. She

believes 'the greatest gift a person can give themselves is

peace of mind' and that is exactly what you will get after a session

with her.The therapy works on the principle that to achieve peace you

must first find peace within your thinking. During a consultation, where

you discuss any problems that are affecting your wellbeing, you are

encouraged to become aware of the space between your thoughts -

the 'vacant' space where you think of nothing and, therefore, have no

worries. Following this, a unique flowing, vibrant and relaxing fUll-body

massage is given. The practitioner uses hands and forearms in long

fluid strokes of varying rhythm and intensity over the body. The aim is

to put your body in a deeply-relaxed state, similar to meditation, so

50 Heallb&fdness

your mind takes in only the movements and strokes of the massage.

Visit Rosalie at The Hale Clinic, 0870-167 6667 (sessions are 90 minutes

and cost £75); or at her private practice in Glastonbury, 07974 083432

(sessions are 2-plus hours £85, or 3-plus hours, with consultation, £120).

MThe three kings were onto something with this one. Myrrh

has been used for centuries to help heal the mind and

soul, and its medicinal properties were used to detoxify

the skin and cure colds and sore throats. Czech & Speake has a great

range of aromatic products that use myrrh, alongside frankincense, to

bring you harmony at this time of year.Try taking a relaxing dip using

the Frankincense & Myrrh Aromatic Bath Oil (£54 for 200ml or £35 for1OOml). For stockists, call 0800 919728, or visit www.czechspeake.com.

If a bad day at the office has you reaching for the biscuit

tin in a mood that's far from serene, perhaps it's time to

try a healthier option. Try natural remedies such as

peppermint oil or elderflower tea, or seek the help of a naturopath to

look at the wider picture. 'Naturopathy encompasses the whole of the

body - treating the mind, body, spirit, diet, function and form: says

Roderick Lane, naturopath at London's Eden Medical Centre. 'It is often

a very easy solution to finding the cause of a problem:To book,contact the Eden Medical Centre, on 020 7881 5800.

QiSfor optimismLearn to look on the bright side. Are you someone who

says that the glass is half-empty - or that it's half-full?

Make an effort to look for the positive in most situations.

Escape your hectic Christmas preparations momentarily and

make a commitment to your skin. Pampering yourself with a

weekly skin treat is a great way to boost your feelgood

factor. Try using the Body Expertise range from L'Oreal,which includes

a Satin Body Oil (£6.99 for 150m!), Exfoliator (£8.99for 200mI),

Moisturising Body Spray (£6.99 for 150ml) and a Contouring Cellulite

Gel (£10.99 for 200m!). Or have a little 'you' time, and book an

appointment at a Clarins salon where you can experience the Serenity

Face and Body Treatment (from £47 for 1 hour 40 mins) which includes

a gorgeous full-body massage using essential oils.

QiSfor quick reliefIf you feel close to snapping, why not try the Tibetan

anger management and stress-busting technique? Stand

with your legs shoulder-width apart. Take a moment to

focus on what is causing your grief; then, with great force, bring the

palms of your hands together. As your palms collide, breathe out. As

you do this, imagine your problem is being smashed to pieces, and, in

the process, transform your stress.

Drop into London health spa Agua to try its Hutaritm Pure

Reiki treatment (60 minutes for £75). This unique form of

treatment works on your 'life force energy; known as reiki, to

re-balance and remove blockages within your system.The reiki

treatment may not involve any touching; instead, the therapist moves

their hands about half an inch over the body and scalp to encourage a

deep, warm, relaxing sensation.The therapist will also read your energy

and can pick up particular problems, then concentrate on specific areas

to heal and restore. 'Reiki is a totally relaxing and rejuvenating

treatment which, once experienced, is almost always repeated: says

Agua's head therapist. Call 020 7300 1414 to find out more or make an

appointment. Or visit the Reiki Association, www.reikiassociation.org.uk.

Sis for shining starDon't just pamper yourself like a celebrity for this year's

festivities, get the red carpet treatment all year round by

trying some of their favourite beauty products. Creative

Scentsation's Hand & Body Wash (£6.95) is a celeb fave: Ho favours

Citrus & Green Tea, while Kylie relaxes with Lavender & Jojoba and

Victoria Beckham uses Birch&Mint.(Forstockists,call 0800-316 0213.)

Get your friends and family in on the star treatment with a greatstocking fillerfrom Lush that deserves its own place on Hollywood

Boulevard - You're A Star Gift Box (£24.95) contains eight products that

have been snapped up by Halle Berry, LivTyler, Jude Law and Julia

Roberts, to name but a few. For mail order, call 01202 668545.

Forget about storms in teacups, try a bit of calm instead. 'When

the world is going mad and so is your day, try a cup of calm-

inducing tea: says Christopher Hansard, author of The Tibetan

Art of Living (Hodder and Stoughton, £14.99).'Add a teaspoon of honey

to a cup of hot water; stir well until dissolved, then add orange peel, or

a piece of apple. Leave to brew for three minutes and drink slowly.'

Uis for understandingThere is no bener way of achieving peace of mind than by

understanding why things affect you the way they do.

Tangent Therapy addresses physical and emotional

problems using a variety of techniques, including aromatherapy, holistic

healing, corrective exercise and pressure point work - and fixes all

those problems you just don't know how to sort out. For more

information, contact The Hale Clinic, on 0870-167 6667.

Few of us realise stress and anxiety is often the result ofvitamin Bdeficiency.Our hectic schedules, combined with

environmental toxins and daily pressures at work,deplete

our reserves of Bvits,which are crucial for producing energy in thebody. But since Bvitamins are water-soluble and can't be stored in the

body for long periods of time, they have to be replaced daily.Stave off

some stresswith a B-complexsupplement or multivitaminincludingBvits.

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WiSfor waterDid you know even the smallestdegree of water losscan

impair physical and mental function, and so intensify

stress? Thirst is a poor measure of dehydration, and

many drinks are themselves dehydrating, especially alcohol and those

containing caffeine.You become dehydrated long before you feel thirsty,

so it's always a good idea to drink water often. Alternatively,choosefruit teas or herbal blends, coffee substitutes and water flavoured with

fresh fruit juice - but water should always be your first choice.

And exotic is exactly how you'll feel after you try the Exotic

Jasmine Flower Bath at Elemis Day Spa. Step into the slipper

bath (a sunken bath with overhead colour therapy) and

submerge yourself in the bubbling water while the scents of Arabian

jasmine, ylang-ylang, osmanthus, tea absolute and vanilla float up your

nostrils.For more details, call the ElemisDay Spa,on 020 8909 5060.

YiS for yogaWhat bener example of serenity than a yogi? Yoga is a perfect

way of exercising while simultaneously gaining control of the

mind. It also teaches you how to relax and improve your

posture, so you look serene even when you don't feel itl To find out

more, visit www.yogauk.com.where you can find a yoga class near you.

Did you know women are 50 per cent more likely than men

to have sleep disorders? It's important to develop sleep rituals

and practice them nightly, giving your body a cue that says'night, night: For a good night's sleep, listen to music, have a cup of

herbal tea and soak in a warm bath. And remember, get into bed only

when you feel drowsy - if you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get

up and do something relaxing.Need a bit of extra help? Try the CountingSheepGiftboxfrom Lush(£5.75),whichincludestwowondersfor40winks(Waving Not Drowning Ballistic and Dreamtime Bath Soaks). Or hit the

pillow with Daniele Ryman'sAromacology Asleep Body, Room & Linen

Spray,£5, with French lavender and chamomile. Spray bed linen an

hour before going to bed. Available exclusively from Marks & Spencer. !:ED

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