At this time of year, there is always that flurry of hopeful resolutions that mean the gyms are jam-packed with eager people that will sign an expensive 12-month contract with all the best intentions only to forget their way to the gym by the time it hits February. That’s why it is better to be realistic about lifestyle changes. You’re not going to go from being a couch potato to a marathon runner in a couple of months. Possible? Yes but realistic? Not at all.

Don’t kid yourself and end up retreating back into your comfortable lifestyle that you’ve occupied for the most part of your life. Changes should be gradual rather than sudden if they are going to have a better chance of lasting. There are lots of small changes that you can make that don’t take up your entire life.

Here are a few little ways you can boost your lifestyle:

Improve your diet

You might not need a complete overhaul in this area, so try introducing some small adjustments to your diet. Fruit and vegetables can boost your energy and provide a more balanced diet that will improve your overall health and mental wellbeing. You don’t have to join Weight Watchers or put yourself on a strict diet, just slowly make small changes that will have good, long-term benefits. Take an apple with your lunch, add carrots to your dinner: small changes with big benefits.

Get more sleep

Sleep is such a vital ingredient of your overall health. Scientists link the lack of sleep to serious health problems such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. It is also associated to depression so if you can get more sleep, this will help you on many fronts. There are lots of reasons that impact you ability to have a good night’s sleep, from having the right bed through to noise from passing traffic. Investing in a good bed is one of the best investments you can make in life, so why not have a look at custom solid oak beds to help you to get the quality of sleep that your body needs.

Hydrate more

You might be surprised how little you actually drink throughout a day compared to what is recommended. Experts suggest trying to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day, now this can seem hard to maintain but if you are not drinking frequently you will be missing out on the vital health benefits of water, such as healthier skin.

Walk more

Walking is an easy way to add a bit more exercise into your daily routines without feeling like you’ve made a big fitness change. Walking just an extra twenty minutes a day gives you a considerable health boost. Its not just high intensity exercise that leads to weight loss, walking can have an impact too. If you can walk outdoors regularly then you are also increasing your vitamin D intake which with have further health benefits.
You don’t have to live at the gym to boost your lifestyle, try these simple changes and find out how you can benefit from them.

January is a time to detox not just your body, but your hair too. With this in mind we speak to the professionals at the London Nicky Clarke salon who share  their top tips for a hair detox

Your hair suffers the same way your skin and body does to a poor diet and being stressed, it also has the perils of day to day life to deal with – UV rays, wind and pollution are all elements that will cause irritation to the hair shaft and cuticle. Coupled with the excessive use of heated electrical equipment like straighteners, hairdryers and curling tongs, hair can take a serious pounding which will ultimately have an adverse effect on the condition.

Feed your Hair

Essentially you need to feed your hair the proteins it requires to be healthy. Argan oil, Avocado and Macadamia are all natural ingredients that will feed the hair the goodness it needs. Diet is important and like everything water is key, add to that green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and beans. Vitamins are ideal for you hair’s strength, Zinc Vitamin B and C should all be taken but don’t always guarantee results.

Get Into A Routine

Getting into a routine short term to treat the immediate effects and long term something that you can maintain day to day are vital for replenishing you hair.

Use A Cleansing Shampoo

Begin your detox by using a deep cleansing shampoo that will strip the hair of all of it’s impurities. Do this a minimum two times and work the shampoo into the scalp using the pads of your fingers in circular motions, work the shampoo through the mid-lengths and ends then rinse with cool water. Repeat this process until the shampoo no longer lathers; this is an indication that the hair is clean.

Condition Your Hair

Condition the hair to strengthen and soothe, look for ingredients such as oat extracts, honey and argan oil. Add a small bit of peppermint treatment into your conditioner, this will make your head tingle by stimulating the scalp to increase bloody supply to the hair follicle; it will feel both refreshing and invigorating.

Work the conditioner through the hair and comb through distributing evenly. With the hair damp and you out of the shower, take the moisture out of the hair.

Initially, use an intense treatment mask and comb that through liberally. You need to leave this on overnight, pin into a ponytail and put a shower cap on the hair. Rinse in the morning. For the remainder of that week aim to do 3 overnight mask treatments.

At this stage you should be working steamed vegetables, fruit, water and vitamins into your daily diet.

The second week move down to Nicky Clarke Weightless Treatment with Argan Oil, which would replace the intense mask (you will continue to do this once every two weeks)

Now you are going to do the same process twice a week using the Argan oil. Combing through evenly this will allow three key ingredients to penetrate into the hair cuticle, Argan, Kukui and Macadamia…all ideal for adding essential proteins to the hair.

This won’t usually need a rinse in the morning as the hair will of absorbed it. Continue this for two weeks.

In this time you need to get a haircut and get all of the dry ends removed, ensure your haircut isn’t ‘cut into’ and softened, as this will just break the hair shaft.

Your everyday process should include a protein spray or leave in conditioner added to the hair before you use any styling products, this will form the shield over the hair it requires.

Every other day an argan-based product should be used. The beauty of the Nicky Clarke Weightless Treatment with argan is its ability to be used as a conditioner, leave in conditioner, blow drying agent and finishing serum, so you’re getting all the goodness, protection and shine throughout your hair experience.

Avoid Shampoo’s that contain the following ingredients Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Tetrasodium and Propbylene Glycol these are all toxic chemicals commonly found in shampoo.

So go guys and girls and get your hair detox on!

We all hate split ends. They can ruin your style and make your hair appear dull and lifeless. We’ve asked hairstylist Mark Hill to reveal all about split ends and how to avoid them.

What are Split Ends?

Split Ends are more common on longer hair; as the hair grows and reaches a certain length, the protective layer of the hair, the cuticle, becomes damaged and allows the fibres of the inner layers to fray. Although most often at the ends, splits and tears can happen anywhere along the hair causing breakage to leave the feathery appearance we all call split ends.

Book your appointment at the hairdressers

Just by snipping the ends off will mean your hair will be less likely to split, and will help stop causing any more damage to your hair.  Even if you are growing your hair, make sure you get a trim booked every 8 weeks to keep the ends of your hair healthy and strong.

Condition

Make sure your use a conditioner every time you shampoo your hair.  A conditioner will help close the hairs cuticles tightly after shampooing and using them actually helps prevent damage.  Some people stay away from conditioners as they think they make their hair too soft and floppy.  If this is you, then you are using the wrong conditioner.

Use a conditioning treatment

If you use heated appliances, have a colour regularly, or your hair feels brittle, apply a treatment at least once a week and leave for about 10 minutes, longer if you have the time.  Try to keep your hair warm whilst the treatment is on as this will increase the conditioning power, so either wrap your hair in a towel or lay in a hot bath.

Always use protection

Prevention is better than cure, so always use a Heat Protection Spray before you use any heated appliance. These will help to seal the cuticles even further to prevent split ends and will add a great shine to your hair.

Dr Hilary Jones gives his top 5 tips for beating the Blue Monday blues

We’re deep in the dog days of winter and winter depression is a very real thing. On what is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year, ITV Daybreak’s Health Editor and Alzheimer’s Society supporter, Dr Hilary Jones, gives his top 5 tips to keep you smiling on Blue Monday.

Looking good and feeling good tend to go hand in hand.  How many times have you walked out of the house with your hair in a top-knot, wearing yesterday’s tracksuit and an ill fitted bra, feeling like you can dominate the world?  

The key to looking good starts from within and then radiates out.  If our mood is good in the morning we tend to dress better and walk with more attitude.  We’ve compiled a guide to help you achieve a feeling of gorgeousness from the foundations.

Eat Well

We put a lot of effort into ensuring our cars have the right lubricants.  But how much effort do we put into our own bodies?  Imagine putting petrol into a diesel car, it simply wouldn’t work.  The key to feeling good lies with diet.  So stop skipping breakfast and kick start your day with a protein kick or a nutrient rich smoothie.  

Hydrate, Rehydrate

Our bodies can survive for a long time without food but starved of water you can die within 4 days.  Hydration is the king of clear looking skin and a fresh feeling body as it flushes all the toxins that build up from the outside environment or processed foods.  Aim for 2 ltrs a day or more if you are doing heavy cardio sessions.

Moisturise.  Every day

Nailed feeling good on the inside and your skin is already showing the benefits.  Coconut oil is a fantastic natural base to give your skin that extra boost.  It’s antibacterial so fantastic for keeping away spots and (eeww) any unwanted smells.  Whilst it might sound greasy, coconut produces quite a dry oil.  Use it on your face, body and even your hair.  You’ll smell great too.  Skin protection is important too so take a look at these Five Reasons You Should Be Wearing SPF This Winter

Getting The First Layer Right

We all know that feeling of getting home after work and pinging off our uncomfy bra but imagine getting home at night and taking everything else off except your bra.  Gorgeous underwear will make you feel sexy and when you feel sexy? You look sexy.  It radiates out of you.  Look for a great day to night set like this beautiful Empreinte French inspired collection.  

Comfort Is King

We aren’t suggesting topping off your hard work with a onesie, although that would be cosy.  When it comes to clothing you have to make sure the fit is spot on.  Ever bought a pair of skinny jeans that slide down your bum as you put your shoes on?  Take time to select your outfit and when buying clothes, ignore the size label.  Most high street shops have huge variations between sizes.  Cut the labels out if you must.  Just be comfy.

Smell Fantastic

Nothing is better than knowing you leave a trail of people behind you inhaling your awesome.  Invest in a good quality perfume which will leave you smelling glorious all day.  

These simple steps from the base up will ensure you rule every day.  Looking good and feeling great.