Spring in Indy, Remember?

Ha!  We thought so much.  Seems as though this is the year of Winter’s revenge.  I know we’ve seen enough.  School closings, shifting schedules and now, POT HOLES!  One swallowed Rhonda’s car last week so Mr. Firestone will be seeing us soon.

Seems as thought the only solace is “what goes around comes around”.  The Polar Vortex has taken no prisoners this year, and even Florida and California are feeling it.  But again, we just see that as higher food prices!

So what can you do?  You can start getting ready for Spring anyway.  Here are a few suggestions before Spring Fever hits and we forget all of our winter woes.

• Start Spring cleaning now.  Yes like you I am tired of wearing that same sweater over and over again.  It’s time to bag it up with the rest of your unused or overused stuff and get set to move it out.  You’ll feel better.
• Make a list NOW of all the projects you want to do.  Create your task list and start clipping inspirational ideas to help get you motivated.  When Spring hits, if you are not ready, you could easily lose a month of progress if you are not prepared.
• Join a gym if you have not already.  This winter has been particularly rough physically.  Two months flew by.  Time to get your summer act together.
• Change something about yourself.  Change your hair length or color.  Change your nail polish.  Do something that gives you a strong sense of creativity and control.
• Take care of yourself.  Time to put down the “comfort food” and slim down your diet.  De-stress with a massage or pedicure.  Put the phone down and go out for a “real” laugh.  “Lol’s” don’t burn calories.

Mother Nature was not very gentle this Winter, but you can do a few things to help you recover and forget her unkindness.  Try a few of these ideas out and let us know how it went.  In the meantime, be of good cheer.  Warmer days are ahead!

Energy.

1.  Flexibility

Safely stretching your muscles releases the lactic acid that builds up with muscle use and causes stiffness, tension, pain, and fatigue.  Yoga stretches not only your muscles but all of the soft tissues of your body.

2.  Strength

Many poses such as downward dog, upward dog, and plank pose build upper body strength.  The standing poses build strength in your hamstrings, quadriceps, and abdominal muscles.

3.  Posture

Most standing and sitting poses develop core strength.  With a stronger core, you’re more likely to sit and stand “tall.”

4.  Breathing

Deepening and lengthening your breath stimulates the relaxation response.

5.   Less stress, more calm

Some yoga styles use specific meditation techniques to quiet the constant “mind chatter” that often underlies stress.

6.  Concentration and mood

Concentration and the ability to focus mentally are common benefits of yoga.  The same is true with mood.  It may  help depression due to boosting oxygen levels to the brain.  Yoga is also being studied as a therapy to relieve symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder.

7.  Heart benefits

Yoga lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate.  A slower heart rate can benefit people with hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.  It also boosts the immune system.

8.  Effects on other medical conditions

Yoga relieves symptoms of asthma, back pain, and arthritis.

Taking an intense power yoga class  in a heated room can provide an aerobic benefit.  I recently tried the yoga center which offers multiple hot yoga classes.  The room is heated, creating a sauna like atmosphere.  This causes you to sweat even more, which detoxifies the body.  You leave feeling refreshed and energized.  I highly recommend it.

Angie Noble is a Master Stylist at Mode Salon

Top 10 foods for healthy, glowing skin

1. Avocados

Includes essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin. Avocados contain lots of niacin, which is an anti-inflammatory. This soothes irritated and red, blotchy skin.

2. Mangoes

Include vitamin A which maintains and repairs skin cells. A deficiency will result in a dry, flaky complexion.

3. Almonds

Include vitamin E which moisturizes dry skin. Its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging.

4. Cottage cheese

Includes selenium which will protect you against skin cancer and fight dandruff.

5. Acerola cherries

Includes vitamin C which fights skin damage and wrinkles

6. Oysters

Includes zinc which helps boost elastin which is the skins elastic protein.

7. Baked potatoes

Includes copper, which is an essential mineral that works with vitamin C and zinc to produce the elastin fibers that support skin structure.

8. Mushrooms

Includes riboflavin, which helps improve skin blemishes caused by rosacea

9. Flaxseed oil

Includes omega-3 which hydrate the skin and unclog pores

10. Wheat germ

Includes biotin which keeps you from having itchy, scaly skin

So try these foods out and over a period of time, you too can have healthy and glowing skin!

Angie Noble is a Master Stylist at Mode Salon and Day Spa

A regular massage program can truly contribute to your well being. Feel free to contact us today to set up your appointment.

We are excited when we can use a new technology to reach out to the community and our clients.

Check back often as we will be posting here as frequently as we can. We hope you are enjoying your summer and always remember to visit us at modesalon.net

The Staff