Clear your mind in minutes
25 Feb 2010 18:00 PM |
Posted by Editor
I recently attended a great event held by Aveda at Sydney restaurant, Billy Kwong.
Apart from the absolutely mouth-watering food (which I must confess I’m still dreaming about more than a week later), one part of the evening that really stood out was the Aveda ‘ritual’ in which we participated.
Now before you get carried away with thoughts of chanting, frenzied dancing, and beauty editors throwing themselves onto sacrificial altars (over-active imagination anyone?), this particular ritual is designed to help clear your mind, alleviate tension, stimulate your senses, and leave you with a general sense of wellbeing.
Here’s how it goes:
1.) Apply a few drops of Aveda Blue Oil Balancing Concentrate to your palms and rub together.
2.) Close your eyes, cup your hands together around your nose and mouth, and take five deep breaths in and out.
3.) If you’re doing the ritual with other people, everyone turns to the person on their right and gives them a one-minute massage, before repeating with the person to their left.
4.) If you’re on your own, press your fingers to your temples and massage gently in a circular motion.
5.) Apply some of the Blue Oil to your wrists to cool your body temperature, to your shoulders and the base of your neck to relieve tension, and massage into your forearms to stimulate your circulation.
6.) Inhale once again and you’ll be left feeling revived, refreshed and ready to face the tasks ahead.
Clearing your head just not working for you? If you’re feeling slightly overwhelmed don’t let it get the better of you (or your skin for that matter – worrying will not only cause wrinkles, but it can also lead to breakouts, dark rings under your eyes and a lacklustre complexion). Take a B-vitamin complex everyday to up your energy levels and help alleviate stress. Try: HERRON Mega B.

What do you do to stress less?
Member Comments
(41)
Posted by:
Blissful Beauty
(Member since 2007, Australia)
Take time out and head outdoors for a walk, chat or even swim, if I can. Otherwise, I go get a cup of tea and contact a friend for a chat. I really like this little ritual, Deb. I'm going to try it out. A sprtiz of perfume or lighting a scented candle can be so uplifting. I also find regularly attending pilates and yoga classes has really helped improve my sense of well-being. : )
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 5:32pm)
Posted by:
VivaliciousChic
(Australia)
Wow, that is a great trick to massaging my own self. Usually i read and bake cakes to relieve my stress. I know abit weird, but baking is the way i chillax. also, i love massaging my head, neck and shoulder while in the shower shampooing my hair.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 5:35pm)
Posted by:
Dee255
(Member since 2008, Australia)
My way of relaxing is to read beauty websites! No kidding, when I'm having my "me" time, I get a glass of wine and sit there reading beauty blogs or watching youtube beauty videos for as long as I can get away with it.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 5:55pm)
Posted by:
Blissful Beauty
(Member since 2007, Australia)
Yep, I do that a lot too, Dee255! Funny, that! Lol! : D
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 6:00pm)
Posted by:
Captain Dan
(Australia)
I go to the gym and kill the punching bag lol
I'm usually so tired that I forget what I was worried about
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 6:46pm)
Posted by:
Bide
(Australia)
I go to the gym too. Or close my eyes and listen to some music.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 6:52pm)
Posted by:
Shazam
(Member since 2008, Australia)
I do prefer massaging my own self than anybody else, and I always get my knots out.
When I'm stressed, I always stand in the shower, eyes closed, for an extra 2-3 minutes and it really relieves my tension. I think I might start baking sweets as another method of relaxation :)
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 6:53pm)
Posted by:
beautyqueen95♥
(Australia)
Hmmm - baking, meditating, head-to-toe self massage (with palmers body butter) and face masks.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 7:41pm)
Posted by:
Sumaya
(Australia)
Going for a long walk in the evening always helps me to relax and think clearer.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 7:53pm)
Posted by:
freaky
(Member since 2007, Australia)
this oil sounds like a miracle oil!! I should take more time out to pamper and massage myself. Must try out the Herron vitamins too. Thanks for the tips. I like to relax by having a mini facial in the bath and a good hair treatment. Watch a movie and have a nice dinner. I also like to have a venting session with my partner or loved ones if Im stressed.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 7:54pm)
Posted by:
helenmaree
(Australia)
Oh this sounds wondeful, i usually listen to relaxation hypnosis cd, bubble baths and going for a walk
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 8:10pm)
Posted by:
Shopaholicshell
(Australia)
A bath with some lavendar oils and bubbles and a cup of tea usually does the trick - although its a rarirty!
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 8:12pm)
Posted by:
Chrissynick
(Australia)
sounds like a nice way to relax. I like to just have me time... read things I like, listen to music... try to clear my mind that way.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 9:02pm)
Posted by:
VivaliciousChic
(Australia)
Annabel57, i can swear on baking deserts as a relaxation technique. And the best feeling in the world when the desert is out and come out great!! I love it. I bake basically every week.heheheh. my fave is fruit or strawberry tart. YUM!
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 9:13pm)
Posted by:
oliveoil
(Australia)
Sigh, I wish that Blue Oil came with a masseuse.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 9:58pm)
Posted by:
Dragonflygirl1
(Australia)
A nice hot bath with the lights off and just a few candles burning.
Posted on:
February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 11:57pm)
Posted by:
bella62
(Australia)
yes I agree to head outdoors to relax, feel calm and clear the head. Walking along the beach, yoga, read a good book, chamomile tea, aromatherapy massage and chatting with good friends all work for me.
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 8:06am)
Posted by:
DanniiBeauty
(Australia)
the quickest thing to do for me ( having had a baby a few months ago) to have 'me' time is using the internet to connect with people via forums, emails etc.....i find it relaxing. But I probably should start getting out there and going for a walk!
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 9:35am)
Posted by:
Sonu
(Australia)
Listening to music and singing is definitely one of my biggest releases of stress. I also like using meditation and visualisation techniques to relax.
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 9:56am)
Posted by:
dancr
(Member since 2008, Australia)
First of all Deb I am so jealous that you went to a yummy restaurant AND to an Aveda event! You're so lucky! I am pretty stressed out at the moment, last night I went to the Physio which helped and he also gave me some tips. I also like to bake or read to relieve stress, or going out with some friends and have a laugh helps. Massage, walking, yoga, meditation, exercise, having a bath are great. A day out at the day spa sometime soon would be nice (-:
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 10:06am)
Posted by:
hot chillies
(Member since 2008, Australia)
I go visit a friend sit and have a chat, or do some crothering, i also love to relax by watching a good DVD.
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 10:22am)
Posted by:
southcoastclare
(Australia)
It all depends on my mood, if I can find the discipline to get up and exercise, then that would definitely the best stress buster, but by the time I get home, I normally pour myself a drink and put on some music while I’m preparing dinner.
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 12:12pm)
Posted by:
Biancarushton
(Australia)
thanks for these tips. my husband is a stressaholic and ive found oils have been very helpful to him. im a bit more mellow
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 2:29pm)
Posted by:
Dancenow13
(Australia)
Ooh this sounds so relaxing! I definitely stress A LOT, so to 'stress less' I read a great novel, or run on the treadmill to get my mind off things! I also love yoga for de-stressing, although I don't do it as much as I would like to!
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 6:01pm)
Posted by:
Annyex.
(Australia)
Exercise, hot shower and simply lying on the couch
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 (Feb 26, 2010 8:49pm)
Posted by: Blissful Beauty (Member since 2007, Australia)
Take time out and head outdoors for a walk, chat or even swim, if I can. Otherwise, I go get a cup of tea and contact a friend for a chat. I really like this little ritual, Deb. I'm going to try it out. A sprtiz of perfume or lighting a scented candle can be so uplifting. I also find regularly attending pilates and yoga classes has really helped improve my sense of well-being. : )
Posted on: February 25, 2010 (Feb 25, 2010 5:32pm)