APRIL is Stress Awareness Month, shining a light on what is a major contributor to cancer, heart disease, accidental injury, respiratory disorders, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide.
Today I look at ways to help keep stress in check, while our Beauty Editor puts hair primers to the test.
HEALTH: with Jane Atkinson
COACHING: One of the best things I have done in recent weeks is sign up for help with holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach James Ellis.
After a couple of video consultations, he has hugely helped by giving me breathing exercises and tips on organising my life so I don’t feel overwhelmed by the little stuff.
My package included a free initial call and a 60-minute consultation, then it’s £140 a month for fortnightly sessions with a 30-minute chat.
Money well spent.
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RUNNING: THIS is a great stress-buster that clears the mind, raises energy levels and stimulates the release of “happy hormones”.
If you sign up to help a charity, you will feel even better about yourself.
Until April 18, Cancer Research UK is offering 30 per cent off entry fees for new registrations to all its Race For Life events – that includes 3k, 5k and 10k runs as well as its Pretty Muddy events.
There are more than 450 taking place across the country from May to September. (See raceforlife.org and use code EASTER30)
MUSHROOMS: Reishi mushrooms have been used for centuries for their amazing body and mind-balancing properties.
Dirtea has developed a new infusion formulated to restore a sense of calm, relieving tension and easing stress.
The Mushroom Cacao Super Blend also contains the herb ashwagandha, or winter cherry, and cacao – both of which are said to help fight stress too.
You add a spoonful to boiling water and get a drink that tastes like a rich, healthy hot chocolate but with only 16kcl per serving.
Great before bed to help you sleep. (£39.99 for 30 servings, dirteaworld.com)
BEAUTY: with Tara Ledden
BUDGET: Tresemme Biotin+ Repair 7 protection spray (currently £2.49 for 125ml, down from £4.99, boots.com):
If you want to cut styling time but still protect your hair, a primer is key.
Like the make-up equivalent, it creates a base and targets a multitude of problems without adding minutes to your routine.
Tresemme’s budget option left my hair feeling bouncier, softer and silkier too.
Sadly, it also made my roots get greasy more quickly than normal.
So this is better suited to dry scalps and those who already wash their hair every day.
MID: Arkive The Prologue primer, (currently £8.67 for 200ml, down from £13, boots.com):
Perhaps the best-smelling hair product I’ve EVER used.
Genius stylist Adam Reed is a fragrance fanatic and has outdone himself with the tangy but warm scent of tomato, rhubarb and vetiver.
Does it work? You bet.
The fine mist made easy work of detangling, provides heat protection and gave my hair a salon-worthy shine without weighing it down.
I even got asked if I’d had my highlights done.
Cheaper than a salon visit and lasts for ages. My favourite.
LUXURY: Gisou propolis-infused polishing primer (£27 for 75ml, cultbeauty.co.uk):
Bees produce the resin propolis to strengthen their hives. In this conditioning primer, it boosts volume and definition.
More like a traditional blow-dry cream than a modern heat protector, it takes longer to work into strands.
You only need a pea-sized amount to fast-track your styling process and firm up weak strands.
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Use more and you can feel the slightly sticky residue.
Too heavy for my fine, straight hair but for damaged, curly or thicker strands it’s perfect.
