TAROT A SIMPLE THREE CARD SPREAD

This is a simple three card spread and an ideal way for beginners in Tarot. 

Starting at the left which denotes the past position we have 'the Magician', with my method of reading the Tarot we have a card of choices and which direction to go. It is a card of power and one that states you cannot go wrong here basically all roads lead to Rome so the querient can do anything he or she chooses, he/she can make anything happen and whatever choice he/she makes it wont be a wrong one.

Middle card and the present position of the querient, this pertains to career as wands to me relates to work/career issues. We see the querient's career taking off and venturing into the future although unknown we know from the first card he/she will be OK with the choice they have made. The sun is rising to a bright future this is a card of excitement and there is no longer any holding back the flood gates have no opened and there is no stopping the querient with what he/she wants to do.

The final card denotes the future 'The three of cups'. This card is a card of celebration it can pertain to any kind of celebration as everyone is happy and toasting the querient, its a highly positive card. What draws my eye is the winged god Apollo flying into the picture and the celebration, cups generally pertains to relationships so it's someone coming back into the querient's life to join in the celebration and everyone is so happy for the querient.

Putting the reading together, the querient had to make choices in his or her life it wasn't easy and tough decisions had to be made and the querient debated and worried about making the wrong choice. However they need not have worried for they had the power along to do right whatever direction they chose. They were protected and charmed and always will be. I feel here moving into the present the decisions that were made by the querient pertained to their career and if they weren't aware it is about to take off and lead to more and new things, it's a period of bubbling excitement and although this can be fearful, venturing into the unknown is fearful but only because it's unknown. Lastly the future and the celebration and the fruition of the work that's been done in the past, here are the rewards, I say rewards the plural for there are two things afoot for the querient. There is the celebration and fruition of past career choices and there is someone coming back as in a relationship to join in the celebrations. However the querient is largely unaware of this he/she is celebrating the career decision unaware of what is unfolding. This is double joy and the rewards are great.

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WALK AWAY STRESS

We all know how stress can affect us, loss of appetite, over eating, high blood pressure etc. I write about this all the time on this site. I also advocate how Holistic Therapies can alleviate the symptoms, but something simple such as walking can do much to lessen anxiety and costs nothing. The great thing about walking you can even meditate as you walk, you don't need to sit with your eyes closed and you can calm your mind by concentrating on the walk.

 ARTICLE FROM THE DAILY MAIL BELOW

It's official - you CAN walk away stress: Scientists discover how a stroll can soothe the brain

• Walking briskly or jogging activates soothing neurons in the brain
• These neurons help dull feelings of stress, anxiety and even depression

One of the best ways to relieve the stresses of the day is to simply walk them away, scientists have found.
Walking briskly or jogging really does calm you down by sparking nerve cells in the brain that relax the senses, new research has shown.
Exercise has long been thought to be effective for anxiety and depression, but the brain mechanism behind the phenomenon has remained a mystery.
Now tests on mice show when they are active, soothing neurons in the brain are triggered. When they are then exposed to a stressor, these neurons calm them down.

Stress relief: Scientists have found that going for a brisk walk or jog really does calm people down by triggering nerve cells in the brain that relax the senses 

Researchers took two groups of animals, one that ran around and another that was sedentary, and then tested the amount of brain cells that formed after they exercised.
The runners' brains had a number of new neurons specifically designed to inhibit brain activity and quiet more excitable ones. The researchers then put the mice into ice cold baths to create a stressful environment.
As expected, large numbers of excitable neurons were fired up in the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in emotional responses.
But in the brains of the runners, calming neurons were also quickly released warding off unnecessary anxiety.
The research shows exercising mice are able to cope better with stress, and it is believed the effect is also seen in humans, reports the Journal of Neuroscience.
Professor Elizabeth Gould, of Princeton University, New York, said physical activity reorganises the brain so anxiety is less likely to interfere with normal function.
She said: 'Understanding how the brain regulates anxious behaviour gives us potential clues about helping people with anxiety disorders.
'It also tells us something about how the brain modifies itself to respond optimally to its own environment.'

Potential treatment: Soothing neurons are activated in the brain when we walk, jog or run, which can help ease the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression 

The findings resolve a paradox because exercise reduces anxiety while also promoting the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus.
Because these young cells are typically more excitable than their more mature counterparts, exercise should result in more anxiety, not less.
But the researchers found exercise also strengthens the mechanisms that prevent these brain cells from firing.
Prof Gould said identifying neurons and regions important to anxiety regulation may help scientists better understand and treat human anxiety disorders.
From an evolutionary standpoint, the research also shows the brain can be extremely adaptive and tailor its own processes to an organism's lifestyle or surroundings.
A higher likelihood of anxious behaviour may have an adaptive advantage for less physically fit creatures.
Anxiety often manifests itself in avoidance behaviour and avoiding potentially dangerous situations would increase the likelihood of survival, particularly for those less capable of responding with a 'fight or flight' reaction, added Prof Gould.
 

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TAROT, MY EXPLANATION (NO. 1)

PSYCHIC MEDIUM ASTRID TALKING ABOUT TAROT

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LIFE IS NOT FAIR~A MESSAGE OF HOPE

Clients often say to me, "Why am I receiving all this bad luck? I've always lived my life right and yet some people have all the luck it's just not fair!"

First of all life isn't fair it's not meant to be, life is meant to challenge and test us. There is much more to life than just what you see with your physical eyes for whilst we are on earth we are spirit in a human body. The human body is just a vessel for our soul but when we pass over to the spirit world at the point of death, we have no need for body.

We have many life times and we set our own challenges to gain experience, sometimes these experiences won't be nice and when we are going through tough experiences we are being taught a very tough and important lesson. It is a time for spiritual growth. We are taught how it feels to be on both sides of a situation, to learn empathy, understanding, compassion and patience. There is a common saying, "How can you hope to understand unless you have walked a mile in another's shoes."

Don't envy that person who seems to have it all for their tough lessons and adversity are yet to come, you are further up the ladder than they are and an older soul.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE

I am the stillness of the night
As darkness shadows gives forth to light
Symbolically this shows life's balance
Of darkness and lights dalliance
In life and Universe there's yin and yang
A balance created since time began
Remember this nothing lasts or stays the same
For like the tides moved by the moon
The cycle of darkness is over soon
Henceforth comes the joy of the dawn
Delivering a message of hope to everyone

MPB ©

What this poem is saying, these tough times won't last, once you realise this is a learning experience you will find life a lot easier to cope with and life is full of cycles good and bad. Spirit won't dessert us in these tough times, for we will be given strength and help will come to us in many ways. Other souls will cross our path put there to help us. All we need do is trust and believe that everything will be OK and have a positive mindset as soon as you take this attitude  the gloom will lift and life will become so much easier.

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THE DANGERS OF THIRD-HAND SMOKE

Interesting article I came across today about third hand smoke and I feel more research needs to be done, given that it's been proven certain plastic containers and bottles can leave deposits on the food stuffs they contain if reused.

Smoking causes 50 certain diseases cigarettes are a well-known cause of lung cancer, chronic lung disease, heart disease, and other disorders such as skin cancer, mouth cancer, stroke and high blood pressure. It is the myriad of toxins in cigarette smoke, rather than the nicotine content, that is responsible for the majority of the harmful effects. In other words, it is the delivery system, not the addictive drug, which is responsible for the vast majority of tobacco-related diseases. And it is not the nicotine in cigarettes, but the tar that causes the unsightly yellow-brown stains on fingers and teeth. There are more than 4,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke, many of which are known to cause cancer. In particular it is the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrosamines that are the probable causative agents for lung and other cancers.

It is the adverse nicotine effect in tobacco products that leads to addiction and this which sustains tobacco use. Because most smokers are nicotine-dependent, they continue to expose themselves to toxins from cigarettes. It is the other chemicals in cigarettes, not nicotine, which are responsible for most of the adverse health effects related to smoking. Nicotine is an addictive drug. When smoked, it is delivered into the lungs and is rapidly absorbed by the blood, reaching the brain within approximately ten seconds. At this point, smokers experience a nicotine "hit" - causing the brain to produce Dopamines, a neurotransmitter that regulates emotion and feelings of pleasure. The brain soon comes to expect regular doses of nicotine and suffers nicotine withdrawal symptoms when the supply is interrupted. The addictive nature of nicotine is largely due to its dose and rapid delivery to the brain when smoking cigarettes.

Women who carry on smoking in pregnancy endanger not only themselves, but their babies too. Mothers who smoke around their children also put their kids' health at risk. Even before conceiving research shows that cigarette smoking is harmful to a woman's ovaries. It can cause a woman's eggs to be more prone to genetic abnormality and increase the risk of spontaneous miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Women who smoke take longer to conceive with the chances of conceiving falling by up to 40 per cent per menstrual cycle. The more cigarettes you smoke the longer it takes to become pregnant. Just one cigarette a day can have a significant impact. In men stopping smoking can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction and may improve sexual potency.

- See more at: http://www.astridestella.info/p/stress-and-health.html#sthash.xvWrHTGo.dpuf

_________________________________________________

ARTICLE BELOW FROM THE DAILY MAIL


Pioneering study claims THIRD-HAND smoke causes significant damage to our DNA - and its danger increases over time
Research claims - for the first time ever - that third-hand smoke causes significant damage to human cells
Third-hand smoke is the toxic residue that clings to surfaces after second-hand smoke has disappeared
The study also found that this residue becomes MORE harmful over time
New research has claimed for the first time ever that third-hand smoke from cigarettes causes significant genetic damage to human cells.

Third-hand smoke is 'noxious residue' produced by cigarette smoke that clings to virtually all surfaces after second-hand smoke has disappeared.

The study from the Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California also found that this toxic residue becomes more harmful over time.






After you've finished smoking, toxic residue is left behind on surfaces, furniture and fabrics - and can cling to them even after washing. Researchers from California have now discovered that this third-hand smoke causes significant damage to DNA cells and becomes more harmful over time

WHAT IS THIRD-HAND SMOKE?


Third-hand smoke is created by tobacco smoke that lingers after a cigarette has been put out.

It's called 'third-hand' because it is created once second-hand smoke has disappeared.

Third-hand smoke can stick to almost all surfaces but especially clings to fabrics.

People can be exposed to third-hand smoke particles through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact.

Third-hand smoke is thought to be particularly dangerous to young children because they are more likely to crawl on the floor and eat from their hands without washing them first - ingesting the toxins into their systems.

Co-author Lara Gundel said: 'This is the very first study to find that third-hand smoke is mutagenic.

'Some of the chemical compounds in third-hand smoke are among the most potent carcinogens there are.

'They stay on surfaces and when those surfaces are clothing or carpets, the danger to children is especially serious.'

The researchers used a variety of tests to establish if third-hand smoke breaks down DNA strands and leads to long-lasting DNA damage and gene mutation.

'Until this study, the toxicity of third-hand smoke has not been well understood,' continued Gundel.

'Third-hand smoke has a smaller quantity of chemicals than second-hand smoke, so it’s good to have experimental evidence to confirm its genotoxicity.'


People can be exposed to third-hand smoke through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact.

Researchers said third-hand smoke is particularly insidious because it is extremely difficult to get rid of.

Previous studies have found that it can still be detected in dust and surfaces of homes more than two months after smokers moved out.






To generate the samples researchers at the Berkeley Lab put paper strips in smoking chambers, pictured. The acute samples were exposed to five cigarettes smoked in about 20 minutes. The chronic samples were exposed to cigarette smoke for 258 hours over 196 days



Common cleaning methods such as vacuuming, wiping and ventilation have not proven to be effective in lowering the presence of these particles.

The report added: 'You can do some things to reduce the odours, but it’s very difficult to really clean it completely.

'The best solution is to substitute materials, such as change the carpet and repaint.'

To generate the samples, the researchers put paper strips in smoking chambers.

The acute samples were exposed to five cigarettes smoked in about 20 minutes.

The chronic samples were exposed to cigarette smoke for 258 hours over 196 days.

During that time, the chamber was also ventilated for about 35 hours.

The researchers found that the concentrations of more than half of the compounds studied were higher in the chronic samples than in the acute.





Previous studies have found that third-hand smoke can still be detected in dust and surfaces of sofas, clothes and curtains more than two months after a smoker has stopped smoking. The study from California claims children are particularly at risk of DNA damage from third-hand smoke because they crawl over these surfaces and eat with their hands


They also found higher levels of DNA damage caused by the chronic samples.

The study said there was a 0.4 per cent conversion in human cells within the first hour of exposure and this increased ten-fold over a three-hour period.

Lead author Mohamad Sleiman said: 'Given the rapid sorption and persistence of high levels of nicotine on indoor surfaces, including clothing and human skin, our findings indicate that third-hand smoke represents an unappreciated health hazard through dermal exposure, dust inhalation and ingestion.'

The researchers conclude in their paper: 'Ultimately, knowledge of the mechanisms by which third-hand smoke exposure increases the chance of disease development in exposed individuals should lead to new strategies for prevention.'

The findings are published in the science Journal Mutagenesis.

Get help now to stop smoking

Eight practical, quick and simple steps you can take NOW to quit smoking

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IF YOU WANT A BRAINY BABY!

A FEW FACTS ABOUT BREAST MILK


Most baby formulas are derived from cow's milk (although dairy-free formulas are also available). When milk — from the breast or from a cow — is digested, it breaks down into two byproducts: curds and whey. The curd is white and rubbery, and the whey is liquid.

When cow's milk breaks down, the curd that forms is hard for human babies to digest. Breast milk, on the other hand, forms more whey than curd, and the curd is softer and more easily digested. Because the baby can digest breast milk more easily than cow's milk, he's less likely to throw up on your favorite sweater. Cow's milk is designed for baby cows after all.

One of the amazing things about breast milk is that your milk is specially formulated to have the right composition for your baby, and to contain exactly the right amounts of nutrients. Bottle-fed babies receive the exact same nutrients every time they eat. Breast milk, on the other hand, continually changes in composition so that your baby gets what he or she needs at any age.

The first liquid the breasts produce (starting a few months before the baby is born) actually doesn't even look like milk. Colostrum, which is yellow and thicker than breast milk, is a great example of how your body custom-makes the right nutrition for your baby. Here are some of its benefits:

Colostrum has a high concentration of antibodies, especially IgA, an antibody that helps protect the lungs, throat, and intestines.
Colostrum helps "seal" the permeable newborn intestines to prevent harmful substances from penetrating the gut.
Colostrum is very high in concentrated nutrition.
Colostrum has a laxative effect, which helps the baby pass the first bowel movements (and prevents newborn jaundice).
Colostrum is low in fat, high in proteins and carbohydrates, and very easy to digest.

Within a few days after delivery, your body begins to produce mature milk that takes over the work of giving your baby the necessary ingredients for healthy growth. Colostrum is still present for around two weeks; the milk produced during this time is called transitional milk.

Breast milk contains more than 100 ingredients that the formula industry simply can't duplicate. For example, breast milk is full of antibodies that protect babies from illness and help them develop their own immune systems. Some other key differences between the ingredients in breast milk and formula include the following:
Formula has a higher protein content than human milk. However, the protein in breast milk is more easily and completely digested by babies.

Breast milk has a higher carbohydrate content than formula and has large amounts of lactose, a sugar found in lower amounts in cow's milk. Research shows that animals whose milk contains higher amounts of lactose experience larger brain development.

Minerals such as iron are present in lower quantities in breast milk than in formula. However, the minerals in breast milk are more completely absorbed by the baby. In formula-fed babies, the unabsorbed portions of minerals can change the balance of bacteria in the gut, which gives harmful bacteria a chance to grow. This is one reason why bottle-fed babies generally have harder and more odorous stools than breastfed babies.

Of course I appreciate sometimes it's not possible to breast feed sometimes due to various problems however I do believe every new mother should try and persevere if there are no contra indications to breast feeding as not only does it benefit the baby but it helps the mother regain her figure much quicker, even if the mother does so for three months the benefits to mother and baby are enormous.

ARTICLE BELOW FROM THE DAILY MAIL

Breast really is best if you want a brainy baby: Just THREE months of breastfeeding boosts development by 30%

• Babies only fed breast milk have 30% extra growth in key parts of the brain
• They have better development in areas which control language and emotion
• Those fed breast milk have more white matter which is used for learning
• Those only fed formula milk have the least white matter

Breast milk boosts brain development in babies by up to 30 per cent, according to a new study.
Children exclusively fed breast milk for at least three months have up to 30 per cent extra growth in the key parts of the brain which control language, emotion, and understanding, say scientists.
The study of under-fours showed children who have breast milk as part of their diet have a clear advantage when it comes to brain development.

Children exclusively fed breast milk for at least three months have up to 30 per cent extra growth in the key parts of the brain. Image shows how white matter develops with age

Research carried out at Brown University, in the U.S., found that by the time the babies had reached their second birthday a discernible difference could be seen in their brain structure.
Dr Sean Deoni, an engineering professor and lead author, said: ‘We're finding the difference [in white matter growth] is in the order of 20 to 30 per cent, comparing the breastfed and the non-breastfed kids.’
Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scans were taken of the babies who had been fed a diet of breast milk in the earliest stages of their development, and of those who had been fed formula milk.
The scans showed that babies fed breast milk alone had the fastest growth in myelinated white matter - tissue packed full of long nerve fibres that link different parts of the brain that are used for learning.
The babies who were weaned on a diet of formula were found to have the least white matter.
Dr Deoni's team carried out the study to see how early the changes in brain development took place.
‘We show that they're there almost right off the bat,’ he said.

Scans show that babies fed breast milk alone have the fastest growth in myelinated white matter - tissue packed full of long nerve fibres that link different parts of the brain that are used for learning

Researchers looked at the brains of 133 babies who were born on time and came from similar families.
By comparing the myelin in older and younger children they were able to calculate how breast milk influenced the development of white matter.
The researchers backed up the results of the scans with a set of basic cognitive tests that showed language performance, visual reception and motor control were all better in the breastfed children.
The team found that the longer the babies were fed with breast milk the more developed their brains were, especially in the areas of the brain associated with movement and coordination.
While the Brown study published in the journal NeuroImage is not the first to link breastfeeding with improved development in the young, Dr Deoni claimed it is the first time MRI scans have been used to compare the brains in breastfed and non-breastfed children.
Dr Deoni said: ‘I think it's astounding that you could have that much difference so early. I think I would argue that combined with all the other evidence, it seems like breastfeeding is absolutely beneficial.’

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ASTROLOGY ALERT!

I'm giving plenty of warning as regards Mercury Retrograde, so you can prepare in advance. It's due to go into retrograde on June 26 2013 and won't move forward again until July 20 2013.

Mercury Retrograde Dates

Mer R Jun 26 2013  05:08  23°Cn06' R  Mer D Jul  20 2013  10:23  13°Cn22' D   Mer R Oct  21 2013  02:29  18°Sc23' R  Mer D Nov 10 2013  13:12  02°Sc30' D   Mer R Feb  6  2014  13:44  03°Pi20' R  Mer D Feb 28 2014  06:01  18°Aq10' D Mer R Jun  7  2014  03:57  03°Cn10' R  Mer D Ju l  1  2014  04:51  24°Ge23' D   Mer R Oct  4  2014  09:03  02°Sc18' R  Mer D Oct 25 2014  11:17  16°Li46' D   Mer R Jan 21 2015  07:55  17°Aq04' R  Mer D Feb 11 2015  06:58  01°Aq19' D   Mer R May 18 2015  17:50  13°Ge08' R  Mer D Jun 11 2015  14:34  04°Ge34' D   Mer R Sep 17 2015  10:10  15°Li55' R  Mer D Oct  9   2015  06:58  00°Li55' D Mer R Jan  5  2016  05:06  01°Aq01' R  Mer D Jan 25 2016  13:50  14°Cp55' D Mer R Apr  28 2016  09:20  23°Ta36' R  Mer D May 22 2016  05:20  14°Ta21' D Mer R Aug 30 2016  05:04  29°Vi04' R  Mer D Sep 21 2016  21:31  14°Vi51' D Mer R Dec 19 2016  02:56  15°Cp07' R  Mer D Jan  8  2017  01:43  28°Sg52' D Mer R Apr  9 2017  15:15  04°Ta50' R  Mer D May 3 2017  08:33  24°Ar16' D Mer R Aug 12 2017  17:01  11°Vi38' R  Mer D Sep  5 2017   03:30  28°Le26' D Mer R Dec  2  2017  23:35  29°Sg17' R  Mer D Dec 22 2017  17:51  13°Sg01' D Mer R Mar 22 2018  16:20  16°Ar54' R  Mer D Apr 15 2018   01:21  04°Ar47' D Mer R Jul  25 2018   21:03  23°Le27' R  Mer D Aug 18 2018  20:25  11°Le33' D   Mer R Nov 16 2018  17:34  13°Sg29' R  Mer D Dec  6  2018  13:23  27°Sc17' D   Mer R Mar  5  2019  10:19  29°Pi39' R  Mer D Mar 28 2019  05:59  16°Pi06' D   Mer R Jul  7  2019  15:15  04°Le28' R  Mer D Jul 31 2019  19:58  23°Cn58' D Mer R Oct  31 2019  07:42  27°Sc38' R  Mer D Nov 20 2019  11:12  11°Sc35' D   Mer R Feb 16 2020  16:55  12°Pi53' R  Mer D Mar  9 2020  19:49  28°Aq13' D   Mer R Jun 17 2020  21:00  14°Cn45' R  Mer D Jul  12 2020  00:27  05°Cn30' D   Mer R Oct 13 2020  17:06  11°Sc40' R  Mer D Nov  3 2020  09:50  25°Li54' D   Mer R Jan 30 2021   07:52  26°Aq29' R  Mer D Feb 20 2021  16:53  11°Aq02' D   Mer R May 29 2021  14:35  24°Ge43' R  Mer D Jun  22 2021  14:01  16°Ge08' D   Mer R Sep 26 2021  21:11  25°Li28' R  Mer D Oct  18 2021  07:17  10°Li08' D   Mer R Jan 14 2022  03:42  10°Aq19' R  Mer D Feb  3 2022  20:14  24°Cp23' D Mer R May 10 2022  03:48  04°Ge51' R  Mer D Jun  3  2022   00:01  26°Ta06' D   Mer R Sep 9  2022  19:39  08°Li55' R  Mer D Oct  2  2022  01:08  24°Vi13' D Mer R Dec 29 2022  01:32  24°Cp20' R  Mer D Jan 18 2023  05:13  08°Cp09' D

MERCURY IN RETROGRADE

The planet Mercury, which is only visible just before sunrise or just after sunset travels in a forward direction most of the time. But three or four times a year, if you care to watch carefully, it appears to turn around and go backwards for about three weeks! Now Mercury really isn't going backwards. It's just an optical illusion based on the relative speeds and orbits of the Earth and Mercury around the Sun. For example think of riding in a fast car on an motorway which is passing a slower-moving car. The slower moving car appears to be moving backward, but it isn't really. It's just the relative speed and direction of the two cars gives that illusion, retrograde Mercury is similar to that.

The apparent backward motion of Mercury is called retrograde, and it has been known and studied in western astrology for thousands of years.

In general the effect of Mercury retrograde is annoyance. Little things get snarled up and a low-grade frustration emerges. Anything involving communications, verbal activity, technology, short trips and journeys, primary education, and siblings can be affected. Whilst Mercury retrograde usually is a minor irritant, every now and then a colossal screw-up can take place. 

During the next Mercury retrograde:

• If at all possible, avoid signing legal documents.
• If at all possible, finish projects which involve communication before the retrograde.
• If at all possible, avoid closing big deals during the retrograde
• If at all possible, avoid launching new projects during the retrograde
• If at all possible, avoid scheduling meetings to make a big decision
• Allow extra time when travelling
• Backup your hard drive before the retrograde
• If at all possible, avoid installing new computer software during the retrograde
• Do needed repairs on machinery before the retrograde
• Do not hold an election during the retrograde.

This is not to say Mercury retrograde is always a bad thing. Far from it. It is actually an ideal time to do some other things, like:

• Do the follow-ups on a project already started
• Wrap up or complete a project already started
• Research a new project thoroughly
• Catch up on paperwork
• Hold an information-sharing meeting

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HALLELUJAH FINALLY IT'S SINKING IN WHAT AGES A WOMAN'S SKIN

Hallelujah haven't I been saying this for years.


THIS ISN'T A CONVENTIONAL BEAUTY BLOG SO I AM NOT GOING INTO PRODUCTS OR EVEN ROUTINES BUT RATHER TACKLING THE INNER CORE AND DEALING WITH THE REAL CAUSES OF SKIN DAMAGE

THE BASICS: UNDERSTANDING HOW THE ENVIRONMENT AND STRESS AFFECTS THE SKIN

Under the 'Stress section' I talked about how stress hormones such as Adrenalin and Cortisone affect the skin, if you recall Adrenalin reduces the nourishment delivered by the blood stream by directing the blood flow away from the extremities to the heart, lungs and muscles, so the skin and hair wont be so well nourished. Cortisone damages the fibrocytes, these are specialised cells within the Dermis that produce collagen and elastin and it is collagen and elastin that provides support and elasticity within the skin, akin to the foam and springs in a mattress. When we are young our skin is plump and elastic but through use from normal facial movements, the downward pull of gravity, the collagen and elastin tends to bunch together just like the stuffing in a well used mattress. Now if we undergo stress for a considerable period as these fibrocytes become damaged due to the action of Cortisol so the skin will loose its support structure, its elasticity will suffer and it wont spring back to shape like it used to, like spent elastic. Cell renewal will suffer due to the reduced blood supply there wont be adequate nourishment and the skin will take on a greyer pallor and it will loose its healthy rosy glow.

Now there is another aspect to this equation, the action of Ultra Violet Light from the sun and of course sunbeds. The sun produces three types of UV Light UVA UVB and UVC. The Earth's ozone layer blocks 97-99% of this UV radiation from penetrating through the atmosphere. Of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth's surface, 98.7% is UVA (UVC and more energetic radiation is responsible for the generation of the ozone layer, and formation of the ozone there). Now I don't want to get to technical here and want to focus on UVA and UVB. UVB can only penetrate down through the skin to the dermis and is responsible for burning but UVA is able to penetrate down through the dermis and like Cortisol damages the Fibrocytes, those little cells that plump up our skin and give it elasticity.

One of the best places on our bodies to see the affects of gravity and demishing collagen and elastin especially on women is on the thighs often referred to as 'Cellulite'.

Because we are composed of 70% water, water is an important component of the skin, therefore it important we drink adequate water to keep ourselves hydrated. Don't wait until you feel thirsty before you reach for that drink, it is much better to sip water at regular intervals as we are constantly loosing water through bodily processes.


THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL, SMOKING AND DRUGS ON THE SKIN



TYPICAL SMOKERS SKIN (NOTE THE PURSE LINES)

Everything in moderation is something to bear in mind when it comes to food and drink and that includes alcohol, but alcohol is a toxin and the liver has to work hard to break it down. The occasional drink is not going to have too much effect on the skin but it does cause the peripheral circulation to dilate and one of the characteristic signs of too much alcohol is the appearance of broken capillaries across the face, There are other causes of broken capillaries, sometimes, it's hereditary but often caused by sudden changes in temperature i.e. going from very warm central heated homes to going outdoors without protecting the skin or driving in cars with the heater blasting against the face. Squeezing spots is another cause. Too much alcohol is a depressant too, so you may feel rather jolly at the time but you are sure to come back down to earth with a bump.

Many common prescribed drugs have an effect on the skin its something to be aware of many drugs such as diuretics will cause a loss of moisture so forewarned you take extra care to apply a good moisturiser to help counteract this effect.

Recreational drugs obviously will have an effect on the skin too with many of them toxic to the body and anything that diverts the body to spend time detoxifying obviously takes energy away from repairing and maintaining the body. This is not a blog that discusses drugs I am sure readers will already know the dangers of such substances.



HEALTHY LUNGS


Smoking is one of the worst abuses you can do to your body, firstly because of its direct effect affect on the lungs, it impairs the uptake and absorption of oxygen and of course all cells in the body require oxygen in order to function normally. The nicotine as well as being addictive is a powerful vasoconstrictor therefore it reduces blood flow to the peripheral circulation so the skin and hair are going to suffer. So as well as impairing oxygen uptake and reducing blood flow to the skin, the body is also having to use its resources dealing with all the toxins also inhaled. Poorly nourished skin means it cannot repair itself adequately. Smoking also leads to more wrinkling, those little purse string lines around the mouth and crows feet caused by the smoke further research has proven that smoking causes the skin to age ten years.


ARTICLE FROM THE DAILY MAIL BELOW

How sunbeds, smoking and not eating enough fruit can age a woman's skin by TEN YEARS

• 'Lifestyle choices' account for 33 per cent of how old a woman looks
• Researchers carried out study on 585 woman in UK, China and Spain
• Team asked women a series of questions about their lifestyles

A new study has found lifestyle choices can account for as much as 33 per cent of how old a woman looks

Living an unhealthy lifestyle can age a woman’s skin by over ten years, an in-depth international study has revealed.
The true damage caused by sun beds, smoking and a lack of fruit and moisturisation in accelerating the ageing process emerged following research on 585 women in the UK, China and Spain.
The study, published yesterday, showed the factors influencing their skin were the same even taking into account the backgrounds and skin type of the women involved.
It also emerged 'lifestyle choices' often account for as much as 33 per cent of how old a woman looks.
Dr Andrew Mayes, who led the study for Simple skincare, said: 'We already knew genetics accounted for about 50 per cent of how old people look, but we didn’t know how much would be accounted for by their lifestyles.
'Even we were surprised by just how much it was; both in terms of the number of years and the percentage.'
The study which was carried out over the last eight years involved women aged 45 to 75 in the UK, 30 to 70 in Spain and 25 to 70 in China.
Study sites with controlled laboratory conditions were established in Bedford in the UK, Madrid in Spain and Shanghai in China.
Those who took part were asked a string of questions about their lifestyles including whether or not they liked to sun tan and if they were smokers or non-smokers.
Other questions included how often the women moisturised, whether they eat fruit and veg, whether they brush their teeth and if they have all their own teeth.
The research team also took digital images of the women which were then assessed for how old they looked to identify their perceived age and whether they looked younger or older than their actual age.

The study, which was carried out over the last eight years, asked women questions about their lifestyle, including whether or not they smoked

Those taking part in the research were also asked whether or not they liked to sun tan and how often they moisturised

The research team, led by Dr Mayes, then compared the perceived ages of those with good versus bad lifestyles.
They concluded the difference was 10.4 years.

'We already knew genetics accounted for about 50 per cent of how old people look, but we didn’t know how much would be accounted for by their lifestyles'
- Dr Andrew Mayes

Dr Mayes added: 'The number of years' difference was most staggering - we had just seen some data out of a group of plastic surgeons in the US and Canada suggesting that a face and neck lift (together with eyelid and forehead modifications) could take an average of about 8.5 years off your facial age.
'Then we got our data through demonstrating a saving of over 10 years. It’s fair to say at first we couldn’t quite believe it.
'But the evidence was there in front of us - women with a healthy lifestyle looked much younger than those with an unhealthy lifestyle.
'Simply put; good skin health is about more than fancy creams and lotions - it’s about how we live our lives and how we treat our bodies and the steps we need to take do not need to be extreme.
'They can be small and steady and the effects will be seen over time without the need for plastic surgery.'

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