JetsetGypsy

The online magazine for global nomads

10 WAYS TO LOOK GOOD
by Sonia Sebastian

Have you noticed how looking good these days involves spending money and loads of it? But it doesn’t have to. Here are a few
simple tips to get you looking and feeling your best from head to toe. The best part is it won’t cost you a penny!

Hair: A scalp massage stimulates blood flow and feeds the hair follicles. This improves the condition of your hair and prevents hair
loss. Massage the scalp with the pads of your fingers for a few minutes everyday. You can do this while watching TV or waiting for
the kettle to boil. Make small circles starting at the hairline and work your way to the front, sides and back. For thinning hair, add 2
drops of peppermint or rosemary oil to a tablespoon of a base oil such as olive oil. You can also massage your scalp while shampooing
your hair.

Mind: Hold on to those good memories and relive them. Create a little happy place in your head and escape to it for a few minutes
every day when things become too stressful.

Eyes: Fight under-eye bags with an ice cube. Stroke it around the eye area for a few minutes. If it feels too cold wrap it with a thin
handkerchief. Alternatively cover each eye with 2-3 thin slices of raw potato (thin slices fit the contours of the eye better), lie
down for a few minutes and allow the potato slices to work their magic.

Stomach: Get rid of the bloat with an aromatherapy stomach massage. Add two drops each of fennel, rosemary and grapefruit
essential oils to two tbsp of almond oil. Warm the oil between your hands and massage your stomach area starting from the lower
right side. Use a firm motion and massage upwards and across your diaphragm and then down to the lower left side of your stomach.
The movement should form an upside down U. Repeat 10 times to encourage your intestines and gut to work more efficiently.

Back: Give your bedroom and your back a lift with a flip of your mattress. Doing this provides more even wear. Just make sure that
when you flip, the top becomes the bottom. Then turn it so that foot of the mattress becomes the head. Some mattresses however
are no-flip, so please check before you start.

Hands: Wash your hands often. It reduces the spread of colds and infections. All you need is soap and water. The combination of
scrubbing and water gets rid of bacteria. Remember to clean between fingers and under nails. Follow with hand cream (it’s a good
idea to leave a jar of hand cream by the sink!)

Feet: Be good to your feet. Remove your shoes when you get home. A foot massage relieves tired feet. Use some massage oil or a
thick cream and work from ankle to toes in long firm strokes. Alternatively use a rolling pin and roll it underneath each foot. Put on
cotton socks when you’re done to help the cream sink in. Exfoliate your feet regularly. To improve circulation, dip your feet in hot
water for 5 minutes. Then alternate with cold water. Do this for 20 minutes. Again, you can do this while you watch TV.

Body: Walk! The benefits are endless. 30 minutes of walking improves heart and lung efficiency, burns body fat and raises your
metabolism. It also reduces cholesterol and lowers your blood pressure. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, walking
also slows the aging process! And it’s all for free. No expensive gym membership required. Even if you don’t have 30 minutes to
spare, a short walk outside elevates your mood and helps you relax. It also helps you think more clearly and creatively. So if you’re
stuck on a problem, take a break and go out for a walk. Take your dog for companionship.

Immune system: Endorphins are your body’s natural pain killers and stress fighters. They are released during exercise, laughter and
sex. So get touchy feely with your partner. If you don’t have time for a marathon sex session, a kiss or a cuddle is good too.
Alternatively, watch a funny movie or your favourite sit-com.

General appearance: Have a swap party. Get your friends together and barter goods and services. It’s a lot more fun than going
shopping. You can swap clothes, shoes, massages, cooking lessons and anything else you can think of.

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