Understanding Stress, its Harmful Effects, and the Best Ways to Cope and de-stress

Have you ever wondered about stress and what it really is? Stress is defined as a reaction that disturbs our physical or mental balance. It is an ever-present part of life brought on by frustrations, deadlines and demands.

For many of us, stress is so ‘normal’ that it has become a way of life. Stress can damage your health, mood, relationships, and quality of life.

What does stress do to your body? 

Stress is your body’s response to any kind of demand or threat. So when you feel threatened, your nervous system responds by doing any or all of the following:

• Releases a flood of stress hormones which rouse the body for emergency action. 
• Your heart pounds faster, 
• muscles tighten, 
• blood pressure rises, 
• breath quickens, 

Effects of ‘Stress Overload’

If you’re stressed over an argument, a traffic jam, or a mountain of bills, your body can misjudge the level of stress and react as if you’re facing a life-or-death situation and have the following effects:

• raise blood pressure,
• suppress the immune system,
• increase the risk of serious illness, 
• speed up the aging process etc. 

Here is a very quick list of signs and symptoms of stress overload. How many can you count that are familiar to you?

• Unable to remember simple things
• Constant worrying 
• Moodiness 
• Feeling overwhelmed 
• Frequent colds
• Aches and pains in the body
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)

We usually think of stressors or stress triggers as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. The truth is that anything that puts high demands on you or forces you to adjust can be stressful. This includes events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or even receiving a promotion.

How to positively manage stress 

• Engage socially - The simple act of putting your phone away and simply talking face to face with another human being can reduce stress
• Get moving - Physical activity plays a key role in managing stress. Walking, running, swimming, dancing, and aerobic classes are good choices to de-stress!
• Holidays - time away from work and chores 
• Switch off your phone - Yes, really! Your body needs a recharge too!  

Lifestyle changes also help deal with the symptoms of stress
You can also better cope with stress by strengthening your physical health.

• Relaxation time. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness. 
• Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress. 
• Get plenty of sleep. Feeling tired can increase. Keep your cool in stressful situations by getting a good night’s sleep.
• Have ‘Me Time’ – Time spent in a spa with friends or even pampering yourself alone is never wasted. 

If you are super stressed, make time for a few hours per week at the spa, so you can have a foot rub, massage or even a head rub. This really helps in quickly relaxing and rejuvenating your system.

Spa Ceylon has produced an unique array of de-stressing and calming products infused with frankincense, kaffir lime, sandalwood, tangerines and aloe-vera for you to indulge in at home and office.

The Spa Ceylon Harmonizing Essence Mist is one of the authors’ personal favourites.  After a bath or shower, spray on lightly, all over your body, pillows and bed linen. The age old remedy of using frankincense to calm and destress goes back many millennia and is still used today to help the body find harmony and balance. The components of these precious ingredients are blended with the idea of bringing about complete wellness and a state of restfulness in body and mind.

Contact us on 0094 11 5344001 
www.spaceylon.com  
www.facebook.com/spaceylonayurveda

S.O.S! Skin Rescue by Spa Ceylon

Extreme weather - both hot & cold, constant weather changes & even the monsoon rains – play havoc on your skin, leaving skin dry, parched & even chapped. Dry skin when left unattended, can result in rough, discoloured, blistered & even thickened skin.  So be aware & take care to protect your skin during bad weather.

Spa Ceylon has just introduced a range of 100% natural Skin Rescue Balms for complete 24/7 top to toe care of your skin. Packed with nutrient natural oils & fragranced only with pure organic essential oils, these targeted intensive treatments for specific skin problems help protect your skin from extreme weather, while working to restore, revive & rejuvenate – so you can have silky smooth beautiful skin – naturally!

LEMONGRASS GRAPEFRUIT - Knees & Elbows Treatment Balm

Specially designed for dry, rough & discoloured skin on elbows & knees, this balm is enriched with vitamin rich Virgin Coconut, Rice Bran & Soya to help nourish & hydrate, while Almond & Organic Aloe Vera helps soften & smoothen skin. Grapefruit & Mandarin essential oils help lighten skin, while Lemongrass helps calm & refresh the senses.

Try these great ways to use this balm to rescue the skin on knees & elbows:

• Use as a targeted treatment on elbows, knees & toes for instant softness.

• Heat up in hands & use as a massage balm for fatigued muscles & joints.

• Apply to shaved legs to enjoy its extra softening and soothing properties.

• Rub on mosquito bites to soothe &reduce itching and swelling.

• Drop a few tablespoons of Balm in hot bath water for a moisturizing soak.

• Apply to fading scars &burns to speed up healing time.

CARDAMOM ROSE - Nail & Cuticle Treatment Balm

•  Use on nails & cuticles, for stronger, shiny, healthy looking nails.

• Put it on top of nails after a manicure to make the paint colour shiny and luminous.

• Apply generously to hands before bed and cover with gloves for a deeply hydrating treatment overnight.

• Apply to paper cuts so that they are instantly soothed &leave no scars.

• Use as a hand cream or lotion base for extra moisturizing the hands.

ALOE VERA LEMON MINT - Cracked Heel Treatment Balm

• Apply liberally on heels to soothe & treat cracked heels.

• Use on dry feet before putting on workout shoes, as the heat from the exercise helps the nourishing oils soak in better, leaving feet extra-soft.

• Apply on feet before slipping into shoes to keep them hydrated and protect them from blisters.

• Apply generously to feet before bed and cover with cotton socks for a deeply hydrating treatment overnight.

• Use as a Foot cream base for extra moisturizing the feet

NEROLI ORANGE - Dry Skin Treatment Balm

• Try these tips to get body beautiful with this balm:

• Use as a sun-soother, to calm dry, itchy sun exposed skin after a day at the beach or the pool.

• If pregnant, apply to belly to reduce & prevent stretch marks.

• Massage all over body for a spa like massage experience.

• Soothe razor burn irritation by applying a very thin layer on the skin.

•  Apply as a nighttime moisturizer or deeply hydrating mask for your neck.

•  Apply to ears in winter when they burn because of the cold weather.

A power packed blend exclusively for the treatment of dry & brittle nail cuticles & rough skin on your hands. Let the vitamin-rich virgin coconut, rice bran & soya help nourish, hydrate & soften, while avocado, sunflower & rose help to condition, strengthen & protect, for total hand care.  You will love the warming cardamom sensation that also helps invigorate & delight the senses.

Try these innovative balm uses for fast effective hand & nail rescue:

This is the solution for fast relief from cracked heel & dry, thickened skin on the feet. Nutrient-rich virgin coconut helps heal & repair, while organic Aloe Vera hydrates skin. Rice bran & Wheatgerm help nourish & soften, while Lemon, Lime & Peppermint essential oils soothe, cool & purify feet, totally relaxing the senses.

Fast-track your foot recue with this balm, using these techniques:

This delightfully fragrant balm is an effective targeted treatment for extra dry, rough & discoloured skin on the body. Nutrient-rich virgin coconut, rice bran & soya help nourish & hydrate, while almond & avocado helps soften, condition & protect skin. Orange & bergamot essential oils help lighten skin, while Neroli promotes a sense of calm & tranquility. 

 For more information please call Spa Ceylon on 5544398

Royal Hair Rituals

Women of the Royal courts of our Indian sub-continent were especially renowned for their dark, thick and lustrous locks, emphasizing how we have always treasured glowing beautiful hair as an integral sign of an individual’s health & beauty.

Ayurveda Hair Rituals

In fact, they are said to have hand blended fresh plants, fruits and herbs and applied them directly to their hair for centuries. Ancient Ayurveda texts contain numerous references to treatments, rinses, lotions, infusions & pastes for beautifying, strengthening and improving hair health.  Today Spa Ceylon Ayurveda captures these traditional practices in their range of luxuriously indulgent aromatic natural formulae, delivering a royal pampering experience for your hair & scalp.

Head Massage

In addition to pampering, Ayurveda head massage affects not only the immediate areas massaged; it is a healing, rejuvenating and thoroughly stimulating experience as well. These rituals not only cover your head, but also the upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp & face too. In much the same way that Traditional Chinese Medicine dictates that certain points on the feet are directly aligned to internal organs, Ayurveda texts relate certain parts of the head to other body parts and symptoms or diseases. Extending from 30 to 60 minutes, Ayurveda head massages are also great to improve hair growth, reduce hair loss & condition hair, as well as calm & soothe the nervous system, as hair roots are connected to nerve fibers.

Scalp Massage Oils

The choice of oil plays a very important role in any head massage.  Traditional Ayurveda formulations of scalp & hair treatment oils help to cool, soothe, nourish & treat a range of scalp, hair & health problems, while Aromaveda scalp massage oils blended with natural essential oils help to calm, relax & balance your senses as well as soften, nourish & fragrance your hair. The choice of oils should be according to your dosha type and your hair & scalp needs. Choose from cooling Aloe Vera Water grass, soothing Neroli Jasmine or warming Sandalwood Vetiver to enjoy a greatly relaxing head & scalp massage.

Hair Fragrance – Hair Oil Mists

Wearing fragrant flowers for special occasions and scenting the hair with incense while it is being dried are traditions that have been practiced by Indian womenfolk to perfume their hair for centuries.  Burning charcoal mixed with frankincense was the ancient equivalent of a hair dryer - it helped with drying the hair, imparting fragrance & preventing hair problems.  Luxurious pampering from a bygone era, the ritual of hair fragrance is adapted to modern lifestyles with Spa Ceylon’s easy absorbent light hair oil mists finely perfumed with essential oils - to pamper & protect.

Spa Ceylon Hair Care

Spa Ceylon’s hair spa range is enriched with 100% natural Ayurveda herbs & pure organic essential oils to restore scalp & hair balance. Formulated in 3 dosha specific variants - Neroli Jasmine (Vaatha), Aloe Vera Water grass (Piththa) & Sandalwood Vetiver (Kapha). Choose from Scalp & Hair Cleansers, Hair Conditioners, Scalp & Hair Treatment Oils, Scalp Massage Oils & Hair Oil Mists - to treat soothe calm & balance your body, mind & soul.

Talk to Spa Ceylon on 011 5544398 or log on to www.spaceylon.com

Heavenly Hands!

Royal Rituals

Graceful, delicate hands have long held a fascination and been considered an essential part of Royalty in Asian cultures.  During the Moghul era, the ideal hand was considered to be smooth, un-tanned, with long, graceful fingers.  Indian royals were very proud of their slender fingers, with art from the era prominently displaying long slender hands of the empresses and princesses holding various regal objects.

Ancient Manicures

Manicuring and coloring the nails are nothing new. Myrrh has been used by African Royals to strengthen their nails for thousands of years, while Egyptian Royals decorated their nails by dipping them in orange henna. Elsewhere, long nails were symbols of power; members of the Chinese nobility grew their fingernails to absurd lengths, decorating them with jewel-encrusted nail guards. Even in ancient Ceylon, ladies of the royal court are said to have been influenced by Ayurveda practices and indulged in exotic natural hand care rituals – using the island’s abundant spice oils and nutrient coconut oil.

Caring Rituals for Hands

The hands are sites of powerful pressure points connecting every part of your body via meridians or energy channels, so stimulating these vital points with a weekly hand massage gives you a total workout. Manicures and hand massages release overall tension, allowing you to stand tall, improving posture and restoring the free flow of energy through your entire system.

Spa Ceylon Hand Care

Inspired by ancient Ceylonese Royal well-being rituals, Spa Ceylon’s Ayurveda hand care formulae treat, soften and protect your hands, cuticles and nails. Power packed with herbs and traditionally aromatic spice oils known for their powerfully antiseptic and antifungal properties, they help stimulate blood flow to the extremities while helping to sooth and calm your senses too.

Cardamom Rose Hand Cream

This natural revitalizing treatment moisturizes, nourishes, treats and repairs dry and rough skin. For ultra supple hands, apply at night before slipping on a pair of cotton gloves. Wearing them as you sleep intensifies the penetrating powers of the herbs and by morning your hands will feel luxuriously soft and smooth.  Complement this ritual by using our Cardamom Rose natural hand wash.  

Cardamom Rose Nail and Cuticle Treatment Balm

This 100% natural formula is designed for intensive treatment of dry and brittle nails, cuticles and rough skin. Vitamin-rich Virgin Coconut, Rice Bran and Soya, nourish, hydrate and soften, while Avocado, Sunflower and Rose help condition. Warming Cardamom essential oil helps strengthen and protect, for total hand care.

Peace – Lemongrass Hand Care  

If you love the addictive aroma of calming Lemongrass, these are the formulae for you.  The gentle hand cleanser along with the hand and body lotion, are blended with herbs and essential oils helping promote peace and harmony. Lemongrass calms and balances, promoting inner peace. Lavender gently relaxes and helps restore tranquility. Organic fresh Aloe Vera hydrates, while Virgin Coconut and Green Olive help keep hands naturally soft and smooth..

For more information please call Spa Ceylon on 011 5544398 or join us at www.facebook.com/spaceylon, www.spaceylon.com 

Romantic Pampering from Spa Ceylon

Do something different this season of love.  Pamper both your partner and yourself with an indulgent natural experience inspired by our very own Royal well being rituals. Fragrant, natural, and loved by all, these pampering rituals help to effortlessly de-stress, soothe, calm & relax your body, mind & soul. 

Romantic Body Massage

Not only is a good massage a great gift to give to or receive from that special someone in your life, it also helps to connect more intimately with your partner, while the use of sensual massage oils guarantee a kick start to a great evening of romance.  Set the mood for romance with aromatic natural wax candles with pure essential oils. These not only add beautiful natural aromas to your living spaces, they also help soothe your senses. 

Romantic Flower Petal Milk bath

If you are one of those lucky few who are spending your valentine in some exotic hotel with an en-suite jacuzzi or private plunge pool, then this is a must do spa romance idea. As the tub fills up, add a cup of fresh milk and a throw in a handful of fragrantly fresh flower petals - rose, lotus and jasmine are great for this. Let the natural essences of all the exotic ingredients blend in for 5 to 10 minutes before the two of you indulge in a luxuriously softening n relaxing soak to help you both relax and unwind.

Alternatively, try a long early-evening indulgence with a pre-blended aromatic bath soak enriched with herbs & floral essential oils - to help you both to relax, unwind & set the mood for an evening of romance. Don’t forget to keep a bottle of bubbly by the bath for a sparkling indulgence as you soak in the rich aromas.

Romantic Chill-out with Mood Enhancing Aromas

If you are the type that goes in for a more laid back, chilled-out our experience, then romantic mood oils will work great for you. Enrich your living spaces by burning a pure essential oil for about half an hour prior to your special guest arriving & then relax & chill as the natural aromas take over your senses.

Exotic Ylang Ylang, almost-hypnotic Neroli (extracted from Orange blossoms) & tropical Ceylon Jasmine are 3 of the most luxuriously fragrant essential oils - to soothe the senses, turn on the sensuality & inspire romance.

Ice breaker - Cooling Foot Massage

Surprising your partner with a relaxing foot massage is always a great ice-breaker.  Remember, your feet have thousands of nerve endings that connect to your entire body system and a foot massage does wonders for health and wellbeing.  Take time to chat, unwind & enjoy each others company while you are giving the the massage.

Romantic Spa Packages – A treat for your valentine!

You could also surprise your valentine by booking an indulgent spa romance package for the two of you. For total indulgence, choose a 2 ½ hours luxurious couples’ package with 90 minutes of indulgent body rituals for both of you, followed by a romantic floral bath with a bottle of bubbly, strawberries & cream. Or for a lesser indulgence, try couples foot spa packages with 60 to 120 minutes of pampering foot massage, followed by a tropical fruit platter & herbal teas.

Spa Ceylon wishes you a Happy Valentine! 

More info? Call 2680800

Nourish & Treat

Step II & III to Naturally Lighter, Brighter Skin

Radiant skin, shiny hair, healthy skin and beautiful appearance suggests health and well-being  while giving you a sense of total confidence when stepping out.  It is also true that real beauty is not just skin deep, but having beautiful skin on the exterior is an added bonus which most of us would sacrifice an arm and a leg for!

Supplying your skin with the correct nutrients, de-stressing and calming the skin should be a prime concern and are the main objectives in the “Nourish and Treat” stages of Spa Ceylon’s 5 step natural skin brightening process. A low fat diet with lots of vitamin rich greens, carotene rich vegetables, protein rich lentils and fresh citrus fruits work particularly well to nourish your skin from the inside.  Externally, a nightly facial treatment routine with vitamin rich oils and a tri-weekly herbal facial masque works wonders to nourish and treat your skin – no matter what your skin color.

Ayurveda Facial Masques

These are a combination of a traditional Ayurveda Alepa - external oil application and traditional Paththu – pastes that are left on the skin for absorption of herbal actives to the skin. The creamy combination of herbal powders, white minerals and fine natural clays  in Spa Ceylon’s Facial Masques work to deep purify skin, drawing out toxins and unclogging pores in order help vitamin nourishment reach further into the skin.  

Instant Pre-party Radiance Boost

These masques are an ideal pre-party quick fixed, helping to clarify and calm skin, instantly boosting skin radiance and give you visibly rested, revitalized and brighter skin, with a fresh, naturally healthy glow.

WHITE JASMINE Facial Masque

Designed for Normal to Dry skin. Jasmine, Rice Bran, Avocado and natural vitamins help improve skin tone, while Licorice, Green Tea, Watercress and Bearberry inhibit formation of dark cells. Virgin Coconut and Honey help soothe, hydrate and soften, while Sweet Almond and Olive promote lightening of marks and discolorations, instantly increasing skin radiance.

WHITE TUBEROSE Facial Masque

A lighter creamy formula with 100% pure precious Tuberose oil, this formula is specifically for Normal to Oily and Sensitive skin. Fine Natural Clays combine with deep-acting White Minerals to cleanse, purify and refresh skin, removing excess oil. Arnica, Rice Bran and natural vitamins help control excessive oil.

Night Repair Face Treatment Oils

Developed on the same basis as traditional Ayurveda Thaila (Oils), these 100% natural nutrient rich overnight formulae are extra-light, fast-absorbent, and enriched with Sweet Almond, Avocado and Wheatgerm to help even-out overall skin tone while improving skin health. 

Natural Age Defence

Packed with natural anti-ageing benefits, they help de-stress skin, reduce puffiness and make wrinkles and age-lines look less pronounced, promoting a more youthful appearance. Makes skin feel nourished, soothed and softer, and primes your skin to look healthier, brighter and more radiant after your morning cleansing routine.

WHITE JASMINE Face Treatment Oil

Formulated for Normal to Dry skin, the formula combines concentrated Olive extracts with Rice Bran and natural vitamins to soothe, nourish and hydrate skin, helping to accelerate the overnight skin recovery process.

 WHITE TUBEROSE Face Treatment Oil

Formulated for Normal to Oily skin, this extra-light formula is a therapeutic blend of Arnica, Lavender, concentrated Olive extracts and natural vitamins gently soothe, nourish and improve skin balance while helping to soothe and calm the skin overnight.

Mercury Free – Bleach Free

Instead of harsh chemical bleaches, potentially harmful mercuric compounds and acidic peeling agents, Spa Ceylon WHITE formulae are enriched with all natural plant extracts, nourishing oils and natural vitamins to gently lighten, brighten and illuminate your face and body.

Information:  Call 011 2680800 or log on to www.spaceylon.com

Introducing WHITE By Spa Ceylon

Royal Beauty Rituals

Through the centuries, clear radiant skin has been recognized in Asian cultures as an essential element of true beauty. Since the ancient Moghul era, Royalty in our region are said to have indulged in exotic beauty rituals using precious Ayurveda potions specially blended to beautify, lighten & brighten skin on their face & body.  Radiant, glowing skin was often believed to be a preserve of ancient aristocracy who had access to these exotic potions, with even art from the era prominently displaying glowing, radiant skin on the empresses & princesses.

First Impressions

Even in today’s context, where first impressions are so important, the first thing that catches a person’s attention is your face & nothing communicates beauty than healthy, clear, radiantly glowing skin.

Ayurveda Heritage

The 5000 year old science of Ayurveda includes a whole host of natural formulae to naturally improve skin health, thereby promoting skin radiance.  Ancient Ayurveda manuscripts document formulas for exotic potions such as  ‘Kumkumaadi Thailaya’ made with Saffron, Turmeric & other precious herbs – for lightening & brightening skin. Other skin lightening Ayurveda herbs often mentioned in the ancient texts include Turmeric, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Kokum Bark, Ghee Milk, Almond, Neem & Aloe Vera.

Spa Ceylon WHITE Facial Care

Inspired by ancient Ayurveda recipes & modern demand for natural skin brightening formulae, Spa Ceylon has created a complete home use facial care range enriched with whitening Ceylonese floral essences & potent Ayurveda herbs to gently lighten & brighten skin on the face & body. These formulae are power packed with natural actives to help improve overall skin health and accelerate the skin’s natural cell renewal process & remove discolorations, dark spots & sunburn, revealing fresher, more radiant & illuminated skin.  

All Natural Ingredients

The products are free from all forms of bleach, acidic peeling agents, chemical skin lighteners, alcohol, animal fats & glycols founds in synthetic skin whitening preparations.  Instead, they are packed with Spa Ceylon’s patent pending proprietary “White Active Blend” of nutrient rich Rice Bran, Wheatgerm, Almond, Avocado & Virgin Coconut to deliver natural vitamin nourishment to the skin. A secondary blend Licorice (Valmee), Watercress (Got kola), Green Tea & Bearberry help to expedite skin lightening through the gentle inhibition of production of skin darkening cells. Jasmine, Sandalwood, Aloe Vera, Tuberose & Witch Hazel are also included to add more naturally soothing, illuminating & whitening benefits to the formulae.

Dosha Specific Formulae 

In keeping with Ayurveda Dosha principles, the products have been formulated in several variants, to suit different Dosha prominent skin types. The White Jasmine range is recommended for normal to dry skin, while the White Tuberose range is recommended for normal to oily skin.  

5 Step Whitening Process

The non-invasive Spa Ceylon UltraWhite® skin treatment process works fivefold to purify, nourish, hydrate, soothe & treat – delivering high performance skin lightening benefits – without the use of harsh synthetic chemicals.

WHITE By Spa Ceylon

Spa Ceylon new White themed facility also offers a range of unique natural whitening facial & body care ritual programs, as well as spot treatments for specific problem areas on the body.

For more information please call WHITE By Spa Ceylon on 011 2680800 or log on to www.spaceylon.com