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Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Look and feel great when the temperature dips

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www.freedigitalphotos.netLooking great and feeling good even in the depths of winter can be easy if you have a plan in place. We have some great tips so you can look and feel fantastic from head to toe however frosty it is outside.

Moisturise
Cold winds and dry air parch skin and hair so if you do nothing else this winter, make sure you moisturise. Healing jojoba, sweet almond and argan oil are all fantastic ways to replenish moisture levels and aid hydtration. Coconut oil and shea butter helps lock in moisture. Just remember skin is most receptive to products when it is warm and damp so apply creams and oils then for maximum benefit.

Body Basics
Every now and again it is good to go back to basics if you want to achieve healthy skin. During winter months try to use an emollient-rich body wash when you shower or take a bath as this will not only moisturise your skin but also help keep it hydrated.

If your skin is extra-sensitive, coconut oil is perfect for lathering onto your body before you enter the shower, and can then be gently washed away with a soft cotton cloth.

Coconut oil and olive oil are excellent cleansers if your skin is dry or dehydrated, and can even be used to remove makeup if the weather is really playing havoc with your moisture levels.

Healthy Hair
We often forget about our hair in the winter and don’t give it a second thought however damp and wild it gets. One easy trick is to rub a coin-sized amount of olive or coconut oil into your hair and scalp, wrap it in a towel and then enjoy a warm bath. After 15 minutes, shampoo as usual and you’ll find this easy treatment will boost your hair leaving it shiny and full of natural body.

Sun Aware
Just because it’s cold it doesn’t mean that the sun can’t cause damage. It’s a good idea to continue protecting skin on a day-to-day basis from the sun and don’t forget those powerful rays can get through clouds. If you’re hitting the slopes make sure you pack UVA and UVB blocking creams and wear glasses to protect the eyes and prevent lines deepening as a result of sun squinting. Go for a decent lip balm with protection too and you will be kissable all winter long.

Beauty Sleep
Getting enough sleep not only helps prevent dark circles and bags but it is also vital if you want your immune system to stay strong. The elusive ‘eight hours’ of sleep can also help prevent weight gain and if those zzzzzzs doesn’t come to you try taking a melatonin or L-lysine supplement.

Fantastic Food
We have said it before and we are saying it again but retaining moisture is vital for healthy skin, nails and hair and what you eat plays a huge part. Whilst crisps, peanuts and canapés are out in full force as we had towards Christmas, they won’t help you feel full or do you fat levels any good. Make sure your diet is high in vegetables and fibre, add fruit but don’t over do it, and eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA will help create healthy lipid membranes that help to keep water in cells. Aim to drink about eight glasses of water a day and if you do go for the bubbles at the office party, alternative with H2O if you want to keep that hangover at bay.

Dress for the Weather
Looking gorgeous in the winter requires a little wardrobe tweaking but it isn’t difficult. A pair of cotton-lined gloves will protect your hands and nails and help keep precious moisture in your skin. Wrap a coordinating scarf around your face when cold winds threaten to dehydrate facial skin, and top off your look with a hat that will not only keep you warm but also look after your hair. When it comes to coats you can look great and feel toasty and don’t forget to keep your feet toasts, chilblains are no fun.

Whatever you do, keep warm.

Decleor, Dermalogica, Health and Happiness, Skincare Advice

It’s All About the Vitamins

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Vitamins

Everyone knows how important vitamins and minerals are for a healthy, balanced diet but do you know what each individual one does for you? We thought we’d take a look at 5 of the most important vitamins for our skin and hair, and our favourite products which contain them.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is found in many foods, such as liver pate, sweet potato and carrots and is important for a number of things, including various dermatological issues. Retinol is an element of vitamin A and is vital for maintaining normal skin and turns immature skin cells into fully formed ones. Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant contains vitamin A to exfoliate the skin, while Dermalogica Intensive Eye Repair uses it to protect the skin against free-radicals and detoxify the skin to prevent the signs of aging.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is perhaps the most famous of all the vitamins, with orange juice being the most obvious source, but there are actually several sources of vitamin c which give a much better yield, such as bell peppers. Decleor Anti-Dark Circle Multi-Brightening Eye Care is rich in vitamin C, which helps prevent, correct and visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and shadows.

Vitamin B

There’s a huge range of B vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and Folic Acid, which are essential for helping the body to produce red blood cells and keeping the body healthy. Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment contains Provitamin B5 to help heal and soothe rough, cracked skin on your hands. It also helps to strengthen your nails and relieve dry cuticles.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E has long been considered one of the best defences against the signs of aging and is found in a number of oils, such as almond and sunflower oils. Dermalogica Climate Control Lip Treatment contains vitamin E to moisturise and enrich dry, chapped lips while the vitamin E in Dermalogica Antioxidant HydraMist forms part of an active barrier which fights damaging free radicals.

Vitamin F

Vitamin F is better known as linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid which abundant in seeds such as flax, poppy, sunflower and hemp. The body cannot synthesise it naturally but needs it for maintaining healthy hair and skin. It can also be found in Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque, in which it works alongside a bunch of other vitamins to increase elasticity and collagen production, as well as a whole load of other benefits.

Health and Happiness

Keep your back healthy at work

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Did you know that back pain is one of the leading cause of long-term sickness in the UK, responsible for millions of sick days every year.

In a recent survey by the British Chiropractic Association as 86% of people in the UK have suffered from back and neck pain which is hardly surprising given that they also found that on average, people spend almost half the day (10 hours) sitting and less than two hours being active.

Your job might mean you spend much of your time sat at a desk, but by making small changes you can help prevent the pain getting worse, or even better prevent it from starting at all.

We have some great tips on getting it right, before your back goes wrong:

Get your chair right
Sounds basic but you will be amazed at how many people don’t use the right chair in the correct way.

A standard office chair has five legs in a star shape needs to be stable or you are in trouble from the start. The height needs to be adjustable, and so does the back-rest which also needs to be able to tilt. Ideally, your back-rest should be able to move independently of the seat so you can find a safe, comfortable position.

If you’re sitting correctly your thighs will be at right angles to your body, or slightly sloping, and your feet should be firmly on the floor, but a footrest can be used if this is more acceptable.

Sit up straight
We all remember teachers at school telling us not to slouch but it is something many of us do at work without even realising.

Slouching might not seem like a big deal but if you are doing it for hours every day it weaken the muscles in our chest and upper back and causes pain. Once again it is essential to make sure you desk is set up correctly and that you focus on your posture during the day.

Watch your neck
How many times have you come up for air from your computer and found your neck to be stiff and tired? To prevent your neck becoming painful ensure your monitor is comfortably placed in the centre of your desk and your chair is positioned so your hips and spine are straight.

Shoulders Back
There is no denying that however hard you try, when you are sat at a desk for most of the day your shoulders become hunched. Ensure that when you take a break you rotate and stretch your shoulders to relax tightened muscles and maintain your natural alignment.

Take a break
When you are engrossed in a project it is really easy to stay sat in the same position for ages. Whilst this might be good for your to-do list, it could be harming your back.

Experts suggest you take a couple of minutes break every half an hour, move away from your desk. Have a walk around the office, grab a drink and even stretch out your muscles, hips, thighs and hamstrings and prevent them becoming tight, sort and strained.

Keep active
We all have busy lives and when you leave work it is all too temping to simply head home and veg out. Try to fit in some exercise every day even if it is walking to and from work, taking the dog out or going to a Zumba class. Every little helps and it will all add up to a happier, less achy back too±

Health and Happiness

The Health Benefits of Beetroot

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beetrootBeetroot has gone through something of a culinary revival of late, with every chef worth their salt getting in on the act and featuring the starchy root veg on their menu, but there’s actually a lot of goodness in them too. Beetroot has been proven time and again to have a whole bunch of health-improving properties, so we thought we’d take a look at beets and all of the good they can do when eaten as part of a balanced diet.

Lowering blood pressure

A clinical study, published in 2008, showed that drinking just 500ml of beetroot juice in a day could significantly lower blood pressure, due to the high levels of nitrates in them. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to a whole host of nasty diseases, such as kidney failure and heart disease, so beetroot could be a fantastic ally against many of these potentially fatal conditions.

Reducing inflammation

Beets contain lots of something called ‘choline’, a compound which the body uses to help reduce inflammation, as well as maintaining the structure of cellular membranes, aiding in the transmission of nerve impulses and assisting in the absorption of fat. It also helps to promote sleep, which is hugely important for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, too.

Detoxification

Beetroot also contains betalin, the stuff which makes them that beautiful reddish-purple colour, which support phase-2 detoxification in the body and actually purify the blood and liver. This should have a profound effect on the skin, giving you a much clearer complexion.

Keeping you regular

Okay, so bowel movements aren’t exactly the nicest topic to chat about, but good motility in this area is really important. There’s a huge amount of fibre in beetroot which will help to keep everything moving, and this will help you to avoid feeling full and sluggish.

Boosting your immune system

Making beets a regular part of your diet will really help to boost your immune system. Beets are super high in vitamin C, one of the most common go-to supplements when fighting a cold, as well as potassium, which helps maintain healthy nerve and muscle function and manganese, which is good for your pancreas, bones, liver and kidneys.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Anyone for a brew?

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www.freedigitalphotos.comAs well as being obsessed with the weather, there is no denying that Britain is a nation of tea drinkers.

According to the UK Tea & Infusions Association, we drink a staggering 165 million cups daily or 60.2 billion per year; wow! 96% of cuppas are made with a tea bag rather than loose leaf and 98% of us drink it with milk.

It is estimated that there are around 1,500 different varieties of tea, each with a slightly different taste and colour, which tends to be influenced by the soil, wind conditions, temperature and the quality of the plucking.

Today the variety of teas on the market is vast and as the trend for healthier living grows, so does the range of green and exotic blends.

The thing is, a tea break isn’t just about having a drink. It’s about taking time out, relaxing and today we are looking at why tea is so great.

Brew it the right way
There isn’t a one-size fits all method when it comes to making tea. There’s a little bit of science involved as each type needs a different amount of time to brew. White and green teas usually take around two minutes to reach perfection where as black teas take up to five minutes. Remember to remove the leaves or teabags once they are ready or your tea will stew and lose its flavour.

Check the temperature
Get the water temperature right and you are more likely to get a brew with an ‘oooo’. Always use freshly boiled water when making black tea as this energises the leaf so the tea tastes better. If you’re going for green tea use a lower temperature of around 80c to avoid the bitterness that can be experienced using freshly boiled water. It is also a good idea to note that the best flavour is achieved when the water contains oxygen so don’t boil it more than once – we didn’t know that either.

Keep Calm
There is no getting away from it, tea does contain caffeine but this can actually offer a boost and help you concentrate more. What you might not know it that it also contains L-theanine, an amino acid believed to offer calming properties, which can balance out the caffeine hit.

Tea for great skin
Forget lotions and potions, if you want great skin, drink tea. It is recommended that we drink at least 1.5 litres of fluid per day to prevent dehydration and tea can help you reach that target. Keeping hydrated leads to healthier skin and drinking white tea (tea in its purest form) is excellent as it is packed with beautifying antioxidants and at one time it was saved for Chinese royalty only.

Health for life
It is thought that just three cups of tea a day can help stabilise blood pressure reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack. Scientists believe that the healthy flavonoids found in tea boost health and have a positive antioxidant effect whether it is drunk black or with milk.

Studies have also revealed that some of the compounds found in green tea could actually help people with type 2 diabetes process sugar more easily.

Drinking green tea can potentially also boost bone mineral density and strength.

A friend for life
Sounds daft but if you have tea, you have a friend for life. There is something totally conforming about sitting with a cup of tea when life gets tough and you need to take time out and reflect. Whether you drink it alone or with friends, in summer or winter, with milk or without, you know you aren’t alone when you have a cup of tea in your hands.

Whether you go for a mug of builder’s brew, Earl Grey in bone china cup or a take-away green tea on the run, enjoy your tea your way.

Tea is a Lift Style. Coffee is a fad.

Health and Happiness

Yoga – Which is the Best Form for You?

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YogaMost people are aware of the enormous amount of health benefits associated with regularly practicing yoga, but few people are aware that there are actually several different types of yoga. Whether you’re a total novice and want to try the ancient Indian exercise which promotes blood-flow, increases bone density and improves core strength and flexibility, or an old-hand who wants to try something new, take a look at our guide below to see which form of yoga would be best for you.

Ashtanga

Ashtanga yoga is quite a fast-paced, vigorous form of yoga in which poses are only held for five breaths. This is probably not the best form of yoga for a total novice, or someone without a basic level of fitness, but if you’re in okay shape and fancy a challenge, Ashtanga classes can be quite easily found all over the UK. Treat yourself to a bath with some Dermalogica Hydro-Active Mineral Salts once you get home to avoid muscle soreness.

Bikram

Bikram yoga was invented in the early 1970’s by Bikram Choudhury and is also commonly known as ‘hot’ yoga as it is performed in a room which is heated to at least 40°C with 40% humidity. It is thought to rid the body of toxins through the excessive sweating that Bikram yoga generally causes and although people with certain health conditions should avoid this sort of conditioning, it is thought to burn around 330 calories per session, the equivalent of walking briskly for an hour and a half! Ensure you rehydrate after class and give your face a spritz with some Dermalogica UltraCalming Mist to reduce redness.

Iyengar

Iyengar is a great form of yoga for beginners as it focuses on perfecting form in each pose, and can be done using a series of blocks, belts and other props to do so. It can be great if you’re naturally stiff or recovering from injury as the emphasis is on getting it right rather than forcing stretches which you simply aren’t ready for. You’ll probably also benefit from using a little Decleor Circulagel Refreshing Leg Gel after your class, to keep the blood flowing and help revive sore legs.

Hatha

Hatha yoga is a gentle class which focuses solely on the physical side of yoga, rather than the spiritual and meditation parts and is great if you want a quick fix. The class doesn’t ‘flow’ in quite the same way as other forms of yoga but if you just want to learn the basics then this would be perfect for you. We recommend using Decleor Circularome Stimulating Body Serum after your post-workout shower to boost circulation and keep your skin glowing.

Health and Happiness

BRILLIANTLY BUSY DAYS

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Can I, do I, should I are all thoughts that can whirl around our minds during a busy day when we don’t get enough time to stop and take a moment. A recent survey by RESCUE discovered that during a busy day 34% of people rarely stop to take a moment to help comfort themselves and gather their thoughts. While 42% wish they were more composed during a busy day.

Each and every day brings a number of choices, but what happens when confusion kicks in? In a world where worries, doubts, restlessness and hectic schedules have become a normal part of our day, how do we shift our minds from a ‘survive’ to ‘thrive’ mentality?

When your mind is calm, you think more clearly. With the pressures of our modern, fast-paced lifestyles, people often find themselves overwhelmed and confused.

Neil Shah from the Stress Management Society and Sally Wisbey, Nutritionist have come up with some tips to help give you feel cool, calm and collected so you can see the pros and cons of the situation:

  • Time out: taking mini breaks when you feel overwhelmed to enable you to remove yourself from the situation. Going outside for some fresh air, if possible, would be ideal as oxygen will help regain clarity and concentration.
  • Bellows Breath: Another way of getting blood and oxygen moving around the body and up to the brain is by practicing a simple breathing technique:

o Stand up straight in a comfortable position with your feet hip distance apart.

o Before starting the breathing have a look around the room; focus on the colour, sound, energy and how you feel.

o Inhale through the nose and raise arms out sideways. The diaphragm descends and belly pumps out as you do.

o Exhale through the mouth and bend arms in to ribs. We will be repeating this 30 times. 10 x slow, 10 x medium and 10 x fast.

o Take time to look around the room again. What changes do you notice?

What you eat and drink can also have a big impact on your mind and body so it’s important to be mindful about your diet and ensure you are eating the right foods. Nutritionist Sally Wisbey has these tips to help keep you feeling calm and relaxed:

  • Avoid processed and fast foods, fizzy drinks, caffeine and foods containing gluten, dairy and sugar as they strain the body.
  • Eat slowly and take time to enjoy your food! Many of us lead such busy lifestyles we eat on the go, walking, standing up or at our desks which can all put pressure on the digestive system. Take time out to sit down, away from work and be mindful about what you are eating, chewing your food thoroughly.
  • Instead of reaching for that sugary snack when you’re busy, stick the kettle on and make a cup of chamomile tea, know to have a calming effect.
  • It’s hard to believe that some chocolate is actually good for us! Rich in magnesium, dark chocolate helps relax the nervous system and make us feel calm. Snack on 1-2 squares of dark chocolate during the afternoon.
  • Take a moment out and pop a soothing RESCUE® Pastille into your mouth. RESCUE Pastilles provide a moment of calm and contain a combination of five Bach™ Original Flower Essences – Star of Bethlehem, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Cherry Plum.

 

RESCUE® is available from Boots, Holland & Barrett, independent pharmacies and health food stores, grocery stores nationwide and online.

Decleor, Dermalogica, Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Going Bust

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bustMany people have a daily beauty routine which starts at their hairline and stops at their chin, however the skin on your décolletage and your bust is equally as deserving of some care and attention. There are a number of reasons for loss of firmness in the bust area, such as age, breastfeeding, weight-loss and poor support from ill-fitting bras but putting a bit of life back into the area could be simpler than you think, allowing you to avoid expensive and painful surgical procedures.

Decleor Firming Gel-Cream Natural Glow

This firming gel not only works wonders on skin which has lost its natural oomph, but it also contains a gradual self-tanner which will build to give you a natural, all over colour. The cream will hydrate the skin as well as encouraging cell renewal and improving the skin’s elasticity. Smooth this over your body, concentrating on the bust area and make sure to wash your hands afterwards to avoid orange palms!

Dermalogica Extra Firming Booster

This intensive treatment from Dermalogica may not be suitable for treating your entire bust, but using on the décolletage and upper bust will certainly improve the appearance and firmness of the skin in these areas. The formula is packed with seaweed, vitamin C and protein peptides to give your skin a boost.

Decleor Prolagene Gel

Decleor’s Prolagene Gel is a potent multitasking product which contains the amino acid Proline L, a chemical which is similar in its make-up to plant collagen and will speed up cell renewal to improve the look of stretch marks and scarring in addition to loose skin. This product is particularly recommended for use after weight loss and pregnancy and can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of loose skin.

Decleor Sculpt Firming Body Serum

This body serum has a seriously luxurious feel and provides both preventative and corrective treatment against sagging skin and stretchmarks, making it perfect for the bust area. The formula was actually specifically made for pregnant women and has been extensively tested by skin experts and gynaecologists, who have deemed this product totally safe for use whilst pregnant.

Decleor Sculpt Firming Balm

Another product in the Decleor Sculpt line, which is ideal for use during pregnancy, this balm is best used in the evening after a shower and can be used on all areas, especially the tummy and bust to fight the signs of stretched skin. It also provides a deeply moisturising action, which can be a great relief during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy when skin can become dry and itchy.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Be Vitamin D Aware

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Did you know that one third of UK adults spend less than an hour per day outdoors? This was the findings of new research conducted ahead of National Vitamin D Awareness Week by Pharma Nord (www.pharmanord.co.uk).

A further 50 per cent of the 650 people surveyed in the poll said they spend less than two hours per day outdoors, while just 5 per cent spend more than four hours outside.

Around 90% of our vitamin D requirement needs to be created in the skin in response to strong sunlight. Up to 50 per cent of UK adults are thought to be deficient in this vital ‘sunshine’ vitamin, with the highest rates of deficiency in Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland due to limited sun exposure.

Vitamin D deficiency costs the UK taxpayer £29 billion annually – more than a quarter of the NHS budget. Despite the prevalence of deficiency, three quarters of UK adults admit that they have never had a vitamin D test, either through a GP or a self-test.

The importance of vitamin D

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern, with symptoms often more apparent and severe during winter.

A lack of vitamin D is also associated with poor immune health, susceptibility to colds and flu and tiredness and fatigue.

The new survey from Pharma Nord, developers of oil-based vitamin D supplement Bio-Vitamin D3, has revealed that:

Two thirds of those surveyed suffer with low mood or depression, which becomes worse during the winter months.

More than half of UK adults admit that they often feel tired and regularly catch colds and flu during the winter months.

One in ten catch three to five common viruses such as colds, flu and stomach bugs per year; and

Only 13 per cent are not affected by seasonal illnesses.

Commenting on the research, Dr Chris Steele, medical doctor and ITV This Morning’s resident GP said: “There needs to be greater awareness of the risk of vitamin D deficiency in the UK. While all of us could be affected, the higher risk groups include those aged over 65, pregnant and breastfeeding women, ethnic minorities, children and people who spend large amounts of time indoors.

“I would urge all UK adults, and particularly people in these groups, to discuss with their GP a vitamin D test and the taking of a high quality vitamin D supplement. There is often confusion over the best form of vitamin D to take, so look for vitamin D3 as this form is identical to the kind produced naturally in the skin. Also oil-based capsules can be more easily absorbed by the body compared to dry, chalky tablets.”

Berni Taylor, 47, an account manager at a digital printing agency suffered with vitamin D deficiency before taking Pharma Nord’s Bio-Vitamin D3. Berni explains: “I went to my GP for a blood test which revealed I was vitamin D deficient. I had no idea that this would be the case so was quite shocked. My GP recommended that I take Bio-Vitamin D3 daily. Now I feel a lot better in myself and have noticed that I have more energy. As we head into winter I’m hopeful that my immune system will be stronger and I’ll catch fewer colds and flu as I am no longer deficient in vitamin D. I would advise you to consider taking a vitamin D test as you could be living with deficiency like me. I have really noticed a difference since taking a daily supplement.”

Dr David Mantle, medical adviser at Pharma Nord added: “Common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include tiredness or fatigue, low mood particularly during the winter months and a greater susceptibility to colds and flu. That said, worryingly, there are a large number of people like Berni living with deficiency and completely unaware. The only way to know for sure is to be tested for deficiency.”

Health and Happiness

How to Prevent Cold Sores

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Cold SoreIf you’re a sufferer of cold sores you’ll know that, not only can they be painful and unsightly, they can be quite tricky to treat and are usually something that you’re never really rid of. Cold sores come from the Herpes Simplex virus and can be totally symptomless until you have a breakout, which means you’re never usually prepared for when this might happen. According to the NHS website “Cold sores often start with a tingling, itching or burning sensation around your mouth. Small fluid-filled sores will then appear, most commonly on the edges of your lower lip.”.

There are a few things that you can do to help avoid having an outbreak so we thought we’d give you a few simple tips for keeping cold sores at bay.

Don’t let your lips get dry

Cold sores can often develop on areas of cracked or chapped skin, so ensuring that you protect your lips in the winter with a good lip balm is essential. We recommend Decleor Nourishing Lip Balm which will smooth and soften chapped lips and prevent any further chapping in cold weather.

Avoid L-Arginine

Believe it or not, there are certain foods which will exacerbate cold sores because they contain high levels of an amino acid called L-Arginine. Foods such as gelatin, chocolate, carob, coconut, oats, wholewheat and white flour, peanuts, soybeans and wheatgerm all contain high levels of L-Arginine so excessive consumption should be avoided in order to prevent an outbreak.

Take an L-Lysine Supplement

The good news is, not all amino acids are bad; taking the recommended dose of L-Lysine can inhibit the activity of the herpes simplex virus and help you to reduce the chances of having an outbreak. L-Lysine can be taken as a tablet but can also be found in fish, chicken, beef, lamb, milk, cheese, beans, brewer’s yeast, mung bean sprouts and most fruits and vegetables.

DON’T TOUCH!

When you have a painful area on your body, it’s human nature to touch it, but this is the easiest way to spread the virus around your mouth and cause more blisters to appear. Cold sores are at their most contagious during the blister phase and the virus is actually contained within the fluid inside the blister, so avoid picking if you don’t want more – and remember, herpes can affect other parts of your body too, even your fingers.

Take Care of Yourself

The most important thing you can do to prevent an outbreak is taking care of yourself. Cold sores are the ultimate “adding insult to injury” condition in that they often appear when you’re at your lowest ebb with stress or illness. Bolster your immune system with a good multivitamin, a healthy balanced diet and try to keep life as stress free as possible to keep these annoying little blighters at bay.