April 2017 Newsletter

Happy Easter Every Bunny!

As per the Latin word ‘aperie’, April means to open – how apt. Just as the petals on the buds begin to unravel, I too will peel back the wrapper of my favourite chocolate bar, put my feet up and savour each and every mouthful… Ahh lent, how I shan’t miss you! 😉

Jokes and April Fools aside, April has always been the month that symbolises new beginnings more than any other. The countryside becomes a thing of artistry and beauty once again, we welcome the very latest (and cutest) additions to our farms, and the religious celebrations of Easter often fall within the month, allowing us to spend more quality time with our loved ones and give thanks for all that we have.

However, three months into another busy year means that many of us are feeling the burn of the midnight oil! By now not only do our resolutions seem a distant memory but also, any newfound positive vigour we had for the year ahead has dissipated and stress has once again become habitual.

You may or may not be aware of it, but April is officially Stress Awareness Month and I wanted to take the opportunity to focus on this prevalent topic. During this month, health care professionals from all over the country join forces to increase public awareness about the causes and cures for our modern day stress epidemic. Yes, you heard me correctly, I did say epidemic.

Here are just a few statistics from HSE in 2016 on why stress is the new norm….

• The latest estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) show: The total number of cases of work related stress, depression or anxiety in 2015/16 was 488,000 cases, a prevalence rate of 1510 per 100,000 workers.

• The total number of working days lost due to this condition in 2015/16 was 11.7 million days.

• In 2015/16 stress accounted for 37% of all work related ill health cases and 45% of all working days lost due to ill health.

Facts courtesy of HSE.

Stress manifests itself in many different forms, through work, relationships, money worries and very commonly through personal appearance. There is no man or woman who can honestly say they have never felt a feeling of self-doubt or self-consciousness about their image at least once in their life, and today, more than ever before, there are thousands of treatments and procedures that all aim to improve people’s perceptions towards their image. Permanent make-up is certainly one of these treatments and it is one of the many reasons why I love my job so much, as I get to see the positive impact that my treatments have on my clients’ confidence.

This photograph is a stunning example of how the effects of Permanent make-up for Eyebrows and LVL Lash Enhancement can incorporate a touch of subtle glamour to your everyday natural look. My Australian client looks sensational without her make-up on but she chose to have these treatments to boost her confidence allowing her to run errands early in the morning and go to the gym without feeling a pressure to wear make-up. I am sure you will agree with me that she is positively glowing inside and out!

It is important to note that no matter what our age, stress affects us all but we can make small changes to our everyday lives to improve the way in which we deal with it. These include: meditation, reading, exercising, spending time with loved ones or finally taking that much-needed holiday, but remember that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach.

As part of my plan to reset my mind and unwind this month, I will be taking part in “No Housework Day’ on April 7th (parents take note) and I am taking a couple of weeks Annual Leave from 14th April, when my mum will be making the long trip over from South Africa to spend some quality time with us. It was her 60th birthday recently and although we couldn’t be there in person I can’t wait to start the belated celebrations!

During my time off, I will try to spend less time looking at my phone, go for more long walks and enjoy quality time with my mum and my little family. Why not make a list of goals to help you relax this month and put them in to action?

 

If you would like to find out when my clinic days are over the Easter period then please do not hesitate to get in touch via email on enquiries@geraldineviljoen.co.uk or call us on 0203 664 8985 / 07875697477

I wish you all a very Happy Easter and a positive month ahead.

 

Much love,

Geraldine xx