Demo Issue

I CAN EASLY CUT
300 CALORIES
DAILY
Fitness Diet Style Health Relaxation
Magazine
6 Plastic Procedures
You Should Think
About Them
Do These
4 Things
To Become
Happier
Within
1 Week
Perfect
Beach
ready Abs
for This
Summer?

The Row Collection

Style
60 LIPS ART
64 “GLASS SKIN” THE
NEW WOMEN’S SKIN
CARE TREND
70 THE 6 THINGS MEN
WEAR THAT WOMEN
TOTALLY LOVE
76 6 PLASTIC
PROCEDURES YOU
SHOULD THINK
ABOUT THEM
Relaxation
104 SHOULD I TRAVEL
THIS SUMMER?
108 HOW MASSAGE
THERAPY CAN HELP
YOU RELIEF FROM
NECK PAIN?
116 6 TIPS TO RELAX IN
YOUR VACATION
Health
86 DISABILITY IS A
MATTER OF
PERCEPTION
88 DO THESE 4 THINGS
TO BECOME
HAPPIER WITHIN 1
WEEK
94 WANT TO INCREASE
YOUR LIFESPAN
98 9 MEDICAL TESTS
THAT COULD SAVE
YOUR LIFE
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

F. Safi
Managing Director
Dayna P.
Editor in Chief
Annie C.
Deputy Editor
Mara F.
Writer
Russ T.
Writer
F. Abdul Aziz
Chief Designer
Hani N.
Sales Director
Fitness
16 FIT IS NOT A
DESTINATION
20 8 BODY WEIGHT
WORKOUTS
26 6 TOP CYCLING
EXERCISES
36 PERFECT
BEACH-READY
ABS FOR THIS
SUMMER
Diet
42 I AM WHAT I EAT
44 I CAN EASLY CUT
300 CALORIES DAILY
52 6 FOODS THAT ARE
WELL WORTH THE
EXTRA MONEY
Raneem H.
Office Manager
2018 Media Kit
T. +971 4 2655940
M. +971 56 5653688
info@betterself.com
www.betterself.com
Dubai Silicon Oasis,
Techno Hub Building
G105B – Dubai – U.A.E.
Contents 09

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FIT
IS NOT A
DESTINATION
IT IS A
WAY OF
LIFE
Video By Frank Medrano
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Every day is
another
chance to
get stronger,
to eat better,
to live
healthier,
and to be
the best
version of
you
Fitness I Motivation 17

YOUR GOALS,
YOUR WAY
At Retro Fitness, we believe the choices you make today are the
results you‟ll see tomorrow. Try us out today and see for yourself
how we can help you reach your goals, your way.

Bodyweight exercises are the latest fitness trend and are a key part of
the high-intensity interval training that, along with yoga and Pilates,
are becoming more and more popular. All you need is a positive mind
and a willing body and a small space – just 2x1m is enough – and you
can do these anywhere. After millions of hours in gym classes with
fitness trainers, I've narrowed it down to these 8 exercises – these are
the must-have items – they will burn fat and make you fit and firm in
all those troublesome places! There is nothing mysterious or fancy
about them, but they do give amazing results!
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

8
Body
weight
workouts
you
Can
Do
anywhere
Fitness I Women 21

1The side Plank
Similar to the classic plank, this uses position changes to tone up your
side (oblique) muscles. You start from the classic plank position and then
lift your right arm whilst turning to face right. You should keep both legs
straight with your feet firmly on the
ground. You then repeat this on the left
side. If this is too much, just lower the
bottom knee to the floor. You should feel
your body quivering so if this is not
happening, you will need to increase the
hold time. Once you build some strength
you can move on the normal side plank or
even lift your top leg up to work on your
balance and increase the toning effect of
the exercise.
2
The
Classic Plank
Planks are the go-to core exercise and are one of the most popular.
There's a good reason for this: The plank will work your whole body,
and will tone all the parts that need to be toned. In your upper body, the plank
works your arms, shoulders and back and for the lower body, it will tone up
your abs, legs and butt. To do the classic plank you will need to be face down
on your forearms and lift your body in a
completely straight line. Your elbows
should be lined up underneath your
shoulders and your hips should be straight.
Do not let your hips lift upwards or sag
towards the floor. You should feel this is all
your muscles from your shoulders all the
way down to your toes. For best effect,
hold the position for 30-60 seconds.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

3The Classic Squats
You guessed it! The good old-fashioned squats are in the top 8 for good
reason. Squats target those large major muscles – your quads, your
glutes and core. They are a stable of
every gym glass. Feel the burn in those
big muscles! Start the exercise by
lowering your body and pushing your
hips back just as if you are going to sit
down. Your body weight should be on
your heels with your tail bone tucked
under. Keep your knees in line with your
ankles. Want to up the burn? Grab a
dumbbell and add some biceps curls or
an overhead press or pump up your
cardio with some squat jumps.
4
The Push-uPs
Pushups are a main stay of any workout regime and are necessary for
building up your upper body. Pushups are essential to tone up your
arms, chest and your shoulders. They are a good way to get you going and are
the first step towards doing burpees. Your hands should always be directly
underneath your shoulders and remain
in line, look straight forward focusing
on a spot about 30 cm ahead. Elbows
should not be pointed outward or pulled
in tightly to your ribs. Keep them at
about 45 degrees from the body.
Another way is to start face downwards
with your chest touching the floor. From
that position, simply push up into the
plank as smoothly as possible.
Fitness I Women 23

5you will keep one leg straight. These
types of lunges will also work your
glutes and hamstrings. The main
difference is they will target the inner
thigh muscles (the adductor muscles)
which increases strength, balance
and agility. These are a go-to
exercise for anyone who plays sports
such as tennis or badminton.
The Sideways lunges
These work on the same principle as the classic lunge with the
exception that you will step out to the sides instead of to the front and
6The Classic lunges
Lunges are a great exercise for testing your stability, strengthening
your ankles and your core muscles and of course, for giving you that
beautifully toned butt, calves and
thigh. Lunges are necessary for
wearers of skinny jeans and are great
for runners. Starting with both feet
together, take the lunge by taking a
big step forward on one leg. With
both knees bent, hold yourself above
the ground. Return to the starting
position and then switch to the other
side. Always make sure to keep your
knee directly above the ankle and not
let it drift over your toes.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

7
The
hip raises
On the surface, this looks like a very easy and simple exercise. Don't be
deceived, you need a lot of strength in the hamstrings and in your glutes
to pull this one off. You should lie on your back and then lift your hips
off the ground as high as you can
by contracting your butt muscles.
During the contraction, you can
also contract your pelvic floor in
order to strengthen those muscles
and then slowly return to the start
position after around 10 seconds.
You should feel the burn in your
butt, so if you don't, try increasing
the hold time.
8Be superman
If you want to stretch your Ab muscles – especially after they have been
repeatedly contracted in crunches or by doing sit-ups – this is the
exercise you need. This exercise will simultaneously work your lower
back and glutes and build your strength in these areas. Lay face
down and lift your arms, chest and
legs from the floor. Just like
Superman in flight! Breathe out as
your lift, and breathe in as your
return to your starting position.
Start by holding this position for a
count of 10 seconds. With each rep
add a further 5 seconds for a great
workout.
Fitness I Women 25

6
Top
Cycling
Exercises
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Cyclists often claim that to get a good workout
you need to spend at least 2 hours on the bike.
Chad Timmerman, the head coach for Trainer
Road – a major cycling app, uses workouts that
pack a lot of high density exercise into a short
period of time. Timmerman uses the technique
of short bursts of hard exercise interspersed
with short rest periods to achieve this, combined
with carefully planned workouts where each
section has a purpose and there is no time
wasted.
We asked Timmerman and 4 other professional
cycling coaches, all of whom have extensive
experience working with amateur athletes, how
you can improve the most in the least amount of
time. They gave us their favorite workout
regimes. Now you don't have to waste time
thinking of your own routine, just follow theirs.
If your goal is speed, stamina, or climbing
power, these workouts will help you achieve
your goal.
it.
Fitness I Sport 27

Strength Builder
Lifting weights is not enough for cyclists to increase strength. To gain the
strength you really need, which is creating force on the bike, on the bike is where
you need to be. To achieve this, Aiden Charles, a coach based in Connecticut,
uses this workout. For the best results find a slight grade which has a climb of at
least 4 minutes, or you can set your trainer to heavy resistance.
How To Do the Strength Builder:
•The warm up: Minimum 10 minutes at endurance speed (about a 6 on the scale
of 1-10 and then another 10 minutes at a pace of 7 out of 10, a low-tempo pace).
•Get your heart rate back down and then
complete three 8-minute tempo intervals.
These should be at around an 8 out of 10
with a rest period of 2 minutes between each
set.
•Next is the high-tempo zone where your
effort should be an 8 out of 10. This set
comprises 4 minutes in a gear that is high
enough to force you to pedal at 50-55 rpm.
•Again, take a rest period, this time of 3
minutes and repeat 3 times.
•Remember to keep your upper body relaxed.
Your torso should not supply any energy; all
of the power for this workout comes from
your legs, so no rocking that torso!
•To complete the workout there are 4 uphill
sprints, 20 seconds in duration. You start in
a very high gear, at a speed of 5mph or
lower. Stand up out of your saddle and
accelerate as hard as you can. Don't let your
form suffer. Between each sprint rest for 5
minutes.
•To cool down spin for at least 10 minutes.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Power Pyramids
These use short, fast bursts of effort which get harder as time passes. Basically,
this means the training intervals get longer and the rest periods stay the same.
According to Timmerman, this workout will increase the amount of effort you can
sustain over time. He explains that this works by stressing the system and
making it work to get your heart rate back down quickly. Once you get into the
swing of this one, Timmerman suggests cutting the rest periods. Doing this
successfully means that you will condition yourself to face the difficult final miles
of a race when your body is feeling tired and is trying to recover.
This is not an easy workout and if you are not in great physical shape you can
expect pain! The workout is designed to start off with three 14-minute sets, but
you might want to start off with just two, adding in the third and then the final set
as you get stronger. Once you have achieved this you can start shortening the
rest times from 30 seconds to 25 and downwards in increments of 5 seconds, until
you reach a 15 second rest time.
How To Do the Power Pyramid Workout:
•10 minute warm up – easy spinning.
•Three 1 minute bursts of effort interspersed with a 30 second rest period. The
aim here is to raise your heart rate in readiness for the coming workout.
•Next is an all-out ride for 2 minutes. Effort should be around 9 on a scale of 1-
10.
•Rest period: 30 seconds.
•Moving on, ride for 2 and a half minutes. This time aim for an effort of 8 on the
scale, so a slightly easier effort on this one.
•Second rest period: 30 seconds.
•There is another 30 second rest period here.
•At this stage you start again, but with the 3 minute effort in reverse order – less
effort to more effort. Each rest period should still be limited to 30 seconds. This
is one set. There is a 5 minute rest period between each set, and the pyramid
should be repeated twice.
•To finish, ride for 10 minutes in a light gear - nice easy spinning to cool down.
This will give you a great work out, and because you are starting and finishing
with the high effort workout it will be a real challenge.
Fitness I Sport 29

Maximum Aerobic Intervals
Chris Burnham is a coach based in Monterey, CA, and this
is one of his favorite workouts. He says that he uses this to
increase your aerobic ability whilst cutting out the need to
spend hours on a bike. The key is the 30 second periods of
effort at the very end of the workout. According to Burnham
this completely exhausts maximal aerobic ability and drives
the athlete towards increased aerobic adaptation. Only the
first 2 exercises are anaerobic; after that the athlete has to
use aerobic pathways which results in what Burnham calls a
large 'training load„
How To Do the Maximum Aerobic Intervals Workout:
•The warm up: 10-15 minutes cycling at a reasonable,
conversational pace.
•Once warmed up the effort level can be upped to around 8
on a scale of 1-10. Do 4 intervals of 12 minutes each with a
6 minute recovery.
•The recovery period is an easy spin, and a chance to rehydrate.
You should always drink plenty of fluids during the
recovery period.
•Once you have completed your last rep you should aim for
endurance pace. You should be able to talk but be slowly
cruising. Aim for around a 6 on the scale of 1-10. Maintain
an RPM of 95+ during this section of the workout.
•To complete the workout do 8 reps going as hard as you
can for 30 seconds, then a 30 second recovery period. It is
normal for your power to be dropping off at this stage, but
make sure you still put in maximum effort during the work
periods.
•Remember your cool down period – 10 minutes minimum.
•You can adjust the workout to your level of fitness by
adding or subtracting a 12 minute set or by lengthening the
endurance section of the ride.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Diesel Engine
Using intervals to turn you into a cycling
diesel engine that can just keep going all
day long is what Pennsylvania-based
coach Bill Elliston achieves with this
workout. Bill says that using high
intensity short intervals gives fast results
and builds great general condition.
How To Do the Diesel Engine:
•To warm up, start with 20-30 minutes of
general warm up followed by a 3 minute
ride at a low tempo – around 7 on a scale
of 1-10, just to bring your heart rate up.
•Follow the warm up with either two 15
minute or three10 minute blocks of riding
at an 8-8.5 out of 10. This should be done
at a power level that is just below your
lactate threshold. It is up to you whether
you go for the 15 or 10 minute riding
interval.
•Spin easily for 10 minutes between each
set. Make sure you re-hydrate during this
time but keep your legs moving.
•To finish, cool down for 10 minutes.
Fitness I Sport 31

Full Body Strength
Jennifer Rulon's workout is aimed to fit her work as both a triathlon and a
CrossFit coach. She prefers working out on a trainer so you can focus on
form drills, but you can do the workout equally well outside.
This workout combines drills with High Intensity Interval Training (HITT)
and weights. If you are new to training then your own body weight should
be enough, but if you are already pretty fit you can load up on the weights.
One of the reasons Rulon promotes this workout is because it pushes the
body into the top fitness zone, also known as the Phosphagen Energy
System. This zone is so intense you can only work in it for a few minutes
but Rulon says it is great for getting you through the last few minutes of a
cycling race. How To Do the Full Body Strength Workout:
•To warm up you need to spin at a high cadence for around 15 minutes –
90+ RPM.
•The cycling section involves a series of drills peddling with only one leg.
You will need to unclip one foot and fully focus on the other when doing
your pedal strokes. If there are any areas where your pedal stroke is weak
or any 'dead spots,' this will help you to identify those.
•The routine is 30 seconds with one leg, 30 seconds with two legs, then 30
seconds on your other leg, finishing with 30 seconds on both legs. This is
one set. Repeat 4 times.
•The next section is HITT where you need to get off the bike and do three
rounds of the following exercises as fast as you can:
5 push-ups 10 sit-ups 15 air squats
•Resume cycling: At 90 RMP, spin for 5 minutes. Repeat your one-legged
drills and do 5 sets.
•More HIIT: This time you will do 10 minutes of effort which repeats every
minute on the minute: 10 walking lunges (five on each leg) 5 burpees
If you can get this done in under a minute you can rest; if you can't you just
have to keep going. In total there are 100 lunges and 50 burpees by the end
of the session.
•Cool down: 10 minutes of nice easy cycle at around 90 RPM will cool you
down nicely after this intensive strength building workout.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Hit the Next Level
Coach Elliston recommends that if you want to
level up in your fitness you need to focus on
these short, maximum effort workouts.
Tackling a few at a time and then getting
significant amounts of rest means you don't
sacrifice quality and you gain the ability to
carry out repeated efforts multiple times.
This workout is fantastic for racers and for
those who enjoy recreational group rides. It
can really help if you would like to move up to
a faster group. Doing this workout a few times
means you be attached to the pack even when
the pace heats up.
How to Take It to the Next Level:
•Warm up: 20 minutes of spinning at a nice
easy level, then move onto a light tempo.
Continue for 5 minutes at 85% of your own
threshold – aim for a 7 out of 10 on a scale of
1-10.
•Recover: Take it easy for 3 minutes and then
move on to your main set.
•The Main Set: a 12 minute block of: 1 minute
above threshold (a 10 on the scale of 1-10) 1
minute at easy Each 12 minute set has 6
minutes above threshold and 6 minutes at
easy.
•Rest: take a 5 minute rest between blocks.
•Aim for three sets of 12 minutes, but if you are
still working on your fitness it is fine to start at
two sets.
•To cool down, easy spinning for 10 minutes.
Fitness I Sport 33

Demo Issue I BetterSelf

The Only
Exercises
You will Need
This
Summer
For Perfect
Beach-ready
Abs
Fitness I Men 37

S
ummer is just around the corner and everyone is
looking for that perfectly sculpted beach body. A
flat stomach with well-defined abs is an essential
part of looking good. Many people wrongly
believe that the only way to achieve that
washboard flat stomach is to do thousands of situps.
In fact, having super-flat abs takes time and
training, plenty of cardio and eating good, clean
nutritious food.
For beach-ready abs, Follow this up with good
full body workouts and you will soon have lean,
fit body with a sculpted set of abs. These tips are
perfect for beginners, they will tone and build up
the strength in your abs and set you up to move
on to a more advanced, rigorous exercise routine.
1 Abdominal Crunch
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

2 Opposite
Arm/Leg Plank
3
Plank
Fitness I Men 39

4 Crunch
5V-Sit
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

6V-Sit on Bosu Ball
7One-Legged V-Sit
Fitness I Men 41

Tell me
what you eat,
and
I will tell you
who you are
I do not follow any “diet plan.” I
lead a healthy way of life. And
that’s the best way to lose
weight, live fit, stay young, and
be more efficient. Incorporate
healthy lifestyle gradually so
that it’s a smooth transition.
This will soon become a habit
and transform into a healthy
lifestyle over a period
Video By Freeletics
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

I am
What
I eat
Diet I Motivation 43

Losing weight doesn’t need to be scary and getting down to your target
is not impossible. While it may be true that you need to cut out 3,500
calories for every single pound of fat you want to lose, the fact is that
small steps that cut 100-300 calories a time will get results without
feeling as if you have to starve yourself to get there. All you need to do
is to follow a couple of these tips to lose around 300 calories every day.
I CAN
EASLY
CUT 300
CALORIES
DAILY
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Diet I Weight Loss 45

If you use many sauces you
are probably adding a lot
of hidden calories. Half a
cup of barbecue sauce can
add up to 250 calories to
your meal. Another thing to
look out for is those stir-fry
sauces which are often full
of sugar. A spice rub is
practically calorie -free.
Use flavorsome spies like
ginger, herbs and garlic
mixed with a little soy
sauce. Delicious and
perfect if you are watching
your weight
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

In the USA people gain around a pound
of weight a year and the consumption of
potato chips has been linked to this –
according to the New England Journal
of Medicine, they are one of the major
contributors to obesity levels. A serving
of potato chips contains about 160
calories, but people often eat more than
one standard serving, so you could be
taking in 2 or 3 times more than that.
Replacing the potato chips with kale
chips will take that down to around 70
calories, so it is good for your waistline
too. Simply mix kale with a teaspoon of
oil and some salt and bake in an oven to
make a really tasty and nutritious snack
which won‟t pack on the pounds.
Diet I Weight Loss 47

Demo Issue I BetterSelf
Everybody knows that soda is full of sugar, but the
fact is that even unsweetened fruit juice can contain a
whopping 120 calories per cup. It is full of sugar and
most of us drink a lot more than one cup at a time. The
average sized one-serving bottle of juice is 450ml –
coming in at over 200 calories. If you are juice
drinker, water can seem bland and it is hard to make
the switch so try popping some watermelon and mint
into your water. This will give you flavor and some
sweetness but without all the calories. Another useful
alternative is iced tea. Use a fruity tea and no sugar to
get all the taste and none of the calories.

We all love pasta but because it is
so high in calories we can feel guilty
about eating in. Two cups of
fettuccine contains around 400
calories before we have even added
the sauce! One cup of zucchini
contains just 30 calories so you get
all the taste and texture of delicious
pasta with fewer calories and none
of the guilt. It is easy too – just pop
the zucchini into the water with the
noodles for a couple of minutes
before they are cooked and it‟s
ready to enjoy. No need to give up
pasta, just replace half of it with thin
strips of zucchini.
Diet I Weight Loss 49

Buy Now

We all know that some foods are
expensive – higher quality
ingredients will cost more, but it is
for a good reason. You get what
you pay for in terms of nutritional
value and taste. You can eat good,
healthy foods on a budget but
some foods really are worth
spending that little extra. There
are many things to consider when
we shop but remember that you
often need less good high quality
food to leave you satisfied than
their cheaper equivalents
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

6
FOODS
That Are
Well Worth
the Extra
Money
Diet I Nutrition 53

Dark Chocolate
Buying good, high quality dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa for a
completely new chocolate experience. Cocoa levels of around 70% will give
you an intense flavor but also a good hit of those healthy phytochemicals.
Another benefit is for your waistline – you will want to eat less of the better
quality chocolate.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Organic Eggs
Organic eggs are simply higher quality. These eggs have more vitamins,
minerals and omega-3 fats and are lower in both calories and saturated fats.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) only certifies eggs as
organic if the chickens are fed with food that is free from hormones, antibiotics,
pesticides, arsenic, and genetically modified organisms. (GMOs). In addition,
there will be no animal by-products in the feed and the hens may not be caged.
Why organic and not 'cage-free' or 'free-range' eggs? There is no guarantee
that eggs with these labels have been laid by hens that are really cage free or if
they are just given access to outside. The USDA has not yet set a standard for
this so the claim could be false. Play it safe and go organic.
Diet I Nutrition 55

Traditional Balsamic
Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is more
expensive than others but
you will be rewarded with
the amazing velvety texture
and the richer, complex
flavor profile and aroma it
possesses. The real thing
originates from Modena
and Reggio Emilia in Italy.
Only traditional processes
are used, in fact they have
to be certified by a special
agency to ensure high
quality standards are
maintained. It is the wood
that gives the vinegar its
traditionally distinct
flavors which range from
molasses, to cherry, to
chocolate, fig or prune.
Always check the label. There is a specific European Union certification
process to maintain the production, origin and quality of this vinegar. The label
should say Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale and have the "Denominazione di
Origine Protetta" (D.O.P) stamp. The bottle shape is also a good indication
that you have the genuine article. Modena sells their Balsamic vinegar in bulbshaped
bottles – maximum 100ml. The Reggio Emilia Balsamic uses bottles
shaped like an inverted tulip, again as a 100ml maximum.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Wild-Caught Salmon
If you like salmon, go wild! Wild salmon contains fewer toxins than farmed
salmon, in particular harmful PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Wild salmon
contains more of the minerals that Americans tend to be short of- iron,
potassium and calcium; it has fewer calories and half the fat of farmed salmon.
Wild salmon is superior from a nutritional point of view and well worth paying
that little extra to enjoy.
Diet I Nutrition 57

Grass Fed Beef
Grass fed beef tends to be healthier; it has less unhealthy saturated fats,
more of the healthy omega-3 fats and contains antioxidants (Vitamin E).
For this reason grass-fed beef is better for you, can boost your immune
system and the health of your heart. All of the same reasons for buying
organic daily apply to buying organic grass fed beef.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have highlighted toxins
that increase our risk for heart disease, cancers, and diabetes as
well as reproductive system diseases, and these dioxins are
present in the tissues of animals that have accumulated them from
their environment. You can't reduce your exposure to zero but you
can reduce it by going organic for your dairy produce.
Organic Dairy Products
Diet I Nutrition 59

I love playing
with makeup.
Makeup has
become a
thing where
it's an art
form. It's not
a thing where
you use it
because you
need to feel
beautiful or
because you
don't like the
way you look
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Video By Sarah Steller
Style I Trend 61

Buy Now

“
”
The
New
Women’s
Skin Care
Trend That
Takes the
world by
Storm
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

“Glass Skin”, what is that?
Unlike traditional methods
of skincare, Glass Skin is
not a new technique to be
religiously followed like the
“7-Step Skincare Method”
which uses many different
products and involves a
really strict 7-step daily
beauty routine. Glass skin
is all about the destination
not the journey – the aim is
to achieve Glass Skin: Skin
that is smooth, clear, free
from open pores, which
appears radiant, glowing
and translucent. The aim is
to have skin that looks
almost glass-like.
Style I Women 65

Glass Skin may be a new trend, but the techniques it uses
are ancient. In the past, women used rice water believing
it enhanced their complexion and would use crushed
pearls in their face creams to make their skin brighter
and the tone more even. Glass skin is based on this but
has refined it to be more modern, giving women a lovely
glowing, glossy finish. In days gone by having shiny skin
was frowned upon – now women just want that healthy
glow. Viral beauty Instagrammer, Ellie Choi, who is
based in LA, has brought the technique to her many
thousands of followers. Choi dislikes a lot of face makeup,
choosing only to use blush and posting about her
skin-care regime, using all store bought products, has
given her viral status, with many tens of thousands of
shares and likes. So – now we have heard about Glass
Skin – how do we achieve it?
Cleanse and Cleanse Again
First, remove all your make up. When rinsing your skin use
lukewarm water rather than cold as this helps break the makeup
down especially when used with a good make up
remover/cleansing oil or cream. The second cleanse will remove
any excess oil. Be sure to use a hydrating product which will not
dry out your skin.
“Kick the Build Up!”
Choi recommends that we “kick the buildup” and the best way to so is to
exfoliate every other day. Making sure you remove the outer layer of skin will
form the basis for that subtle glow. to retain those vital drops of moisture. For
faster results, we recommend Blithe Patting Splash Mask Rejuvenating which is
a gentle, water-based exfoliant. When used 2-3 times a week it will increase the
rate of cellular turnover and help you achieve that fresh, smooth, complexion.
Add more moisture by applying a super-charged face mask whilst sleeping.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Style I Women 67

Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Hydrate Your Skin
Major hydration is the fastest way to get that 'dewy' look and is the key to
getting Glass Skin. The 7-Skin Method is designed to do just that. This is not
the “7-step Skincare Method.” The 7-Skin method is included as part of your
skin care regimen. The method involves patting on a really good hydrating
tone in 7 extremely light layers. After this, you can use your serum or
moisturizer as normal. Apply the toners after you cleanse, making sure your
skin is still damp. Wait a few seconds before applying your next layer and
notice how full the skin on your face feels. It is just like giving your skin a
good drink of water. The 7-skin method is a huge trend in skin care in Korea
right now.
Hydrate Again and Again
Every Korean woman knows that an essential part of the Glass Skin routine is
hydration and a good hydrating essence is key. We recommend Yuri Pibu
Artichoke Power Essence to reduce the appearance of open pores and keep
your skin smooth and hydrated. You can never have enough hydration so
never skimp on the moisturizer. Among all your lotions and creams, make sure
you have something that contains oils that will effectively trap massive
amounts of moisture and plump the skin. We'd recommend Make P:rem
Tension Cream to lock in water, hydrating all skin types and leaving them
looking smoother and softer, with a subtle dewy glow.
The Strobing Effect
Strobe your skincare to get a beautifully soft shiny glow – the perfect Glass
Skin look. Park Tae Yun, in collaboration with Son Dae Sik, has formulated
his own make up brand. According to Park Tae-Yun, the key to the glass skin
look is both the texture of the makeup and the amount that you apply. Using
minimal color and thin, built up layers gives the impression of a beautiful
inner glow to the skin. Tae-Yun recommends priming, concealer/foundation
followed with a liquid highlighter to obtain that sought after glow. To gain
that glow you need a smooth surface, your smooth surface is your glass skin.
Style I Women 69

Let's talk about the clothes that men wear that
women find super-attractive. There so many videos
and articles out there detailing what women most
like to see on a man, so I asked my female friends
what they think makes a man look most attractive.
We ended up with a 6-item list of outfits that make
men look so sexy. So let's have a look at them!
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

The6
M
E
N
W
E
A
R
THINGS
That
WOMEN
Totally L
O
V
E
Style I Men 71

Sport Coat W/ V-Neck Sweater
Nice Crisp Wh
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

ite Dress Shirt
T-Shirt W/ Dark Wash Jeans
Style I I Men 42 73

Nice Fitting Suit
Nice Casual Jacket
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Dress Watch and Tie Bar
Style I Men 75

Plastic
Think About
Them
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

In recent years, the popularity of
plastic surgery has grown. As social
media has expanded, it has become a
major influence on how people
perceive themselves and has created a
major desire to look your best. Many
more people are turning to plastic
surgery to achieve this. Trends in
plastic surgery change over time and
these new trends have been detailed by
the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons in their annual report.
Increased interest in fat freezing and
transfers and facial surgery is the
order of the day – here are the top 6
new plastic surgery trends
Style I Beauty 77

Eyelid Rejuvenation (Blepharoplasty)
Blepharoplasty – eyelid surgery – is still
one of the most popular plastic
surgeries. Eyes start to age in the 40s
and 50s with the formation of sagging
skin, sunken eyes and loss of fullness
around the eye. If the fat loss is not too
great, Botox and fillers can be used.
Sometimes, only surgery will be able to
restore a youthful appearance. It is
important not to change the structure of
the eye too much as they are one of your
most noticeable features. The main
reason people want this surgery is to
recreate a youthful eye line and remove
signs of sagging beneath the eye.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

PRP injections (Platelet-rich Plasma)
Platelet-rich plasma injections
(PRP) use the patient‟s own
blood to regenerate soft tissue.
The theory is that plasma
contains platelets and growth
factors and by spinning the blood
and isolating these they can then
be used to rejuvenate/regenerate
tissues within the body. These are
sometimes known as Vampire
Facials because of the
appearance caused when the blood product is injected back into the face. It has
also been used to help reverse hair loss. Although these can be quite painful
they are apparently fairly successful and are looking to be an increasingly
popular treatment in 2018.
Style I Beauty 79

Fat Transfer (Liposuction)
One of the fastest growing trends is the move towards surgery for the removal of
fat. Of all the procedures the best known are fat transfer and fat freezing. Fat
transfer moves fat from one body area to another. The removed fat can then be
placed into the body where it needs to be plumped out. This is known as
Liposuction and is normally used to rid the body of fat in problem areas like the
thighs, hips and abdomen but can
be used anywhere where there is
excess fat. After removal, it can
be injected back into other areas
like the breasts or buttocks to
increase the size of remodel the
shape. The transfer of fat is
permanent but the shape and size
of the transfer can change with
natural weight loss or gain.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Fat Freezing (Cool Sculpting)
The growing trends of plastic (cosmetic) surgery, also concern fat. Fat transfer
and fat freezing are the two most famous ones for now. Fat transfer involves
removal of fat from one body area and shapes or plumps another body part.
Liposuction is usually performed in places like lower back, inner or outer
thighs, love handles and
lower abdomen (where there
is excess fat).
Fat freezing is a noninvasive
procedure which
aims to kill off the fat cells
by freezing them. The
procedure is FDA approved
and the cells are naturally
eliminated by the body over
the course of a few months.
Style I Beauty 81

The nose is an essential
component in creating facial
symmetry and even the most
minor imperfection or small
variant can have a huge effect on
this. Of all plastic surgery
techniques available, this one
requires the most skill and
finesse. There are 250,000
rhinoplasties performed in the
facial surgery category and that
is not surprising since when done
well it can completely change,
improve and beautify the face.
Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Facelifts (Rhytidectomy)
The influence of celebrities has had a big
impact on the numbers of people seeking a
facelift. Celebrities always want to look
their best and can be seen with no sagging
skin on their face even when they are
extremely old. New techniques have made
the surgery simpler and better. SMAS
(Sub-Muscular Aponeurotic System)
facelifts work well to alleviate sagging on
the lower face and can restore a younger
looking jawline. Alongside eyelid surgery
for eyes, and techniques to return the
plumpness of youth to the cheeks, facelifts
remain one of the top 6 plastic surgeries.
Style I Beauty 83

More Info

“When you hear the
word „disabled,‟
people immediately
think about people
who can‟t walk or
talk or do everything
that people take for
granted. Now, I take
nothing for granted.
But I find the real
disability is people
who can‟t find joy in
life and are bitter”
Disability
is a matter of
perception
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Video By Devinsupertrump
Health I Motivation 87

4
Demo Issue I BetterSelf
1

To lead a truly healthy lifestyle it is not enough
to simply follow a healthy eating plan and an
exercise routine. Feeling happy on a day to
day basis has been shown to positively impact
your health. In a recent study, the
Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences states that not only is happiness a
good thing to aspire to in its own right, but it
can also help to lower cortical levels. Cortical
is a hormone that our body releases in
response to stress. This hormone has been
linked to the development of type 2 diabetes,
high blood pressure and autoimmune disease.
So, if you are not feeling happy what can you
do? Gabrielle Bernstein is the best-selling
author of May Cause Miracles. She believes
that mediation is a key step towards feeling
happy on a daily basis and she explains this in
her most recent book, Miracles Now, a New
York Times bestseller. Meditation involves
taking time to reflect and assess, and it helps
you to determine where you are in life and the
direction you want to follow, which brings
about a feeling of inner peace. A recent study
in JAMA Internal Medicinesupports this,
indicating that meditation can help with stress
reduction and also ease the symptoms of
anxiety and depression. These are all
conditions that have been implicated in a
variety of health conditions. The key to using
meditation is simply to give it a try! All it
takes is a commitment to think differently and
to focus on making happiness your number one
daily priority.
Health I Living 89

1
First Thought – Happy Thought
Your first
thought of the
day should
always be a
happy thought.
Instead of
thinking about
all the things
you want to
change,
commit
yourself to only
thinking about
the positives.
Resist the urge
to turn on the
TV first thing
in the morning.
Playing music
at the start of
the day will
help lift your
spirits. Try to
find a few
minutes to
meditate whilst
you enjoy the
songs you have
chosen.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

2
Snap Yourself Out of It!
Sometimes we can find ourselves stuck in a loop of unwanted, negative
or destructive thoughts. This can be about ourselves or about other
people. Stopping this is easy and needs nothing more than a normal
household rubber band worn on the wrist. Bernstein calls this her
“Snap Out of It” technique. When you catch yourself thinking
negatively about yourself or other people, you literally snap the rubber
band against your wrist. Over time this works to snap you out of the
negative thought loop and negative thoughts will become a thing of the
past.
Health I Living 91

3
Release Your Inner Child
There are times when we all feel stressed and overwhelmed with our
responsibilities and the commitments we have to fulfill. This is your cue to
unplug: switch off the computer and get in touch with your inner child. Take a
break and daydream a little, meditate on something fun and cool you would like
to do. When we are children daydreaming is the norm and we have a huge
capacity to be creative; our curiosity knows no bounds. This is what you are
trying to achieve. Just 5-10 minutes focusing on fun can help rekindle your
child-like energy and make you less tense and more positive.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

4
Good Sleep and Plenty of It
Sleep has well documented mental, emotional and physical benefits and feeling
sleep deprived is a surefire way to feel unhappy. Meditation can help you to
improve your sleep routine and quality. Using the Kundalini meditation
technique, a simple form of breathing meditation that literally only takes a
minute, will get you into good, healthy sleeping habits. Start by sitting straight
upright in your bed, and breathe in through your mouth. Your mouth should
look like you are holding a quarter in between your lips. Take a breath in and
then exhale through your nose.
Health I Living 93

?
Want
to
increase
your
lifespan
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

4
Follow
These
important
tips for
increasing
your longevity
Health I Living 95

There are lots of people with bad habits who don‟t even realize that they‟re decreasing
their lifespan. Fortunately, it is never too late for self-destructive people to turn
themselves around and save as many years of their life as they can.
When we talk about bad habits, these are habits which can personally destroy your health.
Smoking tobacco or sitting on the couch watching television for 12 hours per day are
examples of bad habits. Other bad habits include drinking entire bottles of wine or eating
an entire plate of nachos. If you do any of these once in a while, it might not be so bad.
The problem is that some people do these things on a regular basis. These activities
become habits, most likely to temporarily ease stress, anxiety, or other pain people are
feeling. Unfortunately, these vices will cause them to suffer in the long run. Not only will
they develop health conditions, but they will have a shorter life expectancy too. This
applies to both women and men.
So, is there any good news? Yes, the good news is that you can control your bad habits to
a significant degree. Some people may not be able to overcome them completely, but
simply taming them can help save years of your life.
Here are the 4 most serious bad habits which you need to control.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

1. Tobacco Smoking
Roughly 20% of the population of Canada are
active smokers. This might not seem like a lot,
but it is still concerning to the Canadian
public. Smoking is said to take about 3 years
off your life expectancy. If you can establish a
plan for reducing your smoking or quitting
altogether, you may have a chance to save
these years of your life.
3. Drinking Alcohol
Believe it or not, drinking will
only decrease your life
expectancy by 2 weeks. However,
there are many other reasons why
you should avoid drinking alcohol
altogether. So, try giving up the
beer and wine and replace them
with coffee and water.
2. Junk Food Indulgence
People who eat junk food on a regular basis
will lose about 1.2 years off their life
expectancy. This means each time you eat
sweets, fried foods, or salty foods, you need to
think about your health first. People know junk
food is bad, but they get deep cravings for it at
odd hours of the day. One way to beat this
craving is to never skip any of your main
meals. Always eat a complete and healthy
breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you must snack,
have some smaller health food options
available like apples or bananas.
4. Staying Idle
In the modern world of office jobs and computers,
people do not move around much anymore. They
remain sitting for several hours each day.
Unfortunately, this is going to reduce their life
expectancy by 2.6 years at least. All you need to
do is perform some type of cardiovascular
exercise for 15
to 30 minutes
per day. This
will help you
save those
years at the end
of your life.
Health I Living 97

9
Medical
Tests
That
Could
Save
Your Life
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Many people have an annual physical with their doctor with the
belief that this will safeguard their health. However, it is unlikely
that a 20 minute examination is going to pick up every problem.
For some people, especially those with specific health risks, there
are 9 key tests that are not routine. These could one day save your
life, and you should ask your doctor about these.
Modern healthcare is all about prevention, but to prevent any
problems we need to catch them before they are advanced enough
to cause a problem. There are many tests your doctor can do but
will not order for you unless you specifically ask for them; some of
these should be routine and all of them could save your life.
Health I Medical 99

1 HS-CRP – The High-Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Test
If you have a family history of cardiovascular disease (heart/circulation
problems) or cerebrovascular accident (CVA or stroke) this is a good test for
you. If you are over 35, if you
smoke or if you have
diabetes, you should also
probably have this test.
The hs-CRP is a blood test
which measures a blood
borne protein which can
indicate a type of
inflammation linked to an
increased risk of the above
conditions.
2 Carotid Duplex Ultrasound
This ultrasound examination is a non invasive procedure where a probe is
passed across your carotid arteries looking for reduced blood flow or
blockages. The ultrasound looks at the 2 blood vessels that go to the brain. It
uses B-mode imaging which creates a 3D picture of the walls of your arteries.
As part of the same test, Doppler scanning is used to measure the speed of
blood flow by passing
ultrasound pulses into the
arteries. You should ask
for this test if you are over
50 and your medical
history includes mini
strokes (also known as TIA
or Transient Ischemic
Attack). If you have any
other risk factors for heart
problems or stroke you
should ask for this test.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

3 EBT - Electron Beam Tomogram
This is a special form of a CT (Computed Tomography) scan which measures
the amount of calcium
present in the coronary
arteries. These levels can
predict your risk of heart
disease. The machine will
scan your chest, giving a
detailed and clear image
which surpasses that
obtained by ordinary CT or
MRI (Magnetic Resonance
Imaging) scans.
4 Isotope Treadmill Stress Test
This is a 3-part test that locates areas of reduced blood flow in the heart and
can ascertain its severity and pinpoint a risk for heart disease. The test is for
those over 45 and may be ordered if you want to start a new exercise regime or
if you have more than 3 major risk factors for heart disease. The first part of the
test takes an image whilst you are at rest. From here you proceed to a
treadmill test. Your blood pressure and pulse are monitored and you are wired
to an EKG which allows the doctor to check for signs of stress to your heart.
The final part of the test
involves more imaging.
This time a radioactive
isotope is injected into a
vein and the scanner
follows its progress
around the body,
highlighting any areas
of plaque and hampered
blood flow.
Health I Medical 101

5 The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
The PSA Velocity Test involves a set of 3 blood tests over a period of 24 months
to check for PSA levels in the blood. If they are raised you may be at a higher
risk of prostate cancer and you will be offered more tests. If you are over 50
you should have this test.
Those over 45 with risk
factors should also ask for this
test. Risk factors include
smoking, a family history of
prostate cancer and a diet
high in animal fats. Ethnicity
can also be a factor, with
African Americans being at a
higher risk.
6 Colonoscopy
This is an invasive procedure which looks at the inside of your bowel by
passing a colonoscope through the rectum and along the entirety of the bowel.
This can be uncomfortable so a sedative is given to help with this. For a
successful test, the bowel must be completely clean. In fact, the worst part of
the test is often the laxative that you have to take the day before the procedure .
The test takes 15-30 minutes
and is given to anyone over 50,
or over 40 if you have a family
history of cancer of the colon or
inflammatory bowel disease.
Heavy use of alcohol, tobacco
or a history of polyps in the
colon are also good reasons to
have this test. The test will
look for any abnormalities in
the bowel itself: Inflammation,
polyps and cancers.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

7 Fasting Blood Glucose Test
This blood test is done in order to check for diabetes and is useful if you have
any risk factors and you are over 30. Those who are obese, have a sedentary
lifestyle and a family history of type-2 diabetes are good candidates for this test
Ethnicity can also be a factor, with
African Americans, Hispanics and Native
Americans having a higher risk. If your
blood glucose levels are abnormal it can
indicate that you have a higher risk of
developing type-2 diabetes.
8 Homocysteine Test
This is a blood test that looks for a natural amino acid, homocysteine. If the
level is too high it can mean you are at higher risk of contracting heart disease
or having a stroke. This test should be
Done if you are over 35 with any risk
factors for heart disease and/or stroke.
The test is done after fasting so you
cannot eat for a minimum of 8 hours
before the blood is drawn.
9 Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan
This is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging test that checks how porous the
bones are. It works by passing the imaging machine across your body whilst
you lie on a couch. This is a test for osteoporosis and looks at both the mass
and the density of the bones. Risk
factors for osteoporosis include smoking,
drinking a lot of alcohol or caffeinated
drinks, poor diet that is low in calcium, a
lack of vitamin D and a family history of
osteoporosis. If you are over 50 and
have 2 or more risk factors then this test
is recommended.
Health I Medical 103

Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you‟d
drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It‟s
more fantastic than any dream made or paid
for in factories
Video By Kristen & Siya
Should
I
Travel
This
Summer
Relaxation I Motivation 105

Book Now

At one time or another, most of us have experienced the pain of a stiff neck. In
the USA, around 30% of Americans experience this, and it is the 4thhighest
cause of disability. The pain can be unpredictable. The pain often lasts for days,
but can go on for weeks, months or even years. About half of all cases will
spontaneously resolve without treatment, which leaves almost 50% of people
with long term pain of some kind. There are multiple causes of acute neck pain.
These range from poor posture whilst standing or sitting at a desk, poor
placement of equipment like computers, keyboard and mice, twisting or turning
badly, accidental injuries, exercise or sporting injuries or even sleeping in an
awkward position.
How
Massage Therapy
Can Help
you
Relief from
Neck Pain?
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Relaxation I Massage 109

Medical Conditions and Neck Pain
Certain medical conditions can cause or exacerbate neck pain. Neck pain is a
key factor in people who suffer with fibromyalgia, have a narrowed spinal cord
canal (spinal stenosis) or arthritis of the cervical spine. Accidental causes such
as whiplash, which is commonly experienced as a result of car accidents, can
take many months or even years to resolve. In some cases the damage may
become permanent. Another
serious cause of severe neck pain
is spinal injuries like disc ruptures
('slipped discs') and spinal
fractures. As a result of spending
too long in front of our computers
or looking down at our phones,
there are now 2 new common
Forward Head
Our head is pretty heavy,
weighing in at 10-12 pounds.
This weight is well-supported by
the muscles in the neck, but only
if the head remains in a neutral
Demo Issue I BetterSelf
Text-Neck
causes of neck pain. “Forward
head” results from looking down
at our phones, where our head is
always forward in relation to our
spine, and this causes pain in our
neck which travels into our arms.
position. The pressure on the
neck muscles increases by 10
pounds every time we move our
head out of the neutral position.
So if you are bending your head
forward at 60 degrees you are adding 60 pounds of weight pressure directly to
the muscles in your neck. When we are on a computer or looking at our phone
we hold this position. Maintaining the off-neutral position can cause a
repetitive strain injury.

This has become known as 'text neck' and occurs from using your mobile phone
too much. Even just 2, 3 or 4 hours a day in the off-neutral position has been
shown to cause significant neck damage. In some cases this results in the need
for surgery to correct the issue. The primary muscles in the neck affected by
this are the extensor muscles in the lower neck and the flexor muscles in the
upper neck. These retract the neck to neutral. Stretching the scalenes along
with the sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitus muscles will improve
posture, reduce neck pain and help with the feeling of numbness in the arms.
Treating Muscle Tension and Trigger Points
The forward head and text-neck postures are both responsible for increased
tension in the muscles of the neck and in the shoulders. This can lead to the
development of trigger points in both the upper back and neck. Those in the
upper back typically cause neck pain, whilst those in the neck typically results
in headaches.
Firstly, we need to relax and strengthen those muscles that are acting to pull
the head forward. The shoulders should not be rounded and need to be kept in
a neutral position if the neck itself is to return to neutral. Working the
Relaxation I Massage 111

pectoralis muscles will release and lengthen the muscle fibers and stretch the
muscles, allowing the shoulder to move from a forward to a neutral position. In
a similar way the SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscles and scalene muscles,
when lengthened, will encourage the head to return to its natural position.
Once the head has returned to a more neutral position you can work on the
trapezius and the levator scapula, releasing the tight muscle fibers and working
on the trigger points which can result in neck pain. It is also likely that there
will have been over stretching of the splenius capitis and semispinalis capitis
muscles, and these may have also developed trigger points. It is useful,
therefore, to give them some attention. The use of effleurage and deep tension
massage will flush the muscles of the pectoralis and upper back, encouraging
blood flow and increasing oxygenation. This will release the trigger points and
help the muscles to lengthen and relax. You will need to be more gentle on the
neck, adding pressure slowly. This allows the client time to react to the
massage and the therapist time to respond and adjust accordingly. The
therapist must review the anatomy of the neck, with careful consideration to the
delicate strictures, cervical vertebrae and the veins and nerves. This is
essential to avoid causing unnecessary pain or damage.
Craniosacral Therapy to Relieve Neck Pain
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Craniosacral therapy is a specific type of massage that is very effective in
reducing neck pain. The theory behind this is that the skull (cranium), sacrum
(lower back) and spinal vertebra are both connected and related. The effect of
Craniosacral therapy is to relieve pain by using a gentle approach and working
the problem areas of the head, neck and sacral areas, along with other areas of
the spine. Craniosacral therapy uses very little pressure – around 5 grams,
which is the weight of a nickel. Craniosacral practitioners aim to release muscle
tension and restrictions in the areas causing pain.
Releasing Muscle Tension with Swedish Massage
Swedish massage, with its moderate effleurage techniques, is a useful technique
to reduce tension, increase muscle fibers and promote good blood flow to the
muscles to improve function and reduce pain. Swedish massage is helpful in
treating neck pain caused by a muscular problem. Frequent massage is most
beneficial; studies have shown that massage sessions of one hour twice or three
times weekly is the most effective way to restore muscle function and reduce
pain, particularly in the first 4-6 weeks. Massage therapy has a lot to offer
those who are seeking relief for acute or chronic neck pain. A skilled
practitioner who is knowledgeable of any risk factors and fully understands
neck and spinal anatomy can offer real relief to the many people who are
currently suffering from acute or chronic (long term) neck pain.
Relaxation I Massage 113

Bellevue Sy
Ita

ene Hotel
A five star hotel peaking on the waves, with terraces
dominating the Gulf of Naples
ly
Book Now

6
Modern life makes it difficult to
disconnect: Cell phones and
smartphones mean that we rarely go
anywhere without someone being able
to call us or stopping to check our
emails. This is a recent phenomenon –
the capacity to check our email on
phones developed in the 1990s. Before
cell phones, when people went on
vacation they had real time away. I'm
not claiming to be a doctor, but I am
certain that being constantly
connected and unable to switch off is
a major cause of stress, burnout and
anxiety. Although it may seem
difficult, it is not impossible to go on
vacation and totally relax and it is
something that we 100% need. So here
are my top 6 tips for disconnecting
and really relaxing on vacation.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf

Relaxation I Traveling 117

Set Boundaries at Work
Plan ahead so that if there is an
emergency or a special situation at
work then your co-workers can deal
with it. The more you plan ahead, the
better the chances you can disconnect
for your vacation. Someone else can
handle it. Then, when it is their turn
to go away, you can do the same for
them.
Go with the Flow
Don't plan everything to the minutest
detail, just get a basic idea of your
plans and see what happens. Live in the
moment. Don't under-plan, but avoid
over-scheduling it will just stress you
out. Some trips you can book and
someone else can do all the hard work.
If you really do need a concrete plan
use a travel agent. Let them take the
strain, while you sit back and relax.
Demo Issue I BetterSelf
Keep it within Budget
If you over reach and spend your whole
time panicking about money you are not
going to have a good time and you will
be incredibly stressed. Keep it within a
sensible budget that is without your
financial means. It is fine to accept that
you will spend a bit more than usual and
you can have some treats – you are on
vacation after all – and if it gives you a
happy, stress free time, then it is money
well spent.

Give Meditation A Go!
When you are away from home and are
feeling relaxed is a good time to start
some good habits. Maybe it is
meditating, maybe starting a journal,
something that you have considered for
a while but have just been too busy to
try. Those 7 days away is the time you
need to give it a go. If you really enjoy
it, you will find that you continue it
when you get back home.
Escape Your Cell Phone
If you are worried about people's
ability to contact you in an emergency,
give them the number of your hotel or
accommodation. If you are traveling
internationally, a good idea for cell
phone freedom is not to upgrade your
plan or set up roaming. You will save
money, put the phone in airplane mode
and just use it as a camera
Remember “Why”
Always remember why you are on
vacation. Work is what you do to make
a living, but what is really important is
the time we spend with family, friends
and loved ones doing things we want to
do. If your job takes up so much of
your time you cannot live your life,
what is the point? Take your time off,
live 100%, in the moment; anything
else can wait until you are back.
Relaxation I Traveling 119

a luxurious experience