Health

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Hungover... Help!

by Noella Mingo

A rare childfree weekend resulted in me attending two parties in two days. I drank rather more than I should have (of course) and blimey, have I suffered as a result.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m out of practice or the fact I’m getting older, but it takes a lot longer to recover from a hangover these days. Five years ago, after a couple of cups coffee, I’d be as right as rain, now I need a different kind of cure.

Any detox that calls dark chocolate, red wine and coffee super foods, works for me. The idea is that you eat a balanced mixture of the so-called super foods three times a day. Sadly, this doesn’t mean a diet of Bournville and Australian Merlot will boost your health but follow the simple rules and you may feel happier, healthier and less toxic as a result. Below are just a few of the 100 Super Foods.

• Fruits include: apples, oranges, pears, limes, all berries, grapes, melons and figs.

• Vegetables include: watercress, peppers, avocados, tomatoes, onions, leeks, broccoli and potatoes.

• Proteins include: chicken, lamb, mackerel, trout, sardines scallops, eggs, yoghurt and milk.

• Grains, Nuts & Pulses include: almonds, cashews, sprouted seeds, lentils, beans, and oats, whole-wheat.

• Seasoning, Herbs & Drinks include: basil, mint, ginger, garlic, olive oil, dark chocolate, red wine.

For more information on super-foods read, Superfoods, Superfast, £14.99 by Michael Van Straten and Barbara Griggs (Dorling Kindersley).

If you’re a low maintenance kind of a gal, you could opt for detoxing while you sleep. Detox footpads are ingenious little sachets that remove toxins from your body whilst you snooze. They contain crystals that cause your feet to sweat and herbs that draw out the toxins through the ensuing perspiration. Based on ancient Japanese traditions simply applying a detox pad to the bottom of your foot before bed will help you sleep better and wake feeling revived.

Crystal Spring’s Detoxing Footpads, £24.95 for 14 are available at www.crystalspring.co.uk. Or we have one to giveaway - send us a begging email now!

There are few things I like more than to be on the receiving end of a good massage but it isn’t something I’d considered to rid my body of toxins. However, lymph drainage massage could change all that. The body’s lymphatic system removes excess fluids and filters out toxins to help maintain a healthy immune system. A drainage massage helps to activate circulation removing toxins, regenerating tissue and increasing relaxation in the process.

During lymph drainage, skin is massaged lightly the aim being to stretch the superficial lymphatic vessels that lay just beneath the skin’s surface. It is gentle, relaxing and it does you good! What could be better?

Learn more about lymph drainage massage or find your local practitioner at www.naturalmatters.net

You may not want to try this if you’re in the midst of a major hangover but with a little practice a yoga shoulder-stand works wonders. An ideal pick-me-up, it stimulates the thyroid gland, helps circulation and encourages deep breathing, which brings oxygen-rich blood to your brain. Inverting your body regularly may even improve your memory and concentration. If you’re new to yoga please don’t attempt a shoulder-stand without the help of a qualified teacher; doing it incorrectly can strain the neck.

Find your local yoga class at www.yoga.co.uk.

With all these hangover cures, I need another party.

Have a great week.