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Stress. It is a part of our lives whether we like it or not – especially in 2022. The pandemic is a constant black cloud over our heads. Dealing with this, on top of all the regular every day stresses that we have, like work deadlines, kids, housework and finding time for friends & loved ones, it’s no wonder that a lot of people feel like their stress levels have increased. We are all being pulled in so many directions and it is important to understand, and recognise, that all of these things are classed as a stress to our nervous system. Whilst our nervous system isn’t designed to be under constant stress, you can also use it to help manage our stress and anxiety if you know how!

The more “in balance” our nervous system is, the better it deals with day to day stress and life, which is what we all want, isn’t it?

To understand how you can use your nervous system to help manage and regulate stress you first need to know about the nervous system itself. It has two main parts – the central nervous system (CNS) made up of brain and spinal cord, and your peripheral nervous system (PNS) which is everything else including cranial nerves, spinal nerves and their roots and peripheral nerves.

The PNS communicates messages from the brain and the rest of the body. The PNS has two branches. The Somatic (carries information to and from the nervous system) and the Autonomic system which regulates involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate and hormone secretion. The Autonomic System then has two parts as well. The sympathetic system “fight, flight or freeze” located in the vertebral column in the thoracic and upper lumbar region and the parasympathetic system “rest and digest” made of cranial and sacral nerves. With me so far?

All of these parts of your nervous system are meant to work in harmony or balance. It goes into a state of increased sympathetic control in times of stress so we can run away from the “tigers” in our lives (aka work deadlines, family stress, trying to do it all). Your heart rate increases, digestion slows, glucose (energy) is released, airways open, adrenaline is released, bladder contraction is inhibited and your pupils dilate. Which is great for a short period of time. But you then want your body to balance out into parasympathtic control. This means you are ready to rest and digest so to speak, to recover from the stress. Your ability to digest food well increases, bile is secreted, bladder contracts, heart rate slows and pupils constrict to name a few things that may occur at this time.

One thing to keep in mind is that your brain doesn’t understand the difference between a real threat and a perceived threat, and will stay in fight and flight until the “threat” is perceived to have gone away, which means it can impact you for much longer than you think it can, especially if you are still thinking about it!

So, with that knowledge, we can use our nervous system to help deal with stress. Which basically means that you are helping to regulate your nervous system and its responses. The more “regulated” your nervous system is, the better you will deal with everyday stress – which is what we all want.

From what I see, so in my opinion, the majority of people are currently in a stressed state. So to regulate their nervous system it is best to stimulate and activate the parasympathetic system.

Here are my top 6 ways to do this!

Breathing techniques – An easy, free and simple way to help take your body back into sympathetic control. Take 5-10 minutes to stop and breathe, deep and slow. Try to spend a little longer on your exhale, than your inhale. I recommend setting a timer for how many minutes you want to do it for, so that you can focus on breathing with your eyes closed, rather than thinking about how long you have been doing it for.

Water – Jumping into cold water is ideal, and if done regularly has been shown to lower your “fight and flight” response. If you can’t do this, even just splash it on your face or use a spray bottle and spray your face and neck. Cold showers are great, and even taking a few minutes to drink some water and breathe can make a difference!

Exercise – We all know by now that exercise and movement can get good endorphins flowing which is good for both your body and mind.

Sleep – One of the most important aspects to self-regulating the nervous system, you should be aiming to sleep well for a wide range of reasons. Importantly, when you sleep, your body can recover and heal. This includes your nervous system! If you are sleep deprived your sympathetic nervous system activity increases. This is not what you want, if you are trying to decrease the impact of stress on your body and nervous system.

Get into nature – Even better, barefoot in nature! If you can’t do this then close your eyes and picture yourself in your happy place. Just like the nervous system doesn’t know the difference between a real and perceived threat, it also doesn’t know the difference between you really being in the middle of the bush, hiking, or camping with your family, vs. you just thinking about it. The positive and happy thoughts of somewhere with low stress, will help your nervous system get into that state.

Seek additional support – See a health care practitioner that is trained in the way the nervous system works (A Chiropractor is a great example of this as we spend years training!) and can work with you and your personal situation to put a plan in place to help your nervous system work the best it can!

Please remember that all these tips are general and not designed to replace individualized advice. If you have any questions please reach out, I would love to help you or point you to someone who can.

Written by Dr Aimee Brown – a Holistic Chiropractor, Personal Trainer, Ultramarathon Runner & Mother of three, based in Manning, Perth, who is passionate about the mind & body connection. Find out more about her work or get in touch with her here.

♥ Under Armour Brand House – Karrinyup

With a brand new year comes brand new opportunities to rework the bits & pieces of your life that maybe weren’t 100% in 2021.

For me, I’m making health and fitness my top priority this year. I’ve cut down my work hours to 25 hours and have scheduled 3 days off each week, and the hours that I am working are based around attending specific yoga & fitness classes in the mornings and afternoons.

Put simply – ya girl is serious about getting fit again. I have about 10 kilos that I’d like to lose in order to be within the healthy weight range and feeling like my best self (I know it’s unpopular to talk about losing weight, but it’s my truth and I think it’s important to share that you can still love yourself, and also have weight loss goals).

With that said, when the opportunity came up to visit the new Under Armour Brand House Karrinyup, I was very keen! What better way to start a new year and kick some goals than with a fresh new wardrobe from one of the most popular activewear brands on the market? There’s just something so motivating about a new outfit, and I’m more than happy to draw on every available resource (psychological or not!) to help me hit my goals.

I have to admit that I was fairly unaware of Under Armour before trying their clothing – but after visiting them at their brand new Karrinyup digs late last year – now I can’t go a single day without spotting many multiple people sporting their gear!

I also convinced my boyfriend, Ben, who has some 2022 fitness goals of his own, to give a few pieces a whirl – and he’s also a convert.

We’ve put together a list of our top 3 pieces each in the Women’s & Men’s categories – to help you hit your own health & fitness goals in 2022 – let’s dive in.

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♥ Meridian Bike Shorts

Starting this list with any other piece than the Meridian Bike Short just wouldn’t make sense, it’s pretty much all I’ve been wearing for the past 4 months – chillin’ at home? Check. Going for a run? Check. Heated yoga? Check. HIIT workout? Check. Popping down to the shops for a bag of chips? Check.

What I like so much about this unassuming short, is that it’s the perfect length (8 inches), super soft and high-waisted while not being constricting and uncomfortable on the tummy, doesn’t cut in on the thigh, is squat-proof, and also has pockets (yaaaay!).

It really is the perfect all-rounder short for WHATEVER you want to do! I will admit, at first I wasn’t sure because I normally like my bike shorts slightly shorter than this, but I’ve since been won over and the little bit of extra length means I’m not constantly tugging down my shorts during my workout.

I will note that if you’re using this for more intense exercise, over time the fabric will become a little textured – not quite pilling but just a more brushed texture rather than smooth. This doesn’t bother me in the slightest, but having worked in the activewear industry for many years now – I know this is an issue for some people. So if you’re super particular about keeping your fabric 100%, I’d recommend hand washing in cool water, laying flat to dry, and just using these for more gentle exercise like yoga and pilates.

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♥ UA Rush Tank

What’s a pair of shorts without the perfect matching tank top to go with it? The UA Rush Tank is a light-weight, super sweat friendly tank top that comes in plain black and is the perfect pal to pair with your Meridian Shorts.

I find myself reaching for this one when I’ve off to a functional strength class at FitStop, a run, or heated yoga. I love that it’s a slightly looser fit, which I find very flattering and I don’t have to worry about fabric clinging. You can do a tiny tuck of the tank into the shorts so the top doesn’t fly over your head during downward dog, and the extra breeze on my arms during a super sweaty workout is very much appreciated.

It doesn’t stick to your body and is ultra quick drying too – love this addition to my fitness wardrobe!

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♥ HOVR Phantom 2 Intelliknit Running Shoes

I was immediately drawn to these shoes because I felt like they had a “cyber hacker babe” vibe to them, and that is how I wish to view myself moving forward.

The Intelliknits are super comfortable to wear, and I’m reaching for them without fail every single time I go for a lap around the local park, jog around Lake Monger, or even if I’ve just got a busy day filled with lots of errands about town.

They come in loads of different styles and designs, and truth be told I want absolutely all of them.

I would highly recommend these for anyone looking for a cute, lightweight walking / running shoe that’ll make you feel like you’re walking on air.

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♥ Rush Compression Long Sleeve Top and Shorts (Men’s UA Rush Heatgear 2.0 Long Sleeve & and half tights)

It is Under Armour’s compression line that intrigued me the most when I was browsing their collection. I have been using compression garments for years, and they have become particularly important to me as I have gotten older. I’m nearly 40, and increased muscle soreness is just a reality of staying active as you enter middle age.
I have tried a lot of brands, but never Under Armour and I have to say I am impressed. The first thing I noticed is just how light they are compared to other compression garments I have tried. It is a revelation. When I wear compression gear I just expect to be hot after a workout, but not with Under Armour Rush. It kept me cool and comfortable for my entire 70 minute session, and still provided me with the support I expect from a compression garment. If you have tried other brands and found the heat too much, I definitely recommend giving Under Armour a try. The Rush compression line really impressed me and they are very competitively priced.

You can find the shorts here, and the top here.

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♥ UA Streaker Run Short Sleeve

This, in my opinion, is the perfect workout shirt. It is so light weight and well ventilated that I knew as soon as put it on it would go the distance. As you can seen from the name, it is designed for running, but this top was equally as good in the gym. I had excellent range of motion and I barely felt its presence my entire workout. I love the cut of this shirt as well. Confidence is a significant element of a successful training regime. If you feel that positive energy about yourself, and about what you are doing, working out does not need to be a chore. I feel good in this shirt and that positive energy lets me push that little bit harder. I know that is a lot to put on shirt, but this is my go to if I am feeling little down before a workout and need a boost.

On top of that, it is literally half the price of other brands that are not even half as good as this. Highly recommended! You can find it online here.

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♥ UA Project Rock 4 Training Shoes

Okay, I admit it, I did not know that Under Armour did shoes. That is on me though because their collection is pretty impressive and includes a great selection of running and training shoes all the way to more practical varieties like hiking boots and protective gear.
I tried the Project Rock 4 Training shoes and what a find they were. I have always worked out in runners because I thought ‘Whatever, shoes are shoes.’ Well I was wrong, very wrong. In fact, I have been denying myself the extra support and stability you can get from shoes that are designed for purpose. Shoes that give you that little bit more confidence taking one those extra weight plates, that take the pressure off your ankle and let you power through a movement.

The Project Rock 4 does just that. As soon as you put them on you can feel the difference, with a knit compression collar that softly, but firmly, cradles your ankle. I immediately felt more stable. A rubber strap bisects the foot from the laces to the arch to provide that extra structure you just do not get with runners. This is a must for anyone looking to improve their balance doing weighted squats, lunges or deadlifts. You will feel the confidence you need to go for little bit heavier, and get those gains a little bit faster.

We tried on all of this fab gear at the Under Armour Brand House Karrinyup, where the staff were incredibly sweet, helpful and positive – it was a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend popping in to check out their latest goodies if you’re in the area!

Have you tried the Under Armour brand before? What are your ‘must have’ pieces? Head on over to Instagram and let us know @wellnesswa!

Be well,

Annette & Ben

xoxo

*Products provided by Under Armour for consideration, opinions are our own.

♥ Photo from Jordanna Levin’s Instagram

It seems somewhat counterintuitive to set out on a quest to find love by focusing on who you are on your lonesome, but when it comes to manifesting a Higher Love, i.e a love that lifts you up rather than has you falling, then the only thing you need is something you already possess, yourSELF.

Too often we walk into a new relationship or at the very least a dating experience, looking for our potential suitor to tick a bunch boxes, fill a few gaps and make us feel something we convince ourselves is impossible to feel without them. But if you know anything about manifestation, you’ll know that like attracts like and if you want to become a love magnet (I mean, who doesn’t) it all starts with an acute sense of self awareness.

You’ve likely heard the terms self-care and self-love thrown around in the context of body brushing, journaling and eating your greens, but true love and care for oneself comes down to knowing who the bloody hell you are! Most of us don’t…

I describe it as your personal vibration. When your personal vibration is strong, you feel like the truest version of you. You feel confident, comfortable, your posture is probably nice and tall and your words flow with ease. When your vibration is weak you feel stuck and stagnant, you can’t find comfortability in anything and you’re likely not the witty and clever gal (or guy) you know you can be.

Self awareness is about knowing what strengthens your personal vibration and what weakens it (and I’m not even talking about relationships, yet). My vibration is strong when I’m around certain people, when I’m working in my business, when I integrate enough ‘me time’ into my week and when I’m doing the things that bring me joy. My vibration is weakened when I spend too much time on social media, when I fall into the comparison trap, when I spend too much time with people who drain me, or when I force myself to do things because I feel ‘I should’.

Once you know what it feels like when your vibration is strong then day to day you aim to choose things that keep it vibrating at their frequency. When it comes to love and dating this is helpful in two ways. When you’re vibrating at a strong frequency:

– You naturally attract people vibrating at a similar frequency to you! Score.

– You can use it as a barometer to determine whether someone you’re dating is bringing you closer or further away from that true authentic version of you. Make sense?

If you really want to manifest a Higher Love in 2021 you need to ask yourself 3 questions:

1. Who am I?

2. What lights me up?

3. And how do I want to feel in love?

And then prioritise the answers to those questions in all of your pursuits in love. Self awareness really is your greatest superpower.

Jordanna Levin is is an author, podcast host & self-love & manifestation expert. You can read more about Jordanna’s wellness routine here!

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With 2021 shaping up to be a crazy little year already (hello snap lockdown, fires and floods), there’s never been a better time to prioritise love, self-care and

Whether you’re celebrating valentines, gal-entines, pal-entines or treat yourself to some Cristal-entines (🥂), this list of fun gifts will have you or your pressie recipient feeling the LOVE this February 14th. And while we agree that you should show yourself and your nearest and dearest love EVERY day of the year, we also think it’s nice to have a little space carved out in the calendar that’s dedicated solely to the L word.

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♥ La Loba Cliterally Amazing Clit Oil – $24

What better place to start on the day of love than right with your own body? Designed for people with clits, this lush oil smells like a delicious chai tea (seriously, the smell is amaze). Use the dropper to apply 1-2 drops to your (or someone else’s) body, wait a few minutes and then enjoy the warm, tingly sensations. Fun to use for self-pleasure, partner-pleasure – particularly oral sex – or just because, when I first bought this product from the cuties at Soft Yoga Perth, I would NOT stop raving about it to everyone that crossed my path. The obsession remains. Do yourself a big favour, at $24, it’s well worth the investment.

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♥ Couples Massage

People have been showing their love for one another by sharing the gift of massage for almost as long as time itself. There’s nothing quite like the post-incredible-massage haze and deep sense of relaxation, so it makes sense that we would want to gift this feeling to someone we care about!

If you want to take it up a level, a couples massage involves both of you being massaged at the same time in the same room by two separate massage therapists, so you can bond over the mutual relaxation you’re both experiencing!

Most couples massages will end with a cup of tea and some snacks in a cosy room to keep the bliss going just a little bit longer.

Our top recommendations are Endota Spa Perth CBD, Bigfoot Massage in Northbridge, Bodhi J, Como Shambhala in the city, and Crown Spa.

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♥ Peggy Sue’s Pink Vitamin C Serum

Your face shouldn’t miss out on the love this Val-day, and we think that one of the very best way to show your skin some TLC is with a natural Vitamin C serum – specifically this cute one from Peggy Sue!

Naturally coloured with dragonfruit extract, I’d say it’s pinkness compares to rose quartz, the Pink Vitamin C Serum is designed brighten, hydrate, and firm the skin. I can confirm that after using it my skin felt moisturised and not oily or sticky at all – which is ideal in a serum – and my daily facial sunscreen & makeup went on perfectly over the top.

Give the gift of glowing skin with this absolute babe of a product. Used daily, for at least two weeks, your skin will be feeling and looking its very best.

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♥ Higher Love by Jordanna Levin

This one is a great idea for your Gal-entines day or a night snuggled up at home on the couch with Uber Eats and a bottle of wine – introducing, Jordanna Levin and her make-your-heart-happy book, Higher Love.

A dating manual for the astrology-lovin’, crystal cleansing & soul-centred friends in your life – Jordanna promises to help you manifest more love in your life by upping your personal vibration to help attract the partner of your dreams.

And even if you’re already coupled up, you’ll enjoy this feel-good, self-love guidebook that will have you feeling more deeply connected to your heart.

Whatever you’re doing this Valentines / Galentines / Palentines / Icecream-in-bed-entines, we hope you enjoy showering yourself or someone else with love!

Be well,

xoxo

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First up, briefly tell us a bit about yourself and what you do!

Hi! I am Grady Wulff. I recently graduated from the Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting at WAAPA/ECU Perth. I won the Fox Sports News award in my course that lead to a 3-month internship at FSN in Sydney where I relocated in February this year. I have worked in many different industries over the years from events, to technology, fashion and more, having also completed a Marketing and Advertising degree. I am a very bubbly, outgoing person who loves to keep myself overly busy (have a problem with saying no to things). I love to keep fit and am always looking to challenge myself in new ways.

What time do you wake up most days and how many hours of sleep do you aim for?

I like to wake up at 6am to make the most of my days. It has been difficult to maintain this of late as I have been working night shift, however I am trying to get back onto this routine now that I have moved to Melbourne. I am guilty of running off 5 hours sleep many times but I like to get at least 7 hours to make the most of my day and ensure I have adequate energy levels to get the most out of my days.

What’s your morning routine to set you up for a great day?

I like to exercise first thing in the morning to start my day on the right note – I wake up and pop on my exercise kit and get out the door for either a 10km run or 15km walk. I follow this up with a lemon tea, water bottle, coffee and eggs or a banana.

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I don’t eat a lot but I like to eat very healthy of late. I start my day with scrambled eggs with mushroom, goats cheese, onion, kale, or if I am in a rush just a banana and a coffee. For lunch I like to have salads with some meat in summer and soups in winter. Dinners I like to explore my newfound love of cooking!

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Do you take any supplements, vitamins or special wellness elixirs? If so, we’d love to know!

I take Bioceuticals Armaforce and the JS Health Hair Vitamins every morning.

Do you have an evening wind-down ritual?

Have a bath, listen to a podcast (Serial, Cold Case Files, The Claremont Trial and the Teachers Pet are all my favourites!), and have a peppermint tea.

Best place to get a green juice or smoothie in your city?

I have just moved to Melbourne so am yet to try any green juices however I was introduced to Green Cup for acai bowls and boy oh boy am I addicted! In Perth my favourite green juice is from Yelo.

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What’s your fitness routine & favourite way to get sweaty and where’s your go-to?

I love to go for 10-15km walks and runs every day. I find running or walking is the best way to clear my mind and centralise my thought process. Exercise for me is more of a mental release than physical but I obviously love the feeling of satisfaction after a great workout. I also do Zoom workouts with my PT Aian from The Clubhouse in Perth – I love that i have found a trainer who pushes me and doesn’t tolerate my excuses for not pushing myself harder!

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If you could only wear one brand of activewear for the rest of your life it would be…

JAGGAD – I love the support and tight fit of their ranges. The leggings always have a pocket on the high waist band which is perfect for keys when running and the quality of the product is second to none.

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What’s the one beauty or wellness treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

I love getting Hydrafacials at Youth Lab in Perth. I haven’t had one in the three months I have been gone from Perth so I definitely miss them but they have set me up with the Ultraceuticals MD range as a replacement while I am away.

What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t got around to yet?

I would love to try the Ella Bache Instant Glow Mask that a lot of influencers post about on Instagram – I love the look of the mask and the results look incredible.

Are you into any woo-woo wellness trends? (think crystals, sageing, tarot cards etc)

I can’t say that I am but I am always willing to try new things!

You’ve got a big event in 7 days time that you need to look incredible for. What’s your plan of attack to look & feel your absolute best?

Great question! I up the amount of water I have everyday to ensure my skin is looking very well hydrated and I feel great, I increase the amount of sleep I get every night, if I am presenting I will be researching the topics I am to talk about everyday and ensure I am very well prepared for any question thrown at me, I increase my exercise for mental and physical well-being and I will make sure I have had a Hydrafacial in the lead up.

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If you could have the ultimate day of wellness & happiness in Melbourne / Perth what would it involve and where would you go?

I went to the Japanese Mountain Spa in Melbourne last year and promised myself to make it a yearly visit. It was the most surreal experience mixing both Japanese culture and tranquility in our own little isolated spa. I would recommend it to anyone.

My ultimate relaxation and day spa experience in Perth is definitely at the Crown Towers – I was fortunate enough to have the massage at the towers and the experience was second to none.

What’s your dream wellness vacay?

A week in the Maldives to completely relax and unwind – spending most days at a day spa and treating myself to the ultimate relaxation vacation. I would also like to do a yoga retreat in Bali – I have always wanted to escape the craziness of my daily life to just stop and spend a week focusing on myself through yoga.

And lastly… do you have any top secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

Wake up everyday and read one positive affirmation! I know it sounds cliche but it really works. I always look to start my day on the right note mentally and physically. For the physical start to my day I always wake up and have lemon tea.