Spring is Coming

Thank goodness, we made it through January!

The first sparks of spring are starting to peep through the ground as the creatures around us awaken from their winter slumber.

We can start to make plans and look forward to adventures as the nights start to get lighter. We can venture out of the house a bit more and step into nature.

We have some lovely packages for Valentine’s and Mother’s Day planned for you, plus a Spring Wreath making workshop actually on Mothering Sunday 10 march.  Take a look at our events page for more details and to book your place.

This is the real new year now as we can think more positively with the Christmas chocolates finally scoffed and the drudgery of January in the past.

It’s time for self love and care, time to put ourselves at the top of the list of priorities.

We can take advantage of lighter days and be present in the moment to notice the glimmers that life has to show us.

If you haven’t heard of glimmers – they are the opposite of triggers and bring joy to your day. You will find them if you look carefully and take time to appreciate the little things in life. – Like perhaps taking time to make your morning drink and savouring the smell and taste as the steam bounces on your nose maybe fogging up your glasses. There may be frosty cobwebs in the garden with detailed patterns, or the birds may have a cheerful tune for you to hear. Just take the time to breathe slow and deep and notice the wonder around you.

If you are struggling with finding things to be grateful for, or feel like you are in a funk. Please get in touch to see how we can help you.

We offer holistic therapies that can really help you see the bigger picture and feel better all round.

 

My next step with HRT

I have now gotten used to having the Mirena coil in my body.

It was a few weeks before it settled in and I stopped feeling cramping and bleeding lightly. I went to the doctors a week after the coil fitting to get the oestrogen patches to complete the process.

My GP was quite reluctant to give me them and said at first I was too young, she also went through the risks of HRT again… and I responded with ”But the benefits now outweigh the risks don’t they ? Yet you haven’t mentioned any of those.” Her response was a moment of silence as she processed how best to reply to this opinionated/clued up patient who wasn’t going to be easy to convince otherwise. She said we are supposed to tell you about the risks, we are also supposed to let you know that HRT is not recommended for long term use, i.e. more than 5 years – I said I had heard otherwise and that it actually prevents some of diseases that will cost the NHS money in the long run i.e. Dementia, Osteoporosis, heart disease etc. She just shook her head and said she would just write the prescription for me.

I have been on the patches 25mg of oestrogen for a couple of weeks and I do feel good. I feel like I have more energy and have been sleeping well.  I have been advised to go for a check up and to get more patches soon so stay tuned.

I would love to know how your experience had been so far, you can email me at thepowderroombirstall@gmail.com

My HRT journey so far …

I wanted to create a blog to let you know how I have gotten on so far.

Firstly I had telephone appointment with the contraception and sexual health clinic. I had asked about my pill and that I was considering a Mirena coil as I planned to start HRT. They advised me this was a good plan and booked me an appointment which came as a text.

I had to go to Huddersfield to have it fitted as they outsource these things to various clinics. The nurses that looked after me were really caring and understanding. The main one explained the procedure and suggested a smear test while I was there as it had been while. She went through everything and put me at ease.

I was asked to go the toilet and give them a urine sample to test for pregnancy.

Then I had to take trousers and underwear off and get on the bed. They explained they would insert a speculum and do the smear first. This was fine I didn’t really feel much at all. Then it was time to fit the coil.

This is a small T shaped device that releases Progesterone to protect the lining of the womb and provide contraception. I could feel it being pushed in there was a slight cramping feeling they said that was normal.  It was over very quickly and I then had my blood pressure taken, which was high.

They advised me to take it easy for a few days and that the cramping might continue until it had settled into place. So I went home and took some painkillers and sat with a cuppa and a wheat bag on my belly and read my book.

I am waiting until next week to go back to the gym but the cramping stopped after a few days. I was advised to make an appointment with my GP to check blood pressure and to get some Oestrogen to complete the HRT treatment plan. This will no doubt be trial and error as to which format will best suit me.

–  It could be a gel patch or spray. I will keep you informed as to what happens and how my symptoms feel. Currently I have experienced: Brain fog, dizziness, bloating, hot feet, headaches, poor sleep sometimes, mood swings.

I am hoping this will ease as I have implemented other things in my life to help with the menopause to work alongside HRT.

The benefits now outweigh the risks and it will protect against heart disease, dementia and osteoporosis.

Email me to share your experience on

thepowderroombirstall@gmail.com

Stress and the menopause

Why stress matters in menopause

The more stress we are under the more this can aggravate menopause and perimenopausal symptoms.

Conversely, the more our sex hormones decline, the more we feel stressed and end up in a downward spiralling loop.

People want to know if it’s the stress causing their symptoms or the menopause – the answer is it’s both – We need to understand why and how to break the cycle. This is why this stage in life has been called midlife crisis and it can feel like one but it doesn’t have to be that way – read on…

Where can stress come from?

  • The pressure of children grandchildren and ageing parents
  • More responsibility at work or within the family
  • Social pressure
  • Feeling that you’re losing your looks fertility and loss of value in an ageist society
  • Insomnia / poor sleep pattern
  • A less than optimum diet
  • Lack of exercise
  • Work / life imbalance
  • Low levels of self-care
  • Exposure to too many EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies)
  • Chronic infection
  • Chemical exposure to household cleaning products
  • History of trauma
  • Adverse childhood experiences
  • Divorce
  • Bereavement
  • Anxious, avoidant relationship dynamics
  • Power struggles
  • Client demands
  • Life admin – booking, tickets meal, planning shopping, school admin etc
  • Time constraints and deadlines
  • Worrying about the future
  • Self-imposed expectations
  • Traffic and road rage

The list of modern day stressors goes on and on.

Here’s the science bit

Stress is connected to the brain. -The pathway between the hypothalamus, and the adrenal glands is called the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis (HPA).

The hypothalamus detects and interprets stress to send a signal to your adrenal glands to produce adrenaline or cortisol. This is because instant energy is needed for this threat. – The problem is, the more adrenaline you produce, the more you see things as a threat. This is the loop that you get stuck in.

The important thing to remember is the HPA axis is triggered by your own interpretation of stress so by learning how to cope with your stressors by reforming your perspective is powerful. You can learn to relax into life’s challenges and feel more in control and able to cope with what life throws at you without feeling overwhelmed or stressed out. This doesn’t happen by telling someone to calm down – its a bit more work than that which we can help you with. As you have probably experienced for yourself this would have the opposite effect.

Sex Hormones

FSH – Follicle Stimulating Hormone is it Gonadotropin, a Glycoprotein and a Polypeptide hormone which means it helps things grow.

LH- Luteinising Hormone triggers the release of an egg and controls the menstrual cycle

In men it causes the testicles to make testosterone.

The reason we feel more stressed during perimenopause is because FSH and  LH levels are changing and this makes the HPA axis become more reactive.

The body has its own coping mechanisms of rebalancing this limbic activity, but when oestrogen and progesterone decline, so does the bodies ability to regulate this HPA axis.

So basically, the sex hormones protect the body against that stress reaction.

When they start to decline we are no longer protected against this stress buffering response. When we find ourselves in the state of stress, the body prioritises survival not reproduction.

This is why we store fat because the body collects fuel in case we need as it still thinks stress = famine. Perimenopause is a time when learning how to deal with stress differently comes into play. If we’re going to alter our perception of stress and improve resilience, we need to  learn coping skills that can really help the body avoid falling into the stress trap.

A powerful skill is realising stress doesn’t have to be negative. It can be neutral when we know why menopause makes stress worse we can approach it with more neutrality instead of dramatics and negative reactions.

This is easier said than done if you’re at the top of your tree feeling overwhelmed and stressed, this is where we come in.

We can offer holistic treatments such as Reiki and Aromatherapy Massage to help you relax for even a short time to reset your thoughts to enable you to make better decisions, moving forward along your menopause journey.

Other therapies we offer include: Reflexology, Lomi Lomi massage, Indian Head Massage, Therapeutic Results driven facials. and so much more.

The way our holistic approach to stress works is by temporarily slowing down the heart rate and brainwaves to help you relax deeper to recharge your batteries. This is a chance for you to reset and refocus and with our tips to help you move forward you will feel much more in control and less reactive to the things that would normally cause you stress.

There are many other holistic therapies that can help with this and we have a number of contacts we can refer you to should you want to explore them – These include : Hypnotherapy, Sound Therapy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, EFT Tapping therapy, Cognitive behavioural therapy,

Thank you for reading and if you have found this blog helpful please share with anyone you feel might benefit from it and we look forward to seeing you soon for some much needed holistic therapy time just for you.

Written by Natalie Hodges

Reiki Practitioner, Women’s Circle Facilitator, Menopause Mentor and Award Winning Skin Specialist.

What makes us unique ?

We have a unique offering here at The Powder Room

We have gone a bit more witchy, spiritual and holistic.

This means we treat the mind and body as a whole.
🌹We empower you to feel amazing
🌹We show you how to love yourself again
🌹we bring women together to feel safe and nurtured
🌹we help you embrace your inner warrior goddess to feel strong and powerful
🌹we show you how to prioritise yourself without neglecting others
🌹 we want to spread the love and light that brings us together

How do we do this ?

🌹 we hold women’s circles
🌹 we do journaling and help you let go of negative feelings and work through them.
🌹 we offer reiki healing
🌹Lomi lomi massage
🌹reflexology
🌹 relaxing facials
🌹 aromatherapy massage
🌹 mindfulness sessions
🌹meditation sessions
🌹We have oracle cards
🌹menopause mentoring
🌹we offer advice and guidance to help You find your way to happiness
🌹 we do craft workshops to create things like your own blend of herbal tea,
a seasonal wreath or a aromatherapy remedy roll on etc.
🌹We are going to do some guided walks and wild swimming in small Groups too

✨If any of this sounds like your thing please get in touch to see our offering and to book something in.

✨It might be just what you’re been looking for

Please get in touch if you would like to know more.

THE GIFTS OF MENOPAUSE

I have been working closely with many women to find out how we can embrace these gifts as we reach this sacred chapter of our lives.

As our oestrogen levels drop it makes us more outspoken and receptive to how the world is working now. We can see things we may not have seen when we were younger.

Such as : How corrupt some systems are and how we are programmed to follow lots of rules that don’t seem to benefit our wellbeing. Also our conditioning from childhood and how that may be triggering our reactions while under stress and emotional exhaustion.

We may realise that we no longer need to be rushing around like a mad woman pleasing people and putting ourselves on the bottom of the pile.

– This stops now and its time to prioritise our self care so we can be more present and enjoy our lives more by living in the moment and noticing the beauty around us.

Its time to implement boundaries – with friends, family and work colleagues. You could try small changes if this is scary, but a good place to start is to not reply to calls or messages after a set time in the evening. Be strong and see how it affects your stress levels by not being glued to your phone at everyone’s beck and call.  If you want to get a bit more ruthless unfollow the friends or social media accounts that annoy you or don’t make you happy. You know the ones where you just scroll and instantly your mood flips – BLOCK AND DELETE.

When you have finally had chance to sit by yourself and enjoy a bit of peace start to think about what you really want. Life is short, is it how you hoped it would be or are there changes that need to be made?

It’s called ”the change” for a reason!

Its time for you to rise up in your power now and do the things that fill you with joy. The small things that can make a big difference like being more mindful with everyday tasks. Take your time to savour the moment and realise to beauty around you.

If you are struggling to find these gifts and are battling with physical symptoms, get in touch to see how we can help clear some of the stress to help you feel more balanced and able to focus on your needs.

Email me on

thepowderroombirstall@gmail.com

Spring is coming…

The weather is definitely perking up a bit now wouldn’t you agree?

I just love seeing the start of the cherry blossom and the tips of the daffodils , snowdrops and crocuses as they wait to bloom.

We have some exciting things to celebrate the season and prepare you for coming out of your winter hibernation. Its a great time for a good clear out and to make plans for new beginnings. A reset to get back in the world so you can enjoy the fresh air and brighter days.

Our treatments are designed to help you relax and reset your mind and body so you feel more able to focus on tasks and the changes you want to implement.

Get in touch to chat about how you would like to feel and let us recommend the right treatment for you.

To celebrate spring and Mother’s Day we have a few things in the diary if you want to know more, take a look at the events and the specials page and book your tickets or buy the deals online.

Mother’s Day wreath making workshop – Sat 11 march 4-7pm

Woodland Hideout Package – includes facial and back massage plus some special things we have created just for you

  • You can buy deal online

We look forward to seeing you soon

What make our facials so special ?

What makes our facials so special ?

We pride ourselves on being experts in our field, and between us we have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Those of you who have had facials for a long time will have witnessed many changes in the industry as have we. With new knowledge comes new innovations and better protocols. We have changed how we work from old school cleanse, tone and moisturise to facial scrubs are not recommended as they once were! They are now deemed to leave microscopic scratches on the skin which we didn’t seem too bothered about in the old Avon or Clinique days.  But we cannot ignore the new information and so things have now changed. We used to offer microdermabrasion which is now a definite ‘no’ from us as we believe it to go against the main philosophy Nimue.  

There will always be a latest fad or trend that celebrities are endorsing but its not necessarily the best option for everyone. We can offer advice without the confusion.

We did our beauty therapy training at college for 3 years which is on a level similar to what nurses study on anatomy and physiology of the skin and body systems. We then developed our speciality of skin by expanding our expertise further.

We have done extensive training with many of the big brands including: Elemis, Clarins, Dermalogica, Carita, Decleor, E’spa, Natural Spa Factory and most recently Nimue skin technology.

These brands all have their own unique ways of cleansing and massaging the face. So as you can imagine there are so many massage moves to learn and remember that they stay with you for a long time.
We have taken all the best bits from our knowledge and created what we believe to be the best facials ever. Incorporating all the fluffy bits that make the facial relaxing : essential oils, Gua Sha stones, scalp massage and hot towels.
Plus you get results driven Skincare that delivers all you need to get your skin in the best condition from the inside out.  This is clever stuff, it treats the cause not just the symptom of a skin complaint and sorts it all out.

Nimue uses ‘AHA’ (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and ‘BHA’ (Beta Hydroxy Acid) Technology along with Fruit Enzymes to gently rejuvenate the skin with minimal irritation and maximum penetration of active ingredients.

This means the active ingredients don’t hang around too long on the surface of the skin causing irritation. Instead it gets sent deeper down into the cellular layers where it can work its magic and help the skin function more efficiently. This unique technology can help repair the barrier if it has been damaged which in turn will help everything else work better.

An expert salon facial will get your skin on the right track accompanied by a good homecare routine. You can achieve fantastic results in a just a few months. Get in touch with our award winning team to have a chat about how we can start your Nimue journey and you can start enjoying our dreamy facials.

Christmas again …

How are we all feeling about Christmas this year ?

I suppose it’s better than previous pandemic years but it has its own doom and gloom. What with all the scaremongery in the news about the cost of living crisis along with usual stuff.

It’s more important than ever to be grateful for what we have and try not to chase what we don’t.

There has always been a pinch in the air around this time of year, I believe it is due to the constant pressure of performing to please friends and family and now followers—whoever they are ? And now to display our ”perfect” lives on social media, which we get judged for it not being as perfect as it should be.

We need to change the narrative and teach the next generation this doesn’t have to be the way forward. We can look back on wartimes and other times of economic crises to see that its not what’s on the table it’s who’s around it that matters. We just do not need anymore clutter or useless items that will probably end up in landfill.

We need to realise how lucky we are to have the abundance of love around us and embrace our love for ourselves in better ways to show our children that this is okay. We need to make a stand and speak our truth with confidence to show people we do not listen to their judgements. This can mean simply declining invitations you previously felt compelled to attend, or simply putting boundaries in place that means you don’t end up being taken advantage of.

Also not following trends to have more and more things you need to buy to make you happy. I mean how many coats and hats does one person need. The way they advertise it every year you need a new one or the latest style. Its simply not necessary. Don’t even get me started on phones and gadgets.

Or the Gift giving, the pressure to find the perfect gift and spend money we do not have on things we do not need every year gets people into debt and depression, lets just stop once and for all.

We can show the next generation that a deep love for oneself creates happiness and a feeling of contentment. This should be a true feeling and come from oneself. I believe that venturing down a path to explore these things can be beneficial.

The treatments we offer at The Powder Room Birstall facilitate this way of thinking and can help focus your mind on the things that will help these feelings grow. As well as giving you the tools to be more assertive and not conform to the pressures we face.

My team and I are passionate about empowering you and making you feel heard. We want to get this message across to teenagers so they feel better in themselves as its worse for them to settle into much these days without the constant barrage of notifications on their phones that they use to validate their worth.

Social media has a lot to answer for, but we need to show them ways to cope with life’s tribulations and give them tools to manage feelings of overwhelm. We also need to lead by example and let our actions show them how much more simple life can be without the distractions and the need for instant gratification.

It is an addiction, we are constantly chasing the next hit of dopamine whether its from online purchases or social media likes for instant validation. This is not a true reflection of how people in real life perceive you and one should not rely on such attention to measure your self worth.

We need to feel that worth from deep within ourselves. It can be validated by actions and acts of kindness from others rather than empty words that do more harm than good in the long run.

Our women’s circle events offer a safe space to connect with others and share our feelings so we can work together to form deeper connections with ourselves to nurture our lives and live more authentically for our own needs rather than being pressured to conform to the system that has been created for us.

There are so many ways to live well and help each other out– for instance:

  • Supporting your local high street shops for anything you do need to buy
  • Buying locally farmed produce
  • Make do and mend rather than disposing of so many things to landfill
  • Recycle and reuse what we cam
  • Use cash as much as possible
  • Use your own currency of exchange of services for each other where possible
  • Create a community to work with

 

So many more ideas I would love to hear your suggestions  please email me or comment.

Lets look forward to the future together.

 

 

 

Stress and the menopause

Natalie has recently completed training to become a Menopause Mentor. This means we can now help you with your journey into midlife and make it run more smoothly with our expert guidance.

We have created a program to tackle all the issues related with the symptoms that accompany peri menopause and menopause. If you are ready to take action and make the changes needed to improve your wellbeing, then this is the program for you!

We host regular events where we explain the symptoms and treatments available to help you feel more like you again. Plus, our holistic approach means our treatments can be tailored to your specific needs.

The main focus for us is Stress Management – We can reduce your stress levels considerably, even if you only have time for a simple back massage right now it’s a start!

Stress plays a key role in how the menopause affects our lives. We can’t always control what’s happening around us, but we can control how we react to it. We have treatments to help balance our energies and reset the body, so we feel more equipped to deal with what life has in store for us. How the body reacts to stress is paramount to coping better with daily life. We can show you how.

Some of the treatments that can help include Reiki, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Mindful sessions, Massage, Facials and so much more.

Moving forward we have tips and resources to help you manage your stress at home and give you skills to change the way your body reacts to stress, as this is ultimately the problem which links stress – midlife and – the menopause.

Book a consultation with Natalie to see if the menopause program is right for you and if you are ready to take action with our help every step of the way.

How much is the program? from £1500-£5000 (payment plans available)

How long does it last? Between 3 and 8 months

What does the program include:

  • Bespoke Treatment Plan to include Reiki healing to balance your energies and realign the chakras so you feel more grounded – improves feelings of anxiety and overwhelm
  • Skincare advice and full homecare kit if required
  • Results driven Nimue facials to sort your menopausal skin out
  • Aromatherapy massage with specially blended oils tailored to your needs
  • Reflexology to pinpoint areas that may need extra attention.
  • Useful links to point you in the direction for more information
  • Supplements to improve gut health and metabolism
  • Nutrition advice on what foods can help with hormonal imbalance and give you more energy by fuelling your body instead of denying it with fad diets
  • Exercise tips and contacts for local classes online and in person.
  • Full support with documents to read at home and learn more about how together we can make your journey to the next chapter of your life amazing!
  • Plus, so much more. – Its different for everyone as we all have our own way of healing and individual issues that need to be ironed out with your menopause mentor who will guide you every step of the way.

TAKE ACTION NOW TO START FEELING MORE LIKE YOURSELF AGAIN!

EMAIL NATALIE    –   thepowderroombirstall@gmail.com

If you’re not quite ready to commit to the programme we have treatments that can be booked to suit your schedule and budget and that may be of interest as a starting point.  see list above. Get in touch to see how we can start to help you feel like yourself again and get that spark back.