Your skin is the largest organ in your body and is connected with all the other organs and systems in the body. Therefore it can be said that glowing skin comes from the inside. Health can be seen in a person's face through eyes that are bright and skin that is clear and hydrated.
What we put on our skin is also important, as essentially we are feeding the skin. The skin has a complex microbiome which functions optimally when it is in balance. Skin problems can occur when this balance is disrupted. The use of certain cosmetics can strip the skin, disrupting this delicate balance. Natural skincare cares for the skin, ensuring the skin is nourished and nurtured.
We use Flourish Organics products for our facials here at Solace. Organic essential oils along with natural carrier oils and locally grown ingredients are used which benefit the skin and also relax the mind. We stock a lovely range of Flourish products here at reception with samples, so feel free to try them out.
Skin problems can occur for different reasons, hormones can play a part, along with our digestive system and organs of detoxification. Our skin microbiome is linked and somewhat controlled by our gut microbiome so maintaining a healthy gut is very important. Sometimes it can be confusing to figure out what the cause of problem skin is, but it is well worth investigating. Sarah Forristal, our nutritional therapist here at Solace is available for appointments to help you figure it out and support you in obtaining healthy skin.

To book a Holistic Facial call or text 087 9510554
For more information on nutrition and skin care email sarah@vitalise.ie

We have recently started stocking Findhorn Flower Essences here at Solace and the feedback from clients using them so far has been great.
Findhorn Flower Essences is a small, well established and award winning business. Their essences are lovingly made by hand according to the methods of Dr. Edward Bach in the north of Scotland.
Flower essences are aqueous infusions of flowers, endowed with the very essence and the highest concentration of the life force of a plant. They work on the subtle levels of our human anatomy. They assist in aiding the etheric and subtle bodies to deal with the conditions that predispose people to disease, and the mental and emotional effects of illness by balancing and strengthening our psycho-spiritual health and wellbeing.
Flower Essences can help:

• Soothe emotional stress
• Find peace of mind
• Increase self-confidence
• Realise a greater sense of purpose
• Transform negativity and enhance positive attitude

​Flower essences are absorbed through the mucus membranes in the mouth and enter directly into the bloodstream. The vibrational imprint of the essences is then transmitted through the bloodstream, influencing the endocrine system, the nervous system and the chakras.
They can be taken under the tongue by dropper or spray, and also come in a mist which can be sprayed in a room or around the body.

Our range of flower essences are available at reception where you will also find more information on each remedy. We would be happy to help you select the remedy that is right for you.

Call or text 087 9510554 to book an appointment.

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​Reflexology is the technique of applying gentle pressure to reflex areas on the feet  to bring about a state of deep relaxation and to stimulate the body's own healing processes. The theory underlying reflexology is that the organs, nerves, glands and other parts of the body are connected to reflex areas on the feet. By stimulating these areas using special techniques a reflexologist can create a direct response in a related body area. 
The roots of reflexology date back to ancient Egypt where early paintings depicting reflexology were found in the tomb of the ancient Egyptian physician Ankmahor.
Dr. William Fitzgerald was one of the pioneers of modern reflexology who undertook extensive research in to the effects of stimulation of the sensory pathways on the rest of the body. He developed 'Zone Therapy' on which the modern form of reflexology was subsequently based.  In the 1930s Eunice Ingham the 'mother of reflexology' developed techniques and devised reflexology maps which form the basis for the way in which most reflexology is practised around the world today.
What are the benefits of reflexology? 
Reflexology stimulates the body's own healing capabilities by restoring natural balance. It does this through working on the nervous system, improving circulation, improving energy, and supporting the organs and their functions. Reflexology can be beneficial for digestive health, female health and hormones, stress relief, pain relief, migraine/headache relief, and overall health and wellbeing.
What can I expect from a reflexology treatment?
Reflexology is a deeply relaxing treatment. The feet are warmed up and then pressure is used on reflex points throughout the feet. By stimulating these areas using a compression technique a direct response in the related body area is created. Clients generally feel very relaxed during and after the treatment. 

To find out more or to book a reflexology treatment -
call or text Solace Holistic Centre on 087 9510554.

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January can bring with it a lot of motivation to do lots more new things and take a lot more risks. This is neither a good thing or bad thing, more a seasonal event that occurs every year at the same time in the New Year. How ever there is one thing in particular that we should be aware of and that is the risk of running into this new year with much gusto and enthusiasm to finally do all the things you said you were going to do last year but will definitely do this year!
 
Honestly lets be present and more realistic about what can be achieved as in reality there may be many reasons as to why you didn’t do what you thought you were going to do last year. But let’s not get overwhelmed and try and do all those things as well as a multitude of other new things. Do we really need to be setting a whole load of new goals, hobbies, tasks, you name it lets do it? No I genuinely don’t believe that we do, as long as we are doing what makes us happy and are open to possibilities of new things.
 
So this may be where we need to take a reality check, and instead of becoming overwhelmed and throwing our hands in the air and doing nothing because there’s too much to do anyway, instead lets have a look at some steps that can move you forward and help you achieve what you would like to do in 2019 rather than what you feel you need or should be doing.
 
Moving forward into 2019:
> Be present with where you are right now.
> Be thankful for all that you have done and then look at what you might want to continue to do
> Look at what you may be able to let go of at this stage.
> Be realistic, look at your diary see what time you have available and where can you create more time.
> Without becoming overwhelmed pick one new thing to achieve this coming year.
> Set a realistic time frame, and be sure its something that you really want to do rather than needing to do it.
> If you have time later in the year pick another thing you want to do
 
This one new thing will be a ‘present’ to yourself which will keep you focused in the New Year you are in. This present will help you to be present and feel more fulfilled that you are focusing a little bit of time on you. After all at this stage you may have given presents to everyone else so lets give a present to yourself and do something you want to do. It doesn’t matter how big or small the present is as long as it makes you happy, brings out the inner smile, feeds your soul whatever way you want to look at it. In reality we need to “Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being excited about what could go right”.
For more details and Holistic support contact us in Solace Holistic Centre on 08795105454 or visit our website www.solaceholisticcentre.com 

​Christmas can be a magical time of year but it can also be busy and hectic for a lot of people. And yet, if we look at nature everything is slowing down in order to conserve energy. The trees lose their leaves and go back down in to their roots, animals hibernate so that they will have energy again in spring-time. Sometimes we try to maintain the same momentum throughout the year even though we may not have the energy for it. We end up feeling worn out physically and emotionally.

If we think of winter as a natural time of hibernation we can be a little bit kinder to ourselves. We may need to prioritise rest over pushing ourselves to get everything on our to-do list done. Listen to your body if it is showing signs of fatigue, pain, low mood or stress. Recharging our batteries now will benefit our health in the new year. Slow down where possible and create time for yourself to do things that are restorative - a yoga class, a massage, a walk in nature are a few examples. Massage therapy specifically works on the central nervous system to calm and restore the body.
We also have a natural tendency to go inward at this time of year. Self reflection as the year comes to a close gives us the opportunity to check in with ourselves on how we are doing in all the different areas of our lives. Have a notebook at hand and jot down ideas and thoughts that come in to your head. Getting our thoughts down on paper can be a great way to clear our busy heads. Meditation works for a lot of people but for others the idea of sitting in quietness doesn't appeal! Keep in mind that movement can also be meditative. Being present in any activity you are doing is a form of meditation. 
The amount of sunlight we are exposed to is very little at this time of year. As we know, we need sun on our skin to make vitamin D - a vital nutrient for our bone health and immune system. A lack of vitamin D has also been linked with depression. Our skin needs to be exposed to direct sunlight for around 10 minutes per day in order to make Vitamin D. Our bodies can store vitamin D for a short period of time, so the fact that we had a great summer is beneficial, but remember that the use of sunscreen blocks our bodies ability to make vitamin D. Supplementing Vitamin D is easy and supplements in the form of sprays or tablets can be bought at health shops or pharmacies. 
Take time for yourself at this time of year and focus on what restores you. At the end of a busy year it is important to touch in with how you are feeling physically and emotionally. The new year will bring more challenges and experiences so taking care of recharging and restoring ourselves during the winter months will support our health and wellbeing in 2019.
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​Sarah Forristal www.vitalise.ie

As the days shorten and the weather gets a bit colder we think of warm winter
clothes, cosy fires, but do we think about the effect this can have on mind and body. 
It can bring about a sluggish system, aches and pains and a low mood due to lack of 
natural light. What can help combat this is self care. It comes in many forms and one in particular is massage therapy. There are many benefits of massage therapy, 
including:

• A natural mood lifter, as it relaxes and gives a sense of rejuvenation, as well as releasing the serotonin and endorphin chemical, exactly the same chemicals that your body produces when the sun shines.
  
• A massage helps the blood pass through the areas of congestion and increases flow, also helping your lymphatic system clean out the waste that’s building up, a natural detox.
  
• It simulates the white blood cells our natural antibodies to start making you feel better.
  
• Natural oils are rubbed into your skin in Solace we use Grapeseed Oils. This can help the skin to feel more elasticated, and also has the added advantage of moisturising your skin.
  

Along with external activities it is vital to look at what the body is taking in and 
how it can be nurtured from the inside. The Autumn brings colder weather, 
and so our bodies call more for warming comfort food. During the heat of the 
summer raw foods can be tolerated but as the temperature drops we need to adapt 
our diet to include foods which soothe our digestive system and warm the body. 
Here are some tips from Sarah Forristal, (www.vitalise.ie)
Nutritional & Massage Therapist in Solace that will help us transition in to Autumn
and Winter:

• Eat a warm breakfast: A bowl of porridge with cinnamon and a sprinkling of nuts or seeds is a good start on a cold morning.
  
• Drink ginger tea: Ginger is soothing, it alleviates nausea and relieves cramps.  A cup of warm ginger tea after a meal will aid digestion.
  
• Add aromatic spices: Spices like ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamon, cinnamon and cayenne pepper all have warming properties and improve circulation. Add to soups and stews for a warming meal.
  
• Slow-cooked foods are beneficial: roasted root vegetables, slow-cooked soups, stews and meats are easier-to-digest and more warming at this time of year.              
  

This is a vital time of the year to breathe and check in with yourself see how your 
mind and body are feeling and notice what you can do for you. Observe if mind or 
body is lacking something in particular. There are a number of therapeutic options 
in Solace Holistic Centre, which hosts a wide range of therapists. Therapies available include, Nutrition, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Counselling, Coaching, Murad Facials,Microblading, Aura Soma therapy, Massage & Reflexology. 

More details on www.solaceholisticcentre.com or buzz us on 087 9510554, 023885970
Warm Regards, Joyce.

Ear candling is said to date back thousands of years and the use of 'cleansing cones' have been used in many cultures around the globe.
Ear candles are hollow tubes made from cotton and pure beeswax. One candle is placed gently in to the ear while the person lies on their side, and the part furthest from the ear is lit. This creates a chimney-like effect which has a warming and softening effect.
While the candle burns down a relaxing pressure point massage is done on the shoulders, neck, face and head. This aids in clearing the sinuses and relieving tension in this area. The person then turns over and a second candle is used on the other ear.
Many clients report a state of complete mental, physical and emotional relaxation, some even fall asleep. Many often comment on feeling a soothing, liberating, light sensation in the ear and head areas. 
Ear Candling is said to relieve pressure and pain, mainly in the ear and head area. It works on the ear, nose and throat and is most helpful in alleviating blockage in the sinus passages. It may help to relieve headaches & migraines and to loosen compacted earwax.
Some people have seen improvements in the following:

• Compacted Ear Wax - series of treatments are recommended to loosen and soften built up ear wax
  
• Tinnitus & Noises/Ringing in the Ears
• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis
• Colds
• Flu
• Sore Throats
• Hay Fever
• Catarrh
  
• Headache
• Migraine
• Regulation of Pressure in Ears & Head
  
• Calming and Relaxing in cases of Anxiety and Stress
  

Ear candling can be combined with Indian Head massage for a deeply relaxing treatment.
For more information or to book an appointment call or text 087 9510554.

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy gardening, when the sun is shining and everything is in bloom. Spending time in nature has many benefits and gardening is one way of getting outdoors and reaping these positive effects.

• Gardening allows us to slow down - it is a methodical process which has the effect of slowing down our mind and relieving stress.
• The physicality of gardening enhances strength and flexibility - it involves a range of motion which works the muscles and joints of the body. It has also been shown to release endorphins which gives us a sense of well-being.
• It connects us to nature - working in the earth has a deeply grounding effect and it provides us with a connection to the natural cycles all around us.
• It provides us with a sense of accomplishment - it is wonderful to see something thrive and bloom after taking time to care for it.

Enjoy all these benefits of gardening but do take care of yourself too. It can be tempting to keep going until you get the job done but this can result in overexertion, especially if you are new to gardening. Stretching out the body after doing work that involves bending will help, as will massage therapy if you find your back and shoulders are stiff or sore after working in the garden.