Celebrity Life

Aloe Vera works as an effective hair and skincare ingredient for any treatment. Find out here all the great benefits of aloe vera all-natural wellness care. Whilst reviewing a wonderful hotel in Vietnam. I sailed to a gorgeous setting at An Lam Retreats in Ninh Van Bay. One of my unforgettable experiences was seeing how […]

The post Aloe Vera All Natural – Hair & Skin Care Benefits appeared first on Gracie Opulanza.

Foot pain can be a nuisance. It not only makes you feel uncomfortable, but it can also restrict your movement. Your feet are vital for performing almost all of your daily tasks, such as getting out of bed and going places. This is why you need to ensure your feet stay healthy.  

The post Feet Pain? These 6 Activities Could Be Causing It appeared first on LUXUO.

Organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day.

In the United States, the entire month of September is dedicated to suicide prevention awareness, to raise awareness about the stigmatised and taboo topic, shift public perception and spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide.

This day in particular aims to represent a global commitment to focusing attention on suicide prevention. This year's theme is "creating hope through action", a reminder that preventing suicide is possible — and you can be a key player in its prevention.

In Hong Kong, the suicide rate has increased significantly over the past four decades. It's crucial to do your part — in schools, in the workplace, in your day-to-day.

Suicidal feelings and the warning signs

Suicide is the act of intentionally taking your own life. Suicidal ideation, or suicidal thoughts, can range from abstract ideas and thoughts about ending your own life or that people would be better off without you to thinking about methods and making clear plans to end your life.

The factors and causes that lead to ideation are complex and many — no single approach works for everyone. People who are suicidal may feel trapped, like a burden to those around them and believe they have no other options.

As the topic of suicide is taboo and heavily stigmatised, it is important to signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them. Just a few warning signs of suicidal feelings include: increased alcohol and drug use; impulsive, reckless, aggressive and out-of-character behaviour; and withdrawal from friends and family.

Suicidal behaviour is a psychiatric emergency. Seek immediate help if you or a loved one starts to: collect and save pills or a weapon; giving away possessions and tying up loose ends (debts, payments); and saying goodbye to friends and family.

Where to get immediate help in Hong Kong

If you can't talk to someone you know, call:

• The Samaritans Hong Kong's 24-hour multilingual suicide prevention hotline (+852 2896 0000)
• Suicide Prevention Services' 24-hour hotline (+852 2382 0000)
• The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong's 24-hour Chinese hotline (+852 2389 2222)
• Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care (+852 2868 1211)

You can also use Chat Point, The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong's online counselling chat room. While not Hong Kong-based, IMAlive.org is a great international "virtual crisis centre" — it's free, confidential and secure.

Getting involved with mental health organisations and community

Suicide prevention is more than proposing a talk and posting a hotline — if you can, reach in! You don't have to tell them what to do or have solutions, just make the time and space to listen to someone's distress and suicidal thoughts. A major obstacle for those in distress in seeking help is stigma. Small talk can save lives — creating connection and hope.

Volunteering for The Samaritans' suicide prevention hotline

The Samaritans is a non-profit organisation that gives confidential emotional support to those experiencing distress. The service is for everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. The 24-hour multilingual hotline is operated by unpaid, trained volunteers. You can learn more about volunteering with The Samaritans here.

Getting involved with the Suicide Crisis Intervention Centre

Established in 2002, the Suicide Crisis Intervention Centre provides 24-hour crisis intervention and emergency emotional support services to those in distress. You can learn more about getting involved with its focus group and training with them here.

Mental health organisation in Hong Kong

This explanatory and comprehensive list of mental health services by Hong Kong Free Press is a great starting point. We also like Mind Hong Kong — a charity dedicated to mental health in Hong Kong that keeps a running directory of community services, provides online resources, collaborates with NGOs (like KELY Support Group) and hosts events and training sessions. Another great initiative is RainLily, that's dedicated to helping survivors of sexual assault with free immediate crisis support and counselling, among other health services (2375 5322; rainlily.org.hk/eng/safechat)

You can see Mind HK's entire community directory here and its list of mental health service providers in Hong Kong here.

This article is only intended to serve as a starting point for getting (licensed, professional, medical) help.

(Featured image and hero image courtesy of Unsplash, image 1 courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash)

The post World Suicide Prevention Day: What to know in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Having a child is a life-changing moment, dictating the start of a whole new chapter in life where your priorities get reshuffled and suddenly nothing matters apart from the sleeping (or crying) baby in your arms. This was the predicament Joyce Lau found herself in, who changed the entire course of her career in 2018 to start a new company, NakedLab, to bring quality bedding for her then two-month-old daughter, who was battling serious eczema.

A former architect and now a full-time mother and entrepreneur, Lau tells us about her frustrations with the bedding industry, her belief in the health benefits of bamboo textiles, and how she hopes NakedLab can ultimately bring a family better sleep, health, and mindset overall.

Name: Joyce Lau
Profession: Entrepreneur
Industry: Textiles and bedding
Company size: 8
Startup since: 2018

When did you launch your company and why?

NakedLab™️ was founded in 2018 when I became a mother. When Pia was 2 months old, she was battling a serious eczema situation. With this sudden urgent need to focus more on skin health and sleep health, I struggled as a new mother shopping for quality bedding that didn't break the bank. So many options were overwhelming and unreliable in terms of quality. That sparked my curiosity to find out that the bedding industry was very ambiguous and antiquated. This frustration initiated the beginning of my journey and the birth of NakedLab™️.

Retailers were selling high-end bedding at up to ten times markup, inflating thread counts, and operating on bloated supply chains that added to cost but not quality. I had no background in textiles or manufacturing, but I soon realised just how savvy one can become after spending one year educating myself on the industry, visiting factories, and sampling fabrics.

I discovered bamboo sheets, which have a lot of health benefits. It's not only scientifically backed to make you sleep better because of its thermoregulating properties, but it is also naturally anti-dust mite, anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic. It also feels so silky soft and feels extremely luxurious.

We focus on Oeko-Tex certified BambooSilk fabric, which is free from harmful chemicals although because I insist on the Oeko-Tex certification, it means that the bedding is more easily creased than cotton (which is dipped in chemicals) and has to be carefully handled (cold or low-temperature wash, and no bleach and tumble dry). We started out with one product, which is a pink baby cot sheet for Pia, but have since added kids' bedding, adult bedding, and duvets, which are coming soon.

To me, NakedLab is more than just a shop that sells bedding. Bedding is such an overlooked item at home – it's a household item where we spend most of our hours (the average person spends almost 230,000 hours of their life in bed, that's approximately 26 years!) and it is also the one item our skin has the closest contact with. I believe a good set of bedding gives you not just good sleep, but also the foundation to good health and most importantly for me, a good mindset. And that is the key to a happy home and a happy life. This is what kept me going, it just makes me so happy knowing that I can help make a little difference to somebody’s sleep and happiness because they had a good rest.

Was sustainability a factor for you when you created your line?

I think sustainability is an essential factor in any business nowadays, that’s fundamental. I’m not even going to dive into the manufacturing process, for one simple fact is that bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, with some species growing up to three feet a day. It doesn’t require the use of pesticides, or any other agrochemicals, nor fertilizer or irrigation, both of which are common in cotton farming - cotton sheets are still the traditional choice of bedding while so many of us still know anything about bamboo bedding.

Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?

Not in a million years! I wanted to be an architect since I was very young, and I have not strayed from that path until now. I was trained in the UK and came back to Hong Kong for a China development project eight years ago.

Your husband is also an entrepreneur. Has he helped you in any way along your own start-up journey?

He is my mentor when it comes to business. He has so much more experience in terms of this entrepreneur journey. I have seen all the downs and I see how he overcomes them and becomes better and better every day. I always say I understand what he is going through, but honestly, I only truly understand now when I became an entrepreneur myself. Your business is like your own baby, it’s so close to heart. Because you build it yourself, sweat and tears. He always says “running a business is all about self-improvement and self-challenge every day”, there’s many more other good quotes from him because he reads so much, he’s the most disciplined person I have ever met. I always go to him when I need advice.

What are some do's and don'ts of starting your own company?

If I can give one piece of advice to the aspiring business owner, I will say: don't try to do everything at once. When you have an idea, you often get overly excited and try to get everything done at once. I think the key is to really do it step-by-step and to try to balance the inside and outside of the business. Prioritizing is super important; try to focus and tackle one hurdle at a time.

You started your business at a time when you still had a full-time job and caring for a newborn. Thinking back now, would you have done it any other way?

I think that was the perfect timing. When I started, it was really just a passion project, I didn't think it would go far. I had a full-time job and a daughter, and a side business was taking a lot of time, especially at the early stages. But I have learned how to hyper-focus, delegate and prioritize. That was something I was pushed to learn when I had so many hats on, and now I think these are the keys to success!

Has the pandemic impacted your business in any way – good or bad?

In a good way for sure. People are now very curious and focus on wellbeing and self-love. People are also staying at home more often, they are more aware of and yearn for good quality products so business is taking off.

What's in the works currently?

Loads of exciting things. In October, we're finally launching our very own 100 percent bamboo duvet – say bye to allergies! In December, we're launching a donation/ repurpose programme with Hong Kong Dog Rescue where we'll be setting up recycling stations at major offices and donating old bedsheets to rescued dogs at their shelter for the winter season.

We're also planning for more colours, mattresses … and in February we're launching an exciting new product that we'll have more information for later. But very exciting things are coming up.

The post Dr Lisa Chan on How to Avoid Hair Loss appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Or - how to be a better man.

The post Online platform Mantor wants to empower men to talk about their feelings appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Or - how to be a better man.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Over the last several months I have seen the latest trends both in Tuscan villas and hotels regarding wallpaper art. Wallpaper art can transform anyone wall into a place of tranquillity. It is all about bringing nature and green into your home. To help relax in a bathroom or a bedroom. In this on and […]

The post Wallpaper Art – Wellness Tips For Your Home appeared first on Gracie Opulanza.

Matthew Teague and his sister Rebecca are the co-authors of baba’s Bites, a gorgeously photographed and illustrated book of plant-based recipes. We get an exclusive preview.

That glow they have about them comes from within. The brother- and-sister duo Matthew Teague and Rebecca Teague are well-known around the island – the habitués of MANA!, where Matthew used to work, know his shock of untamed blond hair all too well.

Matthew is an Ayurvedic cook and Rebecca an artist. During the pandemic, the two have been working on baba’s Bites, a rich, informative, well-researched and beautifully photographed and illustrated book filled with plant-based recipes, as well as anecdotes that help make it even more nourishing. Matthew takes the time to talk us through it.

How did the book come about?

It stemmed from the passion of two siblings for living happily, sustainably and in harmony with nature and community. We brought together these approaches to provide a holistic and restorative approach to planetary and human health. Rebecca has been involved with healing the “internal landscape” – our bodies and psyche, and me more so with the “external landscape” – the soils and the Earth. Having recently completed the Ayurvedic Healing course at the American Institute of Vedic studies, I’m now an Ayurvedic lifestyle consultant, certified breathwork practitioner and permaculture design certified. My sister has a BSc in occupational therapy, and is an Ayurveda wellness consultant – and she’s an illustrator. The book is an amalgam of so much of our experience and skillset.

A hand-made book seems a novel idea for 2021. Why not a web site?

There’s a site: babas.life/bites. We wanted to make Ayurveda accessible to anyone and everyone who wanted to add a little more consciousness to their food choices. The book baba’s Bites brings together ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, modern plant-based cuisine and hand-drawn illustration into a beautifully presented cookbook. It’s consciously crafted to offer an accessible introduction to the basics of Ayurveda, and clarifies the roles of the doshas (the three bodies) in relation to different foods and body types. Each seasonal recipe is designed to bring balance to these body types. For example, manjistha is known as one of the best Ayurvedic herbs for glowing skin. A natural eye tonic is drinking a concoction of almonds, fennel, and mishri (crystallised sugar).

How easy are the recipes to follow?

The majority of the recipes in the book are “one-potters” and use readily available ingredients that can be found in most places around the world. The book is intended to provide simple and easy-to- make meals, and most recipes can be made in under an hour. All ingredients used in the recipes are 100 percent natural, and contain no additives, chemicals, preservatives or any other nasties. Each recipe page has “bites” of wisdom that educate the reader on the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients in everyday language that’s easy to understand.

So when we eat what’s recommended in the book, will we find our inner glow?

True transformation begins when we discover that the elements in our body are at one with the elements of the Earth. It’s created with true health in mind, body and soul, and goes a step further in creating a wholistic vision for good eating and living that goes beyond fad-diets and quick-fixes.

Do you have some quick tips for our readers?

Eat naturally and rediscover your nature, go back to your roots with the right food and re-wild yourself with natural food. Allow yourself to feel connected and nourished by the soil beneath us. Worldwide, people are searching for a way to become more connected and balanced in their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. We invite you to join us in making sure our roots are nourished and the conditions of our everyday are life-affirming and sustaining for your unique being.

The post Matthew Teague on baba’s Bites, the Vegan Recipes Book he Wrote With His Sister appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

By now we all know that what we eat has an impact on our overall health, and everything from a serving of popcorn to a helping of fruit and vegetables can boost general bodily functions. But some foods actually do a little more. According to recent research published in the journal Nutrients, walnuts have more than just the usual health benefits — eating this snack could also help lengthen your lifespan.

"What we've learned from this study is that even a few handfuls of walnuts per week may help promote longevity, especially among those whose diet quality isn't great to begin with. It's a practical tip that can be feasible for a number of people who are looking to improve their health, which is top of mind for many people," Yanping Li, the lead investigator from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, said in a media release.

The researchers gathered data over the course of 20 years from 67,014 women who were an average of 64 years in age, originally found in the Nurses' Health Study. The team then studied 26,326 men from information in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. After looking into this data and the other from a survey on the groups' walnut consumption, the scientists found that those who ate above five servings of walnuts each week had a 14 per cent decrease in death from health-related causes. Plus, there was a 25 per cent less chance of death specifically from cardiovascular disease and about one year-and-a-half boost in life expectancy when people eat walnuts than when they do not.

Even if consumers would like to improve other areas of their eating habits, the study authors noted that if people eat half a serving of walnuts each day, the risk of death still lowers by 12 per cent and heart disease is decreased by 26 percent. Overall, most study participants who ate walnuts also had a generally healthy diet, exercised, consumed multivitamins, and periodically drank alcohol. While the team uncovered these findings, more research will help definitively tie walnut consumption and extended life expectancy.

This story first appeared on www.marthastewart.com

(Main and Feature Image Credit: Péter Gulyás / EyeEm / Getty Images)

© 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Licensed from MarthaStewart.com and published with permission of Meredith Corporation. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

The post Walnuts Could Be the Secret to Living a Longer Life, According to a New Study appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.