Category: lifestyle

Infrared Sauna: A Gentle Path to Wellness

Posted in lifestyle, MovementTagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

One of my favourite treats for my body I have tried! If you’re curious about infrared saunas (and pods), here’s the short version: they use light-based heat to warm your body directly, so sessions feel gentler than traditional saunas while still delivering real wellness perks. The vibe is calm, the air isn’t stifling, and when the pod has a vibration function, it also doubles as a massage and can improve blood circulation throughout the body. Well rounded recovery option when you are tired, feel off or after pushing it at the gym.

Top benefits people use infrared saunas for:

Improved circulation: Heat widens blood vessels and raises heart rate mildly—similar to a light workout—helping blood flow and nutrient delivery.

Muscle and joint relief: Warmth can ease stiffness and soreness, supporting post-exercise recovery and comfort for everyday aches.

Stress and mood support: Heat exposure often triggers endorphins and deep relaxation, helping you unwind and sleep better.

Skin support: Increased circulation and sweating can leave skin looking refreshed; some notice a clearer, brighter tone over time.

Cardiovascular support: Regular sessions may help with blood pressure and endothelial function in some people, though research is still developing.

Metabolic effects: You’ll burn a modest number of extra calories during sessions; treat this as a bonus, not a weight-loss plan.

Detox via sweat: Sweating helps your body excrete small amounts of certain compounds, but claims of “deep detox” or heavy-metal removal are still being studied.

I highly recommend trying it out, for 15mins the first time and build up to 30/40 minutes sessions later on. Stay hydrated! I think it depends on the model you are using, as the pod in the picture was quite gentle, I didn’t feel dehydrated at all, but I did notice a big effect on my mood and the recovery after working out was faster with less muscle ache.

If you are looking into trying it out, or would like to set up an at-home version, I have found some items on amazon to aid you!

Happy shopping:

(all are affiliate links)

Grab an infrared sauna blanket
https://amzn.to/3X8JiBw

or a portable sauna tent
https://amzn.to/49B948U

a sauna thermometer/hygrometer to track heat and humidity
https://amzn.to/4oSENGX

electrolytes for rehydration
https://amzn.to/4oj9rJT

a quick‑dry microfiber towel
https://amzn.to/4hETMBY

a BPA‑free water bottle with a straw lid
https://amzn.to/47nduyS

a gentle, fragrance‑free post‑sauna moisturizer with ceramides
https://amzn.to/4oSdFrO

Have you tried an infrared sauna before?

Are you tempted to try if you haven’t?

Life-Enhancing Favorites | Aug 2024

Posted in favorites, Healthy eating, Holidays, lifestyleTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Some links in this blog post are affiliate.

Hello, lovelies!
Welcome to a world of life-enhancing favourites! In this blog post, I’m excited to share some of the top additions to my daily routine that have brought value, convenience, and sustainability to my life. From nourishing bone broth to eco-friendly laundry options and personalized vitamins, these recommendations aim to inspire a healthier, more conscious lifestyle. Join me as we explore these exciting discoveries and embrace positive changes together.

One of my favourite additions to my diet is an old all-time favourite superfood that recently made its way back to popularity, bone broth. I buy it from Freja Foods. I chose it because it’s made from 100% natural ingredients, responsibly sourced and for all the information they provide, like the nutritional values. It’s easy to order, really delicious and offers quite a few options to choose from, different packages and subscriptions. Currently, you can get 20% off with the code SUMMERSALE20.
My go-to is the beef broth for its high protein and collagen content, providing great value for money. I usually enjoy it instead of tea or coffee, but it’s versatile for use in recipes and even smoothies.

Another fantastic find that has become a beauty favourite for me is Trust Deodorant. It offers long-lasting odour prevention that can last up to 3 to 6 days and is aluminium-free. This deodorant remains effective even after showering and swimming and is perfect for travel with its compact size. And it might seem that it’s a little pricey but it’s really not as it last 2-3 months!

Mixing in a home management topic, laundry, I would love to recommend trying out laundry detergent strip sheets as an eco-friendly and versatile option. They are convenient and great for travel too as they will not ruin your close like spilled detergent or popped detergent capsules. These strips are easy to use for both hand and machine washing, take much less space on the shelves, and eliminate the need for bulky plastic bottles, or gel pods, minimizing plastic use in your daily life. My favourites are these two:
Good Clean Stuff and The Lab Co.

When it comes to vitamins, it can be challenging to find trustworthy products. For a personalized approach, I highly recommend trying Vitl.com, a subscription service that tailors a set of vitamins based on your lifestyle and needs, and even offers blood and DNA Nutrition tests to determine a bit of more science-based advice. It’s convenient and packaged for each day so you don’t need to worry about drinking a double portion by accident.

In skincare, I would like to talk about something for travellers or anyone looking to hydrate and protect their skin on the go, a Hypochlorous spray. It can be a useful addition to your skincare routine. It helps hydrate and protect the skin from bacteria. For someone who gets spots quite regularly, this has been a big favourite to prevent them.

Lastly, a fun lifestyle recommendation is Too Good To Go app, a platform that allows you to rescue surplus food from local businesses at a discounted price. It’s a great way to try out new foods, reduce food waste and be more environmentally conscious. By using this service, you can explore various locations offering all kinds of foods from bread and pastries to health stores, and organic stores, or grab comfort foods like pizza or burritos, and contribute to reducing food waste in your community.

I hope you find these recommendations helpful! If you try any of them out please share your feedback, I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments. See you in the next post!

Hustle Culture

Posted in Food For Thought, lifestyleTagged , , Leave a comment

As a society, we have been conditioned to believe that success is only achievable through hard work and hustle. We are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us to work harder, sleep less, and sacrifice our personal lives for the sake of our careers. This is what is known as hustle culture, and it has become a pervasive and toxic force in our lives.

Hustle culture is the idea that success is only achievable through constant hard work and sacrifice. It is the belief that if you are not working all the time, you are not doing enough. This mentality has been perpetuated by social media influencers, motivational speakers, and even some (or most) employers who encourage their employees to work long hours and sacrifice their personal lives for the sake of their careers.

The problem with hustle culture is that it is not sustainable. Working long hours and sacrificing your personal life can lead to burnout, stress, and physical and mental health problems. It can also lead to a lack of creativity and innovation, as people become too focused on their work and lose sight of the bigger picture.

So, should we stop idealizing hustle culture? I say hell yes to that!
Instead, we should focus on creating a culture that values work-life balance, creativity, and innovation. We should encourage people to prioritize their personal lives and take care of their physical and mental health.

Let’s work together to create a better, more sustainable, and more equitable future!

3 Good Subscriptions to Try

Posted in lifestyle, shopping, UncategorizedTagged , , , Leave a comment

Most of us would love to do something to positively affect the future and be a bit more environmentally friendly.

Why not try a subscription option from companies that do exactly that. You can enjoy trying out new things whilst somebody else takes care of everything for you while you save some money and help the environment in some kind of way.

It’s also usually an independent start-up, a business with a great innovative idea and involves people that really want to do something good for the world. So why not try their product out and see how it goes?

I personally have been using these three subscriptions/apps below and they are absolutely amazing. I cannot recommend them highly enough. One is a referral so if you do try, I will get a little reward(a discount off my next order).

Environmentally friendly. Saves you money. Sounds like your cup of tea?

Oddbox

As they describe themselves on LinkedIn: “Eat good. Do good. Stay odd. Rescuing the “too-wonky” and “too-many”, direct from farmers. ” The idea is that your weekly or bi-weekly subscription will be delivered full of veggies and/or fruits, that otherwise would be thrown away because they don’t meet supermarket standards or were too many. Click below for my referral link to activate your discount!

Too Good To Go

Not a subscription but still a great app to try out. From their website: “Too Good To Go is a community of Waste Warriors fighting food waste together. As a user, save meals from stores and food professionals around you.” “Too Good To Go is the app that lets you rescue unsold food at your favorite spots from an untimely fate.” I myself have saved 28 bags so far, that amounts to approx 70kg CO2 saved, as well as £217!

TheVeganKind

From their website: “Whether you are newly vegan, or long term, our vegan boxes are designed to add a bit of flare to your month! We scour the land looking for exciting new products, and ship them all to you in a carefully packaged box once a month. You never know what you will get! – but you can rely on Team TVK to craft vegan boxes that are 100% cruelty free, exciting, and exceptional value for money.”

I have been subscribing to the box since around 2016! Love discovering new things. It’s also great that you can pause your subscription for up to 3 months, if you need a little break or if you are travelling.

Use code “VEGAN” and get £5 off. No catch! (offer available at he time of this blog post going live)

Hope you try, and if you do – enjoy!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

xoxo
Justina

Chase away the January Blues with Puppy Yoga | My Soho Times 

Posted in Dogs, lifestyle, london, MovementTagged , , , , Leave a comment

mysohotimes's avatarMY SOHO TIMES

Are you looking for a new activity to brighten up your new year, and boost your mood? Research shows spending quality time with a dog (or other any animal for that matter) can have a positive impact on your mood and your health. Pets can be calming stress-fighters… but what if you don’t have any? My Soho Timesand My London Times editors, Kai Lutterodt and Justina Matuleviciute, put the tail-wagging yoga trend to the test… is Puppy Yoga all that it’s cut out to be? Justina shares more…

View original post 728 more words

New Fragrance Myrica Muse

Posted in lifestyle, Perfume, StyleTagged , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Hi all! Another exciting event I was invited to attend this past Wednesday at The Connaught Hotel in Mayfair was the celebration of the launch of British Perfumer Miller Harris’s new fragrance, Myrica Muse.

Created by expert perfumer Emilie Bougée, Myrica Muse has been developed using upcycled perfume notes and Emilie was in attendance on the evening to present her expert insights into the future of sustainability within the fragrance.

An exclusive aperitif evening and trend discussion were held in the glamourous Red Room at The Connaught Hotel.

Myrica Muse is presented as a sensual red berry fragrance and was developed with upcycled perfume notes to encapsulate the quiet sophistication of an aperitif enjoyed before a special occasion.

A little bit more detail from the Miller Harris perfume page :

A fruity floral musk fragrance created by perfumer Emilie Bouge set to a confident blend of red fruits and charming upcycled rose mixed with spices and a nuanced boozy character to give Myrica Muse a seductive, sophisticated finish with retro charm.

Strawberry and the bayberry (Myrica) combine with energetic natural tangerine and pink pepper in a fruity but alluring opening. For the first time at Miller Harris, upcycled Rose and Patchouli then combine in the heart to envelop the wearer in a timeless floral musk heart. The glamour is brought to the fragrance with a confident but subtle natural rum from Reunion, perfectly fused with a creamy natural vanilla infusion and resinous Benzoin.

Top Notes: Strawberry, Bayberry, Pink Pepper, Tangerine

Heart Notes: Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Patchouli*, Rose*, Rum

Lasting Impressions: Benzoin, Musk, Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla

This scent is so lovely I feel very lucky that all attendants were gifted one to take home!

Have you tried Miller Harris perfumes before? which one is your favourite? Would you try Myrica Muse?

xoxo
Justina