Elements Health Australia

25/08/2025

Benefits - Hot Sauna then Cold Plunge :)
We recently visited the South Island of NZ and found a “secret sauna” by the lake. We spent an hour alternating between hot saunas (90 degees for approx. 15 minutes) and cold plunges in the lake (approx. 30 seconds in an icy 8 degrees!). The temperatures felt extreme but we felt pretty amazing afterwards, prompting me to find out more about the benefits of such practices!!
Benefits include:
•Circulation and vascular health: Sauna heat causes vasodilation, a widening of the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the skin and muscles. Cold plunges cause vasoconstriction, a narrowing of the blood vessels, moving blood back toward the core. The alternating pattern can train the vascular system to respond quickly to temperature shifts and support overall vascular function.
•Muscle recovery and performance: heat relaxes tight/stiff muscles and helps to ease tension after training. Cold reduces inflammation and soreness. The combination may enhance perceived recovery, particularly for athletes integrating hard training blocks or post-workout recovery.
•Pain relief and relaxation: eased muscular tension with a calming contrast. The contrast can create a sense of pain relief and improved comfort in sore areas.
•Nervous system mood and effects - the contrast between heat and cold helps to promote parasympathetic activation, promoting relaxation and stress reduction.
•Sleep: relaxation and cooling afterward can aid sleep for some.
Some safety tips include :
•Start gradually: shorter times, milder temperatures and build up gradually
•Watch for symptoms: stop if you feel dizzy, faint, or experience any chest pain.
•Hydrate well before and after use
•Contraindications include pregnancy, heart conditions or fever/illness.
This experience and knowledge has got me researching facilities in my local area!
Would love to hear any of your own experiences in the comments below
Yours in good health,
Lesley

10/08/2025

Near whiteout on the mountain today 🩵 ☃️🌨️🥰

13/07/2025

Another fabulous day on the water with Watersports Guru - diving with turtles and getting up nice and close to a mumma whale with her newborn calf ❤️ A great adventure, would highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting the area !! 🥰🐋🐢🌞

28/05/2025

Calming Self-Care Activities for People With Anxiety Disorders.
• Regular exercise:
Regular physical activity, such as yoga or running, can help manage anxiety by releasing endorphins and reducing physical tension. Any form of exercise that you enjoy will help you to regulate mood. Studies indicate that regular exercise may help improve symptoms among people with generalised anxiety or panic disorder, with more intense exercise having the most benefits. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly. Increasing the intensity of your chosen exercise may benefit both your physical and mental health
• Eat a Nutritious Diet: A balanced diet of whole foods can positively impact mental health. Limit processed foods, caffeine, and sugar to prevent exacerbating anxiety symptoms. Prioritise whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains, and limit your intake of processed, packaged, and fried foods.
• Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is a tried-and-true relaxation strategy that can help you focus your mind and ground yourself in the present moment. With practice, it can gradually help reduce the tendency to worry excessively about the past or future. Like physical exercise, this is something we need to practice regularly. Your mind can be likened to a muscle in the sense that it can be trained too!
• Improved Sleep Routine: Sleep is important for everyone, but getting quality sleep can be challenging if you have an anxiety disorder, due to increased levels of stress and hyperarousal. Aim to establish a consistent sleep schedule, avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening, and create a calming sleep environment. Relaxation exercises before bed (such as breathwork and/or meditation) may also help.
• Spend Time with Others: Strong social connections can provide support and alleviate feelings of isolation. Engage with friends, family, or other supports and participate in social activities. Engaging in social activities can help to distract you from anxious thoughts and foster a sense of belonging and purpose. Connect with people who have similar interests to yours. Consider joining a local club, meetup, or another organisation in your local or online community.
• Make Time for Your Favorite Hobbies: Engaging in hobbies can distract from anxious thoughts and provide fulfillment. Activities like nature walking, painting or gardening offer creative outlets. Make time for the things that give you joy in life.

Incorporating these self-care strategies can help to manage symptoms of anxiety. If you are however experiencing high/severe levels of anxiety and are finding that the symptoms are hindering you – (for example, symptoms of social anxiety may pose challenges with regards to connecting with others ) …
it may also be useful to engage with a therapist to assist you in finding management strategies. I have assisted many clients with anxiety reduction techniques. Please reach out if you would like to discuss a counselling/coaching program tailored to your needs. There is always a way. Yours in good health, Lesley 🥰

19/04/2025

15/04/2025

Are you looking for Holistic Health Services in the Tweed region??
Please reach out if you'd like to connect !!
Looking forward to hearing back from you soon 🫶 Lesley 🥰

05/03/2025

Feeling grateful to have spent an amazing weekend with a fabulous bunch of intelligent and creative women! We brainstormed ideas for our businesses and professional growth and shared our wisdom and knowledge in many areas. Loved being part of this event for both professional and personal development 🥰❤️

25/02/2025

Final day of Bronze Medallion training - passed the assessments and will now assist with beach patrols as certified lifesavers ❤️🥰

03/02/2025

Enjoyed a great day in the water as my husband and I embark on obtaining our Bronze Medallion certificates at the Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club. (Has been over 35 yrs since first completing this qualification!!)
Doing this training ticks so many boxes with regards to our physical and mental health ! The course is physically and cognitively engaging/challenging, is in amongst nature and all her beauty and power, and has connected us with a fabulous bunch of people and highly experienced trainers.
Once completed, we will all take part in local beach patrols and assist in keeping people safe on the beaches.
Already getting so much out of this course and feeling grateful for the opportunity to connect and give back to the community.🙏🏊🌊🥰