Who doesn’t love a good cuddle? Not only is a great way to show affection for someone that you care about, but it can also make us feel pretty awesome too. Whilst the basic feel good factor of cuddling is obvious, science has shown that there are plenty of other reasons that you should indulge in a cuddle or two.  

To help inspire you to get cuddling, we have put together 6 incredible benefits that you may not have even known come with a bit of a snuggle.

Cuddling makes you feel good

When you cuddle someone, your body is triggered into releasing oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that is known to make you feel pretty great, as well as connected to those other people around you. Oxytocin is not only going to make you feel great, but the release of this hormone also has an impact on a number of other things too.  

Cuddling boosts your immune system

When your body release oxytocin, it also releases a number of other hormones that will help you fight infection. These hormones give your immune system a boost and because you feel so good and healthy, you are going to feel too healthy and happy to get sick. Along with a boost to your immune system, these hormones also have a healing power on your skin too, making sure that you are glowing and radiant with beautiful healthy skin.  

Cuddling can relieve pain

Have you ever had a bad neck, or other muscle in your body? If you have, then chances are that you have given it a rub to help it to feel better. This act of touching the part of your body is going to release that all magical oxytocin, which is known to decrease your pain level and make you feel great. Imagine being able to do this over your entire body? A cuddle will help the entire body to release oxytocin and get rid of all those aches and pains.  

Cuddling reduces stress

We all live in a world now whereby we feel stressed on a regular basis. It could be work, it could be family, it could be financial commitments. All these things can make you feel stressed out and a little down in the dumps. A cuddle is a simple way to make sure that you feel good and best of all, it doesn’t cost a thing.  

Cuddling strengthens your relationships

It can be hard when life is busy, but working on our relationships is something that we should all make more of an effort to do. The great thing about cuddling is that it is not only a simple way to bring you both together, but it has a huge positive impact on your mental and physical health too. A cuddle shows the other person that you care and that you want to take the time out to indulge in some physical contact.  

Cuddling can help you to sleep

You should never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep. So, anything that you can do to make sure that you get some good sleep is definitely worth a try. A cuddle before you head off to bed is going to make sure that you are feeling in just the right state for sleep, free of stress, free of anxiety and much more relaxed too.  

There is nothing quite like a cuddle. Whether it is on the sofa, in bed, or wherever you can grab one, make sure that you make an effort to grab those who mean the most to you for a snuggle. We can promise you that not only will it make you feel good in the short-term, but it can also have a long-term benefit for you too.  

We all, from time-to-time, will have been guilty of using the phrase “needing my beauty sleep” however, the thought that taking a nap could actually improve how you look, or feel about the way you look has never really been something that people may believe in.

What may surprise you is that beauty sleep is actually a thing. Research has been made into the effects of sleep on your appearance, in particular your skin and it has been found that your quality of sleep may be just as important as applying good quality face creams and serums.

So, with this in mind, what can you do to make sure that the sleep that you are getting is quality and is going to be helping you to make up in the morning feeling as beautiful as possible.

Always go to bed with clean skin

Having a good skin care routine is important and one of the key things that you should always do is to make sure that your skin is clean when you go to bed. Give yourself time to remove all your makeup and other dirt that has built up over the day using a gentle, yet effective cleanser that is going to take away everything and let your skin breathe through the night.

Try to sleep on your back

We all have a favoured sleeping position that we tend to opt for of a night. For those who are side or stomach sleepers this isn’t going to cause too much of a problem, however, if you are a stomach sleeper, then you may want to consider switching to sleeping on your back. The pressure of sleeping on your front can actually cause damage (and then wrinkles too) to your face.

Install a humidifier in your bedroom

You may only think of using a humidifier during the warmer months. However, the truth is that you are going to want to use your humidifier all year round whilst you sleep. A humidifier will add moisture back into the environment which will then find its way back into your skin whilst you sleep.

Keep your pillowcase clean

How often do you clean and change your pillowcase? If you can’t remember the last time you changed your pillowcase, then you may want to make more of an effort. Sleeping on a dirty pillow is going to end up making your skin dirty as you sleep. Which defeats the object of taking the time to cleanse and then moisturise your skin.

Apply an overnight mask a few times a week

Night creams are designed to be used on a daily basis, helping your skin to refresh and replenish itself. However, every few days you might want to give your skin a bit of an extra boost. Which means that the time has come to use an intensive overnight mask. These are designed to really absorb into your skin and help you to wake up feeling and hopefully looking your best.

As you can see, there are a few secrets to making sure that your beauty sleep, really is that. So, why not try them out for yourself and see if despite going to bed feeling like a beast, you wake up feeling just like a beauty.

For some Winter is the most wonderful time of the year, filled with parties, festive fun and maybe a dusting of snow. Whilst it may be nice to wrap up warm and cosy against the elements, Winter isn’t quite so kind to our skin. In fact, over the course of the Winter months we can find that our skin really starts to feel less than its normal self. But what can we do to try and fight this? Well, to help you to get through the Winter relatively unscathed, we have put together our top Winter survival tips.

Try out a gentle touch

The wind, rain and cold can really take its toll on our skin, which means that we need to try our best to be as gentle as possible with it. Always aim to treat your skin as kindly as possible during the Winter months. Don’t use any harsh products or try to scrub it with coarse scrubs, as this can just make things worse. Even better, if you can, try to aim for natural skincare products wherever you can, as this will help to make sure that your skin gets as much of a treat as possible.

Go natural

Speaking of natural skincare, it really is a good idea to try your best to opt for natural skincare products and remedies during the Winter months. Not only are they relatively readily available, but they also make sure that your skin is only getting the good stuff. There are a number of remedies and treatments out there that you can try. However, our favourites have to be using avocado and honey to make a brilliant face mask, as well as using lemon juice to try and dry out any pimples.

Cut back on the sugary food

During the Winter there always seems to be some excuse for indulging your sweet tooth. Whilst there is no harm having the odd little treat, it is important to know the impact that really sugary foods can have on your skin. In fact, issues such as acne can be made worse with lots of sugar, as can the signs of ageing too.

Treat yourself

The festive season can really take its toll on our bodies and minds, and it can be all too easy to say yes to everything. Before long, you are going to be left exhausted and really feeling the strain. So, why not give yourself a break every now and then? Being run down and tired means that you are much more likely to have dull, dry and spotty skin, so what better excuse to get yourself to bed for a good night's sleep? Or perhaps an hour spent relaxing and unwinding in a bath?

And your skin

It is the season of giving, which means that there is no better reason to really give your skin a treat. Buy a top quality face cream or mask that you have always meant to buy, and then use it. Not only will you feel great for treating yourself, but you will also feel great because you have glowing and radiant skin too.

As you can see, Winter need not be the worst time of year for your skin. All you need to do is think about the best ways to take care of your skin during the cold weather and we are sure that you will be welcoming in the spring with pretty beautiful skin.

Summer is here and so is the heatwave! Although we are loving this weather it is important to learn a few ways of keeping cool and making your life a little bit more bearable. Below we have listed our ultimate summer hacks that will help you enjoy the most of the summer weather whilst feeling and looking good!

Healthy ice lollies

Ice cream is an incredibly popular meal during the hot summer days. We can eat it once, twice or even more than three times a day! However, getting in the spirit of summer doesn’t mean consuming hundreds of empty calories and your daily sugar intake in one go. Try making healthy homemade ice lollies instead; in that way you get all the fun of the summer without melting away your figure! You can simply choose to freeze your favourite juice or freeze a fresh slice of watermelon for a perfect refreshing summer snack!

DIY Matcha body scrub for soft Summer skin

During the beach season your skin needs some time to adjust to the new climate. Creating a Matcha DIY body scrub is the perfect way to make your skin stay hydrated and smooth during the hot season. All you need to do is mix up 2 tbsp of Matcha powder, 1 cup of Sugar, 1 tbsp of Green Tea and a little bit of Coconut Oil. Matcha and Green Tea are both super good for your skin due to their rich content of vitamins and antioxidants. This DIY scrub will not only exfoliate your skin but will also keep it moisturised for hours.

Instant sunburn relief

Long summer days also mean long days full of sun rays and occasional sunburns. It is extremely important to protect your skin from harmful sun rays but if you do get burnt this Aloe Vera hack will help you get an instant relief. Everyone knows Aloe Vera can soothe burnt skin but have you tried going the extra mile and freezing it overnight? All you need to do is simply place Aloe Vera gel into an ice cube tray and use it to help cool your skin whenever you get that annoying burn!

DIY face mist

There is nothing worse than having sweaty and oily skin during the day. During the Summer months our skin produces even more oil which leads to clogged up pores and breakouts. Instead of touching up with makeup every couple of hours try and make this DIY facial mist. Simply mix up Hibiscus Tea, one drop of Tea Tree Oil and some water in a spritz bottle. Tea Tree Oil has great antibacterial properties while Hibiscus Tea will help your skin stay healthy and clear. Keep it in your bag and spritz on the go.

Mosquito bites

Everyone hates mosquitoes. They are so tiny, yet they get us every time! Don't spend your Summer being a mosquito magnet! Try pouring any type of mint mouthwash into a spray bottle and spritz it over your body to keep those little buggers away.

Here they are, our useful Summer hacks that will help you feel good and stay cool during these hotter months! What are your special Summer time hacks? We want to hear!

Summer months and warmer temperature call for a change in your skincare routine! No matter where you are the sun in the summer can be quite harsh on your skin so it is important to know how to protect and let it breathe during the lighter, longer days. Below we have listed our top 5 summer skincare tips to help you glow through this season!

1. SPF

Never forget to wear sunscreen during the summer months! UV rays are particularly strong and more harmful during this time of the year so good protection is a must. We recommend a minimum of SPF 30 that has to be reapplied every 80 minutes (more often if you are going swimming). Diligent sunscreen use will minimise the appearance of sun related spots and keep your skin tone even and glowing.

2. Swap for a lighter moisturiser

As we make a seasonal wardrobe change towards more lighter and breathable fabrics, your skin should follow the same example. Thick creams have seen you through winter months, but they won’t do you any good during summer. It is a good idea to lighten up and let your skin breathe. Go for lighter lotions or gels, depending on your skin type.

3. Vitamin C boost

No sunscreen is foolproof, so if you looking for extra protection you should give yourself a Vitamin C boost! Vitamin C neutralises the free radicals that lead to premature skin aging and also aids in skin repair. We recommend using a Vitamin C serum that acts as a powerful antioxidant and keeps your skin glowing and healthy.

4. Cleanse your face

Heat and humidity during summer months cause your oil glands to produce more oil which can lead to blocked pores and breakouts. For that reason a good cleansing regime is vital as it will allow your skin to stay blemish-free and fresh. It is important to remove all of your makeup thoroughly before bed and exfoliate from time to time to remove the dead skin cells. We recommend using a gentle facial cleanser followed by an appropriate toner, depending on your skin type.

5. Add more healthy foods to your diet

Summer is a good opportunity to indulge in some of our favourite foods from ice creams to burgers and hotdogs but it is important to work healthy stuff into our diets too. Make the most of the seasonal produce such as cherries, tomatoes, corn and watermelons. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants they all have amazing skin benefits that will help you have a beautiful complexion all summer long!

Here they are, our top summer skincare tips! For many people summer time comes with a whole lot of skincare issues such as acne, rashes, uneven skin tone etc. However, with a few changes in your skin care regime your skin will stay glowing and fresh during the whole season.

Your daily morning skincare routine is incredibly important - it is what makes you look and feel your best! Even though coming up with a skincare regime that works for you can sometimes be not so straight forward, we have made it easier for you by listing some of our morning skincare tips that can help your skin feel comfortable and hydrated from the beginning and throughout the day!


1. Cleansing

If you put a lot of products on your face at night, then a proper cleansing treatment in the morning is a must. Cleansing your face in the morning will help you wash away all those products, including the impurities and build-up of oils that have been brought to your skin’s surface during the night. You can use a good cleansing oil or a gentle cleansing gel, whatever suits your skin the best.

2. Try a face mask

Yes, it can be time consuming in the morning, but it doesn’t have to be if you know how to multitask! Wash your face, apply a quick face mask (according to your skin type!) and go make yourself some coffee or have your breakfast. All you need is 10 minutes and you will be impressed at how more awake and glowing your skin will look!

3. Moisturise

This step is crucial. Your skin simply can’t be too hydrated, so this is a step that you are not allowed to forget! We recommend using a light and easily absorbed moisturiser during your morning routine as it will give your skin a perfect amount of moisture without leaving it looking greasy. If you don’t apply sunscreen separately, try and use a moisturiser with a built-in SPF. It doesn’t matter what season it is, your skin needs to be protected from sun rays at all times.

4. Foundation

The best thing to do for your skin is to ditch heavy foundation altogether. A full coverage foundation can make your skin look cakey and tired, something that you don’t really want during day time. BB creams, tinted moisturisers and light mineral powders are great alternatives that will leave your skin breathable and fresh.

5. Hydration

Drinking lots of water in the morning is not only good for your digestion, but it is also essential if you want to have beautiful skin. By keeping your body hydrated you will help make your skin healthy and glowing! Drinking a glass of water as you wake up should become a part of your daily morning skincare routine.

6. Eat your vitamins

You are what you eat and a poor diet really can affect your complexion. Your skin needs vital nutrients from a variety of foods to help it stay healthy and clear. However, with the fast pace of modern life it can be difficult to find the time and money to maintain such a healthy and varied diet. Taking a skin supplement in the morning with your breakfast will help keep your skin healthy from within! Skin Woof natural vitamins completely take care of the nutritional aspect of your morning skincare routine. They have been developed with dermatologists to provide all the nutrients your skin needs to flourish in an affordable and easy to take form (just 2 capsules per day)!

So here they are, 6 of our tips for a fantastic morning skincare regime! Regardless of how good a night sleep you may or may not have had, follow these tips and your skin will be looking flawless all day. It is extremely important to look after your skin - it is the outfit you wear every day!

Sometimes after a stressful week all we need is a little bit of a pick me up! There is nothing like a good pamper night to leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. From face masks to using bath goodies, there are so many ways you can pamper yourself at home. A relaxing night of beauty treatments is a perfect way to de-stress both your body and your soul. Below we have come up with a dream list of pamper night essentials to give yourself the best pampering night ever!

1. Relaxing bath

Winter is the best season to take a nice bath especially when it is so cold outside. It is the number one pampering essential on our list. Light the candles, dim the lights, play some relaxing music and simply enjoy the peace and quiet. It is also a perfect opportunity to fully exfoliate your body with a hearty scrub to get rid of all the dead skin. There is nothing better than leaving your bathtub with baby smooth legs!

2. Face mask

We love face masks! From mud masks to bubble ones, there are so many to choose from. You don’t have to spend money on high end brands full of chemical products when you can still achieve great results with natural homemade masks. An oatmeal facial is a perfect inexpensive way to pamper your skin at home. It will leave your skin feeling moisturised, smooth and glowing.

3. Netflix and chill

Have an awesome Netflix and chill session all by yourself. Get super comfy and wear your favourite pyjamas, stock up on snacks and have a movie marathon or binge watch your favourite series. You can also use this opportunity to do your manicure - Netflix and nails definitely go hand in hand!

4. A cup of tea

There is nothing like being curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea in your hands. There is just something relaxing and soothing about it. We recommend peppermint and green teas - not only they are super refreshing, but also very good for you. Green tea is famous for its fat burning properties and it is also a perfect source of antioxidants that can improve the function of your body and brain.

5. Moisturise

After your relaxing bath time and full body exfoliation it is important to give your skin a lot of moisture.Take this time to do your whole body, because let’s be honest sometimes we can be so lazy to rub the lotion all over our body every day, so make sure you don’t skip any part of your skin during your pampering session.

6. Treat your hair

Your hair also needs a little pampering here and there. Hair masks are more time consuming than face masks so that’s why they are often avoided by us. However, try and sneak a hair mask in your busy schedule and your hair will thank you for it! A pamper night in is a perfect opportunity to experiment with your hair treatments and try some natural DIY recipes that will help you nourish dry and damaged hair.

With all the stress of everyday life it is important that we take time for ourselves! Effective self care includes allowing yourself to relax and pamper yourself from time to time. Look after your body and soul and it will show in your glowing appearance!

We know that the right foods have an undeniably positive impact on our physical health, but did you know that the same applies to our mental health? Over the years scientific research has shown that certain foods can in fact affect our emotional health and elevate our mood. So go ahead and stock up your fridge with the 5 mood boosting foods we have listed below to help you eat your way happier!

1. Dark Chocolate

Who doesn’t like chocolate? It may not be as sweet as the milk chocolate we are so used to eating but dark chocolate is still the ultimate comfort food that causes our brain to release endorphins and reduce the level of stress hormones. To get the most out of dark chocolate look for 70% or more of cocoa and have a couple of squares a day.

2. Fruits and Vegetables

Researchers have concluded that those who follow a diet rich with a variety of fruit and vegetables are less likely to feel down and depressed throughout the year. Rich with antioxidants and Omega-3 they elevate your mood and keep you healthy.

3. Spinach

Magnesium that is found in Spinach is known to help treat depression! It is also packed with a variety of Vitamins such as Vitamin B, which is crucial for good mental health. In fact, Vitamin B is well known for its anti-stress properties and keeping your blood sugars level under control! Just one cup of spinach a day could help improve your mental well-being and help alleviate stress!

4. Salmon

Salmon is absolutely packed with Omega-3 fatty acids that, just like fruits and vegetables, help fight depression and improve your mood. Salmon also contains Vitamin D, which increases the levels of serotonin in our brain that make us feel happy. It goes perfectly with a wide variety of vegetables to make a healthy dinner option.

5. Green tea

Green tea is a super drink packed with powerful antioxidants! Studies have shown that people who drink 5 cups of green tea a day have stress levels reduced by 20% compared to those that don’t. If you don’t like the taste of plain green tea try and add different flavourings such as lemon, mint, ginger etc.

Whilst these science-backed, feel good foods are guaranteed to make you feel great it is important to remember that good nutrition, plenty of sleep and exercise are a key to a healthy body and mind!

You know the saying “the early bird catches the worm”. But does this also apply to your fitness regime and working out in the gym? Over the years we have tried to find out the answer to when is it really the best time to exercise, an early morning or an evening session after work? However, the research shows that there is no definitive answer to that question and you should stick with something that suits your everyday life and what you enjoy the most! If you are not sure, below we break down the pros of working out during the morning and the evening to find out what time would be the best option for you.

Morning Workout Pros:

Energy

The good thing about morning workout is that you will have a lot more energy to put into your exercise rather than in the evening. After all, you only recently got out of bed. A morning workout will also guarantee you a boost of energy for the rest of the day to help you tackle anything that comes along. Moreover, the rush of endorphins in the morning means that you will start your day in a great mood!

Better routine

Exercising in the morning could be a best option for you if you struggle to stick to the routine. As you know, consistency is key and in the morning people are less likely to find an excuse not to workout. We live busy lives and it is easy to put off going to the gym in the evening due to having too much work, being tired or having other commitments. Morning fitness session will help you stay physically active on a regular basis.

It is good for weight loss

A morning workout will jump-start your metabolism meaning that you will burn a lot more calories during the day. You will also burn 20% more fat doing cardio in the morning rather than in the evening. This is because exercising on the empty stomach allows you to burn your body’s fat stores and not the carbs that you get from a meal.

Evening Workout Pros:

Stress free morning

Not only you can get more beauty sleep in the morning but you can also take time to get ready. There is no need to rush to pack your gym bag and prep your breakfast snack for after workout. You have plenty of time to yourself and get to work on time - all stress free.

Your body is ready for a workout

Another good thing about exercising in the evening is that your body is more physically prepared, meaning that you don’t have to spend as much time stretching before your workout. Our joints and muscles are 20% more flexible at the end of the day which helps avoid unnecessary injuries and make the most out of your workout.

You have more time

There is no pressure of having to go to work and you can concentrate on your workout and proper form with no rush. You get to have more resting time between the sets and more stretch time after the exercise. It is also a great time to have a weight lifting session as your protein synthesis and endurance level at its highest.

Overall, picking the right time to exercise should be based on your personal preference and lifestyle. It is important to listen to your body and try and workout at different times of the day to see what makes you feel the best. It really is a personal choice, but as long as you work out regularly, the timing does not matter!

“New Year, new me” - we have been hearing this phrase for as long as any of us can remember. As the New Year begins so many of us start to reflect on the past year and promise ourselves to make the positive life changes for the year ahead of us. Unfortunately, these New Year’s resolutions are not very easy to stick to with a whopping 80 percent of people lasting only until the end of March. There are many reasons as to why we can’t seem to stick to our goals long term but our tried and tested tips below will help you smash your New Year’s resolutions and help you keep them throughout the year!

1. Make a plan

Planning is a key to success. You have to be specific; write down what you want to achieve and what stages you need to have to get there. Planning is a good starting point and it will help you keep track of your progress. Creating S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely) goals would also ensure that you can measure your achievement and stay on track. 

2. Make small changes

It is important to set realistic goals and take a small step at a time. Dream big, but be patient. It is better to change one thing at a time and improve as you go along step by step. For example, if your goal is to get fitter it is better to start off with being consistent and exercise 3 times a week for 45 minutes. In this way you can be realistic and let yourself get used to the new regime and stick with it.

3. Be organised

Tidy home, tidy mind. It is important to keep things tidy and organised around you as our physical surroundings can have a direct impact on our behaviour! Your home and your room is where you start and end your day. Having it nice and organised means that it is easier to find anything that you need, it saves you time and in general your mornings and evenings will go a lot smoother and stress free. You have to be set up from the start to succeed in your New Year’s goals so keep your personal space clean and make your life as easy as possible.

4. Share your experience

It is hard to keep everything to yourself, when you share your experience and hard work with others you will find its easier to keep going and not to give up. Talk to your family and friends, they will support you and encourage you towards your success. You can also support someone else in return, you are definitely not the only one in your circle committing to a new goal this year! In this way you can share your progress and motivate each other.

5. Reflect on your past year.

It is good to look back at the last 12 months and analyse your past actions. What worked well for you and what failed? It is important to be honest with yourself and recognise what things you are good / bad at, what motivates you and what is it that you really want to achieve this new year. Your desire for change has to be self-motivated, if you don’t want this lasting change enough you will find it difficult to stick with it. Set a specific goal that is important to you and work hard for it!

Here they are, our 5 tips to help you smash your New Year’s goals and set you up for success. #woofmovement