Three self-care habits worth looking into in 2024

GRANTING ourselves a little bit of time is as good a New Year’s resolution as any.

I chatted with three Cork-based women whose businesses offer Corkonians that special ‘me time’. Anyone who set themselves a resolution for 2024 to set some time aside, to breathe, rest and rejuvenate, needs look no further.

Harmione Sauna, Rocky Bay, County Cork

Having tried out a few saunas by the sea myself, I can’t rate this time-out highly enough. Coming from the icy cold waves into the heat of a sauna is nothing short of bliss.

Hoda Yakouben says the journey towards their business, which she runs with Malani Homan, started when a mutual friend invited them to their first sauna experience. They fell in love with the concept, especially when they saw the drastic improvement in their physical and mental health.

“We wanted to share this experience with the people of Cork, but also with people visiting Ireland from abroad,” she said.

“Apart from the whole experience of sitting inside a toasty warm barrel, then running into the cold water for a dip, it’s the endless benefits you gain from using the sauna on a regular basis. 

It detoxes the body, improves your immune system, helps relieve stress (just sweat it all out), and gives you a blissful night’s sleep. It gives you this high that you just need to experience for yourself.

The duo also feel it is a wonderful experience to share with friends and family. They run community sessions where people from all walks of life come together and have a chat while overlooking the beauty of the bay.

If you want to book your experience for either yourself or your friend, you can visit their site on www.bookwhen.com/harmoniesauna

A tip from me? Wear booties and a beany and bring yourself a nice hot drink in a flask to enjoy afterwards. You’ll walk away feeling as light as a feather and ready for the world.

For more information, email harmoniesauna@gmail.com

Lindsay Devereaux Laser and Aesthetic Clinic

Lindsay Devereaux is a beautician with a difference. Her salon in Maryborough Woods, Douglas, opened its doors 13 years ago and continues to thrive. Her focus is on making people feel good from the inside out.

“We love looking after ladies of all ages. It is not about looking different or looking younger, it’s about looking and feeling well in your own skin for your age. Our motto is ‘love the skin you’re in’.”

Lindsay relishes the satisfaction she feels when helping someone who initially comes through her doors with a skin concern or a skin condition.

“With our extensive array of skincare options, including IPL, skin rejuvenation, medical micro-needling, and synergy machines that work on muscle beneath your skin, we offer real solutions.

“I have invested heavily in different laser and skincare machines which means we have something for everybody. We smooth and freshen up skin. We offer deep peels which speed up cellular turnover, something that slows down as we age. We try to keep skin working well so it looks nice, fresh and healthy.”

Clients love coming into the nice vibe in the salon, says Lindsay.

They enjoy entering our lovely, dimly-lit treatment rooms with heated beds and relaxing music. They soak up the ambience and atmosphere, forgetting about the business of their lives, the job, the kids – to look after themselves a little.

The bubbly beautician suggests three simple options for time-outs:

Three IPL skin rejuvenation treatments. Cost: €370. This treats pigmentation, sun damage, high redness or broken thread veins. It is very anti-aging. Afterwards, everything looks brighter, clearer, and much smoother. You look very fresh and clear.

Three C.A.C.I. Synergy treatments. Cost: €199. These are excellent for working under your skin, they lift and tone your facial muscles in all the important areas; these facials freshen up and work your facial muscles. It’s a bit like working out your body in the gym.

One facial Environ Essential Facial. Cost: €89. Skin needs Vitamin A. This facial gets it into your skin as retinol, which is the most important ingredient to improve the appearance of skin and to alleviate any concerns you might have.

See https://devereauxbeautyclinic.com/

Yoga With Sarah Floyd

Sarah is very keen to keep costs down and believes that yoga is for everyone.

“My class is €12 for a stand-alone class of 1 hour 15 minutes, or €40 for a pack of four classes. Mats and props are included in that price.”

Pitching her class to all levels, she’s less interested in a yoga ‘scene’ and more interested in being open and welcoming.

“I feel like yoga can be a very privileged space, especially now with prices going up. I’d really like if there were opportunities for everyone to experience yoga based on what they can afford. I think keeping classes short and accessible is key.”

This accessibility is key to her general approach.

“I teach Hatha yoga so it is as much about the breath and stillness between poses as anything. It is more about how the movement feels for the person than what it looks like. I look to create an atmosphere that is more about looking inward. It’s not competitive. I want people to connect with stillness, stilling the mind, breathing, reconnecting to something greater.”

Sarah qualified with Oak and Willow under Sarah Fox over a year ago.

“She was great at weaving Irish heritage into her practice and, having trained in India, she also highlighted parallels between our cultures. It was a beautiful way to enter the world of yoga.

I love having a mixed group of people from all different walks of life – not a class of people who all look the same and are of the same age. I also want to offer people something useful they can use in their daily lives, a little practice they can use when they need something.

Sarah is teaching Yin Yoga with Grace Tempany in January, which she will offer specifically but will also interweave with her hatha practice. She is also happy to offer a 1-1 class for people who might not feel confident enough to step into a full class environment.

“I will offer cues for alignment and possible sensations but it is each person’s individual experience, and my aim is to enable the ability to build your inner connection, listen to yourself; it’s all about self-exploration and that opportunity to just be in stillness and allow for that to bring whatever is present in all its discomfort or bliss or anywhere in between.”

Sarah is currently teaching Hatha Yoga at Bishopstown Lawn Tennis Club, Uam Var Drive, Murphy’s Farm Cork (Starting Wednesday, February 7 - a four week block), €40.

She is also teaching Yin Yoga at Bru Columbanus, Wilton, starting Sunday, February 4, from 7.45pm to 9pm). A four week block, €60. Contact yogabishopstown@ gmail.com