Emer O'Callaghan: Tips to beat those November blues, ladies

Hello November! Well, you weren’t long coming around.

It’s officially the start of the festive season, and these next two months are so busy for every beautician in Cork.

My family know well they won’t be seeing me till Christmas Eve because it’s literally bed-to-work-to-bed for all of us in the trade.

It’s no harm to remind people who are clients of both hairdressers and beauticians that we really are all just trying to do our very best to give everyone the best service possible, and we so often do very tired, long, 12 hour days and are over-stretched by the sheer volume of people to treat.

We are professional, we paint on our smiles, and we leave our own lives and worries at the door as we step into work with a positive good attitude. Like everyone, we deserve that same courtesy and respect that we give everyone we meet daily.

And, yes, I understand this can be a stressful time for all, especially women.

I treat clients of all ages, and one thing I always notice is that November is a tough month for so many.

This is the time of Holy Souls and I grew up knowing this well. I feel very blessed to have gone to fantastic schools, and my primary was Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní. There was a morning prayer at 9am, and we said prayers before our 11am and 1pm breaks, and there was the Angelus over the intercom at noon, which we all stood for and said.

Before leaving every day, every teacher stood and prayed with their class to keep us safe. Than, at home we has grace before meals, the Angelus again at 6pm, and going to bed my eldest brother always did our prayers before sleep.

So our faith has been instilled in us from a very young age and I am so proud of that. I respect everyone’s religion, and see now, as an adult, how important it is.

This is the time when we show respect for and honour the souls of our loved ones, so it can hit many very hard.

What, with the darker evenings, it can be tough, especially for those living alone. So this week, I want to give some tips to help you lift your spirits. I did one of my beauty videos on this and you can watch it on the Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages now.

STAYING POSITIVE

Don’t listen to too much bad stuff on the news, and instead listen to uplifting music - Lyric FM is popular with many of my older clients. Or pick up the phone and call someone and have a chat. Get up, get out, engage, and meet other people.

Avoid gossip and people you know love bad news and doom and gloom - the doomers I call them! Find the type of people who have positivity to share.

Laugh! Research shows it is one of the most beneficial things we can do every day. I actually watch comedians like Brendan Grace or Billy Connolly on my TV after a draining day and it lifts my mood. Laughter is good for mind, body and soul, and it’s important we find it in any day.

DRINK WATER

Many people are constantly dehydrated and this leads to tiredness, brain fog, fatigue, low mood, and low energy.

If people only knew the health benefits of drinking more water - we need two to three litres a day a day to stay hydrated.

Also, at least four days alcohol-free is what is recommended for good health. Lots today drink daily with their dinner or as a night cap, and this is not good. Doctors tell people of every age to stick to the required units per week for males and females.

EAT WARM, NURTURING FOODS

The homemade stews and soups that we all grew up on every winter are far better for us than skipping our spuds and eating fast processed food.

Too much sugar will also affect us, and with it being flu season now, we all need the good nutrition daily.

There is such a build-up to Christmas these days, with so much over-indulgence, and that’s why I love giving things up in November, it makes me appreciate them more in December when I can have them again.

STAY BUSY

There is always a job to be othe done in a house, every woman knows that only too well.

Clear out the hot press or the shed, paint a room, declutter, but do try to stay busy and keep your mind and body active. Don’t be sitting down all day, you need movement for blood flow.

PLAN YOUR DAY

Don’t just be falling into your day, make a plan to do something: meet a friend for coffee, go out for lunch, dress up, make an effort.

It’s very easy to get stuck in a rut of runners and leggings and say, ‘Ah sure, where would I be going?’ We know that when we look good, we feel good, so pop some rollers in your hair, put on some make-up, pull out a nice colourful top - colour has been scientifically proven to lift our mood.

Do it for yourself and you will always be glad you did.

TAKE YOUR AGE-APPROPRIATE MULTI-VITAMINS

No-one’s diet has it all, so make sure you are on a good multi-vitamin supplement for your age group.

Chat to any pharmacist and they will be great to guide you for what will build your immunity this winter. Make sure you have had your jabs if your over 65 too.

BOOK A FACIAL

This is my baby! I love getting new clients of any age, but more so educating people on how winter facials are the most important.

We all get a build up of dead skin and dryness at this time of year - and remember, you are never too old for a facial. With those who do them regularly, it shows, they look radiant, healthier and fresh.

I do feel we all need to be a bit more mindful of those who find this month tough, and offer a listening ear or some positively or encouragement to help them through.

That’s what life is all about - we are all here to help one another, to be of service, to be the love, and a smile to a stranger or a compliment will cost you nothing.

We all have some sparkle in us and we can choose to share that with those we meet every day, and that is the true magic of the festive season that is coming down the tracks

People might forget what you gave them, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi award winning skin expert who won Irish Beauty Therapist Of the Year, and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Product Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A multi award winning Guinot Crown Elite Clinic and Dermalogica Centre of Excellence, 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.

SPECIAL OFFER

All this month, our award-winning Dermalogica Advanced Deep Cleanse Facial is reduced from €150 to €130, 90 minutes, includes a full skin analysis, eyebrow shape, samples, and treats.

Appointments only, to book call Emerald Beauty Clinic on 021 4365959. Free parking for clients.