Strap on your boots, pack up your tents and pump up your tyres, we’re taking to the trails.

Prance up the Port Hills

Hike: Ōtautahi’s view-filled antidote to the Canterbury flatlands, the Port Hills are covered in grunt-worthy gradients – and they’re mostly worth it. The Rapaki Track is a hit with fitness fanatics and the running-in-tights crowd, but the real suckers for punishment head up the Bridle Path, which has two options for ascent: 'steepish with corners' or 'quad-punishing and straight to the top'. Either way you can reward yourself with a coffee in Lyttelton on the other side, and return by bus if you're out of steam.

Sea-seekers opt for Awaroa (Godley Head) an absolute classic nine-kilometre, three-hour coastline-hugging bonanza of epic ocean horizons, cool baches (yes, you want to take the Boulder Bay detour) rolling hills and, on a clear day, Kaikōura Ranges vistas.

For a big banger of a day out, the Crater Rim Walkway offers spectacular views of the peninsula along its entire length. We’d suggest tackling the section from the Godley Head car park to the Urumau Reserve Track junction, a two-and-a-half-hour jaunt that can start with an exploration of the historic gun emplacement buildings at the heads – digging those hand-dug tunnels! – before producing excellent views on either side along the ridgeline and passing through Buckleys Bay Scenic Reserve. If you’re in the zone, keep going – the Crater Rim walkway is so ultra-long that every year a whole lotta folk run an ultramarathon spanning the walkway and then some, all the way from Diamond Harbour to Hansen Park in Opawa.

For a hidden gem hillside jaunt, head up the Eastenders Track through Barnett Park in Redcliffs – listen out for the rock climbers power-screaming up projects in the cave – and up over Summit Road to meet the Crater Rim Walkway. Enjoy the views down to Sumner on the Captain Thomas Track – just keep an eye out for the sometimes-territorial sheep dotting the hills.

Bike: Port Hills power rides

1. Charge up the Rapaki Track and onto Summit Road and come down the Huntsbury Track for a low-stress ride with massive fun factor.

2. Victoria Park’s smorgasbord of tracks range from easy to extreme. Beginners can brush up on their skills and experts can jump and drop on the Nationals Downhill Track.

3. Traverse the tussock-covered hills on the Godley Head mountain bike track, with jaw-dropping views over Lyttelton Harbour and Pegasus Bay, then descend the winding Anaconda to Taylors Mistake.

4. Start at the Sign of the Kiwi and roll on down the shared-use Thomson Track, before diverting off onto the Bowenvale Traverse and down The Serpent and Bowenvale Trail – max views, max fun.

5. From the Quarry Hill subdivision, take the Crocodile, a flowy single track that’ll hurtle you down to Halswell Quarry.

Camp: One of Aotearoa’s most scenic campsites sits just out of Christchurch. Pitch your tent among the buildings of the converted military battery on Godley Head and enjoy how the setting sun catches the Kaikōura Ranges in the distance.

Urban adventures

Hike: Forget putting petrol in the car, you can go adventuring without even leaving the city. Wind your merry way through the foothill suburbs on the Heathcote River Trail – bonus points if you get in on Sunday for a stop at the Opawa Farmer’s Market. End in Ferrymead or join the Christchurch Coastal Pathway for the final leg to Sumner, where you can reward yourself with a refreshing dip in the ocean and a cold cone from Utopia Ice – raspberry and saffron is a great way to cool down.

Christchurch ain’t called the Garden City for nothing, and you can take the reasons-why grand tour on the North Hagley Park and Gardens Loop. Don’t miss the short detour to the sniffalicious Heritage Rose Garden, pop in to see the Peace Bell, and wander through the lush New Zealand Icon Garden.

Hit up Ōruapaeroa Travis Wetland for an uber-cool inner-city wetland walk, complete with viewing tower and bird hides so you can tuck your scary self away and check out the introverted avians in their natural habitat.

From the wetlands, pop over to New Brighton’s Southshore Spit and meander your way up the Pegasus Bay coast as far as the eye can see, across the wild dune landscape and through the tree-lined Bottle Lake Forest Park, right up to the gaping mouth of the Waimakariri.

Bike: Boost around our pair of pine plantation mountain bike meccas at McLeans Island and Bottle Lake Forest, both with well-maintained, well-marked tracks for every level.
Camp: For a seaside staycation within the city limits, pull up a plot at South Brighton Holiday Park, near the estuary and just a short walk from the swell at New Brighton Beach. Don’t forget to book in for a soak at He Puna Taimoana, New Brighton’s hot salt water pools.

North Canterbury

Hike: A short drive from Christchurch, North Canterbury can feel a world away, with snow-capped peaks, whispering waterfalls and vineyards as far as the eye can see. Want the big views? You gotta put in the big effort, and the Mount Grey/Maukatere Loop Track to the summit is a 15.5km show pony that offers some of Canterbury’s finest panoramas (we kid you not!) on the approximately six-hour return hike. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the rougher Red Beech Track on the descent.

Low down, the Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail will be an easy sell to your buddies, combining a cornucopia of world-class vineyards, historic farms, and Greening Waipara Biodiversity Trails, along with the historical steam train at Weka Pass Railway – and it’s all set to the stunning backdrop of the Main Divide. While not on the trail, Pegasus Bay and Waipara Hills wineries are worthy detours bearing considerable rewards.

North Canterbury is rimmed with sensational slogs, and Mount Thomas has three of them leading to its summit. Straight-to-the-point hikers will choose the summit track; in two hours, it does what it says on the tin. Easy-going folk will love the Ridge Track, lolling along a ridge taking in views galore before eventually meandering to the Mount Thomas summit in three and a half hours. Treehuggers can wander the woods on the Wooded Gully Track, hopping back and forth across a picturesque stream, arriving at the top in two and a half hours.

Bike: A saddle-bound version of a beach-hopping island escape, the Pegasus Trail links Kaiapoi with Waikuku Beach, and is so rolling and fun you could almost sip a mimosa at the same time. Cruise down the Waimakariri to Kairaki and The Pines Beach, through the forest to Woodend Beach, and on to the glorious Waikuku where you can snag an ice cream from the general store and get your laze on.

Camp: Pitch up at Waikuku Beach Holiday Park or roll on up to Leithfield Beach Holiday Park, where you can forgo all effort and stay in a plush glamping tent. City escapees intent on the most relaxing experience north of the Waimakariri can head to Tawanui Farm and sip champagne in a hot tub with wicked views of the Hurunui River and snow-tipped Kaikōura Ranges. For a gorgeous stay before or after a Mount Thomas expedition, check out Wooded Gully Campsite, a pretty spot for a night in the wild.

Banks Peninsula

Hike: Level up on epicness and head out to Banks Peninsula for your next scramble. Set a day aside to tackle Mount Herbert, the highest point on Banks Peninsula. Make a grunty ascent from Orton Bradley Park or a longer, steadier one from Diamond Harbour. At the top, you can take in views to Mount Somers in the west and Mount Grey in the north; to the east it’s naught but open ocean all the way to Chile.

For a day’s adventure that ends with a seaside glass of vino, get to the summit of Stony Bay Peak for mind-blowing views across Akaroa Harbour, before descending back to Akaroa. Don’t miss the fabulous wooden toilet on the ridgeline – it’s backcountry ingenuity at its best.

If you’re heading to the Peninsula’s tip, check out Hinewai Reserve. The Maurice White Native Forest Trust has regenerated native bush all over the 1250-hectare reserve, returning the land to how it was 700 years ago, complete with birds and hand-drawn maps.

Bike: Relaxed rollers can ride the railway that used to run from Hornby to Little River way back when, and enjoy the enduring appeal of rail trails (the trains couldn’t do steep hills and you shouldn’t have to either). But if you really do want that steep-hill burn, head to the Port Levy Loop which takes in the scenic summit ridgeline on the Te Ara Pātaka shared-use walkway, the glorious waters of Pigeon Bay, and the hit-list Port Levy-Pigeon Bay road.

Camp: Okains Bay Camping Ground is a classic get-away-from-it-all destination with a perfect sandy beach, plenty of room for backyard cricket and super interesting Māori and colonial history (Waitangi Day in Okains is a ball!). Don’t miss the jaunt to Little Okains Bay, which might just be the best-looking spot on Banks. Closer to Akaroa, Onuku Farm Hostel has wooden tent shacks with see-through ceilings for bedtime stargazing. In Lavericks Bay you’ll find canvas tents and an outdoor hot tub, with a secluded beach just a 15-minute stroll away. Green Antler does glamping at scale, with one huge safari tent sleeping five, the mandatory hot tub, and deer grazing all around.

Mid Canterbury

Hike: Book in a decent weather day and boost the 700 vertical metres from Lake Coleridge to Peak Hill for too-good-to-be-true views across the lake and the snow-covered peaks that crowd it in. Check out the cascading gem that is Washpen Falls just an hour’s drive from the city. The walk starts from an old woolshed and tracks through an ancient volcanic canyon, now filled with densely beautiful native bush and vocal birdlife. Climb for views over the Canterbury Plains and to see one of the area’s most stunning waterfalls. In December and January the trail is one of New Zealand’s best spots to see regenerating southern rata in bloom. Hightail it along the Arthur’s Pass road to Porters Pass for one of mid-Canterbury’s most iconic adventures – be aware it’s unmarked country, for experienced hikers. From Porters Pass, skirt up the shingle-clad ridge to the top of Foggy Peak. About two hours’ climbing earns walkers a bloody decent thigh workout and mind-blowing views across the Torlesse and Big Ben Ranges, down to the plains and into Arthur’s Pass.

Bike: Easy rollers will be all about the Lake Emma track which offers easy mountain biking in to a late-1800s two room hut on the shore of stunning Lake Emma (overnight stays not allowed) and on to Lake Camp. To extend your adventure, head up the road and circumnavigate aptly-named Lake Clearwater.

Camp: Pitch up on the grass at the grassroots Rakaia Gorge Camping Ground, a perfect launchpad for all your adventures along the stunningly scenic Rakaia River. For something a little fancy, tuck into a cosy night in cool corrugated iron cabin The Shepherd’s Hut at Washpen Falls, where you can take a rowboat on an idyllic pond and escape the cold nights in a woodfired hot tub.

Read up: Canterbury Foothills & Forests: A Walking and Tramping Guide

Get the inside word on adventuring in the Canterbury foothills, from easy to hard+, as well as a ton of interesting info on the area’s history, flora, fauna, landscape and climate. Available from University Bookshop. ubscan.co.nz

Epic overnighters

Pack your bags and get ready for million-dollar sunset views on these sensational Canterbury trips.

Be the packhorse
Track up through a native bush-filled valley to the historic stone Packhorse Hut with majestic views over Lyttelton Harbour. Head out the next day or continue along the stunning Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway.

Bank on this
Take it easy on the Banks Track, where you’ll get your packs dropped at super-cute accomodation along the route. The track skirts a U taking in Flea Bay and Stony Bay, the epic Hinewai Reserve, and drops back over to Akaroa.

Summer at Mount Somers
Mid Canterbury’s Mount Somers offers a readily accessible taste of backcountry New Zealand. Head for either Woolshed Creek or Pinnacles Huts, both offering an easy overnight tramp that features impressive rock formations.

Bikepackers ahoy
Pack up your panniers and cycle the 23-kilometre Potts River track past Mystery Lake into Potts Hut, past steep moutonnées (rocky knobs smoothed by passing glaciers) and jumbly scree.

Christchurch's Ōtākaro Avon River has a lot to offer. Join schools of brown trout, Doris the friendly eel and local guides having fun around its banks this summer; it’s an inner-city flow-asis providing cubic-litres of fun.

Flowing through Hagley Park, winding through the city centre, traversing the Avonside red zone and out to sea, a journey down the Ōtākaro Avon River is a chilled out tour of the city’s most interesting spots. The river’s Māori name, Ōtākaro, means ‘a place of game’, after the children who played on its banks as the adults were gathering food from its bountiful waters. We’re channelling that spirit and heading to the Avon for a playful paddle and some delicious kai.

The Ōtākaro Avon River bursts into life at the historic Mona Vale in Fendalton, where the Ilam, Waimairi and Wairarapa streams converge. Start your Avon adventure there (don’t miss the fabulous rose and iris gardens) by fuelling up at the idyllic Mona Vale Homestead and The Pantry, serving exquisite high tea as well as a full seasonal lunch menu with views of the Avon and the park’s lush surrounds.

Follow the Avon’s grassy banks down the northern border of Hagley Park and wander the river. Celebrate an important moment in New Zealand history on the camellia-lined Kate Sheppard Memorial Walk. In the 1890s, camellias became a symbol of women’s suffrage when parliamentarians wore white camellias in their buttonholes to show their support, and those in opposition wore red camellias. Don’t miss the Daffodil Woodland, where in the late 1800s and early 1900s a menagerie of animals was kept, including kangaroos, llamas, a tortoise, a Californian bear and an emu named Jack. Since the animals have been removed, 500,000 daffodil bulbs have been planted here, and in spring it’s awash with yellow.

On the other side of the river, take the 1.5km Botanic Gardens River Walk, then pop into the Canterbury Museum to explore incredible taonga from Christchurch’s past.

For a great bite in the gardens, Ilex Café is all about simple sophisticated dishes and great coffee with fabulous views of the river in an equally fabulous building. Get amongst Christchurch Chef Jonny Schwass’ Huevos Rancheros or pulled lamb flatbreads. The Curator’s House was originally built for the curator of the Botanic Gardens in 1920 and is now a drool-worthy Spanish restaurant sitting in a glorious spot on the edge of the Avon. A shared paella is the perfect way to gear up for a day on the water, but perhaps stay off the uber-tempting wine menu for now, you’ll need your balance for these Avon on-water adventures.

At the Botanic Gardens, you can join KT from Christchurch Sea Kayaking, who knows how to play like the best of them. She’ll take you on one of three journeys: Te Toru Nui, exploring the blooming Botanics, bustling City Centre and re-greened red zone; City to Estuary, where you’ll start from the city and paddle through the nature-filled red zone to the bird bonanza Bexley Wetlands and out to the estuary; and City to Sea, where you’ll spend a full day journeying downriver from the Margaret Mahy Playground through the abundant estuary to the seaside Moncks Bay. KT’s full of great yarns and enthusiasm for the nature that invades Ōtautahi’s urban sprawl.

On Te Toru Nui, you’ll pass by the moving Christchurch Earthquake National Memorial, which commemorates those lost in the tragic quakes. Ngāi Tahu has gifted the memorial its poignant Māori name, Oi Manawa, which means ‘tremor or quivering of the heart’. Keep an eye out for eels as you pass The Terrace and Riverside Market, a favourite local relaxation spot (try Castro's Tapas & Bar for a drink with a view) and under the impressive Bridge of Remembrance, dedicated to those who served in the two world wars, as well as various other conflicts in New Zealand’s history. Further downstream, spot Robert Falcon Scott on his high plinth, a statue carved by his wife Kathleen. She’d made a bronze statue of Scott that was already on display in London, but this one was made from Carrara marble because of the metal shortages during the First World War. Scott faces north, the direction the expedition team were headed at the time of his death.

To get a higher perspective, join former adventure racer Joe Jagusch either at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, near the band rotunda by Cambridge Terrace or on the new Avon Loop boat ramp off Kilmore Street for a sitting, kneeling or standing trip downriver. Airborn Paddling offers starter lessons, through-city odysseys that conveniently finish near thirst-trap Pomeroy’s, shorter morning missions where you can explore Ōtākaro when it’s calm, or evening energisers where you can float from the gorgeous Botanic Gardens to the inner-city Edmond’s Band Rotunda – the perfect alightment for a post-paddle New Regent boozefest. Look out for Joe’s Flatwater Festival at the end of February.

For a more DIY experience, order up some grub at the Boat Shed Café (the spicy wedges are too good) and pick from the eclectic selection of boats for hire. You’ll find single and double kayaks, but also kid-friendly fibreglass paddleboats, wooden clinker-built rowing skiffs crafted right there at the Boat Sheds, or Canadian Canoes: long expedition-worthy wooden boats that you’ll need some teamwork to paddle. Grab one of the café’s picnic hampers and make a day of it.

From the Antigua Boat Sheds, you can take a nod to the city’s English heritage through a half-hour trip Punting on the Avon. Sit back in your comfy seat and watch the willows, redwoods and rhododendrons go by, with nosy ducks and geese accompanying you on your inner-city adventure.

Don’t miss the marvellous Margaret Mahy Playground on any jaunt down the river, arguably the best family playground in the country, and a great place to tire out the wee ones. Head down to the river to discover Ōtautahi’s untold stories with Waka on Avon. Māori sailed immensely technical voyages to reach these shores in the very beginnings of New Zealand’s human history, and during the birth of our city, early settlers and Māori used waka to transport bricks from Barbadoes Street to Deans Cottage, one of Christchurch’s earliest buildings, in a demonstration of the coexistence of the city’s two cultures. 180 years later, waka are back on the river. Indulge in stories of our city’s beginnings while enjoying what’s both the newest (Waka on Avon did its first voyages in early December), and the oldest way to paddle the river.

Landlubbers, don’t worry, we’ve got an Avon exploration for you too. Te Ara Ōtākaro Avon River Trail winds itself along the stunning Avon from Cambridge Village Green, through the residential red zone and out to Pages Road just outside New Brighton. You can wander or freewheel along it, stopping at the information boards to learn how this part of the city and its community have been uniquely affected by the earthquakes. Take a weeny detour to the Richmond Community Garden, where a community group is using red zoned land to grow vegetables and create a super-cool community space (say hi to the chickens from us). Further down, you’ll find the Riverbend Refuge, a native habitat restoration project, and enjoy Kaumātua Teoti Jardine’s specially commissioned poem inscribed onto tree rounds. You can make the whole trip even easier by hiring e-bikes from the folks at Chill, or joining their City to Sea electric bike tour, following Te Ara Ōtākaro and whizzing all the way out to New Brighton pier.

Eyes up: Five things to spot on your journey downriver

01 — STAY Don’t be spooked by this contemplative figure wading his way through the river just upstream of the Gloucester Street bridge looking like he’s lost his watch - it’s just STAY, a cast iron human created by British sculptor Antony Gormley (you might have met its twin over at the Arts Centre). Gormley created these to contribute to the healing of the city post-quake, and has said they carry “a sense of reflection or ‘taking stock’.”

02 — Tribute to Firefighters Look up after you pass under the Madras Street bridge and you’ll see a twisted whorl of rusted steel. These are actually steel girders that once supported the 102nd floor of one of the World Trade Centre buildings in New York, gifted by New York City to Christchurch in 2002 to honour all firefighters worldwide, and shaped into sculpture by Christchurch sculptor Graham Bennett.

03 — An inner-city green corridor The Avon River has lush plants dotting most of its length, but the stretch around the Armagh Street bridge is lined with weeping willows. It’s a fabulous corridor of sweeping leafy curtains ready for you to poke your bow into. 

04 — Victoria Square A great spot to reflect on Ōtautahi’s history, Victoria Square has statues of Captain James Cook and Queen Victoria, as well as Māori pou and two waka statues designed by Ngāi Tahu master carver Fayne Robinson, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Christchurch Town Hall. The waka, titled Mana Motuhake, were designed to complement the existing Queen Victoria statue; a representation of the partnership between iwi and the Crown.

05 — Ever-changing wildlife Joe from Airborn Paddling loves to spot Canada geese chicks and plucky paradise ducks growing up as the summer season goes on. KT at Christchurch Sea Kayaking is all about the fabulous spoonbills at the Estuary Reserve, and has even seen a little blue penguin swimming up the rapids by Madras Street, perhaps popping into town for a latte.

Mindful Journeys is a Spotify album released by Tourism NZ.

Narrated by James Rickard, the master carver at Te Puia Rotorua, each of the four tracks features the real sounds of water, air, birds and insects at peaceful New Zealand destinations. The first track starts with the sound of waves crashing on beaches in the far north, and moves south through iconic sonic destinations like Rotorua, the West Coast, Central Otago and the Marlborough Sounds.

On the journey, you’ll be reminded of New Zealand’s most relaxing soundscapes, from mud bubbling away softly in Rotorua, to the songs of our native birds and earthy whistles of wind on the forest floor.

“We wanted to remind New Zealanders of the calm and serenity that can be found on their back doorstep,” says Brodie Reid, Director of Marketing for Tourism New Zealand. The sound of nature has been proven to help people relax, physically changing the mind and having a positive impact on the nervous system. It’s great for holiday ideas too. “The tracks may even inspire Kiwis to explore parts of our inherently calming landscape that they haven’t visited before,” says Reid.

spotify.com

Want to live more joyfully in 2021? Who wouldn’t? Veronica King, owner of Grassroots Yoga & Health, has loaded us up with ways to fill 2021 with happiness. 

According to the ancient yogis our true nature is joy, and they even refer to our ‘bliss body’, where we experience unbounded freedom and joyousness. Here are ten ways to cultivate joy right now. And remember - just like learning to drive, the more you practice, the more it becomes second nature.

1 – Take stock and acknowledge where you are and all you have been through. It’s important to see all you have managed to do and achieve in spite of everything that has happened to you. Write a review of your year - I guarantee it will surprise you.

2 – Slow down, breathe deeply, do one thing at a time and feel your way into your day. Where are the pockets of pleasure in your daily routine? What on your calendar excites you? Rushing keeps us stressed and distracted. Practice noticing joyful moments.

3 – Declutter physically, mentally and emotionally. What are you holding onto that no longer feels in alignment with who you want to be? Be willing to let go of things, like people, places and outdated ideas.

4 – Be still. Learn to meditate, find a practice that you love and want to do. I recommend yoga nidra as a deeply relaxing and accessible guided meditation practice. In stillness we can hear our soul speak.

5 – Be in nature, every day. Summer is here and nature is perfect for practicing open eye meditation. Notice and appreciate beauty everywhere.

6 – Move your body to get out of your head. Find a movement practice and routine that lights you up, makes you laugh and that you love to do. If you are feeling stale in your exercise routine find something new to try. 7 – Rest. When our tank is depleted we have to double down on the amount of rest we need. If you have difficulty with sleep, look at your routine before bed. Here are some tips: have at least an hour of no screens before you want to sleep, no caffeine after midday, and limit your alcohol intake. Sometimes there are fundamental physiological imbalances affecting your sleep. If you think this might be the case, get support from a health professional.

8 – Perception is everything: our beliefs determine how we interpret our experiences. The good news is we can change our beliefs. Notice your thoughts, and when you find fearful or dark thoughts arising, try a short phrase like “I see you but I am not you”. Check your language, beliefs and words are interconnected and are reflections of each other. A trusted friend, coach or therapist can help with this.

9 – Play. When did you last do something just for sheer pleasure? Not to achieve or because it’s good for you, but just for fun. Children are masterful teachers of play. Make sandcastles, blow bubbles, play cards, dance, sing, do fun things.

10 – Connect. We need each other, and our interpersonal connections significantly influence our wellbeing. Reach out to others, make dates with friends and family, find connections in your community.

Professor and writer Joseph Campbell famously said “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” Make a commitment to try these ten steps as we head into 2021 and I guarantee you will be more connected to joy, regardless of what next year throws our way.

grassrootsyoga.co.nz

You’ve probably heard all about probiotics that help gut health in the form of supplements, kombucha or sauerkraut. We also have important ‘good bacteria’ on our skin. Support your skin microbiome with O Cosmedics O-Biome Hydrating & Setting Spray.

The skin microbiome is an invisible community of microorganisms that act like a security guard to protect our skin from hostile bacteria and viruses. The skin’s microbiome, also known as the skin flora, harbours around 300 bacterial species and is the second largest microbial community after the gut microbiome. Think of it as a delicate ecosystem, like the rainforest.

The diverse species of bacteria support the microbiome’s health and keeps the ecosystem functioning. Just like antibiotics and certain foods can mess with our gut flora – soaps, chemicals, pollution, weather, medications and environmental factors can throw off our skin’s microbiome by destroying good bacteria, leading to skin inflammation, acne and other conditions. Doctors have even linked microbiome health to eczema and rosacea, detecting that sufferers have a different microbiome to those without. 

Supporting a healthy skin barrier with a balanced skin microbiome will boost immunity, oxygen uptake and hydration and reduce sensitivity, dryness, lines and inflammation. In other words, restoring balance means saying hello to youthful, luminous skin.

The O-Biome Hydrating and Setting Spray from O Cosmedics protects and nurtures the skin’s microbiome and pH, as well as hydrating the skin and boosting oxygen uptake. The spray's active ingredient, OXY229, is 98% natural in origin, combing yeast and amino acids to regulate sebum and reduce levels of a sebum-loving bacterium called Corynebacterium Kroppenstedtii that is associated with inflammation. OXY229 also feeds the good bacteria in the skin, while helping to provide essential nutrients for an environment it can flourish in. Simply spray over the face after cleansing or after makeup as a setting spray.

For more information about how to keep your skin healthy and luminous, visit Probeauty's advanced beauty hub.

probeauty.co.nz

Trust us, dolphin skin is coming in. Sometimes called ‘glass skin’, this is all about making your face look like the dewy, wet skin of a majestic dolphin. We ask Probeauty what this is all about.

Tell us about this glass-skin look. One of the latest trends to come out of Korea, glass skin is all about achieving a luminous, clear and dewy complexion. The first step is using an active skincare routine including a gentle cleanser, serums to tackle signs of ageing, dryness and pigmentation (such as retinol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid) and a nourishing, hydrating moisturiser.

What products should we use to achieve this look? Finish what you started in your skincare routine with a hydrating and dewy-finish foundation that isn’t too heavy. It still needs to look natural!

We love Suntegrity’s 5 in 1 Natural Moisturising Face Sunscreen, as well as the Mineral Sheer Tint Foundation from Quoi Makeup. For the final touch, skip the powder and instead add a couple drops of O Cosmedics 1Skin Glow Booster Drops to the cheekbones to achieve a luminous glow without shimmer, creating that ethereal glass skin look.

If you’re looking for advice on active skincare products, head to Probeauty’s advanced beauty hub for advice on finding the best serums and ingredients to help land your dream complexion (pro tip: every skin type has different needs). 

probeauty.co.nz

Empowerment coach Saskia Clements drops some advice on creating healthy habits by actively controlling the important things, and shedding the rest.

If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it’s confirmation of that well-worn phrase, we just don’t know what’s around the corner. While we can’t control the circumstances we find ourselves in, we can do a lot to impact how these circumstances affect us.

Here are five tips for managing the things in our control that will greatly assist in making 2021 the best it can possibly be, no matter what’s around the corner.

1. Declutter your life

Take time to declutter and rid yourself of de-energisers. We all have things we’re procrastinating about, or tolerating, and these things drain us of vital energy. It can be anything from the kitchen drawer that sticks every time you open it, to the pile of paperwork cluttering your office, to the phone call you’ve been meaning to make to a friend you haven’t seen in a long while.

I had a client who had some photos from an overseas friend that she’d been meaning to return for 18 months. So much time had passed that she felt embarrassed and was paralysed into inaction. Every time she thought about these photos she felt guilty and disempowered. After some gentle coaxing, she agreed to just send them back with a note of apology and I can’t tell you how much lighter she looked when she walked in for her next coaching session.

Make a list and use the four D’s when dealing with de-energisers: Do it now if it’s quick and easy; Diarise when you’ll do it; Delegate or outsource it; or Dump it (in the instance of a client who had a big pile of magazines waiting for her to cut out the food recipes and file them. After some reflection and remembering Google’s a pretty good source of recipes, she decided to just get rid of the magazines). Start with some quick wins to gain momentum and you’ll be pleased with the energy you feel.

2. Audit your environments

Start with physical - your home, your car, your office. How do you feel when you’re in these spaces? Calm or stressed? Do they instil clarity or a sense of chaos? What do you love about them, and what changes do you wish to make?

Look at mental and emotional environments. Notice the landscape of your mind. Does it feel constantly busy and scattered? Or do you enjoy a good level of focus and clarity? What are your frequent thoughts about and how do they make you feel? What new habits could you adopt to help calm your mind and improve the quality of your thinking?

Think about your social environment. How do you feel in the company of the people you surround yourself with? Do they uplift you or drain you? Could you choose to spend more time with people who uplift and energise you? And who could you choose to spend less time with this year?

3. Develop a daily gratitude practice

Each morning or evening, ask yourself: what am I grateful for today? Get specific – it might be the kindness a stranger showed you today, your child’s expression when they told you about something funny that happened at school, or the mere fact your body got you out of bed without feeling any pain.

When we express gratitude, our brain releases the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. With time, focusing our attention on what we’re grateful for actually rewires our brain, hardwiring the pattern of scanning the world for positive versus negative and allowing us to better handle stress. Remember, there’s always something to be grateful for, sometimes it just takes a little more work to see it than at other times.

4. Get clear on your vision and goals

What is it that you want to create in your life over the next year, or three or five? Break it down into six-week mini-goals. At the start of each week, set two or three clear intentions focused on what you’d like to have achieved and how you’d like to feel come the end of the week. You’ll be amazed at what you achieve with this method versus just working with a daily to-do list. It ensures that each week, we take action towards our most important life goals, and don’t just get caught up in the hurly burly of life’s hamster wheel.

5. Set up accountability structures to help you succeed

A business friend of mine meets each Friday with a colleague and they hold each other accountable for consistently posting on their business social media pages. I enlisted a group of friends to do a 35-day alcohol-free detox with me and we supported and kept each other on track with a WhatsApp group. You can team up with friends, join a group such as through a yoga studio, or hire a personal coach. Whatever works best for you, just be sure to get someone on your team, as it greatly improves your chances of success.

saskiaclements.nz

It’s one of the most popular 2020 buzzword ingredients around anti-ageing, but how does collagen really work?

Collagen is a protein that already exists in our body – it gives structure and strength to our skin, bones and muscles. Despite this, the natural production of collagen in our body slows down with age, illness or lifestyle factors. This is when wrinkles, weak joints, brittle nails and lacklustre hair begin to emerge. Thankfully, there are now several collagen-boosting products available to naturally improve our skin, hair and body.

Powdered collagen is full of energy-boosting amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, and helps to increase skin strength and elasticity for plumper, younger-looking skin, as well as helping with joint, muscle and bone health. However, not all collagen powder is created equal, and you’ll want to ensure you’re consuming amounts that will actually make a difference.

Kiki Health Marine Collagen Beauty Blend provides a huge 7500mg of hydrolysed marine collagen per serve, along with natural vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for optimum absorption and skin benefits, plus it’s 100% natural.

If you want to amp up your collagen production through your skin routine, the Advanced Collagen Booster serum from Ginger&Me works to protect cellular communication and encourage collagen and elastin synthesis for smoother, more youthful skin. It uses a blend of powerful actives including antioxidants, vitamins and botanicals to promote fresh, new collagen and boost your complexion.

probeauty.co.nz

Do you feel like you’re running on empty? So many people have shared with me that they are feeling utterly exhausted, and it’s not surprising given the uncertainty and unpredictability that has featured in 2020.

While getting enough rest is critical for energy, there are numerous other factors that contribute to whether we feel resilient and vibrant – or not – in our daily lives. If you’re regularly lacking that inner spark, could it be that you’ve been expending too much mental energy? Constant and relentless stress, worry or feelings of uncertainty and overwhelm can be incredibly draining. And, very often when people are trying to cope with this, they start to rely more on caffeine and poorer-quality convenience foods, or alcohol might start to creep in more often than usual – all of which can leave you feeling even flatter.

While we may not be able to avoid stressful or worrying situations, there are many things we can do to support our body’s response. Focusing on the things we can take action on, rather than the things we can’t change, can be a powerful mindset shift and it’s something I really encourage. So let’s explore some ways to help you reignite your energy.

Boost your nourishment It probably comes as no surprise that this is top of my list, but what you eat really matters. Green leafy vegetables are a great source of antioxidants and contain a number of different vitamins and minerals needed for efficient intrinsic energy production. They’re also an excellent source of magnesium, a mineral that can be depleted when we are chronically stressed.

Close open tabs Work on closing what I call ‘open tabs’ – the tasks, emails or endless jobs that haven’t been resolved. It’s as if we walk around each day with so many tabs open – like websites sitting open on your computer screen, that it’s no wonder we feel drained or flattened. Schedule tasks instead of just listing them.

Reduce your caffeine intake Although caffeine can pep us up in the short term, many people are really surprised to find that they experience more sustained energy with less, or none. Try to avoid caffeine after midday, to ensure your sleep quality isn’t affected.

Incorporate muscle-building exercise Incorporating more resistance training helps to build muscle mass. More muscle means more energy-producing mitochondria in our cells—resulting in a higher metabolic rate as well as greater energy production. Naturally you gain better energy reserves as your glycogen (glucose stores) increase, as well.

drlibby.com

Wedding season is almost upon us, and whether you’re the bride, mother of the bride, a bridesmaid or just want to look ultra-radiant for an event as a guest, now’s the time to start your journey to glowing, radiant skin. Probeauty fills What's Hot New Zealand in on the dos and don’ts.

The first thing you’ll want to do is visit a quality skin clinic or beauty salon to assess your unique skin concerns, and how best to improve them. This may be dehydration (we’ve all been there!), fine lines and wrinkles, acne, or pigmentation and sun spots.

Rather than the latest fad serum in a department store, professionals can advise you on the truly powerful cosmeceutical products to create visible change in just a few months, using potent active ingredients. These proven ingredients include retinol (vitamin A), vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid – all in much stronger forms than you’ll find in the serums at your local pharmacy or beauty store. You may only need a couple of these products for your desired results, depending on what you’re looking to improve in time for your special event.

It’s not the 90s anymore; ‘fluffy’ facials are out, and advanced skin treatments are in. No longer just limited to the clinics of Beverly Hills, you can now get the latest treatments and create real results in your skin – which people will notice on your big day!

Some of the most popular modern skin treatments available include Dermapen microneedling, facial peels, IPL and LED, all working to completely rejuvenate the skin and give you that celebrity glow. Relaxing facials are great for some zen time, but just like with fitness, sometimes we need something tougher to see true results. A walk in a park is ideal for our relaxation, but it’s the high-strength fitness class that will get our body looking its best. The same goes for skin.

Skin products and treatments can get a little confusing, but Probeauty has come to the rescue with an online Advanced Beauty Hub full of all the tips, tricks, recommendations and top clinics around New Zealand for achieving a clear, plump, glowing complexion. As a leading supplier for the beauty industry for over 20 years, Probeauty knows skin and is committed to sharing the game-changing power of skin science. Discover the active skincare brands that pack a punch, and all the treatments available near you that can take your skin to the next level.

probeauty.co.nz

A decade ago ‘wellness’ was only just entering our national lexicon. Now, we’ve traded stress for stretching, sitting for stand-up desks and boozing for barre. Here’s what to expect in the next decade of wellness.

Flexitarianism becomes the norm

Vegans and vegetarians are dining at cafés and restaurants in droves, and chefs are answering the call with gusto. Many menus have gone from one or two token veggie meals to myriad mouth-watering dishes. Even those of us who aren’t 100% plant-based are drooling over avocado-laden Buddha bowls and burgers with mac ‘n’ cheese hash brown patties. With options galore, a lot of us will rein in our meat consumption – good for our bodies, good for the planet.

Open mental health discussions

Mental health is moving out of the doctor’s office and into conversations with friends, family and colleagues. It’s on our phones, through apps like Headspace and Calm, and it’s in our ears, with $200-an-hour therapists podcasting what was previously a private conversation. The 2020s are set to be a decade of demystifying mental health issues, and an influx of welcome honest conversation.

Fitness goes online

Online fitness classes went mainstream when TVNZ broadcast Les Mills workouts twice a day during lockdown, and you know what? We liked it. Studios continue to run Zoom classes, and there’s something wonderful about rolling from a sweaty heap on the floor into your own shower.

Wellness sabbaticals

With the rat race ramping stress levels up, many people are forgoing a little income and taking a wellness sabbatical; grind-avoiding getaways in beautiful retreats with plinky-plonky soundscapes and morning meditations.

The ageing rebrand

The 65+ crowd are more often retiring to start passion projects or run marathons than to take up bridge, and with that, ageing is having a total rebrand. We’ve heard marketers call it the ‘greynnaissance’, and ‘the silver economy’, while big brands are jumping on board: CoverGirl is using Maye Musk, Elon Musk’s super beautiful 72-year-old mum as a spokesmodel, and 99-year-old Iris Apfel was signed by IMG Models last year. It might be profit motivated (the boomers have the big bucks), but it’s a breath of fresh air.

Golden 'Grammers

There’s endless amounts of beauty, fashion and joy in the over-50s influencer space. Here are our favourites:

Bon Pon
@bonpon511
828K followers
Bon and Pon, married 40 years, might be the most fashionable couple on the ‘Gram.

Nickelson Wooster
@nickwooster
817K followers
This silver fox ex-marine lookalike knows how to rock a man bag and a wool blend.

Lyn Slater
@iconaccidental
750K followers
Lyn Slater started her blog Accidental Icon in 2014, and rocks a chic, eclectic aesthetic.

By now you’ve probably heard of microneedling, but do you know the difference when it comes to Dermapen, the revolutionary treatment for signs of ageing, pigmentation and acne?

Microneedling has fast become one of the most popular beauty treatments thanks to its ability to improve a wide range of skin concerns. It creates a clearer, plumper and younger-looking complexion by using the skin’s natural repair process.

It is, however, important to do your homework on the clinics and treatments – the device type and products infused into your skin are crucial to the success of your skin rejuvenation. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for, and when it comes to your face do you really want to be skimping on quality?

Dermapen is the original microneedling device – the first to be used by clinicians over 10 years ago – and after years of research and advances in technology the latest model has arrived, the Dermapen4. To maintain the highest standard of safety and results, Dermapen uses a Gold Authorised Treatment Provider programme that ensures clinics use the certified skin infusion products, protocol safety and training as well as the latest model device. Choosing one of these clinics ensures you’re getting safe, optimum results, and you can rest assured you’re in the hands of the best.

Visit the Probeauty clinic directory for a full list of Dermapen Gold ATP clinics throughout the country.

probeauty.co.nz

Veronica King, the queen of Grassroots Yoga & Health, explains just what yoga nidra is, and how this semi-sleeping state of consciousness can benefit us.

Yoga nidra is a guided meditation practice designed to drop you into a deeply relaxed state. Often translated as ‘yogic sleep’, it follows the biological process of sleep and slows the brainwaves down to the alpha and theta states, and with practice, to the delta state. It’s a series of structured awareness techniques that optimise physical recovery and interrupt stressful thoughts.

It’s generally practiced lying down, and anyone can do it – no prior yoga or meditation experience required. All yoga nidra asks is that you do nothing other than listen and let go of all effort – the hardest part is staying awake. There are different styles of yoga nidra, and ultimately all expressions of this practice support psychological, physical and spiritual healing.

Just like a physical yoga practice, try a few different teachers and styles and find what resonates with you. You need to feel safe, warm and comfortable. Yoga nidra is easily integrated to your daily routine and can make a long-term difference to your coping strategies. There are many classes and teachers in Christchurch, and many free online resources and recordings.

Veronica King is a certified facilitator of the integrative Amrit method of yoga nidra. She teaches a weekly Zoom yoga nidra practice and specialised workshops focused on yoga nidra and mental health at Grassroots Yoga & Health in The Tannery.

@theyoganidraproject

Do you know the sun is the No. 1 cause of skin ageing? Wrinkles, sunspots and pigmentation (and don’t even get us started on skin cancer!) are all bestowed upon us by the sun’s harmful rays, even in cloudy weather and through windows.

Adding sunscreen to your daily skin routine is an absolute must, but if this brings to mind greasy, chemical-laden lotions, you may be using the wrong one. So let’s break down the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens.

Chemical sunscreens use ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone to create a chemical reaction in the skin, absorbing the sun’s rays and converting them into heat. However, this reaction can cause skin irritations, and concerns have been raised about these chemicals after it was discovered they are toxic to coral reefs.

Physical sunscreens, as the name suggests, use mineral barriers to physically shield skin from UVA and UVB rays, such as zinc oxide, a healing mineral used for hundreds of years to treat burns, rashes and infections. Remember the neon green zinc from the early ‘90s? Luckily we now have versions that aren’t as thick, fluro or ghostly white.

Natural suncare brand Suntegrity has just launched in New Zealand a range of face and body sunscreens without the toxic chemicals, using protection from 20 percent zinc oxide without the white-out factor. The nourishing primer or tinted moisturisers are the perfect way to mix mineral SPF 30 into your daily routine, with botanical extracts, anti-ageing properties and antioxidants to soothe and protect your skin at the same time.

Visit the website to learn more about Suntegrity and to find stockists.

suntegrityskincare.co.nz

Tanya Goodin founded one of the earliest digital marketing agencies, and was search engine optimising three years before Google launched.

Because of her long history with the internet, Tanya describes herself as a proverbial canary in the coal mine when it comes to tech addiction. When she realised the negative effect tech was having on her life, she decided to set up Time to Log Off, running digital detox retreats for people who want to disconnect. Now an internationally-renowned digital detox expert, she has published two books and hosts the podcast It’s Complicated. Cityscape caught up with her about how easing back on tech could improve our lives.

Tell us about those first years working in digital – was there an addictive element to it at the start? At the start I don’t think there was. It was all very new and exciting, but it was shut away in a desktop or laptop at the end of the working day. There were very few people online in the UK and social media had rather a party atmosphere. It was fun, entertaining, and supportive – I look back rather wistfully at it all now. One potential client even asked me if I’d brought the internet in my briefcase when I went to see him. No one had a clue really.

When did it change? It would have to be the launch of the iPhone and the invention of the ‘like’ button, both in 2007. That’s the pivotal year addictive tech really took off. The former meant we now took the digital world everywhere with us, the latter meant companies found a way to get us seriously hooked on it. Justin Rosenstein, one of the creators of the like button, has described how it was specifically designed to give users a dopamine rush, which keeps bringing them back to the app. He’s now deleted most social media from his phone, and limits his time on Facebook. Similarly, it is fairly well-known that Steve Jobs, inventor of the iPhone, described himself as a ‘low tech’ parent and restricted the technology his kids used. If the fact that both those men gave their own inventions a wide berth isn’t evidence enough of the power of addictive tech, I don’t know what is.

Your ‘eureka moment’ came when you realised you hadn’t read a book in four years. Tell us about that. I read English at Oxford University so when a friend at a dinner party happened to ask what I’d been reading recently, it came as a bit of a shock to realise I hadn’t completely finished a book in over four years. It wasn’t that I hadn’t wanted to read, but that I couldn’t focus long enough to finish any book, something I had never struggled with before. It was a real wake-up call that something was happening to my brain, to my focus and concentration.

How else had your life changed as your tech consumption increased? My sleep was deteriorating, my focus was shot to pieces and my creativity had disappeared. I originally blamed all of that on getting older, but the more I thought about the vanishing amount of time I now spent on all those aspects of my life, compared to the time now eaten up by being online, I began to question it.

How did you change your tech habits? Originally I went completely cold turkey to work out what was going on. I deleted all social media, I switched to a ‘dumb phone’ to call family and keep in touch with loved ones, a phone that had no digital connectivity. I don’t live that way now, but I was so deeply entrenched in it that I needed to completely step away.

Are you completely cured, or do you lapse occasionally? I’m definitely not totally cured. I lapse the same as everyone else. It’s very hard to totally log off now that our lives revolve around technology. But every time I find I’m losing a couple of hours to mindless scrolling I turn off my phone and go outside, or do something absorbing and mindful. Yoga or puzzles are a favourite.

How did you come to be the first digital detox expert? I have always been a classic early adopter of technology (I had one of the first Mac computers imported into the UK, and later on, one of the very first iPhones) so it was inevitable I began to feel the effects of tech adoption before others. I’ve also always been very interested in psychology. This helped me see we had the ability to go quite badly astray with technology, while others were still blinded by the huge financial potential and not thinking through all the implications. I think the combination of both those things, my personal experience and my academic interest, led me to seeing a need for a change of direction about three or so years before everyone was ready to hear about it.

How is tech designed to hook us in? Technology, and in particular social media, is deliberately and calculatedly designed to hook us using the same techniques as slot machines - variable rewards combined with social validation, social proof and personalisation via algorithms. The famous Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford University in the US developed all the tricks, starting in the late 1990s, which the addictive tech industry now uses. Interestingly, the founder of that same lab also warned very early on about the negative use some of those persuasive tech tricks could be put to in unscrupulous hands.

What are the negative effects that digital technology is having on our everyday lives? Our addictive tech environment is stopping us from living richly and from resting fully. We’re becoming lonelier and more isolated; we are working less effectively; we’re never switched off and we can rarely fully relax. In 2017 the French enshrined into law that employees could ignore work emails out of hours, just to enable them to take a break after their working day. We’ve almost regressed to the sweat factory conditions of the industrial revolution with how work now impacts every area of our lives, thanks to smartphones.

We now spend a lot of time on phones. What have we given up? Before smartphones and the internet we had more time to develop interests, hobbies and pastimes which refreshed, relaxed and sustained us. Think about what you used to fill your days with, say, ten years ago. Yes, some of it might have been just staring into the void feeling bored I’m sure, but a lot of it was around reading, sport, craft, long rambling chats with friends. We have pretty much eliminated all of that in favour of scrolling on our phones.

Do you find people are anxious at the thought of a digital detox? Yes, without exception everyone who comes on one of our retreats is nervous about not having their phone. I’ve even had people ask for special dispensation to keep their phone 'just for work purposes', or because they’re worried about missing some crucial message. It’s a real irrational, visceral panic people have about being without their smartphone, even when there’s a landline available (which there always is on our retreats). Even the thought of leaving the house without their phone makes people anxious.

In a perfect world, how would you want people to use the internet and devices in their spare time? For the very many enormous benefits of the digital world; for education, for community-building, for keeping in touch with friends and family, and for entertainment, but not for hours on end. There are many benefits to screens, they just need to be moderated and their use needs to be a conscious choice. I would say where the alternative is to connect with a real live person in front of you – that’s when a screen is not a good choice.

Kids are getting hooked on tech young – at an age where the government regulates access to things like alcohol and cigarettes. Should the government regulate tech use in any way? Yes, I’ve been campaigning for this in the UK for many years now and will continue to campaign. Tech should be regulated, and it’s criminal it’s got away with being unregulated for so long, particularly where protection for children is concerned. The writing is on the wall for tech companies now on this.

PODCAST

It’s Complicated: Untangling the Relationship with our Phones

Tanya chats to inspiring people about how their smartphones affect their lives – especially those whose work revolves around being online, like instapoet and illustrator Nikita Gill, and YouTuber and sex educator Hannah Witton. Her goal is to untangle what a healthy relationship with your phone looks like, and empower you with practical tips and ideas. Listen now on iTunes.

BOOK

Off: Your Digital Detox for a Better Life

Off isn’t about giving up tech completely, it’s a guide to helping us find balance, freeing up hours of our time and leading us back to the pastimes, and people, we love. Tanya offers simple tips that encourage a deeper connection with others, more restful sleep and increased creativity, freeing us from technology to be more present in our own lives. Grab a copy here.

COURSE

How to do a Digital Detox: The Ultimate Guide to Digital Wellbeing

In Tanya’s six-week online course, learn about the persuasive techniques that make your phone, and social media in particular, so addictive. You’ll go on a two week ‘rewiring’ of your digital habits, and you’ll monitor your physical and mental health through this change. The course is social – you’ll celebrate your successes with your course mates as you successfully adopt Tanya’s strategies. Check out the course details and get enrolled.

TOP TIP: Buy an alarm clock

This seems simple, but Tanya’s found that making your bedroom a screen-free space is the number one way to spend less time on your devices. When your phone isn’t by your bed, there’s no temptation to look at it at night or first thing in the morning.

itstimetologoff.com
tanyagoodin.com