Everything You Need to Know about Ear Seeds the Latest Wellness Trend

In a seemingly never-ending case of western wellness gurus borrowing from age-old eastern practices, ear seeds are apparently all the rage – or rather all the zen, amongst millennials seeking to cure their alinements, fight off jet-lag, stop smoking or just lose a few pounds.

Described as the ‘reflexology of the ear’ – Ariculotherapy – a form of alternative medicine, can supposedly tap into the hundreds of auricular points within the organ responsible for hearing. Ear seeds then, apply a light and continuous compression that is said to unblock whatever negative energies have built up over time.

If you’re wondering how the seeds stay put inside your ear, luxury brands such as Swarovski and Vie Healing have created 24K gold and silver ear seeds that are attached to adhesive stickers, giving wearers the freedom to stick where they please and skip the appointment to the acupuncturist. According to acupuncturists, the 24K gold works to warm, stimulate and boost the blood supply in one’s ear, meanwhile the silver works to cool and disperse.

Easy to mistake for a new trend of piercings, celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Penelope Cruz have been spotted with the 24K ear bling, making them not only worth a try for your health but also for your fashion game.

As to whether or not ear seeds actually work, there is much debate just like most forms of traditional Chinese medicine with some dismissing it as pseudoscience. However, for those willing to believe in the practice and give it a fair shot, may want to read the 2017 study that came out of the University of São Paulo that found auriculotherapy who ultimately decided that more research must be done before a firm verdict is laid out.

Collagen soup, the beauty broth for body and soul at Bijin Nabe

If you browse through the ingredient list of beauty products, there’s one common item that’s just bound to recur time and again. This magic ingredient is none other than collagen. Glowing skin, shiny tresses, long nails – it’s all down to collagen apparently. Interestingly enough, collagen already exists in our body without ever being supplemented externally. But as we age, our we produce less and less collagen with every passing year. Thus arises the need to supplement our body’s collagen with external intake. Hence the long list of beauty products that all promise to enhance our body’s collagen content.

Now imagine, instead of applying collagen externally and hoping it gets absorbed effectively, what if you could directly digest collagen in form of food? And not just in the powder that you have to mix with a juice to make it more palatable. We’re talking about bone broth – the original, old-school way of partaking collagen.

Hongkongers can now try this authentic mode of having collagen soup, thanks to Japanese ‘farm-to-table’ hotpot brand Bijin Nabe, that has opened at the apm shopping mall in Millennium City 5, Kwun Tong. On their menu is the collagen-rich chicken ‘beauty stock’ that looks like a pudding when it first makes an appearance on the table but soon melts into a rich creamy soup when heated, acting as the broth for the hotpot.

What makes it so special is that this soup is not just super-delicious but also packed to the gunwales with – besides collagen – vitamins and minerals that help reduce inflammation, treat joint pain and boost our digestive and immunity systems.

Bijin Nabe, 3/F, apm Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong

Music Therapy: What is music therapy and who exactly does it benefit?

It is said that the origins of music therapy can be traced back to thousands of years, indeed long before families gathered around in their homes to listen to gramophones, and definitely long long before the first angsty teenager shoved a pair of headphones into their ears.

In fact, there are evidences abound of music being used in our daily lives and as healing rituals as early as Neolithic times, with ancient cave carvings and bone flutes all seeming to tell us just how key music was to human lives. Even Greek philosopher Pythagoras theorised around 550BC how music can be used to influence our emotions and, in 18th century London, hospitals adopted the practice of using music to heal patients.

But what exactly is music therapy and who does this age-old remedy benefit? We sat down with Dr. Annie Heiderscheit, the Director of Music Therapy at Augsburg University and Chair of Communications for the International Association of Music and Medicine (IAMM) – who had recently visited Hong Kong for the Institute for Creative Arts Therapy (HK)‘s 5th anniversary and the 1st collaboration anniversary with Shining life Limited as the keynote speaker and workshop facilitator – to learn more about the more modern approaches of therapeutic toe-tapping.

Heiderscheit, who has over 30 years of clinical practice experience, explained to Gafencu that her definition of Music Therapy can be simplified down to “the prescriptive use of music to meet the needs of an individual”.

A therapy approach that certainly focuses on the unique needs of individual patients, music therapy is used from womb to tomb, so to speak, with therapists having patients from every stage of life. From children with developmental disabilities and war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to even patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, the flexible tool of music can be used to help a wide group of people.

Dr. Annie Heiderscheit Ph.D., MT-BC, LMFT (Photo Credit: Dr. Heiderscheit)

Despite its healing qualities, therapy in general is largely stigmatised in Asia, which is why Dr. Heiderscheit also talked to us about how important it is to overcome the stigma and normalise therapy. She said: “Therapy exists not because there is something necessarily wrong with us, it is more about how do we become the better and best version of ourselves – and sometimes having someone who is trained to observe and listen to undergo that journey with you can be a great tool.”

However, due to the nature of music therapy, it can often be shrugged off as “music time” rather than a mental-health treatment. While this may present an opportunity to those who are normally reluctant to seek out help for their mental health, it can also undermine the gravitas of the practice. However, as Dr. Heiderscheit puts it: “Therapy doesn’t always have to be painful and uncomfortable – it can be therapeutic and often music therapy allows one to have a good time”.

To learn more about music therapy and music therapists in Hong Kong, visit the Institute for Creative Arts Therapy (HK).

Text: Bailey Atkinson

Philips’ Somneo Sleep and Wake-Up Light for a more soothing sleep

According to the latest research, nearly 40 percent of the world’s adults claim to get less than seven hours of sleep per night. This falls quite short of the recommended 7-9 hours for a healthy lifestyle. If you’re among these millions of people around the globe who suffer from sleep issues, perhaps a gander at electronics giant Philips’ latest wake-up light might not go amiss. Dubbed the Somneo Sleep and Wake-Up Light, this bedside gadget aims to improve your bedtime experience by putting you in the right ‘light’ frame of mind.

Based on the proven theory that sleep habits are hugely affected by light, the Somneo Sleep and Wake-Up Light works to ensure your sleep cycle is well-adjusted at both ends of your day. In the early hours, the lamp simulates the growing light of dawn – from a deep red to orange and then yellow – not enough light to disturb your sleep, but enough that your body subconsciously prepares for the day so you wake up refreshed and ungroggy when your alarm finally rings.

At the end of the day, the lamp works in reverse, much like a sunset. The light’s intensity decreases gradually to allow yourself to prepare for bedtime. Or, if you so prefer, there’s an alternative guided breathing system that uses light and sound pulses to measure your breathing, much like a meditative experience to unwind your mind.

As a handy addition, the Somneo Sleep and Wake-Up Light comes with a companion mobile app that allow for the customisation of light intensity, alarm settings and music selection. It also lets users monitor their sleep times, while offering suggestions on improving any areas that are lacking. To find out more about this US$200 innovative sleep aid, visit their website.

FoodMarble Aire: Identify your food intolerances with this handy gadget

Prince or pauper, high-net-worth individual or homeless hobo, we all have at least one thing in common – the propensity to develop Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a chronic digestive disorder that can cramp your lifestyle just as much as it can cramp your organs.

Its persistence, according to most eminent stoolologists, can be curtailed if you can excise the trigger foodstuffs from your diet. The problem – up until now – has been that the exact trigger varies from scoffer to scoffer, with every bunged-up bowel potentially irritated by something different.

The “up until now” in this instance comes courtesy of FoodMarble, a Dublin-based start-up, whose debut product – the FoodMarble Aire – literally sniffs out just what’s getting your tum into such an untimely tangle. It does this by logging the fluctuating levels of hydrogen in your exhalations.

Fitted into an eminently portable square package (with mouthpiece attached), the FoodMarble Aire has a companion app that tracks your readings instantaneously. All that’s required is inhaling for three seconds then exhaling into the device. What’s more, it is even said to track your sleep and stress levels as well, providing a more holistic way to track your body. The higher the level, the more indigestible your belly is finding whatever it is you are currently tucking into. It then goes one step further and identifies whatever it is your system is a little intolerant of – whether that’s lactose, sorbitol (a sugar substitute), wheat or something a tad more exotic. What’s more, the US$159 FoodMarble Aire provides instant readings and reports via its companion mobile phone app.

Soul Purpose: Tapping into the latest wellness trend, soul workouts

While most of us are aware of the benefits of physical exercise, not too many can claim that they take out time for a well-deserved soul workout. But that, thankfully, is changing. A new wellness trend is slowly emerging over the last few years, which advocates taking time out for sprucing up your soul, that inner sanctum that controls your body and mind. For those less au fait with the workings of a soul exercise, however, we have for you a few ‘feel good’ activities designed to make you more soul-conscious.

Embrace nature

Ditch the gym to spend a day on the beach. Notice – really notice – the nuances in nature and soak up the small joys. Leave your cell phone at home and feel the difference that one day of old-fashioned analogue amusement can bring into your life.

Get creative

Fancy yourself as a painter or a writer or a chef? Don’t hold yourself back, instead, just go for it full throttle, and keep in mind that it’s not the end product but the process that’ll give you the greatest joy.

Value other people

Connecting with other people is what makes us feel loved. Start by making small gestures, like greeting other people with a smile or by saying hello. Remember to thank others and let them know you appreciate them. Set aside time for family, no matter how busy your schedule is.

Play with a furry friend

If there were to be research on this subject, it would no doubt reveal that furry friends are great for soul workouts. Adopt a pet, or volunteer at your nearest animal shelter. Unwinding with an animal who loves you unconditionally is bound to be great for your body, mind and soul.

Umay Rest: Optimum optical relief for your peepers

According to a 2016 study by Nielsen, the New York-headquartered market research giant, the average adult now spends more than 10 hours a day staring at electronic screens of one kind or another – whether perched in front of an office PC or slouched at home while peering at the latest OLED TV.

Inevitably, this persistent proximity has seen the emergence of a wholly new medical condition – Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Triggered by prolonged optical exposure to digital devices, the condition is characterised by headaches, blurred vision and dry eyes, and can also lead to disrupted sleep patterns and, in extremis, mental health problems.

In order to counter this all-too-common phenomenon, an innovative Edmonton-based start-up – Umay Care – has developed the Umay Rest, a high-tech meditation device solely geared to soothing irritated eyes. Superficially resembling a traditional eyemask, the system combines the company’s patented Meditative Heat thermal therapy with a series of gentle, programmable vibrations, all designed to soothe your dry eyes and de-stress your ocular muscles.

Now available for pre-order at US$179, everyday use of the Umay Rest is said to reduce the likelihood of future optical sensitivity problems. Thoughtfully designed to complement your own sleep schedule, its Thermal Meditation technology is even said to help confirmed insomniacs get a little shut eye.

Newtrition: Which superfoods are good for you according to your body type?

While it’s common knowledge that having a proper nutritional diet is essential if you want to lead a healthy life, just what constitutes ‘proper nutrition’ is far more open to debate. So, where is the best place to start? As a rule of thumb, seek out the most natural items and, in particular, those that genuine nutritionists have deemed to be superfoods.

While there is no generally-accepted prescriptive definition of just what constitutes a superfood, the scientific community broadly concurs that term is applicable to any “nutrient-rich food that is especially beneficial for health and well-being.” Celine Beitchman, director of nutrition education and chef instructor at New York City’s Natural Gourmet Institute, narrows it down further saying that superfoods are those that are “more nutrient-dense compared to their caloric value, allowing us to make the most of our calories.”

If a slight flight of fancy may be excused, it may be easier to envisage these body-boosting natural battery-rechargers as nature’s own superheroes – the Amazing Avocado, Wonder Watermelon and the like. Which one, though, is your personal health hero? Check below and match any enduring ailments with their natural nutritional nemesis…

Heart

Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure?
Do you get overly out of breath after exercise?
Do you find yourself panting after climbing stairs?
Have you been diagnosed as having a weak heart?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, then maybe you should bite into a beet as soon as possible. Beets are packed with nitrates that, in turn, produce nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes and dilates the blood vessels, turning them into speedy highways for your nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood, resulting in better circulation and lower blood pressure.

They are also rich in betaine, a plant alkaloid, as well as Vitamin B, a combination that helps lower the level of homocysteine in your blood stream, reducing the risks of artery damage and heart disease. Beets, however, contain natural sugars – about nine grams per average serving – so diabetics are best advised to give this particular purple remedy a miss.

Stomach

Do you suffer from frequent indigestion?
Do you get acid reflux after drinking alcohol?
Do you feel bloated even after a light meal?
Are your bowel movements not as regular as they once were?

Almost everybody has digestive problems occasionally, but should such symptoms persist, then maybe you should consider adding a generous helping of sauerkraut to your diet. While most people consider it only as a hot-dog condiment, it’s essentially fermented cabbage and contains a high level of ‘good’ bacteria – or probiotics – that can help soothe the stomach and combat inflammation.

Some studies have also shown that probiotics may even help Crohn’s sufferers or those with ulcerative colitis. Sauerkraut also contains the kind of enzymes that help the body break down food into smaller, digestible components, which in turn helps to absorb nutrients.

Skin

Do you think your skin has lost its glow?
Is it somewhat dry and flaky?
Do you suffer from acne from time to time?
Is your beauty cupboard well-stocked with anti-wrinkle creams?

If you found yourself nodding in resigned agreement to one or more of the above problems, maybe it’s time to supplement your night creams and moisturising masks with a spoonful or two of avocado. While the beauty industry has famously co-opted this fruit in an array of creams, serums, lotions and oils, just consuming an avocado is every bit as effective (not to mention cheaper).

Packed with poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (notably Omega 9), it helps regenerate damaged skin cells, resulting in an epidermis that’s epically dewy and firm. The Omega 9 fatty acids, for one, keep the top dermal layer moisturised, without giving rise to any excessive oiliness (which also cuts back on incidents of acne). And, if that wasn’t enough, avocados are also rich in potassium, lecithin and other skin-nourishing nutrients.

Immune System

Are you prone to persistent colds?
Do you find yourself coughing and sneezing constantly?
Do you find yourself catching infections rather easily?
Do your wounds take longer to heal than once upon a time?

If you find that most of these conditions strike a chord, then the bad news is your immune system is perhaps not as strong as it ought to be. The good news, however, is that help is very close at hand indeed – in fact, it’s only as far away as your nearest fruit bowl. Citrus fruits – oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons – are all excellent sources of immunity-building Vitamin C. In fact, there’s 51mg in an average orange, 38mg in a grapefruit and 30mg in a lemon – making them the recommended go-to fruits in the run-up to Hong Kong’s famously long flu season.

While Vitamin C can’t actually prevent colds, research suggests it might reduce their duration and severity. Citrus fruits also help absorb another element that’s vital for your body’s immunity system – iron, a mineral that helps your body produce red blood cells. With the human body typically needing as little as 30mg of Vitamin C per day, one of the easiest ways of incorporating citrus fruits into your diet is by squeezing just the tiniest bit of lemon into your water or tong ling cha daily.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Scented candles: The newest must-have accessory for a feel-good factor

Did you know that trying to guess the different aromas of a wine is more difficult than solving a math problem? According to recent neuroscience research, truly savouring a wine – that is, smelling and tasting each of its notes as opposed to quaffing it – can stimulate our brain much more than solving a complex arithmetical puzzle.

Gordon M. Shepherd, Professor of Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine and author of the book Neuroenology, says: “It involves multiple sensory and motor systems, as well as central conceptual systems for cognition and memory — and systems for emotion and pleasure.” In other words, the brain becomes more engaged because more body systems, such as the sense of taste and smell, are engaged in the process.

Interestingly, even a few years back, our sense of smell was considered the least important of the five senses, In fact, in a 2011 survey, 53 percent of millennials said they’d rather give up their sense of smell than give up a tech gadget. But it seems that now, somewhat belatedly, this overlooked sense is having its moment of revival. From aromatic oils that are designed to evoke a sense of calmness to scented candles that conjure up smells of favourite cities, more and more products are channelling the direct co-relation that our sense of smell has with our sense of well-being. So here are our top recommendations for a few mood-lifting scented candles for your home.

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Tame Your Mane: Our top picks for luxury hair masks

Research shows that the haircare market is expected to reach USD$110.70 billion within the next five years, more-or-less telling us that a lot of guys and gals have been taking their bobs and dues pretty seriously as of late. Indeed, more than ever consumers care about their hair and are willing to put in the extra work and dollars to keep it in style and most importantly, to keep it healthy. No longer shrugging off their stylist’s advice that strong hair comes from at-home care not just from the salon’s magic touch, luxury haircare products are leaving the salon and going home with clients after appointments.

Those looking to save their hair from the harsh effects of the environment as well as over-styling, are best suited to find a deep condition or repair hair mask, and with an abundance of luxury hair masks now on the market practically begging you to take them home and bring your hair back to life, it can be difficult to narrow down which ones are simply making waves because of perfect-PR promotions and those which deserve their rightful hype. Here at Gafencu we’ve tried and tested an array of luxury hair masks and narrowed down our favourite four to help you get your hair back in shape.

Briogeo

Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

New York-headquartered Briogeo came into the haircare market with the noble pursuit of diversifying the haircare game by appealing to strands of all types and creating products that could actually live up to the hype (which has a tendency to be undeservedly bestowed upon any product over a certain dollar mark). The Don’t Despair, Repair! deep conditioning mask has been tried and tested by the Gafencu team to much-loved results, especially for chemically-treated and dry hair. Delivering on its promise to reduce unwanted breakage and strengthen hair, leaving your once fried strands feeling healthy and luscious again.

Kevin Murphy

Young Asian Masque

Well-tried by our team, the products of Australian lead Kevin Murphy, have been a permanent fixture in our shower shelves since the brand became a household name back in 2007 for it’s iconic “beach waves”. The Young.Again.Masque delivers deep conditioning to your hair providing you with the softness and shine that you’d expect only to be able to get from a visit to your most trusted luxury salon. With ingredients that are made up of wide assortment of oils and moisturizers one might be afraid of unwanted waxiness, but the mask proves to be light and only a small amount is needed for optimal results.

Moroccan Oil

Restorative Hair Mask

Perhaps the best known of the bunch, Israeli oil-infused haircare perfecters Moroccan Oil has been transforming dead-ends to magnificent manes for over two decades. Its a collection of products inspired by the Mediterranean is loved not only for its ability to put an end to frizz and breakage but for the incredible smell. The Restorative Hair Mask is ideal for hair that has been damaged from overdoing it with straightening tools and chemical products (bleach, we’re talking about you), with help from its healthy dose of Vitamin E and Shea butter, your combs and brushes will certainly be less full of perished strands of the past.

Olaplex

No.3 Hair Perfector

California based haircare gurus Olaplex, have certainly been transforming the hair care industry as of late with their game-changing products No.1, No.2 and especially No.3. When hair starts to break, who are you going to call? Olaplex. Its Numbers series include patented active ingredients for straightening the bonds of your hair strands, by which it can restore compromised locks to a healthier state. The best part is it’s salon formulas bottled into a perfectly convenient at-home treatment. Tried and beloved by the Gafencu team, this bottle of perfection saved us many unwanted trips to the trimming chair.

Text: Bailey Atkinson