Get your mind and body in top shape for summer

Britain is spending a massive £1.5 billion on improving their personal wellbeing like gym memberships, cosmetics and spa treatments every month.

However, while this might seem like a huge amount in these current times of austerity, it seems we are still more likely to treat our home as a castle than our body as a temple.

The research by Lifehouse released today shows we shell out a whopping £1.76 billion on maintaining our bricks and mortar every month.

Furthermore the research shows that over the next couple of months most people will be more concerned with the appearance of their house than themselves.

Around 40% of us plan to roll up our sleeves and get stuck in to a good old fashioned Spring Clean over the next few weeks.

However, less than 5% of the UK say they plan to do the same with their bodies and treat themselves to a detox or pampering session this Spring.

With Summer fast approaching now’s the time to get your mind and body in shape - Emma Jane North, from Lifehouse Spa, gives her top tips on how we can prepare ourselves for the coming Summer, without spending a fortune:

1. Put yourself and your health first and take 5 mins out every day to just STOP and be still. Even better, if you can physically go to a great place and sink your toes into the grass or sand but if not visualize yourself in a beautiful space and metaphorically smell the roses.

2. Make a plan and start with how you feel today, think about your energy levels, sleep patterns and fitness levels and grade your general mood between 1 and 10 1 being very grumpy and 10 ecstatically happy. Then decide how you would like to feel and imagine what it would be like to be that person.

3. Now take some action small changes can create a big difference… set realistic goals and involve experts and friends to boost your morale and confidence.

4. Posture, 80% of people have poor posture this effects the way the body works and feels and how much oxygen you get into your lungs … so start today stand up tall head up and back …Pilates or postural workshops are a great investment or a trip to a fitness or Physio can put you back in the groove

5. What goes into your body truly reflects how your body will function and feel and does effect the mood… so when it comes to food and drink…think… it is not a I can’t have that but 80% of the time eat and drink to energise the body and 20% of the time be as decadent as you like.