The Science of SLEEP…

It’s that time again… the clocks will go back one hour on Sunday 25^th October at 2 am!  Daylight Savings Time officially comes to an end. 

How do you remember which way the clocks go? An easy way to remember is to think of the seasons; in the Spring, the clocks ‘spring forward’ and in Autumn they ‘fall back’. This also marks the end of British Summer Time (BST)… which also means an extra hour in bed! 

With this change you might be looking forward to getting an extra hour of sleep at night – but the amount of rest you’ll get will depend in part on your sleep habits:

The deep sleeper… If you are the type of person who doesn’t wake up until your alarm clock rings, you might get some extra rest, but only if you continue to go to bed at your normal time every night. 

The early riser… If you are a morning person who tends to wake up without an alarm, you might get less than an extra hour of sleep. The reason is simple… it could take several days or more for your body’s internal clock to adjust to the change.

The body’s internal clock or circadian rhythms…

“Circadian” means “about a day.” This is the body’s internal clock, which gradually becomes established during the first months of life, controls the daily ups and downs of biological patterns, including body temperature, blood pressure, and the release of hormones. Circadian rhythms make people’s desire for sleep strongest between midnight and early morning, but less mid-afternoon. 

When you sleep, you cycle between the REM and non-REM sleep stages:

REM: Dreaming sleep or REM sleep – this happens usually 90 minutes after you fall asleep. The first period of REM typically lasts 10 minutes. Your heart rate and breathing gets faster. During this stage of sleep, you could experience more intense dreams because your brain is more active.

Non-REM: Quiet sleep or non-REM sleep (non-rapid eye movement) is basically dreamless sleep. During this stage the breathing and heart rate are slow and regular, the blood pressure is low and the sleeper is relatively still. This is broken up in three stages with each stage becoming progressively deeper. ¹

You’ll need to experience all stages of sleep in order to wake up fully rested.

After a good night’s sleep, the benefits can be felt not only in our body, but also in our mind. Sleep is essential for maintaining cognitive skills such as communicating well, remembering key information and being creative and flexible in thought. There is also a strong relationship between sleep and physical and mental health. Not getting enough sleep has a profound impact on our ability to function.  

At Nikken we know how important sleep is for Active Wellness and that’s why we’ve designed a range of products that work in harmony together to address just this. 

For cosy nights, the KenkoDream^® Quilt is made from a natural, anti-bacterial, breathable cotton cover and contains ceramic fibres that not only help release excess heat, but also release a calming warmth to help maintain a constant temperature.  

The same ceramic fibres can be found in the limited edition Kenko Travel Comforter, a superlight versatile blanket that can be folded and zipped up after use into a neat portable size making it easy to store and giving it multiple uses not just for the bed but also as a blanket for the sofa, to be kept and used in the car and for when travelling. 

These products are just a couple that can be found in the Sleep and Rest & Relaxation range – visit www.nikken.com/eu/ for the full range.

Read our previous blog Good sleep promotes good health…² for tips on how to create the perfect bedtime routine for a good night’s sleep.

See our OCTOBER SPECIAL OFFERS … selected rest and relaxation products to help you on your journey to a better sleep… https://bit.ly/3dCjXIN

1. https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/advice-support/sleep-hub/sleep-matters/sleep-patterns/
2. https://nikkeneurope.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/good-sleep-promotes-good-health/

19^th October 2020

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GROUNDING… for Active Wellness

Grounding is both a timeless practice and modern discovery… It simply means living in contact with the earth’s natural surface charge – being grounded.

We all live and function electrically on an electrical planet. We are each of us a collection of dynamic electrical circuits in which trillions of cells constantly transmit and receive energy in the course of their programmed biochemical reactions. Your heart, brain, nervous system, muscles and immune system are prime examples of electrical subsystems operating within your bioelectrical body. The fact is, all of your movements, behaviours and actions are energized by electricity.¹

Most people are totally unaware of their bioelectrical nature or the energetic connection between their bodies and the earth’s surface. Many of us don’t even realize that we’re disconnected from Mother Nature. Our feet and the rest of our bodies rarely touch real ground. We keep insulated with layers of clothing, rubber soles, mattresses, any assortment of chairs and accessories.

Science informs us that the Earth’s electrons contain a natural, negative charge. Maintaining contact with the ground allows our bodies to naturally receive and become charged with these electrons. When we are “grounded,” we absorb these beneficial electrons that “reduce electrical imbalances in the body.” Since our bodies are composed of mostly water and minerals – just like the Earth – we are mutually electrically conductive.

When you are electrically grounded, you could feel more centred, strong, balanced, less tense and less stressed. 

The most effective way to ground yourself is to feel the soles of your feet connecting to the earth by standing barefoot on soil, sand or even the sea bed. As we are heading towards the winter season, with shorter, darker and colder days you’ll probably want to spend more time in the warmth and comfort of your own home. But you can still ground yourself at home.²   

Nikken created the KenkoGround^® to help us maintain our connection to the ground even when indoors. Devised to be plugged into a grounded outlet, the conductive fabric, when placed against our bare skin, duplicates the effect of direct contact with the Earth, our source of natural energies. 

You can ground yourself at any time during the day with the KenkoGround^®, however, during sleep is a great time. Grounding during sleep provides the body with 6-8 hours of uninterrupted grounding at a time when the body undergoes most of its healing and regeneration. Sleeping on the KenkoGround^® allows you to tap into a stream of beneficial electrons from the Earth.  For best results make sure your bare skin is in contact with the KenkoGround^®.

To learn more about the Nikken KenkoGround^® visit: https://bit.ly/3cWF9c4

Watch more here…

October SPECIAL OFFERS… which include the KenkoGround^® 👉 https://bit.ly/33yw1HD

1. Ober, Clinton etal, Earthing, Basic Health Publications, Columbus, OH, 2014, p.8.

2. https://nikkeneurope.wordpress.com/2020/05/18/ways-to-connect-with-nature-inside-and-out/

Further Reading: Earthing– the most important health discovery ever! Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. Martin Zucker

6^th October 2020

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Mindful ways to embrace Autumn…

Summer is ending, stepping aside for the autumn season in all its glory of red and gold nature colours. As a period of transition, autumn offers us the time needed to prepare for the winter season. A new season is a good time to re-evaluate, take decisions and start new projects. It’s also the perfect moment to be mindful of our own wellbeing.    

Taking the time to be mindful is important for both our mental and physical health. Here are a few simple things that everyone can do to really appreciate the autumn season with mindful active wellness… 

Get out into the fresh air and see nature in its finest… chances are, wherever you walk you’ll have an opportunity to admire autumn’s beauty – from the fiery colours of the autumn foliage to the frost on the ground. Being in nature can help us to feel alive, encourages a meditative mindset and may even help make us feel happier. 

Practice meditation… Daily meditation can have many benefitsnot just on your body but also on your mind. It can help you get a better sleep, reduce stress and tension and relax your mind. There are many ways which meditation can be done including…

– Meditating for joyful gratitude – Giving thanks and taking a moment to appreciate what you have can rejuvenate your soul and after each session, you can take that sense of gratefulness with you for the rest of your day.  

 – Metta meditation¹. Its goal is to cultivate an attitude of love and kindness toward everything including sources of stress.

– Mindfulness meditation is a way that allows you to remain aware and present in the moment. Rather than thinking of the past or dwelling on what’s to come, mindfulness encourages awareness of a person’s existing surroundings. For example, when you are on the phone with someone and you have been put on hold, rather than reflecting on the annoyance of a long wait, you will simply note the wait without judgement. This is where mindfulness meditation helps to combat emotional stress.  

Nikken’s KenkoGround^{® 2} is the perfect accompaniment to meditation as it helps you reconnect with Mother Nature through grounding. The KenkoGround^® helps connects you to the Earth’s negative charge when you are meditating and even working in front of your computer, doing yoga or exercising.  

Sleep … Autumn is a time when the clocks change. We can all benefit from a little extra sleep. Try going to bed 30 – 60 minutes earlier than usual to help you feel more rested and energetic in the morning. Relaxing before bed is crucial for a good night’s sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation ³, having a massage before bed has great benefits and can help you relax – improving sleep quality. 

You don’t need someone else to give you a massage, it’s just as easy to do yourself ⁴ with Nikken’s Kenko MagDuo^®. A small portable device with small massaging nodules and DynaFlux^® Magnetic Technology (U.S. Patent No. 9,265,966). Try rolling the spheres in small circles on the back of your neck and feel the tension melt away.

The Nikken MagCreator^®, is another great massager and easy to use. Benefitting from surface nodules for that extra level of stimulation, roll it over stressed and tired muscle for a deep muscle massage – perfect for a good night’s sleep. 

Autumn is truly a beautiful season. Enjoy the delights that autumn offers through its magnificent colours and enjoy living a life of Active Wellness through mindful self-care. 

1. https://www.mettainstitute.org/mettameditation.html
2. https://nikkeneurope.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/connect-with-mother-nature/
3. https://www.sleep.org/can-massage-help-you-sleep/
4. https://nikkeneurope.wordpress.com/2020/09/07/the-benefits-of-self-massage/

21^st September 2020

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The Benefits of Self-Massage…

Self-massage is a simple, convenient way to enjoy the benefits of massage therapy and it can be done in the comfort of your own home. It has many physical and mental benefits, including helping with any discomfort and relaxation.

During a self-massage, you use your hands to manipulate your own muscles. This involves kneading the skin and applying pressure in certain spots. Like massage in general, self-massage may help ease: stress, anxiety, headaches, muscle strain, muscle tension and much more. You’re in control of the amount of pressure to exert and can stop it at any time.

There are different types of self-massage, some using just your own hands and others, using some kind of massage tool. Some forms of self-massage include Abhyanga from the Ayurvedic tradition, acupressure and trigger point.

The Ayurveda technique…

In the Ayurvedic tradition, self-massage with oil is a way to help keep yourself in optimal health and balance via the skin. Since skin is the body’s largest organ, Ayurveda recognizes it as a vehicle to reach our internal organs.¹ The skin acts as a protective shield as well as a gateway to nourishing the body through its pores. 

Self-massage also helps increase circulation and enhances the body’s ability to detox.² The body tends to relax during massage and thereby helps reduce anxiety and improve sleep.³

Acupressure and trigger point massage work on the premise that certain spots throughout the body can be unlocked to release trapped energy or nerves. 

– Acupressure… This technique works to release the “chi” (vital energy as defined by Merriam Webster) or more widely understood as “breath” and “air” that is necessary for the clear flow of blood and therefore circulation. With acupressure, simply press on the pressure points directly and hold for a while (10 –100 seconds). 

– Trigger point massage focuses on releasing trigger points, which are small, tight knots that develop in muscles that may even cause discomfort in other areas of the body. It helps to release the tightest areas of your body (often the neck and lower back), helping to improve range of motion, posture and alignment.The technique is similar to acupressure orsmall kneading strokes can be applied, either in a circular motion or back and forth.⁴

The goal of self-massage with acupressure or trigger points is to achieve a “release.” Release mostly refers to an easing of sensitivity of the pressure/trigger point and/or a softening of the tissue texture. 

Self-massage is an Active Wellness practice that can help benefit everyone. Nikken’s MagCreator^® massage device incorporates surface nodules for deeper massage stimulation and its internal magnets simulate the Earth’s natural magnetic field. 

With its massaging magnetic spheres, the Kenko MagDuo^® is designed to offer you the perfect relaxing feeling. Its convenient size makes it ideal to be taken anywhere. Contains Nikken’s exclusive patented DynaFlux^® Magnetic Technology (U.S. Patent No. 9,265,966).

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/self-massage#types

2, 3, 4. https://www.jasminehemsley.com/la-vida-veda/2018/9/28/why-self-massage-is-part-of-my-weekly-routine?rq=self%20massage

7^th September 2020

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Magnets and the Body…

The Magnet…

Magnets have been used successfully for centuries in different parts of the world. Naturally produced magnets are called Lodestones¹and were used in ancient China, Japan, India, Egypt and Greece to help people enjoy better health. 

A basic or dipole magnet is an iron based metal with its atomic structure as a line so energy is focused in a single direction. That energy exits the southpole and flows to the north, creating flux lines resulting in a cyclical pattern we call the magnetic field. 

Magnetism… a fundamental force in our lives.

Magnetism is at the very heart of our universe. In fact, Planet Earth is one huge magnet. It’s surrounded by a giant magnetic field that is cycling 360 degrees from onepole to another. This is what we call magnetosphere, which extends for thousands of miles beyond the surface of the earth and its role is to protect us from harmful radiation. 

The Body…

One of the four basic natural forces of our environment is Electromagnetism – an ancient principle and an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which refers to the way that energies flow through our bodies and how they can affect our health. In recent decades, the Western cultures have also recognized these practices such as acupuncture. 

Earth’s magnetic field has changed over the course of human history, declining approximately 50% from 3000 years ago² and reversing its polarity quite a few times. In addition, we are also constantly surrounded by man-made EMFs (electromagnetic fields) because our modern industrialised society has found ways to interfere with the natural magnetic cocoon that our planet provides. These include radio, television, mobile phones, electricity poles, etc. It means that our biological systems are missing out on the natural principles on which they depend on. 

Nikken Magnetics…

Nikken has been researching and developing magnetic technologies since 1975 with the launch of its first ever Magnetic Insoles – KenkoInsoles^®. Since then, Nikken has continued its research and found that the more complex the magnetic fields, the more effective they are on the body. 

Nikken’s magnetic products help to restore the conditions in which human beings have evolved to live and thrive by revolutionizing the magnet technology with its patented DynaFlux^® Magnetic Technology (U.S. Patent No. 9,265,966). This technology features a series of individual magnets within an organized structure that places them in polar opposition, with positive or negative poles facing each other at several points. The result is an intensified magnetic field providing a deeper penetration as the magnets change position relative to each other. The polar shifts produce an active or dynamic magnetic field and this technology is the only one of its type that can create an active field using static magnets without the need for powered moving parts. 

All Nikken magnets are static (without the need to use electricity) and they represent a fundamental part of our Rest and Relaxation line with wellness products such as the MagCreator^®, Kenko MagDuo^® and Kenko MagFlex^®.

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00033790310001642812

2. Dr. Kyoichi Nakagawa, MD, Dir Isuzu Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, “Magnetic Field Deficiency Syndrome”, Japan MedJournal, No 2475, 12/4/76

1^st September 2020

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Exercise for strong bones…

Most of us are familiar with many of the benefits of exercise, such as improving muscle strength and endurance, reducing the risk for heart disease and preventing obesity. Perhaps not as familiar with the importance of regular physical activity in building and maintaining healthy bones.

Being physically active and doing exercise helps to keep bones strong and healthy throughout life. That’s because your bones are living tissues that get stronger when you use them. Exercise works on bones in the same way it works on muscles — it makes them stronger. This is the reason why exercising regularly is important for building strong bones when we are younger and essential for maintaining bone strength when we are older.

Exercises that are good for your bones.

Exercise variety is beneficial to your bones. This can easily be achieved with different movements, directions and speeds – for example: dancing. Short bursts of activity may be best, such as running followed by a jog, or jogging followed by a walk.

There are many different types of exercise and they all offer health benefits. The two types that are most effective for building strong bones are:

– Weight-bearing exercise with impact. This could be anyactivity you do on your feet that works your bones and muscles against gravity. When your feet and legs carry your body weight, more stress is placed on your bones, making your bones work harder. Weight-bearing exercise after young adulthood can help prevent further bone loss and strengthen bone¹.

Some examples of this type of exercise can include: brisk walking and hiking, jogging, running, dancing, tennis, badminton, football, stair climbing and many more. Higher impact activities such as jogging, increase the weight on bones and provide more bone-strengthening benefits.

– Muscle strengthening exercises. During muscle strength-training activities, resistance is added to movement in order to make muscles work harder and with time, become stronger. Although resistance exercises focus on increasing muscle mass, they also put stress on bones. Common types of strength training include weight machines, free weights, and exercises (such as push-ups) that use your own body weight. Elastic bands can also be used to add resistance to exercises. Use the Nikken KenkoTherm^® Wrist wrap to help support your muscle strengthening exercises. Its orthopaedic design provides the ideal combination of support and flexibility.

The UK’s National Health System – NHS recommends that adults aged 35 and over should aim to do muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week in order to reduce the rate of natural bone loss.² Make sure to rest for a full day between strength sessions.

– Other Forms of Exercise. Another benefit of exercise is that it improves balance and coordination. This becomes especially important, as we get older because it helps to prevent falls and the broken bones that may result. 

Non-impact exercises, such as yoga and tai chi, might not as effective for strengthening the bones, but they do provide flexibility and balance training benefits. Non-weight-bearing exercises, such as swimming or cycling might not increase bone density but are excellent choices to strengthen muscles as well as the heart and lungs. If you have a musculoskeletal health condition, such as arthritis, that prevents you from doing weight-bearing activities, these are good alternatives.

Good nutrition for healthy bones.

Because the bone is living tissue, it changes over time in response to the forces placed upon it. When you exercise regularly, your bone adapts by building more bone and becoming denser. This improvement in bone requires good nutrition, including adequate doses of calcium and Vitamin D.

If you eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of dairy, fish, fruits and vegetables, you should get enough of the nutrients you need every day, but if you’re not getting the recommended amount from food alone, you may need to complement your diet by taking multivitamins or supplements.

Nikken’s KENZEN^® BDZ^® is formulated specifically to help the body absorb calcium and contains a natural source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2 and other minerals, which play a role in bone development. Find out more about it here.

Take care of your bones. They play a big part in achieving Active Wellness!

Shop here: https://bit.ly/39D7J0u

1. https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/exercise/exercise-your-bone-health
2. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercises-for-strong-bones/

17^th August 2020

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Healthy Bone Support

We all know that our skeleton is a vital component of our body… but the list of its key functions may be longer than what you first thought:

• Provides support
• Protect our vital organs from damage
• Supports Movement
• Storage of essential minerals (including calcium and phosphorus)
• Blood cell production (red blood cells which carry oxygen and white blood cells which protect against infection and platelets)
• Endocrine regulation (releases hormone osteocalcin, involved in the regulation of blood sugar and fat deposit)

These functions mean that we really shouldn’t take our bone health for granted.

The internal dynamics…

Scientists have known for years that the key to building and maintaining strong bones is = calcium. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends 700 mg per day of calcium for both men and women ages 19+.¹  However, the body actually finds calcium difficult to absorb – with less than 20% of the calcium we take in through food or supplements getting absorbed.  If it’s not absorbed and utilised, it can’t do its job of strengthening and building our bones!

The mineral magnesium is also vital. Around 67% of total body magnesium is located in our bones. Magnesium helps calcium in the blood to move into the bones. Its intake with calcium has shown that it helps provide greater bone strengthening benefits than calcium alone.

The external dynamics…

Whilst ensuring you maintain a healthy diet to help give your body the nutrients it needs, there are other external activities that can also help maintain normal bones including bone strengthening exercises and even getting a good nights’ sleep!

Nature meets science…

Most people get enough nutrients from their diet alone, but there will be always be others who have low intake of one or more nutrients, or who have special nutritional needs for a particular supplement at certain times.

Nikken’s KENZEN^® BDZ^® is formulated to support bone strength and density, and is made with three patented blends:

We talked about the importance of Calcium and Magnesium in bone health above. In KENZEN^® BDZ^®, both of these are provided in the algae marine plant multi-mineral complex Aquamin^®. Harvested from the pristine waters off the northern coast of Iceland, in addition to algae, Aquamin^® also contains 72 trace minerals that are essential to life and critical biochemical pathways.²

Andrographis Paniculata is a herbaceous plant with extracts that are clinically-proven for healthy anti-inflammatory benefits – beneficial for both bone and joint health. In KENZEN^® BDZ^®, ParActin_® is a patented extract of Andrographic Paniculata.³

Vitamin K₂ is also required for the formation of some proteins important for the maintenance of healthy bones. One example is osteocalcin, a protein that regulates the amount of calcium that is added to bones. Vitamin K₂ helps absorb and bind calcium to the bones matrix to help build healthy bones. In KENZEN ^® BDZ^® vitamin K₂ is delivered in the complex MenaQ7^® – naturally derived, in its natural form its more readily absorbed and has a longer half-life, allowing it to remain in the body for longer.⁴

KENZEN^® BDZ^® also contains two single ingredients from the Ayurvedic tradition:

• CurcuCare^™– a concentrated amount of the highly studied phytonutrient Curcumin, found in Turmeric, used for over 4000 years to support a healthy lifestyle. Curcumin extract has greater bioavailability than standard Turmeric. It maintains its native form, leading to higher circulating levels that stay in the system longer.⁵
• Boswellia Serrata also known as Indian Frankincense, can contribute to maintenance of healthy joint function, mobility and flexibility.

KENZEN^® BDZ^® can be taken alongside your preferred calcium supplement and is available on Autoship. Sign up to Autoship for products delivered straight to your door monthly or quarterly and you’ll save on the price too!

Shop here: https://bit.ly/39D7J0u

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/calcium/
2. https://www.nutraingredients.com/Product-innovations/Aquamin-outperforms-calcium-carbonate-in-pre-menopausal-women-bone-study
3. https://paractin.com/
4. http://menaq7.com/health-benefits/bone-health/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/

3^rd August 2020

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Slow down and enjoy the Summer…

Summer should be a fun and relaxing time. It can be hectic rushing around, trying to fill the days with activities; summer clubs for the kids, getting things done for yourself as well as finding ways to celebrate the sun being out. It doesn’t have to be like this – slow down and enjoy the summer season.

No matter where you spend it, the joys of summer are simple to create. It’s about having a loose schedule, slow mornings and carefree days. It’s about taking a break from the busy schedule to explore outdoors and read stories in the afternoon sun.

 – Start a morning routine and build a little time for yourself in the morning hours because in the summer, it’s easier to wake up early. Your body responds to natural light so try going to bed with the curtains / shutters open and allow the natural morning light to brighten your room and wake you. Waking up earlier gives you more time for yourself.

– Spending time outdoors in the natural sunlight helps top up levels of vitamin D and relaxes your body and mind. It’s so good to get out and enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass and flowers in bloom. Enjoy and appreciate the natural world around you.

– Wander to a local park or eat dinner outdoors. Or venture out a bit further, go to the woods or onto a local walking trail.  

– Stepping out in nature makes you leave everything behind. The air smells different, noises and views are new and different and a walk in the woods gives you a chance to reduce your stress with every step. This is as much about the spirit of your adventures as it is the adventures themselves. Even a simple outing to watch squirrels at a park or climb a big tree your kids have been eyeing can feel like a grand adventure.

– Unplug from your daily digital routine. Make the most of your summer days by limiting the time you spend looking at the screen such as your phone, tablet or TV.  Find other relaxing ways to fill your days – such as reading a good book or lose yourself in crafting. Such activities will still keep the mind engaged but relaxed at the same time.

– Grow something. There is magic and wonder about growing your own plants or vegetables. You don’t need impressive gardening skills and if you lack outdoor space, you can still have a few pots indoors on your window sill.

– Create Summer traditions. Over the years, you might have tried different activities, some of which have made long-lasting impressions. These can become traditions – things you do every summer, things you look forward to all year such as a trip to the lake, camping with friends, water balloon fights in the back garden or even a lemonade stand for the kids in those hot summer days.

Whichever activities you have planned for the summer, slow down and enjoy it…

It flies by so quickly!

Discover more outdoor tips here: https://nikkeneurope.wordpress.com/2020/05/18/ways-to-connect-with-nature-inside-and-out/

Share the Nikken insoles with friends and family with our OFFER
Ending 31^st  July 2020:

Buy one pair of insoles mSteps or mStrides purchase the second pair for HALF PRICE!

Use the codes below to order:

mSteps Offer Women’s Pack = #88078 (includes 2 x #3053)

mSteps Offer mixed Pack = #88082 (includes 1 x #3053 + 1 x #3054)

mSteps Offer Men’s Pack = #88084 (includes 2 x #3054)

mStrides Offer Women’s Pack = #88070 (includes 2 x #3050) 

mStrides Offer mixed Pack = #88072 (includes 1 x #3050 + 1 x #3051)

mStrides Offer Men’s Pack = #88074 (includes 2 x #3051)

27^th July 2020

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Walk to boost health and happiness…

Walking is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day and can be performed at your own pace.

Walking can be the easiest way to get active but it’s benefits reach much further than just boosting fitness and losing weight.

People walk for all sorts of reasons: some walk for exercise, some walk for relaxation while others walk to exercise their dogs. Another reason to stretch your legs and take a walk is that walking can also help boost your mood.

Walk to help boost your health…

Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can help increase cardiovascular fitness, help strengthen bones and help reduce excess body fat. It could also help reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease¹. Plus, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.

Walk to help boost your happiness…

Going for a walk around your local park for example, involves several things that can give your mood a boost. Getting up from your work chair or sofa, spending time in nature, being exposed to sunlight or general daylight and taking in an interesting view can all help lift your spirits. The fresh air can help clear your mind, helping tension and stress fade away…

Here are a few tips to get the most out of your walks:

– Walk for at least 30 minutes each day. To get the health benefits, try to walk for at least 30 minutes as briskly as you can. ‘Brisk’ means that you may be puffing slightly. If it’s too difficult to walk for 30 minutes at one time, do regular small walking sessions
(10 minutes) three times per day and then gradually build it up.

– Make walking part of your daily routine. Try to walk at the same time each day. You will use the same amount of energy, no matter what time of day you walk, so do what is most convenient for you. Keep an activity diary or log if it helps.

 – Wear a pedometer. A pedometer measures the number of steps you take. You can use it to measure your movement throughout a day and compare it to other days or to recommended amounts. This may motivate you to move more. The recommended number of steps accumulated per day to achieve health benefits is 10,000 steps or more².

– Choose the right footwear for walking. Walking is a low-cost and effective form of exercise. However, the wrong type of shoe or walking action can cause foot or shin pain, blisters and other injuries. Make sure your shoes are comfortable, with appropriate heel and arch supports. Take light, easy steps and make sure your heel touches down before your toes. Whenever possible, walk on grass rather than concrete to help absorb the impact. Invest in a good quality pair of insoles for your shoes.

Nikken’s Kenko^® mSteps or mStrides³ can be trimmed to fit and have built in patented DynaFlux^® Magnetic Technology which acts like a magnetic field generator inside the shoes offering you a subtle, yet energising massage like stimulation.

Share the Nikken insoles with friends and family with our OFFER between 
6^th – 31^st  July:

Buy one pair of insoles mSteps or mStrides purchase the second pair for HALF PRICE!

Use the codes below to order:

mSteps Offer Women’s Pack = #88078 (includes 2 x #3053)

mSteps Offer mixed Pack = #88082 (includes 1 x #3053 + #1 x 3054)

mSteps Offer Men’s Pack = #88084 (includes 2 x #3054)

mStrides Offer Women’s Pack = #88070 (includes 2 x #3050) 

mStrides Offer mixed Pack = #88072 (includes 1 x #3050 + 1 x #3051)

mStrides Offer Men’s Pack = #88074 (includes 2 x #3051)

As well as supporting the soles of your feet, you may also need extra support for your knees and ankles. The KenkoTherm^® Knee Wrap and KenkoTherm^® Ankle Wrap help provide comfort and support. Unisex and with an orthopaedic design, these wraps can help support with flexibility.

This summer, walk for Health, walk for Happiness, walk for Active Wellness…

 

1. https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/walking-reduces-heart-disease-in-people-at-risk/
2. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190723-10000-steps-a-day-the-right-amount
3. https://nikkeneurope.wordpress.com/2020/07/06/45-years-of-nikken-insoles-discover-the-history-of-active-wellness/

20^th July 2020

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45 years of Nikken Insoles – Discover the history of Active Wellness

Magnetic energy is a fundamental part of the body’s natural processes and of the natural environment of all living things. A key principle of both Far Eastern cultures and Traditional Chinese Medicine is that of the flows of energies in the body¹.

Nikken’s magnetic technologies have been carefully designed and developed for over 45 years with the result being products that are designed to fit easily into our everyday lives.

The first application of Nikken’s Magnetic Technology was the design of the Nikken KenkoInsoles^®, the company’s first product when launched in 1975. Nikken’s founder, Mr. Isamu Masuda began his wellness revolution with a brilliant thought: “If people feel better after walking on pebbles, why not create a way to experience this effect all day long?”

Masuda discovered that if someone’s feet were sore then fatigue would likely spread throughout the whole body. So he searched for a solution.

Drawing inspiration from the combined research into the positive effects of magnetic fields and massage inspired by the reflexology practices and the pebbles on the floors of the traditional Japanese hot baths – he combined a textured surface with magnetic technology and this is how the Magsteps^® (later called KenkoInsoles^®) were created.

Over the years, the products have been developed further into today’s insoles:
mSteps and mStrides. 

Discover more about the insoles: 

Kenko^® mSteps  – a gentle massage in your shoe!

Raised nodules on the surface of mSteps are designed to provide a very gentle massaging sensation on the soles of the feet. Walking, standing or sitting, these nodules will stimulate and invigorate your feet.

Patented DynaFlux^® Magnetic Technology acts like a magnetic field generator inside the shoes. This happens when magnets are placed in a way called ‘polar opposites’ – as you walk, the components of the magnets move changing position to produce a dynamic field of energy.

mSteps are available in two sizes: 2.5 – 7 (#3053) and 6.5 – 11.5 (#3054).  The insoles can be trimmed if needed to fit perfectly in your shoes.

Kenko^® mStrides – great for active activity!

mStrides have the same patented DynaFlux^® Magnetic Technology as the Kenko^® mSteps but without the massaging nodules.

They are thicker to provide more cushion and flexibility, ideal for use in soft athletic shoes such as trainers and hiking boots, etc.

mStrides are also available in two sizes: 2.5 – 7 (#3050) and 6.5 – 11.5 (#3051), these insoles can also be trimmed if needed to fit perfectly in your shoes.

Whichever insoles you choose this summer, you can comfortably walk your way to Active Wellness!

Share the Nikken insoles with friends and family with our OFFER between 6^th – 31^st July:

Buy one pair of insoles mSteps or mStrides purchase the second pair for HALF PRICE! Use the codes below to order:

mSteps Offer Women’s Pack = #88078 (includes 2 x 3053)

mSteps Offer mixed Pack = #88082 (includes 1 x 3053 + 1 x 3054)

mSteps Offer Men’s Pack = #88084 (includes 2 x 3054)

mStrides Offer Women’s Pack = #88070 (includes 2 x 3050)

mStrides Offer mixed Pack = #88072 (includes 1 x 3050 + 1 x 3051)

mStrides Offer Men’s Pack = #88074 (includes 2 x 3051)

Shop now at: www.nikken.com/eu/

 

1. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know

6^th July 2020

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