• Stress busters
• Dry skin
• Blending with Nature
• Shopaholic who likes wrestling alligators
• 'Beauty can only take you so far'

Stress busters

There is lots of talk about stress these days. Television and newspapers abound with stories of the psychological havoc it can wreak. even the simplest of tasks — like driving, or finding a parking space carry high potential for the onslaught of a stress attack. But no matter the cause, when pressure gets you down, it is vital to take action or your health will suffer, too.

Stress is a chemical response that prepares the body for fight or flight. At worst, the hormones that are released, such as adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol, leave behind a trail of dangerous by-products, such as free fatty acids which raise cholesterol.

Left unchecked, these then circulate in the blood causing the pitter-patter of a terrified heart, bringing even the clearest complexion out in a rash, prompting mood swings, and anxiety attacks. Tackling stress as it happens, rather than just hoping things will improve, is therefore vital.

There isn't just one form of stress relief that will suit everyone. For example, if your work involves tending to people all day, you may want to relax by doing something solitary, like meditation. If you have to restrain yourself at work, you may need to let off steam by doing aerobics, rather than taking up another controlled activity like yoga.

Some further ways to help you tackle stress:

Massage - While a shoulder rub often helps to ease computer cramp, a complete body massage can lower your pulse rate, blood pressure and anxiety levels. Don't have time to indulge in a two-hour, traditional Thai massage?

You can give yourself a quick DIY treatment by applying pressure to the following areas, then counting to five and releasing slowly: the side of the nose; close to the eye socket; the brow.

Feng shui - Like acupuncture for the environment, feng shui is the practice of aligning homes, businesses, rooms and even furniture in harmony with nature to ensure good fortune, health and well-being. Consulting an expert to rearrange your workplace could set you back a few thousand , but you could try a few shortcuts.

Avoid sitting with your back to the door (you won't be able to see who is entering), or working beneath a set a shelves because you will feel like things are caving in on you.

Plants with rounded leaves, aquariums and mirrors are all said to reflect energy round a room.

Herbal teas - Cut out on caffeine, as it speeds up your nervous system, increasing your stress levels, and drink herbal teas instead.

Camomile is calming and soothing; peppermint increases concentration and releases tension.

Light and colour - Mark changes between home and work environments by turning the lights low or lighting soothing candles. If your daily view at work is the grey wall of your cubicle, stick a photo of the ocean above your desk. The colour blue is believed to be calming.

Dry skin

The oil glands on your face, and to a lesser extent on the shoulders and chest, are more plentiful and much larger than elsewhere on the body and this is reflected in greater oiliness.

Thus, the skin care regimen for your body may need to be quite different from that for your face.Most people complain at one time or another about dry skin on the body.

The condition is more common during cold winter weather when the humidity is low due to home heating, but dry skin may also occur in hot, dry areas of the country.

Dry skin is a chronic, uncomfortable problem in the elderly and can lead to more severs kin problems if not adequately controlled.

Reducing the frequency of bathing, using moisturizing creams and lotions, protecting the skin from the elements, and increasing humidity can help you deal with dry skin.

Blending with Nature

Green is nature's neu- tral, a foil for the bright blossoms and fruits the plants produce. That's why it is such an adaptable colour in the home, where it combines successfully with every other shade. Forget the maxim 'blue and green should never be seen' - blue is one of the colours which has the most affinity with green (the other is yellow).

Blue and green used together create a cool, restful interior while yellow adds warmth and brightness. For contrast, use green with red or tones of pink, peach or violet, or choose green on its own, offset by brilliant white for freshness.

Different greens suit different styles of furnishing. Modern settings ask for leaf green and emerald; traditional interiors favour celadon (grey-green), Wedgewood, forest green and olive. Turquoise, where green and blue combine, has a place in both, but lime, a blend of green and yellow, is an acid shade which can be more difficult to use; team it with lemon or sharp pink to be sure of success.

The lively shades of green, such as jade or emerald, work especially well in areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Though officially a cool colour, green has a natural brightness which looks attractive with all shades whether cool or warm. Wherever you decorate with green, you'll increase its impact by adding masses of leafy plants.

Green has been proved to be the most restful of all hues but it can also be bright and fresh. It's composed from a mixture of yellow and blue, and these two colours appear in its different shades. At the extremes are turquoise and lime but you'll also find blue in jade and yellow in pistachio. Some variations of green are subtle blends with grey, celadon being one of the most popular.

Shopaholic who likes wrestling alligators

In she walked ... A dazzling smile, cheerfulness and a zest for life just radiating from her. Yes, the reigning Miss Universe, and formerly Miss USA 1997, Brooke Lee in town last week was the latest in the line of beauty queens brought down by the Rotary Club to grace Lankan soil.

But this beauty with her black hair and wide smile was minus any pseudo sophistication or airs and graces, immediately endearing her to those who were fortunate enough to get a glimpse of her. "Hey! She's just like one of us" seemed the gut reaction and that, surprisingly enough was the impression she wanted to impart.

At the new House of Fashion shopping complex down Duplication Road in the residential Colombo 5 neighbourhood, all was hustle, bustle as everyone excitedly awaited the arrival of Miss Universe 1997 last Saturday.

She arrived attired in a casual black and white printed short summer frock that accentuated her figure. There were all types of celebrities and invitees dressed up for the occasion and Miss. Universe herself a contrast among the rest. So simple, so elegant, a smile constantly lighting up her face.

At the House of Fashion her speech only highlighted her open nature. She admitted excitedly that she was looking forward to her tour and was happy to get a chance to visit a shopping complex. "Because I'm a professional shopper" she said laughing.

After lighting the traditional oil lamp, escorted by Mrs. N. Jayawardene the wife of proprieter Preethi Jayawardene of House of Fashion, Brooke gleefully examined the clothes on display while obliging anyone who caught her eye with a smile.

Brooke Lee was invited over by the Rotary Club for their 7th Rotary District Conference to promote their humanitarian projects.

From a little island in Honolulu, Hawaii this charming beauty says that winning the title has literally given her the world. "It's as if I've been given a whirl wind tour of the world and taken an year's break from reality. Winning the title has given me the wonderful opportunity of making friends all over the world. I have fallen in love with travelling," she enthused.

Soon she will step down to become a private citizen, crowning yet another beauty who will take her place. Lee has plans of marriage looming in the horizon hopefully next year.

From the moment she won, her life has been a roller coaster ride. Says Lee "Before I get married, I have to get used to my former life, become normal again. I'll travel, relax and sort out my transition from Miss Universe to private citizen."

She also has no intention of giving up her education. With an undergraduate degree in English, Brooke plans to major in Mass Communications. Why? "While doing my English degree I offered Mass Communication as a minor and ended up by falling in love with the subject. I hope to major in Mass Communications with special emphasis on Global Communication.

How she keeps herself so fit and trim remains a mystery for Brooke admits that she loves to eat and is not so keen on exercise or for that matter cosmetics either. Who said cosmetics were a girl's best friend?

The reigning Miss. Universe hardly wears any make-up. She puts it all down to her dislike of adorning herself with too much of make-up from her younger days, although she had started modelling from the age of ten. As for those who are aghast about not wearing make-up, says Lee "It all depends on the individual's preference."

So what was it like vying for this most coveted title? "Having the courage to stand before millions of people. Knowing that there would be judges out there who did not know you judging you and trying to be yourself." said Brooke promptly. For those of you who dream of being a Miss.Something, here's a little message from Brooke "Be yourself, be proud to be who you are!"

A very practical person, she has no compunction about breaking away from the typical stereotyped beauty queen image to establish her own identity. Where most models and beauty queens would shun scrumptious meals, Brooke relishes them. "I still eat French fries when I can," says Brooke.

Wrestling is more popular among men so would you in your wildest dreams imagine a beauty queen's desire to wrestle alligators? Yet that's exactly what she has done. "I've done a lot of things to break the conventional image of beauty queens. I appeared on a politically related talk show. Beauty queens are not allowed to do so but I fought hard and won. I have been given an opportunity and I must always try to take one step ahead while trying my best to be myself and live as normal a life as possible."

An ardent shopaholic Brooke was evidently thrilled to be given a tour of the House of Fashion shopping complex.. "Before I became Miss. Universe I was merely a student with hardly any money. Now I have a pay cheque.

I hope to spend as much as I can doing what I love to do and helping the Asian economy in the process," said Brooke laughing. And off she went to shop.

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