To soothe a mild burn, run it under cool water and then apply a slice of onion. Sounds wieird? The same chemicals that make you cry around onions help block substances that trigger pain, while onion juice also has antibacterial properties that help prevent infection.

Worth bearing in mind: 62% of Dry January participants reported experiencing improvements in both sleep and energy levels after going alcohol-free for 31 days. According to Drinkaware, cutting back on alcohol can have a positive impact on how you feel and look in just a few days. Which is why more and more people are giving up alcohol completely...

Slde-sleeping is best for spinal health. Ideally you should have a flat pillow to prevent your upper body from rotating forwards or backwards. Placing pillows between your ankles and knees also prevents rolling, too, which twists hips and shoulders. For optimum back health, try to keep ears, shoulders, hips and ankles in a line.

Have you discovered the marvels of magnesium yet? 'Magnesium fully deserves its hype,' comments nutritionist Gabriela Peacock. 'It's a fundamental mineral for proper functioning of the body and known as "the relaxation mineral" for its calming effect on the brain, nerves and muscles. Deficiency is surprisingly common and might be the cause of symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, digestive discomfort and poor skin.' So: slather it on, and supplement with it. And feel the difference...

Skin looking as sluggish as you feel, in this post-holiday season? As Bobbi Brown once told us, 'The face develops deeper lines and darker shadows when you're tired. So choose neutral, brown-based shades to counteract grey skin tones. A warm apricot blusher applied sparingly to the apples of the cheek will brighten the face.'

Does a favourite polish go gloopy after a while? Buy two bottles of the same shade and keep one topped up. It helps maintain the smooth consistency and keeps the brush in good shape.

Some bunions are inherited, but more are caused by ill-fitting (and in particular pointy) shoes. Wearing shoes with low heels and rounded toes, orthotic pads and foot exercises are all things to try before opting for surgery.

Feeling burned out by the stress of juggling all those Christmas To Dos? Bach Flower Remedy Olive is great for restoring vitality and easing mental exhaustion. Add two drops to a glass of water, four times a day, until you're feeling like you've regained your strength.

Lace up your walking shoes, throw on some warm layers and get outside for that Boxing Day yomp. Exercising – particularly if it's bright out there – is the best way to trigger the release of adrenaline and endorphins, shaking off (post-Christmas lunch) sluggishness and boosting energy levels and mood.

If you're off work for the next few days, take it easy during the hiatus between Christmas and New Year. In the Mayan culture, they even refer to this point in the earth's calendar as the 'dead days', believing that we should all basically laze around. Which is exactly what you'll find us doing, right now.

Throw some chestnuts in the pan for roasting on the stove. They won't just fill the house with a wonderful wintry aroma; they're packed with B vitamins and healthy carbohydrates, yet are lower in fat and calories than most other nuts.

A good reason to diffuse some oh-so-seasonal frankincense in your home: it gives you a lift by deepening your breathing and clearing your mind so you can focus more. Use five drops in an oil burner, or one drop on a tissue, and inhale.

The smoother your nails, the easier and more glassily your polish will go on. But it's easy to overdo it. Apply a few drops of oil to the nail area before you buff (as a different kind of 'buffer'), use the lightest possible pressure and spend just a few seconds per nail.

So your lashes are thinning (it happens with age...) But beware a whole set of lash extensions, as they can make eyelids look hooded. (We have two words for you. Barbara. Cartland.)

For an easy recipe that can help deep treat hair, mix together olive and sesame oils half-and-half, recommends hair health guru and superstylist Philip B. Massage into hair and scalp and leave for half an hour. You'll need two shampoos to remove the deep oil treatment, but the pay-off is great gloss.

To boost the effectiveness of your walk, contract your abs slightly as you stride out – think about softly holding your muscles up and in. You'll know you're contracting too hard if it interrupts the flow of your breath.

From our chum Mary Greenwell (always a fount of knowledge): after applying mascara, hold the wand vertically and use the tip to separate and flick out your inner- and outermost lashes. 'It makes eyes look more awake and gives them a youthful almond shape,' she says.

Turn a traditional lipstick into a deep, lasting stain by applying two coats of a strong shade, leaving it on for a few minutes, then blotting with a tissue so only the pigment remains.

Make time for breakfast. Research shows that people who skip breakfast eat more during the day than those who don’t. After a night’s sleep, bodies need fuel – so power up your vitamin C levels with cereals or porridge, and avoid sugary choices.

Do you have super-straight eyelashes? Charlotte Tilbury recommends curling them and immediately brushing on waterproof mascara. ‘It holds lashes up much better than a regular formula.’