Does just the thought of having a massage make you want to repurpose the grocery money and get one. The blissful release of muscle tension, the strong-soft hands of Sven, the gently scented Massage Oils — what’s not to crave. The oils (especially lavender-scented ones) may be a bigger part of it than you think. There’s evidence that aromatherapy massages are better at reducing anxiety and stress than plain ones. But while you’re at the grocery store, buy some lemons, grapefruit and peppermint tea, then stop at the drugstore for a lavender lotion or spray. Hospitals have been giving anxious patients a whiff of lavender before sliding them into a narrow MRI tube; it increases the percentage that get through the claustrophobic experience by a third. With peppermint (rosemary, too), it’s alertness that gets triggered — perfect for when you’ve got a must-do job but can’t focus. Grapefruit’s scent curbs hunger, and peppermint enhances the effect. Make a habit of eating half a grapefruit with a peppermint chaser (tea or just a stick of peppermint gum). The fruit’s juicy fibre fills you up on nearly no calories (52). The fragrance combo helps keep your appetite small, and your waistline, too. Sports for kids: Play it safe Every parent must have said these words 1,723 times: “Go outside and play. It gets youngsters involved in sports and encourages lifelong fitness, and it’s fun. What if your kids get better (maybe way better) at a sport than you are. Get some exercise while pacing the sidelines or jumping and cheering. Helmets are non-negotiable for all kinds of sports: biking, skating, skiing, ’boarding, horseback riding, motocross, football and more. Wearing a helmet makes your child seven times less likely to suffer a skull fracture while snowboarding or skiing, and could prevent 85 per cent of bike fatalities. Check out a new mouthguard, called the Jaw-Joint Protector, designed to provide extra protection against concussions (at www. After age five, give kids 200 mg a day of DHA omega-3s. From goalies to ’boarders, kids should be well-padded in vulnerable places for their activity. This could mean neck, shoulder, elbow, chest, knee and/or shin pads, face masks, jaw-joint guards, protective cups and eye gear. We’re with the American Academy of Pediatrics: Kids play safer when they really understand the concept of teamwork. Make sure kids drink plenty of water before, during and after play. You’re more likely to hit your goals if cash is on the line. There’s been evidence of this before, and now there’s more. First, dieters offered a cash incentive lost 13 to 14 pounds over the course of 16 weeks; dieters who got zilch lost only three. Then a group of losers who bet on themselves to win dropped 8. Then reinforce your rewards with these other big-loser tips:  • Get real. Aim to shed one to two pounds a week, or five to 10 per cent of your total weight. Try, “Eat three vegetable servings and two fruits every day this week, then four and three next week. Set clear goals (betcha know what comes next): “Walk 30 minutes every day. Keeping a food and exercise journal helps you keep at it. Allow at least 18 days, and maybe two months, to make a new habit stick. Massage Oil