Do you put off self-care and your general wellbeing based on just not having enough time? What if I told you that the latest research suggests you can make significant changes and improve your health and wellbeing in just 600 seconds or 10 minutes?
It is super easy to talk yourself out of going to the gym, going for a run, changing how you shop/cook etc. as it all takes too much time and effort. But it is difficult to argue that you can’t find 10 minutes!
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It is easy to fall into the mind-set that ‘there is nothing good about getting old’, but in reality, ageing doesn’t have to be a horrible experience. It can be liberating!
Ageing, brings with it wisdom and life-experience. Hopefully you no longer fret about the things you used too, and now have a sense of confidence in who you are, and what you want to get out of life…
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There has never been a more important time to boost our immune systems than at present. Each time we watch TV, or read a newspaper, we are told about a possible pandemic, superbug, or the latest virus etc.
When our immune system is functioning efficiently, it protects us from invading bacteria & viruses, so if we do fall prey to illnesses, our bodies will be equipped to fight it off quicker.
Here’s how to boost your immune system naturally and safely:
Mind
1. Make time for you, still the mind – learn meditation.
2. Get enough sleep.
3. Get out in to the fresh air and sunlight whenever possible.
4. Breathe deeply every twenty minutes.
Body
1. Vitamin E, Echinacea, Siberian Ginseng all support immune function – discuss taking a supplement with your Doctor.
2. Avoid saturated fats, sugar, excess alcohol, caffeine, preservatives, smoked meats and cheeses all of which contribute to damaging our cells.
3. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables (blueberries, blackberries, bilberries and broccoli – all contain huge amounts of nutrients) as well as whole grains.
Spirit
1. Treat yourself to an Indian Head Massage or other type of massage or try a reflexology treatment.
2. Try a Reiki session.
3. Visit places of peace or sacred sights such as Glastonbury Tor or Stonehenge – feel yourself recharge, and reconnect with the earths energies.
Some people find a perfume they like really early on in their life and stick to it and it becomes their signature scent, part of who they are, their dressing routine and they probably do not feel ready to leave the house without it! Other people flit from one perfume to another as the mood takes them. Perfume just like other things in the cosmetic industry is big business, and nowadays it can be more about the celebrity who has endorsed the perfume, or the bottle it comes in that evokes us to buy it just as much as the smell. But getting the right perfume can not only make us feel set for the day but can enhance our mood and wellbeing. Why not create your own signature smell using essential oils and benefit from enhanced health as well as smelling beautiful… (more…)
It is fair to say that there are several times of year that really make us think about weight – in the New Year as part of resolutions having indulged in lots of food and drink over Christmas and in the summer when the weather is making us shake off our layers and think about bearing all in our swimming costumes!
Along with these changing seasons it is also fair to say that there is always a new diet on the block, low fat, low carb, blood type, Atkins, Dukan – you name it…But now there is a new kid on the block with the catchy name of Intermittent Fasting, hot on the trend several books have been published and well publicised with television programmes, newspaper articles and shop presence. Such as The 5:2 Diet Book, The 2 Day Diet and The Fast Diet, all based on the same premise of fasting for two days and eating normally for the other five to achieve weight loss and a whole host of other benefits. (more…)
I have to say that I much prefer doing sports to watching sports, but the Olympics got the nation hooked and July 2013 brings plenty of sporting activity to suit every personality.
Starting with Tennis – people descend in their droves (500,000 spectators and millions of TV viewers) to South West London every summer come rain or shine for two weeks of tennis, queuing and strawberries & cream.
Wimbledon is one of four annual Grand Slam tournaments; it is played on a grass surface and there is a strict white only dress code for players, it is one of the most prestigious events and the world’s longest running in the tennis calendar. (more…)
Have you been watching The Food Hospital television programme on Channel 4? I have; and I have found it incredibly interesting the impact that making changes in your diet can have on your health and in particular in reducing symptoms of medical conditions you might have. So far in series one they have looked at Diabetes, Migraines, Acid Reflux, Alopecia, Psoriasis, Infertility, Depression, Eczema, Depression, Gall Stones, Menopause and many more. As well as a detailed look at diet in general, obesity and weight loss surgery options.
It is inevitable at this time of year that our thoughts turn to losing a few pounds; and perhaps to cutting down on other unhealthy habits such as consumption of alcohol and smoking. It is not unusual for these things to come in to focus at the beginning of the year after the excesses of Christmas.
Both The Food Hospital and The Daily Telegraph have reported on the British Dietetic Association (BDA) findings recently regarding ‘celebrity / fad diets’. That many of us are likely to turn to at times like these:
Top of their hit list was the Dukan Diet: the BDA says ‘there is absolutely no solid science behind this at all’ and cutting out food groups is not advisable. They point out that even Dr Dukan himself warns of side effects such as a lack of energy, constipation and bad breath.
Alcorexia: this is where people heavily restrict what they eat during the day so they can save calories and drink more alcohol without gaining weight. The BDA says, ‘to do this in order to ‘bank’ your calories so you can go a use them on alcohol is pure madness and could easily result in alcohol poisoning and even death’.
The Blood Group diet: this diet restricts what people can eat based on their blood group. Its premise is that only certain blood groups can handle certain foods. The BDA says the diet ‘is completely based on pseudo-science’, and could lead to serious nutrient deficiencies.
The Raw Food Diet: as its name suggests, this diet focuses on eating food raw but also on eating only unpasteurised dairy products. Although some vegetables are more nutritious when eaten raw, the BDA points out that it means many nutritious foods cannot be eaten at all, and that it carries a risk of food poisoning.
The Baby Food diet: this diet calls for people to eat up to 14 jars of puree or baby food each day. The BDA says that it is a restrictive diet as baby food provides few calories and lacks fibre or texture. Without chewing on firmer food at meal times you may be left feeling hungry.
So what does theFoodHospitaland the NHS recommend for healthy weight loss and life-style changes?
Setting up a weight loss plan with your GP: a free and effective way to set yourself safe weight loss targets with expert help from your doctor.
Slimming clubs such as Weight Watchers and Slimming world, which offer group meetings, sustainable weight loss programmes and online support.
Sustainable whole-life diet plans such as the US government’s hugely successful DASH diet – http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dash/ an evidence-based approach that emphasises simple dietary changes that can help people lose weight and keep it off. The diet also has a specific emphasis on combating health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
http://foodhospital.channel4.com/
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/Pages/WhataGPcando.aspx