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Seeds for Change Wellness
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How a Simple Life Can Keep You Healthy
How A Simple Life Can Keep You Healthy
Date: 10/06/06
Author: Alex Gazzola Source: The New Zealand Herald
1. Choose Happiness
Happiness guru Ben Renshaw, author of a book called The Secrets of Happiness, argues that
choosing happiness gives an instant boost to your immune system. "Instead of waking up and
wondering what you need to do every day, make the immediate decision to be happy," he says.
"You're a human being, not a human doing."
2. Get Moving
Although you should restrict more strenuous workouts to once or twice a week, some daily
activity is beneficial in maintaining cardiovascular health. Think simple: a morning dance to the
radio; a jog during your lunch hour; a cycling trip to the supermarket.
3. Skin Brush
Before washing, a brisk skin brush in the morning, using a body brush or loofah, stimulates blood
circulation, aids lymphatic system functioning and drainage and fights the curse of all women --
cellulite. Use long, firm strokes in the direction of your heart.
4. Wash Your Hair
Why? Trichologist Philip Kingsley says: "Your hair looks better when washed, and when you
shampoo the hair you exercise the scalp, which helps maintain healthy hair by keeping a healthy
blood flow to the follicles."
5. Treat Your Skin
Choose a gentle daily exfoliant for instant glow. Then moisturise - "not only to rehydrate", says
Sally Penford, "but to protect your skin from pollution and sun."
6. Take Breakfast
"Avoiding breakfast has a detrimental effect on blood sugar levels," says dietitian Frankie
Robinson. "Have a nutrient-filled option such as whole grain toast with a high-fruit jam, or fruit
and yogurt."
7. Love Your Digestive System
The balance of bacteria in your gut can be upset by changes in diet or following antibiotics. A
daily course of probiotics - found in live yogurts, and drinks such as Yakult - can help replace the
good bacteria.
8. "Just Be"
"Take five minutes of quiet time each morning to just 'be', to stop and reflect, before you start
rushing about for the day," says holistic nutritionist Dr Gillian McKeith. "Don't think. Don't Do. Just
Be. Those few valuable minutes will help to balance your biochemistry."
9. Have a White Tea
"White tea is the healthiest variety of tea available, especially if you choose organic white tea,"
says world-renowned tea authority Mike Brehmes. "With three times the antioxidants of green
tea, it has fantastic anti-ageing and anti-cancer properties."
10. Let There be Light
Depending on the time of year, you may not be experiencing enough beneficial light. Daylight lifts
mood and regulates biorhythms. Working all day in an office can deprive you of daily light quota.
Take a lunchtime walk to expose yourself a little to natural light, but remember the sunblock.
11. Power Lunch
"Avoid refined carbohydrates such as bread and pasta which are metabolised quickly and can
leave you feeling sluggish in the afternoon," says nutritionist Brigid McKevith. "Eat a protein-rich
and nutritious meal such as a vegetable salad with some grilled chicken, or salmon with pulses.
Sandwiches are popular options for lunch, but aren't necessarily the best for you."
12. Water, Water ...
Keep a daily eye on the colour of your urine: yellow may be mellow, but a pale straw colour is the
one to aim for. Up your water intake if it's darker - and keep checking it regularly to keep your
kidneys in optimum shape.
13. Laugh Loud
A good session of laughter gives your respiratory system a super workout, helps relax muscles,
exercises the heart and gets your adrenal glands working, releasing feel-good hormones. Hire a
comedy video, go and see a comedian, read a comic - whatever it takes to get you belly laughing.
14. Focus on the Good
Work problems, relationship issues, troubles in the world at large can all conspire to get you
down. Focus on something positive and start to look forward to it, every day until it arrives.
15. Take a Quick Time-Out
A minute is sometimes all you need. Find a quiet room. Sit down. Relax. Shut your eyes. Imagine
yourself on a beach. Take a dozen slow, deep breaths, exhaling fully after each. Then return to
work - revitalised.
16. Treat Yourself ...
To a little of what you fancy. Two squares of pure dark chocolate - rich in antioxidants, vitamins
and minerals - come strongly recommended.
17. Eat your Fruit and Vegetables
Aim for seven or eight portions. Go for a wide range of colours to ensure a diverse selection of
nutrients and antioxidants.
18. Drink Redbush
Studies have shown that rooibos (redbush) tea acts as an anti-viral agent and relieves joint and
muscular inflammation - ideal for fitness fanatics. It's caffeine-free, too, and has been drunk in
South Africa for centuries, where it's purported to offer an abundance of health benefits.
19. Invest in a Relationship
Be it with your partner or a friend. This can be something as simple as cooking someone special
a surprise meal or buying them a gift. It'll make you feel good and remind you of the important
things in life.
20. Sleep
Seven to eight hours of sleep is vital. Less leaves you lacking concentration and feeling sluggish.
If you have difficulty unwinding, try this relaxation technique: tense toes, relax them; tense feet,
relax them - carry on like this, working up to your scalp, slowly tensing and relaxing and your
body will soon drift into a soothing slumber.
Date: 10/06/06
Author: Alex Gazzola Source: The New Zealand Herald
1. Choose Happiness
Happiness guru Ben Renshaw, author of a book called The Secrets of Happiness, argues that
choosing happiness gives an instant boost to your immune system. "Instead of waking up and
wondering what you need to do every day, make the immediate decision to be happy," he says.
"You're a human being, not a human doing."
2. Get Moving
Although you should restrict more strenuous workouts to once or twice a week, some daily
activity is beneficial in maintaining cardiovascular health. Think simple: a morning dance to the
radio; a jog during your lunch hour; a cycling trip to the supermarket.
3. Skin Brush
Before washing, a brisk skin brush in the morning, using a body brush or loofah, stimulates blood
circulation, aids lymphatic system functioning and drainage and fights the curse of all women --
cellulite. Use long, firm strokes in the direction of your heart.
4. Wash Your Hair
Why? Trichologist Philip Kingsley says: "Your hair looks better when washed, and when you
shampoo the hair you exercise the scalp, which helps maintain healthy hair by keeping a healthy
blood flow to the follicles."
5. Treat Your Skin
Choose a gentle daily exfoliant for instant glow. Then moisturise - "not only to rehydrate", says
Sally Penford, "but to protect your skin from pollution and sun."
6. Take Breakfast
"Avoiding breakfast has a detrimental effect on blood sugar levels," says dietitian Frankie
Robinson. "Have a nutrient-filled option such as whole grain toast with a high-fruit jam, or fruit
and yogurt."
7. Love Your Digestive System
The balance of bacteria in your gut can be upset by changes in diet or following antibiotics. A
daily course of probiotics - found in live yogurts, and drinks such as Yakult - can help replace the
good bacteria.
8. "Just Be"
"Take five minutes of quiet time each morning to just 'be', to stop and reflect, before you start
rushing about for the day," says holistic nutritionist Dr Gillian McKeith. "Don't think. Don't Do. Just
Be. Those few valuable minutes will help to balance your biochemistry."
9. Have a White Tea
"White tea is the healthiest variety of tea available, especially if you choose organic white tea,"
says world-renowned tea authority Mike Brehmes. "With three times the antioxidants of green
tea, it has fantastic anti-ageing and anti-cancer properties."
10. Let There be Light
Depending on the time of year, you may not be experiencing enough beneficial light. Daylight lifts
mood and regulates biorhythms. Working all day in an office can deprive you of daily light quota.
Take a lunchtime walk to expose yourself a little to natural light, but remember the sunblock.
11. Power Lunch
"Avoid refined carbohydrates such as bread and pasta which are metabolised quickly and can
leave you feeling sluggish in the afternoon," says nutritionist Brigid McKevith. "Eat a protein-rich
and nutritious meal such as a vegetable salad with some grilled chicken, or salmon with pulses.
Sandwiches are popular options for lunch, but aren't necessarily the best for you."
12. Water, Water ...
Keep a daily eye on the colour of your urine: yellow may be mellow, but a pale straw colour is the
one to aim for. Up your water intake if it's darker - and keep checking it regularly to keep your
kidneys in optimum shape.
13. Laugh Loud
A good session of laughter gives your respiratory system a super workout, helps relax muscles,
exercises the heart and gets your adrenal glands working, releasing feel-good hormones. Hire a
comedy video, go and see a comedian, read a comic - whatever it takes to get you belly laughing.
14. Focus on the Good
Work problems, relationship issues, troubles in the world at large can all conspire to get you
down. Focus on something positive and start to look forward to it, every day until it arrives.
15. Take a Quick Time-Out
A minute is sometimes all you need. Find a quiet room. Sit down. Relax. Shut your eyes. Imagine
yourself on a beach. Take a dozen slow, deep breaths, exhaling fully after each. Then return to
work - revitalised.
16. Treat Yourself ...
To a little of what you fancy. Two squares of pure dark chocolate - rich in antioxidants, vitamins
and minerals - come strongly recommended.
17. Eat your Fruit and Vegetables
Aim for seven or eight portions. Go for a wide range of colours to ensure a diverse selection of
nutrients and antioxidants.
18. Drink Redbush
Studies have shown that rooibos (redbush) tea acts as an anti-viral agent and relieves joint and
muscular inflammation - ideal for fitness fanatics. It's caffeine-free, too, and has been drunk in
South Africa for centuries, where it's purported to offer an abundance of health benefits.
19. Invest in a Relationship
Be it with your partner or a friend. This can be something as simple as cooking someone special
a surprise meal or buying them a gift. It'll make you feel good and remind you of the important
things in life.
20. Sleep
Seven to eight hours of sleep is vital. Less leaves you lacking concentration and feeling sluggish.
If you have difficulty unwinding, try this relaxation technique: tense toes, relax them; tense feet,
relax them - carry on like this, working up to your scalp, slowly tensing and relaxing and your
body will soon drift into a soothing slumber.