Body & Fitness

It’s that time of the year again – to knuckle down and sink your teeth into the serious side of life. Whether it’s the change in the weather or the fact that you realise the year is almost half way through, the stress of modern living can get to us all. Fortunately, there are ways […]

With winter setting in, it’s too easy to let the cold weather get you down. But it doesn’t take much to lift your chilly moods. Getting more light into your home will help to boost the serotonin levels, so start by opening your blinds and curtains. You can also keep your serotonin levels up by […]

Poor posture can seem like an inevitable part of a modern lifestyle. oost of the time the habit can become second nature. Fortunately, it isn’t hard to avoid the unnecessary aches and pains that come from sitting or standing with your shoulders slumped forward. Keeping the body aligned whilst sitting in an office chair or […]

This is a useful technique to relax your body when your muscles are tense: Tense a group of muscles as tightly as you can. Hold them in a state of extreme tension for a few seconds. Then, relax the muscles to their previous state. Finally, consciously relax the muscles even further so that you are […]

A recent study found that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of about the same age without heart disease. It also found that watching a funny movie boosts the flow of blood to the heart in the same way aerobic exercise does! Moreover, […]

Try and save at least 15 minutes at the end of the day for yourself. Just sit down and think, talk to your spouse, read – do something that lets you unwind and relax at the end of a long day.

The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times. Recent studies have shown that it helps with: Cancer Rheumatoid arthritis. High cholesterol levels. Cardiovascular disease. Infection. Impaired immune function. So drink up!

Appreciation is the key to happiness. When was the last time you felt content with all that you have? Sometimes in our increasingly consumer-driven society we tend to get caught up with constantly seeking new things after one desire has been fulfilled – new shoes, a new model mobile phone, the latest DVD. It can […]

As leaves become amber and your bikini languishes at the bottom of your drawer, don’t despair. You can tune into a summer-holiday mood by framing some of your favourite holiday photos – barbecues, beach trips – so that every time you look at them you’ll remember the happy times. Mr bring back a familiar scent […]

When was the last time you received a hand-written letter? Given the popularity of e-mails in this computer age, it’s almost become a treat to get a paper letter in your (real) mailbox. So why not make someone’s day by sending them a good old-fashioned letter – choose some attractive stationery, pour yourself a cuppa […]

This is an old favourite that really works to trim your bottom – and you can do it watching TV! Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you, feet pointed. Keep your back straight and your buttock muscles pulled in beneath you, so you feel you’re sitting a few centimetres […]

Saving the environment isn’t just about joining Greenpeace and hurling yourself in front of a Japanese whaling boat. You can make small steps towards preserving our clean, green country every day. Try these tips to be more ecologically sound … Keep a stash of recyclable shopping bags in the boot of your car so you […]

If you were feeling bleary-eyed this morning, is it because you didn’t manage to clock in eight hours of sleep last night? Studies show that sleep deprivation can have a wide range of negative consequences – from accidents in the workplace to reduced life expectancy. Follow these tips for a good night’s kip: Stay regular. […]

Headaches and mental fatigue can drain your energy. This aromatic paste, smoothed around your eye area, is great for alleviating stress headaches and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit. What you need: 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp sweet almond oil What to do: Blend tumeric with enough oil to make a smooth paste. Lie back […]

As we get older, we become creatures of habit, content to stick with the familiar. Some people are so comfortable with their lives that they even start to fear change – be it new technologies, new fashions or new people. A challenging but ultimately satsifying way to extend your emotional development is to push yourself […]

The deadlines are piling up, there are calls to be made and emails to send – how can you find time for exercise in your busy work life? Here are a few tips for fitting fitness into your daily routine at the office: Set your watch or phone alarm to beep (quietly!) every hour, to […]

Learning doesn’t finish when you leave school. Education enriches our lives and helps us reach our potential. We never stop learning and there are always new and interesting things to discover, whatever your age. Don’t worry if your school grades weren’t the best – it’s not a reflection of your current intelligence or capability of […]

Listen well. oost people love the chance to talk about themselves and be listened to. They’ll think you’re the nicest person on the planet! 2. Compliment others. Find something about someone that you genuinely appreciate, then compliment them on it. 3. Admit your mistakes. No-one likes a know-it-all but everyone responds well to a person […]

When stressed, people often hold their breath or take shallow breaths that stop in the chest. Good breathing feeds your brain and calms your nerves. To expand your breath, practise “belly breathing” by doing the following

Research has shown that the colour of our food can send signals to the brain which may be stronger than our taste buds and sense of smell. Nutritionists claim that eating a variety of coloured food can make us feel more satisfied – which is great news for those of us who are trying to […]

If you decide to get on the resolution-making bandwagon again this New Year, read these tips to help you extend your goals beyond the end of January: Write your goals down in a journal or on loose paper. Either way, make sure you can refer back to them quickly and easily. Unlike a verbal promise, […]

**Weleda Sea Buckthorne Hand Cream ($18.90) ** This non-greasy cream includes antioxidant vitamins A, C and E plus omegas 3, 6 and 7, making it both nourishing and anti-ageing. Available from health stores and pharmacies.

How do you rate your emotional strength? Researchers studying the emotional wellbeing of 7000 people from around the world found that there are three characteristics that determine your ability to bounce back quickly from a traumatic event: A good social network: Your resilience to trauma is increased if you have good emotional support from friends […]

Power napping is an effective, easy way to pep up your flagging energy levels. Find somewhere quiet where you can lie down comfortably. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Rest for 10 minutes, keeping your attention on your breathing to stop your mind wandering. Even if you don’t fall asleep, you’re guaranteed to […]

Have you found yourself stressed out in the lead-up to Christmas, running round the malls like a headless chicken, battling your way through the crowds? Now’s the time to think about planning ahead for next year so that you can enjoy the holiday season in a calmer fashion. How? By taking advantage of the Boxing […]

This week, why not make the most of the new seasonal fruit available? Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries – they’re so juicy, fragrant and tasty that eating them is a lovely experience. Try adding berries to milk and yoghurt for a home-made smoothie. Make a fresh fruit salad for a healthy dessert. Keep a bowl of […]

A great way to combat ooS (occupational overuse Syndrome) is to take breaks during your working day. Try this mini-workout to relieve neck tension and give yourself an energy boost in the office. Stressbuster 1: Rest your elbows on your desk and place your fingers at the back of your neck. Work the pads of […]

Do you dread exercise but want to get fit for summer? Research shows that if we walk for 15 minutes twice a day, we can lose about 7kg of fat in a year. Brisk walking can burn off almost as many kilojoules as jogging (1250 to 1670 an hour) but puts much less stress on […]

Feeling a bit blue but don’t want to talk about it? Try writing your worries down in a journal. You don’t have to be a published author to record your thoughts on paper – just write what comes to mind. Purchase a journal with an attractive cover that makes you want to write in it. […]

Are you unhappy with constant arguing with your partner or friends? Conflict is inevitable and natural in a relationship. But rather than dealing with it in a destructive way like arguing, you can learn to deal with conflict more effectively, making everyone feel happier and more in control. Try these tips: Learn to negotiate. Sort […]

Need a wake-up boost in the morning? Try a yoga pose to improve circulation and give you an all-over stretch. You could start with the Triangle Pose – a standing pose common to many styles of yoga. Inhale as you stand tall with your feet together. As you exhale, step your feet one metre apart. […]

Between TVs, telephones and computers, we can often be driven to distraction by the technology that surrounds us each day. Why not take a break from it all? Cook your meals on the barbecue, play a board game, read a book, walk through a park, play an instrument, go and visit a friend – get […]

If you have trouble falling asleep, are restless during the night or just don’t feel rejuvinated when you wake in the morning, take a look at our sleeping tips and sleep easier tonight! Cut out the cat-naps! If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, try not to nap during the day because you will throw […]

What we eat can affect our emotions. Treats such as chocolate and sugary, carbonated drinks can have a negative effect on your mood as they give you a short energy burst, followed by a slump and, quite often, feelings of guilt. However, there is a solution! Some foods can acually stimulate feel-good chemicals in the […]

What does success really mean to you? We are so busily involved with our lives that we often forget to take the time to stop and think. We have forgotten the art of just being and of appreciating our lives. Remember to: Start with yourself and appreciate your body and all it does for you. […]

The festive season is on its way and with it comes cocktails, bubbly and beers at barbecues. There is no getting away from the fact that all alcohol is high in caloric content but you can minimise the damage by sticking to more “diet-friendly” drinks. As a rule, the best drinks to stick to are […]

Protein pump – avoid carbohydrates for breakfast and eat proteins instead. This will boost your brain’s levels of dopamine and make you feel alert as well as keeping your blood sugar steady. Choose from eggs, mushrooms or tomatoes, or yoghurt sprinkled with nuts and seeds.2. Can the caffeine – replace it with water, herbal teas, […]

If your skin is in serious need of some pampering but you haven’t had time to stock up on beauty products, try our natural and additive-free alternatives. ** Tomato oask **This is an astringent mask perfect for balancing out oily skin. Mix one ripe tomato and one tablespoon of yoghurt together and apply to the […]

Say goodbye to those extra kilos that have made themselves at home over the chilly winter months by giving your metabolism a kick start. Here are five helpful tips: Be an early bird. Try to have your largest meal at breakfast time. This will kick-start your system and give you more energy for the day. […]

It’s time to get off the sofa and tighten up that saggy winter behind! Every day, do some form of exercise that gets you up and going. oove it! Work out with at least 30 minutes of cardio, focusing on your glutes (your butt’s major muscles). The treadmill is great, or go find some steep […]

With spring approaching, it’s the perfect time to get into gardening. It’s great exercise and tones your upper body – which is great news if you love wearing strappy tops! You’ll top up on your daily dose of vitamin D from the sun – just make sure you wear a good SPF sunblock and a […]

Some people think we lose our brain cells as we get older – but this isn’t true. Studies have shown people in their 60s and 70s experience a decrease in their mental capacity of less than 1% annually, which is very minimal! A recent psychological study of the “super-young” – that is, people who look, […]

Yes, your mother was right, after all. Plunging temperatures in the toe department can open the door to viral infection. The nose walls are affected by cold feet. When the feet are cold, the nose walls contract, become cold and dry and cause the glands to stop functioning, so that dust and bacteria are no […]

In the interests of maintaining good eyesight, there are some symptoms or strange occurrences which you simply must not ignore. Consult an optometrist if you experience any of the following: When lots of black dots suddenly appear in your vision, it could mean you have a vitreous detachment, when the gel-like substance in the eye […]

You may be proud that you always get so much done, but nevertheless feel inexplicably unfocused, panicky and tired. We are human beings, not human doings! Women often pride themselves on being able to do many things simultaneously, but suffer as a result. So be mindful – this means doing one thing at a time […]

Do you feel like all your relationships end in disaster? If so, it’s likely you always go for the same sort of partner – someone you don’t respect or who treats you badly. This could stem from your past. Can you identify anyone with similar characteristics who once had a strong influence on you? Chances […]

Feeling anxious? Suffering period pain? Then brew up a cup of chamomile tea. one of the most popular herbal teas, chamomile contains oils with powerful soothing and anti-spasmodic qualities. It’s ideal for settling the mind and body; is used to help gastritis, peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome; and is said to help with a […]

Initimacy is the ultimate energy source and not just with your partner. It’s about meaningful connections between friends, family, colleagues and even pets. Here’s how to experience its energising power: Spend time with friends who lift your spirits and limit the time you spend with people who bring you down. Be touched more often – […]

Get your juicer out and make a delicious, immune-boosting fruit and veg cocktail. Try this recipe for fighting off colds and flu – it’s a tangy mix of vitamin C – packed orange and phytonutrient-rich capsicums. Peel an orange, leaving on as much of the pith as possible. Juice it with 100g each of red, […]

Your hair – is it your crowning glory or a sorry reminder of your slackness in the mane maintenance department? If you haven’t already, book in to see your hairdresser once every six weeks – your hair will love you for it. Regular trims not only keep split ends at bay, they will maintain your […]

Try a morning s-t-r-e-t-c-h for a great start to your day. The first move you should make when you get out of bed is a full-body stretch. Lie down flat on your back on the floor and stretch your fingertips as far as you can in one direction and point your toes in the other. […]

Learning to manage stress involves trying to communicate your feelings in constructive ways. It pays not to dwell on the past but to use it as a lesson, moving forward all the time and trying not to repeat previous mistakes.

The power of music to alter our feelings is phenomenal. A stirring classical piece can calm like chamomile, a power ballad can evoke romantic memories, while a frantic-paced dance track can have you moving your booty like nobody’s business. So why not rev up your spirits by adding a soundtrack to your day? Turn on […]

Tap into these top ten tips to brighten your day. Read good news – 99 percent of the world’s news seems bad and if that’s all you read, you’ll think nothing good ever happens. Read stories that inspire or move you and show the strength of the human spirit. 2. Take daily baby steps towards […]

Laughter really is the best medicine and we don’t do it enough. Back in the 1950s, people laughed for 18 minutes a day but these days we laugh for less than six minutes daily. Studies show laughter reduces stress, stimulates circulation, improves breathing, boosts the production of pain-killing endorphins and even increases immune-system activity. So […]

Your friend is late for your lunch date. How do you react – do you shrug your shoulders and enjoy the extra time or do you get so worked up you decide to cross your pal off your Christmas card list? If your response is the latter, ponder this. You may not always be able […]

Your body changes constantly throughout your menstrual cycle, so if you’re aware of how your hormones are affecting you, you’ll be able to face each phase with confidence. Here’s how: **Days one to seven (menstruation) ** Get exercising to help ease cramps. Your skin is extra-sensitive right now, so indulge in a massage! **Days eight to […]

Knowing that many nutrients are involved in brain and hormone function, scientists have been researching the link between food and mood. Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between depression and the consumption of refined sugar and caffeine. To enhance your mood, try following these golden rules for the next ten days. Eat wholefoods. Cut out processed […]

Beauty Editor Justine Williams provides a handy guide to putting together a beauty survival kit. The first item no-one should be without is clear lip gloss or lip balm. “Lips always look better with a little gloss. Whether you want your lips to look entirely kissable or delicately shined, gloss is the fastest and easiest way […]

Want to stop snacking, smoking, or biting your nails? Try these five top habit-breaking tips: Understand how bad habits take hold – and that they can be broken. Cross your arms in front of you, then cross them with the opposite arm on top. Does it feel strange? That’s because the other way is a […]

And it’s full of fibre too! Researchers have discovered that some apples contain more anti-oxidents than others and that Red Delicious apples are especially good.