Mindful You

We all need to take a mindful moment or two at some point each day, and if 2020 taught us anything, it was that our wellbeing should be our top priority – always. Mindful You is here to help you escape the everyday and prompt you to start seriously thinking about your wellbeing and mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness is a great way to keep well and help you process the stresses of everyday life. If your get up and go has got up and gone then we have expert advice for you. Discover how to boost your mood, find happiness and re-energise, as well as how to rediscover the real you. While mindfulness is often a solo pursuit, we discuss the benefits of sharing it with your partner to strengthen your…

We’ve all had periods where we feel life is getting on top of us, that we’re struggling to keep up. Whether it’s health, work, money or family, there are so many demands on you and the stress can get too much. Do you feel the joy is being sucked out of life? Here’s how simplifying your life can help you get back on track and feel happier. 1 WHAT’S YOUR “WHY”? Simplifying is all about finding what really matters to you. Decluttering is a part of it, but for permanent change, you need to change your mindset. Several recent studies have shown a link between depression and physical and mental clutter. I started simplifying my life after several tough years of family ill health and bereavement, relationship problems and job…

SWITCH OFF THE NEWS Binge-reading bad news can spike anxiety levels, according to studies. Too much negative media can also cause headaches, tummy troubles, muscle tension and may mess up your sleep patterns. ‘Limit your intake to a quick scan of the headlines, or spend just once a day catching up – and look out for positive news stories, too, because these will help lift your mood,’ says psychologist Dr Meg Arroll.* FILL UP YOUR WATER BOTTLE Staying hydrated supports your body’s ability to eliminate toxins and waste materials, which is vital for a strong immune system and a healthy body. Not drinking enough can cause headaches and tiredness, too. ‘Aim for 1.5 to 2 litres of water every day and if you’re craving something warm, reach for herbal teas’,…

During the last few months our lives have become dramatically more restricted. We can’t socialise with friends, go on holiday, shop for clothes, or go to the gym, restaurants, bars or the cinema. The situation is clearly not ideal. But rather than dwelling on the downside, what if we were to tap into the potential benefits? ‘One of the positive aspects of the current situation is that it’s given many people the space to slow down and simplify their lives,’ says occupational psychologist Kate Keenan. ‘It’s a chance to make some valuable changes and to evaluate what’s really important. So when we do emerge from this crisis you can continue with this shift into your normal life. Research shows that leading a simple life is beneficial for mental wellbeing and…

Sadly there’s no magic pill that will take you from sluggish to sprightly. A sugar rush or caffeine jolt can give a quick fix, but it’s proven that maintaining high-energy is all about balancing well-being. But as these experts have learned, there are tricks you can try for both long term and instant energy… RECHARGE Lisa Artis, head of The Sleep Council ‘I’ve learned that sleep is not a passive process, that during restorative sleep we make sense of our days and detox. We’re eager to believe that sleeping one hour less gives us one more hour of productivity but in reality, it’s likely to do the opposite. We need sleep to function, both physically and mentally. It regulates mood, improves memory and maintains health, weight and energy. If sleep…

The unprecedented unfolding of the last year has resulted in a roller coaster of negative emotions for many of us. If you’re feeling low as a result, you’re not alone – nearly half of all British adults experienced high levels of anxiety during lockdown. GP Dr Folusha Oluwajana (fitdocfolu on Instagram) says: ‘It’s normal to be stressed and scared during a crisis but the way we deal with these feelings can have huge effects on our mental health. ‘When our brains decide that a stressful event is occurring, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated; known as fight or flight response, to keep the body at a steady state of equilibrium. In response to stress, the brain stimulates this part of the nervous system, which then activates the adrenal glands.’ On…