Need to super-charge your health right now? These genius ideas from the experts will enhance your wellbeing in just one minute.
1.Walk On
Just one extra minute of brisk activity (walking, claening, sale shopping!) every day for at least a week can help reduce your BMI by 0.07, offset the calorie equivalent of 0.4lbs in weight 'a day) and lower your risk of developing obesity by five per cent, according to US research.2.Stretch in bed
"Stretching, especially first thing in the morning, recharges your body and your mind, as it increases circulation and oxygen to the muscles, relases tension, improves flexibillity and relieves grogginess," says Paul Crossey, health mentor at Nuffield Health (nuffieldhealth.com). Rather stay under the duvet? No problem, just make like a starfish and reach out to the four corners of your bed with your fingers and toes, hold for 10 seconds, release and repeat five times.3.Chew on it
"Most of us don't chew food very thoroughly." says nutritionist Sarah Walford (nw3nutrition.com)."This means we don't maximise availability of nutrients such as zine and magnesium, which are more easily absorbed from smaller rather than large chunks of food." Walford suggests putting nuts and seeds through a coffee grinder for a minute to "pre-digest" them.
4.Go online
Ensure your workouts are doing the trick by talking a minute to download the Philips Vital Signs Camera app (69p; vitalsignscamera.com) to your iPad or iPhone. It uses the gadgets' super sensitive cameras to detect changes in the colour of your face and movement of your chest to help determine if you're working out hard enough without overdoing it.5.Cuddle up
Spending 60 seconds embracing someone can make you feel instantly at ease and happier, says Abigail James, Durex Embrace skin intimacy expert."Touch receptors in the skin impact on the nervous system and have a huge effect in reducing stress and making us release the "happy hormone", serotonin." Better still, snuggle up to your mam and you'll get even greater benefits. The Durex Embrace Skin Intimacy Report found that, after some skin-to-skin contact with their partners, 40 per cent of people enjoy greater self-esteem.
6.Chop, Chop!
If sipping tea, coffee and red wine has left your teeth with tell-tale stains, get chomping on hard fruit and veg! "Crunchy raw foods - such as apples, celery and carrots - act like mini toothbrushes when you chew them, helping to clean teeth by scrubbing away stubborn stains over time, " reveals Dr Thang Nghiem of UltraSmile Dentistry (ultrasmile.co.uk). So spend a minute demolishing a portion of your favourite veg.7.Do a mini-meditation
Taking even a minute to mediate will stave off built-up stress, says Crossey. "A 60-second meditation stops the forward momentum of anxiety and nervousness that's so pervasive in our world," he says. Spiritual counsellor Dawn Groves, author of Meditation fo Busy People (£14.95, New World Library), agress. "Even one brief minute of serenity is powerful," she says. So next time you're feeling stressed, take moment to calm down.8.Zone out
Looking at a computer screen all day can take its toll on your eyes, giving you symptoms including headaches, difficulty focusing and blurred vision. For every hour you spend staring at your computer, rest your eyes for a total of one minute. "Gazing at a screen for long periods can make your eyes tired and dry." says Karen Sparrow, head of professional development at the Association of Optometrists, aop.org.uk."Every 20 minutes, change your focal point and 20 seconds." Finally, an excuse to stare out the window and daydream!
9.Take the stairs
"Scientists from the University of Roehampton found that peaple who climb five flights of tairs five times a week burnt an average of 302 calories," says Crossey. With researchers at Penn State University finding the average person climbs 109 steps per minute, equivalent to almost seven flights or 3.5 floors, taking the stairs to your office on the third floor twice a day means you'll burn around 7.000 caloris - 2lbs of fat - every month!"10.Try a magic Mushroom
The Reishi mushroom has been used in Chinese medecine for 4.000 years and is said to support your immune system, boost stamina, incease energy levels ans imrove sleep. Unfortunately, it tastes very bitter but you can get your daily hit in a delicious hot drink of Organo Gold Black Coffee, £14; amazon.co.uk.It's rich, smooth and organic, and gives you a gentle buzz with absolutely no jitters.
0 comments:
Post a Comment