Are we addicted to junk food?

There is a lot of blaming of food companies at the moment for adding sugar, salt, fat etc and the result being our spreading waistlines. Generally speaking, I don’t think there’s an addiction as such. Our mouths get used to a flavour and then it has to be more intense. Take spicy food for instance. ...

Why tai chi is a great, practical mindfulness tool

Why tai chi is a great, practical mindfulness tool
Mindfulness is becoming very popular now, the art of being in the moment. One of the problems with mindfulness is that many people find it difficult to just sit still with their eyes closed and concentrate on themselves. One way of getting round this and still applying mindfulness techniques is by learning tai chi. The simple ...

How stress affects your body

How stress affects your body
Here is a great video on the physical way stress affects your body and how it makes you ill. Tips on reducing stress Try to avoid situations which create unnecessary stress eg avoid interacting with “friends” who stress you out. For on-going stress eg work, try to take time out through the day. Manage stress ...

How a wandering mind can impact happiness

I wrote an article some time ago (He said, she said) on the wandering mind. Today, I received the following email from lumosity.com (a brain training app website): How many times a day does your mind wander? Whether you’re thinking about an important meeting or your next vacation, mind wandering may be a distinctly human ...

Why anyone can learn tai chi

Why anyone can learn tai chi
From a recent Lumosity newsletter: How the brain learns: 2 key research insights Can brain research help us become better learners? Here are 2 key research insights to keep in mind next time you learn something new. 1. Learning means new connections in the brain Your brain works like an electrical circuit. Every time you learn ...

Great music for tai chi and yoga

Great music for tai chi and yoga
As a tai chi teacher, I always play music when I am running a class because: it helps to set the right mood it can hide any background noises such as things going on outside the room. For these reasons, I would also recommend that if you practice tai chi, yoga or meditation, then you, ...

Tips for a good night’s sleep

Tips for a good night's sleep
Why you need to get a good night’s sleep Rest is important for many reasons: it boosts your immunity it’s when the body grows and heals (particularly if you play sports) it’s just nice! 8 tips for a good night’s sleep make sure the room is not too hot or cold; if necessary remove the ...

Beginner’s guide to abdominal breathing

Beginner's guide to abdominal breathing
Abdominal breathing is a type of breathing whereby you breathe into the abdomen and appear to fill it with air. What actually happens is that instead of breathing so that your lungs force your shoulders upwards, you push your abdominal area outwards as your diaphragm moves downwards. To perform this type of breathing, you can ...

Pain management with EFT

Pain management with EFT
What is EFT? Emotional Freedom Techniques is an energy psychology system combining Eastern and Western philosophies and approaches. It was developed by Gary Craig who can explain best what EFT is about: How can I manage my pain? There are numerous points that EFT therapists can use to help you to overcome issues. I find ...

He said, she said

He said, she said
Relationships, whether between friends or lovers, can be a source of joy and happiness but they can also bring stress and anxiety into your life. A badly-phrased sentence or something said in the heat of the moment can lead to bad feelings and result in the conversation echoing around in your head for hours or ...