Keep the good times rolling.
Credit: Metro File
You know that blissful mood you fall into each time the weather gets warm? It doesn’t have to disappear after Labor Day. Experts tell us how to make it stick:
Become aware of whatever it is you’re feeling
“If you’re feeling anxious, try and bring your awareness back to your physical senses,” says Andy Puddicombe, co-founder of Headspace, an online resource for meditation techniques. “Observe your posture, notice any tensions or sensations in the body, any smells or sounds, and sensations of heat or cold. Mindfulness isn’t about emptying the mind, or suppressing uncomfortable emotions, but learning to witness these thoughts and feelings, free from distraction and judgement. Acknowledge them and they’ll gradually begin to unwind,” he explains.
Spend a few minutes meditating
“There are 1,440 minutes in one day: Take 10 to meditate and you’ll feel less stressed, less tired and less anxious,” says Puddicombe. “A healthy mind is the lens to a healthy life,” he tells Metro. Meditation only works if you actually keep to it, so try and establish a regular practice that fits into your daily routine.
Move more
“Our bodies are designed to move, so move every day. It doesn’t have to be strenuous,” James Duigan, trainer to model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and co-founder of Bodyism clinic, tells Metro. Go for a walk or do some squats before lunch. “Don’t just think about exercising as a way to look better,” he says. “Embrace it as part of your life.”
Divvy up your meals and lay off the alcohol
Duigan recommends eating five healthy meals a day, two of which should be smaller snacks. “Snacking ensures you don’t overeat and will also help speed up your metabolism. Swap sugary treats and low-fat foods (often packed with hidden sugar) for foods like raw nuts, turkey slices, berries, vegetables or pea protein shakes (try Bodyism’s Protein Excellence), he explains. And stay away from alcohol. “It will make you feel sluggish, bloated and reduce your body’s ability to burn fat,” he warns.
