Helping Yourself
Here are some "Low Growing Fruit" - things to give maximum benefit for minimum effort
Why not choose one or two which take your fancy and try them out now?
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Eat well
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Have a wide range of fresh food, in season and preferably grown nearby
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Cook your own food - it's healthier and usually much cheaper. Avoid fried or roasted food, and snacks
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Have trouble controlling your weight? Consider the Fast Diet. Intermittent fasting is recommended by many doctors because it can give dramatic, lasting improvement in weight along with a healthy diet, helps the body to resist infection and much more.
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Avoid sugary food (and sweeteners)
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Eat and drink in moderation and read food labels. Avoid those which read like a drug formula
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Stay away from "Come and Get Me" foods. The "Go and Get It" appetite is more reliable
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Keep the evening meal light and early if possible
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Take time to really enjoy your food at mealtimes, and notice when you have eaten enough. It could be earlier than you think​
Breathe Properly
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Breathing can profoundly affect your mood, blood pressure, heart health and oxygen supply to tissues and brain
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Get into the habit of nose breathing. Keep your mouth closed whenever you remember
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Sleep on your side if you tend to mouth breathe at night (snoring is a clue that you are mouth breathing)
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Allow your breathing to slow down
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If you are anxious or stressed, breathe out slowly and sink your attention to your lower abdomen
Remember what you enjoy in life
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Make a list of your favourite films, music, animals, people, smells, places, then use some reminders. A photo at your desk, contacting friends, putting on your favourite music - all of these can help you remember the good things in life
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Don't sweat the small stuff - let go of the little niggles in your life and save your energy for more important matters
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Be kind to yourself - you are just as important as anyone else and you are the only person you are completely responsible for. If you are well and happy everyone else benefits
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Beware of "should/ought/must". We all have things we feel we ought to do out of duty or habit. What would you would really like to do for a change?
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A genuine smile is infectious, so spread the feeling around
Ration your energy
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You'll usually get 80% of a job done in 20% of the time, and the other 20% takes 80% of the time
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Decide what the most important things are, and get them done first. Then you can take your time over the rest
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if you tend to push yourself, get used to stopping while you are still ahead
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Move
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Walk instead of driving, take the stairs instead of the lift. If it's sunny, get outside while it lasts!
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Try Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Pilates - whatever you enjoy - and ask around to find a good teacher
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Check out my qigong videos and docs
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