You know the saying: Keep it simple, stupid. Well, were not out to insult the intelligence of our enlightened readers, but its easy for even the most intellectually astute of us to become overwhelmed by goals and commitments particularly at New Years.
But what if you only had to commit to one thing to make your life a little calmer, a little happier, a little easier? Here, five health and wellness professionals put forward their top one-stop tip for a healthier, less-stressed you in 2012. Less is truly more.
JUST BREATHE
Angèle Besner, Naturopathic Doctor, practising out of Inner Space Yoga (289 Abbott, InnerSpaceYoga.ca, DrAngeleBesner.com, 604-441-1975)
Deep breathing exercises are simple, take almost no time and have impressive health benefits. Although shallow breathing is a natural response to stress, most people have unknowingly developed the bad habit of breathing this way all the time even when theres little to worry about. This promotes an internal state of stress, which can aggravate almost any health condition and is often part of the reason health conditions exist in the first place. By spending a few minutes, a few times a day, consciously taking slow, deep breaths (in through your nose and out through your mouth), you can quickly reduce your stress response and the long-term damage that comes with it. Youll also benefit from improved mood and concentration, release of muscle tension and better sleep. Go ahead, give it a try.
FIND JOY
Käri-Ann Thor, Registered Clinical Counsellor, instructor Vancouver College of Counsellor Training, (206 E. 6th Ave, 604-687-2882, VCCT.ca)
My favourite motto is: Always have joy in your life as this will help you through the hard times.The given of existence is that there will be challenges before us throughout our lives. If we have pockets and places where we experience joy, this will help us diminish the chance of crisis when we are facing a difficulty, especially an unforeseen one. Suffering is a part of being human, but it can be reduced if we balance it with our ability to also embrace joyful things. Another wonderful word we can use is levity, meaning lightheartedness, humour, gaiety, frolic, fun, jocularity, hilarity, amusement, mirth, laughter, merriment, glee, jollity and joviality.
PLUS ONE
Jessica Begg, Registered Dietitian for Flourish Wellness + Nutrition (355 Burrard, 604-619-5332, FlourishBC.com)
"Add one more serving of fruits or vegetables to your day. We all have heard why theyre a good source of anti-oxidants, vitamins, fibre, which all help to lower risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, some cancers, diabetes and high blood pressure. But we dont often notice what adding a fruit or vegetable also does to shift the rest of our day.Add an apple to your morning cereal, you will feel fuller longer and, come lunch time, you may be able settle for a smaller portion.Eating a piece of fruit with your afternoon pick-me-up will allow you to stop at one cookie, rather than wanting two. Piling a bit more vegetables onto the dinner plate, so it is approximately half vegetables, one-quarter starch and one-quarter protein, changes the distribution so that you eat less of the more calorie-dense foods on the plate."
LISTEN TO YOURSELF
Darcy Carroll, owner Poke Community Acupuncture (225 E. Broadway, 604-568-7322, PokeCommunityAcupuncture.ca)
Poke is not really in the habit of handing out lifestyle advice. We really do believe that everyone pretty much knows what they should be doing to stay or get healthy. At Poke we firmly believe that napping with strangers is good for your health. (Poke treats several sleeping patients at a time in big, comfy recliners Ed.)
TAKE A STRETCH BREAK
Dr. Joanna MacDonald, chiropractor and certified Active Release Techniques (ART) provider at Performance Posture (1201 W. Pender, 604-733-3676, P2Clinic.com)
Sitting at a desk for extended periods of time can cause discomfort and dysfunction in the body. Our bodies were never designed to stay in one position all day. So when we do, the immobility and repetitive motion may hinder productivity by causing some of the following symptoms; joint and muscle stiffness and/or pain, headaches, mental and physical fatigue, stress, repetitive strain injuries. Even just doing one or two stretches every hour (holding for 30-45 seconds), can make a significant change. Stretching increases circulation, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to the joints and muscles, reduces tension, improves mood, increases energy and guards against repetitive-strain injuries.
