‘How’s working going’ is a question we get asked a lot. Like those who casually approach doctor friends for some ad hoc medical advice, friends and family usually come to me with their health and fitness woes.
What’s struck me the most about these conversations over the past year is how people’s attitudes to exercise have changed during lockdown.
Read MoreBreath awareness (observing the flow of breathing) has been a prominent feature in many cultures, and it’s a practice that dates back centuries.
It's long been acknowledged that we can reduce stress levels by simply observing our breathing and initiating a healthier and more mindful lifestyle.
Read MoreWe can all take an educated guess on how our day will pan out simply from how we wake up in the morning. If we got to bed too late or had a restless night's sleep, we can almost guarantee that this will put us on the back foot when facing the day ahead.
Take a look at some of the most successful people in the world: Bill and Melinda Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Barack Obama all swear by morning routines, and one thing I've learned is that a great morning routine starts the night before.
Read MoreHands up if you’ve ever complained of aches and pains after sitting at your desk for prolonged periods.
If so, you’re not alone. The majority of the world’s workforce spends an average of 7-9 hours per day sitting in front of a computer, only to go home to relax in front of the television. This day-long inactivity has adverse effects on our bodies, causing our muscles and joints to become stiff and place additional stress on our bodies.
Couple this with the recent popularity of working from home (where we’ve swapped our ergonomically-designed office chairs for those of the dining room variety) and it’s no wonder we creak and strain like old floorboards when heaving ourselves off the sofa.
Read MoreHere we go again. 2021 has gotten off to a start that’s eerily familiar to all of us. After a significant stretch of (semi) freedom, the Isle of Man has found itself in Lockdown 2.0, and while the UK may sneer at our woes that pale in comparison to what’s happening on the mainland, this second lockdown has undoubtedly had a negative effect on the island’s collective mental health.
Trying to maintain some semblance of ‘normal life’ during periods of crisis is crucial, as more often than not, it’s the uncertainty of the situation that has detrimental effects, more so than the situation itself.
The below tips are designed to offer practical advice and to foster some sense of social cohesion: remember, there’s good to be had during these strange and isolating times.
Read MoreWhile this time of year is usually when people dissect and reflect on the past 12 months, it’s safe to say that most of us are looking forward to waving goodbye to the car crash that was 2020.
According to a survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics, twice as many adults in Britain reported symptoms of depression due to the pandemic compared with the same time last year, and in an oversaturated world of information, it’s more important now to declutter and organise the mind.
Read MoreBe honest. How many times have you tried to change your eating or exercise habits, only for you to fall back into your old routines in a matter of weeks?
With the New Year fast approaching, fitness and health remain the priority for those committing to resolutions, with the results of a 2015 ComRes poll for Bupa showing that 35% of respondents wanted to lose weight, 33% wished to get fitter, and 31% wanted to eat more healthily.
But how long do these commitments last?
Read MoreLet's face it, Christmas can be a nightmare.
From the festive decorations everywhere to Mariah Carey blasting from every shopfront, we all get caught up in Christmas mania. Our spirits brighten, and we find ourselves ever more social than we usually are, with a Christmas party or a quick mulled wine the go-to rotational activities throughout December.
Yet for those trying to maintain some semblance of physical activity and healthy living, Christmas can be a minefield to be avoided at all costs.
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