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From dancers and gymnasts to Hollywood celebrities, pilates is the exercise of choice. Why is this so? Pilates increases your muscles without making you bulky. Conventional exercise is based on repetition and building stronger muscles, but pilates focuses on the whole body not just sections of muscles. The stabliser, or core, muscles are also a main focus during a pilates workout. Increasing the strength of these muscles means better balance, which means your other muscles will be able to get a better workout. Pilates, like tai chi, yoga and martial arts, is also a mind and body workout. The smooth movements and emphasis on breathing reduces stress and anxiety. For lean arms, longer-looking legs and a flat stomach, Pilates is a good way to get you started. Don't be fooled by the slower movement, bare feet and relaxing environment; pilates is a hard workout. |
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Like crosswords, Sudoku is great method of exercising your brain. And like muscles, brains need workouts to perform well. Sudoku is a Japanese numbers game often found in newspapers. For die-hard fans, there are various types of books dedicated to this game. The game requires you to think logically about how to place numbers 1–9 in a nine-box grid without repeating any numbers. But Sudoku's difficulty progresses rather quickly – the 'Samurai' is basically five Sudokus in one and should only be attempted by advanced players. There are various other ways to play Sudoku once you master it, such as speed Sudoku and learning the proper strategies such as X-Wing, XY-Wing, Swordfish, triplets, hidden pairs and other Sudoku solving techniques. Don't be put off by these terms, this numbers game is a great way to improve your mental fitness. The best way to improve is to take little steps, and once you've mastered one square, move on to two, three, four squares and so on. You'll be completing Samurais before you know it. |
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Have you ever tried to distract a child from whatever they're doing and do something else? Young children get so focused on what they're doing that it takes some persuasion to get them to switch their attention. This ability to focus wholly on one thing is something adults also struggle to do everyday. Because of this, productivity at work suffers. Then why is it that some people seem to be able to concentrate on a task and perform exceptionally? There are a few ways you can improve your productivity at work. Firstly, creating the right environment is key. Eliminate distractions from your environment. This could mean adjusting furniture so that it's comfortable. Keep interruptions to a minimum. Get a 'do not disturb' sign and you'll be surprised at how much work you get done. Manage your stress by going for a five-minute walk or doing some stretches. Keep a to-do list or action plan and remember to think positively; it's hard to concentrate when negative thoughts are moving around in your mind. |
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Gone are the days when hard and fast exercise such as boxing, running and cycling were the only options. Although these are definitely good for you, slower methods of exercising – such as the traditional Chinese practice of tai chi and yoga – are proving to be safer and more beneficial exercise alternatives. An ancient method of exercise, tai chi is used for promoting health, developing self-defence skills, and improving concentration and general wellbeing. The tai chi model is based on the idea that there is a bio-energy system in the body. The bio-energy or Qi (chi) gets carried round the body in energy channels called meridians – much the same way that veins carry blood around the body. |
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Like your skin, your hair is a good measure of a whether your diet is nutritious enough. (The old 'you are what you eat' conundrum comes into play here.) Most people pay attention to what they do with their hair, but neglect the foods they should consume. That's not to say you don't need to wash and care for your hair as well. Salmon and other oily fish are high in protein and essential oils for hair and a healthy scalp – necessary for quick growing hair. Dark green leafy vegetables help repair the immune system of the body, which is also essential for healthy hair. Beans contain a lot of protein for stronger shinier hair, as do nuts, which have a fast-absorbing protein and oil for easy distribution around the body. |
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