A bad night’s sleep, load-shedding, inflation, traffic… Hey, just running out of coffee puts us in a tailspin! We can’t do much about most of it, but we can help you lift your spirits – in just a few minutes. We asked a few experts to share their quick-fix tips.
1 Get some sunshine
Being outdoors for even a few minutes can help you gain perspective, clear your head and feel calmer. ‘Just 5–15 minutes of sunshine a few times a week can improve your vitamin D levels and increase your serotonin,’ says Megan Hosking, crisis line and marketing manager at Netcare Akeso. ‘This means better sleep, reduced inflammation and lower blood pressure.’ So walk away from your desk and enjoy a cup of coffee outside in the sun.
2 The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique
This technique is a mindfulness practice that can help you become more present and mindful in your day-to-day life. ‘Take a moment to identify five things that you can see in the surrounding environment,’ says Angela Morisse, an occupational therapist at Netcare Akeso Milnerton. ‘Describe to yourself what they look like, then identify four sounds you can hear, three objects you can touch, two scents, and one thing you can taste.’ This technique helps you become more aware of your environment and can reduce stress and anxiety.
The openfocus brain
This story is from the May/June 2023 edition of Fairlady.
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This story is from the May/June 2023 edition of Fairlady.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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