- SWITCH
YOU R SPR AY
‘People underestimate the risks
associated with household cleaners,’
says GP Gill Jenkins. ‘Many contain
ingredients which can cause irritation
to both the skin and respiratory system.’
Tr y Verimark's Microwiz Cleantech
Cloths, r99,90 for pack of 10, made
of high-tech fabrics so you don’t need
to use any chemical cleaners.- SAY NO TO
NOTIFICATIONS
A study by Florida State University found
that smartphone alerts play havoc with
your focus. The easy solution? Disable
notifications and announcements from
social media. Instead, change settings so
you only receive notifications for things
that are of real importance.heaLTh | fast fixes
feature
Faye M. Smith
Photography
iStock; Adobe Stock
- WALK
SOMEWHERE
gREEN
Going for a walk in a green space
could have extra benefits. ‘Research
has shown that the more time you
spend in green places the better
your mood and overall health,’
says psychologist Honey
Langcaster-James.- MAKE THE
MOST OF THE
MORNINg
‘Morning is the best time of the day
to have sex,’ says psychologist Jo
Hemmings. ‘Not only does it boost your
immune system and release oxytocin
to make you more relaxed – a quickie in
the morning will set you up for the day!’- PLAY gAMES
ON YOUR PHONE
A study at Singapore’s Nanyang
Technological University found that,
after playing phone-based games for
an hour a day, participants improved
their memory and multitasking abilities.
‘Apps such as Lumosity (free for iOS/
Apple; Android) help to develop critical
thinking and problem-solving skills in
a fun game format, which means you’ll
hardly notice you’re working,’ says tech
expert Andy Cartledge.- FIx YOUR
POSTURE
The US-based Mayo Clinic found that
80% of us are likely to suffer from back
pain at some point in our lives. Try a
lightweight posture trainer – it gently
realigns your spine naturally to prevent
you from slouching. Posture-rite
Support Brace, r349, Makro.- FORM A PLAN
‘You wouldn’t walk into a business
meeting without a step-by-step plan
in place, so treat the gym in the same
way,’ says fitness expert Courtney
Pruce. ‘Otherwise you’ll waste time
jumping between exercises and not
really achieving anything. And things
don’t always go to plan when training
in busy gyms, so make sure you have
a back-up plan too.’- CHANgE UP
YOUR TIMETABLE
‘If earlier sunsets mean you’re
less inclined to exercise after
work, change your routine by
adding a midday workout,’
says fitness expert Keith
McNiven. ‘Half-hour HIIT
blasts as well as one-to-one
sessions with a personal
trainer are achievable during
your lunchbreak.’did you
know?
according to us research,
three to six cups of tea
a day reduces your risk
of death by 45%.- STOP FIxATINg
ON SLEEP
Don’t get a solid eight hours’ sleep a
night? Don’t worry. ‘Many of us are
designed to have biphasic sleep patterns,
says nutritionist Libby Limon. ‘That’s five
to six hours a night and then another
siesta or nap-style sleep of one to two
hours either in the morning or afternoon.'- EAT A BANANA
Animal studies by the University of
Alabama found that just one extra
avocado or banana a day can help
keep arteries healthy, reducing the
risk of heart attacks and stroke.- IRON UP
Are you one of the 15%
of urban South African
women not getting
enough iron? ‘it causes
poor concentration and
fatigue,’ explains rob
Hobson, a nutritionist.
Consult your doctor for
a blood test to check
your iron levels.