2019-04-01 Women's Health

WOMEN’S HEALTH APRIL 2019

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Good Vibes Only

Our smartphones might be a little too smart, overwhelming us

with all their apps, functions, and notifications. Here’s how

three wellness pros tame their tech. In a holding pattern

with a job opp? Try

Tetris. The childhood

fave can help ease

nerves and improve

mood when you’re

waiting on news, per a

recent study. That’s

because it engages

and challenges your

brain so much that

you enter a state of

flow, where you lose

your self-awareness

and sense of time. If

you’re not into Tetris,

try a crossword puz-

zle or solitaire the

next time you’re visit-

ing the doc or waiting

for, say, pregnancy-

test results. As long

as it doesn’t add

stress and tracks

progress (via moving

levels, for example), it

should help. If you’re

anticipating some-

thing months away—a

move-related update,

perhaps—adopt a

hobby, like running,

that’s a bit more pro-

ductive and offers the

same distraction.

“Since it’s not always

feasible to shut off all

notifications, I make sure

to choose a soothing,

gentle sound, like the

iPhone’s ‘Bamboo,’ as

opposed to the typical

urgent tones that are

more startling and put

me on edge.”

JAMIE PRICE,

COFOUNDER AND

PRESIDENT OF

MINDFULNESS APP

STOP, BREATHE

& THINK

“Labeling my folders in a

matter-of-fact way—such

as ‘Daily Health’ for apps

that I should check on the

reg , like My Fitness Pal—

helps me be more aware

of my usa ge. If I’m going

on Facebook, the

‘Entertainment’ label

prompts me to pause and

think, Do I really want to

do that?”

GIANNE DOHERTY,

FOUNDER OF WELL

SUMMIT; COFOUNDER

OF ORGANIC BATH CO.

“It’s the tiny details that

bring me a little joy and

calm, such as setting a

photo from my travels as

my background to

remind me of previous

explorations. I choose

ones with calming color

schemes, like blue and

peach tones.”

CLAUDIA AGUIRRE,

PHD, NEUROSCIENTIST

AND WH ADVISORY

BOARD MEMBER;

FOUNDER,

DOCTORCLAUDIA, INC.

Meditation Made Easy

If a flood of thoughts distracts you from getting in the zone every

time you attempt to sit still and chill, we got you. Test this simple

fix from Emily Fletcher, founder of Ziva Meditation and author of

Stress Less, Accomplish More: “Instead of batting your thoughts

away like a bouncer, think of yourself as the host of your own brain

party.” In other words, greet each idea (or “guest”), then politely

excuse yourself if you’re spending too much time with it. This helps

you stay present to reap the full benefits of a real mental reset.

Get Your

Head in

the Game

Source: Kate Sweeny, PhD,

professor of psychology at

the University of California

at Riverside

WARM UP MIND