Chocolate- a girl’s best friend! But how much do we know about the food that plays such huge part in our life? The contents, the chronicles and the controversy surrounding chocolate is vast. The question is, why?

Why do we love it?

How is it that those bitter brown pods create a pleasure so luxurious that an average of 8.4kg per person is consumed every year? Chocolate affects the lives of most people in the UK in a major way, but why is it the world goes so mad for that unique, sweet taste?

Living in the UK; the 7th biggest chocolate consumer, even with summer just around the corner chocolate isn’t exactly hard to come by. The chocolate market has never been more popular; and although women everywhere are vowing to give up the comforting addiction for the sake of their bikini bodies, how long will it last? One day? Maybe two? But you’ll be pleased to know going cold turkey might not be the answer after all!

So where’s the science behind it all?

Tests have proved that chocolate in moderation can in fact be good for you. It contains over 300 distinct chemicals including flavanoids; these have powerful antioxidant effects which thin the blood to help prevent clotting and heart disease, and adding to the good news red wine has a similar effect. Dark chocolate especially is a potent antioxidant (which can prevent diseases such as cancer or coronary heart disease) so for dark chocolate lovers the news just keeps getting better, however for those over indulgers out there, eating too much chocolate can have the opposite effect. Due to the huge amount of fat and sugar found in chocolate, heart disease is once again back on the table. The main thing to remember is this: a small amount of chocolate, specifically dark, is the way to go. Not only does this then reduce the risk of obesity but it actually benefits your body in so many ways.

Blame it on the brain

Although many of the facts above will be extremely welcome to chocolate lovers nation wide, it’s not the reason we all love the stuff, so is the brain at fault? The ‘feel good factor’ linked with chocolate is in fact very scientific; “chocolate contains cannabinoids- the same compound responsible for the high of marijuana; It stimulates the brain’s pleasure receptors”. And although you’d need 25 pounds of the stuff to allegedly get truly high, cannabinoids certainly add to the kick. This along with the boost of serotonin and endorphin levels (these hormones produce a sense of well-being and result in the addictive ‘feel good factor’) and an extra caffeine buzz sums up how the brain is chemically affected.

The obvious question now is how addictive is this chocolate drug? Cases of chocolate addiction is rarely seen, however the desire to give up caffeine is becoming more and more popular. But there are many claims that despite all this science the reason people go for chocolate is just psychology, even opening the wrapper and looking at the contents starts your serotonin fibres firing!

A long, long time ago…

So where did the magic begin? What actually goes into chocolate to give it the nation’s favourite flavour? At its rawest form chocolate begins with a simple cocoa bean. It wasn’t until America was discovered around 1492 that the old world discovered chocolate. The origins can be traced back to the ancient Maya and Aztec civilisations in Central America, who first enjoyed ‘chocollatl’; a much prized spicy drink made from roasted cocoa beans, the only way of enjoying chocolate at the time. It wasn’t until the Victorians cam along that ‘solid’ chocolate was devised. It was 1765 when the first chocolate factory graced the world and the number of factories is still on the rise today. Then of course, Cadburys came along. Beginning with the drink mentioned above, progressing through to chocolate covered assortments and right through to the famous Dairy Milk Cadburys lead the market from the start, and to this day is one of the top companies in the world.

Is it all so sweet?

But chocolate isn’t all about munching in front of the TV and the perfect valentines gift. Ever wondered who and where it comes from these days? The answer’s not a pleasant one. Do you have children under 14 years old? Younger brothers or sisters? Now imagine them hauling deadly machetes all day everyday in the hazardous West African plantations. Multiply this by 284,000 just within West Africa. There’s your answer. Some 2500 are believed to be trafficked to work in Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria and have no access to education or even a decent home; they walk around with untreated wounds on their legs and nothing to work towards. “I used to go to school” said Marc Yao Kwame, who works with his brother on a remote farm, “But my father has no one to work on the farm, so he took me out of school. My mother’s a long way from here. I haven’t seen her for 10 years- since I was 2 years old.”

But we can help. The company ‘Divine’ has set up a completely fair trade chocolate business, quickly followed by ‘Dubble’; a version for the younger generation. The farmers own a third of the company’s shares which means they not only earn a profit from their businesses but get a say in how the chocolate is made and sold. Divine chocolate can be found in many supermarkets and have just under 30 different types, ranging from mini eggs to after dinner mints. In Tesco the milk and dark 100g bars are just 99p and the mint bar £1.09- a small price to pay to help those suffering live a fairer life.

To sum up…

Hopefully the world of chocolate has become clearer now and despite the obvious drawbacks, maybe there were a few welcome facts? I think the overall message here is that people LOVE chocolate. Despite the many theories, no one really knows the reasons why so I’ll let you continue to ponder the magic of chocolate.

It is imperative that each and every person realize that too much of fat in the body is very unhealthy. This is more so when we consider the saturated type of fats. The body is capable of storing the excessive calories derived from fats as body fats. This may lead to being obese. Also, the saturated fats found in animal produce including various meats and dairy produce can very easily find their way to the heart’s arteries where they can cause clogging which will eventually lead to some type of heart ailment or disease. It is very important that we all regulate the amount of fats that we ingest. Care should however be taken so as not to eliminate fats entirely from the diet. Fats are necessary as nutrients and help in supplying vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E to the body. These vitamins are essential in the development of a healthy skin and best growth. The body is unable to produce fats on its own and whatever content is there has to have been gotten from an external supply. The best tenet to adopt in the case of fats is moderation rather than total elimination. There are healthy sources of fat; olive oil is one of these. It supplies healthy monounsaturated fats to the body.

Both plant and animal foods contain dietary fats. Fats are of three different classifications i.e. monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and the saturated types. The fats that are unsaturated, mostly those in the first classification are deemed the healthiest. These include fats sourced from nuts, vegetable oils and various seeds. It is an established fact that taking a diet that contains much saturated fat is detrimental to health. Such fats are normally obtained from animal produce including lard, beef, butter and other dairy products. Though animal fats are considered to contain the most amount of saturated fat, tropical oil plants like the palms and the coconut do contain large amounts of the same. Another type of fat in addition to the three mentioned above are the trans-fatty acids. These are formed as a result of the hydrogenation process through which vegetable oils are hardened. The investigation into how harmful these may be is ongoing but experts call for moderation all the same.

What can one do in the attempt to reduce body fat? There are some tips that can help to cut down on fat intake. Some of these are:

a. Substituting cream with evaporated skimmed milk when making desserts or like foods

b. Reducing the fat content in salad dressings e.g. mixing vinegar and oil in the ratio 3:1.

c. Using things like wine, chicken broth or tomato juice to sauté various foods rather than using oil to fry them

d. Using a spray bottle to lightly coat sauté pans with olive oil

e. Replacing every three eggs that you use in various recipes with 6 egg whites and a whole egg

f. Making use of the healthiest oils in cooking especially olive oil.

We all love chocolate candy, but as we grow older some of us begin to consider it a forbidden fruit. How did something that ancient civilizations considered the food of the gods become so riddled with controversy today?

In this day of saturated versus unsaturated fats and monitoring cholesterol levels, chocolate candy has taken a bad wrap. A little research into the notional value of chocolate brings some revelations over which candy lovers everywhere can rejoice – chocolate can be good for us!

Chocolate candy does not raise the bad cholesterol (LDL) as other saturated fats do. It also contains antioxidants, the same types of antioxidants found in a glass of red wine. Antioxidants improve & strengthen your immune system. They are thought to help prevent stroke, heart disease and cancer. And if that wasn’t enough many more health benefits are contributed to antioxidants including slowing the aging process & the visible signs of aging. The darker and more pure forms of chocolate contain the most antioxidants.

Chocolate candy does not contain as much caffeine as you might think either. An average serving of chocolate candy has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee.

I bet you didn’t know that chocolate is a rich source of phosphorus and magnesium too. The benefits of each are well documented. Magnesium helps to maintain muscle and nerve function, is good for strong bones, and supports a healthy immune system and more. Phosphorus is important for bone and teeth formation in children and for works with calcium to keep bones strong and healthy for us throughout our lives.

Some ingredients in chocolate can even trigger happy feelings in our brain. What better choice could there possibly be for an afternoon pick me up?

Children from 1 to 100 love candy. Remember the joy when you poured your trick or treating loot out onto the floor to behold it in all its glory? There before your eyes, laid the candy cane, candy bar, chocolate candy, and sweet candy of all types. If you had a health conscious neighbor,
you might even have some sugar free candy to try. And guess what? It tasted just as fantastic as the rest of your loot.

Reminisce a bit today and enjoy some chocolate. Don’t wait only for holidays or special occasions to enjoy chocolate candy. Lose the guilt; after all, chocolate in moderation is good for you!

Chromium is a naturally occurring mineral in the body, but experts have yet to decide how much the body needs or really requires for normal health. Chromium comes in two different forms: chromium 3+ (commonly know as trivalent) which is found in many foods; and chromium 6+ ( commonly know as hexavalent), which is considered to be the harmful form of this mineral. To function normally, your body requires a regular amount of chromium 3+.

Chromium helps your body use sugar correctly . It is also needed for the processing of proteins and fats.

Chromium enhances the action of insulin in the body and also plays a major role in the storage of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Its exact role is yet unclear and more studies are being done to find out the exact reason why the body needs it.

These studies will analyze different foods for its chromium content, looking at the benefits of chromium, deciding if chromium supplements can help and working out much amount of chromium is needed to address any possible lack.

There are many different foods that contain different level of chromium. Unfortunately, the level found in these foods is small, approximately 2 microgram per serving.

These food items are those you would connect with healthy living include fruit vegetables, seafood and whole grain bread products. Foods that are high in sugar are known to deplete the chromium reserve in your body. To give you and idea how much chromium is contained in different types of food, check the details in the list below.

o 1 cup broccoli (22mcg)
o 1/2 cup orange juice (1mcg)
o 2 cup orange juice (4mcg)
o 4 slices of whole grain bread (4mcg)
o 3 ounces of turkey breast (2mcg)
o 1 tsp of dried garlic (3mcg)
o 1 tablespoon of dried basil (2mcg)
o 2 cups of mashed potatoes (6mcg)
o 10 ounces of red wine ( 2 to 23 mcg)
o 2 medium-sized banana (2mcg)
o 1 cup of green beans (2 mcg)

The amount of chromium differs based on your age, body weight and size. Females who are pregnant need more that other normal adults. Females in this position, need around 30mcg of chromium daily. For adults, the recommended daily requirement is between 20 to 30 mcg.

If you have a busy lifestyle and maybe don’t have the time to get the right amounts of quality food, you might want to consider taking chromium supplements. They are available in different forms medical advice should be sort before any type of supplement is considered. Chromium supplements are available in the following methods:

1. Oral -Chromium Capsules or Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

2. Parenteral Chromic Chloride or Injection (U.S.)

Once you received the approval of your medical professional, you can buy chromium supplements from most pharmacies and health stores. For the best prices and service you may want to look towards online stores. The internet allows access to stores that may not have previously available. As with any purchases online, always look for a reputable operators who hold well know brand name products and are easy to contact via the phone.

As with any medical its is important to seek reliable medical advice especially if you have any form of allergy they may be effected by the addition of another mineral like a chromium supplement.

Delicious treats can be healthy; raw, unprocessed and unsweetened dark chocolate is so healthy in fact that it contains more antioxidants than green tea and red wine! To sweeten naturally and tone down bitterness, I recommend honey. For dark chocolate lovers like myself, the studies on which the list below is based on, is fantastic news.

Derived from the cocoa tree, raw cocoa powder is rich in protein, fats, calcium, iron, carotene, vitamins B1, B2 and C, chromium, zinc and magnesium.

9 reasons cocoa is good for you:

1. Fights depression: Dark chocolate contains tryptophan, a chemical that is involved in the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates anger, aggression, mood and sleep. In essence, it makes you feel happy and is a natural anti-depressant.
2. Good for your heart: Studies have shown that regular consumption of cocoa reduces the risk of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks. Magnesium is essential for the cardiovascular system; most people who suffer heart attacks have low levels of magnesium. Chocolate is high in magnesium and a study from 2006 found that regular consumption resulted in a 50 percent reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
3. Increases HDL (healthy) cholesterol: Contains oleic acid, a monosaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Scientific studies have demonstrated that this type of fat increases levels of HDL cholesterol.
4. Reduces LDL (unhealthy) cholesterol: A study found that people who ate about 99 grams of dark chocolate a day for two weeks experienced a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol.
5. Lowers blood pressure: According to various studies, regular consumption lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
6. Increases insulin sensitivity: Diabetes and hypoglycemia develop as a result of insulin insensitivity; because cocoa increases insulin sensitivity, researchers have found that it can actually protect against these diseases.
7. Is a natural stimulant: Contains caffeine, making it a healthier alternative to coffee.
8. Considered by many to be an aphrodisiac: Many people who habitually consume chocolate have noticed an increase in sexual drive. This may be because it increases levels of serotonin, which among other things, is a factor in sexual drive.
9. Can help you lose weight: As bizarre as it may sound, cocoa has been linked to weight loss in scientific studies. Researchers believe this is because it is rich in fiber, which helps to prevent fat absorption. Fiber also satiates hunger, which can also lead to weight loss.

References:
Kok, F.J. & all. “Cocoa intake, blood pressure and cardiovascular mortality.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 166: 411-417. 2006.

Lee, K.W. & all. “Cocoa has more phenolic phytochemicals and a higher antioxidant capacity than teas and red wine.” Journal of Agri. Food Chem. 3: 51(25): 7292-5. 2003.

Grassi, D. & all. “Short-term administration of dark chocolate is followed by a significant increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in blood pressure in healthy persons.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 81(3): 611-4. March, 2005.

Last Friday was National Wear Red Day, an intentional opportunity to wear a red dress as a symbol of awareness of the fact that heart disease is the number one killer of women in America.

I didn’t wear a red dress, but I did get my very first electrocardiogram.

I wish I could say that I had planned it that way.

The truth is that I was experiencing chest pain, a terrible squeezing sensation in my left shoulder and left arm, and an alarming tingling running up my neck. I headed into Urgent Care. The next few days brought a series of tests involving all kinds of electrodes, ultrasounds, and my personal favorite, running on the treadmill. I’m still waiting for the results.

I’m a 43-year-old woman, fit and active, with low blood pressure, a stupendously healthy diet, and zero history of cardiac problems in my family. I’ve never smoked, I drink a small glass of wine most evenings, I have low cholesterol, and I’ve been meditating for over twenty years. You’d be hard pressed to find a woman with a lower degree of risk for any kind of heart disease. Yet, here I am, hanging out in the cardiologist’s office with a bunch of 75-year-olds.

My doctor is my stepfather’s cardiologist. I know he’s good because he has done about a dozen surgeries and procedures to keep my stepfather alive and kicking over the last 20 years. Dr. Toren is a great guy. Still, I never quite imagined I would need to visit him myself.

It’s been rather disconcerting, to say the least.

But it’s also given me an opportunity to think about my heart in a whole new way. I am appreciating this fantastic organ and its ability to beat over a billion times in an average lifetime without (much) assistance.

Like most healthy people, I’ve taken it for granted. I’ve allowed it to go about its work, and only in rare circumstances when it decided to pound–middle school crush walking past me, parachute not opening fully while skydiving, snatching children out of harm’s way–did I ever really pay attention to it.

Poor heart. So unappreciated.

Not anymore. In the last few days, I have felt every beat of my heart. I note the blood coursing through my arteries with every pulse. Becoming hyperaware of my heart’s magnificence has resulted in an indescribable sense of awe. I’ve been greatly humbled.

I’d always sort of figured that I was in control of my body. I’ve been certified as a personal fitness trainer, and I know a lot about how to change your shape or size or strength through exercise. I’ve been healthy enough to actually think that I was the one in charge. How ridiculous of me to believe that my body will do exactly what I want it to. It’s been running the show since before I was born.

Anyone suffering from any kind of illness, injury or decreased ability already knows this. I am guilty of ignoring my body on the most important level–recognizing its power over me. In my continuing effort to connect body, mind and spirit, I’ve forgotten that the three don’t always share equal billing.

Empedocles, a philosopher and scientist who lived in Sicily in the 400s BC, was the first to state in any sort of medical way that the heart was the origin of human emotions. I guess we’re supposed to believe, based on current research, that this is completely inaccurate. Our emotions are actually connected to our brains.

But really, it just isn’t as satisfying to think of love as being a head thing. Our hearts seem more poetic, more romantic, more likely to be swept away by the sheer force of nature that is love. We understand what it means and how it feels to be brokenhearted. We feel an ache in our hearts in quite a literal way. A headache is nothing like a heartache.

We use a lot of language that calls attention to this link between our hearts and all that is good, true, beautiful, and just. Whether we’re listening to our heart, opening our heart, connecting to our heart, trusting our heart, or simply living to our heart’s content, we regard it as the seat of the soul and the source of tremendous compassion and tenderness.

Women are supposed to have a pretty good handle on all this, and that’s why I believe that we haven’t really considered women as being susceptible to heart disease. We’re great at picking up on the importance of being aware of breast cancer, but when it comes to the heart, we want to believe that we are somehow protected from what we have come to think of as the stressed-out man’s disease. Or the fat person’s disease. Or the don’t-pay-any-attention-to-your-health disease. We hope that by simply being aware of our emotions, our habits and their effect on our bodies that we’re somehow immune.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this: if you have a heart, then you are at risk. It’s that simple. It’s terribly important to do all the right things, but even then, you’ve still got this ticker that needs tending. You need to know your risks, and you know to know how to reduce them.

I’m not sure what I’m going to learn about my heart when all is said and done, but I’ve already learned an extremely valuable lesson. My heart may be open, it may be full of love, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.

I’m hoping for some seriously good news for Valentine’s Day this year. I’ll be waiting, and wearing red.

Romance is in the air! And the Magdalen Islands is one of the most romantic places to get married…, in the world.

It is true that romance is as individualistic as there are people and imaginations on earth. To find the most romantic places to get married are just about as individualistic.

Sky divers may find it romantic to marry 10,000 feet above the earth surface while plummeting, and scuba divers may be enthralled by the idea of getting married 60 feet below the surface, with a respirator. Getting married while on a cruise is romantic or on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The imagination is a wild and wondrous thing to have.

However, even with all the wonderful places of the world, getting married on the Magdalen Islands has got to be one of the most romantic ideas. No matter what your vision of a romantic wedding, the islands can take care of it.

If the vision of a small chapel or church wedding, with a small wedding party appeals to you, the islands do have the warmest and quaintest of all churches. If there is a large wedding party, then it is possible to have a ceremony in the second largest wooden church in North America. Yes, we have the Saint Pierre Church made originally from shipwrecked lumber.

Beach weddings are trendy at this time and with more than 300 km of sandy cream beaches, the islands can handle that too. Imagine getting married on an enchanted evening, under an arch covered with chiffon, lace and flowers, as the sun reaches the horizon and glitters across a softly rippling ocean. Imagine taking a moonlit horseback ride down that same beach, after the fantasy wedding, just the two of you, with all your senses alert, the sounds of water lapping at the edges of the beach, the smells of the salt sea air and the touch of your loved ones hand, as your ride side by side.

Now imagine your honeymoon, sitting at a table for two, on that same beach. The meal, catered, might be a seafood delight, with lobster, scallop, crab and garlic butter on the side. A bottle of champagne, no…? Islands bagosse, a flavourful wine made from locally grown raspberries and strawberries. Music gently playing in the background…. It is all possible!

After a succulent meal a long leisurely walk through spruce and fir walking paths to a secret bathing hole where the water defy the cold of the gulf and becomes a romantic bath for two. The lagoons retain the heat they have stored from the sun, long into the evening.

After spending the night in extravagance, a honeymoon suite, a cabin, a luxury camping adventure, the coffee pot automatically brews your favorite start to the morning and a plate of fruit is waiting in the cooler. Your morning starts with breakfast in bed…, again.

The Magdalen Islands has a whole range of options to choose from when someone wants to look for them. Consider the most romantic places to get married and then return to the romance only found in Canada’s Best Kept Secret – the Magdalen Islands.

Nature can provide a lot of benefits to humans. Resveratrol is found in grapes, red wine, peanuts, blueberries, and a range of other plant life. In addition, it is present in nutritional products like grape seed pills and extracts, red wine extracts, and Polygonum Cuspidatum extracts and the like.

Researchers in Great Britain have found that taking the product orally can enhance functioning on cognitive examinations in Math. At the start of the research, the participants, who were adults in good physical shape, took a string of cognitive exams. Subsequent to the exams, the researchers gave either 500 or 100 milligrams of the product to a few of the participants and the rest were given a placebo capsule.

After taking the capsules, the participants underwent the cognitive exams all over again. Those who consumed the product functioned superior on the exams the next time than those who consumed the placebo capsule. It is assumed the grounds for this enhancement is that the product supplies more blood to the brain.

The product is a potent antioxidant that is produced by a number of plants to defend from ecological traumas. Maybe the most prominent manufacturer of the product is the grapevine, which yields great quantities of the substance in the peels of grapes to shield from fungal diseases and some harm. It is then not surprising that wine, specifically the red wine which is fermented with grape peels, has some of the utmost amounts of the substance compared to any untreated food.

Current researches have concluded that the product made fat connected death drop thirty one percent in fat rats. Rodents which were given the product enhanced alertness and movement functions as well. In addition, it has been shown to combat cancer in vitro at every one of the phases: beginning, promotion and development.

There are many anti aging products available today. From creams and potions to various supplements, there are many products that claim to make you feel and look younger. But are they effective? Let’s look at some of these products in detail.

Wrinkle creams

The jury is out on the effectiveness of most of these creams. That’s because there’s a wide variety of quality in wrinkle cream products. Some might be immensely effective, while others are a complete waste of money.

How can you tell the difference? It’s all in the jar. That is, the most effective anti wrinkle cream serums will have a few things in common.

First, many of the best wrinkle cream and anti aging products available these days will provide some kind of nearly instant result. Your skin might look more lifted, or brighter and tighter within 30 minutes of applying the cream. But it will not ignore your future needs. Good wrinkle creams these days also take advantage of what science is learning about antioxidants and what they can do for our skin and bodies.

Most good wrinkle creams these days will contain varying doses of antioxidants so that your skin can effectively fight off the forces that might seek to destroy it.

Eye creams

Eye creams have a mission that’s similar to wrinkle cream serums – they should make your skin look better and younger. But eye creams have a particular issue to contend with and that’s the delicate skin around the eyes. Because this skin is thinner and more delicate, the cream should be gentle and yet effective.

Good eye cream products can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes but also provide that antioxidant boost for the future.

Acai berry

You’ve likely hard of the Acai berry and its anti aging benefits. It’s believed that its antioxidant benefits are 10 times that of the red grape so it can fight the affects of free radicals, which seek to destroy the skin.

Most people consume the Acai berry as a juice, and it can be added to smoothies and juice drinks. It can also be taken as a supplement.

Resveratrol

This is the compound that is found in red wine and it’s believed that is one of the great advances in the fight against aging. In the early days of the discovery people thought they had to drink red wine to get the benefits of resveratrol. Later, scientists said that the same compound could be found in red grape juice.

These days, you can take supplements of red wine resveratrol to get the same anti aging benefits that the compound provides in the wine and grape juice beverages.

There are many ways to fight aging, but these products are some of the most common and most effective. It certainly can’t hurt to try them out.

Mental and Physical Benefits

Exercise makes you feel better about yourself and can also curb your appetite – especially beneficial for those interested in losing weight. Even doing simple gentle exercises, like yoga, can improve your spirit enormously. Just 20 minutes of yoga or meditation can make you feel so refreshed, you can tackle anything! A healthy lifestyle can drastically improve your well-being!

Healthy living can provide both mental as well as physical health benefits.

There is certainly a connection between physical well being and healthy eating which can affect our mood.

Dealing with Depression

Eating healthily can improve your general well-being and it will also give you more energy to get on with your day to day activities. A balanced, healthy diet can also help you manage depressive moods. It is important to eat healthy regular meals and include some wholegrain cereals, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds which are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Repairing The Body

Protein, found in meat, fish, dairy products, beans and lentils, is important for the growth and repair of our bodies.

Improving Your Mood

It is important to ensure you drink enough fluids. That’s not to say copious amounts of beer and wine, although a little can be beneficial. Drinking the right kind of fluid can improve your mood and avoid irritability and loss of concentration. Beware of drinking too many drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea and some energy drinks as these may have a dehydrating effect. Instead, drink more water and herbal teas.

Reducing Anxiety

Studies have shown that regular physical activity has positive benefits for mental health and can help people recover from depression. Exercise can improve ones mood and reduce anxiety as well as improve concentration. Exercise can also give us that happy feeling of well being and healthy glow.

Be Creative

Exercise does not have to involve expensive gym memberships but should be an activity you enjoy – like playing tennis, swimming or even taking a country walk with your friends or loved one.

Go Easy

You don’t need to overdo it! As I said before, gentle exercise can be more beneficial than you think. You don’t need to slog your guts out doing a marathon to feel good about yourself.

Choose what suits you best and enjoy what you do.

Best wishes