Page 42 - Natural Health (February 2020)

7 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR

BRAIN

SHARP

AND YOUR
BODY

HEALTHY

Feel sharper, smarter and more supple this
season with these expert hacks

WORDS: Liz Frost

If you’ve been ighting the urge to founder of Yogabellies, Cheryl MacDonald. nutritional therapist for Gosh! food Fiona
hibernate for the past few months, “Meditation can provide both short and Lawson. “That vital energy comes from the
you’re not alone. Scientists have long-term benefits including better sleep, food you eat. Not only does this provide the
discovered that the brain actually works faster healing, less anxiety, lower blood fuel to keep your brain’s processes ticking
differently throughout the year, with some pressure and cholesterol, and a stronger over, it also affects the structure of the
parts far more active in summer than in immune system.” You can meditate at brain. For a sharp mind and an impressive
winter. Not only that, but colder months any point during your day, simply find memory, your diet should include a good
can leave our muscles feeling stiff and tight. a quiet place and sit in a comfortable mix of: oily fish like salmon, mackerel,
It might be cold, dark and wet outside, but upright position with your spine straight. anchovies, sardines and herring – these
with a few small lifestyle tweaks you could Set a timer for 10 minutes and close your contain a special type of omega 3 fat that
shine as brightly as your summer self. eyes, focus on your breathing or repeat forms strong cell membranes and neurons;
a phrase or mantra. Try Cheryl’s Full dark green, leafy vegetables that are rich in
1 MEDITATE REGULARLY Moon meditation for free at anchor.fm/ vitamins A, C and K, which are fantastic
Research shows meditation can reduce yogabellies. For more information on for memory; colourful berries which contain
stress, improve sleep, generate kindness Cheryl, visit yogabellies.co.uk antioxidants to help to fight cognition-
and even improve age-related memory damaging oxidative stress, and pulses and
loss. “When you meditate, you wake up 2 EAT FOR ENERGY legumes which are rich in brain-supportive B
the parts of the brain used for imagination “Your brain uses about 20 percent of your vitamins.” Try devising a weekly meal plan
and creative thinking,” says yoga elder and total energy every day,” says registered to incorporate a variety of these foods into

42 NATURAL HEALTH