KEEP CALM Sunshine, showers and other things to make you feel better

Switch off the TV

“Everyone wants to keep up to speed, but it’s important not to overwhelm yourself with constant information. Try to only check the news a few times a day – and use reliable sources.

“Just because something looks like it might be reputable, always make sure you check where the information is coming from, ie the NHS or World Health Organisation.”

Keep talking

“Even though we are distancing ourselves from social events, it’s important to keep in touch. Make use of Whatsapp, Skype and social media. We might be

Refresh, recharge and reawaken your senses. Pep yourself up with these activities...

Twist and reset

A simple supine yoga twist always works wonders, bringing the nervous system into a balanced state. Lying on your back, bring your knees in towards your chest and rock gently side to side. Then, with your arms in a T shape, let your knees roll to your right for a few long, slow, deep breaths. Then, engaging your abdominal muscles to support your back, bring your knees back to centre and, as you exhale, allow your knees to fall to the left.

Simply look up at the sky. Feel the weight of your body and support of the ground beneath you and the sensation of breathing, to help you relax as much as possible.

Yoga

Squeeze regular yoga sessions into a busy lifestyle.

Yoga is a great stressreliever, complementing high-intensity training really well. HIIT or endurance training can raise cortisol levels; yoga works as the perfect antidote by stretching your muscles.

Everyday beauty

Cherry blossom, birds singing, fresh cut grass – take time to find something beautiful that brings you joy.

Cold showers

Embrace the lighter mornings and have a cold shower – it will wake you up better than a cup of coffee. Cold exposure requires willpower. It’s a test of the mind and benefits your body, strengthening your immune system, keeping you limited in physical contact, but checking in with loved ones will keep your spirits – and theirs – up.

Develop new habits

“Make sure you have a routine. It might be a new routine, such as working from home, but having some structure to your day focused and tightening your skin.

Spring cleaning

Cleaning has been found to have a positive impact on mental wellbeing by helping us gain a sense of control over our environment, while being absorbed in an activity also helps calm your mind. It also helps improve mood and provides us with a sense of satisfaction. Several studies have found clutter in our homes can have a negative impact, resulting in feelings of tension and uncertainty and over-stimulating the senses – so a good declutter can benefit home and mind!

Matcha brews

The benefits of matcha for energy have been shouted about for ages. It contains a compound called L-theanine - a naturally calming agent - that works with the caffeine to provide what’s described as a “calm, focused and happy energy”.

It’s also packed with 10 times the amount of antioxidants as a regular cup of green tea, which helps control blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and can even boost metabolism.

The great outdoors

The change of season gives us the chance to get back out into some green space. There are lots of benefits to training outdoors: improved mood and increased dopamine and serotonin (our feelgood hormones); you get to reconnect with Mother Nature; being out in green space provides a mental health boost, and once we’re fully into spring you’ll be getting your dose of vitamin D from the sunlight, too.