Stretch at your desk

Counter the metabolism-depressing effects of midday stress by boosting circulation and easing upper body tension. And take deep breaths while you stretch to provide cells with the energy-producing oxygen they need to burn fat.

CHAIR REACH AND DROP
A. Sit on edge of chair, feet flat, back straight. Extend arms overhead, palms facing each other, and gently arch back as far as comfortable. Hold for 1-2 seconds, then sit back up and lower arms to the side.

B. Clasp hands behind back and lean forward from hips, bringing chest toward thighs, arms toward ceiling. Hold 10-15 seconds.
Release and repeat.

A surprising way to protect yourself from the sun

According to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, people who drank at least one cup of tea a day were about 30% less likely to develop two of the most common forms of skin cancer, squamous-cell and basal-cell carcinomas.

The polyphenol antioxidants in tea protect skin from damage caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays

Turn Around

Spend 1 of every 5 minutes of your daily walk travelling backward to strengthen your hips and butt without putting undue stress on your knees.

Head uphill this way and you will also burn 20% more calories than you would if your were facing forward

Give yourself a posture check

When you lean forward at a desk you elongate your upper back muscles, making them weaker and vulnerable to injury.

Most people don't realize they are hunching, so give yourself a once-over a few times a day to ensure you are sitting properly.

Make sure your hips and shoulders are in line, with a neutral curve in your spine. Your thighs should be parallel to the ground, and your ankles should be in front of your knees.

Then do this stretch a few times a day. Sit up straight and raise your arms to your sides at shoulder height. Bend your elbows so your hands are behind the back of your head, then squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for three seconds, repeat three times.

Quick Memory-Boosting Trick

If you want to be sure to recall something you read, warm up your memory first by moving your eyes from side to side for 30 seconds. Horizontal eye movements are thought to bolster interaction between the two hemispheres of the brain, and communication between them is key to retrieving certain types of memories

Producing New Brain Cells

The brain has an instinctual urge - almost like a hunger - for new experience. Animal studies have shown us that the brain rewards novelty by releasing a pleasure-inducing chemical called dopamine. Learning is reinforced because it is essential to helping the brain grow and thrive.

Here is the best part.

If you seek out new experiences throughout life, your brain will keep growing, sprouting new cells (neurons) and the branches between them (dendrites) - no matter your age. Your capacity to learn new things is unchanged no matter how old you are.

Here are some simple ways to break routine habits that may be prematurely aging your brain. And just like physical exercise, the more you can do, the more you will benefit.
- Brush your teeth with the opposite hand
- Reverse your usual walking or running route
- Shop in different stores
- Play different games

Enjoy Good posture for Life

Lengthen your spine and prevent slumping easily with the SHIRT PULL

Cross your arms and wrists in front of your waist. Now raise your arms as if you are pulling a shirt up and over your head. Grow taller as you reach up. Then lower your arms, letting your shoulders drop into place. Keep your ribs up. Repeat frequently during a walk to help maintain good posture