JUST... YAWN

Yawns get a bad rap for being rude, but yawns are one of the best-kept secrets for flexing your mental muscles . Brain scans reveal that yawning activates areas responsible for social awareness and feelings of empathy - which may explain why yawns are so contagious.

Yawns also may strengthen the precuneus- a part of the brain that plays a central role in memory retrieval and self-reflection.

When you yawn - the quick hit of oxygen wards off sleepiness and helps you stay focused by regulating metabolism and cooling the brain.

S0 - yawn as often as possible - in the morning, at work, before a big test. It will give your brain an instant pick-me-up. Fake it a few times and you won't be able to stop.

(Self magazine- July 2010)

1-SECOND CONFIDENCE TRICK

For an instant mood lift, sit or stand up straighter. In a study, at Ohio State University, researchers asked study particpants to rate their skills related to job opportunities and they found that those who completed the task with proper posture were more secure in their abilities than those who were slumped over.
People feel more confident when they are sitting upright and they can attribute that confidence to their present thoughts.

Burger + frozen yogurt

The next time you eat a food high in saturated fat, follow it with a low-fat calcium -rich dessert. Calcium binds to fatty acids in the digestive tract, blocking their absorption.

PRACTISE DESK CHAIR YOGA

Sitting in a flexed position in your desk chair weakens your back muscles.

Master the back bend: Sit on the edge of a chair, plant feet on the ground, brace abs and interlace fingers behind head. Inhale, slowly letting the weight of your head lead the back bend. Pull elbows back and down, slightly arch upper back, flex hips, gaze skyward, then pause until muscles lengthen and soften.

To come up, pull belly button to spine and lift supported head until torso is straight

(The Globe and Mail -Sept 11-09)

WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY

90 Percent of infection-causing microbes are killed after you wash your hands for 10 seconds. Experts say the length of time is less important than simply doing it on a regular basis.
(Prevention magazine August 09)

EARL GREY TEA- A GOOD DIGESTIVE AID

The bergamot oil with which Earl Grey is flavoured comes from a type of orange that is thought to help digestion because it stimulates production of stomach enzymes, helping to break down food.

Boost the Benefit of Sleep

First, slip on socks. Warm feet widen blood vessels which better enables your body to transfer heat so you sleep more soundly.

Second, turn your alarm clock away from you. Light signals your brain to wake up, and the "blue light" from your digital clock and cell phone are the worst offenders.