Monthly Archives: April 2017

Drinking Warm water vs Cold..What’s Best?

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Before I examine the research on any health topic I often ask myself what makes sense to me physiologically. In some cases my background as am exercise scientist, and all the knowledge I have accumulated around this helps me arrive at a point of view or opinion on a given topic. In this case I would say it makes good sense to drink warm water rather than cold water, except in hot weather or after exercise when body temperature may increase. From personal experience it feels like my body goes into temporary minor shock when I drink cold water. It just doesn’t feel right. Anyway enough on my thoughts what does the research say? Well apparently it seems to support what I stated above that in general warm water is preferable unless it’s hot or you’ve just completed an exercise session.

Why is this so?

Well given that I’m living in a part of the world that is getting a little bit chilly this information is very relevant. Drinking water is good for the immune system. Bugs don’t like heat, so what better way to ward them off than to create an environment that they don’t like.

And there’s more…..

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Drinking warm water:

  • Detoxifies the body, which is enhanced if you add lemon juice to warm water
  • Reduces the risk of acne and other skin problems
  • Relieves nasal and throat congestion
  • Increases blood flow to the tissues to help relieve pain e.g. joint pain
  •  Helps keep your hair healthy by energising the nerve ends of haor roots
  • Promotes a healthy metabolism
  • Contributes to the health of the nervous system
  • Is good for your digestion

At the end of the day, like with all good health information it’s up to you to work out what works best for your body. It’s trial error and let’s face it there’s no single recipe for good health

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Time Out for the Mind

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Just as it’s important to take time out for the body it’s just as crucial to take  time out for the mind. No more thinking of time out is a luxury it’s a necessity for good health and wellbeing. Here’s why:

  • It boosts productivity
  • Increases creativity
  • Increases feelings of contentment
  • Improves sense of wellbeing …..just to name a few benefits.
  • Helps consolidate information
  • Helps make sense of life through reflecting

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One of the misconceptions associated with taking time out for your mind is that you have to be still to do it. For some the concept of stopping completely is not only foreign but fraught with feelings of guilt and boredom. The good news is that non demanding tasks such as watering the garden, folding the washing, walking the dog are all good time out activities. The key is to do activities that give your brain an opportunity to wander or even daydream. My favourite time out activity is sitting outdoors with my bare feet touching the ground, preferably on a sunny day. What’s yours?

So what should you be aiming for in terms of time out per day? The latest research suggests you should be taking some time out every ninety minutes or when you start to  feel drained or your concentration is dropping. Now for some people this may not be realistic, especially in some workplaces, so an alternative may be to aim for two blocks of fifteen minutes through the day.

Now for an interesting fact – apparently the brain may be busier forming memories in your downtime than when you’re asleep.

So if you haven’t already make time out part of your daily routine, something you automatically do…..a non negotiable. By doing so you’ll be doing your health a huge favour!