Wellness news and tips you should know about

All the latest wellness news and tips you should know about

BRAIN BOOST 

Did you know that listening to podcasts has a really positive effect on your brain? According to multiple studies, when we consume information from a podcast, our mesolimbic pathway (the brain’s ‘reward pathway’) is activated and releases dopamine – the famous ‘feel-good’ chemical.  

What’s more, depending on what genre of podcast you opt for, different chemicals get released. Comedy or true crime podcasts spark an adrenaline rush, boosting your endorphins. Inspirational or meditation podcasts, on the other hand, trigger oxytocin, which helps to reduce stress and anxiety. 

TOO MUCH SOCIAL MEDIA? 

If you want to stop wasting hours scrolling and start living, follow these steps:  

• Step 1: Schedule your social media time. Set aside an hour a day for it (or less) – the longer you stick to this, the easier it will be to break the habit. 
• Step 2: Make healthy habits. Boredom or stress leads to mindless flipping through feeds, so find a new hobby. Something soothing, such as art or crafts, walking or listening to a podcast will be a healthy distraction. Once you realise how much better you feel, you won’t be interested in what everyone’s up to on the ’Gram.
• Step 3: Be selective online. It’s no use returning to all those toxic people and pages. Carefully curate who you follow to ensure positive influences that make you feel good.

SAY THANK YOU 

Researchers at Harvard University have proven that saying “thank you” and practising gratitude daily have a positive effect on your mood, sleep cycle and overall health. Gratitude releases endorphins that help boost your immune system and mental capacity. It’s the key to happiness, reducing the chances of feeling sad or depressed. 

SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 

Almost three-million skin cancers occur globally every year, of which about 132 000 are malignant melanomas. South Africa has the second-highest incidence of skin cancer in the world (after Australia).  

It’s vital to take care: avoid direct sunlight from 10am to 3pm, wear a hat outdoors and use SPF 30 sunscreen. Keep an eye out for misshapen moles or new marks on your skin and get them checked out. 

4 JANUARY: WORLD BRAILLE DAY 

This is the birthday of Louis Braille, who became blind after a childhood accident and later invented a reading and writing system for the visually impaired called braille. The day now recognises that individuals with visual impairment have the right to education.