If anything, isolation and lockdown have given us time to do something that our busy lifestyles don’t usually allow much time for - and that’s hit pause and think about our priorities.
This is actually a precious gift as it's given us time to redefine what’s important to us and what we can live with, and without. It’s also given us a chance to reflect on our health.
With this in mind - and while we adjust to the ‘New Normal’ - let's do a hard reset on 2020. Let’s stop and reevaluate where we are, and focus our attention on the things that matter the most.
4 ways to get a fresh start in 2020
These are our top tips on 4 ways you can give yourself a fresh new start, with a focus on mindfulness, diet and exercise.
1. Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness is all about being aware, and savouring the present moment. A great first step is to make time in your daily or weekly routine for some meditation. Make the time to clear your mind and focus on every breath. This discipline can be a little tough to get into for beginners, but once you get the knack many people swear by it. The mental health benefits of meditation include reduced levels of anxiety and stress, improved focus and concentration, as well as improved self-awareness and self-esteem. Start with something as simple as a 10 minute meditation first thing in the morning. This will help to clear the clutter in your head and give you a more balanced outlook on the day ahead.
Tip:Â There are some great meditation and mindfulness apps out there to help you get started, like Headspace and Calm.
2. Mind food
Is it time to reassess what you eat, and ditch the kebabs and soda for something a little less fatty and sugary?
The importance of good nutrition to our overall health is well known, as it can help shed excess kilos and reduce our risk of developing certain diseases. There is also a growing body of evidence to show that what you eat can impact your mood and overall mental health - let’s call it the mind food movement.
A study into the link between food and mood conducted by Deakin University, published in 2018, showed that a Mediterranean diet - rich in whole-grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, fish and olive oil - may be able to treat depression and improve depressive symptoms. The researchers also looked at comparative costs of this lifestyle change, and found it worked out cheaper for participants, as they had less cause to visit health professionals, such as a doctor or psychologist.
Tip:Â Make healthier versions of dishes you like by using low-calorie options as substitutes, and prioritising veg, wholegrains and pulses over processed foods and fatty meats.
3. Get active, and outdoors
Most people know that exercise is beneficial to our overall physical and mental wellbeing - but did you know that doing it outdoors provides more benefits? Research done at Stanford University found strong evidence linking exercising outdoors with reduced levels of anxiety and negativity, and a surge in positive emotions, happiness and self esteem. The study found that being outdoors and in nature is also likely to boost your overall health, and give you the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at you.
Tip:Â This one is easy - hit the trails, beach or court with your partner, friends or kids.
4. Change your attitude to alcohol
Yup, this a pretty obvious one - given it’s what we are all about. But did you realise we didn’t say, ‘Give up alcohol’? We are not asking - or advising you - to go cold turkey, just to change your attitude. In practice this could be avoiding alcohol during the week, or simply reducing your overall consumption. In case you didn’t know, there is a lot of sugar in alcohol - a by-product of the fermentation process. So when you remove or reduce alcohol from your diet, you are avoiding large quantities of calories.
Tip:Â Reduce your contact with alcohol by avoiding it altogether, not buying it or substituting it with an alcohol-removed product like our range of wines.
Looking to make the transition to a low or alcohol-free lifestyle? You can shop all our varietals online, or check availability at your local stockist. Selected products are also available in the beverage aisle at these retailers:
