export_ofoct.com

[00:00.39] How are you feeling today? Often when we ask people that question, they reply ‘not bad’, or ‘could be worse’.

[00:09.69] But what would make us feel ‘perfect’?

[00:12.88] Maybe we could live better by being healthier, less stressed, more motivated – but how?

[00:21.38] Of course there are many remedies for improving our mental health, but sometimes there are small and simple solutions to help improve our wellbeing.

[00:30.94] It’s something the BBC TV programme Easy Ways to Live Well has been looking at.

[00:37.58] It suggested several ‘health hacks’ which the programme’s presenters tried and gave their ‘seal of approval’.

[00:45.02] And maybe they could help us too.

[00:48.21] Firstly, to tackle putting on weight and to cut the calories, the programme found sniffing peppermint stops our craving for a snack.

[00:58.04] Presenter, chef and writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall says “a scientific theory called ‘mutual competition’ shows that a strong smell can distract our brain from the food we’re thinking about.”

[01:11.85] If your addiction to your smartphone is getting you down, it’s suggested that turning your phone screen grey helps you reduce screen time because a black and white screen becomes less attractive to look at.

[01:25.92] With recent studies showing our phones can make us 26% less productive and increase our stress, it seems like a no-brainer to try this ‘dim’ idea.

[01:38.14] Fancy a swim in ice-cold water? Well, the BBC programme found a daily dip in freezing water gets you used to the stress of doing it and therefore prepares you for other life stresses.

[01:51.95] And another way to ‘chill out’ is to leave your smartphone at home, immerse yourself in a forest, and breathe in the fresh air.

[02:00.72] Forest bathing is the perfect tonic for the stresses of urban life.

[02:06.56] Other life-improving ideas included things such as singing to reduce pain and fidgeting more to get away from our sedentary lives.

[02:17.19] But whatever therapy we choose to adopt, it seems any change to our lifestyle can help improve our body and mind.