2022 Han Articles Archives

Berry, Berry nice!

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, mulberries, and raspberries – it’s berry season again! Bursting with bright colours, taste, and goodness, berries have been called one of the healthiest foods on earth. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, with strong anti-inflammatory properties, here’s 10 reasons why you should consider including berries in your diet this summer.

Can reduce the risk of disease as you age, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease
Reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, which is important for those of us struggling to lose weight or who have diabetes
High in fibre, which slows down the movement of food through your digestive tract, leading to reduced hunger and increased feelings of fullness
Low in calories and high in good vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin C and Manganese, all of which helps to protect you against illness
Lowers blood pressure
Reduce the risk of Parkinson’s’ disease
Promote a healthy gut to boost your immune system and improve your bowel movements
Help fight urinary tract infections
Keep you mentally sharp
And if that wasn’t enough incentive for you, studies have found that berries help to reduce wrinkles too!

Berries are as good for breakfast as they are for dessert. They are delicious alone or in healthy recipes. Although they’re naturally sweet and require no additional sweetener, adding whipped cream can transform them into a more elegant dessert. For breakfast, try berries topped with either plain Greek yoghurt, cottage or ricotta cheese, along with some chopped nuts, or blend into a smoothie. They’re also great in salads, juices, or as a snack. Known as nature’s candy, encourage your kids to eat more berries instead of sweets.

Take advantage of lower-priced berries at the moment, buy in bulk and freeze them. Frozen, or fresh, the nutritional content of berries is much the same. You’ll also find that many berry farms offer the opportunity to pick your own berries from the source, which can be fun, and a great outing, and also reduces the cost per kg. Berry nice indeed!

zara2021-12-31T08:56:36+00:00

Back to school blues

Starting a new school year can be stressful, let alone during a global pandemic. While a return to school will be welcomed by many, others will be feeling anxious or frightened especially given the disruptions of the past two years.

Here are a few handy tips to help you support your children at this time:

Daily check-ins

Check in to see how your kids are doing. Their emotions will change regularly and you need to tell them that’s okay. Ask them to rate their feelings on a scale of 1 – 10 with 10 being amazing. Listen carefully to their responses, speak kindly, and reassure them. Some children can’t talk about their emotions, so look out for any unusual, anxious, or aggressive behaviours that show issues.

Creative outlets

Encourage creative activities, such as playing and drawing. This is a positive way to express feelings such as anger, fear, or sadness in a safe environment.

Be a positive role model

We all have inner voices or private conversations with ourselves. Unfortunately, children’s inner voices can be particularly negative at times. For example, thoughts such as, “Sipho doesn’t like me – I’m not smart enough; I will never be accepted by that group,” get repeated over again.

The good news is that parents, mentors, and teachers can help shift the balance toward the positive. Always look for the bright side of things and your kids will do the same, you can even make it a game! Find opportunities to compliment your children sincerely.

Think before speaking

Yelling/arguing produces harmful chemicals in the brain. If you feel frustrated with your child, take a deep breath and try to relax before speaking. Keep good eye contact and a warm tone in your voice. Words and delivery are just as important when parents talk in front of children. Remember, you are your child’s greatest role model!

Teach gratitude

When children learn to notice and appreciate the good things, they develop a sense of optimism. Ask the family to share what they are thankful for at mealtimes.

If you are struggling with your own feelings of sadness or anxiety and or are worried about your children, please reach out to LifeAssist for support.

zara2021-12-31T07:58:18+00:00

Janu-worry: Dealing with Festive debt

With our belts feeling tighter, and our wallets leaner, for many of us, Janu-worry starts with us managing our holiday debt hangover.

Take a breath

Post-holiday debt can be stressful, when you have no idea how you’ll make your minimum expenses, let alone repay your debts. When we’re stressed, we tend to take shallow breaths. We lose oxygen which means we don’t handle things too well. Breathing gives you oxygen to think, get creative, and solve problems by importantly giving us the time to gather our thoughts.

Take note

Are you using credit to supplement your living expenses?
Was spending over the holidays just the tip of the iceberg because your debts have been piling up over the past few years?
Or perhaps you’re not even sure where your money is going each month?

Take stock

Write down:

Your household income (after taxes)
All your household liabilities (debts like your rent/bond, car repayments, credit cards, personal and payday loans)
All of your monthly expenses
Also take stock of your assets; they might provide you with options (e.g. perhaps you can sell something for some much needed additional cash)
If you’re not sure where your money is going every month, write everything down that you spend for a few months to give you a clearer picture

Take action

Reduce your monthly spending – bargain hunt, make your own food instead of eating out, shop around for bargains
If you know you cannot make your payments, the worst thing is to do nothing. Reach out to your bank, a suitably qualified financial advisor or LifeAssist on 0800 22226. Don’t let fear stop you from getting help
A debt counsellor may be suggested to help set up a debt repayment plan, build a budget, and suggest tips to make sticking to your budget easier. The counsellor can also help negotiate a reduced interest rate

It’s not necessary to feel overwhelmed. Understand your situation, get help by calling LifeAssist and let one of our financial coaches help you move forward. You’ve got this!

zara2021-12-31T07:41:42+00:00

New Year’s Resolution: Get fit (tick)

“Get fit” may be one of your 2022 New Year’s resolutions, but with a busy schedule and little energy, how do you stay motivated?

Start small
Make your fitness goals doable. Commit to 15 minutes a day. Once you get going, you’ll probably want to keep exercising for longer, but if not, then a 15-minute walk or workout is better than none. Achieving small goals builds confidence.

Choose your friends
Motivation is found in your social circle. If your friends are watching Netflix after work, you might do the same. But if they’re going for a swim, or walk, you’ll want to go too. Surround yourself with “Get fit” like-minded people.

Keep active-wear handy
Keep some active-wear at work, in your car, or backpack. Even 10 minutes has health benefits, so grab your shoes and get walking during your lunch break. Exercise is one of the ways, to help deal with stress.

Fun first!
Running on a treadmill is great, but can be a bore. The body was designed to move and the more enjoyable exercise is for you, the more often you will do it. Think of things you enjoy, but also get your body moving. When the goal is fun first, your brain will welcome an active lifestyle.

Convenience
Choose a location that is easy to get to. You’ll be more likely to keep it up if the gym or park is on the way home or to work.

Use your kids
They need exercise too, so if you can’t find the time alone, schedule family night walks, bike rides, or crazy dancing sessions. Get everyone moving!

Know yourself
Does your body need slow strength building or fast-paced high intensity? Do you have more energy before or after work for exercise? Knowing what suits your body helps keep you motivated.

For further ideas or support, call LifeAssist and speak to a counsellor for free, to help you plan your new year.

zara2022-06-27T13:25:28+00:00