WHAT ARTICLES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ? LET US KNOW : EDITOR @ GEMCELL . COM . AU available to the world 24 / 7 , we are burning out from always being ‘ on ’,” says clinical psychologist and author Dr Kirsten Hunter . “ The lure of nature as a stop , pause , recharge button , and as the antidote to this hectic lifestyle , has never been stronger .”
If you live in the city , this may be as simple as finding the biggest piece of local green space and sitting under a tree . Or heading off to the bush for the weekend . Marvel at the uninterrupted expanse of sky , and at night , look up at the inky black , awash with millions of stars , exhale and say “ wow ”.
“ Many people say that when they have space around them , they can truly breathe ,” says Kirsten . “ It can help us connect with our parasympathetic nervous system – our state of calm – where we can take some time to relax , quieten our mind , feel calm and recharge .”
6 REFUEL
Did you know that brain activity accounts for about 20 per cent of total daily energy requirements ? You ’ re not just eating and drinking to fuel your body , your brain needs nutritious food to function at its best level as well – vitamins , minerals , healthy fats and fibre are all nutrients that play a role in brain function .
That ’ s why healthy eating is linked with stress reduction , improved sleep , sharper concentration and better mental health . And it ’ s a Catch-22 situation , because the more positive you feel about life , the more likely you are to make better choices about what you put into your body .
Step away from the biscuit tin ! OK , have one , then step away . A short-term sugar fix can actually end up making your mood sink more quickly . Instead , you should be eating plenty of fruit and vegetables as a source of the vitamins , minerals and antioxidants that support brain health , and wholegrains for a steady source of brain fuel .
Protein ( lean meats , fish and eggs ) provide building blocks of many brain chemicals that can influence our mood . Fish – especially oily fish – is known to protect against dementia and depression . Mid-afternoon snack attack ? Yoghurt contains probiotics that boost gut health , which in turn influences mood and mental wellbeing .
Finally , of course , no wellness guide would be complete without a mention of that life-affirming stuff we know as H2O . Physical work can be thirsty work , and as the weather starts to warm up again , it ’ s more important than ever to stay hydrated . Dehydration basically means your body doesn ’ t have enough fluid to operate properly , and when that happens , your risk of anxiety and depression is also elevated . Drinking water is hands down the best way to get the fluids in , but sports drinks , fresh fruit , low-fat milk and even tea and coffee will all contribute to your recommended daily intake . Cheers ! n
THE HAPPY COUNTRY
IN 2021 , FOR THE FOURTH YEAR RUNNING , FINLAND HAS TAKEN TOP SPOT ON THE WORLD ’ S HAPPIEST COUNTRIES LIST , ACCORDING TO THE ANNUAL POLL BY GLOBAL RESEARCH COMPANY GALLOP .
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What is so good about Finland ? Well , it certainly isn ’ t the weather , with annual average temperatures sitting around 7 º C . But what Finland does have is generous welfare benefits , low levels of corruption , a world-leading universal healthcare system , a well-functioning democracy , and an overall sense of freedom and independence .
Finland was one of the first nations to pioneer the ‘ flat working ’ model , where there are very few hierarchal levels between management and staff . The idea behind this is that it empowers the workforce to perform to its best standards by offering maximum flexibility for all .
Finland is the only country in the developed world in which fathers spend more time with school-aged children than mothers , because the genders are given 100 per cent equal opportunities . Let ’ s face it – for many of us , happiness is intertwined with whether or not we enjoy our jobs , and if we have a decent work-life balance . It seems the Finns have that licked !
Finland has also taken great strides in ending homelessness , giving all rough sleepers the support to find and ultimately own their own homes . As a result , the country has one of the lowest levels of homelessness on the planet .
Still wondering why Finnish people are so happy ? Perhaps they are smiling at the thought that one day other nations might learn something from their success . BTW , in case you were wondering , Australia ranked
12th and New Zealand came in at number nine .
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