New Year, New You

Inspiring ideas to try at home

Healthy eating ideas to help you kick start the summer. Many of us will be planning to eat more healthily as we come out of lockdown and these videos will help provide you with ideas and inspiration. This great selection of YouTube channels provide free healthy eating tips for beginners, supermarket shopping ideas, what makes a balanced food plate, meal planning advice and much more. We have selected one video from each channel, to give you an idea of the style of the channel and the advice and recipes on offer.

If you like a particular channel, the click ‘Watch’ then ‘Visit External Site’, to find the full selection of videos.

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Bringing personal training into your home

Push back the sofa, get your sweat on. Exercise is hugely important for both our physical and mental health. With WFH keeping us at home, now more than ever we need to keep up our exercise regime. Luckily, many trainers and fitness instructors have made their high quality and inspiring workout videos readily accessible on YouTube.

We’ve selected classes from our favourite instructors, all providing free, full length, workout videos. Whatever your fitness level or goal, there’s something for everyone, from yoga to HIIT, Pilates to dance. There are plenty of equipment free options too and all from the comfort of your own home!

SHOP To support this Pod, we have handpicked a selection of simple, affordable gym equipment and a selection of stylish, comfortable sportwear to help you workout at home. View our Gym Equipment Shop and our Sportwear Shop pages.

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Creating habits that stick

If you want to develop healthy habits that last, then learn how to habit stack. Whether it’s improving your diet, exercising more or drinking less, the best way of developing a new habit that you will stick to, is to ‘stack it’ on top of another deeply ingrained habit. It doesn’t matter whether the current habit is a good one or a bad one, if it is something you do often, without thinking about it, you can anchor some new habits either side of it, or use it a a trigger to do something else.

The key is to make small changes, one at a time and allow them to get embedded before changing something else. When most of us try and change our habits to be more healthy, we try and do too much at once. Throwing loads of changes together. You stick to them for a while but then it gets too hard and the habits fade. The trick is the build slowly, stack new habits on top of old and then the habits will last.

This Pod includes loads of great advice and ideas for how to habit stack and where to start. Enjoy!

Get your beauty sleep

Sleep is as critical to our well being as food, water or shelter, however over 40% of people suffer from issues with sleep. Fall short on your sleep and research has shown that it can take a serious toll on your daytime energy, productivity, emotional balance and even your weight. Here we look at why we sleep, the importance of sleep and how lifestyle changes can make a world of difference to your sleep quality. Improve your sleep and improve the quality of your life.

SHOP To support this Pod, we have handpicked a selection of related products to help you get a good night’s sleep. Choose from a range of best selling pillows or try an essential oils diffuser, a white noise machine or some comfort sleep ear plugs. View our Sleep Shop page.

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Self help techniques

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders, with one out of fourteen people around the world being affected. It is often described as an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening, or might happen in the future. Everyone feels anxiety to some extent, it is part of being human and is the body’s way of signalling a problem or threat. However, it becomes a problem if it happens too often, goes on for a long time or impacts your ability to live your life as fully as you want to.

Use the self help resources below, which focus on Generalised Anxiety Disorder, to help you understand why it’s happening. Discover how to take back control. Learn ways of reducing your anxiety and incorporate these techniques into your everyday life to make it more manageable.

Note: Please talk to your doctor, or a mental health professional, if you experience severe or persistent anxiety.

Part of our Life Stages Collection.

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Is the state of your house linked to that of your mind

Does decluttering really help relieve stress and bring a sense of calm? Or does it set an impossibly high standard that just makes us feel worse, as we fail to achieve picture perfect tidiness? In this pod, we explore the ideas behind decluttering, the psychology behind how we feel about our possessions, the experts who swear by it and practical tips and ideas for making a few small changes, for those that end up inspired to try.

SHOP To support this Pod, we have handpicked a great selection of shelf units, storage containers, baskets and bags. Plenty of inspiration to help clear your mind and your surfaces. View our Decluttering Shop page.

Part of our Life Stages Collection.

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How to boost your happiness and wellbeing

The search for happiness is a universal human desire, which we see as critical to leading fulfilled lives. But rather than pursuing it by the accumulation of wealth, fame or beauty, we need to recognise that happiness is a state of mind that comes from within and lasting happiness and meaning is earned through honed, consistent behavioural habits.

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Bring more calm to your life

For many people, podcasts can be a surprisingly helpful resource from which to learn self-care coping strategies. If you’re not sure where to start but want to bring more calm into your life, try one of these podcasts. Find interviews and stories to relate to, supportive conversations, tools and actionable techniques to help you take back control.

The ‘Play’ link will take you to their latest podcast episode, in the play window you can scroll down to see their other episodes to find one of particular interest to you, or click the external link to go to their website.

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The rise of the sober curious

Becoming sober or at least sober-curious is something that seems to be on the lips of many mid-lifers. Are you starting to reflect on your relationship with alcohol and thinking you might like to change it ?

Whether you are thinking about taking a break, are considering moderating your drinking or contemplating going alcohol free, there is a whole community out there that can help you with your journey. Use the resources in this Pod to learn more, hear from others on this path and get tips and advice from the experts.

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Disconnect to reconnect

How many times a day do you check your phone? The idea that our obsession with our smart phones is getting in the way of our relationships, our productivity and even our children’s ability to have a conversation is gaining momentum. In this pod, we explore the ideas behind digital detoxing, as well techniques to make you feel more in control such as the ‘zero inbox’ principle. And has the lack of quiet spaces in our 24/7 connected world led to the rise in modern mindfulness?

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Does brain training really make any difference?

There are now a huge range of games and apps that claim to help with brain training. But do they work? Is it true that you must ‘use it or lose it’, can you improve your working memory, IQ or brain power and what role can brain training play in preventing dementia? How does brain training on a game or app compare to exercising? In this Pod, we look at a wide range of media with claims on both sides of the argument.

Part of our Life Stages Collection.

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Start running from scratch

Taking up running can seem like a scary prospect, especially if you feel out of shape or are unfit. If you’re not sure where to start, use the resources below to help you get going and build up gradually. We recommend the Couch to 5k nine-week, guided, training program which is designed to help people transform a sedentary lifestyle into an active one. In this Pod, graduates of the program share their tips and you can discover how to progress in your new found skill once you’ve cracked the 5k distance!

So what are you waiting for? Set yourself the 5K target, lace up your trainers and achieve the goal. Running regularly will improve both your physical and mental health. and give your confidence and self belief a boost.

SHOP To support this Pod and our Workout Videos Pod, we have handpicked a selection of simple, affordable gym equipment and a selection of stylish, comfortable sportwear to help you learn to run or workout at home. View our Gym Equipment Shop and our Sportwear Shop pages.

Click here to view more Wellbeing Pods or view all available Pods using our Pod Index.

What does your body language say about you?

How good are you are reading other people’s body language? What does your body language say about you?

Use the resources in this Pod to explore how to improve your body language, learn how to read it and how to use it to improve your relationships.

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Could cold showers transform your life?

Exhilarating, challenging, energising and addictive? The theory behind the concept, how to introduce cold showers into your daily routine and the benefits to your health, from relaxing the mind, improving the skin and to reducing fats.

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Get away from the everyday

Learning something new keeps your mind sharp, helps you problem solve and stimulates creativity. Stretch your mind and get away from the everyday, with our handpicked selection of fascinating and thought-provoking podcasts. Let us surprise you with something new. The plan includes ten options. Try listening to one a day or spread them out over a couple of weeks or so. We would love to know what you think!

The perfect plan to expand your mind.

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Your finances made simple

Learn how to manage your own money and build financial independence, whatever your goals. Take control of your finances, with easy to understand, straight forward advice.

We have focused this Pod on women, as research from YouGov Omnibus has shown that over half of women have never owned any investments, with a lack of knowledge and confidence holding them back. However, the resources here are useful for anyone wanting to understand their finances better.

This Pod covers tips and ideas for setting household budgets, planning for the future with savings and investments, dealing with financial shocks, pensions made easy and much more. With simple, user friendly language and practical tips that can make managing your money a whole lot easier.

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Does it really work

Currently one of the world’s most popular health and fitness trends, intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting. Popular methods are the 16/8 method, Eat Stop Eat and the 5:2 diet, all of which split the day or week into eating periods and fasting periods. It does not say anything about which foods to eat, but rather when you should eat them.

Note : Please do not look to this Pod for medical advice, please consult a medical professional before adopting an intermittent fasting regiment. This Pod is solely presenting various views on fasting, diet and health.

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Are we limiting our lives because of fear?

“Find a way to say yes to things. Say yes to invitations to a new country, say yes to meet new friends, say yes to learn something new. Yes is how you get your first job, and your next job, and your spouse, and even your kids. Even if it’s a bit edgy, a bit out of your comfort zone, saying yes means that you will do something new, meet someone new, and make a difference. Yes lets you stand out in a crowd, be the optimist, see the glass full, be the one everyone comes to. Yes is what keeps us all young.” Quote Eric Schmidt

Could saying Yes help us experience more of what life has to offer ? It means taking chances to stretch your comfort zone, to overcome your insecurities, to beat fear, to get through failure, criticism, rejection, and embarrassment with a positive spirit. It essentially means knowing what you need “more” of in your life to help you live a more optimal life. And often the things we need most we resist because they make us feel uncomfortable. Surrender this control, say Yes more and reignite your life.

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Be the type of person you want to meet

Taking a personality test can be both fun and revealing. But how reliable are they and do they ever tell us anything we don’t already know? Being curious to understand ourselves better is part of human nature but can knowing more about our personality type really help us make better decisions or build stronger relationships? Personality assessments are also commonly used in the workplace, as part of an interview process or career development. But some complain of being sidelined, or even sacked, when the test doesn’t give the answer the employer is looking for. In this Pod, we explore how personality tests work, why we love them so much and how to use them wisely.

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Find your colours, body shape and personal style

Learn how to style yourself at home. Find out what colours look best on you, how to determine your body shape, how to declutter and revamp your wardrobe and tips for finding your personal style. A bit of focus and a few simple changes can make a real difference.

You can also work out how to identify your face shape, so you can choose hairstyles, glasses and sunglasses that will suit you best. All from the comfort of your desk or sofa.

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How does colour affect perception and behaviour?

Thinking of redecorating or buying some art? Artists and interior designers have long believed that colour can dramatically affect moods, feelings, and emotions. In this Pod, we explore science behind the way people see colour, the psychology of how it affects us emotionally and the dramatic difference choices of colour make for our homes, our clothes and the objects we buy.

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