taking a breath

Let the breath be your guide

The art of breathing is both innately simple and infinitely complex. Breathing is a critical function that both sparks and ends life. Yet there is so much more to the breath.  Tune into the breath of someone having a carefree day and the breath is likely to be flowing freely. Tune into the breath of someone having a day of it, or in the grips of an intense emotion such as anger, and the breath is likely to be uneasy.

This blog is written by Bev Alderson from Practically Balanced, where she works with individuals, groups and workplaces wanting to take a more positive and proactive approach to enhancing wellbeing, and in turn achieving greater results.

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Happy gut

Give your gut a gift this Christmas

Christmas is a time for celebration, and particularly in western society, celebrating involves indulging in rich foods, alcohol, and sugar. This is a natural response and stems back to times when we had to binge before the long winter months to store energy. As we are living through lockdowns and restrictions, it is tempting to fill the void in socialisation with comforting, rich foods. However, these festive treats can put a strain on the digestive system, and so this festive season is a good time to give your gut a little TLC.

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Protein and running

Protein powders – a useful supplement to everyday diets

There are many different types, shapes and sizes of protein powder. They can be a useful supplement to a balanced diet by providing lean protein with a full spectrum of amino acids. But there can sometimes be some confusion as to why proteins are useful, what to look for in a protein supplement and who would benefit from a protein supplement. This blog reviews the functions of protein and why, how and when protein supplements are recommended.

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Perfectionism

The perils of perfection

Bev Alderson, through her business Practically Balanced, works with individuals, groups and workplaces, wanting to take a more positive and proactive approach to enhancing wellbeing and in turn achieving greater results. Bev brings a unique and authentic perspective to the work she does, drawing upon her personal experiences, management capabilities and expertise in mindfulness, stress resilience, yoga, nutrition – and more.

In this week’s blog, Bev looks at the adaptive and maladaptive styles of perfectionism and discusses ways to hone in on perfectionism and use it as a skill.

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