It comes as no surprise to anyone reading this that the way we work has changed forever and possibly for the better in so far as the focus on wellness is concerned, writes Bruce Robertson.
When Covid lockdowns came we thought that working remotely would free up the time we used to spend on commuting and going from meeting to meeting. Unfortunately, working hours have ballooned for most people instead of shrunk.
Fortunately, Zoom is not the only technology meeting the needs of the modern achiever. Two years into the pandemic we have a host of services at our disposal to help us navigate life more calmly.
1. Mindfulness Apps
Meditation and mindfulness have long left behind their esoteric reputations and are now backed by hefty science showing the benefits of teaching yourself how to use your mind. The founder of the meditation app Ten Percent Happier, Dan Harris notes, “Meditation is fast approaching the no-brainer status of optimal life behaviours such as daily exercise and brushing one’s teeth.” The benefits include: improved ability to concentrate (meditation literally teaches you to pay attention to one thing, on purpose), reduced depression and anxiety, improved EQ, and improved sleep.
Now you no longer have to find a guru or attend a class to gain the benefits of these practices. An app on your phone will put you in touch with world-class teachers, in your own time and with goals directed by you. Pick streams such as coping with stress, learning to relax, improving your concentration, and learning to put yourself to sleep quickly. The world’s biggest companies are using these techniques to help their staff build resilience and your access is sitting in your pocket.
Industry-leading apps to look out for are: tenpercenthappier.com, headspace.com and calm.com
2. Online Yoga
Yoga exploded in popularity around the world during the pandemic. Busy executives are realising that strength and fitness dovetail beautifully with the flexibility and grace that comes with a regular yoga practice. Unfortunately, a lot of independent yoga studios have closed down in the last two years and sometimes getting to a class can be disruptive to your workflow.
Now everyone can access some of the world’s most experienced or Instafamous teachers from the comfort of their own home or office. Initially met with resistance, online yoga classes have become hugely popular around the world, uncoupling time and location from your ability to practice with a teacher who you resonate with.Two KZN-based online offerings are: yogaconnect.co.za and manifestyoga.co.za. Internationally aloyoga.com is the world leader.
3. Convenient And Healthy Eating
It’s not only banana bread that had a starring role in our kitchens during the first lockdown. Many people who were too busy to cook before, rediscovered the simple pleasures of cooking a meal from scratch with attention and care. As lives became busier again, the desire to make our own healthy food and to eat consciously has not gone away. Players within the meal-kit and meal delivery sector have recognised this and are offering solutions that blend health and convenience.
uCook.co.za offers kits that contain just the right amount of ingredients and recipes for you to assemble and cook healthy and delicious meals. Hupu.co.za is your farm “padstal” on the web. They have curated small local farmers and producers into one space so that you can conveniently order sustainable and hyper-local offerings delivered to your door. If you are too busy to cook but still want a healthy home-made meal with the convenience of ordering other groceries with it, fitchef.co.za offers a huge range of meals (keto included), recipe kits, ingredients, groceries and baby food.
4. Coaching
At a time when goals are constantly shifting, coaches are trained to optimise performance and hold clients accountable for actioning decisions in a constructive and helpful way. Coaching has been helping business people transform change into opportunity for years, but now coaching has had to change too. For those with the resources, world-class coaches are available to anyone anywhere. Many famous coaches have made a lot of material available for free online and resources have never been more open. There is also a new emphasis on reaching goals but not at the expense of mental health and sacrificing life goals. Make sure your local coach is accredited with the South African professional body COMENSA.org.za
5. IV Therapy
Aimed at people who need to perform at their physical and mental peak, intravenous (IV) therapy has been around for years, but interest in boosting health and immunity has pushed it into the mainstream. A hidden giant of the wellness industry, if you do a Google search “IV therapy near me”, you will find there are dozens of places offering intravenous vitamin and nutrient infusions nearby. A worldwide trend that was built on the intersecting needs of fast results, goal-directed product offerings and 100% nutrient absorption. You can choose from desired outcomes such as hydration, immune-boosting, improved skin and pigmentation, detox, sports performance, slimming and even a hangover cure. IV therapy should always be administered by a qualified nurse, but can take place in locations such as spas and aesthetics clinics. A quick search on the internet will locate your closest provider.