Terrific Tips May 2016

Give your brain a break

Learning to relax during stressful exam times can prove to be very beneficial. And we’re not just talking chilling on the couch! We’ve found some simple, yet effective relaxation techniques.

Although relaxation is different for every person, there are a few tips that can be applied universally.

A SIMPLE RELAXATION PROCESS
By first tensing up and then relaxing certain muscle groups, you’ll be surprised to know that you actually end up feeling more relaxed. Why not try it while you are sitting and studying?

Hands
One of the first places where tension is experienced (often without you realising) is our hands, whether you are clutching a pen anxiously or even the arms of your chair. So, start off by stretching your hands – fingers straight and spread out in front of you. Now slowly relax your hands and let your arms flop to your sides... feel the tension roll off the back of your hands and out through your finger tips. See, it’s simple.

Head and neck
Your neck only truly relaxes when it does not have to support the weight of your head. Yes, like when you are lying down with your head in a straight line with your spine or when you look straight ahead – not up or down.

So to “tense up”, look up to the sky and feel the tension in your neck. Now, allow your head to return to the “straight-ahead” position, slowly.

Breathing
When you are stressed, your breathing is usually faster and shallower. Don’t hold your breath. Rather, simply breathe consciously by taking deeper and slower breaths. You can also inhale through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth.

RELAXING THOUGHTS
Whenever you work on physically relaxing, you need to consider that your mind needs to relax too in order for the exercises to work.

One way to do this is to focus your thoughts away from stressful thinking towards something pleasant. Think about a place that you love or even an imaginary place that you would love to visit. Imagine the surroundings, for example standing by the ocean, and enjoy the feeling of wellness it brings. Try it and see how it works.

Find some more great techniques and ideas here.

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Soup’ed up

The colder weather and especially demanding study schedules call for some comfort food. Soups are not only filling and affordable, but can be spiced up to become quite a feast.

We’ve compiled a couple of ideas on how to jazz up your soup, whether it’s homemade, comes from a jar or even those Cup-a-Soup sachets we use to fill a gap between meals.

Tomato soup
Jazz up this classic by adding a little zing with chili or Tabasco Sauce, or a smoky flavour with some paprika. Fresh parsley or some oreganum also does wonders.

Now round it off with a deliciously gooey toasted cheese sarmie. Opt for the well-loved cheddar or give it Italian flair with mozzarella and basil.

Mushroom soup
A staple in many households, this soup is reminiscent of comfort and cozy nights. If you need a bit more punch, add some slices of grilled chicken or give it a twist with some fresh herbs and crispy vegetable chips. Croutons are always a winner too.

Butternut or sweet potato soup
What’s better than a sweet-salt combination? Next time you indulge in a cup of creamy goodness, sprinkle over some fried bacon pieces, add some caramelised onion or even some onion sprinkles. Voila – now take a sip of that.

Vegetable soup
Add a little more oomph to this very under-rated soup by adding in potato cubes or some pasta shells. Alternatively, toast some slices of ciabatta and round it off with basil pesto. Mmmm...

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