Health Archives - Original Intent

The true cost of creating work-life balance

Chris was first referred to me by concerned family members. They were worried about his mental and physical well-being, and said that he needs some coaching to create a healthy work-life balance.

How to recover during a global crisis

I am staring at the screen. I probably rewrote that headline 39 times, and still don’t feel comfortable with it. In truth, though, nothing feels ‘quite comfortable’ anymore.

How to avoid getting psychosomatic illness

In the late 1930s, the word ‘psychosomatic’ was added to the medical dictionary. It’s purpose was to explain illnesses in the body with psychological causes. It was useful back then, but it’s an abstraction – an ‘idea’. It’s not a concrete fact.

Confession: my love-affair with the snooze-button

BZZZZT!
“Just…five…more…minutes…”

How NOT to exercise

It doesn’t matter what exercise you do – whether it’s CrossFit, yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aerobics or gymnastic training: all of them can damage your body – badly! On top of that – if you’re in a class of 20 people, the trainer can not possibly be mindful of your unique form. So you need to know your body pretty well to avoid injuries. And, since sitting is the new smoking, even your couch isn’t safe anymore. So, how do you push yourself into your edges, without falling over the edge?

I don’t believe in diets

“Then why on earth are you hosting a diet-show?” Yesterday, DSTV launched a new program, Die Eet Oorlog (Eating War), in which I facilitate a coaching-process with three very brave women, on their journeys to weight loss.

Are you breathing well enough?

You are one incredible creature. The discoveries we’ve made in the last couple of decades about how humans work are mind-blowing! For a moment, though, I’d like you to forget what you know about your body: all the illustrations and diagrams on where your lungs are, how your mind looks and what your blood-cells do.

The cure for more than 90% of back-aches

You have a physio on speed-dial, and pain-killers in your back pocket. You’ve been to an acupuncturist, a chiro, a reflexologist, an energy-healer, and – to your shame – even tried that horse-cream your grandmother swears by. You follow the latest blogs on ‘living healthy’, swallow a handful of ’natural’ supplements with your morning-coffee and spent half of your income on memory-pillows, mattresses and peculiar-looking self-massage tools.

Gluten: fad, fiction or fact?

We just love running after extremes, don’t we? Something is either the absolute worst, or heaven on earth. Don’t say it is ‘good in these ways’ and ‘bad in those ways’: it’s too complex, and our eyes glaze over.

The most important dietary advice you’ll ever get

The Fads are Confusing! It’s virtually impossible to stay on top of all the latest fads in nutrition. In the last 60 years, we’ve already gone full-circle; from whole-fat, to low-fat & and back to “butter is best”. So, what is the truth? Why do the “expert” opinions play merry-go-round? (And, what’s up with the latest coconut-water craze!?)

3 tricks to keep your brain young and fresh

Your brain is the most powerful computer on the planet. It’s also squirrel somewhat distractable. For instance, it only takes squirrel you a moment to recognize the word that does not belong. However, you still squirrel cannot stop yourself from:

How not to work yourself to death part 1

You hit the alarm, get up, and get going, They say “I can’t do it”, you say “I’ve already done it”. They say “I’m not sure it will work”, you say “I fixed it.” They say “I need a break”, you say “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” If this sounds like you, and you don’t want to risk your health & life, then you may need to take 5 minutes just to read this blog.

How not to work yourself to death part 2

Yesterday, we mentioned the 2-minute pause button. One of the challenges with this tool, is that we often don’t have a list of diverse emotions. If you are highly driven, it’s possible that your list simply looks like this:

How not to work yourself to death part 3

When was the last time you went to a dance-class? The way the baseline surges through your body, and vibrates through your chest. The way the sound of those velvety strings wrap themselves around your arms, pulsates through your muscles and electrifies your legs to swing in broad circles across the smooth ballroom floor.

Soul Selfies

I don’t have a bathroom mirror or any mirror, for that matter. When I wake up, I grab my electric shaver and mow the lower half of my face, until it “feels smooth enough”. My hair, on the other hand, has a personality of its own. I call the sheepish shrub above my forehead “Dennis” (although he likes to be referred to as “The Master”.)

Tag: Health