Mindfulness Practice

  I used to think fasting was some sort of punishment. Like something only gym fanatics or monks did to prove a point. But it turns out, it’s less about control and more about awareness. When I’m fasting, I notice all the times I’d normally reach for food for no real reason. Bored? Snack. Tired? Snack. Someone irritated me? Snack again. When you take that option off the table, you suddenly have to sit with yourself. Not always fun, but surprisingly eye-opening. And when I do eat again, it feels different. I actually taste my food. I don’t crave junk anymore. My body feels lighter, and somehow I’ve got more energy than when I was eating every few hours. Go figure. Fasting sort of sneaks mindfulness in through the back door. It’s not about how long you can go without eating. It’s about paying attention — to your body, your habits, and that little voice that says “just one more biscuit.” Turns out, you don’t need another biscuit. You probably just need a glass of water and to tak...

  Breathing is the most ordinary thing you do. But when you pay attention to it, the results are anything but ordinary. The way you breathe can dial stress up or down, sharpen focus, and even influence how well your immune system stands guard. Stress and Immunity Go Hand in Hand Fast, shallow breathing locks your body in fight or flight. That means stress hormones like cortisol stay high, which weakens your immune response. Slow, steady breathing is the off switch. It drops stress levels and lets your immune system get back to its real work. Oxygen is Fuel for Your Defenses When you breathe deeply into your diaphragm, you are delivering more oxygen to your bloodstream. That oxygen powers your white blood cells and the rest of your immune system. Shallow chest breathing is like running on half a tank. Deep breathing fills you up. What Huberman Calls “Controlled Stress” Huberman has highlighted a style of breathwork known as cyclic hyperventilation, often used in the Wim Hof ...

We all have big dreams, right? Maybe you want to start a business, write a book, run a marathon, or just wake up before your alarm for once. But here’s the thing—dreams don’t magically come true just because we really, really want them to. (Trust me, I’ve tried.) Nope. They need action. And action needs habits. And habits? Well… habits need discipline. Ugh. Why Motivation is a Liar We love motivation—it’s exciting, energising, and makes us feel like we can conquer the world! But motivation is also flaky. One day it’s got us meal-prepping like a health guru, and the next, we’re eating biscuits straight out of the packet while binge-watching Netflix. The real game-changer? Discipline. The unsexy, often annoying ability to do the thing even when we don’t feel like it. Want to write a book? That means writing when you’d rather scroll social media. Want to get fit? That means working out when your couch whispers sweet nothings to you. Want to save money? That means resisting ye...

Let’s talk about a new buzzword making waves: glimmers. It’s the softer, more optimistic cousin of triggers. You know, those things that set you off and send you straight to fight-or-flight mode? Glimmers, on the other hand, are all about the good vibes – those small, everyday moments that make you feel calm, safe, or just plain chuffed. What Are Glimmers, Exactly? The term was coined by Deb Dana, a clever clinician specialising in polyvagal theory (fancy science stuff about your nervous system). Glimmers are those fleeting moments of joy or connection – like the smell of a braai wafting through the air, the warmth of the sun on your skin, or even hearing your favourite song on the radio. They’re like mini pick-me-ups for your soul. The Science-y Bit While triggers send your nervous system into overdrive (hello, cortisol!), glimmers work the opposite way. They tap into your parasympathetic nervous system – the one that helps you chill out and feel lekker. When you notice glimmers, you’...

The Hidden Cost of Constant Hustle: Why Rest Is Not a Luxury Yesterday, I told a friend to rest. His response? “What’s that? Please define it.” He said it half-jokingly, but it struck a chord. Another friend shared that as someone who works for himself, he finds it nearly impossible to do nothing—there’s always another task, another deadline, another thing to be done. Their comments lingered in my mind, reminding me of my mother. She was an incredibly capable woman, running her own successful business with a grace that made it look easy. But things took a turn. When everything fell apart, so did she. She had a breakdown, and the woman we once knew—strong, driven, unstoppable—became someone we barely recognised. Then, there’s James. Dear James. He, too, was wildly successful, the epitome of what society applauds: hard-working, relentless, always achieving. Until one day, he couldn’t cope with the mounting pressure. The demands became too much, and the idea of surviving the workday felt ...