Rest

Rest

For some of us rest is a four-letter word.   Rest!   Who has the time for that?  Resting won’t see that ‘to do list’ get any shorter.   In fact, it will get even longer as more stuff comes in to add to what didn’t get done while taking a rest.   So, there is just too much to do to be having a rest!

To be clear, I do not believe a word of what is written above.  It is, however, easy to get trapped into this way of thinking, when in truth the benefits of rest are huge and should not be ignored.  It gives the body a chance to heal and grow.   It provides peace and calm, reducing physical and mental stress.   It gives time to contemplate and think clearly, improving decision making and productivity.   And out of this can come creativity that otherwise is stifled as we rush desperately from one task to another without truly engaging with what we are doing.   Simply put, rest is of vital importance in our lives.

So please rest if you can.  Take whatever time you need, great or small to receive the gifts that rest can offer.   Sit, walk, read, doze, head out of doors or stay inside – maybe go on holiday.   Take some time and rest for a while.   After all, we all need it.

Time to dispel these myths

Myth 1.   Diet drinks are as bad for you as full-sugar versions.   Diet fizzy drinks don’t contain sugar, and are therefore better for preventing high blood sugar levels than the regular equivalent.   The sweeteners used in diet drinks are safe for consumption but in moderation and are far from being ‘health drinks’.   Water, including sparking, no-added-sugar squash and tea are better choices.

Myth 2.   Frozen vegetables are less nutritious than fresh.  Frozen vegetables are minimally processed, and are picked and frozen at peak ripeness, preserving their nutritional value.   In some cases, they may even retain nutrients better than fresh vegetables that have been transported and stored for long period of time.

Myth 3.  Orange juice is a UPF (ultra=-processed food) and it should be avoided.   100% orange juice is not a UPF and 150 ml counts as one of your 5 a day.   Having said this, fruit juice does lack some of the fiber found in the whole oranges, meaning it’s easy to over-consume.   Eating the whole fruit will keep you feeling fuller for longer, but 100% fresh fruit juice does not need to be avoided.