It’s the new meditative practice that #girlbosses around the world are going crazy for. Meet sophrology, the quick, easy technique that helps unlock major zen – in just 10 minutes!
Laura’s day begins at 6am.
An hour after waking, she’ll be found behind her desk in her corner office at one of the big banks, where she’s a member of the senior team. Dressed in her designer suit, Laura spends the first hour trying to make sense of an overflowing inbox and mapping out her schedule for the next 14 hours at work. Then, at 8.25am, she gets a diary alert for a daily appointment that, while not work-related, she regards as non-negotiable. Each morning, Laura practises sophrology, a technique of ‘dynamic relaxation’ that works by combining breathing and meditation with movement.
Yeah, we know – a hack that attempts to dial down stress by working on your mind-body connection is nothing new. But sophrology is a bit different: the emphasis is on using small physical movements as a way of training your brain. We’re talking something tangible, such as the feeling of your finger on your forehead or the chill of air-con against an unshaven leg (no judgement). As with other forms of breath work, it comes down to your parasympathetic nervous system (or your ‘rest and digest’ mode). When you increase the supply of oxygen to your brain by breathing deeply, you slow down your heart rate. The theory goes, the resulting calm allows your mind to zoom out from distressing minutiae and gain perspective that can help you regain control and clarity.
High and mighty
Denne historien er fra January 2019-utgaven av Women's Health Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2019-utgaven av Women's Health Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Clean Up Your Digital Act
The realistic way to make over your relationship with tech
9 Biggest Lies In Wellness
Whether activating your glutes or your almonds, the struggle to decipher #fitspo fact from fiction is real. Between social media influencers, Reddit zealots and that pushy guy at the supplement store, some seriously ridiculous – and potentially dangerous – ideas have moved from fringe theory to health gospel. It doesn’t help that the booming wellness industry, worth an estimated $4.5 trillion, is difficult to regulate. So to help you navigate these heavily filtered waters, here are the new health virtues that shouldn’t be – and a few simple tactics you can use to actually improve your life.
Kate The Fighter
Actress Kate Beckinsale is stronger than ever thanks to a no B.S diet, near-daily workouts and a refreshingly optimistic outlook. (oh, and she’ll date whoever she wants, thank you very much)
Welcome to the land of Oat Milk & Manuka Honey
Nestled in the rural outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, lies the town of Serenbe: a revolutionary wellness utopia designed to keep its residents fit, thriving and happy – for life. Could it hold the cure for the maladies of urban living? Or should its promises be taken with a healthy pinch of Himalayan salt? Before the world went into lockdown, one zen-seeking writer made the journey to find out
Ride Big
Laura Enever walked away from her pro surfing career to conquer the big waves as a freesurfer. Here, she reveals why she followed her heart
OUR KINDA GIRL... Elle Ferguson
Take a scroll through Elle Ferguson’s Instagram and you’d be forgiven for thinking the mogul had it easy: an impressive following, a successful tanning product range, and better locks than a haircare commercial. What you won’t find on there are the sleepless nights, countless rejections and the time she spent relabelling bottles on her living room floor. Here, the 32-year-old talks backing yourself and the secret behind her beauty brand, Elle Effect.
If it's not a Hell Yeah, it's a NO!
Sure thing! No probs! Of course! Happy to help! The word ‘yes’ easily rolls off the tongue in a million agreeable ways. But what if we told you that, contrary to everything the world has taught you so far, saying yes isn’t actually the key to winning at life? In fact, it might just be holding you back.
How to Live to...120
Jennifer Aniston, J.Lo and Jane Fonda have nailed the art of defying time, but us mere mortals don’t have their kind of dough (or specialists). Instead, take a lesson in longevity from the “blue zones”, hot spots that are home to the planet’s longest-living populations.
The AI Revolution Is Coming: Here's How To Future -Proof Your Career
Robots are coming for your job. Not only yours, but another 20 million jobs around the world over the next 10 years. That’s how media outlets reported on the results of a 2019 paper released by global forecaster Oxford Economics. If you think that sounds rather dystopian, wait until your anxiety-fuelled googling brings up news headlines claiming it’s actually 800 million jobs – not a meagre 20 mill – that will be eliminated by robots by the time 2030 hits.
Where Have All The Drinkers Gone?
Teetotalism has become a badge of honour, the alcohol-free market is booming and mindfulness has ousted getting messy. But while millennials are showing up for sober club nights, the next generation has opted out of drinking culture entirely. WH finds out why...