Take a nature break
Next time you're feeling flat, step out for five minutes of 'green activity' - that's all it takes to improve your mood and mental health. UK researchers studied the impact of outdoor activities such as walking, gardening and cycling, and found that the largest positive effect on moods came from just five minutes of 'green exercise'.
Make a citrus green tea
Proven to protect against everything from viral infections to cancer, strokes, heart disease and Alzheimer's, green tea is certainly a super brew. You can make it even healthier by adding a squeeze of lemon juice, as this allows up to five times more antioxidants to remain after digestion, say US experts.
Speed up your sex life
Forget marathon bedroom sessions: the optimal amount of time for satisfying sex is three to 13 minutes, according to a survey of sex therapists in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Make a habit of it and you'll enjoy health benefits that include lower blood pressure, better immunity, a reduced risk of heart disease and fewer pain symptoms.
Get into intervals
Even short bursts of exercise can make a difference to your
body, a Scottish study has found. Volunteers who did four 30-second sprints on a bike twice a week had improved insulin sensitivity and reduced blood sugar levels, showing that a few minutes of regular, high-intensity exercise
can help prevent type 2 diabetes.
Detox your desktop
Frequently washing your hands helps ward off winter colds and flu, but taking a few minutes to 'debug' your desk is also important. Studies show that the average desk has almost 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, so banish those bugs by wiping down your desk, keyboard and phone with
a disinfecting wipe once a week.
 | For more insights into fitness, health and beyond, check out the August issue of Good Health magazine — with free diet diary for every reader. Get a great subscription deal on Good Health magazine at magshop.co.nz.
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