F4L Blog
How important is our microbiome?
We know the average human being has about 20,000 genes sitting on 23 pairs of chromosomes. They make us into the unique individuals that we are. Surprisingly, however, we also have many freeloaders – various bacteria, fungi and viruses – within our body that contain...
Midnight Snack? Not So Fast
Late night snacks could be messing with your sleep
How Blue Light Impacts Your Sleep
Your body’s unique internal clock has an ideal circadian rhythm. Most people feel their best when their daily habits align with that rhythm. Unfortunately, certain choices or habits can disrupt it and impact your productivity and energy level. One of the most...
How to prevent stress becoming burnout
Research suggests that emotional intelligence (EI) supports superior coping abilities and helps people deal with chronic stress and prevent burnout. Stress and burnout are not the same thing. While we know that stress often leads to burnout, it's possible to handle...
The impact of alcohol on sleep
Having a glass of wine or a nightcap before bed is a common nighttime ritual. In fact, approximately 20% of the U.S. adult population drinks alcohol to help them fall asleep. As you sink into bed and doze off with that pleasant buzz of alcohol, it’s tempting to think...
The impact of caffeine on sleep!
Your 24-hour circadian rhythm is the primary factor that determines your sleep and wake cycle. Alongside your circadian rhythm is a complementary sleep pressure system in your brain. This system is especially susceptible to being disrupted by caffeine. If...
Habits not resolutions
It’s that time of year isn’t it, we start a new calendar year and make resolutions. I’ve learnt over time that resolutions don’t have a great success rate and it’s not until I heard and read more about the subject that I realised we are doing it all wrong.You see, a...
Why social media can be like a high sugar diet!!!
I listened to a podcast recently. The guest on the show was Gareth Southgate the current England football manager. He has made some serious inroads into improving the England team's culture and their results have shown this. A world cup semi final for the first time...
Resilience the word of 2020
There are other of course, "lockdown" would be befitting, perhaps "pandemic" is another appropriate word. But if we had to humanise the year then it's how we've reacted to it that sums it up for me - it's what's connected us all through this testing time. Mine is very...
Trouble Sleeping? Try Meditating
In search of better sleep? Consider meditation. Through decades of scientific study, researchers have found this ancient practice improves sleep.
With meditation, you can train your mind to more easily enter a relaxed state.