Is it too soon to call it?
After all the promises of heatwaves and sunshine, we might have to just accept that summer 2021 has had its day. So, as we look towards the next imminently-approaching season, let’s do so with a renewed sense of vigour and focus – especially when it comes to our own wellness.
Luckily, we’ve just had our Wellness Week with Yakult, the little bottle on a mission to inspire happiness and wellbeing, to bring you some of the best (and surprising) information, simple top tips, and empowering stories to give you that wellbeing boost you might just need right about now. We spoke to doctors, broadcasters, gurus and influencers to get practical advice and inspiration to take those next steps to improve our lifestyles.
Check out some of our highlights below, and you can also catch all our talks on our IGTV too.
Wellness guru Rosie Underwood taught us an energising yoga routine that is the perfect way to start the day
No one wants to begin their day feelings sluggish and slow. Supercharge your morning routine with this gorgeous yoga session from the ever-inspiring Rosie Underwood. Not only will it get your body moving and your mind into action, it’s also only ten minutes – meaning you can easily work it into your morning.
“This vinyasa flow yoga will lift your spirits, elevate your mood, and help set you on an incline for the day,” says Rosie.
Dermatologist Dr Christina Soma taught us all about our microbiomes and their influence on our skin’s health
“It’s sometimes scary for people to think about but we actually play host to billions of fungus, mites, bacteria, and viruses,” says Dr Soma (yes, most definitely scary!). “We are basically a planet to all of these things, and all the different aspects of our bodies are like mountains, hills, and valleys to the variety of organisms that live on and in us. The gut has the greatest quantity of these organisms, followed by the skin. Collectively they are known as your microbiome.
"From the moment we’re born to the moment we die, we are constantly shifting in terms of the balance of organisms and our microbiome, and it’s the same with our guts. That balance can differ depending on factors like what you eat, where you live, what you do, how much you travel, diet, smoking, stress, and we’re still learning the ways all of this can impact your skin.
"When there’s an imbalance in our microbiome, it can affect our skin. Acne is an example of when your microbiome is out of sync, as is rosacea and dandruff.
"There is evidence that certain types of foods can cause acne to flare up. . So, if you feel there are foods which trigger your acne flairs, the best thing is to cut one thing out at a time and see what makes a difference, and then reintroduce it slowly. It’s not going to be the same for everyone. There’s no point in making your diet so restrictive if it doesn’t make a difference for you."
Dr Megan Rossi, the Gut Doctor, taught us why it’s so important to look after your gut health with help from the Super Six
There are three main reasons to care for your gut health according to Dr Megan Rossi.
Number One: Digestion
“No matter how healthy the food is that we put into our bodies, if we don’t have good gut health and a strong gut lining, we’re not able to extract that nutrition from our food and put it into our blood to feed things like our hair and our skin,” says Dr Rossi.
Number Two: Immune Health
“70% of our immune systems lives along our nine-metre digestive tract. People who have better gut health also have stronger immune systems.
Number Three: Game-Changing Bacteria
“We contain literally trillions of bacteria along that tract, and it’s these bacteria that are game-changers. They produce different hormones and vitamins and do things like communicate with our brain and our skin and our health and pretty much every organ in the human body. So, we really need to nourish this inner community of bacteria.
The Super Six
“One thing we need to keep in mind is what our gut bacteria’s favourite foods are. The more diverse, the better. There are six categories, and I call them the Super Six:
1 Wholegrain, like quinoa and sourdough
2 Veggies
3 Fruits
4 Legumes, like chickpeas and lentils
5 Nuts and seeds
6 Herbs and spices
“Try to get as many of those Super Six into your diet every week, and if you’re looking for a target, I’m looking for 30 different types,” recommends Dr Rossi.
Broadcaster Clara Amfo talked to us about Imposter Syndrome and shared the helpful advice that she always tries to remember whenever she doubts herself
“We’re all born like these blank canvases – this is what I believe anyway – and you’re born with all this hope in your heart and ambition and courage,” says radio presenter Clara Amfo in her distinctive London accent and slightly scratchy tone. “And then the world happens to you.
“Whatever walk of life you’re born into, there are things that knock your confidence that make you think, ‘oh maybe I shouldn’t be here’. I have found from my personal experience and from speaking to my mates, it’s not like you started out doubting yourself – the world makes you doubt yourself.
“It’s quite a layered thing this Imposter Syndrome. I have moments where I think, ‘should I even be here?’, but in the last 18 months, with lockdown, we’ve all had to reevaluate our lives and where we’re at. We’re having to think, ‘what do I really want and how much longer can I keep telling myself that maybe I shouldn’t be somewhere?’
“A good mate of mine gave me simple advice and he said, ‘if you’re not going to do it, then someone else will.’ No one is going to be you but you. You’re there for a reason so you may as well just do it.”
Writer and influencer Katherine Ormerod spoke to us about creating a space at home that helps you to focus and work
For many of us now, working from home is the norm, but after more than a year and a half, we still might not have cracked how to make a workspace that works best for us. And don’t worry – writer and influencer Katherine Ormerod totally understands.
“When it comes to working from home, I would love to say create your perfect workspace, but I don’t think that’s realistic for the way that most of us work.
“Some mornings you wake up and maybe you’re exhausted from the night before or you can’t be bothered to put on a full face of make-up and an outfit, and you’re quite comfortable in bed writing or working and it just comes out. Other days, you have to go and have a shower, put an outfit on, and sit on a proper chair.
“For me, it’s about sitting in a space that’s right for that moment. Some days I need to light a candle and create some ambiance. Other days, it just doesn’t matter and I’m in the zone and I could work anywhere. But sometimes you need to bring those props into a space to encourage you to get into the zone and find what works for you.”
Feeling inspired to focus on your wellness? How would you like to give your wellbeing a really big boost and win an incredible luxury spa package, all thanks to Yakult?
Enter below for a chance to win!