
Exercise improves Sleep Quality
A number of clients expressed this week that they sleep much more soundly on exercise days. It made sense, work more physically and the body needs to recover more deeply. There are plenty of articles on this subject. They generally say the same thing. Importantly, don't exercise too soon to bed time. Supplements such as magnesium also can help calm the central nervous system and relax muscles for better sleep. US National Sleep Foundation People sleep significantly better and

Practice v Training
These two words are often interchanged and get used for similar purposes. However I think we should recognise there is a difference between training and practice. Practice is repeating something you know. Practice will hone your skills and make the the execution of those skills immediate and seamless. Training is more the learning and development of skills yet learned. Taking your current skills beyond their existing limits. Training will add to your practice needs, by creati

Creating Muscle Memory
Muscle Memory is a term used to describe how we seem to perform tasks better after previously practicing those tasks. This may be simply warming up, which prepares the Central Nervous System for what's to come. Often it is creating a quicker response to a given stimulus. Every time we repeat or learn a behaviour our body notices. Chemical reactions take place to ensure consistently repeated behaviours occur more quickly and efficiently each time they are performed. This chemi

The Magic of Smiling
Research over the years has shown that smiling improves mood. Even forced smiling! In my household, we have a saying "give me ten", whenever someone is stressed or in a bad mood. And unlike its military cousin we are not talking push ups....although that might be a good topic for another blog. The act of smiling activates the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress . Neuropeptides are tiny molecules that allow neurons to communicate. They facilitate mes