My top picks for this month
This month I’m sharing a practical technique to help you achieve your goals, the top foods to help with hay fever and my favourite podcast of the month. I would love to hear what you think and if there’s something you would like to recommend– do hit reply and let me know!
A technique I’m loving to help you achieve your goals
A study conducted by Dr. Blaslotto at the University of Chicago, found that when we visualise achieving something we are more likely to actually accomplish what we set out to achieve. This study asked one group of basketball players to practise taking shots at the hoop for 20 minutes a day, another group to do nothing and the third group, to imagine taking shots.
Those who did nothing did not improve. Those who practised or imagined practising improved at the same level! This is because the neurons (nerve cells) in our brain, interpret imagery in the same way they would if actually performing the action. We could all use this trick to help us to achieve what we are setting out to do.
My pick of the foods to help with hay fever symptoms
Some foods have anti-histamine properties and disrupt or block histamine receptors, helping to reduce allergy symptoms. These include foods that contain the plant chemicals quercetin and beta carotene, and those high in vitamin C:
Quercetin containing foods: Onions, garlic, goji berries, asparagus, all berry fruits, apples, kale, okra, peppers, plums and red grapes.
Beta carotene containing foods: Sweet potato, carrots, butternut squash, red and yellow peppers, apricots, peas, broccoli, dark leafy greens like kale, and romaine lettuce.
Vitamin C containing foods: Blackcurrants, blueberries, peppers, kale, collard leaves, broccoli, kiwis, mango, courgettes, and cauliflower.
Local honey also may be helpful because although it contains trace elements of pollen, over time it may help your body become more familiar with the pollen entering your system and reduce the inflammatory response it makes.
A Podcast I’m loving
This I Weigh podcast by Jameela Jamil is a firm favourite of mine. Jameela ends each podcast by asking her guests ‘What do you weigh?’ She isn’t meaning the number on the scales but instead invites them to recognise their worth, what they are proud of and have achieved.
This episode was recorded with Reese Witherspoon back in April 2020. Warning- there is some swearing, and it does get a little bit cheeky, so not for little ears or for you if you consider yourself to be on the prudish side!
I was initially drawn to this podcast as I often ask my clients to brainstorm the things that they value most about themselves – Its particularly common for the women I work with to struggle with poor body image and low self-esteem. This exercise can be extremely powerful if practiced regularly