LiveWELL

Silly season is officially under way, and after the past year (or two!) of uncertainty and stress, we are more than ready to let our hair down!

There’s a wealth of scientific research on the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise. The advantages of the right type of movement can endure throughout pregnancy, as well as help to prepare your body for all types of birth, and bolster baby’s development to boot.

 

In this stressful time of global pandemic, most of us have experienced some degree of fear and anxiety thanks to the overwhelming uncertainty and insecurity that COVID-19 has evoked in us. It is scientifically proven that fear and anxiety counteract healthy resilience and, when prolonged, will undermine the immune system. They are lethal emotions that can contribute to heart attacks, strokes and stomach ulcers, to name just a few anxiety-related health issues. It is blatantly clear that an impaired immune system can place us in great danger during a disease outbreak such as this, as the evidence irrefutably points to immuno-compromised and elderly people as the most vulnerable demographic. The fear of the virus has led to an unprecedented, prolonged global lockdown that has subsequently resulted in secondary anxiety responses that only serve to further impact our immune systems. Anxieties of isolation, deprivation, loss, uncertainty, fake news and insecurity are all around us, but we cannot allow fear and stress to further weaken our immune systems.

 

While living through the COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly emotionally and mentally draining, the crisis has also presented us with a few positive opportunities. Lockdown restrictions have afforded many of us a lot more spare time, and the best thing we can do with this is invest it in our wellbeing. Meditation, online courses, mindfulness and self-reflection are all fantastic and worthy practices. However, I argue that the best place to start is with your physical health. When you are taking care of your body, everything else seems to fall into place. And while you may not be able to train at your local gym right now, there’s a lot that you can do at home.

 

Rooibos tea is a beloved pantry staple across the globe, but its roots are firmly planted in South Africa. A cup of this spectacular brew tastes beautiful, and boasts a long list of health benefits!

 

“Breath is the link between mind and body.” - Dan Brulé

Breathwork has been around for hundreds of years. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written some 2500 years ago, the practice of breath control or breath therapy is termed pranayama, and it is one of eight ‘limbs’ of Ashtanga or Classical Yoga.

 

Vitamin C and zinc quickly became the supplements of choice when COVID-19 hit, and considering that the virus will be sticking around for a while, this might be a trend with some longevity. In times of uncertainty, we look to the things that we can control, which means going for all the vitamins, minerals and supplements we know will help to support our bodies and immune systems. While these will assist in taking care of your wellbeing, there’s an even more basic, tried-and-tested immune booster that tops any fancy supplement or superfood. It also happens to be totally free, and in unlimited supply...

 

The majority of your body’s immune cells are located in your gut, which is why a happy tummy is essential for a strong immune system. One of the best ways to keep your digestive system fit and fabulous is with fermented foods and drinks. These products are packed with probiotics, enzymes and yeasts, all of which can help to support the growth of good gut bacteria so that we can properly digest and absorb the nutrients that we need.

 

Functional Health and Wellness Coach Nikki Temkin shares tips and advice for how you can support your immune system by focusing on four key aspects: supplementation, nutrition, stress management and sleep.

 

As we race between work, errands, social commitments, workouts and the endless ups and downs of life, our bodies are engaged in an endless battle with the outside world. And oh, baby, baby, it’s a wild world. Our hair, skin and nails are subjected to some pretty rough wear and tear, and it’s important to show them some love every once in a while. Not only will you be protecting and preserving their wellbeing, you will also find that the mental, emotional and physical benefits of regular self-care can be life-changing. 

A clean and hygienic living environment is essential for good health, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, many of the cleaning products on the market are packed with harsh and potentially harmful ingredients. What’s more, the production process can often negatively impact the environment due to the pollutants that are pumped into the air, as well as the chemical run-offs. And while most of us know that conventional cleaning products have some serious drawbacks, we still reach for them because it seems logical that strong, chemical-based products will be the most effective in clearing out dirt and germs. However, there are actually tons of gentle and effective earth-friendly products, DIY solutions and tricks that you can rely on to keep your home a haven of health and happiness! 

 

Our National Training Manager Sonja Hindley gives us an insight into the powerful plants of our indigenous soils, and lists some of her favourite winter supplements...

Medicinal plants have been our allies for centuries, and numerous cultures still rely on indigenous plants for their primary health care needs. There has been a major resurgence of interest in the benefits of traditional medicine, and we are starting to tap into the powerful history of indigenous wisdom in South Africa. While scanning our shelves, you may have noticed African potato, aloe ferox, rooibos, buchu, devil’s claw and sceletium – these are all beautiful, healing plants from African and South African soil.

While we stock a wide variety of super supplements, my current favourites for winter immune support are:

Sutherlandia

Sutherlandia is a traditional African herbal supplement that was first used by the Khoi and Nama people as a multipurpose adaptogen. Because of its adaptability, sutherlandia has several vernacular names which reference its ethnomedicinal significance. These include “phetola” which means “it changes” in Setswana, referring to the plant’s ability to change the course of (i.e. remedy) a multitude of illnesses.

You can use sutherlandia in a tincture, or try out the Wellness Herbal Sutherlandia Tea with added peppermint and ginger for maximum immune support.

Pelargonium 

Pelargonium sidoides, also known as the black geranium or Cape pelargonium, is a plant that has long been used in South African traditional medicine. Pelargonium is bacterio-static, meaning that it inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria, and it may be used to assist with the treatment of acute and chronic upper respiratory tract infections (coughs, colds, ear, nose and throat ailments). 

Trying using a pelargonium tincture, such as the Wellness Pelargonium Oral Drops, at the onset of infection to assist in treatment.

Baobab

The baobab tree is known as the tree of life, and with good reason – for centuries it has provided animal and human inhabitants of the African savannahs with shelter, clothing, cordage, medicine, food, and water. It is a powerful antioxidant superfood thanks to its high vitamin C levels, as well as it’s impressive mineral content which includes calcium, magnesium and potassium. The prebiotic fibre in baobab feeds beneficial gut bacteria to keep the health of your gastrointestinal and immune systems humming. 

For an easy baobab boost, grab some Wellness Raw Baobab Powder to add into your smoothies, oatmeal, breakfast bowls, soups and stews, or try out this warm and wonderful baobab hot toddy!

 

“The mother is the key of all keys. It is through her that a new world will be born. Failure to support mothers with all of our love, strength, and wisdom is the failure of culture itself.” 

– Womb Awakening: Initiatory Wisdom for the Creatrix of All Life by Azra Bertrand, M.D. & Seren Bertrand

 

Indoor plants are the best way to bring nature into the home. But when thinking about which plant to choose, do you consider whether it’s indigenous, and how and where it was grown? This article will explore the best indigenous plants to include in each area of your home, the benefits and uses of each, and why we should be asking for organically grown when looking to green our spaces. 

 

One of our top priorities at Wellness Warehouse is to do our part in uplifting our community so that we can all live #WELLTogether. As we have struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, there has been a beautiful outpouring of support, love and appreciation for our healthcare workers, who are selflessly and courageously putting their lives on the line to protect the weak and vulnerable. But there is another class of hero that is not celebrated nearly enough – the frontline fighters in all other industries.

Store cashiers, cleaners, pharmacists, security guards, civil servants, and a host of other essential workers have continued to perform their duties in this time of crisis so that we may get the goods and services that we need. Along with their own personal, familial and financial responsibilities, these exceptional individuals carry the responsibility of ensuring that society continues to function during and after the coronavirus crisis. In addition, these workers face an increased risk of infection and illness as they continue to battle the outside world while the majority of us stay safe and healthy inside our homes.

Something has to be done, and we are the ones to do it.

Although lockdown may keep us apart, we are all in this together. We are being called to support and protect the bravest and most vulnerable among us so that we may rise from this with strength and unity and live #WELLTogether.

And so, as part of our continued efforts to support our unsung heroes, we are running a donation drive to supply frontline workers with face masks and hand sanitiser. All you have to do is purchase a protective face mask from us at cost (either online or in store), and we will add hand sanitiser and donate these items to a frontline fighter on your behalf.

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TODAY!

PS Know of any worthy organisations that we could add to our weekly distribution list? Let us know on our Facebook and Instagram pages!

You were built to be strong, confident and vital. You were designed to build empires, carve roads through mountains, cross oceans, and even walk on the moon. These are great things that great men have done, and while the specific examples may not seem applicable to you in the here and now, know that we all have what it takes to accomplish similar feats. 

 

Back in 1947, Soviet scientist Dr Nikolai Vasilyevich Lazarev was researching natural ways to increase the body’s vitality, longevity and resilience. He found that certain plants seemed to reduce cortisol levels, increase energy, enhance concentration, stabilise blood pressure, and strengthen the immune system. The end result? A body that is more resilient and can more easily adapt to stress. This adaptability lends adaptogens their name, although some sources claim that it comes from their ability to adapt to your body’s needs and provide whatever support may be necessary.

 

From CBD supplements and ambient home touches to natural beauty and free-from foods, our magazine editor reviews this season’s must-have products.

You’ve no doubt read or heard something about meditation as the secret sauce to a happier, healthier and more productive life. If this simple and free practice really does enable us to tap into the golden luminous nature of existence that doesn’t sweat the small stuff… why aren’t more of us doing it?

As adults, we can postulate about the effects of social media on the younger generation. We may feel concern about our children’s engagement with the platforms, or even wonder what life would have been like if we had grown up in a world captured on – and largely dictated to by – Instagram, Facebook (although already outdated), Twitter and Snapchat.

But how accurate are we in our assumptions of the toll the technology is really taking on the youngsters of today? We ask 17-year-old Tayla de Bruyn to enlighten us.

“Growth is one of the stupidest purposes ever invented by any culture,” commented systems thinker Donella Meadows at a 1994 sustainability conference in Costa Rica. “The only reason it can be sold so easily in every policy arena is because there is no alternative vision on offer,” she continues. “We’ve got to have enough.”

More and more people are starting to explore a plant-based diet, whether for health, ethical or environmental reasons. The Economist even labelled 2019 ‘The Year of the Vegan’, marking the lifestyle’s firm entrenchment in the mainstream.

“Refuse what you do not need, reduce what you do need, reuse what you consume, recycle what you cannot refuse, and compost the rest.”

– Bea Johnson (Author of “Zero Waste Home”)

Transform your home into an eco-haven and decrease your carbon footprint with our handy A to Z guide.

A diet lacking in key nutrients can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, some of which are more common than others. These are your body’s way of communicating potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and recognising them can help you adjust your diet and lifestyle accordingly.

Commonly known as CBD, cannabidiol was discovered in the 1940s. It’s one of the 113 known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant and constitutes up to 40% of its extract.

In 2008, thousands of diseased, starving, injured, neglected and abused animals lived and died in Khayelitsha. Tamsin Nel, Founder and Director of the SA Mass Animal Sterilisation Trust(SA MAST), joined forces with a small team to vow that this would not be allowed to continue.

Most of us use a wide range of soaps, scents, softeners and scourers in our homes, relying on the chemicals that foam, bleach and disinfect to keep our countertops germ-free and our dishes gleaming. But many of these sweet-smelling solutions also contribute to indoor air pollution, are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched. 

The body’s great ally and defence, a well-functioning immune system is the primary mechanism required for optimal healing.

We asked a personal trainer and motivational speaker how to make exercise truly enjoyable.

There are times when life can feel like a race against the clock, with a seemingly endless list of responsibilities to fulfill. While the prospect of making changes to your diet may seem overwhelming, if you don’t have time to eat well, you could waste even more time feeling unwell. The good news is that there are a few simple habits you can adopt to make cooking and eating for optimal wellbeing an easily ritualised part of your day and life. Here are some of our favourites…

 

Every human and non-human animal experiences stress as a basic functional or survival requirement and instinct. It’s a natural and normal part of life, and can’t be avoided. Stress expert Bridget Edwards shares the typical effects of and responses to daily stressors, and offers some of her top tips for combatting the widespread challenge in daily life. 

Our CEO tries the newly-opened Soza Health at Wellness Warehouse Benmore Gardens.

Conventional sports supplements can contain artificial ingredients and unhealthy fillers, without any scientifically backed actives. Switch to cleaner supplementation with natural strength and endurance boosters.

Follow our simple tips to create an eco-friendly home and save money and the environment…

 

For #WorldWaterDay on 22 March, Humane Society International/Africa is urging consumers to Eat Green to help combat the significant contribution to water scarcity across Africa and the world from eating too much meat. Water security is one of the biggest challenges facing the world, and with South Africa facing one of the worst droughts to hit the region in decades, World Water Day is the ideal opportunity to tackle one of the biggest causes of water usage – meat, dairy and egg production.

Expresso and Smile 90.4 FM presenter, model and fitness enthusiast Ewan Strydom shares his thoughts on living life well.

As 2018 draws to a close and we prepare for the festive break, we're presented with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year that's been. 

Harvard- and MIT-Educated Physician-Scientist and New York Times bestselling author of TheHormone Reset Dietand Younger, Dr Sara Gottfried visited South Africa to partner with Metagenics in presenting A Women's Health Seminar at the end of October 2018. 

Imagine discovering the art of being authentically You.

Pasella presenter, motivational speaker and health and fitness enthusiast Mishka Patel shares her thoughts on living life well.

The real cause of the stress in our lives is not our perceived problems, but our mind's incessant commentary about them. Why is this mental chatter so pervasive, and how do we learn to let go of it?

Shop our in-store fresh offering to stock your fridge with organic, small-batch and other speciality health foods. Here's a taster of what you'll find...