1. If you find you’re often stressed, or suffering from insomnia, try a little acupressure to help calm you down. The spot directly between your eyebrows is called the “yintang”, and promotes relaxation. Press lightly to begin with, then gradually increase the pressure and length of time you’re pressing for. This helps your energy or “chi” flow more easily, and can also trigger the release of endorphins, which are the same chemicals produced by exercising.

2. File this under “it’s worth a try”. Green tea is known to be great because of the antioxidants it contains, but it’s also been credited with assisting weight loss. Studies have shown that if you replace your morning cup of coffee with green tea, you can lose five kilos in eight weeks. While the article I read on this doesn’t say where those studies came from, I think I might undergo this test, and see what happens. Stay tuned to hear the progress!

3. As the weather gets warmer, more delicious fruit is on offer. If you’re like me and tend to struggle to use it all up, here’s a great way to do it, that any children in your house will love. Grab a combination of whatever fruit you have available - strawberries, mango, banana (if you’re feeling wealthy!), pineapple - anything you like. Remove any peel or seeds, and throw it into a blender or food processor. Add some low fat yoghurt if you want to make it creamy, and whizz it ’til it’s all nice and smooth. Pour it into paper cups and put an icecream stick in the middle. If you’re really organised and have those real icypole moulds, use those instead.

Freeze them, then pull them out of the freezer next time you need a sweet mid morning snack. Have a cup of green tea as well and feel super virtuous!

4. Something a little esoteric: over the next week, take time to savour the moment at least once. When you’re eating, take the time to appreciate what you’re doing. Turn off the tv, put down the magazine, savour the smells and the taste of the food. This works with anything, gardening, walking, even ironing and washing up. Take pleasure in achievement of completing something that seems mundane, and enjoy the time it takes to do the chore. You’re probably thinking “sure Emma, appreciate washing up”, but I’m using the best red grapefruit scented dishwashing goo, and it smells fantastic, and watching those dishes go from dirty to clean is disturbingly pleasurable. And yes, I need to get out more!

5. This week’s yoga pose - Viparita Karani, or Extended Legs Pose

Very simple, but extremely relaxing pose, and easy to do anywhere you have access to a wall.

Put your bottom as close to the wall as you can. You might like to have a pillow positioned near your head for extra comfort. Slowly bring your legs up until they’re straight, and resting completely against the wall. Let your body relax, and focus on breathing. You can stay here as long as you like.
Legs up the Wall, A
When you want to come down, bend your knees first, then slowly roll over to the side, bringing your legs to the floor. Don’t try to stand up straight away, sit for a couple of moments and let your body get used to being upright again.
Legs up the Wall, B

Please note, because this pose is a partial inversion, it should not be performed by anyone with high blood pressure or glaucoma. If you are more than sixteen weeks pregnant, you should avoid lying on your back for long periods of time during exercise.