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5 ways to recover from travel fatigue
You must have probably heard of jet lag, a physiological condition that occurs after long-haul flights, usually when traveling east. Jet lag is caused by the de-synchronization of our body clock (or our circadian rhythm, to use the medical term). Symptoms may include sleep disturbance, reduced concentration, irritability, headaches, problems with digestion, and fatigue. Perhaps the term ‘travel fatigue’ is not as familiar; yet, you may be more likely to experience this less specific concept. Travel fatigue can, of course, occur after long-haul flights; however, it can also follow a short-haul one, or a long train or car journey. It can essentially occur during or after any journey or holiday,…
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10 tips to beat those post-holiday blues
The summer has now officially come to an end, and for most of us the holidays are over. Every time I return home (and back to work) from holidays (no matter how short or long), my mood and energy levels take a dip. Here are 10 tips that help me lift up my mood, beat those post-holiday blues, and get back on track as soon as possible: Tip 1: Routines and structure As a Psychiatrist, I cannot overemphasize the importance of having routines and a structure to one’s life. For this reason, I always encourage people to have routines and a structure to their days and weeks. Routines and…
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Sweden: Behind the myth of the lagom utopia
Sweden is considered one of the most progressive and liberal countries in the world. It is considered one of the happiest. A number of reports, statistics and lists support this. Sweden tops the lists of the most progressive countries According to the Freedom in the World 2017 report, the Freedom House’s annual report on political rights and civil liberties, Sweden received the maximum score and topped the list. When MoveHub compiled a list of the most liberal countries, Sweden ranked 3rd. This list was based on data from three sources: the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2016, the 2016 Social Progress Index report and Yale’s…
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Kefir smoothies: easy-to-make, nutritious & delicious
I was first introduced to kefir a few years ago, while on holidays in Greece. This fermented milk drink is not only rich in nutrients, such as protein, calcium and vitamins, but it also contains probiotics. These live micro-organisms (bacteria and yeasts), often described as ‘good’ or ‘friendly’ bacteria, can have various health benefits. For example, they may help sufferers with indigestion, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and (rather surprisingly) lactose intolerance. Since kefir has recently become widely available in the UK, I’ve started using it in my recipes as a substitute for yogurt or even milk. Inspired by the fresh fruit I had whilst island-hopping in the Cyclades…
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Watermelon & Feta: Mykonos-inspired recipes
In Greece, the flavor combination of watermelon with feta cheese has always been there, so it would hardly be considered a ‘best-kept secret’. One of my childhood memories is my grandmother’s idea of an afternoon snack: a slice of watermelon served with some feta cheese. As a child, however, I never liked the latter, so I would always eat just the watermelon (and leave the feta on the plate). I had my first taste of a watermelon and feta salad a few years ago, when I visited the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos and had dinner at the restaurant ‘Lucky Fish’. It simply tasted of summer. The sweetness of the…