Reinvent yourself

As we get back into the swing of work, we start feeling the need to clear away, sort out and start afresh. And we're not just talking about the kitchen cupboards or summer detox programmes. Think of something you've always wanted to do: maybe it's a photography course, or learning how to play the clarinet, or doing an MBA.

Mastering a technique or sharpening a skill proves anything's possible; and having a class to attend or a hobby to do forces us to take time for ourselves. It allows us to be alone, or to mix with people other than the usual crowd; and forces us to concentrate on something other than the day's same old stressors for a while. And this of course, has all kinds of spin-offs for your health.

Stress buster
In Health and Happiness (Tafelberg), Dr Arien van der Merwe, a member of Shape's advisory board, explains how balancing the right and left sides of the brain improves our ability to manage stress. According to Van der Merwe, we tend to emphasise the left brain (which is responsible for our analytical, rational and logical thinking abilities) in our daily routines; but don't pay enough attention to the right brain, which controls emotions, intuition, creativity and music appreciation abilities. This causes an imbalance, which hampers our ability to effectively deal with stress.

"Make time every day for right brain activities," suggests Van der Merwe. Things like gardening, listening to music, sewing, reading poetry, painting or knitting. It's got nothing to do with how good you are at these activities, and everything to do with enjoyment.

Keeps you young
Oestrogen levels, which assist brain function, fall during menopause. This implies a decrease in brain power, which is why it's important to keep doing things that keep the intellect alive. According to Dr Geraldine Mitton, founder of Youthful Aging (an organisation specialising in anti-ageing health promotion) and also a member of Shape's advisory board, research shows that nerve cells are capable of forming new connection networks throughout life. So as long as the brain is kept stimulated and healthy, it should continue to function normally for as long as we live.

It's cheaper than therapy
And may be just as effective. According to Dr Andrew Weil, in his journal, Self Healing, creating art (which can be anything from candlewicking to cooking) not only reduces stress, but also allows you to get in touch with your feelings and enhance emotional wellbeing overall. In one study, postsurgery patients in Sweden who regularly saw a painting of calm water and trees, exhibited less anxiety and required fewer strong pain drugs than patients who saw no art.

Research also shows that music triggers the release of endorphins (the same effect as exercise, but without the sweat), which reduce levels of stress hormones and can even boost immune function. The most well-researched art therapy, music therapy, has been used to treat stroke patients and Parkinson's sufferers, to ease anxiety in heart attack patients, reduce postsurgical complications, help manage chronic pain and enhance memory in Alzheimer's patients.

What to do?
Think of a right-brain activity you'd really enjoy and start finding out today about what you need to do to make it happen. In case you're stuck for ideas, we've put together Shape's favourite-things-to-enhance-yourself list.