Five Morning Coffee Break Adventures in Auckland
Make your morning recharge count.
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Whilst we're all a little guilty of slaving away at our desks and sometimes (more often than not) forgetting to take a coffee break, or even a lunch break, studies have shown that to increase productivity you need to take a break throughout the day.
Wondering why you hit that afternoon slump? Well, to increase optimum health – work life balance actually is a thing, and to be more productive, you need to take a break. Even just a 15 minute break around 10am once you've cleared through some of your emails and set yourself today's task list will be effective. Take the break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve.
PURCHASE A HEALTHY SNACK
Instead of reaching for a chocolate bar from the vendor machine, or a muffin from the table for the upcoming meeting, take a break and opt for a healthier choice. There are plenty of healthy cafes around Auckland, and The Raw Kitchen is one of them. With a range of mouth-wateringly good raw treats – including raspberry and coconut o-balls, ginger slices, cakes and smoothies - this health spot is not one to be missed.
GET OUT IN NATURE
We hope by now that you've all heard of the benefits of being outside in nature. Not only is it therapeutic and calming for the mind, it can actually make you happier. Take a quick walk around the block, or if you have a work phone call to make why not take it outside? If it requires note taking then bring your notepad and sit in the park. Walking has plenty of benefits including boosting circulation and increasing oxygen supply, helping you feel more alive. Being in nature will also give you a decent dose of Vitamin D, which can be easy to fall short in over the winter months.
MEDITATE
If you're feeling overwhelmed at work and on the verge of a breakdown then try meditation. Before you start thinking negative thoughts, i.e. I don't have time to sit there and do nothing! Just try it out. If you're still not convinced and need us to spell out the benefits for you then here we go…reduces stress, improves concentration, encourages a healthy lifestyle, increases self-awareness - recognising when you are reaching a point of anger, sadness and managing it before breaking point, increases happiness, slows aging (we can't say no to that!), benefits cardiovascular and immune health.
WORKOUT WITH THE NIKE TRAINING CLUB APP
If you haven't downloaded the Nike Training Club App aka NTC yet, then we highly recommend getting onto this now. The NTC app has so many variations of workout choices that can suit just you, from endurance through to strength and mobility, with workouts as short as 15 minutes there really is no excuse not to workout. A quick sweat session will provide a good mental break and get your adrenalin running high. If you don't want to get sweaty mid-morning then opt for a mobility session, this will lengthen and stretch out your muscles – much needed for a day spent at your desk.
CATCH UP ON A LOCAL PODCAST
Happiness makes the world go around so why not kick off your day with some serious lols. Local standup comedians Tim Batt and Guy Montgomery are anchors of the most downloaded podcast in New Zealand, well worthy of its title: The Worst Idea of All Time. In its third season, the series is based around the duo watching the same horrible film every week for the period of a year. Having already begrudgingly sat through Adam Sandler flop Grown Ups 2 and Sex and The City 2 a total of 52 times each - the pair are now treating themselves to Zac Efron EDM-romance, We Are Your Friends. Further recommendations include Walk Out Boys, where Nic Sampson and Joseph Moore attend and walk out of blockbuster films halfway.
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