Three ways to give your mind and body a boost

MindLab themind-lab.com

DO YOU find yourself increasingly struggling to remember names and faces, or feeling constantly distracted and unable to stay focused? Or do you find it hard to sleep through the night, often tossing and turning with your mind wide awake?

A brain mapping session at the MindLab can provide insights into what's really happening in your brain.

Its founder, Santiago Brand, a sport and clinical psychologist says: "Brain mapping allows us to see which areas of the brain work fine, and which areas need fine tuning."

He has treated clients from as young as five years old to a 98-year-old client who came to see him to enhance her memory. Besides memory loss and insomnia, clients also consult him for depression and anxiety, and also to learn how to better handle stress. C-suite clients also come to him to see how they can be more focused and be better at their jobs.

A brain mapping session involves using specialised equipment including a cap with built in sensors to look a person's brain waves, or its electrical activity.

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The waves are then converted into 3D images which helps Mr Brand explain to clients why they may be feeling or thinking in a certain way.

This is followed by a psychophysiological stress profile by observing how factors such as heart rate and muscle tension can affect the brainwaves. Next up is a computerised cognitive test, where the client performs a series of tasks and games and Mr Brand is then able to analyse how the brain processes memory and other functions.

After getting an insight into the brain, every client gets a personalised brain training programme with biofeedback and neurofeedback, where clients are taught to self-regulate by using their own brain and body signals.

"As each person's brain is different, there is no one size fits all training approach," says Mr Brand.

Some of the training programmes include playing video games using the brain, and controlling feedback using brain waves. Mr Brand recommends training twice a week. A full assessment is done after every 20 to 30 sessions, and most clients see an improvement after three to six sessions.

"Think of this as a brain spa, where you can learn ways to optimise your brain for peak performance," says Mr Brand.

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape comoshambhala.com/singapore

There is no better time than now to take some time out for yourself to improve your mind, body and spirit.

Since it opened in 1997, COMO Shambhala has been helping many better their lives through practices that combine science with ancient healing, offering yoga, naturopathy and even coaching.

But if you are new to the brand, consider giving COMO Shambhala a call to see how they can help you.

Its Urban Escape wellness centre at Delfi Orchard recently reopened with a new look, that includes more private treatment rooms and a retail space.

While it is well-known for its yoga programme,facials and massages, the brand has also introduced new services.

These include osteopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, integral coaching, mindfulness and therapeutic arts and restorative sound healing therapy.

By having a variety of wellness professionals under one roof, who may at times tap on each other's expertise, clients can feel confident that they will always be well taken care of.

Under the current Phase 2 Heightened Alert restrictions, group classes are now conducted online, which means you can do yoga sessions, or participate in a gong bath session from the comfort of home. If you prefer one-on-one sessions for yoga, Pilates and mindfulness meditation, these will still be able to continue at the centre. Wellness consultations including counselling, integral coaching, naturopathy and nutrition, osteopathy, rolfing, TCM, youth coaching and body massages are also still available at the centre.

Enro Masks asia.enro.com

If you're on the hunt for a good reusable mask that you can wear especially during group exercises outdoors, which is easy to breathe in and won't slip off your face while moving around, consider the Enro range of masks.

Enro masks are made with a highly protective composite built-in filtration layer of PM0.1, which is said to be able to filter out 98.5 per cent of particles.

They are also made from an anti-microbial fabric that helps to prevent maskne.

The fabric used is 50 per cent lighter than other reusable masks so they are easier to breathe in.

The masks are made by global garment manufacturer TAL Apparel, who leveraged on its technical know-how to create Enro.

Roger Lee, its group CEO, says, "Unlike other reusable mask brands, we invested in our own research to provide data on filtration efficiency and breathability.

"We found that a 0.1 or 0.3 micron filter was necessary to block the virus, yet most reusable masks only have a 2.5 micron filter as they are designed to act only as a barrier to pollution."

Other plusses include a built-in nose bridge for better fit, and they are safe to be machine washed.

Enro masks are available in six sizes and in over 70 designs, so everyone can match their masks with their outfits.