According to research, this is because we don’t just think in our heads but with our whole body. Especially our hands. Psychology has labelled this creative intelligence as ‘embodied cognition’.

It’s why handwriting rather than typing means you’re more likely to remember what you’ve written. And you’re likely to be more creative, have better problem solving and sharper critical thinking skills, when using paper and pen to make notes.

So, if you need to generate creative new ideas or solve a problem, then do something as you ponder – whether that’s working with wood or going for a stroll.

MINDFUL ACTIVITYBecoming absorbed in an activity simply for the pleasure of performing it rather than the outcome can be very calming. It’s a type of mindful meditation and unlike passive relaxation, like taking a bath or watching TV, you’re very much engaged in the process.

Schedule regular time for activities that allow your brain space to process your thoughts and experiences to give you a fresh perspective.

Maybe you lose yourself in baking, writing, dancing, tai chi, playing music, or singing. Everyone has their own way to find some head space. Discover your own personal formula. Remember it’s all about the process and not the outcome. Take time to savour the journey.

thinking? It’s not all in the mind!Have you noticed that you get your best ideas when your brain is taking some downtime or has slipped into ‘neutral’? A flash of inspiration might strike you in the shower, or when you’re walking or driving.

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You could immerse yourself in a creative project at home, but it can be more rewarding to share.

Men’s Sheds are a nationwide organisation where you can rediscover making and mending. Call 0300 772 9626

Contact the Crafts Council to find your local craft club on 020 7806 2500

Alternatively look up activities in your local community centre or start a club of your own!

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You may be surprised to discover that the humble activity of gardening could be one of the best ways to supercharge your health and wellbeing.

Grow your health

StrengthNatural movements such as digging, planting and sweeping strengthen your muscles in all directions. So put away the leaf blower and pick up a brush or rake. Secateurs give your hands a good workout and improve your grip strength, which is used as an indicator of ageing well. Use hedge clippers to strengthen your shoulders and arms.

Higher levels of physical activity from everyday activities like gardening or cleaning are also associated with more grey matter – a measure of brain health - in older adults.

MOBILITYBending and twisting when you’re weeding and planting can be a great way to build mobility. Remember to bend your knees rather than hanging forward from your hips which is tough on your spine, also make sure you keep support nearby if you need extra help getting up.

WARM UPYou might be keen to make the most of a spell of good weather, but it’s easy to underestimate quite how hard you’re working in the garden until you’re stiff and sore the next day. Rather than throw yourself straight into a full weekend in the garden on the first sunny day, pace yourself. Do light activities first to warm up and be realistic about what you can tackle in one go.

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Why not try joining a gardening club to share your experiences, learn new tips and techniques and visit inspirational gardens with like-minded friends.

Find your local gardening group at rhs.org.uk/communities/Find-a-group-search-form or call 020 3176 5800.

You could also become a ‘master composter’. Volunteer for your local council to provide expert guidance to new gardeners and promote the glories of composting to the local community. Find out more at gardenorganic.org.uk/master-composter-schemes or contact your local council for more information.

RELAXATIONIt’s not all hard work. Remember to make yourself a cuppa, pull up a chair and ‘stop and smell the roses’. Take a moment to soak up all the sights, sounds and smells as you relax.

Vitamin N (for nature)Spending time outdoors boosts your vitamin D levels, helping you to absorb calcium which strengthens your bones. Just being outside in natural surroundings can improve your mood. Research shows that getting fresh air reduces your levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, improves energy levels, and can improve memory and attention by 20%. You don’t need a huge garden or even your own outside space. It’s been shown that just caring for a single pot plant can improve mental wellbeing.

Gut healthThe microbes in your gut are vital for your overall health. Eating your own home grown organic food is good news for this tiny army of immune boosters, but did you know that just getting your hands dirty has the same effect by encouraging your gut microbes to flourish?

CommunityWhile it’s soothing to potter around the garden on your own, you can double up on health benefits by teaming up with others. Being part of a community has been shown to help you live longer, lower your chance of heart disease and reduce the risk of stress related illnesses.

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND BLOOD SUGAR

When you eat, the level of sugar in your blood increases. As a result your body releases insulin, a hormone that tells your cells to absorb glucose to rebalance your blood sugar levels.

If the food is easy and quick to break down into glucose, it has a high glycaemic index (GI) and your blood sugar level will increase rapidly. So, your body releases lots of insulin to deal with the sugar ‘spike’ causing your blood sugar level to fall quickly and ‘crash’. The crash can make you feel hungry and dizzy and reach for another sweet treat.

Continuous spiking and crashing of your blood sugar level eventually blunts your body’s response to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance which in time can develop into type 2 diabetes.

EFFECT OF INSULIN RESISTANCE ON YOUR HEALTH

1. Raises your blood pressure. Even if you’re not overweight

2. Raises the bad kind of cholesterol and increases your risk of a heart attack

3. Impairs your brain function and increases your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

4. Affects your mood and means you’re more likely to feel down

5. Reduces your energy levels and makes you feel lethargic

LOW GI MEAL IDEASChoose whole, unprocessed foods with a low glycaemic index. Vegetables, nuts, brown rice and oats provide your body with energy more steadily and fuel you for longer.

A little bit of what you fancy…?

HIGH GI

LOW GI

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Eating sugar feels good. But does it do you good?

GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT

It’s not just leaving out the lump of sugar in your tea. Food with a high GI includes chocolate, cakes, biscuits, sweets and drinks like cola and lemonade. Even some things that you consider to be healthy like fruit juice can cause your blood sugar levels to spike. And some savoury foods like bread, pasta and mashed potato have a high GI, because your body breaks them down quickly.

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LOW GI MEAL IDEASBreakfast

Natural, unsweetened yoghurt with fruitGranary or seeded toast with nut butterEggs with granary or seeded toast

Snacks

Handful of nuts and seedsFruitNatural yoghurt Hummus and oat cakes

Lunch

Salad with a protein such as chicken, tuna, salmon or eggs Homemade vegetable soup Dinner

Sardines on granary or seeded toast Vegetable omelette Baked potato with tuna or beans Vegetable stir-fry with brown rice Top Tip: Eat regularly Don’t wait until you’re feeling dizzy with hunger before eating. You’re far more likely to reach for sugary snacks.

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Get active

Dancing has been proven to improve brain function as you learn new steps and routines. Include walking, swimming or cycling to help get your brain into gear.

Eat smart

Try to include foods rich in omega 3 such as salmon, walnuts, sardines, flax seeds and mackerel in your diet and avoid sugary foods and drink that spike your blood sugar. Keep learning

Take up a new hobby or activity that flexes your brain-power like learning a musical instrument or a new language. Spice things up

Use rosemary, turmeric, sage and thyme to spice up your cooking and help keep your brain energised.

According to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation just doing regular physical exercise can reduce your risk of developing dementia by up to 50%

Stay connected

People who feel connected to a wider community of friends and family have a lower risk of dementia. Whether you love trains, gardening, woodwork or cooking there’s a group you can join to share your passion with like-minded people. Sleep well

Prioritise a good night’s sleep by keeping a regular bedtime with a gentle wind down routine. Manage stress

Discover your own personal recipe for relaxation. Whether its yoga, tai chi, meditation, a walk, a potter in the garden or a good book, make sure you find time in your day to pause and relax. Take it outside

Top up your vitamin D levels to keep your brain in tip top condition, whether you’re walking, gardening or even just relaxing outdoors.

Lower yourDementia RISKYou might assume that because you’re married or in a civil partnership, your other half would automatically be able to look after your affairs if you can’t. However, if you don’t have a Power of Attorney, the court would need to grant them permission which can take a long time and be expensive.

What is it? A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows someone else to make decisions for you.

What kinds of Power of Attorney are there?

An Ordinary Power of Attorney covers financial decisions while you have mental capacity. You could use this if you have to stay in hospital or if it’s difficult for you to get out and about.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney, which can be used if you don’t have the capacity to make decisions yourself, or if you decide that you don’t want to make your own decisions. One allows someone else to make decisions about your financial affairs such as selling property or paying bills. The other covers decisions about your health and your care like where you should live and your medical care.

While the terms and documents are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland, they allow similar powers for someone to make decisions on your behalf. Talk to your local Citizens Advice to find out more.

How do I get a Power of Attorney? A solicitor can set up a Power of Attorney for you, or you can contact your local Citizens Advice for help and advice.

You can request an application pack from the Office of the Public Guardian:

England and Wales: 0300 456 0300 Scotland: 01324 678 398 Northern Ireland: 028 9076 3000

How much does it cost?

You will need to register a Power of Attorney before you can use it which costs £82*.

*Costs correct at 15.3.18

Did you know that you can access specialist bereavement support through CABA’s new partnership with Cruse Bereavement Care? Grief is a natural process, but it can be devastating to cope with. Get in touch with us on 01788 556 366 if you would like to speak with a trained bereavement supporter.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

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Reci e Corner

Ingredients:

• 2 aubergines

• 4 small courgettes

• 2 red peppers

• 4 large tomatoes

• 4 tbsps olive oil

• 2 onions, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• ½ tsp sugar

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Small bunch basil, roughly torn

Method:1. Cut the aubergines into quarters lengthways, then cut the quarters into 2.5cm/1in slices. Cut the courgettes into 2.5cm/1in slices. De-seed the peppers and cut them into bite-sized pieces

2. Score a cross in the base of each tomato and place them in a heat proof bowl. Pour over enough boiling water to cover and set aside for one minute. Drain and set aside until cool enough to handle, then peel away the skins. Cut them into quarters, scoop out the seeds and discard. Roughly chop the flesh

3. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole dish and add the onions. Cook over a gentle heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and very tender. Add the aubergines and courgettes, increase the heat slightly and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the peppers, garlic, sugar, some salt and pepper and half the basil and mix well. Cover and cook over a very gentle heat for 20 minutes

4. Add the tomatoes to the pan and cook for a further 10 minutes. Scatter with the remaining basil and serve

RATATOUILLE Eating more vegetables can protect you from arthritis, stroke, heart disease and can even slow down your body’s ageing process. Here’s an easy way to pack extra vegetable vitality into your meals.

bbcgoodfood.com • Serves 4

PROVIDING LIFELONG SUPPORT TO PAST AND PRESENT ICAEW MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Call CABA +44 (0) 1788 556 366CABA 24 hour helpline 0800 107 6163 (UK only)Talk to us 24 hours a day caba.org.uk/letstalkEmail enquiries@caba.org.ukAll calls are strictly confidential

8 Mitchell Court Castle Mound Way Rugby Warks CV23 OUY UK

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Too much for one serving? Freeze in portions and puree the thawed ratatouille for a nutritious soup.

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