6 unique ways to create a holiday mind-set without leaving your home

December 11, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… Including you.”

– Anne Lamott

If you asked me what fuels my soul and brings me to my happy place – it’s travel. It isn’t just about arriving at the destination but everything that comes before it. The planning, the research and getting immersed in the culture. In the beginning of 2020, my husband and I had a very exciting trip planned to Italy in June to celebrate a cousin’s wedding in Florence. The kids were going to stay with their granny for the week; any parents reading this – you can understand the added bonus! I was dreaming about cooking courses, writing in Italian coffee shops on cobble stone pavements – you get the picture!

Changing the paradigm to flourish

October 30, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Ashika Pillay

I have written previously about stress and there’s a lot that is known about what causes it, how we sense it in our bodies and that chronic stress can lead to downstream chronic disease and poor health. However, how do we shift the paradigm rather from managing stress, to optimizing wellbeing - so we can be healthier, live longer more fulfilling lives, perform at our best, have wholesome family and social relationships that support us, make a difference in the world and in this way - become true leaders - of ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Sofia Pedrosa, an entrepreneur developing special tea blends for health conscious consumers in Mozambique

September 25, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Sofia Pedrosa, co-founder of  Mokcha (Mozambique) — Sofia Pedrosa, co-founder of Mokcha (Mozambique)

Startup Story

As the world becomes increasingly health conscious, so consumers are constantly on the look-out for products that will contribute to their sustainable lifestyle. In Mozambique, entrepreneur and nutritionist Sofia Pedrosa, co-founder of Mokcha, is introducing consumers to soothing and relaxing teas and natural infusions that aid health and wellbeing.

Kathy de Araújo, a Mozambican entrepreneur with a passion for personal development and self knowledge

September 20, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kathy de Araújo, co-founder of Fluir - Centro de Desenvolvimento Pessoal (Mozambique)

Startup Story

For all those people in Mozambique who want to develop and improve their quality of life and find greater harmony with their communities and the environment in which they live, help is at hand. Fluir - Centro de Desenvolvimento Pessoal, co-founded by coach Kathy de Araújo and yoga instructor Adriana Jamisse, offers a holistic approach through yoga and coaching workshops, and positively changing lives.

Can movement be your medicine?

September 6, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Ashika Pillay

It’s a well-known fact that exercise changes the body and improves physical health. It makes us look better, and when we look better, we feel better. You may have also heard of “runners high” the common understanding that the body releases natural “feel good” endorphins after a run or workout. However, what do we know about its impact on the brain, on performance, mood, and focus? Is there even such a thing?

Are you keeping fit in all aspects of your life?

August 18, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Ashika Pillay

Most of us are in some way pre-occupied, occupied, or think often about physical fitness, exercise, keeping fit, eating well (even though we may not really..). The physical side of fitness, strength, vitality, and resources - yes? Have you ever wondered if you are looking at, and working on the other aspects of your life with respect to building strength and vitality? What about the mental, emotional, spiritual dimensions as an example?

How to Boost Your Motivation

August 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Kathy Mann, Author & Speaker

It’s not easy to maintain self-control, especially when things are difficult. Personally, I’ve found life very difficult over the past few months with the pandemic, lockdown and load shedding in South Africa. I’ve noticed that many people have abandoned their diets and have had difficulty staying focussed on their business objectives. So how can we keep motivated and working towards our goals?

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Marpemed launches its new Online Health Store

August 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

Marpemed is a South African health and medical solutions company founded by Hlengiwe Moepe, and specializing in Health and Wellness, Employee Wellness, Digital Healthcare Services and Medical Supplies. The company has launched its new Online Health Store, focusing on providing clients with the best natural supplements, remedies and health food!

Rest is more than just sleep

July 16, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Ashika Pillay

There’s no doubt that many of our minds are on hyper-alert. The stress response of feeling vigilant, worrying , planning, working, and dealing with immediate day-to-day chores can be overwhelming. At this time of lockdown when we supposedly have “more time”, we can actually feel burnt out, because so much is changing, uncertainty pervades and the balance of the “known” is thrown off. Expectations of “being more productive”, having more family time, exercise etc can actually deplete us by making us feel like we are not “making the most” of the time that we have? A spectrum of emotions like guilt, shame, anger, anxiety, frustration are part of what we experience through the day.

A Step Closer to a Healthy Balance

June 27, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Catia Mondlane, Founder Estética & Cosméticos

When I started the organic journey, which wasn’t a piece of cake I have to say, I found very interesting facts about the powerful effects food has on the mind, emotions, and the physical, and how the immune system reacts to different situations.

Entrepreneur Advice from Tapiwa Matsinde / Let your creativity flow

May 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tapiwa Matsinde, founder, Atelier 55 (UK)

Let your creativity flow…

“In times of uncertainty, stress and anxiety levels increase. Make looking after your health and well-being a priority. I encourage you to let your creativity flow and do more of what brings you joy and what you can do safely to soothe your soul and take your mind off all the turmoil.”

Tapiwa Matsinde, founder, Atelier 55 (UK)

How to show up to your health goals

May 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

I am fascinated by what makes some people set goals, show up and achieve them while others set goals, think about them and then make excuses and often blame external factors about why they haven’t.

Diane Kayakez Mukaz Domingos, an Angolan entrepreneur bringing the specialist field of occupational therapy to her country

December 29, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Diane Kayakez Mukaz Domingos, founder of REABILITARY DI-VERSIDADE (Angola)

Startup Story

Occupational therapy is a real calling, with professionals who have a passion for making a difference to people’s lives. Diane Kayakez Mukaz Domingos, founder of REABILITARY DI-VERSIDADE is building a clinic in Angola where her specialist knowledge in areas such as nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology and occupational therapy, are helping so people who are in need of rehabilitation.

Emily Kandanga, a Namibian entrepreneur who together with her co-founders is helping people find a path to fitness

December 22, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Emily Kandanga, Lwando Mufune and Lwimba Mufune, founders of Sweat Fitness (Namibia)

Startup Story

For many people, getting fit is a real challenge and one that requires not just motivation but also specialist help and advice. In Namibia, that’s where niche business Sweat Fitness comes in. Founded by entrepreneur and passionate fitness advocate Emily Kandanga and her two co-founders, Lwando Mufune and Lwimba Mufune, they are taking fitness to the next level in the country.

Own your time off

December 8, 2019 Melanie Hawken

by Lori Milner

Think about the last time you took leave. Was it filled with a slight sense of dread and the self-talk went ‘this is the worst possible time to take leave’. And then you take the leave and spend the time with a heavy cloud of guilt hanging over your head worrying about the ‘stuff’ that can’t possibly get done without you. Eventually you get to the end of the period and you return to work possibly more highly strung than before you left. If this resonates or sounds familiar…I encourage you to continue reading….. The truth is there is never going to be a time where it feels like it’s finally the perfect opportunity to take leave. So knowing this universal truth, I encourage you to plan your time off in advance before you reach near burnout or breaking point.

10 simple ways to truly relax (for busy, stressed entrepreneurs)

August 24, 2019 Melanie Hawken

By Bridget Edwards

Mental health awareness has become a vitally important topic today especially since the ever-increasing statistics are alarming. Mental health applies to all of us because it’s a natural part of everyday life. It’s not something to feel ashamed, guilty or uncomfortable about, nor should this topic be something that carries discrimination, stigma or taboo. Mental health is a fact of life that really needs awareness, conversation and active engagement.

LIONESS LAUNCH: Sukha Yogi Retreats announce a special launch event on 20 March 2019

January 13, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Sukha Yogi Retreats will be hosting a special launch event on 20 March 2019 - an all-inclusive Yoga Retreat at Victoria Falls (Session I) Mar 20, 2019 – Mar 24, 2019. Join an exciting, yet relaxing yoga retreat at the breath-taking, all-inclusive Zambezi Sands Resort, an ecotourist destination, which is a part of the Imvelo Safari Lodges in Zimbabwe, Africa.

The importance of staying fit and healthy as an entrepreneur

August 26, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Hlengiwe Moepe, founder of Marpemed

As an entrepreneur, are you fully aware of the importance of good nutrition, and avoiding becoming overweight or obese? Your food choices each day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases (like heart disease and cancer), and promote your overall health.