A Moment of Bliss Trivia Quiz

Try fermenting vegetables or making kombucha to benefit from probiotics that support gut health. Surely that's something to cheer about... a moment of bliss.

Fermented foods contain probiotics and these work towards improving gut health and digestion. Secondary benefits include enhanced nutrient absorption - fermented foods can have an increased amount of vitamins B, C and K, they can provide support to your immune system in an indirect way and there is the possibility that may have a beneficial effect on your mental health - certain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been linked to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You don't need to break the bank to get yourself started. The basic starting kit will include your fermenting vessels (glass jars are the best), airlocks and lids, some measuring tools such as scales, cups and spoons and your sugar and spices. Of the latter, salt is almost a non-negotiable if you're planning to ferment vegetables.

Then comes your fruit and vegetables to be preserved. The key to these is that they be fresh, have a firm texture and that you have good variety. A mix of colours also helps.

Yoga is said to be a range of spiritual practices and techniques that integrate body, mind and spirit to achieve a state of enlightenment. Whilst some say it has the power to make you one with the universe, I prefer to see it as achieving a moment of bliss. A little bit of yoga every day, or at least three times per week, will help to improve your flexibility and your strength. On top of that it can provide focus, reduce your stress levels and it is likely to improve your sleep patterns. It has also been shown to improve your cardiovascular health.

In the West, what is commonly seen as yoga, is Hatha yoga, but it is one of many paths that can be taken, and it is accessible to almost anyone. There is a wide arrange of yoga equipment on the market, however, depending on what type of yoga you wish to take up, the only really "essential" item that you need is a good yoga mat. At what level you should start will depend upon your level of fitness and flexibility. If you are not very fit and flexibility is an issue, start with a short, sharp session and build from there. It may pay to start with a yoga class.

If you are reading this... then I'm preaching to the converted because you're already indulging in a form of puzzle. Good on you for finding your own moment of bliss.

Puzzles offer you so many benefits. For the elder generation it has been shown to slow the onset of issues such as dementia. The key word there is "slow" not cure. Puzzles, on their own, will not do this. However, working on puzzles improves the connections between your brain cells, improving both your mental speed and your short-term memory.

A number of sites indicate that puzzles will improve your mood. The reason is that, during the process of solving one, your production of dopamine, which regulates mood, memory and concentration, increases. Just don't get frustrated when you can't quite solve it and start yelling things like "Grrr arrgghhh!", that will totally dissolve what you've set to achieve.

Your visual and spatial reasoning improves. Looking at pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, the letters of a word search or the cells in a crossword and trying to identify how they fit and work together, if done on a regular basis, works on these skills. Additionally, puzzles can lower stress, provide an avenue to unwinding and a chance to sharpen your logic and reasoning skills.

There are many opportunities for a moment of bliss when you have gardening as a hobby. For starters, it's a small way for us to get back in touch with nature, to plant something, nurture it and watch it grow. There is a physical element to gardening which can help with fitness. It has been known to reduce stress and help people suffering from depression.

Your self-esteem grows as your prize marrow (or any other fruit, vegetable or flower) grows. And there's something to be said about getting your hands dirty, making your own compost or finding ways to recycle those household waste products into fertilizer for your garden... did you know that eggshells, coffee grounds and banana skins hold a powerhouse of nutrients that can used in the garden.

One of the best things about nature is that it is all around you. Even in built up urban areas. Sit down on a bench at a park near you for just an hour and keep an eye for the birdlife. You'd be amazed at what you see.

The beauty of birdwatching, unlike an exercise such as hiking or orienteering, is that you don't need to physically exert yourself a great deal. You can isolate yourself in a single spot, such as the park bench mentioned above, but working your way through a stretch of scrubland or to a waterway will offer you a greater variety of birdlife. Keeping an eye for birds is a method of stress relief and an escape from the daily grind and that, is bliss.

Birdwatching can be a challenge. You may choose to start cataloguing what you find and then it becomes a sport like collecting Pokemons or football cards. And, the further you stretch your boundaries with this activity the more you will find how wonderous Mother Nature can be. Unlike sitting down and watching a television set, your senses are stimulated during bird watching... your eyesight and hearing go into overdrive to track down the next little twitter.

There are a number of health benefits to a habitual ritual of meditation. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety (ahh... bliss), enhance your self-awareness and increase your concentration span. There is also the possibility that it may reduce age related memory loss, improve sleep, decrease pain and lower blood pressure.

Whilst there are a number of different types of meditation, the two main styles are
- Focused attention meditation. This one will have you concentrate on a single object, sound, or even a thought or a visualization. The aim is to remove distractions from your mind.
- Open Monitoring meditation. This will help to broaden your awareness of your environment and sense of self. It may also make you aware of suppressed thoughts or feelings.

Meditating alone is ideal but if home or work pressures tend to interfere, consider joining a class. The advantage of the latter is that you're also creating a community of support.

Photography can start at any level, at almost any age and with any camera, and that includes your mobile phone. Additionally, you can take pictures anywhere. There's no need for studios or fancy backdrops. Just aim and shoot and enjoy a blissful moment with the outcome.

Taking photos helps you to take notice of the world around you. As you gain experience you start to have a keener eye for things such as light, shadows, patterns, frames, and colors and how they can add to the picture you wish to take. This will also motivate you to experience more and go to new places. It can also be developed into a family experience and be combined with other activities. This can then become a document of your family life.

There are no restrictions on your imagination with photography... don't limit yourself.

There are pros and cons to aromatherapy. There are claims that aromatherapy can ease anxiety, help with sleep, assist digestion, boost immunity, calm headaches and soothe sore... and the list of benefits does not end there. On the other side of the coin, the scientific evidence for this is limited and, whilst working with the oils is generally safe, there is the chance that they may trigger allergies or cause skin irritations.

So, what is aromatherapy? It is the use of essential oils, as the above suggests, for both your physical and psychological well-being. The scent of some oils may even trigger blissful memories. Oils can be applied or taken via inhalation, massage or, simply, adding them to your bathwater. There are many sites that will tell you that getting started in aromatherapy is easy, but the best advice is to research. You would need to identify what your needs are in the field and then start to ask around. There are aromatherapy groups where you can discuss this and call upon experienced operators on how to get started.

So, you claim to have two left feet but, the beauty of dance is that is available to people of all shapes, sizes, ages and levels of fitness... two left feet included. It is a workout for your whole body, if you choose it to be. It can be a lot more fun than a gym session, if you choose it to be. It can take your mind of pressures and stress points, if you let it.

There is a reason why the above says "groups", rather than simply "dance". Dance groups provide the opportunity for social interaction because, at the heart of every dance group is a sense of community, a well of encouragement and a portfolio of togetherness. There is a joy in a shared experience.

As you grow and develop your skills there is a growth in your confidence and your courage to exhibit yourself. The beauty of dance is that there is so much variety... from ballroom to ballet, tango to tap, jitterbugs to jazz, from hitch-hike to hip-hop... don't limit yourself.

Why hike?

For starters, it's physical exercise. Whether you are doing it for a day, a week, a month or longer, you get the opportunity to exercise those muscles, improve your balance, your cardiovascular system and your respiratory system. The bonus is that you'll burn calories and, possibly, some of that excess weight you might be carrying with you.

It can improve your mental health. Being away from the pressures of work and embracing nature can relieve anxiety, reduce stress and lower the risk of depression. There's a sense of stepping into a new world that is removed from your everyday environment and is free of electronic devices. I have been hiking for many years and this is where I find more than a single moment of bliss.

It can improve your relational health. You don't have to hike alone. Doing so with a relative or friend can improve the bond between you. Hiking can be challenging and having someone else's help along the way helps to build stronger connections. The other relationship that you should strengthen is with yourself. The longer the hike, the greater the challenges along the way and you would be amazed at how resilient you can be when confronted with issues and obstacles.

So, next time someone tells you to "take a hike"... consider it good advice.