Three-minute fix: music

If you’ve got a spare three minutes in your day, reach no further than your MP3 player. Howie Saunders, a former musician who now uses music to help people improve their professional performance, insists: “Music’s a really good way of briefly blocking out the rest of the world,” says Saunders, the co-founder of Audiofuel. “It breaks up your routine, and it has an almost hypnotic, trance-like effect on the brain.”

People who have been cooped up in an office should play “a track that really energises you – maybe a powerful rock track”. With this pumping tune to get you going, spend your three minutes running on the spot, or even round the block. “This will wake your body up,” says Saunders, “and give you added energy for the rest of the day.” Don’t go overboard, though – it’s enough just to get your heart rate up. “There’s no point in someone giving themselves a heart attack,” says Saunders.

Those who are carrying injuries, or just feel like doing something more relaxing, should lie on a hard, wooden floor, listen to a “calm, ambient” track, and focus on their breathing. “It’s another a way of giving your body something back,” says Saunders.

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