Marnus van der Merwe

Marnus van der Merwe Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Marnus van der Merwe, Photographer, 678 Oberon Avenue, Glenfield office Park, Faerie Glen.

✍️ Handwriting vs Typing – What’s Better for Your Brain? 🧠💡Turns out, writing by hand isn’t just old school—it’s smarter...
17/06/2025

✍️ Handwriting vs Typing – What’s Better for Your Brain? 🧠💡

Turns out, writing by hand isn’t just old school—it’s smarter. 🖋️

✅ Handwriting activates more areas of the brain, improves memory, and boosts understanding—especially when learning something new.

🧪 Studies show that students who handwrite notes remember more, think deeper, and even feel better while doing it. Typing is faster, but it doesn’t engage the brain in the same way.

So next time you're studying, brainstorming, or planning—grab a pen. Your brain will thank you. 😉

🌱Story time🌱This morning, I didn’t feel like running. To be honest, I wanted nothing more than to plonk myself in front ...
11/06/2025

🌱Story time🌱

This morning, I didn’t feel like running. To be honest, I wanted nothing more than to plonk myself in front of the TV all day.

Some days just drain your motivation. And let’s be real, this morning in Pretoria was flipping cold. I found myself thinking, “I’ll run next week—who’d even notice?” Truth is, nobody. Nobody will know if I slack off and binge on TV instead of working.

Self-employment demands self-accountability.

But I laced up and slipped on my running shoes. That first step is the easiest—putting on your trainers and then not running feels… well, ridiculous. And it reminded me of two valuable lessons:

1. **Action breeds motivation.** You start moving, and motivation follows. If you wait to feel motivated, you’ll either wait forever or do the right thing just once to scratch the itch.
2. **Habits are the bricks that build greatness.** Without consistent habits, motivation deserts you, and you waste the day doing nothing. And here’s the secret: once you skip one day, skipping the next becomes far too easy.

Develop the discipline and the systems to push through those “no-motivation” days.

📝 Feeling overwhelmed? Start journaling.Journaling isn’t just writing—it’s brain decluttering. It helps you:✨ Clear your...
05/06/2025

📝 Feeling overwhelmed? Start journaling.

Journaling isn’t just writing—it’s brain decluttering. It helps you:
✨ Clear your thoughts
🧠 Boost self-awareness
📈 Track your growth
😌 Reduce stress and anxiety

Even 5 minutes a day can make a difference. Try it tonight. Your future self will thank you. 💭✍️

💥 Too much on your plate? Here's how to prioritise like a pro:Use the Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent vs. Important)… but add ...
03/06/2025

💥 Too much on your plate? Here's how to prioritise like a pro:

Use the Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent vs. Important)… but add a twist:
👉 Rate each task by how mentally demanding it is.

🔴 High-effort tasks = Do during peak brain hours (usually mid-morning)
⚪ Low-effort tasks = Batch later in the day
❌ Low-value, high-effort? Skip or delegate.

📚 Backed by research in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology & Chronobiology International — this method helps reduce burnout and boost focus.

When stress hits, your body goes into overdrive. But you can calm your nervous system in under a minute with one powerfu...
02/06/2025

When stress hits, your body goes into overdrive. But you can calm your nervous system in under a minute with one powerful tool: your breath.

Here’s how it works:
🫁 Take a deep breath in…
😮‍💨 Then, sip in a little more air at the top…
⬇️ Now exhale slowly and completely.

This technique activates your parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s “rest and digest” mode — helping lower your heart rate, reduce cortisol (your stress hormone), and promote a sense of calm.

✅ Research supports this. A 2023 study published in Cell Reports Medicine found that daily breathwork — especially cyclic sighing (which includes a second inhale followed by a long exhale) — was more effective at improving mood and reducing anxiety than mindfulness meditation.

📚 Reference:
Niranjan S. Karnik et al. (2023). Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal. Cell Reports Medicine, 4(1), 100895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100895

Try it right now. Breathe in deep… then a little more… and let it go slowly. Feel that? That’s your body coming back to balance.

Planning your week before it starts reduces anxiety and gives you direction. Good luck tackling the week ahead.
01/06/2025

Planning your week before it starts reduces anxiety and gives you direction. Good luck tackling the week ahead.

Tip: Use the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused work followed by a short break) to increase focus and reduce ment...
29/05/2025

Tip: Use the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focused work followed by a short break) to increase focus and reduce mental fatigue.

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Why it works: The Pomodoro Technique aligns with cognitive load theory and the benefits of spaced work intervals, helping prevent attention fatigue and improving sustained concentration.

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Peer-Reviewed Evidence:

> Bailey, B. P., Konstan, J. A., & Carlis, J. V. (2001). The effects of interruptions on task performance, annoyance, and anxiety in the user interface.
In: Proceedings of INTERACT '01: Eighth IFIP Conference on Human-Computer Interaction.
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/501156.501168

Just breathe...
27/05/2024

Just breathe...

🌍✨ Wanderlust: a deep, irresistible desire to explore the world. It's more than travel; it's a longing for adventure and...
20/05/2024

🌍✨ Wanderlust: a deep, irresistible desire to explore the world. It's more than travel; it's a longing for adventure and new experiences. Where will your wanderlust take you? ✈️🗺️

storms in summer are quite an experience. I kinda miss the berg.
01/03/2024

storms in summer are quite an experience. I kinda miss the berg.

When they ask you why you live in Africa🙄
14/01/2024

When they ask you why you live in Africa🙄

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678 Oberon Avenue, Glenfield Office Park
Faerie Glen

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