September/October 2011 - Wellbeing Magazine

Published by Haywood Media

Sept/Oct 2011

www.wellbeingmagazine.co.uk

Informative l

inspiring

DIABETES Addicted to

enlightening

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Osteoporosis: Recognising the signs

Sugar

Depression:

The Black Dog

NEW

NUMBERSCOPE

What’s your number?

y s a e p y s ea

LUNCHBOXES

NUTRITION

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FITNESS

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HEALTH

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TRAVEL

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COMPETITIONS

www.wellbeingmagazine.co.uk

CONTENTS Inside this issue...Sept/Oct 2011

Wellbeing Magazine HEAD OFFICE

Haywood Media 2 The Hall, Turners Green Road Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6TR

Tel: 0800 881 5375

www.haywoodmedia.co.uk

NUTRITION Diabetes..............................................

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HEALTH Energy of Yoga................................

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GARDENING Grow your own Salads.......................

TRAVEL An idyll in the ile de France...............

FOOD SOLUTIONS SEasy Peasy Lunchboxes...................

DEPRESSION The Black Dog.................................

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TRIED & TESTED Products for you and your famiy.......... FITNESS Strengthen your body naturally............

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WORKPLACE The new work security..................... BOOK REVIEW

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Rachel Branson

Publishing Director / Editor rachel@wellbeingmagazine.com

Johnathon Martin

West & Central London Publisher jam@wellbeingmagazine.com

Hannah Rosalie

East Sussex Publisher hannah@wellbeingmagazine.com

Caroleann Block

East Kent Publisher caroleann@wellbeingmagazine.com

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What have you read lately?..............

OSTEOPATHY Not just for Backs...............................

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NUMBERSCOPE Yours monthky numerology..............

OSTEOPOROSIS Recognising the Signs........................

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WORDS OF WISDOM Julia Armstrong...............................

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Richard Branson

Website richard@wellbeingmagazine.com

Associate Travel Editors Frances Barnes & Nick Hordern

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Contributors

Kate Arnold Pat Crawford Nigel Glee Alex Leith Charlotte Watt Martin Usbourne l

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Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept liability to any party loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. We are unable to check claims made by advertisers are legal and truthful and that all products and services are safe, Wellbeing does not accept any liability in relation to advertisements placed.

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Š Wellbeing Magazine 2011

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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Addicted to

SUGAR Words:Kate Arnold

Most people I see in my clinic have Type 2 diabetes and are on Metformin. Often, with a strict diet regime, some patients can get off Metformin and get their diabetes under control with diet and exercise. This only happens however if the diabetes is mild as Metformin is used to help control blood sugar levels in people with NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes.)

What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a result of problems with the pancreatic hormone insulin. Insulin controls the amount of glucose in the blood and the rate at which glucose is absorbed into the cells. The cells need glucose to produce energy. In those with diabetes glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being taken into and used by the cells,

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leading to hyperglycemia (high levels of glucose in the blood). Eventually hyperglycemia can lead to heart disease, perpiheral and autonomic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). The two main types are: Type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes, which is usually seen in young people and Type 2 diabetes by

far the most common form of diabetes affecting 90-95% of diabetes suffers. Many people have Type 2 and are completely unaware of it. This type usually begins in later years, although unfortunately it is now becoming more common in young people. Risk factors for developing Type 2 are: diet, weight, race, age, lack of exercise and heredity factors.

Wellbeing diabetes There are other rarer forms of diabetes, such as gestational (or pregnancy) diabetes, which usually disappears after the birth. If you get gestational diabetes, you have an increased risk of developing one of the main types of diabetes later in life. There are currently 2.3 million people with diabetes in the UK. However, it’s estimated that more than half a million people have the condition but are totally unaware. The last 30 years has seen a threefold increase in the number of cases of childhood diabetes.Obesity levels have also risen and this has led to Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to diet, being seen for the first time in young people in Europe and America

The Problem with Sugar

It’s thought Type 2 diabetes is related to factors associated with a Western lifestyle, since it’s most common in people who are overweight and who don’t get enough exercise. People with type 2 diabetes often cannot perceive sweet tastes. This abnormality may play an important role in how individuals with diabetes perceive the taste of their food and also in how well they comply with the dietary aspects of treatment. Because our society is addicted to sugar this distorted taste perception is very common among the population in general. The following test can detect an impaired ability to taste a sweet substance.Do not consume

coffee, tea, sugary drinks or sweets for one hour before the test. Fill 7 identical glasses with 8 ounces of water each and label the glasses as having no sugar, ¼ tsp sugar, ½ tsp sugar, 1 tsp sugar, 1 ½ tsps sugar, 2 and 3 tsps of sugar. Label the glasses and ask someone else to rearrange the order and hide the labels. Take a straw and sip from each glass and write down the amount of sugar you think it contains. Between sips rinse your mouth out with water. Healthy people generally notice a sweet taste when a tsp or less is added to 8 ounces of water. By contrast people with adult on set diabetes usually do not notice the sweetness until 1 ½ to 2 tsps of sugar have been added to the water. If you would like advice on which supplements to take, please contact me on 01323 737814. katearnoldnutrition.co.uk

The Importance of Diet Nutrition, as always, plays a key part in preventing diabetes and controlling the symptoms, if you do have it. The following tips may help in balancing your blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes: Try to maintain a GI or GL diet, enabling the blood sugar to stabilise throughout the day. The glycaemic index is the measure of the power of food to raise blood sugar after being eaten. For weight loss and balanced blood sugar, you should aim to eat foods that are low GI or medium GI and avoid foods that are high GI. Always combine protein and carbohydrate foods together, which will enable a slower release of sugar into the bloodstream. All foods that raise blood sugar too quickly should be avoided. So called healthy dried fruit, like apricots raisins etc raise the blood sugar too quickly. If it gets too confusing, it may be worth getting a simple book with a GI index of low GI foods that are safe too eat.

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SUPPLEMENTS Please do not self medicate! Seek professional advice.

s p i t s ’ e Kat

1. Eat oats for breakfast and snack on rough oat cakes. Oats contain a powerful anti-diabetic nutrient called betaglucan. Try a bowl of porridge in the morning with berries, pears or apples, every other day. 2. Avoid saturated fat (pork, cheese etc) and simple sugars (honey, glucose, maple syrup etc). 3. Eat little and often (every 3 hours is a good goal) and check blood sugar levels regularly, or as directed by your GP. 4. Cut out coffee, tea, fizzy drinks, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolate, processed foods, white flour, white pasta, white bread etc. 5. Sprinkle half a teaspoon of cinnamon on your food daily (contains a polyphenol called MHCP which mimics insulin). 6. Other foods with antidiabetic qualities include: buckwheat,

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green tea, cherries, plums, apples, berries, chickpeas, lentils, oats, pears and plums. Unless in a “hypo” situation, avoid very sweet fruits like dates, bananas, raisins, melon and dried fruit. Drink 1.5 litres of preferably pure filtered water, throughout the day. Remember that people with type 2 can often not perceive sweet tastes(see above test). Exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. A personal choice issue. The so-called diabetic foods for Type 2 diabetes are not necessarily healthy, so be careful of your food choices. Follow a low fat/high fibre diet, including plenty of raw fruits and vegetables. This reduces the need for insulin and lowers the level of fats in the blood. Fibre also helps to reduce blood sugar surges.

Chromium - 400mcg daily This improves insulin’s efficiency which lowers blood sugar levels. Do not self medicate and get professional guidance. Do not use in type 1 diabetes. Aged Kyolic Garlic - 100300mg daily. This helps decrease and stabilize blood sugar, enhances immunity and improves circulation. Vitamin B - 25mg daily complex - improves the metabolism of glucose and is important for circulation and the prevention of atherosclerosis. Do not take more than 50mg daily as certain B vitamins can inactivate insulin. Zinc - 15-20mg daily - a deficiency has been associated with diabetes. Magnesium - 200mg daily - this is important for enzyme systems and ph balance. It protects against artery spasm in arteriosclerosis and increases energy levels. Low readings are often found in people with diabetes and are associated with the complications of eye disease. Psyllium - a good source of soluble fibre which helps stabilise blood sugar. Take ½ tbsp in water at night. For more details call Kate Arnold on 01323 737814

The symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes include: •

increased thirst, and drinking a lot of fluids • passing a lot of urine • being tired for no reason • weight loss • genital itching or repeated bouts of thrush • slow healing of wounds • blurred vision In type 1 diabetes, symptoms typically develop over a few weeks and quickly become very obvious. In type 2, symptoms can develop more slowly, over a period of months. Some people with type 2 diabetes have very mild symptoms, which they believe have other causes. A few people may have no symptoms at all.

THE COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are different diseases in cause, in effect and in treatment but the same long-term complications can arise in both types of the condition. The complications affect:

The eyes Diabetes can affect the blood vessels at the back of the eye [retinopathy] and this can lead to visual impairment or blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working population.

The heart and vascular system Diabetes can affect the heart and the vascular system making people more susceptible to heart disease and stroke. It can also cause blood clots in the vessels in the legs which may result in amputation. Amputations are 50-80 times higher in people with diabetes than the general population.

Kidney damage Diabetes can affect the kidneys resulting in damage or kidney failure [nephropathy].

Nerve damage Diabetes may cause nerve damage [neuropathy]. The most common form of nerve damage is in the extremities leading to pain or loss of sensation in the feet and ulceration of the legs. Again this can lead to amputation.

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Wellbeing gardening

GET INSPIRED

s e v a e l d sala

GROW TO IMPROVE YOUR WELLBEING Words Pat Crawford, for Hadlow College

Who would have thought that bottling, freezing and drying would be back on the kitchen agenda? But these were commonplace skills - before wide selections of frozen goods were available. Later of course, the global market resulted in practically every type of fruit and vegetable being available fresh on retail shelves all year round.

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he resurgence of interest in these traditional skills is sometimes attributed to the economic downturn – and no doubt this is responsible for its acceleration. In fact, the revival of these long-practised ways of preserving food coincided with renewed interest in ‘grow-your-own’ and the surpluses that sometimes result.

Harvesting This is the time of year when keen kitchen gardeners are busy harvesting the fruits – and vegetables - of their labours. Inevitably there will be some excesses – and there is little point in risking boring the family’s palate for the sake of using up what’s available. The good news is that foods frozen at their peak are more nutritious than ‘fresh’ produce which has hung around for several days! And fruit and vegetables that don’t freeze well can be used to make preserves and chutneys. The benefits of salad crops were recognised in John Evelyn’s book Acetaria (published 1699, last reprinted 1982). Leaves, roots, stalks and flower petals were included in his sallet – and his salad dressing will be remarkably familiar to modern-day cooks: ‘Oyl-Olive, Vinegar . . . Limon or Juice of Orange… some Slices of Horse-Radish….and a little Salt’.

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Salad-making was upgraded to more of an art form by the French who came to London to escape the French Revolution and, by mid-nineteenth century, salads and dressings were being taken seriously and remain so today. Green leaves used in salads are rich in nutrients and contain Vitamin A and C, beta-carotene, calcium, folate, fibre and phytonutrients. Naturally low in calories, they do not contain cholesterol. The phytonutrients, compounds that provide protection for plants, can act as antioxidants which are known to help to prevent diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Autumn Salads There is no reason not to go on enjoying fresh salad leaves well into the autumn – maybe even later if the days are light and warm and night frosts hold off. Suttons produce a leaf mixture that can be sown up to October outdoors – and, under glass or on the windowsill, it can even be sown throughout the winter. Two other big benefits, the leaves will be ready to eat in just three weeks - and one sowing can produce up to three crops! In some cities (London being the supreme example) where so many apartments and flats are without a garden - and thousands of houses are restricted to tiny courtyards - windowsill gardening has really taken off. In fact, it is being carried to dizzy heights – literally – with systems of ‘vertical growing’ that are resulting in amazingly diverse crops. Suttons provide concise – and so, so simple – instructions on the backs of packets of their Leaf Salad Winter Mix. ‘Sow thinly into pots or trays of quality moist compost, covering seed lightly with compost. Place on a sunny windowsill and maintain moisture. Harvest by ‘tipping’ when the leaves are 12-15cm (5-6”) tall. Sow little and often for tasty young leaves. Alternatively, sow in outdoor Hadlow container or border soil.’ a wide ra offers It’s all in a leaf nge of c areer (includin g degree what could be easier ) and recreatio nal cours than that? hor ticult es for urists an d garden includin ers, g Medic HADLOW, graded ‘Outinal Hor Telepho ticulture n . e: 0500 standing’ and one of the 551434 fo r in formatio UK’s premier colleges. n.

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y s a e p y s a e LUNCHBOXES How many times have you struggled to think of something different for lunch? And how many times have you wondered how healthy your lunchtime diet really is?

Words: Dr Sarah Schenker

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

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2 small wholemeal rolls with spread and 2 thin slices of beef (from Sunday’s roast) or a sliced boiled egg with thick slices of tomato and some lettuce -wholemeal is a great source of fibre which is essential for a healthy gut and the beef will give you iron which is needed for healthy blood A slice of banana bread - low in fat and sugar but satisfies that midday cake urge! A pear – this will count as one of your five a day Fruit juice – source of vitamin C needed for good immunity and 1 of your 5-a-day Actimel – choose from a range of fruit flavours to top up probiotic friendly bacteria needed for good gut health and immunity. There are 11 flavours including delicious Multifruit to fabulous Strawberry and Banana - you’ll find an Actimel to suit any taste!

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2 slices of white bread (with added fibre) with spread and slices of Edam - this will provide you with a good source of calcium needed for strong bones and teeth Bag of baby carrot batons means you can check another of your 5 a day off the list Pot of hummus dip - will give you a good source of protein and source of vitamin E, an important antioxidant, not to mention a tangy burst of chickpea goodness Small bunch of grapes – sweet and juicy and also 1 of your 5 a day. What more could you want? Pot of rice pudding – satisfy your sweet tooth as well as your tum Bottle of water - to keep your hydration topped up. Crucial for physical and mental performance required in your busy day-to-day lives

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Plain bagel, spread with low fat soft cheese, filled with some canned pink salmon mixed and slices of cucumber – addresses some key food groups. The bagel will give you the starchy carbohydrate you need for energy while soft cheese is lower in fat and salt than most cheeses and a good source of calcium. Meanwhile our favourite fish, the salmon, will keep your heart and brain healthy with a strong presence of fish oils (long chain omega 3 fats) Slice of malt loaf - lower in fat than you might think, and a great source of energy. Add a spread of low fat butter if you’re having a tough day Box of raisins a more-ish snack that are also another of your required 5 a day Probiotic drinking yoghurt– this will top up probiotic friendly bacteria needed for good gut health and immunity

To help you (and your kids!) eat well and avoid packed lunch boredom, we’ve put together 5 healthy and easy-to-make lunches that don’t cost the earth and will guarantee you come home with an empty lunchbox, a full tummy and a healthier routine! First thing you need to consider - have you got something from each of the 4 main food groups? A balanced lunchbox should contain an item of food from each of the 4 main food groups of the eat well plate. Foods from the smallest group are best avoided.

Thursday

Friday

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2 small wholemeal round pitta breads filled with hummus, grated carrot and sliced cherry tomatoes – wholemeal pitta is a good source of fibre needed for a healthy gut, and these fillings are not just tasty, but also part of your recommended fruit and veg intake. Forget the supermarket sandwich which has sat on the shelf for 3 days! Mini breadstick and cucumber batons with a soft cheese dip – we all love a snack with our lunch. Let this crunchy duo replace that packet of crisps Banana – as if you needed telling, bananas are a fantastic choice for the lunchbox. Plus they’re one of your five a day with energy and potassium to balance body fluids Carton of semi-skimmed milk - is a fantastic source of calcium needed for strong bones and teeth

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Tub of cooked pasta shapes mixed with diced cooked chicken or canned tuna, avocado, chopped red pepper and spring onions – give yourself a treat on Friday. The pasta is a good source of slow release carbohydrate needed to sustain energy levels, while chicken or tuna is a great source of protein needed for healthy growth and repair. Tender avocado will top up essential fats and vitamin E Small pot of fruit pieces in juice mean you can check another one of your five a day off your list Mini cheese – take your pick of cheese, this will provide you with the calcium you need in your lunchbox. Bottle of strawberry and banana smoothie – as your body is unable to store vitamin C; a fresh blended fruit smoothie will provide you with the contribution it needs to improve immunity.

Reclamation Program & Fundraiser TerraCycle offers national programmes (“Brigades”) to collect previously non-recyclable or hard to recycle waste. Currently, all of their programmes offer free postage as well as a donation for each piece of waste that you collect. For each Danone yogurt pot received, you’ll be awarded two TerraCycle points which can be redeemed for a 2 pence contribution paid to the charity or school of your choice. If you don’t have an organisation in mind, you can choose our nominated Charity Fareshare! Where possible, yogurt pots must nest (stack neatly) to be sent in through this programme. To find out more about Terracyles partners visit www.terracycle.co.uk.

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Wellbeing products AUTUMN TREATS

Rachel’s Organic have launched a new special edition bio-live yoghurt which we think you will love. Greek Style ginger is a rich, thick and creamy yoghurt blended with the finest organic crystallised stem ginger. A delicious sweet yet slightly spicy warmth, which is ideal as the nights draw in and the weather cools. www.rachelsorganic.co.uk

Tried & tested Wellbeing new products for you and your family... GIFTS THAT MATTER

A new website provides stylish online shopping for the eco-minded. From fun pineapple necklace made from ‘Tagua’ vegetable ivory to a stunning lotus broach made from recyled PET plstic bottles by Turkish artist Gulnur Ozdaglar. www.yourssustainably.com

SEA OF TRANQUILITY

six beautiful tracks, one stunning album by Fraser Morris. Perfect for the end of the day or to help you relax and unwind. Available from itunes, Amazon.co.uk .gapmusic.co.uk

SENSITIVE SKIN

JEALOUS

Irresistable guilt-free sweets contain no artificial colours or flavours, are alcohol free, gluten free and also suitable for vegetarians. Our Sinfully Sour gift boxes are suitable for vegans and if you love organic, then try their Enchanted Eden gift box. What ever the occassion, Jealous sweet boxes are a great way to show your loved ones how much you care. But we understand if they never make their way to them....! www.thejealouslife.com

Senzimi was created for those fed up with the exaggerated and confusing claims made by anti-aging miracle creams and has been specially formulated for those with sensitive skin. Free from artificial parabens and sulphate, Senzimi uses natural ingredients to create a beautiful range of products. The range includes a sensitive daily moisturiser and sensitive cleanser for your skin, and sensitive shampoo and sensitive conditioner so your hair doesn’t feel left out! For more details or to buy visit www.senzimi.com

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As the new-age world seems pre-occupied with ascension, 2012 and You tube predictions, let there be a place to sit, a space of Home, a touching base with the deepest truth of the self. This infernal fear of the mind is tearing us this way and that at the moment, projecting a believed reality upon the world stage, which then manifests causing disharmony on all levels of our delicate nature. It’s time to go within. The Earth is birthing a

NewNew birth earth WORDS: TARA LOVE PERRY

higher state of being for herself and all her children Now. This Be-earthing wants to be gentle; holy; blissful. We must awaken to our inner-sense, the oneness, and the highest truth of this conscious matter of Mother earth in us. It’s time we innately, devotedly, trust our own Knowing, in body, waters, heart and soul, and allow total surrender, beyond

thought, beyond our perceptions, into what actually IS. Clear out old conditioning of the soul. See with new eyes, hear with fresh ears and feel what is actually Real. To receive spiritual midwifery through this birthing process, a guiding, loving hand that knows the way through this most ancient initiation and rite of passage from one world

to another is an invaluable gift to give oneself. For tools, techniques, and a safe space in which to birth, or to develop your becoming one of these loving, guiding hands to help those who come after you, contact Tara love Perry via www.liveinlight. co.uk, ‘Live In Light’ facebook page, or 07919 463243

WIN Salsa dancing lessons

and a Discovery Foods hamper! Enter at wellbeingmagazine.co.uk/competitions Join Discovery in Jubilee Square, Brighton, on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September 2011 (10.30am – 6.00pm) for a funfilled fiesta of food and family entertainment in celebration of Mexican Independence day. Following the success of last year’s event, entry is FREE – so come down and witness Jubliee Square transform into a place packed with piñatas, face painters and a themed photo booth complete with a tasty range of fantastic Mexican flavours, Discovery style! From the perfect fajita – succulent chicken or

vegetables wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, topped with guacamole, salsa and soured cream, to tasty beef tacos garnished with a variety of mouth-watering toppings – we guarantee there will be something for everyone. As if that wasn’t enough, Strictly Come Dancing winners Darren & Lilia Kopylova, will be hosting a group salsa lesson at 11.15am on Saturday for those with itchy feet and for those who’d rather kick back and watch, the duo will be performing an exciting Latin show dance to put the party in full swing! To support Discovery’s celebration of Mexican Independence Day,

Wellbeing Magazine is offering one lucky reader and a friend the chance to win salsa dancing lessons AND a Discovery hamper full of great tasting Mexican products containing everything you need to create your own fiesta at home! For more inspiration, and great tasting recipes, visit Discovery Foods at www.discovery.co.uk

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Strengthen your body

NATURALLY Dr. Raj, Double Board Certified (American and Canadian) Orthopedic Surgeon talks to Wellbeing Magazine about incorporating simple exercises into your day-to-day activites.

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etween taking the kids to school, running errands, and working a full time job, it is almost impossible to find time to hit the gym these days. As a result of this lack of free time, many health and fitness experts have been accentuating the benefits of naturally strengthening your body outside of the gym. How does one go about naturally strengthening their body? Dr. Raj, Beverly Hills based double board certified orthopedic surgeon and fitness expert, says it is simple. “Keep

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“Keep active at all times, not just during exercise hours.

”

active at all times, not just during exercise hours. Pay attention to what you do on a regular basis and see how you can transform simple actions into workouts.” Although this may seem less effective than using traditional strengthtraining tools, the results are rather gratifying. Just by incorporating simple exercises into your

day-to-day activities, you tone muscles, burn calories, and keep your body physically active at all hours of the day. Just by altering the way you accomplish daily tasks, you naturally strengthen and workout your body without having to go to the gym. If you feel like stepping it up a bit, some simple strengthtraining exercises can be done right at home. For example, squats and push-ups target your largest muscle groups and require no gym equipment whatsoever. Dr. Raj even states that there are many advantages to working out in the privacy of your own

home. “It is your preference. When you work out at home, you don’t have to worry about making excuses or feeling pressured— especially for beginners. Sometimes the gym only adds muscle confusion with its complexity of hightech machinery.” Dr. Raj, as well as many other fitness experts, agrees that through naturally strengthening your body, you actively promote healthy habits throughout your daily

To help create a clearer picture of what natural strengthening looks like, Dr. Raj has shared three easy ways to naturally strengthen your body:

1)

Take advantage of every opportunity you have to take the stairs – This targets the muscles in your thighs, calves, and gluts, while increasing the rate of your heart as you travel up and down those flights of stairs.

2)

routine. Whether it be taking the stairs up to your office or dropping down and doing some push-ups during your down time, the constant, yet undemanding, nature of these activities will help with overall improvement in your physique. They key lies within the fact that these are the muscle groups engaged in everyday activities—walking in the city, squatting to pick up the kids—and their well-being is crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

Eat and sleep well – By eating healthy and getting an adequate amount of sleep, your body is able to strengthen itself from the inside out. Your immune system will be stronger, you will have more energy, and your muscles will utilize the nutrients your body has taken in.

3)

Walk as much as you can – By speeding up your normal pace, you incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your daily routine. This burns calories, tones up your muscles, and gets your heart pumping, without having to break a sweat. Dr. Raj, is based in Beverly Hills, California, specialises in hip, knee, and joint replacements, arthritis pain, sports injuries, fractures, and additional focuses on providing top alternative, conservative, and surgical options for any joint, bone, or muscle pain.

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While osteopathy is commonly used to treat back or neck problems, it can also help with other pains, such as tension headaches, repetitive strain injury (RSI) or postural imbalance.

NOT JUST FOR BACKS... Wellbeing talks to British Osteopathic Association member Hector Wells, (www. hectorwells.co.uk) who is based in Banbury, Oxfordshire about how an osteopath could help with other problems.

What is osteopathy? Osteopathy is a form of medical treatment which treats muscularskeletal pains or injuries – put simply, anything connected with muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, tendons or nerves. Muscular-skeletal disorders can be acute (i.e having a rapid onset with extreme symptoms) or chronic (long-lasting). The pain can also be localised in one area, or widespread. What can it be used to treat? Osteopathy is most commonly used to treat back and neck pain, because this is where muscle and joint tension tends to build up, but it works for many other kinds of muscle and joint disorders such as tension headaches, repetitive strain injury (RSI) and postural imbalance.

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What is a tension headache? Tension headaches are commonly(most) often caused by muscle tension around the head and neck. One model believes (theory says) that a major cause of tension headaches and migraine is teeth clenching which creates (causes) a contraction of the temporalis muscle in the upper jaw and compression of the skull where it is attached. Around half of all patients with tension headaches also cite stress or hunger as a factor. How can an osteopath help? First you should check with a GP that your headache has no pathological cause. An osteopath will be able to trace if the source of the tension is elsewhere in the body (such as in the neck, abdomen (stomach), pelvis or even diaphragm) and whether it is acting as a pain conductor. The osteopath will then gently manipulate the area to try and loosen it and relieve the tension.

What is repetitive strain injury (RSI)? Occupational overuse syndrome (sometimes referred to as repetitive strain injury) occurs when you repeatedly use a particular part of the body, which then becomes painful when you repeat the same action. It is often associated with pain in the wrist from using a computer mouse or pain in the thumbs as a result of gaming. The best way to alleviate the symptoms is to stop the activity all together and rest the aggravated area. How can an osteopath help? An osteopath will ask you about your medical history and then may ask you to do a series of movements (eg looking over your shoulder, looking up and down etc) in order to diagnose the source of the problem. It may be that the source of the

Here’s a quick test you can do to check if you have posture imbalances. Stand barefoot on a hard, level floor and relax your hands by your sides while breathing from your abdomen. Now close your eyes and pay attention to where your weight distribution is located on your feet. Ask yourself : Is there more weight on your left or right foot? Does the weight put pressure on the inside or the outside of your feet? problem is nothing to do with your hands but somewhere else, such as your neck. Stretching and gentle manipulation will then help to relieve the tension.

What is postural imbalance? Muscles which are consistently being shortened (or tightened) or over stretched from their correct alignment can lead to a constant tug-of-war between your muscles which are called postural distortion patterns. How can an osteopath help? An osteopath will be able to identify and manipulate the areas which are the source of the pain and so relieve the tension. They can also give you advice on how to improve your sitting and standing postures in order to reduce your symptoms and help to strengthen core muscles.

Are you standing on your heels or on the balls of your feet? If you’re like 99% of the population, you will probably notice that your weight distribution is slightly uneven and that your body is not completely aligned. This is not a problem until things get too stiff to compensate to physical stresses.

PAIN RELIEF WITH TRIGGER POINT SELFHELP Valerie DeLaune ISBN 978-1-905367-25-2 Trigger points are tender, painful nodules that form in muscle fibres and connective tissues and can refer pain to other areas of the body, in addition to referring pain locally. This book teaches the reader where to search for trigger points, how to treat them and how to prevent them from forming by making simple lifestyle changes. Although this book is written for anyone who wants to treat their own pain, it is also an invaluable reference for health care practitioners whose patients suffer from either chronic or acute pain. www.lotuspublishing.co.uk

About the BOA The British Osteopathy Association (BOA) (www.osteopathy.org) has more information about how to keep your muscles and joints healthy and also how to find an osteopath near you. They have produced a FREE mobile phone app called “Osteopathy, relief from back, neck and joint problems” for Android and iPhones which is available to download from the Android market (https://market. android.com ) or the Apple App Store (www.apple.com/uk/ iPhone ).

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Recognising the signs of

OSTEOPOROSIS Words: Alan Gordon

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines osteoporosis as a 25 percent reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) compared to that of a healthy young adult female.

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he milder form of Osteoporosis is referred to as Osteopaenia and this is defined as a bone mineral density between 10 and 25 percent below the adult mean average.

Each year in the UK, approximately 230,000 fractures occur as a direct consequence of Osteoporosis and the cost to the National Health Service budget lies between £1 and £1.7 billion. The human consequences of an osteoporotic fracture can include death within the first six months for almost 21 percent of individuals who suffer hip fractures. Spinal fractures result in chronic pain and greatly reduced mobility, and 2 in every 6 patients will suffer a further fracture within 9-12 months before the condition is actually recognised.

How Osteoporosis develops ‘Peak bone mass’ or ‘density’ as it is sometimes called, is usually reached during the third decade of a person’s life, after which time there is a gradual decrease in bone mineral density. This decline is fairly similar in both men and women until women reach the menopause, when their decreased levels of oestrogen cause a woman to lose bone fairly rapidly. Your bone structure is continuously being reformed via an ongoing breaking down process known as ‘osteoclast activity’, and the broken down material is then used to form new bone, via a process called ‘osteoblast activity’. Although the interaction between osteoclast and osteoblast is a well synchronized partnership, osteoclast activity

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after the peak bone mass, is slightly ahead of its osteoblast partner by approximately 30 to 50 percent and that rate accelerates significantly in ladies after menopause.

Types of Osteoporosis Primary Osteoporosis Type One: Affects trabecular bone, which is the name given to the spongier and more porous type of human bone. In post-menopausal women it often manifests itself in wrist and spinal fractures. Type Two: Age-related; which affects people, usually over about 80 years of age with by hip, upper arm and shin fractures.

Wellbeing osteoporosis Women over 86 years of age, are almost eight times more likely than women aged 66-75 years to spend time in hospital with a hip fracture and with our longevity increasing, this situation will certainly become an even bigger problem in the future.

Secondary Osteoporosis At 50, the risk of an osteoporotic fracture for women is around 42 percent, but in men it is only around 20 percent. This is due to the ovarian hormone, Oestrogen, the most important factor in maintaining bone mineral density.Circulating oestrogen levels have a direct impact on bone health.

Study In one large Scandinavian study, conducted over a 29 year span, involving 63,000 women; 465 died as a result of hip fracture trauma. It was noted, that the longer the time period between a woman’s first period and the start of her menopause, the greater her chance of surviving a broken hip; if there was less than 30 years between the first period and menopause, those women were twice as likely to die from a hip fracture than those with a 38-year gap. Being over 35 years of age when having a first child, also appeared to reduce the risk of a fatal hip fracture, demonstrating how women with more reproductive years are safer, because they have benefited from natural oestrogens for a longer period of time.

Lactation and Pregnancy. Being pregnant results in a lowered bone mass status and then produces more loss again, in the first five months of lactation. Unfortunately, little clinically reliable information is available concerning any long-term positive effects upon bone health created by high oestrogen levels during pregnancy, but some schools of thought consider that it could actually be a growing child’s calcium requirements that are responsible for a mother’s bone loss.

Race Asian or Caucasian people, are more prone to Osteoporosis, compared to Afro-Caribbean. The latter category were found to have heavier and larger bones than the former two types of the same age and sex matched bone density.

Family history Although smoking, diet and other life style/personal habits could be of some significance, if there is a family history of Osteoporosis, then the individual concerned will be in the higher risk category.

Medical risk factors These are quite numerous; a few of them being: • •

•

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) HRT evidence now clearly demonstrates, how it significantly reduces the risks of osteoporotic development, as long as it’s applied long term at the optimum bone-sparing dosage. But its positive effects cease, within five years of it being stopped. Taking HRT for more than five years has revealed a 70 percent less likelihood of suffering bone fractures than not taking it, and it’s widely available in the form of creams, implants, vaginal rings, patches and gels.

•

• •

Eating disorders. Taking more than 7.5mg of Prednisolone every day, long term, or any other of what is known as corticosteroids. Rheumatoid Arthritis, or chronic liver/renal disorders/diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease/disorders or any other condition that causes problems with absorbing nutrients from food. Hyperthyroidism ( overly active thyroid function) A low BMI ( Body Mass Index) of less than 18.

Lifestyle factors Smoking: The bone mass in smokers is very significantly lower than non-smokers. Smoking increases

Continued...

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Wellbeing osteoporosis the risks of vertebral fractures in women by 13 percent and 32 percent in men. In the hip fracture zone, the risk is 31 percent for women and 40 percent for men, but some of the negative effects can be reduced by stopping the smoking. Alcohol Consumption. When the standard measurement ‘tool’ used was wine, (with one unit being 125ml), after bone mineral density tests ( BMD), some studies revealed a positive effect on total body and spinal, bone mineral density from consuming 2 units a day. However; a regular intake of considerably more than 14 units per week, results in negative effects!

Conclusions It’s often very difficult to diagnose Osteoporosis, because until an actual fracture takes place, it usually displays no ‘loud’ warning symptoms. However, some signs could be; finding Osteopaenia on a routine X-ray in a younger woman, someone experiencing height loss, getting increasingly round shouldered ( Kyphosis) or experiencing regular back pain before they suffered an actual fracture. All of those, are possible advance indicators. In general, the most practical and effective way to diagnose osteoporosis and determine someone’s risk of fracture, is by bone mineral density testing, also testing for calcium levels in urine or a straightforward spine/hip X ray are two other methods available. If you are in any doubt about your own situation, and anything in this article ‘resonates’ with you, it’s a very good idea to go and see your GP and let them know your concerns. When in doubt...don’t stick your head in the sand... Get yourself checked out!

Alan Gordon is an advanced expert in Exercise, Injury and Nutrition, as well as a one-to-one Personal Trainer in the UK. A member of the International Society of Biomechanics, The Clinical Exercise Physiology Association and The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, he has 43 years of experience. www. alangordon-health.co.uk

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Get ‘The Glow’ with Pregnancy Yoga Flow and Postnatal Recovery – a new DVD by Brigid Godwin for Pregnancy and beyond Yoga in pregnancy has been popularised in recent years by celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Giselle Bundchen and is known to be a wonderful way to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy. There are many places offering specialist yoga classes for expectant mums but if you can’t get to a class or would prefer to practice in the privacy of your own home then this new DVD is an absolute must. Pregnancy Yoga Flow features 3 classes which can be selected to suit your energy levels and time constraints. Birth Prep: The 30 minute Birth Preparation section features movements that will help your baby into a good position in preparation for birth. It also includes breath work and movements you may find useful during labour. Postnatal Yoga: The two featured post natal classes can be practiced safely along with your baby as soon as you feel ready after the birth. Pregnancy Yoga Flow & Postnatal Recovery is priced at £14.99 and is available online from www.unityyoga.co.uk

TO WIN A DVD

visit our competition pages at wellbeingmagazine.co.uk/competitions

WORDS: HANNAH ROSALIE

Energy

“Bridging the gap between conventional medicine and complementary therapies simply requires an open mind.”

Nigel Glee, Energy for Life practitioner and trainer.

T

oday I meet a hairdresser and we get chatting, as you do, but within minutes I realise this is no ordinary hairdresser. Jackie Mannell was born in London and raised in the South East of England. As an only child she was very close to her mother, who sadly developed diabetes in her early twenties. Keen to enhance her wellbeing, the family immersed themselves in a healthy lifestyle, and Jackie soon became aware of the influence we can have on our own wellbeing. Jackie started her own

28 Wellbeing

successful hairdressing salon and beauty consultancy in Sussex, but increasingly felt her role expand to that of a kind of therapist, as her clients felt comfortable to enough to open up and chat problems through with her. “It did help them enormously, I got an amazing uplifting feeling when this happened, and my clients would say as they left, ‘thank you I feel so much better,’ and they would leave smiling” explains Jackie. Over time this led her to open her own mind to the possibility of re-training and offering

Life

for

therapy sessions more formally. Five years ago, Jackie read an article on a gentleman that had Crohns disease for many years, doctors could only help so far, so he turned to alternative healing. Incredibly he is now cured. “He practices Energy for Life, and it was through him that I did my training,” explains Jackie “and I now practice Energy for Life, in my salon in Battle.” Jackie is clearly passionate about her new role as a therapist, and I’m intrigued as to what exactly energy for life is. “I support people’s health through their illness” she

explains, “there is no separation between our bodies and our emotions. The Energy for Life healing process enables all of us to reconnect back to the essence of who we are, whilst simultaneously experiencing an accelerated healing journey with tranquility and inner peace. After an initial consultation, I gently lay my hands on the clients body, and to relaxing music I am guided where to move them.” Jackie offers 1hr treatment sessions for £40.00. Hours: Wed-Fri 9.303.00, Sat 9.00-5pm. Unit 5, Old Brewery Yard, Battle, TN33 OAF, 01424 775075.

Wellbeing 21

ENERGYin Yoga words: Charlotte Watts

Y

oga poses can often be viewed on first impressions as simply a form of exercise, but in yoga philosophy, these are one on the eight-fold path to moving towards Samadhi or at its most simple, ultimate connection. Sounds a little highfalutin when you’re feeling a stretch on the backs of your legs? Well, part of the reason for yoga postures – asanas – is to help facilitate the right energy balance, distribution and exchange in the body. As we open, release and unwind areas of tension, energy can more easily move around without blockages. At first this can feel pretty intense as we rediscover parts of ourselves that have been shut down; release can bring strong tingling nerve sensations but also shifts and waves of emotions buried or forgotten. As poor postural habits change with long-term practise, we can feel strong energetic effects from overly contracted or stretched muscle slowly moving back to their natural alignment. It helps in yoga practise and teaching to view tension released from the bottom of the body and rise upwards and out. Looking at the positions of the chakras (energy ‘wheels’ or centres) in the body can be a focus for awareness of energy and release. The chakras are often depicted as wheels or flowers gathering at positions up

22 Wellbeing

the spine where energy or the life-force prana is focussed. They represent more gross, experiential energies from the root at the base of the spine to the more subtle, conscious at the top of the head. Focusing on five of the seven of the chakra positions here can help us observe the effect that breathing and yoga postures have on our bodies. This can help us breathe into areas around tension, making space and ensuring we don’t practise with any force: Muladhara - Root Chakra (red): corresponding to the pelvic floor, this is the are we link to experience, feeling and the base energies at the opposite end of the spectrum to the thinking, analytical brain. In the modern world, we can be disconnected from feeling rather than thinking and tensions in shoulders, chest and diaphragm can prevent us from breathing right down into the tailbone to connect with our root. Focussing back down to this are can help relieve pressure and stress in the brain.

ment for breath. Western tendencies can be to either completely let go or grip the abdominal muscles too strongly in an attempt to look thin. Connection with this area is related to supporting functions of the adrenal glands, digestion and pancreas, all of which can become imbalanced with stress.

Manipura - Solar Plexus Chakra (yellow): seated in the belly or navel area, where we focus breathing in yoga. We look to create soft but strong support in the belly in all postures to protect the lower back, whilst still allowing move-

Anahata - Heart Chakra (green): in Eastern philosophies, it is the heart not the brain that is the centre of the self. Much sitting on chairs, in front of computers and slouching on sofas can shut down the chest area and leave us less

able to fully breathe. Low energy in this area is associated spiritually with not nourishing oneself and heart meditations on loving kindness (metta bhavana) to ourselves – and others - can help with feelings of healing and reducing stress hormones. Vishuddha - Throat Chakra (blue): this is the area that represents communication and also represents growth through clear expression. This is where the thyroid gland sits, which governs physical growth and metabolism in the body and can be quickly affected by stress. When we release tension up from the body, it can feel stuck in the throat and jaw, so it can help in yoga and daily life to release the face, open the jaw wide and swallow to help move

through anything stuck. You might feel this is particularly relevant if you struggle to express yourself or that you have left things unsaid. Ajna - Third Eye Chakra (indigo): situated between the eyebrows, this is referred to as the ‘third eye’, named thousands of years before anatomical knowledge of this position of the pineal gland. This produces the hormone melatonin, responsible for our sleep-wake cycles and also signals to the adrenals to react to any perceived stress, be it real danger or psycho-social stress or thoughts and emotions. We can observe stress in this area from a frown, a muscular action that informs the body something amiss is going on. Staying soft between the eyebrows helps to soothe the brain

and using this as a focal point for meditation or in restorative poses, not only connects with our intuition, but also actively increases blood circulation to the pineal gland.

A simple breathing exercise is to visualise the in-breath rising up from tailbone to crown of the head, noticing each of these points along the way and then back down with the exhalation. Charlotte recommends the Chranket to cover you in relaxation mode and reflect the colours of the chakras, www.reflotherapies.co.uk Charlotte practises as a Nutritional Therapist and Yoga Teacher in Brighton – see www. charlottewattshealth.com/yoga and www.de-stressyourlife.com

Wellbeing 23

THE NEXT COUNTY...

AN IDYLL IN THE ILE DE

FRANCE We’ll always have Paris, so explore the fabulous sights outside the capital, says Frances Barnes

I

rma looks every inch a true Parisienne, beautiful, serious about her food and faultlessly groomed from head to – er, paw. Irma is a lioness, you see, one of a pride of amber-coloured Angolan lions currently enjoying a perfect leonine lifestyle of feeding and breeding at the Parc des Felins, less than 60 km from the gates of Paris, in France’s Seineet-Marne. The 60 acre-Parc is unique in Europe and houses over 150 species of Big Cat in spacious, safari-like conditions that replicate life in the wild. Along with its vital conservation work protecting such rare breeds as snow leopards, South

24 Wellbeing

American panthers, and Siberian tigers, the Parc de Felins offers a chance to glimpse these rare and lovely creatures in safe, natural surroundings. The result is an unforgettable educational experience for all animal lovers.

National treasures It is also a reminder of the many world class travel attractions that exist within an hour’s journey from France’s capital. The Seine-et-Marne teems with national treasures – chateaux, gourmet delights, famous artworks and sites of international architectural importance. Historically as well as scenically, this region - part of the Ile de France - distils the essence of France

Vaux-le-Vicomte Chateau

and its turbulent, and sometimes heartbreaking history. Many pivotal turning points that altered the destiny of the nation happened here. The ancient cities of Meaux and Provins alone are worth any detour. Meaux, along with its celebrated mustards, hosts the Bishop’s Palace, former domain of Jacques Bossuet, confessor of the Sun King and renowned for his stirring sermons. It is the last of such complexes still standing in France today. Provins, deservedly on UNESCO World Heritage listing, is a wonderfully well preserved medieval city. It provides a spellbinding backward

look to the Middle Ages, when Knights Templar invented passports and travellers cheques to protect the allimportant cloth merchants journeying from Scandinavia and Italy to visit the town’s famous Trade Fairs. More recent alumni include Jules Verne and Honore de Balzac who wrote part of his “Human Comedy” in the lee of city’s ramparts. Our visit to Irma and her relatives involved a journey across a famous Great War location – the battle of the Marne. Here on 4 September l914 the Allied army confronted 700.000 German soldiers and prevented them from marching to Paris. In November

an Saint Je La Table ins v rant, Pro Restau

the Meaux region will unveil the Great War Museum, dedicated to enabling visitors to understand WW1 from the perspective of ordinary soldiers.

Crown Jewels Two magnificent chateaux, Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte, are among the region’s crown jewels. Fontainebleau is called “family home to the Kings of France” – among its 1,300 rooms you trace the history of eight centuries, with Rococo chapel, priceless Sevres porcelain, more than 1,000 clocks and the exquisite furniture of Marie-Antoinette’s boudoir. Despite its roll-call of royalty, it is the diminutive shadow of Napoleon which dominates the palace today. On view is his Greatcoat and distinctive hat worn at Waterloo, his tiny bed,

Vaux-le -Vicom te Chate by 2,00 au illum 0 cand inated les

and the table where he signed his abdication paper. The incomparable Vaux-le-Vicomte Chateau, a 17th-cent. baroque masterpiece was built by Nicolas Fouquet, Louis X1V’s Finance Minister. Its perfection cost him his liberty. Throwing a lavish house-warming party in the young king’s honour, he hoped to dazzle his peers with the beauty of his new home. Louis, aged just 23, watched in mingled admiration and envy as the festivities went on, and repaid Fouquet’s invitation by clapping him in prison, furious at his “insolent

Big Cats

’ in Parc

and audacious luxury.” This first demonstration of the Sun King’s absolute power didn’t deter Louis from commissioning master craftsmen Le Veau, Le Brun and Le Notre to complete his own palace at Versailles. Vaux-le-Vicomte looks gorgeous illuminated by 2,000 candles every Saturday night during the season. Watching the chateau glow, you can enjoy delicious food at Les Charmilles terrace restaurant.

Parc des Felins Before departing for our Eurostar return we said farewell to Irma

des Felin

s

and her cousins in the Parc des Felins, walking the four circuits that took us into the habitats of predators from Asia, Africa, America and Europe. There is an educational farm for children, and, an acre-long island where inquisitive stripedtailed lemurs made us welcome on their own territory. The popularity of this attraction, more than holding its own among Seineet-Marne’s treasures, proves that these latest feline residents of the Ile de France are no less fascinating than inmates from the region’s rich and varied past.

CONTACTS Museum of the Great War, Meaux www.museedelagrandeguerre.eu Le Parc des Felins, Nesles www.parc-des-felins.com Provins: Office de Tourisme www.provins.net Provins: La Table Saint Jean Restaurant www.table-saint-jean.com Provins: The Mansion of Old Baths www.demeure-des-veux-bains.com Eurostar: www.eurostar.com/uk reservations: 08432 186 186 Seine et Marne Tourist Board, 11, rue Royale, 77300 Fontainebleau tel: +33 (0)1 60 39 60 39 email: cdt@tourisme77.fr

Wellbeing 25

26 Wellbeing

EXPERIENCING THE

BLACK DOG Words Martin Usbourne

Author and Photographer, Martin Usbourne shares his experience of depression and how his medication, friends and his little dog, named Moose, have inspired him to publish his first book, ‘My Name is Moose’ I’m not sure if what I have experienced at my lowest points is clear-cut depression. More often its been a swirling mix of anxiety and obsessiveness (laced with OCD) and those violent negative thoughts that launch themselves at the jugular ‘you’re a disaster, everything will go wrong, what’s the point anyway’. These words seem so clichéd but when they appear in my head at 5am they look terribly impressive and original. I twist over and pull the duvet tighter. It doesn’t. When the rare moment comes that I sink into a pure depression, a feeling of deep blue, it’s a relative respite from the madness –

like listening to a long low note as opposed to a cacophony of instruments trying to be heard over each other.

Fruitful life I take anti-depressants. I’ve taken them since my early twenties and now in my late thirties I realize I will do so for the rest of my life. Flouxetine 20mg 2 x daily down the hatch with a swig of water. The other day I calculate that I’ve ingested more that my entire body weight in those things. But I’ve long got over beating myself up about it. They help enormously and on the whole I live a very fruitful life as a photographer and writer only slipping

low a few times a year when I’m lucky enough to have friends and family that can help push me onwards. In those moments I feel am walking through a huge vat of emotional treacle.

Moose I also have a dog called Moose. A mini schnauzer who loves broccoli and whose hair is too long. I throw a stick out ahead, hang on to the lead and he drags me forward through that emotional treacle too. Out to the park we go, to do the simple things –walk, breathe, laugh at him chasing squirrels, pick up poo in bags. Ha! I love the simplicity he brings to life: sleeping when he needs to sleep, running when he wants to run, being happy when is happy, lying in his bed with one eye open watching me pace around the

flat when he is more pensive. He greets me when I open the door with a huge leap and lick. I’ve done the therapy and meditation and flotation tanks and healing magnets and wheat free pancakes and morning headstands whilst chanting mysterious mantras. I’ve read the self-help books and drunk the special herbal teas. Call me old fashioned but none seem to work as well as 40mg of pills bolstered with a walk in the park with Moose.

Inspiration The more I’ve become accustomed to my depression the more I have used it in my photography and writing. There’s lots of nutrients in the dark goo at the bottom of our minds, as long as you are not too scared to delve into it. Last

Wellbeing 27

year I did a series of photographs of dogs in cars all shot at night that was totally inspired by that terrible feeling of aloneness and fear that is attendant to depression. They did very well, being shown in galleries around the world, I think in the most part because they came from somewhere very deep and true. Clearly dogs are my muse. I find them so expressive, honest and simple. I have also written and photographed a small photography book about depression but told through the eyes of Moose my dog. Hopefully its funny and quirky. Its’ called

28 Wellbeing

MY NAME IS MOOSE and its about how he doesn’t understand why his master seems so sad and decides that he must find the ‘black dog’ that is causing all the trouble. I wrote it after experiencing a down turn in my commissions and the effects of the recession and realizing how immune dogs were from all the human worries – after all there are still plenty of sticks in the park and air to breathe. But I wanted the story to be light and playful. I’m now working on a new book, it’s a self-help parody but written by Moose, with tips on finding happiness

from a dog’s point of view (i.e. ‘Love thy neighbour’ is written next to a photo of Moose sniffing a dog’s bum, etc. etc.) I feel somewhat proud to have suffered from depression. It’s added a dimension to my life that has been undoubtedly painful but also enlightening. I have traveled places that people who have not experience depression could never go. I’ve gone to the deserts, the frozen lakes, the windy mountains, I’ve seen into deep craters and felt the hot lava flows of the soul. And although those places are wild, dangerous and scary,

they also have a stark beauty. And I have a deep connection with other’s that have weathered that route: as though we are tired travelers that meet in a small hut at the edge of the mountain to compare notes. If you are reading this and you recognize my words I don’t know you at all… but I do know you. Me and Moose wish you love.

£9.99 ISBN 9781843406266

THE NEW WORK SECURITY Show up with your best self and artistry

Words: Nick Williams

F

or most people of this generation, the deal around work has been this: sell your soul, be compliant, do as you’re asked and you’ll be rewarded and taken care of. We’ve been encouraged to sacrifice our excitement, our passions and a deep sense of fulfilment in return for security. It started in the factories and then moved into the offices. But that deal is disappearing. Jobs are being outsourced. You are likely to be squeezed more in your work and career, and then you could be let go of at any time. The world you were probably educated and trained to fit into is disappearing before your eyes. For many people this is scary. But I believe that within this lies a tremendous opportunity. So if being compliant is no longer the route to security, is there a new source of security? And if so, what is it? I believe it is to show up with your love, creativity and artistry, to bring your humanity into the work you do. To touch the humanity inside you and authentically connect to the humans in the market-place. Then

you create a resonance with people. The opportunity is to let your work become a canvass onto which you express your uniqueness, your soul and your love. It is to let your passion out and show what you truly care about and create a business around doing that. The world is hungry for work that is your artistic expression rather than is a commodity. Any work can be your canvass – the key is your intention not the actual canvass. Your car dealership, plumbing business, coaching or healing practice can be the canvas for your artistry. In essence, this new territory consists of the following: Discover, acknowledge, show up with, package, and find clients for your brilliance. And then deal with all the fear and resistance that goes around that. This does mean finding the genius and creative spirit that you were born with and you have been largely taught to repress throughout school and your employment. The opportunity is to show up with your best self rather than your compliant self. Being an artist is about finding and giving your

particular gift. We are all gift bearers but mostly you’ve probably not been encouraged to discover, value or show up with your unique gift. I have built a very successful business by giving away much of my best work on my web site for free and then having optional paid programmes down the line. Don’t work for pay, but do be paid for your work How do you get paid for doing this? Many creative and spiritual people have some unhelpful thinking about money and doing what they love. They can often think that doing work you love means not valuing yourself and not asking for much money. Bringing your best self to work is about living a higher energy life. It means giving a lot and it also involves becoming a very gracious receiver – of appreciation, of gratitude and of money. I love the way singer songwriter and poet, Leonard Cohen expressed it. He said that when he set out as an artist in the 1960’s, “I always thought I was in my career as an artist for the long haul. I was able to satisfy the only dictum I set up for myself – I didn’t want to work for pay, but I wanted

to be paid for my work, and I was able to achieve that, and that’s an incredibly lucky turn of events. It is a wonderful life to be able to make a living doing what you want.” Leonard makes an important point, and it is the shift from working for pay to working for love. You have to find the work you were put on this planet to do, and love doing it and do it for the love. And then you need to get very clever and intelligent and be active and entrepreneurial in finding the people who will willingly pay you for doing it. You need to find that sweet intersection of what you love and what people need, and then package your gifts in ways that people like and want to buy. You have a choice – will you buy into the fear? Or will you risk showing up with your best self, your heart and creativity. Please choose the latter. You need and the world need your best self more than ever. Please show up with it. Nick Williams www.inspiredentrepreneur.com, www.facebook.com/ entrepreneurclub

Wellbeing 29

Wellbeing books

BEAT SUGAR ADDICTION NOW

£14.99

Book

Jacob Teitelbaum with Chrystle Fiedler ISBN: 978-1-5923-3415-5. The Cutting-Edge Programme That Cures Your Type of Sugar Addiction and Puts You on the Road to Feeling Great - and Losing Weight! With one-third of our calories coming from sugar and white flour added to processed foods, sugar addiction is a rapidly growing epidemic. Beat Sugar Addiction NOW! provides a step-by-step programme for breaking the sugar addiction, managing withdrawal symptoms, and helping the body recover from its side effects. To view an animation of the four stages of sugar addiction and how to combat them, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v-45JfMMDtGzk

reviews

What have you read lately?

To purchase these books see www.wellbeingmagazine.co.uk/reviews/books

£14.95 £8.99

COSMIC ENERGY How to Harness the Invisible Power Around You to Transform Your Life Anne Jirsch ISBN 978-0-7499-5325-6 Discover how to create the life you wish for! In her friendly, accessible style, Anne

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teaches you how to use the power of the cosmos to transform your life. She shows us how to Reveal your life’s purpose, Attract positive people into your life, Secure the perfect job and improve your business, Rejuvenate your space to create the perfect home, Connect to all the wealth and happiness in the world, Maximise your wellbeing - and that of your loved ones www.annejirsch.com

£16.99

THE SECRETS OF PEOPLE WHO NEVER GET SICK What They Know, Why It Works, and How It Can Work for You Gene Stone 978-0-7611-5814-1 Gene examines the lives of 25 people who make the claim: “I never get sick” to find out their secrets of excellent health. It is a book filled with wisdom developed-not by a university research laboratory-but by everyday people living their lives. There are food, exercise, environmental and emotional secrets, among others.

GROW YOUR FOOD FOR FREE Great money saving ideas for your garden Dave Hamilton ISBN: 978-1-900322-89-8 If you don’t like spending money in garden centres and think you can do it for a fraction of the price, then Dave Hamilton can show you how by recycling, reusing materials creatively and making the most of what you have. So if you fancy growing your own food on a budget then this little book is your practical guide. It includes step by step instructions and easy to follow diagrams and of course it is printed on recycled paper using vegetable inks!

Wellbeinginterview

Vitality Regulation thRough Biodanza ... Wellbeing Magazine talks to Helen Thatcher about this unique form of movement Words: Hannah Rosalie

Rolando Toro, an anthropologist and psychologist in Chile, developed Biodanza, movement through guided dances with the focus on the enjoyment of being in the present moment. He was interested in discovering how we bring more balanced vitality into our life. A class typically includes high-energy exercises and opportunities to relax deeply. Helen Thatcher, who practices in Brighton,

B

explains more...

iodanza understands vitality as the sensation of feeling alive and includes the ability to regulate our energy levels. When we feel vital we are connected in a healthy way to our own body and our environment. With this sense of “aliveness” we have an impetus to engage fully with life, we feel enthusiasm and joy. When the body is in a vital state of being the body functions well and we are in a state of health, we also have the possibility of feeling great!

How can we achieve this?

There are particular exercises in Biodanza that help us to regulate our own energy. For example, we use music with strong rhythm, and adjust the volume during the dance. We invite participants to continually dance, and keep connection the rhythm, whilst riding the waves of intensity; expressing more or less energy in feedback with the volume and their body’s natural vitality. We are practising relaxing, without collapsing! The benefits of this impact into our life as we learn to listen to the needs of our body and rest when necessary in order to nourish and nurture ourselves.

What people are saying… “Whatever has been going on for me, after some Biodanza I am always in a more peaceful place.” Paul, Hove.

“I have found the Biodanza physically energising, mentally stimulating, spiritually inspiring, an all round enjoyable experience.” alexandRa, PeaceHaven.

Where’s my nearest class?

Mondays 1-3pm Hanover - Julia Hancock. Fridays 7.30-9pm Hove - Helen Thatcher. Your first Biodanza class is FREE – so come and try! Then it’s £10 per class. www.heartnova.com for more details.

How does Biodanza regulate vitality?

In Biodanza we speak about being in “feedback” with our body. Being in feedback means becoming aware of how we feel in any moment, and responding practically and with care to our own needs. In this way we are able to learn to rest when needed, rather than to push ourselves towards “burn out”. When we learn to rest in life, we naturally take care of replenishing our own energy.

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Numberscope Numerology is the study of the symbolism of numbers. Similar to astrology, it is used to determine a person’s personality, strengths and talents, obstacles, inner needs, emotional reactions and ways of dealing with others. Wellbeing’s resident Numerologist Laurence Gibson has created your personal guide for September October. Enjoy

September Fate Number:

4

4

Courage is useful now. You always inspire others to get things done but this month the rewards are just for you. Be determined to make a success of it and watch as others look on in awe.

Personal Path Numbers

Imagination will help you fly this month. But remember to keep your feet on the ground. You can do both these things. Do your work and try to keep a routine making time to daydream as well.

Be alert and determined. It is a month to achieve goals. Your material and home life can be more prosperous, settled and calm.

1

Drive yourself and your ideas forward seeing glimmers of success. Flare, force and ambition have always been your strengths but now play an energy game. Knuckle down and prove a point.

2

Tough tests for your gentle heart. Security is a necessary feeling for you but this becomes this month more of a struggle. Watch out for creeping loneliness and use work to focus your mind.

3

Spread your net far and wide. The ideas spinning around in your head are many. Now look for opportunities coming from outside the box to solidify plans. Remind yourself you are a natural winner.

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5

6

Whether you are creative, can heal, be intuitive or are a budding musician focus your attention here. Supporting others is what you do best but now it is time to support your own magical talents.

7

Confusion and analysis are sometimes difficult to separate. Avoid turning your questioning mind inward these weeks. Focus onto whatever can be done next rather than looking over and over the past.

8

Shine like the Sun this month. You are a naturally gifted and inspired person who is also hard-working, conscientious and reliable. Pull out all the stops and whizz around like the energy bomb you are.

9

Money, possessions and material gain have never meant much to you. This month expand your horizon with gentleness. Go on long walks, entertain children and prepare nice food. Selfless is best.

11

Genius is often a frustrating thing. But now focus onto maintaining a rhythm of life, a steadyas-she-goes attitude and plan for the future while you are at it. Avoid giving yourself a hard time.

22

Make love not war. Sensuality, expressiveness and touch are all at your fingertips – if only you would allow it. Now use these lovely gifts to enhance your sense of wholeness and oneness with the universe.

October Fate Number:

5

Think before you speak this month. Challenges arise when multi-tasking. Try to remain optimistic and the universe will be cheerful in return.

Personal Path Numbers

1

Chinese whispers and crossed wires should be guarded against and exposed by you this month. Maintain your vision at the forefront while being open to friendly discussions. Brush out the cobwebs.

2

Exciting developments for you on different levels. Now stop worrying about others and put yourself first for once. The new doors opening to you come as a bright light at the end of a gloomy tunnel.

3

Cash-flow projections are not exactly your forte. When you have money you spend it. This month think more thriftily.

Don’t just socialise away your last bean but invest more in your future.

4

Tense shoulders can be painful. You do work hard but now find time to fit in relaxation. You do know how to, right? Sit quietly in nature, go on a vacation or let your hair down with a party.

5

Remain flexible to others this month. Guide friends and colleagues with care. When at your best you inspire and motivate. So aim to leave your inner impatient child alone on the naughty step.

6

Serenity is helpful. Keeping calm when others lose their heads is something you do well. Keep this in mind. Link people together, comfort those in distress and display those warm motherly intentions.

7

Objectivity is easy for you but swift decision making is not. Now your challenge is to keep your thoughts constantly moving through rapidly changing scenarios. Don’t

worry if it is not at all clear.

8

Efficiency has never been a problem and this month you keep on top of things with style. Imagine you are leading a marching band of musicians at a celebration of national honour. Glow with pride.

9

Balance yourself now. Your month seems up, down, round the side and back again. Be strong around runaway or diverse emotions. Remember the love in your heart is there to help heal.

11

Spin around with creativity as your fuel. You can produce a myriad of offerings this month. There are also parties for you to attend or some fun and frolics with a lover. Stay sociable.

22

Common sense comes naturally and you are a great support. Watch out this month to maintain your understanding. Many people need it. Put your own life on ice and come back to it later.

To find your destiny number, find the sum of the numbers in your date of birth. For example 18 May 1978: 1+8+5+1+9+7+8 = 39 Add the resulting numbers together until you reach one of the destiny numbers below: 3+9 = 12, 1+2 = Destiny Number 3

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Our journey through life can challenging. To simply keep going and take the next step when all seems lost can feel so hard at times, but by getting up each

Words of

time you fall you will succeed in finding

Wisdom

From Julia Armstrong, therapist, coach and healer.

your way in your own life for sure. Often, when we think everything is lost, this is the point in the rain storm when the rainbow is about to appear, holding within its bright colours the promise of new possibilities; the pot of gold is revealed from behind the dark rain clouds. Holding your centre and continuing to take the next step towards being your true self is all that is required. You will find how to be happy in your own skin. Each one of us makes a difference, so working to be whole and

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true to ourselves is well worth doing. Within each of us, there is a small voice of calm, watching all the time. Even if you are living ‘off kilter’ and not taking care of yourself, this part of us knows and observes us at all times. Self awareness is simply waking up and living from this part. It is really listening to your heart which is always speaking to you, even if quietly at times. Listen to your intuition and resist living by outdated scripts that you perhaps learnt you were

little and no longer apply. Being yourself is a gift to yourself and to everyone you encounter for it gives them permission to be themselves too. We teach best by example. I am in the job of healing and teaching others to be whole, so all that is really important is that I do my own work. It is vital that I clean and clear the mirror so that you can see your reflection clearly and learn how to be all that you can be.

Julia is a therapist, coach and healer. Julia has also been running all her life, and helping others find happiness and fulfillment in their lives for almost as long. The lessons she learns in seeking to master her running allow better understanding to master her life and to help her teach others to follow their path, listen to their voice and be true to themselves, fulfill their human potential and reach for their destiny! www.juliaarmstrong.com

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Q

What inspired you to start Yurtopia? I had some friends who lived in a network of yurts and I practiced yoga there with them and spent time there so fell in love with yurts and ended up buying a second hand one for my garden. Spending time in a yurt is real escapism and I love the feeling of only the canvas separating you from the breeze, sunlight and the natural sounds and smells of nature, something that a building deprives us of. Spending time in and around my yurt calms my mind and lets me breathe again. I soon realized what a perfect place it was for massage and other treatments that compliment it.

Q

What were you doing before? I worked in an office but yearned to have a place to live and work all to do all the things I love like growing

my own veg - I love being outside, and I’m so lucky to have finally realized my dream.

Holistic entrepreneur

Q

start ups aren’t easy, but this month Wellbeing

What do you offer? I offer holistic massage therapy which is tailor made to suit a person’s needs whether they want it to de-stress, for aches and pains like back pain or for ongoing treatment after an accident or operation, for circulation and detox or for that special treat and power of touch that so many of us are missing.

In a tough economic climate, new business Magazine talks to local massage therapist Debbie Cobb, about her unique business and how it’s going from strength to strength. IntervIeW: HannaH rosalIe

Debbie runs Yurtopia, which started from humble roots at the bottom of her garden.

Q

What’s next for Yurtopia? I hope I will be lucky enough to turn Yurtopia into a retreat that people can either visit for an hour or stay for a week. I have many contacts who can offer various therapies and personal physical training. I’m a born coordinator and whatever the visitor requires I will do my best to arrange even if its a map to the pub across the fields! We plan to embark on this next year with more yurts!

Q

Where are your yurts from? From Woodland Yurts in Cornwall, they use

sustainable ash from local woodlands and their craftsmanship is second to none. My yurt stays up most of the year. It is heated in winter by a woodburning stove and therefore clients can experience the unusual warmth that a yurt provides even in thick snow.

Q

Where are you based? In Westfield, East Sussex, nestled away from the road in 20 acres of countryside, pastures and woodland with a stream running

through. We have sheep and a horse, all rescue animals – all different and all named now! Emma the Horse was badly treated so we give her lots of TLC. The sheep are a motley crew who love the odd treat and are very happy in the paddock.

“A massage treatments start from only £30 and the location is a unique and relaxing experience, my clients rarely want to leave!” Contact Debbie on 07969 949984 www. yurtopiatherapies.co.uk

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