It's self-care week (16-22nd Nov) here in the UK, and with many people living with restrictions due to the global pandemic, the message of self-care seems particularly important. What things count as self-care? Anything that you enjoy that makes you feel good! (Restrictions allowing.) It could be outdoors or inside, on your own or with … Continue reading Self-care and rest
Back pain can be frustrating and limiting, especially if it becomes chronic (ongoing) beyond a few weeks. Recently a few people have asked me for advice, often after an incident has triggered back pain. And the good news is, things will generally get better in a few weeks, with some direct action and a helpful … Continue reading Back pain and new ways of thinking about it
I've had a bit more time recently to create some new resources that can help improve your health and wellbeing. I've created a new page on pranayama, what it is (breathing!) and why learning long, slow and deep breathing practices can be beneficial. I've also recorded and uploaded some free audio tracks talking you through … Continue reading Learn how to breathe more slowly with my new audio tracks
I've been thinking quite a bit about what recharges us, what keeps us well, recently. From personal experience and reading around the topic of stress, it's clear that we all need to have or do 'things that make us feel good', and which are different from what we do most of the rest of the … Continue reading Why recharging ourselves and being resilient are important for our health
I recently held a morning workshop on understanding and managing persistent pain, and am really pleased by the feedback from those who attended. The 2.5 hour workshop was a mix of theory and practical stuff. I covered the biopsychosocial (BPS) model of pain science, and how this newer more holistic approach to understanding pain can … Continue reading Recent feedback: “Thank you for a lovely workshop”
April is Stress Awareness Month in the UK, and has been running since 1992 amazingly. Despite this long time, stress levels in society are high and it is implicated in a range of mental health issues particularly anxiety and depression. The Stress Management Society have four main threads of focus this year's month, which are: … Continue reading Stress awareness month and ways to cope
This week in the UK (8th to 12th October 2018) is national back care awareness week. Although their focus this year is back pain in older adults, back pain is extremely common in the general population, and around 60% of adults in the UK can expect to have a back problem at some time in … Continue reading Back care and back pain
Stress is something we all casually mention in conversations, about work, home or general life situations, but what does stress in the body actually do to us? This depends on whether we're talking about a short-lived single stressful incident (road rage, an interview etc), or ongoing stress for days, weeks or months. Recently in the … Continue reading Long term or chronic stress and the relaxation response
I recently took advantage of a special offer for a Thai massage by a local therapist who is trained in Wat Po Traditional Thai massage approach from the Wat Po Temple in Bangkok, Thailand. A traditional Thai massage uses no oils or lotions so the recipient remains fully clothed and lies or sits on a … Continue reading Thai massage for well-being
People often say "what are you doing for Christmas?" and I will reply: "eating, sleeping, relaxing and doing some exercise". That may sound indulgent or frivolous, but it's genuinely true. By December I find most people, including me, are feeling worn out and a bit frazzled and taking time out to restore our balance is … Continue reading 4 Pillar Plan book review
