Archive for January, 2010
Fighting Colds and Flu (Part 4)
Posted by: | CommentsThere are some herbs and nutrients that can help immensely when you are under the weather.
One such herb for colds and flu that’s recommended by both complementary therapists and orthodox doctors is Echinacea.
Commonly known as purple coneflower, it contains several active ingredients in the root and leaves that has antiviral, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Not only can it help to prevent or shorten the course of an acute infection, it also helps stop colds or flu developing into more serious conditions, such as sinusitis, bronchitis or middle ear infections.
As a result, it can be of particular benefit to high-risk groups, such as the elderly, or children with asthma.
For an acute infection take 15 drops of echinacea tincture twice a day as a maintenance dose, increasing to 20-25 drops of tincture in water three or four times a day when necessary.
For children, give one drop for each year of their age, twice daily, increasing both dosage and frequency by 50 per cent when the cold and flu symptoms are at their most acute.
Echinacea tincture is readily available in most healthfood stores and chemists.
Like echinacea, Vitamin C is rich in antiviral and antibacterial properties. Many people take supplements of the immune boosting vitamin at the first signs of a cold.
I would suggest taking 1g of Vitamin with bioflavonoids a day, starting when you first notice that those around you are beginning to go down with something.
Some clinical studies have also found that the mineral zinc can help nip cold symptoms in the bud.
Zinc plays an important role in many aspects of immune health, and scientists now believe that the mineral could inhibit colds from developing by coating and inactivating viruses in the throat as soon as they appear.
There are many other ways in which you can help yourself to boost your own immune system.
Eat a healthy diet, including at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily and no more than 2-3 units of alcohol and watch your caffeine intake.
Take some daily exercise – a brisk 20-minute walk lowers stress and boosts immunity, which helps to reduce your chance of developing a cold.
Getting enough sleep is also important to help build resistance.
Increase your fluid intake to at least one glass of water or juice every waking hour. Not drinking enough fluids causes mucus to dry out, which in turn can affect your ability to keep secondary bacterial infections from taking hold in your system.
Steaming liquids, such as water, herbal tea (and yes, chicken soup), will help relieve congestion.
If your nose is red and raw from using tissues, rub a little petroleum jelly or chickweed cream into the sore area. This will protect and waterproof the area.
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Life Coaching
Posted by: | CommentsLife Balance/Self Development/Happiness Workshop
When: 13 Feb 2010
Where: Chatsworth Hotel, Steyne, Worthing, BN11 3DU
Come along and learn how to create the life of balance, choice and fulfilment that really works for you. This is a fun and participative event, run by a professional Life Coach that will really get you thinking and moving in the right direction this year.
- We will explore where we are now and where we want to be.
- We will develop both self awareness and self belief.
- We will consider what we want more of and how to make the space to bring it into our lives.
- We will look at how to simplify and appreciate what we already have.
- We will put the foundations for future growth firmly in place.
This is a half day event so we will no doubt work hard and have much fun along the way!
The workshop is being held at the Chatsworth Hotel, Steyne, Worthing on Saturday 13th February.
The cost is just £45 with 10% going to local charity. If you book for 2 at the same time you will both get 10% discount so why not come along with a friend.
Depending on when you function best you can choose between the morning 9.30-1.00 and 2.-5.30.
You do need to book in advance so please phone Eileen on 07941 760 889 to ask any questions and secure your place. Email eileen.choices@googlemail.com
Winter Blues
Posted by: | CommentsAh, snow. Isn’t it pretty?
It seems to be never ending, doesn’t it? The kids are off school – it’s hard to get into work and Cabin Fever is beginning to set in.
If you are finding yourself bored, irritable, lethargic, comfort eating, and have cabin fever—if all you want to do is sleep, then you most likely have the winter blues.
This is not to be confused with SAD (Seasonal Affected Disorder) where people find themselves depressed and fatigued to the point that their personal and professional lives begin to suffer.
The good news is that there are ways to turn your winter blues around in no time at all.
An easy and everyday thing we can do to fortify our health is eat good food.
Fresh, organic vegetables and fruit are among nature’s most powerful healing agents, supplying anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Also, it’s important to keep yourself hydrated. Central heating and hot showers/baths are very dehydrating – so making sure you get your 2 litres (4 pints) of water each day is essential. You can have hot water if you find room temperature too cold. Add a slice of lemon for flavour.
Although sunlight is in short supply at this time of year, being exposed to bright light will increase your serotonin and vitamin D levels.
But let’s face it, not all of us can go for a beach holiday in the middle of winter – a good alternative is to get a light box.
During the day, raise the blinds, pull back the curtains and let the sunshine in.
Even on overcast days, the additional light will make you feel better. At night, close the curtains and blinds to keep the house warm.
And should you see the sun at all – try and get out in it. Exercise can also help to boost both your mood and your immune system.
When the weather permits, take a 15 – 20 minute brisk walk around the neighbourhood. The fresh air and exercise will get your heart pumping and clear the cobwebs from your mind.
So, clear your front path or try and dig out your car. Even in inclement weather you can step outside your door and do some deep breathing to enhance your mental well-being.
Plan ahead. Have a purpose each day to get you out of the house for a brief time.
Run one errand per day. If you plan your errands to be accomplished in daily increments, when inclement weather does prevent you from getting out, you will be better able to cope.
If you feel tired when the sun sets (the natural way our bodies should feel), then listen to your body! It’s telling you it’s time to rest.
Most of us, however, stay up much later than our bodies would like, which tends to impair the adrenal glands and the immune system.
A sound night’s sleep can do wonders for your mood and will help you to feel ready to take on a new day in the morning.
Increasing your intake of Omega 3 can also help – good sources of this are nuts, flaxseed and oily fish.
If you find yourself feeling down for no apparent reason then the flower remedy Mustard can really help pick you back up.
To conquer some of the dis-ease of Cabin Fever, take stock of the clutter in your house.
Stacks of yellowed magazines, dust-coated collectibles and dated clothes in your wardrobe may be undermining your positive thoughts and emotions, thus contributing to your “fever.”
Clearing your clutter can help bring about harmony and balance in your house and also your mind.
This is easier said than done. It’s the getting started that’s the key.
Here’s a tip. Make two lists.
One list contains tasks that can be accomplished in 15 minutes, such as organising the holiday decorations before you return them to storage and alphabetising your CDs, if you must.
A weekend list is filled with projects that require an hour or two of your time and energy.
Bigger chores include clearing out the spare room, and sorting through your child’s unused toys and deciding together how to put them back in service by giving them away or donating them.
Make sure you take the time to treat yourself – whether you sit down with a cup of tea and a really good book or you have a massage at the Holistic Health Clinic – make sure that time is just for you!
New Year Resolutions
Posted by: | CommentsHappy New Year to you.
It’s that time of the year again – January. The start of a new year. A chance for new beginnings. And of course, for those all important New Year resolutions.
New Year resolutions are a great motivator to make changes in your life – however, no-one seems to be able to keep them for very long.
I want to look at the usual suspects – being giving up smoking, cutting down drinking or “being healthier.”
Giving up smoking is a choice that only you can make and it isn’t always an easy thing to do.
My only advice is do it because YOU want to and not for someone else and get as much support as you can.
The NHS Stop Smoking Service are good at what they do
Cutting down drinking. Did you overdo it during the festive season and now think you want to stop drinking all together? Or are you looking at moderating your drinking?
Either way – you should be realistic in setting your goals.
Stating that you aren’t going to drink for a month is all well and good, but can be hard to achieve and if you fall off the wagon then it can feel like you’ve failed and that can lead to a whole host of other emotions.
Make the resolution viable for you. If you usually have a beer or 2 at the weekends, then resolve to not drink during the week.
Also make sure you have a substitute to hand such as fruit juice and sparkling water, so that you can alternate between an alcoholic drink and a non-alcoholic one.
“Being healthier” is a vague resolution at best. Are you planning to undertake more exercise – perhaps join a gym or go for a walk in the snow? Or are you going to eat more healthily?
Find an exercise that you enjoy, that you will find time in your busy schedule to do and that you won’t get tired of in 2 weeks.
Kickboxing is a great way to burn calories and build up your fitness levels. SAMA offer kickboxing classes for all levels of fitness across the Sussex area.
Yoga is another great form of exercise. The Holistic Health Clinic Brighton offers a range of classes.
If you have vowed to eat more healthily, then I advise you to be specific about what this means to you.
If you are planning to cut things out of your diet, then make sure that you replace them with something else.
For example, if you are cutting out coffee/caffeine, make sure you have plenty of herbal teas/red bush/green tea or coffee substitutes with you so you won’t be tempted.
If you are cutting out dairy, then goat’s, soya or rice milk all make good substitutions.
If you are cutting out wheat – then make sure you know what you can replace it with.
The key for me to healthy eating is moderation. It’s about making sure you get your 5 a day and you drink your 2 litres of water, and then everything else will follow.
It’s also about eating in a healthy way. Check out my post on How to Eat Healthily for more info.
It’s also about remembering that it’s ok to enjoy yourself occasionally.
I run a virtual drop-in clinic where you can ask your nutrition questions.
I hope that 2010 is a very happy and healthy year for you all.
