Equilibrium Magazine for Wellbeing Issue 59

MAGAZINE FOR WELLBEING

Issue 59

>> Yoga, the Ancient Art >> Cortisol: Stress Detector >> Stigma & Understanding >> Innate Health >> CRISIS: Volunteering

2016

>> Art, Science & more

ISSUE 59

>> Stress in the Modern World

Equilibrium Patron Dr Liz Miller Mind Champion 2008

Front cover image: Anthony J Parke

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Equilibrium is devised, created, and produced entirely by team members with experience of the mental health system.

Photo copyright remains with all individual artists and Equilibrium. All rights reserved. 2011

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EDITORIAL Hello and welcome to our Spring issue of Equilibrium! Whether you’ve just discovered our magazine for the first time, or are a loyal reader, we hope you enjoy this issue’s offerings. We’ve got some lovely new guest contributions, which we’re sure you’ll enjoy. Do keep them coming! We would love to hear your feedback; please do tweet us @teamequilibrium. If you’d like to join the editorial team, contribute an article, some art, photos or creative writing, please do get in touch via equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk.

Kate, Editor/Team Facilitator

DISCLAIMER Equilibrium is produced by service users. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without the prior permission of the Equilibrium team. Products, articles and services advertised in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of Equilibrium or any of our partners.

Equilibrium is published and circulated electronically four times a year to a database of subscribers; if you do not wish to receive Equilibrium or have received it by mistake, please email unsubscribe to equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk

THE TEAM Facilitator/ Editor: Kate Massey-Chase.

Editorial team: Dev, Ian, Angela, Nigel, Richard, Mohamed and Isobel.

CONTACT US Equilibrium, Clarendon Recovery College, Clarendon Road, London, N8 ODJ. 02084894860, equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk. We are in the office on Friday afternoons 2.30-4.30, but you can leave a message at other times and we’ll get back to you.

CONTRIBUTIONS Wanted: contributions to Equilibrium! Please email us with your news, views, poems, photos, plus articles. Anonymity guaranteed if required.

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3

PHOTOGRAPHY: TARAN PARKE-ANTONIS

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Summer/ Issue 38

Stigma &

Lack of Understanding PAUL URBAN

THERE ARE QUITE A FEW REASONS WHY PEOPLE POSSIBLY DON’T UNDERSTAND MENTAL ILLNESS. SOMETIMES IT COULD BE PURE IGNORANCE OR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE REALITY OF HAVING A MENTAL ILLNESS.

S

ometimes it is based on stereo-

England - said around three-quarters

types and myths. Over the past

of people with mental health problems

few years there have been some

received no help at all.

small increases in knowledge of mental health in the community in

One most common misinterpretation

general. According to the charity

of people with this condition is that

Time to Change: “1 in 4 people will

the people in question are “mad”.

experience a mental health problem

This is far from the truth. There are

in any given year.” The website goes

various levels of this condition; some

on to state that “9 out of 10 people

are mild (meaning they can live a

with mental health problems experi-

normal, happy life), medium (where

ence stigma and discrimination.” The

they can do normal day to day tasks

report - by a taskforce set up by NHS

and lead a normal life but they still cont.

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There are quite a few reasons why people possibly don’t understand mental illness.

Sometimes it could be pure ignorance or lack of knowledge of the reality of having a mental illness. Sometimes it is based on stereotypes and myths. Over the past few years there have been some small increases in knowledge of mental health in the community in general. According to the charity Time to Change: “1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.” The website goes on to state that “9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination.” The report - by a taskforce set up by NHS England - said around threequarters of people with mental health problems received no help at all.

One most common misinterpretation of people with this condition is that the people in question are “mad”. This is far from the truth. There are various levels of this condition; some are mild (meaning they can live a normal, happy life), medium (where they can do normal day

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Summer/ Issue 38

to day tasks and lead a normal life but they still have a moderate version of mental illness), and severe (when they might need to be looked after or in hospital). It is possible that external factors like the media can portray a negative and inaccurate image. According to Time to Change: Over a 3 month period 74 programmes contained storylines on mental health issues of these there were 33 instances of violence to others and 53 examples of harm to self almost half were sympathetic portrayals, but these often portrayed the characters as tragic victims.

They go on to say ‘63% of references to mental health in TV soaps and drama were “pejorative, flippant or unsympathetic” terms included: “crackpot”, “a sad little psycho”, “basket case”, “where did you get her from?”, “Care in the Community?” and “he was Looney tunes”’. Judging by this survey it is no wonder that mental illness is seen in the “wrong way”. There seems to be few documentaries or programmes in the mainstream to counteract these perceptions. This would be the last thing people with these conditions need, as the stigma can stop them being honest and asking for help. However, there is a silver lining.

Many charities and websites, such as Mind, Time to Change, Rethink, Rainbow Trust and Sane, are actively trying to promote mental health awareness in the UK. It seems that in recent months this subject has been in the media in a positive way, for example the Liberal Democrats said it was time mental health was treated “as seriously as physical health” (Source: BBC).

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Living

in an outside-in world A NEW PARADIGM NIGEL PRESTATYN

“A MERCEDES OF TWO YEARS AGO, NOW LOOKS EMBARRASSINGLY OLD COMPARED TO THE LASTEST MODEL. AGAIN, THERE IS A PERSISTENT FOCUS ON LOOKING OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES, IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR INNER SELVES FEEL BETTER.”

What is living in an ‘outside-in’ world? By this I’m referring to the fact that we have a tendency in life, myself included, obviously, to

inside… when I get that job I’ll feel happy; when I get that payrise, I’ll be content; when a find that man or woman who loves me, I will feel

go through life looking outside of

valued; when I get to have that

ourselves for happiness, for mean-

house, or shiny Mercedes, I’ll feel

ing and value. We look to the

successful. In this model there is a

outside world, to make us feel good

persistent focus on looking outside of

Photo: Anthony

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Summer/ Issue 38

PHOTOGRAPHY: TARAN PARKE-ANTONIS

ourselves, in order to make our inner

inverse of the outside-in view. Imagine

selves feel better.

if you removed all external events as determining the state of your happi-

But the thing is, happiness, calm,

ness, and replaced it with a deeper,

peace, success, value, meaning, all

profound inner wisdom. Inner wisdom

of the above and more, ultimately

is not the sole preserve of gurus and

stem from inside us.

Buddhists etc. We all have our own profound wisdom. Tapping into this

Allowing meaning and value in our

allows us to see that success, happi-

lives to be determined by outside

ness, all the value and meaning

factors, is misguided. One day that

we require, really stems from within

job which gave us so much value and

ourselves. We create it. We control it.

meaning, may be taken away from

In that sense, instead of turning to the

us; that man or woman who truly loves

outside world to create our reality of

us, may suddenly cease to; that big

ourselves, we create it ourselves.

house which we yearned for, all of a sudden feels cramped and uninhabit-

This is by no means easy, and comes

able; and that shiny Mercedes of two

with a sense of turning within oneself

years ago, now looks embarrassingly

for meaning. And just when you think

old compared to the lastest model.

you have an understanding of living

Again, there is a persistent focus on

from the inside out, life happens,

looking outside of ourselves, in order

events happen, and once more your

to make our inner selves feel better.

world is rocked. So it is a continual journey of insight and recognition as

So what is the inside-out model? The

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

to the real nature of our existence.

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Summer/ Issue 38

Cortisol Levels In Hair

A New Approach to Detecting Stress NIGEL PRESTATYN

A

Fascinating study led by the Univer-

sample may help determine the risk of the

sity of Melbourne, has revealed

child developing mental and other chronic

that a child’s hair sample, and the level

illnesses later in their life. Such information

of the stress hormone, cortisol, within that

could prove useful in the future care of that

sample, can determine the level of stress

child.

that child has experienced in his or her life.

That being the case, the study suggests,

In addition to this, researchers have found

that through a hair follicle a child’s future

that, “What’s less commonly understood

mental health outcome can potentially be

is that beyond poor mental health, it can

determined. So if a 9 year old child expe-

also be associated with the development

riences injury, severe illness, a death of

of other illnesses such as diabetes, obesity

a family member, or any other traumatic

and cholesterol issues, because cortisol is

event, it will be shown in the level of corti-

also central to glucose availability, blood

sol in their hair.

pressure and immune function, so identifying these children is important.”

To be clear, cortisol is known as the

Clearly there is great value to be had in

“stress hormone” because it is released in

a study which highlights possible future

response to acute stress to help the body

outcomes, thereby triggering any medical

react and cope. So it seems a child’s hair

support required at the earliest opportunity.

Source: The Guardian

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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London Street Art Seleceted by the Equilbrium Team

Kentish Road/ Atist: Whoam Irony

Cable Street Mural

Camden Town/ Artist: Dan Kitchener

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Summer/ Issue 38

Artist: Martin Ron

Chrisp Street, East London

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

Turnpike Lane

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Crisis

Homeless Charity A PERSONAL VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE

NIGEL PRESTATYN

C

hristmas came along last year,

course, there is always a benefit to

but unlike any other, something

volunteering, that sense of giving, and

blipped into my conscience. It was a

the feelgood factor which comes from

realisation that I’ve never, ever, volun-

knowing you’re helping.

teered for several days work to help someone in a less fortunate position

Volunteering over Christmas for the

than myself. Not unconditionally at

homeless charity CRISIS, was an

least, and by unconditionally I mean

extraordinary experience. At the time

with no obvious benefit to myself. Of

of signing up I really had no idea what

IMAGE: www.volunteercentres.org.uk/index.php/christmas-volunteers-crisis/

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to expect. But one thing I knew, and have

couldn’t not give her something. She said

always known, the homeless man or

she was hungry. I gave her what I had and

woman on the street doesn’t deserve such

I watched her flail through traffic straight

an wretched existence.

into Subways. I assumed for food, but who could know for sure. That’s the last I saw of

Prior to volunteering, something happened

her. And I thought how sad it is that people

which set this in motion. I was near Warren

get into such horrific states in their lives.

Street Station when this apparition came

And in another existence, couldn’t that

out of the hospital entrance. Her hair was

have easily have been me?

matted and tangled, her coat hung from her as she dragged herself through the

So one evening I found myself mindlessly

crowds; she was utterly dishevelled from

drifting through social media, and an

living on the streets. Most disturbing of

advert for ‘Crisis for Christmas’ appeared

all, her eyes rolled in their sockets. I had

requesting volunteers. I thought of her

never seen anyone look so far gone. By

immediately. The time was right, and by

all accounts, she had just taken an over-

the end of the evening I was all signed up.

dose of crack cocaine, hospital security had removed her, and she had nowhere to

I had no idea of the magnitude of the

turn. I could barely imagine her alive in a

operation that was Crisis for Christmas.

week’s time she looked so bad.

There were over a hundred volunteers, ready to cater for over 250 homeless

So I listened, tried to show that I care,

people each day. The canteen area was

talked to her, tried to show a little compas-

vast and industrial like, huge quantities

sion. Do you give an addict/ fellow human

of food stacked in pallets for the 10 day

money? There is a moral issue here regard-

period. The services included seeing a

ing the former. But in all conscience I

dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, advice cont.

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Christmas came along last year, but

eyes rolled in their sockets. I had never

unlike any other, something blipped

seen anyone look so far gone. By all

into my conscience. It was a realisation

accounts, she had just taken an over-

that I’ve never, ever, volunteered for

dose of crack cocaine, hospital security

several days work to help someone in a

had removed her, and she had nowhere

less fortunate position than myself. Not

to turn. I could barely imagine her alive

unconditionally at least, and by uncon-

in a week’s time she looked so bad.

ditionally I mean with no obvious benefit to myself. Of course, there is always a

So I listened, tried to show that I care,

benefit to volunteering, that sense of

talked to her, tried to show a little

giving, and the feelgood factor which

compassion. Do you give an addict/

comes from knowing you’re helping.

fellow human money? There is a moral issue here regarding the former. But in

Volunteering over Christmas for the

all conscience I couldn’t not give her

homeless charity CRISIS, was an extraor-

something. She said she was hungry. I

dinary experience. At the time of signing

gave her what I had and I watched her

up I really had no idea what to expect.

flail through traffic straight into Subways.

But one thing I knew, and have always

I assumed for food, but who could know

known, the homeless man or woman

for sure. That’s the last I saw of her. And

on the street doesn’t deserve such an

I thought how sad it is that people get

wretched existence.

into such horrific states in their lives. And in another existence, couldn’t that have

Prior to volunteering, something

easily have been me?

happened which set this in motion. I was near Warren Street Station when

So one evening I found myself mindlessly

this apparition came out of the hospi-

drifting through social media, and an

tal entrance. Her hair was matted and

advert for ‘Crisis for Christmas’ appeared

tangled, her coat hung from her as she

requesting volunteers. I thought of her

dragged herself through the crowds;

immediately. The time was right, and by

she was utterly dishevelled from living

the end of the evening I was all signed

on the streets. Most disturbing of all, her

up.

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Summer/ Issue 38

I had no idea of the magnitude of the

as it was always busy, never enough staff,

operation that was Crisis for Christmas.

and many irate and desperate people

There were over a hundred volunteers, ready to cater for over 250 homeless

in need of housing advice. I did the door

people each day. The canteen area was

welcoming duty, swept floors and hung

vast and industrial like, huge quantities

posters.

of food stacked in pallets for the 10 day period. The services included seeing a dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, advice

All in all it was an exhausting three days,

centre, homeless referral area, clothes

there is no denying that!! But also it was a

mending area. There was a creative

deeply gratifying experience. I got to meet

arts area, an outdoor area for football

some wonderful people, clients as well as

and table tennis, all of which had to be constantly staffed. There was a place to

fellow volunteers. I got to realise just how

shower down, and of course get three

fortunate I am. It is hard to quibble over the

hearty meals a day and as much tea and

things I lack in life, when I see others with

coffee as you could drink. There was a

nothing but the clothes on their backs. And

self defence class running, and live music events running through out the entire day.

next year I shall hopefully be equipped with a little more knowledge and insight

For our part we had a volunteer’s area.

about what is involved, and hopefully bring

Come 9am we would be working non stop

a little more value. My one regret is that

till about 5pm when the evening shift took over. Mostly I would hurriedly grab a bite to

I barely had a chance to speak to any

eat and then get called out for a variety of

of the clients as I was constantly being

jobs. I did toilet cleaning duty, working on

moved from one job to the next. Maybe

the information desk, counting members

next year, as listening, I believe, is one of

through the front doors, serving hundreds of drinks come lunch time, overseeing

the most important jobs there can be for

the games area, organising clients for the

the homeless. For the rest of the year, I

advice area, which could get really manic,

suspect they become invisible again!

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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Fledgling Arts Collective Central JEWELS JOHNSON

W

and arts it is more important than ever for

We are a unique organization and charity.

ith the recent cuts by the govern- phy and so much more we have to offer! ment to mental health services

us to be a bastion in this battle, the arts offer We offer a place to be with fellow peers expression, both of which are vitally impor-

and Volunteers who have been through

tant to our mental health, and we need to

the same, or similar struggles, and found

fight to save them and establish stability

a love for the arts as a therapy to be more

for in the future. The cathartic value the arts

mentally healthy. And our members can

offer are endless.

interact with each other in our nurturing

community.

We, at Fledgling Arts Collective Central are

a fortress and beacon of light to those who

We have around 5 and a half thousand

find expression through the arts , help them

members on our main page and another

to exercise their feelings and exorcise their

5,000 roughly across our various Wings/

demons through different genres of arts

Groups. We don’t allow criticism or

whether it be, writing, music, art, photogra-

negative judgments, we take a post as

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Summer/ Issue 38

it is and we find something positive to

who help us do that can expect to get

say about it. It makes for a very differ-

something from their experience with

ent atmosphere, to the typically scath-

us also.

ing and X-Factor-esque mentality that seems to have spread out from the

With services being cut we offer an

media and into how we are socially,

indefinite support and nest for those

behaving like negative panelists!

wanting positive and encouraging

It may sound a little Utopian that our

feedback and support and an online

Fledgling community only spreads love

space to create.

(and a bit hippyish) But we think that

it can have a real ripple effect on our

We are currently looking for funding

mental health and how this then effects

so that we can make the transforma-

us on a daily basis. We don’t believe that being harsh to each other makes us more equipped in the world at large to defend ourselves. We encourage a way of finding peace within ourselves and our surroundings, and how to boost self esteem and that using the arts as expression brings a kind of freedom,

tion from small registered charity to large registered charity because we are growing all the time. We are also inviting people to come forward for the positions of, Treasurer, and Patron.

At this moment in time, we operate with no funding, but this is a stumbling block to our growth, and we know that what we

we may not find elsewhere.

can offer is invaluable, because there is

nowhere else that can offer what we can

We are currently looking for celebrities

and at such a poignant time. All the staff

to help raise our profile and our ‘pay it

and founders have in some way experi-

forward’ ethos means that the people

enced the struggles of mental health.

So please join us at https://www.facebook.com/Fledging.ArtsCollective.Central/ our page on Facebook , where you can find out about our various online groups. We also have a website http://www.fledglingartscollectivecentral.com. If you would like to contact us to apply for one of the available positions, please email us at Fledglingdalepa@hotmail.com.

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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Dementia Friendly Screenings At Crouch End Picturehouse Although open to everybody, these screenings are adapted slightly to try to better address the needs of people with Dementia, and a number of our staff have attended Dementia awareness sessions to ensure we can provide a good experience for those who attend.

Our first screening will be SINGING IN THE RAIN on Tuesday 17th May. The screening starts at 11am, but from 10.30am there will be free tea, coffee and biscuits and the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the building, so do join us!

To make the screening more comfortable, there will also be a 20 minute break halfway through the film, and to minimise the sensory impact. the lights left on low and the volume reduced.

Tickets are £4 per person (accompanying carers free) and can be booked online herewww.picturehouses.com/cinema/Crouch_End_Picturehouse/ film/singin-in-the-rain over the phone on 0871 902 5758 or in person at the box office. Please note that there are a limited number of wheelchair spaces available so do book in advance for a wheelchair space.

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Summer/ Issue 38

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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Relief

From your Obtrusive Thoughts JOHN DAWSON

F

or some people, a challenging part of

having a mental health condition is having obtrusive, intruding thoughts. These are not standard thoughts that can be easily controlled, but are a lot more severe. This is because it can be a lot harder to handle, depending on the condition you have or what you have been diagnosed with. When the thought “I need to jump in front of that bus� appears in your head, to someone who is mentally well it can be easily dismissed.

But when it comes to some people who are experiencing a mental illness, the thought might re-occur over and over again. On top of it your mental health might exacerbate it, heightening each time it re-occurs and you feel unable to control it or push it away. To a person who is unaware of mental health problems this could seem confusing or trivial, but believe me it can be a lot more severe than you think. It could cause critical harm to you.

The best way of relieving yourself from these obtrusive thought is to protect yourself and make your state of mind better, although the way to achieve this varies and depends

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Summer/ Issue 38

PHOTOGRAPHY: TARAN PARKE-ANTONIS

on what works for you. This article can

if you are hearing voices. If no-one

only suggest ways that might help

else is saying it, it means it is coming

you. Sometimes realising that you are

from your mind. It is possible to listen

starting to have these thoughts in the

to moderately loud music to control

first place is the first step. When these

distract you from the thoughts. Other

thoughts start re-occurring tell yourself

distractions include watching light-

that “this is not happening, they are

hearted TV shows. You may be able to

just thoughts” over and over again.

ask yourself what the thought is about

Saying this over and over again from

and challenge the thoughts: “Why am

the beginning may limit the thoughts

I thinking like this? What is the cause

ability to take hold. If it sounds as if it

of this?” Try taking deep, calming

is a person around you is saying these

breaths several times, concentrating

words, like they are coming from

on your breathing and the physical

outside of you, ask yourself: “Who is

space around you. If your thoughts are

saying that?” Look around the room at

still persistent try taking a walk. Some-

who is in the room and if they are really

times talking to a friend or a loved one

saying it to you. This will help ground

helps figure what is going on. When,

you in reality. The most likely case is

or if, the thoughts get persistent and

no one is saying them. If this does not

you are unable to control it or you are

work count how many people there

overwhelmed please go and see your

are nearby or in the room with you.

doctor immediately. There are lots of

Look at each person and ask your-

things they can do to help.

self: “Is that person doing this?” If not, then move on to the next person and ask the same question. At the end you might find that no one is saying that.

This might be an upsetting realisation, but you can get help from doctors

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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An Anxious

Extrovert KAT MOUSE

A

nxiety is promiscuous. It doesn’t have a type; it plays the field. Your

age, race, gender, sexuality – none of them matter. It’s not fussy.

Anxiety would make a good politician. It knows the way into hearts and minds. It’s ruthless. It would rather go for a quick win.

Anxiety is like a cold-caller or ‘chugger’.

It’s shameless. It’s persuasive. It gets you when you’re trying to look the other way.

I can describe it and you know it. You know what I’m talking about because it’s a normal human emotion. And yet – And yet – If you have an anxiety disorder… It’s not ‘normal’ although if you feel nothing else it’s the emotional backdrop to your life; it becomes normal, repetitive, painfully recognisable. Mental health problems are still stigmatised; they are still treated differently to physical health problems.

The language we use, the metaphors, the tone of voice. People still (STILL!) tell

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 24

Summer/ Issue 38

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARA MCCALLUM

you to cheer up, get over it, pull yourself

an oak. When I read ‘what people with

together. They would not say that if you

anxiety think’ or ‘how people with anxi-

have pneumonia. They wouldn’t suddenly

ety respond’ and don’t see myself in that,

trust you less. They wouldn’t speculate.

it doesn’t mean I don’t have anxiety. It

They wouldn’t judge.

means we are all different. We have similarities, we share hopes and fears, but my

Despite the stigma, people are talk-

monster in the dark might not look like

ing more (hurrah!). My facebook news-

yours.

feed seems to constantly have quirky cartoons showing “What it’s like to suffer from anxiety” with thousands of ‘likes’ for each image. Oh, the rhetoric of the modern world we live in – they don’t ‘like’ it, of course; they relate to it, identify with it. They look it and go: “I know that. That’s me!” That is what the arts are for; it is where we see our deepest selves reflected back to us and we experience connection. We feel less alone.

Yet, recently some of these images have

For I have a confession. I am an anxious extrovert. Yes, we do exist. I’m an anxious person who loves public speaking (what?!), who loves leading groups, who even quite likes networking events (I deserve to be shot). I love being around people. I need to be around people. I get anxious when I’m by myself. I don’t have social anxiety. Those ‘what it’s like to have anxiety’ cartoons don’t show pictures of me.

started to grate. Because it feels to me so often that people are conflating ‘anxi-

So, please yes, let’s keep talking. Let’s

ety’ with ‘social anxiety’, and they are not

keep normalising. Let’s keep sharing

the same beast. It is like saying a ‘tree’

pictures on social media which illustrate

and an ‘oak’ are the same – yes, an oak

our struggles. But let’s not act like all

is always a tree, but a tree isn’t always

those struggles look the same.

EQUILIBRIUM 25

Yoga The Ancient Art of Relaxation JOHN DAWSON

Y

oga is an ancient for of exercise that

person needs. It has been said that it can

originated in the Indus-Sarasvati civi-

help with mobility, flexibility, balance,

lization around 3000 BC. The original texts

weight loss, physical activity, strength, and

were written in on fragile palm leaves in

people with high blood pressure, heart

the book called Rig Veda (one of the four

disease, aches and pains (including lower

canonical sacred texts of Hinduism known

back pain), depression and stress. Gener-

as the Vedas. The text is a collection of

ally exercise releases a chemical called

hymns and verses, organized into ten

endorphin which can stabilize mood and

books. By a sage called Kashyapa).

balances the body.

The main parts of yoga are postures (a

Since the 1900s there have been some

series of movements or, as it is called

versions of yoga but with the Yoga as a

in India, arsenas, designed to increase

suffix. The latter ones like Vickram Yoga,

strength and flexibility) and breathing.

Fast-Yoga, Heat-Yoga and several others

This can vary depending on what the

are sometimes disliked by traditional yoga

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 26

Summer/ Issue 38

teachers, although some celebrate new

looking deep into yourself.” It also allows

forms. These yoga positions are adapted

you to reconnect with what is going on

yoga exercises, sometimes modified and

inside your body and your mind. Basically

speeded up. Vickram Yoga was created

making you self aware. You may find the

by a man call Vickram who moved to the

answer to some of your worries that you

USA after learning it in India.

have. I is also possible to relax your restless mind with meditation. So in this instant

In the 60s, the West saw a big explosion of yoga, with centers opening all over the place. Teachers from India cashed in to this adventure by traveling to the West to teach people yoga or adapted versions of it. But over time its original version has became more popular.

it just might be able to stop a full on panic attack, although it can take some time and practice. On a psychological note, meditation has been seen as being able to “calm and balance the mind”. Reason for all this is when you are meditating you are focusing your thoughts and feeling on your

So far we have been talking about the physical side to Yoga. But there is also the meditation side. Yoga Meditation is

meditation, causing the sources of anxiety in your state of mind to decrease. Bear in mind this is not a quick fix to any condi-

one of the five principles of Yoga. It is the

tion, but a form of support and takes time

practice by which there is constant obser-

and commitment to practice so you feel

vation of the mind. ABC of Yoga states

the benefits. If you have a serious health

that “Meditation is the art of focusing

condition, you should see your doctor

your mind, restraining your thoughts and

before practicing yoga.

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

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EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 28

Summer/ Issue 38

“It’s Time to Talk It’s Time to Change And, I feel, It‘s Time to Listen...”

STRESS in the Western

World

S

wars, finances, the mate-

BY ANGELA

tress happens when

rial world, Sunday Trading,

somebody feels under pressure because they have too

commercialism, obesity, anorexia, moving house, home-

many things to do or they have too many

lessness and illness. Unfortunately the list

pressurising problems. This can cause the

is endless.

‘fight or flight’ response, with symptoms like your heart beating faster, sweaty

Stress usually comes from the pressures

palms and feeling jittery from adrenaline.

we feel in life. Anxiety can be experienced even when there is no immedi-

Stress in the western world can be caused

ate threat, or the threat has ended. It is

by a variety of reasons, for example:

important to seek help from your doctor

employment, unemployment, terrorism,

if you are suffering from anxiety. Symp-

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 29

toms include: muscle tension, head-

somebody. They are acknowledged by

ache and dizziness, stomach ache and

Young Carers Awareness Day on 28th

other digestive problems, edginess,

January. Being ill can be very unpleas-

tiredness and insomnia. The number of

ant and worrying.

people being diagnosed with anxiety is increasing. Middle-aged people are

The worst case is illness without a cure.

the least happy, have the lowest levels

Zika is a new disease which recently

of life satisfaction and the highest levels

broke out in South America. People are

of anxiety, according to the latest offi-

infected by it from mosquito bites. They

cial wellbeing statistics from the ONS

said it is going to take about 5 years

(Damien Gayle, The Guardian, 2 Feb

to find a vaccine. The government in

2016).

Brazil is encouraging women not to get

Illness Your health is the most important thing

pregnant until they find a vaccine as this disease causes brain damage in babies.

in your life. Your mother was right when she told you to eat your greens!

The NHS which started in 1948 is strug-

Going through an illness is very stress-

gling to cope; GP surgeries are burst-

ful. It is also stressful for people that are

ing at the seams and you have to wait

carers. So much so, that carers have a

a long time to be seen in the casualty

reduced immunity and can become

department. Sometimes people have

also unwell. Some carers are very

to wait a long time for an operation and

young and find it difficult to care for

sometimes there are not enough beds.

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 30

Summer/ Issue 38

I have been to casualty recently

Despite this worrying trend, the NHS

and I had to wait several hours.

is under pressure because the popu-

The ambulance service is currently

lation in Britain is rising. A lot of the

understaffed. A lot of hospitals were

population is not adopting a healthy

closed down by Margaret Thatcher’s

lifestyle, which can lead to obesity,

Conservative Government. There has

high blood pressure, diabetes, and

been a recent strike by Junior Doctors

some cancers. The NHS is finding it

because of changes to working

difficult to do Gastric Band opera-

conditions, which they feel are unsafe

tions to reduce the size of the stom-

and unfair. ‘Overall people miss-

ach, because too many people need

ing GP and hospital appointments

it. The Mirror reported: ‘two million

cost the health service in England

obese Brits to get free gastric bands’.

nearly £1bn a year’, the Health Secre- Obesity can be like a viscous circle tary Jeremy Hunt has reported. We

when some people get stressed they

must respect the NHS and not miss

eat too much. The excess weight can

appointments.

lead to health problems which can make you feel stressed. Shops are

In this country there is an increase

now opened for longer hours, there

in infant mortality. There were 2,686

are a lot of take away restaurants

infant deaths (deaths under 1 year)

and there is more easy access to

in England and Wales in 2013,

cash, so people can buy more food.

compared with 2,912 infant deaths in 2012 and 6,381 in 1983 (ONS).

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

However it is not all doom and gloom

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 31

and I recently had open heart surgery

of a dependent’ (Bereavement Leave,

after a lump was discovered in my

Peninusula UK).

heart. I was offered an operation from the London Chest Hospital and The

A parent was fined because their child

London Heart Hospital operation. I had

missed school to go to their grandpar-

a successful operation and now I can

ent’s funeral! You also aren’t entitled to

do my Zumba dance class again!

time of work if a grandchild or grand-

Bereavement Bereavement of somebody close to you is one of the worst, and most stress-

parent dies. I think we should recognise the stress and loss of losing anyone close to you.

ful, things you can go through. It is one

Wars

of the main reasons that GPs have to

After the Second World War a lot of

prescribe tranquilisers. I have lost a

people started to suffer from depres-

lot of people from the mental health

sion, in England so large psychiatric

system, which makes me feel sad.

hospitals were built e.g Friern Barnet Hospital and Claybury Hospital in

‘An employee of your business suffer-

London. When the patients were in

ing a bereavement is deeply sadden-

hospital they had everything done for

ing. The Employment Rights 1996 gives

them, so when they went home after

employees the statutory right to a

recovery some could not do anything

reasonable amount of time away from

for themselves. They ended up becom-

work in order to take action that is

ing unwell and going back to the

necessary in consequence of the death

hospital. Occupational therapy was

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 32

Summer/ Issue 38

introduced, so that they were more able

ing the baby, lots of crying and expense.

to do something. I enjoyed my time in

Some mothers experience post natal

Friern Barnet in 1991. I did pottery, art,

depression. The demands of children

quiz games, and baking. And I made a

change as they get older. After a while

lot of friends.

children start wanting computers and

Terrorism

designer trainers. And some parents have to contribute to university fees.

I am now very scared of terrorism. Prince

Teenagers can be rebellious, aggressive

Charles lost his uncle Charles Mount

and argumentative. There was a school

Batton because of the IRA. September

head teacher Mr Lawrence who was

11, 2011 (know as ‘9/11’) was very bad.

stabbed to death by a pupil. Duchess

Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers,

of Cambridge is supporting children’s

is a financial institution in the USA, and

mental health.

2996 people died. This attack was by the terrorist group, Al Qaeda. There has

Infertility

been an increase in calls to Childline

There is now more infertility in the west-

because so many children are worried

ern world as more women put off having

about terrorism and war.

children to a later time to follow their

Having children Having children can be stressful

career. When they try to have children at an older age, the body is not so fertile; this can also lead to Down’s Syndrome.

because it brings on lots of changes which have to be adapted to, for exam-

Stress can affect fertility. If either you or

ple: less sleep, changing nappies, feed-

your partner are stressed it may affect

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 33

your relationship. Stress can contrib-

sions into the house is tiring. You do

ute to loss of libido (sex drive), which

not know what your neighbours are

in turn can reduce the frequency

going to be like. I was lucky to be

of sexual intercourse. Severe stress

born in the ‘60s; in the good old days

may also affect female ovulation and

we spent a lot of time with our neigh-

limit sperm production. Fertility is also

bours, compared to now; they were

affected by smoking being under

like family. It is not good for children

weight, anorexia, and being over-

to move too often. It is very unsettling

weight.

for them and it is difficult for them to join a new school.

Breakdown of family relationship The breakdown of the family unit is

The Homeless

very bad and can be very stressful.

Some people have their homes

There are today a lot of one parent

repossessed because they can’t

families who are struggling.

keep up with their rent or mortgage

Moving House

payments. There are too many homeless people in this country. I

Moving House is stressful. A house

don’t like seeing homeless people in

is the most expensive thing you will

the street begging for money. Before

ever have to buy. Finding the right

Margaret Thatcher, I did not see any

accommodation is time consuming.

homeless people. When the Dome

You have to clean the house and

was first built with Lottery money, they

decorate it. Putting all your posses-

did not know what to do with it. If I

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 34

Summer/ Issue 38

had my way, I would have turned it into

stress. Bingo was very popular in the 60s

a hostel, for the homeless. Homeless

as some women enjoyed some time

people are supported by charities like

away from doing daily chores. Exercise

Crisis and Center Point, which had Lady

is good because you are doing some-

Diana as their patron.

thing positive, it is good for your health

Employment

and it lifts the spirits. Aromatherapy is soothing and relaxing. A healthy

There is a lot of stress in the work place.

diet definitely helps stress as eating

There is a lot of work to do, deadlines

take away every day can make you

have to be met, sometimes there is not

depressed. Martin Lewis gives advice

enough staff and not enough pay.

on financial matters. Pampering your-

Conclusion

self from head to toe will make you look and feel better. Going on a nice holi-

‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

day will definitely recharge your batter-

recently saw the work of Time to

ies and make you feel a lot happier.

Change and Mind for themselves –

Why not have a relaxing Sunday? It is

putting mental health in the media

good that ‘David Cameron’s pledged

spotlight worldwide’ ( Mind News, issue

an extra £1bn to improve mental health

22, 2016). We should all talk about these service’ (Daily Mirror 18/2/16). issues to help us cope with them and not be ashamed to ask for help.

It’s Time to Talk It’s Time to Change

There are some ways of combating

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

And, I feel, It‘s Time to Listen

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 35

Eating and Living A Recipe Book for Eating Disorder

Recovery FRANCESCA BAKER

EATING & LIVING IS A RECIPE BOOK FOR THOSE IN RECOVERY FROM EATING DISORDERS—BY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE.

Eating disorders aren’t about the

whatever form of disordered eating

food. They’re about the fear, shame,

you may be suffering from, you have

judgement, anxiety, lack of self,

to get on with facing your fears and

and a whole host of other difficult

commit to eating in a way that’s

emotions that manifest themselves

right for your body. Generally, most

through food and weight—not about

people have a good basic idea of

the food. Except when they are.

what a balanced diet looks like, but it can be hard to put that in to practice.

Because there comes a point when,

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 36

Sometimes, it takes a little support,

Summer/ Issue 38

Image: butterflyworld.com

be that charitable like NEDA, a body

should make a recipe book, what

positive community like Health At

with all the food knowledge and meal

Every Size, or a magazine like, ahem,

ideas we had. These conversations

Equilibrium.

were not solely about the food—great meals are often associated not just

Eating & Living is a recipe book for

with taste and texture, but the circum-

those in recovery from eating disor-

stances that made them, the memo-

ders—by those who have been there.

ries associated with them, and the

This collection of recipes was created

feelings they evoke. Every meal we

by people recovering or recovered

discussed had a story.

from an eating disorder, as well as health experts, professionals, carers,

When I decided to actually make this

friends, and family of sufferers. Each of

book happen, I wanted people not

them provided a personal recipe for

only to give me a list of ingredients

the book—and each of them told the

and step-by-step instructions, but also

story of why this recipe matters.

to tell that story. There are meals that evoke memories of childhood, those

The idea for Eating & Living came from

tried for the first time in recovery,

conversations on an inpatient ward

those lost in years of illness and later

for eating disorder treatment, where I

found again.

spoke with other patients about meals we loved and wished we felt able to

It’s inspiring to read how Tabitha Farrar

eat again. As we told stories about

fought her fear of fat and rediscov-

those delicious foods we feared we

ered cheese on toast, or how Jessie

had lost, we joked about how we

Moore of Cake Spy can now bake

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EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 37

and eat delicious sweet creations

an important and enjoyable part of a

and knows when her body needs

happy life, but sometimes it can be

them. Shani Raviv tells of how redis-

hard to remember that.

covering her granny’s Mac ’n’ cheese allowed her and her grandmother to

Anyone who’s ever had a meltdown

bond again, and former model Nikki

in the supermarket or stood in front

Du Bose shares her recipe for bread,

of an open fridge for hours will know

which now when she eats reminds her

that some of the biggest challenges

that her body is special and worthy.

of eating during recovery come with grocery shopping, planning meals,

Eating & Living contains a whole mix

and facing the cooking. The book

of recipes with a variety of ingredients

contains tips on how to tackle those

for different mealtimes, tastes, and

challenges too. I’ve sought support

budgets, and the meals are broadly

from nutritionists and dieticians to

balanced to try to address the nutri-

make sure that people can feel confi-

tional and physical aspects of recov-

dent in the advice being given. So if

ery. The book communicates that

you start to cry in the supermarket,

there is no such thing as a “good”

try moving to a non food aisle. When

food, and that everything in modera-

picking a sandwich for lunch feels

tion is OK, positive, and necessary

to hard (I’ve tried and tested this

in a healthy diet. When asked to

technique after I spent 90 minutes in

contribute a recipe, I was given broad

the ‘quick’ sandwich aisle in Tesco

guidelines: no undressed salads or

one lunch, picking up and putting

deep-fried Mars Bars, but anything

back every single one of the 100 or

in between that has some meaning

so on option, and decided my life

to it was fine. Meals are meant to be

and time are too valuable for this)

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 38

Summer/ Issue 38

then choose one attribute such as

eating disorders. They campaign,

the filling. ‘Today I fancy chicken.’

raise awareness, organise events,

And then the first that is chicken is

and offer support to change the

yours – regardless of if it’s chicken

way we think and talk about eating

and sweetcorn, or chicken and

disorders, improve services and

mayo, or chicken and sweetcorn

treatment, and help anyone believe

mayo, or whatever else it could be.

that their eating disorder can be

If the meal you are about to eat seems terrifying, try having only one component of it as a fear food, and

beaten. They believe in recovery – and this book will help you to get there.

the rest some that are more familiar.

I’ve got portion sizes, but remember too make sure that you are getting enough, but also not to get too caught up in exact measurements - some apples will be bigger than others, sometimes you will have more milk on your cereal. That’s ok!

The money raised from sales of

You can purchase the book from the usual online book retailer, and there’s links here to where might be best if you want to max your donation. And if you want to find out any more drop me a note or tweet.

I hope that the book will be not only

Eating & Living will go to B-EAT, the

a used resource, but also a symbol.

UK’s national eating disorder char-

A testament to resilience, hope, and

ity. B-EAT provides helplines, online

the belief that recovery is possible.

support, and a network of UK-wide

Recovery is hard. But to live, you

self-help groups to help adults and

must eat. And it’s possible to over-

young people in the UK beat their

come the disorder and do it.

www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium

EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 39