Wellbeing Magazine November 2016

Published by Haywood Media

Your health and lifestyle magazine

FITNESS

HEALTH SUPERGENERALISM

YOGA FOR CYCLISTS

WORKPLACE HEALTH BENEFITS

BOOSTING IMMUNITY

SHAPE UP IN THE OFFICE

medicine

BIODYNAMIC Pick up a free copy www.wellbeingmagazine.com Nov/Dec 2016

EDITOR’S WORD

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

KATE ARNOLD

www.wellbeingmagazine.com Kate is our resident

This month we have a great article from Kate Arnold, a subject very close to my

heart. Having been

faced with visits to doctors and consultants for my daughter I am privileged that my

knowledge

and contacts across all fields of complementary

health have enabled us to take responsibility in choosing our own course of treatment rather than place blind faith in a 15 minute consultation. I

nutritionist who shares her insights and knowledge

MICHAEL LINGARD BSc., Dip.Ost.,BIBH Orthopath & Buteyko Practitioner

ANN RAMBAUT Chartered and Registered

have learnt so much more the last few months and

Physiotherapist.

am also reminded that one treatment doesn’t fix all!

Have a wonderful

Christmas and see you in

the New Year.

JAMES REVELL

DC, LCC, MSc(Chiro), BSc(Chiro), BSc(Biol)

Enjoy & be inspired.

Rachel Branson Facebook.com/WellbeingMagazineUK Twitter.com/wellbeingmaguk 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

Doctor of Chiropractic

HEAD OFFICE Haywood Media 2 The Hall, Turners Green Road Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6TR PUBLISHER Lesley Hallows

lesley@wellbeingmagazine.com

any party loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence,

EDITOR Rachel Branson

accident or any other cause. We are unable to check claims made by advertisers

rachel.branson@wellbeingmagazine.com

are legal and truthful and that all products and services are safe, Wellbeing does not accept any liability in relation to advertisements placed. © Wellbeing Magazine 2015

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

WEB DEVELOPER Richard Branson Website

richard@wellbeingmagazine.com

what’s inside

YOUR TOWN 6. NEWS FROM YOUR AREA 39. THERAPY ROOMS 42. WHAT’S ON WORKPLACE 21. SHAPE UP IN THE OFFICE

CHILDREN’S HEALTH 36. ZONED OUT!

what’s inside HEALTH 10. SUPERGENERALISM 16. BOOSTING IMMUNITY 22. BIODYNAMIC MEDICINE 28. HEALTH, HALE AND WHOLE MIND 24. HOW TO HAVE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS 30. BEAT THE WINTER BLUES 34. WHY DO WE RESIST CHANGE? FITNESS 26. CYCLISTS GUIDE TO YOGA

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L O C A L WELCOME

Welcome to our Autumn, end of year issue!

Each season reveals its' own unique identity to us, through the changing colours in nature, light and temperature, and it is perhaps the changes from late summer into autumn, and progressively into winter, that may most heavily affect our sense of wellbeing.

As each year comes to a close, we are often left with the feeling of 'where did that time go' and perhaps 'why haven't I managed to achieve all that I'd set out to achieve'?

Whereas the springtime can fill us with a sense of joy and renewed optimism, the autumn sometimes triggers more downbeat feelings. It's as if, as the natural landscape is being stripped away of its foliage and colour, so too our feelings can turn to disappointment and lack of achievement

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- even lack of time, as the end of calendar year approaches.

Yet each day is simply just another day and, as we have probably heard it said so often, the only real moment is this present moment - the now!

So let's remember that in the present moment, we have the power to change whatever we want to change, whether that be taking first steps in a new direction, or a change of attitude in response to a current situation.

The theme of many articles in this issue reflect 'change' - how we react to it, how we can be stressed by it and, more importantly, how we can alchemize our responses to it.

Wishing you all a very happy, and stressfree end of year. Until next time...

Lesley

WELLBEING LOCAL

At The Human Touch through the provision of affordable complementary therapies, we believe in, promote and support change for our clinic, our clients and our practitioners.

yet very powerful. It can help you overcome most common ailments and diseases, while also restoring the delicate balance between your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

We have a reputation for providing both the more recognised treatments of Swedish massage, beauty treatments, reflexology and reiki and for addressing the need to offer more unusual treatments.

From November 2016 our Southwick clinic hours are changing. We will be offering a fortnightly clinic, instead of weekly, running at the same time from 2 till 5 pm, in the same place of the Window Room in the Southwick Community Centre. The clinic closes at the end of November for a winter break, with the last session this year from 2-5pm being held on 23rd November.

In November 2016 we look forward to welcoming Michele. She will be offering Indian head massage - a gentle and therapeutic massage technique aimed at relieving stress and tension and promoting general wellbeing. Michele will also be offering acupressure treatments.

Used for thousands of years in China, acupressure applies the same principles as acupuncture to promote relaxation and wellness and to treat disease. Sometimes called pressure acupuncture, acupressure is often thought of as simply acupuncture without the needles.

In spring 2017 we look forward to welcoming Carmen to the team. She will be offering Jin Shin JyutsuÂŽ (JSJ) - an ancient Japanese art of harmonising the energy within the body. It is subtle,

We will continue to offer some of our therapies in a variety of different spaces at other times throughout winter and on into the future. For more information about The Human Touch please contact the project leader Mary on 07796 518667 or visit facebook.com/thehumantouch1 or thehumantouchshoreham.com

THINKING OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS? VOUCHERS for THE HUMAN TOUCH are available in various denominations.

Please contact Mary for more details

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WELLBEING LOCAL

Change the memory - Change the feeling!

There are some events that may have happened years ago, yet each time we think of them they are as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.

This can be a real problem if the memory is a negative one!

Tina had a panic attack while driving to work and hadn’t been able to drive since, because each time she thought about getting into a car she got those horrible panicky feelings again.

For years Robin was badly affected by the memory of himself as a spotty schoolboy being ridiculed by his best friend in front of a couple of girls on his way home in the evening.

Many of us have unhelpful memories that it would be good to defuse so we can move on.

Whenever we remember something, we have to recreate it in our minds. Exactly the same parts of the brain that were involved in the original experience are involved in the memory. This is why it seems so real.

Recent brain research has found that making small changes to the memory can make big changes in how we feel about the memory. As soon as you add in some plausible ingredient, the old feelings go.

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With the benefit of hindsight Tina realised that on the day of the panic attack she had rushed out without eating. She began to imagine what it would have been like if she had stopped off for a snack en route. This changed the memory, and the feelings went. Robin imagined disdainfully ignoring his friend and the girls, and walking on by. This felt so much better.

Almost daily, brain research is discovering new ways of dealing with old problems. There is often no need to live with old hurts or debilitating feelings.

Richard Morley is an established clinical hypnotherapist and EMDR practitioner. He is a tutor at the London College of Clinical Hypnosis and a full member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He is a Practitioner of Applied Neuroscience and one of only a few Certificated Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Health Practitioners in the UK. He is a Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP. He has helped thousands of people from all walks of life become happier, healthier and more productive.

Richard offers sessions at the Equilibrium Health Centre, Lewes. These can be booked through reception on 01273 470955 equilibrium-clinic.com

WELLBEING LOCAL

How's your posture?

'Your posture directly affects your health. Improved posture can lead to better well-being' Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down. When posture is bad it can increase pressure on your spine, and this can lead to tension soreness, headaches, back pain and fatigue. Postural imbalance also compresses your internal organs, reducing their efficiency and normal functions.

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of poor posture. It takes a lot of energy to hold the body in any awkward position and, in turn, alters our breathing capacity which can be diminished by up to thirty percent.

Good posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. A good postural position permits you to breathe better, and as a result

reduces fatigue and minimises other side-effects associated with bad posture. Proper posture keeps muscles, ligaments, bones and internal organs in their natural position. This reduces wear and tear of joints and relieves stress, improving health and enhancing your appearance.

Good posture can also increase self confidence, with one study revealing that people adopting good posture not only display greater confidence though have stronger belief in their own abilities than those with poor posture.

Correcting bad posture does take discipline, but there is no doubt that the benefits are worth the effort. Find out about your posture by attending our FREE Posture Workshop or by booking in for a FREE Chiropractic Consultation and Posture Check with one of our friendly Chiropractors at Physio Plus. To book in please call 01323 430 803 www.physiotherapyplus.co.uk

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SUPERGENERALISM

- the new model for patient care.

Words Kate Arnold

Having just read the Evolution of Medicine I wanted to share my synopsis on this new model of thinking about health and where this could take us in terms of patient care.

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WELLBEING NUTRITION

Globally there are pockets of the world that seem to coexist in a different way in terms of health and longevity. California, Italy, Greece, Japan and Costa Rica have communities that oddly are not well connected to hospitals or technology but have some of the highest number of centenarians. Their longevity seems to be largely down to a holistic approach of community support, nutrition and prevention of disease. Recent studies at the UCLA’s Stress Lab show that targeted rejection (i.e. if a person is fired on their own rather than as a team) has a monumental effect on their health, increasing inflammatory markers. It would appear support is key to health. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could replicate holistic supportive communities in more areas and make it the norm rather than the unusual? To do this we have to assess where we are in patient care, what is lacking and what we might do to improve the current situation.

The problem with symptoms Let’s say you are really sick, something that we all dread, and you have several frightening symptoms that suddenly invade your body for no apparent reason; for example chest pains, heart palpitations migraines and diarrhoea. If these symptoms cannot be contained or treated within a surgery or A&E setting you will be referred to a specialist. It’s pretty obvious with this example that you will see a cardiologist first for more investigations, but what about the

bowel and the headaches, as they don’t come under the cardiology banner? You may well end up seeing a gastroenterologist and a neurologist as well. Why? Because this is the way it’s done, this is the accepted format.

What this way of looking at health exposes is that the consultants are not talking to one another, so your body is being looked at in boxes separate from one another. Just supposing these symptoms turned out to be caused by a food allergy (I’m stretching it a bit with this example, but bear with me). If that is so you might eventually get sent to a specialist that deals with allergies. Let’s say it was all due to a bad reaction to food but the patient hadn’t put two and two together. The patient may end up seeing three specialists when only one was needed. The amount of money to see those specialists whether privately or on the NHS is significant as is the time frame. To separate symptoms like this has kept us in specialist boxes that although to a degree have served their purpose, certainly leaves something to be desired. I’m not in any way saying that consultants are not necessary, their skills are superb and the surgical specialists we have now are second to none. I’m talking more about chronic conditions than the acute. Most people going to their GP have more than one symptom; these day to day symptoms (headaches, fatigue, bloating, skin conditions etc) are often lifestyle related and take up most of the GP practice time. Someone needs to start joining the dots. Understanding the body as an integrated system rather than a series

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of separate boxes enables you to see the connections more easily. This in essence is supergeneralism. Dr Ranjan Chatterjee from Doctor in the House who describes himself as a super generalist talks about medicine being about aetiology not symptomology.

This is certainly a good place to start.

Treating symptoms is difficult because one symptom can be so many disease states and caused by so many different things.

Our overstretched overworked GP’s have a lot to sort out in an insane amount of time - the ten minute appointment leaves no time for a nice little chat. Certainly patients feel, whether rightly or wrongly, that the service has become more about writing prescriptions than patient care. Patients want more time and to be seen as a whole person but in the framework we have at the moment that is virtually impossible.

The GP does not have time to ask about your stress levels, nutrition intake and exercise regime. Could we not look at this in a different way without reinventing the wheel? Could we perhaps treat ‘a person’ as a whole person? Can “holistic” medicine ever become good standard practice within a scientific framework? Can we even use the word “holistic” without sharp intakes of

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breath?! The short answer is of course yes we can. This new way of treating people although it has been happening for a very long time alongside mainstream medicine is starting to make breakthroughs in new and exciting ways of treating patients. It’s called supergeneralism and there’s not a quack in sight. You see to be a super generalist and in order to do this kind of work you will need to have trained as a GP or as a minimum be trained in functional medicine and often need additional strings to your bow like Immunology or Microbiology.

A new approach The arrival of the super generalist is great news not only for patients but for doctors as well, who may certainly gain more patient satisfaction and patients do prefer a one to one individualised approach as the outcomes are far better. Not only can it be good for the patient, but good behavioural changes can be carried on through second and third generations allowing a solid

WELLBEING NUTRITION

framework for a healthier lifestyle not only in individuals but their families.

Dr Daniel Kraft founder of Intellimedicine has devised a model of working like this called P4 medicine - the P stands for predictive, personalised, participatory and preventative. Doctors are often as sick as their patients and many have become highly disillusioned about a system they might not be entirely invested in anymore. We certainly need a new way to engage patients and modern medicine needs to work out how to treat patients individually, spending more time with them to stimulate and support these behavioural changes that can hopefully lead to better outcomes, a system that treats the root cause of disease and not simply treat the symptoms. Root cause resolution has been labelled quacky, I think unfairly.

It‘s just common sense and looks at the patient‘s past. It’s saying this is how you got to where you are now. Obviously not 100% of disease states start like this, but for the most this works.

The importance of the timeline.

People rarely just suddenly get ill. Don‘t get me wrong, their symptoms can be sudden and lethal. However it didn’t happen just at that moment your heart “attacks” you, you have to go back, sometimes way back. Is a dose of dysentery in India twenty years ago relevant to the IBS symptoms of the patient now ? The root cause of your IBS might be undiagnosed gut issues caused by that incident. Were you born by C section and have more infections than is normal? The root cause of this might be your gut microbiome. Have you lived on a high sugar, highly refined diet and are now suffering type two diabetes? There is a high likelihood that this high sugar diet has caused the disease state of which you now suffer. It’s these clues from the past that put together the story of why someone got ill in the first place. I see a lot of veterinary nurses in my clinics with IBS. Many of these nurses unwittingly pick up parasitic infections from the animals. No big deal, but their environment is key, if you didn‘t know they were a veterinary nurse you couldn’t make that connection. What people do job wise, their stress levels, their travel history, their antibiotic history, their birth, it all gives you clues as to how to help them and where they need the support.

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The rise of the microbiome Running alongside the rise of the super generalist approach is our dear friend the microbiome who has done more in the last ten years of joining up the dots than any other discovery in the history of medicine. The speed and rate of the research in this field is staggering. The rise in autoimmune disease can be put straight at the door of the microbiome and environment.

How the gut effects our health is the most important discovery and changes how we approach symptoms and treat them. How we are bought into this world can have a marked effect on our overall health. We know C section births omit the important natural spread of good bacteria’s from the mother.

Additionally we now know that our microbes have an impact on chronic inflammation and how the gut brain axis impacts each other through the vagus nerve.

So we could ask why don’t our GP’s know about the microbiome and why aren’t they practising this form of treatment. It takes 17 years on average for research to trickle down to general practice. The irony is that most lay people know a little about gut flora but to my utter surprise a consultant friend of mine had never heard of the gut microbiome. No doubt their busy diaries and stressful lives means there is not time for anything extra on

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their plate but it’s still a large gap in their knowledge base.

One of the reasons why I specialise in the microbiome is that it makes me a generalist of sorts, not a super GP type generalist as I don’t have the knowledge base but a generalist none the less. I follow the functional medicine matrix of looking at the body in terms of systems. One of the largest issues we have in this country are diseases of inflammation, and obesity comes into that bracket. My obese patients often have raised inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP) and one of the fundamental points I try to teach people is that most of their symptoms are due to inflammation and that can include depression, obesity, heart disease, and the more obvious conditions like arthritis etc. The microbiome means we are an eco system and should be treated that way - as one whole person. It is this new information we have now which is forcing us to look at our bodies in different ways.

WELLBEING NUTRITION

It is a tragedy that personalised medicine has been around for a while but is only accessibly by those who can afford it. If I could work in the NHS like this, trust me I would, and I do where and when I can. It is clear that no two humans are the same and there is no “average” human. Our environments, genetics and microbiomes are so unique that we need unique personalised healthcare. Patients also need to be participating in their care, and empowering patients to do this leads to better outcomes.

Patients don’t just need prescriptions handed out to them they need to fully engage with their lifestyles and nutrition.

This new way of treating patients is not about slamming pharmaceutical companies and taking up homeopathy. It is finding a common language to engage and motivate people, forming a bridge between old and new models of working. I am hoping in the next twenty years there will more practices going in this direction with a super generalist in every surgery. It may well be that the patient will have to pay for this themselves for a long time to come, but like most things demand can bring radical changes. It is in our hands as well to ask for this and to participate in our own healthcare and take responsibility for our health.

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BOOSTING y t i n u m Im

With the onset of winter approaching, now is a good time to look at ways of boosting immunity. We are all aware of the importance of a healthy diet and moderate exercise to keep us in check, however there are a few other ways of giving our immune system a helping hand...we’ve asked our Nutritonists to share their shocking ways to boost our immunity. 

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Hot and cold showers Shona Wilkinson, Nutritonist at Superfooduk.com says “A simple way to change your existing routine is to change the temperature of the water to either hot or cold every two minutes. This works by increasing two types of white blood cells called Monocytes and Lymphocytes. The immune system is stimulated by your body trying to warm itself up from the cold water, while switching to hot water every now and then stimulates your body’s detoxification system. The fewer toxins we have in our body, the more your immune system is better able to deal with bacteria and viruses.”

Sex Cassandra Barns, Nutritonist explains “There is a link between how much sex you have and how many sick days you take at work. Regular sex increases the number of IgA immune cells in your blood, keeping colds and flu in check.”

Music Barns explains “Soothing yourself with music, whatever your tastes may be, activates the same feel good part of the brain as sex and food and increases the amount of Natural Killer immune cells in your blood. Better still, is making your own music. Musicians have even higher amounts of immune cells.”

Meditation and Yoga

“A rub, a hug, and a passing touch all decrease the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. Cortisol decreases your immune response, so snuggle up to a loved one and enjoy the immune boosting properties of an embrace!” says Shona.

“They work to increase immunity in two ways. Firstly it decreases the stress hormone cortisol, which has an immune suppressing affect, and secondly they have been shown to increase the electrical activity in the emotional part of your brain, which also commands your immune system what to do” explains Shona.

Socialising

Relax

Contrary to logical thinking about the spread of colds and flu, extensive research has proven time and time again that spending times with friends, family and community members is a great way to decrease your chance of catching a cold.

After socialising, your immune system works better” says Wilkinson.

It’s nothing earth shattering – if you give your body a chance to ‘switch off’ and relieve the stresses of everyday life this will boost a suppressed immune system. Why? It seems that stress hampers the body’s ability to fight inflammation, by making immune cells less sensitive to the hormone, which ‘turns off’ inflammation.

Physical touch

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Pet the dog One study showed a significant increase in the immune cell IgA after petting a dog. If you don’t have a dog, you can borrow one from the local rescue centre, or try it out on your cat!

Get out in nature People who spend time in parks and forests exhibit an increased function of the immune system. “There are certain chemicals that plants omit into the air called phytoncides, designed to protect plants from insects and from rotting. They also has a positive effect on human immune systems” says Shona.

Get your Zzz’s...

Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading Nutritonist (www.marilynglenville. com) and author of Natural Alternatives to Sugar explains “As a society we are sleeping less; the time we sleep each night has reduced from 9 hours to 7.5 hours since the 1900s. Sleep is important for your health because it gives your body time to recharge its batteries and repair cells and tissue. When you don’t get enough or good quality sleep you can feel irritable, with poor concentration, tired and more vulnerable to

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infections because your body does not have the strength to fight its own battles.

Inadequate sleep lowers our immune response. A recent study showed that missing even a few hours a night on a regular basis can decrease the number of ‘natural killer cells’, which are responsible for fighting off invaders such as bacteria and viruses. This will come as no surprise to those of us who succumb to colds and other illnesses when we are run down – normally after periods of inadequate sleep.”

WELLBEING HEALTH

Your Life, Your Choice, Your Health!

Abraham Lincoln said “It’s the life in your years that count, not the years in your life.”

One of the most common problems that affect our quality of life are those little aches and pains we get. We tend to suffer more as we get older, though increasingly people are taking their health into their own hands.

After all it’s your life, so why not make sure you’re getting the best out of it!

Are you limited by arthritic aches? Do you get shoulder pains? Or have you had enough of an achy hip? Are you fed up of sciatic nerve pain? Or are headaches holding you back?

Do you want to do something about these problems rather than just relying on endless painkillers?

Thousands of Eastbourne residents have already found an expert solution with chiropractic care at Lushington Chiropractic.

Aches and pains can be difficult problems, which is why it’s best to speak to an expert. If you have a muscle, joint or nerve problem, then speak to a specialist. The Chiropractors at Lushington Chiropractic take the time to get to the root of the problem and hope to give you the quality of life you deserve.

Chiropractic is safe, natural and effective.

The chiropractors are highly experienced and the whole team at Lushington Chiropractic are committed to the highest possible standards of patient and customer care.

The chiropractors at Lushington Chiropractic will take time to answer all your questions. They believe in specific and gentle healthcare, personally tailored to your needs.

It’s your life, your health and your choice.

Make it your New Year Resolution to book a consultation. Call Lushington Chiropractic on 01323 722499 chirocare.co.uk

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“THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH ONE STEP” Lao Tzu People seek counselling for many different reasons, the common theme being some level of pain and dis-ease experienced in their being. These uncomfortable feelings and sensations can often be the motivation for change.

Counselling offers a wonderful opportunity for expansion and growth. Within a strong therapeutic relationship, the process of counselling can facilitate the transition from pain and discomfort to learning and self re-discovery - helping a person move to a place where they are living a life of ease that truly reflects all that they are.

As a therapist I work to allow the unraveling and flow of discovery, whilst holding clients within the unfolding process. My work resonates at the core level and I work empathically and intuitively to release and empower clients. By exploring the patterns and processes that have shaped clients’ lives, and working with the emotional resonance that exists within these, a space is created where our concept of self can become more aligned with the truth of who we are. When our concept of who we think we are is out of alignment with who we really are, we are literally causing ourselves pain, by going against what we know at a soul level.

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This knowledge is often not fully in our awareness though, by unraveling and exploring, we can move to a place where we start to consciously align to our authentic self.

My work with clients creates space and freedom within and allows reflection and questioning of self and of the patterns and processes that are present in our lives; integrating what works for us, whilst releasing what doesn’t. This frees us to consciously choose how we live and how we are in relationship with ourselves and others. I am a fully qualified therapist offering Individual and Couples counselling in Eastbourne. I have experience of working with a diverse range of clients and a wide variety of presenting issues. I continue to expand my knowledge through on-going training and self development, and offer a space where clients can explore without judgement in an environment that is safe and healing.

If you would like to discuss working together or to arrange an initial session then please contact me.

I also offer Intuitive Bodywork, which has evolved from my training in Shiatsu and Reiki.

Amy Law-Smith amy-counselling.co.uk 01323 749747 or 07971 380547

WELLBEING WORKPLACE

SHAPE UP in the office

Stuff your drawer with healthy snacks Instead of snacking on biscuits and treats in the office kitchen, fill your drawer up with healthier alternatives such as instant oats, protein bars, or fruit. The next time you have to work late, healthy eats will be within arms’ reach.

If you’re bogged down with work, then the chances are you’ll be sitting at your desk for the majority of the day… but what if this is detrimental to your health?

Recent research has shown that being inactive or not exercising could lead to an early death for office workers especially.

Andrew Ivers, Senior Marketing Manager at Bodybuilding.com says: “We all know what it’s like to be stuck to a desk for numerous hours a day, as we begin to feel lazy or fatigued, so that’s why we’re targeting this issue and helping office workers get up on their feet.”

By making your office a friendly place for health and fitness, you’ll be able to spend more time working toward your goals. Add the following things to your workday and you might just see those inches slide off a little faster.

Prepare your meals If you’re constantly going out for lunch instead of preparing a healthy meal at home, you probably ingest far more calories than you need. It takes 10 minutes to prepare a healthy lunch the night before work or pack leftovers from dinner. So there’s no excuse to continually make poor eating choices.

Coffee break? Put caffeine to good use No matter how hard you work, you need to take an occasional break to de-stress and refresh. When your coffee break comes around, take a brisk 10-15 minute walk. Not only will this torch a few calories, but it may help you clear your mind, ease stress, regain focus, and feel more energised.

Keep a water bottle on your desk If the only fluids you tend to consume during your workday are coffee and diet soda, you need some water. Many people don’t realize they’re dehydrated. Thirst can zap your concentration, energy and performance. By keeping a water bottle on your desk, you can sip on it as the day moves along and get the water your body needs without having to think about it.

Set a timer Instead of sitting at your desk for eight hours straight, set a timer to go off each hour.

When it beeps, do something active for one or two minutes. By moving around for just two minutes every hour, you’ll feel better at the end of the day. Bring a little play to work and your brain. Your body and your boss will all thank you.

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Biodynamic Medicine The term biodynamic is connected with the flow of life energy through the body and mind. When this natural flow is disturbed we lose our joy and often symptoms can develop. A range of biodynamic treatments and therapies have been developed to: • Give time and space for your wellbeing • Restore your natural flow • Clear the effects of stress • Promote self-healing and self-regulation • Help you find courage for change and challenges • Re-discover your essential self

Biodynamic Psychology was established 60 years ago by Clinical Psychologist, Gerda Boyesen (1922-2005). It has been developed by the Institute of Biodynamic Medicine (formerly Gerda Boyesen International Institute of Biodynamic Psychology and Psychotherapy) which was founded by Mary Molloy in 1989. The biodynamic approach is increasingly used in the fields of trauma recovery, conflict resolution, and pre and post-operative care and with diagnosed and non-diagnosed medical conditions in the new emerging complementary field of Biodynamic Medicine.

A distinguishing aspect of biodynamic practice is the working knowledge that the brain-gut axis is the regulator of nervousness and energy in the body; and that two innate human survival mechanisms - the ‘fight and flight’ and ‘freeze’ responses - if not deactivated or re-activated after an event that is perceived as dangerous, can remain permanently ‘on’ or ‘off’ and adversely affect our emotional and physical wellbeing. As a fundamental aim of each treatment, and in each session, the biodynamic psychotherapist uses a variety of different techniques to ‘find the key’ to enable the client to switch stuck patterns ‘on’ or ‘off’ and restore the spontaneous function of our

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natural defense mechanisms, thereby returning a person to their natural, exuberant self. This key is known as Psycho-Peristalsis.

"There is an innate healing mechanism in the body which dissolves tension and resolves emotional conflict on the unconscious and organic level."

Gerda Boyesen By adding bodywork in the form of gentle but effective and targeted biodynamic massage to more traditional psychotherapy and psychology, this holistic healing method not only breaks down the barriers and blocks in your mind, but also works to release stress and tension stored in your body. This reconnects you to what is known in Biodynamic Psychology as the ‘Primary Personality’, your vibrant core self, ready willing and able to meet life’s challenges, and clears the way towards living an authentic and fulfilling life. Once engaged, a natural process of healing unfolds. To allow this to happen organically a series of sessions is recommended in order to provide you with the time and space to heal and focus.

What happens in a biodynamic session?

In the first session you will complete a Client Information Record followed by the Initial Consultation. Once the key matters for you have been established, whether psychological or physical, biodynamic massage or treatment will start. The biodynamic psychotherapist uses a variety of biodynamic methods together with the loudspeaker stethoscope placed on your abdomen to listen to and monitor psycho-peristalsis. This provides crucial diagnostic feedback from your innate and intelligent second brain and is a guide and monitor for effective treatment on all levels.

Biodynamic Wellbeing

The full range of biodynamic therapies are now available with Licensed Biodynamic Psychotherapist Corinna Kitchen at Biodynamic Wellbeing (a Registered Biodynamic Clinic) at Equilibrium Health Centre in Lewes

Corinna Kitchen Giving a Biodynamic Massage

ideal if you are at a crossroad in your life or feeling stuck, or if you are on a path of self-discovery and want help to uncover and heal the aspects that hold you back.

Biodynamic therapies can support you through different stages in your life, support you in challenges you are facing, create a safe space for you to explore, share and clarify issues, and empower you to take control of and bring joy to your everyday life.

Biodynamic Services Offered • • • • •

Who Can Benefit from Biodynamic Therapies?

This safe, deep, healing process can benefit anyone seeking to be free from stress-related symptoms and conditions. It can boost your metabolism, bring peace and calm to shattered nerves, balance the respiratory system, ease anxiety and tension, relieve emotional and physical pain and lift sadness and depression.

In the context of personal development, it can help to rebuild life after loss, clarify and understand challenging emotions or difficult relationships. It is

Consultation and First Session 1 or 2 hour options On-going Regular Sessions 1 or 2 hour options Half-Day Sessions 3 hours (a.m. or p.m.)

Day Care Programme * Intensive - 5hrs in one day Biodynamic Retreat * 6-10 or 20hrs over 2-4 days * Residential Packages Available

During November Corinna is offering 10 Wellbeing Magazine readers TWO hours biodynamic treatment for the price of ONE! (Offer can be shared between 2 friends!) For further details or to make an appointment with Corinna please contact Equilibrium, 16 Station Street, Lewes BN7 2DB - 01273 470955

www.equilibrium-clinic.com

Corinna Kitchen: www.biodynamicwellbeing.co.uk Institute of Biodynamic Medicine: www.biodynamic.org

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How to have a Happy Christmas Rescue Remedy has teamed up with Neil Shah, Chief De-Stressor at The Stress Management Society to help make Christmas a breeze: Christmas. A time for friends and family, cosy evenings by the fire, Christmas carols and delicious food. Whether you put your Christmas tree up on the 1st December (or in November) or put it up on Christmas Eve, 90% of Brits will be embracing the tradition and ensuring our homes are festive for the season.

But with all the festive cheer and jolly activities going on, are any of us secretly biting our nails at getting everything done in time? A survey by Rescue Remedy® has found there are a few Christmas niggles which can threaten to ruin the fun. Top of the list is buying presents for friends and family with a massive 65% finding it a struggle.

Next up is the 16% of us feeling concerned about all the cooking that needs to be done

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and 10% about hosting all the family. Other niggles can range from money worries to boredom

Get Organised And Plan Ahead: With so many activities to accomplish this festive period, lists can go a long way. They will help you keep a record of what needs to be done and when they need to done.

Make a to-do list and check things off as you go along so that Christmas day doesn’t creep up on you. This includes jotting down important dates such as the last Christmas post to ensure your Christmas cards and presents get sent on time!

Don’t Be A Perfectionist With the above said, having a realistic expectation of how Christmas should be will

help you overcome trying to make everything “perfect”. Christmas is about enjoyment and not stressing over perfection. This will inevitably add more pressure on you.

Create buffer times; times where you do things slowly and peacefully. This may be decorating the tree for example. This can be a relaxing activity and, remember, making a memorable day is much more important than everything having to be perfect. So don’t fret over perfection - just enjoy!

Think Small Gifts Gift-buying is definitely one of the most stressful aspects of Christmas. It isn’t always easy to find quirky and interesting gift ideas to keep things different every year. But think small. Having several creative stocking stuffers over one big gift will perhaps give you a better chance of giving a present they will like, or just make the gift-opening process much more entertaining.

There’s No Harm In Delegation Christmas is all about family. Get the kids involved – they can help decorate the house and help wrap presents. Even many shops and online vendors offer wrapping services so alternatively you get a little extra help from them, taking more weight off your shoulders.

Christmas dinner applies here too. Cooking alone can leave you frazzled. You never know, getting the family involved can make everyone feel helpful and give them a sense of belonging where it can actually change a stressful experience into something fun.

Take Care Of Yourself Christmas may be a season to be jolly, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be tempted

to indulge in nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and refined sugar products especially if you are feeling overwhelmed. Instead, keep yourself and your guests well hydrated by drinking water or even herbal teas. What better way to keep you warm, than a cup of hot tea during the month of December!

Remember To Enjoy The Day! Ensuring you and your loved ones enjoy the day is the most important thing.

Don’t spend the build up to Christmas or Christmas itself worrying, fretting and stressing. Remember to keep calm.

If you find yourself getting stressed, doing some simple breathing techniques will help you to relax.

• Sit or stand in a relaxed position • Slowly inhale through your nose, counting to five • Let the air out from your mouth, counting to eight • Repeat several times!

• Laugh about things that go wrong, they will make funny memories to look back on in the future.

A little bit of extra support...

If you are having one of those days why not stop and take a moment out with RESCUE. Rescue Remedy is a specially blended combination of five Bach™ Original Flower Essences - the flower essences of Star of Bethlehem, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose and Cherry Plum.

Keep on top of your day with Rescue Remedy by your side. It can be used anytime, anywhere and is suitable for all the family.

www.rescueremedy.co.uk

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The Cyclist’s Guide to Yoga: Why you should step off the bike and onto the mat w26 WELLBEING

How do you relax after a cycling session?

A hot bath? An ice bath? Or do you just collapse into bed?

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, but it is not the sole preserve of extremely flexible people who aspire to stand on their heads. People up and down the country are using it as a regular form of exercise or to supplement an existing training regime.

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John Moss, Managing Director at Merlin Cycles, says yoga can be the perfect counterpart to a hard training session:

“There’s a lot more to cycling than clocking hundreds of hours on your bike. In order to achieve the best times it’s about taking really good care of your body, and yoga is the perfect solution. It ticks all the right boxes and can help take your training even further. A lot of cyclists discount yoga as being a gentle and easy form of exercise that could in no way help their cycling. Nothing could be further from the truth!”

To help cyclists get the most out of their rides, Merlin Cycles has spoken to experts and teachers across the country to get their top tips on incorporating a gentle yoga practice into your training regime and how this can benefit your performance.

Keep a calm mind Stay in the zone and use unique breathing techniques to keep your mind completely focused on the journey ahead thanks to yoga. It’s not just a workout of the body!

Cheryl MacDonald, yoga elder and founder of Yoga Bellies, tells us how this can translate into your cycling sessions: “Yoga will help you feel calm. When you are in a particularly long ride you can calm your mind with your breath, like you do in your yoga practice, and use this to push through the pain. Remember the mindfulness you had in the resting poses and use your yoga training to connect your mind to your breath and relax into the saddle.”

It increases flexibility Yoga and flexibility go hand in hand, and the benefits it can bring to your cycling are incredible. If your body is supple and flexible, then you are less likely to be injured. Over time your hamstrings and hips, two areas that see a great deal of action during cycling, will loosen off. And with great flexibility, comes great posture.

So what are some of the best poses to help your mind and body in the saddle?

Downward-Facing Dog An incredibly iconic yoga pose, downwardfacing dog is a mild inversion that gets your blood flowing and alleviates tight spots throughout the body.

Holly McFee, founder of Leeds-based practice Yoga Hero, explains how to get the perfect posture: “A yoga favourite! Come to hands and knees, wrists aligned under the shoulders and knees aligned under the hips. Tuck your toes under and lift the hips up and back to bring you into an inverted ‘V’ shape.”

Savasana Savasana is considered by many people to be the most difficult yoga pose of them all.

Also known as the corpse pose, it requires you to lie flat on your back, perfectly still.

In order to gain the full benefits of Savasana, you need to be awake but also completely relaxed - almost in a meditative state. Try and stay in the pose for as long as possible, 10 to 20 minutes if you can, but even a few minutes will help!

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HEALTH, HALE AND WHOLE A new medical paradigm

Medicine has witnessed over a hundred years of increasing fragmentation of the patient into smaller and smaller parts, from the study and treatment of the whole person to the reductionist study of the cellular condition of the diseased cells within the individual, and even to the viewing the individual simply as a “member of a herd” in public health vaccination programmes!

This process, of increasing focus on smaller and smaller parts of the individual’s being, has been driven by two major forces. The first was identified very clearly by Lord Horder in the 1930’s. He saw how the rise of the specialist and the demise of the General Practitioner would lead to such fragmentation and loss of understanding of the more complex nature of the sick person. The other driving force that has coincided with this specialisation, has been the increasing reliance on laboratory tests and diagnostic machines of every conceivable kind that has driven out the broad-based clinical judgment of the experienced doctor at the bedside. It was once said that one could judge the skill of a physician by the number of tests he demanded; the more tests the poorer the practitioner.

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All this does not mean there hasn’t been incredible progress in our understanding of disease and our ability to isolate and identify the source of disease, but this impressive new competence has come at a heavy price for the patient’s care and treatment.

Added to this increasingly analytical approach has been the fact that the doctor’s training demands such a vast encyclopaedic knowledge of pathology, there remains little time to study and learn the science and art of ethology; the promotion and education for health. The consequences arising from this lack of education and understanding of health promotion are perhaps the most damaging factor in our so-called National Health Service today. This was recognised by the Government in 2004 at the International Health Workers Conference in Brighton, when the King’s Fund were given the task of finding ways of transforming the NHS from a sickness service to a health promoting service.

The lack of public health education by the medical establishment has been compounded by the growing patient dependency upon medical solutions to every health problem; “a pill for every ill”.

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Patients have become “passive rabbits” relying increasingly upon their doctor to ‘fix them’ with little or no effort or work on their part. Under such pressure, the doctor has usually succumbed to prescribing whatever will give instant relief to the demanding patient, regardless of the long-term effects on their health. Thus, blame for this sad situation cannot be placed at the doctor’s door but the guilt must be shared by both patient and doctor playing this hazardous game that puts the total health of the patient at risk, progressively increases the medical demands on an already overburdened system and leads to widespread over-prescription of life-saving drugs. The profligate over-use of antibiotics has been around for at least a decade with the frightening possibility that we may be losing the battle against many infective agents that have become immune to the common antibiotics. Recently the same criticism has been made of over prescription of asthma medication for children. In a New Zealand clinical study (Middlemore & Green Hospitals - March 25th 2007) it was found that almost forty percent of asthma diagnoses were false and the medication used was not indicated. The unfortunate outcome of the latter is that in many children the use of their asthma medication can exacerbate

their symptoms further, requiring more and more medication.

Finally, our leaders in government who are responsible for allocating resources have to seek advice from the experts in the relevant field, thus the problem grows as more and more resources are allocated to a failing health service because the advice given is based on an imbalanced practice and understanding of the fundamentals of health promotion by the medical establishment. Those practitioners in the natural health field of medicine who are helping the public take more responsibility for their own health are not heard and perhaps are not considered of any significance in a system that is based on current established medical practice.

There needs to be a paradigm change in our thinking about health, this I shall discuss later.

Health is related to being “hale & hearty” in old English terms. Hale is in fact old English for “whole”. Perhaps health is about becoming a whole person in mind, body and spirit?

Michael Lingard BSc. DO. HP. (Health Practitioner) totalhealthmatters.co.uk

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BEATING THE WINTER BLUES BodyBuilding.com list 4 ways to overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder‌

Let’s face it, we all hate it when the temperature starts to drop and the sun starts to set at 5pm. For most of us, we wrap up and move on. However for some people, year after year, energy levels drop and they are left feeing depressed, tired and lethargic. This can mean that they suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For those who have SAD, they must endure the winter months instead of enjoying them, until now.

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Get More Vitamin D Vitamin D is naturally produced by the body when the sunlight hits the skin. When there is less sun exposure, you’re less likely to produce Vitamin D. A lack of Vitamin D can result in weak and brittle bones. Supplementation is your best strategy for more Vitamin D as few food sources contain high doses.

Try Light Therapy Light therapy is a great way for people to get more Vitamin D. It uses special, very bright ‘light boxes’ which help your body naturally create Vitamin D and in turn, ease the symptoms of depression.

Find Workouts You Enjoy When you’re feeling down, the last thing you want to do is exercise. However, going to the gym can be one of the best ways to tackle depression. Regular exercise will boost your well-being by releasing feel-good endorphins and can help to increase your energy levels.

The better workouts that help to ease SAD symptoms are yoga and swimming rather than focussing on muscle-building or fat-loss result based programmes. Focus on the fun and how good it makes you feel. As long as you are motivated, it will help exercise your mental health as well as your physical health.

Keep Regular Sleep Hours With winter days being shorter, you don’t want to spend all your time asleep. The more sunlight hours you’re awake for, the more Vitamin D your body will be producing. Try to regulate your sleep hours by waking up and going to bed at the same times every day. If you struggle to fall asleep, consider using melatonin supplements. Melatonin can help to regulate your body clock so it’s easier to stick to your routine.

Say hello to the app from Sweden that has helped over 5,000 Swedish women to get pregnant

Sweden is now pioneering the world of fertility with the Swedish start-up Natural Cycles, the hormone-free fertility app, that has helped over 5,000 Swedish women to get pregnant within less than three months of using the app, on average, and now wants to empower women in the UK who are planning to conceive.

Natural Cycles was invented by husband and wife team Dr Elina Berglund and Dr Raoul Scherwitzl. In recent clinical studies the app was shown to be as effective as the contraceptive pill* and could pinpoint ovulation with the same accuracy as methods used in clinics and hospitals. It is also the first health app for women to be regulated as a medical device.

Natural Cycles works by identifying a woman’s ovulation and fertile window by tracking her period and temperature.

Women are required to record the temperature under their tongue in the morning and enter it into the app which uses a unique algorithm to determine whether you are fertile on that day.

“The success of Natural Cycles depends on its algorithm”, says Dr Elina Berglund.

Natural Cycles can adapt to each individual woman’s body and, with a high degree of precision and accuracy, determine when she is ovulating.”

Natural Cycles #HappyPregnancy www.naturalcycles.com

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What is is Intuitive IntuitiveHorse?

Horse?

Intuitive Horse is Equine Assisted Personal Development through experiential learning.

We work with people from all walks of life to help them gain a deeper insight and understanding of themselves and horses, learn how to work with emotional awareness and a particular emphasis on learning how to quieten down the mind and 'be' in a present moment state.

We offer 1-1 sessions, 3 day retreats, 3 day advanced retreats, workshops and courses bespoke group and individual days/sessions and for the horse owner we offer home visits or you can bring your horse to us.

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INTUITIVE HORSE 1-1 SESSIONS We offer private sessions working with a horse from the ground, to help you gain more understanding of yourself and the way your environment responds to your emotional state. By working with a horse you start to see a direct reflection of self through the assistance of the horses behaviour towards and around you.

An intuitive Horse session will help you with: • Becoming more aware of your emotions,behaviours and mind states • How your environment responds to your emotional state • Listening and trusting your own intuition

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• • • •

Connection with self Helping to bring you into a more present moment state Working through personal issues Can give you life skills to take away

Your first session will be for an hour and a half; this includes a consultation. You select one of our horses you feel most drawn to work with then with the assistance of Emma you work together to gain personal insight.

We recommend a further 3 sessions to assist you through your process. We then review how/if you would like to continue.

However it is fine to come for a one off session or for less than the recommended amount.

Sessions can progress to working with the herd when both client and facilitator feel happy to do so.

3-DAY RETREATS Over 3 days you work intensively through the Intuitive Horse techniques which include group discussions and exercises, working 1 on 1 with a horse and being with our herd. This is a truly empowering experience which takes you on a journey of profound self discovery.

By the end of the 3 days you may have: • An understanding in emotional responsibility.

• An awareness in how your environment responds to your emotional state.

• Become aware of certain patterns in your life which may be presenting

• • • • •

themselves to you and how to change them if necessary.

A broader self awareness.

Trusting and working with your intuition.

A knowledge in equine behaviour.

Learnt how to 'be' with a horse and in turn with yourself.

Learnt how to quieten the mind down.

We only take small groups of people at a time to ensure proper attention to each person. Retreats run most months but if you have a small group of people or family members you would like to come and share this experience with, we can book you in on separate dates to suit you.

These retreats are suitable for people both with and without horse experience, we welcome people with fears around horses.

For people training with horses or who have their own, this work will complement any discipline you train in as it will help enhance your relationship with horses.

For more details about sessions, retreats and workshops please contact Emma Ross on 07825 036 301 or visit intuitivehorse.com

VOUCHERS We offer retreat, workshop, and 1-1 sessions vouchers, as well as in denominations of £10, £20 & £50

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WELLBEING BODY MIND

Why do we resist change, and why does it cause us stress?

Autumn is here and we will soon be heading into winter. One of life's certainties; the changing of the seasons which are all part of the circle of life. In fact the only constant in life is change!

Why Do We Resist Change And Why Does It Cause Us Stress?

Most usually it is because we do not feel in control and maybe we try to resist the changes we are going through, even though many of these changes may be inevitable. When we feel stress, our bodies - no matter what the stress, be it minor or major - trigger the primitive fight and flight response. A rush of hormones, adrenaline and cortisol are released, which are designed to allow us to physically escape from

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predators or track down our prey. This rush of hormones is then rebalanced through the physical exertion of pursuit or escape.

Modern day stresses create the same hormonal responses in our bodies, the difference being that the stressors can be things such as a loss of a job, relationship difficulties, or just the pure overwhelm of trying to do too much in one day, rushing for an appointment, or being unable to pay the bills for instance. The problem with today’s stresses is that, more often than not, they are prolonged and persistent. Low grade continuous stress has the greatest impact on both our physical and mental health.

We can cope with stress for a few weeks and then our bodies’ protective mechanisms struggle to adapt, and the chronic stress situation becomes established. The body at this point is in an inflammatory mode creating digestive, joint, or skin problems to name a few. The immune system becomes

Your body is working hard to protect you from your ‘predators’, though if your ‘predator’ is a low-level modern day type of stress, then you may feel unable to re-set the automatic reactions in your body. One of the most calming and simple things you can do is to breathe gently in through the nose and out through the mouth a few times. This gives your body a chance to rebalance during the times you feel stress building up.

Sometimes the changes we encounter in our lives are unavoidable and it is how we respond to these inevitable changes that determine whether we experience stress or not.

If you feel overwhelmed by change and stress and would like assistance in coping, then Ann Rambaut - Chartered Physiotherapist and Body/Mind Coach - offers several types of treatment programmes, including wonderfully deeply relaxing body techniques, and/or tools to assist on a daily basis, as well as coaching.

For more information please visit annrambaut.com or call Ann on 01323 411900 for a no obligation chat, to find out if any of the modalities offered would be of help.

compromised, and colds or high blood pressure can develop. The body’s systems become so sensitised that even an upsetting text can create a strong internal response!

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Z oned Out?

By Sara Wiseman

Are your kids zoned out by overstimulating children’s media?

Parents and grandparents are always seeking ways to help kids wind down.

In choosing children’s media that will positively benefit kids, three elements are key according to Dr. Steve Koc, an Oregon chiropractor who’s worked for 40 years helping clients of all ages relax, de-stress and heal.

Yet so often the common choice: putting on a movie—actually stresses kids out more.

That’s because most mainstream children’s media is over stimulating. Instead of relaxing children, it winds them up, makes them anxious or zones them out—the exact opposite of what’s intended.

“Nature, music and humor are powerful healers,” said Koc. “Each element by itself is a natural de-stressor that creates physiological and hormonal shifts in the body. When you combine them together, you have a powerful agent for relaxation and stress relief.”

Three well-studied elements—nature, music and laughter—create powerful physiological changes that help kids relax.

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It’s not the first time the healing properties of nature, music and laughter have been noted by the scientific and holistic communities.

A Japanese study found that those who practiced shinrin-yoku (walking and staying in forests) experienced greater stress reduction. Dr. Masura Emoto, author of Messages from Water, gained worldwide acclaim for his research in vibrational sound, and Dr. Mitchell Gaynor documents his findings in The Healing Power of Sound. The acclaimed Norman Cousins researched the healing power of laugher in his book The Anatomy of an Illness, to name a few.

Koc became so intrigued by the idea of using these three elements—nature, music and laughter—for stress relief, he created Gnomies World, an award-winning animated children’s movie designed to help kids relax.

The film follows the adventures of the Gnomies, a merry band of characters who live deep in the woods, go on peaceful adventures in nature, and bring laughter to all.

said. Because of this, the film differs from most children’s media in several key ways:

Peace and kindness “There’s no violence in the film,” said Koc. “The Gnomies are kind and respectful to each other. Nowadays, popular children’s shows are loaded with sarcasm, witty put downs, and attitudes of “me, me, me. This negativity disguised as humor trains children and adults to think and act in ways that lead to negative outcomes.”

“There is an intention to create peace and harmony through this film. There is an intention to leave the audience in a state of higher vibration or attunement. There is an intention to uplift those who watch it,” Koc said.

“What we watch and listen to feeds our thoughts and feelings. When we focus on positivity, we reap the benefits in physical and emotional health,” he noted.

Interactive nature “On the one hand, Gnomies World is light and frivolous,” said Koc. “Yet there is an underlying science in the making of this movie that is designed for deep healing.

As one gets immersed into the world of the Gnomies, the brain and body are affected in uplifting and healing ways.”

“In my four decades of clinical practice, I’ve always sought out natural ways to assist the healing process. I’ve found very good results using breathing exercises, along with visual images that create a state of inner peace, and sound healing,” Koc said.

“Gnomies World uses all of these modalities in addition to the laughter response, to create a state of relaxation in the body.” Koc

Nature also plays a starring role in the film.

“Without doubt, nature heals,” said Koc. “The studies are clear about the benefits of being in natural settings, with practices like forest bathing, earthing, green spaces and being outside. From a healing perspective, the benefits of exposure to nature are pretty much the same as the benefits from laughter itself: stimulation of the immune system, reduction of stress, and relaxation of the muscles.”

Gnomies World is designed to bring reallife, non-commercialized, actual nature to children. It was filmed on 12 private acres in the Oregon forests south of Portland. “I spent a lot of times outdoors,” said Koc. “I spent hours wandering amongst the trees, moss and mud with a camera.”

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Reviewing the footage, Koc was surprised to see unexpected nature show up: “Out of nowhere, a frog jumped onto one of the Gnomie’s heads, and a curious hummingbird dropped by. A bumblebee showed up unexpectedly. Nature is always interacting with us in wonderful ways.”

Sound therapy The soundtrack is specifically designed to create a healing response in the body.

An expert in sound healing: Koc has produced four award-winning healing music CDs, and has used sound healing in his clinical practice for forty years.

“Sound therapy is well-documented as a healing modality. The way we choose beats, tones and vibration creates changes in the physiology.” he said. The movie is imbued with original music that helps relax and release tension.”

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Laughter—the best medicine “Plain and simple, laughter heals,” said Koc. “The mind and body let go of stress when we laugh—and this true for both children and adults.

“The feel-good chemicals of the brain, endorphins and the like, are enhanced while at the same time the stress-related chemicals such as cortisol and epinephrine are reduced. It’s well-documented that the immune system also gets a healthy boost as a result of laughing, and our breath and circulation are affected in positive ways.”

In 2016, Gnomies World won Best Animated Film at the Northwest Comic Fest, and Official Selection at the Oregon Independent Film Festival.

Gnomies World is available on DVD from Beyond Words Publishing. For information, visit www.gnomiesworld.com

Therapy ROOMS

Welcome to the Therapy Rooms, where you will find solutions and ideas to support your health and wellbeing. We encourage you to contact our clinics and therapists to find out how they can help you to improve your health, fitness and knowledge. Enjoy and be inspired.

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NOVEMBER 7th 7-9pm - The FHT Local

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Support Group presents ‘The Bowen Technique’ with Lauren Henty. Venue: Victoria Drive Bowling Club, Eastbourne, BN20 8NH. wellbeingmagazine. com/east-sussex/holistic- therapy-groups/ or contact Pam Hardy (Local FHT Coordinator for Eastbourne & South Downs) 07759 674809 or comeinno@gmail.com

a t’s O n

16th 7pm - Wellbeing Wednesday/Network Evening - Do we have a social responsibility?

The Link Centre, Newick, FREE, email leilani@thelinkcentre.co.uk, www.thelinkcentre.co.uk

19th BDSM in the Therapeutic Relationship, The Link Centre, Newick, £80, email leilani@ thelinkcentre.co.uk, www.thelinkcentre.co.uk

19th/20th 2-day Introduction to Educational Transactional Analysis, The Link Centre, Newick, £160, email leilani@thelinkcentre.co.uk, www.thelinkcentre.co.uk Throughout November, Corinna Kitchen is offering 10 Wellbeing Magazine readers, TWO hours Biodynamic treatment for the price of ONE (can be split between 2 friends - 1 hour each). Please contact Equilibrium Clinic 01273 470955, equilibrium-clinic.com

DECEMBER 13th

Thermography - Rosa Hughes of Medscans will be at the Battle Healthy Living Clinic to offer Breast and Body Screening - a very simple experience,

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suitable for men, women and children of all ages, for many pain & health issues. Battle Healthy Living, Old Brewery Yard, High Street, Battle, TN33 0AF, 01424 773373 or Medscans 0333 800 3003

Mondays 10am-7pm

Massage Clinic with Lucy, £45 (60mins), Equilibrium Health Centre, 16 Station St, Lewes, 01273 470955, www.equilibrium-clinic.com

Wednesdays

Saturdays

Allergy Testing Clinic, Equilibrium Health Centre, 16 Station St, Lewes, 01273 470955, www.equilibrium-clinic.com

Osteopathy, Reflexology & Massage Clinic with Megan, Marcus & Dafna, Equilibrium Health Centre, 16 Station St, Lewes, all £45, 01273 470955, www.equilibrium-clinic.com

1-5pm

2-5pm - fortnightly until 23rd November, after which winter break commences

Chi Exercises & Meditation (Rooted in Qigong) at The Natural Fitness Centre, Eastbourne, £7, first session FREE, contact Nick Neter 01323 732024, info@naturalfitnesscentre.co.uk eastbourneshiatsu.co.uk

The Human Touch team offer ‘affordable therapies for all’ in the Window Room at the Southwick Community Centre, 24 Southwick Street, BN42 4TE. Additionally, other treatments are available at other times & in other locations. Please visit facebook. com/thehumantouch1 for up to date information (updated on Mondays) or call Mary on 07796 518667

Tuesdays

Thursdays

Acupuncture & Hypnotherapy Clinic with Anna & Richard, Equilibrium Health Centre, 16 Station St, Lewes, 01273 470955, www.equilibrium-clinic.com

Qigong & Meditation at Yogalife Studio, Enterprise Centre, Eastbourne Every Thursday. £5, first session FREE, contact Nick Neter 07773 061309 or handswork@tiscali.co.uk

6.45-7.45pm

Fridays

Qigong & Meditation with Nick Neter at The Well Being Centre, Stone Cross, BN24 5BS, £7 per session, 07773 061309 or handswork@tiscali.co.uk glynleighwellbeingcentre.com

Massage Clinic with Will & Dafna, Equilibrium Health Centre, 16 Station St, Lewes, 01273 470955, www.equilibrium-clinic.com

2-3pm

2-8pm

11am-12pm

9.15am-7pm

1-5pm

3rd Saturday of the month 19th Nov & 17th Dec

9am-1pm

The Shiatsu Clinic (Japanese holistic bodywork therapy) at the Natural Fitness Centre, Eastbourne, with Nick Neter, Ben Trowell, Tina Doherty & Louise Burt. 30 minute treatment or more for a donation (from £10), walk-in or booking available (recommended), 01323 732024 or info@naturalfitnesscentre. co.uk, eastbourneshiatsu. co.uk

4th Saturday of the month - 26th Nov

9.30am-1.30pm

The Shiatsu Clinic (Japanese holistic bodywork therapy) with Nick Neter, Tina Doherty & Louise Burt, at The Well Being Centre, Stone Cross, BN24 5BS. 30 minute treatment or more for a donation (from £10), walk-in or booking available (recommended), 07773 061309 or handswork@tiscali.co.uk glynleighwellbeingcentre.com

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