ParkZeit_Health magazine Park Igls Spring-Summer 2021

Park Igls Guest Magazine

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Get fit not COVID

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THINGS WE CAN DO TO KEEP OUR LUNGS HEALTHY

OUTDOOR EXERCISE: BALM FOR BODY AND MIND

TO ERR IS HUMAN …

AS IS EATING

Spring/Summer 2021

Park Zeit

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Park Igls: COVID-free zone

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Vaccines: light at the end of the tunnel

One step ahead and fit for the future

How inoculation works

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Breathe well Protect yourself from COPD, COVID & Co

Fit after Covid Purge the post-COVID syndrome

Our new book The new Park Igls Mayr guide

Moving mountains Boost the immune system and feel great

Outdoor fitness The programme for a happier body and mind

To eat is human 5 nutritional myths and fallacies

A brighter outlook The power of positive thinking

Did you know that ...?

Current tariffs and interesting facts and figures

Feldenkrais® and Yoga Weeks Gentle exercise specials with added value for the mind

Dear Guest, A sigh of relief and a confident start ... that’s our hope for society, so terribly shaken by the pandemic. Our latest issue of ParkZeit offers fresh perspectives for an escape from crisis: Dr Gartner and pulmonary consultant Dr Duftner discuss the respiratory system and how we can protect ourselves from COVID, COPD & Co. This also helps us keep body and mind healthy, and Dr Kogelnig explains the benefits of outdoor exercise, especially in the mountains. The path to greater wellbeing and happiness leads us to close encounters with nature, but, as Dr Melanie Robertson and Thomas Blasbichler (MA) explain, so does the power of our thoughts. Finally, Dr Irene Brunhuber introduces us to the history and benefits of vaccines: the light at the end of the tunnel?

Hone your senses and get off to a strong start with our new Fit after COVID programme. And Werner Chizzali, our Commercial Director, explains the safety measures we have taken to ensure that Park Igls is a COVID-free zone. Dr Gartner clears up nutritional myths and fallacies including the old chestnut about carrots improving eyesight.

Last but not least, we are proud to present our new Mayr book, the perfect companion to readers after their Mayr stay, leading to a healthy and active everyday life: Health is Central is both its title and our philosophy.

We look forward to your visit!

Andrea Gnägi (MA) and the Park Igls team

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Park Igls: COVID-free zone Optimally positioned – now and in the future – thanks to private preventive and regenerative medicine.

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COVID-FREE ZONE

The Park Igls health retreat has continued to provide preventative medicine and accommodate guests, even in lockdown. In this interview, Park Igls’ Commercial Director Werner Chizzali explains how guests have been offered optimal safety while maintaining maximum comfort, and why rapid in-house tests put the retreat some way ahead of the authorities.

The Park Igls health retreat enjoys special status among accommodation providers, enabling it to remain open during the second and third lockdowns. What sets Park Igls apart from other health resorts and hotels?

Werner Chizzali: Unlike other businesses, the Park Igls health retreat is also classed as a private clinic that complies with the Tyrolean Hospitals Act. This combination of hotel and clinic is explicitly excluded from closure under the current COVID-19 regulations so that they can continue to provide health care. Our wide-ranging medical services are ideal for maintaining health and boosting the immune system. At the same time, we are also subject to strict hygiene and organisational requirements set out by the Austrian medical authorities.

While many hotels have gradually expanded from accommodation and hospitality into wellness and medical services as part of the wellness boom, medical services have always been the focus at Park Igls. Preventative and regenerative medicine is

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NO-NONSENSE INFORMATION AND CLARITY Clear, detailed communication is a key part of the safety plan at Park Igls. Guests are informed about our hygiene and safety measures from the enquiry and booking stage. A clear summary of these regulations is included in all correspondence. The latest version is also always available on the website: www.park-igls.at

conventional hospitals. Everyone knows that hospital-acquired infections are a huge problem that often lead to severe illness. At Park Igls, we have the considerable advantage of working with largely healthy patients on a preventive basis. This fact, combined with our in-house PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 on arrival, and weekly staff testing, provides our guests with an extremely safe environment. In most cases, it’s life before and after a stay here that poses the greater risk of infection.

What are the details of your safety plan?

Chizzali: The key aspect of our safety plan is the creation of a COVID-free zone by means of comprehensive, regular testing. This means we only have people here who have been tested and are extremely unlikely to have SARS-CoV-2.

We have implemented social distancing of at least two metres from the outset, long before it was a legal requirement, and far beyond the minimum required. Nevertheless, in the event of contact, guests and colleagues obviously still need to wear a face covering or, where required, an FFP2 mask.

in our DNA. Alongside medical research and development, we also focus on developing firstrate accommodation and comprehensive service.

Did you have to take specific safety measures in light of your special status and remaining open during lockdown?

Chizzali: By the time we reopened after the first lockdown in March and April 2020, we had already implemented a solid safety plan which enabled us to offer our entire range of services with virtually no restrictions. When the more severe COVID-19 measures came into effect in Austria in early November 2020, we took some additional in-house measures. Visitors and outpatients were mostly denied access, and some of our less medical and close-contact services, such as the beauty and hairdressing departments and the sauna area, had to be temporarily suspended.

However, our hygiene and safety plan ensured that all medical and therapeutic services could fully go ahead and offer maximum quality.

Many people are worried that they could contract a variant of COVID-19 or other virus by spending time at a hospital, outpatient clinic or health resort. How do you at Park Igls deal with these concerns?

Chizzali: I can understand the fear of infection, especially SARS-CoV-2, when it comes to

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Measures such as regular ventilation, reduced group sizes and multiple hand sanitiser stations are standard in all areas where larger numbers of people congregate.

Border controls and quarantine regulations are issues affecting a lot of travellers, and the absence of detailed public clarification often leaves them bewildered. What is your experience of this at Park Igls?

Chizzali: There are actually a lot of questions at the enquiry and booking stages about the formalities and requirements when crossing borders. Because the legal status in every country, state and canton is constantly changing, we need to maintain an overview to be able to advise all guests accurately.

However, most countries, and specifically Austria, do not require quarantine for border crossings made for medical reasons. This means that almost all of our guests who hold a letter of confirmation from us have been able to enter and leave the country without issue.

What has changed at the health retreat since the start of the pandemic? Have adjustments been required?

Chizzali: Very few, in fact. At the start of the pandemic, we put together a very good, safe plan with our Medical Director Dr Peter Gartner, and our

medical specialist for hygiene and environmental medicine Dr Peter Barth, and we have hardly had to adjust it at all. Many measures that later became public health policy were put in place by us from the start. I think we’ve always been a step ahead.

What type of tests do you use at Park Igls? Have you changed your testing strategy? What will it look like in the near future?

Chizzali: Since we reopened after the first lockdown in spring 2020, all guests have undergone a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 on arrival.

Since the autumn of 2020, we’ve been able to test in house using our own equipment. This means that we receive results for all arrivals within a maximum of two hours. We test our staff every week, and if anyone is unsure or experiences mild symptoms, we can also err on the side of caution with rapid antigen tests.

What has been your experience of the tests?

What’s the feedback? What have the results been so far?

Chizzali: Generally speaking, the best experience you can have with any kind of test is receiving a negative result. Getting a quick result is of considerable benefit as you can then take action.

This is why we’re pleased to be able to carry out in-house tests at any time. When we’ve had the odd positive result for staff or guests, we’ve considered time to be of the essence. We have been able to react immediately, isolating the affected person, notifying their contacts and isolating them too. We have generally been ahead of the official guidelines and have introduced appropriate measures under the supervision of our doctors. This means that we’ve not only been a step ahead of the authorities, but often days ahead of them too. This fast reaction has enabled us to prevent any spread of SARS-CoV-2 on the premises, and all infections have remained isolated cases. I’d also like to mention that the few confirmed infections were mild to moderate with no severe effects.

From a health perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us, but only marginally. And we’re confident that things will stay that way.

How do you manage to ensure 100% safety and maximum comfort while delivering your usual services?

Chizzali: Along with regular testing, maintaining a minimum distance of two metres is the most important way to prevent the spread of SARS-

CoV-2. Wherever this is not possible, everyone has to wear a face covering. For close-contact treatments, our medical staff use high-quality protective equipment such as FFP2 masks.

However, we also know that wearing face coverings or protective masks represent a significant restriction in everyday life. One of our major strengths is our friendly staff, who always have a smile on their faces, so this is obviously a drawback for us.

In the hotel area, we are fortunate to have very generous rooms, which means that every guest has a lot of space at their disposal. Wherever guests can maintain a sufficient distance from others, we try to give them a certain amount of freedom and a margin of discretion as regards what they can do.

In which areas do rules have to be particularly strict?

Chizzali: In essence, strict rules apply to all areas where there is close contact between people, e.g. treatment rooms or places where several people get together, such as the sauna, pool or gym. We’ve put up safety notices as well as explaining limited access and minimum distances to our guests.

Ultimately, we also have to trust that everyone will behave responsibly – and we do.

WERNER CHIZZALI

‘Time is of the essence when it comes to testing.’

What has the guest feedback been like during this challenging time?

Chizzali: The guests at Park Igls have consistently given us positive feedback about our rational, no-nonsense handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most common praise is that we’ve managed to provide a pleasant, restful stay even at this time.

Especially in recent months, many guests have seen their stay as a kind of break from the pandemic, as it gives them space and time to refocus on themselves and their bodies. This has allowed them to get some distance from the all-consuming issue and associated fears for a short while. 

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How are you preparing for what must be an uncertain future? What are you taking from this pandemic?

Chizzali: That’s difficult to answer. We’re currently hoping to get back to pre-coronavirus life in the foreseeable future. But the question of what will have changed after the pandemic is an interesting one. And I'm afraid quite a few things will have.

Things that were unthinkable a year ago have almost become habit, so I find it all the more difficult to see what life will be like in another year’s time.

WERNER CHIZZALI

‘We were a step ahead of the authorities from the start.’

But I'm sure that the private preventive and regenerative medicine we provide, and the increased resilience and boosted immune systems that result, will become even more topical and so the Park Igls health retreat will be ideally positioned after the pandemic.

Werner Chizzali Commercial Director at the Park Igls health retreat, Hotel Business Manager and Administrative Director of the private clinic.

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Vaccines: the light at the end of the tunnel?

How vaccines have been preventing disease for centuries

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Are vaccines safe? As doubts and fears multiply, people can sometimes find it difficult to know who to trust. We at the Park Igls Mayr clinic believe that the best response is to gather solid and reliable information. Dr Irene Brunhuber, GP and Mayr Physician, sheds light on the topic of vaccines from a range of different perspectives: from historic inoculation triumphs and vaccine tolerability, to detailed medical insights.

If we look back on the history of vaccines, which are the ones that have been most groundbreaking and enjoyed the greatest success?

Dr Irene Brunhuber: One of the most significant figures in the history of vaccines was Edward Jenner. The ‘father of immunology’ carried out an experiment in which he intentionally infected a boy with the relatively mild cowpox virus and thereby successfully protected him against the deadlier smallpox virus. Even today, the word vaccine, which is derived from the Latin word vacca for cow, reminds us of its origins. The pathogens for smallpox and the rinderpest virus have been completely eradicated.

DR IRENE BRUNHUBER

‘You should not rely on others having been inoculated to provide you with indirect protection.’

A further milestone was in 1988, with the WHO setting a target for eradicating polio. Today, two of the three poliovirus variants appear to have been eradicated. The global success of the polio vaccination campaign has been a huge achievement.

According to Austria’s ‘Vaccine Plan’, which vaccines should doctors recommend for children and adults?

Brunhuber: We now have many different vaccines to protect against infection and associated complications from viruses and bacteria – some of which can be fatal – as well as vaccines primarily developed for cancer prevention. The Austrian

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VACCINES: LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

Vaccine Plan recommends that babies and infants receive a vaccination against severe diarrhoeal diseases (rotavirus) and the MMR vaccine on top of the 6-in-1 vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib) and hepatitis B. Pneumonia vaccinations are now also included in the free vaccination programme.

Another vaccine, which is not free in Austria but is nevertheless recommended, is the meningococcal vaccine. Even if it is very rare for meningococcus bacteria to cause a severe disease such as meningitis, they can still lead to dramatic consequences. Other recommended vaccines include the varicella vaccine to protect against chickenpox, and the hepatitis A vaccine. We should not forget the tick vaccine, HPV immunisation to prevent cancer – particularly cervical cancer – and the flu vaccine.

In adulthood, the key vaccines are diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, pneumonia, herpes zoster, ticks and flu.

What happens in our body when we are vaccinated?

Brunhuber: In simple terms, a vaccination uses a pathogen to simulate an infection in the body and cause an immune response. The immune system memorises this type of reaction, which means that if the body is again infected at a later date, it can rapidly defend itself against the infectious pathogen.

This means the body is able to adequately defend against the pathogen before illness sets in.

What differences are there between types of vaccine, for instance between inactivated and live vaccines?

Brunhuber: We classically distinguish between inactivated and live vaccines. Inactivated vaccines involve injecting the recipient with a dead form of the pathogen. Live vaccines, on the other hand, are pathogens which have been adapted through lengthy cultivation techniques to weaken their original degree of harmfulness. For example, an experiment carried out by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin in the early 20th century, originally intended to simplify the cultivation of tuberculosis bacteria, led to the discovery that adding ox bile weakens the bacteria. Over the years, the same method was used to develop the non-diseasecausing, or apathogenic, Bacillus-CalmetteGuérin (BCG) vaccine, which has been administered four billion times, making it the world’s most widely used vaccine.

More recently, genetic techniques have been deployed to attenuate the effect of live vaccines.

Flu viruses, for instance, were modified in this way to produce the Fluenz Tetra flu vaccine. This ensured they could only multiply in the upper airways – the respiratory tract – and therefore only cause mild symptoms, if any at all. The resulting mucous membrane immunity protects extremely effectively against infection from disease-causing flu viruses. These active immunisations are quite unlike passive vaccines, which involve the injection of antibodies against a specific pathogen to build up rapid, albeit short-term, protection. Passive vaccines or combined active and passive vaccines are used when there is a danger of a tetanus or rabies infection.

DR IRENE BRUNHUBER

‘The side effects associated with modern vaccines are generally fairly mild.

The symptoms signal an immune response.’

The development of COVID-19 vaccines has shown it is possible for pharmaceutical companies to bring a variety of products to the market in a relatively short time. How do the products differ from each other?

Brunhuber: Modern processes have facilitated the development of new, highly potent mRNA vaccines and vector vaccines, that contain no antigenic parts of the pathogen, to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In the mRNA vaccines such as Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, a section of the virus’s genetic information is copied, modified and wrapped in a transport vesicle, enabling part of the virus to be replicated in the cells of the vaccine recipient.

When the vaccine is given, the body receives a blueprint it uses to produce an antigen, which in turn triggers the formation of antibodies to fight it.

This mRNA is not permanent and in no way affects genetic information in the cell nucleus. Instead, it is destroyed after just a few days. Any infection – even the harmless cold viruses – causes mRNA to be introduced into our cells, but it doesn’t change our genetic information. 

SMALLPOX EPIDEMICS Smallpox epidemics recurred continuously all over the world until around 1970. In 1870 almost 200,000 people died during a smallpox epidemic in Germany. Smallpox vaccination became compulsory in some countries as far back as the 19th century. In 1967, the WHO began a large-scale programme for eradicating smallpox and the world was declared smallpox-free in 1980.

Editor’s note: All statements are based on the scientific knowledge available at the time of interview.

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The AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines do not fully fit the classification outlined above, and are known as vector vaccines. This involves taking parts of the genetic information from SARSCoV-2 and adding it to a harmless virus. The harmless virus then becomes a carrier of an antigen for a potentially disease-causing pathogen: a sheep in wolf’s clothing, so to speak. Once the vaccine has been administered, any contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus triggers an immune response which protects against an infection.

the last few decades, they tend to be limited to temporary pain at the injection site, local redness, a slightly raised temperature, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, chills and joint pain. From what we know so far, this seems to also apply to the COVID vaccines, and the symptoms can be as pronounced as they would be with an infection. The symptoms signal an immune response, but usually disappear within a few days. Some vaccines carry the risk of an allergic reaction, which is also the case with the COVID vaccines. This primarily affects people who already suffer from allergies, which is why vaccinations should always be performed by a medical professional.

DR IRENE BRUNHUBER

‘Rumours that the COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility … belong in the realm of fantasy.’

A whole range of other vaccines are still in development, so we expect more to come on the market within the year.

Why are long-term studies still necessary?

Brunhuber: Long-term studies are needed to continue evaluating the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness. These days, concerns are raised about COVID vaccines due to the lack of longterm data. It’s important to note that actual vaccine side effects generally arise during the first two months following a vaccination. Later vaccine reactions are almost always residual conditions related to earlier side effects of the vaccination.

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Should we be afraid of long-term harm? Is there any truth to rumours such as that the vaccine can make you infertile?

Brunhuber: Current rumours about the SARSCoV-2 vaccines are largely based on the opinions of non-specialists inaccurately representing the facts. Rumours that the COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility or that the RNA in the mRNA vaccine enters into the recipient’s genome are in no way scientifically accurate and belong in the realm of fantasy. We should place our trust in the data currently available to us and the opinion of numerous experts that these are extremely safe vaccines.

All the COVID-19 vaccines available in Europe have complied with the necessary approval processes standard for any medical drug. The chief factors driving the development and manufacture of an effective vaccine are likely to have been the rapid spread of the disease and the economic consequences associated with the pandemic – and, of course, the huge financial resources provided.

Are the vaccines also effective on mutations of the virus?

Brunhuber: Whether the vaccines currently on the market offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants is the subject of numerous discussions.

The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines seem to also be adequately effective against the British and South African variants. In the case of AstraZeneca, there are still some concerns regarding its effectiveness against the South African mutant. However, experts are still divided and there is a need for more empirical data, which we are gaining with every passing month. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine should provide sufficient protection against the South African and Brazilian variants, but as yet we have no data concerning its effectiveness in dealing with the British variant.

What are the unwelcome side effects of vaccinations in general? And what do we know about the Covid-19 vaccines’ side effects?

Brunhuber: The side effects associated with modern vaccines are generally fairly mild. Going by the experiences made in developing vaccines over

Are there any people or risk groups that should be advised against having a COVID-19 vaccination? Are there age limits?

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is not recommended for children under 16, and you need to be over 18 for the AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and

VACCINES: LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

Moderna vaccines. As with any vaccine, the risk– benefit ratio needs to be considered and there are often individual decisions to be made. For example, the vaccine is neither explicitly approved nor prohibited for pregnant women, but is permitted for breastfeeding women. As they are inactivated vaccines, current data suggests that immunocompromised people can also be immunised. These are people who must take medication to suppress their immune response, often due to an autoimmune disease. But the question is whether these people are able to build up adequate protection, which is why it is worth monitoring the success of the vaccination in them.

DR IRENE BRUNHUBER What would you say to anti-vaxxers?

Brunhuber: I try to communicate the latest scientific findings. By getting vaccinated, you are highly likely to be protected against a serious or fatal progression of the disease. You should not rely on others having been inoculated to provide you with indirect protection. Unfortunately, we don’t yet know whether it’s still possible to pass on COVID to somebody else post-vaccination, so it’s important to keep wearing a mask – at least until this question is clarified. It’s important for scientific findings to be widely disseminated: everyone should have access to this background knowledge so they can make the right decision for themselves.

‘This mRNA is not permanent and in no way affects genetic information in the cell nucleus.

Instead, it is destroyed after just a few days.’

And when people worry about tolerability and effectiveness, I never fail to mention that a wellfunctioning immune system, based on factors such as a healthy gut and an adequate supply of nutrients, is essential ... but that’s another story altogether.

Dr Irene Brunhuber Internist, Mayr physician and practitioner of orthomolecular medicine

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Breathe well, live well

As pulmonary consultant Dr Jörg Duftner explains, ‘the lungs are highly sensitive organs.’ So how do we keep them healthy?

Medical Director Dr Peter Gartner talks to consulting physician Dr Duftner to find out more about them and respiratory conditions such as COPD and coronavirus.

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The function of the lungs is to supply our body with oxygen and release carbon dioxide from the bloodstream into the atmosphere. How does it work?

Dr Jörg Duftner: The lungs are structured like a tree, with the windpipe forming a trunk that bifurcates into two large ‘branches’ or lungs. The air we inhale is transported via the bronchi to the alveoli. These are the ‘leaves’ on the tree where gas exchange takes place. Oxygen is released into the bloodstream and waste CO2 is removed from the blood into the lungs to be breathed out.

Dr Peter Gartner: Modern Mayr Medicine echoes this in that we also use the tree as a symbol, albeit for the gut. Modern Mayr Medicine also understands the relationship between the breath and the abdomen. Breathing works like a set of bellows: we use muscle strength to inflate the lungs and then they contract automatically. The inner organs in the diaphragm – the main muscle of respiration – are connected as if under a dome.

If they are too heavy, perhaps due to a high level of body fat or a fatty liver, the effect on the diaphragm can be harmful because it is no longer able to move as freely.

Dr Duftner: On a daily basis, I get to observe the mechanics of breathing: X-rays show me the extent to which a diaphragm moves during respiration, and to what degree it supports the

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breath. A healthy diaphragm moves 5-6cm, but in some cases it barely moves at all, and is practically fixed to the spot. Patients with this kind of impairment often resort to using accessory respiratory muscles such as those in their shoulders to help. It’s really obvious when you see people leaning on something to catch their breath.

Try feeling your breath: place your hand on your abdomen; as you inhale relax the abdomen, allowing it to expand. That way, you’ll take in more air.

ensures good lung ventilation: pathogens like things warm and cosy, so I advise outdoor exercise every two or three days, even in winter.

3. Drug treatment is also part of staying healthy, as a protective shield. I'm not necessarily talking about medication, but vaccinations – against flu, pneumonia, whooping cough and now COVID-19 – are important in my view.

4. Diet. We've already mentioned the restriction that excess weight places on the diaphragm. We also know there is a connection between excess weight and asthma, which explains why obese children have such a hugely increased risk of developing it.

Dr Gartner: A cleansed gut also offers protection against infectious diseases. We’re not just talking about excess weight: beneficial food choices and chewing properly are primary factors in ensuring healthy dietary intake. Of course, the tolerability of individual food also plays a role. Add to this the fact that your bronchi love plenty of fluids – which is exactly what Mayr recommends: drinking a lot of water or herbal tea really does promote bronchial health.

Can wearing a protective mask irritate the lungs?

Duftner: The use of FFP2 masks seems to be a fairly contentious topic, but as far as I’m concerned they provide good protection from infectious aerosols – and most people only wear them for a short time, anyway. I recommend that occupational groups where mouth and nose coverings are mandatory should take regular breaks. But I see no cause for concern in terms of harm to the lungs.

Dr Gartner: It works even better when lying down.

Abdominal breathing is something we all do when we are asleep. Singers and wind instrument musicians actively use it too.

What can I do to keep my lungs healthy, especially in light of potentially catching COVID? Dr Duftner: The way I see it, there are four mainstays to maintaining healthy lungs and preventing infection.

1. The principal cause of lung damage is smoking – active and passive. Smokers have low resistance to all pathogens.

2. Strength and endurance training are the best forms of respiratory muscle exercise. This also

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People have been reporting breathing difficulties after COVID. What can they do to manage their symptoms?

Dr Duftner: I’m currently treating several long COVID patients with a variety of symptoms. In isolated cases, we are still seeing spots on the lungs, and some patients have decreased lung function. Others have normal X-rays and lung function yet still report issues, so we have to assume that inflammation processes are still at work. The treatment of choice in these cases is a cortisone spray over a period of weeks, and this has yielded good results. I generally advise against strenuous sporting activity for around two months following COVID.

What happens to our lungs as we grow older?

Dr Duftner: As you would expect, environmental factors affect lung function. The state of our bronchi reflects our environment, and the lungs have an enormous potential to store harmful substances. This can cause problems – such as smoker’s lung – but it doesn’t have to.

Do all older people – even the sporty – get out of breath more easily?

Dr Duftner: I see many older patients; mostly their breathing difficulties stem from heart problems.

Colds involving coughs, sneezes and respiratory problems are part of the usual repertoire of winter infections. At what point should we go to the doctor?

Dr Gartner: A major symptom to look out for is a fever, by which I mean a temperature of 39°C or more, lasting several days. Most adults have some experience of being ill, so they know their bodies and can recognise the warning signs. When it comes to COVID, I hear a lot of patients say they’ve never experienced anything like it.

Dr Duftner: Too often, people with no history of lung disease are prescribed antibiotics much too soon and with little benefit. Persistent coughs – even in asthmatics or people with allergies – are best treated with conventional steroid inhalers. But if breathing becomes difficult and the mucus you cough up changes colour, I’d recommend going to see your GP. What’s the difference between bronchitis and COPD? Dr Duftner: The term COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and describes a range of lung diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Chronic means that the disease lasts a long time and is always present. Obstructive denotes that the ability to move air in and out of your lungs is blocked. Despite a long anti-smoking campaign, smoking, active and passive, is still the cause of around 80–90% of COPD. To a lesser extent, genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, also known as mucoviscidosis, and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can also lead to COPD.

bronchitis. In prone patients, when stomach contents flow back into their oesophagus, stomach acid can be inhaled, causing them to cough and clear their throats. The PH level in the lower third of the oesophagus is lower, which can result in the urge to cough as a reflex.

Dr Gartner: Modern Mayr Medicine can help with this too. Weakening of the lower oesophageal sphincter muscle is a more common cause of reflux than hiatus hernia, and Mayr therapy considerably increases the tonicity of the sphincter.

What exactly is pneumonia?

Dr Duftner: Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung, usually caused by a bacterial superinfection. Unfortunately, it is often misdiagnosed even though this serious illness makes patients very unwell. A stethoscope doesn’t always pick it up; in fact, this condition is not medically audible in up to 60% of patients, so a doctor’s trained eye is required. Thankfully, GP care in Austria means that patients are treated by a single doctor over long periods of time, rather than an ever-changing stream of GPs. This makes it easier to make an assessment of a patient’s physical signs.

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths, and we often hear that it’s not just smokers who develop it.

Dr Duftner: Let me make one thing absolutely clear: lung cancer is very rare in non-smokers.

However, exposure to passive smoking is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

Recommended preventative measures include yearly checks for smokers with a history of smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years. A CT scan can be performed with extremely low radiation exposure and no contrast medium.

Can a damaged lung recover?

Dr Duftner: Bronchial mucous membranes can recover, but there is no cure for emphysema.

However, it’s never too late to stop smoking, as you can inhibit the progress of lung damage and the severe loss of function that results from it.

Dr Gartner: However, coughs can also be caused by reflux.

Dr Gartner: The psychosomatic aspect of lung function is also worth alluding to.

Dr Duftner: In fact, reflux is one of the most common diagnoses behind persistent coughs or

The three biggest interfaces between us and our environment are our skin, gut and lungs. These

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organs are the sites of nine out of ten cases of psychosomatic illness. Asthma in children can, for instance, be related to problems in the family.

Dr Duftner: It’s diagnosis by exclusion. Once other reasons have been ruled out, we can deduct that the symptoms are the psyche’s way of signalling ‘this situation is smothering me’. There are some interesting studies involving people with animal hair allergies who experience allergic reactions when shown pictures of cats.

Dr Gartner: That really demonstrates how quickly the body is able to learn, doesn’t it? Finally, I’d like to mention some medication that has both an expectorant and an antioxidant effect. ACC (acetylcysteine) is an extremely effective antioxidant which reduces oxidative stress – a cause of ageing.

It is used in holistic medicine as a detoxification aid, although ACC used to only be available in the form of effervescent tablets, which isn't good for the gut.

On our initiative, ACC now comes in capsule form, which is easier on the gut while maintaining its detoxifying and expectorant effects. Detoxing for several weeks while taking one capsule a day is a great way to support the body during periods of increased physical and psychological stress.

Dr Jörg Duftner Lung specialist and consulting physician at Park Igls Dr Jörg Duftner studied medicine in his home city of Innsbruck, choosing to specialise in lung disease after qualifying as a GP. Alongside treating lung disease, he also offers allergy testing, smoking cessation support and sleep disorder consultation at his practice, which he founded in 2005. As well as being a consultant at Park Igls, Dr Duftner also runs a sleep laboratory at a private clinic in Innsbruck (Privatklinik Hochrum) as an in-patient physician.

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BREATHE WELL

Fit after COVID It’s been over a year since the world began making a combined and concerted effort to fight the corona pandemic. However, this disease is not just about its acute manifestation: post-acute COVID syndrome, also known as long COVID, can manifest as chronic fatigue, avolition, weakness, headaches, impaired senses of smell and taste, or a persistent dry cough.

To help you get back on your feet after corona, our medical specialists have developed a special diagnostic and therapeutic programme. In addition to a medical examination and lung function test, this package also includes physiotherapy and exercise therapy assessments.

A specific blood test to check for cardiac muscle damage , which can sometimes be a consequence of COVID, concludes your diagnostic package. Thanks to Modern Mayr Medicine’s detoxifying and invigorating effects, it provides a reliable basis for therapy.

Individual physio and exercise therapy sessions, fortifying infusions, restorative massages and detoxifying liver compresses using real beeswax complete the treatment package. If required, nasal reflex therapy, inhalations or chest compresses can be added to your programme.

Stop feeling weak, weary and worn out: get Fit after COVID!

∞ Mayr Basic (see www.park-igls.at) ∞ 1 performance diagnostics session (50 mins) ∞ 2 personal training sessions (25 mins each) ∞ 1 physiotherapy session to assess muscle function (50 mins) ∞ 1 spirometry (lung function) ∞ Expanded laboratory blood tests including cardiac muscle blood test ∞ 3 full body massages (50 mins each) ∞ 3 fortifying infusions ∞ 3 liver compresses with beeswax

€2,465 for 1 week, excluding Mayr medication Price excludes accommodation

FIT AFTER COVID

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A good read for good health NEW ls ark Ig The P ook b le Mayr lifesty y h t l a e for a h

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A GOOD READ FOR GOOD HEALTH

Hungry for change? Looking for something that’s good for you, and hits the sweet spot too? Doesn’t turn your life upside down, but tweaks it in all the right places? A full helping of valuable information with plenty of entertainment, wit and humour on the side? Page after page?

A GOOD READ FOR GOOD HEALTH

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OUR BRAND-NEW BOOK ... ... conveys the joys of great nutrition, exercise, health and taking care of yourself and the environment. … answers key questions about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. … tells you everything you need to know about our Mayr programmes and follow-up care. … imparts medical knowledge, the latest research and helps you understand Modern Mayr Medicine. ... dispels diet and exercise myths. … imparts diet wisdom on chewing, food combining and Modern Mayr cuisine – in an engaging and easily digestible way. … offers you practical tips, including delicious recipes and exercise sequences, to promote good health. … is full of down-to-earth advice on integrating fitness into your everyday life, overcoming waning willpower, avoiding yoyo diets, and much more.

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oth e in b l b a l i an Av a Germ d n a h Englis

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Enjoy your read!

Following the Mayr principle of ‘well chewed is half digested’, the doctors, therapists and experts at Park Igls have published a delectable book which serves up Modern Mayr Medicine, our therapeutic programmes and healthy lifestyle tips in small, enticing portions.

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A GOOD READ FOR GOOD HEALTH

‘I liked the fact that ‘Health is Central’ is not just a recipe book and has many hints and tips that you can forget when you get back home.

Just having the book in my kitchen is a constant reminder to eat more mindfully. Its translation is very good and reads well. I’ve been using this as a recipe book but also as guide for the Mayr way of eating and living. I would recommend this book to any one who wants to start a better and healthier way of living.’

JAMES HUNT, FOUNDER OF NGO NANNY BISKUIT

A GOOD READ FOR GOOD HEALTH

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‘My wife and I have been enjoying F X Mayr programmes for several years. Months of back-to-back meetings wipe us out, but after a Mayr programme we’re ready to hit the ground running again. The book, ‘Health is Central’, offers a detailed and straightforward description of what Mayr therapies are all about, including what keeps your body going or takes you off track. We have also enjoyed trying some of the recipes from the book. Between visits to Park Igls, you can sometimes hit the wall, but the book is full of useful tips on getting going again.

And it’s really well written and illustrated.’

DETLEV MÜLLER, JOURNALIST

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A GOOD READ FOR GOOD HEALTH

‘What I really like about ‘Health is Central’ is the fact that it presents Modern Mayr Medicine as an achievement of the whole team and as a holistic approach to health – under the rigorous intellectual leadership of Medical Director, Dr Peter Gartner, of course. Particular mention should be made of the very clever composition of the whole book: scientific texts alternate with photo spreads and recipes. The more challenging content is summarised in clear, short texts. This allows one to read the whole book without getting tired. I read it with pleasure. Reading was also made easier by the flawless language throughout. I also enjoyed the way overzealous approaches to achieving good health are thoroughly and humorously examined, and esoteric teachings are clearly rebuffed in favour of scientific methods and classical medicine. This accomplished work now has a fixed place in my library.’

ALOIS SCHÖPF, AUTHOR

HEALTH IS CENTRAL Happy and Healthy with Modern Mayr Medicine ISBN 978-3-9501262-2-8 © 2020 Gesundheitszentrum Igls GmbH

A GOOD READ FOR GOOD HEALTH

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Moving mountains Why outdoor exercise is so good for body and mind Moderate exercise, as recommended by sport and exercise medicine (SEM) specialists, has a positive effect on both the physical and psychological immune systems. In this interview, Dr Richard Kogelnig, Deputy Medical Director at the Park Igls health retreat, explains how exercising outdoors reduces the risk of tumours, brings infection rates down and strengthens the whole body – inside and out.

Outdoor exercise benefits health. Why is that?

Dr Kogelnig: There is a significant amount of scientific evidence for the correlation between health and physical activity. Regular exercise, especially outdoors, brings with it a variety of benefits for both psyche and body functions – above all, metabolism. It considerably improves glucose and fat metabolism. It also stimulates bone metabolism, which has huge benefits for the body’s bone structure, making it more solid and resilient. The number and size of muscle mitochondria – the body’s combustion engines – also increase, resulting in evident benefits to a person’s metabolism, metabolic rate and weight.

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© Innsbruck Tourismus / W9 Studios

Does exercise also help the immune system?

Kogelnig: The right amount of exercise stimulates the immune system, as it results in an improvement in natural killer (NK) cell function (see box). Here at the Park Igls health retreat, we also see that people who do moderate, low-intensity endurance training experience a significantly lower number of respiratory infections than people who don’t. Also interesting is the fact that endurance athletes have a 50% lower risk of developing colon cancer.

Studies show that cancer is around four times more common in people who are unfit than in those with a high level of fitness. Additional benefits that come with regular outdoor exercise are weight loss and longer life expectancy.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF OUTDOOR EXERCISE ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM? • Increase in NK cells, which are key to combatting cancerous cells • Changes in antibodies (immunoglobulins) that are important for fighting viral and bacterial infections • Increased multiplication of lymphocytes • Reduced oxidative stress, which has a beneficial effect on genetic material

Killer T cells are lymphocytes that help to combat cancerous cells and destroy virus-infected cells.

Why doesn't indoor exercise have the same effect?

Kogelnig: Scientific studies comparing indoor and outdoor activities have concluded that the difference between running outdoors and running on a treadmill is minor. However, this is based only on biomechanical and biophysical factors such as tendon, muscle and bone stress, and movement sequences. Although the surface conditions are different, there is no significant difference between the biomechanics of running indoors or outdoors.

However, it must be noted that the experiential value of exercising in the fresh air, and above all being surrounded by nature, has a unique quality.

Visual, acoustic, olfactory and haptic perception – what we see, hear, smell and feel in natural environments – has extremely beneficial effects

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MOVING MOUNTAINS

on how we feel, both physically and psychologically, that cannot be entirely replicated indoors.

What happens to our bodies and minds when we hike, go mountain running or mountaineering?

Kogelnig: Exercise like mountaineering, mountain running, jogging or walking causes the adrenal medulla to release the stress hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream. This important hormone stimulates an increased conversion of fuel such as sugar and blood lipids or fatty acids. Also, just a few seconds of physical activity are enough to causes a rise in NK cells. These are hugely important in combatting cancerous cells and fighting viruses.

Other immunocompetent cells such as monocytes, granulocytes, T and B lymphocytes are also activated.

A BOOST FOR BRAIN AND PSYCHE Is it true that fresh air also affects cognitive ability?

Kogelnig: It’s the combination of different sensory elements that makes all the difference and has lasting, positive effects on both brain and psyche.

Studies confirm that physical activity increases cognitive skills, especially the ability to learn. This is easy to explain: our frontal lobe, the seat of consciousness, is closely linked to the brain’s motor and sensorimotor areas via associative neural pathways.

Does this have a positive effect on stress hormones?

Kogelnig: During this process, you don’t have the excessive discharge of stress hormones you’d have with a stress reaction; instead, moderate amounts are gradually released, improving physical and psychological functions. The effect of stress hormones is also governed by the idea of the golden mean and moderation.

Antibodies are proteins secreted by B lymphocytes.

Oxidative stress is the excess production of highly reactive oxygen compounds, which can damage cells and, above all, their genomes.

What role do hormones play, and what are happy hormones all about?

Kogelnig: Activation of the motor and sensorimotor cortex results in the increased release of dopamine and serotonin.

These are mood-lifting neurotransmitters, and their effect is increased by the additional secretion of endorphins – happy hormones – which heighten wellbeing, creating a feeling of happiness. This is reinforced by the aesthetic factors we find in natural surroundings, such as blue skies, majestic mountains, flowering meadows and the sounds of a stream or birdsong.

To what extent does outdoor exercise benefit the musculoskeletal system? Do you have any specific recommendations with regards to back and joint health?

Kogelnig: Essentially, any kind of moderate physical activity has positive effects on health.

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Warming up the muscles and tendons at the start of any exercise activity is vital. This involves pulse raising and joint mobility exercises as well as stretches. When hiking, mountaineering, running or cycling, it’s advisable to start slowly and progressively increase exertion to an intensity where you can still have a conversation. Hiking is a particularly good activity for the joints and back as it strengthens joints, the spine, tendons, bones and muscles.

What should we look out for when choosing an outdoor activity?

Kogelnig: When it comes to physical activity, it’s important to make a thorough assessment of your starting situation: you must discuss any physical restrictions such as a lack of fitness or joint and spine problems with your doctor before you decide what outdoor activity to pursue.

Are you an outdoors fan? What’s your favourite outdoor pursuit?

Kogelnig: I love hiking in the mountains. It provides me with excellent cardiovascular and strength training, as I have to carry my body weight up and down considerable changes in elevation. The terrain in the mountains also makes it great coordination and balance training. And let’s not forget the glorious mountain views that have given me so many beautiful and lasting memories.

Dr Richard Kogelnig (MA) Deputy Medical Director at Park Igls, GP, Mayr physician, psychologist, and neural therapy, manual medicine and acupuncture practitioner.

SUPPORTING STRESS RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCE Our senses, and therefore our perception, respond positively to natural surroundings. This benefits our ability to regenerate, and increases resilience as well as enhancing the stress resistance of all our physical processes.

Outdoor activities are extremely beneficial for the health of our bodies, minds and emotions.

They don't simply prolong life: first and foremost, they improve the quality of life.

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Outdoor fitness The mountains are calling!

And more and more people are heeding their call. Sports scientist and exercise therapist Maximilian Stangl from the Park Igls health retreat explains why mountain sports and outdoor exercise in general are not only on trend, but also very good for you from a sportstherapeutic perspective.

The programme for a happier body and mind

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Stangl’s eyes light up as he discusses his areas of expertise: exercise and the mountains. He is convinced that human beings benefit from any form of exercise – and that nature maximises these effects. Simply put, it’s in our very nature.

WHEN WE EXERCISE: • Our circulation is stimulated • Our muscles are doing what they were designed for • Our joints are lubricated • The cocktail of chemical messengers circulating in both our body, and – more importantly – our brain, is balanced • Our emotions are positively affected • Our mood is further enhanced because we have done something good for ourselves A MOOD-ENHANCING COCKTAIL OF FRESH AIR AND NATURE ‘Exercising out in the fresh air multiplies its positive effects and has further benefits on top,’ Stangl explains. For example, numerous studies have proven that trees and other plants release chemical signals into the air that strengthen our immune system. There is also evidence of the health benefits of UV radiation from prudent amounts of sun exposure. However, ‘if you only feel comfortable going out in blue skies and sunshine, I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you,’ the exercise expert laughs. ‘Regularly getting out of the cosy comfort zone of your home and feeling the heat, cold, wind, rain and snow against your skin not only makes you more resilient, but also makes you happier and feel more alive.’

To ensure that the mood-boosting effects kick in quickly and endure, the sports therapist recommends using the first five to ten minutes for a warm-up.

During this time, you should perform your chosen activity at a moderate pace, slowly increasing the intensity rather than going ‘full-speed ahead’ from the start. ‘That allows us to adjust physically and mentally to the exercise. If you feel motivated, it’s also worth incorporating a few full-body exercises at the start of a warm-up. Mobility exercises and gentle stretches like the ones taught at Park Igls are perfect for this,’ he says. In any event, whether you are running, walking or cycling, you need to adapt the exercise intensity to your current fitness level. If you are tempted to overdo things, you risk injury due to reduced levels of concentration and movement precision.

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Popular walks around Park Igls "Guests who previously joined our walking and hiking excursions will be familiar with the extremely popular routes in our local area."

Stangl reveals his favourites to suit any taste and fitness level: Leisurely walks around Park Igls • Viller Moor • Ullwald • Patscher Rosengarten Moderately challenging walks • Lanser Kopf • Viller Kopf Ambitious hikes "My top tip: visit our local Patscherkofel mountain with the Heiligwasser pilgrimage church, or head out even further!"

For the less sure-footed Stangl recommends taking the paved paths to Lans

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS One activity Maximilian Stangl recommends as suitable for almost anyone is walking. The speed – be it a gentle stroll, purposeful march or athletic hike – he leaves up to you to decide. Whether it’s a full day tour of the mountains, an afternoon lap of the woods or a half-hour walk through the village, the movement pattern always remains the same.

‘Depending on the terrain and duration, we are training our coordination, balance, sure-footedness, endurance and strength – all of which are helpful in everyday life,’ Stangl explains. Nevertheless, it's important not to underestimate any signs of strain.

‘If you experience joint pain or other symptoms, you should pay attention, adapt what you’re doing and, if in any doubt, consult an expert at the Park Igls health retreat.’

HIGH ALTITUDES AND MOUNTAIN CLIMATE Altitude is highly important when it comes to outdoor pursuits. The exercise therapist explains

how long the body needs to acclimatise to the Tyrolean mountains: ‘Altitude sickness can affect some people who visit our mountainous region.

This is the result of a reduced supply of oxygen. Not because there is less oxygen in the air as such, but due to the decrease in air pressure the higher you go.

On Mount Everest, for instance, the air pressure is only a third of that at sea level. This also explains how Everest climbers can boil water for their tea at just 71°C.’

MAXIMILIAN STANGL

‘Guests who previously joined our walking and hiking excursions will be familiar with the extremely popular routes in our local area.’

These effects can also become noticeable at lower altitudes in the form of shortness of breath and a rapid pulse: the body’s reaction is to increase the production of red blood cells, which are responsible for delivering oxygen to the tissues. Competitive athletes make use of this effect to improve their performance by training at high altitudes, although Stangl notes that it takes around a week to adapt properly. However, the effects of reduced air pressure are only palpable to us from around 2,000m above sea level: ‘Park Igls is situated at 900m altitude so our guests needn’t worry about having to wait a week before they’ve acclimatised,’ the expert explains.

EXERCISING IN NATURE – IT’S IN OUR NATURE ‘The natural environment is the habitat we have adapted to as a species. For most of our developmental history, moving within it in a variety of ways has been a prerequisite for our survival,’ says Stangl. ‘It was only during the agricultural and the much later industrial revolution 10,000 and 150 years ago respectively – the blink of an eye in evolutionary terms – that we were ‘freed’ of this.

Nevertheless, the human body and its needs are still largely designed for the hunter-gatherer lifestyle – and therefore ideally suited to a life of exercise out in nature.

Maximilian Stangl Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science, state-certified instructor

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To eat is human Five nutritional myths and fallacies

1 – Does spinach correct iron deficiency?

Answer: No. Explanation: Over a century ago, a study into the iron content of a range of foods noted that spinach contained an astounding 35 milligrams of iron per 100 grams. Decades later, this amount was accepted without question by the medical world, and so became the cause of many an intergenerational dinner-table debacle. Had the doctors read the small print, things might have turned out quite differently. The researchers had been looking at dried spinach – powdered spinach in cans – and this is what led to such sensational results. The iron content of non-dried spinach – fresh or frozen – is a very modest 3.5mg. Just think how many family dramas could have been avoided!

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‘To err is human’, to eat erroneously is too: we clear up some of the falsehoods and half-truths that have been obscuring the scientific perspective on nutrition for decades.

Dr Peter Gartner explains the truth about the old adage that carrots are good for your eyesight, and more ...

FU R T H E R R E A

2 – Do carrots improve eyesight?

Answer: No. Explanation: To see well, we need physics and chemistry. Physics because all of the eye’s optic equipment has to be perfectly calibrated to project a sharp image onto the retina. And chemistry because substances such as vitamin A are required to convert that image into a nerve stimulus and form it in the brain. Vitamin A builds up rhodopsin – necessary for our inner night vision camera – so a lack of it makes seeing in the dark more difficult.

If our dietary intake of vitamin A is too low, it can be produced in the gut from one of its precursors, beta carotene. And, as the name suggests, beta carotene is found in carrots.

Theoretically therefore, difficulty seeing in the dark caused by a lack of vitamin A could be improved somewhat with a huge intake of carrots, but your vision won’t actually improve in terms of sharper images.

DING

n/ e.com/nutritio www.healthlin r-you? is-salt-bad-fo

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3 – Is barbecued food carcinogenic?

Answer: Yes, but ...

Explanation: Generally speaking, cooking protein – especially by barbecuing – creates substances which play a role in the development of cancer. However, given our unchecked meat consumption and boundless love of barbecues, we should be seeing many more cancer cases (specifically bladder and stomach cancer) than official figures suggest.

Researchers around the world have tried to get to the bottom of this discrepancy. They found that most of the measures taken by barbecue cooks to improve flavour also reduce the harmful effects of carcinogenic substances, and in some cases may even stop their development. Marinating food, using mustard, herbs and spices, and browning from the grill on charcoal all work wonders. And a freshly drawn beer puts the carcinogens out of action. However, this doesn't make barbecuing entirely harmless: remember, it’s the dose that makes the poison!

4 – Does milk make mucus?

Answer: No. Explanation: Traditional Chinese medicine recognises a range of influencers on health, of which Wind and Dampness are some the most dreaded. Milk is one of the foods known to cause Dampness in the body, so you won’t be surprised to know that Chinese medicine discourages milk consumption. But there is a very particular background to this idea: starting in childhood, the genetic makeup of many Asian people reduces their ability to digest milk sugar, making them lactose intolerant.

After consuming lactose-rich foods such as milk, people who are lactose intolerant experience bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhoea – the latter being a symptom categorised as Damp in TCM. However, none of this relates to mucus congestion as we think of it.

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5 – Does salt increase blood pressure?

Answer: No. Explanation: Only in very elderly people can taking too much salt lead to a measurable increase in blood pressure; the connection does not apply to the rest of the population. The misconception that salt increases blood pressure is the result of one of medical history’s greatest falsifications: the INTERSALT study. This large-scale international analysis was supposed to show that the average blood pressure of the over 50 population groups studied correlated with average salt

consumption. But no statistically significant relationship could be established. ‘Luckily’, however, the study did find a small number of the population groups – statistical outliers – which confirmed the hypothesised relationship between salt and blood pressure, and it was the latter data that was ultimately published. Since then, most doctors have worked on the assumption that salt increases blood pressure.

Dr Peter Gartner Medical Director at the Park Igls health retreat, general practitioner and Mayr Physician specialising in holistic medicine, nutrition, acupuncture and hypnotherapy.

TO EAT IS HUMAN

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A brighter outlook!

Add zest and joy to your life through the power of thought Some of us see the world through rose-tinted glasses, whilst others have a much darker and more negative perspective.

Finding out how even the greatest pessimists can see the light at the end of the tunnel and move towards a fulfilling life is something that has always been of interest to psychologists.

But can we really ‘think ourselves happy’? How much influence do we actually have over our thoughts?

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The Park Igls health retreat's psychologists, Dr Melanie Robertson and Thomas Blasbichler (MA), discuss the issues surrounding positive thinking and positive psychology – and share how we can focus on what’s good in our lives, without losing sight of the reality.

‘Influencing conscious thought to gain greater life satisfaction is at the heart of some of the concepts that focus on positive thinking,’ Thomas Blasbichler explains. The Brockhaus der Psychologie, a German encyclopaedia of psychology, describes positive thinking as ‘the adaptation of thought processes to promote mental and physical health, happiness and success’. As early as the 19th century, the French pharmacist Émile Coué developed a mantra-like phrase for his patients to repeat several times a day: ‘Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better’.

POSITIVE, BUT REFLECTIVE ‘Positive thinking maintains our ability to act and inspires us to take a proactive approach to life and its challenges,’ Dr Melanie Robertson explains. In simple terms, it is about expecting positive things to happen and therefore recognising when they do.

‘We gain self-confidence and are more likely to have faith in our own success,’ she adds. But positive thinking doesn’t mean blocking out or denying the negative. ‘Nothing in life is totally positive or completely negative. What matters are the aspects we choose to focus on.’

As with most things, positive thinking also requires critical reflection: ‘The positive thinking approach becomes problematic when it puts us under pressure,’ Robertson stresses. ‘Think positive!’ is a recommendation that may not be easily put into practice. ‘People suffering from depression may really want to think positive, but at this stage it is something they would likely find extremely difficult,’ she explains. ‘Telling someone to think positive can also convey the impression that they are responsible for their suffering, which is often untrue. Repeatedly trying and failing attempts at “forced positive thinking” can also lead to greater anxiety and feelings of guilt,’ Blasbichler adds.

OUR THOUGHTS CONTROL OUR FEELINGS ‘Our experiences, thoughts and feelings influence how we perceive the world and therefore how we behave. This is substantiated by neurobiological findings. Feelings arise due to external or internal stimuli, are accompanied by physical sensations and can be understood as a review of our opinions, needs, motives and goals. They are associated with specific facial expressions and postures and have an impact on our social relationships and general conduct,’ Blasbichler explains.

Robertson believes that this results in a cycle: ‘In principle, what happens is that a situation occurs; we perceive the situation – or certain aspects of it – and feelings such as sadness, joy or fear arise as a result of this perception. These feelings in turn lead to certain actions.’ Since feelings arise involuntarily as a reaction to external stimuli they cannot be changed. Thoughts, on the other hand, can be changed, even if they arise suddenly and automatically. Blasbichler explains further: ‘If we recognise them as negative thoughts, we can reflect on them, classify them and then change them if we need to.’

DR MELANIE ROBERTSON

‘Nothing in life is totally positive or completely negative’

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY ‘The glass-half-full analogy is a good representation of a fundamentally positive approach. It indicates that in the eye of the beholder the glass can be interpreted as half-full or half-empty. However, in life we are constantly faced with situations and periods during which it becomes difficult to maintain this attitude, and life’s challenges feel overwhelming,’ Robertson says. Blasbichler adds: ‘We need to recognise and accept negative thoughts and their impact on our feelings. This weakens their impact. If instead we rigidly try to avoid and control unpleasant feelings and thoughts, we can end up severely restricting our lifestyle.’

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK!

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‘Allowing the feelings in and examining their impact is essential. Feelings are real and always right, particularly in the here and now, even if they relate to situations in the past or future. I cannot feel incorrectly. Thinking can help me to clarify how I’m feeling, why I’m feeling that way, and draw corresponding conclusions,’ Robertson says. In the 1990s, US-American psychologist Martin E P Seligman coined the term positive psychology to describe a field of psychological theory and research. It differs from the concept of positive thinking in that it is backed by empirical evidence, i.e. numerous studies have been carried out on its effectiveness. Seligman defined five measurable elements that contribute to wellbeing:

1. Positive emotion (a pleasant life) 2. Engagement (utilising your strengths) 3. Relationships (a sense of belonging)

LITTLE LEXICON OF POSITIVE THINKING It can be difficult to navigate your way through the jungle of self-help and scientific literature, so Thomas Blasbichler has put together an explanation of the key terms from Brockhaus Psychologie: Fühlen, Denken und Verhalten verstehen (2009) [Brockhaus Psychology: Understanding feelings, thoughts and behaviour].

4. Meaning (belonging to and serving something

bigger than oneself)

5. Achievement

Positive psychology was meant to provide stimuli and ideas based on scientific findings that would make life more fulfilled and positive, explains Robertson, but it’s not a formula for perpetual bliss.

‘Change requires personal commitment and motivation, and a fulfilled life involves dealing with unpleasant feelings and crises,’ Blasbichler stresses.

BUILDING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND RESILIENCE The terms emotional intelligence and resilience always pop up in relation to crisis management.

‘Resilience is sometimes thought of as the soul’s immune system, and describes the ability to manage extreme situations,’ Robertson explains.

This ability to recover can be learned, but it doesn’t happen overnight: ‘It’s about breaking out of patterns, developing and utilising new strategies and identifying scope for potential. We need to learn to understand feelings, practise mindfulness towards ourselves, improve self-management, clarify personal goals and values, and learn social skills,’ Blasbichler adds. ‘Another helpful approach is to try to identify scope for potential even in situations that have seemingly reached an impasse,’ Robertson says, adding: ‘What are my options?

What do I need to accept as givens and in which areas can I have an influence?’ Moreover, we need

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POSITIVE THINKING This means adapting your thought processes to promote mental and physical health, happiness and success.

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY A scientific discipline that investigates what makes people happy and contributes to wellbeing.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE This describes the ability to identify your own feelings and the feelings of others and be able to influence them.

RESILIENCE This describes the ability to endure life crises or lasting disruption. A roly-poly toy is a good representation of a resilient person.

Strategies for managing stress

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And the ways in which the Park Igls health resort can support you: •

Incorporate stress-balancing activities into your daily routine: e.g. creative activities, sport/exercise, social activities that you enjoy, relaxation breaks, etc. Part of the coaching approach at Park Igls is a dialogue with you during which we identify the activities that best suit you and your daily structure.

•

Develop your own calming strategies: e.g. positive internal monologues, breathing exercises or relaxation methods. Our therapists and trainers will be delighted to help you.

•

Avoid unnecessary stress: e.g. by saying no, respecting your own boundaries, planning well or modifying your expectations of yourself. During talk therapy, we work together to develop strategies for setting better boundaries and conserving your resources.

•

Work on how you deal with unavoidable stress: e.g. with the fourpoint stress-management plan or by developing your own strategies as part of a talk therapy at Park Igls.

•

Healthy living – with Modern Mayr Medicine: colon hydrotherapy and intestinal cleansing as part of a Mayr treatment programme boost the immune system and create an ideal foundation for a healthy lifestyle. As part of your treatment, you also learn how to design a healthy but delicious nutrition plan, discover new activities and learn how to comfortably integrate them into your daily routine.

Active stress management and ways out of life crises: with the From Crisis to Resilience module at the Park Igls health retreat.

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Bodenmann et. al. (2002)

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Resilience after crisis

The return to normality after a stressful crisis like the recent lockdown can be difficult. We long for the company of others and the mental balance this brings, while at the same time feeling comfortable in our solitary withdrawal from the world.

With the help of therapeutic conversations and exercises as well as relaxing treatments, you will be able to face future stressful situations more resiliently as well as overcoming any current difficulties. ∞ Mayr Basic (see www.park.igls.at) ∞ 2 talk therapy/coaching sessions (50 mins each) ∞ 2 personal training sessions (50 mins each) ∞ 2 craniosacral therapy or Shiatsu sessions (50 mins each) ∞ 3 full body massages – primarily acupressure and connective tissue massages (50 mins each) ∞ 3 combination heat packs (hay flowers and moor)

€2,299 for 1 week, excluding Mayr medication Price excludes accommodation

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The ‘What-WentWell Exercise’ ‘Every night before you go to bed, give yourself ten minutes for this exercise. Write down three things that went well during the day and why they went well. You can use a diary or your computer to make a note of these events, but it’s important to have a tangible record.

The three things don’t have to be super significant, although obviously it’s OK if they are. After writing down each positive event, answer the following question: How did this come about?

Seligman, Flourish – A New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being – and How to Achieve Them, 2012

to regularly take time out for our own needs and step off the hamster wheel to rest and refuel.

STRATEGIES ON THE JOURNEY TO A FULFILLED LIFE From a psychological perspective, there are various strategies for managing life crises and stressful situations. In theory, there are three different approaches: problem-focused coping which involves actively eliminating or changing the stress trigger; emotion-focused coping which involves changing your own behaviour to better manage the situation, for example through relaxation exercises; and, thirdly, appraisal-focused coping which involves reappraising the environment in order to be able to adequately deal with it. However, we need to bear in mind that ‘every person appraises situations differently – even stressful situations. A stress reaction is triggered when the resources available are inadequate for coping with a situation,’ Blasbichler explains. Depending on the resources at their disposal and how they appraise things, a situation might be highly stressful for one person, while another might consider it less so, or not threatening at all.

There are things you can do to equip yourself with appropriate resources: ‘I’m a great believer in structure. Structure makes us feel safe and reduces fear. For example, setting yourself a certain daily routine and sticking to it whatever the restrictions or difficulties, such as working from home, gives us focus and stability,’ Robertson explains. ‘This could be anything from regular bedtimes and wake-up times to set mealtimes and a daily 9am gym session.’ According to Blasbichler, a healthy lifestyle that reduces stress through balancing activities and relaxation exercises (see below) can also really help replenish your natural resources for managing stress. Individually, the strategies are just tiny parts of the puzzle – together, however, they can pave the way to a more relaxed and fulfilled life, ultimately providing a light at the end of the tunnel.

Dr Melanie Robertson Clinical, health and neuropsychologist, sports and emergency psychologist, specialist in stress prevention and acute intervention.

Thomas Blasbichler (MA) Clinical and health psychologist, sports psychologist, specialist in prevention, coach.

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK!

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Did you know ... … Park Igls has completely stopped using plastic water bottles? As well as providing guests with most delicious spring water from the Tyrolean Alps, our new water fountain is a simple and elegant addition to the foyer.

… Our mucous membranes are the first things to dry out when we don’t drink enough?

This automatically stacks the cards against us as we fight bacteria and viruses.

IMPRINT Responsible for content: Gesundheitszentrum Igls GmbH, Igler Strasse 51, 6080 Innsbruck-Igls Tel +43 512 377 305 Fax +43 512 379 225 info@park-igls.at www.park-igls.at CONCEPT AND DESIGN Studio Roth&Maerchy, Zurich

46

DID YOU KNOW THAT ...

… We run herbal workshops every Thursday? During these sessions, we put a selection of seasonal herbs centre stage before using them to make beneficial products.

… We offer our guests a digital therapy plan?

Access your treatment appointments and our daily and weekly programmes at any time via mobile, tablet or laptop..

… We have devised a special immune profile test?

Blood testing establishes whether a patient lacks vitamins, trace elements, minerals or omega-3 fatty acids. Once we know that, we can do something about it.

… Only around 20% of our vitamin D comes from food? 80% is produced by the skin from direct sunlight.

EDITORIAL Andrea Gnägi (MA), Dr Peter Gartner, Dr Richard Kogelnig, Dr Irene Brunhuber, Dr Jörg Duftner, Werner Chizalli, Thomas Blasbichler (MA), Dr Melanie Robertson, Maximilian Stangl, Ingrid Striednig, Helene Forcher (MA)

COPY EDITING marketing-deluxe.at

marketing deluxe: Claudia Reichenberger, Nicole Ginzinger (MA), Dr Heidemaria Abfalterer

PRINTED BY Alpina Druck, Innsbruck

Subject to changes, errors excepted.

Circulation: 2,500 © March 2021 Printed on 100% Circle Volume White recycled paper, Blue Angel German Ecolabel, EU Eco-Label, FSC®-certified

PHOTOGRAPHY Fred Einkemmer, Ingrid Striednig, Maricruz Aguilar, Innsbruck Tourismus

Accommodation rates Single rooms Double rooms* Suites* Park Igls Suite (for up to 5 people)

from 1,141 from 1,106 from 2,037 from 8,330

Mayr Programmes Mayr Detox MAYR BASIC 1,079 Mayr Basic is a fixed component of your stay, and forms part of every Mayr programme. It can also be booked individually and supplemented with individual services.

MAYR CLASSIC Time out for your health – the ideal introduction to Modern Mayr Medicine.

1,542

MAYR INTENSIVE Ideal for anyone aiming for optimal health benefits on as broad a basis as possible.

2,021

MAYR SHORT STAY PROGRAMME Designed for people who simply require a short break for mental and physical relaxation.

955

Mayr Focus

The indoor pool at Park Igls

MAYR DE-STRESS Slow down and restore your energy flow.

2,070

MAYR PHYSIO This module focuses on the relief of back and joint complaints.

1,953

MAYR METABOLIC 2,019 This module is recommended for guests suffering from food intolerances, allergies, burnout and sleep disorders.

MAYR NEURO Treatment of early-stage degenerative nervous system diseases.

2,200

Diagnostics SUPER MEDICAL CHECK

2,231

ULTRASOUND SCREENING PROGRAMME

958

Mayr Specials IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTER

2,742

FIT AFTER COVID

2,465

RESILIENCE AFTER CRISIS

2,299

The Park Igls team of doctors

FELDENKRAIS® & MENTALCOACHING@MAYR 1,962 Prices in EUR, per person/week (7 nights), valid until 18 December 2021

YOGA@MAYR

1,633

OFFERS & TREATMENT MODULES OVERVIEW

47

Feldenkrais® and Mental Coaching@ Mayr 20 – 27 June 2021

Yoga@Mayr 22 – 29 August 2021

A journey to new lightness. Combining Modern Mayr Medicine with Feldenkrais® and mental coaching allows you to rediscover yourself and develop your potential. In this learning process, small adjustments to movement patterns lead to major changes in the nervous system, relieve pain, improve flexibility and bring greater ease to movements. With the addition of mental coaching, patterns of thought and behaviour are examined and ways of overcoming internal resistance identified.

This specialist programme is suitable for all age groups, with no prior experience required.

Settle, feel your breath, enjoy gentle movements, stretches and a deep awareness of your inward-looking, mindful spirit...

Yoga offers all of this and more as you find connection and unity with your true self.

Our holistic approach combines Yoga, Modern Mayr Medicine and a proven exercise programme for anatomically correct posture.

Discover and explore your energy source against the backdrop of an extraordinary landscape, surrounded by the breathtaking Tyrolean mountains, fragrant forests and lush meadows. Restore inner energy levels for enhanced health. Define your own Yoga style and create space for you, your development and enjoyment.

∞ Mayr Basic (see www.park-igls.at) ∞ 5 Feldenkrais® group classes (60 mins each)

∞ Mayr Basic (see www.park-igls.at)

∞ 1 one-to-one Feldenkrais lesson (60 mins)

∞ 4 Yoga group classes (80 mins each)

∞ 2 one-to-one mental coaching sessions (50 mins each)

∞ 1 one-to-one Yoga lesson (50 mins)

®

∞ 5 partial body massages (25 mins each)

∞ 5 partial body massages (25 mins each) ∞ 1 liver compress with beeswax

∞ 1 liver compress with beeswax

€1,962 for 1 week excluding accommodation Available as an individual service for €672: 5 Feldenkrais® group classes (60 mins each) 1 one-to-one Feldenkrais® lesson (60 mins) 2 one-to-one mental coaching sessions (50 mins each)

€1,633 for 1 week excluding accommodation Available as an individual service for €347: 4 Yoga group classes (80 mins each) 1 one-to-one Yoga lesson (50 mins)

Park Igls | Gesundheitszentrum Igls GmbH | Igler Strasse 51 | 6080 Innsbruck-Igls | Austria Tel +43 512 377 305 | Fax +43 512 379 225 | info@park-igls.at

www.park-igls.at