Wellbeing newsletter ISSUE 3 Paying it forward: organ donation
Surprising ways to exercise at home We know that exercise is great for our physical health, but many studies have shown that physical activity can also improve mental health as well. With gyms closed, sports teams locked down and social distancing in place, it can be difficult to maintain your normal exercise regime. But there are plenty of surprising ways to stay fit at home. Here’s a few: 1. Get into those household chores: doing a combination of vacuuming, mopping and sweeping can burn 1000 calories per week and is great for toning shoulder and arm muscles. 2. Mowing the lawn (with a manual mower) provides another great cardiovascular workout and boosts your step count for the day. 3. Stand on one leg for two minutes when brushing your teeth: this works your core and improves balance. 4. Embrace your inner child and dig out old toys. There’s a reason why boxers (and Major V!) skip: studies have found that 10 minutes of skipping with a rope is equivalent to 30 minutes of jogging. Hoola hooping is another great cardio/core exercise. https://wheelofnames.com/xux-v2p 5. Are you getting enough vitamin D?
On 20th May 2020, the law on organ donation changed in the UK to an opt-out system, where all adults are presumed to have given consent for their organs to be donated unless they have recorded a decision not to. However, most people don’t realise that their next of kin can still overrule their decision, so it’s important to make your wishes known. At the moment, under 50% of family members agree to donation if they aren’t aware of their loved one’s wishes; this rises to 90% if they are. With most of us spending more time at home with family members at the moment, now is the perfect time to have this important conversation. For more information, click here: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/tellyour-family-and-friends/
Scientists and doctors around the world are looking not only for a vaccine for Covid-19 but also ways to treat the virus successfully. A 2017 analysis of 25 randomised controlled trials (11,321 participants) suggested that vitamin D supplementation reduced risk of acute upper respiratory tract infection. Scientists are thus investigating whether vitamin D could reduce Covid infection (see link below). Vitamin D affects bone density and low levels may be linked to mental health as well. The best way to top up your vitamin D levels is to get outside in the sunshine every day during spring and summer. Sitting by a window doesn’t count, though, as UVB rays, which make vitamin D, can’t get through. Whilst there is vitamin D in certain foods, such as oily fish, red meat and eggs, and also in fortified breakfast cereals, breads and spreads, the amount may be small. The NHS advises that “Most people can make enough vitamin D from being out in the sun daily for short periods with their forearms, hands or lower legs uncovered and without sunscreen from late March or early April to the end of September, especially from 11am to 3pm… People with dark skin, such as those of African, African-Caribbean or south Asian origin, will need to spend longer in the sun to produce the same amount of vitamin D as someone with lighter skin.” You do need to be careful not to burn, though, and to apply sunscreen for all but a short period (10-15 minutes) each day. For more information, click here: https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2213-8587%2820%2930183-2 Don’t forget that the ‘Wellbeing’ button on the VLE has plenty of suggestions if you need support, and the counselling service, chaplaincy, safeguarding team and house staff are all available as well.