HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE AMAZING SK READERS!!

Hope you’ve all had a fantastic festive period and like us at Bramhall Osteopathic Practice, are now looking at introducing new and positive things into your 2023 routine.

Swimming is one of my favourite activities, it’s hard to imagine that something so lovely can be so good for you! Outdoors is even better than indoors as you can get the benefit of being out in nature. An early morning swim has to be the best way to start your day…why not give it a try?

There are so many benefits to doing this activity, and here are just a few of them:

1. There is a meditative side to swimming in nature, you can look around and see beautiful views, birds, sea creatures or freshwater animals. These experiences make you feel relaxed and happy.

2. It is a non-weight bearing activity, this gives your body a break from the of some sports, being on your feet all day or doing lots of sitting at a desk.

3. The variety of strokes you can do, give all your muscles a workout. Back stroke is particularly good as it opens the chest and shoulders beautifully, areas that get very tight working at computers all day.

4. The cold stimulates your circulation, reduces inflammation, helps release endorphins, for that ‘feel good sense’ and stimulates your metabolism to help you lose weight.

5. It’s sociable, something you can do with friends or swimming groups. In Rhosneiger on Anglesey, where I swim, a group of local swimmers set up “The Pandemic Paddlers” they have swum every day at high tide since the first lockdown. It has been a huge community building exercise.

6. Remember when swimming outdoors, always research how safe the area is to swim in. Use coloured floating devices so you can be seen easily. Check the water temperature, work out the maximum time you should stay in for, this is especially relevant when swimming in the winter months. If you are going to have a longer swim, a wetsuit and Neoprene shoes and gloves are helpful.

7. Wearing goggles means you can take your head low in the water and avoid over-arching your back and neck. Swimming a variety of strokes also avoids stresses on any one area of the spine and muscle group.

If swimming indoors you can mix up your swim with a few lengths of walking up and down the pool, another good variation.

I hope these tips are useful and inspire you to get in the water.

Swimming is brilliant, fun and beneficial….

Enjoy!!

Jo Cheaney

Useful Contacts

Cheshire East Council

Tel: 0300 123 5500 www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Cheshire East Council, Westfield, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, CW11 1HZ

Cheshire Police

For non-emergency calls please 101 or 0845 4580000 (only call 999 in emergencies)

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s Stepping Hill Tel 0161 483 1010 www.stockport.nhs.uk

Stepping Hill Hospital, Poplar Grove, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK2 7JE.

Wilmslow Town Council 01625 402907 townclerk@wilmslow-tc.org.uk

Community Groups

Rotary Club of Wilmslow Dean 01625 535580 or 530535 www.wilmslowdeanrotary.org.uk

Wilmslow Royal British Legion Club

01625 523715

Email: info@wilmslowlegionclub.co.uk

The Green Room Theatre Wilmslow

Ticket-Line 01625 540993 email: mail@greenroomwilmslow.org.uk https://greenroomwilmslow.org.uk

Independent Community Website www.wilmslow.co.uk www.wilmslow.org.uk www.whatsin-wilmslow.co.uk

Local MP

Esther McVey MP (Conservative)

01625 529922 officeofesthermcveyMP@parliament.uk

Local Councillors

Wilmslow Dean Row

Lata Anderson (Residents of Wilmslow)

07908 245751

Lata.Anderson@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Wilmslow East

David Jefferay (Residents of Wilmslow)

07729 707215 david.jefferay@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Wilmslow Lacey Green

Don Stockton (Conservative)

01270 686474 don.stockton@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Wilmslow West & Chorley

Mark Goldsmith (Residents of Wilmslow)

07729 707215 mark.goldsmith@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Iain Macfarlane (Residents of Wilmslow)

07767 667828

Iain.Macfarlane@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Around Wilmslow

Wilmslow Library

South Drive, Wilmslow, Cheshire. SK9 1NW

Tel: 01625 374060 email: wilmslow.library@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Opening Hours: Monday – 9am - 7pm, Tuesday –9am - 5pm, Wednesday - 9am - 1pm, Thursday – 9am - 7pm, Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday – 9am1pm. Sunday closed

Wilmslow Post Office

Tesco, Green Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1LD

T: 01625 524036

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 8am – 8pm

Wilmslow Health Centre

Chapel Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire. SK9 5HX

T: 01625 548 555

Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

8am – 6pm, Tuesday 8am – 8pm, Friday 7.30am – 6.30pm, Saturday 8.45am – Noon (pre booked appointments only on Saturday)

Wilmslow Dental Practice

26 Chapel Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5HZ

T: 01625 441763

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm (closed for lunch 1-2pm)

Closed Saturday & Sunday

Citizens Advice

Admin phone number is 01625 432847