MAGAZINE FOR WELLBEING
Issue 59
>> Yoga, the Ancient Art >> Cortisol: Stress Detector >> Stigma & Understanding >> Innate Health >> CRISIS: Volunteering
2016
>> Art, Science & more
ISSUE 59
>> Stress in the Modern World
Equilibrium Patron Dr Liz Miller Mind Champion 2008
Front cover image: Anthony J Parke
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EDITORIAL Hello and welcome to our Spring issue of Equilibrium! Whether you’ve just discovered our magazine for the first time, or are a loyal reader, we hope you enjoy this issue’s offerings. We’ve got some lovely new guest contributions, which we’re sure you’ll enjoy. Do keep them coming! We would love to hear your feedback; please do tweet us @teamequilibrium. If you’d like to join the editorial team, contribute an article, some art, photos or creative writing, please do get in touch via equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk. Kate, Editor/Team Facilitator
DISCLAIMER Equilibrium is produced by service users. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without the prior permission of the Equilibrium team. Products, articles and services advertised in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of Equilibrium or any of our partners. Equilibrium is published and circulated electronically four times a year to a database of subscribers; if you do not wish to receive Equilibrium or have received it by mistake, please email unsubscribe to equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk
THE TEAM Facilitator/ Editor: Kate Massey-Chase. Editorial team: Dev, Ian, Angela, Nigel, Richard, Mohamed and Isobel.
CONTACT US Equilibrium, Clarendon Recovery College, Clarendon Road, London, N8 ODJ. 02084894860, equilibriumteam@hotmail.co.uk. We are in the office on Friday afternoons 2.30-4.30, but you can leave a message at other times and we’ll get back to you.
CONTRIBUTIONS Wanted: contributions to Equilibrium! Please email us with your news, views, poems, photos, plus articles. Anonymity guaranteed if required.
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3
PHOTOGRAPHY: TARAN PARKE-ANTONIS
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Summer/ Issue 38
Stigma &
Lack of Understanding PAUL URBAN
THERE ARE QUITE A FEW REASONS WHY PEOPLE POSSIBLY DON’T UNDERSTAND MENTAL ILLNESS. SOMETIMES IT COULD BE PURE IGNORANCE OR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE REALITY OF HAVING A MENTAL ILLNESS.
S
ometimes it is based on stereo-
England - said around three-quarters
types and myths. Over the past
of people with mental health problems
few years there have been some
received no help at all.
small increases in knowledge of mental health in the community in
One most common misinterpretation
general. According to the charity
of people with this condition is that
Time to Change: “1 in 4 people will
the people in question are “mad”.
experience a mental health problem
This is far from the truth. There are
in any given year.” The website goes
various levels of this condition; some
on to state that “9 out of 10 people
are mild (meaning they can live a
with mental health problems experi-
normal, happy life), medium (where
ence stigma and discrimination.” The
they can do normal day to day tasks
report - by a taskforce set up by NHS
and lead a normal life but they still cont.
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
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There are quite a few reasons why people possibly don’t understand mental illness. Sometimes it could be pure ignorance or lack of knowledge of the reality of having a mental illness. Sometimes it is based on stereotypes and myths. Over the past few years there have been some small increases in knowledge of mental health in the community in general. According to the charity Time to Change: “1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.” The website goes on to state that “9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination.” The report - by a taskforce set up by NHS England - said around threequarters of people with mental health problems received no help at all.
One most common misinterpretation of people with this condition is that the people in question are “mad”. This is far from the truth. There are various levels of this condition; some are mild (meaning they can live a normal, happy life), medium (where they can do normal day
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Summer/ Issue 38
to day tasks and lead a normal life but they still have a moderate version of mental illness), and severe (when they might need to be looked after or in hospital). It is possible that external factors like the media can portray a negative and inaccurate image. According to Time to Change: Over a 3 month period 74 programmes contained storylines on mental health issues of these there were 33 instances of violence to others and 53 examples of harm to self almost half were sympathetic portrayals, but these often portrayed the characters as tragic victims. They go on to say ‘63% of references to mental health in TV soaps and drama were “pejorative, flippant or unsympathetic” terms included: “crackpot”, “a sad little psycho”, “basket case”, “where did you get her from?”, “Care in the Community?” and “he was Looney tunes”’. Judging by this survey it is no wonder that mental illness is seen in the “wrong way”. There seems to be few documentaries or programmes in the mainstream to counteract these perceptions. This would be the last thing people with these conditions need, as the stigma can stop them being honest and asking for help. However, there is a silver lining. Many charities and websites, such as Mind, Time to Change, Rethink, Rainbow Trust and Sane, are actively trying to promote mental health awareness in the UK. It seems that in recent months this subject has been in the media in a positive way, for example the Liberal Democrats said it was time mental health was treated “as seriously as physical health” (Source: BBC).
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
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Living
in an outside-in world A NEW PARADIGM NIGEL PRESTATYN
“A MERCEDES OF TWO YEARS AGO, NOW LOOKS EMBARRASSINGLY OLD COMPARED TO THE LASTEST MODEL. AGAIN, THERE IS A PERSISTENT FOCUS ON LOOKING OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES, IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR INNER SELVES FEEL BETTER.”
What is living in an ‘outside-in’ world? By this I’m referring to the fact that we have a tendency in life, myself included, obviously, to
inside… when I get that job I’ll feel happy; when I get that payrise, I’ll be content; when a find that man or woman who loves me, I will feel
go through life looking outside of
valued; when I get to have that
ourselves for happiness, for mean-
house, or shiny Mercedes, I’ll feel
ing and value. We look to the
successful. In this model there is a
outside world, to make us feel good
persistent focus on looking outside of
Photo: Anthony
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Summer/ Issue 38
PHOTOGRAPHY: TARAN PARKE-ANTONIS
ourselves, in order to make our inner
inverse of the outside-in view. Imagine
selves feel better.
if you removed all external events as determining the state of your happi-
But the thing is, happiness, calm,
ness, and replaced it with a deeper,
peace, success, value, meaning, all
profound inner wisdom. Inner wisdom
of the above and more, ultimately
is not the sole preserve of gurus and
stem from inside us.
Buddhists etc. We all have our own profound wisdom. Tapping into this
Allowing meaning and value in our
allows us to see that success, happi-
lives to be determined by outside
ness, all the value and meaning
factors, is misguided. One day that
we require, really stems from within
job which gave us so much value and
ourselves. We create it. We control it.
meaning, may be taken away from
In that sense, instead of turning to the
us; that man or woman who truly loves
outside world to create our reality of
us, may suddenly cease to; that big
ourselves, we create it ourselves.
house which we yearned for, all of a sudden feels cramped and uninhabit-
This is by no means easy, and comes
able; and that shiny Mercedes of two
with a sense of turning within oneself
years ago, now looks embarrassingly
for meaning. And just when you think
old compared to the lastest model.
you have an understanding of living
Again, there is a persistent focus on
from the inside out, life happens,
looking outside of ourselves, in order
events happen, and once more your
to make our inner selves feel better.
world is rocked. So it is a continual journey of insight and recognition as
So what is the inside-out model? The
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
to the real nature of our existence.
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Summer/ Issue 38
Cortisol Levels In Hair
A New Approach to Detecting Stress NIGEL PRESTATYN
A
Fascinating study led by the Univer-
sample may help determine the risk of the
sity of Melbourne, has revealed
child developing mental and other chronic
that a child’s hair sample, and the level
illnesses later in their life. Such information
of the stress hormone, cortisol, within that
could prove useful in the future care of that
sample, can determine the level of stress
child.
that child has experienced in his or her life. That being the case, the study suggests,
In addition to this, researchers have found
that through a hair follicle a child’s future
that, “What’s less commonly understood
mental health outcome can potentially be
is that beyond poor mental health, it can
determined. So if a 9 year old child expe-
also be associated with the development
riences injury, severe illness, a death of
of other illnesses such as diabetes, obesity
a family member, or any other traumatic
and cholesterol issues, because cortisol is
event, it will be shown in the level of corti-
also central to glucose availability, blood
sol in their hair.
pressure and immune function, so identifying these children is important.”
To be clear, cortisol is known as the
Clearly there is great value to be had in
“stress hormone” because it is released in
a study which highlights possible future
response to acute stress to help the body
outcomes, thereby triggering any medical
react and cope. So it seems a child’s hair
support required at the earliest opportunity.
Source: The Guardian
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London Street Art Seleceted by the Equilbrium Team
Kentish Road/ Atist: Whoam Irony
Cable Street Mural
Camden Town/ Artist: Dan Kitchener
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Summer/ Issue 38
Artist: Martin Ron
Chrisp Street, East London
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
Turnpike Lane
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Crisis
Homeless Charity A PERSONAL VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE
NIGEL PRESTATYN
C
hristmas came along last year,
course, there is always a benefit to
but unlike any other, something
volunteering, that sense of giving, and
blipped into my conscience. It was a
the feelgood factor which comes from
realisation that I’ve never, ever, volun-
knowing you’re helping.
teered for several days work to help someone in a less fortunate position
Volunteering over Christmas for the
than myself. Not unconditionally at
homeless charity CRISIS, was an
least, and by unconditionally I mean
extraordinary experience. At the time
with no obvious benefit to myself. Of
of signing up I really had no idea what
IMAGE: www.volunteercentres.org.uk/index.php/christmas-volunteers-crisis/
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to expect. But one thing I knew, and have
couldn’t not give her something. She said
always known, the homeless man or
she was hungry. I gave her what I had and
woman on the street doesn’t deserve such
I watched her flail through traffic straight
an wretched existence.
into Subways. I assumed for food, but who could know for sure. That’s the last I saw of
Prior to volunteering, something happened
her. And I thought how sad it is that people
which set this in motion. I was near Warren
get into such horrific states in their lives.
Street Station when this apparition came
And in another existence, couldn’t that
out of the hospital entrance. Her hair was
have easily have been me?
matted and tangled, her coat hung from her as she dragged herself through the
So one evening I found myself mindlessly
crowds; she was utterly dishevelled from
drifting through social media, and an
living on the streets. Most disturbing of
advert for ‘Crisis for Christmas’ appeared
all, her eyes rolled in their sockets. I had
requesting volunteers. I thought of her
never seen anyone look so far gone. By
immediately. The time was right, and by
all accounts, she had just taken an over-
the end of the evening I was all signed up.
dose of crack cocaine, hospital security had removed her, and she had nowhere to
I had no idea of the magnitude of the
turn. I could barely imagine her alive in a
operation that was Crisis for Christmas.
week’s time she looked so bad.
There were over a hundred volunteers, ready to cater for over 250 homeless
So I listened, tried to show that I care,
people each day. The canteen area was
talked to her, tried to show a little compas-
vast and industrial like, huge quantities
sion. Do you give an addict/ fellow human
of food stacked in pallets for the 10 day
money? There is a moral issue here regard-
period. The services included seeing a
ing the former. But in all conscience I
dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, advice cont.
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Christmas came along last year, but
eyes rolled in their sockets. I had never
unlike any other, something blipped
seen anyone look so far gone. By all
into my conscience. It was a realisation
accounts, she had just taken an over-
that I’ve never, ever, volunteered for
dose of crack cocaine, hospital security
several days work to help someone in a
had removed her, and she had nowhere
less fortunate position than myself. Not
to turn. I could barely imagine her alive
unconditionally at least, and by uncon-
in a week’s time she looked so bad.
ditionally I mean with no obvious benefit to myself. Of course, there is always a
So I listened, tried to show that I care,
benefit to volunteering, that sense of
talked to her, tried to show a little
giving, and the feelgood factor which
compassion. Do you give an addict/
comes from knowing you’re helping.
fellow human money? There is a moral issue here regarding the former. But in
Volunteering over Christmas for the
all conscience I couldn’t not give her
homeless charity CRISIS, was an extraor-
something. She said she was hungry. I
dinary experience. At the time of signing
gave her what I had and I watched her
up I really had no idea what to expect.
flail through traffic straight into Subways.
But one thing I knew, and have always
I assumed for food, but who could know
known, the homeless man or woman
for sure. That’s the last I saw of her. And
on the street doesn’t deserve such an
I thought how sad it is that people get
wretched existence.
into such horrific states in their lives. And in another existence, couldn’t that have
Prior to volunteering, something
easily have been me?
happened which set this in motion. I was near Warren Street Station when
So one evening I found myself mindlessly
this apparition came out of the hospi-
drifting through social media, and an
tal entrance. Her hair was matted and
advert for ‘Crisis for Christmas’ appeared
tangled, her coat hung from her as she
requesting volunteers. I thought of her
dragged herself through the crowds;
immediately. The time was right, and by
she was utterly dishevelled from living
the end of the evening I was all signed
on the streets. Most disturbing of all, her
up.
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Summer/ Issue 38
I had no idea of the magnitude of the
as it was always busy, never enough staff,
operation that was Crisis for Christmas.
and many irate and desperate people
There were over a hundred volunteers, ready to cater for over 250 homeless
in need of housing advice. I did the door
people each day. The canteen area was
welcoming duty, swept floors and hung
vast and industrial like, huge quantities
posters.
of food stacked in pallets for the 10 day period. The services included seeing a dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, advice
All in all it was an exhausting three days,
centre, homeless referral area, clothes
there is no denying that!! But also it was a
mending area. There was a creative
deeply gratifying experience. I got to meet
arts area, an outdoor area for football
some wonderful people, clients as well as
and table tennis, all of which had to be constantly staffed. There was a place to
fellow volunteers. I got to realise just how
shower down, and of course get three
fortunate I am. It is hard to quibble over the
hearty meals a day and as much tea and
things I lack in life, when I see others with
coffee as you could drink. There was a
nothing but the clothes on their backs. And
self defence class running, and live music events running through out the entire day.
next year I shall hopefully be equipped with a little more knowledge and insight
For our part we had a volunteer’s area.
about what is involved, and hopefully bring
Come 9am we would be working non stop
a little more value. My one regret is that
till about 5pm when the evening shift took over. Mostly I would hurriedly grab a bite to
I barely had a chance to speak to any
eat and then get called out for a variety of
of the clients as I was constantly being
jobs. I did toilet cleaning duty, working on
moved from one job to the next. Maybe
the information desk, counting members
next year, as listening, I believe, is one of
through the front doors, serving hundreds of drinks come lunch time, overseeing
the most important jobs there can be for
the games area, organising clients for the
the homeless. For the rest of the year, I
advice area, which could get really manic,
suspect they become invisible again!
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Fledgling Arts Collective Central JEWELS JOHNSON
W
and arts it is more important than ever for
We are a unique organization and charity.
ith the recent cuts by the govern- phy and so much more we have to offer! ment to mental health services
us to be a bastion in this battle, the arts offer We offer a place to be with fellow peers expression, both of which are vitally impor-
and Volunteers who have been through
tant to our mental health, and we need to
the same, or similar struggles, and found
fight to save them and establish stability
a love for the arts as a therapy to be more
for in the future. The cathartic value the arts
mentally healthy. And our members can
offer are endless.
interact with each other in our nurturing
community.
We, at Fledgling Arts Collective Central are
a fortress and beacon of light to those who
We have around 5 and a half thousand
find expression through the arts , help them
members on our main page and another
to exercise their feelings and exorcise their
5,000 roughly across our various Wings/
demons through different genres of arts
Groups. We don’t allow criticism or
whether it be, writing, music, art, photogra-
negative judgments, we take a post as
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Summer/ Issue 38
it is and we find something positive to
who help us do that can expect to get
say about it. It makes for a very differ-
something from their experience with
ent atmosphere, to the typically scath-
us also.
ing and X-Factor-esque mentality that seems to have spread out from the
With services being cut we offer an
media and into how we are socially,
indefinite support and nest for those
behaving like negative panelists!
wanting positive and encouraging
It may sound a little Utopian that our
feedback and support and an online
Fledgling community only spreads love
space to create.
(and a bit hippyish) But we think that
it can have a real ripple effect on our
We are currently looking for funding
mental health and how this then effects
so that we can make the transforma-
us on a daily basis. We don’t believe that being harsh to each other makes us more equipped in the world at large to defend ourselves. We encourage a way of finding peace within ourselves and our surroundings, and how to boost self esteem and that using the arts as expression brings a kind of freedom,
tion from small registered charity to large registered charity because we are growing all the time. We are also inviting people to come forward for the positions of, Treasurer, and Patron. At this moment in time, we operate with no funding, but this is a stumbling block to our growth, and we know that what we
we may not find elsewhere.
can offer is invaluable, because there is
nowhere else that can offer what we can
We are currently looking for celebrities
and at such a poignant time. All the staff
to help raise our profile and our ‘pay it
and founders have in some way experi-
forward’ ethos means that the people
enced the struggles of mental health.
So please join us at https://www.facebook.com/Fledging.ArtsCollective.Central/ our page on Facebook , where you can find out about our various online groups. We also have a website http://www.fledglingartscollectivecentral.com. If you would like to contact us to apply for one of the available positions, please email us at Fledglingdalepa@hotmail.com.
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Dementia Friendly Screenings At Crouch End Picturehouse Although open to everybody, these screenings are adapted slightly to try to better address the needs of people with Dementia, and a number of our staff have attended Dementia awareness sessions to ensure we can provide a good experience for those who attend. Our first screening will be SINGING IN THE RAIN on Tuesday 17th May. The screening starts at 11am, but from 10.30am there will be free tea, coffee and biscuits and the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the building, so do join us!
To make the screening more comfortable, there will also be a 20 minute break halfway through the film, and to minimise the sensory impact. the lights left on low and the volume reduced. Tickets are £4 per person (accompanying carers free) and can be booked online herewww.picturehouses.com/cinema/Crouch_End_Picturehouse/ film/singin-in-the-rain over the phone on 0871 902 5758 or in person at the box office. Please note that there are a limited number of wheelchair spaces available so do book in advance for a wheelchair space.
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Summer/ Issue 38
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
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Relief
From your Obtrusive Thoughts JOHN DAWSON
F
or some people, a challenging part of
having a mental health condition is having obtrusive, intruding thoughts. These are not standard thoughts that can be easily controlled, but are a lot more severe. This is because it can be a lot harder to handle, depending on the condition you have or what you have been diagnosed with. When the thought “I need to jump in front of that bus� appears in your head, to someone who is mentally well it can be easily dismissed. But when it comes to some people who are experiencing a mental illness, the thought might re-occur over and over again. On top of it your mental health might exacerbate it, heightening each time it re-occurs and you feel unable to control it or push it away. To a person who is unaware of mental health problems this could seem confusing or trivial, but believe me it can be a lot more severe than you think. It could cause critical harm to you. The best way of relieving yourself from these obtrusive thought is to protect yourself and make your state of mind better, although the way to achieve this varies and depends
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 22
Summer/ Issue 38
PHOTOGRAPHY: TARAN PARKE-ANTONIS
on what works for you. This article can
if you are hearing voices. If no-one
only suggest ways that might help
else is saying it, it means it is coming
you. Sometimes realising that you are
from your mind. It is possible to listen
starting to have these thoughts in the
to moderately loud music to control
first place is the first step. When these
distract you from the thoughts. Other
thoughts start re-occurring tell yourself
distractions include watching light-
that “this is not happening, they are
hearted TV shows. You may be able to
just thoughts” over and over again.
ask yourself what the thought is about
Saying this over and over again from
and challenge the thoughts: “Why am
the beginning may limit the thoughts
I thinking like this? What is the cause
ability to take hold. If it sounds as if it
of this?” Try taking deep, calming
is a person around you is saying these
breaths several times, concentrating
words, like they are coming from
on your breathing and the physical
outside of you, ask yourself: “Who is
space around you. If your thoughts are
saying that?” Look around the room at
still persistent try taking a walk. Some-
who is in the room and if they are really
times talking to a friend or a loved one
saying it to you. This will help ground
helps figure what is going on. When,
you in reality. The most likely case is
or if, the thoughts get persistent and
no one is saying them. If this does not
you are unable to control it or you are
work count how many people there
overwhelmed please go and see your
are nearby or in the room with you.
doctor immediately. There are lots of
Look at each person and ask your-
things they can do to help.
self: “Is that person doing this?” If not, then move on to the next person and ask the same question. At the end you might find that no one is saying that. This might be an upsetting realisation, but you can get help from doctors
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 23
An Anxious
Extrovert KAT MOUSE
A
nxiety is promiscuous. It doesn’t have a type; it plays the field. Your
age, race, gender, sexuality – none of them matter. It’s not fussy. Anxiety would make a good politician. It knows the way into hearts and minds. It’s ruthless. It would rather go for a quick win. Anxiety is like a cold-caller or ‘chugger’. It’s shameless. It’s persuasive. It gets you when you’re trying to look the other way. I can describe it and you know it. You know what I’m talking about because it’s a normal human emotion. And yet – And yet – If you have an anxiety disorder… It’s not ‘normal’ although if you feel nothing else it’s the emotional backdrop to your life; it becomes normal, repetitive, painfully recognisable. Mental health problems are still stigmatised; they are still treated differently to physical health problems. The language we use, the metaphors, the tone of voice. People still (STILL!) tell
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 24
Summer/ Issue 38
PHOTOGRAPHY: SARA MCCALLUM
you to cheer up, get over it, pull yourself
an oak. When I read ‘what people with
together. They would not say that if you
anxiety think’ or ‘how people with anxi-
have pneumonia. They wouldn’t suddenly
ety respond’ and don’t see myself in that,
trust you less. They wouldn’t speculate.
it doesn’t mean I don’t have anxiety. It
They wouldn’t judge.
means we are all different. We have similarities, we share hopes and fears, but my
Despite the stigma, people are talk-
monster in the dark might not look like
ing more (hurrah!). My facebook news-
yours.
feed seems to constantly have quirky cartoons showing “What it’s like to suffer from anxiety” with thousands of ‘likes’ for each image. Oh, the rhetoric of the modern world we live in – they don’t ‘like’ it, of course; they relate to it, identify with it. They look it and go: “I know that. That’s me!” That is what the arts are for; it is where we see our deepest selves reflected back to us and we experience connection. We feel less alone. Yet, recently some of these images have
For I have a confession. I am an anxious extrovert. Yes, we do exist. I’m an anxious person who loves public speaking (what?!), who loves leading groups, who even quite likes networking events (I deserve to be shot). I love being around people. I need to be around people. I get anxious when I’m by myself. I don’t have social anxiety. Those ‘what it’s like to have anxiety’ cartoons don’t show pictures of me.
started to grate. Because it feels to me so often that people are conflating ‘anxi-
So, please yes, let’s keep talking. Let’s
ety’ with ‘social anxiety’, and they are not
keep normalising. Let’s keep sharing
the same beast. It is like saying a ‘tree’
pictures on social media which illustrate
and an ‘oak’ are the same – yes, an oak
our struggles. But let’s not act like all
is always a tree, but a tree isn’t always
those struggles look the same.
EQUILIBRIUM 25
Yoga The Ancient Art of Relaxation JOHN DAWSON
Y
oga is an ancient for of exercise that
person needs. It has been said that it can
originated in the Indus-Sarasvati civi-
help with mobility, flexibility, balance,
lization around 3000 BC. The original texts
weight loss, physical activity, strength, and
were written in on fragile palm leaves in
people with high blood pressure, heart
the book called Rig Veda (one of the four
disease, aches and pains (including lower
canonical sacred texts of Hinduism known
back pain), depression and stress. Gener-
as the Vedas. The text is a collection of
ally exercise releases a chemical called
hymns and verses, organized into ten
endorphin which can stabilize mood and
books. By a sage called Kashyapa).
balances the body.
The main parts of yoga are postures (a
Since the 1900s there have been some
series of movements or, as it is called
versions of yoga but with the Yoga as a
in India, arsenas, designed to increase
suffix. The latter ones like Vickram Yoga,
strength and flexibility) and breathing.
Fast-Yoga, Heat-Yoga and several others
This can vary depending on what the
are sometimes disliked by traditional yoga
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 26
Summer/ Issue 38
teachers, although some celebrate new
looking deep into yourself.” It also allows
forms. These yoga positions are adapted
you to reconnect with what is going on
yoga exercises, sometimes modified and
inside your body and your mind. Basically
speeded up. Vickram Yoga was created
making you self aware. You may find the
by a man call Vickram who moved to the
answer to some of your worries that you
USA after learning it in India.
have. I is also possible to relax your restless mind with meditation. So in this instant
In the 60s, the West saw a big explosion of yoga, with centers opening all over the place. Teachers from India cashed in to this adventure by traveling to the West to teach people yoga or adapted versions of it. But over time its original version has became more popular.
it just might be able to stop a full on panic attack, although it can take some time and practice. On a psychological note, meditation has been seen as being able to “calm and balance the mind”. Reason for all this is when you are meditating you are focusing your thoughts and feeling on your
So far we have been talking about the physical side to Yoga. But there is also the meditation side. Yoga Meditation is
meditation, causing the sources of anxiety in your state of mind to decrease. Bear in mind this is not a quick fix to any condi-
one of the five principles of Yoga. It is the
tion, but a form of support and takes time
practice by which there is constant obser-
and commitment to practice so you feel
vation of the mind. ABC of Yoga states
the benefits. If you have a serious health
that “Meditation is the art of focusing
condition, you should see your doctor
your mind, restraining your thoughts and
before practicing yoga.
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EQUILIBRIUM 27
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 28
Summer/ Issue 38
“It’s Time to Talk It’s Time to Change And, I feel, It‘s Time to Listen...”
STRESS in the Western
World
S
wars, finances, the mate-
BY ANGELA
tress happens when
rial world, Sunday Trading,
somebody feels under pressure because they have too
commercialism, obesity, anorexia, moving house, home-
many things to do or they have too many
lessness and illness. Unfortunately the list
pressurising problems. This can cause the
is endless.
‘fight or flight’ response, with symptoms like your heart beating faster, sweaty
Stress usually comes from the pressures
palms and feeling jittery from adrenaline.
we feel in life. Anxiety can be experienced even when there is no immedi-
Stress in the western world can be caused
ate threat, or the threat has ended. It is
by a variety of reasons, for example:
important to seek help from your doctor
employment, unemployment, terrorism,
if you are suffering from anxiety. Symp-
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 29
toms include: muscle tension, head-
somebody. They are acknowledged by
ache and dizziness, stomach ache and
Young Carers Awareness Day on 28th
other digestive problems, edginess,
January. Being ill can be very unpleas-
tiredness and insomnia. The number of
ant and worrying.
people being diagnosed with anxiety is increasing. Middle-aged people are
The worst case is illness without a cure.
the least happy, have the lowest levels
Zika is a new disease which recently
of life satisfaction and the highest levels
broke out in South America. People are
of anxiety, according to the latest offi-
infected by it from mosquito bites. They
cial wellbeing statistics from the ONS
said it is going to take about 5 years
(Damien Gayle, The Guardian, 2 Feb
to find a vaccine. The government in
2016).
Brazil is encouraging women not to get
Illness Your health is the most important thing
pregnant until they find a vaccine as this disease causes brain damage in babies.
in your life. Your mother was right when she told you to eat your greens!
The NHS which started in 1948 is strug-
Going through an illness is very stress-
gling to cope; GP surgeries are burst-
ful. It is also stressful for people that are
ing at the seams and you have to wait
carers. So much so, that carers have a
a long time to be seen in the casualty
reduced immunity and can become
department. Sometimes people have
also unwell. Some carers are very
to wait a long time for an operation and
young and find it difficult to care for
sometimes there are not enough beds.
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 30
Summer/ Issue 38
I have been to casualty recently
Despite this worrying trend, the NHS
and I had to wait several hours.
is under pressure because the popu-
The ambulance service is currently
lation in Britain is rising. A lot of the
understaffed. A lot of hospitals were
population is not adopting a healthy
closed down by Margaret Thatcher’s
lifestyle, which can lead to obesity,
Conservative Government. There has
high blood pressure, diabetes, and
been a recent strike by Junior Doctors
some cancers. The NHS is finding it
because of changes to working
difficult to do Gastric Band opera-
conditions, which they feel are unsafe
tions to reduce the size of the stom-
and unfair. ‘Overall people miss-
ach, because too many people need
ing GP and hospital appointments
it. The Mirror reported: ‘two million
cost the health service in England
obese Brits to get free gastric bands’.
nearly £1bn a year’, the Health Secre- Obesity can be like a viscous circle tary Jeremy Hunt has reported. We
when some people get stressed they
must respect the NHS and not miss
eat too much. The excess weight can
appointments.
lead to health problems which can make you feel stressed. Shops are
In this country there is an increase
now opened for longer hours, there
in infant mortality. There were 2,686
are a lot of take away restaurants
infant deaths (deaths under 1 year)
and there is more easy access to
in England and Wales in 2013,
cash, so people can buy more food.
compared with 2,912 infant deaths in 2012 and 6,381 in 1983 (ONS).
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
However it is not all doom and gloom
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 31
and I recently had open heart surgery
of a dependent’ (Bereavement Leave,
after a lump was discovered in my
Peninusula UK).
heart. I was offered an operation from the London Chest Hospital and The
A parent was fined because their child
London Heart Hospital operation. I had
missed school to go to their grandpar-
a successful operation and now I can
ent’s funeral! You also aren’t entitled to
do my Zumba dance class again!
time of work if a grandchild or grand-
Bereavement Bereavement of somebody close to you is one of the worst, and most stress-
parent dies. I think we should recognise the stress and loss of losing anyone close to you.
ful, things you can go through. It is one
Wars
of the main reasons that GPs have to
After the Second World War a lot of
prescribe tranquilisers. I have lost a
people started to suffer from depres-
lot of people from the mental health
sion, in England so large psychiatric
system, which makes me feel sad.
hospitals were built e.g Friern Barnet Hospital and Claybury Hospital in
‘An employee of your business suffer-
London. When the patients were in
ing a bereavement is deeply sadden-
hospital they had everything done for
ing. The Employment Rights 1996 gives
them, so when they went home after
employees the statutory right to a
recovery some could not do anything
reasonable amount of time away from
for themselves. They ended up becom-
work in order to take action that is
ing unwell and going back to the
necessary in consequence of the death
hospital. Occupational therapy was
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 32
Summer/ Issue 38
introduced, so that they were more able
ing the baby, lots of crying and expense.
to do something. I enjoyed my time in
Some mothers experience post natal
Friern Barnet in 1991. I did pottery, art,
depression. The demands of children
quiz games, and baking. And I made a
change as they get older. After a while
lot of friends.
children start wanting computers and
Terrorism
designer trainers. And some parents have to contribute to university fees.
I am now very scared of terrorism. Prince
Teenagers can be rebellious, aggressive
Charles lost his uncle Charles Mount
and argumentative. There was a school
Batton because of the IRA. September
head teacher Mr Lawrence who was
11, 2011 (know as ‘9/11’) was very bad.
stabbed to death by a pupil. Duchess
Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers,
of Cambridge is supporting children’s
is a financial institution in the USA, and
mental health.
2996 people died. This attack was by the terrorist group, Al Qaeda. There has
Infertility
been an increase in calls to Childline
There is now more infertility in the west-
because so many children are worried
ern world as more women put off having
about terrorism and war.
children to a later time to follow their
Having children Having children can be stressful
career. When they try to have children at an older age, the body is not so fertile; this can also lead to Down’s Syndrome.
because it brings on lots of changes which have to be adapted to, for exam-
Stress can affect fertility. If either you or
ple: less sleep, changing nappies, feed-
your partner are stressed it may affect
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EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 33
your relationship. Stress can contrib-
sions into the house is tiring. You do
ute to loss of libido (sex drive), which
not know what your neighbours are
in turn can reduce the frequency
going to be like. I was lucky to be
of sexual intercourse. Severe stress
born in the ‘60s; in the good old days
may also affect female ovulation and
we spent a lot of time with our neigh-
limit sperm production. Fertility is also
bours, compared to now; they were
affected by smoking being under
like family. It is not good for children
weight, anorexia, and being over-
to move too often. It is very unsettling
weight.
for them and it is difficult for them to join a new school.
Breakdown of family relationship The breakdown of the family unit is
The Homeless
very bad and can be very stressful.
Some people have their homes
There are today a lot of one parent
repossessed because they can’t
families who are struggling.
keep up with their rent or mortgage
Moving House
payments. There are too many homeless people in this country. I
Moving House is stressful. A house
don’t like seeing homeless people in
is the most expensive thing you will
the street begging for money. Before
ever have to buy. Finding the right
Margaret Thatcher, I did not see any
accommodation is time consuming.
homeless people. When the Dome
You have to clean the house and
was first built with Lottery money, they
decorate it. Putting all your posses-
did not know what to do with it. If I
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 34
Summer/ Issue 38
had my way, I would have turned it into
stress. Bingo was very popular in the 60s
a hostel, for the homeless. Homeless
as some women enjoyed some time
people are supported by charities like
away from doing daily chores. Exercise
Crisis and Center Point, which had Lady
is good because you are doing some-
Diana as their patron.
thing positive, it is good for your health
Employment
and it lifts the spirits. Aromatherapy is soothing and relaxing. A healthy
There is a lot of stress in the work place.
diet definitely helps stress as eating
There is a lot of work to do, deadlines
take away every day can make you
have to be met, sometimes there is not
depressed. Martin Lewis gives advice
enough staff and not enough pay.
on financial matters. Pampering your-
Conclusion
self from head to toe will make you look and feel better. Going on a nice holi-
‘The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
day will definitely recharge your batter-
recently saw the work of Time to
ies and make you feel a lot happier.
Change and Mind for themselves –
Why not have a relaxing Sunday? It is
putting mental health in the media
good that ‘David Cameron’s pledged
spotlight worldwide’ ( Mind News, issue
an extra £1bn to improve mental health
22, 2016). We should all talk about these service’ (Daily Mirror 18/2/16). issues to help us cope with them and not be ashamed to ask for help.
It’s Time to Talk It’s Time to Change
There are some ways of combating
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
And, I feel, It‘s Time to Listen
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 35
Eating and Living A Recipe Book for Eating Disorder
Recovery FRANCESCA BAKER
EATING & LIVING IS A RECIPE BOOK FOR THOSE IN RECOVERY FROM EATING DISORDERS—BY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE.
Eating disorders aren’t about the
whatever form of disordered eating
food. They’re about the fear, shame,
you may be suffering from, you have
judgement, anxiety, lack of self,
to get on with facing your fears and
and a whole host of other difficult
commit to eating in a way that’s
emotions that manifest themselves
right for your body. Generally, most
through food and weight—not about
people have a good basic idea of
the food. Except when they are.
what a balanced diet looks like, but it can be hard to put that in to practice.
Because there comes a point when,
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 36
Sometimes, it takes a little support,
Summer/ Issue 38
Image: butterflyworld.com
be that charitable like NEDA, a body
should make a recipe book, what
positive community like Health At
with all the food knowledge and meal
Every Size, or a magazine like, ahem,
ideas we had. These conversations
Equilibrium.
were not solely about the food—great meals are often associated not just
Eating & Living is a recipe book for
with taste and texture, but the circum-
those in recovery from eating disor-
stances that made them, the memo-
ders—by those who have been there.
ries associated with them, and the
This collection of recipes was created
feelings they evoke. Every meal we
by people recovering or recovered
discussed had a story.
from an eating disorder, as well as health experts, professionals, carers,
When I decided to actually make this
friends, and family of sufferers. Each of
book happen, I wanted people not
them provided a personal recipe for
only to give me a list of ingredients
the book—and each of them told the
and step-by-step instructions, but also
story of why this recipe matters.
to tell that story. There are meals that evoke memories of childhood, those
The idea for Eating & Living came from
tried for the first time in recovery,
conversations on an inpatient ward
those lost in years of illness and later
for eating disorder treatment, where I
found again.
spoke with other patients about meals we loved and wished we felt able to
It’s inspiring to read how Tabitha Farrar
eat again. As we told stories about
fought her fear of fat and rediscov-
those delicious foods we feared we
ered cheese on toast, or how Jessie
had lost, we joked about how we
Moore of Cake Spy can now bake
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EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 37
and eat delicious sweet creations
an important and enjoyable part of a
and knows when her body needs
happy life, but sometimes it can be
them. Shani Raviv tells of how redis-
hard to remember that.
covering her granny’s Mac ’n’ cheese allowed her and her grandmother to
Anyone who’s ever had a meltdown
bond again, and former model Nikki
in the supermarket or stood in front
Du Bose shares her recipe for bread,
of an open fridge for hours will know
which now when she eats reminds her
that some of the biggest challenges
that her body is special and worthy.
of eating during recovery come with grocery shopping, planning meals,
Eating & Living contains a whole mix
and facing the cooking. The book
of recipes with a variety of ingredients
contains tips on how to tackle those
for different mealtimes, tastes, and
challenges too. I’ve sought support
budgets, and the meals are broadly
from nutritionists and dieticians to
balanced to try to address the nutri-
make sure that people can feel confi-
tional and physical aspects of recov-
dent in the advice being given. So if
ery. The book communicates that
you start to cry in the supermarket,
there is no such thing as a “good”
try moving to a non food aisle. When
food, and that everything in modera-
picking a sandwich for lunch feels
tion is OK, positive, and necessary
to hard (I’ve tried and tested this
in a healthy diet. When asked to
technique after I spent 90 minutes in
contribute a recipe, I was given broad
the ‘quick’ sandwich aisle in Tesco
guidelines: no undressed salads or
one lunch, picking up and putting
deep-fried Mars Bars, but anything
back every single one of the 100 or
in between that has some meaning
so on option, and decided my life
to it was fine. Meals are meant to be
and time are too valuable for this)
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 38
Summer/ Issue 38
then choose one attribute such as
eating disorders. They campaign,
the filling. ‘Today I fancy chicken.’
raise awareness, organise events,
And then the first that is chicken is
and offer support to change the
yours – regardless of if it’s chicken
way we think and talk about eating
and sweetcorn, or chicken and
disorders, improve services and
mayo, or chicken and sweetcorn
treatment, and help anyone believe
mayo, or whatever else it could be.
that their eating disorder can be
If the meal you are about to eat seems terrifying, try having only one component of it as a fear food, and
beaten. They believe in recovery – and this book will help you to get there.
the rest some that are more familiar. I’ve got portion sizes, but remember too make sure that you are getting enough, but also not to get too caught up in exact measurements - some apples will be bigger than others, sometimes you will have more milk on your cereal. That’s ok!
The money raised from sales of
You can purchase the book from the usual online book retailer, and there’s links here to where might be best if you want to max your donation. And if you want to find out any more drop me a note or tweet.
I hope that the book will be not only
Eating & Living will go to B-EAT, the
a used resource, but also a symbol.
UK’s national eating disorder char-
A testament to resilience, hope, and
ity. B-EAT provides helplines, online
the belief that recovery is possible.
support, and a network of UK-wide
Recovery is hard. But to live, you
self-help groups to help adults and
must eat. And it’s possible to over-
young people in the UK beat their
come the disorder and do it.
www.haringey.gov.uk/equilibrium
EQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM 39