Life under the Stairs

By Local Resident, Jane Stevenson TAKING OURSELVES TO TASK

Happy Easter to you.

Now more than ever we are encouraged to look after ourselves. Whether it is through diet, exercise, wellbeing strategies or restful sleep, there are myriads of online and media ads offering ideas.

The use of herbs and plants as a source of wellbeing, has grown over the years, coupled with the purchase of vitamins and minerals to aid our health. The increase in interest in yoga, Pilates, meditation, and wellness has touched all groups of the community. The jury is out on the use of supplements, yet we are obsessed with buying these products. Many lay claim to successful results, which is often reflected in the costs. I understand that such products should conform to the Food Standard Agency level so I would question the difference between a named brand or a chain store range, apart from the price. There is little in the way of scientific evidence that supplements offer any benefit to us. More worryingly are some of the claims currently on social media.

Recently the suggestion that high doses of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) could help lessen the symptoms of Covid 19 did the rounds. However, such an idea has no evidence to back the claim and is at best misleading if not dangerous. It is the same with complementary therapies. There is a healthy scepticism surrounding the effects of them. Many are regarded as the province of old hippies. How do you convince someone that using lavender oil helps you sleep, or a Bush Flower Essence can alleviate demotivation? How does Tiger Balm work for aches and pains? According to experts (who ARE these faceless people?), we should get enough of our daily vitamins and minerals requirements in our food - if we eat a well-balanced diet.

That alone raises some questions, given the number of takeaways delivered to Stevenson Towers recently. Quick and easy, a treat for being lockdown, but not sure if they really qualify as well balanced. To be fair, I usually cook from scratch and use fresh veggies, fruit, and wholewheat products.

So why do I still purchase supplements, or invest time and study into an alternative health system, given the lack of hard evidence of their veracity?

My personal reasons are because they work for me. A general multivitamin backed up with Evening Primrose Oil and an Omega 3 fish oil forms my daily intake. While I can’t prove how I benefit, I’ve noticed a subtle change in my day-to-day life when I have stopped taking them. From feeling energetic and positive I begin to find things just a little bit harder, from climbing the stairs or winding down for sleep, to experiencing the dreaded writer’s block.

There is a rich history behind much of these remedies. Before the introduction of the many life enhancing, life saving drugs we use every day, our ancestors relied on the land to provide much of the healing. Aloe Vera for cuts and abrasions, feverfew for headaches and turmeric for joint pain were all used by cultures around the world including Native Americans and the Romans. Many of these are still in use today. Even aspirin is derived from willow bark, and its use is recorded as far back as 400BC.

There is a similar argument for Yoga, Pilates, Meditation, and other more

esoteric practices. I can’t offer any evidence for these therapies other than the wealth of history behind them and personal evidence.

Some years ago, following a family bereavement I was advised to have a Reiki session.

Despite being completely sceptical about ‘…a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being…’ I nevertheless went along. After a ninety-minute session I went home feeling calmer and more relaxed than I had in months. I felt grounded. Even more of a bonus was that this air of wellbeing lasted for some weeks. I did some reading and eventually trained as a Reiki practitioner myself. I still can’t explain how it works, except that it does. My comment would be to try before you buy. What suits one person will not help another. I use reiki on myself (especially my poor old arthritic knees), the nearest and dearest and my collection of pets, especially as they are all now seniors, and bothered with the ailments and conditions that affect elderly felines. I continue to investigate these alternative ways of keeping healthy and try some out for myself. I work on the principle that I ‘know’ me best and will notice any positive effects.

My reading and research provided some interesting questions; as with anything plant or herb based there are some golden rules: these products aren’t cures; they are not suitable for all. Find a good health shop and ask their advice when buying supplements. The same applies to considering other therapies. Talk to people who take Yoga or Pilates. Ask them for their opinions. Find a reputable practitioner and try some sessions. Many offer taster sessions to try. I’ll carry on taking my few supplements, using my oils and reiki, tempered with care, and strong feeling that they help me. Do your research, decide if you think you could benefit from such joining a group, or talking to a practitioner. You have nothing to lose, and maybe and awful lot to gain. Stay safe

your doorFresh fruit and veg delivered to

LET US DO THE HEAVY LIFTING FOR YOU! FREE DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS OF £15 OR MORE CHOOSE YOUR OWN AT: www.pipseedless.co.uk

FIND US ON GOOGLE & FACEBOOK GET 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WITH CODE: DL10

WELLBEING AT ELLENOR IS A

TRULY HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE By Basia Wilson

ellenor – the charity supporting those with lifelimiting illnesses and their families – believes in offering support for body, mind and spirit, empowering patients and those who care for them to stay as strong as possible, for as long as possible. Here, Andrew Lowden – ellenor’s interim Head of Wellbeing – explains the benefits of this multi-disciplined, holistic approach.

the pandemic means it happens via Facebook Live, but that’s ok: what’s important is that it’s still happening. Our attendees say they get so much out of it that I couldn’t imagine ever giving it up – it’s so rewarding. And in fact, we’ve seen greater numbers of people utilise the class virtually than we did when we met physically. It’s just one of the ways in which we’re helping our patients and their families – and the ellenor team - rise to the additional challenges that Covid has thrown at them.”

Andrew says the ethos of ellenor Wellbeing has always been about being proactive rather than reactive: “We have an essential question we ask every patient: ‘What matters to you? What do you want to achieve?’ Sometimes the answer will be something physical – greater mobility, for instance – sometimes it’s practical: to get their finances in order. And sometimes the goal is spiritual: to be more at peace with themselves as the end of their life approaches. In this case the support may come from our chaplaincy team, who handle spirituality in all its dimensions. In encouraging our patients to discuss their wants and needs, it’s ultimately about helping them to take as much control of situations as they can.”

In his own work as a physio, Andrew knows just what a difference simple ‘tools’ can make in improving someone’s quality of life. “For example, I do a lot of work with breathlessness,” he explains. “It’s a vicious cycle for patients: breathing is hard, you panic, you can’t breathe. Sometimes, the cycle will become so extreme that you end up in hospital. But there are techniques that I can share with patients and their carers so that they know how to break

Having worked at ellenor as lead physiotherapist for three years before taking over recently as interim Head of Wellbeing, Andrew Lowden has a hands-on approach to his role - literally. “Although it’s my job to bring together all the teams that work under the Wellbeing umbrella – so that’s physios, occupational therapists, complementary therapists, counsellors, family support workers, finance support workers, the Living Well team and our chaplaincy team – I still run a seated exercise class for patients myself. These days,