5 minute read
Wellbeing
Passionate about your community? Sign up for Test Valley’s be a Councillor events!
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If supporting and shaping communities sounds swell and transforming the lives of local residents rocks your boat, then sign up to Test Valley Borough Council’s Be a Councillor sessions!
Anyone interested in standing for the borough elections in 2023 can pop along to Andover Guildhall on Thursday 7 July at 5.30pm or Crosfield Hall in Romsey on Tuesday 12 July at 5.30pm to find out more about what it’s like to be a councillor and the support and guidance available.
The informal sessions are perfect for anyone who is passionate about their local community, championing different voices and causes and improving residents’ quality of life.
The events are open to everyone, whether they’re completely new to the process or have given it a go before.
To register for the Andover event visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/ BeACouncillorAndover
To register for the Romsey event visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/ BeACouncillorRomsey
More information can be found at www.testvalley.gov.uk/ beacouncillor
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, councillor Phil North, said: “These sessions are really great for anyone who wants to know about what being a councillor involves. And you don’t have to be a member of a political party to consider standing as a candidate. Councillors come from all backgrounds and it is this diversity of experience and knowledge that reflects the communities of Test Valley and contributes to the way issues are dealt with locally.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Celia Dowden, said: “I’m really pleased that we are able to run these sessions and show people how interesting and varied the councillor role can be.
“There are lots of different reasons you might want to become a councillor, including the opportunity to make a difference and help shape your community or addressing concerns about particular issues. Whatever it is that inspires you, do come along to the events and find out more.”
Anyone interested who would like an initial chat about the councillor role can also contact Emma Horbury, democratic services manager, at ehorbury@testvalley.gov.uk
The Hampshire Foot and Ankle Clinic combines the expertise of leading Orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists and physiotherapists to provide comprehensive, highly specialised foot and ankle care to our patients.
We specialise in
Achilles Tendon, Ankle Arthritis, Ankle Sprains & Instability, Bunions, Flat Feet, Hallux Rigidus, Heel Pain, Ingrown Toenails, Lesser Toes, Morton's Neuroma, Peroneal Tendons, Sesamoiditis
Sites covered
The Hampshire Clinic, Sarum Road Hospital, The Winchester Clinic and Wessex Nuffield Hospital
Information and booking
www.foot-ankle.co.uk appointments@foot-ankle.co.uk Robin Elliot: 01256 377685 Daniel Marsland: 01256 377685 James Calder: 020 3195 2430
• McTimoney Chiropractic • Sports Therapy • Allergy Testing • Hypnotherapy • Homeopathy • Counselling • Nutrition
Chiros Clinic has close links to Andover Osteopathy, for more information contact Mark on 01264 580280
Freeze the Fear
Did you catch the BBC series “Freeze the Fear” with Wim Hoff? If not, it’s definitely worth a watch, and if you did, you’ll understand why I’m feeling inspired and curious!
Wim uses cold water experiences to demonstrate how strong and adaptable the body can be. He shows that by controlling the breath we can soothe our nervous system and initial reaction of shock to become calm and resilient in the face of challenge. It has inspired me to revisit daily shots of cold showers and to make more of an effort to find open water swimming spots.
It offers a pretty exhilarating experience and it’s not surprising therefore that after dipping a toe in just the once, many people quickly become hooked!
The simplest place to start is in the shower, and just trying a 15 second cold blast will make you feel like you have fizzy water in your veins and a shot of coffee to the head.
Begin with the shower hot, and then flick it to cold and count to 15. Gradually build up your time as you adjust. I find I have a sweet spot after about 90 seconds, when my breathing has totally calmed, I settle in and my mind wanders. And after about 3 minutes I feel like I can stay there as long as I like.
Cold water emersion actually helps you to relax, and can even help with feelings of anxiety or depression.
And it also has profound effects on your physical health too. The colder your shower, the more work your body is doing to heat itself. Every single goose bump you get is the action of a tiny muscle, and it counts.
There are so many benefits of exposing yourself to cold water.
• higher levels of alertness, productivity and concentration • reduce stress levels • supports immunity • improves adaptability and resilience • increase metabolism • stimulates brown fat deposition • improves muscle recovery • stimulates the vagus nerve
Sounds like a wonder drug! You can also try joining the growing numbers of people who have discovered the benefits of open water swimming. It seems that swimming and being outdoors is not just beneficial to our physical health, but also for our mental health too.
A study published in British Medical Journal Case Reports provided the first case report that cold water swimming may be an effective treatment for depression. The theory behind this is that one form of stress – ie the shock of cold water – adapts the body for another, in this case the stress response associated with depression and anxiety.
As a complete convert to the screaming, gasping, breath-taking joys of wild swimming, I can highly recommend it! You can’t help but forget all your aches, pains and worries. It is a totally ‘in the moment’, focussed and whole-body present experience.
Gone are the worries of what has happened in the past or the concerns of what might be in the future, all you can think of is the grounding sensation of connection with water, wildlife and your breath.
There’s nothing like the feeling of emerging from a cold shower, river or the sea with tingling skin and a clear mind, but be warned – it is seriously addictive.
Emma Wightman www.the-sop.com
STOCKBRIDGE
OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE
Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy
Emma Wightman, registered osteopath and antenatal teacher. A gentle, hands on approach for newborns through to adulthood and in pregnancy. Also Massage Therapy Pilates, 1 to 1 and small group Homeopathy Naturopathy
Online Bookings available for Osteopathy and Massage via the website
