Holistic Therapist Magazine - Issue 46 Winter 2023 by holistichealthmag

FOR PROFESSIONAL COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE PRACTITIONERS

WINTER 2023/24 ISSUE 46 £6.00

Emerging consumer trends for women

Building your inner strength and confidence

CASE STUDY

HEALTH SPECIAL

Changing career – what to consider

Natural menopause Breaking Free

Understanding Instragram

Here Come the Girls Making more of female clients

PLUS,

the latest news and research, books, astrology, recipes from Jamie Oliver, inspirational people, new products and so much more…

THE GOOD GIFT GUIDE - OUR FESTIVE FAVOURITES

Managing Director Julie Mallam julie@holistictherapistmagazine.com Managing Editor Alison Daniels alison@holistictherapistmagazine.com Art Director Richard Hejsak Sales Director Billy Flanagan

The Federation of Holistic Therapists is the UK’s largest professional body for complementary, beauty and sports therapists. We have helped and insured thousands of therapists, just like you, for over 60 years.

Editor’s Letter

Hello again,

This issue focusses on women. Given that the vast majority of holistic therapists and their clients are women, that’s shouldn’t come as a surprise. What might surprise – or possibly horrify you – is how much often women tend to be overlooked by the medical establishment. From testing new drugs on younger men, to discounting the severity or impact of women’s pain and even offering different,

Social Media & Digital Marketing Manager Sarah Jones

less effective treatments for women when they report the same symptoms as men,

Sales Team +44 1244 94 1114 sales@holistictherapistmagazine.com

Like all problems, this also represents an opportunity. Women offer a significant

there’s no doubt about who receives the short straw.

market, so we’ve rounded up the latest consumer trends and shared how to design products and services for a female clientele. Our health focus looks at the Menopause, which is finally emerging from the shadows and being discussed in public as a major life change. You’ll also find features on becoming more confident, changing career, breaking free of self-imposed restrictive thoughts and taking on staff. As usual, the issue is packed with insights, practical ideas and interesting people. We’re here to help you create the future you deserve. Love,

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Alison and everyone at Holistic Therapist x

Holistic Therapist Magazine is published quarterly (four times per annum) by Media Edge London Ltd. No part of Holistic Therapist Magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without permission. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Media Edge London Ltd. During production, images may be subject to a 15% variation. © Copyright belongs to Media Edge London Ltd. All rights reserved.

Julie Mallam Managing Director

Billy Flanagan Sales Director

Sarah Jones Social Media & Digital Marketing Manager

Alison Daniels Managing Editor

Richard Hejsak Art Director

Charlie Chief Security Dog

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Contents a

OUR CROP OF ORGANIC TEA TREE

The SOiL product range brings vitality, energy and a sense of well-being to life. SOiL was built on the love of farming and nature. From farm to shelf, the commitment to quality, integrity and fair trading means that SOiL products are not only conscientious but effective too, delivering results that you can really experience.

24 Changing career

BUSINESS 5

Editor’s Letter

Business News

CAM Coach

Mags Russell on what to consider before

YOUR HEALTH 40 Astrology

taking the plunge

LunaClair looks ahead 43 New Frontiers

Mark Shields on the power of confidence

Our roundup of the latest research

10 Scent of confidence

44 Oooh! That’s new Little things to make life better

Elizabeth Ashley offers some ideas for

46 Oooh! That’s new

essential oils

12 Scent of confidence Elizabeth Ashley offers some ideas for

Interesting new products 45 Winter bookshelf Our pick of the latest new releases

essential oils

46 Jamie Oliver: 5 Ingredients

14 What women want

26 It’s a dog’s life

Understanding female clients

Mediterranean

Hayley Hilton shares her work in canine

16 On Trend Profiting from the latest consumer trends in health and wellbeing

Delicious recipes from Jamie’s latest book

massage 28 Journeys

Meet Frequency-Shift Therapy founder Britta Hochkeppel

From the ground up. 100% pure, certified organic essential oil.

30 Health Special: Natural Menopause HRT and the alternatives 34 Menopause and Women’s Health Jordi Mascio shares the latest research

38 Sea Buckthorn Bjørn Madsen explores the orange berry

50 The Good Gift Guide Festive treats for everyone on your list 56 Breaking free of your cage

19 Building your confidence The FHT’s Molly Denton provides a guide 20 Mastering Instagram All you need to know to increase effectiveness 22 Taking on staff How to avoid the pitfalls

Donna Booth on breaking self-imposed constraints 58 Meet the Maker: Dr. Lee Allen CBD entrepreneur and Intensive Care Consultant 60 Back Page All the bits we couldn’t fit in elsewhere

TO BECOME A STOCKIST OF THE SOIL ORGANIC AROMATHERAPY RANGE CONTACT PRAVERA LTD TODAY.

Email: trade@pravera.co.uk Te l : + 4 4 ( 0 ) 1 5 5 7 8 7 0 2 0 3 w w w. s o i l o r g a n i c s . c o . u k

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News & Dates

Openers

LATEST STATS: COVID DEATHS DOWN, HEART DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ARE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH

All that’s new and interesting in the world of holistic therapy… NIGERIAN BODYWORKER FAILS IN WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT Nigerian massage, Joyce Ijeoma, has collapsed some 50 hours into her attempt to set a world record for the longest massage on different individuals. She had aimed to complete a 72-hour massage-a-thon in the Lekki area of Lagos State. The record had not previously been attempted. While Ms. Ijeoma still claims the record, she had not contacted Guinness

MASSAGE ENVY SETTLES DISABILITY CASE

World Records to sanction her attempt, so the record is not regarded as official. The record for longest single full body massage is held by Alastair Galpin, who performed a massage lasting 25 hours 4 minutes in 2015.

WENDOVER MS CENTRE REBRANDS TO CHILTERNS NEURO CENTRE The centre, which has operated since 1985, has been renamed to the Chilterns Neuro Centre to expand their support services to people with neurological conditions other than multiple sclerosis. The charity has been providing services such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, oxygen therapy, acupuncture and Pilates to those with a range of neurological conditions. Around 10% of the

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centre’s 650 members are stroke survivors or have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The Chilterns Neuro Centre is inviting anyone affected by MS, Parkinson’s or is a stroke survivor to get in touch if they feel they would benefit from the services offered. Contact can be made by phoning 01296 696133 or emailing info@ chilternsneurocentre.org.

denied service. Under the settlement, the company will end its policy of prohibiting staff from providing transfer assistance to individuals with disabilities. Massage Envy US Massage spa chain, Massage also agreed to report any future Envy, has reached a settlement in a complaints. The company is also case brought under the Americans the subject of at least 180 sexual with Disabilities Act. The company assault civil suits, police complaints was accused of discriminating or complaints to state massage against individuals with disabilities boards according to Buzzfeed News. who therefore needed assistance transferring to and from massage and facial tables. Massage Envy’s policy prohibited employees at all of its locations from providing transfer assistance for customers, requiring disabled customers to bring a helper for transfer assistance. As a result, some disabled customers were

TRY THIS… A GUTFRIENDLY BREAKFAST Get your day off to a flying start with Bio&Me’s new prebiotic and gluten free granolas. Choose from nutty Cashew & Almond, or fruity Berry Burst. Each plantbased variety packs a prebiotic punch and is high in fibre, with no added sugar. Find them at Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barratt or online from www.bioandme. co.uk.

New mortality figures from the Office for National Statistics covering England and Wales show that COVID accounted for just 1.5% of all deaths in June. The virus was the eighth biggest killer in April to 13th in May. Disturbingly, the number of deaths from all causes for the first half of 2023 is 7.6% higher than average in England and 6.5% higher in Wales. This comes despite a relatively mild winter and is thought to be a lag effect

from the pandemic, when many illnesses went undiagnosed.

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LOCAL COUNCIL REJECT PLAN TO CREATE HEALTH AND WELLBEING RETREAT AT LLANERCHYDOL HALL

EDUCATED WOMEN BEST AT UNDERSTANDING OTHERS Analysis of a sample of 4,000 people from across the UK, compiled by a team of psychologists at the University of Bath, highlights that being female and educated are the biggest determinants of whether you can understand or read others’ minds. In psychology, this is known as ‘theory of mind’: the capacity to understand other people by ascribing mental states to them. On average, older people had poorer ability to understand other people, while a person’s politics is not linked to how well they understand others. Lead researcher, Dr Rachel Clutterbuck, commented, ‘The reasons for why some people are better at understanding others are not well understood, but this research provides a glimpse into

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some individual differences, such as gender, which may help to explain these social differences. “Gender is, by far, most strongly linked to how well others are understood. This finding highlights the complexity of social life and reminds us to consider the various factors that may contribute to understanding and getting on with someone.’ Ref: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284960

Powys County Council have rejected a planning application to turn a Grade II* listed manor house and grounds into a health and wellbeing retreat. The building was purchased in 2022 by Ben Sutterby, Raj Saini and George Doge who want to provide retreats and workshops, exhibition space for local artists and accommodation. The council’s planning spokesperson listed 16 problems with the proposals that would be ‘detrimental to the character and or architectural interest of the The name Llanerchydol comes

from the Welsh Llannerch Hudol which means magic glade. It is surrounded by parkland designed by John Repton which include a Japanese Water Garden.

CIDESCO RECOGNISE PRIOR LEARNING International accreditation body CIDESCO have launched a new scheme that allows schools and sections to accredit the training a therapist has obtained in their professional career. This means that

therapists with two years of working experience have the opportunity to obtain the prestigious CIDESCO Diploma or Certificate by recognising their prior education. Find out more at www.cidesco.com

WORDS OF WISDOM…

Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. Frank Lloyd Wright

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Confidence

CAM Coach Mark Shields shares how to build your confidence…

C THE POWER OF

ONFIDENCE comes from personal belief. In fact I would go as far to say high level of personal belief breeds confidence. This always reminds me of a nice story where I learnt this principle for the first time. “Success is 90% confidence” said Will Carling, the captain of English Rugby, as he glanced at me across the table. That glance and those words would change my life forever. It was the autumn of 1998 and an evening that I will never forget and advice that has resonated within me and all the work that I have done with my clients and students ever since. At age of 22, Will Carling was Britain’s youngest ever rugby captain leading the team to their most successful period ever - the World Cup final in 1991. In fact, it was in relation to this final that he continued his story. “We were 100% confident we would reach the final”, he said, “but when we got there we had not prepared and therefore lacked confidence and focus to actually win the game”.

confidence The lesson learnt by his team was that success is down to 90% confidence. So, if you truly believe you can win, with the right preparation and focus you will increase your chances many times over. They were so focused and confident of getting to the final, they didn’t know what to do once they got there. That story always stuck in my mind. The more I thought about it the more it made sense. The more I prepared and focused the more confident I became. The more confident I became the more successful I became.

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The more successful I became the more naturally everything seemed to flow and so forth. Many years on I allow this philosophy to help me go where I dare not go before and to explore new challenges in my practice and clinic. I was lucky enough to personally witness this philosophy being echoed by other sporting greats such as Roger Black and Chris Akabusi. They had similar stories to tell and similar results to evidence. Now many years on, I have to say that, success is without doubt, 90% due to confidence. I embrace this philosophy in every aspect of my life and with all clients that I see in my clinic and achieve wonderful results. Confidence self-esteem and self-belief are at the heart of every success and every failure. Some of us have got it, some of us haven’t. Confidence is known to be responsible for the majority of our success and failures and most definitely limits many individuals in their quest to run a vibrant and successful practice. In fact many of life’s opportunities are missed or go unexplored due to our inability to even check them out in the first place or leave our comfort zone to explore other opportunities. The coaching term for this is “limiting beliefs” or “limiting statements”. We focus on what we cannot do rather than what we can do. A lack of confidence goes hand in hand with low self-esteem and a lack of belief. I generally find one always accompanies the other. Rather than worry about what may never happen reframe that focus and think about how you will feel once you have explored and embraced those new ideas to take your practice or business to another level.

Our thoughts affect our confidence How we think and process information is key to our overall levels of confidence and self-esteem. Naturally, if we are positive and upbeat this is reflected in how we feel and subsequently behave. I call this The Cognitive Thinking Cycle. This principle embraces a very simple set of dynamics. What you think impacts how you feel, and impacts how you perform. Simple isn’t it. Therefore if you focus on the positive of every situation rather than the negative you will achieve better results. Let us look at the set of dynamics that affect our everyday thinking and overall state of wellbeing with particular reference to confidence.

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Self-esteem

Feedback not Failure

People with high self-esteem generally feel good about themselves. They like and believe in who they are. They feel they are worthy of being happy and successful. They also understand not everyone is perfect and they embrace forgiveness when they make mistakes. People with high self-esteem experience and enjoy all that life has to offer. When our selfesteem is strong we handle the challenges of life differently.

Feedback is interpreted far more easily than failure. We should all accept feedback on our performance, to help us improve. Never look at it as failure because it is so limiting and final. Thoughts of failure drag us down and affect our self-esteem and subsequently our confidence. Feedback is acceptance, failure is negative and limiting. Remember the cognitive thinking cycle and how this style of thinking will limit our behaviour and subsequently our success.

I was lucky enough to personally witness this philosophy being echoed by other sporting greats such as Roger Black and Chris Akabusi. . Low self-esteem sufferers see themselves as negative, destructive, and limiting. They are often vulnerable, withdrawn and insecure. They are unable to find a positive edge on anything and are particularly self-critical.

Self-confidence Self-confidence is the energy that is created by your self-esteem and belief. People with high self-confidence have an underlying self-belief in all that they do. These people accept they are good at some things and not so good at others and they accept themselves and are happy and content with all that they have.

Self-acceptance In my experience to raise your self-esteem and confidence you first have to accept and embrace who and what you are. If you can accept you cannot be great at everything and acknowledge the things you are good at this provides a good starting point.

Getting Back into the Zone Revisit some of your past successes, perhaps when you first started out as a practitioner and achieved your first success with a client. Just allow yourselves to recapture those feelings when sitting quietly and reflecting on all the value adding work you have done with people in the past just to bring those success anchors back to the surface and allow you to re enforce how good and capable you really are. We have looked at the empowering set of beliefs that drive successful people and businesses. They are relentless in achieving what they want every day and never give up. We have also looked at the importance of being confident and looked at strategies to improve your own levels of personal confidence. n

Mark’s best-selling CAM Coach book can be found

on the “in practice” degree syllabus at numerous colleges and universities. It is often described as the world’s leading resource for those looking to set up in private practice and work 121 with clients. Contact mark@ lifepractice.co.uk or his website www.thenlpcoachingcompany.com

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Confidence

Confidence The Perfectionist Perfectionists set impossibly high standards for themselves. They are constantly fear they can never make things perfect and so consistently feel they will never measure up.

Essential oils to try: Cardamom, Sweet Basil and Grapefruit Cardamom Oil

THE SCENT OF CONFIDENCE Elizabeth Ashley explains how you can use essential oils to boost your confidence…

fascinating study commissioned by Galaxy chocolate asked 4000 people about their experiences with imposter syndrome. The results were interesting showing how it not only affects more women than men, but also affects them differently. Of the men questioned, just under half (45%) revealed they had experienced imposter syndrome, but 63% also admitted they only ever felt it at work. By contrast, 53% of women admitted feeling

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under qualified or incompetent, or simply doubting themselves. The workplace brought out the imposter syndrome in 72% of women. Although 29% described it also affecting their education and even feeling it when they were out with friends. Self-doubt has real-life ramifications. Almost a quarter felt it affected their romantic relationships, 22% believed it had stopped them from making friends and 18% of the women felt it impacted their parenting. Tragically, over 60% of the women never felt truly confident, ever, in their lives. An expert on the subject, Dr. Valerie Young, speaks about how the pressure to have it all can profoundly contribute to these feelings. In her book, The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer From the Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It, Young speaks of how people exhibiting traits of imposter syndrome tend to fall into one of five categories: the Perfectionist, the Superwoman/man, the Natural Genius, the Soloist, and the Expert.

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Cardamom essential oil reassures you have done enough to shut the laptop off. It is like a Turkish coffee under the stars after a deliciously sweet exotic meal, in a Bedouin tent. It’s a strange moment in time that just makes you stop and take stock. It’s a magical thing that makes you stop, sit down and enjoy the view. It whispers, “Look at how far you’ve come.” You might also contemplate the beautiful woven carpet on your feet in the sand. Arabic rugs are always made with a deliberate fault somewhere in the weave because of the Muslim belief that only Allah is perfect. Cardamom seems to know that. It helps you to see beauty in your mistakes, to take them in your stride, and to view them as mastery of the process.

Sweet Basil Oil I call Sweet Basil, the oil of empowerment. She is like a significant sergeant shouting in your ear, demanding that you get out of your head. It’s like the shove out of the plane when you have been checking your parachute for twenty minutes. It is the power to fly despite yourself.

Grapefruit Oil The most flamboyant and risqué essential oil of them all. The ultimate fizz fest. Grapefruit’s got no time for imposter syndrome. She’s too busy living the dream. This oil doesn’t give a flying fudge about what anyone else says. Strong, sassy, and daft, Grapefruit kicks a can-can, showing everyone her knickers as she goes! You’ll surrender your worries in no time.

The Superwoman/man The problem with success is then you need to cover all bases, lest someone find you out. Trying to be best is exhausting. The number of hours you need to work is colossal. Your team mates love it because they always know you’ll pick up the slack, but it’s not so much fun for the family.

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Essential oil to try: Sandalwood and Cedarwood Sandalwood Oil Slow down and stop. Sandalwood doesn’t necessarily change mindset, but it quietens doubt.

Cedarwood Oil Chases away negative thoughts so you can stop the niggling worry there may be something you have missed.

The Natural Genius Because things come so easily to these people, they worry they don’t deserve to be successful because they don’t actually put in that much effort. Often they don’t need much coaching because they pick things up quickly, and they’ve probably never failed an exam in their lives. There are two elements to this. How hard other people work will not be lost on them, and they feel guilty about that. Further, all this works fairly well until they do find something they can’t do. They don’t have the strategies in place to know how to deal with that, so it can be traumatic, affecting their whole world view. Self-esteem suffers irreparable damage.

Essential oil to try: Patchouli Patchouli Oil Everything about patchouli speaks of embodiment. Trauma can scare you out of your skin. Patchouli helps you wriggle back into the body you used to walk in and gets that old swagger going again.

The Expert Experts always worry there is a fact or some data they have missed. If they do discover one, it unsettles them terribly. What if there is another one, and another one?

Essential oils to try: Vetiver Oil

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The Soloist These people feel they have to do everything on their own. To them, their inability to cope with their workload proves they weren’t good enough for their jobs in the first place. This is nonsense because everyone else is succeeding because they have a massive team doing the same amount of work the soloist is doing on their own.

Essential oils to try: Lavender and Sweet Orange Lavender Oil Encourages you to let go of the idea that you always have to be better than everyone else. Instead, trust there are people who genuinely want to play a part in your success and that it is not a weakness to ask them to help you.

Sweet Orange Oil Such a positive oil; it feels like sunshine and somehow like you are more likeable which makes it easier to ask for what you need.

How to use your essential oils We want to affect thoughts, so sniffing the oils is the fastest and most efficient way to do this. Essential oil inhalers or aroma pendants are good ways to do this. You might consider making a roller ball of a blend to put onto the insides of your wrists to work in harmony with that. Always dilute your oils into a carrier oil. For all of these, use 3 drops per 5ml of carrier. Massage oils and lotions are lovely. Apart from Grapefruit, all these essential oils would be great to help you relax in the bath. They would all be safe after the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. n

Elizabeth Ashley is the UK Director of the National

Association of Holistic Aromatherapists, and the author of The Secret Healer series of essential oil manuals. She is a prolific

Vetiver Oil

youtuber and writer. To follow her work,

The oil of tranquillity helps us to concentrate and remember.

visit

https://linktr.ee/thesecrethealer

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Female clients

Understanding the needs and priorities of your female clients is essential if you want to be a successful business…

N article in the Harvard Business Review notes that female consumers are likely to spend more or trade up on food, fitness, beauty, and apparel. They also mention that women feel dissatisfied with financial services and health care, being made to feel like second class citizens. Holistic therapies are particularly well positioned to combat this dissatisfaction with health services and make the most of female consumers’ willingness to spend more on fitness, food and beauty. Overall, women make between 70% and 80% of a household’s buying decisions, yet over 90% of women feel that they aren’t understood by those who market products and services. Think of the car salesman that addresses all his comments to a male partner even though the car is for the woman and she’s both choosing and paying for it! When it comes to purchasing goods and services, research suggests that women shop differently from men. Women generally do more research and comparison before deciding what to buy and where to get it from. This is why having a website, lively social media and strong reviews and testimonials and, above all, being authentic, can be really helpful in bringing in new female clients. US research suggests that women are more likely to buy from brands that other women like on Facebook or that appears on their Pinterest feed.

WHAT WOMEN WANT 14

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Women also react more strongly to personal interactions when shopping, so it might be easier to upsell or suggest add-on products than when dealing with men. We need to recognise two things. Firstly, that women earn less on average than men. There are proportionally more women in lower paid jobs and part-time work. This means that women suffer disproportionally when there’s a cost of living crisis, because they had less in the way of discretionary spending to start with. Secondly, that women are not homogenous, but rather their needs and desires, and their health and personal goals vary considerably. While female clients need to be treated as individuals, there are some underlying needs that, if you address then in your marketing, social media and service portfolio, should help you bring in more female clients.

To be listened to One of the main reasons that women visit holistic therapists is that they feel they aren’t being listened to by their doctors or the allopathic medical establishment. The difficulty in getting a face to face appointment, coupled with the typical 8-10 minute appointment duration and the lack of mental health support means that women are often treated as simplified symptoms - she’s a depressive, she’s just getting on a bit, it’s probably hormones – rather than multi-faceted individuals. Many women feel that they are simply being palmed off with painkillers rather than treating the root causes of their illness. Take time to really listen to potential clients when they call about making an appointment and ask lots of open questions during your initial consultation and subsequent treatment sessions. The more you know about how your client feels, the better the outcome for both of you.

To feel safe Again, this one may seem obvious, but many women feel anxious when trying something new and where they don’t know what is expected of them. There are so many stories of massage clients being sexually assaulted or cameras being found in changing rooms that potential clients may need to feel reassured that your practice is a safe space. Not only should you be explaining what will happen, but take the time to explain why, for

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example, you are asking them to remove clothing, or why you are about to touch and move their body to perform an assessment.

To be treated as a person This should be obvious, but very often women are ignored or overlooked by the very people that are responsible for keeping them healthy. We know that women’s pain is often treated as less severe than that experienced by men. We know that perceived health problems can be dismissed as simply a matter of age, gender or as being all in the head. We know that drugs are tested, in the most part, on young men, so may not work the same way for women. We even know that women experiencing heart attacks are often missed because doctors and medical staff have a lower level of awareness of the symptoms women exhibit.

When it comes to purchasing goods and services, research suggests that women shop differently from men. Women generally do more research and comparison before deciding what to buy and where to get it from. Women recognise that their health issues are multi-dimensional, affecting mind, body and spirit.

To have something for themselves As many holistic therapists know personally, lots of women give so much of themselves to those around them that they have precious few resources when it comes to looking after their own wellbeing. For some women, their regular treatment is almost like a sacred

space, perhaps the only time in their week or month when they get to lie back and have someone else take care of them. Their appointment should feel special, though that will mean different things to different women. Focus entirely on the client. Some may relish silence while others prefer relaxing music, some will unload their issues on you while others remain a mystery. Some will appreciate a choice of massage oil scents, while others don’t want to make any decisions during their treatment. You need to adapt your treatments so your client feels like their treatment is specifically designed for them.

To change for the better All your clients come to you because they want to feel better. The exact form this state of improvement takes will depend on both your client, their condition and your own skills and modality. It makes sense to explore what your clients’ desired treatment outcomes are so you can work towards these and establish milestones along the way. Sometimes these improvements will be tangible, like being able to resume running marathons, for example, but for women in particular, change may be less tangible, but more about their emotional or mental state. Women may well make up the majority of your clientele. Developing a deeper understanding can help you retain them for longer and turn them into walking ambassadors for your business. n

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Consumer trends

PROFITING FROM CONSUMER TRENDS IN W

Our businesses do better when they understand and align with the latest consumer trends, particularly when it comes to female clients…

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ELLNESS is one of those strange concepts that everyone understands but no one can define. Our definitions of what it means to be well and feel well is constantly evolving. In turn, this means our clients’ needs, desires and expectations change over time, in part due to external influences like social media and a desire for novelty and in part as their own priorities shift as they grow older. We’ve seen some trends come and go, while others last the course. Slimming classes have moved online for the most part and the demand for nutritional products and services may fall as obesity drugs become more mainstream. Similarly, exercise fads fade away. Franchises like Massage Envy are growing rapidly in the USA, but the franchise model still hasn’t gained much of a foothold in the UK. In short, holistic therapists operate in a market that’s subject to rapid and sweeping change, yet underpinned by some constants in terms of customer needs. Our clients want to feel better, whether that’s physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually, but they ways in which they seek to achieve this changes. Businesses which fail to understand these changes tend to perform poorly. So what emerging trends should we be seeking to capitalise on?

The fundamental change The biggest change in consumer behaviour is fuelled by the cost of living crisis. We all have less money to spend and that means that essentials, such as food, shelter, power and paying the bills take priority over discretionary spending. Aligning your chakras takes a back seat when you’re just trying to make it through to the end of

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the month. The bad news is that, for many people, things are going to get worse. The Bank of England calculates that around a million households in the UK will be paying an average of £500 more a month on their mortgages by 2026. So far, 4.5 million have seen an increase when their fixed rate mortgage came to an end after interest rates started to rise in late 2021. Rents are likely to rise as well, given that many landlords use their rental income to cover their mortgage payments. Pensioners, however, may be relatively insulated from these issues should they own their homes outright and have some protection from the triple lock on the state pension. There are two approaches to mitigating this. The first is to offer better value. This is difficult in that you will have your own pressures financially, so lowering prices, especially when overheads are rising is very unwise. Can you bundle several services together, or offer a discount on courses of treatment? Could you offer shorter, express appointments or post reductions on your social media channels for last minute availability? Alternatively, you could look at using discounting sites or even running an introductory offer where an existing client who refers a new one to you gets a discount on their next treatment. Even those who can well afford your services are switching their purchasing behaviour, for example, using discount supermarkets for basics and then topping up at a more expensive store. The second is to reposition as a luxury or treat service. Several studies have shown that even when people are on a budget, they set money aside for small treats. They also tend not to reduce their spending on gifts, so offering gift vouchers makes sense. If your income is seasonal, then this can help tide you over during the winter months. Whichever option you strategy you adopt, now’s a good time to review your service portfolio to see which services are in demand and which don’t interest your current clientele and which contribute the most to your income and adjust accordingly.

Spa trends The Good Spa Guide has just published the State of Spa Report 2023. Keep in mind that those who visit spas generally do so as a

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treat a few times a year, or as their vacation, rather that doing so on a weekly basis. The report draws on the responses of over 8800 respondents, with almost 90% being women. Over two thirds said they planned to spend the same as last year on their spa visits, which, in effect, will mean that they visit less often. 26% planned to spend less and just 2% planned to spend more. 4% said they’d stopped going to spas at present. Interestingly, 47% of spa customers said that holistic options and mindfulness classes were not a main priority when booking. Thermal rooms, the right treatment selection, relaxation rooms and outdoor space were all sought after, though sustainability has declined in importance in the minds of spa customers. Changing rooms matter too, with almost 85% favouring individual or gendered changing rooms. One interesting finding was that almost 20% of people worried about going to a spa because they didn’t feel body confident, so making sure that clients of all shapes and sizes feel welcome is essential. Consider electrical massage tables that can be easily lowered for access, or robust models that can take larger clients with ease.

US trends: relationships with wellness Mindbody and ClassPass recently surveyed over 17000 Americans about their relationships with wellness which through up some interesting findings that may also apply to UK consumers. The first of these was that 43% of consumers regarded fitness, beauty and wellness businesses as a place of community where people gather and meet. Think about gossiping while having your nails done or the camaraderie of a yoga class. We

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know how essential social connections are to health and wellbeing, but they may also indicate a potential market for group holistic treatments. Nearly 40% of US consumers are embracing a more natural lifestyle, with men more likely than women to grow their own food, choose holistic remedies and supplements, and aim to become more self-reliant. Women express the same desire by using natural products. How about a gua sha, facial massage or lymphatic drainage facial, or an exclusive forest retreat with outdoor treatments? Over 40% of respondents, particularly younger men, expressed an interest in adaptogens, like stressreducing mushrooms, or nootropics which support brain performance, so these are growing areas of interest alongside psychedelics. 39% of women, again, particularly GenZ and millennials, prefer women-only gyms or fitness centres, with many feeling selfconscious about body shape or intimidated by the atmosphere of mixed spaces. Treatments based round the menopause or menstrual cycle, whether this is nutritional or exercise advice seem to be growing in popularity.

The long game Consumers are increasingly pursuing treatments and activities that are designed to ensure a longer healthspan. 29% of US consumers say living a long and healthy life is their principal reason for exercising, a figure which is rising. This may be down to people retiring later or the resetting of priorities post-pandemic. Interest is growing in strength training for day to day activities and in injury recovery services, which may be less prone to cuts in household income. Conversations with your clients and social media following can help you get a clearer idea of how their health goals are changing and how you can adapt to make the most of this. n

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FHT

GROW YOUR

CONFIDENCE The Federation of Holistic Therapist’s editor, Molly Denton, offers some tips to boost self-confidence in your business abilities…

S a therapist, your career is centred on improving the health and wellbeing of others. Yet, there are days when you may not feel your best. Balancing multiple responsibilities, specialising in different treatments and seeing a varied client-base each day can challenge your confidence. However, self-confidence is vital as it empowers you to establish trust and rapport with clients while maintaining clear, professional boundaries. So, if you’re feeling like you could use a confidence boost, here are some easy tips to try:

Learn the foundations First and foremost, it’s important to understand the roots of confidence.

Confidence is deeply connected to self-belief and self-esteem and developing it requires cultivating a sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance through acknowledging your strengths and areas for growth. By embracing these qualities, you can feel sure of yourself and your abilities, and radiate a safe space for clients to explore their challenges. Not only does this foster trust and open communication in your client but it can help you feel empowered in guiding them towards their desired outcomes.

Cultivate knowledge with CPD By consistently engaging in Continued Professional Development (CPD) activities, you can enhance your skills, expand your knowledge and stay abreast of the latest trends in your field. As you refine your practice, you can gain a deeper understanding of the treatments you offer and feel more competent in your business. Not only that, but it also provides you with the opportunity to explore new modalities, techniques and approaches, allowing you to offer a more diverse and comprehensive approach to client care. Find out more about CPD by visiting fht.org.uk/cpd.

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Celebrate your successes Entering awards, such as the FHT Excellence Awards, can significantly contribute to growing confidence as a therapist. But here’s the thing, it’s not about winning the award that matters; taking the time to prepare and submit an entry requires you to reflect on your achievements, skills and the positive impact you have made on your clients’ lives. This self-reflection not only helps you recognise your own value, but also serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of holistic therapy on others. Embrace the opportunity to share your story and inspire others in the field.

Build a supportive network Probably one of the most effective ways to inspire confidence is to share what you know and learn with like-minded people. The FHT support a wide range of local groups who provide a vibrant and supportive community for individuals who are passionate about therapies. Engaging with these groups allows you to expand your knowledge, learn from others and build lasting relationships. Interacting with fellow therapists who understand the challenges and joys of the profession can be uplifting. Sharing experiences, seeking advice and receiving encouragement from others who understand can boost confidence and nurture personal growth on a deeper level.

Practise what you preach Holistic therapy recognises that physical, mental and emotional wellbeing are deeply intertwined and seeks to address imbalances in all areas to promote overall health. When you consistently apply these principles and techniques that you offer to your own life, you not only deepen your understanding and mastery of them, but you also experience firsthand the positive impact they can have. n

FHT offers qualified practitioners and students

a range of membership and insurance benefits to help support them, every step of their therapy career. Visit www.fht.org.uk or call 023 8062 4350.

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HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

BUSINESS

Mastering Instagram

Keep it natural

Mastering

Instagram Sometimes social media means a lot of effort for very little return. Here’s how to make Instagram work for you…

NSTAGRAM attracts around 37.4 million users in the UK, or around half the population. Although Instagram is often perceived as a female-focussed social media platform, only 54.3% of users are female, with many using Instagram several times a day. 2020 figures suggest the average UK user spent 53 minutes a day on the platform and that 80% followed at least one business profile. Users tend to scroll through the images in their feed, stopping only when one particularly interests them, so your content needs to be visually led and the images need to be arresting, engaging and relevant to your followers. That means using high quality

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Holistic therapy is, essentially, all about natural health and wellbeing, so your content should be authentic. Be yourself and look like yourself. The use of filters is rather passé and although we understand the temptation, it’s easy to go overboard with Photoshop resulting in some very unconvincing proportions and artificial appearances.

creating an emotional response to your images and words. Look for images that make you feel happy, a sense of achievement, make you laugh, provide motivation, comfort, or mirror the aspirations of your followers. While black and white images may look atmospheric, research shows that colourful images get more response, so make your posts and videos colourful.

Don’t fake it

Find some inspiration

You can purchase followers to make it look as if you have a large number of followers. It’s tempting to do this so you appear to be popular, but most of these purchased followers aren’t real and don’t respond to your posts. Not only is this a waste of money and the time spent on producing content for an imaginary audience, but it also undermines your credibility. It’s inevitable that people will question if your followers are fake, what else are you faking?

Instagram has a search and explore function which you can use to see similar content and get ideas for your own posts. Just tap the magnifying glass icon and you’ll be taken to a selection of curated content that should reflect your interests, based on posts you’ve previously liked or commented upon. This content is based on the types of photo and video posts you’ve liked or commented on. Consider what appeals to you about this content and what you dislike. Try to understand the visual and emotional appeal. Can you create similarly engaging content? Also look at how these content creators use hashtags. Are they kept to two or three relevant and meaningful tags or have they gone overboard? Try not to use tags that are off topic, way too specific, or too numerous. Check which hashtags people search for.

While black and white images may look atmospheric, research shows that colourful images get more response, so make your posts and videos colourful. Instead, you could try exchanging a shout out with another Instagrammer. This might be another therapist, or a local business. For example, if you have a friend who is a hairdresser or a baker, you might let their followers know how great they are and they do the same for you. This can work well if there are a few businesses in a street or area that all support each other in this way.

images and video content. Posts which speak to the viewer’s emotions get higher levels of response, as do more colourful images. Lifestyle and aspirational/inspirational images work well, so think how you can match your content to these basic criteria.

Be engaging

Keep it focussed The key to making Instagram work for you is to figure out what your goals are. Do you want to amass followers, or people who actually buy your products and services? Do you see yourself as an influencer? If so, how much of your life, privacy and mental wellbeing are you willing to sacrifice? Decide on your goals and ask yourself how each post helps you achieve them.

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To succeed with Instagram, you need to engage with your followers. That means providing content that has some value to them. Think carefully about how your followers want to feel. They come to you because they want to enjoy better health, feel less pain, be more positive, have a full life, perhaps change their appearance, become more flexible, age well – it could be any of these things, but your content should be designed to create these emotions in your audience. That means

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Consistency is key to building an audience Think of your followers as being like a temperamental houseplant. You need to keep them ‘fed and watered’ on a regular basis and they need the right soil conditions and location to grow and flourish. Try to post consistently, every day or two days rather than posting ten images in an hour and then neglecting them for three weeks. You can also use temporary content called stories. They appear in the form of a circular bubble that the user taps. Stories only remain on the site for 24 hours, then automatically disappear so you can use them for things like letting people know about special offers or

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availability for the next day if a client cancels. Stories can be video or image content.

Instagram is about building a conversation If someone likes or comments on a post, you should always respond to this. It’s surprisingly common to see people asking questions about a product or service and then be left hanging. It’s rude and counterproductive. Make time to check for comments each day and respond. Don’t worry too much about building numbers. It’s better to have a smaller number of dedicated followers who actually buy your products and services that to have hundreds of thousands of followers that you feel forced to keep interested with content, but who don’t make a difference to your bottom line. We get a psychological boost of dopamine when we get a like or comment and this can become addictive in some cases. Remember that likes don’t pay your rent and the supermarket won’t be impressed by the number of followers you have. It may be an idea to hide the number of likes a post receives if you find yourself becoming obsessed by this. You can also target specific followers using Messenger. So, for example, if a follower has asked about, say an exercise for a sprained wrist, you could respond directly, offering an appointment if they are local, or an online consultation over Zoom if not. You could also send a video message demonstrating the exercise or treatment. Sometimes you may find that you get trolled or receive messages you’d rather not have. You can use Limits to decide which direct messages you see – perhaps excluding mentions of ‘Happy endings’ for example. You can use a feature called Hidden Words which will put words, phrases and emoji that you select into a separate folder you can then review or discard the contents as appropriate. Above all, remember that Instagram, like all other forms of social media, is meant to work for you. It should be just one of the tools you use to build your business and your brand. It should not take over your life. n

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BUSINESS

Taking on staff

Taking on staff+

TAKING ON

STAFF

Taking on staff can add to your revenue streams, but it can also be a nightmare, so how can you navigate the pitfalls and find the right person?

HERE may come a point where you find you have more demand for your services than you have time available. Taking on someone to help out might seem the obvious solution, but how do you find the right person and what type of contract should you offer? Taking on someone to work with you is a tricky decision. The person you choose should share your approach and values and have the right skill set. This might mean looking for a fellow holistic therapist or finding someone to take on the administrative, financial and marketing parts of your business so you can spend your time with clients. Either way, choosing the wrong person could be a costly mistake, damaging your reputation and proving difficult to get rid of.

Friends and family You may feel tempted to ask a friend or a family member to work with you. This can be problematic because you already have established patterns of behaviour and boundaries with that person. If your mother habitually criticises you or treats you like you’re eight, what makes you think that will change because you’ve given her a seat behind your reception desk? Similarly, would you feel able to reprimand your best friend for making an error or being

rude to a client? Could you sack your sister or make her redundant? It may well be safer to employ someone with whom you have no prior relationship, provided you recognise that they are colleagues, not friends, and keep some professional distance.

Types of employment Many people are happy to work part time or seasonal contracts, for example, only working during term-time when their children are at school, or working for a few hours at weekends on in the evening, so think about when you need your new recruit to actually be available. This will dictate likely living circumstances of your potential applicants and can help you determine which kind of employment contract you’ll be offering, given that your own patterns of demand might be seasonal or fluctuate over the course of a week. You should also think about what benefits you can offer and benchmark typical wages in your area for the type of role you have to offer. You might also realise that one person may not be able to offer all the skills you need, so perhaps employing a couple of people for a few hours a week or using freelancers on a project basis would give you added flexibility.

Permanent employees: this is a permanent ongoing contract, where you have to provide paid holidays, sick pay and pay National Insurance and provide a workplace pension if wages go over a certain level. Fixed-term contracts: These last for a fixed period of time and can be used if you want someone to work to cover maternity leave, for example, or to cover a seasonal peak. Zero hours contracts: these are increasingly used in the retail sector and are often regarded as exploitative. Essentially, you are expecting someone to be available to work for you, but with no guarantee that you will provide work. Pay can fluctuate and few people work on this type of contract where a more stable option exists. Typically, zero hours contract positions result in high

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

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levels of staff turnover and low levels of loyalty and customer service. Temporary staff: Temps are normally sourced from an agency, who deal with paying the recruit and dealing with National Insurance etc. It can be a good way of trying people out before offering a more permanent role, but there are very few agencies which specialise in staff for spas or holistic therapy practices. After 12 weeks, agency staff become entitled to the same basic rate of pay and benefits as permanent employees. Freelancers: Freelancers are responsible for their own tax and NI arrangements and need to be legally self-employed or have their own company. It’s most likely that you would use a freelancer to undertake a specific project, such as developing your website or helping with marketing, but this form of employment would also apply to renting a room out to another therapist.

because many younger people will not apply where this information is missing.

First steps in recruiting staff As a growing business, it’s essential that you recruit the right person to work with. That means someone who can do the job, shows enthusiasm, excels with clients and reflects well on your business and brand. Recruiting the wrong person can do a lot of damage. You might find you get bad reviews, lose clients, find money missing, or, in extreme circumstances, find your business being dragged in to a sexual assault case. This means you need to do your homework, because you can’t really afford to get it wrong. Start by working out exactly what it is you need your new member of staff to do and how they need to behave. Make a list of skills, attributes and attitudes and prioritise these as essential and nice to have. For example, it may be that accredited advanced massage skills, weekend availability and two years’ experience are non-negotiable, and additional therapies may be nice to have. Make a list of what the recruit can expect from you in terms of pay, working hours and benefits, plus other information, like whether uniforms are provided. It may sense to create a job specification and a person specification if you’re offering a long-term role.

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Make a list of what the recruit can expect from you in terms of pay, working hours and benefits, plus other information, like whether uniforms are provided. Next, think about where your ideal recruit is likely to be found. Starting by asking around in your own network of holistic therapists can be a sensible option as you may find candidates, but also get some inside information on their capabilities and attitudes. Someone who is habitually late or untidy would be more trouble than they are worth. If you decide to advertise, you can do so on local online job sites, or community Facebook sites. You could also contact nearby training providers if you’d consider someone newly qualified. You should always state the salary,

Assessing and interviewing If possible, interview alongside someone else from your business, or someone whose experience and instincts you trust. It’s good to have a variety of views and if you interview alone, your own nerves and those of your potential new member of staff can mean that the pair of you talk too much OR have to endure awkward silences. Make sure you have your questions ready and that you start interviews on time. Use situational questions that allow for open answers, rather than yes/ no responses. Ask candidates to demonstrate their skills in a practical way, but warn them of this in advance. For example, you might ask a marketing person to write a newsletter article or blog, while a therapist should demonstrate their expertise, because there are people who interview well and whose lack of skill only becomes apparent too late. Similarly, the chance to show what they can do can encourage candidates who find interviews intimidating. This should help you make the best possible choice of staff for your business. n

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BUSINESS

Career change

I have always enjoyed interactions with people and problem solving. Being a yoga teacher is so fulfilling. I love adapting postures so that it is more suitable for my students and thinking of ways that I can help them and their various concerns. Much like thinking on my feet when I worked in IT trying to come up with solutions that would work Skills like problem solving, customer interaction, communication, presentation and training will all be useful if you switch career.

How to choose your training

WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN CHANGING CAREER Yoga teacher Mags Russell explores the factors that need to be considered when changing career…

OSTLY holistic therapists, coaches and yoga teachers have previously worked in another field. We find our way here through experience and intuition, but leaving your old career and embarking on a new one is daunting, so you need to be sure that you’re making the right decision. At school I wanted to be a physiotherapist and also to be an entrepreneur. Instead, I studied maths at university, before joining M&S’ management scheme

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for graduates before moving to Aberdeen and joining an oil company’s fast track management scheme. I worked in the IT department, supporting their financial systems, before working my way up to positions that involved training and running a busy IT help desk.

List your skills and understand your motivation I loved the buzz of working in a team and dealing with customers. I also enjoyed the challenge of making things happen on time, all of which are important skills when working for yourself. When my youngest was born he was very ill with undiagnosed allergies. My friend told me about a yoga class with a crèche. I originally went for a rest and a recharge. But over the years I realised how much the yoga was helping me. I had 3 children under 5 at this stage and planned to take a career break until they were older as I didn’t like not putting my heart into a job.

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Once you know your existing strengths and skillset, you will need to consider the best ways to round them out with skills you lack. In my case, I had cancer in 2013 and found, again, that yoga really helped me. Two years later, I was thinking about what I wanted to do. My mother has developed dementia so I was caring for her a lot, so this delayed me going back to work again My original yoga teacher told me I should become a yoga teacher. My kids used to do martial arts so I joined them, training as an assistant instructor and I realised how much I enjoyed that. So combining the two, I thought I would enjoy becoming a yoga teacher. My teacher advised doing the course she did. This was a two year course with the prestigious Yoga Scotland in Glasgow. I signed up and attended an interview day. After meeting the main tutors on the interview day and sampling their styles of yoga, I knew this would be the perfect course for me. It was something for me to get the brain active again. I liked the fact there were also additional tutors who were experts in anatomy and philosophy. We had to write essays each month. It was the challenge I was after. Thanksfully, for me, money was not a consideration, but it is a primary consideration for many people when changing careers. Make sure you factor in the costs of travelling and accommodation too. You need to consider your realistic expected revenues, all the costs and whether you can afford to work for yourself. It’s a big step and can mean less financial security. Many on the same course I took planned to teach part time as a side business to their current job but a few of us have managed to make it our main job. If you don’t have business skills, particularly in finance and marketing, it really would be advantageous to acquire either before or during your training. It was briefly touched on in my course but I was glad I had experience in finance beforehand. You should also do some competitor research by finding out about what classes or holistic treatments are offered in your area, how much

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people charge and the locations where classes are offered and how full their classes are.

The pros and cons of working for yourself Once I was trained my intention was always to go back to the corporate world and maybe teach the occasional class. Life had a different plan. One of my sons got really ill around this time so needed lots of hospital visits and my mother had been taken into a care home. So teaching yoga twice a week fitted in perfectly with this. Then, through word of mouth, I started a 3rd, 4th and 5th class. This has slowly grown over several years, now I am fortunate to teach eight classes a week on a Tuesday to Thursday. This makes it the ideal job for me. I make a very modest wage compared to my old job but I am very happy, well rested and love that my job allows me the flexibility to be there for my mother and my family. Now that my children are away at university, teaching yoga still gives me time to visit my mother in her home each day.

You need to be available when people want to come to your classes or get treatment from you. I really appreciate my yoga teacher friends that I have met through this process. I love that I can choose my hours. I also love my students and the satisfaction of helping someone strengthen their legs so they can get back to walking up a flight of stairs again or helping another student with lower back pain or another with balance issues. Being able to take a good break around Christmas and summer is also lovely so I can spend time with my family. The unpredictable salary and the drop in money is really hard. It’s something you really need to talk about if you have a partner and you need to do your sums. So many people don’t last very long when they are running their own business. You need to understand running costs, for example, most halls and other venues

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want to be paid up front for a block of several weeks. A few also require you to sign up a year’s lease for a hall at a set time. This is a risk if you are unsure how many students will turn up and then stay with you. Sometimes when starting a class you will barely cover costs until it gets established. Perhaps a change of day or time is required, most venues will allow this if they have availability. I’m also not the best at advertising for finding new clients although I have got better at this over the years. Thankfully most of my new students start after being recommended by a friend and I have many loyal regulars, so I’m lucky in that my classes are very well attended. Working hours are another consideration. You need to be available when people want to come to your classes or get treatment from you. You also need to be consistent with opening hours. For me, working during the evening is definitely the hardest part of the job. With people retiring later now, there is less call for daytime classes. When the weather is fine and my neighbours are sitting out enjoying the sunshine. I often feel that I would prefer to stay at home and enjoy it too. It helps to establish a network of friends who also work in holistic therapy or teach yoga as sometimes they can step in if you come down with something and vice versa and you need to consider how much support you’ll be able to call upon from your family and friends. Working for yourself is hard at the best of times, but doing so without support will be twice as difficult. The last thing is to believe in yourself and that you can succeed if you choose to work for yourself, provided you do your homework! n

Mags Russell teaches Hatha yoga and Chair yoga in

Aberdeenshire. Find out more at: https://grampianyoga.org.uk/profile/ mags-russell/ or https://www.facebook. com/magsyogaclasses

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

BUSINESS

Animal therapy

Canine massage IT’S A DOG’S LIFE:

Canine massage and energy worker Hayley Hilton shares her joy in working with animals…

EFORE I became a holistic therapist, I worked in analytical chemistry and clinical research as well as being a Royal Navy reservist. In 2014, I crumbled under the weight of others’ expectations of me and my Rottweiler Lola helped me discover that I loved spending time with dogs in nature. We opened Hilton Hotel for Dogs, a homebased alternative to kennels. In 2016, I found I was missing science and then a Facebook ad for the Canine Massage Therapy Centre popped up on my feed. At the same time, Lola tore her cruciate ligament and I felt powerless to help. She made a full recovery and I managed to stave off any over compensatory issues with the power of canine massage. Now my hands and my heart love what I do, especially when I am told of the huge difference it makes to my clients and their owners. I feel truly blessed to be working in this field as we both grow together. I completed the two-year Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme which covers Anatomy and Physiology of the Dog as well as veterinary regulations and included six residential weekends working on the practical techniques and case studies before both written and practical exams. I undertake at least 25 hours of CPD a year. My main therapy is Clinical Canine Massage but I do incorporate shamanic guide work and reiki into the sessions too, ensuring every part of the dog is seen as a whole. I trained in Shamanic Healing modalities with Taz Thornton and in Reiki with Rob Fellows.

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

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After a while, I started offering full body massages to the dog owners too – especially when they couldn’t keep up with their treated dog! I already had a certificate in Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Swedish massage, but had only worked with friends and family, so I took a refresher course. Now half my patients are dogs and half are human. I charge the same for both species. I offer a three session package for dogs, because that brings the best results, building trust and getting them used to the treatment. The Canine Massage Guild has been going for ten years and has over 120 therapists across the UK. Holistic therapy for animals is a growth area as our pets become increasing seen as family members and vets more understanding of the benefits such treatment brings. There are raw feeding experts, homeopathic and zoopharmacognosy consultants, energy workers and animal communicators, so the field will continue to grow.

My main therapy is Clinical Canine Massage but I do incorporate shamanic guide work and reiki into the sessions too For me, the main challenges of working with animals are keeping them calm after the treatment, especially if they have a tendency to be high energy around food or walking routines. Sometimes an excited dog will jump on furniture to greet visitors which may undo all the great work that the therapist has done. Thankfully with massage therapy, the dog usually feels tired as the body gets rid of any toxins and delivers fresh blood supply to the places that need to promote healing. Most of my canine clients trust me quite quickly. Different breeds give different signals to pain so interacting with the dog if they don’t like the initial stages… chatting to them, watching for reactions to tender spots, giving a treat to appease them or altering technique until the pain has lowered… all can increase the probability that they will let you darken their doorstep again for another session. One of my regular clients is a three-legged Greyhound called Dobby. He was in so much pain two years ago that I was his last hope. But a huge improvement was seen by just that first

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session when I received a text from the owner saying “You thoroughly lied to me, you said he’d be tired, but this ****** is chasing his brother round the garden”. That kind of joyous feedback makes me know I make a difference. Now Dobby automatically lies down for me to start treatment as soon as I arrive at his house!

I love being able to help them feel significantly less pain, especially when I find a muscle that I can release with immediate effect and see them visibly relax afterwards. I love being able to help them feel significantly less pain, especially when I find a muscle that I can release with immediate effect and see them visibly relax afterwards… I had one cockapoo who had become very angry and snapping at family when they went to stroke him, especially round his hips. Treating him very slowly and very gently was key but again he tried biting me when I touched his back legs. His owner steadied his head and shoulders whilst I worked on him and carried out a few techniques from The Lenton Method® releasing his quadriceps muscles and then we stopped so he could relax again. But from that point forward, he became a whole new dog, much happier in himself, able to be groomed with no worries and no snapping at family members. I am also incredibly honoured to help the ageing dogs feel more comfortable in their later years. Helping at that end stage, so the dog feels more relaxed helps the whole family can create happy memories during their final days together is humbling. I can often be a sounding block for the owners giving compassion at a time that is needed and also getting them to tell me of their happiest memories together.

There are a vast array of hands on therapies that require veterinary consent, including Canine Massage, Physiotherapy, McTimmoney Chiropractic and Hydrotherapy. This ensures there are no underlying health problems that the therapy may impede. I know there are more and more holistic vets out there as more is understood about how much complementary and alternative techniques can help. There are certain techniques that only Vets can undertake, such as acupuncture, because of the infection risk, but acupressure can be done by a non-vet, one example being T-Touch. There are also hands-off therapies for deep relaxation and healing like Reiki or other types of energy work, homeopathy, essential oil work or even animal communication which can help understand the dog’s needs and improve relationships. Whatever animal healing modality interests you, I’d recommend getting in touch with a registered expert in the country you wish to practice in for more detailed information. n

Hayley Hilton is a qualified canine and human massage

therapist and energy worker covering the South Lancashire and Cheshire areas. Find out more at https:// handsonheart.dog/

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

JOURNEYS: BUSINESS

Journeys

JOURNEYS:

Britta Hochkepple The founder of FrequencyShift treatment discusses her life path…

The trauma in my own personal life spurred me to find healing solutions

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

IKE many people who are drawn to healing, I felt aware of vibration and energy and a presence beside me from an early age. We lived in Germany and my childhood was marked with physical and mental trauma. I felt very isolated in my pain. I was bullied at school and told I was too sensitive. When I was 11 years old my parents divorced and not long after I suffered sexual abuse. My problems just kept building and building and I felt extremely isolated and lost. My grandmother Gertrude was my rock and my inspiration. Looking back, I realise she was a healer, charming warts, working with herbs and very much into energy. She was the kindest lady, with a mind of steel and a heart of gold. The trauma in my own personal life spurred me to find healing solutions. I graduated as a diploma Naturopath, followed by Progressive Kinesiology then became Reiki Master in early 2000 and expanded my psychic abilities at the Tony Stockwell psychic college, before training in frequency and sound healing. I feel blessed that I can read and connect to the person’s energy and have the medical background too - as that is the perfect combination for me as it enables me to support the individual with nutritional advice in addition to diving into their troubled souls and help them to recalibrate.

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I think of what I offer as a healing journey. As I connect to the source or otherwise known as the vortex the energy field of the universe, I feel myself merge with the emotional body of my client and can see, sense or even hear fragments of their past…. even unresolved past lives. I tap into their soul energy with my right hand. I use a variety of healing techniques which include specific breathing and connecting to the past which the emotional body uses as a much needed valve to release repressed emotional molecules and fragments. As children, we create the emotional scaffolding of our core belief system and what we consider our truth. Over time, these belief system patterns develop in their complexity and manifest into energy blocks created by emotional molecules/particles that have stacked up from negative past events, experiences and trauma. These particles can stagnate not only in the physical and mental Bodies, but also the emotional and spiritual ones too. By the time we’re 35, 95% of who we are is a memorised set of behaviours, emotional reactions, unconscious habits, beliefs and perceptions that function like a computer program. Emotions each have their own signature frequency, with low frequencies relating to negative emotions and positive emotions associated with higher frequencies. I created Frequency - Shift Treatment which is the result of 26 years of development as a healer and therapist. I have the ability to use my medical background with the ability to read the energy and auric field of my client. The treatment draws upon shamanic shedding/clearing, Trauma Erase Colour Technique, sound therapy, body and aura reading, Kinesiology, meridian balancing, guided meditation, deep tissue work, acupressure and Reiki. The combination offers fast healing shifts and results. I hope to teach others how to use my healing techniques, so I’ve created books, Aura healing cards and my newest booklet, The Youth Code, to inspire others to become more aware of the power we have using thought and how our emotions affect everything and help to raise the energetic vibrational field of the planet. n

Find out more at www.vitaserena.co.uk

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YOU & YOUR HEALTH

Health Special

MENOPAUSE:

AN INTEGRATED APPROACH Until recently, menopause was just something women had to go through, dealing with difficult physical symptoms and emotional responses almost secretly. Now menopause is far more discussed and there’s a wide range of approaches to help women make the most of this life-stage…

ANY years ago, I was talking with a group of older women who described themselves as, ‘women of a certain age.’ Being, ‘of a certain age’ clearly carried a sort of mystique about it. When I enquired how I would know when I had become part of the club, they laughed as one responded, ‘Oh, honey… you’ll just know!’ Menopause was something spoken about amongst friends, but not really discussed openly. It was not unusual for women to experience perimenopausal symptoms and to assume they were going mad. Every women experiences perimenopause and menopause differently. Some women cruise through, with barely a ripple to their equanimity. For others, it can mean a decade of debilitating symptoms which combine to cause a miserable experience.

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Statistically, 85% of women will experience at least one debilitating symptom when going through menopause, with 75% experiencing hot flashes or night sweats.

Recognised symptoms There are 34 recognised symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause. Physical symptoms include periods becoming irregular and then being missed until they cease entirely, hot flashes, facial flushing and increased body odour from sweating. At night, many women experience sweats and disturbances in sleep patterns and quality. Tender breasts and headaches or migraines are all common. Some women also experience the sensation of a burning, dryness or tenderness in the mouth and change in their sense of taste. Fatigue is very common, and some women experience short bursts of tingling in the hands, arms, feet or legs. A feeling of itchiness, the sensation of experiencing electric shocks, aching muscles or joint pains can also be a result of the body’s reduced oestrogen levels. Dizziness is not uncommon and some women suffer from osteoporosis as bone density is reduced. Some women experience an irregular heartbeat or sudden palpitations. Bloating, weight gain and the composition of gut flora can all change as a woman’s hormones change. Some women find they react differently to certain foods or develop new allergies. Sexual libido may be reduced and accompanied by vaginal dryness or finding sex painful, while others experience stress incontinence, or an overactive bladder. Many women find the mental and emotional changes that sometimes accompany menopause to be more difficult to deal with. Mood swings are common and many women suddenly feel irritated, sad, weepy, or angry without an external cause. Some experience a difficulty in concentrating and memory lapses, as well as anxiety, low mood and, in some cases, panic attacks. Hair loss can increase as the hair follicles shrink and hair looks thinner. Similarly, nails may become more brittle and break more easily as the production of keratin is reduced. Menopause can also lead to changes in skin condition. Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton explained, ‘We know a woman’s skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first

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five years of menopause and this often has a visible effect on the appearance of skin on the body. The neck, chest, arms and hands can display obvious signs of ageing, particularly in oestrogen- deficient skin, and these areas are often neglected when it comes to skincare and aesthetic treatments. Women typically notice these changes in their late 40’s to early 50’s but it can affect younger women who have premature menopause. ‘It is not uncommon therefore for the neck, arms or hands to appear more aged than the face and therefore a ‘give away’ of age, and we know from research that hands alone can be used as an accurate predictor of age.’

Conventional HRT medications use synthetic hormones, but bioidentical hormones may be a better option for some women. Bioidentical hormones are exact replicas of endogenous hormones.

HRT drugs Figures for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) vary considerably. NICE has estimated that about a million women are prescribed HRT of some form, while prescription figures for 2021/22 in England and Wales suggest twice this number. There is considerable regional variation in HRT usage, with some regions having just 10% of menopausal women on HRT.

YOU & YOUR HEALTH

Broadly speaking, HRT replacement drugs fall into categories: Oral oestrogens, oestrogen patches and gels, progesterones and progestins and combination oestrogen/ progestins. You can find a useful list at https://t.ly/s_bhV Each type has its own plusses and minuses and what works well for one woman may prove useless for the next, so some experimentation may be required to find the right medication. As usual, this comes with the caveat that there are risks and benefits associated with HRT, so the choice must be an individual one. One large scale study using a conjugated oestrogen and progestin showed that risk of heart disease, breast cancer, pulmonary embolism, and stroke, all increased while the risk of colorectal cancer and fractures decreased. Starting HRT earlier seems to have a more positive effect than waiting until post-menopausal. The way the HRT is administered also makes a difference. Transdermal oestrogen patches, for example, has no impact on inflammation markers, while oral oestrogen may do. Conventional HRT medications use synthetic hormones, but bioidentical hormones may be a better option for some women. Bioidentical hormones are exact replicas of endogenous hormones. Studies conducted on healthy postmenopausal women, have concluded that a combination percutaneous oestradiol gel (inserted into the skin) and oral micronized progesterone— both bioidentical to their endogenous counterparts—had no effect on epithelial proliferation of the breast tissue, while reducing activity of a protein that protects cancer from cell death, while conventional HRT had the opposite effect. As well as female sex hormone levels dropping from the start of perimenopause, women’s testosterone levels also fall around 50%. Some studies suggest that using a topical testosterone replacement in combination with oestrogen can perk up the libido and improve sexual function without adverse side effects. Overall, the weight of studies suggests that HRT can be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes and improving sleep, reducing anxiety and improving cognitive function. However, women with a history of oestrogenresponsive breast cancer, or a genetic predisposition to breast cancer should seek specialist advice.

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YOU & YOUR HEALTH

Health Special

Natural alternatives If a more natural approach appeals, there are several supplements and medicinal herbs which can offer relief to those with menopausal symptoms. That said, there are far fewer scientific studies on natural solutions than pharmaceuticals and quality varies widely, so some research is required to find appropriate suppliers.

Black Cohosh Black Cohosh has been traditionally used for several ailments by Native Americans. It’s known as a treatment for arthritis and rheumatism as well as back pain, constipation and fatigue. It’s said to be of particular assistance when dealing with hot flashes and improves sleep quality, but scores well on the Green climacteric score, which measures symptom severity. Some studies have found that users felt less anxious and had reduced breast tenderness.

Black Seed Oil Black Seed Oil comes from the Middle Eastern and Indian tradition. It’s made from black cumin seeds and has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and allergy symptoms. In one study, menopausal women who took the powdered seeds saw improved levels for blood lipids and blood glucose and a reduction in metabolic syndrome with no reduction in body weight. Other studies suggest and improvement in the biomarkers for bone density, meaning it may be helpful in avoiding osteoporosis.

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Red Clover Studies show that taking red clover, which contains isoflavones which are chemically related to oestrogens, for twelve weeks may half the Green climacteric score, reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flashes and night sweats, improving sleep. Furthermore, early stage research suggests red clover may improve bone density and reduce the risk of breast cancer. Though, again, individual differences are paramount.

St. John’s Wort St. John’s Wort first sparked interest as a natural treatment for depression and anxiety and it is still useful for alleviating these symptoms when associated with menopause. Other studies have suggested it can reduce the number and effect of hot flashes and, when combined with Black Cohosh, may also help lessen mood swings associated with hot flashes.

Wild Yam Wild yams are a starchy food which is used in some cultures in the way oriental cuisines use rice, or the Western diet uses potatoes. It’s been proven to act as a great all-round alleviator of menopause symptoms, in trials where women ate around a pound of yams each day. Antioxidant and lipid levels improved and oestrogen levels increased.

Maca In Peru, the root of the Maca plant is treated as a vegetable, though here it is often added to smoothies in a powdered form. It’s a stimulant and aphrodisiac adaptogen which helps the hormone-producing and regulating endocrine system to cope with stress. Research is fairly minimal, though there have been small studies which show it can help menopausal women resist weight gain and regain sexual function. It also shifts the hormone balance, increasing oestrogen production by lowering levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and increasing levels of luteinising hormone. It has also been shown to improve blood pressure and low mood.

Evening Primrose Evening Primrose oil is high in gamma linoleic acid and linoleic acid, both Omega-6 oils which have been shown to reduce bloating and swelling as well as reducing hot flashes and the psychological and social aspects of menopause.

It’s best to start with one natural option rather than take them all as interactions may lead to complications, particularly in combination with certain foods, medical conditions or pharmaceutical. Always seek expert advice.

Holistic therapies for menopause Given the wide range of symptoms that perimenopausal women and those undergoing menopause experience, it’s not surprising that holistic therapies can assist in many ways. Mentally, hypnosis and CBT have both been shown to be effective for reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes and may help women cope better with any associated mood swings, depression and anxiety. Massage, acupuncture and other forms of bodywork can help with muscle aches and joint pains, as well as improving sleep when pain is lessened. Yoga and Pilates, as well as other forms of exercise, such as working with weights can help offset loss of bone density. Nutritional advice can help with reducing blood lipids and glucose levels and lessen the risks associated with metabolic syndrome and weight gain. Natural supplements and herbal medicines have also proven efficacious for many women.

Latest research Menopause is big business and increasingly moving from a neglected corner of medicine into a mainstream consumer opportunity to be exploited. This means that the number of published studies is increasing as vested interests seek ways of reducing the associated symptoms women experience. Here’s some of the most interesting recent research.

Alzheimer’s risk may increase with early menopause

Ginseng Ginseng is a root used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as the pan-Asian tradition. It’s useful for the symptoms of menopause connected to loss of libido and sexual function.

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We know women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than men, simply because they live longer, but now a research team from Mass General Brigham, indicates that early age at menopause may be a risk factor for AD dementia, but that women who were prescribed HRT around the age of menopause onset did not show increased

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YOU & YOUR HEALTH

risk. Higher levels of tau, a protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease, were only observed in hormone replacement therapy users who reported a long delay between age at menopause onset and their initiation of hormone therapy. Other studies have shown that starting HT early in menopause, rather than late initiation, provides better outcomes for heart disease, cognitive function, and all-cause mortality. Ref: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.0455

HRT cancer risk may be less than previously thought Previous studies on the risk of developing breast cancer as a result of using HRT have been contradictory. A new study from the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine suggests that when prescribed to women after hysterectomy, oestrogen therapy used alone at menopause did not increase the risk of invasive breast cancer. Longer durations of oestrogen therapy use may increase risk. For women with an intact uterus who need combined oestrogen and progestogen, the risk of breast cancer increased slightly and persisted after discontinuation, but women should feel reassured about the safety of hormone therapy when used at menopause. Ref: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002021 and Ref: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002057

Low Oestrogen and progesterone linked to sleep apnoea As if night sweats and poorer sleep quality were not sufficiently debilitating, researchers have now discovered that middle-aged women with low levels of oestrogen and progesterone are more likely to snore and to report symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea. During obstructive sleep apnoea, breathing stops and starts during sleep and can present significant danger to health, to the extent that some sufferers require the use of a continuous positive pressure device (CPAP) while sleeping. The researchers found that doubling levels of serum concentrations of

oestrone was associated with 19% decreased odds of snoring. A doubling of progesterone levels was associated with 9% decreased odds of snoring. Among snorers, a doubling of the concentrations of three oestrogens (17β-oestradiol, oestrone and oestrone 3-sulfate) was associated with 17% to 23% decreased odds of women having been told they breathe irregularly during sleep. A doubling of progesterone concentration, among snorers, was associated with 12% decreased odds of having woken with a choking sensation in the previous year. Ref: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269569

lifetime exposure to oestrogen may lower stroke risk A paper presented at a recent meeting of the American Academy of Neurology suggests that people with a higher cumulative oestrogen exposure throughout their life may have a lower risk of stroke. The lower risk was found for both ischemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage. Those with higher oestrogen levels due to a number of reproductive factors, including a longer reproductive life span and using hormone therapy or contraceptives, are linked to a lower risk of ischemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage. The findings might help with new ideas for stroke prevention, such as considering screenings for people who have a short lifetime exposure to oestrogen. Ref: 10.1212/ WNL.0000000000206863 n

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

YOUR HEALTH

Menopause Menopause

and Women’s Health

Jordi Mascio of Goldman Laboratories explores alternative approaches to menopause…

ENOPAUSE is not a disease. Nonetheless, it is a special phase in life often characterised by significant physiological changes in the female body that require special care. It is also a time when the risk of specific ailments increases. It is a difficult time for most women. It is a time of significant hormonal changes and alterations in various body functions. Although many women may opt for hormone replacement therapy, that is not a safe way to manage menopause. Instead, choosing nutrition therapy and lifestyle interventions is always a better choice to sail smoothly through these challenging times.

After menopause, there is a significant decline in the production of estrogens by ovaries. Low estrogen and progesterone levels increase women’s risk of certain health conditions. Estrogens are particularly important for maintaining bone density. Thus, menopausal women may lose bone mass. In some women, this loss of bone mass is relatively high, leading to a disease condition called osteoporosis. It means that menopause increases the risk of fractures. Calcium metabolism changes also increase the risk of dental health issues in postmenopausal women. Another issue that occurs due to the decline of hormone levels is the increased risk of metabolic disorders. Some women start gaining body weight. They are also more likely to develop insulin resistance and diabetes. Increased risk of metabolic disorders and weight gain in postmenopausal women also increases heart disease risk. Estrogens are known to have a vasodilatory effect, which

Menopause occurs 12 months after a women’s last period. And these 12 months are called perimenopause or transitional period. These twelve months are a time of transition and thus cause some distress. It may cause significant changes in monthly cycles, hot flashes, headaches, mood swings, and other symptoms. Once the perimenopause is gone, things generally stabilize. Nonetheless, it does have long-term consequences for women’s health. Menopause occurs for many reasons, like aging and genetics. Ultimately, it would affect every woman in her lifetime. However, when menopause occurs depends significantly on genetics. Thus, for most women, menopause occurs between the age of 45 to 55 years of age.

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When menopause starts, women start noticing significant changes in periods. They may become shorter or longer. Similarly, there are changes in the bleeding. It may be heavier in some instances and lighter in others. All these changes in periods indicate hormonal changes occurring in the body. These changes coincide with several other signs and symptoms. Thus, most women might experience hot flashes. They may occur several times a day and may last for a minute to as long as ten minutes. Generally, these hormonal changes also cause other physical signs like changes in bladder function, sleep patterns, mood swings, and more. Most women would feel that their body has changed. Additionally, most women would experience changes in sexual health. Menopause may lead to vaginal dryness and an increased risk of bladder infections. Interestingly, symptoms are not severe in many women. Thus, on the contrary, many women may even feel relieved that they do not have to worry about painful periods or getting pregnant. Despite a few benefits, it is still about aging and reduced hormone levels, which increases the risk of specific ailments.

Health risks posed by menopause

Understanding Menopause

Menopause

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is why the risk of heart attack is lower in young women than in men. However, without estrogens, the risk of a heart attack in women increases. Additionally, it also means greater stroke risk. Further, low estrogens also seem to increase the risk of issues like urinary incontinence and recurrent urinary tract infections.

Nutrition therapy So, menopause might not be a disease, but it does increase the risk of many health issues. Hence, one must take some measures to counter those health risks. One of the better ways of doing this is with the help of nutrition therapy.

Vitamin D This sunshine vitamin is essential for many body functions. It plays a vital role in hundreds of body processes. It is especially vital for bone health, production of sex hormones, brain health, and maintaining protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Vitamin D is very close to sex hormones in its chemical structure. Thus, it can also help boost the production of sex hormones. As people age, the need for vitamin D increases. However, the body’s ability to produce this vital vitamin decreases with age. Therefore, in most cases, even sufficient exposure to sunlight is not enough to meet its requirement. Hence, vitamin D supplementation may be particularly good for menopausal women. Additionally, vitamin D has many beneficial health effects at higher dosages. It not only enhances bone mineralization and improves calcium absorption. Vitamin D is also known to improve insulin sensitivity and prevent metabolic disorders. It is also suitable for brain health and preventing mood disorders like depression. Finally, an adequate intake of the vitamin is known to reduce the risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and some other cancers.

Vitamin C This vitamin, abundant in citric fruits and green veggies, has many roles in the body. It plays a vital role in collagen production. It is also needed for the production of certain neurotransmitters. It promotes wound healing, slows down aging, boosts immunity, and increases the antioxidant capacity of the body. It may also help counter fatigue. Vitamin C is

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also good for vascular health. When taken in sufficient amounts, it may boost health in multiple ways and even reduce cancer risk. Since it is suitable for collagen production, it may exert an antiaging effect, which is particularly vital for menopausal women. Additionally, collagen production may help prevent issues like joint pain, low back pain, and more. Vitamin C is also suitable for lowering the risk of heart disease in menopausal women.

Glutathione Everyone these days seems to be talking about antioxidants. However, nothing is more potent than the body’s defenses against free radicals. Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant present in the human body, or more precisely, in high concentration in every cell. Glutathione is a tri-peptide made of three amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. Its molecular weight is just perfect, making it as abundant in cells as glucose and potassium. This only underlines its value in good health. Its adequate levels boost cellular regenerative processes, prevent DNA damage, slow down aging, and much more. Glutathione plays the role of co-factor in many enzyme systems. It is also needed for cellular detoxification, as it transports toxins out of the cells. Additionally, it is also vital for mitochondrial function. What is impressive about this antioxidant is that it works synergistically with vitamin C. It compensates for vitamin C deficiency and also plays a vital role in its regeneration. n

JORDI MASCIO has more than 15 years’

experience in the Bio Medical industry both in highly technical positions and in distribution and managing roles. He holds an MSc in Bio Medical engineering and an MSc in Molecular Physics. He provides courses and seminars on liposomes and innovative molecules to many practitioners around Europe. Find out more at

www.

goldmanlaboratories.com.

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Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn: A NATURAL APPROACH TO PREVENTING DRY MUCOUS MEMBRANES IN MENOPAUSE As we grow older, our mucous membranes tend to dry out, leaving us with problems that affect our eyes, mouth, and genital area. Other than being highly unpleasant, dry mucous membranes can increase your risk of various diseases, but, as Bjørn Madsen explains, sea buckthorn extract is highly useful for preventing and treating dryness issues...

E have around 400 square meters of mucous membrane tissue in our body. That’s equivalent to one and a half tennis courts - a staggering amount! Our mucous membranes have a host of essential functions that are necessary to keep us alive and healthy. When they work the way nature intended them to, we don’t really think about them. If our mucous membranes suddenly start acting up, we’re reminded of the extreme importance of these biologically active tissues and how vital it is for them to function properly.

A biological bridge to the surroundings Many people suffer from different types of dryness. Dry eyes, dry mouth, and vaginal dryness are among the most common complaints. The root cause of these problems is to be found in the health of our mucous membranes. You can think of the mucous membranes as the body’s internal layer of skin. We have them in our mouth, eyes, nose, ears, digestive tract and respiratory system, urinary and genital tract. Mucous membranes represent a biological bridge between the body and the surrounding environment, which means that they are constantly exposed to germs and other pathogens, pollutants, irritants, and countless other influential factors.

An alternative to hormone replacement therapy Vaginal dryness is particularly bothersome to women during and after menopause where the natural decrease in oestrogen levels disrupts the delicate balance in the vaginal mucosa. Many doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for this problem, but a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study1 of 98 women over a three month period showed that daily use of sea buckthorn extract significantly improved the symptoms associated with vaginal dryness, especially the itching and burning sensation. Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that sea buckthorn extract is a potential alternative to oestrogen therapy for women who have side effects from hormone replacement therapy. The study was published in the science journal Maturitas. Around one in three women is affected by vaginal inflammatory atrophy, primarily during or after their menopause. This problem is linked to low oestrogen levels. Oestrogen is essential for the structural integrity of the urogenital area, where it maintains the elasticity and helps

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Sea Buckthorn

moisturise the epithelial barrier. Sea buckthorn has been seen to help reduce some of the symptoms and improve vaginal health, and it does this without increasing levels of circulating oestrogen. This makes it an interesting alternative in cases where hormone replacement therapy would otherwise be the only solution.

Proven to help with dry eyes and dry mouth Dry eye syndrome is a common disorder that affects both genders and can severely impair a person’s quality of life. A 2016 study2 published in Journal of Nutrition, however, indicates that sea buckthorn oil is a useful remedy here, as well. The study, which was a double-blind, randomised, parallel trial, included 86 men and women aged 20-75 years. The results showed that daily consumption of sea buckthorn for three months was useful for attenuating burning and redness, two of the most prominent symptoms of dry eyes. Oral dryness, or xerostomia (its medical term), is also a widespread problem. Around 10-39 percent of adults, mainly women and elderly, suffer from dryness of the mouth. The condition is believed to be triggered by decreasing oestrogen levels and can be highly uncomfortable. Besides producing unpleasant symptoms such as burning, difficulty speaking and chewing, bad breath, and problems with swallowing, dry mouth increases your susceptibility to oral candidiasis and caries amongst other issues. It is therefore comforting to know that there is a natural treatment for this problem and the other conditions that are linked to dry mucous membranes in different parts of the body. According to a double-blind cross-over study of eleven women with xerostomia and severely reduced salivary flow, daily consumption of sea buckthorn oil (SBA 24 extract) helped relieve the symptoms of dry mouth. The mean age of the women was 45.6 years. Six participants had severely reduced salivary flow, and most had diagnosed or suspected Sjögrens syndrome. They also suffered from other health problems such as atopic skin allergies, and dry eyes. The participants in the treatment group received five grams of sea buckhorn oil per day, while the other group got matching placebo (a mixture of soybean oil and palm oil). Both the participants in the active treatment group and in the placebo group went through two one-month treatment periods during the summer, with a one-month wash out period before swapping groups.

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that is native to the coastal and mountainous regions of Europe and Asia and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and for its nutritional benefits. The oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids. It also has a high content of omega-7 fatty acid - palmitoleic acid - which are believed to offer health benefits for skin and mucous membranes. Sea buckthorn also contains a variety of flavonoids, carotenoids, and tocopherols, which are antioxidants that help neutalise free radicals that can otherwise cause cellular damage and speed up ageing and disease. In addition, there are phytosterols that are plant compounds with a positive impact on cholesterol levels and heart health. Sea buckthorn oil is generally believed to be good for skin hydration and elasticity and for supporting the health of the mucous membranes. Due to its rich and versatile nutrient content, the oil also helps the immune system, the cardiovascular system, and it promotes wound healing. The oil can be taken internally in capsule form as a nutritional supplement or applied topically to the skin. There are published studies that support the effect of sea buckthorn oil on human health, but more studies are needed to fully understand the extent of its health properties. n

References: 1) Effects of sea buckthorn oil intake on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Maturitas, vol. 79, issue 3, November 2014, pp 316-321 2) Oral sea buckthorn oil attenuates tear film osmolarity and symptoms in individuals with dry eye Journal of Nutrition 2010 Aug;140(8):1462-8 3) Effects of sea buckthorn oil on the oral mucosa of Sjögren’s syndrome patients: a pilot study (Conference abstract: International Association for Dental Research, 2002 (San Diego, California)

BJØRN MADSEN is a Danish-American health

and science writer with a keen interest in micronutrients, disease prevention and lifestyle management. He writes articles, news bulletins and health

What is sea buckthorn oil?

notes for various magazines and

Sea buckthorn oil is derived from the berries of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), a plant

websites.

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YOUR HEALTH

In the stars

LunaClair:

FATED LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS Astrologer LunaClair explores the effect of the Nodes of the Moon changing signs on our relationships…

HE north and south nodes in Vedic astrology are the most fascinating karmic points where the sun and the moon’s plane intersect. When the karmic Nodes of the Moon changed signs in July 2023, the shift in love and relationships became readily apparent, bringing fated endings and new beginnings for 18 months to a new area for each and every one of us. The axis of Aries and Libra is about relationships. Relationship with the self (Aries) and with others (Libra) will be the karmic paths we will explore. To find new balance by releasing what is not serving and manifesting more independence, passion and self-confidence is our new purpose. All of us will be feeling this influence however if you have sensitive points (AC, MC) and planets in the Aries-Libra axis the effect is so much more profound. To have a clearer picture of this confusing time read this for your ascendant (AC). To find out your ascendant go to https:// www.lunaclair.com/calculate-your-chart and cast your chart.

Aries: There’s a need for more self-reliance and investment in your physical body, in your independence, or in something pioneering with regards to your body. In the past, there may have been a tendency to focus on relationships. Now is the time when you need to learn not to let your

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

partnerships define you. Moving on from toxic situations and relationships will require a lot of work on your part. But it’s totally doable over this period of time.

Taurus: The area of growth becomes the subconscious mind, hidden talents, spirituality, behind the scenes activity and faraway lands. You can improve some of your past karma by being charitable, helpful or by healing others. This will bring major endings and great new beginnings to your work/rest-health/healing axis. You might release an illness, an enemy or a job, but at least some of your workload. It’s a great opportunity to eliminate debt that you may have accumulated throughout the years. Gemini: Your soul’s purpose is to acquire new social skills to be more useful, to develop yourself through friendships and communities, gaining popularity. Major ending and great new beginnings may feel destined in the axis of social connections. You might painfully release a lover or a child of yours and experience less pleasure and flow of spontaneity for the time being because growth happens in your networks. You will develop through your social circles and less through your own individual creations.

In the stars

Cancer: the area of growth is going to be your vocation, social status and public reputation. You will be directed to a career that serves your soul’s purpose, your mission. You are working on this with strong ambition, with insatiable hunger and are being driven towards this road, for better social positions, achievements. Neglecting your family, your origin due to career efforts can happen as a result. You might end up releasing a home, in order to pursue career goals and needs.

Leo: During this time faith and beliefs, higher studies and adventurous spirit can bring personal growth. This will unlock opportunities to expand your horizons, developing spiritually and mentally. If you are developed morally and spiritually you’ll achieve significantly. Long distance travel opportunities are going to emerge out of the blue. You may disconnect from everyday reality from siblings, mates and associates. You’re not much of a team player because you want to follow your own truths.

Virgo: Powerful transformations that feel destined may occur. The changes are going to be shocking, exhilarating and sudden. For this period all eclipses are going to happen on the financial axis. Fated endings and great new beginnings are to be expected. You may benefit materially from this influence. An inheritance or insurance pay out can manifest due to a crisis situation. You must let go of some of your income or possession simply because they are outdated, no longer serving your needs.

Libra: This is going to be especially powerful for you. The influence brings fated events such as meeting a soul partner, ending or beginning a life important

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YOUR HEALTH

relationship. You can attract a person in your life who has unfamiliar, quirky but charismatic qualities. You might have to sacrifice something that is inherently you. A partnership may require more dependence and collaboration and giving up part of yourself, your ambition and preferences.

Scorpio You will become passionate, ambitious about work and health and let go themes of isolation, addictions or secret activities. You may become a workaholic or hire employees. In the meantime you can release some long standing addictions on the psychological, emotional level. If you have unhealthy attachment, this is the time to get rid of them. The physical side of your addiction can be fixed through progressive methods of healing or supplements.

Sagittarius Growth happens in the areas of children and creativity. Ways to express yourself creatively, new talents, hobbies will emerge. These are divine inspirational times, the flow of creation ripples through you. You will discover moments of joys through entertainment, spiritual practice, and meditation. Your first born might have a sudden rise and falling in love as a divine gift is in the picture. Letting go of some friends, groups, dreams & wishes will happen. You may feel disconnected from your network.

Capricorn This influence brings passion and obsession about family and roots. You may take initiatives in focusing on your foundation, whether that’s a family home you are building, exploring your ancestry, or finding ways of nourishing your soul. In the meantime South Node is shaping your public image, worldly responsibilities. Letting go of a responsible position or becoming somewhat apathetic towards your status in society, profession, losing interest in your career could be on the agenda. You might take a long break because you relocate to a foreign country.

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Aquarius Growth happens in themes of communication, travel, education, siblings, neighbours, information, driving, and social media. There will be a foreign element with regards to these things, something a bit quirky, progressive or unfamiliar. You might incorporate quite a bit of social media in your life, new software, meeting, working, connecting with a small team of new and younger people. You might have fewer opportunities to travel long distances, or have less interest in travelling abroad, disillusionment in belief systems and end your higher studies.

Pisces During this period you learn to be financially independent, as the shared support from others will be slowly diminishing. As a result, you may experiment with new ways of income. Money and food become an obsession

as well as new progressive ways of earning. On the other hand, you might let go of some emotional traumas, or your debts. It’s a good time to research spirituality, life after death and astrology. Eclipses are going to happen in this axis, expect fated financial endings and great new beginnings. n

LunaClair is a teacher, professional astrologer

and forever student of eastern philosophies. Her approach to astrology is rooted in ancient tradition but embraces contemporary techniques too. She focuses on allowing the soul’s evolutionary journey through healing and remedial work. Find out more at: www.lunaclair.com/

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

Research round up

YOUR HEALTH

NEW FRONTIERS NEW FRONTIERS:

RESEARCH ROUND UP

THE LATEST SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF INTEREST TO HOLISTIC THERAPISTS AND THEIR CLIENTS… 3D-PRINTING PEN OFFERS FASTER APPROACH TO WOUND HEALING Researchers have developed a hydrogel woundhealing ink that can actively encourage the body to heal by exposing the cut to immunesystem vesicles. The ink can be spread into a cut of any shape using a 3D-printing pen, meaning that stitches and bandages could be avoided and the wounds were shown to heal more quickly. The body responds to wounds by cleaning out bacteria, repairing broken blood vessels and forming a scar. The wound-healing ink includes the cells the body uses to do this, essentially speeding up the healing process. Ref: 10.1021/

For women with

acsami.3c03630

Dryness and sensitive mucous membranes Vaginal dryness and dry eyes are some of the complaints that women typically experience before, during, and after menopause. Omega 7 Pharma Nord is a formula developed specifically to help maintain healthy and well hydrated mucosa at this stage of life.

Omega 7 Pharma Nord contains the SBA24 extract that is made from both the berries and seeds of sea buckthorn to ensure the widest spectrum of beneficial nutrients. Sea buckthorn is one of nature’s richest sources of vitamin A, a nutrient that is best known for its ability to maintain normal skin, vision, and mucous membranes.

01370-6

OBESITY INCREASES RISK OF MENTAL ILLNESS Obese people are at significantly higher risk of developing mental illness across all age groups, according to a study on Austrian hospital inpatients published by the Medical University of Vienna. The researchers found that being obese significantly increased the likelihood of a wide range of mental disorders across all age groups including depression, nicotine addiction, psychosis, anxiety, eating and personality

disorders. With the exception of psychosis, obesity generally developed before mental illness was diagnosed. Obese women were found to be almost three times as likely to be depressed ad those in a healthy weight range. Ref: 10.1038/s41398-023-02447-w

PLANTS CAN REMOVE CANCER CAUSING PETROL FUMES FROM AIR Plants have been shown to toxic petrol fumes, including cancer causing compounds such as benzene, from indoor air. The experiments used a small-sized green wall consisting of a mix of indoor plants. The wall removed 97% of the most toxic compounds from the surrounding air in just eight hours. Poor indoor air quality is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths globally, according to the World Health Organisation. Most people spend 90% of their time indoors at home, school or the workplace, so adopting new strategies to improve air quality is critical. Ref: https://www. ambiusindoorplants.com.au/ambius-capability/ ambius-and-uts-research-study. n

A study from the University of Sidney shows that being active could lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, even in people with a high genetic risk of developing the medical condition. Currently one sixth of NHS treatment budgets are spent on diabetes. The researchers found that more than an hour of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per day was associated with a 74% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes when compared with participants who did less than 5 minutes of physical activity, even when genetic risk was accounted for. Ref: 10.1136/ bjsports-2022-1066536

INTESTINAL BACTERIA MAY HOLD THE KEY TO LONGEVITY

• Scientifically documented

University of Copenhagen longevity researchers studying 176 healthy Japanese centenarians, have discovered that the combination of

• Suited for vegetarians and vegans • With vitamin A that supports normal skin, vision, and mucous membranes

EXERCISE MAY OFFSET GENETIC RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

intestinal bacteria and bacterial viruses of these people is quite unique. As well as having exceptionally diverse gut microbiomes, the subjects’ intestinal bacteria produced brand new molecules that make them resistant to pathogenic microorganisms, offering enhanced protection from infection. Eventually, the team hope to be able to discover how to optimise the bacteria found in the human body to protect it against disease. Ref: 10.1038/s41564-023-

Pioneers in Nutritional Healthcare holistictherapistmagazine.com

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YOUR HEALTH

Oooh! That’s new

Bookshelf

BOOKSHELF:

OOOHHH! THAT’S NEW!

Winter reading

New products designed to make your life that bit better…

Our pick of the best titles for cosy evening reading… Remedy Kombucha Orange Squeeze

BOL Black Daal BOL’s new Indian Black Daal One Pot Meal is the perfect choice for a fuss-free work lunch or dinner at the end of an exhausting day. Unlike most microwavable ready meals, BOL’s offers great taste and nutrition. This gluten free dish is brimming with tender urad lentils, kidney beans, and a burst of rich, sweet, tomato; is finished with a swirl of cooling coconut cream. Find it in Tesco.

Bio&Me prebiotic cereals Finding a gut-healthy, gluten-free cereal can be difficult, but Bio&Me, created by Megan Rossi, the Gut Health Doctor, has two granolas that could get your day off to a great start. There’s no added sugar, just carefully chosen prebiotic plant-based ingredients to help foster a diverse gut microbiome. Try the Cashew & Almond or Berry Burst. They also make quite good snacks. Available from Holland & Barrett, www.bioandme.co.uk. Sainsburys and

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

Refine & Grow Lynse Allen’s UScentric reflection on navigating the conflicts and pressures of working with others is designed to help those who find the workplace overwhelming. More than half of younger workers have taken time off due to mental wellbeing issues and for an increasing number of people, work can be frustrating and unbalanced, encroaching onto other aspects of our lives. This book provides a pathway to avoiding the pitfalls and reclaiming control of your career and life.

Remedy Kombucha Orange Squeeze, the latest flavour from the UK’s No1 kombucha brand, is a delicious, healthier soft drink option that is light, fizzy and refreshing with bold citrus notes. It’s a good option for Dry January or guests who are driving. Like all Remedy drinks, it’s free from sugar and artificial sweeteners, and bursting with functional benefits, such as organic acids, antioxidants and live cultures that are great for your gut. Find it at Sainsbury’s or www. remedydrinks.co.uk.

Kalme TeQ Serum Kalme could be the answer to your skin problems if you experience redness or dry patches in winter. TeQ Serum is an exceptionally hydrating and skin repairing prebiotic serum with extracts of agave and pure squalene olive oil. Designed for maximum skin hydration and skin repair of red, dry, tight, and sensitive skin and especially useful for those with rosacea as it’s gentle and preservative-free. Just a few drops after cleansing at night and your skin looks better in the www.skinshop.co.uk morning. Find it at

FreezeFrame nonsurgical eyelid lift As we age, our eyelids start to droop and become heavier, leading to tired and heavy looking eyes. FreezeFrame’s new serum is basically a push-up bra for your eyes! In trials, it lifted the upper eyelids by up to 43%, giving more open looking, fresher eyes thanks to the bio-mimetic peptides and hyaluronic acid to strengthen skin structure and reinforce elastic fibres by up to 186%. It’s soothing and works even on sensitive skins. Find it at www.freeze-frame.uk.

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Beyond Sustainability – Authentic Living at a Time of Climate Crisis Nimue Brown’s latest may be a slim volume, but it’s packed with big ideas covering everything from slow shopping to four day working weeks, right to repair and Universal Basic Income. It’s about making the right decisions collectively and individually so we can thrive on every level, living authentic lives, consuming mindfully and making the best of our resources.

Healing Therapies for Long Covid Vir McCoy charts his recovery from Long Covid and provides guidance for those seeking to do likewise. Based on a combination of over 350 scientific research studies and intuitive information this is a comprehensive healing guide

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for a successful recovery from Long Covid, symptom by symptom. The book covers everything from intuitive practices, pharmaceutical, herbal, and homeopathic remedies to breathwork practices, detox therapies, lymph drainage exercises, gut biome restoration, neuroplasticity retraining, immune modulation, and shamanic techniques, as well as meditations and mantras for calming the limbic system and the PTSD that can accompany chronic illness.

Meeting the Melissae: The Ancient Greek Bee Priestesses of Demeter You’ll all know Elizabeth Ashley as one of our regular columnists, so it should come as no surprise that her new book would get a positive review from us. That said, Meeting the Melissae is so fascinating that we can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in herbal wisdom, matriarchal power bases, ancient religious and social practices. The Melissae were married Athenian women of high rank, who presided over the Eleusian Mysteries and the nine-day festival. Socio-political and economic powerhouses, they acted as oracles, soul midwives and diviners, creating festivals that ensured Demeter’s ongoing favour for the city by emulating the ways of the world’s most successful matriarchal community, a bee colony. As bees build their hives, so the Melissae’s money built

temples and grand buildings. Herbal textbooks speak of a relationship between the priestesses and Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), which Elisabeth has uncovered through meticulous research.

How to Survive When Society Lets You Down This is another title where we have a connection to the author, Starkeeper Morton, so full disclosure. Once we’ve reviewed books, they are donated – with the generous permission of the publishers - to raise funds for a local community larder and wellbeing organisation which Starkeeper runs. How to Survive When Society Lets You Down is a valuable guidebook for anyone struggling to come to terms with difficult realities. It isn’t an easy read and it’s clear that the family has had to deal with considerable trauma, which was made much worse by the attitudes of those in authority whose responsibility was to protect a victim, yet who invariably chose to sweep the problem under the carpet. It’s a combination of reflective questions, practical guidance and personal experience, that’s not only of use to those undergoing a similarly traumatic experience, but would be an enlightening read for those whose jobs involve supporting those in such situations and for those of us who never know quite what to say or quite how to help when a friend is suffering. All titles can be ordered from your local bookshop, publishers’ websites or online retailers.

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

YOUR HEALTH

Jamie Oliver

YOUR HEALTH

Island salad

vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Toast the pittas, then slice into strips and arrange around the edges of two plates.

Whenever I’ve visited the Greek islands, I’ve been inspired by wonderful fresh and fruity halloumi salads, so I’ve had some fun here creating little webs of golden crispy halloumi that just eat so well.

Place a large non-stick frying pan on a high heat. Drain and roughly chop the peaches (reserving the juice), then place in the pan with a good splash of the reserved juice, and season with pepper. Warm through for a few minutes while you toss the salad leaves with the dressed cucumber, and plate up. Remove the peaches to a bowl, give the pan a quick wipe with a ball of kitchen paper, then use the fine side of a box grater to grate half the halloumi over the surface of the pan (like a lacy doily). Leave on the heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden on one side, then tip directly over one of the plates, using a spatula to ease it away from the pan, if needed. Repeat with the remaining halloumi for the second plate. Spoon over the peaches, and tuck straight in.

Sticky peaches, halloumi web & pickled cucumber

Serves: 2 | Total time: 15 minutes INGR EDIENTS 1 cucumber 2 pittas 1 x 415g tin of sliced peaches in juice 120g mixed salad leaves 60g halloumi cheese

Credit: Chris Terry

peed peel the cucumber lengthways into long ribbons, discarding the seedy core, and place in a bowl with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, and 1 tablespoon each of red wine

Take five 54 46

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

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Credit: David Loftus

Jamie Oliver shares some amazingly tasty recipes from his new book, 5 Ingredients Mediterranean. Quick, simple and healthy, these will become firm favourites with the whole family…

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Jamie Oliver

Credit: David Loftus

YOUR HEALTH

Tunisian prawn spaghetti

Fragrant rose harissa, zingy lemon & fresh parsley Tunisians are one of the biggest pasta eaters on the planet and they have a whole load of their own pasta shapes and techniques. Harissa really ampliﬁes the sweetness of the prawns here – delicious!

Serves: 2 | Total time: 22 minutes INGR EDIENTS 150g dried spaghetti 8 large raw shell-on king prawns 2 teaspoons rose harissa ½ a bunch of ﬂat-leaf parsley (15g) 1 lemon

C Easy ﬁg tart

Fruit & nut base, vanilla yoghurt & honey Take the fuss out of creating a show-stopping dessert with this super-quick no-cook ﬁg tart – a delicate base of crushed fruit and nuts, topped with yoghurt, ﬁgs and a drizzle of honey.

Serves: 8 | Total time: 10 minutes, plus chilling 48

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INGR EDIENTS 300g luxury fruit and nut mix 500g Greek yoghurt 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste 1 teaspoon runny honey, plus extra to serve 4 perfectly ripe ﬁgs

ine a 20cm springform cake tin with greaseproof paper. Tip the fruit and nuts into a food processor and blitz until ﬁne and tacky (it should be easy to mould with your hands), then push and press

it into the base of the lined tin, and 2.5cm up the sides. Leave to firm up in the freezer for 1 hour. When the time’s up, mix the yoghurt with the vanilla and 1 teaspoon of honey, then spoon into the chilled tart case. Freeze for 1 further hour, or until slightly set. Release the tart from the tin, halve or quarter the figs and arrange nicely on top, then drizzle generously with honey, to finish.

ook the pasta in a pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions. Meanwhile, peel the prawns, removing and reserving the heads and leaving the tails on. I like to run a small sharp knife down the back of each, discarding the vein, so they butterfly when they cook. Toss the prawns with the harissa and leave to briefly marinate. Place the prawn heads in a large frying pan on a medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and fry until golden all over, stirring regularly and gently squashing to extract amazing flavour. Roughly chop and reserve the top leafy half of the parsley, then finely slice the stalks and add them to the pan with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Fry for 1 minute, then add the marinated prawns and cook for 1 minute on each side. Using tongs, drag the pasta into the pan, squeeze in half the lemon juice, throw in the parsley leaves, then toss together, loosening with a splash of starchy cooking water, if needed. To serve, pick out and discard the crispy prawn heads and cut the remaining lemon half into wedges for squeezing over.

Credit: David Loftus

5 Ingredients Mediterranean by Jamie Oliver is published by Penguin Michael

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HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

YOU & YOUR HEALTH

Gift Guide

The Good Christmas gifts are more meaningful when they make the recipient’s life a little easier, whether it’s improving health and wellbeing, helping the planet or just making them feel good. Here’s our round up of presents for everyone on your list…

gift guide For the drinks connoisseur English Whisky may not strike you as the healthiest gift, but the Oxford Artisan Distillery’s Rye Whisky comes with impeccable eco-credentials. Not only does it use locally grown heritage grains and ecologically sound farming organic and restorative practices that are great for biodiversity, but it tastes good too! Find it at www.theoxfordartisandistillery.com or on Amazon.

YOU & YOUR HEALTH

For a little glamour For the wannabe baker Kikkerland’s Sourdough Starter Kit is a great way to get someone started on making their own bread. It’s a gift that could bring pleasure for years to come and the glass jar can be stored in the fridge or even frozen if they aren’t baking every day. Again, it’s available from www.kikkerlandeu.com, where you’ll find an amazing selection of gifts and gadgets for everyone on your list.

For the skin-care enthusiast Supplements specialist Cytoplan have teamed up with Weleda to create a skin care regime that feeds the skin from the inside and the outside. The Complete Skin Food Regime; a skin enhancing multi-nutrient complex, and Weleda’s famous Skin Food day and night creams. Find it at www.cytoplan.co.uk.

Luxe Tones is a British jewellery brand on a mission to offer on-trend unique jewellery at affordable prices, for everyone. You’ll find collections for men and women as well as accessories, with prices starting at just £5 for a scrunchie. We liked these Helia 18K gold plated earrings, featuring a sun, moon and stars design with just the right touch of sparkle. www.luxetones.com

For the fashionistas These crescent moon and star hair clips from Luna Charles would make a great stocking filler for a friend or teenager. The inclusive Birmingham-based brand also offer silver or gold-plated jewellery, bags and accessories with a focus on quality and affordability, as well as complementary gift wrapping. www.lunacharles.co.uk.

For easing the pressure This acupressure mat and pillow set from Shika Wellbeing might be just the thing for relieving stress and sorting out those little back niggles. The UK-based ethical family brand donates part of their profits to charity and uses only vegan and cruelty-free products, as well as biodegradable or recyclable packaging. You’ll also find aromatherapy sets, candles and bracelets on their site at www.shikawellbeing.com.

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

For the littlest person on your list

For family fun Dress Code is a great new game for kids of four or more from SmartGames. It’s a colourful and robustly constructed game about getting dressed for different weather conditions, helping little ones learn about colours, shapes, sequence, and orientation. You can find it at www.cachaotoys. com or check on https:// smarttoysandgames.co.uk/uk/ dealers/ for nearby suppliers.

For those looking to widen their culinary horizons Small UK family firm Spice Kitchen create beautiful, refillable, tins full of exotic spices that will help make even the simplest meals taste great. They have six different tins; Indian, Middle Eastern and African, World, Chilli and even one packed with fragrant botanicals to add to gin. You’ll find them at garden centres or from www.spicekitchenuk.com

Kaloo make gorgeous soft toys and for babies, focussed on providing comfort and safety. We loved this Sheep Soothing Sound Plush which is available from www.littlewhispers.co.uk. This small independent company also stock lots of sustainable wooden toys, soft toys and baby gifts.

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YOU & YOUR HEALTH

Gift Guide

YOU & YOUR HEALTH

For the bubbliest buddies

For warm hearts and wild swimmers Sometimes, older friends and relations prefer practical gifts. Originally designed to warm up wild swimmers, Wild Moose’s Hottum Wearable Hot Water Bottle is a great choice for anyone who suffers from the cold and the odd ache or pain. The belt can be worn round the waist or strapped elsewhere and the pouch can keep hands and core warm. See for yourself at www.wild-moose. co.uk.

For the bathing beauty

For the music lovers Vinyl has made a huge comeback over the past decade, thanks to the tactile qualities and richer sound it offers compared with digital downloads or streaming your tunes. Lenco’s new walnut-finished LS-600WA record player and speaker system comes with a built-in amplifier and Bluetooth. The minimalist design and modern technology mean it’ll look great for years to come. Find the range at HMV stores or online at www.hmv.com.

We all know someone who hogs the bathroom, so these CBD Bath Bombs from Mindful Extracts should go down well. Each has 100mg of full-spectrum CBD and there are three varieties – bergamot and lemon, eucalyptus and peppermint and a soothing lavender version. Choose from the range at www.mindfulextracts.co.uk.

For those working from home

For those in need of a touch of decadence Based in Athens and named after an Ancient Greek harvest goddess, Carpo have a three amazingly decadent shops in London that are packed with luxurious fruit, nuts, chocolate and coffee. One of their delicious hampers or chocolate boxes would make a truly special gift. They don’t yet offer online ordering, but do have gift suggestions at https:// carpoworld.com/gift-suggestions/ and you can order by phone.

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

Brighten up those long days in front of a laptop with this Cat Wrist Rest which will not only bring a smile to their face, but improves the ergonomics of typing, reducing strain on the wrists and the chances of developing an RSI. It’s beautifully squishy and can be found at www.kikkerlandeu.com.

For the art lovers The Apothecary of Art is a beautiful book which features mood enhancing art combined with little thoughts from poets and writers. It’s like a hug from someone in a cashmere jumper and a mug of hot chocolate in book form, providing comfort and making you feel better. Available from bookshops or directly from www. batsfordbooks.com.

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La Gioiosa comes from the Moretti Polegato family winemaking tradition. You’ll find their new Asolo Prosecco Millesimato Brut 2022 vintage in Waitrose. It’s vegan, elegant and reminiscent of acacia flowers, fresh, dry and smooth on the palate, with an agreeably fruity and harmonious finish. If you prefer your bubbles to be pink, La Gioiosa Prosecco Brut Rose’s combination of Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc grapes makes for a friendly, happy fizz designed for joyous occasions and for sharing with friends and relaxed foods. It’s available from Asda. For those who prefer their bubbles without alcohol, there’s Belle & Co’s 0% Sparkling Rosé. It’s brilliant for mocktails, making teenagers feel sophisticated, people watching the calories and designated drivers and it won’t break the bank either at under £4 a bottle. It’s also vegan and gluten free, so should please everyone. Find it in Morrisons, Sainsburys, Iceland and Amazon. Lastly, the OmniFizz from DrinkMate would make a great family gift. It’s simple to use and can carbonate just about any drink, creating a sparking version, whether it’s water, home-made lemonade, iced tea or even a cocktail or two. You can even revive soda or beer that’s gone flat! There are drinks recipes on their site and it means you can have fizzy drinks without all the sugar or chemicals that normally go into the cans. Find it at www.drinkmate.uk.

For vegans and vegetarians Vegans and vegetarians often feel left out when it comes to advent calendars, but snack specialists KoRo have the answer. The have two advent calendars packed with interesting and delicious snacks and cooking ingredients. The doors open to reveal savoury, salty and sweet treats, like Roasted pistachio salted caramel, Organic lentil orzo, Freeze-dried skinny dipped blueberries in dark chocolate and organic white choc macadamia cookies. The vegan one is a great introduction to plant-based eating, while the veggie one would be a great starting point for anyone planning to give Veganuary a go. Find them at www.koro-shop.co.uk.

For those seeking balance Liforme produce sustainable yoga mats that are perfect for beginners since they have a handy alignment system to show where your feet should be and a grippy surface, as well as being well padded and longlasting. There are sizes for kids too, and even the option to personalise. 10% of profits go to various charities too. www.liforme.com.

For kids seeking a little independence Banwood make sturdy and attractive bicycles, balance bikes, skateboards and scooters for kids. They aren’t cheap, but can be passed down the family, donated or sold on once your child outgrows them, making them pretty sustainable. They also plant a tree for every purchase. See the range at www.banwood.com.

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YOU & YOUR HEALTH

Gift Guide

For sustainable chaps

For the plant lover This little light up terrarium offers a fuss-free approach that’s great for those without green fingers. The terrarium kit includes sand, a water pipette, and four compost discs, Zen stones, draining pebbles, bamboo tweezers and instructions. It’s solar powered and ideal for succulents. Find it at www.giftrepublic.co.uk or www.moonpig.com.

Finding sustainable, well-made or organic clothing for men is much more difficult than finding equivalent products for women. Fortunately, Brothers We Stand solves this problem by curating pioneering ethical designers and creating a Footprint for each style, sharing transparent information about its impact on people and planet. There’s everything from beanies to hoodies at www.brotherswestand.com. Alternatively, Neem London’s has a great selection of scarves and hankies made from sustainable eucalyptus, that actually biodegrade when you’re done with them. You can add it to the compost pile. Given that we send 10,000 pieces of clothing to landfill every five minutes, that’s good news for the environment. Neem London produces low emitting menswear, designed to achieve a cleaner way of living. You’ll find Neem’s entire range of low emission menswear at www.neemlondon.com, and at the Neem Ecological Emporium in London’s Piccadilly Arcade.

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For the movers and shakers

For the competitive wordsmiths You know that person on your list who loves board games and crosswords? Well, this should be at the top of your list for them. League of the Lexicon is a brilliantly original and informative board game combines hugely enjoyable gameplay with truly fascinating trivia. With 2000 questions, it’s suitable for 2-6 players of ten or over and even has eco-friendly packaging. Exclusively available from www.waterstones.com

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

Dianne Buswell’s Move Yourself Happy would be a good choice for Strictly fans or anyone else who wants to reconnect with their body. It’s a three week fun and highly accessible guide to transforming your mental and physical wellbeing through joyful movement. The moves are drawn from dance, yoga and Pilates and there are also healthy recipes designed to jumpstart the journey to better health. Find it at www.waterstones.com.

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YOU & YOUR HEALTH

Spirit

BREAKING FREE OF

YOUR CAGE Donna Booth shares how to break free of self-imposed cages…

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

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O you ever feel trapped? Like you’re living the wrong life and can’t get out of it? Or that you’re living the life you wanted and are feeling guilty because it all feels a bit… disappointing? You are probably feeling restricted by your own personal cage. The bad news is, we create our own cage. This is also the good news! For much of our lives, we are completely unaware that the cage exists. It is only when you knock up against the bars that you can feel anxious, angry and frustrated. The first stage of dealing with feeling caged is to realise the cage is there. Trust me, we all have one. Now, you need to examine your cage more closely. These cages are built from things we learn as children; what we see our parents do and say, what we wish they didn’t do. It is built by our friends and leaders, colleagues, teachers, the movies we watch and the books that we read. It is built from rules we are taught to follow and rules we rebel against. Humans are social animals. Even if you are happiest in your own company, you will still carry the deep-rooted belief that it is safer to fit in and to be a part of wider society. The idea of being an outcast is terrifying at the deepest levels of our being. You have gathered the rules you believe keep you safe. Over time, the list of rules has grown, and your cage has become stronger and more constrictive. What you believe keeps you safe has become a trap. You forget you are always, always, more than any rule. You believe the cage is who are, and you may defend it fiercely and refuse to leave. Take a moment to think about your cage. Are you a mother, daughter, friend? What is your job? Are you a member of a club? Do you care for someone with an illness? Do you have an illness? If you exist within society, or even if you don’t, you will have created rules for all your roles. Bar by bar, you’ve built your cage. It is important to recognise that some rules are important, even necessary. They stop us from causing unnecessary harm to ourselves or others. Some rules ensure we are doing things that fulfil us. But wouldn’t it be easier if these roles were an outfit we can take on or off rather than a locked cage we live within? Wouldn’t it be better if we realised the cage door was always open, that we always held the key? Take a moment to think about your most stressful role. A top tip is it is most likely to be the role that is most important to you. The role of ‘good person’ can be incredibly stressful. Perhaps for you it is the role of daughter,

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YOU & YOUR HEALTH

Spirit

parent, therapist, or business owner. What rules have you chosen to build your cage?

Kerry’s cage Kerry was struggling to manage her role as a massage therapist and business owner. Her children were both in their late teens and still living at home. Kerry and her husband worked long hours. Kerry had reached the end of her tether. She felt trapped, scared and furious. She felt that the full responsibility of looking after her home and family had fallen on her. She cooked, cleaned and picked up after everyone. She stopped inviting her friends around because she worried they would judge her for being untidy. Her family would help, but only when she asked, and often she would do the task again after them because she didn’t feel they’d done it ‘properly’. Kerry thought her family wanted her to give up her job. When I first met her she was considering leaving her husband and although she struggled to admit it, her children. Kerry immediately recognised that she felt trapped, but she took longer to be convinced she had built her cage. We looked at the rules she had for a ‘working mother’ and where they had come from. We also considered the cages of her other family members. After only a couple of sessions, Kerry realised that because she had created the rules, she could change them. Kerry employed a cleaner once a week, sharing the cost with everyone in the household. She had avoided this before because she believed she had to do it all herself. Each person now takes a turn one evening a week to cook or provide another option. They have a rota of tasks and Kerry is learning that it is better for something to be done than to be perfect. Kerry has also decorated a shed in her garden and made it her sacred space. She has flowers, her yoga mat and somewhere to honour the cycles of the year. She has reduced her working hours slightly and spends the time she has freed up wild swimming and painting. She does not spend it cleaning. Kerry is no longer planning to leave. Each role you play will have its own set of rules, and none of them are as important as you believe they are. Also, being angry or frustrated with other people because they are not following your rules is worse than pointless. They don’t know your rules. Let me repeat that, they don’t know your rules. They are too busy rattling their own cages, beating themselves up over their own rules. If you want someone to follow your rules, make sure that they know what the rule is

Set yourself free n

In the middle of a blank piece of paper write the role you find most stressful.

Around it, write the most obvious rules, e.g. I have to feed everyone healthy food for every meal.

The house must be clean before anyone can visit.

Everything must be ironed, even bed sheets and underwear.

If something isn’t difficult, I am not putting in enough effort.

I must exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.

What is the bit after the rule that you are not writing?

I have to feed everyone healthy food for every meal, or I am a bad mother.

If something isn’t difficult, I am not putting in enough effort, and I am a bad employee.

Ask yourself if any of these are necessary or true? Does anyone else even know that the rule exists?

How would it feel to change the rule or to let go of it completely?

Try bringing a little humour to this exercise, if you can laugh at your rules, your cage is already crumbling.

Repeat this exercise any time you notice yourself feeling trapped.

Open that cage door and set yourself free.

DONNA BOOTH is a wellbeing specialist who

runs Caithness based wellbeing practice, Vitality. She also manages the Highland’s first Recovery College. Donna loves wild swimming, wild gardens, magical stories and her gang of semi-feral animals (and daughter). www.vitality-retreat.com or www.vitality-inner-sanctum.com

before you punish them for not following it. n

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

BUSINESS

Meet the Maker

Lee Allen

of Phyte Club

ICU consultant Dr. Lee Allen shares why he started his own CBD company…

studied medicine at the University of Aberdeen and worked in several specialities before moving into intensive care medicine. I currently work fulltime in the NHS as an Intensive Care Consultant with an interest in trauma management and medical education. I am father to three amazing boys who keep me on my toes, and I love spending time with them. I have always been interested in starting my own business and have been waiting for

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

something that felt right before taking the leap. I’m a firm believer than it’s never too late to try something new. A few years ago, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer and told me that she was considering using cannabis for its anti-cancer properties. I had never heard this before so did some background reading and discovered that CBD also has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. What’s more, professional athletes, particularly in the United States, were using CBD for its anti-inflammatory properties to help recover from training and injuries. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) removed CBD from its prohibited substances list in 2018. Prior to this, my perception of CBD had previously been classically stereotypical, associated with unhealthy ‘cannabis culture’ and smoking, and my knowledge of CBD was

limited to seeing a few dodgy looking vape shops on the high street. I’m a big believer in natural remedies, and it felt like there was a gap in the market for a reputable company with a focus on supporting healthy lifestyles and a company with a medical founder would help break the stigma that seemed to surround CBD. It’s in my nature to want to help people and the prospect of combining this with a small business seemed like a great idea, so I decided to start Phyte Club. I get so many people asking about the company name! When I started out, I made a long list of possible names, but the term ‘phyte’ means ‘from plant’ (from the Greek -phyton) and all my products are made from natural plant ingredients – I liked the sound of Phyte Club plus the play on words, so it was the obvious choice really. I researched several laboratories and suppliers, initially focussing on suppliers that could supply the highest quality products but in smaller quantities, as well as being certified THC free. This is important for the sports and

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fitness market. I always planned to expand the range into skincare and wellbeing, so when turnover allowed, I went through the same process for cosmetic manufacturers. I like to be different and most of my products are uniquely manufactured to my specification. I really enjoy the creativity of creating the products and customising the fragrances. It sounds like a cliché but I’m a bit of a perfectionist which in hindsight I think has held me back. I have learned not to get so hung up on the minor details so much now, and that progress over perfection is the way to move forward. It’s easy to fine tune packaging or products once you have something to work with, but if you wait for perfection before you start then it’ll never happen! Some people find it strange that a doctor should have a CBD company and an interest in a more holistic approach to wellness. I get a lot of questions and some funny comments, but to be honest I think that mostly people are intrigued. Medicine is very much an evidence-based specialty, and if there hasn’t been a large randomised controlled trial on a therapy then it is quickly dismissed. My view is that absence of evidence doesn’t equal absence of effect, and I think cannabis medicines hold significant future potential. This does highlight an important point which is that any CBD product available for purchase is not a medicine, and no medical claims should be made for such products. I think that this is the area I find most difficult to navigate. My aim with Phyte Club is simple though - to help people by providing a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing, offering CBD products with transparency and trust. The CBD market is being strongly driven by consumer demand and despite its challenges, people are clearly interested in choosing natural alternatives. When you’re starting a business, it’s essential to be able to separate work from home life to avoid burnout. I discovered this the hard way! With more working from home, the use of Teams/Zoom calls and an always on expectation, it can be difficult but it’s vital to be able to switch off. I try to schedule time to do something that I find relaxing like play the piano, or do something creative, and avoid the

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temptation to check work emails or catch up on a day off. Time spent doing nothing is not time wasted. I like getting to the gym – apart from the obvious physical benefits, it’s so good for mental health too. It can be challenging when I’m tired from a busy on-call, but I try, with variable success, to make it more of a discipline rather than waiting for the motivation to work out because I know I always feel better afterwards. I love the buzz you get after a hard workout! I’m also a big fan of being outdoors, especially in the sun. I love taking my boys paddleboarding in the summer, as well as getting out on my motorbike. I guess I’m a bit of a thrill seeker at heart and am always looking for ways to push myself and try new things. Over the next few years, I’d really like to work on scaling the business. I’m focussing on expanding sales across the UK and growing the brand through reputation. Advertising CBD is somewhat challenging just now because of restrictions across social media platforms, but I see that changing soon. I run most aspects of the business myself in my spare time which can be challenging, so the idea of perhaps having a shop and taking on staff is appealing. Lots of people dream of starting a business,

BUSINESS

but put barriers in their own way. Everything you’ve ever wanted lies just outside your comfort zone. Pursue your passion, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to fail. n

Find out more at www.phyte.co.uk

HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

YOUR HEALTH

Back PAGE

All the stuff we wanted to share but didn’t have room for elsewhere… Caroline Larissey appointed to FHT board Caroline Larrissey, a highly respected professional with an impressive background in the hair and beauty industry, has been appointed to the FHT Governing Council. She will serve as Vice President. Caroline is the Director of Quality and Standards at the National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF). Her expertise spans diverse areas, including training, apprenticeships, standards, qualifications, codes of practice, quality assurance, funding and business practices.

performance, imaging revealed better integrity in the brain pathway called the left uncinate fasciculus, which connects the medial temporal lobe to the decisionmaking prefrontal cortex, becomes less robust with age. Participants also reported sleeping more soundly. The study was supported by Procter & Gamble and a product capitalising on the research is expected to launch in 2024. Ref: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1200448

Aromas lead to major memory boost in older adults A new study from the University of California concluded that older adults who used a fragrance diffuser for two hours a night over a six month period experienced a 226% increase in cognitive capacity compared to the control group. The research team say their findings transform the longknown tie between smell and memory into an easy, non-invasive technique for strengthening memory and potentially deterring dementia. The subjects were given seven different fragrance capsules, using a different one each night of the week. As well as improved test

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

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HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

After a couple of washes, it feels softer than silk and the 300 thread count feels like 1000. It washes on a cold wash and creases fall out. The company donates 1% of revues to environmental causes and plants a tree for each order, so you can sleep soundly. Find it at www.slothlondon.co.uk

The One Stop Shop for all your Digestive Health Needs Practitioner Supplies was founded to supply CAM Practitioners with high quality proven herbal formulae specialising in bowel health at reasonable prices.

King Charles’ holistic fertility service celebrates five year and forty babies A holistic fertility programme set up by the then Prince Charles at the Scottish stately home he restored, has just celebrated the fortieth baby to be born thanks to the pioneering work at Dumfries House. King Charles set up a free fertility wellbeing programme as part of his ‘Royal Health Service’ which includes acupuncture, reflexology, massage, yoga and hypnotherapy, dance and cookery classes as well as relationship counselling. Half the couples taking the course became pregnant, compared to an average of 20% for IVF treatment. The multi-million-pound Health and Wellbeing programme at Dumfries House also offers holistic treatments for chronic pain, diabetes, anxiety and

Our range includes Co-ton (a natural herbal remedy to maintain bowl regularity), TNT (the Ultimate Herbal Laxative), ASP (antispasmodic complex); Probiotics; sundry equipment for Colon Hydrotherapists. No minimum order Personalised labelling at no extra cost

www.practitionersupplies.co.uk Tel: 01282 777480

CranioSaCral Therapy Training “This will change the way you work at a fundamental level” You may be a massage therapist, or other type of bodyworker, with various tools already in your therapy kit. Here are some you will be really glad you added. Participants repeatedly tell us how incorporating CST changes the way they work, at the most fundamental level, giving them new insights into how the body functions and how they treat. Start with CST1, at venues around the country: Brighton, London, Launceston, Midlands & Scotland. Get in touch - find out more.

TRY OUR FREE 5-PART ONLINE INTRO www.upledger.co.uk 0800 690 6966

menopause symptoms. n

TRY THIS… A BETTER NIGHT’ SLEEP Poor sleep affects many of us, but Sloth London may have the answer. Their eco-luxe bamboo bedding is created from the softest bamboo rayon. The amazingly comfortable duvet cover, pillowcases and sheets are sustainable, eco-friendly, naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, moisture wicking and temperature King Charles’ controlling and Sloth’sholistic bedding was fertility service King rated 10/10 by the Independent.

WORDS OF WISDOM… Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, ‘Make me feel important.’ Never forget this message when working with people. Mary Kay Ash

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HOLISTIC THERAPIST 2023

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