THE LURE OF THE LAKES

The beauty beyond your doorstep

Research shows that ‘blue space’ can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing

The South West Lakes are havens not just for wildlife but for walkers, runners, cyclists, families, sailors, bird watchers and anglers, all searching for their own piece of tranquility. When the stresses take hold, try reconnecting with nature

From the soothing sounds of water lapping against the lake shore to the relaxing dawn chorus on a summer’s morning, and the rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze passes through the impressive woodland canopy above, nature’s soundtrack truly is incredible.

Peace and tranquility could not be more important during these uncertain times and, even though the world around us is ever changing, it seems that nature really is thriving. Now is the time to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. Inhale the flourishing summer air. Feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Detach yourself from modern life and connect with your natural surroundings. Now is the time to discover the beauty beyond your doorstep.

Those lucky enough to live in the south west don’t have to venture far to find some of the most beautiful lakes in the UK. Think of the moorland gems nestled among rolling hills, and the atmospheric waters set in Cornwall’s mining landscape – greatly loved beauty spots that provide a much-needed escape from everyday life.

Research shows that ‘blue space’ – including sea, rivers, lakes and even urban water features – can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. The lakes of the south west provide an abundance of opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to engage with the outdoors and get active with scenic walks, cycle trails and family fun on the water.

There are lakes such as the breathtaking Wimbleball on Exmoor –less than a two-hour drive from Bristol and Bath – the idyllic Roadford on the edge of Dartmoor and the Cornish lakes of Tamar near Bude, Siblyback near Liskeard and Stithians near Redruth. These are all places where you can relax and observe the resident wildlife –finding somewhere to stretch your legs and embrace a moment of calm, and scenic sanctuaries where you can stop and enjoy a welldeserved café treat.

Those wanting to dip their toes in can hire a variety of watersports equipment, including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and sailing boats or for those who have their own kit there is the opportunity to use it on the lakes. These inland waters offer a safe environment for both novices and experts and they are also popular with trout and coarse anglers.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

As lockdown begins to ease, the health and wellbeing sector is here to support us as we enter into our new normal...

SHOP SAFELY

Lululemon opened its newest store at SouthGate Bath in March. The healthy lifestyle-inspired athletic apparel is designed for and with athletes to support them through a variety of sweaty pursuits – from yoga to running and everything inbetween. The new store is a hub for local guests to ‘live the Sweatlife’ –experiencing sweat, connection and personal development. In order to keep customers safe as lockdown begins to ease, lululemon will close all fitting rooms until further notice; keep all returned products safely stored off the floor for 72 hours; introduce increased cleaning and hygiene protocols; only be taking cashless payments; have hand sanitiser available in store and staff will be wearing masks.

• lululemon.co.uk

WASH AWAY YOUR WORRIES by hypnotherapist Viv Kenchington As lockdown begins to ease, many of us find ourselves starting back at work. Some of my clients have mentioned their anxieties rising due to being away for so long. They don’t feel like they can cope with the workload that will arise from work projects, while juggling homeschooling and feeling safe around others. They feel they lack the confidence they once had, and just don’t know how to regain it.

Confidence is you believing in yourself and your abilities. Know that you CAN do this and you CAN build yourself back up. Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed but it’s important to ground yourself. Try to focus on your breathing and take long, deep breaths. This will slow down your heart rate and will help reduce some of the physical effects of anxiety. Try breathing in for a count of seven and out for 11.

You may also find yourself thinking of all the ways something could go wrong. Try to visualise the positive outcomes, and how great you’ll feel once you succeed. Find solace in friends, family or co-workers and let them know how you’re feeling. Interacting with your managers and communicating your worries will help them understand what you are going through. Exercising can also help release endorphins – the feel-good hormone – and who doesn’t want to feel good?

This situation has been tough for everyone, and we’ve all done a great job of overcoming the obstacles. I’ve been very fortunate in that I have been able to work online, something I had always done for international clients, but like many, it’s become my new normal. The number of professionals posting videos on YouTube for everyone to enjoy has also been great to see.

Seeing everyone coping so well, especially the frontline workers, has inspired me to give back. I have written a free track for them called Balance on the Frontline as my way of saying a big thank you to the staff. This track is great in helping you give yourself the self-care you need and deserve.

I have also released tracks for little ones and teenagers, The Wash Away River, and The Wash Away River Version 2, respectively. These tracks are specifically created to help ease the stress and tension that may have arisen during lockdown.

Viv is offering a free track with the code #BathMagVivK

• hypnotherapyandhealth.co.uk

SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE from Human Givens therapist Elaine Curtin

The lockdown, for some, brought households together, but others may have been confronted with partner and family difficulties, separation and loneliness.

Being connected to others is key to our sense of calm and wellbeing and from the Human Givens perspective, having our fundamental, innate needs met ensures that we thrive in our environment.

The past few months has mostly affected our sense of feeling in control, which may well have brought some deeper fears and worries to the surface. Throw in added work and life stress and we have a cocktail for some emotional and mental health problems. The good news is that Human Givens therapy is quick, kind and works uniquely with each person. We work with the story and outlook of the individual, couple or organisation in front of us. We work to help clients relax quickly, and offer guidance that can help effect positive change in their everday lives. We listen, help resolve the matter in hand by explaining the science behind the emotional and mental health issues and then support the client move forwards.

• eleve-counselling.co.uk

MINDFUL MEDITATION by Reiki practitioner Heidi Rearden

‘Many in body, one in mind’ means that we’ve all gone through a really challenging time together. Lockdown has been worse for some people than others, and over the last months, I’ve been offering distance Reiki sessions and remote Feng Shui consultations. Distance Reiki is like a meditation, focusing on the overall wellbeing of the person receiving the session and remote Feng Shui consultations enable the harmonising and balancing of energy in living spaces.

For the planet and for animals and plants alike, lockdown was a restful peace but for us humans it has brought some anxiety and fear, which I’m finding is slowly lifting. Practising Reiki and consulting on Feng Shui during the pandemic, I found some people having similar experiences. The main areas in which I’ve found most people have benefitted is around the area of their hearts, throats and tops of their heads. Many people had felt a heaviness in these areas of their bodies and have found a feeling of lightness and increased joy after Reiki. One particular focus I found has been on ‘grounding’ and creating a path and connection between the body and mind.

The remote Feng Shui has encouraged a flow of energy into people’s homes, freeing the atmosphere that has been left by previous residents. Illuminating the homes has increased the flow of energy and given a sense of freedom and flow. n • heidi@heidireiki.com

IVF and me

As the date nears for the birth of her second IVF baby after treatment at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Karen Markssays despite the anxieties of the lockdown she’s enjoying every step of the journey

September can’t come around soon enough for Karen and James Marks when they’ll be meeting their new longed-for second baby for the first time.

The couple who married in 2014 feared they might never have a child of their own after Karen failed to get pregnant and was later diagnosed with fertility issues.

Now six years on, Karen is set to bring a younger brother or sister for 22-month-old Cameron into the world and the pair are counting the days until the happy event.

Both pregnancies were achieved through IVF at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM), which treats both private and NHS patients.

Karen and James initially attended one of the clinic’s regular informal introductory evenings hosted by Dr Valentine Akande, BCRM’s medical director and lead clinician, which include a short consultation.

“Valentine, his colleagues and the facilities impressed us so much we decided to proceed,” said Karen, 32.

“They have been such a wonderful and supportive bunch to deal with, in particular director of nursing and clinical services, Carrie Lomax, who we think is one of the most amazing nurses in the world.

“The BCRM team becomes as much a part of your fertility journey as you want them to be. They really care. For us they became like extended family.

“I needed that sort of relationship, but if that’s not what a patient wants, they don’t press – you feel very much in control.”

The Marks’s were given funding for one round of IVF on the NHS in September 2017.

During minimally invasive egg retrieval procedure surgeons collected 15 of Karen’s eggs which were fertilised with James’s sperm in BCRM’s labs in September 2017.

Five viable embryos were created, from which one was transferred back into Karen’s uterus. “People say IVF can affect your hormones when you’re on the meds, but I remember this as a calm time. I was unconscious for the egg collection, but that was it. And no pain at all.” Happily, for Karen and James, 35, the procedure worked first time and after a sevenweek viability scan, she was discharged into the care of her local community midwife team in Taunton. The pregnancy proceeded normally, with the birth of a fullterm baby boy, Cameron McLennan James Marks

Nurse Carrie Lomax, ‘’one of the weighing in at 6lb 10oz most amazing nurses in the world’ on September 1, 2018.

Eighteen months on, Karen and James are now expecting their second baby under the care of BCRM fertility consultant Dr Alex Price, due to be born in September 9.

“In many ways it’s been so much easier the second time around,” added Karen. “Alex is just lovely. She made me feel at home as soon as we returned.

“Even after I’ve given birth to our second child, we’ll still have two frozen embryos left if we decide we’d like a bigger family.”

Karen was 16 weeks into the pregnancy when the lockdown began in March and admits although it is not the easiest time to be having a baby, the family are in good spirits.

“The main thing is we are going to have a wonderful new brother or sister for Cameron and hopefully Covid-19 will be something for the history books to tell our grandchildren about!”

The Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine has world class facilities and technology that treats both private and NHS patients. BCRM is involved in innovative research and has one of the best success rates with IVF and other fertility treatments in the UK.

To register for a virtual open evening webinar or to book an initial consultation appointment email BCRM at: info@BCRM.org.uk call 0117 3018605 or visit: www.fertilitybristol.com.