MEDICAL ID CARD
MEDICAL IDENTITY CARD
Many of our readers have difficulty explaining that
NAME …………………………
their condition results in having poor balance, co-
I HAVE ……………………….
ordination, speech and visual issues etc. Opposite is a card which you can cut out and carry with you to help explain the specifics of your condition.
Issue 1 - 2018
THIS MEANS I HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH:
…………………………………//…………… NHS #....................GP NAME/........................
www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk
MENTAL HEALTH
MANAGE YOUR CONDITION
IMPROVE COGNITION
IMPROVING AWARENESS
THERAPY
RELATIONSHIPS
Contents
1
Editors message
2
IMPROVING AWARENESS HEADWAY Derby—Workshops
MANAGE YOUR CONDITION Dread the Christmas Holidays Neurolinguistic Education
RELATIONSHIPS 5 Driving After Brain Injury
7
Importance of a Routine
13
Chair Based Exercise
18
Eating at the right time
47
REVIEWS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
21
IMPROVE COGNITION Brain Training
24
Application Reviews
27
MENTAL HEALTH Home Office Worker
32
The BROWN Envelope
35
51
Book Review
53
Movie Review
54
Subscriptions
55
Key Contacts
56
Increasing Awareness
57
Your Business Could Advertise or Sponsor This Magazine!
THERAPY How to Keep Motivated
38
Google Home
43
Find out more by visiting 1
www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk
Editors Message
Readers Letters … Send letters to: letters@healthisyourwealth.co.uk
Please note some of these articles are written by patients who are still in recovery. These articles are deliberately unchanged and may contain spelling,
It’s the end of January and enthusiasm
for
punctuation and grammar mistakes.
keeping
new years resolutions is fading
fast!
Read
A copy of our medical disclaimer plus
the
motivation section on page
terms and conditions is on our website.
33 to try and keep them
We respond to each letter!
going. Of course you don’t have to wait until New
Errors and omissions are exempt from
Year to start a new habit;
this
however
conditions please see:
it’s
embedding
publication.
For
terms
and
them into your routine that’s
the
vital
www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk
part!
Remember. Never give up.
PLEASE NOTE THAT
David & Sharon, Editor
THE ADVERTISING AND ARTICLE SUBMISSION FOR THE APRRIL ISSUE IS MARCH 20th 2
TYPSCOPE / LETTERBOX Prevent the reader taking in unnecessary visual stimulus and help them keep their place in the paragraph by limiting the amount of text readers can see at any one time. This simple ‘cut out’ tool is sized to work on 10” tablets and also the printed version of the magazine. It will present the reader with only 3 lines of text and ensue they wont get
IF YOU FIND THIS MAGAZINE VALUABLE VISIT www.HealtisYouWealth.co.uk Or CLICK HERE TO DONATE AND KEEP US GOING! 3
Manage YOUR Condition
YOU Are In CONTROL
It’s a lot easier to pretend to be sick than to pretend everything is fine. Quite
Dread the Christmas
frankly its exhausting, I have lost count of the times that I have heard:
Holiday
“You're looking well” I used to love Christmas; however now
“Haven't you done well, there is
December for me is the worst month of
an incredible difference since I last saw you”
it’s not the pressure of trying to please everyone or the fear of forgetting some
“Your improving every time I see
on the Christmas card list!
you”
It’s a combination of the amount of
Now I just smile and thank them for the
energy it takes in preparation, co-
compliment.
ordination, people that you don't see
steer
the
more interesting and varied than mine.
window etc. etc. There are lots of things that are not the biggest
to
about their lives which are often much
routine, dietary plan going out the
but
try
conversation away from me and ask
often, a lack of sleep, broken exercise
perfect
I
of all is
pretending to everyone that everything is okay when deep down inside you are yearning for the way thing used to be. 5
Managing Your Condition
the year. It’s not the financial burden,
The trick is to follow the
Additionally I am tired of repeating the same
story
over
and
over again.
golden rules:
Especially in front of my family who have heard it all before and even more
5 Dos of Conversation
sick of “the tale” than I am. If you’re not careful this tale can soon be perceived as
Listen more than you talk.
a moaning session.
Come to an occasion armed with topics at the ready
To avoid this scenario I talk to people
about their lives, a topic that generally
Tailor the conversation to the listener.
the participant is very comfortable with. People love to talk about how well they
Take your turn
are doing and their plans for the future.
Think before you speak
There are rules of engagement with the
5 Don’ts of Conversation
art of conversation which are outlined opposite, however the number one rule
Don’t interrupt
is to act normally and be yourself!
Don’t talk to only one person when conversing in a group.
Don’t engage in “one-upping.”
Don’t over share, some thing remain private
Don't exaggerate - it looks like showing off
6
perceived by the people we address.
Contributions of
A factor that impacts a lot in the
Neurolinguistic
learning
Programming in School
process
is
the
emotions.
Learning based on fear and tension, only
Education
brings to the students' academic life, stress and panic, thus blocking the
(Part Two of Two)
quality of the understanding of the
Neurolinguistic Programming
knowledge taught in the school. In the classroom, it is essential that teachers acquire the ability to handle student´s
Communication is a mechanism that
emotions, so that they can learn in a
involves four essential elements: our
joyful,
physiology (body), our language (words),
dynamic
and
relaxed way.
Another important factor to develop the
our thoughts (focus of our attention) and
best of each child, teaching them
our perceptions (or set of beliefs).
according to their particularities and Our communication (verbal and non-
needs,
verbal), reflects our thoughts and
predominant learning style in each
feelings. We act in accordance with our
student.
is
the
knowledge
of
the
values and belief systems. Thus, the teacher
in
class,
manifests
Each child collects the information and
their
interprets it in a different way, from his
behaviors and attitudes in accordance
colleague in the classroom. This means
with principles and rules of conduct that
that each person has their own way of
she believes appropriate. The way we
learning. The teacher, realizing the
communicate, determines how we are 7
learning style of each child, will be able
Managing Your Condition
Applied In The Classroom
to plan and implement the educational
on the board, or by reading texts, images
content in an assertive and effective
and graphics. It is essential that
way.
teachers use written instructions for use, rather than orally. In addition, it is
When the teacher teaches a student
a good strategy to send to the visual
taking into account his learning style,
student the summary of the lesson that
the child can process the content better,
will be teach in the classroom.
and thus absorb the information more easily. In practice, the teacher can apply activities
that
address
the
three
learning styles, so that each child is able to understand, learn and participate:
Photo credit: Photopin, Barrett.Discovery
• Auditory students: students who present the auditory system as the preferred,
better
understand
the
information when it is exposed orally by
Photo credit: Photopin, US Department of Education
the teacher. These students develop
• Students with the visual system:
their learning effectively when they are
visual learners learn more and better
reading a text aloud, listen to a recorded
when the content is visualized through
audio
books, posters, slides, examples written
story,
or
participate
in
a
discussion. The auditory learner also 8
Neurolinguistic Programming
benefits by repeating the instructions received
or
by
conducting
oral
Techniques in the learning
evaluations. As a didactic strategy the
process
teacher can use audio resources, such as audio-books, storytelling, or reading aloud. • Students with kinesthetic learning style: these students learn best through
students need free learning spaces to
Photo credit: Photopin, City of Seattle Community Tech
move, as in the outdoor activities or NLP offers some tools that can make
practical classes in the lab, for example. Games,
group
dynamics,
learning process and the relationship
parodies,
teacher-student more enjoyable and
songs, and rhymes are examples of
productive:
didactic resources that can be used with these apprentices.
- Rapport: It means being in tune with what the other person is saying, even if you do not understand or disagree with the topic that is being talked about. In a classroom, for example, it is said that rapport exists when the teacher is able to create empathy for the students.
Photo credit: Photopin, COD Newsroom
9
Managing Your Condition
movement and practice. Kinesthetic
Empathy (rapport) in NLP can be
the classroom and, through this, add to
developed in order to bring teachers and
his reflection positive comments about
students closer, allowing more effective
his explanation.
communication between them, and thus -
have a more pleasant and productive
The
Anchoring
Anchors,
learning environment. In this way we
for
Technique :
neuro-linguistic
programming, are external stimuli that
can facilitate the process of empathy
trigger internal states. They are visual,
through the reflex technique.
auditory or kinesthetic triggers that - Reflection: the reflex technique aims
cause an internal response for the
to imitate the behavior of another
student, becoming in this way, the
person, in a discreet and gentle way,
learning process more motivating and
through
body
enjoyable. For this to happen, it is
movements, such as body posture, hand
necessary that the teacher can take into
gestures, facial expressions, movements
account the three learning channels
of the eyes and the head.
(Kinesthetic,
small
gestures
and
visual
and
auditory)
presents in the students, and develop
In the classroom environment, for
lessons
example, the teacher can always try to
considering
this
teaching
strategy.
make eye contact with the students by gently shaking her head in affirmation,
For example:
which indicates that she is paying
capture
attention to the student's explanation.
images; Kinesthetic students have a
It´s very important that the teacher can
greater
consider the student's point of view in
concentration in activities that explore 10
visual students can
better
facility
knowledge
of
through
attention
and
movement, while auditory students,
possible to take any experience that in
better develop learning through auditory
principle seems unpleasant, and become
characteristics, such as lectures, reading
that in a motivating and positive
texts aloud, among other strategies
situation.
using the sound like a teaching tool.
Final Consideration
- Reframing: This technique aims to Each student captures and understands
transform any type of negative behavior
the educational content differently than
into a positive one. In the school
because each sensory channel of our
the teacher observe in more detail the
brain is stimulated differently, taking
behavior and attitudes of each student
into account the need and motivation of
at the time of the class, especially the
each person. However, this does not
reactions linked to the emotions and
mean that a visual person can not
motivations of the students.
become kinesthetic. What will make the
A very positive exercise is to stimulate
difference in a child's development and
the student to reflect on their own
learning is the type and intensity of the
learning process. For example, even if a
stimulation
student does not like math, the teacher
throughout his life.
can suggest that him talk about the
In
most difficulties that he has in the
the
that
he
classroom,
will
receive
Neurolinguistic
Programming presents as an School
subject, and what could be done to learn
Education contribution, the development
math in a more enjoyable way. Thus,
and
through the reframing technique, it is
applied of
academic
contents
according to the learning style of each 11
Managing Your Condition
the other classmates, and this is so
environment, this practice occurs when
AUTHOR BIO—Daniela Silva
student. In this way, the teacher will not judge the student for not understanding something of content, but will try to analyze their own teaching method, in order to adapt the material to the learning styles presents in the class. Through NLP the teacher can help
Daniela Silva is a Brazilian educator and independent
students identify their own motivations
writer. She holds a BA in Pedagogy from Santa Cecilia
in the learning process, applying the
Universit y, Brazil, with concent rations in School
best teaching strategies according to the
Management and Business Education; an MBA in Personnel Management from Monte Serrat University
learning
style
P e d a g og i c a l
of
each
co nt e nt s
Neurolinguistic
student. b a se d
Center, Brazil; and a postgraduate certificate in
on
Neuroeducation from EstĂĄcio de SĂĄ University, Brazil.
Programming
Working with social projects in the area of e-learning and people development since 2009, Ms. Silva is a regular
techniques guides the teacher in a better
contributor to several educational websites, writing
understanding on how students learn
about teaching practices in the classroom; emotions
more efficiently in the classroom.
and learning; evaluation and school planning; learning disorders; homeschooling, brain child development, parenting, Montessori education, andragogy and
NLP in the educational environment
people training. Additionally, she develops courses and
values the different learning styles of
training manuals for teachers and students, and
knowledge, and understands that each
contributes as a mentor in an online platform, answering questions about career plans, college decision, personal
student is unique in interest and motivation,
and
particular
way
therefore
process
its
Working in collaboration w ith The New Height s
new
Educational Group, Inc., she has just published
information and developing learning as
Unraveling Reading, a book on literacy education and
well.
of
has
development and professional skills.
learning disabilities in reading and writing. 12
Email: danieducator@gmail.com
person and what is enough time for one
“Importance of A Routine�
person may not be enough for another. For some people, it may not be realistic to go back to life as it was before the
Following a head injury you may have
head injury.
spent many days, weeks or even months in hospital. You may then be transferred
Can I drive?
to a specialist unit which specifically Having a serious head injury is likely to
deals with brain and spine injuries and
driving licence. You are legally obliged
home. This could be for frequent short
to
times at first leading to a permanent
notify the
Driver
and
Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA) about your
relocation.
condition and must not drive until you Your home may need to be modified to
have DVLA approval. Taking some
better aid you going home but this will
medications may mean that you are not
be on advice from a variety of specialists
allowed to drive. A list of these
from your rehabilitation unit.
medications can be found here:
Everyday activities
www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law.
You may be impatient to get back to your everyday routine and resume
You might be permitted to resume
activities like driving or going to work.
driving once a doctor has confirmed that
However, it is important to give yourself
you have made a full recovery.
time to adjust and recover. The time it takes will be different from person to 13
Managing Your Condition
affect your right to hold a current
eventually you will make the transition
If you are experiencing problems as a
who have had a head injury so you
result of the injury you might not be
might need to consider changing your
allowed to drive for a given period of
insurance provider to get a cheaper
time (often one year). The DVLA will
policy.
give your GP this information and may
Can I fly?
not give it directly to you. If you have seizures, this period might be extended
Yes, depending on your recovery. There
until the seizures are controlled. If you
is nothing to stop you from flying once
continue
DVLA
you are fit enough to do so. You might
approval you might be uninsured. This
experience headaches during take-off
would make you personally liable for
and landing due to pressure changes.
any damage you cause to others.
You should increase your fluid intake,
driving
without
but try to avoid alcohol and caffeine as
If you have any disabilities you will
these can dehydrate the brain and
probably need a medical examination to
increase the risk of headaches. It is
be certain you can control a vehicle
worth bearing in mind that air travel
safely. Modifications to your vehicle
can be stressful for people in good health
might be required. Your vision will also
so it can be especially stressful if you are
be checked. You can re-apply for your licence
before
the
date
you
feeling unwell. Also the length of the
are
flight and any connections should be
scheduled to return to driving so that it
considered. This is especially important
is ready by the time this date comes
if you have back pain and when crossing
around. You will probably only be given
time-zones
a three year licence. Many insurance
be
medication routine.
companies increase the rates for people 14
mindful
of
your
Can I drink alcohol?
Everyone is affected differently by head
You should not drink any alcohol for the
injury and you will need to take it easy
first three weeks. After that, small
during your recovery – this means that
amounts of alcohol are safe, although
it may not be appropriate for you to
you are likely to feel the effects more
embark on an exercise regime for
than you used to. There is also a risk of
months after your injury. You will go
provoking a seizure if you drink too
through a period of rehabilitation, with
much. Some people find that they have
physiotherapy and occupational therapy
more severe hangovers after a head
exercises that will help you regain basic
injury. If you are taking any medication
physical skills.
– especially anti-epileptic drugs – you should check with your doctor if it is safe
Your physiotherapist, GP or specialist
to drink alcohol.
will tell you what type of physical activity is suitable for you and when you can start increasing your levels of
When can I go back to work?
activity. You should avoid all contact sports like rugby, boxing or martial arts,
After your head injury you may not be
and strenuous exercise like lifting
able to do all the things you previously
weights, for at least six months. You can
could.
then discuss with your specialist the
psychological problems like memory and
possibility of resuming these sports if
concentration, and physical problems
you wish to.
such as mobility. It is important to take
You
may
be
affected
by
things slowly, not return to work before 15
you are ready, and consider ways in
Managing Your Condition
Can I play sport?
which you could adapt your work or
your injury has had and work with your
workplace to make things easier for you.
medical team and family to decide the best long term decision.
Before returning to work, you should check with your GP or specialist to
Employers will expect a certain amount
make sure they agree you are ready. If
of flexibility, ability to respond to change
appropriate, many people find it helpful
and people skills that will allow you to
to go back part-time or for a few hours
be productive as part of a team.
each week before returning to full-time
This may require you to be able to drive,
work.
travel
(either
nationally
or
When someone has a serious head
internationally) be available to speak
injury, it is hard to know what will
fluidly across different time-zones and
happen in the future, how the person
at
will recover and what kind of care they
Additionally your employer may expect
will need.
that you be able to respond rapidly and
different
times
of
the
day.
adhere to deadlines etc.
Returning to work will require a variety of skills both from you and your
Employer usually wish you to have
employer. Things are a little different
emery and be able to work well under
now, your ability to travel, organise,
pressure. Their level of patience and
complete analytical work, learn new
understanding, especially in a fast paced
techniques and skills or even the way
industry may not be abundant.
you communicate could be impacted.
Just Remember - Don’t over
It is important that both you and your
commit and under deliver!
employer appreciate the impact that 16
EXERCISE & NUTRITION
“Importance of Exercise”
on the floor and knees bent at right
Chair based Exercise
Complete these exercises at least twice a
angles. Keep some water handy.
week, this will help to improve muscle Getting started
strength, balance and co-ordination.
If you’ve not done much physical activity
Build up slowly and aim to increase the
for a while, you may want to get the all-
repetitions of each exercise over time. As
clear from a GP before starting. As
your fitness improves, why not look for a
usual you should use this article as a
group session near you?
catalyst to start a conversation with your medical practitioner to devise a
CHEST STRETCH - This stretch is good
program specific for your needs and
for posture.
capabilities. When starting out, go gently to get used to the movements and work out how far you can go into each position without feeling pain.
For the exercises that require a chair,
A.
Sit upright and away from the back
choose one that is stable, solid and
of the chair. Pull your shoulders
without wheels plus arms (Wear loose,
back and down. Extend arms out to
comfortable clothing and avoid chairs
the side.
with arms as this will restrict your
B. Gently push your chest forwards
movement). You should be able to sit with feet flat
and up until you feel a stretch 18
across your chest. Hold for five to 10
flexibility.
seconds and repeat five times.
A.
Sit upright and away from the back of the chair. Hold on to the sides of
UPPER BODY TWIST - This will develop
the chair.
and maintain flexibility in the upper B.
back
Lift your left leg, with your knee bent, as far as is comfortable. Place foot down with control. Repeat with the opposite leg. Do five lifts with
Ankle stretch - This A.
will
Sit
improve
ankle
flexibility and reduce
upright with feet flat on the floor,
blood clot risk.
cross your arms and reach for your shoulders. B.
Without moving your hips, turn your upper body to the left as far as is
comfortable.
Hold
for
A.
five
Sit upright, hold on to the side of
seconds. Repeat going right. Do five
the chair and straighten your left
of each.
leg with your foot off the floor. B.
HIP MARCHING -
your toes away from you.
This will strengthen hips and
and
With leg straight and raised, point
C.
thighs
Point toes back towards you. Try two sets of five stretches with each
improve 19
foot.
Managing Your Condition
each leg.
Arm Raises - This builds shoulder
Look straight ahead. B.
strength.
Slowly turn your head towards your left
shoulder
as
far
as
is
comfortable. Hold for five seconds and return to starting position. C.
Repeat
going
right.
Do
three
rotations on each side. A.
Sit upright, arms by your sides.
B.
With palms forwards, raise both
Neck stretch - This stretch is good
arms out and to the side and up as
for loosening tight neck
far as is comfortable. Then return.
muscles.
C.
Keep your shoulders down and arms straight throughout. Breathe out as you raise your arms and breathe in as you lower them. A.
Repeat five times.
Sitting upright, look straight ahead
D.
and hold your left shoulder down
Neck rotation -
with your right hand.
This
stretch
B.
is
Slowly tilt your head to the right
g o o d
f o r
while holding your shoulder down.
improving
neck
Repeat on the opposite side. Hold each stretch for five seconds and
mobility and flexibility.
repeat three times on each side. A.
Sit upright with shoulders down. 20
When researchers tested volunteers on
“Importance of Nutrition�
the day after a run of high-carb breakfasts and low-carb dinners, they
Eating at the right time
found their average blood glucose response was 15.9 units.
Low-carb diets have been around for a When they did the same tests after five
long time based on the belief that eating
days of low-carb breakfasts and high-
lots of carbohydrates, particularly in the
carb
dinners
the
average
glucose
response went down to 10.4 units, which
for your waist and for your blood-sugar
was considerably lower than was were
control.
expecting. The logic is that if you eat lots of It appears that one conclusion is that it
carbohydrates and sugars, particularly
matters is not so much when you eat
the sort without fibre that get quickly
your carbs but the length of the carbs-
absorbed, they will rapidly push up your
free "fasting" period that precedes your
blood glucose (sugar) levels. As you
meal.
generally relax during the evening and then go to bed. Unless you burn this
If you've had a big gap since your last
glucose off by doing exercise, your
carb-rich meal, your body will be more
pancreas will store the excess sugar
ready to deal with it.
from the carbs as fat. That happens naturally in the mornings First thing in the morning your body is
because you've had the whole of the
raring to go and should soon burn up the
night, when you were asleep, in which to
glucose released from the carbs. 21
"fast".
Managing Your Condition
form of white bread, rice or pasta, is bad
In other words, after a few days of low-
processes its intake of all combinations
carb breakfasts and high-carb dinners
of food. This is especially important if
your body becomes trained for this - it
you have reduced mobility as you are
becomes better at responding to a heavy
limited in the ways you can ‘burn’ off
carb load in the evening.
excess food.
A much larger study is being launched
The English Federation of Disability
which will hopefully provide more
Sport have some great information on
definitive answers.
their website on inclusive gyms:
In the meantime, the information from the BBC health section is not to worry
www.efds.co.uk/get-active/inclusive-
too much about what time of day you eat
gyms
carbs, as long as you're consistent and don't overload with them at every meal. It's more about achieving peaks and troughs, If you've had a lot of carbs in the evening, try to minimise them in the morning. On the other hand, if you've had a pile of toast for breakfast, go easy on the pasta that night. Either way the quantity you eat plays
Remember it’s more about diet than
an important part in the way your body
exercise but you need both! 22
IMPROVE COGNITION
“Exercises to Strengthen your Brain!” The rules of brain training: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Try and do a minimum and maximum of thirty minutes each day. Try and commit to doing for ten weeks. This duration requires that you set time to one side to complete this. It has to be challenging to work. If it’s to easy there are no benefits. To keep motivated set yourself rewards. If you complete an exercise give yourself a reward, something to look forward to! As well as doing exercises on your own work with others to increase your social skills.
Word Search Begin Start Commence Embark Launch New Day Week Month Year
24
This maze is much more complex than usual. You start on the left hand side and have to escape to exit on the right hand side. However there are multiple dead ends and only one solution!
Perhaps time yourself to see how long it takes you, take a note of the time and try it again a few weeks later. Have fun!
Improve Cognition
START
25
Cris-Cross Across
Down
3. Come into being
1. Arise
4. Period of time
2. Annual
6. Calendar
5. Set off
7. Make a start
9. Something original
8. 30 Days
26
APPLICATION REVIEWS
How friendly is it?
STAIRS
Easy to use and requires no training, highly addictive but lots of fun! What phone/system is it compatible with? Requires Android 4.2 and up Cost? - Free We give this a ★★★★ rating
Would YOU be brave enough to climb? Try to pass each stair in this crazy endless journey. Dodge spikes, collect rubies and make insane perfect combos! Started from the bottom now we're here! What does it do? It can help with your concentration and also you44r speed of processing and timing as you advance though the levels the games speeds up and becomes more difficult.
28
problem. The course was aimed to first
Bla-bla-blah
year students with no coding experience. The
language
used
in
workshop
activities was Processing.
What does it do? The iOS App is largely used in speech therapy, especially with young children (aged 0-3 years) and with autistic people
application for iPhone and iPad. This app derives from an exercise called
How friendly is it?
“Parametric Mask”. The aim of the
Very friendly and easy to use. Most
workshop, called “Procedures of Basic
intuitive
Design”, is to go beyond the classic exercises about shape and perception
What phone/system is it compatible
that characterize the Basic Design
with?
course. These new exercises introduce
Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible
the use of a programming language as a
with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
problem-solving tool, but the workshop Cost?
itself is not focused on programming: the language is a tool, a way to use
FREE
numbers, math and logic to show
We give this a ★★★ rating
objectively how to solve a design
29
Improve Cognition
and stroke patients.
Bla Bla Bla is a sound reactive
- SAVE your favourite recipes all in one
BBC GOOD FOOD
place - RATE your favourite recipes - START saving and organising recipes on one device, and resume on another -
ACCESS
all
your
recipes
and
collections saved on the website.
This is a new version of the BBC Good
How friendly is it?
Food app, which will give users access to
Easy to navigate the menus and search
BBC Good Food's extensive recipes
for new ideas. Recipes are easy to follow
database. Key features are:
and ingredients are complete. What will it do?
- ACCESS to unlimited BBC Good Food recipes, including the latest, trend-led
Allows you to try new healthy food and
dishes fresh from the BBC Good Food
practise
team
cognition.
- BROWSE a growing selection of
What phone/system is it compatible
thousands of recipes, and new dishes
with?
are added all the time
coordination
and
improve
Requires iOS 9.0 or later or Android 4.4
- Great choice of vegetarian food
Cost? Free We give this a ★★★★ rating 30
MENTAL HEALTH
function of this type of room. The bedroom is possibly the very worst space
Mental Health
to work in, as psychologically it will be difficult to slip into a relaxed state ready for sleep once the working day is over.
HOME OFFICE WORKER Five tips to help ensure a healthy home Home office workers maybe risking
office setup:
damage to their physical and mental
health by doing computer work in
The room you choose to work in can effect
appropriate home office set ups.
comfort,
concentration,
productivity and stress levels. Aim Two-thirds of office workers confess to
for an area in the house where you
taking work home ‘at least twice per
are unlikely to be disturbed, clutter
week’ with the majority having no home
is kept to a minimum and where
office space.
you won’t be attempting to wind
Home offices came in at the fifth most
down once you’ve finished, such as
popular – most likely due to the small
the bedroom or living room.
proportion of people who have them.
Where possible, ensure you have a
Doing work in your living room is also
good balance of both natural light
bad from a psychological perspective –
from windows and quality artificial
not separating spaces from your working
lighting in your workspace, in order
life can make it difficult to switch off
to prevent strain to the eyes. You
and relax when you eventually finish
don’t necessarily have to opt for a
working, and chilling out is the ultimate
dedicated desk lamp – just a good 32
quality floor light or lamp placed
computer monitor will mean your
near the workspace will do the
neck is not put under pressure from
trick.
extended periods of looking at a screen which is placed at the wrong
Use draws, a chest or curtained shelving
to
keep
height.
work-related
paperwork, folders and gadgets neatly tidied away and out of sight,
which is hard to substitute. The
so that your home space will
power of an adjustable office chair
resemble just that when your
with the appropriate support for
working day ends. Allowing you to
your lumber cannot be under-
walk past the room without having
estimated. When properly adjusted,
a panic attack because something
it will encourage you to sit up
‘jogged’ your memory.
straight, support your back and enable you to sit at the correct
Invest in items which increase your
height to prevent strain to the
comfort level and lessen the strain
hands, wrists and arms developing.
on body and mind which staring at
a screen for hours on end and
Every hour take a break. Even if it
engaging in repetitive movements,
for only fifteen minutes, get up walk
such as typing can cause. Wrist
around and get some fresh air. Keep
rests and ergonomic mouse pads
moving otherwise your joints will
will support hands and wrists,
cease up!
while a document holder or an
adjustable stand placed under the
Talk to a “real” person. Someone on the end of a phone is not as good as
33
Mental Health
A good chair really is the one thing
your neighbour! Even if it only a
member of your team and ensure
short
you are ‘in the loop’
conversation
about
the
weather or about how a partner is
doing if it is not work related
Be Flexible - Attend meetings where it makes sense. However this
there’s a benefit!
can be difficult when working across
Summarise you week in a short
time-zones. If the other person is in
email to your boss. Let them know
anther time-zone they may not
‘Wins’ are, show
understand it’s 5am for you! So ask
what
your
progress
made
but
just
as
them to accommodate you.
importantly outline where you need
some help!
Don’t work 24 hours a day Its good to be flexible but as a
Ensure that you attend a weekly
general rule set office hours and try
team meeting. If one does not exist
to stick to them. Turn on your
suggest one and ensure that you are
phone / computer at say 8:00am and
‘visible’
at 6pm turn them off until the next day. People will know when your
Make sure that credit / kudos is
availability is and work around that
evenly distributed. Take credit for
time!
your achievements but also make
people aware and publically thank other for helping you
Take a DIGITAL DETOX—Choose one day a week (eg. Sunday) and don't turn any electronic devices on.
Over communicate—verbally make a point to ‘touch base’ with every
It’s rare that something can not 34
wait until the next working day!
After a little while you are able to
The BROWN
recognise the envelope immediately and
Envelope
a knot is immediately formed in your stomach. It then gets to the point that you hear the mail being pushed through the letter box and don’t want to take a look just in case. Nervously peaking around the stairs to see if anything is there; a little like a child on Christmas morning trying
I guess that some people do not know
Should the envelope arrive you avoid
the feeling of dread when the brown
opening it for fear as to what waits
envelope comes through your letter box.
inside. It’s like a jack in the box toy
In the United Kingdom it usually means
feeling - you just don’t know when it’s
it’s a letter from the government, like
going to
the tax office and it usually it’s because
anticipation!
happen,
like
an
uneasy
you owe them money and not the other Eventually you open it knowing that you
way round!
have a 50/50 chance of everything being After you have had this experience a few
okay. What we do now is open it straight
times you don’t want to open a brown
away.
envelope anymore as it is associated with negative experiences ! 35
Mental Health
to avoid Santa Claus.
If it’s bad news ask yourself:
reminder of how important things are. Keep looking forward and remember
“Will you live through this one?”
where you were and how far you have come. At the end of the day the glass is
If the answer is yes then it’s not really
half full, not half empty. It’s full right to
that bad. You will survive !
the top ! I guess there is a perspective that over
Stop counting the days and make
time can slowly dwindle away but every now
and
then
everyone
needs
everyday count !
a
36
MOTIVATION
Where do you begin?
“How to KEEP
Motivated?”
Make it simple. If it’s easy then we will probably do it. That is how our habitual mind works – it has to be
New Years Resolutions
easy. Our Ney Year resolutions are:
Drink more Water! Get more SLEEP! Give BLOOD! We have deliberately made only three and made them all achievable.
Create a plan. The plan should have SMART goals, be easily understood and easy to measure.
As I am writing this the whole idea
Drink more Water! - Aim for three
seems awful. Similar to a chore; another
glasses of water a day (One with each
thing I have to do! However don’t think
meal) and don't leave the table until you
of it as a New Year resolution, think of
have drank the water.
it as a new year opportunity. An opportunity you don’t want to miss! 38
Get more SLEEP! - Aim for 8.5 hours of
Spot your Loopholes - It is crucial
sleep per night and try to go to bed and
to avoid listening to the excuses
awake at the same time.
that make our habits falter, such as the false choice loophole: “I can’t go
Keep Track- Use apps, a diary or a
on a run tomorrow because I have
chart to track your progress.
to do X.” Recognising them in advance
“People who monitor behaviour tend
actively trying to change,”
Self-Compassion
you can use to ensure success but the
– The
key points outlined above should allow you to achieve your goals !
habits is self-criticism. Studies that
s e l f - c r i t i c i sm
is
correlated with less motivation and worse self-control, in contrast with being kind or supportive to yourself, as you would to a friend – especially when confronted with failure.
less
There are other techniques and skills
biggest obstacle to forming new
show
them
Start in the morning– Simple habits form more quickly in the morning than in the evening.
39
Mental Health
Show
make
powerful.
to do a better job, even if they’re not
can
information
Mental Health help and SUPPORT Services
services.
With
support
and
understanding, Mind enables people to make informed
choices.
The
Info
line
gives
information on types of mental distress, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative
health
therapies and advocacy. Mind also has a
problems or need urgent support, there are lots
network of nearly 200 local Mind associations
of places you can go to for help.
providing local services.
Samaritans
Saneline
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to
Telephone: 0845 767 8000 (6pm-11pm)
call)
Website:
If
you
are
experiencing
mental
www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/
support/helpline Email: jo@samaritans.org Saneline is a national mental health helpline Website: www.samaritans.org Provides
confidential,
providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who
non-judgmental
support them.
emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those
ChildLine
that could lead to suicide. You can phone, Telephone: 0800 1111
email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.
Email:
Pages/Email.aspx
Mind Info line Telephone:
0300
http://www.childline.org.uk/Talk/
123
3393
Website: www.childline.org.uk
(9am-5pm
Monday to Friday)
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of
Email: info@mind.org.uk
nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine Web site: www.mind.org.uk/help/advice_lines
counsellor for free about anything - no problem is too big or small.
Mind provides confidential mental health 40
We started this self help
We have published:
magazine at the end of
Advertising
2014 following a severe
Social network posts
head injury in 2011. We did not anticipate the effect that the
BLOG activity
injury would have on our family and
Print and Distribution
underestimated the long term overall
Digital distribution
outcomes.
www.HealthisYourWealth.co.uk
The feedback that we have received has enabled us to continue to improve the
EVERYONE LOVES SOMETHING
publication and the submission of
FOR NOTHING. HOWEVER LONG
articles by subject matter experts has
TERM IS NOT SUSTAINABLE
enabled us to deliver good quality
THEREFORE IF YOU FIND THIS
content.
MAGAZINE VALUABLE VISIT OUR
We have been thanked by readers for
WEBSITE TO KEEP US GOING - OR
creating a meaningful and easy to read content. This magazine is read not only by survivors / families and carers but also by support workers / therapists and medical professionals.
However we have become victims of our own success ! We are at the stage where we have more articles resulting in a larger magazine. More pages requires a different binding (spine) and costs more to print plus deliver (due to an increased weight). 41
THERAPY
BE AS GOOD AS YOU CAN BE
Reminders This has been very useful as thing can
GOOGLE Home
be scheduled at regular intervals and Google home will add reminders to you phone. For example taking medicine at
How much does a smart speaker
8am,1pm,6pm and 10pm has not only
help with Brain Injury?
differing time but also pills. Once you
Quite a lot actually. For most people this
have set what tablets you take when
is new technology which is really yet to
then
be proven. However for people who have
everyday. The difference between a
speech, writing, reading and planning
reminder and a calendar entry is that
difficulties this is actually a pretty
once you been reminded and taken your
useful tool.
medication you have to select “mark it
you
can
make
reoccurring
How can it be used?
know you have taken them !
I was wondering how well this would
Calendar Entries
work; given that I slur my speech and sometimes
I
don’t
speak
Just say to Google home
clearly;
“Create
especially as I get tired. However I have
Appointment” and she will ask you
had very few problems and the ones I
what its called, which day it is on and
have had are when adding thing with
what time/duration. This is good for
spurious names to my shopping list or
example hospital appointments; it’s an
creating reminders with people names
easy way to prevent double booking
that are not English names.
yourself. 43
Therapy
as done” on your phone. This way you
After this I am informed of the News headlines and then I have BBC minute update which tells me of any major events around the world.
Shopping List However the most useful function is the creation and maintenance of a shopping list. When you are running low on something; such as toilet roll you simply say:
Planning
“Ok Google add toilet roll to my
Each day I awake and whilst having my
Shopping List”
breakfast I say
On your phone all the things that you
“OK Google, How’s my day?”
have added are already on your list. As She
responds
with
saying
hello,
you obtain these items you mark a check
confirming the date and time and tells
box on your phone and it removed from
me briefly about the Weather which
your list.
ensure that I have appropriate clothing You will never forget another thing
on. Then she tells me what calendar
again. Plus if you are in the store
entries I have and reminds me of the
already and your partner wants you
essential things I should not forget.
pick something up they can just do the same thing and it will appear! 44
Music
These functions are only some of the things Google home can do. We haven't
You are able to connect this hands free
yet
device to music services such as Google
explored
home
automation;
connecting it to the house central
music or Spotify. This small speaker
heating or lighting system yet.
really shines when you ask it to: Or
“Play the Christmas playlist” or
empowering
to
work
with
Chromecast; a device you plug into
”Play Frank Sinatra”
television which allows you to control video
and it goes away and finds it for you and
streaming
services
such
as
YouTube or Netflix but can see how this
starts playing. You can increase or
could add another dimension to the tool. Certainly this device is a good tool for
”Hey Google, set the volume to
people with reduced mobility and, if
50%”
setup properly, will enable an individual to control things in their home using
Timer
their voice, There is a ability to set a count down
“Turn the downstairs lights on”
timer. Ask it to set a time for ten minutes and it will alert you !
Who knows what the possibilities are but the technology is moving so fast that
Remember
by the time you read this article a new Ask Google to remember where you put
function will be available which make
your passport, or keys or that important
this assistant even more useful.
letter you must not loose and it will remember exactly as you said it!
45
Therapy
decrease the volume by saying:
IMPROVING AWARENESS
Thursday afternoon. The new initiative
Short workshop series at Headway Derby
was launched in November with a wellattended workshop on managing fatigue, which was run by Lucy Graystone. Lucy explained the different types of fatigue to the attendees and led them through
Headway Derby have been offering a
exercises to help them prioritise tasks in
weekly drop-in advice service since May.
order to keep energy levels fully
This has proved to be very successful,
charged! One attendee said “It was great
with over 60 people attending so far this
to see everyone participating, it was a
year. Many people who attend the
really interactive workshop that got
service are looking for advice about
people talking and there were lots of
benefits,
ideas to take away.”
or
coping
strategies
for
different situations. For others though,
The drop-in service is still running, but
the drop-in has become a regular place
will be based from the City and Royal
to go where they can meet people in
Hospitals on different days of the week –
similar circumstances.
contact Headway Derby for dates.
In response to this, the charity are now
This is the fourth new project to be
providing a series of mini workshops at
launched by Headway Derby this year,
their centre on George Street every
it is being launched in addition to the Young Group, Community Garden and Drop-In services. Interestingly, all of these services have been developed since their local council stopped funding charities in 2016, which saw a reduction in the size of existing services. Chair, Debra Morris, said “Last year we had no choice but to discontinue our services for 47
Improving Awareness
As covered in a previous article,
many people, who we knew would be
everyone’s efforts, we’re now supporting
isolated and potentially vulnerable
more people than we ever have.”
without our support. This made us take a long look at how we could support Headway
more people in discrete ways.”
Derby
have
lots
more
interesting workshops planned for the rest of the year, including equine But this wasn’t a simple road to take for
therapy, Qi Gong and Music Therapy.
the charity, even these discrete services
For more details, contact Lyn Palmer on
have cost implications, which was a
01332 986350.
challenge in austere times. Business and Development Manager, Paul Clarke, said “We’ve had to be really creative this year to raise funds, we even threw some
of our trustees out of an airplane to
If you are not local you can find your
fundraise! But we’ve had great support
nearest Headway group or branch,
from the business community too, who
visit www.headway.org.uk or contact
have
the free phone helpline on 0808 800
been
undertaking
their own
2244
fundraising activities for us. Thanks to 48
E-mail: helpline@headway.org.uk
Improving Awareness
49
RELATIONSHIPS
nearest bus stop, so, without my car, I’d be virtually housebound.
Driving after a Brain Injury
When I had my brain injury, upon discharge from hospital, they presented I passed my driving test 4 months after
me with a form that I needed to
my 17th birthday in 1995 and have
complete and return to the DVLA and
absolutely loved driving ever since. I
then await to hear whether they
consider myself a good, safe driver and
considered me fit to drive. It took them 6
have managed 22 years without either
months to make a decision, and I felt
an accident or a speeding ticket. I’ve
like my life was on hold during that time. I was utterly terrified they would
more recently, for helping out my dad,
say no, but, fortunately, they didn’t.
who’s been seriously ill. I dislike flying, so choose holiday destinations I can
Since my brain injury, I still consider
drive to, and have travelled all over
myself a good, safe driver, however, I
Europe this way, once driving back to
don’t enjoy it as much. I’m aware that I
Derby from Barcelona in just over 24
tire very easily, and I need to plan
hours!
journeys with military precision to allow for rest stops, plus I try my best not to
Having a car is a huge part of my life,
drive at night as I find it really, really
and I would feel like I’d lost a limb if
stressful and I know I will end up with a
someone took that away from me, particularly
since
I’ve
headache that will write the next day
developed
off. I’m more anxious, and definitely
mobility issues due to a back problem. I
more nervous of potential accidents, as
cannot walk far enough to get to the 51
the last thing I want is another head
Relationships
relied on my car for work, holidays and,
injury. It’s made me more aware of
lot of the stress, but I also like a written
hazards, but equally probably a bit more
route just in case of sat nav failure. I
dithery as a result!
write post it notes of the main cities and landmarks we will be passing, stick
I used to be very confident behind the
them in order to the dashboard, and get
wheel, and thought nothing of driving
my son to pull them off as we pass them.
through strange city centres in rush
I learn where all the service areas are in
hour traffic whilst singing along to the
case I need to stop, and tend to be
radio. Nowadays, I need silence to
ridiculously early for everything as I
concentrate, and find busy traffic and
plan for every eventuality. We were
strange routes quite nerve-wracking. I’m
travelling to the Netherlands last year
more than happy on familiar routes, and
via an overnight stop in Belgium, and
I’m 100% confident in my ability to be in
we arrived 4 hours early, as I’d
safe control of my vehicle. If I wasn’t, I
overestimated how tired I’d be, but I’d
wouldn’t drive, no matter how hard that
rather be over-cautious than risk driving
decision would be. I used to be very
whilst totally wiped out.
unsympathetic towards nervous drivers but now I get it.
Driving is no longer as enjoyable or as spontaneous, but I’m determined to
I get round this by meticulous planning.
carry on as normal, even if that means
If I’m driving a busy, unfamiliar route, I
more
drive it “virtually” at home, via Google
concentration
street view first, so as I’m aware of any
and
a
lot a
bit
more more
stressing. It’s here, it’s not going away,
awkward lane changes and I’m familiar
and I won’t let it beat me.
with the view. I used to hate sat navs, but now I find using one takes away a
planning,
52
Jill Hughes, UK TBI Survivor
Book Review The Ghost in my brain - Clarke Elliott demands of his job, and of being a single parent, finally became more than he could manage. As a result of one final effort to recover, he crossed paths with two brilliant Chicago-area researchclinicians—one emphasizing techniques,
The dramatic story of one man’s
an
optometrist
neurodevelopmental
the
other
a
cognitive
psychologist—working on the leading
recovery offers new hope to those
edge of brain plasticity. Within weeks
suffering from concussions and other
the ghost of who he had been started to
brain traumas.
re-emerge. Remarkably, Elliott kept In 1999, Clark Elliott suffered a
detailed
concussion when his car was rear-ended.
experience, from the moment of impact
Overnight his life changed from that of a
to the final stages of his recovery,
rising professor with a research career
astounding documentation that is the
in artificial intelligence to a humbled
basis of this fascinating book. The Ghost
man struggling to get through a single
in My Brain gives hope to the millions
day. At times he couldn’t walk across a
who suffer from head injuries each year.
notes
throughout
his
room, or even name his five children. We give this book a ★★★★ rating
Doctors told him he would never fully recover. After eight years, the cognitive 53
Reviewer, David, UK, TBI Survivor
Movie Review Band of Brothers—Mini Series Obersalzberg in Berchtesgaden and refers to the surrender of Japan. Major Richard Winters (1918–2011) is the central character, shown working to accomplish the company's missions and keep his men together and safe.. Band of Brothers is a dramatized
As the series is based on historic events,
account of "Easy Company" (part of the
the fates of the characters reflect those
2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry
of the persons on which they are based.
Regiment), assigned to the United
Many either die or sustain serious
States Army's 101st Airborne Division
wounds which lead to being sent home.
during World War II. Over ten episodes
Other soldiers recover after treatment in
the series details the company's exploits
field hospitals and rejoin their units on
during the war. Starting with jump
the front line. Their experiences, and the
training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, Band
moral, mental, and physical hurdles
of Brothers follows the unit through the Ameri ca n
airb orne
landi ngs
they must overcome, are central to the
in
story line.
Normandy, Operation Market Garden, the Siege of Bastogne, and on to the
We give this film a ★★★★★ rating
war's end. It includes the taking of the Kehlsteinhaus
(Eagle's
Nest)
and found it a must see series, it is
at
riveting. 54
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