Tip The Scales Towards Better Health

Tipping the Scales

TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH

Employees and employers across Mid Sussex can benefit from a free Wellbeing MOT, as Adele Trathan discovered when she met Julia MeckaelJennings from the Mid Sussex Wellbeing Team

Businesses in Mid Sussex can access this nonclinical service, provided by the Mid Sussex Wellbeing Team, to help promote general good health and wellbeing for their staff. Julia explained, “The Wellbeing MOT is a free service available to small and medium businesses across the Mid Sussex area and the team of advisors offer appointments in the workplace.” The Wellbeing MOT is open to all employees with the only exceptions being those who are pregnant, have a pacemaker or an internal medical device who cannot use the Tanita scales but can still attend.

The consultation promotes ongoing awareness of health and wellbeing for each individual and any personal details remain confidential. The intention is to identify and give guidance to areas of lifestyle that might be improved for better overall health.

Julia said, “It starts with a body composition analysis. We operate Tanita scales, which use electrical resistance and signals to create a complete breakdown of body composition, while taking into account individual gender, age and height.” The information recorded from the scales includes fat percentage, muscle mass, total body water percentage, bone mass, basal metabolic rate, metabolic age, visceral fat and body mass index.

The information is much more detailed than a traditional BMI reading, which is just a height to weight ratio. For example, an individual with high muscle mass and low body fat percentage might give a high BMI score, but is actually healthier than a high body fat and low muscle mass percentage. In addition, the visceral fat rating refers to fat stored around the internal organs. A score above 13 would indicate that making dietary and lifestyle changes could benefit the individual. A combination

of these readings provides a metabolic age, which might be higher or lower than your actual physical age. This can be a good motivator either way; to know that you are in good shape, or that some lifestyle changes could help reduce the reading. The Wellbeing Advisor discusses the results with each individual, offering information on both the positive data and where there are areas of concern. Other details such as exercise, general activity, alcohol consumption and smoking The consultation are also discussed to give promotes ongoing awareness of health an overall picture of the individuals health and wellbeing. Help and advice and wellbeing on lifestyle improvements that can make a difference will then be offered. For an individual who feels they could benefit from additional support to help achieve any lifestyle changes, the Wellbeing Team offer referrals to other support services within the Mid Sussex Wellbeing Team. Whether this be an individual health check (for those aged 40-74), weight management, alcohol reduction or smoking cessation, these services are designed to help support an individual meet their health and wellbeing goals. There is no pressure from the Wellbeing Advisors to make changes and they respect an individual who would rather make their own decisions. Wellbeing Advisors are warm, friendly and supportive and have a positive outlook towards achieving better health and wellbeing. It’s possible to arrange a follow up appointment a month later, during which achievements or struggles can be addressed. As Julia explained, “The Wellbeing Team is proactive in supporting the journey to better health and wellbeing for the Mid Sussex area.” To find out more about a workplace Wellbeing MOT contact the Mid Sussex Wellbeing Team on 01444 477191 www.midsussex.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk wellbeing@midsussex.gov.uk

I think we should check out the cinema tonight, maybe see if any other people want to join us?

DOWN SCREENS

Getting back to face-to-face meetings or simply adopting a weekend airplane mode setting can make all the difference to screen time fatigue, says Sara Whatley

Do you remember a time when screens were limited to one small television set per household, trips to the cinema and the few and far between very modern families who had a computer?

It’s hard to imagine that today – indeed you might even be reading this article on a screen. Technology has advanced at a phenomenal speed over the past decade and now the average person might spend much of their day locked to a screen. Work and play are both conducted through screens, which sometimes makes it very hard to put them down.

But try it. Put it down. Step away. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. It feels good doesn’t it?

Too much screen time can affect our mental as well as our physical health. Sleep can be affected; lack of movement can lead to stiffness, neck and back pain and obesity; depression and anxiety can surface. Living life with a phone in your back pocket can leave us feeling like we are constantly on alert, expected to be connected, to reply immediately and to keep up to date with all the latest news.

Although the convenience and benefits of connectivity are great, life certainly was simpler with less screens! Recently I visited Monks House at Rodmell near Lewes, where Virginia and Leonard Woolf lived from 1919 until his death in 1969. The guide told us how they spent their days; writing in the mornings, reading and walking in

Keeping track of usage can subsequently help reduce it, as can creating ‘no screen zones’ like the bathroom or the dining table

the afternoons and in the evenings they would sit by the fire and either read or listen to the gramophone. Visitors often came and they would talk for hours discussing politics, art, culture and life in general.

Granted, life was smaller then, but creative thinking was arguably greater. And satisfaction? Personally, I know how bad I feel when I fritter away time on a screen looking at things which don’t serve me, and how good I feel away from that.

Limiting screen time daily is generally considered a good idea, especially before bed. Not only does this help us to be wholly present in the moment but it also frees up time to spend engaged in other fun activities instead; playing with our children, reading, cooking, talking, being creative, getting outside to play and exercise or simply letting our minds be still.

Being away from screens and devices might be difficult at first but with practice it becomes easier. Setting a no screen day can be helpful, or creating a cut off time for devices before bed. Keeping track of usage can subsequently help reduce it, as can creating ‘no screen zones’ like the bathroom or the dining table. Try leaving your phone behind sometimes, or at least put it on silent and tuck it away. If all else fails, pick up a new hobby and hopefully you will forget all about technology for a while! l