Health & Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing Value of sleep on health and wellbeing

You may have heard of Dr another day. Allow your Rangan Chatterjee. He is a mental and physical self to GP, an author, TV presenter slow down before going to and producer of the excellent bed. We know how sleepy a podcast, Feel Better, Live hot bath or shower can make More. In one of his books he us feel – so try that. Reading states, “It’s thought that a book – not your company’s between 60 and 80 per cent accounts but something to of GP consultations are take you away from the related to stress.” everyday, to distract, to That is huge! It’s another entertain. This part of stress warning to take stress management is like all others seriously. I suspect right now – small changes make big that figure is significantly higher. But don’t lose heart, because here is another way you can manage the stress in your life: Dr Sleep. You can find more information on my website (below), about the effects of sleep deprivation if you are concerned, but put simply it can have a similar our sleep is deprived. Our memories aren’t as sharp, our emotional resilience drops and it can even lead to a resistance to insulin resulting in type 2 diabetes. For now, let’s concentrate on how you can improve the quantity and quality of sleep. You need to prioritise sleep. Try not to think of it as This may mean making some changes such as eating your evening meal earlier, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol in the evening and turning off computer screens (phones, laptops, but not TVs) an hour before going to bed. The busier and more stressed we are, the more important it differences so whilst it may require thought and effort to change your routine it will be worth it. Why not try a new routine for a couple of weeks and see how you sleep and if you are more productive during the day? Sleep well! Alice Johnsen is a life coach based just outside effect on our minds and tagged onto the end of a full- is to allow our bodies and Sherborne. bodies as stress. Adrenaline on, full speed day. Prepare brains to recover properly at 07961 080513 and cortisol are released if for it. Plan your evening. night. Preparing to fight alicejohnsen.co.uk The tick-tock of nature is reassuring

By Dr Susie Curtin Nature writer and qualitative researcher rewildingjourneys.com

Welcome to my meditations in nature. Here in the Blackmore Vale we are blessed with a unique and biodiverse landscape that affords a welcome distraction in these unnerving times. I hope you will join me in celebrating all that nature offers us this autumn. September has quietly drifted away in a misty Indian summer haze and a rainy October has crept in behind. Now as the nights grow colder, the seasonal colours are slowly taking hold and the greenness is tinged with saffron and cinnamon tints; autumn is stirring. A few days ago, whilst walking in Duncliffe Woods, I was mesmerised by a large flock of swallows feasting on the tiny insects that drifted on the strong breeze. These powerful aviators were diving, circling and freefalling over the grazing cattle on the southern edge of the woods. Standing snug against an old oak tree, I watched as their fly-pasts came ever closer. It was the 9th October. Now, as I write this, these elegant birds will already be making their way south; travelling over Western France, Eastern

Spain, across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, over the Sahara and the rainforested Congo all the way to South Africa. They travel hundreds of kilometres a day, flying low over the landscape. It is hard to fathom how these small creatures have the capacity to make such enigmatic migrations, but they do. As I watched them that day, amidst the wonder, I felt a tinge of sadness. Their imminent departure would leave our skies bare for a while and their exodus was a final marker to end the summer warmth. But nature moves swiftly and already our winter visitors are en route to take their place. Flocks of starlings are arriving from Northern Europe and it won’t be long before the chattering redwings and fieldfares appear overnight from Russia and Scandinavia. Listen out for their ‘seep seep seep’ calls as they travel in the darkness over your gardens. There is something reassuring about the tick-tock of nature’s rhythms; the comings and goings that signify that nature is still working, and the world is still turning. It keeps things in perspective. That is why nature’s cure is so powerful and why protecting our environment is so important. 47

Herbs as medicine...

with Fiona Chapman

Herbal medicine is a fascinating and eye-opening subject to be studying and has completely changed the way I look at my garden and the surrounding countryside. Once I started learning about herbs, I realised that my garden had everything I might need and, what was even more amazing was that I had, inadvertently, planted a huge amount of plants that I had no idea were medicinal, such as berberis vulgaris, barberry –good for dredging the liver; viburnum oculus or guelder rose – cramp bark, good for stomach cramps; chamomile, a mild sedative that calms the system; rugosa rose with wonderful antiinflammatory rosehips; sweet smelling mahonia, good for cleaning the blood; marshmallow, wonderful for healing the gut… to name a few. And not to mention the “weeds” that I have been battling for years: nettles, burdock, dock,

CANN YES YOU CANN! Normally, when I explore a parish, I park near the Church and look at it first, but Cann hasn’t got one! So here’s the route you can walk in my footsteps. It’s only about 2.5 miles. Park your car in the side road off the A350, just north of the river, which is the parish boundary. Cross the A350 and head west along the footpath passing the old mill by the stream. The route takes you over the border into Melbury Abbas but you’re soon back in Cann when you get to the road and cross the bridge. Head north up the road, self heal, feverfew and dandelion, which hardly touches the herbal surface! Now, I have a wonderful policy – much to my husband’s horror – of leaving a big swathe of the garden to “go wild”. Not only have the herbs flourished, but so have the insects and birds. A win- win situation. French Mill Lane, then branching up what becomes a sunken track after a while. When there are signs of civilisation, turn right along a footpath through a field following the Shaftesbury boundary heading ENE until you get to the A350. Cross the road and take the path meandering through a pretty wood until it gets to the B3081. Turn right and head downhill, SSE, until you find a footpath on your right. This takes you first W then SW down a wriggly hollow way which takes you to the A350 again. This is at a junction with a footpath that takes you E for a quarter of a mile across fields until you reach

A walk around...

Herbal medicine is a very old body will keep you well if you “art”. Many modern drugs are let it. It always wants to be in derived from herbs where one balance and it has the most element has been extracted such remarkable ability to regrow as salicin in white willow and and heal itself. Naturopathy meadowsweet and then and herbs can help by feeding manufactured synthetically to the blood, cooling inflammation make what we all know as or nurturing mucous aspirin. The most usual question membranes. I get when I say I am studying To me, herbalism should be like herbal medicine is: “but is there eating well. any scientific proof?” The It should keep us at our answer is some – some herbs optimum potential and should such as the amazing hawthorn compliment modern medicine. has been studied quite In the next few issues, I will extensively and is considered write about some of the good for the heart and common herbs found in circulatory system. However, abundance in Dorset and, if you cannot patent a herb and lucky like me, your garden – it studies are extremely expensive, will change your attitude to so us herbalists have to rely on weeds! ancient tried and tested wisdom. In China, the ‘doctors’ were This is what herbalists and naturopaths Fiona Chapman is studying naturopathy should be able and herbal medicine at to do. Your the College of Naturopathic Medicine

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

48 paid to keep the patient well. a minor road where you turn right and it takes you back to your car. If you drive up to Shaftesbury, turning left at the roundabout, you’ll soon come to St Rumbould’s Church on your left hand side. It’s not far from Old

Boundary Road, which explains why Cann has been without a Church for the last century. The signs at the Church suggest that it’s used for other purposes nowadays but the cemetery is still in use.

Make: Calming lavender bath salts

By Clare and Vicky Brunton The nights are now longer and colder so it’s high time for a nice relaxing, fragranced soak in the bath. We have an attractive and therapeutic bath salt recipe which we would love to share with you. The beauty of this recipe is that it couldn’t be easier to make, looks beautiful on display as well as making wonderful homemade gifts for birthday and Christmas presents. Epsom Salts are a fantastic addition to any bath as they are renowned to relax sore muscles, reduce pain and inflammation as well as give you a better night sleep due to the magnesium content. Lavender is a wonderful plant as it promotes calmness, reduces stress, anxiety as well as being said

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to reduce mild pain. Ingredients: FOOT CARE AT HOME Epsom Salt – available from your local health Professional, friendly service since 2005. food shop and some All common problems treated. supermarkets Blandford, Sturminster Newton, Gillingham, Lavender essential oil –Shaftesbury and Sherbourne areas. Ring 01258 820203 also available www.bmvfootcare.co.uk in health food shops as well as online (Naissance is great for quality oils –naissance.co.uk). Dried lavender (optional but looks great if gifting in a clear jar). Large mason jar or storage container of your choice Directions: Open your mason jar and half fill with the epsom salts. Add Natural Pain Relief therapist in Gillingham. Bio resonance scan and treatments.clinical reflexology & baby/ toddler reflexology. When the home that you love has become too much for you to cope with, and you worry about the everyday things like cooking meals and caring for yourself, then it may be time to consider an easier way of life. St Denis Lodge is a beautifully appointed house with an attractive garden and conservatory. We would welcome an opportunity to show approximately 15 -20 drops of essential oil to T: 01747 826931 yvonne@intelligenthealth clinic.co.uk you why it is one of the most highly regarded homes in the area. Contact Vicki Elesmore on the salts along with a spoonful of dried Making Life More Comfortable! 01747 854596 St Denis Lodge, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8BS lavender. Stir well or close the lid and give it a good shake. Then fill OPEN DAY this Saturday the remainder of the jar with epsom The friendly team at Shaftesbury Chiropractic, led salt and again stir or shake. Your by Dr Vanessa Spencer, are committed to helping bath salts are now ready! If gifting, you get back to doing the things you love. you can always add a handwritten label and a ribbon or twine to finish. Come and chat to one of our Chiropractors or try a taster massage! 7 Seater Adele Clinch, BSc Hot tub, hcpc registered To book an appointment, £3,250. chiropodist/podiatrist

Please 01935 812231 1 Brimport, Shaftesbury SP7 8AT call Home visits in NW 01935 Dorset 812725 sherbornepodiatry.com Age Concern North Dorset (Sturminster Newton)

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