Health & Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing Haring around in the springtime

Foot clinics

The sun is sinking towards the horizon casting a pale feathery light over the open, rolling chalk lands. Cheerful yellowhammers and chaffinch chase me down the drove where each spring I come on an annual pilgrimage to see the family of brown hares that I have come to know. Eagerly, I scan the contours of the hills to look for the distinct long black-tipped ears that protrude above the skyline. Hares like to lie flat against the ground in a hollow scrape, making them difficult to spot, but once my eyes pick up those familiar tufty ears and reddish fur, I begin to see more and more of them. Once they see me, the field full of ‘nothingness’ suddenly has four or five hares chasing over its surface; the females punching their front paws to ward off the over-zealous males. They particularly like arable fields, befitting their old English name of ‘stag of the stubble’. Brown hares are not the prettiest of creatures with their piercing amber eyes, but they run like the wind. Their long, rangy back legs make them Britain’s fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of 45 mph. Unlike rabbits, they live entirely above ground. It is a wonder that they exist at all given that they are very inattentive parents. Their leverets are born in a scrape in a field and have no protection as their mother goes off and returns only once a day to feed them. Yet, if they do thrive, they can live for up to 12 years. Sadly, hares have declined by more than 80% in the past 100 years due to hunting, intensive farming, the reduction of hedgerows and the use of pesticides. They are now a priority conservation species. Being mysterious, timid, cunning and lithe, the brown hare appears in folklore and is often associated with devilry and witchcraft because, apart from in the spring, they are solitary and mostly active at night. They are credited with sinister magic powers giving harelips to unborn babies, going mad in March, ‘shapeshifting’ and being a bad omen if seen. Satisfied that I have seen them, I make my way home under a dusky sky that is crisscrossed with pink trails. Tiny pipistrelle bats dip and scoop around my head and roe deer skulk out of the undergrowth to join the evening party. I bid them all fare ye well. n Dr Susie Curtin curtin.susanna@gmail.com

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Age Concern North Dorset

(Sturminster Newton) Your local charity for all age-related information and advice

01258 475582

Office open 10am - 2pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Age Concern are running foot clinics and have appointments available on April 12. Please ring their office on 01258 475582 for more information.

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Health & Wellbeing Drink this for nine weeks to be irresistable – and cleansed!

Clivers, goosegrass, sticky willy are all names for an important and easily accessible herb that appears in the spring. They are known for their spreading and sticky nature and, later in the season, the little green balls that stick to clothes and animal fur… an ingenious way of procreation. These fresh green herbs are just what we need after the long winter. Their principle action is as a lymphatic cleanser. The lymphatic system runs alongside our veins. It cleans up all the toxins in our cells. It is a very important part of our immune system and includes lymph nodes which are areas of highly concentrated white blood cells which protect us from disease. Lymph nodes are spread throughout the body, but they are in abundance near our orifices (where anything bad might get into the body) so our throat, neck and groin as well as, of course, our gut. The lymphatic system also maintains the fluid levels in our body and absorbs digestive tract fats so it is an incredibly important system to keep healthy. Keeping our lymph moving is vital both for specific and general immunity but there is nothing in our body that actually pumps the lymph fluid, so we need to be active to force it to travel around our body. Breathing and walking help and our calves are very important for this, so walking up hill and bouncing on a trampoline are great ways of moving lymph. So too is dry skin brushing and lymph massage. Clivers enhance circulation and helps the lymph to clear toxins out of the body through our kidneys as they act as a diuretic. This is also helpful for urinary tract infections, kidney stones and could also lower blood pressure. They are purportedly good for cleansing the blood and aid fat metabolism (so could be useful for losing weight). Pick a big handful, wash them and put them in a jug of filtered water with some lemon, mint, lemon balm, rosemary or sage (according to your tastes) and leave in the fridge overnight. Drink throughout the next day – at least three glasses. Clivers contain lots of silica, which strengthens hair, skin and nails and it has been said that those who drink clivers for nine weeks will be so beautiful, everyone will love them. Drinking this will also help to alkaline the system but you need to make a fresh batch daily and keep it in the fridge.

Fiona Chapman is studying naturopathy and herbal medicine at the College of Naturopathic Medicine It’s not just you – we have all struggled

Is It Just Me? No one wants to think they are the only one finding something difficult or unsettling. Even worse, no one wants to think they are the only one not getting it and not able to move on. So, here is a list covering the range of emotions I have discussed with clients, friends and colleagues just this week. I’m sharing this list to reassure you, it’s Not Just You. n Exhaustion – it’s been an emotional year for many of us n Guilt – have we done enough? Or too much? n Inability to settle and focus n Relief the children are back at school but... n Worrying about the children going back to school n Irritability with family n Reticence to go back to old life n Fear about the future – how will my business survive, how will my marriage feel in the future, how will my children catch up and how will their plans be affected? n Loneliness – just getting deeper and dragging people down further n Excitement to be getting back to life as it should be n Frustration with self and the whole situation n Excitement and gratitude to get called up for the vaccine So, you are not alone. Everyone is finding their way as we continue through lockdown and, in many ways, this final sprint is going to be the most challenging. I was talking to a mother of three, on an Instagram Live the other day. (I’m @alicejohnsenlifecoach.) We were focussing on what had been learnt during lockdown and what good things we should all try to hold on to, such as: n Children of all ages may have learnt to think ahead, to manage their time and their day. n They may have learnt to negotiate, to work as a team and about conflict and resolution. n They had to self-motivate. As parents, we have learnt about our children – how they learn, how they cope, how they grow. We know so much more about their life than we did a year ago. Everyone’s resilience has been tested – and, largely, we have coped amazingly well. This resilience can be applied to our recovery and moving forward –let’s not forget that. Gratitude for what we have and a greater kindness to each other A greater awareness of our community and those within it who are struggling. Hmm, this is pretty big stuff, right? But it’s there, right in front of us. n Alice Johnsen is a life coach based just outside Sherborne. 07961 080513 alicejohnsen.co.uk

A walk around...

HOLWELL

As I’ve learned the hard way that walking on Blackmore Vale clay isn’t easy after rainfall, this route is almost all on Tarmac, although there are plenty of linking footpaths that should be good when dry. Start at the village and walk north-west along the road for a mile, passing Barnes Cross and continuing down the hill to the ancient and narrow Cornford Bridge over the Caundle Brook, the parish boundary. Returning to Barnes Cross you’ll pass on your right, a pillar box. Take a look as it’s the oldest one in the country! At the Cross turn left, east, and walk half a mile down the road to the church, set in a hamlet named The Borough. This suggests that this was once the important part of the parish and the current village is relatively new. There are some lovely old houses to be seen near the church, which has the village stocks outside. The river is next to the with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

churchyard. Returning, once again, to Barnes Cross, continue southwest, then south for a mile until you get to Sandhills where you turn left and head east along the old straight Holwell Drove with very wide verges which must, once upon a time, have provided grazing for the cattle being driven. You’ll pass a couple of very stately homes, the Manor having a haha next to the road to keep them out. If you’re not familiar with the term, a haha is a moat or walled ditch to act as a fence without impairing the view. Back at the village, if you’ve time and energy for another three miles, go along the road, east, to Pleck and turn left north east to Woodbridge, right, south-east to the main road then right, west, back to your car.

What I do, and why: The life of a therapist

In my early life I was a farmer. The youngest of four children and the only boy, it was expected I take over the family farm. This was in the late 1970s; when there was no internet or mobile phones etc! I sussed early on farming can be lonely and I enjoyed the company of people. I’d also experienced mental health problems in my family (both my parents had fairly horrific times in WW2; and suffered from depression and PTSD during my childhood.) I had a privileged and mostly good upbringing; although we weren’t a family that shared feelings or emotions much. ‘Difficult‘ topics were swept under the carpet; as we kept up our image of respectability and normality –many families did the same; and sadly still do. Due to traumatic life events, I struggled with my own mental health; always feeling a bit lost, misunderstood, unheard and unseen. Aged 18, I volunteered with the Samaritans; answering the ‘crisis phone hotline’ and occasionally doing face to face counselling. At 22, I helped set up one of the first community drug and alcohol services in the UK. In my early 30s I gave up farming. I returned to university to train as a psychotherapist. As part of my training I had psychotherapy myself; something I still dip in and out of, as I feel my exploration of self and others is important and I enjoy it. In the USA, and increasingly so here, it’s become normal to have a psychotherapist when you’re fit and well. Personal development has become popular because it’s fascinating, liberating and even exciting. Exploring the existential questions of ‘why are we here’ and ‘what’s the meaning and purpose of life’ is important to many. Therapy is about self-exploration. What makes us tick and why we are as we are. Becoming emotionally intelligent, aware and mindful. It’s about what triggers our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. What pitfalls to avoid. What turns us on and off. What we like and dislike in ourselves and others. It’s about self-care, healing, self-love, tolerance, relationships, sex, acceptance, intimacy, reflection, integrity, honesty, respect, understanding, wisdom, evolving, empowerment and so much more! It’s about changing and growing into the person you’d really like to be. Therapy can be hard work: but it can also be a real buzz! We often fear change because of the unknown; but you’re not in therapy alone. It needn’t just be for when things go wrong, and prevention is certainly better than cure. Why not try it – it might open up a whole new fascinating, fulfilling and rewarding life. If you’re struggling and/or just want to reach your potential – good therapy is worth investing in. n Psychotherapist David Stanton lives near Sherborne.

MASSAGE AND REIKI TRAINING

with Zen House

For Massage Training please visit www.massagetrainingsolutionsdorset.co.uk For Reiki Training please visit www.sarahreikitraining.co.uk Or contact Sarah for further information on 01258 458340/07743 418233; email: sarah@sarahjeustance.plus.com

David Stanton IAC ICPT ISOCS ISSUP

Senior Psychotherapist/Counsellor. Trainer and Mental Health Consultant. Individual and Group face to face sessions; also via video on WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger and Zoom. Clinical Supervisor to other Health Care workers. Counselling for Individuals, Groups, Couples, Children, Adolescents and Families. 40+ years experience.

Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Self Esteem, Relationship problems, Family Dynamics, Bereavement, Eating Disorders, Substance/Alcohol Abuse, Addictions.

Isolation, Loneliness, PTSD, Bi-Polar, OCD, Sexual/Physical Abuse, Self Harming, Death Anxiety, Sex Issues. Lack of Meaning & Purpose, Anger, Phobias, Gender, Sexuality. Social Justice. Con昀ict Resolution. Crisis Management.

Available for Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Workshops, Retreats, Seminars, Training and Talks. Emotional Intelligence and Awareness Educator to all Education Establishments and Businesses.

CONFIDENTIALITY ASSURED

Please contact through the websites

www.tatvacenter.com www.edas-addictionservices.com

or telephone - David 07 584 711 488

FREE COUNSELLING SERVICE

We have received funding from the National Community Fund to enable us to offer a telephone support line for anybody having trouble coping with these weird times that we are going through. What ever your problem, give us a call and our friendly counsellor will try to help. The help line is available: Tuesdays Daytime1 - 4 pm Wednesdays Evening6 - 8 pm Thursday Daytime12 - 3 pm Telephone: 07714 550969 It’s good to share