Health & Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing Your toolkit to tackle daily anxiety

As a life coach I work with people on many different issues and not all my work is associated with anxiety or stress management. However, these issues are affecting everyone at a greater level than normal right now. So I am continuing to focus on anxiety and stress management. I hope it’s helping. Here are some simple tools for you to ‘keep in your pocket’ to provide support when needed. 1. Test of Time – if something is causing you anxiety, ask yourself, how much will this matter tomorrow, next month, next year? By measuring an issue in this way it can help us keep things in perspective and not use up valuable energy and emotional

By Dr Susie Curtin Nature writer and qualitative researcher rewildingjourneys.com Now the autumn breeze is blowing the leaves like confetti and the Vale is airbrushed with amber and crimson hues, the trees take centre stage, and rightly so. I cannot decide which ones I love the most this time of year. Is it the wispy delicateness of the swaying birches or the bold carnelian canopies of the beeches? Or perhaps the quiet, neat field maples who slip my attention until their autumn leaves turn a bright gold yellow? It is impossible to choose; they all have a part in this seasonal show. I write this while perched on the protruding roots of a

resilience on stuff that is distracting but not all that important. 2. FEAR – False Expectations Appearing Real. Or, putting it another way, anticipation being worse than the event. Very often, our anxiety about something in the immediate future is greater than the event itself. Once we start it, our focus shifts from worrying about the maybes beech tree that I hold very dear. Under the shadow of its strong boughs, I have spent many an hour in contemplation, picnicked with close friends and playfully swung on the rope swing that fellow tree-lovers have attached. It is ‘my’ tree, and it is so old that its long arms have bent almost low enough to caress the ground. Imagine the world events that this tree has played a silent witness to, perched high over the Blackmore Vale, and imagine all the people who have taken shelter in its lofty shade. Trees play a fundamental role in our well-being; from the architectural giant oaks and aspen to the smaller hedgerow favourites of hawthorn and elder; they are familiar friends in a changing world. Being in their presence makes me feel to thinking about the project or event itself. So… 3. Take those big, scary tasks, break them down into smaller, related tasks and Just Start. One step at a time and you will be surprised how your anxiety drops and you realise you can do it, whatever ‘it’ is. 4. Looking for the positives. Challenge yourself, your family, your team at work, good. They provide interest, shelter, fuel and habitats, and some are so grand that they, like this beech, are destinations in their own right. The real magic of this tree, however, is going on underground right beneath my feet. Trees are connected to each other through mycorrhizal whoever, to find a few good things that have happened each day. It could be a big thing – such as an unexpected new contract at work – or a small thing, such as a phone call from a cousin overseas. Similarly, at the end of each day, try to think of a few things you are grateful for. By practising this as you go to sleep, you can help reduce your stress levels and calm your mind. They don’t have to be big or unusual things –a walk in the park on a frosty morning, enjoying a really good film or being made to laugh about something over supper with your family.

Alice Johnsen is a life coach based just outside Sherborne. 07961 080513 Meditations in Nature: Under the beech tree

50 alicejohnsen.co.uk networks; fungi that grows at the tips of fine roots which connect the tree to other trees. It is through these intricate networks that nutrients are exchanged to support adjacent plants and the tree’s very own saplings. In this way, the trees and the soil fungi work together for the greater good of the woodland. The language of trees also exists in the air. Unbeknown to us, they ‘speak’ to each other using scent signals known as pheromones. These chemical releases relay threats or changes in the environment to neighbouring trees so that they can put up their defences. Trees are, therefore, not lone individuals but valued members of an intelligent community. What a wonderful thought that is.

Health & Wellbeing Take control and feel stronger with yoga

By Finola Brennan

Yoga Instructor and

Ayurvedic Therapist at The Cedar Tree the-cedar-tree.co.uk Yoga can help you navigate through these uncertain times. During the second lockdown many may be finding it difficult to stay positive and feel in control. Regular yoga has many benefits. Many of us are experiencing increased ‘fight or flight’ mode, feelings of stress and anxiety often presenting as impatience, anger or worry, all of which have adverse effects on our health. Yoga is great for relieving these symptoms. Most people find that even from day one of starting yoga, that busy overactive minds become quite, so helping to gain perspective and improving mood and sleep. There are however many fallacies surrounding yoga! It Firstly, you don’t have to be flexible. Yoga helps create strength and flexibility. You don’t have to be a certain age –yoga is ageless and timeless, there are so many different styles. Yoga is not ‘too tiring’ either! Increased circulation and improved posture help combat demands on our bodies. You also don’t need special clothing and equipment. All you need is loose, comfy clothing and a space to sit on a chair or stretch out.

Lockdown does not have to be a bar to you attending a yoga session, there are many classes and styles now available to practice in the comfort of your own home via Zoom. When you start yoga you begin to take back control. Here are some simple steps to start your yoga practice today! Take a seat or stand up, and take a moment to press your feet evenly on the floor. Sit or stand tall. Relax your shoulders and imagine a piece of string running along your centre pulling you up to the sky. Hold your palms open on your knees or by your thighs. Close your eyes and take three breaths. Well done on taking your first step into yoga!

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Health & Wellbeing Herbs as medicine...

with Fiona Chapman

Why are there so many nettles? Answer: They are incredibly good for you. Nettles are one of the first plants to appear in spring. They are blood builders, full of iron and calcium, vitamins, amino acids, proteins and many other complex compounds as well as a host of minerals that our body needs. They are anti-microbial and anti-oxidant and, as in all green plants rich in chlorophyll, the molecule responsible for photosynthesis which closely resembles the red blood cells in our body. Our cells carry iron, in chlorophyl it is magnesium which is vital for us to stay healthy and strong. Eating nettles in the spring would have given our ancestors energy, strength and vitality after the ravages of winter. The old practice of beating yourself with a whole nettle as a remedy for arthritis has, understandably, rather died out! However the mildly

BRYANSTON This is a longer walk than usual as much of it is along the parish boundary, approaching nine miles, so allow sufficient time. You can park in the housing estate, The Cliff, and then walk north along the road, continuing along the path when the road turns left. This takes you into woodland with paths. Swing right and right again, which takes you south for half a mile along a slope. When you see the Stour close by, below you, turn left down a slope, which takes you closer to it, then left again heading north through the wood also known as The

diuretic effect of the leaves and roots does encourages the elimination of uric acid that can build up in joints and cause pain or gout as well as being good for urinary tract infections and enlarged prostate. They also contain histamine which may help hay fever sufferers with local pollens and it is claimed that the seeds have kidney restorative properties. Treat nettles as food. Do NOT pick your nettles beside a busy road, a field that is sprayed with pesticides, or a path where there are a lot of dog walkers! Check that the plants are healthy looking and using Cliff. On your right there are good views of the parkland adjacent the Stour. Soon you will come to the church, which was closed when I visited, next door to which is a chapel, which appears not to be in use. You are now on Tarmac again, which you can follow skirting the school grounds, then joining a woodland footpath that leads west, parallel with the Stour, the parish boundary. If you get lost and stray up though the school grounds you will be greeted by a friendly security guard, who will redirect you. When you have passed the old lodge, turn left and head WSW through a strip of months), or a tea. To make a soup, cook an onion, some garlic, chilli and fresh, or dried turmeric with perhaps a potato or woodland known as The Hanging. Continue when the trees run out until you meet a road, turn left, SSE, for about three furlongs, then right for another three, skirting Broadley Wood, then left, SSE which takes you round a bend and a solar

A walk around...

washed nettles. Add whatever spices you like and a tin of coconut milk and blitz it all up in a food processor with some salt and pepper for a really good, hearty and healthy boost to your body. For a tea, wash a big handful, pop them in a warmed tea pot and cover with boiling water. thick gloves, cut the top least 10 minutes to extract all leaves with stalk off. Cooking the goodness. I leave mine for the nettle takes the sting away hours and the water turns an and you can use them like almost thick clear green and spinach, but it is a bit of an tastes delicious – quite earthy acquired, slightly furry taste, but with a sweet aftertaste. so the best thing is to have Nettles are free, abundant, them in a soup, which is also delicious and so good for you. warming and comforting, I highly recommend settling (very important in colder down to a good brew. some celeriac Fiona Chapman is with a huge studying naturopathy bunch of and herbal medicine at freshly picked and the College of Naturopathic Medicine

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

52 Bryanston’s Old Lodge

Leave them to steep for at farm then takes you east for a couple of miles gently downhill. When you reach the A354 at Blandford St Mary, turn left and follow the road you probably drove up back to The Cliff and your car.

Health & Wellbeing Make: Moisturising deodorant bars

By Vicky Brunton

What to do now that we are back in lockdown? Let’s appreciate the time to look after ourselves, learn a new skill and perhaps try and make your own natural deodorant bars. I’ve tried making a few different variations and this recipe is by far the best. I’ve also used it whilst out with Motcombe Running Club and either it works or it makes everyone run that bit faster. It smells good, it’s ecofriendly, contains only natural ingredients and it moisturises, unlike

Adele Clinch, BSc HCPC Registered chiropodist/podiatrist 01935 812231 Home visits in NW Dorset Sherborne podiatry

Natural Pain Relief therapist in Gillingham. Bio resonance scan and treatments.clinical reflexology & baby/ toddler reflexology. T: 01747 826931 yvonne@intelligenthealth clinic.co.uk Making Life More Comfortable! BAR WORK: You can make your own deodorant

most shop-bought varieties. This is a quick and easy-to-make product and depending on the container you use, you can make enough for yourself and others. I tend to make mine in round silicone moulds and store in a tin and can get five out of a batch.

You will need: 2 Tbsp Shea Butter 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil 2 Heaped Tbsp Beeswax Pellets 2 Heaped Tbsp Arrowroot Powder (or Corn starch if you prefer) ½ Teaspoon Vitamin E Oil ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda Essential Oil of your choice Cardboard deodorant tubes or silicone moulds and storage container coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler or microwave. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the arrowroot powder and baking soda using a whisk. Allow to cool for five minutes before adding the vitamin E oil and essential oils. Pour into your container of choice, allow to cool and in a few hours’ time, this will be set and ready to use.

My most recent batch smells divine using patchouli (six drops) and geranium rose (six drops) essential oil. Another lovely variant is lavender (seven drops) and tea tree (five drops) essential oil. For more DIY skin care recipes, visit my blog at kunewykwoods. co.uk or even share your recipes to social media tagging in @Naturally Kunewyk.

The friendly team at Shaftesbury Chiropractic, led by Dr Vanessa Spencer, are committed to helping you get back to doing the things you love.

Come and chat to one of our Chiropractors or try a taster massage! Chiropractic treatments Pilates Sports massage To book an appointment call us today on 01747 851455

1 Brimport, Shaftesbury SP7 8AT

www.shaftesburychiropractic.co.uk

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

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 you why it is one of the most highly regarded homes in the area. Contact Vicki Elesmore on 01747 854596 St Denis Lodge, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8BS