Due to increased risk associated with the highly transmissible new strain of covid 19 and the significant rise in local covid-19 cases I decided to suspend my practice from Jan 1st 2021. This decision has been taken to minimize risk to my patients and myself. I hope this situation will only impact on Jan appointments. Please visit my website for up-date announcements concerning restart dates and times of therapy appointments. In the meantime, I will be operating an appointment waiting list with existing patients being given priority.
Thank you for your understanding and stay safe.
The winter is not my most favourite time of the year for many reasons. Shorter days and cold wet weather being just two. Light relief is offered by the festivities at this time of year that focus on people getting together and enjoying themselves. Having missed out on a family Christmas and seeing in the New Year with friends I suspect that the vast majority of the population are feeling the same as me………. pretty fed up.
“Winter Blues” are often described as a set of symptoms that manifest at this particular time of year every year affecting physical and psychological wellbeing. The clinical diagnosis for this condition depends on a recurring set of symptoms and is according to the NHS known as SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder. This condition can affect any age and some more severely than others. The symptoms include a persistent low mood, a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities, feeling irritable feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness. Low self-esteem, tearfulness, feeling stressed or anxious, a reduced sex drive and becoming less sociable. A small number of people will experience these symptoms in phases that are separated by “manic” periods where they feel happy, energetic and much more sociable. Physical symptoms can include being less active than normal, feel lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day, sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning. Difficulty concentrating and an increased appetite – some people have a particular craving for foods containing lots sugar and/or carbohydrates and end up gaining weight as a result. These symptoms may make everyday activities increasingly difficult.
If these symptoms “ring a bell” with how you are feeling the question is then what can you do to help yourself feel better ? Firstly, decide if the symptoms are mild or severe if they are severe or you are not sure seek some professional medical help. If symptoms are mild, try and put them into some kind of order. In other words which symptoms are bothering you the most at the top of the list and then work down until you reach the ones affecting you the least. Prioritizing in this way will help you formulate an “action plan”
Planning changes may begin with diet and lifestyle. Food should not be purely for sustenance it should be for pleasure. Mealtimes should be a pleasant and enjoyable experience. Think of cooking yourself a special meal, something you really enjoy eating and set time aside to make the most of it. A healthy lifestyle should include time for peace and quiet, for stillness and calm. If these elements are missing in your life try and organise your day to build in 15-20 mins of mindfulness into each day. You will be surprised at how not worrying over what you did in the past and not fearing what the future may bring will influence your thought processes to concentrate and stay in the all important “ Now”
There are certain vitamins and minerals that may help for example Vitamin D, Vitamin C and the B Vitamin Complex. The mineral Zinc can support brain function , especially concentration. For more help and advice Contact:
Tel 01305 784986. abigailwring@btinternet.com www.dorsetclinicalreflexology.co.uk