Sleep affects almost every type of tissue and system in the body – from the brain, heart, digestions and lungs to metabolism, immune function, mood, and disease resistance.  Research shows that a chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and…

Let’s look at meditation. Stick with me here, even if the very word meditate makes you uncomfortable! I’m sure you have read about the benefits of regular meditation – if you want a quick reminder, here’s a link  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation#section2 There is now so much scientific evidence for the benefits of regular meditation that it can no…

Did you know that in an average lifetime we take over 500 million breaths? Mostly we don’t even think about breathing, and generally in our fast-paced, stress-filled lives our breaths become shallower and faster and our diaphragms become weaker and stiffer.     What exactly is the diaphragm?   The diaphragm is a thin muscle that sits…

Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is linked with the energy of the liver.  The liver is regarded as being the hardest working organ in the body.  At any given time your liver contains about 10 percent of your body’s total blood volume, and it filters 1.4 litres of blood per minute. Pretty amazing! It not only…

1. Find a comfortable position. Bringing awareness to your heart space, place a hand on your chest.  Inhale, Exhale. As you continue to breathe, recite the following phrases: “May I be safe, May I be peaceful, May I be healthy, May I be loved,  May my life flow.” Notice whatever arises in the body, heart,…

Spending time in nature has the following effects: Improves your short term memory Restores your mental energy Relieves stress Reduces inflammation Improves your vision Improves your concentration Sharpens your thinking and creativity Possibly affects your anti-cancer abilities Boosts your immune system Improves your mental health Reduces the risk of early death Read this article for…

I like this article from Irene Ross.  Hormones are chemical messengers in the body and nothing works well if we have too little or too much of them. By eating well and living well we allow our bodies to naturally self regulate the way they should. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-28585/the-5-hormones-controlling-your-weight-mood-how-to-keep-them-balanced.html  

An interesting article today on http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/digital/index.php?i=708#43 by Brandon LaGreca, looking at the use of lavender essential oil on an acupuncture point to promote deep relaxation.  The point is on the san jiao channel (sometimes known as the triple heater or triple burner). SJ17, or Yifeng is found just behind the earlobe.  Worth trying a dab of lavender…

In the UK, we are in about the 4th month where the sun’s UVB rays are not strong enough for us to manufacture our own Vitamin D, even on days when the sun shines.  It is a good idea to think about supplementing Vitamin D until March/April when the sun gets a bit stronger.  Vitamin…

I love Robert Frost’s poetry and at this time of the year, I particularly like his poems on winter.  It seems apt with his name that he should embrace this season!     “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though;…