Category: Health

It’s that time of year when there can be a very unpleasant smell in the air because treated sewage sludge has been spread on farmland in the area — a topic we have covered before in the Chronicle.

This is a Japanese term that means ‘a reason for living’. It is a combination of ‘iki’ (to live) and gai (worth or value). Essentially it is whatever gives you value, joy and purpose. It is the very opposite of ennui (pronounced ahn-WEE); this being an ongoing feeling of listlessness, dissatisfaction with life and a lack of purpose and direction. I hope you can see how mentally and emotionally beneficial ikigai can be.

In my experience some people seem to be sensitive to the atmosphere of a place.

I am writing to flag an important change to EU pet travel rules that may not yet be widely known and could affect a significant number of UK pet owners travelling to Europe this year.

Exercise offers many benefits, but when the temperature rises we need to be a little more mindful. Some of us love the heat (I definitely do), while others find it harder to cope (my husband included). The good news is you can keep your routine going during a heatwave; it just takes a few simple adjustments.

Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR) NHS has launched its spring COVID-19 vaccination programme, targeting individuals whose immunity may have waned.

I have become increasingly interested in cortisol and the quiet impact it can have on how we feel day to day.

The American naturalist Henry David Thoreau felt that ‘None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm’. Originally the word had a religious connotation, coming from the Greek meaning ‘to be inspired or possessed by a god’ later taking on the more general sense of being inspired. Certainly inspiration and enthusiasm are linked. Allowing a revitalising energy to flow through us, giving us confidence and focus to tackle whatever task we have set our hearts on.

Spring Into Action with a FREE fitness session at The Fitness Box, Tur Langton

You may have heard phrases like ‘energy flow’ or ‘qi moving through channels’ (all very true) but if you’re the type who likes a bit of evidence with your wellness then you may find the following informative. Modern science has been very busy confirming what Eastern Medicine has been developing for thousands of years.

Gardening is a fantastic way to stay active, boost your mood, and enjoy nature. However, it can also lead to common injuries if you don’t take care of your body. From lower back pain to sore knees and inflamed elbows, the repetitive and physical nature of gardening can take its toll.

In the closing paragraphs of D H Lawrence’s novel, ‘Sons and Lovers’ the protagonist Paul Morel thinks of himself as ‘one tiny upright speck of flesh, less than an ear of wheat lost in the field.’ The image has stuck in my mind, because for me anyway it gives me a sense of perspective. While it’s easy to think of oneself as the centre of things – that the whole world revolves around me – in fact I am just a tiny component in what might be an infinite universe. It’s humbling.

Ash Tree Vets now offers Acupuncture, a gentle therapy that can relieve pain, improve mobility, and support overall wellbeing. Benefits for pets include chronic pain management, (including osteoarthritis), recovery support after surgery, or neurological issues, and relief from stress, anxiety, and digestive problems. Book an appointment by calling 0116 279 3054 or visiting www.ashtreevets.co.uk/pet-acupuncture.

I daresay we’ve all heard that ‘laughter is the best medicine’. It’s a cliché of course, but like many clichés it contains some powerful truth. In the same way that our thoughts affect our behaviour, so our behaviour affects our thoughts. It’s a feedback loop, whether negative or positive. So, if we try to cultivate and maintain a good sense of humour, this can only have beneficial results. The Mayo clinic website for instance tells us that in the short term a good laugh enhances the intake of oxygen-rich air, dampens the stress response, relaxes us and eases tension. Longer term benefits, the website claims, strengthens the immune system, prompts the body to produce natural painkillers (endorphins), improves mood and can make it easier to cope with difficult situations.

Sleep is quite literally medicine for both our brain and body. A strong body of scientific research shows that sleep is essential for metabolic health, cardiovascular health, brain function and daily cognitive ability.
Although sleep is gaining attention, it is still not prioritised as much as exercise or nutrition. As a society, we often admire those who appear to ‘function’ on very little sleep.