{"id":333,"date":"2020-04-27T16:39:45","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T16:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/?page_id=333"},"modified":"2020-06-08T20:01:25","modified_gmt":"2020-06-08T20:01:25","slug":"blog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/?page_id=333","title":{"rendered":"Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Dawn\u2019s Wellbeing Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Back Takes the Strain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Back pain is awful. It\u2019s very difficult to ignore &#8211; not that you should ignore it, because it\u2019s there for a reason; it\u2019s the body\u2019s way of sending you messages: \u2018something\u2019s not right\u2019; \u2018I can\u2019t carry on like this\u2019; \u2018change what you\u2019re doing\u2019. If your body could talk to you today, what would it want to tell <em>you<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Listening to your body\u2019s messages is one of the ways you can discover what you need for your own wellbeing. There is no doubt the back takes the strain, and when that strains becomes too much then our backs start to tell us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cause vs Symptom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to anything that makes us suffer, the most important thing I\u2019ve learned is to look for the cause. Treat the cause, not the symptom if you really want lasting results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you take the example of back pain, which is a very common complaint, there are many reasons why people have this problem and those reasons are specific to the person. When you look at the cause, or causes, of your own pain, perhaps then you can see if you can help yourself at the level of that cause. So, knowing the specific cause is important if you\u2019re going to apply an effective remedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How to find the cause<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Listen to what your body is telling you. For your own physical comfort, and mental wellbeing, this is best done at the stage when your back is whispering subtle little hints: \u2018I\u2019m not comfortable\u2019; \u2018I need to relax\u2019; \u2018don\u2019t rush me\u2019. Trust your body to give tell you, and then trust yourself to hear the messages. You\u2019ll notice you\u2019re repeating the message in your speech: \u2018I\u2019m not comfortable\u2019, \u2018I need to relax\u2019 etc. It\u2019s best not to carry on to the stage where your body is screaming at you, because that\u2019s an awful situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be holistic in your approach. Holistic medicine is concerned with treating the causes. In medical terms the holistic approach is treating the whole body, as well as the whole person, and taking into account mental and social influences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Physical causes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Carrying too much load, leading to strain<\/li><li>Repeated movements that irritate muscles or inflame discs<\/li><li>Wrong or inconsiderate use<\/li><li>Trauma<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Psychological causes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Mental stress and emotional stress lead to tension, causing muscles to tighten and become painful<\/li><li>Feeling burdened. Carrying a heavy load again<\/li><li>Circle of worry. You have back pain and you become anxious about your back pain.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A question:<\/strong> What makes you tense? Or who?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Finding the Remedy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The remedy is usually to do with improving your self-care: doing something helpful that\u2019s nourishing, nurturing, kind, considerate, loving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a guide, when you can be specific on the cause, you can tweak things to change your whole life. This is part of your remedy. For example, your back is painful because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You\u2019re doing too much. Remedy: do a bit less<\/li><li>You\u2019re rushing yourself, or feeling rushed by others.&nbsp; Your remedy might just be to slow down, and go at your pace<\/li><li>You feel as if you\u2019re stuck. So, start to move again.<\/li><li>You care, all the time, for others. Do you care as much for yourself?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I know it also goes deeper than this. Sometimes it takes time to realise what you need for your own wellbeing. You might feel it\u2019s difficult to give yourself what you need. Making a small change makes a difference. I\u2019m a believer in the right action at the right time: it might be difficult to change now, but the time will come. And anything can get better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also want to say that there is a place for the medical drug approach; you might need to take a painkiller or anti-inflammatories. Or, you might want to use the holistic approach and include medications. Guidance is available from health professionals, and it\u2019s good to talk to with your doctor about your options. But, don\u2019t let taking medications stop you from helping yourself, or listening to your body and finding your own answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your back and self-care<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Self-care requires a level of self-worth; and you\u2019re definitely worth that. The body would always prefer you paid attention to your wellbeing and that you look after yourself. Your back\u2019s not trying to annoy you when it moans or shouts at you; it\u2019s sending you messages for the sake of your wellbeing. It has a vested interest in your wellbeing, so please don\u2019t moan or shout back at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the heart of wellbeing is the determination to take care of yourself. When your back takes the strain, it\u2019s telling you to take care. The best thing you can do is to take care of yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" src=\"http:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_2075_600px.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_2075_600px.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_2075_600px-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4<sup>th<\/sup> June 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Well-being in Unfamiliar Times<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article is about three principles of well-being. Ideas to help us at a time when we can\u2019t be sure what\u2019s going on, we don\u2019t know what to do, and we don\u2019t know what will happen. The current situation is spreading anxiety and feelings of being ungrounded, but this is the very opportunity for reflecting on what\u2019s important to us. We can\u2019t go out, but we can take this time to venture a little deeper inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would like to recommend that you start by valuing yourself. Value all the time and effort you\u2019ve put in to your work, your family, and all that is important to you. Value whatever it is that makes you truly happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Happiness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The secret to happiness? Appreciation; feeling grateful for what we have; seeing the silver lining and generally looking on the bright side. We know we have thousands of thoughts every day, so we have plenty of opportunities to practice appreciative thinking. There is even a World Gratitude Day on the 21<sup>st<\/sup> of September, which started in Hawaii in 1965. Living in Hawaii would be a reason to be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You could start a daily practice, that would be unique to you, of reasons to be happy: Great, a new day; I\u2019m grateful I have this person to share my life with; I\u2019m glad I\u2019m single, because I can do what I like. Whatever it is. &nbsp;I\u2019ve met people who keep a \u2018gratitude diary\u2019; once you start one you tend to keep thinking of things you want to add. For one example, thinking of the mentors who have helped and encouraged you. Make yourself feel happy by visualising the faces of those very people who applauded your uniqueness, built you up to be bigger, and made you feel special; people who have celebrated you, giving you a strong sense of who you are. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Three ways to feel happy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Start your day with a smile<\/li><li>Note reasons to be grateful<\/li><li>Be comfortable with yourself and celebrate who you are<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Comfort<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contentment can be found in activities like gardening, baking, reading, painting, talking with loved ones, or enjoying time with your pets &#8211; who teach you how to be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spring cleaning is good for the spirit. &nbsp;A distraction from acute anxiety is to tidy out a drawer.&nbsp; You\u2019re getting rid of everything you don\u2019t need: any clutter and old dreams that are no longer relevant. Especially, letting go of past annoyances and old hurts that you\u2019ve been hoarding but that no longer offer you any benefit. Making decisions about what you don\u2019t want any longer is a step to clearing your home, your life and your head. After all that hard work, you can enjoy&nbsp; the comfort of &nbsp;relaxing &nbsp;in a favourite saggy armchair, in those cosy old slippers to warm your feet. Include a good book or your favourite music; anything that adds to your own feeling of well-being. &nbsp;Little things mean a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3 practical ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Reeelaaxxx your shoulders<\/li><li>Relax your breathing<\/li><li>Lift up your heart<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the nicest things you can do for yourself is to look after yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The things that bring happiness and comfort contribute to good holistic health and a healthy immune system. We know that we need vitamins and minerals to help the body to heal itself and stay strong, and that we benefit from the wellness effects of fresh air, exercise and good company. Creating your own good health involves the right food, breathing well, a good environment, relaxation, and exercise. Eating fruit and vegetables from all the colours of the rainbow will provide you with a lot of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exercise can be something to help you to stay flexible. You can be kind to yourself about this. I love the releasing feeling of hatha yoga. Other people love to run, ride horses, swim. So, know what suits your body, and do what makes you feel good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A healthy sense of self is also something that encourages a healthy immune system. This can include making good choices: choices that are good for you as well as for others, and having a healthy respect for yourself. Try viewing your body as your very own planet, and see parallels with having a healthy respect for our home planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For good health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Eat good food<\/li><li>Listen to your body<\/li><li>Take care of yourself<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What does well-being mean to<em> you<\/em>? &nbsp;Find out what you value in your life. Consider what you value in yourself. Share those thoughts with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>14<sup>th<\/sup> May 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"http:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_2076_600px.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_2076_600px.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/DSC_2076_600px-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Settle your body<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Breathe in. Ease your heart. Stillness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Breathe out. Silence, no thoughts. Going within.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Breathe in gently and generously. Open your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Breathe out with a sigh, contentment. Be in the stillness between thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If my soul could speak to me today, it would say \u2018<em>we\u2019re in this together and we\u2019re doing well\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>27th April 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"389\" src=\"http:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1080121blog.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1080121blog.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1080121blog-300x195.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dawn\u2019s Wellbeing Tips The Back Takes the Strain Back pain is awful. It\u2019s very difficult to ignore &#8211; not that you should ignore it, because it\u2019s there for a reason; it\u2019s the body\u2019s way of sending you messages: \u2018something\u2019s not &hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/?page_id=333\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-333","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=333"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/333\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":346,"href":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/333\/revisions\/346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cumnorclinic.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}