We were asked this question the other day and it’s a great one to get you thinking about what you truly value in life. 

 

So, before we go any further, why not take a couple of minutes to answer it for yourself? 

 

And, for those of you who worry about getting the answer “wrong”, the good news is there isn’t a “right” answer. Phew, that takes the pressure off! It’s only about what matters to you and, you never know, you might learn something interesting about yourself in the process... 

 

Having posed this question to various people, it quickly became clear that people tended to focus on tangible things when first answering it. Not surprisingly things like their home, car or granny’s engagement ring were popular initial answers. These were quickly followed by their “significant other”, parents or a much loved “four footed friend.” 

Having answered the question of why joints “pop” a few of weeks ago, we weren’t expecting to be answering another one of those questions so soon. It must be something to do with schools going back; as we’ve been asked lots of similar questions recently, only some of which will feature in future blog posts… 

We all have times when we just don’t know what to do. 

 

Perhaps we’ve looked at things from every angle and allowed “analysis paralysis” to bring us to a complete standstill. Sometimes, if we’re completely honest, our heart just isn’t in whatever it is and so nothing gets done. Or we’re waiting for the “right time” which, ironically, never comes. 

 

And not forgetting those times when we know exactly what needs to be done but have convinced ourselves – for whatever reason – that we can’t do it. 

We love passing on tips of things you can do at home to help yourself, particularly using things you already have close at hand. With the temperatures already starting to drop – and farmers busy in the fields – this week we’d like to highlight the medicine chest lurking in your kitchen ready for the season ahead. 

It seems to be a common human failing that we all find it difficult to ask for help at times. 

 

Sometimes it’s because of a terrier like tendency not to let go until we’ve sorted whatever it is out. “I’ll do this if it’s the last thing I do.” 

 

Or, perhaps, it’s down to embarrassment – or pride – that we think we’ll look stupid if we ask for help. “Everyone else can do it, why can’t I?”. “What will people think?” 

 

While it may sound like a bit of a cliché, there’s nothing stupid about asking for help. In fact, exactly the reverse could be said to be true. Knowing that you need help but not asking for it, now that is stupid. 

 

Despite all the press coverage – and scare stories – over the last few years about Dementia and Alzheimer’s there still seems to be a huge amount of confusion about them. And we should quickly say that no pun was intended. 

 

In talking to clients, we’ve noticed that most people seem to use these two words interchangeably. And, even when there’s been a diagnosis of one or the other, they don’t seem to be much the wiser. To know what it actually means. Or what can be done to help. 

 

If you think this sounds far too simplistic – not to mention rather hippy’ish (!) – please bear with us. We’d like to give you another one of our different perspectives on life. 

 

There can be little doubt that we each experience a huge range of different emotions during our day to day lives. And in our own unique way. 

 

We all seem to have our own particular range of emotions. Those we tend to express most often and feel more comfortable with. Positive and less so. 

 

And, as a quick aside, the Mr Men – and Little Miss – books many of us enjoyed as children offer brilliant caricatures of some of them. Mr Happy. Mr Grumpy. Mr Worry. 

Yes, it’s time for another one of those questions people love to ask us. And in the process answer that perennial question of whether deliberately cracking joints, particularly your fingers, damages them longer term. 

 

Before we start, did you know there’s a medical term for joint noises? 

 

It’s crepitus, one of those words you can really enjoy saying – although how often you’ll be able to drop it into the conversation is another matter! 

We’ve all experienced it at times. Situations – or people – we’ve thought AND thought about, but still don’t know how to deal with them. 

 

Sometimes there are just too many options.  

 

Or, perhaps, conflicting pieces of advice (!). 

 

Other times, we’re completely stumped and don’t have any idea what to do. 

 

If you’ve given something lots of thought and are still stuck, then it’s time to give your logical – conscious – mind a rest and hand it over to your subconscious mind. This is your creative mind, where all those flashes of inspiration and radical new insights come from. 

Over the years we’ve noticed a large number of food related mantras – for want of a better word – that people automatically accept as true without ever giving them a second thought. And, more worryingly, long after research has shown them to be untrue. Or, at best, misleading. 

 

Some of these we’ve tackled before in this blog. Such as milk being an essential part of a healthy diet, providing the high levels of calcium needed to build strong teeth and bones. Or, one of our perennial favourites, coffee and tea counting towards your daily water intake (!). 

 

Sadly, both are untrue. And, if we had a pound for every time someone said them to us, we’d be very rich indeed…