It may seem rather strange to be writing about the “Winter Blues” in March, just when the days are really starting to draw out - and, ironically, with a lovely sunny start to the day here in Suffolk... 

 

Traditionally, January is the month when Doctors expect to see more cases of the Winter Blues. What with all the chickens coming home to roost after Christmas (!), as well as credit card bills and short winter days, it’s really not that surprising. 

 

However, in our experience, February is usually the month when we tend to have more calls from Clients about them. While the timing and number of calls varies a little every year, this year has been rather different, thanks – if that’s the right word (!) – to the seemingly never ending cold, damp and grey Winter weather. Not only have many more Clients have been calling us for help, but are still continuing to do so… 

 

Also known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder”, the Winter Blues are estimated to affect around 20% of adults here in the UK every Winter. While it may sound like something of a joke to those not affected – particularly as it tends to be referred to by its initials, “SAD” – its impact is very real and can be debilitating for those concerned, as well as those around them. 

This week we thought we’d give you a little conundrum, as well as a new perspective on your comfort zone. And, why it isn’t quite as comfortable as you thought it was. 

 

But, before we go any further, let’s see what our trusty dictionary has to say about comfort zones: 

 

“A situation where one feels safe or at ease OR a settled method of working that requires little effort and yields only barely acceptable results.” 

 

Which perfectly sums up what comfort zones are all about. Safety, security and certainty. Knowing exactly where we are and what’s going to happen. 

 

It’s what keeps people doing the same things over and over again. Or, from another perspective, in a rut… 

Over the years, we’ve heard this numerous times from Clients and our reply is always the same. Thank goodness you have or you wouldn’t be talking to us! And, yes, we know this is probably not the answer they were expecting but it usually prompts a smile and helps puts things into perspective… 

 

Blood pressure – and by that we mean High Blood Pressure (!) – is becoming an increasing problem worldwide, not just in the West. It’s estimated that 1 in 4 adults in the UK now have High Blood Pressure or, if you want to be more technical, Hypertension. 

 

So, this week, we’re going to talk about High Blood Pressure and why it’s such a concern. 

Last Summer – was it really that long ago?!? – we wrote about the mixed messages we unwittingly send out each day. Thinking one thing, saying another and doing yet something else. If you missed it, you can find it here. 

 

With all of this going on, it’s little wonder we can find it so challenging to get the results we desire. Or, more accurately, say we desire… 

 

However, we can all remember those seemingly magical occasions when we’ve been really aware of what we do desire. Right now! Not only is it crystal clear, but generates such strong positive feelings, that we just can’t stop ourselves from focussing on it. 

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve taken a look at diets. Why the traditional misery laden approach doesn’t work and suggested a much simpler, seemingly radical, approach. To start looking at what we eat from the body’s point of view. What it actually needs to function at its optimal levels rather than what we – or, increasingly, the advertisers and other influencers (!) – try to convince us is the case. You can find the posts here and here. 

 

So, just what is the human body designed to thrive best on? 

Last week we looked at diets and suggested a different approach to losing those extra pounds which seem to magically appear at this time of year – or in the run up to our fortnight in the sun. For a quick reminder click here. 

 

It all starts with setting our internal sat nav and saying where we are right now. Treating it as being “interesting” – goodness, is that where I am?!? – rather than letting the Little Monster in our Heads use it as another reason to make us feel bad. 

 

Then, deciding where we want to end up. So, feeling healthy / having plenty of energy / looking good / easily moving through our day / something else. 

 

Which just leaves one simple question. How to get there most easily. 

With thanks to Cathy Hopkins, the actress, for the inspiration for the title of this week’s blog post. 

 

Having deviated a little from our planned blog post last week – it really is like “Snot Central” out there at the moment (!) – we’re now back on track this week with another seasonal topic. As we mentioned at the time, we’re willing to bet it’s been mentioned by at least one member of your household / family this month, if not yourself (!). 

 

So, if you hadn’t already guessed – the title of this post really is a bit of a giveaway (!) – we’re talking about diets. Or more accurately, shifting those excess pounds which seem to magically appear at this time of the year – “where did they come from?!?” – or, equally predictably, in the run up to our annual fortnight in the sun… 

Having talked about the dreaded (!) New Year’s resolutions for the last couple of weeks, as well as suggesting an alternative – and much simpler – “one size fits all” solution, we had another seasonal topic lined up for this week. We’ll leave you in suspense for now, but would be willing to bet it’s been mentioned by at least one member of your household / family this month, if not yourself (!). In the meantime, if you need a quick reminder about those dreaded New Year’s resolutions, you can find the posts here, here and here. 

 

However, our plans have been rather overtaken by the post festive period upswing in Colds – and all the usual “Winter lurgies” – aided by the return to school and ongoing cold, damp weather. Although we mentioned it in our pre Winter blog posts last Autumn, having had the same conversation with those around us since the Practice reopened – whether friends and family or Clients – we’ve taken the hint and made it the subject of this week’s blog post. 

 

So, if you’re ready for our usual dose of commonsense and different perspective on Winter lurgies, then here we go. 

For the last couple of weeks we’ve been looking at the dreaded New Year’s resolutions, if you missed them you can find the posts here and here. 

 

Having tried to inject a little common sense into the traditional and, let’s be honest, less than positive start to the new year (!) we’re going to suggest an alternative approach. One that doesn’t involve racking your brains – or having to fend off the well meaning suggestions of others – as to how you can magically improve your lives or health. 

 

Not only is it much simpler but can be used by everyone. Even better, it’s fueled by those inexhaustible power supplies we all have access to – otherwise known as intuition and inspiration (!) – rather than relying on gritted teeth and sheer willpower. 

 

Can you guess what this near miraculous approach is? 

Last week we took our annual look at the dreaded (!) New Year’s resolutions which, all too often, seem to be a reaction to the excesses of the festive season, along with a good dollop of peer pressure, rather than a well thought out plan to improve our lives or health. “I’m going to lose 3 stone / run a marathon / double my salary / fill in the blank, what about you?” Sadly, the results – or non results (!) – are all too predictable and yet people still keep doing it... If you missed it, you can find it here. 

 

Not surprisingly, this then leads on to conversations with Clients and those around us as to why their efforts were unsuccessful – again (!). How changes can be made more easily. And, let’s be honest as quick and painless as possible. 

 

Well, there’s good news and bad news. 

 

The good news is there’s a very easy answer to this question. 

 

The bad news is that it isn’t necessarily the one people want to hear…