Traditionally, this time of year heralds the start of the great spring clean. And, before the days of the domestic appliances we all take so much for granted (!), this was no mean feat… Or quick job. 

 

Not surprisingly, it’s a topic we’ve covered before, although our focus was more from an energy point of view than a dust reduction one. In other words, thinking about it as a way of bringing fresh energy – and impetus – into our lives after the quieter and more reflective winter period. You can find a copy of this post here. 

 

Hand in hand with this went a much more personal spring clean or, as it’s more usually called today, a detox. Giving our bodies the chance to clear the after effects of heavier foods and a more sedentary lifestyle in preparation for the summer ahead. Again, you can find a copy of this post here. 

 

However, since the few days of lovely warm weather in both February and March, we’ve noticed an interesting twist on spring cleaning. And how it can have many more benefits than originally anticipated. 

 

It involves something we all take for granted – like our body, until it lets us down – but sends out a message loud and clear about us and our approach to life. 

 

Have you guessed what it is yet? 

 

Having been asked this question several times recently – and heard some great old wives’ tales in the process (!) – we thought it was time to as dispel some very popular misconceptions about the Appendix, some of which we’re sure you’ve heard before… 

 

Despite its small size, the Appendix only tends to be mentioned in hushed tones accompanied with words of dread. Why is this? Well, probably, because the only time we spare it a thought is when there’s a problem. 

 

For good reason, Appendicitis is one of the most feared medical emergencies, due to its rapid onset and levels of pain involved. Added to this, there’s always the worry that it will burst, although this is something of an old wives’ tale. 

So let’s find out all about the Appendix and dispel a few myths in the process. 

From time to time we all have “one of those days” – or possibly weeks (!) – where nothing quite goes to plan. Or we can’t even seem to do the simplest thing. And, for some inexplicable reason, it’s usually something we’ve done 100’s or 1000’s of times before without a second thought.  

 

Then, out of the blue, we just don’t seem able to do it. The good news is that you will tomorrow – or the next day (!) – when normal service resumes…. 

 

So, if this is you – or someone you know – then please just stop for a minute. 

There’s nothing like the first fresh spring greens of the year. Sprouting broccoli, spring cabbage, kale. After the traditional, heavier foods of the winter, it’s a real treat to have some fresh spring greens. 

 

But what about something much more local and you can easily pick yourself? One that you’ll never see in your local supermarket or probably have ever considered before. Nettles. Yes, nettles. 

 

Sadly, nettles have something of a PR problem. And that’s putting it mildly… Not only were many of us were stung – hopefully not too badly – during childhood, but their invasive nature gives them a bad reputation for gardeners. This is a real shame as it means that we miss out on their many benefits too. 

While the age for leaving school – or college – may have increased over the years, from 14 a few decades ago to 18 in more recent years, the sentiment expressed by many on reaching this milestone has not. 

 

And, with testing now starting early on in Primary School, it’s completely understandable that many teenagers have simply had enough of formal education by the time they reach 18. Vowing to NEVER EVER take another exam again. 

 

While some do manage to avoid any further formal education – and the dreaded exams – is it really true that you’ll never need to learn anything else again? 

Not surprisingly there are some questions that regularly come up – and we’d be very rich by now if we had a pound every time they did (!). The one we’d like to focus on today is one of the most popular, although that doesn’t make it an easy one to answer. 

 

Bitter experience shows us that, if we go into too much detail, people’s eyes tend to glaze over as they go into mental meltdown. Making it too simple isn’t any better, as people tend to end up completely confused… 

 

Having – unintentionally – caused mental overload to various people over the years (!), we’ve found that an analogy is the simplest way to explain how the two approaches differ. And having experimented with various different ones over the years (!) we’ve found that the one which works best uses the example of how you look after your house. 

 

So, if you're sitting comfortably, then here we go. 

 

It’s been a while since we’ve written about the all too human tendency to make snap judgements on whatever happens in our lives. “This is good, that is bad.” “She is nice, he is horrible.” Not forgetting the perennially favourite one: “How can she – or he (!) – go out looking like that.” And, if you think you’re above all those petty judgments, think again… 

 

On one hand, there’s no doubt that being able to make a snap judgement is a potential life saver in an emergency situation. However, ironically, in those situations it’s not our conscious mind that calls the shots. It’s just too slow and too limited. 

 

Instead, our subconscious mind takes over, aided by a burst of adrenaline hitting our system. Before we’ve consciously realised what’s happening our subconscious mind has assessed the situation, considered the options, made a judgement and started taking the necessary action. What’s particularly interesting is that often, with the power of hindsight, the action taken falls outside our experience – and makes no logical sense – but was just the right thing to do. 

Over the years, we’ve seen many different clients with many different injuries – and, as you can imagine, heard some very interesting stories as to how whatever it was happened. There’s often the temptation to ask whether, whatever they were doing at the time really was a good idea (!), but it’s one we try not to succumb to. And before we digress any further – or break any confidences – we’d better stop there… 

 

However good the story, the symptoms of Sprains and Strains are very similar. Muscle tenderness, swelling, pain and restricted movement. So, it’s not surprising that they’re easily confused even though there are differences, if you know what to look for. However, the good news is that they can both be easily treated at home with the RICE protocol and a little common sense, more about this in a moment. 

With Valentine’s Day having just passed – all too soon after the pressures of the festive season (!) – it’s not surprising that many relationships start the new year under some strain. Sadly, along with the annual fortnight in the sun, more relationships break down after Christmas and Valentine’s Day than at any other time of year. 

 

Having talked to many more clients than we would like to about this over the years, it’s rarely a single catastrophic incident that sounds the death knell for any relationship. Usually it’s something much smaller which often appears insignificant to outsiders. The straw that broke the camel’s back. 

 

Despite this, many clients still talk about how they wished things were different. How they would like to turn the clock back to how things used to be even though, at that time, they couldn’t see how this would ever be possible. 

A couple of weeks ago we looked at “Low fat high carb” diets. How much confusion there still seems to be about them AND how this has unwittingly contributed to rising levels of Diabetes and Obesity. However, with the huge number of different diets out there being marketed as “the one” – particularly at this time of year (!) – it’s not surprising that many people are still completely confused about the different options; let alone which is the best one for them. 

 

So, this week, we’re going to have a look at the two most popular types of diets in the last couple of years. Low Carb and Intermittent Fasting. But, don’t be fooled. They both appear in many different guises, each with their own particular programme and celebrity endorsement (!).