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You may have heard this truism many times before, but did you know it dates back over 2,000 years to Ancient Greece? And to the Greek Physician, Hippocrates. 
 
Often referred to as the “Founder of Medicine” Hippocrates was the first to separate medicine from superstitions. Rejecting the prevailing view of the times – that disease was caused by evil spirits or disfavour of the gods – he used observation and the study of the body to understand and treat disease. 
 
While his observations may be over 2,000 years old, they are as relevant today as they were at the time. For example, that the body should be treated as a whole and not just a series of parts. Incorporating a good diet, fresh air, cleanliness and rest into all treatments. 
 
There’s so much we can still learn from Hippocrates but, today, let’s focus on the healing power of the food we eat. 
Looking back over the 80 – or more (!) – posts we’ve made in the last couple of years, one subject has come up more than any other. And this reflects how popular a topic it is with clients. 
 
It concerns an emotion – or state of mind, if you prefer – and comes up in many different guises. It also remains one of the most elusive. And well as being priceless. 
 
So what are we talking about? 
 
Happiness. 
Over the years we’ve noticed that New Year isn’t the only time of the year when all sorts of health related resolutions are made. Here in the UK the spring is just as popular. Perhaps it’s to do with the warmer weather and lighter nights, waking people up from their winter hibernation. Or, maybe, the prospect of the annual fortnight in the sun. 
 
Whatever the reason, this time of year is always busy as people decide to kick start their health programme for the warmer months ahead. An easy way to get things moving – literally (!) is the traditional spring clean. Or detox, if you prefer. 
As many of our clients already know, and readers of this blog may have guessed (!), we’re not great fans of mainstream media. And by mainstream media we mean television, cinema and papers. 
 
There are many reasons for this, not least the huge amount of time that can be “lost” to them every day. However our primary concern is the very misleading and negative picture they often portray of this world of ours and the part we each play in it. 
 
While we could talk about mainstream media in general, today we’d like to focus on the “one eyed monster” in the corner of the living room. And now in many other rooms as well. Not to mention on all your favourite electronic gizmos. Phone. Desk top. Lap top. I pad. Tablet. 
These days it seems that everywhere we go we’re spoilt for choice. Just look at your weekly food shop with new products appearing every week – many accompanied by glowing health testimonials. It’s no wonder there’s so much confusion about what foods are good for you. And which should be avoided like the plague (!). 
 
One area which has changed out of all recognition are cooking oils. Turn the clock back a few years and the choices were simple. Blended vegetable oils or corn oil, with names such as Mezola or Canola. Or the more traditional dripping, lard or butter. 
 
These days there are a huge choice of cooking oils on the shelf ranging from the well known Olive oil to Sunflower, Rapeseed and Coconut oils. Each comes with its own particular attributes and health claims, making it hard decide which one is best for you. 
In this blog we often talk about the monster we all seem to have living in our heads. You know the one we mean. 
 
The one with a very loud, insistent voice. Giving its opinion on whatever is happening in our lives at that particular moment. 
 
More often than not, focussing on the negatives. Downplaying the positives. Magnifying our own unique insecurities, fears and anxieties. 
 
In many ways it’s like having our own personal radio station broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
 
It’s little wonder that life can seem such a struggle at times. 
Supplements are big business these days. It’s estimated that here in the UK £750 million is spent on them each year. And the market is growing each year. 
 
However from conversations with clients it’s clear there’s still a huge amount of confusion about them. It’s a subject we’ve touched on before in this blog but one well worth revisiting. So here we go. 
We love people watching – doesn’t everyone (!) – and never cease to be amazed at how much we can learn about a person before even speaking to them. Their posture, facial expression, clothes they wear, way they move. Oh and David can spot a dodgy hip, back, neck or knee at 50 paces (!). 
 
We all do it subconsciously but, sadly, this usually takes the form of a knee jerk judgement. “I don’t like the look of him / her.” “How can they wear those clothes / go out looking like that.” 
 
The sad thing is that once the call has been made, any chance of observing that person from a neutral place instantly evaporates. Getting to know what they’re really like. Of enjoying life’s rich tapestry. 
 
Instead we automatically focus on anything that confirms our initial judgement and ignore everything else. And so a valuable opportunity is lost. 
If you’re having a feeling of déjà vu over the recent coverage of Zika in the press, you’re not alone. Just cast your mind back to Ebola in 2014 / 2015. Before that Bird Flu and Swine Flu. SARS. Or go even further back to the 1980’s with HIV and AIDS. 
 
So are we saying that you should ignore Zika and hope it’ll go away? No, of course not. 
 
Nor are we advocating the other extreme of believing everything that appears in the media. Hype is hype, wherever it comes from. 
 
Instead let’s take a step back and put things into a bit more perspective. 
Are you feeling bored? Unmotivated? Wanting to throw the alarm clock out of the window and snuggle down for a little extra uninterrupted “duvet time”? 
 
If so, you may have a case of the February blues! 
 
Traditionally January is the month when Doctors expect to see more cases of “the blues”. What with all the chickens coming home to roost after Christmas (!), not to mention credit card bills and short winter days. 
 
However, in our experience, February is the month when we tend to see more of “the blues.” And this year, with the added joys of the ever changing weather and grey days, our phones have been unusually busy. 
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