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. 

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. 

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. 

While there’s now greater awareness of adrenal fatigue, you’re still likely to receive a less than sympathetic response from most conventional practitioners. That it’s really just a myth. How the – often vague – set of symptoms being experienced are probably all in your mind. Oh and there isn’t a specific blood test to diagnose it. Sadly, this isn’t a joke, but something we hear all too often from Clients… 

 

All too often, another label may be given for the symptoms. Depression. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ME. Glandular Fever which, ironically, may not show up on a blood test either depending on the virus concerned. However, as these all mean that the deeper underlying cause isn’t identified, any improvement tends to be short term at the best. 

 

Why is this? 

A couple of weeks ago we looked at all the simple things you could do to help make this a bug free winter. To get the basics right. If you missed it, you can find it here. 

 

But what if, despite all your best efforts, the worst happens?  

 

Well, all is not lost. There are lots of things you can do at home to help speed bugs on their way. 

Over the last few weeks, we’ve dispelled the myth about the Bogeyman (!), talked about how we each have much more control over our individual health and susceptibility than we realise AND dispelled some other common myths / misconceptions about winter bugs and our health. 

 

So, it must now be time for our traditional advice for the forthcoming season. 

 

Ready? Then here we go: 

Last week we took a look at susceptibility. Why there is no Bogeyman – with your name written on them (!) – out there waiting for you. If you need a quick reminder, you can find the post here. 

 

As so often is the case, this has led on to various conversations with Clients, friends and family about what actually determines susceptibility. In other words, risk factors. The things most likely to tip the odds for you in the wrong direction. 

 

Before we go any further, there’s one very important thing to bear in mind. That we’re all completely unique. In every way. There’s never been another person exactly like us and never will be again. So, however similar we may be to another person – or people, particularly our relatives – our own particular make up, circumstances, life and medical history are unique to us. 100%.