If you’re a car driver, you’ll be used to the myriad of hazard and warning lights on your dashboard. Whether you know exactly what they’re for – or not – is another matter (!). Some orange, some red. Some blinking, often rather aggressively. Others coming with a warning shriek or, as an elderly relative used to call them, “whingers.” With there being so many different ones these days, it can be hard to know which ones to pay attention to – NOW!!! – and which can be safely ignored, for a while at least… 

 

And it’s exactly the same with us, albeit less high tech. We all have our own unique warning signs and symptoms that something may be amiss. Whether a little or a lot. We just have to notice them. 

Thanks to our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, sitting has joined the list of unhealthy “activities” alongside smoking, drinking, lack of exercise and junk food. But is this just the latest health scare or is there more to sitting than initially appears? 

 

Look at the modern lifestyle and there’s no doubt that we’re much less active than our Parents, let alone Grandparents. Fuelled by the emphasis on labour saving devices and love of the “one eyed monster” in the living room – and many other places too (!) – much of the day is spent sitting. 

 

And this doesn’t just apply to those at work, but children at school too, where much of the day is spent sitting in the classroom. 

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: 

Over the last few weeks, we’ve dispelled the myth about the Bogeyman AND talked about how we each have much more control over our individual health and susceptibility than we realise. 

 

As so often is the case, this has sparked various conversations with those around us and made us realise how many other common myths / preconceptions there are which are also well past their sell by date. So, before we move on to our traditional pre Winter dose of common sense (!), we’re going to talk about a few of these which, while obvious to us, often aren’t to everyone else… 

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%. 

With September here and the schools back – where did the Summer go?!? – stories have already started to appear about the forthcoming Flu / winter bugs season. 

 

How new strains are appearing in Europe / the Far East / Australia / fill in the blank. That they’re all heading straight for the UK. And it’s going to be the worst season ever. Guaranteed. 

 

The picture painted is of battalions of bugs rampaging their way round the world, sinister figures with evil intent bent on worldwide domination. Bogeymen for adults. It’s enough to make you want to retreat to the safety of your bed, pull the duvet over your head and stay there until it’s all over. 

Supplements are big business these days and much more than the traditional multi vitamins and minerals. Just about every vitamin and mineral is available along with herbal extracts and proprietary formulas for every possible health concern. However, from conversations with Clients, it’s clear there’s still a huge amount of confusion about them. 

 

So, this week, we’re going to take a closer look at supplements and whether they really are a necessary part of modern life.  

 

And we’ll start with the obvious and most contentious question that’s guaranteed to polarise people into two opposing – and vociferous (!) – camps. 

At this time of year many a day – or holiday (!) – is marred by the unwanted attentions of those dreaded “flying beasties”. Perhaps it’s gnats, midges or mosquitos on the lookout for an easy meal. Or a wasp or bee on the defensive. Either way, a bite or sting can easily ruin anyone’s day. 

 

So, this week, we’re going to take a look at these beasties. Give you a few tricks to help prevent being bitten in the first place. And, if the worst happens, how to speed things on their way.