How can this New Year be a different one?

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How can this New Year be a different one? Do you really want it to change?

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you have a wonderful, healthy and happy year ahead. As the calendar turns over and a new year begins, have you ever thought about how you can make this one different?

Many of us start with a resolution or a new word to embody the year ahead, but is this just a habit that we get into, one that carries no real purpose? Or is it a decision that we make consciously? I gave up making resolutions many years ago as by the time February came around, I had promptly forgotten what I was going to do.

Instead I have been choosing a word each year, to describe how I want the year to unfold, be it one of Freedom, Finding Balance or one of Creativity, to name a few. This year however, I have done neither. They both feel a bit forced to me.

Instead I am thinking about how I want the year to unfold, how I want it to be different from previous years. I want to retain the love of family and friends, the joy of adventure, the closeness to those I love, having laughter and great health. These I have wanted in previous years too. But this year I also want to live a life of my choosing, a life where every day is filled with joy and gratitude.

Now obviously I don’t live in Fairyland and ‘stuff’ happens. Stress, illness, arguments, sadness are all a part of life, as are joy, laughter and love. But what I really want is to make this year, a year of difference, where I consciously choose how I want to live each day. I love my Reflexology clients and my business is an important part of my week, but there is also so much more to my life.

Creativity and Freedom light up my soul and I plan to include more of them into every day. I’m not quite sure how this will play out, but I’m going to have fun exploring. I plan to do more painting, photography and writing. I am also going to do more meditations for Insight Timer (a free app that has thousands of meditations on it) and maybe a course or two.

I also plan to have days just to be in nature, or read a book, days of freedom without any agenda, days of no obligations.

How can this New Year be a different one? What are ‘You’ going to do? Now there is nothing wrong with continuing on as before, with more of the same. However if we never change the way we do things, if we never strive for something else or something new, we never grow.

So how is your year going to be different? Maybe like me, you will include more time for yourself? Maybe you will try some new creative venture? Maybe you will travel more or write or draw or learn a new language? Maybe you will take up yoga or meditation?

There is no right or wrong. Just do what lights you up and brings you joy and a sense of fulfillment. If you want to make a New Year’s resolution or choose a word then please do so. What is right for one person is not necessarily right for another.

But whatever you choose to do and however you want this new year to pan out, make sure it brings you happiness and a sense of purpose.

Wishing you all a wonderful twelve months ahead.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

PS PS. If you would like to start the New Year by living a life of your choosing, my book, ‘True Essence: Finding your authentic self without compromise” is still available. Signed copies can be ordered here or through Amazon here.

If you would like to listen to my meditation on Insight Timer, you can do so here https://insighttimer.com/judynewbery/guided-meditations/breathe-in-the-breath-of-life

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

References: Phot by Debra Manny Mosley on Unsplash

Do You Find it Difficult to Let Go?

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Do you find it difficult to let go? To let go of what no longer serves you? Letting go means to release something and it can come in many forms.

It may be releasing an object or personal item that we no longer need, or it may be an emotion that we have held on to for too long. It may also be releasing a person or the obligations that we have placed on them.

Letting go isn’t always easy. It’s rarely straightforward and can feel very painful. But sometimes letting go, is the only way we can move forward. It may be the only way that we can heal.

We may have someone hurt us in a relationship or friendship. We may feel anger and deep sorrow and find it hard to forgive. Letting go doesn’t mean that you forget what has happened to you, but rather that you recognise how you are feeling, give thanks for the joy that was once there and forgive so that you can move on. Forgiveness is not just accepting what has happened, but it means showing compassion towards yourself so that you can release any lingering anger or hurt.

We may find it hard to let go of behaviours that we know aren’t good for us, yet we persist in pursuing them. Are we the people pleaser, the one who is always there for everyone else and puts themselves last? Do we let others always take priority and say ‘Yes’ to everyone even though we are feeling tired or depleted? Establishing healthy boundaries isn’t always easy as we may fear the repercussions, but it’s the only way we can truly honour and love ourselves.

Do you find it difficult to let go or do you hold on for dear life? I know that I often do. My son may be moving overseas next year and I have found this very difficult to come to terms with. But I know that he has his own life to live and his own decisions to make. I may not agree with his choices but they are his choices, not mine, and I have to let go.

Letting go can bring up fear. If we let go, we may lose control. We open ourselves up to vulnerability and possibly criticism or judgement. Letting go opens us up to the unknown. But if we always hold on too tightly, we may never know what is possible. Maybe a new opportunity will come up or we release someone or something that needs to be released and needs to grow, without our involvement. Maybe we will allow ourselves to heal.

Ironically as I was writing this newsletter my website crashed. That’s why this newsletter is late. It was incredibly frustrating but I had to let go. I had to trust that the website host would sort it out for me. I had no control. Not a comfortable feeling, but one I am becoming more familiar with, and that’s okay.

When I see clients in my clinic for a Facial Reflexology treatment, I always look at the area of their body that is most out of balance. These areas also hold emotions and very often our emotions form the basis of a disease, condition or ailment. Holding on to anger, grief, fear or worry never benefits us in the long term.

There is no judgement here for we all hold emotions within ourselves for a variety of reason. Maybe we have been deeply hurt or we have suffered some trauma or grief. We bury that emotion deep within so that we feel safe and can carry on. But all emotions need to be dealt with, as over time they will arise again in some form or another. They may come up in an entirely different situation or illness, just to remind us that we still have issues to deal with. It’s okay to say that we aren’t coping or that we need help, and we should never be ashamed of asking for support.

Do you find it difficult to let go? I know that I certainly do. But as I lean in to the possibilities and the relief that letting go brings, I open myself up to growth and healing. Letting go allows all of us to do the same and empowers us to lead happier and healthier lives.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

References: Image by Darby Browning from Pixabay

How is your Winter Self-Care going?

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How is your winter self-care going? Does it even exist and why do you need it? Self-care is an ongoing behaviour. It is something that we need to do each day on an ongoing basis. It needs to become a part of who we are and how we value ourselves.

But it isn’t always easy. So many other tasks and obligations get in the way. Work, family, illness, others needs all seem to impose themselves on our time. However it’s a practice that we need to work at so that our own needs are met first. Easily said but not always easily done.

Winter is a time when self-care really needs to come to the fore. We tend to spend more time indoors, eat more ‘comforting’ foods and may do less exercise. It’s far too cold out there. Viruses are always around, but seem to be more prevalent at this time of year. It’s also easier to become ill in winter when we are often in warm, indoor environments with other people. Viruses tend to spread more quickly.

As nature tends to slow down in winter, perhaps we could follow her lead. Maybe we need to slow down a little too and give ourselves some more self-care. If we keep on working at the pace that we have always done and ignore the signs are bodies are giving us, it’s easy to fall ill. Winter is a perfect time to re-evaluate what is working for us and what isn’t.

Yes it’s cold outside but it’s easy to put on some extra layers and take a brisk walk in your neighbourhood. Include more warming foods in your diet such as soups, herbal teas and hearty casseroles with lots of green, leafy vegetables. Rest when you feel tired and if you start to develop a cold or sore throat, then rest some more. Supplements such as Vitamins C and D, Quercetin and Armaforce may also help. Diffusing essential oils such as lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme, tea tree, frankincense and lavender may also be beneficial.

Find ways to reduce stress by trying methods that work for you. Gentle exercise, yoga, meditation and regular reflexology all help to lower those stress levels that decrease your immunity. Be creative and do something you love. Painting, dancing, singing, photography, knitting or any other creative pursuit is an important part of self-care.

Don’t beat yourself up on the days when nothing seems to go right. We have them all. My son recently returned from overseas with Covid. Luckily he wasn’t very ill but I had to rearrange my whole week, isolate him and attend to his needs and reschedule client appointments. I started to feel a bit stressed.

I quickly realised that my needs still had to be met and I made sure that I had lots of rest time so that I would stay healthy and not become ill myself. It isn’t always an easy balance, but it’s so important to implement.

So how is your winter self-care going? Are you just ploughing through as normal, or are you giving yourself some extra nurturing? Self-care is a right, something that we all deserve and need to give ourselves. When we learn to true value ourselves we do not question its necessity.

Take some time to nourish yourself in all areas of your life. Food, exercise, self-love and self-care practices are all vital. If you do this, you will get through the remaining days of winter feeling replenished and excited, to welcome in the warmer days of Spring.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

PS. A facial chart to help boost your immune system. Click here

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

References: The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless. Photo by David Lezanco on Unsplash. 

Your Body is Always giving you Signs. Do you Listen?

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Your body is always giving you signs. Do you listen? Our bodies are really amazing. They are always supporting us and letting us know if something needs attention or isn’t quite right. The problem is, we usually ignore the signs.

How many of us have a cold or sore throat and ignore the symptoms. ‘It’s just a sniffle’, we tell ourselves. ‘It will go away.’ We push through hoping for the best, until that cold or sore throat goes on to our chest and we start to cough and feel a lot worse. Now we have a more serious condition to deal with. If we had listened to our body and rested when we needed to, we would probably have avoided a longer lasting illness.

Most doctors compartmentalise our symptoms. We have a problem with our digestive system, or our lungs or maybe our heart. They rarely look at the body as a whole. Yet no single part of our body functions independently. Every single action within our body impacts on another part. Our body is giving us signs that usually indicate that there is something else going on. Maybe we just aren’t paying attention to them.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the physical is tied in with the emotional. Each meridian or energy pathway is connected to an emotion. In Facial Reflexology, I look at the meridian most out of balance in the body, for this is where the original disease process began, and then begin to explore the underlying emotions.

Our lungs are where we hold grief and indicate how easily we ‘breathe’ through life. With their partner meridian, the large intestine, they also represent control. Whether we feel we have to control everything in our life or feel we have no control, or are controlled by others. Are we always striving for perfectionism?

Our Stomach and Spleen meridians hold stress and our immune response. Medical research has shown that 80-90% of all illness and disease is related to stress. So if you are always getting colds and flus, perhaps you need to address the stress in your life. How is it impacting you? Our Kidneys and Bladder are said to hold fear. Are we always fearful of what may or may not happen? Can we let go of that fear? Why do we not feel safe?

The signs our bodies give us are not there to judge us or assign blame. We hold on to emotions and behaviours from our childhoods and life experiences. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s how we navigate life to get through and survive. However it’s important to remember that we do have choices and if a particular sign becomes more persistent, perhaps it’s time that we paid attention to it.

Your body is always giving you signs. Do you listen? Perhaps next time a health issue presents, do some journalling and explore what may lie behind it. Are you not giving yourself the time and space you need in your life? Is your life centred wholly around work? Are you including some fun and play? Are you trying to control the actions of your family members? You may not agree with their life choices but if they are adults, it’s really their own choice.

If you have a dispute with someone, instead of being confrontational, can you gently express how their actions make you feel? Bottling up our emotions only suppresses them for a period of time. They will eventually surface and very often they do, as a disease process.

So listen to the signs your body is giving you. It is always there to support you and show you that something may need attention. Discuss your fears and emotions and get help if you need to. There is no shame in it.

We are all amazing human beings with all our gifts, talents and imperfections. Our bodies are part of that amazingness and wonder and they have a unique way of showing us if they need just a little bit more loving. Don’t ignore their gentle hints.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

References: Facial Reflexology by Lone Sorensen.

https://nasdonline.org/1445/d001245/stress-management-for-the-health-of it.html#:~:text=You%20can%20become%20negatively%20influenced,and%20disease%20is%20stress%2Drelated.

Can You Find the Beauty within?

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Can you find the beauty within or do you need to look externally? Can you find beauty within yourself if you decided to have a look?

If we are asked to describe something beautiful, we may mention a sunset or the perfect rose, or a child’s laughter or a piece of art. We think of all the beautiful things that we have seen in our lives and describe those.

But have you ever stopped to think of the beauty that lies within yourself? I know myself, that this would not come to front of mind. But within all of us exists so much beauty and wonder that we ultimately take for granted. As human beings we are really quite incredible. We can think and make complex decisions. We can talk and form sentences. We can feel emotions, laugh and cry. And we can do a myriad of tasks, often at the same time.

We are really a thing of beauty yet we rarely acknowledge this. We tend to define beauty by what society says is beautiful. Every day social media promotes some beautiful person who we can aspire to be, if we buy a certain face cream, or lose weight, or dress as she/he does. Advertising thrives on this. We obviously are not enough as we are, so we need to buy a particular product or lifestyle to improve ourselves.

How wrong is this? We are already more than enough. We are unique and perfect, each in our own way. Yet we don’t really believe this. We think we need to do more or be more, to fit in and be accepted. If we study more, do more courses, act a certain way, we will be accepted. We doubt ourselves and our own gifts and talents. We compare ourselves to others and feel that we fall short.

Can you find the beauty within or do you always need external validation? I, too have often looked outside of myself. I grew up studying hard and aiming to always achieve better grades so that I would receive praise. The beauty that I saw within myself required validation from my parents. It took many years for me to realise that I was enough as I was. I could see my own beauty without the need for confirmation. I could see my inner and outer beauty through my own eyes.

How do you start to find this beauty? It begins by loving and accepting yourself. When you begin to see yourself as you are, with all your gifts, talents and flaws and learn to accept yourself without looking for perfectionism, you can start to see just how wondrous you really are. Be gentle with yourself and look at your self care practices. Eat well and get some regular exercise. Have a reflexology treatment or whatever helps you to balance and relax. Have some regular time out just for you.

Practice gratitude. It’s so easy to focus on what we don’t have, on all the things that are missing in our lives. But if we stopped to think, we actually have so much to be grateful for. We generally have a roof over our heads, food to eat, fresh water that comes out of a tap, heating or cooling. We also are able to use our limbs and our brains. We are capable of emotions and acts of kindness. Our bodies are truly incredible. Practising gratitude helps us to realise that we have so much beauty and wonder in our lives.

Can you find the beauty within. If not, next time you look in the mirror, look deep into your eyes and give yourself a huge smile. You are really amazing. No one else has that beautiful grin or those shining eyes or that glistening hair. Every single part of you is wonderful and it’s only when we stop and really see it that we can find the real beauty that lies within every one of us.

I hope that you can find this too.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

If you would like to learn more about loving and accepting yourself, my new book, “True Essence: Finding your authentic self without compromise,” explores these themes. You can find it here.

References: Photo by Sarah Wolfe on Unsplash.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

To Everything There is a Season …..turn, turn, turn.

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“To Everything There is a Season …..turn, turn, turn,” are the words to a popular song in the 60’s. The words actually came from the Bible but it was made into a hit by The Byrds and written as a plea for world peace.

As the seasons change and we near the end of Autumn, it seems a pertinent time to reflect on what this time of year really means to us and what peace it brings into our lives. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Autumn is represented by the Metal element which is indicative of a time of slowing down.

In the body, Metal means the minerals and trace elements that we need for our health. They originate from Mother Earth and are present in the soil. As trees lose their leaves, their nutrients are returned to the earth to nourish future growth. It is a time of quietening down. As trees drop their leaves, space is created and a quality of the Metal element is spaciousness and allowing ourselves to breathe.

As we leave Autumn behind and head into Winter, how can we create more space in our lives? How can we allow ourselves to breathe? Just as many animals hibernate in the colder months, maybe we can create space by slowing down. We lead such busy lives, with our careers, families, social media and ‘to do’ lists a mile long. Can we let go of something?

Perhaps we can allow time just to breathe. Time for mediation, time in nature, time doing ‘fun’ things rather than the never-ending things we feel we ‘should’ do. Maybe we can nurture ourselves more.

As the colder months arrive, let’s welcome in more nourishing foods, such as hot broths or soups and warming casseroles. Do more things to fuel your soul such as time with friends, creative pursuits and activities that bring you joy and peace.

Is it time for another Facial Reflexology session or a soothing massage? It’s a great time of year to boost your Immune System for the colder months ahead, so despite the cold, move your body more. If it’s too wet to go outside, dance around the house or do exercises to a YouTube video. Take time to relax and read a book (mine is available here) or rug up and watch a great movie.

To everything there is a season so learn to live by nature’s cycle. Just as the leaves of Autumn fall to the ground, what can we let go of as we head towards Winter? Can we let go of the need to be there for everyone by trying to please everyone around us, to the detriment of our own needs? Can we learn to say ‘No’ to people and activities that no longer bring us joy? Can we allow more quietness into our lives? Can we learn to accept the things we cannot change and let go of control?

Although many of us don’t particularly like the cold, myself included, the changing seasons are a part of Nature. They sustain us so that we don’t get burnt out, they allow for time to grow and time to heal. They allow for birth and a letting go of the old, that no longer serves us. They allow for us to be more active in the summer months and to slow down as winter approaches.

To everything there is a season so allow yourself to accept this. Put your own needs first, be more loving with yourself and give yourself the gift of peace and spaciousness that this season deserves.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: “Turn, Turn, Turn” by The Byrds. “The Way of the Five Seasons” by John Kirkwood. Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash.com

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

How do you greet the coming Year?

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How do you greet the coming Year? Do you welcome it with joy and excitement, or fear and anxiety, or perhaps a little trepidation? Maybe it’s just another date in the calendar and doesn’t hold much meaning for you, or feels like just more of the same?

I greet each New Year with Hope and anticipation. I have no idea how the year will unfold, but I have plans that I want to instigate and dreams around things that I want to achieve. I also have hope that it will be a good year. A year filled with health and happiness, time with family and friends and time with my Reflexology clients.

Over the past two years, I have written a book which I am self-publishing. It will be available late March and it’s one of the dreams that I want to make into reality. Creativity is a passion of mine that I have only recently rekindled. So this year I hope to make it a huge part of my life.

I have not made New Year resolutions for some time now as they always felt a bit forced and hollow and made just for the sake of it. I now choose a word each year on how I would like my year to unfold. I must admit, it doesn’t always work, but it provides a guiding light for my plans and ambitions.

This year I chose the word, ‘Release’ because there’s a lot of things I want to let go of. Release of fear and anxiety about the unknown, release of others expectations, release of feelings of ‘not doing enough’ or ‘not being enough,’ release of doing things because I ‘should’ and release of things that I cannot control. I want to allow more acceptance into my life, of events and people who bring me joy.

How do you greet the coming year? Do you keep doing what you have always been doing or do you want to make changes? If you are happy and contented, that’s great, but if not, what can you do differently? I believe we all have opportunities for growth. None of us are infallible. We are humans with all the wonder and frailties that come with being human. We create and we make mistakes and that’s how we grow.

What can you do differently this year? What do you dream about and want to achieve? Write down your plans as this makes them seem more real. Then take action. Having lovely lists is a start, but we need to take action on them if we want to achieve our goals and dreams. Perhaps you want to learn a language, or join a gym, or start dancing or painting. Perhaps you want to write a book or start a new career. The possibilities are endless.

Do your research then book into a class or make that phone call. Nothing is set in stone, so if it doesn’t work out, you can always leave. Be open to the potential of finding something that fuels your Soul. Yes change can be scary and most of us don’t like to leave our comfort zones, however as Garrett Gravensen wrote, “Life happens outside your comfort zone.”

How do you greet the coming year? I hope it’s with plans and dreams around bringing more happiness, great health and contentment into your life. Remember unless you believe in reincarnation, we only have one life, so make it an exciting, glorious, creative and fulfilling one.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: “10 seconds of insane courage” by Garrett Gravensen.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

Can you Enjoy a Better Night’s Sleep when you have Insomnia?

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Can you enjoy a better night’s sleep when you have Insomnia? Is this even possible?

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder where a person finds it hard to fall sleep, stay asleep and get back to sleep after waking during the night. You may feel tired on waking, which in turn affects your mood, productivity, health and quality of life. It may be brought on by stress, a traumatic event, sleeping in unfamiliar environments, jet lag, stimulants or due to an acute illness. Normal sleep patterns usually return once the stress or event is over.

The amount of sleep we all need varies, but most adults are said to need seven to eight hours a night.

Short term insomnia may last for days or weeks but for some people, long term or chronic insomnia may last for months or more. It may be the main problem or may be associated with medication or a medical condition. Sleep is essential for our lives. It’s when our cells repair, restore energy and release hormones and proteins. Our nerve cells communicate for healthy brain function and our brains store new information and release toxic by-products.

Sleep affects our memory, learning, problem solving skills, creativity, decision making and concentration. It affects our emotional well being and even our weight. Recent studies have shown that sleep affects our hunger hormones, ghrelin and leptin. Sleep also supports heart health and our immune system. Sleep deficiency has been linked to chronic health problems affecting the heart, kidneys, blood,

So what can we do to improve our sleep patterns, especially if Insomnia is ongoing? It’s important to see your GP and check for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome or thyroid problems which can all affect sleep. There’s also a number of things that you can do yourself to change your habits and sleep patterns.

* Establish a bedtime routine. Go to bed at the same time each night if possible. This helps the body to establish it’s natural sleep/wake cycle, our circadian rhythm. Try and get up at the same time each day.

* Enhance your Melatonin levels. We all produce Melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleeping and waking patterns. Its production is controlled by exposure to light and is released in darkness and suppressed in light. Artificially lit offices, computer screens and television all affect our melatonin levels. Get some exposure to natural light during the day and avoid using the computer, your iPhone and iPad and watching television late at night.

* Create an inviting Bedroom. Make sure that your sleeping environment is relaxing and welcoming and not part of your working environment. Keep televisions out of the bedroom and ensure that you have a great mattress. It has been said that the bedroom is for sleeping and sex and that’s not a bad suggestion. Invest in blackout curtains as any light will affect the quality of your sleep. Keep the bedroom cool as overheating can affect your sleep too.

* Relax before bedtime. Instead of working late into the night or watching TV and overstimulating your brain, relax with a book and read by a soft light. Have a warm bath prior to bed with some aromatherapy oils, such as lavender or roman chamomile. Alternatively, put a few drops of these oils on a tissue under your pillow. Listen to some calming music to enhance and relax your mind.

* Eat healthily and exercise. Cut back your intake of coffee, especially in the afternoon and evening. Caffeine is a stimulant that will disrupt your sleep patterns. It’s also a diuretic which means more trips to the bathroom! Avoid alcohol late at night even though you may think it will help you sleep. Initially it may help you feel drowsier and get off to sleep quickly, but it affects the quality of your sleep. It also makes it more likely that you will wake later in the night. Avoid heavy meals within two hours of bedtime as your stomach will be working hard to digest the food. Thus sleep will be disrupted. Regular exercise is great as it will help you sleep more deeply but avoid anything strenuous at night. This tends to stimulate and warm up the body.

* Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a very effective therapy that can help to control negative thoughts or actions that keep you awake. It helps you to recognise and change beliefs that affect your ability to sleep. It teaches you strategies such as getting out of bed if you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes and listening to some relaxing music or reading. It also suggests writing down your thoughts when those million and one ideas disturb you at night.

Relaxation techniques and temporary sleep restriction are also discussed. If you’re in need of some guidance, there’s a free course you can follow. The details are here.

* Having Facial Reflexology on a regular basis will also help you to beat Insomnia. Reflexology helps calm the whole body. It works on the Nervous System to bring about total relaxation and reduces the Sympathetic Nerve response that always keeps you on alert. It assists the Hormonal System to rebalance so that our levels of Melatonin are increased and the body is able to get off to sleep more easily. These Facial Reflexology nerve points, if done on a regular basis, can help to rebalance and improve your sleep. The chart can be found here.

Can you enjoy a better night’s sleep, when you have Insomnia? Definitely. It does take some persistence, especially if the insomnia is long standing but following these suggestions will hopefully help.

With warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

 

References: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355167, https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-we-sleep#restoration, https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/insomnia-program/

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

What’s in your Toolbox this Winter?

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What’s in your Toolbox this Winter? As we enter the middle of winter in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s important to look at how we are supporting ourselves throughout these colder months. What tools do you have? What strategies do you use to stay well and healthy? Each winter it is easy to succumb to more viruses and colds and over the past few years, the dreaded Covid, as we socialise and spend more time indoors.

I believe that each one of us should have a toolbox and every toolbox should contain Self Care. What’s in your toolbox this winter? Putting yourself as number one is a priority. It’s so easy to overlook ourselves, especially when others are ill or seem to need us more. “They need me now, I’m too busy for ‘me’ time, I’ll just finish this one more thing, I’ll rest later.” We all have a myriad of excuses. However if we ignore our own needs for rest, our bodies will tell us in no uncertain terms and we may become ill.

Time to oneself, stillness, time in nature, all boost our energy reserves. Our attitude to life also makes a difference, so staying positive and not expecting to get sick is important. Just because so many are ill at this time of year, doesn’t mean you have to be as well. There are many natural therapies that can help prevent the onset of illness. If you do succumb, they can help shorten the duration and severity. 

One of these is the use of essential oils. Essential oils are aromatic liquid substances extracted from certain species of flowers, grasses, fruits, leaves, roots and trees. They are powerfully antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and a natural antibiotic. They need to be used diluted and with care, but they are a wonderful ally in the war against bugs, particularly in winter. Some of the most effective are lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme, tea tree, frankincense and lavender. You can diffuse them, use them in steam inhalations, through massage or in a bath.

Regular treatments such as Reflexology will help boost your immune system and clear toxins through lymphatic drainage. There are numerous nerve points you can work on your face on a daily basis and you can find charts here to help the immune system and clear a sore throat.

Supplements may also help and the best ones as recommended by my naturopath, are Vitamins C and D, Quercetin, Zinc and an Immune Defence or Armaforce or something similar. A healthy diet with lots of leafy greens and vegetables will also contain some of these substances. If you are unwell however, sometimes an increased dose of a supplement may be warranted.

Although it’s tempting to eat ‘comfort’ foods, especially if we are stuck inside, remember that your body won’t thank you in the long term. Processed and junk foods increase inflammation and this only depletes our immune system. So when you reach for that extra glass of wine or that double chocolate Tim Tam, remember your body won’t like it. Instead eat healthy ‘comfort’ foods like warming soups, casseroles, healing cups of herbal teas, fruit and vegetables.

Regular exercise is also needed to not only improve our circulation and overall health, but to benefit our mental health. It may be hard to leave the comfort of a warm, heated house, but stepping out regularly in nature boosts our whole immune system and reduces stress. It increases the flow of blood and lymph, hence increases the circulation of antibodies and immune cells. Exercise also decreases inflammation by reducing inflammatory markers in the body and helps lift our mood.

What’s in your Toolbox this winter? It may be an assortment of strategies you use to stay healthy or you may have a particular favourite. Just remember to put Self care at the top of your list, not just for the sake of others, but mainly for your own health.

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless. https://www.health.com/fitness/does-exercise-boost-immunity

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

What would You do if you were Justin Bieber?

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What would You do if you were Justin Bieber?

You may have recently seen in the news that Justin Bieber, a Canadian pop singer, has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. So what is Ramsay Hunt syndrome and how common is it?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have recovered from chickenpox, the virus continues to stay dormant in your body, usually without any consequences. If our immune system is compromised due to stress or long term illness or if we are over 60 (when there is an increased risk), this inactive virus may be activated and result in shingles.

Shingles produce a painful rash with blisters that may be very itchy and often extremely painful, usually on one side of the body or face. They tend to dry up within two weeks and usually clear within four weeks. Antivirals are only effective within the first 72 hours and vaccines are available.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when shingles affect the facial nerve, near your ears. It can lead to facial paralysis, difficulty closing your eye, dizziness, tinnitus and loss of hearing in the affected ear. Early treatment with antivirals and steroids, can prevent complications and long term facial muscle weakness and deafness.

This can sound quite scary and it is, but remember it is a rare condition. If the nerve isn’t greatly damaged, recovery occurs within a few weeks. If damage is more severe, recovery may take months or be less effective. Early treatment is therefore, essential.

What would you do if you were Justin Bieber? As well as medication, apparently he is doing facial exercise to strengthen the muscles in in face. Reflexology can also help. The endocrine and nervous systems are stimulated, along with the lymphatic system to clear the virus and reinnervate the nerves. It has been shown to be really effective, along with acupuncture, especially in the treatment of pain.

Facial reflexology will also specifically work the facial nerve. It stimulates all muscles on the face as it works against the muscles to lift them. It uses a combination of Chinese energy meridians, acupressure points and Vietnamese nerve points to address any areas of numbness or paralysis.

The picture below shows a lady who had facial paralysis and was treated with Facial reflexology for many months. The results are amazing.

Although this lady had facial paralysis as a result of surgery and not Ramsay Hunt syndrome, facial reflexology could assist all those with facial paralysis, no matter the cause.

So what would you do if you were Justin Bieber? I would certainly consult my general practitioner and get expert advice and necessary medications, but I wouldn’t hesitate to try complementary therapies to speed up my recovery. I just hope someone tells Justin about facial reflexology!

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: https://www.knowshingles.com.au, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ramsay-hunt-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351783, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/06/11/ramsay-hunt-syndrome-justin-bieber/, https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/ramsay-hunt-syndrome. Photo from Lone Sorensen – International Institue of Reflexology.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.