Something More To Stress About...

As if life isn’t stressful enough, we now have something more to stress about.  Your stress itself could be making you sick. Stress doesn’t only affect us emotionally. It can exacerbate just about every health condition that you can think of. Studies have found many health problems relate to stress. Stress worsens and increases the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, diabetes and asthma.

For many years, researchers have found a link between the highly stressed out type A personalities and heart problems. Now, there is increasing evidence that stress worsens just about any health problem. When you are stressed over a long period of time, the physiological changes can lead to health problems.

Stress is not only a feeling, and it isn’t only in your head.  It is a built in response that we have to help us deal with threats. When you are stressed, your blood vessels constrict, your pulse rate and blood pressure rises, you breathe faster and release more cortisol and adrenalin.  All of this has a great impact on how your body will function. But before you get too stressed out about being stressed, we have some good news. Because stress is so pervasive and every day in practice, our team deals with the effects of chronic stress – we have been searching for solutions that our patients can use to give them greater resilience to stress.

We have finally found something that works and is giving great results.  With interactive heart rate variability training, it is possible to train resilience to stress and to become aware of when our sympathetic nervous systems are activated.

We are able to instantly see how our thoughts and breathing patterns alter our heart rate variability and see the impact on the body.  Never before as a therapist have I seen anything so powerful.  Research has shown that HRV training helps the individual better manage stress and anxiety and improve work satisfaction and performance. In the case of athletes, sports performance can also be improved.  The concept is simple.  A small monitor clipped onto your earlobe links in with a computer screen where you can watch live how your breathing rate and thought pattern affects heart rate variability and nervous system function.  Some very simple techniques are then given to you help you balance nervous system function, allowing you to practice these techniques while being measured real time.  The visual feedback helps you enforce positive techniques as you watch the stress melt away.

Charmaine Shepherd

By Charmaine Shepherd  B.Sc. Biomed., N.dip. Ac, MBAcC
Charmaine Shepherd is an Acupuncturist, Director of the Centre for Holistic Health and Author of Is it all in your mind? 10 Steps to Resolving the Underlying Causes of Anxiety and Depression. Available on Kindle!

Charmaine has a sensitive and holistic approach to health-care. She is dedicated to helping individuals take control of their own health."I believe in supporting the innate healing ability of the body through the use of natural remedies, nutrition and lifestyle” Charmaine Shepherd.

How gut problems could lead to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues

In this video, we take look at how gut problems affect the production of our neurotransmitters and could lead to anxiety, depression and many other mental health issues. Find out more in Is it all in your mind? 10 Steps to resolving the underlying causes of anxiety and depression By Charmaine Shepherd. Now available on Kindle!

 


Charmaine Shepherd  B.Sc. Biomed., N.dip. Ac, MBAcC
Charmaine Shepherd is an Acupuncturist, Director of the Centre for Holistic Health and Author of Is it all in your mind? 10 Steps to Resolving the Underlying Causes of Anxiety and Depression.

Charmaine has a sensitive and holistic approach to health-care. She is dedicated to helping individuals take control of their own health."I believe in supporting the innate healing ability of the body through the use of natural remedies, nutrition and lifestyle” Charmaine Shepherd. 

Should the NHS Continue to Fund Homeopathy?

"LAWYERS are preparing to start a judicial review of a health board’s decision to end funding of homeopathic services amid fears over the impact on those who use the alternative remedies." LYNDSAY BUCKLAND in Scotland on Sunday, October 27, 2013

 Health Corespondent Lyndsay further suggests in her article Legal bid to save homeopathy on the NHS that "NHS Lothian believes funding homeopathic cures is a waste, although conventional drugs are often extremely expensive."

Thankfully, Scotland on Sunday presented views from experts both for and against having homopathic remedies available on the NHS. Homeopath Jenny Livingstone called this an

"unfair axe on a gentle remedy that works." 

What do you think? Should the NHS continue to fund homeopathy?

Charmaine Shepherd  B.Sc. Biomed., N.dip. Ac, MBAcC
Charmaine Shepherd is an Acupuncturist, Director of the Centre for Holistic Health and Author of Is it all in your mind? 10 Steps to Resolving the Underlying Causes of Anxiety and Depression. Now available from Amazon on Kindle! Kindle Price: £1.92 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
 
Charmaine has a sensitive and holistic approach to health-care. She is dedicated to helping individuals take control of their own health."I believe in supporting the innate healing ability of the body through the use of natural remedies, nutrition and lifestyle” Charmaine Shepherd. 

Unfair axe on gentle remedy that works

Homeopath Jenny Livingston's response to the NHS decision to discontinue funding for homeopathic remedies, calling it an "Unfair axe on a gentle remedy that works."

 In a nutshell, "NHS Lothian believes funding homeopathic cures is a waste, although conventional drugs are often extremely expensive" writes Health Corespondent Lindsay Buckland. Read her article here.

 Jenny's response in favor of keeping Homeopathy available on the NHS was printed in Scotland on Sunday October 27, 2013.

About Jenny Livingstone M.A.  R.S.Hom. Registered Homeopath

I have been a homeopath for 10 years now and have found great joy in helping people on their health journey.  Patients have reported to me that they feel comfortable with my gentle approach and that I am a very good listener.

I was classically trained at the Edinburgh College of Homeopathy and after I qualified in 2002 I became fully registered with the Society of Homeopaths. I also spent a year training in contemporary homeopathy in the Lake District and a further two years with a specialist Homeopath in York. This extra training enabled me to  develop a unique skill and I enjoy taking a creative approach using the best of old and new homeopathic methods.

Before becoming a Homeopath I was a specialist teacher for children and adults with multiple disabilities. Latterly I taught children with autism. Soon after qualifying as a Homeopath I was given the opportunity to work for a charity in Kirkcaldy for children with ADHD . This project ran successfully for nearly 8 years and gave me valuable experience in giving homeopathy to children.

I am also a tutor for the Lakeland College of Homeopathy and New College of Homeopathy in Scotland and supervise student clinics, as well as running post graduate training courses. Recently I was privileged to spend nearly four years as a Homeopath on the Jan De Vries team in Edinburgh.
I have a special interest in women’s issues, men’s health, babies and children as well as stress relief, breathing and relaxation.

As well as practising homeopathy, I am also a qualified Iyengar yoga teacher with 30 years experience.  I like to offer one to one sessions which can combine homeopathy and/or yoga.

Is It All In Your Mind? on Kindle!

We are very pleased to announce that Is It All In Your Mind? 10 Steps to resolving the underlying causes of anxiety and depression is now available from Amazon on Kindle!

£1.92 Kindle Purchase
Available for download now!

Based on her own personal journey coupled with years of clinical experience assisting sufferers of anxiety, depression and panic attacks resulting from the same physiological causes, Charmaine Shepherd B.Sc. Biomed., N.dip. Ac, MBAcC decided to make her expertise available to the world in her eye opening book; Is it all in your Mind?

The book outlines an easy to follow, 10 step plan designed to empower the reader to identify their own triggers and make small, positive changes to beat their own blues. The book contains a preface, introduction and 9 chapters followed by a synopsis of the 10 step plan and a brief conclusion.

Charmaine Shepherd  B.Sc. Biomed., N.dip. Ac, MBAcC
Charmaine Shepherd is an Acupuncturist, Director of the Centre for Holistic Health and Author of Is it all in your mind? 10 Steps to Resolving the Underlying Causes of Anxiety and Depression.

Charmaine has a sensitive and holistic approach to health-care. She is dedicated to helping individuals take control of their own health."I believe in supporting the innate healing ability of the body through the use of natural remedies, nutrition and lifestyle” Charmaine Shepherd.

Book Online & Mention Yelp For a 10% Discount!

Centre for Holistic Health, 5A York Place Edinburgh

The Centre for Holistic Health is offering a 10% discount on Yelp! Check out their video here.


The Centre for Holistic Health offers a wide range of therapies to help with every health need including: acupuncture, biofeedback, EFT, osteopathy, bodywork, reflexology, homeopathy, massage and Bach flowers available at their Centre located at 5a York Place, Edinburgh.

 

 

 

5A York Place
Edinburgh EH1
Area: New Town

0131 556 8440

centre4holistichealth.co.uk

Can we think ourselves happy?

We speak to Dr. Bjorn Grinde, Chief Scientist, Norwegian Department of Health and ask him: can we think ourselves happy?

Give the gift of wellness & support local business!

Wondering what to get a friend, colleague or partner? The Centre for Holistic Health, a local Edinburgh small business, is selling Christmas gift vouchers!  The vouchers enable the recipient to choose whether they would like to have that bad knee treated or simply have a relaxing treat such as reflexology. Their vouchers start from £5 and can be purchased over the phone or by email. Call the Centre for Holistic Health today for your Christmas vouchers. (0131) 556 8440 or email them at: info@centre4holistichealth.co.uk  Treatments offered by the Centre for Holistic Health include: Alexander Technique Acupuncture Biofeedback Emotional Freedom Technique Herbalism Homeopathy Massage Osteopathy Reflexology Therapeutic Bodywork..and more. More and more people are recognising that supporting local business builds local economies.  Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ workers at decent wages and serve primarily local customers. It means becoming more self sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant companies and back into the community (www.thinkshoplocal.com). At Happy Edinburgh we support local business. If you are a local Edinburgh business - get in touch with us and leave us a comment. We would love to hear from you!

Stop doing these 10 things and be Happier!

Brilliant article by James Clear: 10 Things To Stop Doing To Yourself to Be Happier, Backed by Science

My favourite and quite a surprise was #2 - get out of your chair! Find out why sitting wrecks your body and how you can get out of your chair alive.

Comments anybody?

What Is True Happiness?

We speak to a NKT Buddhist teacher Gen Tubchen to find out more about happiness!



What do you think?

Stressed?

One thing that is for sure is that life is always changing.  Our community clinic began in its usual way this morning. The typical stuff presented: sore knees and hips, inflamed eyes, migraine, IBS, back pain and menstrual problems. But today was a little different. 

One of my regular patients, Lucy, who is usually cheerful and optimistic seemed really quiet and down.  I noticed that her breathing was shallow (Lucy’s not her real name of course).  When the time was right, I asked about her emotional well-being and that is when the floodgates opened.  She risked losing her job with a new merger on the horizon.  She felt vulnerable, afraid and terrified of the future. Lucy was not sleeping even though she felt exhausted all the time.

This is something that I am noticing more each day in practice.  Life at the moment is extremely stressful for many people, and many of us need the tools to be able to just keep up.

As we all know, a little stress is a good thing.  But many of us have too many balls up in the air as we juggle careers, family and the pace of modern life. Chronic stress, however, filters down onto the physical level and has a very negative effect on our organ systems. In fact, I can say that most illness is the result of unmanaged stress. So, what are the things we can do for ourselves when stress levels are spiralling out of control?  The first thing is to remember to breathe. Really. I mean it.

With stress, breathing becomes shallower, sending a signal to the nervous system to gear itself up for action (fight or flight). By slowing down the breathing and pulling the breath deep into the body, we give a message to the nervous system that it can relax and let go of tension.  Individual bodies respond differently to stress but shallow breathing is the only common denominator in common stress – meaning that the first place to start with any tension is your breathing.

Make sure that every hour you take a few moments to notice your breathing pattern, and to make an effort to deepen, slow down and lengthen the breath.

Exercise is also a great stress burner; I find a gentle walk in fresh air is probably the best medicine for me!

If you are under pressure, here is some advice on how to support your body through stressful periods:

If you are nervy, on edge, exhausted but yet your sleep quality is poor – add in 500 mcg Vitamin B12 (liposomal Methylcobalamin).  Vitamin B12 provides the support that the body needs to function at higher stress levels.

If you have a busy mind that cannot switch off, yet concentration is poor - then L-Theanine is for you.  Extracted from Green tea it helps calm the mind while at the same time giving it clarity.

If you hold all your tension muscularly in those very sore shoulders, then a good dose of magnesium salts in the bath will help ease and relax the muscles, giving you a better sleep quality.

And of course, but I am biased; all my patients will tell you that acupuncture is the number one stress buster! Just type stress and acupuncture into the research archive Pubmed and viola! you will see for yourself!

Charmaine Shepherd

By Charmaine Shepherd  B.Sc. Biomed., N.dip. Ac, MBAcC
Charmaine Shepherd is an Acupuncturist, Director of the Centre for Holistic Health and Author of Is it all in your mind? 10 Steps to Resolving the Underlying Causes of Anxiety and Depression. Available here.

Charmaine has a sensitive and holistic approach to health-care. She is dedicated to helping individuals take control of their own health."I believe in supporting the innate healing ability of the body through the use of natural remedies, nutrition and lifestyle” Charmaine Shepherd.

Happy Friday!

Have a great weekend! And check back next week - we have video interviews with happiness experts with tips, tools and tricks to help you be happier!

Could Coconut Oil be Alzheimer’s Remedy?

Latest research suggests that coconut oil could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Specifically, Dr. Mary Newport’s theory that ketone bodies, an alternative fuel for your brain that your body makes when digesting coconut oil, might offer profound healing benefits in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.


Click for Dr. Mercola's full article 

How much coconut oil do you need?

"Therapeutic levels of MCTs have been studied at 20 grams per day. According to Dr. Newport's calculations,⁵ just over two tablespoons of coconut oil (about 35 ml or seven level teaspoons) would supply you with the equivalent of 20 grams of MCT, which is indicated as either a preventative measure against degenerative neurological diseases, or as a treatment for an already established case."
Click for Dr. Mercola's full article 

Is it all in your mind? On Facebook!

Is it all in your mind? 10 steps to resolving the causes of anxiety and depression By Charmaine Shepherd now has its own facebook page! Check it out and like it!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Is-It-All-In-Your-Mind-10-Steps-to-Resolving-Anxiety-and-Depression/607663985961631

Is Edinburgh Happy Enough?

A recent news report in the Scotsman says Yes! And declares Edinburgh the UK's happiest city. And we'd like to keep it that way. Read the article here.