Author: James Sabin

5 Superfoods That Promote Healthy Wellbeing 

They’re called superfoods because, they are… well, super! Small changes in the way we eat can help us in the long run and to take care of our bodies is a form of self-care and appreciation for all that our bodies do for us. 

So, here is our list of 5 superfoods that promote general wellbeing, that you can add into your diet: 

  • Nuts And Seeds 

A source of protein, fibre and unsaturated fats that also contain antioxidants that combat stress, promote cell reproduction and lower cholesterol. This superfood is packed with vitamins and minerals which it a staple for a well-balanced diet.  

  • Avocado  

A key staple for every Instagram-worthy brunch pic and for good reason! Avocados provide fibre and helps regulate blood pressure. An advisory published by the American Heart Association in the June 2017 issue of Circulation noted that replacing saturated fat (from sources such as butter) with the fats found in foods such as avocado can help reduce the risk for heart disease. 

  • Kimchi And Kefir 

Fermented foods are the new trend and with the numerous amounts of health benefits, there’s no wonder why they’re so popular. Products like kimchi and kefir are rich in probiotics that make them a great superfood. Probiotics are “healthy” bacteria and when taken, it may contribute to a healthy gut microbiome and play a role in disease prevention. The live bacteria in yogurt, for example, may reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.  

  • Dark Chocolate  

Yes, chocolate can be healthy, believe it or not. However, this is not the case for milk and white chocolate that are heavily infused with refined sugar and cream, but for dark chocolate. The cacao in dark chocolate is full of antioxidants which is said to help with heart health, cancer prevention and weight loss, according to a study published in December 2016 in the Journal of Neuroscience.  

  • Berries  

A staple for any summertime snack but did you know berries are at the top of almost every superfood list. Fresh berries such as blackberries, strawberries and cranberries (to name a few) are crammed with fibre and antioxidants that help fight against cancer-causing free radicals, notes a study published in March 2018 in Frontiers in Pharmacology. On top of that, they’re very low in calories which is great if you’re on a calorie conscious diet.  

I think we’re all feeling a bit peckish after hearing that list and to know we’re nurturing our bodies whilst eating great food, makes it all the better.

References: https://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/superfoods.aspx 

Female Health: 4 tips to help maintain female health

Introduction  

Regardless of its historical taboos and centuries of myths and false information surrounding it, female health is vitally important and with modern-day medicine advancement and research, we need more space and platforms to allow easy access for women to seek health advice. If you are experiencing any changes or concerns with your medical health, the most important thing is to consult your medical practitioner or doctor.   

However, for general advice on female health maintenance you can do it yourself, here is my list of 4 tips to help maintain female health: 

Acupuncture – Fertility  

Many people experience problems when trying to conceive and this comes in many forms, including anovulation, thin uterine lining, irregular periods, endometriosis, and sperm related issues. However, acupuncture can help! If you’re having issues with conceiving and are considering IVF or assisted fertility, acupuncture can help as the treatment helps to improve blood flow to the uterus, encourages follicular growth, balances hormones to improve natural hormone secretion, promotes relaxation, reduces stress and tension and helps to improve sleep. 

Pelvic exercise- overall pelvic health 

The pelvic floor comprises muscles and connective tissues. These soft tissues attach to your pelvis, and more specifically, to the bones at the bottom of the pelvis. The pelvic floor also consists of the uterus, cervix, and vagina. Benefits of pelvic floor exercise include strong bladder and bowel control, improve recovery from childbirth and gynaecological surgery and improvement in sex.  

If you would like some tips and tutorials for pelvic floor exercises, visit the link below.  

Self-examination- cancer and lumps 

For women, it’s important to check for any signs of lumps or changes to the body. The most easily identifiable is for changes in the breast. Women come in all shapes and sizes and the same applies to the breast: it can vary in consistency and size depending on mensuration, pregnancy, menopause etc.  

However, the NHS Breast Screening programme has systemized a 5-point plan for being breast aware: 

  • know what’s normal for you 
  • look at your breasts and feel them 
  • know what changes to look for 
  • report any changes to a GP without delay 
  • attend routine screening if you’re aged 50 to 70 

“Look at your breasts and feel each breast and armpit, and up to your collarbone. You may find it easiest to do this in the shower or bath, by running a soapy hand over each breast and up under each armpit. 

You can also look at your breasts in the mirror. Look with your arms by your side and with them raised.” 

For further information, visit the NHS website: 

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/womens-health/how-should-i-check-my-breasts/

Probiotics- Gut health  

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help the health of the gut, which is vital for good immune function and digestive health. They can be taken as a supplement or can be found in fermented foods such as yoghurts, kefir, kombucha and fermented vegetables. Benefits of probiotics include reduction in urinary tract infections, boost the immune system and promotes overall vaginal health. 

Conclusion  

That were our 4 tips to maintain female health, we hope you find them of use! Making these small changes can make a huge impact on your health and having open platforms to talk about them openly makes it easier for women to get the right information and to identify and treat any underlying health issues.  

Top 6 benefits of acupuncture for work-related stress

Whether you’re working from home, or back in the office, our jobs can demand a lot. From pressures to challenges or colleague relationships, they can have a negative impact on our mental health and work performance. 

Work-related stress however shouldn’t be something you suffer with, it is important for us to take care of our mental wellbeing, not only for ourselves but taking proper care of yourself will increase your work performance and outlook on life.  

Let acupuncture help you. There are many benefits to acupuncture, but here are the top 6 to improving your working performance and tackling work-related stress.  

Reduced stress

Stress is one of the top reasons professionals seek acupuncture treatment. Whether it’s from the demands of our job or personal pressures, almost 70% of professionals admit to experiencing the symptoms of stress. While work can be a major trigger, acupuncture has been proven to help lower stress hormones and improve our mood to reduce anxiety and increase overall feelings of happiness. 

Women feeling stressed and axious at work

Reduce Back Pain, Joint Pain and Neck Tension: 

Posture, heavy backpacks, smartphones, and computers are just a few of the things that create tension and the type of pain that penetrates through our workday and keeps us up at night. Acupuncture provides drug-free pain relief while also helping to reduce swelling and inflammation. 

Relief from headaches  

Whether you’ve been staring at your computer screen for too long, or lacking in hydration, acupuncture has been used to treat headaches for thousands of years. Recent studies show that acupuncture can reduce the number of days with migraines and may have lasting effects. The most common side effect being a sense of relief and relaxation, acupuncture is a treatment of choice for those seeking a drug-free option. 

Improve your immune system  

Acupuncture treatment can reduce the duration of a cold and relieve debilitating symptoms that keep you feeling miserable and away from work. Acupuncture can also help fight off pathogens by boosting the body’s immune system. 

Women in bed with the flu

Allergy relief  

Acupuncture has been proven to reduce allergy symptoms and can be used in place of or in conjunction with antihistamines. Acupuncture can also play a key part in preventing allergies, but it is important to start treatments to strengthen your body before allergy season begins.  

Enhanced mental clarity and improved energy  

Acupuncture patients experience enhanced mental clarity and often a surge of increased energy. Improved sleep is an additional benefit, which is why acupuncture is used to treat sleep disorders too, like insomnia. 

To conclude 

If you are also finding yourself struggling at work, don’t hesitate to reach out to your colleagues, stress isn’t a sign of weakness, it is something that affects us all throughout life and your employer will be understanding of this. They have a responsibility to resolve and understand what you’re going through.   

At Gaynor Grozier Acupuncture, you’re sure of a very warm welcome as well as an environment that emits tranquillity and relaxation. We can explore the best health and wellbeing therapies and treatments that will best suit your needs. I have an extensive wealth of knowledge and experience to support you, I am passionate about restoring health and balance to your body.  

If you are considering acupuncture to support, you on your healing journey – do get in touch for a free confidential consultation. A private and confidential setting provides the basis for a treatment when receiving acupuncture to support you when things feel unmanageable. 

Boost your energy and improve your insomnia with acupuncture. 

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder, that can make it hard to fall asleep, waking up early, getting a full night’s sleep. Often leaving you feeling tired throughout the day. In the UK, 34% of women suffer from insomnia, and 24% of men.   

When we experience low energy or fatigue, many of us immediately turn to caffeine, energy drinks or medication. And though they may seem effective in boosting our performance, these solutions are short term and temporary, only masking the symptoms of fatigue.  

Acupuncture, however, can be an effective therapy in restoring your energy, enhancing mental clarity, and improving sleep disorders such as insomnia. Acupuncture gets to the root of the problem that’s causing insomnia rather than insomnia itself. Acupuncture encompasses its own diagnostic methods, seeing pain and illness as a sign that the body is out of balance.  

A typical treatment takes the whole person into consideration, from the physical to the mental to the emotional aspects of a person, all of which are interdependent. Because of this, two people with the same diagnosis received from their GP, such as insomnia, are likely to receive different acupuncture treatments.  

“Gaynor has treated my family now since last year and I decided to try it for myself to help with the arthritis in my hands, get a boost of energy and for weight loss.” 

“My goodness!! After one session and six days later I have no pain, bags of energy, a flatter stomach, and a reduced appetite. I can’t thank her enough and can’t wait for my next session. Highly recommend everyone has a Gaynor in their life.” 

If you would like a peaceful night’s sleep, be free from pain, feel relaxed and be able to do the things you enjoy, then acupuncture is for you. Choosing acupuncture as your preferred treatment will enhance the quality of your life.  I am here to help you get back to the things you enjoy most in your life. 

I am excited to help you on your journey to better health and wellbeing. For your free consultation and confidential advice, get in touch with me today so I can help you find the freedom you are looking for. 

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