So I was supposed to be spending my time today recording some new hypnotic recordings but a feeling poorly grandson is absolutely, definitely more important. Rather than locking myself into a quiet space making a hypnotic recording I am curled up on the sofa watching Harry Potter, honestly there was no choice to be made.

I have looked back on the last week where I said about cutting out the dairy and I have done that pretty much, definitely the milk and I’ve found the alternatives with almond milk and non dairy cheeses that will take some getting used to, but the yoghurt has been a MASSIVE fail. I tried to make a dairy free yoghurt in my easiyo, it was foul, I think it’s the easiyo that failed and not the recipe, so it’s either no yoghurt or the expensive alpro stuff but definitely not the homemade stuff, urgh, I can usually manage most things but not that.

The sugar has definitely been the hardest to give up, there is too much around with the cakes and biscuits and the temptation has been to much to bare. I know my brain doesn’t want it but my mouth does. I think I am going to be taking my own advice and going to sleep to my own sugar addiction hypnosis to train my brain to tell my mouth to bog off with it’s need for sugar.

Next up is getting exercise in, exercise is so good for the mind and body, regular exercise gets more oxygen to the brain and this helps to improve depression, mental health, anxiety, stress, memory and so many other areas of your mind. Even going for a gentle stroll is as good as an hour in the gym.Exercise helps to produce chemicals in the brain that make you more relaxed. Specifically, the brain releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins throughout the body. We also know that exercise increases your energy levels. Laying on the sofa for a whole day might feel good but that feel good doesn’t last, that laying on the sofa can lead to more days laying down in your own 4 walls can end up with depression, loneliness, anxiety and an overall feeling of misery.

To stay healthy, the NHS says adults (16-94) should try to be active daily and have at least 150 minutes every week of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling, brisk walking or even household chores – or 75 minutes of vigorous activity – and strength exercises two or more days a week. Lots of GP surgeries across the country prescribe exercise as a treatment for a range of conditions, including depression.

Now as always I am going to be honest here, I walk a LOT most days, I do my own workouts at home most days, I love the gym but stay at home, I like weights, yoga, pilates, aerobics and spinning but I absolutely will not get on a bicycle, I am the worst cyclist ever, I’ve crashed into bushes, trees, cars and gone over the handlebars. I’m as rubbish as cycling as I am at skiing so that is NOT on my list of things to do. I wouldn’t mind having another go at absailing though, maybe not for a while longer without seizures, that could be awkward eh!

It is well known that regular exercise could not only help the individual personally (me) but also a staggering amount of money for the British NHS, one count was over £300 million pounds, in my mind that is staggering. What an amazing way to save our NHS, the best free health service in the world (in my opinion).

I’ve put some links below for more reading on the benefits of exercise to the mind, body and health service. In my mond it is OK to spend the occasional day curled up on the sofa (or the beach) depending on where in the world you are and having a lazy day. But that is only good for a short period of time. After that get off your bum, get walking, squatting, yoga-ing or get on your bike and feel the benefits as well as see them.

Have a fab week everyone 🙂

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/mar/19/how-exercise-prescriptions-could-change-the-nhs