Volunteering is very good for you!

Here is a great blog about our exhibition and why Nikki Mansell enjoyed being part of our annual exhibition.

Hi, my name is Nikki and I first moved to Axminster 5 months ago. I began volunteering at the Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre about three months ago as I thought it would be a great way to meet people in my new hometown as well as an opportunity to find out what the centre is about. As part of my voluntary work, I was asked if I would be willing to help out at the Exhibition, which I was more than happy to do. Having previously lived 200 miles away, this was my first experience of the Exhibition and I was looking forward to learning more about the types of therapies offered within the Centre.

On the day itself, I arrived half an hour before the doors opened to the public to see the final touches being added to everyone’s stalls. I spent my day running the raffle stall in aid of the Wishing Well Cancer Support Group alongside another volunteer, Bryan, who was giving out free hand massages to anyone who wanted them. I met so many different people and enjoyed talking to them all, and it was nice when I spoke to quite a few who are originally from the same county as I am – every one of them said how welcoming the people of Axminster had been when they first arrived. I agree wholeheartedly with them! There was a really lovely relaxed atmosphere in the Guildhall and the lovely scents from the essential oils being used, as well as the lavender products just a couple of stalls away added to that. In fact, I felt so relaxed during my lunch break that I could have fallen asleep if I hadn’t wanted to look around before getting back to selling raffle tickets! The best part of the day for me though, was seeing those who had sampled treatments, or had a free hand massage walking away looking so relaxed and happy. I know everyone I spoke with who had sampled a treatment said how much they had enjoyed it and that they felt so much better for having it. I guess that really encapsulates what the centre is all about and I am very much looking forward to sampling some of the many treatments on offer here as a result of both finding out more about the treatments themselves, and seeing the positive effect they had on the people who sampled them.

By the end of the day, I felt tired but really pleased with how well the raffle ticket sales had gone. I am really looking forward to getting involved again next year, and I will be putting my hand up to run the raffle again as I loved how many people I met and also being able to spread the word about the Wishing Well project as I believe it is a fantastic cause. Thank you to everyone at the Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre for giving me the opportunity to take part in the event! 

Could you use a food bank?

The following blog was written by a food bank client from the Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre. This person would like to remain anonymous but we are very thankful for their wonderful feedback.

A donation from a  local school


"I recently found myself in a position where I had no money and no one I could ask for help so that I could buy food to keep me going until my next pay day came round. I struggled on for as long as I could but, in the end, I realised that I would have to swallow my pride and go into the local food bank to see if they could help me out. I initially felt very awkward asking for help as I am so fiercely independent but, everyone I spoke to in relation to getting help was so lovely that I very quickly stopped worrying about it. I was concerned about being able to get the types of foods I am able to eat as I have to really watch my diet and, even though I felt like I was asking too much, they were very helpful in understanding the types of food I can have so that they could put my food parcel together. I was very impressed with how vigilant everyone was about food intolerances and allergies as well. When I collected my food parcel a couple of days later, I was again treated so well and the quantity of food they supplied me with was amazing and easily kept me going until I got paid again. I cannot fault the staff running the food bank and I feel that I can’t thank them enough for all of the lovely food they gave me. It is very clear to see that they genuinely care about helping people in need and taking away the one of the worries they have to deal with. If I know of anyone who needs help I will definitely send them down to Canned Sunshine at the Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre. And if I need help again in the future, I will definitely go back and speak to them. Thank you, Canned Sunshine, you are awesome!"

A food bank volunteer making up supplies

If you would like to help with our food bank or give a donation please come into the Centre and have a chat or phone 01297 32331 and see what differences you could make.

What does a Lymphatic system do anyway?

Wishing well - Cancer Support group.

As part of Lymphatic Cancer Awareness day we are exploring how little we really know about this very important system. I only investigated it when my mum was first diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2010. After much searching I found it was one of the most important parts of our bodies and this is what I found out. Within our body we have a network called the lymphatic system consisting of paths ways which are connected to nodes. There are lots of technical terms for this that I don't remember and there are much better sites out there for very technical analogies. 

This system helps to protect, clean and filter waste products in our blood, keep infection at bay and retain our fluid balance just right. Quite important, no? In the case of Lymphoma cancer a node may stop working properly for no reason and then in that part of the body it can become susceptible to cancerous cells. Unfortunately there is very little we know in the way of lifestyle to reduce this risk apart from the obvious of having a healthy diet. However, studies have shown that simple changes that lowering or eliminating chemicals from toiletries has been effective. A good example of this is changing a moisturiser or deodorant to a mineral based product. Another useful tip is brushing the skin with a light skin brush after washing to give your lymphatic system an extra boost. But on the whole this cancer, like all the others, is just hit or miss who it chooses to target.

In other areas we can develop swellings, upper respiratory infections, tissue infections or even Lymphedema. All these symptoms all lead to a blockage or excess fluid in the system. This fluid can collect in one area so if you have one limb or area of the body bigger than another and it looks swollen you should always seek medical help. For most it will go away quite quickly with a trip to the doctors but for others they are stuck with large debilitating swollen limbs. Lymphedema can be either congenital or acquired and usually occurs after surgery. Having these swellings can be quite a harrowing experience but don't despair as there are many massage specialist who are qualified in lymphatic drainage. 

Lymphatic drainage uses a stroking technique to gently assist fluid to disperse out of the area affect and then from the body. It can help with the uncomfortable feeling of swollenness and pain relief. Massage therapists qualified in this technique will take a full history and although it is rarely a cure it can go a long way in relieving the majority of symptoms. If you are interested further please look at some of our links or contact our massage therapist Marie Holmes on 01297 22746 / 07769652725 or email marie@headbodyandsole.com and she will be very happy to discuss treatments.

I think I can I know I can

A smile and some flowers

I know I can, I think I can, I know I can I think I can…Maybe I can’t. I’ll just clean that floor, phone my friend Julie, and the grass needs mowing.  Why do so many of our best intentions end in procrastination or a negative result? How many of us say things like I wish I could do that but never put things into practice. If we just chanelled as much positive energy into ourselves as we did the mundane we would all be as happy as Larry, whoever Larry is. Positivity takes practice and normally like most things it’s the starting that beats us all.

Being positive and sunny is not about being perfect, beautiful and polished, it’s what makes you feel comfortable and this is what lies at the heart of the matter. We just love to judge ourselves. I have never met a person who has never judged themselves unfairly. Turning those negatives patterns into positives can be a right royal pain in the backside. Why do all the blogs tell us to look in the mirror and like what you see? Personally I stopped looking directly in the mirror many years ago and that’s when I found happiness with who I was. The exterior changed so frequently it agitated my interior and that wouldn’t do at all. Could clothes, make up, a new hair style, jewellery or perfume enhance or change your demeanour? The answer is of course but only temporarily. How many people buy full running regalia only to give up after the first attempt? As my P.E teacher once said “the shoes don’t make the runner”.

So why do we hate to look at the inside. Again perspective can be a very clever little deceiver which leads us back to old tricks. Maybe it’s because we have never been taught to like ourselves, others yes but ourselves? Surely that’s way too indulgent?  Wrong, there’s the negativity setting in again. We are but a picture and if we spend the day focusing on all the positives rather than the negatives then I urge you to watch what happens – It will start with a smile. Today I remember my daughter telling me she loves me and that I am the best mummy, a naughty smile from my husband, a friend thanking me for my help, a really beautiful comment on Facebook and all of this was before I started work. All the other things fitted into place and before too long I had breezed through my day without much effort. This isn’t to say that all our problems will disappear but it will help us focus to overcome them, challenge them and then learn from.

If you need help with old and negative patterns or just want to help establish a change the Axminster Health & Wellbeing Centre www.axminsterwellbeing.com has an abundance to offer: Counselling, Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness to name a few. Being stuck does not have to be a way of life and unlocking that positive potential could have dramatic effects on your life. Or why not volunteer at the Centre and work in a positive and calming environment. And while you are here you could learn many new things.

Migraines - When finding car keys feels like climbing Everest

When finding car keys feels like climbing Everest. Yes you did read it correctly.It's that moment in the day, dead of night, morning, noon when it creeps or it clashes into your head making an unwelcomed disruption. Some of us have triggers but more often than not it manages to arrive when it is least needed. The Migraine to non sufferers draws a very stony blank but yet to the 8 million U.K sufferers, it's just another moment in time to bring on the battle of daily life.  Before long many Migraine casualties have woven in an intricate set of routines, food groups, blackout blinds or even lucky pants to get us through the important events.. if we can concentrate long enough to be part of it. Read on we may be able to help.

For the fortunate unfortunates who know their triggers then life can be a little more tolerable but for the bigger group we are all left wondering whether daily caffeine, one glass of wine three days later or running up the stairs has brought on an attack. Is it just Karma from arguing with my daughter? The truth is we just don't know about the triggers that cause such interference. But we do know it can help when we make the correct lifestyle choices and have the correct therapy. The rise in the number of people turning their backs from conventional pain relief to complementary therapies have risen significantly in the last 5 years.

Long term medicine use, although important when prescribed by a doctor, can have a dramatic effect on the body. So are you one of the Migraine populace searching for ways to cope with pain relief or even to become Migraine free? The Health and Wellbeing Centre may just have the answers for you.
Many therapist will give you a brief, free consultation before embarking on any treatment and many complementary therapies can be accessed through the NHS So what have you got to lose? Drop in to the Centre and find out about some life changing results and where finding those car keys could be like a walk in the park.

The following link is a great site to find out what other people are saying all around the country and beyond if you want to find out more

http://migraine.com/migraine-community-blogs/

What is Mindfulness?

My name is Megan Wharton and as a new volunteer at Axminster Health and Wellbeing Centre I welcomed the opportunity to experience a taster group session in Mindfulness. This experience gave me an insight into what the centre has to offer. The group engaged in two practice exercises which included the body scan and the raisin test. This allowed me to focus on a particular moment in time however I found it hard to focus and not let my mind wonder and I feel this may take practice!

Practicing mindfulness allows us to be fully aware of our surroundings that allow people to enjoy a good quality of life while attempting to develop a non-judgemental awareness of their mind and body.  When you begin to practice mindfulness you will be taught to pay attention deliberately and as best you can try to become more aware of the actions that are taking place at that moment in time in your mind and body. Everyone has most likely experienced a difficult or troubling period of time throughout their lifetime and I have learnt that practising the act of mindfulness helps to lower certain levels of stress that people may experience in their daily lives as it gives people the opportunity to compartmentalize their feelings and try to focus on the moments that concern them immediately instead of being swamped with fears of the future. Mindfulness is all about becoming more aware of your senses and becoming more involved with the world around you which may include becoming aware of your thinking, emotions and even your breath. One of the most important aspects of mindfulness is to leave all your cares at the door and try your best to focus on the here and now while remembering that

 “Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift”

Yesterday I took part in my first ‘taste of mindfulness’ I took part in what is known as the raisin test;

First, take a raisin and hold it in the palm of your hand or between your finger and thumb and focus on it.

Seeing

Take time to really see it; gaze at the raisin with care and full attention.

Let your eyes explore every part of it, seeing the contrasts between the dark and light areas

Touching

Turn the raisin over between your fingers, exploring its texture, maybe with your eyes closed if that enhances your sense of touch.

Smelling

Holding the raisin beneath your nose, with each inhalation drink in any smell, aroma, or fragrance that may arise, noticing as you do this anything interesting that may be happening in your mouth or stomach.

Placing

Now slowly bring the raisin up to your lips, noticing how your hand and arm know exactly how and where to position it. Gently place the object in the mouth, without chewing, noticing how it gets into the mouth in the first place. Spend a few moments exploring the sensations of having it in your mouth, exploring it with your tongue.

Tasting

When you are ready, prepare to chew the raisin, noticing how and where it needs to be for chewing. Then, very consciously, take one or two bites into it and notice what happens in the aftermath, experiencing any waves of taste that emanate from it as you continue chewing. Without swallowing yet, notice the bare sensations of taste and texture in the mouth and how these may change over time, moment by moment, as well as any changes in the object itself.

Swallowing

When you feel ready to swallow the raisin, see if you can first detect the intention to swallow as it comes up, so that even this is experienced consciously before you actually swallow the raisin.

Following

Finally, see if you can feel what is left of the raisin moving down into your stomach, and sense how the body as a whole is feeling after completing this exercise in mindful eating (Williams et al, 2007).

 

Poem

Consider the lilies of the field

how they grow:

Perfect in poise and balance.

So do wee birdies sing,

in utter exuberance, serene.

So would we sing:

making every moment of every day

an eternity of worship

and mirthful praise:

Love, Laughter and radiant similes. 

Michael Walton  

Wishing Well