New year, new you.

Rubbish.

It’s another day, 24 hours after you probably ate and drank to excess.

It’s one more rotation of the planet, on a calendar defined by an Italian pope several hundred years ago.

And it’s the chance, just like any other day, to start again, get disciplined, and change one thing.

I’ve written several times on finding the one or two things that have the most significant impact. In this case, think about what you can cut out. What, if you take it away, could have the most impact?

If you smoke or drink frequently, cutting it out not only improves health but improves your purse.

If you’re thinking of joining a gym, start by cutting out the worst rubbish from your diet instead and walking more.

Instead of turning on the tv, work through some basic mobility.

Don’t look at Facebook for the tenth time today, read a real book.

Make a small change, with consistency and reap huge benefits.

Being human

Posted by The Camford Clinic

Sometimes we forget what it means to be human. We have forgotten that we are merely vertical mammals in a semi hostile environment and only when this is challenged do we wake up from our technological torpor and realise just how close to the edge of existence we are.

So in this season of reflection, lets ponder on how we can be more human.

Move more. We evolved to move for survival yet these days we rarely need to. Not moving frequently is a short step to oncoming death.

Eat less and more varied. Once we have finished growing, we don’t need to eat more than we burn or require for physical repair or performance. Occasional fasting is no bad thing if you are fundamentally healthy. And, as wanderers we ate a much more varied diet compared to now. The more varied our pallette, the broader the nutritional intake available.

Drink less, smoke nothing. What is the point of poisoning yourself? Occasional alcohol, at seasonal festivals is not a problem. But that will almost certainly be far less than you currently consume.

Be useful. Without a supportive society we would be dead. From birth to death you are reliant on those around you. So be useful. Check on your neighbours, learn first aid, spend time at a local charity you support, give to a food bank. You never know when you will need it returned.

Remember the basic rules of life: Be compassionate. You are what you do and say. Discipline and consistency are the only way to achieve anything.

So go forth, be awesome and have a healthy break. You’ve earned it.

Ask the right question

Posted by The Camford Clinic

To get a useful answer, it is important to ask the right questions.

If you can only see 2 paths, look for a third.

If you’re trying something new, has anyone done something similar before? Even a different discipline offers guidelines.

Does it actually need to be done?

What one thing, done today, will have the most impact?

Can this be a yes or no, rather than a maybe?

Try one next time you’re stuck and see if it helps break the restriction.

Autumn is here, winter is coming.

Posted by The Camford Clinic

As the light fades from the sky and our natural instinct to hibernate increases, the need to keep moving never lets up.

We all wrap ourselves up in layers, go out less and eat more, often leading to a natural increase in winter plumage, just when we’re expected to dress up in party clothes.

Some basic tips for feeling and looking healthier this Autumn:

1) Drink sufficient water and less alcohol. Dehydration as the central heating comes on needs to be countered, 2 litres a day is a good target.

2) Eat a balanced plate. However much you crave cakes, soups and stews, we still need our vegetables and fruit.

3) Move. Combat the urge to stop by walking, lifting weights or just doing something active. This has been shown to help improve mood, manage weight and keep us living longer.

4) if you’re feeling really flat, check in with your gp practice to ensure you’re not suffering from a background grumble. If appropriate, get your immunisations to protect against winter viruses.

5) Vitamin D supplements can really support those who get the winter blues, as we need sunlight to make it in our skin and stores run low when there’s less UV.

And of course, come and see us to get those niggles sorted out. Osteopaths spend 4-5 years training at university standard so we are well equipped to help discuss any biomechanical aches and pains.

We’ll see you soon.

Moving on up

Posted by The Camford Clinic

As the seasons change and we look to the turning of the days, we can feel the pulse of the planet below us.

It is with this pulse and change that I am fantastically pleased to welcome Viv to the clinic as our lead osteopath.

She comes with years of experience and a great set of skills to help sort out any problems that might present themselves, from acute sports injuries to longer term aches and pains.

Come and experience the benefits that excellent osteopathy can offer and book in to make sure you don’t miss out.

Call us today on 01420 544408 and we look forward to seeing you soon!

When the going gets tough;

Posted by The Camford Clinic

Stop.

Breathe.

Think: Do I really need to be putting myself through this, is there a more efficient way?

If you’ve been banging your head against the same problem 42 times, perhaps the 43rd attempt won’t solve it either.

If its a workout, or a programmed training session, then dig in buttercup, the outcome is worth the effort. The same if its a challenging work scenario with a defined goal.

But if the task has no defined goal, no finishing line and seems apparently insoluble, then perhaps you need to take a break and reflect.

It could be that someone has been down that route before and talking to experts could save you hours of time.

It could be that “we’ve always done it that way” isn’t actually the best anymore.

And it could be that, however good your intentions, the goal isn’t going to fit your long term plan.

Stop, breathe, think.

Then get going again.

Damn, I’m tired.

Posted by The Camford Clinic

Early mornings, coupled with late nights.

Physically hard days.

Poor or restricted diet with an increased training load.

Mental stress and prolonged concentration.

All of these and combinations of them can lead to fatigue. Will lead to fatigue, given sufficient time. This in turn leads to micro mistakes, poor neural timing and eventually injury.

Fatigue can hide behind coffee, sugary snacks and stubbornness but is easily spotted if you look for it.

Not recovering fully in the time you would normally expect to, regularly less than 7-8 hours sleep, using more stimulants to keep going, an elevated resting heart rate, more coughs and colds, an elevated or stressed breathing pattern, and poor focus and mental control are all signs to check.

If in doubt, back off. Good decisions are rarely made tired and a day of down time will almost never lose the race.

Out there

Posted by The Camford Clinic

Out there is your dream job.

It isn’t.

Out there is your perfect partner.

They aren’t.

Out there is your perfect body, if you just take this supplement and do this five-minute exercise.

Nope.

Out there is a realm of possibilities.

Wrong.

Out there is a fantasy place, a modern dream to placate the meek, invented to sell the next quick fix or short cut “hack”.

A sheen of glamour to disguise the truth.

Reality says there is no such thing as a dream job. There is the something that you are well suited to doing, where your unique talents and skills can be applied. It may take you years and several false starts to get there, and it will require hard work, self-discipline and flexibility.

Reality says that there is no such thing as a perfect partner, the soul mate who will happen to walk around the corner and into your life. There may be someone who is supportive, loving and with whom you click. They may be with you for years, or for a short time. And maintaining a relationship takes hard work, self-discipline and flexibility.

Reality says there is no such thing as a perfect body. Just the one you have been given. We can change it, support it and develop it to its best potential but you may never be a size 8 if your skeleton says otherwise, you may not have Rich Froning’s abs is you don’t have his genetics. And any change takes hard work, self-discipline and flexibility.

Right now is a realm of fantastic possibilities. Dreams can become ideas can become plans can become reality.

And out there is a whole team of people, be they friends, professionals and expert sources who are willing to help you achieve.

But it all requires hard work, self-discipline and flexibility.

One way or the other

Posted by The Camford Clinic

Momentum – the force that allows something to continue or to grow as time passes.

Inertia – the tendency to remain the same.

Starting something is tough. There is always a reason not to do it, a task that’s more important, an article that needs to be read.

In physics, we have the concepts of inertia and momentum, as defined above (roughly). These apply everywhere in life, from starting the car to changing a habit.

Starting takes energy and consistency, you need to give the job attention and drive.

But once it’s rolling, it takes far less to keep going.

So, put some energy into your big goals and watch them become easier to achieve.

And, if you need professional advice or support, ask.

3 things

Posted by The Camford Clinic

All you need to do to make progress is 3 things.

Do it consistently and you will make huge progress.

What those three things are depends on what your goal is and where you are.

Want to make progress on a project? Do three things off your list. Some will be time orientated, some not.

Want to improve your health? Eat, move, rest.

And if you can consistently do 3, make it 5. But make sure you do them all before the end of the day.

The trick works because it helps break inertia and provides momentum, mentally and physically.

Just three things, for each thing you wish to achieve.

This even works if you’re suffering with depression or other mental health issues.

Focus on just doing three things.

A personal care item (shower,clean teeth, shave), a healthy meal, a walk.

Then, no matter how the rest of the day goes, you’ve done 3 positive things.