I recently spent a day at the funeral of a close family friend. I was glad to have the chance to attend. It was a beautiful service, with lots of memories shared. A real celebration of a life well-lived. Myself and my family have all been feeling sad, and I’ve been doing my best to take care of myself as well as them. Counting blessings The funeral reminded me of all the others I’ve attended. It’s been over a decade since I attended the funerals of my mother, my aunt, my grandmother, and my nan. All four were significant women in my life and influenced me in many ways. I wrote about my mother ..read more

Most people don’t realise that painkillers can have side effects. If you take Ibuprofen regularly, you might have noticed recurring headaches and digestive issues. These are common, and affect most people to some degree. These are the other side effects I see most often: Acidity Constipation Bloating Nausea Fluid retention Weight gain Headaches Drowsiness Fatigue Tinnitis The more frequently you take any medication, the more likely you are to experience side effects. Regular use of Ibuprofen also increases the risk of serious side effects including internal bleeding, anaemia, damage to the l ..read more

Did you know Vitamin D works like a hormone in the body? Four of the most important functions that need Vitamin D: Hormone balance Immune function Brain health Mood regulation If you feel sluggish, low in motivation and low immunity, you could be deficient. The body needs Vitamin D to create natural serotonin, so if you suffer from SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, you are almost certainly deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D also supports healthy ageing and reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Causes of Vitamin D deficiency 1. Insufficient sun exposure We need full sunli ..read more

Most of us have a dip in energy at this time of year. This is partly due to the shorter daylight hours and an increase in melatonin which makes us feel tired. A lack of sunlight also means we are low in Vitamin D. We can obtain useful amounts of Vitamin D from certain foods but sunlight is the main source, which is why we should all be taking a supplement. We also want to focus on foods that give us the nutrients we need, as over time this will help us build a strong metabolism and emotional resilience. 9 ways to boost your energy in winter Focus on nourishing foods and balancing routines Pro ..read more

Everyday life is busy. Work and daily tasks take up so much time it can feel there’s little space for anything else. Many of the other things we do are simply things that need to be done. It’s hard to slow down, even when you want to. Even in a busy day, there are a few small things that don’t take up loads more time but can still have a positive effect. Small things that can make you feel good during the day Simple routines to create quality time and moments of contentment that make a big difference. Make your bed By making the bed in the morning, you start the day with a small achievement ..read more

As a homeopath, acne is one of my favourite things to treat. I know how depressing it feels to have horrible skin. When I had acne in my twenties, the first thing I did every morning was to press my skin and see if I had any new spots. I hated seeing myself in the mirror. I felt jealous of my friends who didn’t need to wear make-up. It seemed so unfair that other people could have clear skin without even trying. Now, when I work with somebody with acne, I can really relate to what they’re going through. And, with over a decade of experience, I know how to help. What is acne? We all know what a ..read more

IBS symptoms can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Studies suggest that IBS affects 5-10% of the population but my experience suggests that this figure could be higher as digestive issues are very common in my practice. I often see them in cases with acne, eczema, hay fever, candida, migraine, anaemia, fatigue, and other problems too. Most people with IBS have already had diagnostic tests to rule out more serious conditions. Symptoms of IBS The main symptoms include: Diarrhoea Constipation Gas Belching Bloating Cramps Causes of IBS Research shows that genetics, environment and lifestyl ..read more

My hay fever started when I was seven years old. I was at a school with a playing field and it was mowed every week. Every day throughout the summer I was absolutely miserable. I think I finally started taking anti-histamines at age 17, and when I was 18 I had allergy injections as the anti-histamines made me so sleepy. Those injections stopped my periods though, and that was quite alarming, so the following year I went back to anti-histamines. Eventually, I started to see a homeopath to support my immunity and discovered it could help with hay fever too. This was such a relief, as I’d found m ..read more

Anyone who suffers from hayfever will know how hard it is to function normally during the pollen season. This is partly due to the relentlessness of their symptoms. It can also be a side effect from taking anti-histamines. Why is hayfever getting worse? NHS data suggests that 20% of the population in the UK suffer from hay fever and it’s the cause of an estimated 3.2 million sick days annually. In recent years hayfever sufferers frequently tell me their symptoms are much worse than they used to be. This has been shown to be caused by climate change and pollution. [Link to find out more from re ..read more

‘A simplified lifestyle allows you to focus on quality over quantity and experiences versus stuff.’ Bea Johnson Looking back to my life before the pandemic, I realise I was far too busy. I honestly have no idea how I managed all my commitments.  With things returning to ‘sort of normal’  I’ve been taking stock  – thinking about what I can do to avoid sliding back into the overcommitted ‘busy busy’ person I used to be. I mostly do this through journalling and consciously checking in with myself and how I’m feeling. My two aims: A balance between work and personal life Quality ..read more