One of the most fascinating discoveries is that your gut bacteria is linked to your overall mental health, and that improving your gut bacteria could have a significant impact on your brain. Anyone who has felt a fluttering of nerves in their stomach before a big interview, or had an upset tummy during a particularly stressful time at work, knows too well the intimate connection between belly and brain. Those who have been too anxious to feel hunger, or who have invested time in ‘emotional’ binge-eating have also suffered on both sides of the belly-brain partnership. The relationship is not one-sided, either – if you have inflammation in your gut, or your microbiome is not diverse enough, it could also cause the symptoms of depression.  Recent research shows that the link between mental and gut health could be even more advanced than originally thought. Studies into the gut-brain axis found that human donors with autism, depression and schizophrenia passed some linked mental health behaviours to their rodent recipients. What other information is our gut flora hiding, and how do we harness it to improve our health in the rest of our bodies?

Although most of us balk at the idea of collecting stool samples, at-home gut-health test kits are becoming all the rage in the pursuit of optimum gut flora. The sample kits often come in colourful, attractive packaging these days too, to help distract from the onerous task in hand. The laboratory uses your sample to analyse the pH level and diversity of your biome, the consistency of your stool and the bacteria, yeasts and moulds present within your digestive tract, among other gut health biomarkers, and then gives you a detailed plan and breakdown of how best to tailor your diet and exercise regime to improve it. Companies such as Healthpath and Aguulp provide the kits, which guide you and your digestion in the right direction.

If you don’t want to shell out for an in-depth microbiome analysis, you can always take basic measures to boost your gut flora. By ingesting probiotic bacteria, you can give your overall mental and physical health a push in the right direction. Kefir and fermented yoghurts are full of probiotics like bifidobacterium and lactococcus which help care for your entire body. Eating fruit, vegetables, seeds, whole grains and legumes will also spark positive change in your gut bacteria, promoting the production of essential fatty acid butyrate which can help regulate your mood and reduce stress reactions.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Go with your gut and boost your wellbeing appeared first on Checklists.

The mum-of-two is all about body positivity and a no-nonsense approach to holistic healthcare with her niix.fit app that is loved by women worldwide.

Nicki – who is a qualified Pilates, barre, TRX and HIIT and personal trainer – is passionate about equipping women with the knowledge they need to be empowered through their mid-life and beyond.

The ultimate over-40s fitness app

As a mum of two in her 40s, Nicki understands that women’s bodies change after having children. And as we get older, our approach to health and fitness should follow. She is keen to advocate that spending hours in the gym every day or going on endless gruelling runs isn’t necessary.

Rather that, by focusing on correct technique while combining Pilates with cardio and strength training, anybody can achieve great strength and fitness, with short, effective and efficient workouts no matter their age or stage in life. Nicki’s method has helped many women pre and postpartum retain and return to fitness by building solid foundations. This puts women in a stronger place to get back to optimum fitness and strength, quickly and safely.

Keen to share her experience and unique approach to women’s fitness as widely as possible, Nicki created the niix.fit fitness app which allows anyone to follow her advice and workouts no matter where they are or how busy their schedule is.

What are you waiting for?

Do you want to get in the best shape of your life but maybe you are a little bit worried about going it alone? If so, you need to enter Nicki’s fantastic competition in collaboration with Checklist.

Here, you can win 12 months’ worth of workouts for you and a friend – worth £99.98!

From expert advice on how to deal with menopause, hundreds of on demand and live workouts, mouth-watering recipes, or just support from a network of like-minded women, niix is the platform you need to guide and inspire you to be the healthiest version of yourself.

Enter now for the chance to be the fittest you. Visit the website here and follow on Instagram via @niix.fit for expert fitness and nutrition advice and tips.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Become the fittest you yet with expert-led workouts for over 40s appeared first on Checklists.

For some, it already feels like there is a back-to-school vibe in the air, with a lack of holidays abroad and the summer another wash-out, we’re all still struggling to still see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.  

To help with those battling anxieties, or what many are feeling right now – a real sense of an unfulfilled time-out, sports therapist and former elite athlete Karen Mack, from Well Lab shares her top ten sporting activities to help us cope with anxious feelings and stop a stressed seasonal transition.  

Before you begin… 

“Everyone suffers from anxiety and stress during their life – from childhood right through to adulthood. For some people it’s a constant battle and for others it’s a ‘once in a while’ when life throws a few curveballs,” says Karen, who has nearly 30 years’ experience working with international elite athletes.  

“Firstly, it’s good to know that there are two different types of anxiety, Acute Anxiety and Chronic Anxiety. Acute Anxiety is caused by an active stress response – something short lived, whereas Chronic Anxiety is caused by chronic stress (stress-response hyperstimulation) where the stress hormones stimulate the body over a longer period.  

“Some people are lucky enough to manage their stress and anxiety and deal with the situations or events causing it whilst for other people it’s not as easy to switch off those feelings of irritability, anger or moodiness. 

“Sadly, there isn’t a one-fix-all answer when it comes to anxiety – it’s a very personal problem. Advice, nutritional plans and the thousands of products on the market offering to help you cope better might not work for you.  

“However, exercise can be the key to unlocking some relief. There’s such a powerful link between your mental and physical health. I love the saying, “the body is the mind, and the mind is the body.” 

Karen advises that anyone suffering with anxiety should always consult their doctor about treatment options and before you start an exercise programme of any kind. Inspired by her clients across her career, Karen shares her top ten sports to get those endorphins pumping.  

1. Dancing 

“Dancing isn’t just for entertainment it can help control your emotions. You can literally dance your stress out,” continues Karen. 

“We all know around this time of year Strictly fever is pending, where dancing spills throughout the UK and gives many the inspiration to put on their own dancing shoes. When we dance, we don’t only improve our physical health, but our mental health too.  

“We release endorphins and elevate dopamine the two neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of pleasure and happiness. It lifts mood, as well as improving posture, flexibility and increases aerobic power and strength. Dancing is also great for building social bonds – something that also helps reduce stress and anxiety. Many will quickly focus on the moves or routine as well as the beats of the music rather than the causes or feelings of anxiousness.  

“Individuals could try anything from salsa, tap dancing or even find a local tea dance – just remember to not worry about if you can or can’t dance, even if you hail back to your school disco moves, the benefits can be the same!”   

2. Yoga 

Karen continued: “The breathing and stretching involved in yoga, is an excellent stress-relief activity. It involves a series of moving and stationary poses, or postures, combined with deep breathing. These are all mind-body activities that strengthen your body’s natural relaxation response to anxiety or stress.” 

But be wary says Karen, some types of Yoga are not ideal if the main goal is to ease anxiety: “For relief from anxiety or stress opt for gentle yoga, or yoga for beginners, I wouldn’t suggest power yoga – as this may be too intense.” 

3. Tai Chi 

Like yoga, tai chi is a series of self-paced, flowing body movements and breathing techniques.  

Karen added: “Although many of the movements involved in tai chi have their roots in martial arts, it is a sport that is meant to help calm the mind and condition the body. From my experience, this can even go as far as helping to build bone density, but is also great at lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system and helping with conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.” 

Karen also promotes the fact that tai chi can be a do-anywhere sport, and requires no equipment: “You can practice tai chi anywhere, anytime – making it such a good activity to turn to when your anxiety is mounting, or around key trigger points or events.”  

4. Kickboxing 

For those that are looking for a more intense workout, kickboxing can be a great sport to try.  

Karen said: “Kickboxing is one the perfect stress and anxiety reliever exercises. It’s a disciplined sport but you can really take out some built-up angst and get quite rigorous with the punching and kicking movements involved.  

“If you kickbox regularly, it will also help you improve your balance, flexibility, and coordination. A good class at a local gym or following the array of YouTube workouts are an easy way to start this sport.”  

5. Team sports 

“Being part of a team whether that’s friends, family, co-workers, or members of your local community can really help make you feel good,” says Karen.  

“One of the best ways to fit exercise into your schedule is to round up friends and family and organise a game of tennis, football or even rounders – just three of so many choices. 

“It’s a double whammy when you choose to do your exercise in a team not only are you having fun with friends and loved ones, but you’re also working up a sweat and releasing endorphins.  

“Furthermore, it can kick-start your competitive streak and helps to push some people harder than usual – improving overall wellbeing.”  

6. Swimming 

If you’re more of a water baby at heart, then taking a dip might be more up your street to help break the cycle of anxiousness.  

Karen continues: “During swimming you require lengthy muscular movements and deep controlled breathing. This will help stimulate the brain to increase nerve cell development and help produce endorphins and other stress reducing chemicals. 

“During your laps, you will also stimulate neuronal development and new activity patterns in the brain that is linked to emotions of calmness. It’s been proven that even just swimming half an hour at a time regularly, is known to help you get forty winks as well as lowering incidences of depression and anxiety.” 

7. Cycling  

Cycling is one of the best forms of cardio that will not only keep you in shape and physically fit but will also improve your mental health. 

“During cycling the level of cortisol (the stress-causing hormone) reduces in the body and, when cortisol levels are high, it disturbs the body’s sleep schedule,” explains Karen.   

“Cycling will therefore increase the level of serotonin, which will help improve your sleep. We all know that a peaceful night’s sleep can prevent certain mental troubles and help us deal with all matters of life in a much calmer manner.  

“Also don’t forget cycling outside brings a wealth of further benefits – even just soaking up any sun will help with your vitamin D intake, which can help prevent anxiety.”  

8. Spinning 

Spinning, which is still cycling, but a high intensity version, can bring even more benefits to participants.  

People who experience stress and anxiety, benefit the most from spinning and cycling. In fact, one study showed that cycling is just as effective as or even more effective than psychotherapy.  

Karen added “After every spinning session, our bodies improve their ability to regulate cortisol and adrenaline production, two of the important mood hormones. The result is an increased ability to handle stressful situations which can help greatly if you suffer from anxiety.” 

9. Running  

According to research running for just five minutes a day might help you live longer.    

Karen explains: “Running will burn calories, reduce food cravings and lower risk of heart disease but more importantly it has shown to improve your mood in many ways. 

“It causes lasting changes during and after exercise in the feel-good neurotransmitters serotine and norepinephrine. If you are not usually the running type, then don’t panic! An easy way to start running is by jogging one minute and walking for two minutes over a 10-20minute period. This is the structure in the very popular Couch to 5k, which is now supported by the NHS, so if you want further support or guidance this is a great go-to app. 

“Start slowly and get out in the fresh air, whatever the weather. Also, whilst you’re out and about take in your surroundings – use every one of your senses to absorb your route and breathe in the fresh air. This will all help you focus on the here and now and hopefully help shift some anxiety.” 

10. Walking 

Finally, it might seem like the simplest of activities with many even sitting on the fence when it comes to calling it a sport, but walking is free and one of the easiest ways to start getting active, lose weight and become healthier.  

Karen says: “Regular walks can cause fewer occurrences of several stress-related illnesses, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Walking can promote deeper breathing, release tension in muscles and has calming effects on your neurological system. 

“Walking briskly (about 2-3mph pace) for 10 minutes a day will help you burn excess calories, build stamina and help with a healthy heart.” 

Find out more at welllab.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Ten sports to help improve anxiety and boost mental health appeared first on Checklists.

Brain fog is the term used when we cannot focus our thoughts or concentrate on anything clearly, it has also recently been found that brain fog is a symptom of long Covid, with Bangor University studies suggesting that brain fog, or cognitive impairment, is increasingly recognised as a major component of long Covid.

Estimates suggest that a quarter to two thirds of all people experiencing long Covid suffer some form of ‘brain fog’.

Here, Doctor Giuseppe Aragona, GP and medical advisor for Prescription Doctor reveals his top-tips on how to try and beat brain fog at work and be more productive.

1. Plan your day

Having a plan for the work day can really benefit your productiveness. Having clear goals which need to be achieved by the end of the day will allow you to focus on the tasks in-hand without deviating or sitting with your own foggy thoughts and not actually getting anything done. Writing a simple to-do list first thing and working your way through it step-by-step can be easy and you will find this helps to organise your thoughts.

2. Drink plenty of water

Drinking plenty of water each day will keep you hydrated which should help you to keep a clear mind and feel motivated. A hydrated brain will always function better than a dehydrated one so upping the liquids to two to three litres a day is advised.

3. Avoid distractions

Distractions throughout the day are a sure-fire way to stop you from being productive and getting work done, especially when working from home. Ensure you put your phone away in another room as the temptation to check messages or social media will be great, keep TVs and radios turned off and only focus on one thing at a time. If you work best with background noise perhaps play music with no lyrics, so you aren’t concentrating on the song.

4. Get plenty of sleep

Sleep is imperative for brain health and allowing us to be alert and productive each day. Ensuring you go to bed at the same time each night, and it’s not too late will allow you to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night that you need for a healthy brain and good cognitive function.

5. Keep moving

Daily exercise is important as this affects our concentration and mental health more than you would think, getting the blood pumping and the body moving will increase endorphins and serotonin levels and this will help in keeping your body and mind motivated and focused on work. If you can get out in the morning for a daily walk or run this is even better as you are getting fresh air and oxygen into your lungs, blood and brain.

6. Change up your surroundings

Sometimes being stuck in the same routine can leave us feeling unmotivated and this, in turn, means our work is affected. If you are working from home, why not have 2 or 3 days a week working from a local coffee shop – this will get you out of the house and the hustle and bustle of people will most likely make you feel as though you’re back in the ‘real world’ and it could increase productivity and reduce brain fog.

7. Avoid screens before bed

Avoiding any screens before bed is key in ensuring a good night sleep. Try to read a book for an hour before sleep and do not look at your phone during this hour, if you need to set alarms ensure this is done before you reach for the book. Screen time before bed has been proven to disrupt our sleep and leave us feeling alert as opposed to sleepy, which is why many people who scroll social media before bed have trouble sleeping.

8. Limit your alcohol intake

Limit how much alcohol you drink in the week as this can contribute to the foggy feelings you will feel in the morning and will most likely cloud your thoughts and affect your progress with work. You should also cut down on smoking if you smoke.

9. Meditate

Meditation can be a great way to clear your mind and relax your body. A 10-minute daily meditation can change the way you think and will allow you to clear your thoughts before the working day. Yoga may also help as breathing and stretching should help you to feel motivated and ready to take on the day.

10. Be kind to yourself

Brain fog can be hard to manage, and we can sometimes beat ourselves up for not being able to concentrate and focus. Try to focus on one thing at a time and don’t get angry when you can’t focus, take five minutes away from the desk, have a coffee and take some deep breaths and you should come back to the task feeling more positive.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post The best ways to beat brain fog at work appeared first on Checklists.

Doing the same thing will get you the same results is an old adage that holds true when applied to the human body.

As an evolutionarily-honed collection of functions, the human body has developed into an extremely efficient machine and will always take the path of least resistance when it comes to the conservation of its energy and resources.

It is also extremely adaptable to external stressors; changes in terrain, temperature and even the fuel it uses are made rapidly in order to maintain its primary function of survival – locomotion.

Therefore, when presented with regularly occurring periods of physical demand, it will channel its resources into permanently adapting its musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and cellular systems, making them as efficient as it possibly can to meet these demands.

How does the body adapt?

The human body adapts to exercise in two main ways: acute and chronic physiological responses.

Acute refers to immediate changes in the body’s systems, such as an increase in heart rate, while chronic responses are from long-term adaptations to exercise, such as better utilisation of muscle glycogen and blood glucose, increases in neuromuscular activation and intermuscular coordination, becoming more efficient at regulating the ion and molecule accumulations which lead to muscle fatigue and myriad other metabolic and hormonal changes.

Each of the changes your body makes is part of its drive towards optimum efficiency. How you exercise, and how often, will influence these adaptations and will determine how long they take.

These changes, and how quickly they occur, will be determined by the frequency, intensity, time and type of your exercise sessions.

Your general level of fitness when you begin an exercise session or programme will also influence how fast, or how much, your body adapts within a given time frame.

True to the law of diminishing returns, a sedentary individual who begins a moderate intensity training program five days per week in the gym, will see much greater improvements in his fitness than a dedicated cyclist who puts in 200 miles per week on his combined commute and weekend tour with his club.

Remember, it is important to make exercise a life-long habit, as any efficiency gained from long periods of exercise can be lost. This loss of adaptations is called detraining and can occur quite rapidly.

Tests have shown that after stopping training, by two weeks, VO2 max can decrease around 8%, then by another 20% after three months. However, the good news is the fitter you are the less rapidly this decline occurs.

The biological law of accommodation

When training, if the same loads and exercises are used time after time the body soon adapts and progress stalls. Following the principles of stimulus to adaptation to accommodation, we can see that strength and cardiovascular adaptation occurs in response to the stimulus of exercise.

Once the adaptation has occurred, the body has now accommodated these new demands and physiological changes slow and even cease.

Dependent on the experience of the individual, accommodation can occur in around 1-3 months – so in order to increase progression again, you will need to vary your additional exercise routine every 8-12 weeks (known as mesocycles) and vary the intensity and order.

Exercise stimulus MUST vary in order to be beneficial – the key here is the exercise differential – how much you stress the body with something it isn’t used to.

The FITT principles

• Frequency: how often you exercise
• Intensity: how hard you exercise – for cardio that could be how fast you run. For strength training it could be how much load you apply
• Time: the duration of your exercise (total session time or timings of work/rest periods)
• Type: the type of exercise you undertake.

FITT recommendations

Frequency and Time

These are the most commonly manipulated of the principles – ‘if I want to get better I’ll run more often and for longer’. Although this makes perfect sense on the surface, and will, in fact, work at improving your fitness; in a well-trained individual it’s merely applying a more-of-the-same approach and so noticeable improvements in performance will seem minimal; your aerobic system is already well developed.

This ‘more for longer’ approach can even increase the risk of injury, long-term, due to over-use and/or the development of musculoskeletal imbalances.

Try it!

As a progression, try aiming for an additional increase in duration of cardio sessions by 10% each week.

Intensity

The next most commonly altered principle refers to how hard you exercise. With cardio this is usually referred to in terms of low, medium and high intensity with corresponding heart rates to match.

In your training it is important to utilise a mixture of low, medium, and high-intensity cardio exercises in order to stimulate the body’s different energy systems and help avoid overtraining injuries.

Moderate is 40-60% of your heart rate reserve (HRR), 60-90% is considered vigorous.

You can calculate your HRR by subtracting your resting heart rate from your maximum heart rate (use formula 206.9 – (0.67 x age) to determine your max heart rate), multiply the result by 0.4 for 40%, 0.9 for 90% etc.

Try it!

For progression, try starting off your cardio session in the low-moderate HRR range (40%) then increase your HRR% target by 10% every 2 weeks.

Type

This is the principle that will perhaps yield the most benefits in terms of noticeable progression. In particular, strength training is the one oft-touted as the best way to quickly and efficiently feel noticeable changes in your performance.

For example, adding a strength training session of dumbbell squats to your routine, even just once per week, can be very beneficial in helping prevent injuries and building speed and power by strengthening and balancing the muscles and connective tissues in your legs.

Muscular imbalance can be a key factor in injuries and undertaking a holistic approach to leg strengthening can ensure your quad and hamstring groups, ab & adductors and hip flexor groups, are all supporting each other as they should.

Strength training will help you sprint faster (on feet or wheels) by improving neuromuscular coordination, efficiency and power output.

Try it!

For progression, choose your exercise and aim for a load you can perform around 12 reps with, for 3 sets. Try increasing your load by 10% every two weeks and/or try to add an extra rep each session.

*Osteopenia and osteoporosis – as you age it is important to consider that activities such as swimming and cycling have little bearing on lower limb bone density due to their low impact nature.

In order to help maintain bone density and truly benefit from a change in ‘type’, choose a mode of exercise which loads the skeleton along lines of gravity.

Variety is the spice of life

If you feel like you have reached a plateau in your fitness gains, and keeping your fitness progressing like it used to seems to be an uphill struggle, then taking the time to speak to a health & fitness professional or even just planning yourself a new routine or session outside of your normal ‘box’ of exercises will pay dividends, and quite quickly too.

All it requires is a little extra work, but soon you’ll be seeing the benefits from all that FITT-ness!

As with everything, play around with it, have fun and be safe.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post What is FITT and how can it improve your wellbeing? appeared first on Checklists.

Here are some ideas to get you not only sitting comfortably but walking, driving or however else you want to get around.

1. TriLift 

The UK has over 350,000 mobility scooter users who rely on their mobility device as part of their everyday life – and though their units are great for zipping round shopping malls and town centres, getting them there in the first place can be challenging and demand a degree of physical might and ability. Scooter and power chair transportation must be simple, affordable and easy to operate by one person – and TriLift UK has a remarkable and innovative product that neatly ticks all three boxes. 

Fitted onto the back of a vehicle, the TriLift engages with a coupling bracket that is permanently fixed to the mobility scooter or power chair. By the flick of a switch, the mobility device is raised off the road and locked in place on the vehicle’s rear.

Launched in the UK early in 2018, the TriLift has proved extremely popular and the company now has consultants covering the whole UK. 

Find out more at trilift.co.uk

2. Acorn Stairlifts 

Feel safe on your stairs with an Acorn Stairlift and enjoy the full use of your home once again. 

An Acorn Stairlift gives you a safe, comfortable and simple way to get up and down your stairs. Tailor-made to suit your individual home and lifestyle, an Acorn Stairlift can be fitted to all types of staircase, and what’s more, it can be done within a matter of days rather than weeks. 

Acorn Stairlifts will help you master ‘the three Rs’: Regain your independence; Retain full use of your home and Remain in the home you love. Installing an Acorn Stairlift turns your home into a bungalow by removing the obstacle of stairs if they become too challenging.

Whatever type of staircase you have in your home, straight or curved, Acorn can provide the perfect solution for your needs. 

Find out more at acornstairlifts.co.uk

3. New Life Mobility

New Life Mobility specialises in the supply of top quality rise-and-recline chairs and profiling beds, all designed and manufactured in the UK. Every item of furniture is specifically designed to suit individual needs, complementing the body’s natural position and providing support and comfort.

All chairs are made to measure, specially designed to give extra support and relief and there are lateral support and heat and massage options. There are hundreds of fabrics to choose from and the company has thousands of satisfied customers, including Mrs Walker, of Edinburgh, who says: “I am delighted with my purchase. The chair is so comfortable and I am glad I chose to have the massager as this has really helped to ease my arthritis. I can now look forward to a better standard of life.”

If you suffer from a condition such as osteoporosis, arthritis or diabetes may be eligible for zero-rated VAT on any purchase.

Find out more at newlifemobility.co.uk

4. Brotherwood

Brotherwood are the UK’s expert supplier of special purpose vehicles – discretely converting passenger cars to enable wheelchair users to travel without needing to transfer into a standard car seat. 

By installing a low, level floor, and robust anchoring systems, wheelchair users are able to travel inclusively and safely alongside their friends and family. With exceptional headroom and visibility out of the vehicles’ windows, every journey is made comfortable and enjoyable.

Access is via a shallow-angle, non-slip ramp which can be raised and lowered by remote control on selected models such as the flagship Mercedes-Benz V-Class ‘Klastar’. Simple-to-use winch and restraint systems make loading and securing the wheelchair effortless. 

A range of vehicles are available to suit a variety of budgets.

Brotherwood supply vehicles for private purchase, for lease via the Motability Contact Hire scheme for five years or hired long- or short-term hire. 

Find out more at brotherwood.com

5. TGA Mobility 

The Minimo Plus 4 mobility scooter from TGA Mobility is the ideal companion for trips to the shops, thanks to its supportive, stable ride and impressive range. But with its easy-to-fold lightweight frame, journeys further afield are also possible. The Minimo folds in seconds with one simple movement into a compact unit, so it can easily be transported via car boot, boat or even by plane, making those family holidays away possible again.

TGA Mobility offer a range of scooters for every need and every budget. Their background is engineering and a key focus is the introduction of innovative, quality products and enhancing existing models.

Every model, every option and every accessory has a clear and simple price with nothing hidden. TGA Mobilility are fully committed to providing the very best in customer care. If you can’t visit their showroom, they offer a free, no obligation home demonstration.

Find out more at tgamobility.co.uk

6. Trinity Homecare 

Rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission and with over 20 years’ experience, Trinity Homecare provides peace of mind to you and your loved ones with a live-in care service that is tailored to you.

Dennis and Pat, aged 91 and 89, continue to enjoy life in their own home with full-time live-in care, after Dennis was diagnosed with cancer and Pat was suffering from impaired speech and mobility due to a second stroke. Pat couldn’t manage on her own while her husband was in hospital and a care home would have been too disruptive for her. Inside their home are many warm memories and familiarities. Staying home meant the couple were even able to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. 

Their story is a heart-warming reminder of how vulnerable adults can happily continue to live in their own homes, remaining independent with the right care and support.

Find out more at trinityhomecare.co.uk

7. SECOM CareTech 

Personal alarms are designed for those who live alone or are at risk of a fall or medical emergency. They allow the user to raise an alarm at the press of button, letting friends and family or a monitoring centre know they need support.

SECOM CareTech’s personal alarms are discreet, reliable and easy to use. Their Care Go package offers GPS and fall detection functionality so no matter where you are – whether at home or walking to the shops – you’re covered every step of the way. If you are in distress, feel unwell or suffer a fall, you can use the alarm to speak to a member of the SECOM 24-hour monitoring team who assess the situation and call your contacts or the emergency services if you require further assistance.

SECOM CareTech are committed to empowering elderly and disabled people to live more independently. 

Find out more at secom-caretech.co.uk

8. Special Footwear and Orthotics 

As you walk through Special Footwear and Orthotics, a quaint yet atmospheric shop nestled in the bustling London city centre, you are instantly met by the smell of rich expensive leather. While your curious eyes are immediately drawn to the fine luxury shoes, designed to be admired on the front shelves, you are soon welcomed by warm staff brimming with many years of knowledge and expertise. 

The walls in the specialist fitting and consultation room are adorned with photos of celebrity and even royal clientele, from legendary crooner Rod Stewart, iconic actor Michael Caine and Hollywood star Kathleen Turner. But more heart-warming is the many, many, cards and letters from customers thanking master shoemaker Anthony Andrews for changing their lives for the better.

Shoes are designed for: diabetic and comfort; orthotics, foot supports; adaptions; alterations; quality repairs, home or office visits; computerised gait analysts and orthopaedic.

Find out more at specialfootwear.co.uk

9. Fenetic Wellbeing 

Are you sitting comfortably? If you suffer from achy joints and poor posture, the answer is probably no. You might think it’s an inevitable part of growing older, but it’s often your chair that’s to blame.

The way you sit has a profound effect on your mobility and wellbeing. That’s why for millions of people, a riser recliner chair can be a life-changing investment.

The Heritage Cullingworth is one such chair that’s currently stealing the limelight. According to independent experts Which?: “Simply put, this is the best riser recliner we’ve ever seen.” 

Handmade in the UK, the Cullingworth gives you the freedom to sit back and relax or rise to your feet effortlessly. There’s even a handy USB charging port built in.

This is the first British-made riser recliner chair with a powered headrest and lumbar to support your lower back. 

Find out more at feneticwellbeing.com

10. Accessibility Bathrooms 

Accessibility Bathrooms offer the best products at affordable prices, designed around your needs and requirements to give you the best option. 

They are a totally independent company with over ten years’ experience designing and fitting mobility bathrooms. They have their own installation teams and through honesty and quality of service strive to deliver the bathroom you need and deserve. They keep it simple and honest and would love to discuss your requirements and show you what they have to offer. 

Accessibility Bathrooms can help you regain your independence by allowing you to bathe in comfort and safety again. They offer a range of modern bathrooms, showers and wet-rooms, free, no-obligation design quote, 24-hour customer service, a 15-year warranty, a dedicated project manager from start to finish and a free luxury towel set with every installation. 

Find out more at accessibilitybathrooms.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post The 10 top ways to improve mobility appeared first on Checklists.

Here are some ideas to get and stay on the move

1. Fitness Superstore 

It’s been easy to overindulge during the Covid lockdowns, but now, hopefully, they are set to become just a memory and it’s time to get fit with the award-winning Max Trainer from Bowflex. It’s your answer to maximum calorie burn in less time! 

There are four models to choose from – the M3, M6, M8 and the Max Total – all featuring the innovative 14-minute MAX Interval™ Workout. Combining intense intervals of hard work with short recovery times, this world-renowned programme is proven to burn more calories than steady-state exercise, delivering the results you want in under a quarter of an hour.

At a fraction of the size of most ellipticals and treadmills, the Max Trainer is the epitome of form meeting function. Its small footprint means you can get a gym-quality workout anywhere in the home, with the average cross trainer requiring more than twice the space.

Find out more at fitness-superstore.co.uk

2. Raleigh 

With bikes to suit the whole family, Raleigh delivers a fantastic range of adult and kids bikes for all ages and abilities. From commuter and town bikes to balance and adventure kids bikes, they really have it all. 

And for those who want to take the strain out of cycling there’s the Raleigh range of electric bikes (also known as e-bikes or pedelecs) which includes something to suit every taste – and every budget. From affordable entry-level options like the Array to the high-tech Motus Grand Tour, Raleigh have everything you need to add some power to your pedalling. Short on space? Check out Raleigh’s nifty folding electric bikes – perfect for stashing away at a moment’s notice.

Take to the outdoors, make the most of the British summertime and experience the unparalleled joy of cycling with Raleigh.

Find out more at raleigh.co.uk

3. Move GB 

Online fitness provider MoveGB is helping the nation stay fit with the launch of its brand-new platform, Move At Home – available to new members from £1 per week and NHS workers get free access.

Move At Home offers thousands of pay-as-you-go, live streamed classes from local independent fitness instructors from around the UK (many of which offer an initial free taster class) and on-demand workouts. Meaning you can shake up your routines or try out something new every day. 

Popular classes include Carnival Fitness, an Afro-Caribbean fitness fusion incorporating basic dance steps with body-weighted exercises, partnered with pure carnival vibes. Synthetics, a classic 1980s aerobic cardiovascular workout, includes strengthening and toning built into the routine, burning up to 800 calories in 60 minutes, while Twerk It Out offers fantastic, booty-burning workouts which will teach you how to pop and dance your way to fitness in your own living room.

Find out more at movegb.com

4. Giant Electric Bicycles 

Make light work of your commute and arrive to work with no sweat thanks to a Giant electric powered bicycle. The DailyTour E+ range is designed for regular commuters, so it comes with all the built-in features you can think of, including a kickstand, lights, fenders and racks – all neatly designed and built to help you pack and carry your daily essentials. 

With a SyncDrive Life 60Nm motor, you also have the capability to ride in the automatic support mode. This technology determines the support you need and shifts automatically – so you can fully concentrate on the road. On-board navigation is another great feature, and it comes to you via a new RideControl EVO display that’s smoothly integrated into the handlebar. An integrated light system runs day and night, increasing your visibility and safety on the road, and a Monoshock OD2 suspension fork soaks up bumps to smooth out your ride. 

Find out more at giant-bicycles.com  

5. Nutracheck 

If you’re a fan of MyFitnessPal, you’ll love Nutracheck because it’s been developed and designed specifically for British tastes.

Nutracheck has a huge UK food database, with verified nutrition data for 250,000+ UK food and drink items, so you’ll be sure to find what you’ve eaten easily and quickly. Even harder to find items – think draft beers and cocktails – and over 70 eating out places, they’re all there. Nutracheck also shows you photos of food, making it so simple to spot exactly what you ate. Simply scan the barcode on a food to add it to your diary. 

As well as calories, Nutracheck tracks fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar, carbs, protein and fibre. It’s easy to see how well your diet measures up to daily nutrition goals. Select if you want to lose weight, gain it or maintain, and it sets you a personal goal – or override it with your own.

Find out more at nutracheck.co.uk

6. Neo G

Suffering from aches and pains in the knees and joints is a common issue for many people in the UK. It’s important not to neglect your muscles and joints as the smallest of injuries can sometimes lead to sprains, strains and instability, hindering the simplest of everyday tasks and movements. 

By using a support such as the Neo G Stabilized Open Knee Support while walking or exercising, you can help to prevent injuries, as well as reduce the possibility of worsening existing ones. 

People of all ages across the UK suffer from aches and pains, such as a stiff neck or arthritic hands – which often start in bones and joints. Neo G is tackling this growing problem with the new Daily Defence Joint Health Glucosamine Liquid Supplement, which helps to support and maintain healthy bones and joints from the inside out. 

Find out more at neo-g.co.uk  

7. Naturya

In an uncertain world it’s probably prudent to rely more on premise than promise. Naturya can’t guarantee their superfoods are endowed with curative health properties, but they can say with confidence that their products are nutritionally dense, minimally processed, rigorously tested and have an integrity that may both support and facilitate the possibilities of an improved general wellbeing. 

With regard to some aspects of nutrition there is a broad consensus of agreement but, inevitably, given the idiosyncrasies of individual dietary choice, what we eat increasingly reflects our personally-constructed set of beliefs about what is good for us. And with so much conflicting information, the decisions about what is right to eat can be bewildering. Naturya’s belief is that it makes sense to give your body the best nutrients available. And premium quality superfoods as supplied by Naturya, a fully vegan company, offer a simple way to fulfil this need. 

Find out more at naturya.com

8. JLL

If you are looking to build your very own home gym look no further than JLL Fitness. 
JLL Fitness offers a great range of cardio equipment, treadmills, rowing machines, indoor cycling bikes and more. They also supply a diverse range of weight and yoga equipment. 

Their in-home premium 500 Series is stylish and easy to store within your home. The monitor helps you keep track of your speed, distance, calorie, time and pulse while you are working out, and so helping you stay focused on your goals. 

The T350 Folding Treadmill is also perfect for in-home use. The running deck has a 16-point cushion system which reduces the impact on your joints when running. As well as folding up to give you back vital floor space, it boasts a range of fantastic features, including Bluetooth connectivity – so you can listen to your favourite music from any Bluetooth device. 

Find out more at jllfitness.com  

9. Compeed 

Almost a quarter (22%) of Brits aged 18-65 suffer from blisters each year and, with their characteristic pain and discomfort, they can literally stop you in your tracks. 

Compeed is the must-have blister plaster to help you quickly get back on your feet, without letting an irritating blister get in the way. Compeed blister plasters are one of life’s small solutions that make a big difference. They provide instant pain relief, better adhesion and 20% faster healing than ordinary plasters. 

Applying just one Compeed plaster seals the blister and forms a second skin that absorbs moisture from the blister until it heals. Designed to fit better and be discreet, they provide deep cushioning, are sweat- and water-proof so they stay in place and protect the wound from bacteria and dirt.

They are available in major supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide so whatever path you’re on, Compeed keeps you on track.

Find out more at compeed.co.uk

10. Elixinol 

Elixinol™ is a leading manufacturer of hemp products and CBD oil. offering an extensive collection of full-spectrum CBD oil products – creams, supplements and capsules – formulated with organic hemp extract and hemp oil.

No matter what the requirement may be, Elixinol has you covered. Find the perfect CBD product in company’s online shop and start your journey towards a new lifestyle and an improved outlook on life.

Elixinol have always been committed to hemp. Learning from it, teaching others about it. Helping the world discover the healing properties that are locked inside its humble leaves and flowers. While it started with a passion for the diverse opportunities that hemp uniquely offers – from paper to clothing to fibres. Along the way, Elixinol also discovered that hemp was an amazing source of some of the most poorly researched yet most impactful wellness ingredients known to man – cannabinoids. 

Find out more at elixinol.eu

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post 10 ways to get fit and active and stay that way appeared first on Checklists.

But rest assured, there are so many ways to ensure independence, privacy and home comforts are retained whenever a little extra care and support is needed, whatever our age or disability, whether it’s high-quality healthcare via live-in carers or a host of gadgets and aids that can help give support and peace of mind. 

Here are some ideas and sources of help and information.

1. TriLift 

The UK has over 350,000 mobility scooter users who rely on their mobility device as part of their everyday life – and though their units are great for zipping round shopping malls and town centres, getting them there in the first place can be challenging and demand a degree of physical might and ability. Scooter and power chair transportation must be simple, affordable and easy to operate by one person – and TriLift UK has a remarkable and innovative product that neatly ticks all three boxes. 

Fitted onto the back of a vehicle, the TriLift engages with a coupling bracket that is permanently fixed to the mobility scooter or power chair. By the flick of a switch, the mobility device is raised off the road and locked in place on the vehicle’s rear.

Launched in the UK early in 2018, the TriLift has proved extremely popular and the company now has consultants covering the UK. 

Find out more at trilift.co.uk

2. Acorn Stairlifts 

Feel safe on your stairs with an Acorn Stairlift, and enjoy the full use of your home once again. 

An Acorn Stairlift gives you a safe, comfortable and simple way to get up and down your stairs. Tailor-made to suit your individual home and lifestyle, an Acorn Stairlift can be fitted to all types of staircase, and what’s more, it can be done within a matter of days rather than weeks. 

Acorn Stairlifts will help you master ‘the three Rs’: Regain your independence; Retain full use of your home and Remain in the home you love. Installing an Acorn Stairlift turns your home into a bungalow by removing the obstacle of stairs if they become too challenging.

Whatever type of staircase you have in your home, straight or curved, Acorn can provide the perfect solution for your needs. 

Find out more at acornstairlifts.co.uk

3. Care UK

Care UK believes its patients should receive high-quality healthcare – fast. Nobody likes to wait and leaving it too long before having your treatment can be detrimental to your recovery. 

If you want rapid access to high-quality, consultant delivered surgery, Care UK’s self-pay packages could be the ideal solution. With prices up to 30% less than other private hospitals, but without compromise on quality, it’s no wonder so many patients are turning to Care UK for their surgery. 

Care UK consultants are all employed by the company, which means it can offer a consistency of care far less costly than other private hospitals. And while you can expect all the quality of care and excellent clinical outcomes, Care UK dispenses with the more expensive yet unnecessary add-ons.

Get your life back on track and enquire about self-pay treatment options today. For a full list of prices and procedures visit the website. 

Find out more at careukselfpay.co.uk

4. The Good Care Group 

It’s not easy to admit we need extra help to live well at home, or face the prospect of moving to institutional care. So it may be a surprise – and a relief – to learn there is another option. 

The Good Care Group provides highly tailored, live-in support in your own home. 
A discreet, dedicated carer will move in and help you keep everything that matters most – your family, your possessions and your independence – closer for longer. 

The only dedicated live-in care provider in the UK to receive ‘Outstanding’ ratings across the board from regulators at the Care Quality Commission, it specialises in dementia care but supports people with a wide range of needs. For those with complex requirements, its unique nurse and OT-led services provide the highest level of individual care. 

The results are remarkable, with clients experiencing far fewer falls, fractures, infections or emergency hospital admissions than the average care home resident. 

Find out more at thegoodcaregroup.com

5. Promedica24

“When my health started to deteriorate, I was only aware about care home solutions and I was worried about being taken away from my home, community and my best friend, Oscar, my terrier. I found out about live-in care from my doctor and was told I would be able to stay in my own home, where I felt the safest and happiest and it didn’t cost a fortune.

I met my care-worker, Anna, and she is now a part of my family. She’s been an angel and takes care of the jobs I can’t quite manage, as well as helping me throughout the day when I struggle with mine and Oscar’s needs.”

Promedica24’s live-in care serves the whole of England and provides an attractive and affordable alternative to residential care. Individuals benefit from the full attention of their care-worker, who is matched based on personality, interests and needs. 

Find out more at promedica24.co.uk

6. iMedicare

Are those awkward leaks getting in the way of your exercise? Urinary incontinence affects women aged from 15 years and up. Prevalence varies from 10% to 30% and is a socially embarrassing condition, causing withdrawal from social situations and reduced quality of life.

Durable and attractively priced, Wearever washable incontinence underwear features a discreet, one-piece design with built-in absorption pad, with a choice of regular, super or maximum absorbencies up to 650ml, that look and feel just like regular underwear. They are also available in a range of styles that will suit everyone, from comfort styles and maximum briefs to pretty lace designs to bikini cut panties.

Wearever will still function after 200 machine washes, saving you money and allowing you to feel good about protecting the environment from disposables.

Find out more at mypelvichealth.co.uk

7. TTfone 

The TTfone Titan TT950 is a fully featured Android simple smartphone. Use Whatsapp messaging, calling and video call to stay in touch with loved ones without the complicated menus of most smart phones. It is 3G compatible and comes in a stylish flip design with screens on the inside and outside. The volume on the Titan’s built-in speakerphone is much louder than conventional mobiles. With the dock charging system, it’s easy to keep your battery charged and phone ready to use.

Specially designed for the elderly, disabled, hard of hearing or those with low dexterity the TTfone range of big button mobile phone are the opposite of a smart phone and come with features like loud volume, easy menus, clear large displays and an SOS emergency button for summoning help with just a single press.

Find out more at ttfone.com

8. Support Dogs

Support Dogs is a national charity, saving and improving the lives of children and adults affected by autism, epilepsy and disability. 

One in every three support dogs would not exist without the kindness of those who have left donations to this great charity in their will. If the time is ever right for you to remember a charity in your will, please remember Support Dogs. 

A gift of just 1% can make a huge difference to the families will help and the dogs they train. One in four of the dogs that Support Dogs train comes to them from rescue centres or as unwanted pets.

Established in 1992, Support Dogs works across England, Scotland and Wales and provides all its services entirely free of charge to those in need of them. However, the charity relies solely on voluntary donations and receives no government funding.

Find out more at supportdogs.org.uk

9. Able Community Care 

Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you can benefit from top-quality care, surrounded by all your home comforts.

Able Community Care was established by Angela Gilford in 1980 to offer alternative care support to older and disabled people, without the need to move into a residential care setting. 

For 40 years, the family-run company’s live-in care service has enabled thousands of people to stay in their home of choice.

The service offers, rotational, live-in support provided by professional care workers and is managed 24/7 by experienced care managers.

Each client has an individual description of their care requirements based on their personal, domestic and social care needs. Clients express their views on the care workers they feel comfortable with in their own home and rotational systems of requested care workers are managed on their behalf.

The company offers its service throughout the UK and the Channel Islands

Find out more at ablecommunitycare.com

10. Miracle Workers 

Live-in care is fast becoming the preferred choice of many people. It enables the elderly and disabled to remain in their own home, living life on their terms. That means choosing your own routine; when and what to eat, when to get up and when to go to bed. It means seeing friends and family when and where you wish. It might even mean retaining the companionship of a beloved pet. All of this is thanks to the support of a carer who lives with you and gets to know you properly. 

For family members, live-in care provides peace of mind and the reassurance of knowing that their loved one has the benefit of a fully-trained, DBS-checked carer on hand, 24 hours a day. 

Miracle Workers offers a flexible and bespoke service throughout the UK. The team delivers services that respect each client’s independence, privacy, dignity and the right to make informed choices. 

Find out more at miracle-workers.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post High-quality healthcare: 10 ideas to help you live an independent life appeared first on Checklists.

Here are some top tips to help you stay tip top.

1. Satipharm 

When it comes to CBD, this is what matters: some products produce poor results while others deliver high performance. Taking just one Satipharm CBD capsule is equal to over 14 drops of CBD oil. One pack of Satipharm CBD capsules provides more CBD than two 500mg bottles of oil.

The reason Satipharm 10mg CBD capsules provide approximately 350% more CBD into your system than the same dose in a 5% CBD oil is because they are powered by the patented Gelpell® technology, as proven by clinical trials. The Gelpell® technology places cannabinoids inside seamless microgel spheres which provide approximately 3.5 times higher bioavailability. 

A test of 30 CBD oils by The Times showed that 62% contained less than the stated amount of CBD on the label, with some containing none at all. Satipharm CBD capsules are manufactured to pharmaceutical standards ensuring their capsules are always of the highest quality and consistency. 

Find out more at satipharm.com

 2. Linwoods 

As consumers look to add a boost of vitamins to their daily diet, Linwoods Health Foods is providing simple and quick solutions to help provide the body with its all-important nutrients, in a delicious way. 

Linwoods flaxseed is prepared with great care through their unique cold milling process which unlocks the benefits of the seed for easy digestion whilst still ensuring that all of the nutrients remain intact. 

Simply adding 20g of Linwoods blends to your breakfast, yogurts or salads daily provides a variety of nutritional benefits including Omega 3 ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid), fibre and protein. 

Additionally, the Linwoods range contains immune supporting health properties. The high percentage of selenium within Linwoods Milled Flaxseed, Nuts and Q10, and the extra Vitamin D within Linwoods Milled Flaxseed with Bio-Cultures and Vitamin D helps maintain your immune system.  

Find out more at linwoodshealthfoods.com

3. Allicin 

What are plant stanols and sterols? We all know that varied diet, exercise, fresh air and looking after your mental outlook can all contribute to keeping you healthy. Many people also like to take food supplements as part of their diet and healthy lifestyle. 

Plant stanols and sterols are naturally occurring substances similar in structure to cholesterol, found in plants. Particularly nuts, seeds and plant oils. Eating these foods regularly will ensure you are getting stanols and sterols in your diet.

The most prevalent phytosterols in the diet are beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. During digestion, stanols and sterols can play a role in the absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol.

Lesterol is a unique combination of plant stanols and sterols plus stabilised allicin. Lesterol capsules can be used as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Plant stanols and sterols contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. 

Find out more at allicin.co.uk

4. Dawood & Tanner 

Love food but find your dentures reduce your enjoyment because you may not be able to chew or taste properly? Do you find you can’t eat as many of the foods you like, particularly salads and crunchy foods? Do you ever find yourself inhibited to speak or laugh out loud socially for fear that your dentures will loosen? 

Why not consider dental implants, the most effective method of replacing missing or failing teeth. They act as replacements for your natural tooth roots and integrate with your jaw to provide a supportive base for tooth restorations that will look and function exactly like your own natural teeth.

The Dawood & Tanner are one of UK’s leading provider of dental implant treatments. They can find solutions for even the most difficult situations, particularly those patients who have been told elsewhere they are not suitable candidates for dental implants due to lack of bone. 

Find out more at dawoodandtanner.co.uk

5. Boston Scientific 

Chronic pain affects as many as one in five adults across Europe. On average, people endure it for up to seven years; a fifth will live with it for 20 years or more. 

Where medication, exercise and surgery and hasn’t been sufficiently effective, Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) may be a better long-term relief method than additional surgery or extended opioid use. 

With SCS a small, implanted pulse generator (IPG) and thin wires are placed into your body. To manage pain, the wires deliver tiny pulses to the nerves that mask pain signals travelling to your brain. Boston Scientific SCS systems are designed to tailor stimulation to target your specific pain areas. 

A rechargeable IPG can last up to 12 years and a non-rechargeable one up to 5.2 years. The vast majority of patients can help achieve better control of your discomfort and ultimately lead a better quality of life.

Find out more at controlyourpain.co.uk

6. Numan

Did you know that around 322 million men worldwide are expected to have experienced erectile dysfunction (ED) by 2025?

That’s a lot of men by anyone’s standards. It’s the equivalent to the entire population of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and a good part of Peru all struggling to get or maintain an erection.

Numan, who provide digital healthcare for men, conducted a survey that showed 66% of men in the UK have experienced ED at some point. 

The more complex the car, the more parts can go wrong. An erection, like a 1970s Aston Martin Lagonda, is a very complex thing indeed. 

There are many possible underlying causes of ED, which can be physical, psychological, or both. Numan helps you get to the bottom of it, treat it, and monitor it, with ongoing access to a team of UK clinicians.

Find out more at numan.com

7. The Fertility Partnership

Did you know that one in six couples have trouble conceiving? And one million people in the UK experience secondary infertility, where they have problems having another baby even if the first was easy? 

If you’ve been having regular unprotected sex and you’re not pregnant after six months, you should have a fertility assessment. 

The Fertility Partnership clinics are staffed by internationally-renowned clinicians and they have some of the highest success rates in Europe. They have eight full IVF clinics and 19 satellites across the country, do more IVF cycles than anyone else in the UK, and 98% of people say they provide exceptional nursing care. 

The Fertility Partnership offers comprehensive fertility assessments in all its clinics for both private and NHS patients and provides as much care as you need, from helping with your ovulation cycles to full IVF and beyond. 

Find out more at thefertilitypartnership.com

8. King Edward VII’s Hospital 

Get your life back on track by self-paying for treatment at King Edward VII’s Hospital, reckoned to be London’s leading private hospital. Their fixed-price packages for treatments ranging from hip replacement to cataract surgery provide rapid access to internationally-renowned consultants and cutting-edge diagnostic and surgical techniques at a hospital famous for its private and peaceful environment.

Set within the famous Harley Street medical district, King Edward VII’s Hospital prides itself on a quality-driven, patient-centred approach to medical care. It invests in the latest equipment and facilities to keep it at the forefront of medical care in the UK, and offers a personalised service that has become its trademark. 

If you are facing a wait for treatment, or you simply wish to get treatment on your terms, speak to a member of its dedicated patient services team about your fixed-price treatment options. 

Find out more at kingedwardvii.co.uk

9. AlchemLife 

There are many ways we can support our bodies and keep them fit and healthy, from being active to eating a varied and balanced diet. Sometimes, however, no matter how well we take care of ourselves, we can still be prone to seasonal bouts of illness. 

PhytoRelief-CC can help give you that extra boost when you need it, supporting your immune system and creating a natural defensive barrier against the likes of common colds. 

Based on ancient Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest holistic systems, these lozenges provide your body with vital micronutrients to aid your natural defences. This herbal food supplement contains curcuma, pomegranate and ginger, ingredients which actively promote stronger immune function.

When the first symptoms of a cough or cold appear, consider taking three PhytoRelief-CC lozenges a day to give your body the help it needs.

Find out more at alchemlife.com

10. Chuckling Goat 

Chuckling Goat Live Kefir has been named the Best New Dairy Drink in the world, by the International Beverage Awards 2018. 

The tiny family business, born on a farmhouse kitchen table, has become a multi-million-pound global enterprise, with hundreds of thousands of customers in 38 countries, and three best-selling books exploring the science behind kefir. 

Kefir has been around for millennia, but today it’s poised to become a major player in a new frontier in neuroscience, because of its actions as a ‘psychobiotic’. This is a new term for a combination of live organisms that, when ingested in adequate amounts, may help to support mental health benefits in individuals. 

The American College of Gastroenterology performed a comprehensive literature review on the topic. They found that psychobiotics, including kefir, were both safe and effective in improving symptoms and normalising bowel movement frequency, in patients suffering from constipation or diarrhoea related to IBS.

Find out more at chucklinggoat.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Give yourself a boost! Here’s 10 top ways to improve your wellbeing appeared first on Checklists.

Studies have shown that England’s green and pleasant land (and that of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) has the power to heal. Simply by getting into the great outdoors and enjoying nature where possible is included in the government’s advice for maintaining mental wellbeing during the pandemic.

In addition, the government is spending £5.77 million on seven sites across England that will test over two years the ways in which connecting people with nature can improve their mental wellbeing. The sites, on the Humber coast and in South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Surrey and Bristol – will focus on the communities that have been hardest hit by coronavirus. This includes those living in deprived areas, people with mental health conditions or BAME communities.

They will explore and bring together opportunities for communities to get involved in their natural environment. There are a number of ways for people to get involved, which could include more active activities such as walking or cycling in the area. Other ways to take part could be community gardening and food-growing projects. Plus there are other more practical conservation tasks such as tree-planting in the local area – so there is really something that can appeal to all interests and walks of life.

Marian Spain, chief executive of Natural England, the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, said of the project: “Natural England’s evidence has made clear that nature is good for our health. For many years we’ve been working closely with our health professional colleagues to make sure we can create a healthy society, which is even more important as part of a green recovery to help everybody cope with the long- term impacts of the restrictions on day-to-day life necessitated by the coronavirus.”

All of these fantastic and worthwhile projects will be managed by NHS England and NHS Improvement. This comes with additional support from Defra, Department of Health and Social Care, Natural England, Public Health England, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the National Academy for Social Prescribing and Sport England.

The post The healing power of green spaces appeared first on Checklists.