What do you think, is our mental diet something that we should be paying attention to?

Is there a connection between the quality of our mental diet and our mental wellbeing? 

Are the social media, news, and reality tv producers basically mental fast food chains?

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

In this episode of the Wellbeing Wire, I'm joined by Mindfulness instructor Kay Buckby

We discuss the question: 'Can Mindfulness improve our quality of life', and cover 3 key areas:

1. Why is Mindfulness beneficial across so many issues people struggle with?

• Escaping 'auto-pilot' mode
• Noticing
• Awareness
• Observing our thoughts

2. Is modern society Mindful?

• Busyness
• Materialistic habits
• Disconnect
• Overthinking
• Over-consuming

3. Building Mindfulness habits to improve our quality of life:

• Simplifying
• Start small
• Scheduling Mindful moments
• Putting our senses to use
• Gratitude

you can find out more about Kay and her work here:
https://themindfultrainer.net/
https://twitter.com/Kaybuckby
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaybuckby/

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

In today's episode I'm joined by Northamptonshire's very own walking wizard Dave Askew.  Dave is the founder of Northamptonshire Walks, the go-to group for walking enthusiasts and newbies, with over 34,000 followers, and lots of engaging walking routes for all interests

Dave's not a fan of counting steps, he's into walking for the exploration and discovery aspect, not numbers on a FitBit!

In today's conversation, Dave and I explore the question of 'How to enjoy the art of walking'.  We go beyond walking as a form of transport, and even as a form of exercise, as I want to get to the heart of uncovering the 'magic' of walking

We discuss 3 key areas of today's question:

1. What is so special about walking?:
History - travelling back in time
Nature
Mindfulness
Curiosity
Adventure
Lifting our mood
Planning
Reflecting

2. Solo vs group walking:
Building connections
Banter
Safety in numbers

3. How to build the habit:
Start small
What you do and don't need
Overcoming obstacles to walking (not literally)
 
You can find out more about Dave, and Northamptonshire walks by using the links below...

https://northamptonshirewalks.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/222661047933104
https://twitter.com/northantswalks

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

In this episode I discuss the Wegovy skinny jab and whether it truly deserves all of the hype its getting

I've read through the STEP trial (published in JAMA, in 2021), which was the basis for it being approved in the UK by N.I.C.E in September 2023

I answer 3 questions:

1. Does it work?
2. Does it work long term?
3. Does it have side effects?

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

Its currently Mental Health Awareness Week, and in this short episode I give two reasons why I think focusing on your mental health might not be a good idea

There may be some benefits to it as a focus, but I think these cons may outweigh the pros

As a society we love to measure and gather health metrics, and in some cases this can be beneficial, but is that always the case?  Is measuring and assessing always the wise option?

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

In this episode of the Wellbeing Wire I'm joined by Ashley Samuel-McKenzie to find out about his journey into Veganism, and most importantly to discuss today's question, 'Can vegans & meat-eaters ever see eye to eye?

We discuss the following areas:

1. Why Ashley became Vegan:
How his coach influenced him
Health benefits he's noticed
Would he ever go back?

2. Why he disagrees with the meat-eater position:
Creativity and imagination
Factory/industrial farming

3. Compromises he's willing to make :
Local produce

You can find Ashley on Linkedin:

Ashley Samuels-Mckenzie | LinkedIn

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

In this episode I'm joined by Personal Trainer and Calisthenics expert Paul Wignell, to answer the question, 'What is Calisthenics'?

We delve into the subject of body-weight strength training and cover 3 key areas:

1. What exactly is Calisthenics?
Definitions
Planes of motion in movement
Examples of exercises
Functional exercise
What isn't it

2. What are the benefits?
Muscle gain
Core stability
Mobility
Presence
Fun and playfulness
Accessibility and convenience
Injury prevention

3. How do you do it?
Levels and progressions
Equipment
Typical mistakes people make

You can find out more about today's guest Paul Wignell here:

Facebook:
(20+) Facebook
Instagram:
Paul Wignell PT (@paulwignell_pt) • Instagram photos and videos
TENPO (Paul Wignell) (@tenpo_coaching) • Instagram-foto's en -video's

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

In this episode I'm joined by two Social Prescribing Link Workers (SPLW's) to discuss how Social Prescribing currently works, and ideas for its future evolution

Today's two guests are Sarah Borondy and Sharon Douglas, both Social Prescribing Link Workers for an organisation named Spring Northamptonshire

We discuss the following:

How Social Prescribing currently works:
Peer support
Asset development
Wellbeing assessments ('Wellbeing star')
Goalsetting

Success stories:
Examples of those who have benefitted
Creating ownership of your wellbeing journey
The secret sauce behind why Social Prescribing is helpful

Social Prescribing looking forwards:
Supporting Schools
Supporting Businesses
In the NHS
Educational components (to support prevention)

https://www.springnorthamptonshire.org/

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

Can lifestyle changes improve the menopause?

I’m joined by Pamela Ann Windle to discuss this question

We cover lots of ground today:

Symptoms of menopause (& should we call them ‘symptoms?’)
 Medication – pros & cons
 Diet (inc artificial sweeteners, wholefoods)
 Alcohol
 Gut health
 Hormones
 Fasting/Time-Restricted Eating
 Exercise/movement
 Sleep and light exposure

Pamela, is a certified international women's health coach, speaker, and menopause consultant for the workplace with over 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. She has received training from The Integrated Women's Health Institute and the International Menopause Society, holds membership with the British Standard Institute, and is an advisor to the British Standard Institution for the Menstruation, Menstrual Health and Menopause in the Workplace. Pamela also holds a BSc in Psychology and Sports Science. 

Pamela is passionate about supporting and empowering women going through perimenopause, Menopause, and beyond. She offers evidence-based practices and combines training and techniques tailored to individual needs and senior leaders. Pamela has worked with numerous organisations, such as Channel 4, QVC, The Old Vic Theatre Company, NHS Mersey Care Trust, and The National Education Union.

You can find out more about Pamela using the links below:

https://www.smarterchange.co.uk/
Untitled Document (bsigroup.com)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-ann-windle-she-her-2a2a6231/https://twitter.com/PamelaAnnWindle
https://www.veri.co/shop?refc=PAMELA-73HZX
https://www.facebook.com/smarterchange.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/pamelawindlewomenshealthcoach/

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services

In this episode we discuss the following question: ‘what are we getting wrong when it comes to sleep?

To answer this I’m joined by Dr Katharina Lederle, better known as Dr Kat.  Dr Kat, is a sleep and body clock specialist, who is passionate about helping people sleep well and feel good. She sees taking care of your sleep and circadian health as an act of self-care.

In this episode we discuss the following areas:

Fatigue and its effects on performance
Does shift working affect our health
Larks vs owls (which are you?)
How your daytime habits affect sleep
Light exposure and sleep
Sleep tracking apps
Do we all need 8 hours sleep?
What can businesses do to improve staff sleep
Psychological therapies to improve poor sleep

Dr Kat combines a deep understanding of the biology of sleep and the body clock (she holds a PhD in Human Circadian Physiology & Behaviour and a MSc in Biosciences) with her practical experience in managing fatigue and insomnia, and learnings from Mindfulness, Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy.

Dr Kat provides 1-2-1 sleep coaching to those experiencing insomnia and works with organisations helping them realise the goodness of sleep. She runs sleep hacks, educational talks and workshops. These use a variety of methods, and workforce teams get to understand more about their own sleep behaviour and then design personal sleep plans that help them make behavioural changes and sleep well.

Dr Kat has also written a practical guide to getting good sleep called ‘Sleep Sense’ and has appeared in media coverage of sleep and circadian rhythms.

You can find out more about Kat (and buy her brilliant book)
using the links below:

https://drkatsleep.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinalederle/
https://twitter.com/DrKatSleep
https://www.instagram.com/drkatsleep/
https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/sleep-sense/katharina-lederle/9781925820935
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleep-Sense-Improve-improve-health/dp/1925335739

To book one of our Talks, Workshops, Podcasts, Articles or Drop-in clinics for your organisation visit https://www.mindbodyconsulting.co.uk/services