Christmas can be an exhausting time even if you’re full of energy, but for many people with chronic illness it can be a time of huge anxiety. It’s not just the preparations for Christmas that can take it out of you, it’s also all the added socializing that might be expected of you. And family … Read more
The human spirit is amazing, when confronted with an illness that we are told has no cure, the majority of us still find ourselves compelled to find a way of making things better. We may campaign for more research, we may turn to complementary and alternative medicine or we may focus on learning what we … Read more
Echinacea is thought to boost the immune system and to have antiviral and anti-fungal properties. General research into the benefits of taking Echinacea has had inconsistent results, with the strongest evidence suggesting that it is most beneficial when taken during the early stages of an infection. So far there is no evidence of it being … Read more
This is my very first post from my new website and as such marks a new beginning for me today. Although this has all been many months in the making, I see the launch of my new website as the beginning of a new life: A life where I hope to support myself and flourish … Read more
I had a hospital appointment this week to see somebody about my gut issues. When I woke up that day I felt as though it should be exciting. What if they could find something that can help me? But unfortunately I couldn’t help expecting them to dismiss me; to find nothing wrong; to judge me … Read more
I practise various different types of meditation depending on what I most want to get out of the session. I’m not particularly good at finding a stillness in my meditation practice and often find my mind wondering. In my last meditation post about overcoming a meditation disabilityI talk about how important it is to accept … Read more
I’m back on the theme of acceptance today. One of my biggest struggles this week has been the stick I use to beat myself up with when I’m not doing all the things I feel I could be doing to look after myself properly. This change to autumn weather really hits my energy levels and … Read more
I’ve written this post for Invisible Illness Awareness Week. You can find more ’30 things’ posts and instructions for doing your own at this link. The illness I live with is: ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, sometimes diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1996 but I recovered completely in 2001 only … Read more
Although I see myself as a happy person that doesn’t mean I’m immune to feeling low. In fact I often have days when I feel quite miserable. The reason that I remain generally happy in my outlook is that I know that these ‘moods’ are temporary. I don’t resist them so I don’t get stuck with them. I … Read more
Although I don’t do a great deal every day, I have recently renewed my resolve to have at least one complete day when I don’t do any work whatsoever. Last week on my day off I was driven to a beautiful Shropshire valley for a gentle walk. Unfortunately, I was feeling a bit grumpy. I didn’t really … Read more
