Hmm, think I'm not very good at blogging....

Goodness me, where does the time go? I've just realised I've not written anything for June, how remiss of me! Well, in between working constantly, being the admin bod for a variety of companies and still managing to look after my two monkeys, I was left with very little thinking time.

What a difference a month makes, all of a sudden my work has died down, my oldest is about to finish his first year of school and my baby boy is cutting teeth like there's no tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to the six and half weeks off, getting to spend time with my boys is why I love being self-employed so much. My children are my priority and my work comes a close second - I know I'm in a very privileged position that I can take off time to have days of fun, but to me those memories are priceless and worth every penny I've lost. So, if I dont post for the summer holidays, I apologise profusely, but I'm probably a little busy having fun and I wholeheartedly suggest you do the same. It doesnt have to cost anything, in this weather you can take your child(ren) out  (or if you dont have children, try borrowing one (with permission!)) & do a bit of puddle splashing - I introduced my 15month to it this afternoon & we had lots of fun...

Sleep

If people have problems sleeping, very often they’ll grab the lavender in some form & use it in their bedroom. For some this works, and for others it doesn’t. I often hear people say they've had problems sleeping and have found that the lavender has kept them awake. Why? There's quite a few reasons: one may be the type of lavender you’re using and another reason may be the quantity of oil you've used.

Something a lot of people don’t realise is that Lavender actually has a balancing effect on the central nervous system, so in low quantities it helps you to relax and in higher qualities it actually stimulates! If you've sprinkled quite a few drops on your pillow or in your bath, you may find yourself awake for longer than you expected.

So, what can you do?

 - If you do want to use Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), make sure you're buying a good quality lavender so you can be sure its what it says on the bottle. If it’s a cheap bottle it may well have been adulterated with chemicals that won't have any therapeutic value, which means you're likely not to get the response you hoped for. Its hard to know if someone is selling quality oils, so its worth checking if they're a member of the aromatherapy trade council. The ATC has a list of members who abide by a code of ethics so you know they're aware of where their supply is from and that they have tested the oils being sold to ensure their quality.

- Make sure you only use one or two drops of lavender, so it is more likely to be relaxing.

- Try a High Altitude Lavender, it’s more expensive but it’s grown higher up the mountain so it contains more of a chemical which makes it more relaxing than other types of lavender. It will still be called Lavendula angustifolia, but should state on the bottle that its High Alt Lavender.

- If you don't like Lavender, or you'd like to try something else, you can try Ylang Ylang Complete (Cananga odorata), Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) or Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

To use any of these oils, simply take a cotton wool ball, add 2 drops and put it inside your pillow case (make sure children or pets cant get to the cotton wool ball). If you want to use them in a  child's room you may wish to invest in a diffuser, personally I find the zen range very good as they include an automatic switch off, and you can also use them as a nightlight. I raved about these so much that Jane Kershaw, Spirit, now stocks them in Bristol!
Make sure you order your oils from a reputable supplier, and always check the Latin names to ensure you have the right oil.

If it's stress keeping you awake then you may find regalar therapies help you to de-stress a little. If you want to use oils and you're in any doubt about them, get in touch with a qualified aromatherapist who'll be able to advise you further.

Book Reviews

I've been a bit quiet lately as I've been doing a bit of reading. It started off with Anita Moorjani's 'Dying to be Me'. This was an easy read and in places did repeat itself, but, I really noticed a shift after it. That ingrained thought of western belief that you need to be accountable for something is completely blown away by her experience.

The fact that this lady was terminal, on her deathbed with hours to live was incredible. To see how she still allowed orthodox medicine to investigate her claims, although she was sure of her cure was interesting, as it shows how we all still subscribe to the belief that the doctors can provide explanations and will know more than we do.

Once I'd got through that one I then moved onto Gill Edwards, 'Living Magically''. What I didnt realise at the beginning, was that this has echos of Anita's message as well. Life isnt meant to be hard, it's meant to be fun & for some reason we think we need to make it harder than it needs to be! I was a bit dubious at the beginning as she includes channelled sources, but it actually all made sense. She includes meditations and ways to work out what your life lessons may be, how your ego gets in the way and how to release your inner children (and how to not even bother trying to rationalise with your adolescent!!)

So what have these books taught me? Its absolutely fine to be completely selfish (or demonstrate self care) because at the end of it all we're not going to be condemned to a very hot place for a long time and we're not going to get extra brownie points for completely ignoring our own needs. There's no point stressing over there not being enough hours in the day to do all the cleaning...as long as my kids dont go down with any dodgy ill hygiene diseases, we're doing fine. Those voices in your head are actually absolutely fine, apparently its really normal for every person to have several different personalities (as Gill was a pscyhologist I find it interesting that she doesnt see that as some mad complex personality disorder) and it's ok to eat a bit of what you want, its the guilt at the end of it that's usually the problem. There were lots of other things that I think have been working behind the scenes, so you'd have to read them yourselves for your own bit of personal growth & revelations.

Since then I've started on Gill Edwards 'Conscious Medicine'. At the time of writing the book she'd been diagnosed with breast cancer three years before and had chosen to explore different approaches to 'cancering', acknowledging the dis-ease was trying to give her a powerful message. While I'm aware that Gill died last year, I'm impressed that she lived without any medical intervention for so many years. I must admit I've taken a bit of  a break in the last few days (after dropping it in my bath and needing to wait for it to dry!) & have dipped into Kurt Schanubelts 'The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils'. This is a great book for aromatic medicine, but it is hardcore, so I wouldnt recommend it as an introduction! Its great for explaining how essential oils work in the body and how viruses cannot build up resistances to oils due to the compexity of their nature and non-standardisation (one of the reasons often quoted as why essential oils are not safe, because every bottle can contain a slightly difference composition based on when it was grown, harvested etc). I probably wont get to finish it just yet, but watch this space!

Oh, and I also shouldn't forget that in between I am proof-reading my friends thriller book...don't worry, I haven't forgotten you want it back by the end of May!

Therapist Mummy

This week I've been reminded of the benefits of being a therapist Mum. Usually I'm so busy keeping them apart, trying to get that work/personal life balance and then every so often they start to blur....take it when my elder son starts asking me for a massage. Gone are the days of lying him on a changing mat & singing him songs, now I have to do it like my clients & let him lie down with a towel (he is 5 now, so of course he wants it like everyone else) We even have to have a little discussion about oils & let him choose which one he would like to use.

This week it again blurred as I spotted a lovely big red spot on my younger sons' back. Recognising that type of spot from last year & that little fluid bit inside the angry red swelling I'm figuring its chickenpox, however I'm obviously not diagnosing as only a medical professional can do that (However therapist aside, authority of Mum is figuring it is chickenpox).

So, aside from the school run and getting my youngest ready for Nanny's, I'm also diving into my aromatherapy box to choose a few oils. Well, we've gone for a bit of white thyme for an immune boost, roman chamomile to help soothe the itching and helichrysum to help prevent any scarring in a lovely cooling aloe vera gel. Bags packed, including the chamomile hydrolat & a pot of mummys medicine, we're again back on track & ready to face the day!

So far, so good, we're two days in & my little boy doesnt seem to distraught at the spots, if anything he was worse before they appeared! So, we now just wait for it to take its course & wait to see what the next little therapist Mum challenge will be....

Time to reconsider aromatherapy?

If someone says 'Aromatherapy' to you, what do you think of?

Flowery aromas, smelly oils, massage are all common answers, but what about the chemical properties and the variety of ways to apply oils for a therapeutic effect? You probably won't want to know anything about the chemicals, but could be interested in the benefits these give you. The problem with aromatherapy is that in some cases it is just a smelly massage, however if you know what you're looking for, aromatherapy can be so much more.

Sometimes called 'clinical aromatherapy' this wording is used to demonstrate the treatment can offer more than just massage. Some aromatherapists also call themselves 'aromatologists'; this is an even more advanced form of aromatherapy which covers more ways of using the essential oils. In both cases, you'll know that you you won't be just getting a smelly massage if you are looking for something more.

To move away from the basic beliefs about essential oils it is necessary to touch on what is in them. Essential oils are chemically complex structures, which is why essential oils often have many attributes. Take High Altitude Lavender (Lavender Angustifolia); it contains mainly alcohols and esters, two of a variety of chemicals found in aromatherapy oils. These chemicals help to make the essential oil gentle in its action, anti-inflammatory, balancing to the nervous system and emmengagogic (i.e. helps to regulate periods), along with other properties. Interestingly, people always mention Lavender for sleep but because it balances the nervous system it can be a sedative in small doses and a stimulant in larger doses.

It is because the essential oils are chemically complex that they can be seen as more than just smelly oils. Rather than just being put in a base oil for a massage, these oils can be placed in creams, diffusers, compresses, bath bases and various other means in order to create a therapeutic product. Indeed, it is because of this that essential oils can be found in copious products in the shops. You can find them in bubble baths, shampoos, shower gels, but more surprisingly, also take a look at pharmaceutical products, such as a vapour rub. It will probably contain Eucalyptus globulus and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). These are essential oils that together produce an expectorant, immuno-stimulating, decongestant blend. If you placed 3 drops of each of these oils into an oil burner (taking appropriate safety precautions if using a lighted candle) then the oils evaporate into the air, resulting in inhalation of the product and encouraging these properties. Alternatively, you can contact a trained aromatherapist who can blend the oils into a cream or produce a vapour stick for you to inhale – but why would you want to? In this case, the price of a consultation and blend wouldn't be worth it when you can just pop to the shop and buy a mass produced pot in the shops.

However, if you have another problem, one that doesn't have an off the shelf answer, then maybe it is worth seeing an aromatherapist. An aromatherapist can provide a bespoke product, tailored just for you and in a way that is the easiest for you to use; there's no point giving you a cream if you'd prefer an oil. Aromatherapists, like all complementary therapists, have to be very careful about what they can say they may be able to help with. This is a legal minefield, as laws are designed to protect the public from being misled about possible results or providing false hope. This means that if you contact a therapist, they will probably say they can produce a product but cannot guarantee its efficacy. If you visit an aromatherapist with a particular problem than following a full consultation the aromatherapist will discuss suitable options and suggest a treatment plan.

So, why would use an aromatherapist and not try to do it yourself? Well, if its a complex issue, the aromatherapist will have the required knowledge about the oils which will save you hours of trawling through books and internet sites. They should be using therapeutic grade essential oils – as tools of their trade, aromatherapists should not be buying the cheapest, but rather the highest quality oils . This ensures that the blends should provide the best possible expected outcome and will not have been adulterated. Adulterated oils either do not have the expected response (at best) and can provide adverse reactions if used. Even if you have sensitive skin, using the correct chemicals and quality of oils means that the essential oils can still be used after a patch test on the skin. If needed, a massage can be provided, which can be useful if relaxation is needed or a particular area of the body is being treated.

In the case of a chronic condition it is likely that numerous visits may be needed and it can take longer to see any results. In this instance the aromatherapist should regularly review any progress and amend the blends as needed. For an acute problem, a couple of treatments may be enough, so the cost may not be as much as you think it might be.

So, the next time you've got a problem and you're looking for a more natural approach perhaps its time to reconsider an aromatherapy treatment and the possible benefits that it can provide. Why not experience an individual solution for your individual problem?

A Reflexology Guide for the Wary

As a complementary therapist I will admit that I'm guilty of assuming everyone knows what reflexology is and about all the treatments I offer. I'm also guilty of explaining reflexology in terms of the feet mirroring the body systems, working through meridians or energy lines and other terms that create those glazed over eyes. Many people know its to do with feet (and if you didnt, yes, it is usually foot related), however beyond this there's usually varying ideas.

I ofen offer reflexology tasters, which I think is a good way of showing people what reflexology is about. When I do this, I usually meet two camps of people: the first love their feet being touched and played with and would be happy to sit there all day; the second group of people hate even the thought of getting their socks or shoes off, let along anyone even touching their feet. I have to confess that I orginally fell into the second camp of people – I hated the idea of anyone tickling my feet and would see me tensing up even at the thought of the idea. I also once nearly kicked a student therapist in the head for trying to hold my foot too gently. So, what changed my mind?

I went for a massage, and had about ten minutes of reflexology on my feet. As she even touched my foot the whole relaxation of the massage went out of the window, but, after a few minutes I found I was relaxing again. It really wasn't what I was expecting; yes, there were some sensitive spots, but they weren't overly ticklish and it really was quite bearable. After that I did have a few more reflexology tries, trained in reflexology and found myself having monthly regular treatments!

So, after the consultation, what actually happens during a reflexology session? It starts off with a massage to relax your foot, get blood flowing more to the surface and to check the mobility of your feet. Then, a set sequence begins where the therapist uses pressure on various points and moves her thumb (not lightly!) throughout the sole of the foot. I usually tell apprehensive people that if I tickle them they're more than welcome to kick me, as I know how bad that tickly fear can be!

If you've got ticklish feet, then I would say to expect some tension at the beginning: you don't know what you've let yourself in for and you're really challenging your fears about what you're expecting. Once you realise its not a purposeful tickle, you should find yourself beginning to relax into the treatment (unless you're not accustomed to relaxing, which means it could take a few sessions to get your body into the idea). There may be some sensitive areas but this can be your body's way of protecting the area or highlighting a possible underlying issue. For example, if you have sensitivity on the ball of your foot it may be related to a lingering cough, chest complaint, asthma, even tight muscles in the chest region.

The treatment begins on one foot and then the other foot is worked. After this you may find some areas are treated again. This means the therapist found some areas that they felt needed to be worked further. After this there is likely to be further work on both feet. If at any point something is unbearable, you should tell your therapist and they will take appropriate action. Some people like to relax during the treatment and tell the therapist about any sensitive areas at the end of the session. It's important for you to remember you're a paying client and you talk if you want or close your eyes and relax if that's what you'd prefer – your therapist should be led by you. You usually know the treatment is coming to an end as the therapist may use cream and will probably end with a massage.

And thats it – all over! You may feel relieved to have confronted such a personal fear and you may be very relaxed. The therapist will probably tell you any areas picked up on that related to your body (maybe your neck was stiff or your digestive felt a little sluggish). They will also provide aftercare, such as drinking water.

Hopefully you should find your experience changes your view about having your feet touched; and if that worry about how your feet look still stops you, don't worry, most feet arent perfect and a therapist is used to it! So there you go, what to expect from a reflexology visit, without the usual explanations, but, if you do want to know more about the theory, meridians and benefits of reflexology then try booking an appointment with a reflexologist and ask them!

Birthday thoughts

What is it about March? Or more the point, the 9 1/2 months before March? It seems there's loads of women giving birth at the moment! I can't criticise though, because I have two children born in March - I also couldnt tell you what the relevance of the mid year was either...This week sees my big little boy turn 5 and I'm not quite sure where the time went.

People always say your children are different, but I automatically assumed my second child was sure to be Damien, because my first actually pretty good. Well, it turned out my second child is pretty different, but only because somehow he's got a bit more of a mischevious nature to him, but you know what, he's actually also pretty good (maybe I should wait until he's walking properly & talking before I cast judgements, but I think we're going to be ok).

So, as a mum of two what have I learnt? If you're going to buy a good present, my best, biggest piece of advice is to buy a Mamas & Papas teddy. My first had a Monty Monkey (which is still his best teddy & was chosen by him). When my second son was born, he was given Percy Pony as a present from his big brother. The funny thing is, I've caught him putting this teddy over his head, chewing the ear (Monty's tail got chewed a long time ago) & generally throwing him around in the same affectionate way. What is the reason? I really dont have a clue, all I know is that both of my kids seem to love these things!

I've also learnt there's no point comparing your children. Each do things at different times & if you're like me, you've probably forgotten half of the things your child did at what age anyway. Absolutely every child is unique and we should always remember that.

So, as my eldest turns five & my youngest is about to turn one, I'm wiping my eyes & yet again wondering where the years have gone. As someone who was never very maternal I'm actually very grateful to my children for being pretty laid back & not being whiny and annoying very often....So, if my eldest son ever reads this one, Happy Birthday sweet, & if the younger one ever does: with only 11 days (& a few years) difference, Happy Birthday to you too sweet!

How Do You Do It?

I often get asked how do I do it all & while I know I'm stretching things at times I do feel I have a good balance....well, if you want a few hints, try some of these..

I have absolutely no idea what the current live show tv programme is, what Saturday night tv consists of or who any of the younger 'celebrities' are. While I would love to see some more factual & documentaries, my daily intake of Peppa Pig, The Crystal Maze & Ooglies prevents this. This gives me more time to sit on my laptop & clear my emails.

I find multitasking really helpful. I can quite easily make a work colleague call while cleaning work surfaces, brushing the floor, cleaning the bathroom etc.

Getting up at 6.30am gives you a bit of a headstart with the day & means you dont have to rush around so much. If you dont have children you may want to try meditating, but personally my meditation is the 10 seconds as I wake up & work out what day we're on & what I'm doing.

There are only so many hours in the day, so if you can't multitask cleaning, then dont bother. If this is a real issue for you, try watching The Life of Grime & you'll soon realise you'll never be that bad. My motto is that 'a clean house is an indication you really dont have a life'.

Think there's not enough hours in the day? I think that the little mantra 'I have plenty of time' is helpful for this. If you really want to do it, you'd probably find time, & if you don't, it will probably wait for you (my accounts are very kind at obliging on this one).

I have found switching to a daily diary useful. Suddenly my days are even more filled up than usual, as I'm now booking in more clients not realising I'm already pretty busy for that particular week.

I make sure I spend quality time with my children at least once a week. We have family days & make sure that we all get together to do something. We dont live to work & it's important to remember it.

And on a serious note, I practice self care: I ensure I have regular treatments, I use my essential oils & I make sure I take time out if  I think I need it. If I'm not able to look after my children, run my groups, see my clients & arrange business events then I'm not much use to anyone - least of all myself.

So remember that you have 24 hours every day & it's always fun to see how much you can  fit into it when you try...just remember to keep a few hours for yourself every so often!

10 tips for finding a suitable complementary therapist

1.What do you want? If you're not sure have a chat with your therapist and they should be able to help you. They may be able to produce a combination treatment in order to accommodate your needs.

2.Don't expect a same day appointment. You may find a therapist only works particular days, or will be unable to take a call or answer an email if they have several appointments booked.

3.If you've never had a particular treatment and you're not sure about it, consider going to a pamper evening or Mind Body and Soul show where you can experience taster treatments. Alternatively, book a treatment you do like and ask the therapist if they can shorten it and include a 15minute taster of the one you're interested in.

4.Make sure the therapist is qualified. There are lots of different qualifications and membership bodies and if it's not on their website, just ask them. You can then do a quick web search if you want to check any of the details or standards.

5.Be aware that a beauty treatment is often not the same as an holistic one. If you go for a beauty aromatherapy massage you will probably experience a set massage sequence using a pre-blended aromatherapy oil. If you go to an holistic therapist offering aromatherapy or clinical aromatherapy, then you should find that the oils will be blended specifically for you – check that you will be getting what you're expecting!

6.If you are planning to see your therapist regularly, consider they may be able to offer you a discount for block bookings eg: book 5 and get 1 free. You will probably have to book and pay for your appointments in advance so it can be an expensive, but it will ensure you complete the course and, if you do have the money to hand, will give you a free treatment.

7.Beware of therapists pushing you into more frequent treatments than you need. If you have a particular condition or you're trying to get to the root of a problem, then it may well be that weekly treatments are recommended for a while, but these should not be indefinitely. Ask the therapist to give you an idea of how long weekly treatments are likely to be needed for – remember, that a treatment less regularly is better than no treatment at all, so if that's all you can afford, be honest!

8.Ask a friend if they can recommend a therapist but remember that what you're looking for may be different to what they like. Also, if you're looking for a particular specialism, ask a therapist. It may be that they can help directly or recommend another therapist who may be more suited to your needs.

9.A therapist should have your best interests at heart. If they're not willing to share their knowledge with you, then why should you give them your money? While you shouldn't expect them to give you a full consultation without suggesting a proper appointment, you shouldn't expect them to be guarded or protective about offering a small piece of information or providing a complete service during your treatment.

10.Like your therapist! You may only talk to them a little, but there should be a rapport. Likewise, there's no point going to a therapist you like but who isn't actually helping you.

My First Blog

Well, to get with the 21st Century I thought it was time to look at blogging. It's something I've avoided like the plague for quite a long time, but it seems that that time is now over...Why? Well, because apparently this is the way things are going, people apparently dont have enough hours in the day & want to spend hours reading different things on the internet. Personally, I already dont have enough hours in the day, so I dont really get time to trail through the internet looking for all those interesting articles - I have enough books in my house that havent made it in front of my face yet.
So there you go, my first go at writing, not expecting it to go very far but I need to cut my tooth somewhere, especially while I'm trying to work out what the heck I should be doing...If you have read it - thank you!
ps - I meant to share it on google + but have somehow +1'd it instead...that says it all about my technological know how!