Self Care Resources

There are some self-help resources that I personally find useful and recommend to my clients more than others. Here is a selection that I hope will come in handy and most are free, relatively quick and easy. Please use your own judgement regarding whether or not these suggestions are right for you, and note than none should be used in place of seeking medical advice if a symptom is new or causing you concern.

For Perimenopause/Menopause Advice:

The herbalist A Vogel's YouTube channel contains a wealth of short videos with self-help suggestions for common - and not so common - perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms. The advice is sensible and practical, and I think it sometimes also helps to know that you're not the only one experiencing a particular symptom: https://www.youtube.com/@WeTalkMenopause/videos . Scroll down to see the vast range of topics covered.

For Difficulty Getting to Sleep/Waking in the Night:

This ten-minute video from energy expert, Prune Harris, was recorded to support people during the first Covid lockdown, but the simple techniques are useful any time you find yourself unable to get to sleep: (553) Techniques for a good night's sleep. Do it when you get into bed. Keep yourself healthy - YouTube

A Vogel's site (as above) also has several sleep-related videos, such as Perimenopause sleep problems: Struggling to fall asleep or Perimenopause sleep problems: Frequently waking during the night

For Stress Reduction and Overall Wellbeing:

Try Qi Gong! Literally translating as 'energy work', Qi Gong (pronounced 'chee gung') is an ancient Chinese form of moving meditation and breathwork that has a whole host of benefits for the body and mind. There are 1001 variations and options available - both online and in person classes - but here is a simple, 10-minute morning routine that opens the joints, calms the mind and includes a bit of self-Shiatsu too: 10 Minute Morning Qigong Routine (Wave Sounds!)

For Nutritional Support

I also really like the informative blog articles on the Herbs Hands Healing (herbalists based in Norfolk) website Jill Davies Blog Posts from Master Herbalist Jill Davies , where you can search for articles on a particular health condition, and I drink quite a lot of their herbal tea remedies: Herbs Hands Healing - Online Store . Should you wish to buy anything from the online store, there is a helpline that you can contact for advice before purchasing (particularly if you take any existing medication and want to check the suitability): Contact ~ Herbs Hands Healing - Online Store

Yoga for Minor Aches and Pains:

Online Canadian yoga studio, Heart and Bones Yoga, has a YouTube channel with lots of short, straightforward videos for common issues like neck and shoulder tension and lower back pain: (553) Heart & Bones Yoga- Anatomy & Mobility - YouTube