Herald - Issue 424

Page 44 • The HERALD • 2nd June 2022 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v MANDY STEER S.A.C DIP RFHP Mobile Foot Health Practitioner Covering the Waterside & New Forest area 01590 612302 or 07907 114365 The Waterside Physiotherapy & Osteopathy Clinic www.thewatersideclinic.co.uk Jo n E yres and Associates • NECK AND BACK PAIN • PREGNANCY RELATED PAIN • ACUPUNCTURE • ARTHRITIC PAIN • ALL SPORTS INJURIES • SHOULDER/ARM PAIN Treatment by Chartered Physiotherapists and Registered Osteopaths Registered with all major health insurers and HCPC Tel: 023 8020 7764 First Floor, South Street Centre, Hythe, Southampton SO45 6EB GET BACK TO FEELING YOUR BEST WITH HYTHE & TOTTON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC 8 Drummond Court, Prospect Place, Hythe (Opposite Hythe Ferry) 023 8020 7826 81a Rumbridge Street, Totton 023 8086 3612 Health, Beauty &Wellbeing WESSEX CANCER TRUST’S WATERSIDE SUPPORT CENTRE MEN’S GROUP Peter Read joined a men’s group run by Wessex Cancer Trust’s Waterside Support Centre a er being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Sceptical at rst, he soon realised he’d found a safe space which enabled him to share his thoughts freely with others who understood. “I was sceptical at first” by Peter Read I come from a family of six and my Mum was the only one who wasn’t diagnosed with cancer. For a while, I thought it had missed me too, but in 2021 I was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. I have a big family myself; five children and ten grandchildren and some live abroad. Every year we all meet up at a beach hut and on this particular occasion I had to tell them I’d been diagnosed with cancer. They were great and didn’t treat me any differently, but there were others around me who thought I’d changed, and I grew increasingly frustrated with those who kept telling me how awful it was. I started to feel that I could use some support outside of my circle of friends and family to help me manage my emotions and deal with the side- effects of my treatment. I learnt about Wessex Cancer Trust’s men-only group but was cynical at first. I’ve been a youth worker and have chaired committees in the past and know how groups work. I’ve never particularly liked all-men company and thought it would be an immediate barrier. I know a lot of men will feel the same. Many of us feel we have to be brave and keep a stiff upper lip, and find meeting new people hard. I soon found the group to be a lifeline. For starters, the facilitator is great. He keeps things quite low key and manages the process well. I soon found I could ask a lot of practical questions and share things with the group that I couldn’t discuss with others. I think the main thing I’m getting out of it is that it’s helping me to manage my emotions around others who are being negative about my diagnosis and expecting me to hide away indoors. You have to find a way to live with cancer and keep active otherwise it starts to define you. Also, everyone’s experiences are different, so the group gives you the opportunity to talk freely about how you’re feeling to the level you want to, and you’re not under any pressure to please everyone else. Overall, the group has made me less likely to bother my GP for practical and emotional support. I knew I needed something where I could ask questions and be with like-minded people and the group has given me the tools to get on with my life. I was cynical at first and I know how hard it can be, but I’d encourage more men to keep an open mind at least find out more. It could be your lifeline too. If you’d like to nd out more about the men’s group, please call Maureen Robb on 023 8178 0409 or email waterside@wessexcancer.org.uk You can also follow this link to watch a video which gives an introduction to Wessex Cancer Trust’s Support Centres www.wessexcancer.org.uk/support- services/support-centres Peter Read Healthy Heart Tip: Getting Active by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK Regular physical activity is strongly associated with a reduced risk of chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes as well as improving mental health. Even small increases in physical activity can positively impact on health. Heart Research UK have some tips to help you keep active. Avoid long periods of inactivity Set a timer to go o at speci c times throughout the day to prompt you to do ten (or more) minutes of physical activity. Any activity is better than none. You can include a variety of light, moderate and vigorous activities. E.g. a brisk walk, sit-ups, weight-li ing, gardening or housework. Reduce screen time for kids It is common for children and young people to spend too much time sitting in front of a screen. Why not talk to your children about the importance of staying active and agree on a set amount of screen time each day/week and schedule in some time for getting active. Don’t be a couch potato Rather than spending your evenings sitting on the sofa without moving much, why not try a few gentle exercises, such as leg raises, while watching your favourite TV show. Try opening YouTube and searching for a quick 10- or 20-minute workout video. Change your daily commute Now that many of us are heading back to the workplace, try not to jump straight for the car as the main choice of travel. If you do need to drive to work, then why not park tips at: www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: www. heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2 Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook lled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: www.heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk- cookbook a little further away once you arrive in order to get some valuable steps in. For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy Sing your Way to Better Mental Health A new FREE 5 week singing course is starting at Hythe Library. e Sing your Way to Better Mental Health course will run Thursday 9th to 30th June and 7th July 10am to 12pm. is course is open to anyone who enjoys singing - no previous experience is needed. Improve your well-being through singing and grow con dence and expression in your singing by developing a range of techniques. Booking is essential, please visit: www.shop.hants.gov.uk/collections/ library-courses to book your place. If you have issues booking online please call: 023 9223 2957.