Update

Please note that Flow is currently fully booked and unable to accept any new clients.

Carol Bean
http://www.flowtherapies.co.uk

Summer 2009

Don't worry, be happy!









Hello Flow followers! Regular clients at Flow will know that this year took a little longer to get going than usual after I caught Pneumonia, quickly followed by a severe bout of flu and then my husband 'snapping' something at the back of his knee and being off work for three weeks. Our series of misfortunes was further reinforced by a big hole appearing in the dining room ceiling (leaky bathroom pipes) and our boys breaking the living room window in their eagerness to get a football. Don' t ask, for those who have boys who lose things such as keys and phones (anyone relate to this?) and aren't risk adverse to climbing through small spaces you will understand.

Inspite of all this, and the various domestic and global news of doom and gloom, Flow remains a happy place. I've been acutely reminded how small things in life make everyday worthwhile. It's not what happens to you, but how you deal with the various crisis that come our way irregardless of our best intentions and carefully laid plans. I often used to talk of happy chaos when my kids were young, and maybe I'm revisiting this feeling a little of late. That sense we can't control everything in our world, but that we can choose to be happy with what we have and who we choose to share in the madness! Don't get me wrong, I can feel as hard done by and frustrated as the rest of us, but life's hiccups are also an opportunity to learn life lessons. I've learned not to work so hard, to be more involved creatively in my husbands business, to relax more, to spend more time with the family. In fact I've been working towards building a more sustainable lifestyle, which seems to be a key word for everything at the moment. I'm even working on a sustainable garden, which brings endless joy especially at the moment apart from the fact that I come out in an allergic rash whenever I work in it! Obviously I can control my weeds better than I can control my allergic sensitivities, an ironic reminder that I can't control everything in my world but to enjoy it anyway.

So I'm choosing to dress myself like a beekeeper rather than stay indoors for the summer. It's vitally important we protect ourselves physically and emotionally from danger and stress as we need to live our lives fully. We are exposed to media and people 'toxins' constantly through the news and in knowing people who moan and bring your spirits down on a regular basis. When the shit hits the fan (as it usually does) we can choose to believe that this too will surely pass and happiness restored. If you find yourself struggling through these testing times surround yourself in happy thoughts, play happy music, choose to be in company with happy people, reach out to others for friendship and care, and extend the arm of friendship and care yourself to those around you. Carry out simple acts of kindness. Never be afraid to seek assistance for yourself or to offer it to others. Have fun, picnic in the park, walk along Morecambe beach, have a water pistol fight, grow flowers and vegetables from seed, and most of all enjoy the sun! We live in one of the beautiful parts of the country, and the rejuvinating power of the sun won't cost you a bean!

For those of you who could do with a flow pick-me-up don't hesitate to get in touch. I provide a safe and caring environment in which to let go of your worries and woes, and can help put a spring in your step and the confidence to bear even the hardest of troubles.

Finally I want to end with a few key questions which will help you identify if you are coping with stress, and a couple of aromatherapy recipes for supporting the immune system. I know a lot's been heard of late regarding swine flu, and our immune system and the ability to fight infection becomes lowered through stress. If we can act on these early tell-tale signs and aid our bodies with a natural toolkit you can avoid seasonal bugs, and protect yourself from epidemics (and pneumonia) regardless of age.

• Are you more tired than usual? Do you have sleep disturbances and wake up feeling tired in the morning?
• Are you feeling low in energy ?
• Are you emotionally volatile? (likely to feel tearful, angry or emotionally numb)
  
• Are you feeling stressed more frequently or dealing with difficult emotional issues?
• Are you paying less attention to your diet or exercise needs?
• Are you smoking and drinking excessively?
  
• Has your digestive system become sluggish?
• Are you worrying more than usual and becoming anxious?

If you've answered yes to even just a few of these questions, chances are that you are stressed. A little bit of stress in the longer term can be managed healthily, as can a short burst of stress during an intense period of activity. Thinking away tell-tale signs can work in the shorter term, but bit by bit they have a habit of catching up on you and hitting you around the head with a great sledgehammer at the most inconvenient of times. Ever wondered why we get ill on our holidays? We need to recognise these signs, act on them and allow enough time for healing. You can't hide the symptoms of stress with a sticky plaster!

Holistic therapies can help to restore balance to body and energy systems that have been put under stress. At Flow, as well as giving you the space to fully listen to your body through bodywork and relaxation, I help you to learn lifestyle changes and tools which can be applied and sustained over time. I commit to having regular massages myself and since my pneumonia go for acupuncture once a month. I'm also trying to rebuild my fitness levels by increasing my activity levels and have begun swimming and cycling again. I also enjoy my own aromatherapy oils, work reflexology points on my hands, practise deep breathing techniques and meditate from time to time. I am creating time and space to better focus on my own well-being needs as well as those of my clients. If you would like to try using essential oils at home to support your own well-being then why not try the following blends;

IMMUNE -BOOSTING MINERAL SALTS BATH

Handful of mineral bath salts
3 drops of patchouli essential oil
3 drops of tea tree essential oil
3 drops of scots pine essential oil

While the bath is filling, add the bath salts. Mineral salts will promote perspiration and aid the eliminiation of acidic wastes from the muscles and joints. As well as easing muscular aches & pains, the bath is helpful for colds, flu and for relaxation.

IMMUNE BOOSTING MASSAGE BLEND

25ml sweet almond oil
3 drops of pure patchouli essential oil
2 drops of pure clary sage essential oil
2 drops of pure lavender essential oil
3 drops of pure geranium essential oil

A restorative formula to massage into your body after your bath or shower- especially helpful as a supportive remedy for illness.

As you will see, from my blog entry, I have been down ( for a short time) but am certainly not out! I have adjusted my opening hours and am now closed on Mondays to assist my husband in editing his wedding photography. A sure fire winner to cheer up any mood! I am now open Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm. I have also reduced my evening commitments to one appointment a week, and now only have a few evening slots available for bookings over the next few months. I hope that you will appreciate a happy therapist is a better therapist, even if you have to wait a little longer to see me! I look forward to seeing you at Flow shortly.

Stay well and happy!
Carol (flow Therapies)

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Carol Bean
http://www.flowtherapies.co.uk