CNM’s 2024 Health Tips

Hermann Keppler – Principal

Get clear on your goals and aspirations

The arrival of the new year symbolises a fresh start, inviting opportunities for a healthier and happier life. In my experience, the key to happiness is achieving goals. Drawing from years of personal experience and wisdom passed on by a friend, I’ve found a simple yet effective approach that works every time.

• Write down your aspirations and goals for 2024 across various aspects of your life, including health, family, work and finances.
• Go over all set goals and be positive by saying: ‘I am achieving (the goal)”.
• Outline the necessary steps and timelines for each goal, starting with the easy ones.
• Be positive by emphasising solutions rather than obstacles.

Embrace the coming year with a proactive and organised approach to achieve the positive changes you desire.

Achieving goals with Health Coaching

Bobby Qureshi – Education Director 

Calm your nervous system & boost resilience to stress

Most of the clients I’m currently seeing have high levels of stress which is wreaking havoc in their bodies. The good news though is that we have an amazing structure in the body called the vagus nerve, which is part of the “rest and digest” (parasympathetic) nervous system. When activated, it encourages the calming effects we want to promote in cases of high stress. Here are some effective ways to switch on your vagus nerve and give your body a helping hand to reduce stress:

• Abdominal (diaphragmatic) breathing exercises – breathe in for 3 seconds through your nose, hold for 4 seconds, breathe out for 5 seconds through pursed lips, and repeat.
• Neck stretches – tilt your right ear to your right shoulder and rotate your head to the right a little. Repeat it on left side.
• Spend time outdoors in lush, green countryside spaces.
• Social enrichment – surround yourself with likeminded people who you enjoy being around and avoid isolation.
• Singing, humming and playing music promote relaxation and feelings of well-being.
• Cold exposure – cold water swimming, cold showers, ice baths.
• Laughter (especially belly laughter) is one of the best ways to reduce stress as it triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.

How to relieve stress – short course

Zoe Scalan – Homeopathy Director

Take Aconite 30c at the initial onset of illness

Here’s a valuable homeopathy tip that my family swears by during winter: Aconite 30c. It’s a game-changer in the initial stages of an illness, be it a cold or flu. Act when you feel that impending sense of “oh no, I might get sick!” Take a few doses of Aconite 30c right at this moment, before any symptoms fully emerge. Missing this “Aconite window” means exploring other remedies for established symptoms like a cough or sore throat. This simple trick has successfully thwarted many illnesses for us! Another helpful tip is to make elderberry syrup at the beginning of winter when elderberries are bursting with goodness. Elderberries are one of the BEST antivirals, and you can easily find them in your local countryside. Brewed up and taken with a teaspoon of raw local honey is such an immune booster. My family loves this winter ritual!

Homeopathy for Everyday Living

Jacqui Dougan – Nutrition Director

Take time to relax and breathe

The most important tip I can give is to take some time out to breath, relax and re-energise yourself. Life can become very busy with lots of demands and stressors but learning to remove yourself for a short time each day (10 minutes), breathe and reflect has a positive cumulative effect for your health.

The CNM Naturopathic Diet

Sam Hamrebtan – Natural Chef Director

Green before screens

Embrace nature and prioritise getting outdoors without the distraction of devices – it’s a brilliant way to reset, refocus and recharge your batteries in preparation for the demands of modern life. Just 15 minutes spent in a nearby park or strolling through a green area close to you can invigorate your mind, ensuring it stays fresh and ready for whatever challenges the day presents. Improving our focus is crucial, especially in a world dominated by digital living, where our attention spans have dwindled to an average of just 8 seconds (yes, really!). Prioritising green time becomes essential in counteracting this. Not only does it enhance focus, but it also offers a valuable opportunity to simply be and reconnect with the natural world.

Natural ways to boost mood

Francesca Klottrup – Natural Chef Education

Cooking is an invaluable skill

Learn to cook – even if it is the most basic home cookery skills. The ability to prepare your own meals from scratch empowers you to take control of your nutrition and long-term health. By developing proficiency in the kitchen, you not only expand your culinary repertoire but also foster a deeper connection with the food you consume.

Natural Chef Cookery Course

Victoria Mudie – Health Coach Course Director

Stack your habits for positive results

To seamlessly incorporate a New Year’s resolution or adopt a new habit, the key is to “stack it” onto an existing routine. Consider enjoying your morning drink outdoors, standing barefoot on the grass as you gaze at the sky. Another option is incorporating squats into your teeth-brushing routine. As you wind down for bed, reflect on three positive things from your day. It’s the small, consistent actions that yield significant transformations over time.

Transform your life with Health Coaching