Pip-Life

:: Ten Things I’m Doing…

October 14, 2014

borehams

…for my health!

Perhaps you know that I’ve been battling a few lurgies of late. I think it’s that seasonal thing when Spring blows in all the fresh bugs and they wanna picnic INSIDE MY BODY. Urgh. Anyhoo. I am feeling MUCH better now and am determined to stay that way for as long as possible.

It makes sense, then, that this new series called Ten Things I Am Doing… should start with a health theme. I’m going to share a few things that I HOPE will have a healthy result and have me boinging around the place vitally and excitedly! #fingerscrossed

Ten Things I Am Doing For My Health

1. Taking a probiotic supplement
When I was in Bali, I was pretty good and apart from a bit of an angsty feeling on day 2 I didn’t get sick. Still, I want to make sure that I’m in optimum tummy health for my next jaunt at the end of the month and I’ve been told that the Blackmores one is good.

2. Drinking vegetable juice
I watched a movie called Food Matters and another one about some people who changed their health via juicing. I’ve been drinking lots of juice with kale, carrot, celery, cucumber and tomato.

3. Eating chia seeds
Apparently they are really good for digestion and clearing out any bad guys that are clinging to your innards. I am sure they are good for other things too. Also, they are very expensive! I put them in my juice and they add a bit of seedy texture, which I don’t mind. Hopefully they are telling the dodgy interlopers where to go.

4. Crochet
Making things, and the act of slowing down, keeps me happy and healthy. I love to watch something (yarn) become something else (blanket!) The transformation really does fortify me in all kinds of ways.

5. Drinking aloe vera juice
This is another thing that apparently helps to detoxify your insides. So I am drinking some each day and hoping for the best. It is also expensive and tastes gross, but hey, what can you do?

6. Walking
I like to make sure I keep moving because otherwise I feel terrible physically and mentally. A bout of bronchitis has meant my running is sidelined for now, but I am building up to it again. I. Can. Not. Wait.

7. Having fun
Sometimes we are so busy doing all of the things, we forget to have fun. When I was in Bali I had so much fun with my friends Clare and Defah especially. It reminded me that fun is a tonic and we need to make room for it.

8. Reading good things
Interesting stories and ideas make me excited and inspired. And then I feel really good. I recommend reading as often as possible (even if it means not using the internet as much… gazooks!)

9. Making plans
I’ve been thinking up all the things I want to do next, and that’s always good health wise because a) I can better plan my year and b) I feel motivated and excited and hopeful, all health-postive things

10. Getting sunshine on me
I realised I sometimes go for days without a nice, quiet sit in the sun. I’m trying to factor sunny sits into my life for the peace of mind factor and the vitamin factor too. On the weekend we sat in the sun at the Kew Cemetary after visiting the grave of my great granddad, great grandmother and 2 great aunts. Their shady grave was covered in ivy and oak leaves. I took a pocket full of acorns to remind me of those who went before me and how good life is. Even though that sounds weird, it was really nice. They have a whole ecosystem going on where they are buried and it’s literally a few hundred metres from where I used to live when the kids where little (I never knew about the grave, back then!)

Would you like to share your own Ten Things I’m Doing For My Health post? If you do add a link below!

If you don’t you can still tell us some things you are doing for your health in the comments below! It will inspire us all and give us some extra real-life bright ideas!

x Pip

Find time for yourself.
Feel it no shame at proper periods to be doing nothing.
Make seasons for leisure and for recreation.
Climb the hills; scour the valleys; row on the river; stroll along the beach.
Cultivate the friendship of the fields and the ferns and the flowers. Laugh with the young folk and romp with little children.
Be at your ease.
Let the mind swing into an easy balance, a natural poise, an attitude of perfect repose.
The restless soul, eternally doing something, never accomplishes anything.
It is the person who can sometimes be at rest who produces the finest work in the long run.
Find time for yourself! 

FW Boreham (my great grandfather)

20 Comments

  • Reply Bec October 24, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    ok best tip ever for traveling! I got this advice before I spent a month in India – yep India no sickness, no you know downstairs problems – NADA! Soooo 10 days before you go you take 3 x pro-biotic tabs in the morning every day = SUPER awesome digestive cootie/bacteria fighting system – then take a pack of travel calm away with you ( non refrigerated pro-biotics) and take one every morning whilst away to maintain SUPER awesome digestive cootie/bacteria fighting system. I do this every time I travel, its the best!

  • Reply Gill Stannard October 22, 2014 at 11:35 AM

    Love what you’re doing. Especially fun. Never underestimate the therapeutic goodness of warm fuzzes and a good laugh. Re Aloe vera – regardless of it’s virtues, I say to clients if you hate something, no matter how ‘good’ it’s meant to be for you – it’s not the right medicine/treatment for you.

    (PS I do number 9 with people for a living)

  • Reply ejorpin October 17, 2014 at 6:09 PM

    Great list Pip! I agree that looking after your health isn’t just eating better and moving more, it is about carving out quiet time and fun time as well.

    ps. I went out and bought some Blackmore’s probiotics after reading this – it might all be in my head but I’m feeling better already! 🙂

  • Reply Deb Baker October 16, 2014 at 11:13 AM

    This is such a great post. 2014 has been a funny old year and health problems seem to be plaguing a lot of us. You’ve prompted me to finally write a post about my woeful year. Something I’ve kept mostly to myself but thought I’d share because I’ve come to realise I’ve learnt a few things along the way including ways to improve your health. Here is my link : http://sewcraftygoodness.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/ten-things-ive-learnt-about-good-health.html
    Love your grandfather’s words. How wise was he?!

  • Reply Patsy October 15, 2014 at 1:41 PM

    What a lovely post. Actually it caught my attention cause I live in Boreham Street, so nice to know the name has such credible connections.

  • Reply Helen October 15, 2014 at 12:43 PM

    Pip! Aloe vera is amazing and so much better if you can take it fresh (and cheaper) – I’d recommend growing some if you have the time? Tastes so good and it’s actually really easy to harvest and prepare (hope this helps: http://helario.us/post/90247754801/how-to-harvest-fresh-aloe-vera) !
    x Helen

  • Reply Mirjam October 15, 2014 at 12:36 AM

    Your great grandfather is so right! For me, crochet always works,
    and at the moment just looking at our bunnies doing their thing is also very relaxing…. After dinner my husband, our son and myself always go for a walk, that feels really good!
    Love from Mirjam.

  • Reply Giselle October 14, 2014 at 11:51 PM

    Hi, Pips!! I love your lists and your blog! I decided to participate this time… Here is My 10 things I am doing for my health…http://www.gigiloop.com/2014/10/ten-things-i-am-doing.html xxx Gigi

  • Reply Sian October 14, 2014 at 8:36 PM

    Can we share your grandfathers words? They are so true and wise.
    We have just had an amazing summer here, and I tried to do these things, as much as able with lack of energy from working as a nurse.
    Now it is cold and raining as it is Autumn in UK, and need to be more determined to find ways of keeping healthy and active. I need to see what Chia seeds are!

  • Reply Sarah from Creating Contentment October 14, 2014 at 7:42 PM

    I add my aloe Vera juice to my smoothies. Maybe you could try this, so you don’t have to tolerate its yucky taste.

  • Reply Gerry October 14, 2014 at 7:15 PM

    Great as always Pip!
    Have you watched this clip on Reading being good for you? Brilliant school of life
    http://youtu.be/4RCFLobfqcw

  • Reply Beth October 14, 2014 at 6:01 PM

    It’s amazing how much your great grandfather writes like you! Both with kind sensible words and a similar kind of rhythm. Lovely!

  • Reply Reannon @shewhorambles October 14, 2014 at 5:14 PM

    Pip I really love the way your grandfather writes. I might have to look him up in the library. Do you think I’ll find any of his books there?

    I take a probiotic & chia seeds every day too. Some days I think they do nothing but other days just the action of doing healthy things is enough to make me feel good.

  • Reply Shirley Thiedecke October 14, 2014 at 3:59 PM

    That was a nice read Pip, and it sounds like your Grandad knew a thing or two about finding happiness. Your ten bits sound great and I hope they are working! At the moment I am nurturing myself lots too and it includes sitting outside (in the shade feet on the grass because it’s hot here), reading, meditating and drinking herbal or green tea. Trying to not watch too much morning TV or drink and eat things which make me feel yuk ( like diet coke, alcohol and crappy food). I can not live without vitamin b sups and I enjoy the odd session of reiki!
    Happiness and health,
    Shirley x

  • Reply Emily October 14, 2014 at 3:51 PM

    Thanks Pip, I was looking at all my post ideas and then saw your post, so I’ve done a quick 10 things post. I’m a big fan of quick posts ( and Health).Now to do one of the things on my list:)
    http://squiggleandswirl.wordpress.com/2014/10/14/ten-things-i-am-doing-for-my-health/

  • Reply Kristy October 14, 2014 at 3:41 PM

    Pip, I literally love everything about this! I’m doing similar things – trying to eat more greens, get more sleep, fit more joyful things into my life like playing the banjo and having sunny moments and watering the garden and hanging with excellent friends. It does make you feel so much better when you do all of that and sometimes we just get too busy/stressed/overworked to do any of it. Hope you’re feeling better soon!! xo

  • Reply Lila October 14, 2014 at 2:30 PM

    Chia seeds are really good in cakes and other baked goods where the crunch feels right. Also if you want to make a chia pudding but don’t like the texture blend it and it will be a lot fluffier and nicer!

    I love that you’ve focused on having fun in there too!

  • Reply Danya October 14, 2014 at 2:28 PM

    Great list lovely. I find chia seed prices to be not too bad at the Preston Market. The dry goods stall near the pizza place or the dry goods shop near the donuts.

  • Reply Simone October 14, 2014 at 2:24 PM

    Love those words from your great grandfather Pip. What a wise man.

  • Reply Michelle October 14, 2014 at 2:16 PM

    That quote! SO perfect! x

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