The Celtic festivals of The Wheel of the Year
Imbolc or Oimelc (February 2nd)

Before the advent of clocks and calendars, people were more in tune with nature’s timing; without electrical lighting they woke when the sun rose and slept when it went down, and they followed the cycles of the seasons as opposed to being a slave to the 24/7 hectic lifestyle most of us follow today.

Following the cycles of nature; eight seasonal festivals have traditionally been celebrated throughout Europe, predating Christianity. These festivals are often referred to as sabbats, a word which originates from the Greek work ‘sabatu’ meaning to rest or pause. The English word ‘sabbath’ and the Hebrew ‘shabat’ both also originate from ‘sabatu’ Four of the festivals (the solstices and equinoxes) celebrate the power of the sun and the moon at the time. The other four festivals, are Celtic in origin, and are linked more with the annual cycle of planting and harvesting of crops. Traditionally the festivals also reflect the lifecycle of the gods and goddesses throughout the year.

Imbolc (pronounced ‘im’olk’) is also known as Oimelc, Imbolg, or Candlemass. It falls on the same day as Ireland’s feast of St Bridget (a Christian disguise for the goddess Brighid), and Groundhog day in America.

Imbolc is seen as a celebration of the first day of spring, and is traditionally celebrated in the first week of February, as its halfway through the 90 day seasonal period following the winter solstice (21st December). Imbolc and Oimelc are said to come from the old Gaelic word meaning ‘Ewes milk’, and is the time when ewes start lactating in preparation for giving birth to lambs, meaning there will soon be milk available for people to drink. Imbolc is also reported to mean ‘in the belly of the mother’ and represents potential for growth however it may be needed in your life.

Imbolc was important in the Celtic calendar, as winter stores of food were getting low, and the festival marked the beginning of a new farming season. Even though there may still be snow and frost on the ground, Imbolc marks the rebirth of nature and fertility, and a recognition of life beginning to stir and awaken within the earth. It is a celebration of the long winter darkness beginning to break, and the return to lighter and longerdays as the sun, and the young god it represents is getting stronger. A virgin goddess is said to govern this celebration, and her breasts fill with milk to nourish her young.

Rituals were performed at Imbolc to harness the divine energy, which they hoped would ensure a steady supply of food in the next six months. In the past candle lighting, was part of the ritual of this sabbat, hence being renamed ‘candlemass’ or mass of candles. In a group pagan ritual a young woman would wear a crown of lighted candles on her head. Feasting was also very much an element of the Celtic festivals and at a time when new lambs were born, a dish made from their docked tails was traditionally eaten. The ritual also includes the blessing and eating of diary foods to celebrate the life of the young god and his virgin mother. This practice was said to have been made popular by Scandinavians, sometime after the tenth century when the Vikings invaded Ireland, and adopted the ritual after they populated much of the island, and married many of the women.

Imbolc also falls on the same day as Ireland’s feast of St Bridget. Bridgid is the Celtic goddess of fire, inspiration and fertility, and daughter of Dagda. As Bridgid was the goddess of fire, Imbolc celebrations centre around the lighting of fires. Many of the poor in communities really looked forward to these festivals, as they were a chance for them to get together with friends and family and take a break from work. People had been celebrating these old ways for centuries. Christians, who were trying to gain more followers, found they could not compete with the allure of these traditions. Therefore the Christian church in a bid to win people over, decided it was easier to assimulate Bridgid into their own faith, and so St Bridgid was created. They also created many stories about her in the hope that people would leave these old beliefs, and start following Christianity. One of the rituals they created was dressing a sheaf of oats in female clothes, and setting it in a basket called Brids bed.

Snakes were also a symbol commonly associated with Imbolc. They represent rebirth, as they shed their skin and re-emerge in the spring after a winter’s hibernation. Celtic healers often appear with snakes, that are associated with rivers and healing springs as these are thought to be the entrances to the underworld, where the giant ‘Ouroborous’, the earth dragon lives. Snakes and serpents often appear on ‘torcs’, the sacred neck ornaments worn by Celtic kings, as they embody eternal life and the power of the earth. In Celtic knot work, snakes patterns are still very popular. The coiled serpent, with its tail in its mouth represents a circle of eternity and the cycles of the earth’s evolution and reincarnation. It is reported that in Ireland, at a time when the Christian church was trying to gain followers, the Druids who vehemently opposed the church, often had tamed snakes as they used their venom for healing mixtures. However led by the warrior St Patrick, the church finally won the battle for followers over the Druids.

We may now dismiss many of these old beliefs, traditions, and celebrations, as mere superstitions. However, how we can say our beliefs today are any more credulous, especially when many of our celebrations today surround Christianity, which has actually adopted and claimed much of the folklore of old as their own.

Imbolc represents the end of winter (actual and emotional), and is seen as good time for growth. It can be a good time for putting new ideas into practice, taking the first steps of a new project. With so much dis-ease and ill health caused by trying to keep up with demands of the fast pace of life today, maybe returning to some of the beliefs of old, and becoming more in tune with the timing of nature is not such a bad idea.

Ginger, First aid on a Plate.

Whether it’s making your first gingerbread men as a child, or having a slice of Granny’s ginger cake with tea, the aroma of ginger often conjures up pleasant memories. Native to Southern Asia, ginger has been embraced across the world, flavouring savoury dishes in the East, and used traditionally in sweet recipes in Western countries. In many 19th century English pubs, a jar of ginger was kept on the counter so people could add it to their drinks, and so ginger ale was born. But as well as providing a distinctive flavour to cooking, ginger has been used for centuries in the East, for its medicinal qualities.

Ginger is known for its warming effect on the body. Maria Holzamer a medical herbalist says;
“Ginger is an excellent circulatory stimulant, reaching all extremities.”

It can either be drunk as a tea, or grated ginger root can be added to hot lemon and honey, to raise the body’s temperature, and help the body fight off colds and viruses. Ginger also has expectorant and anti-bacterial qualities, making it a useful remedy to try when suffering from respiratory infections.

As well as being warming, ginger has a stimulating effect. In India and China, tea made with ginger root has been drunk after meals for centuries, to aid digestion. Gingerol, the main active ingredient of ginger, enhances the secretion of digestive juices, which helps to neutralize stomach acids, and has an antispasmodic effect on the muscles of the digestive system. People looking for a natural remedy with potential to relieve symptoms of bloating, indigestion, nausea and travel sickness, may find that ginger is just what they’re looking for.

Ginger can also be good for your heart, as it stimulates circulation and enhances blood flow. It is claimed that ginger can make blood platelets less sticky and less likely to join together in clots. Ginger also appears to impair cholesterol absorption, lowering blood cholesterol levels. Together these properties can help maintain a healthy heart. In Ayurveda medicine (literally translated as the science of life), ginger is known as the ‘Universal medicine.’

Other benefits of ginger include pain relief. Ginger’s antispasmodic effect can relieve menstrual cramps, and its stimulating action can help promote menstruation. Gingerol also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for people suffering with arthritis. As Ginger is very warming, it is especially appropriate for cold non-lubricated joints. Consuming ginger regularly may help reduce pain levels and improve mobility.

Luckily ginger is not difficult to get hold of; it’s available in fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallised, powdered or ground form. For maximum medicinal effect ginger can be brought as a supplement, which could be particularly useful if you don’t like the taste. However it is fairly easy to get the benefits just by including it within your diet regularly. Fresh is ultimately the best option, and ginger root is available in vegetable shops and supermarkets. To ensure freshness and quality, the ginger root should be firm, with an unwrinkled, smooth skin.

Ginger chunks can be added to a stir fry, or grated ginger can be mixed with honey, or butter as a glaze, for roasting vegetables. When making your own juices, freshly grated ginger, can provide an extra zing. Ginger can be included in salads, stews, curries, as well as sweet recipes. If you’re not much of a cook, you could try one of the many available, ginger teas. Alternatively you could treat yourself to a slice of Mrs Crimble’s ginger cake, which is also wheat free, or try the very refreshing Bottlegreens’s Ginger and lemongrass cordial, both are available at health food shops and some supermarkets.

Ginger could be seen as first aid on a plate, time tested for centuries in the East. Why not enjoy these benefits, and make ginger a regular item on your shopping list.

People with mental ill health, may be worse off with changes to Incapacity benefits

Everyone has days when they feel miserable; ups and downs are an inevitable part of life, however for some people these lows don’t go away, they can become overpowering and affect their ability to cope with everyday life. It is estimated 1 in 4 people in Britain will experience some form of mental distress at some point in their lives. Many of these people end up having to go on benefits for a while. However mental health charities suggest that they may be worse off under the government’s new benefit changes.

In October last year Incapacity benefit, and Income support, paid on the grounds of illness or disability changed for new customers; and has now been replaced with the new Employment and Support allowance (ESA). This new allowance aims to help get 1 million people off Incapacity benefits by 2015.

The emphasis of ESA is getting people back into work. The main difference is that within weeks of getting signed off from work, claimants are sent for a new ‘Work Capability Assessment’ undertaken by an expert health professional. In the first thirteen weeks of a new claim, while waiting to be assessed, people will receive a reduced rate of benefit. At the assessment if their illness or disability is considered severe enough, then they will go into a ‘support group’ and receive a higher rate of ESA benefit. Other claimants will go into the ‘work group’ and will be required to engage in a back to work programme. Failure to do so is likely to result in cuts in their benefits.

At the moment people on the old Incapacity benefits will not be affected by these changes, however the Department of Work and Pensions report that, all existing Incapacity benefit claimants should be transferred onto the Employment and Support allowance by 2013.

The Mental Health forum suggest that the majority of people with mental health problems do want to return to work, and therefore sanctions on benefits are completely unnecessary. With 40% of Incapacity benefit claimants having mental health problems, the worry with the new Employment and Support allowance is that it will cause claimants added distress without getting them any closer to a job, and maybe even push them into work that is unsuitable.

Previously Incapacity benefit provided a security for people with mental ill health that may have been difficult for them to give up on. Therefore the introduction of a more personalised system, to help people get back into work, is a good opportunity to change a situation where people are stuck in the benefit system. It has been suggested that three-quarters of the 2.6million people claiming Incapacity benefits are actually capable of work; and that the new Employment and Support allowance can give people who may have abandoned work because of depression, that little extra push that they need to get back into employment.

One of the concerns raised, is that the professionals employed to undertake these assessments, may have a general medical background but not have enough expertise in the area of mental health, and therefore would not be suitably qualified to make accurate judgements. Mental health problems are not as visible as other disabilities; and can also fluctuate from day to day. Without having the specialist knowledge in this area of health, it is very possible that people will get placed into the wrong group.

It is also very possible that these assessments can exacerbate mental illness. When a person first goes off sick, it is often the time when they need the most support, and may be finding life overwhelming and difficult to cope with. Just waking up and facing the day can be extremely difficult, and yet while people are feeling like this, not only will they most probably find themselves dealing with financial hardship, they also have to face going to a formal interview. This undoubtedly is going to add unnecessary psychological stress on people who are already extremely anxious, and is quite likely to result in symptoms worsening.

However for the majority of people with mental health problems who do want to work; having access to support, to help achieve this is likely to be very useful. Having a sense of purpose, which working can provide, can help raise people’s self esteem and confidence. Also having structure to the day, participating in activity, interacting with people, and learning new skills can all have a positive effect on a person’s mental health.

Upon being placed in the work group, claimants will automatically be referred to a ‘Pathways to work’ advisor, who be able to offer personalised support and financial help to get them back into work, if they are able. They can also look at overcoming any barriers to work, help with how people can manage their disability or health condition within a work context, and refer them to any training that may help in finding employment.

Whether the timing of these changes to the benefit system is right, at a time when jobs are becoming so scarce is also debateable. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics report that before December 2008, the number of job vacancies had dropped by 153,000 over the year, and a high proportion of those; 69,000 were from the three months just before December. They reported that this was the lowest figure of job vacancies since 2001. With the countries economy in such a bad way, the number of jobs available is likely to drop even further.

Another barrier for people with mental health issues are employer’s attitudes. Mind, a leading mental health charity, suggest that helping people with mental health problems back into employment, will not work unless requirements are also put on employers. In a recent study undertaken by them, they found the stigma attached to mental ill health is still rife. It is reported that fewer than 4 in 10 employers would be willing to employ people with mental health problems. Mind put forward that employer’s opinions are the biggest barriers to employment, and suggest the government should provide training for employers to try and inform and change these attitudes.

It seems that Employment and Support allowance may provide an opportunity to change the situation where people are stuck in the benefit system, and it may well be able to help people who want to work find employment. However introducing sanctions if people do not co-operate, and having to attend formal assessments is very likely to cause added stress and possibly even exacerbate mental illness. The practicalities of ESA are also debateable, as the number of jobs available is likely to keep dropping in the current economic climate. ESA is also unlikely to work while a high number of employers are unwilling to take on people with mental health issues. It is evident that changes may not be effective until the health professionals, the advisors, and employers have undertaken substantial training in the area of mental health. As it is now, people with mental ill health, may indeed be worse off under the Employment and Support allowance.


For information look at:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/incapacity.asp
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_015412.xml.html

The wheel of the year
Forgotten festivals in a modern world

As part of the New Year celebrations we often find ourselves reflecting on the past year, and looking forward to the future; however we are not so likely to think about why we are celebrating on this day. New Years day actually only started to be celebrated universally on January the 1st, many years after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in the sixteenth century.

Before the advent of clocks and calendars, people were more in tune with nature’s timing; without electrical lighting they woke when the sun rose and slept when it went down, and they followed the cycles of the seasons as opposed to being a slave to the 24/7 hectic lifestyle most of us follow today.

Throughout the ‘wheel of the year’ people celebrated eight seasonal festivals, which surrounded the natural cycles of the sun and moon. Without even knowing it many of us may still be working with the seasons rather than against them; for example in Winter as its colder and the days are shorter, we may stay in more, and so this can be a time for introspection, reflection and possible spiritual growth. Whereas the beginning of summer is a good time to start creative projects, to get out and about, and for socialisation and procreation.

Four of the festivals (the solstices and equinoxes) celebrate the power of the sun and the moon at the time. The Equinoxes represent the middle/turning points of a season, while the solstices represent the beginning of a new season. The other four festivals, are Celtic in origin, and are linked more with the annual cycle of planting and harvesting of crops. This article will take a brief look at the eight festivals, and throughout the coming year I will look at the Celtic celebrations in more detail.

These festivals were traditional throughout Europe, and predated Christianity. However as you read through this article, it is quite apparent that the Christian faith has adopted a lot of the celebrations. There are many theories as to why they did this; one being that they wanted to make their new faith appeal to people who would had been worshipping and celebrating the old ways for centuries. Slowly over time the focus of the festivals changed from being a time to celebrate the natural cycles of the earth, sun, and moon, to becoming considered to be holy days.

Samhain, The Celtic New Year October 31st

Samhain is Gaelic for ‘the summers end’ and is known as the Celtic New Year; it marks the end of the summer and the start of the winter. It is a time for reflection of the past year and to look forward to the future. It is believed that this is the one time of the year when the veil between this world and the other world is at its thinnest. The other world could therefore release fairies and mischievous spirits, and the dead could return to warm themselves by the fires of the living.

During the celebrations the Celts built huge sacred bonfires, sacrificed animals and brought food to share in a celebratory feast. They also often wore costumes such as animal heads and skins.

Samhain is one festival that seems to have been adopted by Christianity. The modern day Halloween is from the Christian festival called All Hallows eve. This and the following two days; All Saints and All Souls day were for remembering and honouring the dead.

Winter solstice, Yule, or Albun Arthuran December 21st or 22nd

This is the shortest day of the year, and is when the moons power is as it’s strongest. It is thought the winter solstice celebrations started when people feared the sun would die, so they decorated evergreen branches and lit fires, which they believed would transfer energy from the evergreens, give power to the sun and stir up new life.

It is traditionally celebrated by feasting and putting up holly wreaths (which symbolised the wheel of the year), and hanging lights from evergreen branches. The traditional Pagan Yule celebration is also a twelve day event ending on the twelfth night in the first week of January.

The focus of celebrations are the rebirth of light after being overwhelmed by darkness on the shortest day of the year, and the hope of lighter and longer days to come.

Imbolc, Imblog or Oimelc February 2nd

Imbolc means ‘ewes milk’ and this festival celebrates the beginning of the return of the light, the start of the lambing season, and the first green shoots appearing. It refers to the potential for growth in whatever area of life growth is needed.

Imbolc represents the end of winter (actual and emotional). It is a time of new ideas, and a good time to take the first steps of launching new projects. Although this is the first festival of spring, the land is often still frozen at this time, so Imbolc is a reminder that new life stirs within the earth.

Spring equinox, Alban Eiler, or Ostara March 21st

The day and night are of equal length, however from this point the suns power gets stronger and the days start to increase in length. Fertility returns to the land and this is traditionally a time to plant new seeds. Alban Eiler is Gaelic for ‘the light of the earth’; a light which is returning after the winter. In pre-Christian times, one story tells of the maiden goddess mating with the sun god to conceive a new child of light at this time.

This is a time of new beginnings, such as starting new creative projects or maybe a new love. It represents a time and opportunity for change, and for saying goodbye to anything in your life you don’t want anymore. Many cultures celebrated New Year on this date, before the introduction of calendars.

Beltane or Beltaine May 1st

Beltane is a celebration of the first day of the summer. It comes from the Celtic word meaning ‘bright fire’. Fires were traditionally lit to symbolize the strength of the sun. On the eve of May, the Celts lit fires using nine different types of wood, and cattle were driven between the fires to cleanse them and to encourage fertility. Beltane is also said to be a great time for fairy activity especially around standing stones.

Beltane has even stronger energies, associated with fertility, than the spring equinox. It is a time for increased optimism, confidence, and energy in any projects you want to take on board, and it is also a good time for passion and the consummation of love.

Summer solstice, Midsummer, Litha or Alban Heruin June 21st or 22nd

This is the longest day; when the suns power is at its height, and fruit is ripening. It is a celebration of light triumphing over darkness, and the beauty light brings to life. The summer solstice represents power and joy; and it’s a time when happiness, strength, and energy are at its highest. It is one of the festivals that are still celebrated today, on the eve of the solstice at stone circles such as Stonehenge.

Stories tell of the sacred marriage of the earth and the sky, or the land king and the goddess or priestess. At the summer solstice the God’s power and virility has reached its most potent, and he knows that after the festival he will start to lose this energy. In a bid to stop the God’s power from diminishing, the Goddess, who was very much in love with him, would light fires and throw sun wheels down a hill.

Lammas or Lughnassadh August 1st or 2nd

Lammas is a celebration of the harvest of grains. Lammas or ‘loaf mass’ in Saxon language was a time when the first grain was baked into bread and cakes. It is also a time of giving thanks to nature for all it provides, and a time to ‘count our blessings’.

In Celtic tradition Lughnassadh is the festival of the Irish god Lugh; who dies every year with the harvesting of crops. His spirit descends into the earth to be reborn later on in the year.

Autumn Equinox, Alban Elued, or Mabon September 21st or 22nd

Now day and night are of equal length again, but this time the moons power is getting stronger and the days start to shorten. This is a time for completing tasks, resolving disagreements, consolidating finances, and generally getting things in order.

Alban Elued is Gaelic for ‘light on the water’ and refers to the sun moving away over the water and leaving darkness behind. The Autumn Equinox is the final festival of the season of harvest, and is also traditionally a time when animals are slaughtered and preserved to provide food for the winter months. It is time to recognise that the wheel of the year has turned, and summer is now over.

Jax writers spot will return in the New Year

as Jax is enjoying Christmas with her friends and family.

I would like to wish all my readers

a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2009

Due to my lap top being sent away to be fixed
I am unsure whether I will be able to post an article
on Jax Writers Spot next week
Jax Writers Spot will return when my lap top returns

Thanx

Harnessing the healing power of plants
throughout the years.

Phytotherapy (From ‘phyton’ which is Greek for plant) or herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine in the world. The tradition of using plants in the process of healing has been handed down from generation to generation mainly through word of mouth. With the discovery and success of new medicines such as antibiotics, herbal medicine was cast aside for a while, in favour of what science had to offer, and became viewed as a dubious area of our tradition and history. However the past few years has seen an increase in the popularity of taking herbal remedies.

Herbal remedies have been rigorously tested and studied over hundreds and even thousands of years, and their efficiency has stood the test of time. The majority of medicines today are actually derived from plants.

Nearly 2500 years ago, Hippocrates recommended a tea made with willow leaves would relieve fever and pain. In 1827 French pharmacist Pierre Joseph Leroux found that the bark of the willow tree contained salicin, a substance which reduces pain, soothes inflammation and lowers fever. At around the same time, Swiss chemist; Lowig, was researching meadowsweet, and found it contained an ingredient called ‘saliciylic acid’ with similar properties. Years later the work Leroux and Lowig did resulted in the production of aspirin.

There are benefits to using plants for healing, as opposed to medicines which have derived from them. The active ingredients in the plants can naturally work in synergy, to heal and moderate side effects. While people with gastric problems are told not to take aspirin, it is reported they can take meadowsweet, which is said to prevent the development of gastric ulcers.

From scraps of evidence found on the floors of prehistoric caves it is suggested that cave men and women used herbs such as wild mint, basil and rosemary. However we can get a better picture of the early use of medicinal herbs by looking at Egyptian papyri several thousand years later.

Ancient Egyptians
Ancient papyri that have been found, tell how the Egyptians extracted oil from plants such as thyme, hops, aloe and barley to make ointments. There was also a strong connection between medicine and magic. It was believed illness had a lot to do with evil winning over good in a person’s inner self, and herbal remedies were dispensed by priest-doctors accompanied by magical spells and incantations. Even though magic was a big part of the healing process, scientists who have examined samples of herbal medicines produced at the time, and found in pharaoh’s tombs, have found them to be extremely efficient.

The ancient Greeks
Hippocrates, who became known as the father of modern medicine, was born on the island of Cos in 460BC. He was the first doctor to establish medical clinics where listening to patients, asking questions and undertaking tests such as listening to the chest, were all combined in order to make a diagnosis. He was very interested in a patient’s hygiene and nutrition which he believed greatly affected their health, and he often gave his patients herbal medicines. His knowledge of health, nutrition and herbs was passed down through the years by word of mouth.

In the first century AD the first botanical manuscript: ‘De Materia Medica’ was produced by Dioscorides, which included descriptions and illustrations of plants and their healing and harmful effects. Then in the 4th century Diocles of Caryste, another follower of Hippocrates produced the first herbal, which listed plants and their uses.

In the 11th century Claudius Galen, was another Greek doctor who made a significant contribution to the history of herbalism and modern medicine. Galen undertook painstakingly thorough investigations of plants and their healing properties. The method he used in his studies (now known as Galenic pharmacy) is still widely used in laboratories today.

Ancient Chinese balancing ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ energies
The Chinese tradition of using herbs for healing is one of the oldest in the world. The Chinese see illness as a sign of disharmony in the body, and herbs have always played a big part in restoring balance and harmony. Central to Chinese thought is the belief that there are two energies; Yin and Yang, which oppose and compliment each other. Yin represents feminine characteristics such as; cold, dark, wet, internal, and passive, while Yang represents masculine characteristics such as; warm, bright, active and external. In everyone there should be a balance of Yin and Yang, and its when one energy dominates in a certain part of the body that health problems can occur.

The Chinese believed that these life energies circulates around the body through channels called meridians, and alongside herbs they also use meditation, nutrition, and acupuncture to ensure harmonious flow, and circulation through the body.

The herbs they use are also categorised as Yin or Yang plants. A Yin plant can calm, clean out, and cool down the body, while a Yang plant stimulates, awakens and warms the body. In addition the Chinese classify their plants by five fundamental flavours which are each linked to one of the main organs of the body: acidic to the liver, bitter to the heart, sweet to the spleen, salty to the kidneys and spicy to the lungs. These main organs are seen as vital to the balance and health of the body. When treating a patient with too much yin in the heart, traditional Chinese doctors would therefore pick a yang plant with a bitter flavour.

The Ayurvedic tradition from India
‘Ayurvedic’ literally means the science of life. The practice of Ayurvedic medicine is traditional in India and its purpose is not just to focus on illness, but to balance the complete emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual health of a person. An Ayurvedic doctor first determines a person’s body type (known as constitutions or doshas). The three doshas present in all human beings are; vata, pitta and kapha, and when one becomes dominant it can cause ill health.

Indian herbalism uses more than 3000 species of plant, however which herbs are used, are subject to very precise rules such as; what time of the day it is. They believe that each hour of the day corresponds to one of the five elements: earth, air, fire, water or ether. Fire, for example, is linked to the time of the day when the sun is at its peak, and this is the time to take energising and stimulating herbs.

In Ayurvedic tradition plants were prepared in a wide variety of ways. One of the most popular remedies of Ayurvedic medicine is ‘triphala’, which are a mixture of three herbs which work together to aid digestion and the elimination of toxins, regulate the colon, and balance the doshas. In the Ayurvedic tradition of treating illness, massage, meditation and nutrition also played a big role.

For thousands of years, and across all cultures (of which I’ve only mentioned a few), people have been harnessing the healing power of plants. It’s a tradition that has been passed down through generations through word of mouth and has been widely documented. Today instead of herbalism being viewed as a dubious area of tradition and history, we can recognise and benefit from the wisdom of these ancient cultures. We are now fortunate to be able to access herbs from all over the world, and with the back up of science, we are able to determine that many plants do indeed possess remarkable healing properties.

“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”
Hippocrates

Note: Information in this article is not intended to replace any advice from a doctor. I am not medically qualified, but have been interested in nutrition and alternative remedies since my eldest daughter developed food intolerances almost 20 years ago.

Different perceptions of perfection
Building a better body?

I recently signed up for a sponsored swim, in which I am going to swim the length of the channel, 22 miles, over a twelve week period. As I’ve had to up the amount I swim, one of my biggest worries was that my body shape may change, and that I could end up with a somewhat triangular swimmer’s physique. This got me to wondering why some people actually strive to completely change their body shape. This article explores the history of body building, what attracts people to the pastime, and the lengths they will go to, to build a better body.

In today’s society we are constantly bombarded by unrealistic body images from on the catwalk, to in magazines, and on the television. The pressure to alter transform and modify our bodies to meet cultural ideals affects many people who can develop an obsession with body image. These messages suggest it’s not ok to leave our bodies in its natural state, and we should do what we can to try and change our bodies and our appearance. The body building industry is no different, and the pastime is promoted by suggesting you can: ‘build a better body’ and ‘build a strong muscular and impressive physique’.

Brief history of Body Building
There are reports that suggest body building goes back as far as 11th century India, where lifting heavy stones called ‘Nals’ was a popular pastime. In ancient Greece and Egypt they also lifted stones in order to gain strength and power, and transform the body. However whether this was done to keep fit or to look good is unsure. Prior to the 19th century strongmen contests were about showing strength and not muscles, however by the end of the century, the emphasis was beginning to change from athletic body building to aesthetic body building.

Known as the ‘father of body building’ Eugen Sandow from Prussia advocated obtaining the ‘perfect physique’, which he believed was close to the proportions of the classical Greek and Roman statues. He was one of the first people to display his muscles in front of an audience, and along with his manager; Florenz Ziegfield was the subject of the Oscar winning 1936 film ‘The Great Ziegfield’ which told the story of modern day body building. Sandow developed the first body building machinery using dumbbells, spring pulleys & tension bands, and set up business selling his weight training equipment.

Sandow also helped organise one of the first body building contests which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1901. In 1904 the first contest in America took place at Madison Square New York, and the winner Al Treloar was said to be ‘the most perfectly developed man in the world’. The popularity of body building carried on with regular contests such as Mr Olympia.

The Amateur Athletic Union established Mr America in 1939, and although the contest was meant to be about demonstrating athletic skills, it was suggested that the participants had more chance of winning, if they had specifically trained to improve their physique and this further increased the popularity of body building. With this rise in popularity the quality of the contestant’s physique’s also needed to improve, and so the use of chemical tanning to enhance the definition of muscles became a popular practise.

The International Federation of Body builders (IFBB) was established in 1946 and the popularity of body building continued. In the 1970’s the film industry started recruiting actors who were particularly muscular, and celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger promoted body building further. The growth of the body building industry with more and more emphasis on aesthetics, demanded a more extreme approach to physical development, and so the use of anabolic steroids became widespread. As the expectations of body builders have increased this trend has continued, and it has been reported that many body builders take different types of steroids at the same time (known as stacking), and the use of insulin and growth hormones has also become commonplace.

So why do people body build?
The main method of building muscles is of course weight lifting, and as with any exercise there are health benefits. Weight lifting can help lower cholesterol, raise your metabolic rate, improve your posture, and release feel good endorphins which help combat depression. Building a little extra muscle can actually reduce the likelihood of injury, as strong muscles, tendons, and ligaments can withhold more stress. Weightlifting can also help offset some of the degeneration associated with aging such as; building up muscle mass which we can lose as we grow older. Weight bearing activity can also increase bone density and can help prevent osteoporosis (brittle bones).

Unlike weight lifting, which may be taken up by people wanting to become fitter and healthier, body building is completely concerned with body image. The thrill and the prestige of competing may influence many people to take up the pastime. However many people who take up body building do so because they don’t like their body’s appearance, and underlying a negative body image is often insecurity and low self esteem. Body building offers a chance to transform their bodies, and comments on progress can make them more determined to carry on. Searching through body building websites, gaining confidence, and getting more attention from the opposite sex were often cited as being reasons why people got into bodybuilding. Similar to people trying to lose weight reading diet magazines, body builders are constantly subjected to images of ‘strong muscular and impressive physiques’, which is quite likely to increase the pressure on them to transform their bodies.

Body builders are often perfectionists, and while they may feel they can not control areas of their life such as work and personal relationships, their body shape is something they can control. They can control how hard they train and what they eat, and often feel a sense of accomplishment by being able to achieve and maintain the muscular body. However it could be argued instead of a perceived mastery of their body shape, they actually become slaves to the discipline, and the regulation of these bodies.

The addictive nature of Body building
It is suggested that body builders are particularly vulnerable to becoming addicted to training. They may be spurred on at first by people making positive comments about their physiques; however the upkeep of their muscular bodies requires a lot of work. Many body builders report that their obsession with building muscles can affect their lives completely, from not spending time with their families, to missing work, through to completely planning and controlling what they eat. An obsession with body building can often lead to overtraining. Training too frequently and not allowing adequate recovery from intensive exercise, can wear your body down and cause long term physical problems such as painful joints in later life. So inevitably spending too long pumping iron, as opposed to helping someone become fitter and healthier, can actually lead to an increased risk of injuries.

Worrying obsessively about their appearance and undertaking excessive exercise could also be a sign that someone is suffering from ‘muscle dsymorphia’, which is an under-recognised type of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). People with muscle dsymorphia or ‘bigorexia’ as it’s become unofficially known, suffer from a form of ‘reverse anorexia’ where they believe their muscles are smaller than they actually are and train harder to increase their size. Similarly women who may have BDD, can develop an obsession with toning up any areas of their bodies that they feel look fat or flabby, even if they are actually lean and muscular. Whatever form of body dysmorphic disorder a person may suffer from they are quite likely to do whatever they can to achieve their ‘perfect body’, and are generally not concerned about any risks involved, such as the risks of taking steroids or human growth hormone.

When obsession goes too far. Drug use in body building
Anabolic steroids are a group of compounds which produce effects similar to that of the male sex hormone testosterone (anabolic means ‘building body tissue’). They help the body convert protein to muscle, and body builders claim they also enable them to train harder and can help them recover from strenuous exercise faster. Although they are only available on prescription steroid tablets or liquid (suitable for injecting) are very easily available to buy. Steroid use has escalated, and it’s suggested that boys as young as 12 are taking them to build muscles and get girls. It is estimated around one in ten gym users take steroids, and it is reported that the majority of people using needle exchange schemes are now sports men and women. There is also a rise of women taking a range of steroids which are promoted as effective fat burners, turning fat into lean tissue.

There are many ways that people take steroids: ‘Cycling’ involves stopping and starting taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time. ‘Stacking’ as mentioned above involves taking two or more different types of steroids, as they believe they interact with each other to produce an effect greater than taking them individually. ‘Pyramiding’ is when the dosage and frequency of taking steroids are increased to reach a peak and then slowly reduced again, often followed by a drug free period. The idea behind pyramiding is that increasing the amount slowly allows the body to adjust to high doses, and drug free periods allow for recuperation.

There are many side effects of taking anabolic steroids many of which are not reversible. They can affect a person’s mood, make them more irritable, aggressive and it has been reported that steroid users can also become quite paranoid, and suffer from extreme jealousy. Physical side effects can include high blood pressure, a reduction in good cholesterol, fluid retention and oedema. It is also suggested steroid use increases the risks of developing cancer, heart and liver disease, and atherosclerosis. Further risks for men include; erectile dysfunction even though their sex drive may be increased, a reduced sperm count, baldness and the shrinking of their testicles.

The trend in adolescents taking steroids is very worrying, as they are at risk of suffering irreversible side effects such as accelerated puberty changes and stunted growth. The effect on women of taking a substance closely related to testosterone (a male hormone) can include them experiencing a deepened voice, excessive body and facial hair, acne, disruption of the menstrual cycle, permanent enlargement of the clitoris, and infertility.

Stimulants cover a range of substances from caffeine in coffee to ephedrine and amphetamines, and they typically used to increase energy, alertness and boost athletic performance. They can also reduce fatigue and suppress appetite. As stimulants provide short lived energy the body inevitably pays for this later, and the short term effects of stimulant use can be irritability, anxiety, and paranoia. Long term use or higher doses can have more worrying effects on the body including; convulsions, brain haemorrhages, hallucinations and heart problems such as palpitations, and rhythm abnormalities. There is also a real danger of death from overdosing.

Synthetic Human Growth Hormone (HGH) was created to mimic the effects of naturally occurring hormones produced by the pituitary glands, which stimulates growth and cell formation. It is used for treating a range of rare conditions, such as dwarfism in children or for people with an HIV/AIDS-related wasting disease. However it has also become a popular drug of choice for body builders. These hormones naturally produced by the body are responsible for normal growth in children and teenagers and can regulate the metabolic process, as people get older the levels of these hormones decrease and this can result in an increase of fat storage. The appeal of HGH is therefore quite understandable, as the use of HGH intends to stop the changes that are associated with aging. It is reported by body builders that injections of the HGH can increase lean muscle, and increase strength. It is also used to help speed up recovery from injuries. There is however no evidence that this is true. Side effects from taking HGH include swelling in the arms and legs, arthritic type symptoms, muscle pain, hardening of arteries and high blood pressure.

Insulin which is normally given to diabetics to help control blood sugar levels, is being injected by body builders as it can boost their muscle mass. Unlike steroids it is virtually undetectable so it is a popular choice for body builders who compete. Using insulin if you are not diabetic could lead to a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels which could lead to coma or even death. Using insulin in the long term can cause irreversible damage. As the body’s natural mechanism to produce insulin is compromised it is likely to stop working so that the user may actually end up becoming diabetic themselves.

Drug taking is definitely very much part of the body building culture. What is worrying is that while researching the drugs commonly used by body builders for this article (of which the ones mentioned above are only a few), is that the searches consistently came up with body building websites, and sites selling supplements for sport. Upon visiting body building sites, visitors are bombarded with advertisements selling various performance enhancing products. The extent of some body builder’s willingness to try drugs in order to achieve the ‘perfect’ physique, without thinking too much about the consequences, is something Lee Sweeney a geneticist from the University of Pennsylvania found out. He had to stop answering the phone to sports men and women begging him to be his first human guinea pig, after they read about his experiments creating ‘Schwarzenegger mice’. Sweeney had been trying to find a remedy for people with muscle wasting diseases, and managed to isolate a gene responsible for manufacturing a type of protein which he administered to the mice. The results were dramatic as the mice developed biceps and thighs twice as strong as normal mice.

Natural body building
The good news is there are people who are taking a stand and choosing not to take drugs to help them workout and build muscles. Organisations such as the British Natural Bodybuilding Federation, and the Association of Natural Body Building, promote body building without the use of drugs. The natural movement may be becoming more popular as people are increasingly finding the freaky body shapes that body builders who use drugs can develop, distasteful. Many body builders are also deciding they don’t want to put their health at risk by taking drugs. However natural body building may not always be an easy option for body builders, especially if they want to compete, as they are unlikely to be able to compete with body builders using drugs who are bigger and more muscular. The temptation to take drugs will always be there, as they find it takes a lot more hard work and patience to reach their goals, and that they are unlikely to achieve the same results as body builders who do use drugs. Whether body builders take drugs or not the drive for physical perfection is still there, and while natural body building is healthier, it could be argued that to achieve the physiques they want without drugs, body builders have to train much harder, and take more control of what they eat.

In conclusion
What is very clear is that body building by its very nature signifies difference; body builders want people to notice their muscular physiques, and in order to do this they need to be somewhat obsessive. Low self esteem and insecurities are often reasons people become immersed in the body building culture, as they can build up their muscles and receive positive comments on how they are looking. The body building culture can be a very destructive pastime and definitely has its ‘dark side’ including: drug taking, body image issues such as body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and obsessive exercising. Drug taking and obsessive exercising can be, and is, a factor in many other sporting activities; however anyone who wants to achieve competitive success in body building has little choice but to go to extremes. I think I may just stick to my swimming.

The science of happiness

To finish off a month of articles focusing on mental health, it seemed like a good idea to end on a positive note and have a further look at the science of happiness (see previous article ‘Pupils to be taught how to be happy …’ September 17th 2008).

Until recently psychology has focused on unhappiness, depression and anxiety. However in the 1990’s Dr Martin Seligman pioneered the study of ‘happiness’ with the focus on how to live a happy and contented life. This rapidly growing area of research has become known as ‘positive psychology’.

Happiness however, is not the easiest subject to research. It is inherently subjective, which makes it difficult to define and measure. It is also not constant and the happiest of people can and do have low days. Attempts at defining happiness could suggest it is to do with optimism, pleasure, satisfaction with life, or purely the absence of sadness but the list could go on. As well as problems defining happiness there are many other factors that can affect a person’s happiness, such the role of our genes in determining how satisfied people are with life. It is recognised that some people are born with a sunnier disposition than others.

In 1996 David Lyken from the University of Minnesota, suggested that each of us has a ‘happiness set point’ and whatever good, bad, amazing, or traumatic experiences we have in life we tend to revert back to our set range of happiness. This could explain why for example people who win a substantial amount of money on the lottery don’t end up being significantly happier, or why people who lose limbs in accidents can sometimes be extremely positive. At the time he had suggested trying to change a person’s ‘happiness set point’ is futile, however he now agrees with the findings of a wide range of more recent research suggesting that you can raise your levels of happiness.

The popularity of positive psychology, and the resulting research proposes that happiness levels can be changed; up or down. Whatever a person’s genetic disposition, other factors such as social conditions, environment and behaviour can have a big impact on people’s happiness. Psychologist Edward Diener (nicknamed; Dr Happiness) from the University of Illinois, has done a lot of research on how people adapt to new circumstances and life events. He found certain life events such as the loss of a spouse, could knock people lower than their ‘happiness set points’. Many other studies have put forward that there are things you can do to make yourself happier. One example of such research was carried out by the University of California: they found that participants who were encouraged to keep a diary of things they were thankful for were not only happier and more optimistic, but also had more energy, than those in another group who didn’t keep such a diary.

Seligman recognizes that happiness is subjective; however after many years of researching his studies suggest there are three components of happiness universal to everyone. These are the amount of pleasure people pursue and gain from their activities, engagement; the depth of involvement with ones family friends, work etc, and the meaning people place on their lives. Researchers in the field of positive psychology have come up with a range of different factors they believe may help towards someone leading a more satisfying life, and these are:

Nurture relationships with friends and family As found in all the research into happiness, one of the biggest factors affecting a person’s satisfaction with life appears to be the strength of their personal relationships. Investing time and energy into relationships increases our potential to be happy.

Count Your blessings Keeping a gratitude journal as mentioned above could have a significant affect on your levels of happiness. It is suggested you write three to five things you are thankful for, and this could include relatively small things such as; the bluebells flowering, or bigger experiences such as; a child’s first words. This could be done once a week on a Sunday. It is also suggested that showing gratitude to others can have a positive effect on our happiness.

Take care of your body Getting plenty of sleep; exercising and eating well can all help improve your mood. Exercising can release feel good endorphins. There have been links made between diets low in carbohydrates and low levels of serotonin. Eating complex carbohydrates, such as potatoes, grains, and fruit which release energy very slowly can help stabilise your energy and mood.

Practice acts of kindness (both random and planned) Being kind to others can make you feel capable, generous, and can give you a greater sense of connection with others. Acts of kindness can also win you smiles, and smiling can be contagious.
Savour life’s pleasures By paying attention to what is going on around us, and savouring momentary pleasures such as the warmth of the sun as we walk outside, can have an effect on our happiness. Some psychologists suggest taking mental pictures of pleasurable moments which we can review when we need them.

Develop strategies for coping with stress People use a number of strategies to help them cope with stress, such as repeating affirmations or sayings to themselves such as; ‘What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger’. In many of the studies a religious faith appears to help people cope. Practising meditation, and allowing the mind to rest from distracting and worrying thoughts, and the body to relax, also has been shown to have a very beneficial affect on a person’s happiness.

Learn to forgive However difficult you may find it to forgive someone who has wronged you, not forgiving them can lead to persistent rumination. Letting go of your anger and resentment can help you move on. One way you can do this is to write a letter of forgiveness. It is the process which can be healing; you do not necessarily have to send the letter.

If you do decide to try some of the strategies above, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see results quickly enough, especially if you’ve been living with sadness for a long time. Persistence is the key; it takes around 21 days for new activities to become a habit, and 6 months for them to become part of your lifestyle. Whether happiness is a skill that can be learnt is still an area of much debate. However on a personal level, I don’t think it can do any harm when trying to improve our mental health, to focus on what makes us happy, as opposed to what makes us sad, and it’s something we can all explore further if we want to.

Cornwall marks
World Mental Health day 2008

On Friday the 10th October a Mental Health fair took place at the Hall for Cornwall, to recognise and promote World Mental Health Day. With one in four people suffering from mental ill health at some point in their lives, World Mental Health day 2008 has two main aims:

• To highlight the need to provide more mental health services, so that everyone who needs support can access information and personalised treatment to help them in their recovery. In 2007 it was estimated that as many of 60% of people needing support, across the world, were not receiving any care. This was especially the case for disadvantaged people, such as people living in rural and isolated communities, and people who had relocated away from their native communities.
• To recognise how cultural difference can create extra barriers and to overcome and look at addressing these barriers. These barriers can include: coping with different languages, trying to maintain their own cultures, struggling with rejection in their new community, having difficulties in adapting to different cultural norms, and competing for the same resources. These barriers can be extremely stressful to deal with and contribute to mental ill health. It is suggested that mental health care providers need to be proactive in overcoming these barriers, addressing language differences, and incorporate sensitivity to differing cultural backgrounds and beliefs in their training, policies, and provision.

The Mental Health Fair was situated in the Boscawen Foyer of the Hall for Cornwall; which alongside a busy shopping street served as a perfect venue to attract shoppers and raise awareness of mental health issues. The day was promoted as a day of celebration and information, and entertainment from Samba band; Penzamba certainly grabbed people’s attention and lifted people’s spirits. For people with mental health problems, carers, support workers or any other interested parties there was a wealth of information available at the fair, with organisations from the public sector, the NHS, and the community and voluntary sector having stands at the fair providing information on their services. Upstairs in the Hall there were free complimentary therapy sessions being offered, as well as art and craft activities, and drama workshops people could get involved in. In line with the aims of the day the Mental Health Fair at Truro focused on improving access to psychological services, and delivering race equality in mental health services. Below are just a few of the organisations that attended the fair:

Pentreath ltd is a charity which provides training, work experience, and employment opportunities for people in Cornwall who are recovering from mental ill health. They support people to use and develop their skills, build their self esteem and confidence, and help them overcome barriers to work. Pentreath also employ the Community Development Workers for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities who had a stand at the entrance of the fair.

Research has suggested that many people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds believe that the Western/British mental health services are not geared up to meet their needs. Four Community Development workers have been employed to work with individuals, families, carers and communities to help them access services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, have more say in the way services are provided, and overcome barriers such as language difficulties. They also work with service providers, encouraging services to work together and ensuring that there is more training in Black and ethnic minority issues for mental health staff.

Some of the projects the Community Development Workers have already set up are: the Black Minority Ethnic Panel, an exciting new opportunity for people to have their say and influence service provision, and a Women’s health group meeting weekly in Newquay which allows women from diverse backgrounds and cultures to come together share experiences, keep fit and healthy, and improve understanding of the English language. For more information email: pentreath@pentreath.co.uk or phone 01726 862727.

Sharing the entrance to the fair was Outlook Southwest who is the main provider of primary care psychological services to people in Cornwall. It is estimated that 25% of visits to the doctor are about mental health, and that the Primary Care Trust provides around 90% of the mental health care. Outlook Southwest deliver a range of services within GP practices across Cornwall. Depending on individual needs they can provide: counselling, for people who are going through emotional upheaval which may be connected with major life changes, Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) for people with problems such as anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress, and depression, or they can direct people to self help resources such as books, websites and interactive computer programs backed up with regular contact.

They mostly provide appointments at GP surgeries; however there is also an option to attend evening sessions for people who cannot attend day time appointments. These are not available at all Surgeries so please ask your doctor for details. Outlook Southwest also have links to some useful information and resources on a range of mental health issues on their website: www.outlooksw.co.uk

The Cornwall Mental Health Forum is an independent organisation which works to support and protect the rights of people with people with mental health problems and their carers, as well as raising awareness of mental health issues. They act a source of information on local and countywide mental health resources, and publish a quarterly newsletter. They run a number of initiatives including supporting groups of people throughout Cornwall who wish to set up self help groups. They can offer practical as well as financial support to any group who wants to set up activities that may help reduce the effects of emotional distress. Other Forum initiatives include the Independent Visiting Scheme, where visitors (usually service users or carer’s) provide a confidential ear, helping people in hospital raise issues about their care, and signposting them onto other useful organisations. Information on the many self help groups across Cornwall, as well other services the Mental Health Forum support, can be found on their website and clicking on the mental health link: www.cornwallrcc.co.uk or by calling 01872 261037.

The Rural Community Link project (RCLP) offers services to help promote good mental health and reduce the isolation that people in the rural areas of Cornwall often feel. In the Restormel area of Cornwall, the RCLP run a number of Welcome groups, as well as being able to offer counselling to anyone not currently receiving counselling through the NHS. They also provide an Advocacy service, which aims to support and enable people with mental health problems to express their views and be listened to in situations where they may feel insecure.
Although the RCLP is based in Restormel, they are still able to offer a number of services covering the whole of Cornwall. These services include a Mental Health Carers Enablement Grant which can be awarded to carer’s of people with mental ill health. The grants can go towards any activities that allow the carer to have a break from their caring responsibilities including: funding hobbies, sporting activities, courses and paying for short breaks away. Their Community Enablement project assists people who are recovering from mental ill health to access opportunities such as training, fitness, and volunteering, in order to build their confidence and lead meaningful lives.

The Carers and Service Users Leaflet Line (CASULL) is another useful service run by RCLP. CASULL is a dedicated phone line, which you can ring to get information sent to you on a range of mental health and related issues. Their number is 01726 823515, and you can see what sort of information they have in their library by checking out the RCLproject website: www.rclproject.com

Books on prescription is a scheme run in partnership with the Cornwall Library Service. It provides a list of self help books available through your local library, which can be reserved for free if you obtain a signature from a healthcare professional. Leaflets on the service which list the books, and contain the reservation form to be signed are available at most GP surgeries. The service promotes books on a range of subjects including: depression, low self esteem, managing stress, panic attacks, and eating disorders.

The Community Mental Health Advocacy, part of the South of England Advocacy project, provides advocacy for people with mental health issues across Cornwall (apart from Restormel which is covered by the Rural Community Link Advocacy project). They provide experienced support workers who can help and support people with mental health problems to deal with issues connected with their care and treatment, and to ensure their voices are heard.

Get Moving for
World Mental Health day

To recognise and promote World Mental Health Day on October 10th, a series of articles looking at mental health will be posted on Jax Writers Spot throughout October. Extreme Bodies will return next month with an exploration of body building.

Everyone has days when they feel miserable; ups and downs are an inevitable part of life, however for some people these lows don’t go away, they can become overpowering and affect their ability to cope with everyday life. It is estimated 1 in 4 people in Britain will experience some form of mental distress at some point in their lives, yet there is still a lot of stigma attached to being mentally ill.

In a recent survey undertaken by the Department of Health (July 2007), when people were asked what they believed was meant by mental illness, 63% of the respondents defined mental illness as someone suffering from Schizophrenia. It is clear that there is a still a lot of misunderstanding surrounding what mental health is. When people think about mental ill health they often picture people who are not able to hide their distress, however many people with mental health problems do not come across as being ill; as they can put on a ‘well face’.

Mental ill health can take many forms. If you are feeling low, worthless, and unmotivated most days you may be experiencing depression, while constant and unrealistic worries about life could indicate you are suffering from anxiety. Depression and anxiety however often go hand in hand. Whether someone is feeling tearful everyday or finding they can’t cope with life, if the symptoms have lasted two weeks or more the first port of call should be the doctors. They should be able to look at a person’s individual circumstances, and assess the best way to help them.

Anxiety and depression can be a vicious circle, as it can slow you down mentally and physically, and as you do less it becomes even more difficult to do anything. Taking part in some sort of physical activity and becoming more active may be one way to break the circle.

Get moving
‘Get moving’ is a Country wide campaign to promote the benefits of physical exercise for mental wellbeing, which also aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health. For a whole week there are activities organised all over the country, from gardening, to walking, to football tournaments. The week will launch on the 4th of October, and continue until World Mental health day itself (10th October 08) when there will be a mass walk in Battersea Park in London.

The mile long walk across Battersea Park is from 10.30am to 1.00pm and starts and ends at the athletics track. For more information; look at the website, email getmoving@mind.org.uk or phone 02082153223.

If you want to get involved with any of the activities, and show your support for the millions of people who experience mental health distress, you can see what is happening in your area and pledge to take part at: www.getmovingweek.co.uk

Get moving is part of an initiative called ‘Time to change’ (formerly known as Moving people) which is a collaboration between Mind, Mental Health Media, Rethink and the Institute of Psychiatry, and is aimed at ending the discrimination that people with mental health issues often face.

Support and information for people in mental distress

Here are just a few useful organisations where people suffering from mental distress may be able to find some extra information and support:

Mind is a very proactive charity, offering support and information to anyone suffering from mental distress, as well as challenging discrimination and promoting the inclusion of people in all areas of society with mental ill health. The services they provide includes the MindinfoLine which provides callers with confidential help on a range of mental health issues, on 0845 766 0163 from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Mind produces over 100 publications, which are all available in full on their website. These include: ‘Understanding ……..’ booklets covering depression, anxiety and other mental health problems, as well as fact sheets with information ranging from how to cope, to seeking employment, and information on common medication.

There are also 200 local Mind associations, which work in accordance with Mind’s mission, but are run and funded independently. They offer a range of services from counselling to support groups. You can search for a group local to you from their website: www.mind.org.uk

The Depression Alliance provides information and support for people suffering from depression. They have a range of publications which can be downloaded for free from their website, although as they are a charity they do appreciate a donation. Alternatively you can get hard copies of their publications by post. They also have a pen friend and email service for people in mental distress.

On their website, they have a range of useful information including; tips for friends and family for helping someone suffering from depression, and ideas for people to help themselves. For more information go to www.depressionalliance.org

Anxiety UK (formerly the National Phobics Society) is a charity supporting people with anxiety disorders, which is run by people who have, or have had problems with anxiety themselves. It provides information and support through a range of services, such as on online forum, email support and helpline (08444 775 774 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday).

Anxiety UK’s website offers a range of information on subjects such as: different anxiety disorders, medication, and how to cope with phobias. As it is a charity, it also offers specialist services to people who become members for an annual fee. For more information go to www.anxietyuk.org.uk

The Samaritans are probably one of the most well known organisations offering 24 hour confidential emotional support for anyone experiencing feelings of despair, including those which may lead to thoughts of harming themselves in some way. As well as their 24 hour helpline 08457 90 90 90 they can also offer support via email, letter and face to face in one of their 201 branches around the UK. For more information go to www.samaritans.org

Pupils to be taught how to be happy but
Can happiness really be taught?

Should the bible’s account of how the world was created be taught in science lessons? Will teaching children how to cook tackle the obesity epidemic? The content of the school curriculum has always been the subject of much debate, especially when it comes to how involved teaching should be in the moral, social, ethical, and the emotional upbringing of children. Last week it was reported that talks were underway between government ministers and Dr Martin Seligman, a pioneer of positive psychology, to decide whether happiness lessons should be part of the school curriculum. Around 1,500 11 year olds have already embarked on happiness courses as part of a pilot scheme run in 22 schools and this now looks set to be introduced nationally.

The idea we can teach people to be happy was pioneered by Dr Seligman in the 1990’s. He questioned why the study of psychology focused more on misery, illness, and suffering than looking at how to live a happy and contented life. Advocates of teaching happiness in the UK include; Lord Richard Layard from the London school of Economics who believes the central purpose of schools should be to teach the secrets of happiness, and Anthony Sheldon, headmaster of Wellington College, who in 2006 decided to timetable in lessons on how to be happy, challenge pessimistic thoughts and cope with the challenges of life.

Anthony Sheldon suggested that in order for students to be successful in life after school they need to be taught essential life skills. Leaving school with good qualifications, but without emotional intelligence means they still may not get on in life that well. He felt it was important to teach happiness at an age when the characters of pupils were still developing. He also suggested part of preparing students for life at University, is not only to prepare them for the academic work, but also enable them to cope with other possible aspects of university life such as loneliness, and rejection in love.

One of the main arguments against teaching happiness in schools is that it is the role of parents to give their children a positive outlook on life, and not teachers. The core purpose of education is to teach academic subjects. At a time when teachers are finding it a challenge to get children to engage in the core subjects, it is argued that happiness lessons will only serve as a distraction from the job of gaining a real education. Teachers are also not qualified to teach happiness. With teaching being one of the most stressful occupations, undertaking training would not only add to a teacher’s workload, it may also increase their sense of responsibility for the upbringing of children not their own.

Anthony Sheldon argues that if schools don’t teach happiness then they may not learn it anywhere else, and that education is actually about preparing young people for life in the fullest sense. He suggests we are turning children out into the world who don’t have a strong sense of identity. With mental health problems on the increase in the young, happiness lessons may be able to help children explore how to avoid and minimize negative emotions, and teach them how to deal with them when they do occur. He puts forward these lessons will help them learn more about themselves.

However Frank Furedi, who is a professor of Sociology at the University of Kent, suggests instead of helping to reduce mental health problems amongst the young, happiness lessons could actually increase the incidents of mental ill health. He argues that children are highly suggestible, and participating in emotional education encourages insular and inward thinking which may make them less likely to engage with the outside world. He argues that the rise of ‘psychobabble’ in the classroom has seen a corresponding rise in mental health problems, and more young people seeking professional support.

Seligman disagrees and points out that there is evidence suggesting that happiness classes can make people happier. This is backed up by research carried out by the University of California where one group of participants were encouraged to write down five things for which they were grateful for regularly. The people in the group who did this were happier and more optimistic than those in another group who didn’t. Psychologists at the University also found that these gratitude exercises did more than just lift the participant’s mood; they also improved the participant’s energy levels and physical health.

Happiness is however inherently subjective, which makes it practically impossible to define or measure. Attempts at defining happiness could suggest happiness was to do with optimism, pleasure, satisfaction with life, or purely the absence of sadness, but the list could go on. Whatever happiness is, it is not always constant, even the cheeriest of people can and do have low days. Due to its subjective nature it does seem like it would also be difficult to teach. What makes one person happy will not necessarily make another person happy and a single set of tools is unlikely to work for everyone. While one person may feel fulfilled and happy by tackling something they feel is a challenge, another person’s happiness could be improved by having a relaxing day, and doing nothing much at all.

Seligman recognizes that happiness is subjective and different things make different people happy, however after many years of researching his studies suggest there are three components of happiness universal to everyone. These are the amount of pleasure people pursue and feel from their activities, engagement; the depth of involvement with ones family friends, work etc, and the meaning people place on their lives. He believes you can raise your level of happiness by becoming more engaged in what you do, finding ways of making your life more meaningful, and savouring your experiences so you get more pleasure out of them.

Whether someone can learn from Seligman’s theories could also be determined by other factors that affect a person’s mood such as genetic make up, and/or social conditions. Some people are born with a sunnier disposition than others, and are able to cope with knock backs in life more effectively. This can be illustrated by people who have lost the use of limbs due to an accident still having an optimistic view of life, or people winning the lottery and finding they are still unhappy. Whatever a person’s genetic disposition, social conditions can also have a big impact on their happiness. Children having to deal with real problems at home, such as caring for an ill parent or witnessing domestic violence, may not be able to take on board lessons about how to be happy.

Seligman suggests happiness lessons will be able to help children regardless of their genes and social circumstances. He recognises the childhood experience of some is fraught and stressful while for others their upbringing is happy and secure. Pupils arrive at school with varying psychological, emotional and social experiences, and not dealing with these issues may indeed cause problems for pupils in later life. Seligman suggests happiness classes will teach students the skills they need to start overcoming these problems, address the issues and be better equipped to get on with life. Also having children with a range of experiences in the classes, means they can learn from each other.

This brief article has not even begun to scratch the surface of the study of positive psychology, but it does throw up a lot of questions such as: Can happiness actually be taught at all? Does focusing on our moods and feelings encourage insular thinking? And should it be the role of schools to teach happiness, or should the responsibility of imparting a positive outlook on life be left with families? With some schools struggling to provide a core education and with many teachers already overworked, I am not sure whether school is the place to teach happiness. However on a personal level, I don’t think it can do any harm when trying to improve ones mental health, to focus on what makes us happy, as opposed to what makes us sad, and this is something we can all explore further if we want to.

Extreme Bodies

Throughout history people have painted, pierced, tattooed, adorned and even reshaped their bodies. ‘Extreme Bodies’ is a series of articles (posted once a month) exploring the history of body modification. As the first two articles in the series discussed the traditional practice of female genital surgery and then foot binding in China, this month I thought it was probably time for a bit of light relief, with an exploration of the history of tattooing.

The history of Tattooing

The word tattoo comes from Tahitian word ‘tatu’ meaning to mark something. People have been marking their bodies with permanent designs for thousands of years, and it is quite remarkable how there doesn’t seem to be a corner of the earth that tattooing hasn’t reached. From marks of pride, to marks of shame, signs of religious belief, or membership of a group, declarations of love, or simply for adornment, the purposes and styles of tattoos have varied through history and from culture to culture. This article takes a brief look at some of the reasons put forward as to why people have taken to marking their bodies, followed by exploration of the distinctive tattoos of the Maori people.

Tattooing to illustrate social status
In the past, one of the reported similarities of tattoos from different cultures was that tattoos illustrated a person’s status, such as their position within a tribe. In Borneo, for example, it was traditional for women to be the tattooists, and they tattooed symbols of their skills and profession on their arms, which in turn would illustrate their status and marriageability. Similarly, they tattooed men with designs indicating their station in life and the tribe they belonged to. In some cultures tattooing was just reserved for the dominant figures in the community, and was supposed to signify their importance and power.

In other areas of the world tattoos seemed to have completely the opposite meaning, and demonstrated a lower social standing in society. Ancient Greeks and Romans commonly used tattooing as a punishment. Branding marks were tattooed on slaves, and convicts and gladiators would be tattooed on the face. It is also reported that in sixth century Japan, tattooing was used to identify criminals, and the symbols used would identify where they carried out their crimes. Tattooing was portrayed as one of the most severe forms of punishment.

Tattoos signifying membership of groups
Throughout history and across the diverse cultures that practised tattooing, designs identifying the bearer to a certain tribe are commonplace. Celtic tribes, Native Americans, Maori tribes, and tribes from Borneo, and the Polynesian Islands all had their own designs for tattoos. Tribal tattoos were of great importance to their members, who could read each others tattoos to reveal their origin, and the hierarchy of the person within the group.

Tattoos identifying people to a group has remained popular in modern culture. One example is gang tattoos, where members are tattooed with their gang’s symbol. The purpose of these tattoos would be to show their commitment to their gang, as well as the tattoos revealing the beliefs of the gang, such as if they are a racist group. They may also have tattoos done which could identify whether the bearer has been in jail or killed anyone.

Other examples of tattoos signifying membership of a group include biker tattoos, and religious tattoos which could be considered to identify people to a certain religious group.

Tattooing for health
In many cultures it was believed tattooing could help ward off illness. One common practice would be to tattoo a symbol of a god onto someone who was ill, to help them fight the illness. In ancient Egypt it is reported that women were tattooed on the leg to protect them from the dangers of childbirth. In 1991 a frozen body of Bronze Age man was discovered, which made the headlines all over the world. ‘Otzi the ice man’ (as he was named) had 57 tattooed marks on him including; a cross of his inside left knee, and straight lines positioned above his kidneys. Theorists have suggested these marks may have been tattooed for health reasons to possibly help treat arthritis.

Tattoos for protection and spiritual well-being
A recurring belief in many cultures was that certain tattoos could help with a safe passage to the after life. From the tribes in Borneo to the Sioux in North Dakota, tattoos have been seen as a passport to the world beyond, and in many cultures this was believed to have involved crossing a river to the land of the dead. Having the right tattoo was considered very important, as without it a person would not be recognised, and therefore be able to pass to the land of the spirits.

In other cultures, animals images and totems were tattooed to help people identify with the animal spirit, and to evoke their power to help with hunting and to ensure protection. In Polynesian culture it was believed having tattoos illustrated and increased the ‘mana’ (spiritual power) of the adorned, and enabled them to communicate more closely with the gods.

Even within Christianity, despite the marking of the body being prohibited in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19.28), crusaders going into battle would tattoo small crosses on their hands to ensure they got a Christian burial. Tattoos have long since been used as a symbol by people to express their identity and faith, and religious tattoos such as crosses, angels and doves are popular tattoos today.


Maori Tattoos
According to Maori legend, the art of tattooing started with a young man ‘Mataora’ who fell in love with a princess from the underworld called ‘Niwareka’. One day Mataora beat Niwareka and she fled to her father’s realm ‘Uetonga’. Wracked with guilt Mataora went to the underworld to find his love, and eventually managed to get to Uetonga with his face all muddy and dirty from his journey. Niwareka forgave him and before they returned to the human world, her father taught him the art of ‘Ta Moko’ (the process of tattooing).

Probably the most distinctive tattoos in the world are Maori tattoos. The tattoos are known as ‘moko’ and are an important part of Maori culture. Apart from slaves and commoners most Maori men were tattooed on the face, often with big spiral designs and curved shapes. Maori moko were unique as the process also involved making incisions into the skin, so that scars are formed. The tattoos were done using a bone chisel with a serrated or extremely sharp edge, which was then struck with a mallet. After grooves had been made in the skin, the chisel would be dipped in a sooty pigment such as a mixture of vegetables and dead caterpillars or burnt wood, and colouring would commence. Tattooing for men commenced at puberty and marked a young mans rite of passage. As a man went through life, any important milestones would be interpreted into a design and tattooed onto their bodies.

Ta Moko (the process of tattooing) was long and painful, and as battles occurred frequently there often wasn’t much time for healing. There were also strict rules to follow while the moko was healing, including absolutely no sexual intimacy, as well as not being able to eat any solid food. This meant that food needed to be liquidised and fed to them through a wooden funnel. Sometimes leaves from the native ‘Karuka’ tree were placed on the wounds to aid healing, and it was also believed that flute music and chanting poems would help alleviate the pain.

Facial moko were a great source of pride for men which they believed made them more attractive to women and fierce in battles. For women tattoos were not as elaborate, and having their lips outlined and coloured in with solid blue was considered very beautiful. For men their moko served as a sign of identity. Different areas of the face related to different aspects of their identity. For example; moko on the central forehead referred to their rank, moko on their cheek referred to what they did for work, and moko on each side of the face indicated their ancestry, one side from their mother’s side and the other from their father’s side.

It is suggested that the art of tattooing along with other Maori traditions, started to die out after the coming of European settlers

Since the 1990’s Maori traditions seem to be having a revival, and also spreading to the West, which has caused a lot of controversy. The bold patterns and symbols used in moko are very appealing to people wanting tattoos. However the messages contained within the moko are of great importance to the Maori, as they tell of the wearer’s value, genealogy and social standing. Copying these designs would be considered to be stealing a part of someone’s identity and therefore insulting to the Maori people. For anyone interested in having a Maori inspired tattoo it would be a good idea to search out a tattooist who is knowledgeable about these issues, and can design a tattoo without the symbolic ties.

More recent history
Whereas in the past tattoos were often associated with the higher classes within society, by the 1900’s they was losing their popularity and it could be said the popularity of tattooing crossed the classes, when tattooing became popular among sailors. It almost became a ritual for sailors to mark their visits to ports by getting drunk, laid and tattooed. This most probably contributed to the negative stigmatisation of people with tattoos that occurred from the 1940’s onwards. In the 1960’s rock stars such as Janis Joplin started getting tattoos, and these were seen as a political statement of their non conformity and rebellious streak. The perception of tattooing has certainly changed a lot over the years and is not now confined to people from certain classes or cultures, or to illustrate a person’s non conformity. Tattoos also generally don’t have the deep meanings, importance and symbolism they may have had in the past. Today an increasing number of people from all walks of life, from white collar professionals to middle aged mums, are choosing to get tattoos to express their individuality and ultimately decorate their bodies.