Exercise to your ability NOT your age

Don’t let age be a factor when determining what exercise you do

We all know exercise is good for us but research has shown that exercise in older adults is linked to lower disease risk, reduced risks of falls and better overall health. Our bodies change as we age, but this shouldn’t change our attitudes towards exercise. We simply need to choose the type of exercise that is suitable for our ability. Whether it’s low intensity activities (walking, jogging, cycling), HITT (high intensity interval training) or resistance training- don’t let age be a limiting factor.

Exercise is also shown to improve mental health, well being, cognitive function and improve life expectancy. We should all aim to be physically active daily and get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week . Simple things like reducing the amount of time sitting or lying down can make a difference.

So not matter your age- let your ability be the factor that determines your physical health.

To read more about this topic click here.

The dangers of heatwaves

Heatwaves – a double ended sword

Although we have all been enjoying the glorious sunshine, the rise in temperature not only causes sun burn to your skin, but it can also harm our mental health.

Hotter temperatures increase the level of the stress hormone- cortisol and there’s also evidence that our bodies produce more adrenaline and testosterone in warmer temperatures, which can make people more aggressive and make violent behaviour more likely.

Those with dementia or other serious mental illnesses are also more at risk due to their limited ability of elf care. Certain psychiatric medications can also inhibit temperature regulation, making dangerous heatstroke more likely.

So remember, if the temperatures continue to rise, try to make the time to reach out to the vulnerable and ill and… keep yourself cool!

To find out more or have your say click here.

Rehabilitation

Occupational therapy and rehabilitation

RCOT Chief Executive, Julia Scott explain why she feels occupational therapists are fundamental in rehabilitation.

The RCOT provides resources and guidelines to plan and structure appropriate therapy, particularly with people recovering from COVID 19. To access their resources and find out more click here.

Staying safe while travelling abroad

Keep up to date with health risks of your destination

The government has recently made changes to its travel policies, with the requirement to self isolate for 14 days being lifted for certain countries. Remember the current advice is to avoid all but essential international travel, however these countries are exempt from this advice.

Click here for advice and guidance about what to pack, what to do when you arrive at your destination and what you need to do on return to the UK.

Evidence updates

Keeping up to date with current awareness

The next chapter in our plan to rebuild: the UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy. Cabinet Office; 2020.
This additional chapter to the recovery strategy sets out the next stages of our plan. It looks ahead to the coming months, covering the tools we will use to suppress the virus, the challenges that winter will bring and how we are preparing for these, and our ambition for continuing to reopen the economy and society when it is safe to do so. The ‘CONTAIN Framework’ sets out how local authorities and national Government will work together to manage local outbreaks.

Remodelling elective hospital services in the COVID-19 era: designing the new normal. King LA. Future Healthcare Journal 2020;7(3):1-4.
The writers suggest six major themes which could affect the design and delivery of elective clinical services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: hospital avoidance, separation of high- and low-risk groups, screening, maintenance of adequate infection control, and new ways of working.

Over-Exposed and Under-Protected: The Devastating Impact of COVID-19 on Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Great Britain. Runnymede Trust; 2020.
Black and minority ethnic people are over-represented in COVID-19 severe illness and deaths. This is according to almost every analysis of COVID-19 hospital cases and deaths in the UK by ethnicity carried out by the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC), Office for National Statistics, Institute for Fiscal Studies and Public Health England, among others. COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on ethnic minority community


Coronavirus and the common cold

New research suggests that infection from a common cold could generate an immune response to COVID -19

The article focuses on one arm of the immune response – the B and T cells which produce antibodies. It shows that people keep T cells from the mild coronaviruses long enough to interact with a new challenge by SARS-CoV-2, meaning that those T cells might recognise SARS-CoV-2 and help to clear the infection. Could this possibly provide an answer as to why some people have less severe effects compared to others? Click here to read more.

To read the whole research, conducted by La Jolla Institute for Immunology click here.

Antibodies latching onto a coronavirus to neutralise it.
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/antibodies-attacking-sarscov2-virus-conceptual-3d-1700617951

Centre for mental health

Local authorities and public mental health

In order to stay healthy and avoid serious distress we need to place emphasis on our mental wellbeing to prevent mental health problems. What better way to do this, than to work together and collaborate different strategies and initiatives?

Local authorities play a key role in improving mental health in their communities, to bring people together and reduce inequalities. A recent report written with the Local Government Association, argues that people’s mental wellbeing will play a crucial role in every aspect of recovery planning, including schools reopening, workers returning from furlough, people who have been shielding, and in dealing with the economic and housing consequences of coronavirus (Covid-19).

The report highlighted 4 common principles:

  1. Public mental health is everyone’s business
  2. Collaboration
  3. Place-based approaches
  4. Taking a holistic approach

It concludes that a national focus is needed on helping everyone stay mentally well, backed up by funding for councils.

To read the full report click here.

BMJ Live

A free virtual conference

BMJ are hosting a live, virtual conference taking place between 15-17th October.

The event will feature a range of sessions covering clinical webinars, leadership skills, career progression, one-to-one careers advice and wellbeing. You can create your own online agenda so you can attend sessions the most relevant to your needs.

To book your place click here.

Empowering the future

What can we learn from Natalia Cohen?

For those of you who attended the LiA conference last Tuesday, I’m sure you too will have been inspired by their guest speaker – Natalia Cohen. She was part of a 6 women team who were the first team to row from California to Australia on an ocean rowing boat to raise money and promote their 2 charities. She highlighted what she learnt while living in the ocean for 9 months and how life really is ‘like a wave’, which we have to ride one wave at a time.

So what can we learn from her? She highlighted tips for a great team, to be thankful for the life we have and highlighted the importance of focusing on the positives – something we probably need to do now more than ever.Some of her top tips, which are applicable both in our home and work lives;

  1. To believe in yourself
  2. Accept challenges that come your way
  3. Support each other and connect
  4. We can only control the controllable
  5. Enjoy the journey!

An inspirational story from an inspirational woman! To watch her speech click here.

Listening into Action (LiA)

Influencing our future at the NHS

The team want your input, opinions and ideas to identify ways we can improve as a Trust, to enhance not only your experience, but fellow colleagues, service users and patients. Their aim is to make the Trust a great place to work in, which in turn will only have a positive impact on the quality of care provided to our patients.

The LiA team held an event on Tuesday to celebrate the achievements already made. from 1st July 2019, 6,489 ideas for change were identified by staff within the trust. From that 15 teams were created to improve staff experience, from digital teams to equality and diversity, all staff from all stages in their career were listened to. Take a look at the different teams and their accomplishments here.

To complete the survey and voice your opinions, complete this survey by Friday, 4th September.