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Four Things To Do On Your Lunch Break

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When you’re extremely busy at work and need every available hour of the day to get your work finished, it’s easy to slip into a bad habit during your lunch break. It’s not uncommon for many people to eat at their desks and power through the break to get ahead, but this habit is really not good for your health and can actually make you less productive during the remaining hours of the day. It’s important to give yourself a little headspace and step away from the computer screen during lunch. There are plenty of ways to re-energise yourself and get ready for the afternoon ahead. Be strict with yourself and ensure you make this a regular routine, and you’ll see the benefits for your concentration in no time. 

Get Some Fresh Air

Remove yourself from the office to avoid work temptations and spend the lunch break enjoying some fresh air. Whether it’s sitting on a park bench eating some lunch, stretching your legs on a circular walk or indulging in some vaping from Ultimate Juice, use the time relieve some stress and catch some rays before heading back indoors. The change of scene will really break up the day and give you some much-needed motivation for the afternoon hours. 

park bench with autumn leaves


Read a Book

If you struggle to take your mind off work and need a good distraction when you leave your desk, why not get stuck into the latest gripping novel for the time you have available. Reading is the perfect activity to put down and pick up throughout the story, which is perfect when you only have a limited break. It will also draw you away from your colleagues for a short spell, who no doubt love to talk about office politics during lunch. Absorb yourself in your Amazon Kindle and avoid getting involved in the latest gossip, it’s the best way to really get a break from work during the day. 

book open on white background with glasses and coffee

Catch Up With Friends

If you work in a location close to some of your friends, your lunch break is an ideal time to schedule in a meetup and catch up with their latest news. As everyone is so busy these days, with work and family commitments, this is a great way to keep in touch on a regular basis without eating into your precious weekend hours. Grab a quick coffee down the road from your office or sit in the park on a sunny spring day, just remember to keep an eye on the time and don’t be late back to the office. 

Exercise

So many people struggle to fit exercise into their daily lives but spend their lunch break scrolling on their phones or twiddling their thumbs, so why not use the time more wisely and do some exercise before eating lunch. There are plenty of exercise classes that are short enough to fit into a lunch break or why not follow CrossFit HQ on YouTube, 15 minutes is all you really need giving you plenty of time to refresh yourself before needing to be back at your desk. It’s important to move your body when you’ve been sat at your desk all day, and the exercise will give you a much-needed energy boost for the afternoon. 

How do you spend your lunch break?

cafe view from above


Disclosure: This is a collaborative post

Word of the Week #37 – Poorly

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Hello and welcome to the home of Word of the Week, a nice and simple weekly linky, with everyone welcome to pop by and share. The idea of the linky is to reflect back on your past week and share it with us. It’s great if you can sum it up in a word or phrase, hence giving us your Word of the Week. My word this week is poorly and you can read more about that below.

I’m not totally strict on using just a word or phrase but please try to stick to the theme of summing up your week.

There are not too many rules with this linky, just remember to read at least another couple of posts in the link up after adding your link. I will read and comment on all posts and tweet them out for you. I also have a Pinterest board devoted to Word of the Week and I will add posts to Mix Please add the badge below to your post so that others may find us and join in. If you comment or tweet then please use the hashtag #WotW

Word of the Week is open from 6am on Friday Morning to 12 noon on Monday. Plenty of time to join in!

If you are unfamiliar with the Word of the Week linky then please feel free to ask any questions. New linkers are always welcome, we love to hear what you have been up to in the past week.

MY WORD OF THE WEEK

Poorly

a packet of pills with the word Poorly

Me being poorly is nothing new. I went to the GP on Monday to get some test results and guess what? They were not labelled correctly and so haven’t been done! So now I’ve had to have new ones sent off and I need the result before my hospital treatment on Monday. Fat chance of that. Maybe I can get a Dr to see me there?

The kids have been back to school just a few days and already they are bringing home the bugs. The Little Man was first, then Graham got sick. Both Boo and Star were feeling unwell, and finally I had to let Star have the day off on Thursday as she was so poorly.

We also had to take our poor cat to the Vet on Wednesday as she has been suffering with a problem around her tail. We had no idea what was wrong. It turns out that she has a skin infection and the Vet gave her a steroid injection which should help. We also picked up some prescribed flea treatments as the ones we are using don’t seem to be doing their job.

In other news, I did get a lovely night out with my friend on Wednesday. We went to see Matthew Bournes Romeo + Juliet. It was truly stunning and very original. You can see my review here if you wish.

Now it’s your turn, what word or phrase sums up your week this week?

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Rehabilitation: What Is Involved and How Can It Help?

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a fence with trees behind it and three signs saying, don't give up, you are not alone and You matter.

While medication, therapy, and family support are often invaluable in a person’s recovery from mental health or addiction, sometimes a more intense approach is required in the form of residential rehabilitation. These facilities can offer programs for teenagers and adults suffering alcohol or drug addiction as well as a wide range of mental health conditions. These centers will offer a wide range of treatment programs which will be tailored to suit the individual depending on their needs. Here is a brief introduction to the types of treatment which could be included in a rehabilitation program for mental health conditions, substance misuse or addiction. 

What is residential rehabilitation?

There are lots of facilities which offer residential or inpatient treatment programs. This means that the patient lives at the center for a certain period of time where they receive 24/7 care. The facilities are available for people recovering from substance misuse, addiction, or mental health problems. Some rehabilitation centers will focus on a particular issue or group such as Ignite Teen Treatment which works with teenagers. In some cases a residential or inpatient treatment program is not necessary, and an outpatient arrangement would be more beneficial. This means the individual will attend appointments or therapy sessions during the day but return to their own home at night.

Types of treatment

Often multiple types of treatment are combined to provide the most effective treatment program depending on the individual’s needs.

Medication or medical detox

There are several options when it comes to mental health medication, and it may take some trial and error to find the right type and dosage for the patient. This is something which is done under medical supervision in a rehabilitation facility. People undergoing a medical detox for substance addiction should also be under medical supervision as complications can arise. 

Talking therapy or counseling

Counseling gives patients the opportunity to meet with a counselor or therapist who will listen to them talk about their feelings while helping them to come to terms with their condition. This could include learning to understand their triggers and to develop healthy coping mechanisms which they can use when they return home after rehabilitation.

Experiential therapy

Some people respond well to experiential therapy which involves the use of activities or props to work through past experiences and emotions. This could be done through role-play, crafts, music, interaction with animals or art. 

Family therapy 

To ensure that the patient is supported in all aspects of their life, it’s sometimes recommended that family members also take part in therapy either with their family member or just with the counselor. This may help them to gain a deeper understanding of what their family member is going through and how they can help them in their recovery.

How rehabilitation can help

Giving a teenager or adult a calm and safe space with tailored medical care and a break from the stresses and worries of everyday life can be very much like a retreat. With focused care, structure, and supervision, they can focus on their recovery without the triggers they have at home, work or school, and learn healthier coping strategies.

a hand reaching up to a cloudy sky

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post

Romeo + Juliet – Are You Mad!

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Last night I went see the Ballet, Romeo + Juliet at The Birmingham Hippodrome. However, it was not your usual story or ballet though because it was a Matthew Bourne production.

The cover of the program for Matthew Bourne's Romeo+Juliet featuring the two young lovers in an embrace.

It was not the first Matthew Bourne ballet I have seen, I wrote a post on Cinderella last year. It was the familiar(ish) story but set in the 1940s during the war. The Prince was actually a soldier and the ball was an underground venue that was heavily bombed. You’ll have to read my review if you want to know more.

Romeo And Juliet

This reveiw comes with lots of spoilers so be warned. However, it doesn’t matter how much I tell you, it will be nothing like actually seeing the performance!

The Music

The score was Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet, one of the most well-known ballet scores. When it was written Prokofiev had a lot of trouble with it as the music was considered un-danceable due to it’s symphonic nature.

Mathew Bourne chose to create his version on a more intimate scale than usually found in traditional ballet. The score was re-created for a smaller chamber ochestra of 15 players. This new version was not a reduction of Prokofiev but a re-imagination of the orchestration.

One of the things my friend and I noticed was that it was not the usual musical perfomance of Romeo and Juliet but it really did work with the dancing.

The Dancing

Which brings me to the dancing. This was a New Adventures Production and includes a young cast from local dancers. It’s definitely more of a modern style of ballet, if you are expecting the twirls and lifts like in the Nutcracker you will be surprised. If you think more along the lines of the dancer in the video for Sia’s ‘Chandelier‘ You’ll be closer to the mark.

The Story

Act One

The ballet begins in the Verona Institute (for the mentally unstable) in the not to distant future. We see the inmates both behaving and mishbehaving and the guards keeping them in order.

Juliet is one of the patients in the institute and she is picked out by one of the guards, Tybalt, and taken away and raped. (this happens behind the scenes but it’s quite obvious what has happened.)

Then we are introduced to Romeo who is brought into the institute by his parents, the Senator and Mrs Montague.

My friend and I were confused as to who where the Montagues and the Capulets but we concluded that the Montagues were represented by Romeo, his Parents and the guards, whereas the Capulets where the patients in the institute. (a bit different, eh!)

The ball is actually a disco set up by Rev. Laurence complete with disco ball. This is the first time we see the patients of the instute in other than plain white clothing. They party all night but the main focus is the meeting of Romeo with Juliet.

After the party there is a really romantice dance seen with just Romeo and Juliet. I found this pretty emotional, beautiful and amazing. My heart melted and I’m not really a romantic type.

Then Tybalt the guard gets angry because he wants Juliet to himself. He sets about killing Romeo with a gun but during a scuffle, partly off stage, it’s Mercutio that gets shot and killed. Then Romeo retaliates along with the other inmates and strangles Tybalt. End of Act One and a stunned audience.

Act Two

The instute wants to get rid of Romeo so his VIP parents are called in. But they don’t want to take responsibility so write a cheque for them to keep him in. Romeo doesn’t want to leave his precious Juliet so he’s happy to stay.

Meanwhile we see Juliet distressed and feeling suicidal because she believes she has lost her beloved Romeo. She is hiding a knife under her pillow but is thwarted from her suicide attempt by the arrival of a guard to check on her.

When Juliet realises that Romeo is still in the instute The Rev. Laurence arranges for the young lovers to spend the night together, and we believe we are in for another romantic scene.

It starts off romantic but as it gets more heated Juliet has flashbacks to her rape and Romeo is replaced by Tybalt. She grabs her knife and stabs him. It’s only when Romeo is dying that she realises what she has done so she stabs herself. The show ends with the two dying lovers and lots and lots of stage blood.

Final Thoughts.

Matthew Bourne’s ballet is not for everyone, but it’s a truly stunning experience to go and see one. He’s not afraid of expressing a lot of taboo subjects and throwing them straight at you, homosexuality, sex, violence, mental health, rape etc. And it’s all displayed by the form of dance in a captivating perfomance. He takes a traditional story with traditonal music and puts a completely different spin on it all.

I can’t wait to see The Red Shoes next year.

The program comes with a disclaimer.

If youre affected by any of the themes in Matthew Bournes Romeo and Juliet, you may find help and support form the following organistations: Mind at mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393. Young Minds at youngminds.org.uk or call 0808 802 5544. Childline at childline.org.uk or call 0800111. For further information and signposting visit Heads Together at headstogether.org.uk.

This is a review because I wanted to record my experience. My friend paid for the tickets.

Twin Mummy and Daddy

The Kuga, Our New Car

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Ford Kuga

our new car, a Ford Kuga

Meet our new car, a Ford Kuga. I think it’s pretty nice. It’s not exactly what we wanted and I can’t drive it because it is not adapted. But it’s still nice to have a new car.

Motability Scheme

We get our cars on the Motability Scheme.

The Motability Scheme enables anyone in receipt of a higher rate mobility allowance (such as the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment or the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance) to use their mobility allowance to lease a car, scooter, powered wheelchair or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. The Scheme provides flexible and hassle-free access to a brand new, reliable vehicle of your choice – giving you greater freedom, everyday.

The cars are not free, you give up your benefit, or part of it, to pay a monthly lease fee. The car does not belong to you at any time and can be taken away if your benefit stops. After three years you have to give the car back, but if you are still entitled you can choose a replacement and start again.

Benefits of the Motability Scheme

When you think about it, it’s a pretty expensive way of getting a new car. You can buy a new car for the same weekly price (or less) and the car will belong to you. But the Motability scheme comes with many benefits such as:

  • Insurance for up to 3 named drivers
  • Break Down Recovery
  • Services and MOTs
  • Adaptations that would cost a fortune to have fitted yourself

When you add it all up it is worth it. Even when both myself and Graham were in full time work. (Before I got sick) we couldn’t afford a new car. My cars (As I was the only driver then) were usually second hand and pretty old. We’d end up having to fork out loads of money for MOTs and repairs. And I had to pay seperately for Break Down Recovery. I had built up a 10 year no claims bonus on my insurance, but even that was an extra expense.

Why Do We Need A Car?

When I first got sick in 2016 we already had a motability car for Star. She’d had surgery on her spine and was too ill to go to school for 11 months. The criteria changed for being accepted for a car and we no longer qualified for Star. She’d recovered from her spinal surgery, but the condition that caused it was still present. However, because she could walk more than 20 metres the car was taken away.

At the time we didn’t mind. I was the only driver and I had been unable to drive for two months anyway, so the car was just sitting there. We would have been sending it back as soon as we’d got around to it, but I was still hopeful of recovery at the time.

Then I was loaned a wheelchair from a friend and I started being able to go out again. We soon learned how difficult it was getting on buses with a wheelchair, especially ones full of pushchairs and prams. Travelling was a nightmare. We even went on holiday by train, the holiday had already been booked and paid for before I got sick, so we didn’t want to waste it. The journey involved two trains, all our luggage and three young children. It wasn’t enjoyable.

It got to the stage where I didn’t want to leave the house, going anywhere at all was a pain. Long times in my wheelchair where causing even more pain. After six months I also realised that I was not going to recover.

My First Adapted Car

When we qualified again for a Motability car I went to see about getting on with hand controls so I could drive again. We had a Skoda Yeti which had a push and pull hand control with a little indicator on the top, so I could do everything with one hand. This left only one hand to steer, so I was provided with a knob to put on the steering wheel which made it much easier to turn.

It took a while to learn how to drive it, and we had some freedom back for a while. At the same time Graham was learning to drive as well.

Giving up Driving

I drove the yeti for a few months but when Graham got his licence I handed the wheel over to him. I barely drove again, not only did I never really get used to hand controls, I found it painful to drive. And although I was given the go ahead to drive on my medication, the letter states that I should do so only if I felt I was able. Which was not very often.

When it was time to replace the Yeti we decided not to have adaptations on the Kuga and I gave up driving. This made me feel much sadder than I expected and kind of took the shine off receiving our new car. It didn’t help that the new car is manual when the Yeti was automatic. Graham was so used to driving automatic it took him a couple of weeks to get the hang of it.

Getting used to the Kuga and not driving

I’m feeling a little more happier about it now. I didn’t learn to drive until I was 30, up to that point my ex husband had done all the driving and I was quite happy just being a passenger. When I was single again I decided that it would be nice to drive myself and passed my test after just a few months of lessons. It seemed I was a natural. I loved driving and I’ve clocked up many, many miles over the years I was behind the wheel. Giving up was hard, but I know it’s the best choice really. Ironically, the last time I drove the Yeti was to give my ex husband a lift earlier this year.

Now I’m back to being a passenger, and Graham is getting used to driving the Kuga. It really is a lovely car and so comfy. Mabye I’ll drive again one day, but for the next three years I’m just going to be chauffered.

More Information.

If you would like to know more about the Motability scheme you can visit their website. You can also visit The Big Event which is held at the NEC every year. Another exhibition at the NEC for lots of information on disability (including cars and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles) you can visit Naidex for free.