This blog is for anyone still affected/concerned about lockdown restrictions easing.
Last week the focus was on Updates, Success Stories and New Programmes, that are available to those with LTHC’s & Disabilities. This included general Health & Well-Being alongside mental health and relaxation. You can read it here.
This time we’ll look to the future as new programmes are implemented, others re-launched and the return of some of our old favourites that have evolved over the Pandemic. Diet and exercise being key components. Then through a sporting scenario we’ll demonstrate how some vital training can support Health & Well-Being.
We’ll wind up next week with a great Case Study showcasing the work of Active Essex and The Disability Sport Ambassadors.
Integral Part of Life - Support Mechanisms and Giving Back
Support and understanding for those with LTHC’s will always be gratefully received, but also giving back the other way is also important. Ensuring that we help ourselves to the best we can despite our troubles, giving friends and families reassurance as they join our journey. Highlighting something that we are all crucially aware of and, what others sometimes fail to realise is that not all conditions are visible.
As we look through we promote that fact that Life & Death is much greater and more celebrated than a trophy, something we accept as part of daily lives, as we live with LTHC’s.
Most people with LTHC’s will have symptoms, perhaps a long road to diagnosis.Then perhaps some elation before the FEAR sets in. For those with life limiting/life threatening conditions it is not unusual for things to become worse before they get better. However, for some there is no warning, a ticking time bomb inside….
Some just creep up and that’s what we head to first.
Take yourself back a few months….
Wasn’t Euro’20 supposed to be about the success of the home nations? Creating some escape, some joy, some energy and a sense of togetherness developed throughout the pandemic? And then…
A moving piece written by Tom Carstensen, Sun 20 Jun 2021. A gripping interpretation of the most dramatic moment of the Football 2020 Tournament and, we are not talking penalties. This piece of journalistic masterpiece captures the essence and desperation resulting from the sudden collapse of Danish Football player Christian Eriksen from a cardiac arrest.
5pm Saturday 12 June – the excitement as Denmark & Finland kick off
5.43pm – the collapse - Eriksen falls to the ground after receiving a throw in.
The instant Heroes - Players & Referee - Airway is opened
The Next Heroes - Doctors & Medics race onto the pitch
5.44pm – the team response and togetherness - a circle around him, space for medics to work
5.48pm – silence and panic - a mix of fear, despair, shock etched on faces, relatives comforted
5.57pm – Eriksen leaves the stadium
6.10pm – the wait and the amazing Finland fans - sheltering with flags, chanting his name
6.32pm – the greatest news - Eriksen is alive
A pacemaker now fitted should this ever happen again
So what positives can we take from this? Clearly the fast thinking and team work saved his life. Without the access to medics and a defibrillator onsite this story would probably have ended very differently. The second that a wave of awareness has been created and action taken.
Carstensen continues with;
‘Eriksen’s cardiac arrest is likely to help others. The foundation Tryg Fonden is putting defibrillators all over the country and people can have a short course on how to use them. Then, when someone calls 999 to report a possible cardiac arrest, it goes out to everyone registered in the area who knows where the nearest defibrillator is. In the last week 2,000 Danes have signed up for this programme’. https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2021/jun/20/the-day-denmark-stood-still-christian-eriksens-collapse-and-the-heroes-who-saved-him
Here Sports Coach UK entered the arena by developing, advocating and delivering E-Learning courses, citing critical data to encourage us to learn and support those around us. Each year 100,000 people in the UK suffer a cardiac arrest with no warning and just 1 in 10 survive. By giving CPR and then a defibrillator, within 5 minutes the chance of survival increases dramatically.
This course is e-learning at it’s best. You can practice the correct speed to deliver chest compressions by using the space bar on your computer and even place the defibrillator pads in the correct place shown by the diagrams. Really interactive and at the end you gain a certificate and, access to a toolbox of resources to help you support others and put protocols in place. This could be at a sports club, school, exercise session or simply at a community or health support group. You don’t need to be sporty to complete the course and it is free to anyone, just register.
Now a true legacy from the tournament and, who knows it could well save the lives of those who looked on in terror and despair. A key memory that anyone who observed is unlikely to forget.
Eriksen was extremely fit, strong and healthy prior to this episode and perhaps that is why he managed to recover so quickly. All we can do is ensure that we keep ourselves as well as possible. So here we go with two key components diet and exercise.
Diet
It’s no secret that lockdown has affected many of us around diet. For those with LTHC’s eating badly or being overweight could have a significant effect on your health. Through the pandemic anyone watching TV would have seen two types of adverts that are diet related. The first being ‘healthy’ food box deliveries and secondly, the takeaway treats delivered to your door through the likes of Deliveroo! So which were you? Did you pile on the pounds or did you progress to a new style of healthy eating, with or without the deliveries?
As we progress to our new normal diets could once again change with so many options, there really is no excuse to be unhealthy. Whether you maintain your current diet or make a switch for the better. Perhaps you now have less time at home and family cooking is a distant memory. Here are some top examples of your options moving forward….
NHS and Government Support is available via the Better Health programme aimed at those needing to loose weight and wanting to be more healthy all round. You can download a special app to create your own plan. They also advocate some support based programmes you can access which cost from £1 per week upwards. The Eat Well Plan and Eat Well Guide are great for general healthy eating plans.
Are you a football fan? The English Football league have a great programme called FitFans which targets people aged 35-65, with a BMI over 28 and waist measurement of more than 38in males or 31in females. It includes 12 free weekly sessions at your local football club with a chance to meet other football fans on the same journey as you learn how to make better choices to improve your lifestyle and health. This programme has already helped thousands of people on the road to healthy living.
Healthy Food in a Box Guide.This great article by The BBC Good Food Guide puts Meal Box Subscriptions To The Test and guides you through 10 companies including Hello Fresh, Mindful Chef, Gousto and Munch Fit. Lots of variety and great breakdowns on what is included as well as nutritional guidance and special diet options.
Something a little different? Enjoying a bowl of porridge in the mornings is a great way to start the day. However, if you fancy a bit of a twist then head over to the Overnight Oats page from Quaker Oats for some delicious recipe ideas including Blueberry and Banana, Mango and Coconut, Peachy Keen and Carrot Cake! There are even ideas for brunch and you can easily compare nutritional make-ups of products to purchase if you need something tasty but fast!
Exercising Together
Exercising on your own can be difficult, daunting and hard if you lack motivation. These resources could really help. If you are a carer, family member or friend of someone with a LTHC working together can be tricky, especially if you have different goals and abilities. But exercise is so important and beneficial to anyone so here we introduce some different ways to work together.
The We Are Undefeatables Campaign have recently deployed yet another update and, with that 6 new stories of those who have shared their journey’s through LTHC’s and Disabilities. A particularly good feature of the new resources are Get Active Together examples. Plenty to explore including online activities, ways to find activities that work for you and your family, whether that’s over video link, online classes, simple home activities or getting outside in the garden or your community. Many are free, although some may be at a cost. All fully explained on the website which you can explore. Dependant on your LTHC you may even be able to find some exercises that are specifically produced for your Health Condition.
Race At Your Pace offers a slightly different opportunity. Here you enter a virtual challenge which lasts for a month. You can select from; Swimming, Cycling, Walking, Wheelchair, steps and then a Kids option. Next you choose a number or distance. So go for say 1,000 steps right up to 100 miles in a wheelchair or 600 miles on your Bike! It does come at a cost of £10 per month. You simply collect your evidence and submit to receive a beautiful medal to reward your efforts. The site has a great Blog where you can find some top tips and ideas which include; Fun Wheelchair Fitness Challenges, and a Walking Pace Counter. Connect with family in person or using those Zoom, Microsoft Teams, YouTube or Facetime links to share what you are doing.
Sticking with Race At Your Pace is the Employee Wellness Challenges. As we emerge from lockdown restrictions and this is something that would be another great legacy. Enabling Employers to support their workforces Health and Well Being. Especially those still struggling to return to the workplace or new options for home working being developed. Plus, this isn’t all about exercise (although that it a key component). It also looks at Nutritional, Mindfulness and habit changing activities. They report that;
‘The pandemic forced businesses and their employees to be more adaptive and resilient than ever before. As we emerge from this challenging time, it is vital that workforces also take steps to prioritise the physical and mental health of their staff. Not only does making time to nurture mental and physical health have physiological benefits, it also allows for greater concentration and productivity’. https://www.raceatyourpace.co.uk/fun-employee-wellness-challenges-2021/
So we close. Some things to get you thinking, some things to get you moving and some things to keep you as healthy as possible, whether you have a LTHC/disability, are a carer, exercise instructor, sports coach or a football fan.
Next week….
The focus is on Active Essex, the launch of their new website and a celebration of achievements following the publication of their 4 year impact report and work through the pandemic. We’ll look through Find your Active, Health and well-being, Children and Young People, Delivering Sport, Support, New and Events. All supported through the 48 strong team of Essex All Together Disability Ambassadors as they forge ahead to inspire, promote, support and, share their own stories to help others gain healthier lifestyles through targeted programmes.
Time To Heal - Part One - The Sad Side Of Lockdown Lifting
The Day Denmark Stood Still - The Guardian
Sports Coach UK - Cardiac Arrest E-learning Course Sign Up
NHS - Better Health - Weight Loss
NHS - Eat Well
gov.uk - The Eat Well Guide
English Football League - Fit Fans
BBC - Good Food Guide - Healthy Meal Box Subscriptions
Mindful Chef
Hello Fresh
Gousto
Munch fit
Quaker Oats - Overnight Oats
We Are Undefeatables Campaign - Get Active Together
Race At Your Pace - Home Page
Race At Your Pace - Blog Page
Race At Your Pace - Employee Wellness Challenges
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