Hello Beautiful Souls!
Can you believe we’re already in the second month of the year? February—the month of love! Whether you’re celebrating with someone special or treating yourself to a little “me time”, I hope it’s filled with all the joy and love you deserve. But remember, love isn’t just about others—it starts with you! And how you treat yourself can have a surprising impact on your health… especially your digestion.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a bad habit of procrastinating. Before I know it, I’m running around like a headless chicken, cramming a million things into my day, barely pausing to eat, and certainly not chewing my food properly. Sound familiar? I’m not proud of it, but hey, we’re all human!
Do you ever find yourself wishing for more hours in the day? Yeah, me too. But let’s be real—if the universe gave us that magical 25th hour, we’d just start begging for a 26th. It’s a classic case of Parkinson’s Law: work expands to fill the time available. Give us more time, and suddenly we’ve got a longer to-do list, an extra project, or—let’s be honest—a whole new Netflix series to binge-watch. We’re never satisfied.
And let’s talk about the weekend. Ever notice how social media engagement seems to drop off when it’s time to relax? But somehow, we manage to scroll, swipe, and double-tap all through the workday like clockwork. It’s like the workday is the perfect storm of productivity, but only when we’re not actually working.
Here’s the thing: we often blame the clock for our lack of productivity. “If only there were more hours”; But truth be told, we’re pretty skilled at wasting time in the hours we’ve already got. It’s like we’re trying to read nine books at the same time—spoiler alert, you’re lucky to finish one.
As a health clinic owner specialising in digestive health, I’ve seen firsthand how people struggle to juggle it all. And the more we stretch ourselves in every direction, the less we seem to accomplish—often at the expense of our health. Digestive issues, especially chronic ones, are on the rise, and these conditions don’t just mess with your stomach; they affect everything—your work, social life, and sometimes even your mental health.
So, here’s the truth: the first step in fixing anything is owning up to it. Instead of blaming the clock, let’s own the 112 waking hours we’ve got each week and make them work for us. You don’t need a 25th hour, you just need to use the hours you’ve got a little better.
And hey, you don’t need to completely overhaul your life to start seeing results. Here are my top 6 tips for healthier digestion—without needing to spend all your time:
1. Plan Your Shopping & Meals
Internet shopping is a lifesaver. Seriously. It keeps me from getting distracted by “Buy One Get One Free” offers that I don’t need. Plus, it’s delivered straight to your door—less hassle, less waste, and it even keeps me on budget. Unlike my shopping habits when it comes to clothes… Oops.
2. Serve Veggies First
If the government’s telling us we need to eat 10 portions of fruits and veggies a day, let’s make sure we get them in early. Serve those veggies first at mealtime and you’re already ahead of the game!
3. Use a Smaller Plate
No joke—using a 9-10 inch plate really does help control portion sizes. Bigger plates make us think we need to fill them up, and suddenly, we’re eating more than we actually need. The plate’s size matters, folks!
4. Sit at the Table (No Phones or TV!)
Eating while distracted (hello, TV and social media) leads to overeating. How many times have you grabbed a snack just because you saw an ad? Put your phone down, sit at the table, and actually focus on your food. Plus, if you’re at the table, you’re less likely to sneak back to the kitchen for a second helping. Win-win!
5. Drink Water 30 Minutes Before Eating
A glass of water before a meal helps fill you up, so you’re less likely to overindulge. It’s a simple trick, but it works.
6. Chew Your Food (Seriously)
I see it all the time in the clinic—people scarfing down their meals like they’re in a race. Slow down! Your digestive system isn’t equipped to handle big chunks of food, and if you don’t chew properly, your “I’m full” signal might not kick in until you’ve already overdone it. Aim for 30 chews per bite. Trust me, your colon will thank you.
With these tips, you’ll not only feel better, but you’ll also be more in control of your digestion—and trust me, when your digestion’s on point, everything else seems to fall into place. So, let’s ditch the excuses and start making those 112 hours count. A healthier, more energised you is just a few small changes away.
If you’re feeling a little frazzled like me, why not take a break and join me for a relaxing sound bath? Trust me, it’s the perfect way to hit the reset button. My next sessions are at the Lowry Hotel on Thursday, March 13th from 7-8:30 pm and at Glebe Farm Astbury on Sunday, March 16th. You’ll be surrounded by the soothing sounds of alchemy crystal bowls, gongs, and chimes, creating a healing frequency to help restore balance on every level – emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
The benefits? Oh, just a few little things like:
• Deep relaxation
• Easing anxiety and stress
• Helping with sleep (hello, sweet dreams!)
• Releasing emotional blockages
• Bringing clarity and calm
• Balancing your nervous system (so you can finally relax and let go)
Trust me, after a sound journey like this, you’ll feel more centred and ready to take on the World!
Back at Complete Health Clinic, my team and I are here to support you on your health journey—whether you need a little tune-up or a full MOT. We’re open 7 days a week, so whenever works for you, we’re here to help:
• Helen: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10 am – 9 pm
• Lucy: Friday 10 am – 8 pm, Saturday 8:45 am – 3 pm
• Anthony: Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm, Monday 12 pm – 9 pm
Take care of yourselves, and I hope to see you soon!
With love,
Helen x