Challenges of Implementing Health & Wellbeing into modern Living

Dr Gill JenkinsGP, Nuffield

Bristol

Modern Living?• 24 hour communications – can we escape?• Want it NOW attitude, demanded of you, ? and by you• High expectations regards health and longevity, and the NHS?• Has ‘contentment’ gone as a concept?• ‘My Right’ not ‘My Responsibility’• Social pressures to achieve, to look perfect, to attain money and status,

live to old age with no illness• Easy access to food in large portions• Easy to avoid activity• Open attitude to sex• Easy to find drink & drugs• We are learning to create improvements in public health –

– eg ’nudges’ to smoking less –not in public places, availability of e cigs– Changes in food labelling to promote understanding of healthy role

Lifestyle• Diet, - ‘the healthy plate’• Weight • Activity/ Exercise• Habits– Alcohol– Tobacco– Street Drugs

• Work and Social activities

Healthy ContentPortion SizeOrganic?Diet fadsSupplementsLiquid FoodsProteins

Diet

Weight• UK BMI prevalence among adults by age and gender show

that in 2013, just over a quarter of men 26%( v 13.2% in 1993 ) and just under a quarter of women , 24% ( v 16.4% in 1993) were obese, and 67% of men ( v 57% in 1993) and 57% per cent of women ( v 48% in 1993)were overweight or obese.

How Active are you?

Work• Time! No Time! Pressure, Pressure, Pressure...• Do you still enjoy your work?• Is it possible to prioritise your health and activity around

work hours, or even during?• Specific Risks at work

– Computer / screen use / Position & Posture– Machinery/Equipment– Chemicals– Driving

• Can you turn the gadgets off at the end of the work day....?

Socialising• Easier than ever?? Or no time?• Do you feel isolated or lonely?• Face to face is invaluable, where possible• Facetime /Skype ?Other – some benefits, especially for the

housebound, isolated, disabled, elderly• ‘Social Media’ – Good or Bad? Your thoughts?• Support of Friends / Inherited Family/ Own family• Interests/ Hobbies/Sports/Faith ..But some time alone is also very important...

Protecting your PsycheMental Health always relates to Physical

Health, and vice versa• Rest and Sleep are vital for both• Do you have ‘mental resilience’• Do you have support? From whom?• Can you maintain your own space & own

time?• Is anxiety affecting your health?• Is depression an issue?• Do you think you have serious mental

health issues?• How do you cope in times of stress?

Self-Care• Healthy diet

– Eatwell plates/ Portion size/ ? Vitamins & Supplements• Good sleep - the time when your brain makes sense of your days

input and your body repairs and regenerates• ‘Me time’/ ‘Down time’ / ‘Thinking time’• ‘Talking it out’• Do you take any Activity? Specific ‘sports’ as such are not essential• Managing your illness

– Acute– Chronic

• Third sector Advice– Physical health– Mental Health– Financial Health

5 Ways to WellbeingConnectFeeling close to / valued by others is a fundamental human need that contributes to functioning well in the world.Be activeRegular physical activity is associated with good physical health, lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups and slows age-related cognitive decline .Take noticeSavouring ‘the moment’ helps reaffirm your life priorities , strengthens & broadens awareness, directly enhances well-being, self-understanding, allows you to make positive choices based on your own values and motivations.LearnContinued learning throughout life enhances self-esteem, encourages social interaction in more active life. Work or educational activities help lift us out of depression. Setting goals, especially related to adult learning, is strongly associated with higher levels of wellbeing.GiveIndividuals who show interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.

Supportive therapies• The ‘talking therapies’ Counselling &

Psychotherapy• Psycho-sexual • Relationship• Addiction – Alcohol, drugs, gambling• Anxiety• Bereavement• Work-related• Weight Management

• Physical therapies & Massage• Alternative therapies

– Music therapy– Art Therapy– Sports classes– Join something!

Prompt & Appropriate Medical Care

• Health and symptom awareness, physical and mental

• Lifestyle awareness• Preventative medicine

– Vaccinations– NHS Screening programmes

• Breast• Cervical • Bowel Cancer• Aortic aneurysm• Blood Pressure• Diabetes• Screening In pregnancy

• Seeking help promptly – to prevent disease development– to maximise successful outcomes

Questions?