Wellbeing

There’s only One You

Making better choices today can have a big impact on your health. The NHS and Public Health England Better Health campaign can help you get healthier and feel better.

Everyday habits and behaviours – such as eating too much unhealthy food, drinking more alcohol than is recommended, continuing to smoke and not being active enough – are responsible for around 40% of all deaths in England, and cost the NHS more than £11 billion a year.

Better Health encourages people to reappraise their lifestyle choices, put themselves first and do something about their own health. It’s never too late to improve your health – making small lifestyle changes such as eating well, drinking less alcohol, quitting smoking or being more active can double your chances of being healthy at 70 and beyond.

Get started with free tips, tools and support to help you:

See the One You site for a range of Apps that can help you on your way.

For information on services and support available for a range of health and wellbeing issues see the North East and North Cumbria Making Every Contact Count site. You will find links to a range of groups, classes and organisations including Falls & Frailty, Finances, Health Diet & Weight, Mental Health and Smoking. There are also Self Help Guides produced by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust www.cntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp. Titles cover a range of mental health issues.

 

Are you feeling low? Struggling to cope with the aches and pains of everyday life? Are you worried about your future mobility? Are these worries keeping you from sleeping? NHS Newcastle talking therapies can help you get back on track and learn to manage these feelings better.  They provide free wellbeing support to anyone over the age of 16, registered t a GP in Newcastle and experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. It’s Free and confidential. Self refer using NHS Newcastle Talking Therapies.

There are a range of services that offer support for mental health in Gateshead. See Mental Health Support in Gateshead for links to each service.

Paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you – can improve your mental wellbeing. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. Interested in Mindfulness? See An Introduction to Mindfulness

 

The NHS now has Digital Weight Management Programme. The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme supports adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension or both, to manage their weight and improve their health. If you are living with obesity and  also have diabetes or high blood pressure, or both, you could benefit from the 12-week NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. You can access the programme through referral from your GP practice. 

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is a 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme. People can access it via a smartphone or computer with internet access. 

You can also access the Tier 2 Weight Management Programme where you can join a free programme for people living with obesity to remotely manage your weight.

If you or anyone you know have been affected by Eating Disorders there are a range of resources and self help guides. NHS Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear have produced Eating Disorders NHS Self Help Guide. The charity Beat Eating Disorders have produced Eating Disorders: a guide for friends and family and two fact sheets; Eating Disorders: know the first signs and an Eating Disorders Fact Sheet. For more information help and support see the Beat Eating Disorders charity webpage.

 

Sleeping difficulties? Have a look at these tips for good sleep hygiene Night shift and sleep tips

 

Physiotherapy and Prayer (Salah) Information leaflet for Muslim Patients: Prayer Positions

 

Small Steps to Feeling Good

Walking is good for you. Walking regularly can add years to life and life to years say researchers from St George’s University in London. See their My PACE-up Walking Programme guide and diary for how to get started.

Never Too Late

Strengthening your muscles as you age will improve your mood, help your sleeping patterns and bring benefits for your overall health and wellbeing.

Getting started is easy, try out these strength and balance exercises from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Get on your feet and do them daily – or at least twice a week!

If you prefer you can download the strength and balance exercises in leaflet format here Never Too Late to Exercise Leaflet

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust YouTube Channel has some straightforward general exercises offered in a range of different languages.

There’s an underlying myth that falls are an inevitable part of getting old.  The surprising truth is our risk of a fall decreases with one thing – exercise.

Here are six simple exercises used by physiotherapists to keep muscles strong and keep us mobile and independent as we age. Try out heel raises, toe raises, heel toe stand, one leg stand, heel toe walking, and sit to stand exercises.

To find out more about the risk of falls and what to do about them have a look at Get Up & Go – a guide to staying steady developed by Saga, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Public Health England. You can also test yourself with the timed up and go test.

For more information on what physiotherapists have to offer older people have a look at Physiotherapy for Older People produced by AGILE

Exercise and Osteoporosis

The Royal Osteoporosis Society provide a range of resources to help you understand and manage your condition. Register with the site to receive an e-mail with all the useful links.

Here are a few of the resources related to exercise.

Royal Osteoporosis Society – About Exercise

Royal Osteoporosis Society – Before and After Exercise

Royal Osteoporosis Society – Exercises to promote bone and muscle strength

Royal Osteoporosis Society – Exercises to improve balance and muscle strength

Royal Osteoporosis Society – Exercises for back pain after spinal fractures

Royal Osteoporosis Society – Exercises to help with posture

Royal Osteoporosis Society – Moving and lifting safely

Royal Osteoporosis Society – Bending forward with osteoporosis

Royal Osteoporosis Society – Pilates exercises modifications with osteoporosis

See what local activities and services are there for you

    • Our Gateshead Community Website containing new, events and regular activities from organisations working in Gateshead.
    • Go Gateshead Your link to all the fitness class, leisure facilities, sports activities and swimming in Gateshead.
    • Gateshead Leisure Centre is a fitness facility and community hub.
    • Forestry England’s Feel Good in the Forest at Chopwell Wood offers a variety of free activities which include optional time at the end for refreshments and socialising.
    • Gateshead Older People’s Assembly offer opportunities for  Gateshead residents aged 50+ to maintain their independence and improve their mental and physical health.
    • Gateshead Versus Arthritis Friendship Group & Coffee Group. A friendly group of people living with arthritis who have been meeting for over 30 years but who always welcome newcomers.
    • Would you like to improve your balance? Staying Steady can help.
    • Age UK  ActivAge leisure and exercise activities for over 50s including walks, Tai Chi, Line Dancing, Chair Exercises and Pilates.
    • Healthworks is a community health charity based in Newcastle who support people to live in good health. See their events calendar for what’s on near you.
    • News and events throughout Newcastle can also be found at InformationNow, the information website for people in Newcastle where you can find and share local services, events and helpful information. Visit the events and activities section to find out what’s going on near you and try new activities such as yoga, walking groups, meditation and much more.
  • We are Undefeatable – Ways to Move
    • When you’re managing a health condition, being active is about finding what works for you. This can include ways to move that many people don’t realise count. The Ways to Move site will help you find ways to move that might suit you depending on how you’re feeling, where or how you like to move, and more.
    • We love their 5 in 5 approach to help you get moving. ‘Five in Five is a completely customisable mini-workout to help you move in whatever way works for you. Doing Five in Five is simple: choose 5 exercises from the activity library and do each one for 1 minute, adding up to a 5 minute mini-workout.’