Tune into your health this winter

Between budgets and political pep talks, December has so far given us every reason to keep the head under the duvet. Let's not see politics win out.  Headlines such as 'Toughest budget yet' would have us thinking it really is but, fear not, we are sure to see the same headline itself again next year as we did last year and the year before. So if you were one of the sensible ones and switched off from the 'State of the Nation' address and the budget announcements, you will feel better for it. I certainly do. How does negative news affect how we function? It can cause unnecessary worry, which can lead to stress and damage our immune system. If our immune system is comprised, we get sick. The past two years have, as I have said, given us the same negative headlines. Each household has been affected and we coped. This year we will cope again. If belts need to be tightened, put it up a notch and carry on as best you can. People react to situations differently; some exist in full emergency mode. What may trigger worry for one may not be the same for the next person. Nevertheless, the effects of worry on the body appear to be the same for all. Social conditions, financial standing, health and ageing all make an appearance in most people's lives, but it is how we react that differentiates us. To help us understand the ways of reactions, see where you fit in here to the general reactions of a road-user in response to a careless driver: • Erratic beeping of the car horn, swearing, arm-waving. Heat of this stress response pulses through the body, causing harm to our central nervous system. As a result, it can take hours to recover. • Passive or no response. Swallowing our frustration or shutting down. Showing little emotion, only to resurface at another stage. • A reasonable beep of the car horn. Reaction is immediately released. The moment passes, not to be revisited at another time. Let go. Expressing worry and concern is important, as even the most positive thinking people experience. Talking and sharing your worries releases the burden from your nervous system and, as the old saying goes, 'a problem shared is a problem halved'. What is important for your health and state of mind is not to let worry linger. What may start as a problem in your mind may soon wreak havoc on your body. The third response to the dangerous driver is probably the healthiest way for a person to react in that kind of situation. So, this December, don't let negative news control you; be in control, be in the driver's seat and do the right thing for the 'State of your Health'. Now that's a thought worth tuning in to.   Claire Maguire runs both Ashtanga and pregnancy yoga classes at The Yoga Room in Ashbourne. She will be teaching an Invigorating Detox Yoga Workshop in January. Her classes are now open to new students for 2012. See www.yoga-meath.ie