EXCLUSIVE: A leading health and wellbeing expert has been telling Isle of Wight Radio about the importance of looking after our physical and mental health during the coronavirus lockdown, while sharing some of his best advice.
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Michael O'Doherty is pioneer in the field of healthcare and is a best-selling author, with 30 years experience in guiding people back to health.
During his professional career, he has worked with countless members of the public and celebrities, helping them get their lives back on track - physically and mentally.
Michael is a recognised bio-energy therapist who helped cure Lord of the Dance star - Michael Flatley - of a mystery illness, enabling him to perform to the peak of his talent. Just over a decade ago, the stage star could hardly walk and considered ending his dancing career. But after treatment from Michael, he was 'cured' and was full of praise.
(Picture: Michael O'Doherty and Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley)
With mental health referrals on the rise, Michael wants Islanders to have an understanding of the importance of self care and how it can improve the outlook on life, as we start to ease out of lockdown.
Michael said:
"The real key is to understand that we are directly influencing our bodies by what we are thinking, feeling and perceiving. You have to start thinking differently and trusting and believing in yourself.
"You have to know and realise that you will overcome this [lockdown] and this feeling will pass - and out of this will emerge someone who is very powerful."
Michael sees hundreds of patients a year who come to him feeling drained of energy and feeling their life isn't how it should be.
He continued:
"If you are talking to yourself negatively at the moment, then stop it. You need to create an image of the future how you ideally want to be when we emerge out of lockdown. We should be more energetic, more calm, more connected to family and realising the value of life and nature. We need to connect with nature. We have become so reliant on computers, phones and tablets - and that can have a negative effect on our wellbeing. We have to make time for ourselves."
"The body’s health support mechanisms only function when the nervous system is in relaxation response. Basically it doesn’t matter how great your diet is if your body is flooded with stress hormones.
"By supporting our life and health with the right outlook, nutrition, relaxation techniques and so on we flip off stress responses, turn on relaxation responses, and allow the body to do what it does best – support our health and healing."
Michael also highlighted the importance of eating the right foods and how it can affect the body.
He said:
"Food is critical. If our digestive system isn't functioning properly, we can't digest our food. We need to keep our protein levels up. In stressful situations, we find we often turn towards stimulants - coffee, sugar and sweets. They are inflammatory based foods.
"Food converts to serotonin, which the body needs. If we are eating the wrong foods we are changing the ecology in our Gut, which can cause all sorts of problems for us. Alcohol can also be a depressant.
"We can eliminate a lot of the symptoms in modern day life. Get in fresh fruit and vegetables, organic meats, eat smaller meals more often, take a good probiotic if you want, have good essential fatty acids like Omega 3 and take our vitamins - in particular Vitamin D and Zinc.
"All these things are helping us navigate - physically, mentally and emotionally - through our current circumstances."
LISTEN TO MICHAEL SPEAKING TO ISLE OF WIGHT RADIO:
Michael said the day-to-day stresses of life can have a big effect on life, without even realising it.
He added:
"In a way, this pandemic has been a reset. In my experience over the years dealing with people with different types of health issues, the living model wasn't successful. People were working 14 hours a day, sleeping eight hours a day and having just two hours a day for themselves.
"People are under so much stress in their daily lives that they suffer from a range of modern illnesses, such as fatigue and insomnia. The average person spends up to 40 hours a week on their mobile phone, either for work or social media. This causes stress and problems that manifests itself.
"If we don't manage our day wisely, we leave ourselves open to all sorts of problems and symptoms."
(Picture: Michael O'Doherty pictured with Sir Cliff Richard)
Michael, who holds talks and conferences around the world, concluded:
"My over-riding message is that your body is your business because only you can control which thoughts, feelings and beliefs you allow into your brain, and those thoughts, beliefs, and feelings have been scientifically proven to significantly affect every cell in our body.
“Time is our greatest asset we need to use it wisely and not concern ourselves with issues that we have no control over.
"If you get yourself right first, you'll exude confidence and positivity. It means you'll be able to help other people in a much better way too."
Mental Health Support
If you need support, or you are concerned about someone, you can find advice here.
Michael O'Doherty's website can be found here.
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