Wellbeing

Janey Lee Grace’s Family Matters

The latest news and holistic views to keep your clan in tip-top health

HOPE FOR CHILDLESS COUPLES

Those who have been trying to conceive without luck may benefit from visiting a Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner. A meta-analysis by Adelaide University suggests that it can increase the chances of conceiving two-fold. TCM practitioners carefully monitor their patients’ menstrual cycles and prescribe certain herbs to stimulate the reproductive hormones. Dr Karin Ried, who led the study, says the herbs are less invasive and a lot cheaper than IVF but are still potent medicines and have powerful effects on the body, so should only ever be administered by professionals.

DID YOU KNOW?

A study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, found using wifi laptops could damage a man’s sperm’s genetic code – resulting in fertility problems

Well slick

You can keep your baby bump stretch mark-free by massaging this gorgeous Tiddley Pom’s Organic Massage Oil, £7.99, all over. It’s completely natural and contains essential fatty acids so you can also use it on your baby’s delicate skin after bath time for a restful night’s sleep.

Fact file

“To reduce the risk of your little one developing asthma, experts have discovered that regularly adding oily fish to their diet before they reach nine months could be beneficial”

Good for your heart

Having a large brood may feel stressful at times but new research shows that mothers who’ve been pregnant four or more times are less likely to have heart disease. Experts say that this could be due to the affect of prolonged exposure to oestrogen or the added social support from a larger family.

It’s all about mum

Booking a family break? Build in some ‘mum’ time, says Janey Lee Grace

It’s family holiday booking time and whether short breaks or long haul I highly recommend you plan some ‘mum’ time as well.

My hubby is no happy camper but agreed to try Keycamp as it’s all done for you with fully equipped tents, lodges and caravans on a park designed to give maximum amusement to kids of all ages. We drove via the Eurotunnel to La Croix du Vieux Pont, near the Compiegne forest. While the children sailed, joined kids’ clubs, played table-tennis and spent hours in fabulous pools with water slides, I got my ‘me time’ by strolling a mile to the nearest village to buy French bread, and enjoyed a rather fine solo café au lait with the locals. I returned revitalised ready to face the action and join in activities or make the next meal.

We went ‘glamping’ in the UK too, I got some ‘mum’ time there as well, hubby cooked on the fire pit while the kids built dens in the wood, and I relaxed with a cold glass of wine in the candlelit bath – yes indeed it was a ‘luxury hotel in the woods’.

We have also tried Center Parcs. As the kids cycled, hung from zip wires, played football, and tried archery I went to a yoga class. I’d imagined a gymnastics teacher with little experience – how wrong can a stressed out mummy be? The class included some proper yogic breathing – wonderfully calming which helped centre me again, ready for the minutiae of families activities.

So heed my advice, whether it’s Egypt, Disneyland or Norfolk, factor in a bit of time every day just for you, the whole family will be richer for it.

Janey Lee Grace is the author of Look Great Naturally and runs the website imperfectlynatural.com

Article by

Janey Lee Grace

is a holistic lifestyle expert. She is the author of Look Great Naturally – Without Ditching the Lipstick (£8.99, Hay House)

Discover more

Article by

Janey Lee Grace

is a holistic lifestyle expert. She is the author of Look Great Naturally – Without Ditching the Lipstick (£8.99, Hay House)

Discover more