Welcome to this week’s Newsletter.

I hope you have had a good week. It's been an interesting week with JTP, getting all the preparations sorted for the Celebration of Movement day in October — to the point where I had a very vivid dream about it on Wednesday evening, which involved mime and Harry Styles!!! Needless to say in the final programme neither of these play a part. 

This is obviously showing a level of anxiety creeping into my mindset, so I’m working on strategies to keep on top of this and change the narrative — more about this in this week’s Your Whole Self below.

On Saturday Keith and I visited London. We were booked into see Hello Dolly with the wonderful Imelda Staunton, and — as I am writing this before we go — I will give a report in next week’s Newsletter. We have been very lucky over the years to see a few shows and plays in the West End, but realised we hadn’t been for 5 years, so it felt like quite a big event. It was also part of Keith’s 70th year celebrations.

This week I am taking you through Week 2 of the Leg Pull Supine — or Supine Plank as some may know it as. 

Great for all those stabilising muscles but also because of the weight bearing into the upper body, it's also great for bone health and muscle strength.

It's really important that you work through the levels, so check out Week 1 before progressing to Week 2. 

Choose the level that is appropriate to your body and don’t push through pain.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to send them over.  

I think it's safe to say that I am beginning to feel a little on edge about my Celebration of Movement day, and I can say that this is normal behaviour for me with events that I am organising. It doesn’t have to be work related: it could be a family birthday or special event within the family that I am responsible for and I still start to get jittery as the day gets nearer. 

Anxiety can creep in and I realise that sometimes its the way I talk about it to myself and others — mostly Keith — that can make a difference. Maybe you recognise this, maybe it's something that you have regularly experienced, so let's share some ideas for dealing with this and changing the feelings.

1. Watch the Words You Use
The language we use does tend to shape our emotions. If you find yourself saying things like I'm so stressed about this, or I don't think I can handle it, then you're essentially convincing your brain to be even more anxious! Instead, we can work on softening your words. Swap I'm stressed for I'm preparing, or I can't handle this for I am working this out. It’s not about ignoring the anxiety, but about reframing how we approach it.

2. Turn What Ifs Into Even Ifs
There can be a lot of what if when we start to feel anxious. What if I forget something? or What if something goes wrong? A small mental change can be: instead of what if to even if. This can make a difference because even if I forget something it won’t spoil the day. Even if… feels less catastrophic. It’s a way to remind yourself that you’re more capable than your anxiety gives you credit for!

3. Stop Talking About It So Much!
Sometimes talking about the event can add to the anxiety because it is never out of your conscious thoughts, making the event feel more significant. Not that it isn’t significant at all, but by constantly hashing it out with friends or going over every little detail can make the anxiety grow. Instead, try giving yourself a worry window. Only allow yourself 10 minutes to vent, and then move on to something else. Talking through it endlessly often feeds the nerves instead of calming them.

4. Use Positive Visualization in Conversation
When chatting with friends or even just thinking about the event, try adding in some positive visualization. If you say, I’m excited about the event, I know everyone’s going to enjoy the day, or I know I’ll feel good once it’s over, you’re helping your brain focus on the reward and the relief instead of just the worry leading up to it.

And finally …

5. Lean on Movement
When words fail to calm you, moving your body could be the answer. Whether it’s a Pilates session to stretch out the tension, or a brisk walk to clear your mind, moving your body helps calm your thoughts. Anxiety lives in the body as much as in the mind, so get moving to help quieten both.

These are just a  few mindful tweaks we can make to how we speak about an upcoming event, and how this can take the edge off that anxiety. It’s not just the event that matters, it's how we talk ourselves through it!

Hopefully no more weird, vivid dreams, just excitement about the day — though wouldn’t it be amazing if Harry Styles actually did turn up!!! 👍

Have a great week folks — keep looking, moving and feeling good.

With love

Jane xx