Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks - why re-learning the 'old ways' can be a powerful ally in caring for your health

Welcome to your pre-glorious Bank Holiday weekend waffle — this week’s theme is “teaching new dogs old tricks”.

It was inspired by an article I read last week about an extremely exciting “new” dating concept, a “revolutionary” new way of finding love.

Pens and notebooks at the ready.

You go to a pub…
…with your friends…
…those friends “pitch” you to a group of fellow singles and their mates…
…and then you see how that turns out...

Now, gentle reader, kindly forgive anyone who cut their dating teeth before the turn of the millennium for reading those words with a wry (possibly even wistful) smile, alongside a gentle: “Well… who’d have thunk?” ;-)

To be fair, there is a PowerPoint presentation involved, so that's the 'modern twist'. But basically, hats off to Date My Mate for founding a thriving, waitlist-attracting business around the tried-and-tested, long-out-of-patent concept of “going down the pub with a wingman or wingwoman”.

My point in saying all this is not to write some smug or condescending version of “You don't say!?" Rather, to acknowledge, with empathy, that sometimes, rebooting a tried and tested concept is exactly what is necessary. The success of Date My Mate reflects the frustration of a dating population disillusioned with the once shiny and “new-fangled” world of dating apps.

And that matters, because loneliness is not just a social issue. It is a medical one.

In lifestyle medicine, chronic loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognised as major public health concerns. Studies have even suggested that poor social connection carries health risks comparable to smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Come to think of it, much of “lifestyle medicine” could be seen as one big 're-boot' of how previous generations simply lived. Less than a hundred years ago, who didn't practice these core tenets of lifestyle medicine: 

• Going to sleep at a reasonably sensible hour-  because it was dark, electricity was expensive, and the television eventually stopped broadcasting.

• Leaving work at work - no mobiles, and those computers weren’t exactly portable.

• Eating fresh, seasonal, minimally processed food - because that was largely what was available and some of it was even home-grown - out of necessity

• Prioritising meaningful relationships and face-to-face interaction -  because, if you wanted to socialise at all, getting people together in an actual room was how it happened.

• Moving regularly - because that was how you got to work, or you moved for your job, and there was no TV to make the sofa interesting! 

Nowadays, with myriad new temptations and pressures on our time, it takes a real conscious effort to implement all of those things. So it's fine, and actually pretty normal, to need a little help sometimes. That's why, as well as keeping on top of all the latest exciting developments in medical science, our doctors are ready and willing to help you plan and implement what you might call a 'back to basics' treatment plan. Sometimes, the simplest ideas are still the most effective. 

And with that, we wish you a wonderful Bank holiday weekend full of fun of the 'old fashioned' variety :-) 

Gemma, Tom and all at Winchester GP
xx

Stick or Twist? How to know when to change treatment?

Welcome to this week’s waffle where, inspired by the latest machinations at 10 Downing Street, we are musing on the theme of how to know when to “stick or twist”. Because in medicine, as in politics, it can be challenging to know whether pushing on with the current plan is better than throwing it all out and trying something entirely new — or is it a case of more subtle refinements that will reap greater rewards in the fullness of time?

Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications are one example. In the early days and weeks of treatment, symptoms can sometimes feel worse before they improve, and your doctor should prepare you for this possibility and arrange regular reviews to ensure you are fully supported.

Hormone Replacement Therapy is another area of treatment where improvements may not be instant — or indeed linear. Some women notice quick wins, particularly with symptoms such as hot flushes, but this is by no means universal. Hormones take time to rebalance within the body, so most doctors recommend giving a new regime around three months before fully assessing its impact. We find that patients often really appreciate additional touchpoints during this time. Some well-timed reassurance can make all the difference between staying the course and enjoying long-term improvements, or giving up too soon.

Skin conditions such as acne are another good example where overnight results are simply unrealistic, despite what those Clearasil adverts used to tell us! Most treatments need at least six to eight weeks before any meaningful judgement can be made. In the case of retinoids, some unfortunate patients even experience a flare or worsening of breakouts before seeing longer-term improvements. Again, having access to a sympathetic, skilled and objective practitioner to ‘talk you down’ just at the point when you feel like giving up can be as important to your treatment plan as the medication itself.

Weight-loss medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy can feel transformative almost immediately for some people, while others may need several months and gradual dose adjustments before noticing significant change. Equally, in the latter stages of treatment, when nearing your goal weight and perhaps contemplating stopping medication, it is well worth seeking further medical input to help ensure your progress is maintained.

The message in all this is that when managing longer-term conditions, it shouldn’t be a case of ‘prescribe and goodbye’. Regular check-ins with your doctor set you up for long-term success. Our subscription plans are designed to give you access to that support whenever you need it, in the most affordable way.

Wishing you well,

Gemma, Tom and all at Winchester GP
:-)

p.s. Anyone fancy a nice stroll? 

We really enjoyed meeting the team of Blue Angel Care this week and thought that their regular Mental Health Walk, held every Thursday 11.30-13.30 meeting at the Cadence Clubhouse, Garnier Road Car Park, Winchester SO23 9PA sounded like a lovely idea. 

What to expect: Gentle easy paced walk, Quiet company always welcome, Option to have a friendly talk, Peer support, NOT a. therapy session. Coffee and tea are served at the end for anyone who would like to stay, chat and unwind. Boost your mood, energy and health, one step at a time. :-) 

Be Brave! Step out of your comfort zone!

Be Brave...Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? Whether it's a new challenge, a difficult conversation, or simply admitting that something doesn’t feel right, human nature will often tell us to play it safe and familiar - don't rock the boat. This instinct can sometimes be to our longer-term detriment.

Taking care of your health often involves stepping outside of your comfort zone. Admitting to yourself that you need help takes guts. And then there's the consultation, where you might need to talk about things that feel deeply personal, a bit 'icky'; you might have to broach symptoms or behaviours that you have never aired before. But it's really important to push through your reservations, because those moments of discomfort are where the path to wellness begins. At Winchester GP, we want you to be absolutely certain - our service is about support, not judgement. And, by the way, that thing that you can scarcely bring yourself to say out loud—our doctors have more than likely heard it dozens, if not hundreds, of times.

Still hesitating? Maybe thinking that putting yourself first is selfish or overindulgent? It's at this point that we invoke the flight safety briefing protocol: put your own mask on first before helping others. Prioritising your health is the opposite of selfish—it's what enables you to be there for the people in your life who really matter.

And whilst we are on the subject of personal growth and getting out of your comfort zone, our own Dr Catherine is currently doing exactly that. On 1st May, she will be taking part in the Cardiff HYROX competition—a seriously demanding (aka frankly bonkers) fitness challenge involving 8 × 1 km runs, punctuated by a different strength/endurance workout. The list includes sled pushes, lunges, and something called a ski erg... and I think I've developed a psychosomatic stitch just typing those out! No doubt Catherine will have a few “what on earth am I doing?” moments both in training and in the race itself. Luckily, she has a very excellent “why” to carry her through—she has a fundraising goal for Macmillan Cancer Support, a cause close to many of our hearts.

Catherine, we are full of admiration and wish you the very best of luck! And, just in case any of our patients feel moved to top up the total, and help her through those last agonising reps, the link to her fundraising page can be found here. 

Wishing you an excellent week, with the ideal mix of comfort and constructive discomfort.

Gemma, Tom and all at Winchester GP