Happiness and nature's healing powers

Our Physiotherapist, Sarah Mckeown, shares her love of blue skies, being on the water and ‘good’ physio days.

Nothing makes me happier than waking up to a blue sky day, I’m sure many others feel the same, it just puts a smile on my face and I can’t wait to get outside to enjoy it!

We’re so lucky to be surrounded by green spaces and waterways to enjoy, whether for a run in the park, the odd obstacle course (at the gauntlet games pictured), a stroll with friends or to watch my son play rugby, each of which are are only enhanced by a blue sky.

We need to make the most of sunny days to soak up the much needed Vitamin D, to help maintain healthy bones and teeth, to support our immune systems and boost our mood - so every time you wake up to a blue sky, make sure you make the most of it and get yourself out there.

Secondly I love to be in or around water, from growing up swimming almost every day to getting out and about on the river on a paddle board or kayak, I find the water so calming and restorative. I have been fortunate enough to factor water into my working life too in the form of Aquatic Therapy (i.e. Physiotherapy in water).

Water can be hugely beneficial to those in pain, to help support painful joints, to help facilitate movement and to help gently strengthen weak or painful muscles each of which is made possible by the warmth.

Hydrotherapy pools are maintained at 34-35 degrees and so it feels like stepping into a warm bath. I don’t know about you but this tends to make me smile alongside each and every patient who enters the pool too.

Finally, a “Good Physio Day” is guaranteed to make me happy. Not every day goes to plan but the ones where I feel that I have really made a difference in someone’s life, whether that’s helping to reduce someone’s pain or help change their perspective, their outlook or to give someone hope that things will improve, those are the days when I feel truly happy and really love the job that I do.

Find out more about Sarah who offers hands on Physiotherapy and Physio led Pilates at The Training Works

Here’s to more blue sky days and happy International Day of Happiness!