Ways of Wellness

09/09/2026

Who could you check in on today?

With R U OK? Day tomorrow, it got me thinking about the people in our lives we haven’t spoken to for a little while.

Sometimes someone simply pops into your mind.

And rather than thinking, “I must give them a call sometime,” perhaps that’s the moment to actually do it.

You don’t need to have the perfect words or know whether something is wrong.

A simple...

“How are you going?”

“I was thinking about you.”

“Fancy a chat?”
..can be enough to open a conversation.

We’re all busy, and it’s very easy to assume that everyone around us is doing okay.

But sometimes a phone call, a message or a genuine check-in can mean much more than we realise.

So today, I’m keeping this one simple.

Who’s one person you could check in on?

Maybe give them a call. 😄

07/09/2026

When was the last time you actually checked in with how your body feels?

Not because something was wrong. Just to notice.

We’re usually very good at carrying on with our day, getting things done and adjusting without really thinking about it.

Then every now and again we notice we’re a little stiffer, carrying more tension, moving differently or simply not feeling quite ourselves.

I think there’s something to be said for noticing the quieter signs rather than only paying attention when our body really demands it.

It doesn’t have to be complicated either.

How am I moving today?
Where am I holding tension?
What feels good?
What feels different?

Sometimes simply paying attention is a good place to start. 😄

What does your body usually tell you when it’s time to slow down or look after yourself a little more?

04/09/2026

When we hear the word “wellness”, I think we sometimes picture all the things we’re told we should be doing.

The perfect morning routine. The right exercise. Eating well. Getting enough sleep. Making time to relax.

All important, of course.

But I think wellness can be much less complicated than that.

Sometimes it’s getting back to something you’ve missed.

Moving your body because you actually enjoy it.

Spending time with people who make you laugh.

Getting outside.

Having a good conversation.

Or simply doing something that makes you feel a little more like yourself again.

After being away, I’ve been reminded that feeling well isn’t always about adding more things to our lives.

Sometimes it’s about coming back to the things that already make us feel good. 😄

What’s something that makes you feel more like yourself?

02/09/2026

“If it doesn’t hurt, is it actually doing anything?”

It’s an interesting question, and one I think comes from the idea that massage needs to be deep or uncomfortable for us to feel that something is happening.

But not every type of bodywork is designed to work in the same way.

Some techniques use firmer pressure. Others are deliberately much gentler and more specific.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a good example.

The movements used in MLD are gentle, light and rhythmic because the technique is designed to support the natural movement of lymph rather than simply working deeper into the muscles.

I think sometimes we’ve become so used to the idea of “no pain, no gain” that gentle can almost feel like it shouldn’t count. 😄

But more pressure doesn’t automatically mean better. It really depends on what you’re trying to achieve and the technique being used.

Were you surprised to learn that lymphatic massage is actually quite gentle?

31/08/2026

I’ve been thinking about how easily we say yes.

Yes, I’ll do that.
Yes, I can fit that in.
Yes, I’ll be there.
Yes, leave it with me.

Sometimes we say it without even thinking about what that yes is actually costing us.

Because every time we say yes to something, we’re also giving it a little piece of our time, energy or attention.

And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Some things absolutely deserve our yes. The people we love. The things that bring us joy. Opportunities that excite us. Work that feels meaningful. Even something as simple as making time for ourselves.

I think the important part is simply being a little more conscious about it.

Rather than always asking, “What do I need to say no to?” perhaps a better question is...

“What really deserves my yes?”

I quite like looking at it that way. 😊

So I’ll throw the question over to you...

What’s one thing you’re choosing to make more room for at the moment?

28/08/2026

Here’s something you may not know about your lymphatic system...

Unlike your blood circulation, which has the heart acting as a central pump, your lymphatic system doesn’t have one central pump keeping everything moving.

So how does lymph move around the body?

Everyday things such as movement, muscle activity and breathing all play a part, along with the natural contractions of the lymphatic vessels themselves.

I find this fascinating because we often don’t give our lymphatic system much thought until something draws our attention to it.

It also helps explain why Manual Lymphatic Drainage is quite different from the massage many people are used to.

MLD uses gentle, specific and rhythmic movements designed to support the natural movement of lymph. It isn’t about applying more pressure or working deeper.

Sometimes understanding a little more about how our body works can help us understand why different techniques are used too.

Now I’d love to turn this over to you...

What have you always wondered about your lymphatic system?

Pop your question in the comments. I may answer yours in one of my next posts. 😄

26/08/2026

You know you have wonderful friends when they start plotting behind your back… 😅

After a rather horrid 24-hour journey home from the UK, I was expecting to be collected from the airport by my friend Rita Aquilina from Limousine Line, who are absolutely fabulous.

I hadn’t wanted my lovely friend Deb Haldane waking at some ridiculous hour just to collect me at 5:30 in the morning.

Well… Deb had other ideas. 😅

She contacted Rita, took over the airport pickup and the two of them hatched a plan to surprise me.

There was Deb, pretending to be Limousine Line’s new driver.

And yes, tired Fiona fell for it hook, line and sinker! 🤣

After such a long journey, seeing her was honestly a breath of fresh air.

It also got me thinking about friendship.

While I was in the UK, I spent time with my dear college friend Tracey Sylvester. We’ve been friends for more than 40 years, and she opened her home to me as though no time had passed at all.

Tracey is on the other side of the world. Deb is much closer to home.

Yet both remind me of the same thing.

Real friendship isn’t measured by how often you see someone or how close they live.

It’s knowing there are people in your life you trust, love and admire, and when it matters, they show up.

Sometimes that’s opening your home.

Sometimes it’s getting up ridiculously early.

And apparently, sometimes it’s impersonating a limousine driver at 5:30 in the morning. 😅

Those gestures can be big or small, but when they come from someone who genuinely cares, they mean so much.

I’m very lucky to have some remarkable people in my life.

What’s something a friend has done for you that you’ll never forget?

25/08/2026

24/08/2026

I think many of us get very good at saying, “It’s okay, I’ll do it.”

We organise things, sort things out, look after people and just keep going.

And after a while, doing everything ourselves can almost become automatic.

But I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to confuse being capable with having to handle everything on our own.

Sometimes the sensible thing is to ask.

“Can you give me a hand?”
“What do you think?”
“Do you know someone who could help me with this?”

Such simple questions, but sometimes surprisingly difficult to say.

And the funny thing is, most of us are only too happy to help someone else when they ask. So why are we sometimes so reluctant to give ourselves that same permission?

Maybe that's something worth remembering as we head into a new week.

You can know what you're doing, be strong and independent, and still let other people show up for you.

Now I'm curious...

Are you good at asking for help, or are you more of an “it’s okay, I’ll do it myself” person? 😅

21/08/2026

A little Friday honesty... 😅

We spend plenty of time talking about the things we’re good at, but what about the things we are completely hopeless at?

Mine?

Ice skating or roller skating! 🤣

Put me on anything with wheels or blades and apparently all coordination disappears. Definitely not one of my hidden talents!

But I think that’s part of the fun of being human. We don’t have to be good at everything, and sometimes it’s nice to just admit it and have a laugh at ourselves.

So I’m handing this one over to you...

What’s ONE thing you’re absolutely hopeless at?

Come on, don’t leave me skating alone here. 😅 I’d love to hear yours.