August, the Month for Balance

This month, we’re thinking about Balance.

I am a great believer that when the body is truly in balance, or what we call homeostasis, it has an incredible capacity to heal and self-regulate. Our bodies are constantly responding to different forms of stress, whether physical, chemical or emotional. When that stress builds up, our nervous system can spend too much time in a state of alert, with the sympathetic nervous system, our ‘fight or flight’ response, working overtime.

Part of our work at Westbourne Medical Studios is helping people find their way back towards balance. We want to teach our patients ways of working with the parasympathetic nervous system, the part responsible for rest, recovery and regeneration. When we create the right conditions for the body to settle, we give ourselves more space for healing, creativity and renewal.

This summer, I was fortunate to spend time with some amazing colleagues from around the world at Joe Dispenza’s Inner Health Coalition certification programme in Denver. It was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas with such a vibrant and enthusiastic group of people, all bringing different experiences and perspectives.

I came home to Scotland with a renewed sense of energy and a desire to bring some of those ideas with me. For me, balance is not about standing still. It is about finding the right conditions to grow, adapt and make positive change where change is needed.

Balance also means making time for connection. On Thursday 3 September, we are welcoming men to join us for a morning coffee and a chance to spend some time together before the working day begins. Our Men’s Group is a simple opportunity to chat, connect and enjoy some good company. Making space for social connection before work can be a valuable part of looking after our mental health.

And sometimes, balance starts with our feet. This month, we are delighted to welcome our new podiatrist, Colette, to Westbourne Medical Studios. Looking after our feet can have a real impact on how comfortably and confidently we move through everyday life. Colette is here to help you care for your feet, so you can find better balance from the ground up.

With love and best wishes

Dr Veronica

Notes from Nurse Diane

Sometimes, getting back to balance starts with understanding where you are now. I offer health checks at Westbourne Medical Studios, giving you the opportunity to take a closer look at some of the key areas of your health and identify where a little extra support could help.

This can be particularly valuable when you are thinking about starting or growing your family. Fertility is closely connected to overall health, so taking time to understand your nutritional status, lifestyle, general health and any areas that may need attention can be a positive step before trying to conceive.

Our fertility support takes a whole-person approach. A health check can be a simple starting point, helping you understand your health today and consider what you can do to support your wellbeing and fertility for the future. Sometimes, finding balance is about taking a moment to check in with yourself. We’re here to help you do that.

Colette is an HCPC registered Podiatrist with over 20 years’ experience across podiatry, the creative and healing arts.

With a special interest in musculoskeletal podiatry, foot and leg rehabilitation and pain management, she combines biomechanical assessment, orthotic therapy, hands-on treatment and personalised exercise plans.

Colette brings together her clinical podiatry expertise with her experience in reflexology, massage, dry needling and vibrational therapies, offering an integrative approach to helping you feel balanced and supported from the feet up.

Wednesday 26th August, 7–8.30pm

Join Dr Veronica for an evening of guided meditation using singing bowls, gongs and chimes.

Sound has been used in healing traditions for centuries. The vibrations created by these instruments interact gently with the body and nervous system, helping the mind settle and encouraging a state of deep relaxation.

During the session you will be guided into a calm meditative state while the sounds and frequencies unfold around you. Many people describe feeling a sense of spaciousness, clarity and calm afterwards.

There is nothing you need to bring with you. We provide mats, cushions, chairs and blankets so you can relax comfortably and enjoy the experience.

Plum and Wild Rice Salad

Plums are in season at this time of year, making August a lovely time to enjoy them at their freshest. Sweet, juicy and naturally colourful, plums are delicious on their own, but they also work beautifully in savoury dishes.

This plum and wild rice salad is fresh, colourful and full of flavour. The combination of ripe plums, tomatoes, wholegrain rice, sesame seeds, fresh coriander and ginger creates a lovely balance of sweetness, freshness and texture. It makes a great summer lunch, picnic dish or side for a barbecue.

Ingredients

• 500g plums, cut into wedges

• 300g tomatoes, cut into wedges

• 2 x 250g pouches basmati and wild wholegrain rice

• 6 salad onions, thinly sliced

• 3 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

• ½ x 25g pack fresh coriander, chopped

For the Dressing

• 1 tbsp mirin

• 1 tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed oil

• ¾ tsp toasted sesame oil

• 2 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• 1½ tsp maple syrup

• 15g fresh ginger, finely grated

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• ½ tsp sea salt

Method

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the plums, tomatoes, rice, salad onions, sesame seeds and coriander. Gently mix everything together until well coated in the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, then serve in a large bowl or on a platter. This salad is delicious served on its own for a light lunch or alongside grilled fish, chicken or vegetables for a more substantial meal.

Why are plums good for you?

Plums are a good source of fibre, which supports healthy digestion and contributes to our daily fibre intake. They also contain vitamin C, as well as a range of naturally occurring plant compounds with antioxidant properties.

Eating a variety of fruit and vegetables gives our bodies a broad range of vitamins, minerals and plant nutrients. Adding seasonal fruit such as plums is a simple and delicious way to bring more variety into our diet.

The wholegrain rice in this recipe also provides fibre and helps make the salad more filling, while sesame seeds provide healthy fats, protein and minerals.

We often think of self-care as something extra, but it is also about noticing what we need and giving ourselves permission to honour it.

This month, we invite you to ask yourself: Where could I create a little more balance in my life?

It might be a boundary you need to set, a screen you need to switch off, a commitment you need to decline or simply a few quiet minutes to breathe.

Small changes can create more space for what matters.

With love and best wishes

Dr Veronica McBurnie