Mind Body Diabetes

A Nottingham author’s positive solution to halt diabetes.

Dr Emma Mardlin - psychotherapist and practitioner of mind body medicine at the Pinnacle Practice in West Bridgford - is the writer of Mind Body Diabetes, a practical resource book that will provide a valuable support for people with all types of diabetes and other illnesses. 

Writing from experience, having lived with T1 diabetes for over twenty years, Emma offers her own personal story, which includes achieving 5.8% HbA1C on minimal insulin. This history, combined with her expertise in mind body medicine, helps to make this book a wonderful companion for those wishing to emotionally and physically break free from diabetes.

The information is based on science and many facts are offered in addition to the personal anecdotes and inspiring case studies. Whilst it’s written in an accessible, friendly manner, much of the advice requires the reader to adopt a new mental approach, sourcing the root of negative emotions and releasing or replacing them. Underpinning this work is that every thought and emotion affects every cell in the body. As the mind and body are constantly communicating in a cause and effect cycle the book focuses on our physical and mental states.   

Our body undertakes vital work, done unconsciously (the majority of our breathing for example), and yet we undervalue, or at least under-acknowledge, our greatest resource, the unconscious and subconscious workings of the mind. The idea that our constantly replacing cells have intelligence and memory, and that these memories are not just held in the brain but our entire neural network, is an engrossing theory that's backed up.

Diabetes, blood sugar levels and hormones are inextricably linked, so it is necessary to carefully balance hormones in as natural a way as possible. There are many strategies suggested by Emma that can help - she likens her managing of diabetes to managing a company - such as meditation and visualisation (there’s one cool technique involving peripheral vision) and diet (Emma’s The Acceleration Plan is a valuable addition). There’s a real effort to put over the damaging impact of negativity. Avoiding negative thought and, when possible, negative people is only part of the battle though, the real goal is in citing the origin of trauma and safely releasing it, replacing it with positive thoughts and benefiting from the subsequent physiological reactions. In understanding a reason for something it seems easier to accept and treat it.

A positive approach is taken through all the levels of support on offer, with the only scorn falling on the social and medical perceptions of diabetes which are regularly challenged here, with the label ‘diabetic’ coming under particular fire. It does seem that the medical profession have been found wanting in regards to attitudes to diabetes, certainly if some of Emma’s experiences are anything to go on.

The idea that our emotions can lead to illness is not a radical one and there’s no need for a leap of faith, only a willingness to think outside the doctor’s door, being prepared to tackle diabetes on many levels. 

Can diabetes be temporary, even reversed? Maybe. One thing’s for sure, you won’t think about dis-ease the same way again.

Emma Mardlin’s website http://www.dr-em.co.uk/

Clare Harvey's debut wins another award

Congratulations to Nottingham-based author Clare Harvey. Her wartime novel The Gunner Girl, published by Simon & Schuster, has been awarded The Romantic Novelists' Association’s (RNA) prestigious Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Clare was presented with her award and a cheque for £1,000 at the RNA’s Summer Party. The former University of Nottingham creative writing student's debut novel had previously scooped the Exeter Novel Prize.  

NottsLit review of The Gunner Girl:

Set in London during the blitz, the story follows the war efforts of three teenage women who join the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). The characters are:

Bea – Having not heard from her boyfriend/soldier sweetheart for months (he’s purported missing in action), she takes a train to London hoping to make a better life for her baby daughter, and, at the same time, escape from her own controlling mother who is passing off Bea’s baby as her own whilst forbidding Bea to reveal the truth.

Edie – From a background of wealth and privilege, which included a philandering father that insists on calling her ‘half pint’, Edie wants to make a difference. Inspired by Mary Churchill she signs up, almost on a whim. A young lady of Edie’s social standing is told that she shouldn’t be manning guns but, Edie thinks, if ATS is good enough for the PM’s daughter…

Joan: Struggling to recall her tragic past, Joan arrives in the ATS after her family home was destroyed by a bomb. Joan is really Vanessa, her younger sister (aged 17, she's too young to join ATS). Vanessa took her dead sister’s name and ID card in a twist that could have been held back for suspense. Instead, it’s a plot point that opens the novel. When, later on, she receives a letter from her fiancé, it’s the wrong man. A development that could have been a great twist of intrigue, worthy of Harlan Coben, is instead only a mystery for the characters themselves.   

It doesn’t take long for the three gunner girls’ paths to cross and friendships to be established but, as much of the first half flips, following one character’s story at a time, it takes a while to get to know them individually. Once the stories have two or three of the women on the same page the pace picks up and the second half of the book is eventful.

The 1940s setting clearly provides challenges for the characters and works well for this coming of age tale. Their roles, manning anti-aircraft guns, provide an interesting angle from which to experience the horrors of war. But it’s the horrors of life that are inflicted on our three heroines. As you might expect, the women attract lots of male attention, which has unwanted, even tragic consequences. With their difficult family lives and up and down love interests there’s plenty of emotion to engage with, and one big surprise towards the end will definitely shock you.

If this was adapted for TV it wouldn’t look out of place on BBC2 at 9pm on a Sunday evening. Part two is, apparently, coming soon. Watch this space.   

Arnold July 15, Ian McMillan & Tony Husband

Tickets £5.00. Obtained from the Richard Bonington Theatre, c/o Arnold Leisure Centre, High St, Arnold, Nottinghamshire NG5 7EE   Tel: 0115 901 3640 or by post from Julie.nwuk@gmail.com.  

 

'the man's a genius!' Yorkshire Post reader

'Ian McMillan, owner of one of the finest broadcasting voices currently gracing the airwaves' Radio Times 

'the verbal gymnastics of a north country Spike Milligan coupled with the comic timing of Eric Morecambe' Frome Festival

'I knew he was good, but he’s even better' Wirral Festival of Firsts

'I laughed so much at your stint I could hardly breathe!' Matlock U3A

‘inching towards the status of a National Treasure’ Andy Kershaw

'world-class – one of today’s greatest poetry performers' Carol Ann Duffy

Wed 11th, Two Events

.Wednesday 11th May 7:30pm, Beeston Tales presents Joe Brennan with As I went wandering..., The White Lion
Joe is a storyteller, writer and theatre maker. He has travelled widely and featured in many festivals sharing his stories around the globe. He is the author of Donegal Folk Tales, and we are very pleased to be able to be part of his midlands tour. The night will also feature music from acclaimed guitarist and songwriter Phil Langran.
Tickets £5 in advance , £6 on the door, available from The White Lion, or online atwww.timralphs.com/beeston-tales

Wednesday 11th May 8pm, Crosswords Spoken Word Open Mic, Malt Cross
Crosswords is a new spoken word open mic night, taking place in the caves underneath the Malt Cross Pub on St James’ Street. There are plenty of open mic slots and a featured poet every month! In May, our special guest is Leicester-based poet and performer, Shruti Chauhan. Arrive at 7:30pm on the night to book your five-minute open mic slot. We like poetry, prose, storytelling, a cappella singing, and monologues! Or you can just come along to listen – everyone's welcome! For more information, check out our facebook event. 
Entry is £2 per person and refreshments are available.

Rachel Kelly, Walking on Sushine

Monday 16 May 3pm - 4pm

Author talk: Rachel Kelly

The writer and mental health campaigner gives an entertaining talk based on her bestselling book "Walking on Sunshine: 52 Small Steps to Happiness". Rachel shares tips, tools and positive ideas to help you manage the pressures of everyday life

 

To book your place at this free event please contact the Central Library on Tel: 0115 9152825 or Email: enquiryline@nottinghamcity.gov.uk