Niyc Pidgeon

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Positive Psychology | Personal Fitness | Optimal Nutrition

Thursday, 4 September 2014

Embrace Your Personal Power

Each month at Optimal You, we run an event called the Optimal You Lifestyle Power Hour. The Power Hour takes place at a different location each month, and brings together a collection of speakers to share their ideas and knowledge on topics from the three core areas of Optimal You - Positive Psychology, Personal Fitness, and Optimal Nutrition. The talks have covered such a wide range of concepts, and last night the September Power Hour took the theme "Embracing Your Personal Power".

The evening was held at Cook House, a new kitchen in Ouseburn, which is created in two shipping containers, and is home to The Grazer, Anna Hedworth.

Our guests began to arrive at 6pm and Anna had very kindly prepared some of her fantastic salads for everybody to try. Taster plates were made up of Anna's herb couscous with cumin onions, sweet potato salad with pecans and ginger...and more.

Thirty one of us managed to fit into the Cook House kitchen for this sell out event, and once everybody had settled in, we set up a talk show style Q&A with Anna, to find out a little bit more about the Cook House concept, what the history is, and where it looks set to go. Anna told us about her famous supper clubs, which take place at unusual locations such as Lindisfarne Castle, and The Farne Islands, and surprised us all by sharing that she had previously pursued a career as an Architect before deciding to embrace her personal power, follow her passion, and make the transition to Cook House.

Next in the line up was Chris Morris, owner of Clear Fitness with his talk on "How to build the perfect diet for YOU". Having collaborated with Chris in the past I knew his talk would be full of great nuggets of information to take away, and he didn't disappoint. Chris talked about the importance of eating whole foods - a view that I also share - and outlined his "Path to Health", for guests to take away, with a step-by-step process of empowering yourself through nutrition knowledge and creating a healthier you.

I spoke as the final speaker for the evening, and shared with guests some ideas from Positive Psychology, and how to Embrace Your Personal Power.

We began by discussing what power is. Is it a feeling? Is it an action? Does power come through making choices? Is power associated with strength? Is power physical? We talked about power in the gym. We talked about power of the mind. We often say that knowledge is power. We can have power at work, and we can feel power from within.

What does power mean to you?

When have you felt powerful?

When have you not felt so powerful?

Power can come from taking charge. We can feel powerful through learning about nutrition and making choices that support us being our best. We can experience a transfer of confidence from feeling physically strong, to feeling emotionally strong.

"We simply need to believe in the power within us, and learn to use it".

You can begin the journey to Embracing Your Personal Power by becoming more self aware and working out what your values are, by giving yourself permission to develop your own personal power, and giving yourself permission to use it. Learn to ask for what you want, and follow your gut when making decisions. Find out what it is that you love, and pursue it - something that is challenging and keeps you engaged, that you can be fully immersed in. We call this finding your Flow. Be truthful to yourself and Embrace Your Personal Power by choosing to take action and create what you want.

Keep an eye on the Optimal You Blog for an upcoming post about speaking your truth, and check out The Grazer, Cook House, and Clear Fitness sites too. Get in touch if you would like to host an Optimal You Power Hour at your venue, or if you have any topics you would like to see covered!

With Gratitude,

Niyc xx

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Wednesday, 19 March 2014

Exercise and your brain....

I was interviewed by Luke Adams and Nick Ridgeon for the Run Eat Sleep podcast this week and one of the things we chatted about was the effect of running on how your brain works and how you feel. We talked very briefly about how morning running - or any exercise for that matter - can set you up for the day and help you to focus, and I would like to expand on this within this blog post.

Physical activity is highlighted as being the number one factor in optimal functioning. This is something I repeat time and time again as I really do believe it is the key to living a thriving and optimal life.

Positive effects associated with being active and moving more included enhanced self esteem, greater well-being, improved cognitive functioning, sense of flow, and sleep quality, and reduced risk and incidence of cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

The general rule is that some exercise is good, and more is better.

So how does exercise affect the way you feel?

Exercise prepares your brain for the intake of information, it gets you ready. Exercising in the morning can enhance your attention and absorption, and heighten your productivity throughout the day. Levels of a protein called BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor) become more concentrated after acute or prolonged aerobic exercise - exercise such as running.

BDNF activates brain stem cells to convert to new neurons and triggers chemicals that promote brain health, and help rejuvenate brain and muscle tissues. It is said to be key to maintaining memory and performing at tasks where a level of skill is required.

You can feel the effect for yourself by taking morning exercise before work, school, or university, and noticing how much more 'switched on' you are feeling. As little as 10 minutes can make a difference.

The next time you are feeling lethargic or stressed, and like you are in need of a boost to your energy, focus, and mental clarity, choose exercise, go for a run, get outside and move.

Your brain will thank you for it.

The Run Eat Sleep podcast is available for download now, free from iTunes.

Thanks

Niyc xx

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Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Thank You!

Thank you to 2013 for the highs, the lows, the lessons, the learning and the growth. This year didn't turn out for me as planned (it actually ended up turning out better in the end!) and brought with it some incredibly emotional times. The change and transition has been huge and I am a better person as a result. Things I am grateful for:

My Health (always). We often do not realise how lucky we are and should always take the time to express gratitude for being able and well, when others may not. This year I experienced two crazy painful and rare instances of an exposed nerve/dry socket after having my wisdom teeth out and having an amoeba in my eye that eats it's way through the cornea. Both completely random and incredibly painful which put me out of sorts for a while and meant I haven't been able to go a million miles an hour like I usually do!

It has been challenging for me to slow down and take things as they are, and realise that sometimes I can't do all things at once and I need to reflect and give myself a break. I am used to feeling incredibly good and full of energy and this year at times I have not. I know I will be back on form and back to myself again, and I am just appreciative of the fact I have that as an option. I always take time to consider the situation of others and realise that no matter the pain you feel or the illness or ailment you have, there is always somebody struggling more, and somebody that would give anything to be as healthy as I am. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't allow yourself to feel pain or feel low, but it certainly puts things into perspective and helps you feel stronger.

Think about your goals for next year and consider showing gratitude for your health and for your body. Learn to love it and learn to look after it. This means daily movement and exercise, nutritious food, and kind and positive thoughts for yourself and for others, because both have an effect on how you feel and be.

My Family: I am grateful for my family for always being there, for thinking that I am mad and mental, and for helping me along my way.

My Friends. I have a huge network of friends, and a huge circle of very good, close friends at that. Friends have been there for me this year to laugh and to cry, to support me with their words and actions - from a simple message to say well done and I'm proud of you, to a meaningful hug, a wild night of celebration and relaxation, or acting as a personal chef when I am so busy working that I don't have time to cook. Spending time doing things, and doing nothing, it's just great being around each other. If I can be half as good a friend to you all as you have been to me then I'll be incredibly happy! Thank you for supporting me, for believing in me and for making me cry with laughter!! :D Feeling the love...

My Passion. I am grateful to be able to create and generate so many positive thoughts, ideas and actions. I am grateful to be able to help so many people through Positive Psychology, through Personal Fitness Training and through Optimal Nutrition whether it be in the gym, through running, through a seminar or coaching session, or just via a tiny bit of advice. It is so rewarding to hear positive feedback from clients as to what you have changed and achieved as a result of working together to achieve your goals.

Growing Optimal You as my business and as a brand has been an amazing challenge, journey and experience, and one that has just begun! Bringing Green Vibrance and Maximum Vibrance green juice products to so many people and being able to help people feel good is absolutely fantastic, and I love hearing feedback on eczema that has been cured, acne that has disappeared, weight loss goals that have been achieved, and the abundance of energy and well-being that everyone feels as a result of taking the product. I'm so glad I have these amazing products in my life and that I am able to share them.

I am thankful that I am able to do what I love, what I really connect and engage with, and what I enjoy. Being able to feel happy and energised through what I work hard for is the best thing ever. Helping people realise their potential is something that is so rewarding and something I can't wait to do more of.

I have received so much support for my business which has been really overwhelming! I never expected to be surrounded by so much help from business advisors, mentors, friends, colleagues, and complete strangers. I am grateful to all of my clients, to all of my mentors and advisors, and to everybody that has been there for me to help me through challenges I have faced. I did not ever expect to have so many amazing people around me and helping me, and it has really help drive me forwards, both personally and professionally.

I am excited for what is to come in the New Year and can't wait to get started!

In January I will be helping you with your fitness, detox and weight loss goals, with training sessions, bootcamps, run sessions, detox plans, workouts, and Green Vibrance and Maximum Vibrance detox juices. I will be leading the Driven Woman "Mind" and "Nourish" workshops in London, presenting my New Year Younger You event at Jesmond Dene House, and delivering a Positive Psychology Master Class. I will also be continuing with my writing, editing my academic research for publication and preparing a submission for the European Positive Psychology Conference. Lots of things to be excited about...and these are just a few of them!

My wishes for 2014. That I am able to continue to help people feel great and realise their potential and what they can achieve. To grow Optimal You as a lifestyle brand and create jobs as a result. To achieve my own health goals and reach new levels of strength and fitness. For my dad to be well, have a successful operation on his heart, and be fitter and healthier than ever before. For all of my friends, family, clients, and followers to learn, grow, and succeed in the ways they desire, and to be happy and love and be loved.

What are you grateful for? What are your goals and wishes for 2014? Drop me an email or tweet and let me know.

Learn from your negatives. Savour and build on your positives.

Have a great New Year and 2014 :)

Thank You!

Niyc xx

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Monday, 7 October 2013

Healing through nutrition

I had such a lovely weekend at the CAM Expo at Earls Court in London this weekend! The Expo was an event for health practitioners and retailers, which combined a trade show with educational seminars and workshops, centered around presenting the most up to date research relevant to the health industry. The presentation that really struck a chord with me was, ‘Healing the heart with food’, which looked at the value in preventing and also treating cardiovascular disease with nutrition.

As a proponent of nutrition as a preventative measure for disease it was great to hear the most up to date research into both of these areas, which both have relevance to me, both professionally through my business Optimal You, and also on a more personal level, as my dad has ischemic heart disease, and I want to know everything I can that might be able to help him in some way. I am not a medical doctor, and so am not qualified to give advice as to what the best treatment for CHD might be, although the information from the seminar yesterday did ring true for me with the existing knowledge and research I have done.

I’d like to share what I know and what I have learned over the weekend, and hopefully it might inspire you to do your own research and learn about how nutrition might be able to play a part in disease prevention for you J

Cardiovascular disease is the collective term for a class of diseases that affect the heart. It is considered an epidemic, and is the cause of 180,000 deaths per year in the UK, which equates to one in every three of all deaths. Huge statistics I think you will agree.

Treatment for cardiovascular disease includes lifestyle changes, statin medication to help lower cholesterol, and stents put into the heart to help ease blood flow. Research suggests that statins are effective in reducing heart attack risk by 1% when taken for 5 years (McCormack, 2010), and that the benefits of stents extend to angina relief but do not prolong life.

Inflammation is thought to be the cause of most or all disease, and it is suggested that CHD can be reversed, and surgery avoided, with lifestyle and diet modification. Reduce inflammation, reduce disease.

The research into nutrition based healing shows that including nuts and high quality oils into the diet each day can reduce risk of cardiac death by 30% for those patients yet to experience a cardiac event, or by 76% for those that have (compared with 18% for statins).

Raw, steamed, and slow cooked foods are to be favoured instead of frying or grilling, as these cause higher numbers of AGE’s to enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation. Just six weeks of making positive choices with regards to cooking techniques can dramatically reduce the inflammation, which leads to disease.

An acidic body environment is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and promoting a more alkaline body environment, through the drinking of green juices and the incorporation of vegetables and potassium into the diet, can change cardiovascular function – with every single meal. There can be a 14% change in endotoxin levels (associated with obesity) after eating a high AGE meal, and so it is important to remember that each meal you eat may have a positive or a negative effect on your health.

Cereals (including wheat) should be eliminated, along with dairy products, with an abundance of vegetables, herbal teas, and water being favoured instead. The idea is to lower the inflammation and to allow the immune system to function correctly as it should. Apples, onions, spinach, and broccoli all contain polyphenols, which promote positive physiology of the body. They reduce inflammation and lower the risk of CVD.

Drinking one glass of pomegranate juice per day can help open up arteries and increase blood flow, and beetroot, celery and spinach can all help vasodilation due to their nitrate content. Taking a prebiotic and a probiotic is recommended, to promote healthy levels of good bacteria, and a positive psychology and sense of purpose should be cultivated in order to lower stress levels and maintain an alkaline balance.

By choosing natural and healthful foods you can create your own positive health and energy, prevent disease, and actually reverse CHD. A plant-based diet is recommended, coupled with exercise, meditation and well-being as well.

Key Points:

1. Each meal that you eat has a profound effect on the way your body functions, within 20 minutes, and also cumulatively.

2. Choose natural, whole foods, and eat more alkaline foods (vegetables, almonds) and less acidic foods (meats, processed foods, sugars)

3. Cook using low heat methods, eat raw, steam, or slow cook.

4. Take prebiotics and probiotics daily (there are 25 billion probiotics in one serving of green vibrance or maximum vibrance).

5. Invest in yourself, your health, and your well-being.

‘Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food’.

Niyc xx

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