Life Rituals

12/08/2025

Anyone relate ?

11/08/2025

Meet the Life Rituals Team

Not sure which practitioner is right for you?

If you’re unsure whether you’re choosing the right therapy for your condition you Booking a FREE 15 min discovery call with any practitioner gives you a chance to meet a practitioner and decide if they’re the right fit to support your journey to better health.

It’s simple - go to our website and click on one of the practitioners profiles below then click on their email them to request a call

* Jo George – Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine/Adults

* Nikki Leeson – Counsellor – Adults

* Holly Penfold – Nutritional Therapy – Adults & Children

* Stacey Jackson – Human Givens Psychotherapist

* Dr Daniel Pickering – Personalised Occupational Health Assessments and support to employers

* Aelish Anderson – Acupuncture/adults/children & teenagers

* Ginny Kemp – Medical Herbalist/Adults & Children.

* Jonathan Kemp – Counsellor – Adults

* Beth Sykes – Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist

* Jane Knight – Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Facial Reflexology, Reiki, Myofascial Cupping, Zone Face Lift and LED skin therapy & Holistic Facials.

* Kerry Byrne – Acupuncture/Adults (evening appts)

* Mel Bell – Osteopathy

* Aishling Doyle – CBT Hypnotherapist

And… If you’re still unsure which practitioner is best for you, perhaps because of your condition, then please email us info@liferituals.co.uk or call 01572 868579 and we will suggest one for you.

08/08/2025

Consistent Healthcare for the whole family- Life Rituals Clinic - Oakham.

The path to Health and well being isn’t always straightforward. We are here to help you navigate this through using our skills, clinical experience and determination !

We use both Functional Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine at our practice, providing truly personalised healthcare plans based on root causes of illness instead of the ‘sticky plaster’ symptom-based approach. We offer a broad range of interventions, from acupuncture, Western herbal medicine, nutrition, reflexology to counselling, psychotherapy, Lymphatic drainage massage, Reiki and LED skin therapy.

All of our expert health practitioners at Life Rituals, offer a complimentary 15mins call so you can discuss your particular health needs in detail. We refer to other experts within the practice if we think they would be better suited to you.

Do contact us for more info or head to our website to view individual practitioners details www.liferituals.co.uk or give us a call and we will point you in the right direction !

Photo: Rutland

04/08/2025

👇🏽Yes !!

26/07/2025

Water is an essential component of every cell in your body. For example, the tissue that makes up your lungs is comprised of nearly 90% water. Your blood is more than 80% water. And, your brain is approximately 70% water. Even a 2% drop in optimal hydration can lead to cloudy thinking and fatigue.

Here are five ways you can tell if you are dehydrated

Here are five ways you can tell if you are dehydrated:

1. Your urine is dark. When you are hydrated, your urine is clear to straw-colored. It becomes progressively darker the more dehydrated you are. So, if your urine is honey-colored to dark-brown that is a sign that you need to hydrate. Remember: certain medications and foods can change the color of your urine.

2. You’re constipated. Water is important for digestion and elimination. Dehydration is one of the most common causes of constipation. Of course, there are many other factors that can cause constipation, including the food you eat, travel, and certain conditions and medications. If you are staying hydrated, your stool should be soft and you should not have to strain.

3. You have a dry mouth. A dry mouth is one of the first symptoms indicating that you need to hydrate. A sense of thirst may follow. Not being able to produce tears or sweat is another clear sign of dehydration.

4. You get frequent headaches. Your brain can actually shrink from dehydration, causing you to get a headache. This is common after exercise when you have been sweating and not replenishing fluids. But, dehydration headaches can occur any time you become dehydrated, and they can be severe. You can tell if a headache is from dehydration because you will experience other signs of dehydration as well.

5. You are tired. Dehydration can cause muscle fatigue, sleepiness, and general lethargy. When children are dehydrated, they tend to become less active.
People who are chronically dehydrated may suffer from some or all of these five most common symptoms, as well as other symptoms of chronic dehydration, including: indigestion, muscle and joint aches and pains, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, depression, lack of mental clarity, skin problems, weight issues, and even allergies.

Severe dehydration can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and confusion, and it can even lead to chronic kidney disease.

Video: Sea around Anti-Paxos, Greek Island ♥️👌

03/07/2025

26/06/2025

👌👇🏽

18/06/2025

If you would like help with mental health guidance or have a medical complaint or just want to feel better in yourself. Why not try a free discovery call with one of our practitioners to see how we can help you.

Life Rituals Practitioners:

Jo George – Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine/Adults

Nikki Leeson – Counsellor – Adults

Holly Penfold – Nutritional
Therapy – Adults & Children

Stacey Jackson – Human Givens Psychotherapist

Dr Daniel Pickering – Personalised Occupational Health Assessments and support to employers

Ginny Kemp – Medical Herbalist/Adults & Children.

Jonathan Kemp – Counsellor – Adults

Jane Knight – Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Facial Reflexology, Reiki, Myofascial Cupping, Zone Face Lift and Holistic Facials.

Kerry Byrne – Acupuncture/Adults (evening appts)

Beth Sykes – Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist

Mel Bell – Osteopathy

Aelish Anderson – Acupuncture/adults/children & teenagers

We have expert knowledge and experience in the following areas:

Couples Fertility

Cardio Vascular Health

Womens Health Gynaecology, miscarriage, PMS, PCOS, fibroids, menopause, painful/heavy/irregular periods, urinary issues

Headaches and Migraines

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Musculo Skeletal Health – Acute/degenerative

Digestive Issues

Metabolic Disorders – Weight Loss

Skin Complaints – Exceama/allergies

Mental Health – Anxiety/depression, bereavement

Children’s Health

Pre-Post Operative Health Care

Chronic & Acute Auto-Immune Conditions

Complex Chronic Health Issues

Where to find us:

In the heart of Oakham, our attractive, welcoming character building on Mill Street is beautifully renovated to provide comfortable and relaxing spaces where clients can meet with our practitioners. We have a small but beautiful waiting area, with a ground floor and two first-floor treatment rooms.

Mill Street has some beautiful local shops and cafes.

There is free 1-hour parking in Mill Street and paid car parks within a 2 mins walk. We are 8 mins from Oakham train station, and Oakham is just off the A47, easily accessible from many areas such as Stamford, Leicester, and Peterborough.

17/06/2025

Why is the vagus nerve so important?

The vagus nerve plays a vital role in the functioning of the human body, from regulating the digestive system to controlling heart rate, mood control and breathing.

The benefits of acupuncture in the context of vagus nerve stimulation are manifold. This ancient Chinese practice can be a safe and effective way to stimulate the vagus nerve and promote its function, offering a non-pharmacological intervention for various health conditions.

Research has shown that acupuncture can reduce inflammation, improve heart rate variability, and regulate autonomic function — all of which are related to vagus nerve function. The anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture, in particular, have been attributed to its ability to modulate the vagus nerve, providing an alternative treatment option for conditions associated with chronic inflammation.

Moreover, acupuncture has been found beneficial as an adjunctive therapy for conditions related to vagus nerve dysfunction, such as anxiety, depression, and gastrointestinal disorders. By stimulating the vagus nerve, acupuncture can help restore balance in the body, leading to improved mental and physical health.

Additionally, there are a variety of exercises and techniques that you can use to stimulate the vagus nerve at home.

Breathwork
* Deep breathing, in other words, taking slow deep breaths and making the exhale longer than the inhale activates your relaxation response. Meditation emphasises deep breathing, too.

Physical Exercise
* Yoga and tai chi combine gentle movement with deep breathing techniques, so can be helpful. Yoga poses involving gentle neck pulls can specifically support the vagus nerve. Interval and endurance training are useful to increase vagal tone, too.

Music and Laughter
* Listening to calming music, singing, humming and even laughter can all help reset your vagus nerve – and they’re free.

Massage and Reflexology
* Specific massage and reflexology techniques can both be effective at stimulating the vagus nerve.

* Food Choices to Support Vagal Tone Adopting a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods including seeds, nuts, oily fish, and colourful plant foods, along with fermented foods, is known to help reduce inflammation and reduce nervous system hyperreactivity.

Show your Vagus Nerve some love

The vagus nerve plays a key role in maintaining the body’s homeostasis, regulating processes from digestion to heart rate. Acupuncture, alongside other vagus nerve stimulation techniques, can offer numerous health benefits by enhancing the function of this vital nerve.

Maintaining the health and proper functioning of the vagus nerve is crucial for optimal health and wellness. By incorporating acupuncture and other vagus nerve stimulation techniques into our daily routines, we can help to support the body's natural healing processes and achieve a greater sense of balance and vitality.

If you would like help or have a medical complaint and just want to feel better in yourself.

Why not try a free discovery call with one of our acupuncture practitioners to see how we can help you.

Email info@liferituals.co.uk
Or phone 01572 868579

15/06/2025

👇🏽YES 👇🏽

12/06/2025

A Sea of Calm.
How you feel as calm as this scene evokes when you are crippled by anxiety ?

Maybe by taking a radical approach…..By befriending your anxiety.

Instead of fighting against your anxiety…What if you could make peace with it instead?

Our counsellor, psychotherapist and CBT hypnotherapist offers genuine methods that sees anxiety not as a weakness, but as an intelligent communication system of your body and mind.

By learning to listen, respond, and ultimately transform your relationship with stress—turning what once overwhelmed you into a source of strength and insight through talking therapy.
Our therapist offer a 15 minute complimentary chat to discuss your particular needs and if they feel another therapist may suit you better they refer to them.
It starts with the courage to make contact - see all our therapist’s bios and email directly. We are here to help, have the expertise and experience to guide you through your difficulties.

12/06/2025

Vitamin D and Prostrate Health

Vitamin D is one of the simplest and most powerful nutrients you can take to support your overall health. I recommend it to almost every male patient I see. Why?

Because the science is clear: vitamin D helps protect your cells, reduce inflammation, and may even lower your risk of serious diseases like cancer.

Let’s take a closer look at how vitamin D works, especially when it comes to prostate health.

🔍 What: Why Vitamin D Matters for You

Low levels of vitamin D are incredibly common, especially in the winter or in people who spend a lot of time indoors. This is important because vitamin D helps regulate inflammation, supports the immune system, and keeps our cells aging well.

Studies show that people with low vitamin D levels may have:

* Higher risk of advanced cancers

* More inflammation in their body

* Shorter telomeres (a sign of faster aging)

For men, low vitamin D may also be linked to worse prostate health, more urinary problems, and even lower sexual function.

🧠 Why: How Vitamin D Supports Your Health

Vitamin D does a lot more than help your bones. It:

* Reduces inflammation by lowering harmful molecules like CRP and IL-8

* Protects your DNA by slowing telomere shortening, which is linked to aging and cancer

* Supports your immune systemso your body can fight off infections and abnormal cells

* Helps your prostate by reducing inflammation and possibly slowing tumor growth

* May improve urinary symptoms like frequent or urgent urination

* Supports blood flow, which is important for sexual function

One major study (VITAL Trial) found that people taking vitamin D had:

* 17% lower risk of advanced cancer
* 22% lower risk of autoimmune diseases
* Slower aging of cells over 4 years

✅ How: What You Can Do Now
If you’re not already taking vitamin D, talk to your doctor about getting your levels checked. Most adults benefit from taking 2000 IU to 4000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.

Some tips:
* Get your vitamin D from D3, not D2

* Take it with a meal that has fat for better absorption

* Aim for a blood level of 40–60 ng/mL

Also:
* Get some sunshine, especially in warmer months

* Eat vitamin D-rich foods like salmon, sardines, and eggs

* If you have prostate issues, urinary symptoms, or fatigue, vitamin D may help

💡 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Vitamin D is low-cost, low-risk, and supported by strong science. It plays a big role in aging, prostate health, and immune defense.
Adding it to your wellness routine is one of the best steps you can take to protect your health as you age.

📖 References

Blackburn, E. H., Epel, E. S., & Lin, J. (2006). Human telomere biology: A contributory and interactive factor in aging, disease risks, and protection. Nature, 447(7148), 254–260.

Cawthon, R. M., Smith, K. R., O'Brien, E., Sivatchenko, A., & Kerber, R. A. (2003). Association between telomere length in blood and mortality in people aged 60 years or older. The Lancet, 361(9355), 393–395.

Manson, J. E., Cook, N. R., Lee, I. M., Christen, W., Bassuk, S. S., Mora, S., ... & Buring, J. E. (2019). Vitamin D supplements and prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(1), 33–44.

Zhu, H., Manson, J. E., Cook, N. R., Bekele, B. B., Chen, L., Kane, K. J., ... & Li, W. (2025). Vitamin D3 and marine ω-3 fatty acids supplementation and leukocyte telomere length: 4-year findings from the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Advance online publication.