Wednesday, 11 February 2026

Balance problems? Try this move to prevent falls!

 

Hello, and welcome! 

I hope you are keeping well! Thank you for stopping by. I've been having balance problems since I first had Covid 19 in January 2020. If you have balance issues too, whatever the cause, I hope that by my sharing a little info and a simple exercise this will help prevent you from falling. 

I am thankfully quite fit. I eat a healthy vegetarian diet. I walk, use an exercise bike, swim, take a weekly exercise class, and dance when the mood takes me. In other words, I'm no slouch or couch potato. But. Before I started using the exercise below, often, at home, when walking slowly and changing direction, I would end up spinning around and almost falling instead. Really weird!

Anyway, about your balance problems, the first thing to say is: do consult a doctor to try to find out the cause. Viruses seem to be a common culprit. Cue... Covid 19: a completely new strain of virus. This has meant that scientists have needed time and research to come up with answers and solutions. (From personal experience, not many solutions…) Over the years I have researched this Covid phenomenon but only quite recently came across an article that mentioned my main issues:

- Poor balance when standing or changing positions (The *exercise below helps remedy this.)

- Problems walking in a straight line or in busy areas such as a shopping mall (I can keep in a straightish line when I walk fast - which is fortunately my preferred speed. But manoeuvring slowly through crowds is tough. It was though, a bit of a relief to read these stated problems as I had begun to wonder what on earth was happening to me!) 

If you have long-Covid balance problems too, please click this link for the full article. See this link for lots more info

There are many exercises to be found online to help overcome balance problems. The one I want to share with you was recommended by friend Gill, who also suffers with my kind of long-Covid balance problem. I needed little encouragement to try out this *Clock-Turn technique. I've been using it for about 9 months and it works. Basically, I was advised not to turn around quickly and thoughtlessly. But instead to think of a clockface and move my feet to, say, ten past, twenty past, then half past the hour. 

If that sounds complex this 41 second YouTube video shows exactly what I mean. As falls can be so very dangerous, and it so simple to do this move, I humbly suggest it could be a lifesaver! 

Using this movement has now become habitual for me, and has made me more thoughtful and careful when changing direction while walking at any time; at home or out in the world. Thankfully, I  don't spin around anymore! 

In conclusion, I recently came across an article written by a doctor who says that we can minimize falls by doing a few simple movements regularly to strengthen the muscles that, basically, keep us upright. Here's the link which gives info and shows the simple moves.  I've started doing some of these such as raising onto my toes while waiting for the kettle to boil. 

I hope that you find the above helpful. And if you know of anyone else having balance problems I do hope that you will pass this info on. Because, as St Paul said to the Philippians: 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

God bless,

Teresa x

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Find more inspiration through my books:  

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

A great review: Teresa O’Driscoll has produced a magnificent book on prayer. She nurtures us in to sampling the sheer texture and pace of prayer by trying out different approaches, actions, words and thoughts.

Kate Green, Artist. Writer and Spiritual Director

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In SingaporeIn New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 


Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

A great endorsement: 

Take this book down to the beach in the morning, and I guarantee when you return sunburnt to your room at the end of the day you will see no one around you, from waiters to fellow holidaymakers, in the same way. The characters seeking escape amidst the idyllic beauty of Corfu never manage to shake off the problems they have run from, while O’Driscoll beautifully captures the intrigues of a tightly knit traditional Greek community.

Donald Finnaeus Mayo, author of The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal and Francesca

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Here's a great review: I was ill for a couple of years and had a great loss in my life. This book brought so much peace to me and even though I had been angry with God and blamed him for all my troubles, I found my way back to my relationship with him.

Rose Barrett Wilkinson

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!


Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven 


Monday, 5 January 2026

Let the Christmas Spirit of Love reverberate!

 


2-minute Bible reading and meditation

Hello, and welcome! 

Yesterday, 4th January, at church we sang lots of Christmas carols. If you find that strange you probably don't realise that we are still in Christmastide. And so yesterday was the 10th day of ChristmasRemember that Christmas song: 

[Verse 10]

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me

Ten lords a-leaping

Nine ladies dancing

Eight maids a-milking

Seven swans a-swimming

Six geese a-laying

Five golden rings

Four calling birds

Three french hens

Two turtle doves and

A partridge in a pear tree


Twelfth Night is tomorrow. Before that though, in the daytime, we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany - when we remember the three wise men visiting the baby Jesus and bringing Him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

But even as we pack our trimmings away tomorrow evening (if you haven't already done so) let's try to remember the Love that is encapsulated in the Feast of Christmas: when God became Man... 

We are living in difficult times which is perhaps one of the reasons why church attendance this Christmas went up substantially as was predicted. 

The Church of England estimate an increase of 20% 

I can vouch for that: my church was packed to the gills over the Christmas period. 

Wonderful!

If you were one of those 'visitors' who swelled the usual numbers I do encourage you to choose to make a habit of worshipping God at church. I can tell you that putting in that small amount of effort will help you cope with anything that life subsequently throws at you.

When people confide their troubles to me I tell them to stick as close as they can to Christ at all times and they will be okay. 

It makes sense to start to forge a close relationship with God when you are enjoying your life; when things are going well. That will mean that when something testing crops up you will automatically turn to Him to help you through. And He will. From my heart assure you that He will be there for you; always. For as St Paul said, “I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Thing is: God loves you and He wants you to love Him.

If this is all new to you, or if you have become a bit cavalier about worship, try the following short meditation to think this over.

Meditation

1. Sit up straight. Breathe in deeply through the nose. Hold a few seconds. Breathe out through the mouth and as you do so feel the whole of your body relax.

2. Now consider this:

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8

3. Then, especially in the context of the season of Christmas, let's move on to the next verse:

“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9

 Ponder on those oh so powerful words for a few moments.

4. Now say this prayer – or one of your own – “Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your love, please help me to grow in love for You as I attend worship services regularly in this new year 2026. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.”

5. When you are ready breathe in and out deeply as before. Then have a big stretch.

 May the Spirit of Christmas Love reverberate through the whole of your 2026 and for always...    

God bless,

Teresa x

P.S. Not such a happy new year for Christians in China...

China ‘weaponises legislation’ to tighten crackdown on religion, new report warns

China detains six underground church members in latest crackdown, church tells members

Let's keep them in our prayers... 

For articles, plus more info about me and my work please visit my website.  (www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk)

Find more inspiration through my books:  

I have been asking God for guidance and listening to His replies for many years. I share my methods in Pray Then Listen, A heart-to-heart with God.

Check out Pray Then Listen In UK / In US  / In SingaporeIn New Zealand / In Australia

Available as a Kindle version or paperback! 


Set on the green and beautiful Greek island of Corfu in this novel I show the ever-present backstory of life, as I interpret the supernatural elements of our dilemmas and choices. 

I know, that no matter what your beliefs or experiences, you will surely recognize the tussles of my characters, as tussles in your own life....  Enjoy!

Click on the following links to check out my novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel In UK /  In US / In Singapore / In Australia / In New Zealand

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!

You may like to see my blog on the Backstory of this novel

I wrote 9 Days to Heaven, How to make everlasting meaning of your life as my personal evangelization effort.  

Check out 9 Days to Heaven In UK / In US / In Singapore / In Australia / 

Available as a Kindle version or paperback!


Here is the link for the YouTube book trailer:  9 Days to Heaven