Wellbeing, Workshops, & Worldwide support

Birthday Party

My birthday was on the 12th. I’m 38 now, which seems like an unremarkable age, squarely in my late 30s and in an totally different place in life than my younger self would have imagined (aren’t we all?) My partner and I went to the Wellness Lounge in Cardiff last weekend to visit the Recovery Room for the first time. We took turns at four different stations: infrared sauna, a cold plunge pool, red light therapy, and pressotherapy.

Infrared saunas are really healing and I can stay in way longer than a traditional sauna.

I spent 5 minutes 30 seconds in the 10 degree C plunge pool after 20 minutes in the sauna with a head dunk at the end. This was enough time to get my picture on the first level of the wall of fame. I’d never done pressotherapy before. The giant boots fill with air and massage the legs with varying degrees of pressure controlled by a remote.

It was a really lovely, relaxing birthday adventure. I would absolutely go back. The service was really lovely with drinks delivered to the room and an attendant who popped in and out to help us transition to the next station. I’ve really been wanting an infrared sauna at home, but haven’t make the investment yet.

Art + Culture

MS-UK Creativity for Wellbeing Sessions

I am so delighted to be offering Creativity for Wellbeing Sessions this year through the MS-UK. These sessions are by donation and are for anyone who lives with MS or a related condition and would benefit from a gentle virtual space to respond creatively in writing or visual art.

Join us on the third Monday of the month 2:30 to 4pm UK time for a 90-minute drop-in creativity for wellbeing session. We’ll start each session with some grounding to settle into the space. We’ll then discuss the monthly theme and music, poetry, and works of art related to it. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with other people with the same interest and are affected by MS.

You’ll have time to respond in whatever way suits you (writing, drawing, etc.) and share ideas with the group if desired. We’ll then have a longer period to dive into the theme and create a piece of writing or a work of art in response.

Creativity offers numerous benefits for mental, emotional, and physical health, contributing to overall well-being. This creativity session helps relax your mind, which in turn relaxes your body. This session is perfect for individuals of all abilities, providing a fun and enjoyable way to express and release thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, personal growth, or just a positive outlet, this session offers a therapeutic space for everyone to connect with their creativity and improve their sense of self.

Outcomes for the session

• Achieve a sense of accomplishment by tapping into your innate creativity

• Achieve a sense of playfulness and fun by trying new things

• A first draft of a piece of writing or work of art.

Monthly themes

Each month will feature a different theme, giving you the opportunity to explore new ways to express your creativity.

January – Love and loss (Monday 20 January)

Who should attend

• Anyone interested in tapping into their artistic side

• Those looking for easy ways to incorporate more creativity into their life

• Anyone interested in art, music, mindfulness, and/or creative writing

Equipment needed

• Something to write with and on (pen and paper, word processing software, or dictation/voice recording program)

• Any drawing/painting/art supplies you’d like to experiment with (pens/pencils, paints, collage supplies, etc.)

• An open mind

About Gina

Gina Beach is a writer and artist living with MS in South Wales. She runs creativity and mindfulness workshops and previously taught fine art to secondary school students.

She believes everyone has innate creativity. Whether you’ve been writing or making art for years or are just dabbling for the first time since your school days, the Creativity for Wellbeing sessions welcome you.

Whether you’re interested in song writing, poetry, drawing, painting or any other type of creative expression, there is space here for you to experiment in a welcoming and nurturing space.

Joining the class

If you are interested in joining all you need to do is register to MS-UK portal, search for the event and sign up to get your ticket and secure your place.

If you have booked a ticket to join the class live, a blue button saying ‘Join live’ will appear at the bottom of the page 15 minutes before the class is due to start.

If you would like to know more or you are having trouble registering, please contact us at register@ms-uk.org

Do you live with a chronic condition?

🕉️ Join me for FREE Virtual Seated Yoga, Breathwork and Meditation
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday at 12:30-1pm UK / 7:30am-8am ET
Resumes September 9

Are you a writer? Or wannabe writer?

🖊️Join me for FREE daily writing sprints with the London Writers’ Salon
Weekdays at 8am UK/ 8am ET/ 8am PT/ 8am AUS and Saturdays at 9am UK

Connect with me on socials

📹 YouTube @ReginaGBeach

📱facebook @ginabeach

📸 instagram @nourish_by_regina

🐦 twitter/ X @ReginaGBeach

Mindful Movement

300 Challenge

With my birthday being last weekend, I set up a fundraiser for Overcoming MS, the charity that I produce the Living Well with MS podcast for. This January they are running a 300 Challenge in honor of the 300 people who are diagnosed with MS every day worldwide. I’ve decided to double down on 30 minutes of meditation daily (which I’ve been doing a good job of meeting), and 30 minutes of daily exercise (which is more hit and miss for me). It’s been such a good opportunity to track my progress and recommit to parts of the Overcoming MS program that I’ve been lax on. Other parts of the program include an anti-inflammatory diet, vitamin D supplementation, family health, The fundraiser is still live if you have the means to contribute, though a like or share is just as appreciated!