There are few more miserable experiences in life than sitting in a packed surgery, side-by-side with other glum-looking patients and their potentially contagious problems, waiting to be seen by the doctor. So are there some ailments that we could effectively treat at home using everyday items that we’ve probably already got in our kitchen cupboard?

The answer is yes, there do appear to be a number of home remedies that have been proven to work. Here are some that I think you might find useful.

My research into gut health (see blog posted in September), prompted me to delve a little deeper into the effects that our increasing consumption of ready-meals, takeaways and ‘junk food’ is having on our mental well-being. Most of us are aware of the increased risk to our physical health of a high-fat/high sugar diet; western media regularly reports on the rise in obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes….but the effects on our brain and our mental health are not so well known.

We all experience times when things aren’t going well and we can’t see a way forward. One way that helps me maintain perspective and stay positive at times like this is to keep in mind two or three well-known motivational quotes to help me get back on track.

The following list contains ten quotes that I use regularly…… but an on-line search will bring up hundreds more, a few of which may help you get through difficult times, or help you to focus on your goals.