OVER TO YOU
10 • AUGUST 2019
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We may edit letters and use them in all print and electronic media.DEAR DIARY
I thought Olly Man’s,
“Dearest Diary,” was
going to be about
some sort of
personal diary
keeping or journaling
and so I was
somewhat surprised
to discover it was all
about his Filofax!
Nevertheless, I have to
agree that you can’t beat a physical diary.
They do indeed ground you in the real
world, allowing you to tangibly hold your life
and leaf through it at will. And writing down
appointments does lodge them in the mind.
Skimming through the month ahead
brings a feeling of control and contentment,
that comes with being able to weigh the
weeks in your hand, to turn pages, to feel
something under your fingers. It’s calming
and you get a wonderful sense of
achievement when you take your pen and
draw a line through something
accomplished, or circle that one remaining
task. It works because both body and mind
are engaged—life is embodied.
That being said, I do not have a Filofax.
They sound a bit pretentious. A simple diary
suits me just fine—I mean who really needs a
plastic ruler and a map of the underground?
Jennie Gardner, BathWe Want To Hear From You
GUT-AWARE
As someone who has had
issues with gut health for
years, it’s refreshing to see
it brought to the forefront
in your article “Healthy
Gut, Healthy Mind”.
My own GP has
discussed the importance
of looking after my gut for
years and has even hinted
as to its effect on my
mental health. His advice
of a well-balanced diet and
plenty of “decent sleep”
is a staple of every visit.
Perhaps he is a man ahead
of his time. Fermented
foods however, have never
been recommended and
I am keen to experiment.
The article makes one
wonder what maladies may
yet be held at bay from a
simple change in diet.
I have suffered from IBS for
years and understand the
link between poor gut
health and my general
mood, but I am intrigued
by the information that it
may delve much deeper
into our general health
and longevity.
I wanted to thank
you for writing such
an interesting and
informative article.
Scott Smyth, Londonderry