Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Sleep
Poor sleep can negatively impact our heart health, along with many other areas of our physical and mental wellbeing. Prioritising your seven to nine hours shut eye every day is one of the best things you can do to support your overall health.
During sleep, our body gets to work helping us to recover both mentally and physically, which helps us feel energised, alert, and ready for the day. Sleep isn’t something to overlook, so here are some tips for helping to improve your sleep:
Limit Caffeine
Who doesn’t love a morning cuppa? Whilst a small amount of caffeine early in the day is unlikely to impact our sleep, caffeine can stay in our blood stream for many hours after consumption. This can negatively impact the quality of our sleep and ability to fall asleep. So, say no to caffeine after lunch!
Turn off the Screens
Melatonin is our sleepy hormone, and we need to allow our body to produce lots of it to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Bright lights in our environment can reduce the production of melatonin, specifically the blue light from computer screens, tablets, and mobile phones. Try switching off screens an hour before sleep time and read a book or have a bath instead.
Spend time Outdoors
Research shows that simply being inside during the day, rather than spending time outdoors, reduces our melatonin production at night by 50%!
Grab your trainers and hit the pavement for a walk or run outdoors for at least 20 minutes every day.
Create a Routine
Humans are creatures of habit, and we thrive on routine. Creating a bedtime ritual can help signal to our bodies that it’s time for sleep.
Try to choose low stimulation activities like reading, listening to music, or even having a cup of (caffeine free!) tea such as camomile.
For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips.
POLICE will be hosting an online recruitment event aimed at people from all European communities across Scotland.
This event will give attendees a fantastic opportunity to hear from serving officers and their experiences as police officers in Scotland as well as the opportunity to ask questions.
The event will also focus on the recruitment process and the training, with a unique insight into life at the Scottish Police College.
The event will be on Tuesday 27th September 2022 – 6.30pm – 8.30pm, on Microsoft Teams.
Much-loved event returns after two-year pandemic pause
The skies above Hopetoun House will light up again when its fabulous fireworks and bonfire night extravaganza returns this November.
November 5 sees the 11th year of this hugely popular event which was put on hold for two years as a result of the pandemic but is due to attract 5,000 revellers.
Now back in a blaze of glory with a We Will Rock You spectacular, it features fireworks that promise to rock your heart plus fairground attractions, the famous bonfire and lots more family fun.
Enjoy the entertainment of daring fire dancers, savour some delicious dishes from the food trucks, warm up with indulgent hot chocolate and mallows, then just gaze heavenwards and take in the glittering show in the sky set to music.
Designed and produced by Scottish events experts 21CC Group and hosted at beautiful Hopetoun House, South Queensferry on the outskirts of Edinburgh, the event will definitely deliver a night to remember.
Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group says: “It’s fantastic to be back and we are thrilled to present this year’s spectacular. It’s always a sell-out and this year is sure to be no different.
“We’re pulling out all the stops to make up for the last couple of years and have put together a truly stunning show.”
The event runs from 4 – 7.30pm on Saturday, November 5 with the firework display at 6.30pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance and children three years and under are admitted free.
The Earl of Hopetoun says: “We’re delighted to see this exciting event return to Hopetoun. It was a tradition for more than a decade and has been much missed over the last couple of years.
“It’s always a stunning display that brings so much fun and this year it sounds like it will be even better than ever.”
For more information and ticket prices please visit:
Maths Week Scotland returns for its sixth and biggest-ever annual event from 26 September to 2 October 2022. This week, pupils, community groups and families in Edinburgh and the Lothians will be enjoying an exciting range of maths-themed activities and events across local schools, science centres and museums.
Part of the Scottish Government’s drive to encourage positive attitudes to numeracy and maths, Maths Weeks Scotland is developed and delivered by National Museums Scotland. This year, the Small Grants Fund – a partnership between the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, the Glasgow Mathematical Journal Trust and the Scottish Government – has supported 67 different classroom activities for schools across the country to encourage pupils to think about maths in a creative way.
The theme for 2022 is the beauty of maths, focusing on the creative and inspiring side of the subject, and how maths plays a vital role in art, music and design. School pupils across Edinburgh and the Lothians will be encouraged to think about maths in a creative way through activities such as art and sculpture exhibitions, budgeting projects, and outdoor learning.
Science centres and museums across Scotland have also received support from Maths Week Scotland for large-scale family activities and workshops as well as programming for schools and community groups that encourage innovation and participation while linking maths with the arts.
Alongside in-person events, Maths Week Scotland has created a fun online programme to inspire and intrigue people of all ages, from schools and educators to families and adults. The virtual programme includes using coding to create art, ideas for hands-on classroom activities, and a mathematical art workshop by mathematician Lucy Rycroft-Smith with a free kit posted to participants.
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is organising an exciting programme of maths-themed family events, including free art exhibition (2 October) and a schools programme of renewable energy workshops.
Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh is launching the ‘Maths Attack’ trail around the estate to teach pupils about how to use and make their own set of Napier’s Bones – a calculation device for multiplying large numbers.
Edinburgh’s National Galleries of Scotland is showcasing Scotland’s art through a mathematical lens with an online resource for schools and gallery visits to Modern One.
The University of Edinburgh is organising an exciting programme of events, with a display of geometric illuminations and optical illusions at James Clerk Maxwell Building (1 October) as well as virtual (27-28 September) and hands-on (1 October) maths activities for families. The university is also providing workshops for teachers and educators to inspire ideas for practical maths activities in the classroom.
Museum on the Mound is hosting online and in-person ‘Money Maths’ workshops to explore different money around the world.
On 29 September, Surgeons’ Hall Museum is arranging school workshops on using investigating bones and surgical equipment as well as a drop-in session for the general public on 1 October.
Stockbridge Library and Moredun Library are hosting Bookbug sessions and art activities for individuals and families.
Katie Oldfield, Maths Week Scotland co-ordinator, said: “We are thrilled to be launching Maths Week Scotland for its sixth consecutive year with such a bang.
“Mathematicians often refer to the subject as ‘beautiful’, and our aim is to inspire families, schools and community groups in Edinburgh and the Lothians to view maths in a new way and to find it in unexpected places, such as art and music.
“We are so excited to be bringing back more interactive, in-person events at schools and public venues across the country. It’s brilliant to see that so many schools have devised fun and engaging activities for pupils to discover how creative maths can be.”
The schools programme is core to Maths Week Scotland. Schools and community projects receiving grants in Edinburgh and the Lothians are:
Edinburgh:
· Ferryhill Primary School – Skatepark Maths: Pupils P1-7 will create their own skateparks for finger skateboards
· Edinburgh Council Libraries: Three primary schools exploring outdoor space at Newington Library
· Bruntsfield Primary School: Creation of an exciting outdoor learning space
· Gilmerton Primary School – Financial and Budgeting: Pupils will be given a budget and go shopping for ingredients to create a nutritious meal
· Number Berries Maths Play Club: Mini Exhibition of art and sculptures inspired by manmade structures and nature
· Corstorphine Primary School: Beauty of Maths exhibition
Lothians:
· Cedarbank School: Exhibition of numeracy themed artwork created by pupils and their families
· Polkemmet Primary School: Beauty of Maths art exhibition for families
· Pinewood School – Maths Week Scotland Sale: Materials will be purchased to craft items to sell at a Maths Week Scotland sale to practice recognising coins and budgeting
Maths Week Scotland is supported by winner of The Great British Bake Off 2020, Peter Sawkins.
Maths Week Scotland has a supporting year-round programme for schools, families, adults, and community groups. This is part of an ongoing drive to transform Scotland into a maths-positive nation through raising the profile of maths and encouraging enthusiasm for maths across the country.
National Museums Scotland is working with a wide range of organisations and collaborators to support and deliver Maths Week Scotland activity across Scotland.
For a full list of contributors and to view the whole programme, visit:
Lorna Slater the Scottish Green MSP for Lothian has welcomed the positive impact of free bus travel for people under 22, which has already benefited almost 59,000 people in Edinburgh.
Almost 500,000 young people across Scotland have enjoyed over 21 million journeys.
Scotland is the first country in the UK to offer free bus travel for young people. It was introduced in January, following negotiations between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government.
Lorna Slater the Green MSP for Lothian said: “I am delighted that so many young people in Edinburgh have signed up for free bus travel. It is a vital change that is opening up the country while helping our environment.
“With Greens in the Scottish Government, we are delivering for people, the planet and our communities.
“Free bus travel is helping hard-squeezed families and individuals at a time when household incomes are being stretched on so many fronts. It is also reducing pollution and unnecessary car journeys.”
“I want as many young people as possible to benefit, and would encourage those who have yet to do so to visit freebus.scot and register for their card today.”
The former transport secretary, Grant Shapps, recently proposed a Whitehall review of how cyclists who break the law should be tracked and prosecuted.
Initial ideas put forward to facilitate this include insurance cover for riders and registration plates for bikes, and it appears from the latest research by Venson Automotive Solutions that the UK public are in favour.
62% of those surveyed by Venson agreed that riders of bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters should have insurance cover and nearly half (49%) believe these modes of transport should carry registration plates.
Cyclists who jump red lights – which is an illegal act for all road users – are creating dangerous situations on the road for themselves and other road users, but unlike motorists, the odds of escaping prosecution are high. However, if caught jumping lights, cyclists will be issued with a standard Fixed Penalty Notice of £30 opposed to a potential maximum fine of £1000 for motorists and points on their licence.
Currently, under the Highway Code and Road Traffic Act speeding limits only apply to motor vehicles and their drivers, exempting cyclists and scooter riders of this vital safeguard.
The survey found that 94% of respondents support the introduction of penalty points and fines for riders of bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters breaking speed limits and greater penalties for those red light jumping.
One in four also believe that before riders of a bicycle, e-bike and e-scooter take to the road, they should obtain a rider’s licence which includes taking a theory and road test.
Alison Bell, Operations Director at Venson Automotive Solutions says, “A lot of private motorists and businesses operating fleets are looking for greener transport options for themselves and their employees, including bicycles and e-bikes which can be offered under a salary sacrifice scheme by employers.
“With Government setting a target for half of all short trips to be walked or cycled by 2030 in England, this type of ‘micro-transport’ could provide a viable transport alternative and support that ambition.
“However, the reality is just 9.1% of people cycled at least once a week for any purpose between November 2020 and November 2021. The latest figures from the Department for Transport also showed that this is down 11.6% compared to the same period the year before.
“Clearly, to meet the Government’s transport green goals, more needs to be done to encourage people and businesses to change their transport habits, especially for shorter trips.
“Nevertheless, changes to legislation that impose stricter rules for cyclists and scooter riders could significantly deter people from making a switch. Striking a balance will be crucial to successfully growing this micro-transport, whilst protecting all road-users fairly.”
Scottish housing provider Bield has rolled out hundreds of air fryers and slow cookers to tenants across the country in a bid to help reduce energy consumption.
Developments based in Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Dundee, East and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire and the Scottish Borders participated in the initiative which was led by Ken Greenshields, Customer Engagement Co-ordinator at Bield.
In Edinburgh, tenants at Emily Court, Halmyre Street, Milton Court and Pennywell Gardens received the new appliances.
The roll out is part of an ongoing drive to integrate energy efficient and sustainable measures across Bield’s operations and 5,000+ properties.
Frances Payne, a tenant at Bield’s Halmyre Street development in Edinburgh, said: “I was thinking of buying an air fryer myself and was so pleased when I received the offer letter asking if I wanted one. I’ve been looking forward to getting it and trying out some new recipes.”
As part of the roll out, Bield also created a recipe book with six different meal suggestions that can be made in an air fryer/slow cooker. The book was designed to help inspire tenants to make healthy food choices with their new equipment.
Another Bield resident, Mrs Dowling of the Glen Affric Avenue development in Glasgow, said: “I have been really looking forward to getting my air fryer. It is so quick and easy to use and everything I’ve cooked so far has been delicious.”
Bield’s commitment to sustainability is embedded into all its operations. The housing and care provider recently revealed it is working to reduce its carbon footprint by 90% in a bid to combat the global environmental crisis.
Tracey Howatt, Director of Customer Experience at Bield said: “It’s very important to us that we make decisions which positively impact the environment whilst simultaneously putting the needs of our tenants at the heart of our operations.
“The roll out of these cooking appliances is just one of the proactive ways we are looking to raise awareness of energy and sustainability issues. We’re delighted to have been able to run this initiative and it’s only been possible thanks to the involvement and funding award from SFHA and a lot of hard work from Ken.
“We will continue to support our tenants in any way we can as we face soaring energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis.”
Bield worked with electrical retailer AO to help deliver the air fryers and slow cookers to its tenants across Scotland.
Anthony Sant, Managing Director at AO Business said “We are so pleased to have worked with Bield on this project and are excited to see the results. We all know that many essential appliances simply can’t be switched off at the plug to save energy, in the same way that we might do with game consoles or TVs when not in use.
“These slow cookers and air fryers will allow the recipients to make delicious, healthy meals at home, using less energy, and we’re thrilled to have been asked to play a part in making it happen.”
Bield is a registered charity dedicated to providing flexible housing solutions and support for older people. Bield Housing and Care has around 180 developments across Scotland, providing independent living for those over 50 years old around the country.
Health and social care workers will no longer be required to test for COVID-19 every week as asymptomatic testing is paused by Wednesday (28 September).
The four UK Chief Medical Officers agreed it is safe to halt weekly staff testing, visitor and carer testing and hospital admission testing following a change to the Covid-19 alert level and, importantly, a high uptake of vaccinations.
Stakeholders were informed of the change to the guidance on 14 September and some healthcare and social care settings may therefore choose to pause regular testing before the end of the month.
It is the latest restriction to be lifted in health and social care settings – following the decision earlier this month to remove the requirement for facemasks in social care homes.
Testing will remain in place for admissions into care homes and to support appropriate clinical diagnosis and treatment for hospital patients and care home residents.
Unpaid carers and visitors to care homes and hospitals will no longer need to undertake routine testing, but those planning to see family or friends in these settings are advised follow the ‘Covid Sense’ guidelines and steer clear if they are unwell.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The huge success of our world-leading vaccination programme means we are now able to pause routine asymptomatic testing in most high-risk settings.
“This is the latest step in our return to normal life, but we must apply Covid Sense to keep these freedoms and ease the pressure on the NHS over winter.
“Vaccination remains our best line of defence against COVID-19 and I urge everyone who is eligible for the winter vaccination programme to take up the offer of an appointment when it’s offered.”
