Recovering GP urges people to get active

A TRAINEE GP who is taking a career break to recover from illness has set up a community group to encourage people to become more active to improve their health.

Dr Sophie WrightonTurner, a member of Burbage Surgery Patient Group and volunteer at Burbage library, has launched Action4HealthBurbage, sharing research through a dedicated Facebook page and leading running and walking sessions around the village.

Thirty-two-year-old Sophie, a former gap-year commissioned Army offic- er, who is married to Emma, with a baby on the way, was playing rugby three times a week and training for an ultra marathon when she began suffering problems with her balance.

The symptoms, diagnosed as a vestibular neuropathy, left her unable to continue her training and led to her feeling ‘extremely stressed, really depressed and quite anxious’. She also put on weight. Joining a slimming club and a gym helped get her back on track for a while but the symptoms returned and she is now on an official career break until March 2018.

She says the year off is giving given her a chance to put her experience and knowledge to good use by encouraging others to find improved mental and physical wellbeing through exercise.

Sophie said: “From personal experience of anxiety and depression, I know how difficult it is to engage in physical activity when you are suffering.

“When you are anxious and depressed and if you have never exercised before there are all sorts of barriers.

“However, I found it to be a tremendous help, both physically and mentally, when I established regular exercising habits.

“A lot of people do it to look nice or for a six-pack, which is great, but the most important thing is the health benefit.

“Through work links, I noticed increasing information and research coming out about physical inactivity and risks to health.

“If you do the recommended amount (of physical activity each week) you might reduce your risk of diabetes, breast and colon cancer.

“The statistics are quite flabbergasting.”

The Department of Health recommends that adults aged between 19 and 64 undertake 150 minutes of physical activity a week - that’s 30 minutes, five days a week.

Find out more about activity opportunities in this area at Action4HealthBurbage on Facebook or by calling Sophie on 0783 427 9307.