It worked FOR US!

Three women. Three health problems. Three natural fixes…

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Joining a running group helped my grief

DIANA POSTLE, 67, from Norwich, Norfolk

‘When I lost my husband, Nigel, to lung cancer in 2015, I felt overwhelmed – emotionally and practically. He was diagnosed 18 months before he died and, during that period, I was looking after him full-time.

‘It was hard for me to leave the house while caring for him – and after he died, I felt even more imprisoned. I was struggling. My family were in Leeds, and there was so much to deal with. My dining table was covered in paperwork and I was trying to move house. I’d often put my head in my hands and say to myself, ‘I can’t stand this.’ I didn’t know where to turn.

‘Then a lifeline appeared. I got an email invitation to join my local RunTogether group… In the early stages of his illness, Nigel’s doctor had recommended Active Norfolk courses to get him moving again. He’d gone swimming and, inspired, I’d signed up to an NHS Couch to 5K multi-week running programme.

‘Exercising outside had made me feel good, so I thought doing that with a group of like-minded people could help now. I was worried that after Nigel’s death I might become reclusive. This was a chance to get out regularly and see other people.

‘The group was so welcoming and while running is our focus, there’s so much more to the group. We go for coffee after our runs – it’s a support network for everyday life. I also see one or two people outside of the group and we’re in a WhatsApp group sharing thoughts and advice.