A day for women is needed to celebrate our achievements
On Saturday March 8, it's International Women's Day (IWD), and I'm particularly aware of it this year, because I've been asked to help out at an event in Gorleston.
But before I write about that, can I just say to all my gentlemen readers that in case you're wondering why women need a special day, and also whether there's one for men, I've discovered that there is indeed an International Men's Day.
I confess I never knew about it, but it's on November 19 and it's now in my diary so I promise I will write about it then.
It celebrates men's achievements and aims to make a positive contribution to the lives of men and boys and also promotes a range of help available for those in trouble, such as suicide prevention.
Returning to this Saturday, there will be many initiatives to mark IWD across East Anglia, but I want to tell you about the one I'm involved in because it's really exciting, and demonstrates what a few young health professionals can achieve, despite being crazily busy and never having organised anything like it before.
So, in Gorleston, at the Pavilion Theatre, there's to be an event running from 10 till 3. Everyone involved is giving their time free and there is no charge to attend.
There will be loads of information on offer including advice on migraine, pelvic health, maternity services, menopause and health MOTs, but there will also be treatments such as head or face massage, career information about jobs at the James Paget hospital and Norfolk Fire and Rescue, and details of courses at East Coast College.
Also, you can find out about activities, clubs and opportunities in the area from a range of organisations including Girl Guides, the Louise
Hamilton Centre, Together for Women and Girls, Dandelions Great Yarmouth, and Papyrus UK.
The aims of the event are to provide support for today, knowledge for tomorrow and help in empowering us for the future, no matter what age we are, and it's the dream project of James Paget Neurology Specialist Nurse, Sarah Mann, who runs the migraine service there.
She came up with the idea last summer and, together with a number of her professional colleagues, she has worked tirelessly since then to bring it to fruition.
So, I really hope that loads of people – yes, men are also welcome – will drop in at some point to the Pavilion Theatre in Gorleston on Saturday and take advantage of all the useful information on offer and enjoy being part of an upbeat community gathering.
No one, male or female, is born knowing how to navigate their way healthily through life and I believe this event will offer much needed guidance and inspiration.
As I mentioned, I'll be there, and I will be talking about positive ageing. Normally, I speak on this topic to people of 60 and over, and though they can very definitely still make changes that improve fitness and the chances of having an active older age, I'm delighted at the prospect on Saturday of being able to talk to much younger individuals about how to prepare for their later years.
Let's face it, absorbing health messages early gives us a better opportunity to live well and happily later. After my talk I will be staying around for a while so I can discuss people's individual concerns.
I must say that this event has already affected me because it has got me thinking about my younger self and what I could have done better to improve my life at the age I am now.
And it has also made me think that maybe those of us in our later years should sometimes let our kids and grandchildren know what we wish we had done differently, and what we believe they should adopt into their lifestyles in order to benefit them.
I have always thought it's pretty pointless having regrets – because that was then and now is now.
And we have not, as a rule, wilfully made bad decisions.
Indeed, mostly we have done as well as we could as we saw things at the time.
But I think many of us realise that we could have had more balance in our younger years.
Made more time for friends even when we were pre-occupied with careers and families.
Exercised more despite being busy. Drank less alcohol in the 80s (I certainly put my hand up to that one).
And learned about nutrition earlier and kept our weight down.
We all know that as we age if we are carrying excess pounds, it feels harder to shift now than it would have been 20 years ago.
So perhaps we should all think about aspects of the lives of our younger friends and relations and discuss with them how they might prepare better for an old age that is as fit, active, healthy and enjoyable as possible – and not make the same mistakes that we have.
Indeed, maybe this could be our contribution to the aims of International Women's Day and make a difference to the future of those we love.
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