May 10th, 2024

Sleeping with hypermobility: A comprehensive guide

Estimated reading time: 7 minutesWhilst much of the discussion around hypermobility and EDS focuses on movement, a common source of anxiety, frustration and stress for those living with such conditions comes from the other half of our lives – sleep.

April 4th, 2024

What is Self-Compassion and why is it so important?

Estimated reading time: 6 minutesSelf-compassion has been studied in various contexts in a wide range of populations and is linked with positive mental health consistently.

October 11th, 2022

Relationships and Chronic Pain

Estimated reading time: 4 minutesI recently did a post about pain management. Someone raised the question on the post of ‘how can I communicate my pain to my partner effectively?’

July 13th, 2022

Chronic Illness Exercise – Do you mourn your previous regime?

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWhat’s your relationship with exercise? Has it changed over the years? Did a chronic illness diagnosis change your approach?

May 19th, 2022

The Lonely Chronic Illness Life

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesLiving with a chronic illness can sometimes be lonely. It can be difficult for friends and family to really understand how we are feeling and why we don’t ‘get better’. It drives me crazy when people say ‘you just need a good night sleep’ – like it’s a miracle cure.

April 18th, 2022

What people don’t see when you live with a chronic illness

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWhat’s it like when you go out out – if you do go out out? Is there a lot of preparation and organisation involved?

January 25th, 2022

Living with Ehlers-Danlos – A Life in Two Halves

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesLike many of us, I used to see my life in two halves. Pre motherhood, I lived with symptoms on a daily basis like muscular pain, daily migraines, digestive issues (diagnosed as IBS aged 12). I thought everyone had issues every day.

January 3rd, 2021

Returning to Health – Our Personal Virus Experience in 2020

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes2020 was an incredibly challenging year for everyone on so many levels. With a history of pneumonia and bronchiectasis I was naturally worried about catching the virus. When things became serious in the UK, my family practised strict isolation. We limited our visits to the supermarket, we washed our hands constantly and carried hand sanitiser when we did go out. We even left our post for 2 days before opening it to limit any exposure.

December 15th, 2020

Enjoy a Zebrastrong Christmas on us

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWant to take control of your hypermobility in 2021?

This Christmas, The Zebra Club is offering a special Christmas deal. We are offering a Zebrastrong Christmas from the 15th to 26th December and warmly invite you to take advantage of 20% off the retail price on an annual subscription to The Zebra Club.

October 9th, 2020

Am I Doing This Exercise Right? Progress Not Perfection Wins Every Time.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWe’ve probably all ventured into the previously unknown world of online exercise during these unusual times. When our regular gym or Pilates classes closed (or still remain closed), if you wanted to stay healthy and exercise safely you probably turned to YouTube for inspiration. Or maybe you became a regular on Zoom with your regular teacher.

September 14th, 2020

The Neglected Stress Impact of a Chronic Illness

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes“Psychological factors can trigger a breathing pattern that might be appropriate to an emergency situation, when no such emergency exists”. This is an extract from a book on breathing pattern disorders. I became so interested in breathing patterns the more I worked with our hypermobile community. Breathing comes first. Movement second.

April 16th, 2020

Home exercise has never been easier

Estimated reading time: < 1 minuteI hope you are safe and well during these unusual, challenging times.

I have been thinking of ways I could help to keep you active and enjoying movement safely at home. I am sure your regular exercise activities and classes are closed. Where do we turn for reliable, safe and effective information for chronic pain or hypermobility issues?