Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2022 i Woman&Home Feel Good You

Everything feels better in the sun, doesn’t it? The warm weather bathes our bones, gives skin a glow and makes it easier to get out. But perhaps you’re anxious about emerging from your winter layers, especially if the past year has been one long hibernation! Don’t worry, it’s never too late to use our tips to feel good fast. This month we’ve compiled a wonderful 30-day plan (p28) to help you feel ready for the summer. We have delicious recipes from Hairy Bikers Si and Dave (p38) if you want to gently diet up your dinners. And we’ve found the perfect workout to keep you – and your garden – in trim! Thanks to the wonderful women in the issue who have told their own inspirational stories – from how…

Do you find yourself reaching for your partner’s hand during a horror movie? There might be a reason for that, according to research by Brigham Young University, in Utah. Stress levels of moviegoers were measured during the study using blood pressure readings and eye trackers, both while holding their partner’s hand and while watching alone. When watching with emotional support, participants showed significantly less stress. This was especially true if the couple were married. Give it a go!…

As the cost of living crisis spirals, our stress levels are following suit. One in five people in the UK say they feel stressed more than they don’t, and money worries are one of the primary causes*. But we shouldn’t be scared of stress. ‘It’s normal,’ says psychotherapist Caron Barruw, co-founder of The Niche Group. ‘It’s how we manage it that makes the difference.’ We can learn to turn stress into something more useful – helpful even, adds neuroscientist and author of Psycho-Logical, Dr Dean Burnett. Sounds good? Here’s how to harness and not hate all stress. A helping hand ‘Stress is the brain’s threat detection system preparing us to deal with danger,’ says Dr Burnett. It mostly feels unpleasant, but on a fundamental level it keeps us safe. ‘While…

Beth Coldrick, 39, shares how surgery changed everything for the better I suffered with stomach issues as a child, but they became much worse in my late teens. My friends happily ate and drank alcohol, whereas I’d feel sick, my stomach would balloon as if I was pregnant and I’d constantly rush to the toilet. There’s lots of awareness now surrounding gut health, but back then I suffered in silence. Doctors told me I’d probably grow out of it. In my early 20s, I went travelling and lived in Australia for four years. I taught surfing and had a healthy lifestyle, but my stomach problems plagued me until eventually I was so ill that I returned to the UK. I was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – the term…

Feeling strung-out, anxious or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Stress levels in the UK are soaring – with global unrest and rising living costs making life seem an uphill struggle. And increasing anxiety is something we could all do without – many studies have revealed that health problems such as insomnia, tummy troubles or chronic pain can be blamed on unmanageable levels of stress. However, introducing some simple stress-reducing techniques into your daily routine can make a huge difference. ‘To build resilience to stress and anxiety and allow the mind to rest for improved sleep and digestion, you need to give the body 10 minutes of TLC a day,’ says holistic health and wellbeing expert Rophin Vianney. Try these strategies to help you relax – you’ll feel the benefits by doing…

The shift in hormones during the change often means skin becomes thinner, making it more prone to wrinkles. Sensitivity and dryness can also be an issue, so your beauty routine may need to change. Swap to a few of these specialised buys to help your skin survive – and thrive! 1 Mighty multitasker This hardworking buy pacifies troubled skin by soothing dryness and banishing breakouts. Menopause Faace, £31, cultbeauty.com is good to have in your kit when skin starts to act up. It can be used as a targeted treatment, moisturiser, or a mask. 2 Night worker Our skin goes into repair mode while we are asleep, making it a key time to incorporate some hard-working ingredients. Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix, £152, uk.elemis.com is a holy grail night cream. It…

Keen to ditch your gym membership to save some cash this summer? Love being outside? Then you’ll be happy to hear that gardening counts as exercise. According to research by Loughborough University, three hours of gardening could burn up to 700 calories, which is as many as an hour-long, sweaty gym session. What’s more, as well as being an effective way for women to stay in shape, getting active in nature will also give your mental health a boost. ‘Most of the tasks we do in the garden burn calories, build muscle and improve bone and joint strength,’ says fitness trainer Jemma Thomas (jemmashealthhub.co.uk). ‘Put in a little extra effort and an afternoon of digging, planting and pruning becomes a whole body workout.’ Wondering how to get fitter and healthier…

Natural beauty is a term we women hear a lot. But what does it actually mean? It goes far beyond the ‘no make-up’ look. True natural beauty comes from within, and that’s what Natural You is about. From the makers of Woman & Home, we show you how to cultivate a more positive mindset, so your radiant personality can shine through. We also share some glow-boosting recipes that’ll bring out your inner luminescence; help you create harmony in your home with feng shui and plants; and discover new ways to relax your mind and body. HOW TO REDEEM To get your free copy of Natural You use this link bit.ly/3tCsNQ7 Offer available from 19 May to 14 July 2022 WORTH £9.99 Check out more of our amazing bookazines at www.magazinesdirect.com/guides-and-specials/…

Everyone knows how important a good night’s sleep is for your physical and mental health. So it’s a worrying statistic that insomnia is thought to affect a third of Brits at some time in their life – and women are believed to struggle more with their sleep than men. ‘Due to the hormonal changes caused by perimenopause and menopause, women over 40 can find themselves particularly susceptible,’ explains physiologist and sleep therapist, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan. ‘Also, for many women, the post-40 years are the so-called “sandwich years” in which women are juggling professional commitments, dealing with ageing parents and errant teenagers.’ The most common sleep problems are difficulty getting to sleep (sleep initiation) and difficulty staying asleep (sleep maintenance). ‘Sufferers can become more prone to infections, migraines and headaches, skin…

Cool down with these lowcalorie summer scoops FROZEN YOGURT LoveLife Raspberry & Blackcurrant Frozen Yogurt, £3, Waitrose & Partners Bursting with flavour, low in fat and just 62 calories per serving. What’s not to love? VEGAN ICE CREAM Jude’s Vegan Salted Caramel Ice Cream, £4.30, Tesco Available in a range of delicious, vegan-friendly flavours, Jude’s low-calorie collection are all 100 and under calories per serving. GELATO Häagen-Dazs Creamy Fudge Brownie Gelato, £4.80, Tesco Chocoholic? Treat your taste buds to the new lighter option from Häagen-Dazs. It might be just 170 calories per serving, but you can still expect the same indulgent taste! IT’S A FACT 10 years is how often, on average, UK adults wait before getting their hearing checked, despite 41% admitting to experiencing the ‘cocktail party’ problem of…

OUR EXPERT Dr Rachael Kent is a lecturer in digital economy and society at King’s College London and founder of the tech-wellbeing consultancy, Dr Digital Health. Do you disappear down a rabbit hole when reading something online? Are you a slave to social media? If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. According to research, online activity among older adults has doubled in the last decade* with many of us overdosing on our devices without realising the damage it has on mental health. Too much screen time has been linked to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and sleep issues, so what is it about the internet that sucks us in so easily? Get the lowdown on the cycle of compulsive scrolling, along with tips for curbing tech-time to reset the balance. WHAT’S…

Saag paneer Richly spiced and aromatic, this vegetarian curry uses paneer, a mild-flavoured Indian cheese that turns wonderfully crisp around the edges when grilled or fried. Serves 2 • Ready in 20 mins 250g paneer cheese, cut into2cm cubes2tbsp tikka paste2tbsp vegetable oil1 onion, chopped1tsp ginger, grated1tsp garlic, chopped1tsp chilli, chopped1tsp mustard seeds1tsp cumin seeds1tsp turmeric400g spinach100ml single creamHandful mint leaves, tornHandful coriander, roughlychoppedRice to serve 1 Heat the grill to high. In a bowl, mix the paneer with the tikka paste, then put on a baking tray and grill for 5-6 mins, turning, until charred. Set aside. 2 Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and fry for 5 mins until softening. 3 Add the ginger, garlic, chilli, mustard…

Make-up sliding down your face? The hot weather means your cosmetics are less likely to stick around, so try a setting spray to help lock your look in place. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray with Vitamin C, £27, urbandecay.co.uk is a reformulated version, now including brightening Vitamin C. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray, £17, cultbeauty.co.uk is brilliantly effective – make-up seriously doesn’t budge. Mac Fix+ Magic Radiance, £26, maccosmetics.co.uk will set make-up while adding a glowing boost.…

BRACES TO STRAIGHTEN YOUR TEETH ‘Braces are brilliant, as they help to widen the smile, while also straightening teeth, adding structure and support to your mouth, and reducing the appearance of sagging,’ explains celebrity dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye, of London Smiling Dental Group. Invisalign are clear aligners worn 22 hours a day, but can be popped in and out of your mouth to eat, drink and clean your teeth. You are given different sets of trays, which you wear for about two weeks at a time, before moving on to the next set to gradually shift your teeth. A 3D digital scanner called iTero captures thousands of pictures of the inside of your mouth, which are then assembled into an incredibly accurate 3D model of your teeth and gums. It’s…

If you’ve only ever enjoyed tennis with Pimm’s in one hand and strawberries and cream in the other, you’re missing out on all the fun of playing. And while you enjoy yourself, you get fitter and work your brain too. ‘Racket sports rely on a range of abilities and skill sets that challenge us both physically and mentally,’ says Dr Ajai Seth, sports physician at London Bridge Hospital (HCA UK) and London Bridge Sports Medicine. And you don’t have to be at Emma Raducanu’s level to reap the rewards. ‘The key is to get stuck in and enjoy it. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to start with and just focus on getting the basics right,’ says Federico Fraguela Ferro, commercial leader at Decathlon UK. While the sun is…

Brain fog, anxiety and confusion are common menopausal symptoms, but there’s evidence to suggest that passing through this powerful hormonal shift brings brain benefits on the other side. In fact, this life stage can be embraced, not feared, with studies showing women’s brains adapt and restore despite cognitive crashes caused by the changes*. Neuropsychiatrist Dr Louann Brizendine describes post-menopause as a glorious time, full of freedom and discovery. ‘It’s the phase of life we emerge into when we exit the hormonal war zone, finally able to see who we are, what we want, and how we want to live.’ Midlife benefits In her recent book, The Upgrade, Dr Brizendine offers a positive understanding of female ageing, outlining how women’s brains get upgraded in midlife and beyond. She explains some of…

Death. It’s a fact of life for all of us, yet it’s something many feel uneasy talking about – let alone planning for. But as people live longer and further away from loved ones, there’s an increasing need for those who are dying to seek comfort and guidance elsewhere. And this role can’t always be fulfilled by busy nurses, carers, family or friends. Enter death doulas, trained individuals who provide practical and emotional help in a time of acute need. We meet one woman taking on that role. ‘In the process of dying, we’re still living’ NANCY NUDDS, 54, from West Yorkshire, is a death doula at the-held.com. ‘Our ancestors knew how to be with the dying. Death wasn’t hidden away, but was part of family and community life. Gradually,…

There’s a lot more to houseplants than good looks. ‘Plants can transform environments in so many ways, and they have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing,’ explains medical herbalist Hannah Charman at physichealth.uk. ‘They produce negative ions, which attach to viruses, bacteria and dust particles and remove them from the atmosphere.’ Here are some of the most helpful houseplants to enhance your home and give your body a break from polluted air. 1 SNAKE PLANTS One of Britain’s most popular houseplants, the sleek, spiky silhouette is unmistakable. They only need watering fortnightly, if that – and are skilled natural air filters. ‘The high level of oxygen they produce, and their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, make snake plants a great combatant against airborne allergies,’ says Daniel Bruce from…

Who doesn’t feel knackered right now? New research* reveals that 38% of us admit to feeling tired all the time, with respondents getting an average of six hours snoozing time per night. Your diet could be to blame for these energy peaks and troughs, and it’s not only what you eat, but when you eat, that could massively impact your wellbeing throughout the day. ‘Our body has a natural circadian rhythm and carries out its functions at the same time each day – regardless of whether we are asleep or awake,’ says clinical nutritionist Suzie Sawyer, from multivitamin range Alive! Discovering its natural flow could help to fight fatigue, beat cravings and boost productivity. Read on to find out more… RETHINK THE THREE-MEALA-DAY PARADIGM For most, the concept of eating…

The great British summer – a time when barbecues, beach trips and booze often go hand-in-hand. But, according to mindful drinking movement Club Soda, recent stats show nearly half of UK adults would like to cut their alcohol intake or quit drinking altogether. ‘After the dark nights of winter, we welcome the return of sunshine, fun and socialising,’ says Sandra Parker, mindful drinking coach and founder of Just The Tonic. ‘We have a strong association between alcohol and having fun, so we’re inclined to drink more in the summer. No social gathering is considered complete without alcohol – we hold it up as this magical elixir essential for celebration or social connection.’ But it is possible to reduce your alcohol intake without ruining your warm-weather buzz. Here’s how to go…

PROTECT AND PERFECT Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £23, lookfantastic.com We know it’s important to use SPF on our skin, but it’s easy to forget our hair. Use this freshscented option to shield locks. HYDRATION STATION Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Anti-Frizz Hair Oil, £33, cultbeauty.co.uk Ideal for thirsty hair for a glossy finish. Use on damp hair, and on dry as a frizz-tamer PAMPER WEEKLY Kerastase Chroma Absolu Masque Chroma Filler, £37.60, kerastase.co.uk Kerastase’s masks are hard to beat, and this latest aims to overhaul damaged, coloured hair. A little goes a long way - apply weekly.…

WHO NEEDS THE GYM? Hand back your locker keys (and save your money) – summer is here and we’re heading outside for exercise. First up, a brilliant win-win fitness routine that will keep you and your garden in trim. Then, we’re rooting out the at-home equipment gathering dust in the loft, and smashing our sports goals with a swing of the racket. We also meet three readers who raise money, spirits and glutes through the kindness of their hearts.…

The pandemic has dominated our health and headlines for more than two years, and while the vaccination programme has seen a decline in hospital admissions and deaths, there’s one issue that isn’t going away – long COVID. More than 166,000 people in the UK have died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19, but a government study estimates two million have experienced or are still experiencing ongoing symptoms from their original infection. As a result, membership at online support groups – set up for long COVID sufferers (or ‘long haulers’ as they are known) – has swelled to tens of thousands, and more than 80 long COVID clinics have opened. While the scale of long COVID cases is unprecedented, the concept of people experiencing chronic fatigue after an acute…

If you’re one of the 43% of the UK population* who deals with moderate-to-severe chronic pain, you may have felt frustrated by a lack of options and understanding. Sufferers of painful ailments, such as arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines and gynaecological issues face many obstacles. Pain can affect the ability to work, earn, be an active parent or grandparent, partner or friend, and lead a fulfilling life. Treatment involves painkillers, physiotherapy or operations, which may alleviate pain but usually don’t treat the cause. A DIFFERENT APPROACH With no cure in sight, medical professionals are looking to the brain, rather than the body, for answers. ‘We assume pain is an accurate measure of injury but in most cases of long-term [also called chronic or persistent] pain, the initial injury has usually…

THIS MONTH ✢ Painful sex ✢ Coping with Alzheimer’s disease ✢ Reading in dim light Q In the past few months, I have been experiencing pain when having sex. It’s not on the outside, like it can be if we don’t use enough lubricant, but it’s in my lower stomach. Changing positions can help, but it is getting worse – sometimes it hurts for a bit afterwards as well. What could be the reason? A Dyspareunia is the medical word for painful sex. Doctors tend to split it into superficial dyspareunia, where the pain is felt in the vagina or vulva; and deep dyspareunia, where the pain is felt inside, in the abdomen or pelvis. Women often describe the sensation as aching, but it can be sharp or stabbing, and…

My exercise routine… I loved taking part in Strictly and definitely toned up. Aljaž and I were filming a video one day and I had to stop to tell him my trousers were falling down! I’ve also developed a love of running. I put my clothes out ready and set my alarm for 5.15am. If my husband sees my gear is still there, I get his disappointed look – I’m accountable to someone, which is good motivation. By 6am, I’m back in the house, energised and fresh. My workout buddy… I love running on my own because I like the thinking time, but sometimes I’ll go with my brother-in-law. He runs our family business with my sister so we’ll go for a long run and talk business. My diet… I’m…