Innholdsfortegnelse for July 14, 2025 i Woman's Own

I think we can all agree holidays are the best – carefree days on the beach and getting sand everywhere, ordering some fresh fish and, of course, dos tinto de verano, por favor. (You can probably guess where I’m off to this year!) But, for many people, travel sickness can put a dampener on longed-for getaways. On p26, we’ve got 10 tricks to try to combat that dreaded feeling. I’m going to be sucking on a few limes! This issue, we’re also asking a big question – is a younger man really the secret to great sex? On p30 two readers have their say. Get ready for some honest truths! Plus, on p38, writer and mum Jo Dunbar looks into how much fun you can have for free during the…

They’ve established themselves as two female powerhouses of morning TV - each with a devoted fanbase and both highly respected throughout the industry. But could the recently announced ITV cutbacks have shifted the dynamic between Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid and daytime legend Lorraine Kelly? It wouldn’t be surprising given that the teams behind both shows are in consultation as ITV looks to make huge cutbacks – due to take effect in January 2026. Lorraine’s eponymous lifestyle show is to be cut to 30 minutes and broadcast only 30 weeks of the year, while Good Morning Britain will see its runtime extended, taking the extra half an hour cut from Lorraine. A TV source says that while the balance of power has seemingly tipped in favour of Good Morning…

IT’S TIME TO PUT DOWN OUR DEVICES Our phones are taking way too much of our attention Mobile phones are the crack cocaine of technology. Seriously, five minutes ago none of us knew we even needed them, now they’re glued to our hands as if our lives depended on it. Witness the sheer, nerve-shredding panic when you mislay yours. It’s stupidly scary. But our lives are on these damn minicomputers – everything we do, we do from our phones, from banking to map-reading. Ironically one of the things we rarely do on them is make actual phone calls. Messaging, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, X and a million other apps have seen to that. Our phones are a communication device that have led to the highest levels of loneliness, isolation, depression…

Struck down by motion sickness whenever you’re in a car, boat, train or even plane? ‘Travel sickness is often a response to sensory mismatch – when your inner ear senses movement but your eyes or body don’t register it in the same way,’ says Soulla Demetriou, founder of soulshinewithsoulla.com. ‘This disconnect confuses the brain, triggering nausea, dizziness and fatigue.’ The good news is that there are science-backed tricks that can stop it in its tracks. Here’s what you need to know. 1 BLOCK A NOSTRIL Breathing in deep, steady breaths calms the nervous system and can help alleviate feelings of nausea and dizziness. ‘Alternate nostril breathing is an extremely effective practice that involves breathing in through one nostril, closing it, and then breathing out through the opposite nostril,’ says…

Broccoli and anchovy pasta SERVES 4 Don’t be scared of the anchovies in this healthy one-dish dinner. They will add a super savoury kick to the sauce without being overly fishy. YOU WILL NEED 1tbsp olive oil1 head broccoli, stalk thinly sliced, florets finely chopped2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced8 anchovy fillets½ chicken stock cube400g dried pasta HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the broccoli stalk slices and garlic and fry for 2 mins. 2 Add the anchovies, stirring until they break up. Then mix in the florets and cook for 5 mins. Add the stock cube with 200ml cold water, bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5-8 mins until the broccoli is cooked through. 3…

Days out, meals out, treats, entertainment – as the summer holidays stretch out before us it’s easy to imagine it costing a fortune to occupy our kids. Last year, data from American Express suggested families spent more £3,000 on entertaining children in school holidays. Ordinarily, I’d book my son James, nine, onto a football camp, while his brother Will, 11, might do an art class which he loves, but is pretty pricey. Chuck in a couple of day trips and treats - the cinema, ice creams and lunch on the go - and I’m out of pocket. But there must be ways to cut costs. Using what free and discounted options are available, can I amuse my sons for a week? Here’s how I got on… MONDAY Today I am…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows Sudoku To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Wordsearch The music video for which 1998 single by Björk shows her slowly transforming into a polar bear? The answer is the one missing from the grid. APPLEEMERALDFORESTHUNTERJADE KELLYKHAKILIMEMINTMOSS NEONOLIVEPINERACINGSEA CROSSWORD ACROSS 7 Laurie __, actor who played Jane Beale in EastEnders (5)8 Exit (9)10 __ L Jackson, star of films Pulp Fiction and The Hateful Eight (6)11 The __, 1976 action film starring Clint Eastwood and Tyne Daly (8)12 Harry and Marv in Home Alone, for example (8)13 Lack of difficulty (4)15 Rock Band whose hits include I Can’t Dance and Invisible Touch (7)17…

Esme Young & Patrick Grant ‘WE HAD TO RESORT TO NITPICKERY!’ The Great British Sewing Bee returns for a new series… Another bunch of the UK’s best amateur seamsters have had their needles and threads at the ready for 10 weeks of creative and technical challenges set by judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young. Comedian Sara Pascoe is back to oversee things after taking maternity leave during the previous series, hosted by Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe. As usual, there are different themes every week, this time including the 1920s and Korea, while the 12 stitchers compete to be crowned Britain’s best home sewer. ‘The sewers were so good they made them look easy,’ says Patrick. ‘We had to resort to fine-tooth comb nitpickery in order to separate them.’ ‘IT WAS…

Loose Women READY TO QUIT? It’s been a difficult time at Loose Women, with news it will be cut down to airing just 30 weeks of the year, and huge job cuts happening behind the scenes at ITV daytime. Now it appears that some long-serving members of the panel may be looking for a way out before the big changes begin in the new year. Denise Welch, 67, has been working on the show on and off for 20 years, but despite her longevity, it seems even she may not be immune. In a plea on social media, Denise asked Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies to consider her after she was linked to a voiceover role in a new animated series of the sci-fi show. ‘I definitely think this…

OCEAN TOTE Ideal for sunny day trips and outings. Beach bag, £12, Matalan STAY SHADED No need to shell out on headwear this summer. Hat, £25, Fat Face COTTON COOL Natural fibres never fail. Jacket, £75, sizes s-l, Accessorize BEAT THE HEAT Fold up and pop in your handbag. Fan, £7, Accessorize JUST PEACHY Snap this bargain up quick! Swimsuit, £18, sizes 8-22, George at Asda TO THE BEACH This new collection has had us dreaming of our perfect outdoor space. Parasol, £69, rocking chair, £139, striped cushions, £10 each, lobster cushion, £9, beach towels, £7 each, side table, £39, all George Home SHORE THING Oversized for statement style. Necklace, £1.99, shein.co.uk CROCHET COOL Slip over a sleeveless dress. \Waistcoat, £35.99, sizes s-l, Zara LIP PROTECTION Shield and shine. Sun…

‘LISA WAS LIVING EVERY DAY TO THE MAX’ Reaching for my wife Lisa’s hand, the consultant’s words just swam around my mind. ‘I’m afraid you have ovarian cancer. You only have three to five years left to live.’ It was March 2015, and with those few words, it felt as though our whole world had fallen apart. But Lisa, then 51, was incredibly stoic. ‘I’m not letting this define me,’ she vowed. ‘I’m going to make the most of whatever time I’ve got left.’ ‘Then I’ll help you,’ I promised her, and I meant it. Lisa and I had been married for almost 22 years, together for 30. My soulmate, I couldn’t imagine life without her. I took early retirement from my job as an IT manager to look after…

ARE HIS NOSEBLEEDS SERIOUS? Q My 14-year-old son keeps having nosebleeds. I seem to remember my brother going through a similar thing at this sort of age, and I think he just grew out of it, so I wasn’t too worried. However, last night, it was heavier than usual, and I nearly ended up taking him to A&E. Should I take him to the GP? A The most common cause of nosebleeds in a young man is bleeding from a superficial blood vessel in the delicate lining of the nose. If this is the case, your GP may be able to cauterise the area with a silver nitrate stick. They will also want to know about any other bleeding or easy bruising and will check his blood pressure. Does she…

STEP 1: Boost from within Years of overplucking will, unfortunately, leave your brows looking sparse. Help to encourage new growth by investing in a supplement that contains zinc to promote healthy hair production, like Solgar Skin, Nails and Hair Formula, £15.99, Holland & Barrett, or try UK Hair Hair Vitamins, £20, uklash.com. Both zinc and biotin are vital for encouraging your hair to produce new follicles, so add this into your routine as your first step to better brows – new hair growth can take a while, so be patient. STEP 2: Encourage hair growth Another way to boost brow growth is with castor oil, which is renowned for its ability to improve hair growth at five times the usual rate. Fushi Organic Castor Oil, £6.50, fushiwellbeing.com, is packed with…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr On 16 July the Moon makes its monthly return. This is a good moment to start a new project, venture or relationship. Focus on what is most important to you. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Ruled by Venus, planet of creativity and beauty, spend time listening to music or begin a new creative venture. This will bring you an increased sense of fulfilment. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun With Venus in your sign, this brings a playful energy. It’s the perfect time to make new connections with people who will give you an exciting, fresh perspective. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul The Sun in Cancer makes you feel sentimental. Plan a family get-together or meet up with an old friend. Find…

THEY HAD IT COMING by Nikki Smith (£9.99, Penguin, PB) Nate and Layla have been inseparable from their friends, Jude and Sophie, for as long as any of them can remember. Over the years, they have enjoyed countless dinners and wild nights out. They have even shared jobs and living spaces. So when Nate and Layla leave their life in London for the white sand beaches of Bali, Jude and Sophie are quick to visit them. But their reunion in paradise is laced with tension. Everyone has been lying. And as long-held secrets come to light one by one, revenge is on the cards. Emotions run high in this addictive, sun-soaked drama. THE TENANT by Freida McFadden (£9.99, Sourcebooks, PB) Danger is closer to home than you think. Life is…

LULLABY BABY Veteran broadcaster Nicky Campbell has been a musician since his late teens and his new album Through It All has been a true labour of love. ‘For me, music therapy is the most incredible thing. My ukulele has been my salvation,’ says Nicky. ‘If you do current affairs and what’s going on in the world, you need an escape. And my daughter is on two tracks, Until There Was You, and Dream a Little Dream – which I used to sing to her as a lullaby when she was little. ’ CLAIRE’S ACCESSORY Corrie’s Claire Sweeney is enjoying the change of gear for her troubled character Cassie this summer, now she’s got a fella on her arm. ‘You’re going to be seeing a lighter side of Cassie as…

Seeing my little brother’s face squashed up against the glass, I burst out laughing. It was October 2000 and I’d popped to see my mum, Gaynor, then 48, after dropping my eldest daughter, then four, at nursery. But I arrived to find Nicky, then 27, peering out of the living room window. ‘THERE’S A FIRE – I THINK NICKY’S IN THERE’ ‘Mum’s gone into town and locked me in!’ he said. Without realising, she’d locked the door behind her, leaving Nicky without a key to get out. ‘I haven’t got a key either,’ I laughed, meaning he was stuck indoors. We had a good giggle as he leaned in to kiss me through the glass. ‘Catch you later, sis,’ he said. I walked home smiling to myself, blissfully unaware that…

Buy of the week Beat fatigue with Lift Activ Energy Boost chews (£5 for 18, Sainsbury’s). Packed with vitamins, minerals and fast-acting glucose to pep you up. THE TO-DO LIST EMBRACE ANGER Participants who felt angry solved 39% more word puzzles, found research*. So channel your temper into that project you’ve been avoiding. GIVE IT A WASH Wear an eye mask to bed? Wash it at least weekly. They collect bacteria, dirt, make-up, natural oils and sweat, which could cause eye infections. AVOID WASTE Keeping fruit and vegetables like apples, bananas, broccoli, cucumber and tomatoes in the fridge at 4C will keep them fresh for longer**. If you do one thing Learn to say ‘no’ Reluctantly agree to host the family barbecue? Offer to help out with the grandkids last…

She’s angry all the time Q My sister and I are in our late 40s, both married with kids. She’s always been difficult – falling out with friends and relatives and holding grudges sometimes for years. In her eyes, it’s always someone else’s fault. I find her exhausting, as she’s always on the phone complaining. Now, her husband has had enough and has threatened to leave her. I’ve suggested that she see someone, but she won’t have it. Why is she like this? A People who are continuously angry are often stuck in a cycle of blame and defensiveness. It’s hard to say what’s behind it, but feelings of being unheard/disrespected often fuel it. Her refusal to seek help suggests a fear of admitting she plays a role in these…

From Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas, Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid, to Leo DiCaprio and his latest squeeze, age-gap relationships are frequently the butt of many jokes. If the man is older it is usually implied he ‘traded in for a younger model’ and if the woman is older she is immediately labelled a cougar. But with new research finding that women with younger partners have more fulfilling sex lives, have ‘cougars’ actually got the right idea? While they might not have as many years of experience as an older man, a young man’s enthusiasm and, let’s face it, stamina, could offer the perfect antidote to a midlife bed drought. According to the study, women with toy boys reported better overall sexual satisfaction compared to those dating older men.…

READER QUESTION Q Is booking an airport lounge worth the money when you’re going on holiday? A It depends on how much the lounge costs. Look at sites such as loungepass.com to compare prices, but also check the cost if you book on the lounge’s website. Next, see what you get for your money – food and drink on offer varies – then read reviews on sites such as Tripadvisor and work out if you think it’s worth the cash. There’s more advice at which.co.uk. Go green for less Get your microwave sparkling without pricey cleaners. Put a sliced lemon in a microwave-safe bowl with a small amount of water, then heat on high for two to three minutes or until the water’s boiling and the microwave is steamy inside.…

STACEY SOLOMON Having gone from an X Factor hopeful to a successful TV presenter and businesswoman, Stacey, 35, knows how to navigate the world of showbiz. And now that her career is cemented she’s looking at doing the same for her children, Zach, 17, Leighton, 13, Rex, six, Rose, three, and Belle, two. All of her kids have recently appeared on their family reality show, Stacey and Joe, while the eldest two have also made cameos on Hollyoaks. Not to mention the youngest three have modelled for her Primark range. But her plans don’t stop there. An insider said, ‘Stacey is also going to make sure the younger three become stars. She’s about to launch her business – Belle and Rose – which her daughters will become the face of.’…

Tears streamed down my face with laughter as the woman next to me recounted a disastrous story involving a bikini-top mishap. Catching the eye of the gentleman sitting across from me, I tensed. It was 2015 and a dinner party with strangers was a dangerous place for a woman in her mid-30s and I could practically see his mind whirring with the strain of trying to ‘figure’ me out. ‘Do you want children?’ he finally blurted. A question I’d known was on the cards the second I sat down. A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK Smiling politely, albeit strained, I shook my head and started back to the hilarious bikini story. ‘You’ll change your mind!’ he interrupted. The age-old reply to any woman who dares utter that, in fact, she doesn’t have and…