Innholdsfortegnelse for 5-Apr-2022 i Woman's Weekly

Risks and rewards My father had a stroke when he was in his 70s. Ironically (and almost certainly incorrectly), he attributed it to the strain of giving up smoking – it had been an almost lifelong habit, starting when he was on National Service. But, in fact, giving up smoking is one of the best things to do to reduce your risk of stroke, and he was lucky – his stroke was very mild, it left him with minimal lasting effects, and he lived for another 20 years. When I later got involved with the Stroke Association, judging their Awards, he began to realise how lucky he’d been. If you’d like to reduce your risk of stroke too, have a look at page 12.…

Over the past couple of years, many of us have been especially thankful for the beauty and tranquillity of our local urban parks. But they first became popular in the Victorian era, when the growing population of our overcrowded cities led to concern about public health, and in turn led to the creation of parks for ‘rational recreation’ in the fresh air . Victorian families could stroll along attractive terraced pathways and formal gardens, but in line with the values of the age were expected to dress appropriately and behave politely . Over time, parks have adapted to meet the shifting needs of our communities, with the promenading of yesteryear replaced by trim trails, parkruns, wildlife areas and community gardens. Here are a few favourites. The Regent’s Park London Named…

‘I was a loner in a crowd. Always feeling like a fake’ Today, some of Clare Smith’s childhood behaviours and how she mixed with others might be flagged up by teachers, parents and even her GP. But growing up in the 1960s, little was known about the condition she managed to  conceal, which would have a profound effect on her and eventually change the course of her life. What’s more, in those days, it was thought that only boys could know the frustration of seeing the world in a different way and struggling to find a place in it. ‘I was a very clumsy child, always tripping over my own feet!’ says Clare, 65, from Sheringham, Norfolk. ‘In those days, it was called ‘clumsy child syndrome’ and just made my…

Our gut contains roughly 100 trillion live bacteria, weighing in at 2kg. The balance of ‘live’ versus ‘harmful’ bacteria is very important. Around 70% of our immune cells are thought to be found in our gut. What’s more, some evidence suggests there may be a link between gut health and cognitive function. The most obvious indicators of gut health are your bowel movements, for example, feeling gassy, irregular trips to the toilet or an upset stomach. If you develop anything unusual for you, speak to your GP. See below for some diet tips, but lifestyle also plays a part in a healthy gut, as psychological stress can have a detrimental impact. Sleep is also crucial, as are your surroundings; spending time in nature exposes people to a range of bacteria,…

A All topical corticosteroids should be used sparingly. You can measure it as fingertip units (FTU) – the amount of cream you can squeeze onto your fingertip from the tip to the first crease. Half an FTU should cover skin the size of your palm. Two FTUs are roughly 1g of topical steroid. So, in adults, examples include 1 FTU for hands, knees or elbows, 1.5 FTUs for the feet, including soles, and 2.5 FTUs for the face and neck. Recommended FTUs need to be adjusted for children, depending on their age. There’s also a steroid-impregnated tape – useful for especially resistant cases or when the eczema is in a difficult-to-treat place, such as between two fingers or between toes, as it can be cut to the exact shape needed.…

Anna stepped inside her little house and flung her phone on the counter. She didn’t want to think about Rick. She stashed her shoes inside a step leading to her sleeping deck. She still took satisfaction in the clever storage built into her home. She clicked the kettle on and folded the dining table down from the wall. It made a cosy corner for a cup of tea and a biscuit. Her entire home was the size of the front room in her previous home with her ex-husband. It was exactly how she liked it. The house was small enough to be hitched to a lorry and transported, but Anna had no intention of leaving her half-acre of heaven. The grassy lawn sloping down to the canal was perfect for…

ORNAMENTAL GARDENS These formed part of Victorian innovations in garden design for a wider public. Echoing private gardens in their layout and planting, parks were laid out by some of the greatest designers of the age, such as Joseph Paxton. BANDSTANDS These were a big attraction, thanks to the growing popularity of brass bands. There were frequent concerts, perhaps followed by a visit to a tea house. PLAYGROUNDS The first playgrounds appeared in Manchester parks in the 1850s. These play spaces were known as ‘gymnasia’, and boys and girls would be kept separate. ✣ Find out more: To join your local park’s Friends Group, visit natfedparks.org.uk To take part in a parkrun, visit parkrun.org.uk…

EAT MORE FIBRE Aim for 30g a day from a variety of sources. Try wholegrains (such as brown rice and wheat), nuts, seeds, beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, apples and carrots. TOP UP YOUR POLYPHENOLS Found in a variety of fruit and veg, high levels are in dark chocolate, green leafy veg, and dark-skinned fruits like blueberries and blackberries. FILL UP ON FERMENTED Fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and live yogurt, are great for your gut microbiome. Kefir and kimchi are also a good source of natural probiotics.…

For 90,000 people in the Nurses’ Health study and the Health Professionals follow-up study, those with a higher dietary intake of olive oil experienced substantially lower mortality from all causes, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Mediterranean diets are known to be linked to lower cardiovascular risk, which is not surprising, as olive oil features prominently, but it’s still not clear if olive oil has a directly protective effect or if it’s just a marker for a healthy lifestyle.…

I thought I could trust her Q My therapist decided that I was no longer a good client for her. I’ve been seeing her for two years. I was very hurt and I feel really troubled by it. I’ve been abandoned all my life and I feel like she’s just done the same thing. I thought I could trust her. Is it worth putting in a complaint to her professional organisation? I want her to know how I feel. Name and address withheld Endings are so difficult and even more so sometimes in a therapy situation. I’m sure your therapist explained why she thought ending contact was right and may even have suggested a more suitable therapist. If not, that isn’t good practice. You say you want her to know…

Rarely does a place render you speechless, but this ancient stone city in the lesser-known Italian region of Basilicata has the power to do just that. Matera is striking. The honeycomb of cave houses, rock churches and cobbled streets carved chaotically into a rocky outcrop is otherworldly. Named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, it became the first protected ‘landscape‘ in Western Europe – no small feat for a city that, only 70 years ago, was branded the ‘shame of Italy’. At that time all its residents were relocated, deemed to be living in a state of emergency, leaving the city dormant for the first time since prehistory. So, how did this crumbling place go on to make a dramatic appearance in the latest Bond film No Time…

Stella Field surveyed the breakfast room. Peace at last after the 8am rush, with just the Lawsons from York enthusiastically buttering triangles of toasted wholemeal. She smoothed down her pinny, grabbed a tray and headed for the table in the bay window, recently vacated by the two chatty women from Reading. Did they scatter cereal and smear jam through the butter in their own homes? Stella doubted it. ‘Is it going to rain?’ Mrs Lawson asked loudly. When Mr Lawson didn’t reply, Stella realised the question was for her. ‘A 6% chance all day. Going anywhere nice?’ ‘Eastbourne, to visit the art gallery.’ ‘The Towner? One of my favourite places. More tea?’ They shook their heads. ‘This is such an unusual B&B,’ Mrs Lawson said, nodding at Stella’s kitsch knick-knacks…

Nature news, pet insights and a must-see musical Peatlands boost for wildlife The Wildlife Trusts are leading peatland restoration projects across the UK together with charities such as the RSPB and Plantlife. Peatlands support plants and wildlife, making them vital to the environment. At RSPB Dove Stone, near Oldham, volunteers are helping to restore blanket bog above the reservoir, which supports increasing numbers of breeding waders, such as curlews with their evocative ‘bubbling’ song. Visit in spring to see ravens and peregrine falcons as they look for a mate and fight for nesting spaces on the quarry ledges. WELL, I’LL BE DOGGONE ‘Why does my dog stare at me?’ was one of many popular Google searches about dogs in 2021*. Apparently, they stare at us for numerous reasons, such as…

Catrice Pure Volume Mascara, £3.99, justmylook.com They say Get supersized volume and serious drama with this miracle mascara. The fibre wand grabs onto each individual lash, and just one coat gives lashes density and definition. It’s enriched with nourishing almond oil and castor oil so lashes get better with every wear. We say This affordable mascara is not to be sniffed at. It’s simply brilliant. The ultra-black formula gives my short, straight lashes impeccable volume and it won’t flake off or smudge. It’s an absolute steal at under £4 and my new make-up bag must-have. Emma North, Senior Beauty Writer Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara, £24 lancome.co.uk They say A revolutionary mascara that volumises, lifts and separates lashes for a fanned-out effect. The smudge-proof and clump-resistant formula transforms each eyelash for…

A podcast is a recording of a talk, or a discussion, that you can download to listen to. And whatever your interests, there’s a podcast about it! So whether you’re into gardening, food or simply enjoy a lively bit of chat about life, check out these suggestions to learn something you didn’t know, help you while away a journey or keep you entertained when you’re doing chores. Soap Secrets Get insider gossip and regular updates on all your favourite soaps, as Woman magazine editor Hannah Fernando and soap expert Claire Ruck delve into the plot twists and turns in EastEnders, Holby City, Casualty, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and more. Irresistible listening! Desert Island Discs This Radio 4 favourite casts famous guests off on a desert island with eight tracks, a book…

Eh, it’s been a while! It’s good to see you, lass!’ Jed Morton clasped his daughter Sarah in a fulsome hug. ‘You too, Dad.’ Sarah hadn’t seen her parents since she’d started work as a maid for the son of a mill owner in Manchester. It was too far to travel on her fortnightly Sunday afternoon off. She was only here now because her employer and his family were being sent to India to oversee cotton production there, and the house was being shut up. She’d have to find another job in due course back in Manchester – there was nothing in this remote part of the world. But something in her mother’s letters had given Sarah the sense that all was not entirely well at home, and she’d reckoned…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr This is a wonderful time for new beginnings. Sometimes you have to let go of the old to make way for the new. TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Make sure that you get time to yourself to integrate everything that’s been happening. Keeping your equilibrium is vital. GEMINI 22 May – 21 Jun Financially, you may receive some positive news this week. Stay open and be flexible. It may take you out of your comfort zone. CANCER 22 Jun – 23 Jul Your focus is on the home. Do whatever you can to declutter and generally freshen up your space. LEO 24 Jul – 23 Aug You are ready for some new relationships. Reach out and join a new group. You will be…