Innholdsfortegnelse for 01-Jun-2020 i Woman

If you’re finding your mood is all over the place at the moment, you’re not alone. While one week can speed by full of joy and positivity, the next can feel never ending and downbeat as we ponder what’s next in terms of lockdown life. And while a myriad of emotions is totally valid right now, it might be worth taking a look at our brilliant health feature, ‘Six things you didn’t know about your hormones’ (p36), which takes an in-depth look into some simple solutions that can help ease low moods, irritability and even anxiety.…

With her timeless elegance and sparkling career, on the surface, Dame Helen Mirren has it all – confidence, glamour and success. But the award-winning actor has admitted that, behind closed doors, she still suffers with ‘bouts of inadequacy’. As she’s grown older, however, Helen, 74, has realised that she isn’t the only one who feels like that – and this realisation has helped her hugely. ‘None of us is really confident,’ she divulged. ‘It’s a great help to understand you’re not the only one.’ But, while Helen has overcome many difficulties in her life, and nonchalantly dismisses her ‘sex symbol’ status, she admits that she’s still ‘sensitive’ when it comes to her work… EARLY DIFFICULTIES Opening up about the difficulties she faced at the beginning of her five-decade-long career, Helen…

Samantha Brick, 49, is a writer. She lives with her husband, Pascal, 59, a carpenter. As a girl and a teenager, I was shy, but when I cottoned on that there was mileage in sharing personal experiences about myself, friends included me in their conversations. Like it or not, banter and gossip are the glue in most friendships and how we relate to one another. Gossip girl ‘WHAT BETTER WAY TO BOND?’ Fast forward to my 20s and gossiping about myself and those in my life underpinned my daily conversations. This was the decade of TV series Sex and the City. Who can forget those scenes over brunch when the girls shared too much information about their sex lives? I lapped it up because I behaved the same in real…

BEAT THE HEAT Frazzled lengths and split ends caused by too much heat styling will only make hair look thinner. Follow Rochelle Humes’ lead and embrace your hair’s natural movement – you might just have beautiful spirals and beachy waves hiding under all that breakage. If you really can’t give up the heat, minimise damage with a heat protector like Lee Stafford Heat Protection Blow Dry Cream, £6.99. Applied to damp hair, it uses keratin to repair and protect without weighing your hair down. Give it a helping hand with L’Oréal Professionnel Pro Longer Lengths Renewing Mask, £18. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SCALP For a mane as thick and glossy as the Duchess of Cambridge’s, you need to start with a healthy scalp. Exfoliating your scalp works to unplug blocked…

Since its introduction in 2005, YouTube has gone on to become the world’s second-largest search engine. Now, more people than ever are using it to develop and promote their businesses. And while it might seem like the kids have the run of the site – with stars like eight-year-old Ryan Kaji making £20 million last year – women over 40 are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with, too. We speak to two women taking YouTube by storm. ‘I EVEN HAVE CELEBRITY CLIENTS’ Cheryl MacDonald, 41, is Director of YogaBellies. She lives in Glasgow with her husband, Mike, 44, and their son, Caelen, 10. When I was made redundant from my job as a business analyst in December 2009, just six weeks after giving birth, I had to think…

Korean-style sirloin with soy and sesame dip This delicious marinade transforms a steak. It’s also great with chicken. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 10 MINS ✱ 4 thick sirloin steaks ✱ 2tbsp soy sauce ✱ 2tbsp toasted sesame oil ✱ 5cm piece of ginger, grated ✱ 2 garlic cloves FOR THE DIP ✱ 4tbsp soy sauce ✱ 2tsp toasted sesame oil ✱ 2tbsp sugar ✱ 4tsp rice vinegar ✱ 2tsp wasabi or horseradish ✱ 3 spring onions, thinly sliced 1 Put the steaks in a shallow dish. Mix together the remaining ingredients and coat the steaks well. Leave to marinate, covered in the fridge, for at least 20 mins but ideally overnight. 2 To make the dip, mix everything together except the spring onions (add these just before serving).…

Is cutting out meat risky for my health? Q I would like to become a vegetarian to try to help with the environment. Are there any health benefits to not eating meat, and will I become anaemic? Philippa says A Lots of people are turning to more plant-based diets for a variety of reasons, including environmental. As long as you are eating lots of sources of protein and iron-rich foods, such as eggs, you won’t become anaemic and should meet your protein needs. Interestingly, researchers in Taiwan have been studying the vegetarian diet; they studied almost 10,000 people and their diets and discovered that vegetarianism is associated with a lower risk of developing urinary tract infections, so there may be benefits that are yet to be discovered! I don’t want…

The rules of tantric sex Q Having just started a new relationship, I’ve found a new enthusiasm for sex. And we’re now both wondering whether to try an online ‘tantric sex’ workshop for couples that we’ve seen advertised. But neither of us has ever done anything like this – I’m not even sure I know what tantric sex is. Can you explain? And can you tell us how to judge whether this particular workshop is right for us? Susan says A ‘Tantric sex’ often refers to sexual traditions from Hindu beliefs – though nowadays the phrase is generally used about slow, mindful sex where partners connect emotionally as well as physically. Should you sign up to this workshop? Talk to the workshop leader – any good Tantra teacher will help…

A happy new chapter I’m delighted Charlie Gard’s parents have had a healthy baby scan. They lost their fight to keep Charlie alive against medical advice. Like Charlie, my first child, Elvi, has a genetic disorder. She’s so loved, but I know only too well just how fraught subsequent pregnancies can be. Make that! (Or not, in Robbie’s case) Yet another astounding confession from Robbie Williams, who admits, ‘I haven’t cooked, ever. The last thing I cooked was a Pot Noodle. Since I wrote Angels, I have people to do that.’ Erm, you can’t claim a Pot Noodle as cooking, Rob, that’s called ‘heating’.…

Meghan to ‘SET RECORD STRAIGHT’ in new book The Duchess of Sussex has high hopes that a new biography will ‘set the record straight’ on why she and Prince Harry had ‘no choice but to quit as royals’. The book, Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, is set to be released in August – but a friend of the duchess said, ‘If Meghan had it her way, the book would be released tomorrow instead of three months from now.’ Meghan, 38, is ‘desperate’ to ‘shatter this image of being a demanding diva’ and thinks the book may help to present her in a new light. The insider added, ‘She said the book will give her and Harry a clean slate. Meghan seems to…

MEGHAN, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX It’s all about the maxi skirt with Meghan, 38, as she looks divine in this chocolate satin ankle-grazer. Perfect for keeping warm on a cool summer night. EMMA BUNTON Baby Spice, 44, wears her heart on her skirt with this leather-look mini, and throws on a baby-pink jacket to add a flush of colour to the ensemble. LOUISE REDKNAPP Louise, 45, brings the festival feel to our living rooms with this khaki miniskirt and plain white T-shirt. She’s thrown over a denim jacket for the ultimate in backstage chic, too. AMANDA HOLDEN Taking some inspiration from a homeschooling pen pot, Amanda, 49, opts for a pencil skirt, and this pretty pink one shows off her enviable pins. ROCHELLE HUMES For a simple day-to-night look, Rochelle, 31,…

Psychologist Emma Kenny (ekenny.co.uk) says: ‘Sharing information about your life is healthy and provides a foundation of a relationship with another. While you should absolutely be able to share aspects of your life, it’s pretty obvious that the personal details you would share with your close friends are going to be distinctly different to those you would want your manager at work to know. And though you are free to tell those in your life whatever you choose, you also have to accept that, at times, they may rebuff you or criticise you as opposed to supporting and approving you. This is why pausing before posting on social media, and thinking before you speak, is always a good tactic when sharing elements of your personal and private life.’…

Lejla says: I’ve always felt so loved and secure in my family, but I felt uncertain about my identity. When Mum and Dad told me about how I was conceived, at least it gave me something. It was horrendous, but it was an answer. Trying to rationalise, it is not such a shock when you know how many women were raped at that time. If you meet anyone in Bosnia born between 1992 and 1995, so many have a story. I wanted to find Mia, and tell her I was OK. I’ve never felt angry towards her for not being able to look after me. How could I? I have discovered how strong Mia is. She’s not well emotionally or physically – she has Parkinson’s and epilepsy. To have the…

TINT Save yourself time pencilling in sparse brows each morning with a long-lasting tint. Eylure Dybrow Permanent Tint, £7.49, works in as little as two minutes with results staying put for up to six weeks. Coating even the finest, fair hairs with colour, brows look instantly thicker. LAMINATION Nothing to do with shiny sheets of paper, brow lamination is a bit like a perm, fixing your brow hairs into upward strokes. By cleverly disguising bald sparse areas, you can finally get the big, fluffy brows you’ve always dreamt of. Prices start at around £50 depending on the salon, and last for 4-6 weeks. MICROBLADING A form of semi-permanent tattooing, microblading uses light, hair-like strokes to craft a bespoke pair of brows. It lasts for a number of years, so shop…

Hormones hugely influence our wellbeing – and we blame them for everything from skin breakouts and bloating to roller-coaster moods and mind fog. ‘Hormones affect us through their daily subtle shifts, more strongly through the monthly cycle, and then through the massive hormonal swings during pregnancy, perimenopause and the menopause,’ says Dr Marion Gluck, women’s health specialist and author of It’s Not My Head, It’s My Hormones (£14.99, Orion Spring). While not everyone will struggle with these changes, many women suffer physically and emotionally. Here’s the low-down on your hormones, and what helps so that they don’t hijack your life. 1 Progesterone  Progesterone balances oestrogen and is a mellowing hormone that calms the nervous system. ‘Equilibrium between progesterone and oestrogen is key to wellbeing,’ says Marion. ‘Both hormones affect our…

Stick to your bedtime Having a sporadic sleeping pattern can affect your health.* Scientists found that going to bed 30 mins later than usual showed a significantly higher resting heart rate than for those who stuck to the same time, even when they were getting the recommended eight hours. Boost your immune system Too much salt in your diet can weaken your immune system, a recent study** has found. Those who ate double the 6g recommended daily allowance showed significant impairment. Have a nice bubble bath Give your bath a makeover with this Rose and Geranium bath soak from Baylis and Harding (£4, Boots). Not only will the aroma give you a mood boost, but it’s vegan-friendly and has 100% recyclable packaging, scoring you eco points, too.…

Sadly, women often take longer to climax than men do – and typically climax less easily through intercourse alone. But here are three reasons why our orgasms are great. They’re longer Male climaxes usually last between 10-30 seconds. But depending on our mood and the length of foreplay, ours tend to be longer – sometimes reaching a full minute. They’re more variable For most men it’s just penis or testicle stimulation that tips them over the edge. But women often climax from stimulation of many body areas, like nipples or ears. Plus, our orgasms can differ hugely from each other. They’re repeatable A man needs time between his climaxes before he can go again. But we women can often orgasm repeatedly in a single sex session, often with only minutes…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Let your intuition guide you. If you’re prompted to get in touch with someone, do so. In the next two to three weeks, actions taken now could yield very rich results. For your reading ☎ 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May You need to start thinking outside the box. Tried and trusted methods may have worked in the past, but this is the new normal, and situations require new strategies. For your reading ☎ 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun A romance may appear to have taken a backward turn, but it’s not over until the fat lady sings. OK? Remember – persistence and patience will pay off. For your reading ☎ 09058 172559 CANCER 23…

JOE WICKS PLANS BIG FUTURE The Body Coach is said to have trademarked his name as he plans to launch a food and cookery line in a bid to grow his fitness empire. It comes after his huge success as the nation’s PE teacher during COVID-19. LISA ARMSTRONG LANDS NEW GIG Ant McPartlin’s ex-wife will make a guest appearance alongside Stacey Dooley on The Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star. Lisa is currently a make-up artist on Strictly Come Dancing. KATIE PRICE’S SON HARVEY TO LAUNCH CAREER Harvey, 18, is set to launch his own YouTube channel to show off his ‘natural banter’. Model Katie, 41, is said to be in talks with an influencer-marketing agency to make it happen.…

We all know how important it is – even more so these days – to talk about how we’re feeling. And, thanks to social media, it’s never been easier to keep family, friends and even strangers (thank you, Twitter), in the loop. But while some of us might balk at the idea of sharing the latest argument, sexcapade, or how potty training is going, others are proud oversharers. Like Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha, 55. Whether it’s her battle with incontinence or marriage dramas, the star has shared some of the most private aspects of her life with the nation. And in a recent interview, she defended her reasons for doing so, saying both she and husband Mark Adderley are professional oversharers. ‘People always ask us why we share so much,’…

This classic wardrobe staple is available in a regular and long length Vertical stripes will elongate your silhouette…

Botanical Lab Pumpkin & Papaya Enzyme Daily Exfoliator, £5.99 Natural enzymes make this treatment great for gently sloughing off dead skin and preventing breakouts. Yes To Grapefruit Glow Enhancing Vitamin C Booster, £9.99 A few drops of this grapefruit-infused serum under your moisturiser gives glowing and even skin. Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser, £10 The gentle exfoliating enzymes and antioxidants found in blueberries make this cleanser great for all skin types. Original Source Water Infusions Pineapple and Lemon Zest Shower Gel, £2.29 Infused with pineapple and lemon extract, this shower gel leaves skin hydrated, clean and smelling delicious. I Heart Revolution Banana Split Radiance Primer, £6 Give dull skin a radiant look with this golden-toned, hydrating banana primer. Alberto Balsam Juicy Green Apple Shampoo, £1 The real apple juice…

Staying hydrated is essential for good health but ‘while fluids are really important for optimal hydration, about 20% of it comes from food so their effectiveness and role in hydration shouldn’t be overlooked,’ says Rob Hobson, Healthspan’s head of nutrition. ‘All cells, tissues and organs in the body require water to work properly. Water moves constantly through cells with about 10% of your body water being replaced every day with a fresh supply,’ says Rob. But what foods are the best sources of hydration and how much should you be eating? Our experts have the low-down. PEACHES Water content: 89% Water per 100g: 88.9ml Peaches are a delicious summer fruit that can be enjoyed on their own or added to yogurt, oatmeal and smoothies; they are packed with beta-carotene, lycopene…

…THAI CURRY PASTE Spicy noodle bowl with tofu One of the easiest meals to put together when everyone is hungry and wants food fast. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 10 MINS ✱ 200g medium rice noodles ✱ 1-2tbsp Thai red curry paste ✱ 1tbsp Thai fish sauce ✱ 2tbsp lime juice ✱ 1tbsp sunflower oil ✱ 2 eggs ✱ 1tsp soy sauce ✱ 350g firm tofu, drained and chopped ✱ 2 medium carrots, cut into sticks ✱ 50g mangetout or frozen peas ✱ 3tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped ✱ Lime wedges, to serve 1 Cook the noodles following the packet instructions. In a small bowl, mix together the curry paste, fish sauce and lime juice. 2 Heat 1tsp of the oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Beat the eggs…

SHOULD I LIE ABOUT MY DAUGHTER? Q My daughter died three years ago, aged 40. I miss her and will never forget her, but life goes on and our friends and family have been really kind. The only problem I now find is when I meet new people and they ask me if I have any family. It feels wrong to say ‘yes, two daughters and a son’ but if I say ‘a daughter and a son’ it’s as if my younger daughter never existed. But surely I’ll make people feel uncomfortable if I say I had a daughter who died. Suzie says A When people ask you, just say three: a son and two daughters. If they enquire further, you can say one of your daughters died. If they…

HOW CAN I KEEP MY PET’S TEETH CLEAN DURING LOCKDOWN? While our pets are pretty good at taking care of themselves, many will develop dental diseases during their adulthood. Without the abrasive action of tooth brushing, food (and bacteria) builds up on teeth, resulting in thick calculus deposits and gingivitis. The first signs of an animal having a problem can include a reluctance to chew harder foods. They may also drool and start to lose weight. Some will be happy letting their owners have a look inside their mouth, and red, angry gums as well as a build-up of brown deposits can be seen on the surface of the teeth. Other conditions, such as oral masses and ulcers can cause the same symptoms, so it’s important to know what we…

JOANNA LUMLEY’S SILK ROAD ADVENTURE BritBox On a 7,000-mile journey across eight countries, the Absolutely Fabulous star follows the ancient trade route that not only brought silk to the West, but also gave us printing, rhubarb and paper, among other things. The four-parter follows Joanna from Venice to the Chinese border as she uncovers stories, old and new, along the route. Fans can also watch Joanna Lumley’s Japan, Hidden Caribbean and Trans-Siberian Adventure. MICHAEL PALIN IN NORTH KOREA BritBox The Monty Python star was given unprecedented access to North Korea for this two-parter from 2018. Under the supervision of officials, Michael tries to find out what life is like for the 25 million people who live in the notoriously secretive country. Michael’s 1997 travelogue Full Circle, a 50,000…

No one is happy about lockdown, but have you noticed how much greener life feels without light pollution, traffic and so many planes flying overhead? The air seems cleaner, the sky brighter and the birdsong louder. Celebs have wasted no time hitching themselves to the green wagon. But they haven’t quite got it right. Taylor Swift [right], for example, has sold her $6 million Dassault Falcon 50 private jet. Good on her. Such luxury transport is considered so bad for the environment, one think tank asked for them to be banned in Britain. Scientists reckon private-jet passengers create 10 times as much greenhouse gas as an economy-class traveller on a commercial flight, and 150 times more than train passengers. The trouble is Taylor’s plane was just one of two she…