Am I sharing too much about my mental health online and does my honesty put off prospective employers?

December 2, 2017, 2:00 am

≫ Next: 6 presents parents buy their kids but secretly want for themselves

≪ Previous: Why it took me 12 years to be diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease

$

0

0

I’ve been blogging about mental health for several years now, but I’ve always kept it on the down low.

A secret little hobby of mine, I’ve been privately airing my dirty laundry in a little corner of the internet where we all say lovely things to each other and offer support to those in need.

My nervous breakdown ruined my career – here’s why I’m OK with it

I manage depression and anxiety everyday and being able to talk openly about it on the internet is something which has… Read the full story

---

6 presents parents buy their kids but secretly want for themselves

December 2, 2017, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Why do we eat turkey at Christmas? How many of us eat it on December 25?

≪ Previous: Am I sharing too much about my mental health online and does my honesty put off prospective employers?

$

0

0

Congratulations – you’ve reproduced.

You’ve got a new bundle of fun who will fill most of your waking hours with the fear of trying to keep them alive.

12 gorgeous gifts that new mums will love this Christmas

But don’t worry.

There are great times to be had, too.

Chief among them is that you now get to buy all the Christmas presents that you would really like from your nearest and dearest, but can’t ask for due to the social need to at least look like a… Read the full story

Why do we eat turkey at Christmas? How many of us eat it on December 25?

December 2, 2017, 4:16 am

≫ Next: How to handle with someone who has anger issues

≪ Previous: 6 presents parents buy their kids but secretly want for themselves

$

0

0

Turkey is arguably the centre piece on the Christmas dinner dining table.

There’s a whole selection of choice these days.

You led me to my darkest place: An open letter to my mental illness

People opt for goose, ham, lamb or good old fashioned chicken (unless you’re a veggie of course).

Some people complain that turkey is too dry, but sorry, I am pro-Christmas turkey, and you’re going to just have to baste lots and lots of butter on it (tip – every 30 minutes).

Read the full story

How to handle with someone who has anger issues

December 2, 2017, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Where did Christmas crackers come from?

≪ Previous: Why do we eat turkey at Christmas? How many of us eat it on December 25?

$

0

0

Anger, when controlled and utilised in a positive way, can be a good thing.

It can make fantastic sports players push themselves that little further for the gold, or a doctor refuse to give up on a dying patient.

How to control your anger: a guide to having meaningful arguments

When anger becomes all consuming and uncontrollable though, the consequences can ruin lives.

Someone who has regular anger issues can often feel extremely guilty afterwards, regretting their behaviour and unable to rationalise it in hindsight.

Isabel Clarke… Read the full story

Where did Christmas crackers come from?

December 2, 2017, 10:28 am

≫ Next: Here’s what to expect when you come off antidepressants

≪ Previous: How to handle with someone who has anger issues

$

0

0

We love to pull a Christmas cracker during our annual feasting of Christmas lunch and dinner.

The best part is not seeing who has the most arm strength between your loved ones but the hilariously bad jokes, riddles, small gifts and of course those paper king hats that come with the crackers.

You led me to my darkest place: An open letter to my mental illness

But where did Christmas crackers actually originate from?

Read the full story

Here’s what to expect when you come off antidepressants

December 2, 2017, 9:05 pm

≫ Next: The surprising advantages of being pregnant at Christmas

≪ Previous: Where did Christmas crackers come from?

$

0

0

Improved mood, wanting to avoid unpleasant side effects or the convenience of being prescription-free – there are many reasons you might decide you’re ready to come off antidepressants.

It’s something I’ve decided to do on several occasions after an extended period of improved mood.

It’s important to know what to expect so you can go through the process safely.

Just as there’s a range of potential side-effects you should be aware of when you start taking the medication, cutting back on antidepressants can bring its own challenges.

Here’s what you can expect.

You’ll cut back slowly

First of all, it’s incredibly important not to stop taking your antidepressants alone.

To minimise any withdrawal… Read the full story

The surprising advantages of being pregnant at Christmas

December 2, 2017, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: 7 fascinating Advent traditions from star-shaped pinatas to candle crowns

≪ Previous: Here’s what to expect when you come off antidepressants

$

0

0

As someone who pretty much lives for prosecco and loves a kiss under the mistletoe, being pregnant for three out of five Christmases wasn’t especially well planned.

My children were born in February, March and April so I was at least increasingly less pregnant with each passing Christmas.

Being sober and the size of Jabba the Hut while everyone else was mostly pissed and rocking around the Christmas tree wasn’t much fun at times.

I did find, however, that there were a few surprising advantages to being knocked up over the festive season.

The third trimester should,… Read the full story

7 fascinating Advent traditions from star-shaped pinatas to candle crowns

December 2, 2017, 11:00 pm

≫ Next: Treat yourself this winter with a spa break in Gloucestershire

≪ Previous: The surprising advantages of being pregnant at Christmas

$

0

0

The word advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning ‘coming’.

In ancient times, advent was connected to the second coming of Christ and the baptism of new Christians at Epiphany.

7 alternative family activities you could do during Advent

It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that advent was linked with Christ’s first coming, which is now celebrated on December 25.

For some Christians, this time is about penitence, prayer and fasting but, for the majority of us, it’s a period of waiting and preparing.

Most families have their own customs, whether it be putting… Read the full story

---

Treat yourself this winter with a spa break in Gloucestershire

December 2, 2017, 11:00 pm

≫ Next: People who eat 40g of cheese a day might be less likely to have a heart attack

≪ Previous: 7 fascinating Advent traditions from star-shaped pinatas to candle crowns

$

0

0

It’s the time of year for treating yourself – and others, of course.

A weekend break in the Mendips in Somerset is a perfect winter treat

And what better way to treat yourself than a luxurious spa break?

You don’t need to go abroad to get the luxury treatment – the UK boasts tonnes of great spas, especially around the city that basically created the concept of the spa staycation: Bath.

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a bit of pampering in the UK, so if your feet need a rest from all that Christmas shopping, we’ve got you covered.

The hotel

Read the full story

People who eat 40g of cheese a day might be less likely to have a heart attack

December 3, 2017, 12:37 am

≫ Next: Meet the woman who lost 7st after failing to recognise herself in photos

≪ Previous: Treat yourself this winter with a spa break in Gloucestershire

$

0

0

Cheese is so moorish, it must be bad for you.

I mean, bowls of molten mac and cheese aren’t exactly waist-friendly.

Cheese is high in fat and often pretty salty but we already know that it’s super great for our teeth (full of vitamin K2).

And now it turns out that rather than causing heart attacks, eating 40g of cheese a day might actually help reduce your chances of developing certain coronary heart diseases by up to 14%.

Researchers from Soochow University in China have been evaluating 15 studies from Europe and the US which tracked the… Read the full story

Meet the woman who lost 7st after failing to recognise herself in photos

December 3, 2017, 1:14 am

≫ Next: Could you finish a 1kg Christmas dinner burger?

≪ Previous: People who eat 40g of cheese a day might be less likely to have a heart attack

$

0

0

This is Rebecca Grafton.

She’s lost seven stone after her weight ‘ballooned’ post-graduation – eventually reaching a point where she failed to recognise herself in photos.

Living on her own for the first time, Rebecca was cooking for herself and drinking more alcohol than ever.

‘It got to the point where my body was changing so much – my face showed the weight gain so much that I couldn’t even recognise myself in photos anymore,’ she tells Pop Sugar.

At her heaviest, she weighed over 17 stone.

But after deciding enough was enough, the 27-year-old decided to get healthy following three simple rules to shift the weight.

She began by tracking calories… Read the full story

Could you finish a 1kg Christmas dinner burger?

December 3, 2017, 1:29 am

≫ Next: Lush has launched a giant version of its Golden Wonder bath bomb – and it weighs 2.6 pounds

≪ Previous: Meet the woman who lost 7st after failing to recognise herself in photos

$

0

0

Listen up meat heads – here’s a festive food challenge that even the biggest gobs might fail to get their chomps around.

Someone’s come up with a Christmas dinner burger than weighs in at 1kg and contains 7oz of steak pattie, as well as smoked turkey breast and roast gammon.

And that’s all topped with cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, aged cheddar cheese and candied pigs in blankets.

Oh, but that’s not all.

Its also got an entire festive pasty bake stuffed inside it too.

The Solita Christmas Burger is available across Solita’s five restaurants in Manchester, Preston, Prestwich and Didsbury.

Read the full story

Lush has launched a giant version of its Golden Wonder bath bomb – and it weighs 2.6 pounds

December 3, 2017, 1:34 am

≫ Next: Albino dog has to wear sunglasses as too much sunlight could kill him

≪ Previous: Could you finish a 1kg Christmas dinner burger?

$

0

0

Lush-lovers, rejoice: Your favourite beauty-and-bath brand has just launched a giant version of its ‘Golden Wonder’ bath bomb.

The giant bath bomb will make the perfect Christmas present for any beauty-fanatic, especially as it comes in its original yellow gift box design.

The exclusive bath bomb is said to contain scents of ‘uplifting sweet orange and stimulating lime’ and comes packed with gardenia extract for a clean, floral scent.

It’s also covered in a layer of glitter to give your bath water a sparkly dusting, and it sounds absolutely magical.

Read the full story

Albino dog has to wear sunglasses as too much sunlight could kill him

December 3, 2017, 1:36 am

≫ Next: Release your inner goth this Christmas with this black gin

≪ Previous: Lush has launched a giant version of its Golden Wonder bath bomb – and it weighs 2.6 pounds

$

0

0

Too much direct sunlight could kill this adorable abandoned albino puppy due to a rare form of canine albinism that means he cannot stay in the harsh sun for prolonged periods of time, or he’ll get severely burnt.

Sherlock the Schnauzer has to limit his time in the Australian sun as he is at risk of developing fatal skin cancer.

Hhe needs to slather on special doggy sunscreen and wear sunglasses every time he goes outside.

The rare genetic condition causes a lack of melanin in the skin, which means that Sherlock was born with pure white fur… Read the full story

Release your inner goth this Christmas with this black gin

December 3, 2017, 1:37 am

≫ Next: Woman with facial birthmark is going viral for her inspirational body positivity

≪ Previous: Albino dog has to wear sunglasses as too much sunlight could kill him

$

0

0

Halloween may have been and gone, but you can still head over to the dark side in style thanks to Firebox’s new black gin.

The online store has just started selling Unicorn Tears Black Gin Liqueur, which’ll make you look as though you’re sipping back a witchy potion (because let’s face it, unicorn’s most definitely cry rainbow tears).

The black gin comes in a miniature bottle and holds a double measure, and according to Firebox, despite its dark look, still tastes the same as regular gin.

Read the full story

---

Woman with facial birthmark is going viral for her inspirational body positivity

December 3, 2017, 3:04 am

≫ Next: ‘Catcalls of NYC’ is the powerful project showing what sexual harassment is like in New York

≪ Previous: Release your inner goth this Christmas with this black gin

$

0

0

Looking a little different can be challenging at the best of times.

Having a facial birthmark, however, is something else all together.

Sarah Taylor was born with a large port-coloured stain on her face and rather than trying to hide it with makeup, she’s decided to show it off on her body-positive Instagram account.

But it hasn’t been an easy journey to self-love because she says that it’s human nature to want to be accepted.

‘When you don’t look normal, you tend to get singled out of the pack… As I grew up, people asked more and more questions, and they started to tint them with judgment,’ Sarah tells Allure.

“What’s… Read the full story

‘Catcalls of NYC’ is the powerful project showing what sexual harassment is like in New York

December 3, 2017, 3:46 am

≫ Next: Aldi has won 50 gongs at an international wine competition

≪ Previous: Woman with facial birthmark is going viral for her inspirational body positivity

$

0

0

Sexual harassment happens all the time.

And in over in the states, 60% of women say they’ve been victim to it – 45% of incidents happening on the street.

Which is why Sophie Sandberg has set up ‘Catcalls of NYC’.

It’s an Instagram project which quotes the things that sexual harassers have said to random people on the street, using brightly coloured chalk.

She’s giving commuters the chance to see exactly what it’s like to have obscenities and invasive statements yelled at them when they’re innocently walking down the road.

And if you’re not sure what catcalling looks like, here’s a little taste:

Read the full story

Aldi has won 50 gongs at an international wine competition

December 3, 2017, 4:00 am

≫ Next: 8 ways you can take care of yourself at Christmas if you have IBD

≪ Previous: ‘Catcalls of NYC’ is the powerful project showing what sexual harassment is like in New York

$

0

0

We all love a good tipple.

From Bailey’s to sparkling wine, our love knows no bounds.

But if you’re dithering at the supermarket wondering which wine to buy for a Crimbo gift, take notice.

And if you’ve ever assumed a decent wine means taking out a mortgage, you’re wrong.

Aldi has come up trumps in an international wine competition, taking home 50 gongs for its boozy offerings.

The bargain supermarket particularly excelled in the port and sweet wine categories.

Referred to as the ‘Oscars’ of the wine world, the International Wine Challenge pits the best wines against each other in a series of blind tests.

The top… Read the full story

8 ways you can take care of yourself at Christmas if you have IBD

December 3, 2017, 4:00 am

≫ Next: 5 journals and planners to get your super organised friend this Christmas

≪ Previous: Aldi has won 50 gongs at an international wine competition

$

0

0

The festive season is upon us, and although it’s fabulous to be surrounded by food, drink and merriment, it can be a daunting time if you are dealing with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

IBD affects more than 300,000 people in the UK, according to charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK, and causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

An Open Letter to my Crohns Disease

Therefore, what we put into our bodies can often have a direct impact on our Crohn’s or Colitis symptoms, and the Christmas season can… Read the full story

5 journals and planners to get your super organised friend this Christmas

December 3, 2017, 4:07 am

≫ Next: How to support a friend who lives with Inflammatory bowel disease

≪ Previous: 8 ways you can take care of yourself at Christmas if you have IBD

$

0

0

Planners are the staple of the ‘organised friend’.

They’re colour-coded, with perfect handwriting and no dog-eared pages anywhere. There’s probably also some sort of sticker system that segments their days, letting them know whether it’s zumba or body pump that morning.

5 journals and planners to get your super organised friend this Christmas

We all love that friend who remembers every birthday and is on time for everything.

So, why not give back a little this Christmas by getting them something they’ll actually appreciate: The chance to be just as organised in 2018.

Long gone are the days of the… Read the full story