It’s Friday – you’ve had a stressful week, and now you’re debating whether you should go to the gym tonight, or go to the pub.

Really, it depends on just how stressed you are. While hitting the gym for a tough session can help to relieve stress under the right circumstances, being too stressed can actually hinder your progress and make your workout pretty pointless.

So if you’re feeling burnt out, exhausted and anxious from a busy week – taking a night off from the gym might not be such a bad idea.

Freeletics expert David Wiener has explained exactly why you shouldn’t work out if you’re feeling too stressed:

It throws you off your game

When you‘re coping with a big life event, or you‘re ‘so behind’ at work, it becomes the only thing you can focus on.

What suffers most? That evening run you had planned is sacrificed for more time at the office or winding down on the sofa.

Stress has the annoying ability to distract your mind and overwhelm your body, not to mention making you a lot less likely to stick to your training regime.

Apart from skewing your motivation, you‘ll have a hard time reaching your fitness goals when your mind is elsewhere. When stress makes your training become another thing on your to-do list, the quality of your workout will suffer as you‘ll sacrifice technique in favour of getting it done and dusted as soon as possible.

While it may be difficult to push your worries to the side, dwelling won‘t make it go away. Exercise combined with other stress management techniques, such as meditation, can really help to calm you down and keep you focused and motivated.

It hinders your recovery

It‘s normal to feel a bit sore after a workout, but when you‘re stressed, the effects are multiplied because your muscles are stressed too.

The mental demands of stress steal valuable resources from your body and leave you feeling more run down and groggy than usual. When this is combined with a tough workout, it‘ll leave you with nothing left in the tank.

Unless you want to risk injuring yourself, it‘s important to give your muscles and your mind time to recover following a strenuous workout. This means taking regular rest days and mixing up your style of training to maximise its effectiveness.

It plays havoc with your cortisol levels

Chronic stress hurts your ability to regulate the hormone cortisol, which influences your metabolism, immunity, sleep rhythms and blood pressure.

Un-regulated cortisol levels will leave you feeling run-down, tired, and more subject to gaining weight, as well as making you crave more sugary and fatty food.

Lack of sleep coupled with stress is a total killer when it comes to reaching your fitness goals. And even worse when your goal is to lose weight.

Sleep is essential in helping you restore your muscles after training and feeling refreshed and energised the next day. You can regulate your cortisol levels by turning in early at night and getting a proper sleep.

It increases your risk of injury

Research suggests that exercising when you’re experiencing stress can increase your risk of injury, and this could be for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, if you’re overly stressed it’s likely you’re not focusing properly on your workout or technique, and your wavering attention could be the cause of an injury.

Secondly, when you’re stressed, you experience increased muscles tension and this too could set you on the road to an injury or make any existing aches and pains worse.

You’ll fatigue quicker

Stress affects the part of your brain which deals with both short- and long-term memory, as well as working memory, which is what you use when you’re processing multiple pieces of information at once.

This can make even the simplest of tasks more difficult and means that you’ll mentally and physically fatigue more quickly which will impact on your workout.

It sabotages weight loss goals

Cortisol or the stress hormone as it is known is far higher when you’re experiencing stress, and high levels of cortisol encourages insulin production which could result in sugar cravings. It can also slow down your metabolism, which isn’t good news if weight loss is your goal.

Increased levels of cortisol can also make it difficult to lose body fat, especially in the abdomen areas.

David think’s it’s important to remember that exercise can also be a remedy if you’re feeling a bit stressed – it’s all about knowing your body and understanding when you need to slow down.

‘Stress can also motivate you,’ says David. ‘A slight increase in cortisol from moderate stress has proven to have a positive impact on performance.

‘The one upside to knowing how to weather tough times is that you have experience performing under pressure. This results in more confidence, so rather than seeing stress as a barrier to your success, try viewing it as an obstacle you‘ve overcome in the past, and that you‘ll no doubt succeed at again.

‘It‘s all about your state of mind, and if you use stress to fire up your workout, you‘ll be amazed at what you can achieve.’

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Everything looks clearer in the cold light of day, and nothing more so than the amount we drink as a nation.

As if a hangover isn’t bad enough, you can realise that many of your social activities – and jubilations and commiserations – all revolve around alcohol.

That’s where Spill It comes in, to show you what we all drink in a non-judgmental fashion. Essentially we’re holding the mirror up to the country’s habits, but not pointing out the pimples on its chin.

The idea behind it is to help us all be a bit more mindful about our consumption, and stop ourselves falling into the trap of mindless drinking just to kill time.

This week, we spoke to a 24-year-old social media producer.

Monday

Today is my day off so I go to help a friend of mine put up some Ikea furniture because he is useless with DIY. After a stressful two hours of building, we finish up and decide we have earned a trip to the pub. It’s happy hour between 4-7 so we have three large glasses of wine each and then call it a night.

Units: 9

Tuesday

A friend of mine from uni is in London, from Sweden, on his way to permanently move to the US. I haven’t seen him in over a year. Christ, maybe even two. This calls for a celebration, so we head out for dinner and drinks in Brixton.

I am the first to arrive, which is a rarity, so I have a large glass of rose and lemonade while I wait. Once people start to arrive, me and two other friends decide to split a bottle of cava. I almost definitely have more than my equal share. We order another bottle of cava afterwards, but this time between two.

As we finish dinner, a few of our party leave because they have early mornings and are arguably more sensible and better at adulting than myself. I am not in work until 11am the next day so I decide a few more drinks can’t hurt.

The other stragglers and myself end up in Wetherspoons and I have two more large glasses of rose.

Units: 15.5

Wednesday

Christ, I am hungover. Not surprising really.

I have a PR event to attend after work and I have never been so reluctant to drag my tired bones to a place with free alcohol. I managed to get two of my friends on the guest list and they meet me from the pub. The idea of early afternoon drinks turns my head.

This particular event is a Christmas cocktail showcase. We are greeted with a selection of classic drinks with festive spins. My first cocktail is some kind of festive alpine drink containing Grey Goose, green chartreuse, pine liqueur and soda. It tastes like pine needles.

We are then shown how to make a Christmassy Aperol Spritz, but instead of Aperol it contains Martini Fiero, sparkling wine and apple juice. I have two of these followed by a Grey Goose Martini (purely because it came from a fancy fountain and I am easily amused).

I grab another festive martini spritz and am then taken in by a champagne, vodka and white chocolate cocktails. It’s delicious but by the time I have one my hangover rears its ugly head and I decide to call it a night, despite an invite for further drinking.

Units: 10

Thursday

It is my friend’s last day in the country before he permanently moves to the states so we are out and about again.

My friend won a £100 voucher for Roadhouse in Covent Garden so we head there. I am running later than everyone else but text my friends my order so I have a vodka and coke waiting for me upon arrival. It’s happy hour which means two for one cocktails, but we can’t use the voucher for happy hour drinks. We persevere and wait for happy hour to drink and in that time I have two mojitos and a margarita.

We spend half the voucher on deep fried foods and the other half on drinks. Sadly, the voucher never goes as far as you want it to, which means we all will have only one or two free drinks, depending on prices. We decide to throw everything on the tab and then equally split everything. I manage two long island iced teas and in the end only pay £2.50. Dreamy.

Units: 15

Friday

It has been a LONG week of drinking and I can feel my organs creaking from the weight of greasy food and cocktails.

After finishing work at 8pm, I speed home and spend the night curled up in bed with Netflix and tea. Heaven.

Units: 0

Saturday

I am working today because journalism. But as soon as my shift ends, I change clothes and head out to a birthday party. My friend’s have been drinking since about 12pm so I pick up a tin of mojito from Marks and Spencers to help me get on their level and because I bloody love Diane Abbott .

I arrive in Hackney and buy a bottle of rose to start. I split the next rose with a friend of a friend and this is where the night gets fuzzy.

I know for sure that I have at least three more double vodkas and cokes. We then go back to someones flat where I have another vodka and coke and I crash out on the sofa at around 6am apparently.

Units: 21.5

Sunday

I have the long hungover slog back to my flat in Brixton from my friends flat in Regent’s Park.

I fall onto the sofa where I spend the next few hours fetal wondering if I should ever really drink again and I am genuinely excited for the week of early nights that is ahead of me.

Units: 0

Total units this week: 71

Total units in a week recommended by the NHS: 14 units (for anybody regardless of gender).

Spill It is a weekly series out every Friday. To get involved email jessica.lindsay@metro.co.uk.

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If you don’t mind travelling for a nice drink, how about visiting Iceland’s first-ever glacier bar?

The quaint little spot – which has been set up by Reyka Vodka – is located 1,200 miles out onto Langjökull Glacier, and will be open for five days during 16 to 20 October.

For your chance to visit the pop-up, you’ll need to sign up on the brand’s website, and those selected will be taken on off-road adventure through the vast winterland.

On the way, travellers will get the chance to visit geothermal hot springs, before settling into the bar for a Puffin Collins, Reyka Vodka’s signature cocktail.

The location is also where the brand sources the water for its spirit from a spring that runs through a 4,000-year-old lava field.

The lava rocks are used to filter the vodka, made by master distiller Thordur Sigurdsson, who also works as a fireman and policeman in the area.

‘We’re puffin-chuffed to bring the charmingly offbeat spirit of Reyka Vodka to the world with this one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drink our vodka in the world’s first bar on a glacier,’ said brand ambassador, Fabiano Latham.

‘Reyka Vodka is not just made in Iceland, it’s made of Iceland- so where better to host our Reyka Bar than at the very source- Langjökull Glacier!

‘Join us on our voyage and experience this magical land for yourself.’

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When Susan Wise Bauer’s four-year-old daughter Em lost her favourite toy, she was heartbroken.

The family, from Virginia, were sure they would never see the cat named Plurna again.

Despite looking everywhere, they had no idea where she had gone.

But amazingly, after 14 years, Plurna was found in the woods of the farm where the family live.

And after a wash, she is just like she was over a decade ago.

Posting on Twitter, Susan said: ‘Fourteen years ago, my four-year-old daughter lost her dearest stuffed animal friend ever. Plurna was gone. We all wept. For months.

‘Today, my farm manager found Plurna in the woods wrapped in roots.

pic.twitter.com/mWoPPQGljq

— Susan Wise Bauer (@SusanWiseBauer) September 25, 2019

We washed her and she is whole. I am speechless.’

She explained that the farm manager Eric had found Plurna and came to show her while she was feeding the goats.

She told him to finish up the job while she went to show her husband and then they were able to reunite Plurna and Em.

Plurna was looking a little worse for wear and had plants growing through her but the family were able to clean her up.

Dishing up dinner…with help. #plurnalives pic.twitter.com/NInyDoQC7m

— Susan Wise Bauer (@SusanWiseBauer) September 27, 2019

Susan added: ‘She’s all full of roots, too, we’re picking them out, but her seams held.’

She went on to post a picture of Em and Plurna dishing up dinner together.

People loved the heartwarming story of two friends being reunited.

One person said: ‘Plurna must have some good stories after fourteen years! This seems like a children’s book waiting to happen.’

Who knows what Plurna has been up to for the last 14 years. We like to imagine it’s like a real-life Toy Story and she’s been on some adventures along the way.

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Cheese lovers rejoice, Lidl has just launched a cheese festival.

The festival started yesterday (26 September) and will run while stocks last, with 23 limited-edition products on offer.

Choose from truffle brie to champagne-infused Stilton, and everything in-between from a range of brands including, Lidl’s own brand, Deluxe.

For those who prefer classic flavours, there’s Keen’s Traditional Cheddar for £3.29 or Shepherds Purse Yorkshire Blue for £1.99.

If you’re already feeling festive – Christmas is just 89 days away, after all – give the Deluxe Wensleydale with Cranberries and Blueberries Waxed Truckle a go (£1.49).

Other tasty favourites include The Truffler from Curds and Croust (£2.49) or perhaps the best deal of all, 400g of Lye Cross Farm Vintage Cheddar for £2.99.

In comparison, most of the other cheeses average around 200g, though some are smaller.

If soft cheese is more your style, there’s also Lidl’s Deluxe Baking Camembert, available in two flavours – fruity cranberry or caramelised red onion, sold at £2.99.

While you’re there, why not pick up some chutney, wine and crispy bread to make your feast complete?

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Beauty trends change from year to year. All you need to do is to look at the photos of your mum’s perm and white eyeshadow in the 80s to ascertain that.

Yelp have been tracking the popularity of different beauty treatments and products since 2005, and it appears the Goop-ification of our cosmetic routines has truly begun.

The evidence of this is that this year one of the top beauty treatments is vaginal steaming, which was mentioned on Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop blog and has risen in popularity ever since.

We’ve tried to tell you lot already that you really shouldn’t be steaming your vaginas, but here we are.

Also at the top of the list this year was the ‘double chin removal’ therapies, Kybella and Ultherapy, as well as hydrofacials, dermaplaning, microneedling, and coolsculpting.

Basically, we’ve come a long way from the days of going on sunbeds and having our lashes tinted.

The trends that had the biggest rises and falls were keratin and the Brazillian wax, so perhaps we’re letting our hair grow and get as wild as it needs to be. Lash extensions have also fallen in popularity, replaced now with lash lifts.

Take a look at the full list:

Yelp’s most popular beauty trends of the last 15 years

2005 – Lash Tint
2005 – Brazilian Bikini Wax
2005 – Eyebrow Shaping
2005 – Body Scrub/Body Wraps
2005 – Tanning Bed

2006 – Lip Plumping

2011 – Keratin

2012 – Microdermabrasion
2012 – Laser Hair Removal

2013 – Drybar
2013 – Blowout

2014 – Spray Tan

2016 – Nail Art
2016 – Permanent Makeup
2016 – Eyebrow Tattoo

2017 – Lash Extension
2017 – Eyebrow Dye / Tint
2017 – Chemical Peel
2017 – Tattoo Removal

2018 – Sugaring
2018 – Teeth Whitening

2019 – Dermaplaning
2019 – Coolsculpting
2019 – Laser Facial
2019 – Fillers
2019 – Emsculpt
2019 – Hydrafacial
2019 – Ultherapy
2019 – Kybella
2019 – Collagen
2019 – Nail Art
2019 – Vaginal Steaming
2019 – Lash Lift
2019 – Microneedling

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We’re afraid we have some rather upsetting news.The humble labradoodle (a cross between a poodle and a labrador) has been stabbed in the back… by none other than the very man who invented it.

Speaking with Sum of All Parts, an Australian science podcast, Wally Conran, who invented the breed, said: ‘I opened a Pandora box and released a Frankenstein monster.’

As one Twitter user pointed out, Frankenstein’s monster only became evil when it was cruelly rejected by its inventor. We beg you to rethink this, Mr Conran.

‘I find that the biggest majority are either crazy or have a hereditary problem,’ Mr Conran said.

To which the president of the Australian Labradoodle Club of America, replied ‘all dogs are crazy’.

Mr Conran’s discomfort with his invention dates back to 1989, when he bred what is widely considered to be the very first labradoodle.

The decision to mix a labrador and a poodle was not based on aesthetics, nor was it ever intended to be a fashionable breed.

In fact, the labradoodle was first bred as a guide dog for a blind woman whose husband was allergic to long-haired dogs.

Given that poodles don’t shed their hair, they seemed the perfect breed to cross with a labrador (which are better suited to being guide-dogs)- and it worked.

But Mr Conran soon found out that he’d made a terrible mistake – if one with fairly cute consequences. The breed caught on in popularity extremely quickly.

‘I realised what I had done within a matter of days I went to our big boss at the time and I said to him, “Look, I’ve created a monster. We need to do something about it to control it.”‘

You have to respect such ‘crazed scientist in an apocalyptic horror film’ energy from someone who, essentially, created an adorable ball of fluff.

It’s worth clarifying that Mr Conran’s problem is not so much with labradoodles themselves (it’s not a personal vendetta), and more the way that their popularity has lead to unscrupulous breeding. This can often lead to health problems for the dogs.

This isn’t the first time Mr Conran has taken to the press to slag off his own creation.

Back in 2014, he told Psychology Today: ‘People ask me, “Aren’t you proud of yourself?’ I tell them: ‘No! Not in the slightest.’ I’ve done so much harm to pure breeding and made many charlatans quite rich.

‘I wonder, in my retirement, whether we bred a designer dog – or a disaster!’

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TV news presenter Naga Munchetty has been reprimanded by the BBC for saying that Donald Trump’s comments telling women of colour to ‘go home’ were ’embedded in racism’.

Despite qualifying her remarks by saying; ‘I’m not accusing anyone of anything here,’ she has still been found in breach of editorial guidelines, with the BBC explaining that ‘audiences should not be able to tell’ the opinions of its journalists on matters of public policy.

This is by no means the first time that calling out racism has landed the accuser in hot water.

This week, Indigenous Australian rugby star Latrell Mitchell revealed that he has faced a ‘deluge of abuse’ for calling out racism online.

American football star Colin Kaepernick was effectively blacklisted from the NFL for kneeling during the national anthem in protest against racism and police brutality.

Model Munroe Bergdorf was fired from L’Oreal in 2017 for saying that the existence of ‘all white people’ was ‘drenched in racism’, in response to the white supremacist protest in Charlottesville.

Facebook even removed her comments on the grounds of hate speech.

Beyond losing her job, the model also received rape and death threats in the week after her comments went viral, she says she didn’t leave her flat for four days because she was too afraid.

Two years later, and the furore over Naga Munchetty’s criticism of Donald Trump signifies that calling out racism, on any scale, is still a total minefield.

How have we got to a point where the accusation of racism has become so loaded that it can lead to such swift and hostile backlash?

American author and academic Robin DiAngelo has a name for the reactionary response to these accusations:

‘White fragility describes a consistent pattern that surfaces when white people are racially challenged,’ Robin told Metro.co.uk earlier this year.

‘That pattern is defensiveness.

‘The term is meant to capture how little it takes to upset white people.

‘For many of us, the mere suggestion that being white has meaning, much less generalising about white people or assuming that we could know anything about anyone just because they are white, will cause great umbrage and defensiveness.

‘But the impact of that defensiveness is not fragile at all.

‘It is actually a highly effective means of everyday white racial control. Because it works to silence the challenge and to hold the current racial hierarchy in place.’

Robin says that making it impossible to accuse anyone of racism without facing backlash, reprimand, or even being fired, ensures that the conversation is shut down and racism is given the space to continue to exist.

On the other side of the argument, some believe those accused of racism risk ‘disproportionately harsh’ punishment, despite their ‘fantastic’ record as a person:

‘Being accused of racism can be absolutely disastrous for people’s careers,’ psychologist Professor Craig Jackson tells Metro.co.uk.

‘There have been many occasions where people have said things on social media and the public has turned against them and retribution has been very swift – possibly disproportionate – and often not following due process.’

Craig references the sweeping public condemnation of Jade Goody for her racist remarks about Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother and Danny Baker being fired by the BBC within 36 hours for tweeting a photo likening the mixed-race Royal baby to a chimpanzee.

This fear that white people like him face when it comes to race, Prof Jackson believes, is something that people of colour have never had to deal with.

‘White, educated, middle-class males like me, live in fear of being accused of racism, sexism, or predatory behaviour,’ says Craig.

‘Those are the three big things.’

He says the fear instilled by widespread public vitriol against things that are perceived to be racist has caused people to become hyper-defensive about being labelled in this way.

‘When it comes to accusations like this – the smell tends to linger, and that can be really damaging,’ he says.

‘I have a teenager and I see that kids are much better at calling out racism, without labelling the person as a racist.

‘Adults quickly jump to calling someone a racist, over the fact that they are a husband, or a father, or have 20 years of experience as being a fantastic worker.’

Craig says that this sense of fear and defensiveness ‘sets the movement back’ because rather than allowing conversation to flourish and for people to learn from each other, it means people ‘hunker down’ and argue any accusation with everything they have.

Another problem comes with those who think that racism isn’t a thing any more.

The Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight claimed that racism was ‘solved long ago’ and the ‘old wounds’ were being brought up.

‘There is comfort to be found in the belief that we, collectively, are now more enlightened, more inclusive,’ Professor Binna Kandola, author and senior partner at Pearn Kandola, tells Metro.co.uk.

Because overtly racist acts and comments are now widely condemned where they were once condoned, she says, it’s all too easy for people to believe that the problem has been dealt with.

‘To be told that this is not actually the case is a worrying prospect,’ she says.

‘The truth, however, is that racism still very much exists.

‘It has evolved into what psychologists refer to as modern racism, which is more subtle and nuanced than the typical representations of racism.’

Binna says that ‘modern racists’ believe that racism is a thing of the past.

‘This notion that racism no longer exists may help to explain the uproar that Naga Munchetty’s comments have caused,’ she says.

‘Naga is, to modern racists, complaining about something that is no longer an issue and, as a result, she must be out to cause trouble.

‘It is a very neat and clever inversion which then makes her the problem rather than racism.’

The effect this has is one of distraction. Rather than discussing the racist sentiments and the impact they may have on the minority group they were directed at, the conversation is hijacked and instead becomes about the validity of the accusation itself.

Dr Pragya Agarwal is writing a book about the science of unconscious bias, and she agrees that the slippery, ever-changing nature of racism makes it incredibly hard to call out.

‘Some people are offended by being called a racist, more than being a racist because the idea of the moral parameters of racism has evolved,’ Pragya tells Metro.co.uk.

‘When people around them, such as their party members, or close friends, do not impose the same moral sanctions on them, then they are bound to feel that their acts are not abhorrently racist or bigoted.’

Pragya is saying that racism has evolved and become more subtle, but ideas about what constitutes racism have not, which is why calling out microaggressions can be a minefield for minorities because that kind of prejudice is not always immediately apparent.

‘The aversive forms of racism (microaggressions) can be more upsetting and can have a far-reaching impact on mental health,’ says Pragya, suggesting that the effects of racism on those targeted is likely more significant than the ‘lingering smell’ it can cause for the accused.

Many news outlets have made it clear that they believe Trump’s ‘go home’ tweets to be examples of overt racism, so some people have been confused by the BBC’s reluctance to allow their news anchor make the same assertion.

It has been argued that Naga’s reprimand is a question of impartiality rather than the fact she was criticising racism – but there has been an outpouring of support for the presenter from her colleagues and peers who don’t agree with the BBC’s decision to uphold the complaint.

‘When journalists can’t call out obvious racism when they see it and everyone else sees it, then people get away with racism. I’m one hundred percent with #nagamunchetty,’ tweeted science Journalist Angela Saini.

Even Piers Morgan defended his rival breakfast presenter, saying the BBC’s complaint is ‘shameful censorship’.

So, is it this combination of ‘white fragility’ and the malleability of racism that makes it so difficult to talk about race without descending into defensive accusations or hostility?

Professor Kandola thinks it is the knee-jerk reaction of repeatedly shutting down anyone who dares to call out racism that prevents important conversations from being had.

‘This sort of thing happens in organisations on a daily basis and is the reason why people are afraid to complain about the discrimination they experience,’ she explains.

‘The criticism that Naga Munchetty has received is a clear sign that we are not prepared to look these facts in the face.’

Sanctions against those making racist comments is finally starting to happen.

But if the people who call out racism can’t feel secure to do so without becoming instant targets, how much progress can really be made?

If the BBC’s New York correspondent Nick Bryant – a white male – was able to directly refer to Trump’s tweets as racist at the time, and face no punishment, is the problem with calling out racism less about what is being said than who is saying it?

It’s hard to answer that question while racism is still so difficult to discuss.

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Vans has launched a new line of footwear and it’s all about breasts and nipples.

More specifically, the brand’s new collection is for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and aims to encourage young people to check their breasts for changes on a regular basis, in hope that this will lead to early detection of any malignant lumps.

The range also celebrates diversity and empowerment with ladies, boobs and nips of all shapes, sizes and colours.

There are four pairs to choose from, including a black low-top set with the phrase ‘You Got This’ on the front of the shoe and each ‘o’ shaped as a nipple, as well as a high-top option with hand-drawn ladies.

Finally, if you’d prefer a more subtle nip on your feet, there’s a classic checkerboard pattern which aims to ‘celebrate the strength of everyone who has been diagnosed or is impacted by breast cancer’.

In addition to boobs and nipples, it also features scars – to resemble surgery scars from a mastectomy.

If you’ve never felt your boobs for lumps and unsure where to start, Vans has created a high-top pair that literally show how you can perform a self-examination with the help of a ‘blueprint’ design.

A portion of the price for each pair will go towards CoppaFeel!, a breast cancer charity in the UK specifically focused on educating young people.

‘For our charity, this collaboration with Vans is a dream come true,’ said Kris Hallenga, founder of CoppaFeel!.

‘We are thrilled for the opportunity to spread our message across Vans’ audience, as this partnership will allow us to tell more people why checking their boobs is so important, and in return, save lives.

‘CoppaFeel! exists to stamp out the late detection of breast cancer by educating everyone – girls, boys and non-binary pals about their boobs and encourage them to get anything abnormal checked out.’

Beyond being educational and supportive of the annual campaign, the shoes are also very stylish – but wait, it gets better.

The line doesn’t just include shoes; if you’d like to go the full whammy, you can also invest in clothes or accessories in similar designs, including a black shirt with illustrations of breast outlines in white.

‘Breast Cancer is a disease that affects everyone regardless of their race or status, and we wanted the women in the illustrations to reflect this reality,’ said footwear designer, Diandre Fuentes.

‘By partnering with CoppaFeel!, we can not only showcase the beauty of the women who have breast cancer but provide education to break the taboos of early cancer detection and encourage consumers to check themselves and advocate for their health needs.’

Fancy picking up a pair for yourself? The line will launch on 1 October on the brand’s website, and Vans estimates it will raise at least £162,500.

The collection is also unisex, so no one is left out.

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Work getting you down lately? Are you tired of London, tired of life? Are the chill winds blowing in from the North and the dark nights drawing in slowly sapping your will to endure?

Is the mere thought of setting your alarm for 7am to cram yourself into a packed commuter train for 45 minutes, steam rising from your rain-damp clothes, enough to fill you with a sense of all-consuming dread?

Well, do we have a job opportunity for you! Why not pack it all in and move to Thailand to frighten pigeons – on a professional basis?

Thae Pae Gate, an ancient wall in Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand’s largest city) is a popular tourist destination. Like all such places, it’s become a site of pilgrimage for people who want a truly epic Instagram snap.

‘But what on Earth,’ you ask, ‘has all of this got to do with scaring pigeons?’

Well, calm down, because we’ll tell you: many of the tourists who visit Thae Pae specifically want a photograph of themselves with the birds fluttering in the background.

The problem is that most of the time the pigeons are simply hanging out, being pigeons – which isn’t very photogenic.

Thankfully, enterprising pigeon hawkers have found a way to solve this problem and help tourists achieve the perfect shot.

Charging 20 baht (around £0.53), they stamp their feet and wave flags, thus galvanizing the pigeons into flying around and providing the perfect backdrop. Which really takes ‘doing it for the gram’ to whole new levels.

One of the new ‘pigeon spookers’ is Noon, 30, who says she earns around 350 Thai baht (£9.29) a day (which, admittedly, isn’t a lot).

But the money does help to ‘pay for her daughter’s school fees’.

Be warned though, council officials in Chiang Mai are now cracking down on the bird scarers.

The number of pigeons in the area is increasing, raising concerns about the effect of the birds’ waste products on the historic city walls as well as spreading disease and being a general nuisance.

Despite previous warnings and arrests, nine vendors were caught in the latest raid by police and government officials on this week.

The municipality has now raised the fine to THB 20,000 for anyone caught selling bird-feed in the area.

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Being struck with surge pricing on Uber is never ideal, and it usually tends to be right at the time you need a cab most.

Take, for example, the fares that people were served with during the Northern Line shutdowns earlier this month.

You may think that this is simply down to the fact that there are a number of people looking for taxis all at once, resulting in a dearth of drivers and higher prices to secure one.

Eagle-eyed Twitter users, however, have noticed something else seemingly at play when it comes to Uber’s prices: The battery life on your phone.

When user, Kia, ordered two Bolt taxis (a company not available here in the UK) from different phones on the same account, they found that – despite the fact they were both set to go to the same destination – one price was quotes as higher.

From there, Doxologist quoted the tweet, saying: ‘The phone on the left has lower battery than the phone on the right. Bolt, Uber, etc raise their prices relative to your battery level (yes, they can do that and they do).’

The phone on the left has lower battery than the phone on the right. Bolt, Uber, etc raise their prices relative to your battery level (yes, they can do that and they do). https://t.co/HgQH7hqYBS

— Doxologist (@Prestige_T) September 18, 2019

They’re not the first people to notice this, and there has been much speculation on the subject.

On the surface, although it seems somewhat mean of Uber, it makes sense that they’d charge those who needed a quick taxi more. When people have less time to wait for a lower price, they’re more likely to take what they can get.

Uber have categorically denied the practice.

In a statement to Metro.co.uk, and Uber spokesperson said: ‘It is categorically not the case that the battery level on your phone affects the price of a fare. The Uber app uses dynamic pricing to make sure that people can always get a car when they need it.

‘When a large number of people in a specific area are booking a trip at the same time and there aren’t enough available cars, fares automatically rise to encourage more drivers to go to the busy area.

‘Users will always see a fare estimate in advance so they have the choice to book a car, share the trip with others or wait until fares go down.’

That’s not to say that Uber don’t know what your battery level is. Head of Economic Research at Uber, Keith Chen, said in an NPR podcast a few years back: ‘One of the strongest predictors of whether or not you are going to be sensitive to surge (in other words, whether or not you are going to kind of say, ‘oh, 2.2, 2.3, I’ll give it a 10 to 15 minutes to see if surge goes away’) is how much battery you have left on your cell phone.’

Given that Uber’s own privacy statement says they hold information about your device, it makes sense.

Chen did continue, however, saying that they didn’t use this data to create surge pricing techniques around battery level: ‘Yeah, like when your cell phone is like down to like below five percent battery and that little icon on the iPhone turns red, you know, then people start saying, well, I better get home, like, because I don’t quite know how I’m going to get home otherwise.

‘And we absolutely don’t use that to kind of like push you a higher surge price, but it’s an interesting kind of psychological fact of human behavior.’

Big words from big data. Of course we believe the multi national corporation that has been given just two months left to operate in London.

However, we’ll still be making sure the mate with the highest battery will be ordering the taxis from now on. Just in case.

Autumn is the perfect time for a new nail colour. Thing warm, earthy tones that match all your new knitwear.

But what if your nail varnish provided more than just a gorgeous pop of colour?

The new range from LeChat offers exactly that with a polish that smells just like a delicious mug of coffee. We’re serious.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1cofR8lBa6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

And that’s not all – the varnish also changes colour depending on how you’re feeling. Just like the mood rings you used to love as a kid.

Why? You may ask. Well, why not? And anything that gets rid of that headache-inducing chemical smell from normal nail varnish has to be a bonus.

The new Dare to Wear Mood Café collection ‘will feature LeChat’s classic formulation for thermal gels and lacquers with an extreme color change from light to dark as body temperature varies from hot to cold, or cold to hot,’ say the brand.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2fwpZoFTao/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

And they all smell like different coffee flavours – including chocolate mocha. So caffeine-lovers prepare to fall in love and prepare a valid excuse as to why you’re sniffing your fingers all day.

The collection will be available to buy later this month, and you can get your hands on some on Amazon.

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It’s Friday and you’re tired, so showing enthusiasm at your desk can be hard.

Maybe you need to take a leaf out of Hugo and Huxley’s books.

The two Golden Retrievers love to put on a shirt and tie and get ready for the office.

Owner Ursula Aitchison, 31, from Stourbridge, West Mids, started posting photos of her pooches last December to add ‘something different’ to her social media account.

The mum-of-one calls herself a ‘pho-dog-grapher’.

She said: ‘It is nice to offer something different to social media and to always put a smile on peoples face.

‘I add a little fun to the most mundane tasks by snapping my dogs doing them, they are never stressed and don’t mind dressing up for a few photos.

‘It is always going to be comical seeing a dog in a human situation.

‘In September there was a stream of photographs of kids going back to school and it is pretty boring to see, so I decided to freshen up people’s news feed by lending my son Maxx’s, nine, uniform to Huxley and Hugo.

‘They didn’t look too excited for their first day back which made it even funnier.

‘My partner Alexander, 45, begrudgingly gives his shirts for the dogs but I often sneak them.

‘When people see Hugo and Huxley they automatically smile, especially when I take them to restaurants or an office to pose for pictures.

‘Some people try not to look and continue eating whilst others are amazed by how well behaved they are and start taking pictures of their own.’

Their Instagram account @hugoandursula now has 82,000 followers.

Ursula adds: ‘I originally created the account to promote my photography as I take photos of people and their dogs for a living.

‘But my followers started to enjoy seeing what Hugo was up to and it all started from there.

‘As my followers grew so did my ideas and I tend to upload ten to 12 photos per week to my account.

‘People message me to say they love seeing photos of Hugo and Huxley first thing in the morning as their mood is immediately better.

‘It is great to read comments stating my dogs have cheered up many people who are going through a rough time in their life.

‘A few followers have even said the only reason they have Instagram is to see the boys!

‘I get to experience the joys of Hugo and Huxley every day and it is amazing that other people can too.

‘We have even been stopped in the street dozens of times by people who follow my account, it is like they are celebrities of the dog world.’

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A few months back some beauty company tried to sell me Kylie Jenner’s face on Instagram.

Although they didn’t specify whether it was her old face or her new one, I suspect it was the latter.

Initially, I was excited about all the things I could do with it. Once mounted, it would make an excellent conversation starter at. I’d feel less lonely if no one turned up to my dinner parties and it would really up my Halloween decor game.

Then, much to my disappointment, I realised that they were not selling her physical face but offering a range of cosmetic fillers and injections to achieve the Kylie Jenner ‘look’.

But now the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) have banned the AKJ Aesthetics and Queen of Aesthetics adverts; not because they’re morally bankrupt, but because they are misleading.

The ASA stated that companies should only use images of celebrities if they had used the product being advertised. Sounds fair enough. But does it go far enough?

Earlier this month, Instagram said it will start hiding promoted posts for cosmetic surgery and other diet products from under 18s. Before we give them a big pat on the back can we ask how on earth they were allowed to do that in the first place?

Adverts on social media are unique in that they are only viewed by the person who is using that account. They’re not like posters at the bus stop, seen by everyone.

Because apps like Instagram know our age, location and gender, advertisers on these platforms can use our information to their advantage.

So if advertisers know the age of the people they want to target, one must question why Instagram allowed cosmetic surgery companies to target under 18s in the first place.

I can only presume advertisers are applying the same theory behind Joe Camel, the cartoon character used to promote Camel cigarettes, which was found appealing to children back in the 90’s. Start ‘em young and you’ll have a customer for life.

While it is not illegal to inject fillers into under 18s (they can be legally administered at 16), many frown on them being given to teenagers.

But if you tell young girls that they aren’t pretty enough at the age of 14, by the time they come of age they’ll have enough pocket money and self-hatred to jump straight into the injection chair.

I’m happy with my face, I have never expressed any interest in swapping it. Yet Facebook keeps telling me that I could have membership to a cosmetic injectables company ‘for the price of a daily cup of coffee’.

Advertisers are clever. They know I’m scrolling through photos of myself, alongside photoshopped images of the rich and famous, and that I might be left feeling a little inferior.

That I might be vulnerable enough to sign up to a membership scheme offering to pump my lips full of hyaluronic acid. But I’ll stick to the coffee, thanks.

Facebook and Instagram have publicly claimed that they will take more responsibility to protect their users from online harassment with ‘anti-bullying’ policies that can be read on their websites.

Yet they continue to allow their advertisers to harass us with gender-specific adverts for unnecessary cosmetic procedures on our private newsfeeds.

The advertising industry is built on exploiting vulnerability. The more they know about us, the more they use that against us and Facebook and Instagram give them the information they need in order to do so.

It’s no coincidence that, at the age of 30, I have been bombarded with adverts for egg-freezing, adoption and surrogacy schemes.

Facebook knows I will be scrolling through posts from my friends who have started settling down and having children, and that I’m possibly panicking about my ticking biological clock.

I don’t mind that these adverts exist. I mind that I am being targeted with them because of my gender and my age. I don’t want to see myself as advertisers see me: childless and thin-lipped.

I think the ASA need to improve their standards. It was glaringly obvious just how bad cigarettes were for your physical health, but advertisers continued to promote their products until the organisations like the Royal College of Physicians requested they stop. Isn’t it just as obvious how bad adverts for cosmetic procedures are for your mental health?

I realise that advertising is what keeps a lot of apps and social media sites running and free for users. But if there was an option to get rid of the ones that tell me I need to freeze my forehead and my eggs, for the price of a cup of coffee, I’d take it.

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Calling all beauty lovers. Payday has arrived and there’s an abundance of brand new makeup, cosmetic and beauty buys to treat yourself to.

Now is the perfect time to top up your bathroom cabinets with your favourites, or bag yourself a new slew of beauty products for an autumnal upgrade.

Whether you’re after the perfect glow, a juicy nude lip gloss, or Benefit’s new Brow Styler, here’s what to buy this month.

The 9000 Cordless Hair Straightener by BaByliss, £250

If you’ve always wanted a cordless hair straightener but found they don’t quite cut the mustard industry leader BaByliss have dropped a cordless hair straightener that defies all odds; it’s sleek, compact, ready to use in seconds and it works just as well as plug-ins.

Whether you’re a globetrotter, straighten your hair regularly, or want to keep your hair straight all day long, then this beauty buy is a no-brainer.

The 9000 Cordless Hair Straightener by BaByliss, £250, babyliss.co.uk

PATRICK TA Major Glow Highlighting Mist, £28

Patrick Ta has landed exclusively at Cult Beauty and here at Metro.co.uk we couldn’t be more excited – who doesn’t want fresh, glowing skin?

The esteemed US makeup artist who paints the celebrity faces of Shay Mitchell, Bella and Gigi has dropped his eponymous Major Glow collection ‘so you get your glow on from home too.’

One standout from the range the Major Glow Highlighting Mist is a gorgeous one-of-a-kind ultra-fine light-scattering mist, that when sprayed on the cheekbones, collarbone bestows an iridescent pearl glow.

The perfect glow has never been easier to attain.

PATRICK TA Major Glow Highlighting Mist, £28, cultbeauty.co.uk

NAILSINC Seeing Stars, £15

NAILSINC have left us starry-eyed with their latest nail polish duo in Seeing Stars. The two polish set includes a sheer neutral pink and a clear polish brimming with gold stars for a hint of sparkle.

Plus the formula has been infused with Kale extract to nourish your nails and both feature the classic wide hugging brush for flawless application.

Hello autumn manicure inspiration.

NAILSINC Seeing Stars, £15, feelunique.com

Charlotte Tilbury Limited Edition Lip Lustre in Pillow Talk, £19

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lovers rejoice! The British makeup artist has only gone and answered our lip gloss lovin’ prayers and released Lip Lustre in Pillow Talk. The famed pinky-beige hue has been reinvented into a juicy high-shine lacquer and it doesn’t disappoint.

The newest launch is also joined by a limited edition Pillow Talk Palette Of Pops, a sparkling quad of nude-pink eyeshadows – we’ll take one of each, please.

Charlotte Tilbury Limited Edition Lip Lustre in Pillow Talk, £19, charlottetilbury.com

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Styler, £29

For bigger, thicker brows you’ll be hard pushed to beat Benefit Cosmetics and their trustworthy lineup of eyebrow products.

Available in eight shades Benefits’ latest innovation Brow Styler is part pencil, part powder for bold, full and defined brows. You’ll want to use both ends to create Insta-worthy brows; use the waxy pencil to outline and extend the tail of the brow and fill using the powder end using the special flocking tip.

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Styler, £29, lookfantastic.com

Glossier Zit Stick, £12

Glossier’s highly anticipated Zit Stick is finally available in the UK to help banish your blemishes overnight. The 2% salicylic acid Zit Stick, is to be used at the first sign of a pesky blemish to stop it in its tracks.

The spot treatment works by drying out blemishes and regulating oil production in the skin, as well as killing acne-causing bacteria. Best yet, it’s portable packaging means you can apply anytime, anywhere.

Bye, bye blemishes.

Glossier Zit Stick, £12, glossier.com

Simple x Little Mix Micellar Water, £6.59

Simple and British girl group Little Mix have teamed up once again releasing six of the girls favourite Simple skincare products in limited edition packaging.

Each of the products in the collection including the brands biodegradable cleansing wipes and best-selling micellar cleansing water are covered in kind words chosen by the Little Mix girls for international anti-bullying charity, Ditch the Label for their #ChooseKindness campaign.

Simple x Little Mix Micellar Water, £6.59, superdrug.com

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The Politican hits Netflix today.

The show tells the story of Payton Hobart who wants to be President of the United States of America – but first, he has to be student body president at his high school.

Made by American Horror Story and Glee creator Ryan Murphy, it features Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Platt and Lucy Boynton.

Without revealing too much for those who haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, the show includes a storyline about Munchhausen’s by proxy – a mental illness where a carer acts as if the person they are looking after has a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick.

What is Munchhausen’s by proxy?

There are different types of the condition, including Munchhausen’s where a person pretends that they themselves are ill.

Munchhausen’s By Proxy, however, is specifically about making up that someone that you care for is ill.

It is also known as fabricated or induced illness (FII) and is categorised as child abuse.

It is a rare condition and usually involves a parent exaggerating symptoms or causing symptoms to make it seem like their child is ill.

What are the signs of Munchhausen’s by proxy?

The signs of the condition can vary from case to case but the NHS says that things to be aware of include:

• Persuading medical professionals that their child is unwell but they seem healthy.
• Exaggerating or lying about symptoms.
• Manipulating results to suggest the child is ill, for example putting glucose in urine samples to make it look like they have diabetes.
• Inducing symptoms of illness, for example giving them unnecessary medication or other substances.

How common is Munchhausen’s by proxy?

As many cases aren’t reported, it’s difficult to know how widespread the condition is.

One study published in 2000 estimated 89 cases in a population of 100,000 over a two year period.

What should you do if you think a child is at risk

You can contact your local social services department or telephone the NSPCC’s child protection helpline on 0808 800 5000.

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‘All my friends and family are so excited to meet you!’ That was my Italian then-girlfriend, Maggie, a couple of months into our relationship.

I’d agreed to go with her to a childhood friend’s wedding and all I could feel was a wave of panic. How do they know who I am? Why does it sound like I’m already a fixture? Isn’t there some kind of process to this?

It soon became clear that, now I was in this relationship, I was really in the relationship. The Italians do things differently when it comes to showing love, you see.

Meeting relatives and friends involved a barrage of kisses – including scratchy ones from the men. Personal topics were inquired about and opined upon. I was treated instantly like a part of the family, which was great, but as a heterosexual Englishman, it was a far cry from what I was used to.

The stick up the English backside is well documented, but it is not reflective of any lack of care. A quick handshake or – in some cases – a perfunctory hug is more than enough to show my joy at seeing a friend.

Relationships are different, of course, but the same principles apply. Grand romantic gestures tend to be rare, and for me to look someone in the eye and tell them how I felt about them was always deeply uncomfortable. I used to simply hope my affection shone through with my actions rather than my words.

Maggie and I first met at university in London but it wasn’t until a chance encounter at Pisa airport a couple of years later – me travelling, her in her native land – that we got to see each other in a different context and went from classmates to something more.

Though we spent the next few years in London, many of her friends were Italian and I became quickly immersed in la vita all’italiana. I learnt to communicate in Italian, and I got gladly used to eating Italian style: delicious, long meals, prepared simply from scratch and enjoyed convivially with slowly sipped wine.

However, the more time we spent together, the more obvious our different expectations of how to show love became.

Maggie was far more outwardly affectionate. She would have no problem using terrifying words like ‘love’ and telling me, both in person and via text, how happy being together made her.

It’s not that I didn’t feel happy: as an Englishman, I had a filter between my emotions and my words. Pet names felt ungainly on my tongue. My instinct in moments of romantic tension was to break it with a weak joke. I couldn’t escape the sense that wearing your heart on your sleeve veered too close to the ‘public displays of affection’ that we British generally see as egregious.

Understandably, when we moved from a young relationship to something more serious, she expected clearer demonstrations of how I felt.

The absence of unprompted loving declarations came across as an imbalance: if she could say and do these things, why couldn’t I? Surely that meant I loved her less? And when she took the time to express these concerns, I felt uncomfortably pressured to behave in a way that was alien to me.

As we grew together, we started to overcome these issues. Maggie began to recognise the authenticity even in my smallest attempts at tenderness. Cards on special occasions, for example, not typical to Italian culture, were an opportunity to take some time and put into writing how I really felt.

Meanwhile, I became better able to communicate my emotions, understanding the moments when I needed to go beyond my comfort zone to make her feel loved. On our first anniversary as a couple, I brought out my best Italian to post a gushing statement about the impact she’d had on my life and how she’d made me a better person. It helped me to build my confidence.

By the time I was ready to propose, I took her to Byron’s Grotto at Portovenere – the place she’d once told me was the most romantic spot she knew – where I looked her straight in the eye, told her in the most honest way I could that she was the only person I could imagine being with for the rest of my life.

Then, of course, I got down on one knee – much to the chagrin of my mother-in-law, who didn’t get the same gesture from Maggie’s dad!

My experience of true love has been magnified by cultural difference but there’s a universal lesson here.

How you’re raised to interact with others naturally influences how you deal with your partner. We can all be too demanding that others behave according to our expectations but if the love is real, it moves quickly beyond the show-and-tell of first dates and Valentine’s Day.

You learn to see its depth in the squeeze of a hand or the twitch of a half-smile. It’s about the cup of tea made unasked at the end of a rough day, the furtive glances at a party, the tipsy laughter on a bus ride home on Saturday night. It’s yours, and that ownership is more meaningful than any preconceptions you had.

That said, I’d like to think I’ve adopted some of the Italian style in how I show love in our marriage.

I know my loved ones in England care for me, but when you have Italian family and friends, you really know it. When you feel that kind of warmth around you, it makes you want to give it back, too. Maybe as a nation we should try and learn from it. I’m starting to think they’re onto something.

Last week in Love, Or Something Like It: Banning men taught me I am enough

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Phillippa Stewart took on the challenge of a lifetime when she began a three month, world-first kayaking journey down an Amazonian river.

But things took a turn for the worse when she contracted a deadly, flesh-eating parasite along the way. Now, Philippa wants to raise awareness about leishmaniasis and the fact 1 billion of the world’s poorest people are at risk.

‘The expedition was the brainchild of my friend Laura, who rang me up and asked if I fancied joining her, her friend Ness, and a team from Guyana’s Wai Wai community on a “world-first kayaking expedition through the Amazon jungle?”‘ says Philippa.

‘I think I must have heard: “Do you want to float down a river through the jungle for three months?” because I immediately jumped on the idea without realising how brutally physical it was going to be.’

Philippa had previously spent time reporting on deforestation in Peru and Brazil where she fell in love with the Amazon.

‘Paddling 1,041km down the Essequibo River appealed because it was a chance to spend time in complete wilderness and learn from that and the team around us – as well as understanding what was going on with the gold mining and deforestation further downriver.’

When a jaguar invaded the area where Philippa and her team were staying, she was surprisingly calm.

‘Bizarrely, the stress response that I felt when we saw the jaguar was not dissimilar (although on a much larger scale) to when you get a WhatsApp message or notification on your phone.

‘Spending time in the wild has definitely changed how I act in the concrete jungle.’

The journey to the source of the river took nearly three weeks of hiking through the humid, dense Amazonian rainforest.

‘It was also the hardest physical thing I have ever done,’ says Philippa. ‘I was knackered before we had even started kayaking back down the river.

‘We were guided by members of Guyana’s Wai Wai community, which was a real highlight for me, bonding with the team and learning about how to survive in the jungle.

When Philippa contracted the parasite, it wasn’t as dramatic as you might imagine. The first sign that anything was wrong was a bug bite.

But when the bite refused to heal – even by the time Philippa returned to the UK – she began to suspect that something might be seriously wrong.

‘I remember putting my hammock up one evening in an area surrounded by sandflies and I thought to myself: “These are the things to avoid if you don’t want a flesh-eating parasite,”‘ explains Philippa.

‘I was bitten, but I didn’t think much more about it as in the jungle you are usually covered with some sort of bite.

‘However, when I returned to the UK the bite still hadn’t disappeared. In fact, it was growing, getting deeper, pusy and then scabbing over.

‘I went to London’s walk-in clinic at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases to check it out. After a biopsy on the bite, I was told I had cutaneous leishmaniasis and that if I didn’t treat it there was a risk it would spread to my nose and soft pallet and eat them away.’

Philippa says that despite the potential severity of her condition, the bite itself didn’t itch or hurt at all.

‘Apart from the vampire-like wound to my neck, it didn’t impact my day-to-day life,’ says Philippa.

‘The treatment, however, was brutal. Because Leishmaniasis is so underfunded and under-researched, the treatment is a form of chemotherapy that dates back to the 1940s.’

Philippa’s heart and liver functions had to be closely monitored, as did her veins as there was a risk that they could close up.

‘By the end of the 21 days on an IV, my body ached in ways I’ve never felt,’ says Philippa.

‘I was shuffling around barely able to move. What I found more terrifying than anything I encountered in the jungle, was the global healthcare inequality I came face-to-face with when I returned.’

Philippa was deeply affected when she heard about how friends back in Guyana were forced to treat the disease if they caught it.

‘My friend Fay said she poured burning cow fat onto the lesion in order to heal it,’ says Philippa.

‘I asked her why she didn’t get treated in a hospital and she explained that she could, but she would have to spend five-six weeks away.

‘When you are living in a remote area, healthcare or travel costs are prohibitive, or if you have a family to look after, spending weeks in hospital isn’t simple.

Another friend, Philip Suse, told Philippa that they treat the lesions by ‘crushing turtle shell into them. “Faster than getting a whole month of injections”, he told me in a message.’

Philippa says that while local treatments may be effective at healing the sore, the problem lies in potential secondary complications further down the line, and little research has been done into this area.

‘Sometimes the parasite can spread to the nose and soft pallet and eat them away and, in the most serious cases, require facial reconstruction,’ she explains.

‘Without access to treatment, this can lead to social stigma and economic loss in many parts of the world. It was because of a risk of this secondary infection that I found myself sat attracted to a drip daily for three weeks.’

Since recovering from her illness, Philippa is now keen to spread the word that more needs to be done.

‘Visceral Leishmaniasis – the most severe form of the disease – is the second biggest parasitic killer after malaria yet most people have never heard of it. Why? Because the people who get it are usually poor and live in remote areas. That is messed up.

‘Leishmaniasis impacts nearly 1 billion people in 98 countries. Watch out for sandflies on your next trip to Ibiza.’

Philippa says one underreported fact about climate change is that it is linked to the spread of disease.

‘The World Health Organisation highlights that the disease is linked to environmental changes such as “deforestation, dam building, irrigation schemes and urbanisation”.

‘Climate change is also being implicated for the movement of neglected tropical diseases around the world. As well as helping those in need around the world, if we don’t give neglected tropical diseases the attention they deserve, they may become a practical problem closer to home too.’

Since being diagnosed, Philippa has been working hard to give talks and raise awareness about the fact more needs to be done in this area.

‘These are not just the problems of the poor, these are problems for humanity,’ she says. ‘I’ve also been writing a book about our journey.

‘I received a bizarre message from a doctor on Twitter who said: “in a funny way I am glad this has happened to you.” In a funny way, I am too.

Despite the drama, Philippa says she would go back to the Amazon in a heartbeat.

‘It was the journey of a lifetime,’ she says. ‘It was unfortunate that I picked up a parasitic friend, but perhaps I can turn that into a positive outcome for others. Fingers crossed.’

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Christmas is just 89 days away, and what better way to get into the festive mood than by planning your advent calendar purchases?

In recent years, the traditional chocolate calendar has given way to other products that will provide more than a moment’s joy.

There are now beauty calendars (Glossybox, Cult Beauty and lookfantastic), bath and skincare calendars (Lush and Nivea) and even a hot sauce calendar (B&M). And, of course, plenty of boozy alternatives.

From gin to vodka, bubbly to beer and lush wines, we’ve put together a guide of the best drinks advent calendars in 2019, so that you can have a jolly December (but please remember to drink responsibly).

That Boutique-y Gin Company Calendar

Price: £99.95

Packaging: It’s a decent size, with 24 doors in total (though it can be a bit fiddly to get the gin out of it.

What’s inside: Gin connoisseurs will fall in love with this calendar, because of its inventive offering. Sip on flavours such as spit-roasted pineapple, rose, rhubarb, chocolate and neroli or give your taste buds a fiery shock with a limited-edition hot sauce-flavoured tipple, before setting in with a traditional double-barrelled gin from the Cotswolds.

Festive joy: The calendar has a festive, feline twist with the packaging featuring an illustration of two adult tabbies in front of large Christmas tree.

When and where you can buy it: Available at Hamper Lounge now.

Tiptree Flavoured Liqueurs Calendar

Price: £100

Packaging: Tiptree’s calendar is very fashionable, and features illustrations of the various spirits that are included inside. It has 24 doors.

What’s inside: There’s a mix of flavoured liqueurs in this calendar. Sample gin, vodka and rum, all inspired by Tiptree’s fruits and spreads, such as Strawberry, Rhubarb or Damson Gin, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Orange and Black Currant Vodka and English Spiced Rum.

Festive joy: Behind one door – we won’t ruin the surprise by telling you which one – you will find the limited-edition Christmas Pudding Rum liqueur.

When and where you can buy it: The exact date has not yet been confirmed, nor have the stockists, but it should be available from mid-October.

Beer Hawk Craft Beer Adventure Calendar

Price: £59.99

Packaging: It stands up on its own, has 24 doors and is covered in quirky illustrations such as planes, a castle, a beer and a penguin (to represent the adventures you’ll go on after drinking the beer, perhaps?).

What’s inside: There are 15 different types of beer from 14 countries, including Mikkeller, Thornbridge, Amundsen, Magic Rock, Wild Beer, Bosteels and more. Oh, and if you want to hide it from people looking to steal your daily treat, you can cover it with a ‘cloaking device’ (basically just another bit of packaging) – there’s a very charming one with cats on it.

Festive joy: It includes a ‘virtual’ beer tour – a built-in feature – but you’ll need special beer goggles to see it. Unfortunately, these are sold separately, which isn’t all that joyful.

When and where you can buy it: Buy it now from the brand’s own website.

Whisky Cracker Calendar

Price: £125

Packaging: The clue is in the name – it’s a giant cracker in a dark wood design with orange bows.

What’s inside: If sitting in front of the fire with a smokey glass of whisky is your kind of Christmas, you’ll love this calendar. It contains a range of classic whisky brands such as Johnnie Walker (both Black and Red Label), Glenfiddich, Bushmills and Jameson, as well as some more unusual ones such as Aberlour, Inchmurrin and Pig’s Nose.

Festive joy: Apart from the packaging, not much – but it does contain lots of whisky, which will make the recipient very jolly. You could always save the cracker for Christmas Day?

When and where you can buy it: Available now on First 4 Hampers with free delivery for all purchased over £75 for a limited time or at Getting Personal, where it is 1p cheaper.

Chase 12 Festive Spirits Calendar

Price: £60

Packaging: This is one of the cutest alcohol calendars we’ve seen so far this year. It’s small, dainty and stylish, however it only has 12 doors but it’s definitely quality over quantity for this one.

What’s inside: A sample of each product from Chase, including the brand’s classic vodka and gin  – regular and extra dry – as well as flavoured options such as marmalade vodka, English elderflower gin, pink grapefruit and pomelo gin and rhubarb vodka.

Festive joy: The packaging is green and white, so the festive colours are on point. Plus, there’s booze inside.

When and where you can buy it: Available for purchase now, from a range of online stockists including Chase’s own website.

Jack Daniel’s Holiday Countdown Calendar

Price: £50

Packaging: Jack Daniel’s is known for keeping its advertising close to home, specifically Lynchburg, where the product was created – the packaging features a black and white illustration of the town, and has a handle so you can carry your Tennessee whisky around with you.

What’s inside: You’ll get the chance to try the entire Jack Daniel’s range, including the classic Whiskey, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Tennessee Rye and Single Barrel.

Festive joy: The calendar doesn’t just include drinks, but also has jiggers, shot glasses and a keyring behind some of the doors.

When and where you can buy it: The Jack Daniel’s Holiday Countdown calendar will launch on 20 October in Asda stores nationwide.

Cambridge Distillery 12 Days of Outstanding Gin Calendar

Price: £79.99

Packaging: If you want a calendar that is aesthetically pleasing, you’ve found it. The packaging is as white as snow, with delicate silver illustrations and 12 doors, in the brand’s classic teal colours.

What’s inside: The calendar feels very British, and not just because the products are made in Cambridge. It includes a Breakfast Gin, with Lady Grey and Marmalade flavours, and you can also sample the Truffle and the Lemon Verbena tipples.

Festive joy: Includes a fancy Cambridge Distillery gin glass, exclusively offered with the calendar and not available elsewhere.

When and where you can buy it: It will launch at the end of October on the Cambridge Distillery website.

Prezzybox Personalised Prosecco Calendar

Price: £199

Packaging: Not quite as fancy as some of the other drinks advent calendars, but has 24 doors of 20cl bottles, which is pretty decent.

What’s inside: Bubbly lovers, rejoice. The calendar is a bit on the pricey side but is filled with brands such as Bottega Gold and Rose.

Festive joy: You can personalise it with your name or give it to someone else – it’s the perfect gift for anyone who likes a bit of fizz.

When and where you can buy it: Available at Prezzybox now.

Virgin Wines Calendar

Price: £69.99

Packaging: It looks like a giant present and will fit perfectly under your Christmas tree, with 24 doors for you to open.

What’s inside: We’re not sure how Virgin have managed to stuff so many different wines into one box, but the wine snobs will be delighted with the offering. From new world to old world to every grape there is – including fruity Syrah from France, juicy Pinot Noir from the US, Chenin Blanc from South Africa and more.

Festive joy: There are three wine calendars to choose from – red, white or mixed – and the price is the same for all of them.

When and where you can buy it: You can pre-order the calendar from Virgin’s website, but you will need to put down a £10 deposit.

Adnams 12 Days of Christmas Beer (and more) Calendar

Price: £59.99

Packaging: It’s not massively holiday-themed, but it does have small snowflakes on it and it is very easy to use. Just pull on one of the 12 drawers, rather than doors, to get your daily treat.

What’s inside: Even beer connoisseurs can get tired of their favourite tipple sometimes and Adnams understands that, which is why the brand has also included two cans of gin and tonic, a small prosecco and a wine bottle and even a miniature gin bottle inside its calendar. This is in addition to plenty of beer, like the Dry Hopper Lager and cider, in the form of Wild Wave.

Festive joy: You get a bit of everything. If you want a bigger calendar, there’s a humongous 24-door alternative, too.

When and where you can buy it: Up for grabs on the Adnams website now.

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You may have already started your Christmas shopping, but if you haven’t, you should.

Not just to spread the cost of the extremely spenny holiday, but to take advantage of the sales – including this incredible offer from Pandora.

The pretty jewellery is normally a favourite for the festive season, and now everything on the site and in store is 3 for 2, so you can kill three birds for two stones.

The only things not included in the offer are products already on sale (including the Build a Bracelet promotion) or those bought from outlet stores.

Other than that, you can have your fill of Pandora jewellery for 3 for 2 from now until 2 October.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mG8z5iXT7/

There’s something for everyone, from elegant sparkly earrings, to the Disney collaboration with the brand.

As is standard with these kind of deals, you’ll get the cheapest of the three items for free, with the discount applied at the checkout.

If you spend more than £60 online, you’ll also bag free delivery. Sorted.

To see what’s on offer, or check if your local store is participating, check out the Pandora website.

Then, once you’ve got your goodies, use this ingenious hack to keep them clean. You’d be surprised how much dirt can lurk in a charm bracelet you’re always wearing.

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