What is leech therapy? Many believe they’re good for you

May 6, 2017, 9:25 am

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Ever thought about covering yourself in leeches?

The ancient practice is still around today, with many swearing by the healing powers of leech therapy.

Hey Good Housekeeping, it's not okay to use OCD as an adjective to mean 'being clean'

Those who are into history will know about the ancient practice of bloodletting, where Indian and Greek civilisations believed that anyone who wasn’t in good health had one of their four ‘humours’ – blood, phlegm, black and yellow bile – out of kilter.

If you were unwell, physicians would set their leeches on you – and they’d suck your blood to… Read the full story

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National Masturbation Month: We ask 5 men about soggy biscuits and other ‘group sports’

May 6, 2017, 11:30 pm

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When it comes to self-pleasure, we men are vile scumbags.

That goes without saying, really.

National Masturbation Month: Here’s why mutual masturbation is totally hot

In addition to our own mucky, solo, hand-shandies – frequently executed when you’re asleep next to us I’m afraid, ladies – many (if not most) chaps have tugged the terrapin openly in the company of pals.

All pulled together, you might say. Pooled our resources.

So in the interests of science and grisly curiosity, Metro.co.uk recruited a panel of seasoned onanists to get the lowdown on mass-turbation.

Beware: you’re about to go… Read the full story

Ask Andy: Should every man try being gay at least once?

May 7, 2017, 12:00 am

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Are you wondering why all Tory voters are arseholes? Is your hero-worship of Paddy Losty tempered by incredulity? Have you contemplated relieving yourself over your better half?

Metro’s resident agony uncle Andy has the answers you seek.

Just think of him as a less-s*** Dear Deirdre.

Oh, balls: It’s time to talk about below the belt male hygiene

Fair warning – he’s not a geezer to hold back.

So if you want tips on everything from low-effort parenting to high-functioning alcoholism, drop a… Read the full story

My parents replaced me with a dog and I’m not even angry

May 7, 2017, 1:00 am

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A few months ago my mum accidentally called me Ruby.

Ruby is the dog’s name.

19 reasons cockapoos are the best dog breed

Initially, the mix up was going the other way round – I’d catch her calling Ruby ‘Abby’ by accident. Fair enough, I thought, it’s obviously a sign that she misses me. Quite flattering really.

But it was inevitable that eventually I’d be mistaken for her new, younger, fluffy daughter.

And I’m not the only person to be usurped by a dog – it’s the classic move of empty-nesters.

My parents waited a few years after my… Read the full story

Dancer and film maker creates visually stunning campaigns to save the oceans

May 7, 2017, 1:08 am

≫ Next: 7 places in London where you’ll find Marmite on the menu

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We’re told every day we need to recycle more and waste less.

Messages of conservation and sustainability often seem unrelatable, washing over us like white noise while we carry on with our lives without making any change.

Dancer and film maker creates stunning campaigns to save the oceans

Which is why, when something different does come along it’s a big deal, especially when it is as visually beautiful as this unique underwater campaign.

Christine Ren, 30, is a dancer and filmmaker from the U.S who is currently using her talents to pull together a conservation campaign that is sure to get… Read the full story

7 places in London where you’ll find Marmite on the menu

May 7, 2017, 3:00 am

≫ Next: Tequila could be good for your bones, according to science

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Famously loved and loathed in equal measure, Marmite’s been dividing opinions on our little island for over a hundred years.

The good news for Londoners in the ‘love’ camp is that this sticky, salty spread is making its way into all sorts of unlikely dishes across the capital.

5 vegan recipes from around the world that you’ll want to try today

And it’s definitely not just the savoury options like tortellini or aubergines – you can also find it in desserts and cocktails.

So to save you the trouble of hunting them all… Read the full story

Tequila could be good for your bones, according to science

May 7, 2017, 3:15 am

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For many, tequila is a bringer of joy.

Dancer and film maker creates stunning campaigns to save the oceans

And according to new research, it could be giving us something else – bone health.

Scientists at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) in Mexico have identified substances in the tequila plant (yep, it comes from a plant – you learn something new every day) that enhance the absorption of calcium in the body.

Read the full story

Cat becomes receptionist after waiting more than 400 days to be adopted

May 7, 2017, 3:24 am

≫ Next: We’re trying not to laugh at these Alpaca with ‘funky’ hair cuts

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Four hundred days is a long time to wait for a new family.

Yet again, underbutt is set to be summer's hottest trend

But that’s exactly how long Champas, a scruffy white tom cat, waited as he lived at a shelter for more than a year.

Shy with a tendency to hide in the shadows and avoid interactions with others (we feel ya, pal), the guy wasn’t exactly being showcased to families looking for the next member of their family.

So the staff at… Read the full story

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We’re trying not to laugh at these Alpaca with ‘funky’ hair cuts

May 7, 2017, 4:19 am

≫ Next: What did your role in the school play say about you?

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As if alpacas didn’t look stupid enough already.

And by stupid, I, of course, mean adorable… ahem.

Rescued pitbulls help newly blind cats learn to navigate the world

Proving people have too much time on their hands, Helen Kendall Smith, 53, celebrated her 10th year breeding alpacas by giving 10 of her flock ‘funky’ haircuts.

These ‘hilarious hairdos’, include a styled dinosaur look.

Having zero concern at making these animals look like damn fools, Helen told SWNS:

‘I designed the styles based on the type of fleece the alpaca males had and their individual personalities and colours – a poodle, a dinosaur, a mohican, and so on.’

‘I did some… Read the full story

What did your role in the school play say about you?

May 7, 2017, 5:00 am

≫ Next: The UK’s biggest HandM store has opened in London

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School, with its myriad of hierarchical systems, was a tough time for everyone.

The fight for seats and 10 other things that happen at every school play

The order you were picked in PE was brutal. Whether or not you were a prefect said more about your goodie-two-shoes status than anything else.

But the clearest sign of your place in the school came via what role you were given in the school play.

And it’s not as simple as main role = most popular. Oh no. School plays were far more complicated than that.

The Virgin Mary

You’d think playing Mary in the… Read the full story

The UK’s biggest HandM store has opened in London

May 7, 2017, 5:25 am

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In comparison to your tiny local branch of H&M, nothing beats visiting the three-storey colossuses on Central London’s high streets.

The UK's biggest H and M store has opened

But if you thought H&M’s Oxford Street store was big, think again; our favourite affordable fashion store has opened the doors of its biggest branch yet.

Located in Westfield Stratford City in East London, the multinational fashion giant’s new flagship store offers womenswear, menswear and kidwear, but also all of its beauty and homeware ranges.

In other words, you needn’t shop anywhere else,… Read the full story

Don’t underestimate the power professional friendships

May 7, 2017, 7:02 am

≫ Next: Why I never move in with friends, and neither should you

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When I first moved to London from Australia two years ago, I didn’t know many people.

I’d moved here after a snap decision to follow an exciting career opportunity.

Just as quickly as it had all begun, the excitement of my adventure began to dissolve and reality set in.

Don't underestimate the power professional friendships

Imposter syndrome hit me like a tonne of bricks.

‘What the hell was I doing here? I don’t deserve any of this,’ was a daily thought.

‘They’re going to find out you don’t know what you’re doing. Work harder!’ 

I was continually out of my comfort zone… Read the full story

Why I never move in with friends, and neither should you

May 7, 2017, 8:23 am

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When moving to a new city, having a friend move to the same place is nothing short of a miracle.

Why I never move in with friends, and neither should you

As you navigate new postcodes, questionable landlords and a totally new routine, the presence of a familiar face during what’s an exciting-yet-lonely time can be a vital lifeline.

Especially if they’re just 20 minutes away (London residents, add an hour) or even better, just around the corner, ready for a pint and comprehensive bitch about life.

Which is why it seems natural that, if you’re both looking for a dingy, all-bills-included… Read the full story

Coeliac Awareness Week 2017: 18 delicious gluten-free recipes you should try

May 7, 2017, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: Mental Health Awareness Week 2017: How I went from surviving a mental illness to thriving in the big wide world

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This week (May 8 to 14) is Coeliac Awareness Week – a campaign run by Coeliac UK to raise awareness of the untreatable disease.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by a reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat and some other grains.

Why I never move in with friends, and neither should you

Coeliac UK estimates that while one in a hundred people in the UK has coeliac disease, only 24% of them have been diagnosed.

As there’s no cure, the only option is to avoid eating any gluten for life.

Thankfully,… Read the full story

Mental Health Awareness Week 2017: How I went from surviving a mental illness to thriving in the big wide world

May 7, 2017, 9:30 pm

≫ Next: ‘Experts’ don’t always know best – here’s why all the advice is bad for maternal mental health

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This week (May 8 to 14) is Mental Health Awareness Week and I wanted to share my story.

Having struggled with anorexia and severe depression, I’ve spent a lot of time in and out of mental health services, including in hospital.

During most of this period, I would say I was not living – I was just about surviving, one day to the next.

24 essential things that help me improve my mental health

Now, in recovery, I have a husband, a full-time job, a comfortable social life, two cats… Read the full story

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‘Experts’ don’t always know best – here’s why all the advice is bad for maternal mental health

May 7, 2017, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Mental Health Awareness Week: How to help your partner if they have a mental illness

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‘What does my baby need?’

If you are a first time mum, chances are, you have asked yourself this question more than once.

There is also a very good chance that you’ve spent hours on the internet and bought a shed load of parenting books in order to find out the answer.

The story of a ‘rubbish’ mother: How postnatal depression ruined a year of my life

So before long, you know all about growth spurts, mental leaps, sleep regression and separation anxiety.

You have found out how to prevent nappy rash and can reel off… Read the full story

Mental Health Awareness Week: How to help your partner if they have a mental illness

May 7, 2017, 11:00 pm

≫ Next: Yes, we still need to talk about mental health

≪ Previous: ‘Experts’ don’t always know best – here’s why all the advice is bad for maternal mental health

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Dating someone with a mental illness can be hard at times. 

You need to remember that your partner is dealing with something that you may have not experienced before, and therefore their coping mechanisms may be very different to what you would do.

Of course, this does not mean they can abuse you or treat you badly – but some actions, such as becoming emotional or locking themselves in bedrooms can be common for those with mental illness.

Yet again, underbutt is set to be summer's hottest trend

As someone with bipolar disorder who has been in longterm relationships, I’ve… Read the full story

Yes, we still need to talk about mental health

May 8, 2017, 12:37 am

≫ Next: ‘I never asked for help’: We chat PTSD, anxiety, and life in a mental health unit on our new podcast, Mentally Yours

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Over the last few years, there’s been massive progress in the way we talk about mental health.

It’s become increasingly okay to admit that actually, you’re not okay. Anxiety, depression, and OCD are all things people are starting to know about. Brands and publications are mis-using terms and encouraging stereotypes less frequently – and when they do, they get called out for it.

That’s brilliant. But as a result, there’s started to be a bit of backlash.

Cat becomes receptionist after waiting more than 400 days to be adopted

Giles Coren recently suggested that we’ve reached ‘peak bonkers’. I’ve seen people tweeting about how ‘everyone has a mental illness these days’, and spotted people rolling their eyes and sighing about noticing another article on anxiety.

Now that it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, I get why I’ve overheard a few people wondering aloud about why we need another week to increase awareness… Read the full story

‘I never asked for help’: We chat PTSD, anxiety, and life in a mental health unit on our new podcast, Mentally Yours

May 8, 2017, 12:57 am

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This Harry Potter running club is raising thousands for good causes

May 8, 2017, 1:22 am

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≪ Previous: ‘I never asked for help’: We chat PTSD, anxiety, and life in a mental health unit on our new podcast, Mentally Yours

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Ten years after the last book, we’re still completely surrounded by all things Hogwarts.

As well as the subsequent films and plays, we’ve had Harry Potter subscription boxes. Makeup lines. Even Harry Potter yoga classes.

Yes, we still need to talk about mental health

So it was only a matter of time before someone decided to inject a bit of magic into the running world.

The Hogwarts Running Club isn’t, however, just a fitness-led collective.

It’s a nonprofit world-wide organisation that hold virtual races inspired… Read the full story