What it’s actually like to have a mental breakdown: We talk to Ollie Aplin about depression and the power of journaling on Mentally Yours

July 3, 2017, 2:19 am

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The word ‘breakdown’ tends to shut down conversations pretty quickly.

Even to someone dealing with mental illness, there’s something scary about the idea of having a breakdown.

Oreo's making avocado, unicorn and carrot flavours because we asked for them

It just sounds so big and dramatic. Talking about it feels awkward – mostly because we all have an idea of what a ‘breakdown’ looks like, and it feels tough to talk to someone with the thought in the back of your mind that they’ve reached rock bottom.

But the only way we can make the idea of a breakdown less pants-shittingly scary is to, well, talk about it.

So that’s what we did when Ollie Aplin, designer, writer, mental health advocate, and the creator of MindJournal, came to chat with us on metro.co.uk’s mental health podcast, Mentally Yours.

‘There’s this part where you have to just switch those things off,’ Ollie tells… Read the full story

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Oreo’s making avocado, unicorn and carrot flavours because we asked for them

July 3, 2017, 2:46 am

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In recent times, Oreo has brought out a number of bizarre, limited edition flavours.

We’ve had banana split Oreos. Birthday cake Oreos. Pumpkin spice Oreos.

We've still got a long way to go when it comes to the shame around mental illness

No longer content with their chocolate cookies and creme persona, they’re fast becoming the kings of pudding-inspired biscuits.

But their range of flavours isn’t big enough for makers Nabisco.

So they decided to let the public give their two cents, by getting them to come up with their own innovative flavour choices via the #MyOreoCreation Twitter campaign.

Read the full story

Dairy-free Häagen-Dazs ice cream now exists

July 3, 2017, 3:06 am

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The concept of vegan ice cream has always been a bit of a contradiction.

But that doesn’t stop us whimpering with joy at the fact that Häagen-Dazs is releasing a new line of dairy-free ice cream.

We've still got a long way to go when it comes to the shame around mental illness

Instead of dairy, each pot is made from ingredients such as coconut cream, sugar and soy.

The ice cream vendor has oh-so quietly released the flavours into shops in the US; Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Salted Fudge Truffle, Mocha Chocolate Cookie and Coconut Caramel.

And they sound totally delicious.

Read the full story

21 messages, quotes and poems to write in a retirement card

July 3, 2017, 3:14 am

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Knowing what to write in a retirement card can be difficult.

Paul Weller in a Jam as he can’t afford to retire due to divorce

Is the person happy about retiring? Do they know what they will do next? Is it health related?

Sometimes rather than stumble into a minefield of uncertainties, a simple quote or poem can be perfect to share instead.

There are some really poignant poems and quotes out there – here are 21 messages, quotes and poems that might work well.

Eight messages to wish your friend or colleague

Read the full story

This woman is calling out unrealistic travel Instagrams and we love her for it

July 3, 2017, 3:14 am

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We all know that Instagram has a habit of making you feel bad about yourself.

5 reasons why you should think about your mind before your body when you workout

You log on intending to have a quick scroll before you slither out of bed in the morning, and 10 minutes later you’ve managed to fall in the abyss of comparing yourself to others and hating on your own (actually quite adequate thank you very much) life.

If it’s not fitness bloggers making you feel bad about your… Read the full story

A vegan American diner is opening in the UK

July 3, 2017, 3:16 am

≫ Next: 6 great reasons why Wellington is the best city in the world

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Some national foods are more vegan-friendly than others.

Hero tweets KFC for a year until they brought back his favourite spicy drumlets

While a vegan curry is hardly difficult to imagine, totally-meaty, totally-cheesy dishes are something we’ve come to accept are out of bounds.

In other words, most British and American food.

Until now, as a vegan American-style diner is opening in the UK.

Grumpy Panda is opening its doors in Gateshead, Newcastle for the first time tomorrow and claims to be the North East’s first entirely vegan diner of its kind.

Read the full story

6 great reasons why Wellington is the best city in the world

July 3, 2017, 3:30 am

≫ Next: Joe Wicks really isn’t here for last minute holiday diets or ‘beach body’ shaming

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The world’s coolest little capital is now officially the best place to live, according to a recent report by Deutsche Bank, beating out Edinburgh and Melbourne for the top spot.

Where am I talking about? Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, of course.

5 things you miss about London when you move away

Welly has it all – beaches, views, culture, music, film and plenty of dining options.

It’s no surprise, really, that it consistently tops the polls. And having recently moved here, you can imagine I’m feeling a bit smug about it all.

So sorry (not… Read the full story

Joe Wicks really isn’t here for last minute holiday diets or ‘beach body’ shaming

July 3, 2017, 3:35 am

≫ Next: Woman wants to have the world’s biggest hips – even if it kills her

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For many of us, summer is quite a stressful period.

In the lead up to going away, the pressure to look as lean as possible on the beach can be intense.

We've still got a long way to go when it comes to the shame around mental illness

In fact, many of us actively starve ourselves before going away.

But HIIT fitness guru and Lean In 15 guru Joe Wicks is warning against last minute ‘beach body’ diets.

The Body Coach says that crash dieting before holidays is ‘negative’ because it puts the body through a lot of stress.

Read the full story

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Woman wants to have the world’s biggest hips – even if it kills her

July 3, 2017, 4:12 am

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Bobbi-Jo Westley is on a mission to have the world’s biggest hips.

Currently measuring 95 inches, she’s just four inches off Mikel Ruffinelli’s – the current record holder – assets.

Oreo's making avocado, unicorn and carrot flavours because we asked for them

Although she isn’t quite there yet, Bobbi-Jo has legions of followers around the globe who trade her pictures online.

And for her biggest fans, she arranges special ‘crushing’ sessions where they pay to have her sit on them.

‘My hips are what make me unique,’ she says.

Watch this woman fit over 200 items in one suitcase

July 3, 2017, 4:15 am

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However much I think I’m cutting down when I pack for a trip, I always end up punching my clothes into a bulging bag.

Joe Wicks really isn't here for last minute holiday diets or 'beach body' shaming

Which is why when I heard that a woman has managed to fit an entire wardrobe of 200 items into a suitcase, I was very sceptical.

A video was posted on Biaggi Luggage’s Facebook page with proof of this witchcraft wonderous act, and it was only bloomin’ Rachel Grant AKA former Bond Girl who was doing it.

(Do you like dogs? Watch for… Read the full story

10 things every Yorkshire Terrier owner knows

July 3, 2017, 4:33 am

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Yorkshire terriers, also known as the ‘Yorkie’, are one of the most popular and sought-after dog breeds in the whole world.

These furry creatures are known for their bark, their style and, of course, their incomprehensible cuteness – there’s many a reason why Yorkies are taking social media by storm.

10 things you never realised about owning a dog until you got one

However, owning a Yorkshire terrier is a whole different ball game to simply admiring them from afar, so here are some of the things every Yorkshire terrier owner will know…

1. The yap

Read the full story

What is emotional numbing? Why it’s important for those with PTSD to feel their pain

July 3, 2017, 5:00 am

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I’m not really sure what it means to be happy.

When you go through trauma at a young age, and don’t talk to anyone about it, the feelings of emptiness stay with you.

It’s easy to hold on to those feelings. If you feel the other emotions threatening to come to the surface, they’re overwhelming.

20 things you only know if you have PTSD

They leave you curled up in a ball, sobbing. They leave you screaming with rage, trashing your room. They make you shout at people, become a monster. You end up feeling so intensely that it scares you.

Why would you want to feel emotions, if all they do is threaten to destroy you?

You watch other people smiling, hanging out, having friends, and you wonder why you don’t get that. But, instead of focusing on the why, you push it away.

Thinking about how… Read the full story

If you want to start a family, get yourself a toyboy – say Harvard researchers

July 3, 2017, 6:11 am

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If you’re thinking of starting a family at some point in the future, Harvard researchers are suggesting you take a leaf out of Cheryl’s book and get yourself a toyboy.

According to a new study of almost 20,000 cycles of fertility treatment, women with younger partners stand a far higher rate of success than those with lovers the same age or older.

Dog owners are giving their pets matching manicures and we are not okay with it

Why?

Because the sperm from younger guys seems to ‘invigorate’ older women’s eggs which are less likely to be fertilised by sperm their own age.

Although female fertility declines with… Read the full story

These are the best destinations in the world to travel solo in

July 3, 2017, 6:16 am

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Nothing beats travelling alone.

You can now buy dairy-free Häagen-Dazs ice cream

Waking up when you want to, seeing the sights at your own pace and having just one guest with you at restaurants; a delicious meal.

But we all know that some destinations are better suited to lone rangers, while other are better for steaming around in with a large group of mates.

Thanks to Airbnb, you needn’t get bogged down in researching which are which.

Using its own data, the holiday accommodation site has listed… Read the full story

Dog owners are giving their pets matching manicures and we are not okay with it

July 3, 2017, 6:19 am

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The internet collectively froths over a cute animal pic.

Oreo's making avocado, unicorn and carrot flavours because we asked for them

Whether it’s animals in fancy dress, animals with kids or abandoned animals looking for homes we bloomin’ love to set fire to our keyboards/screens by furiously retweeting/throwing likes at LOLs/adorbs critter pics.

Like, say…cats who have the same manicures as their owners.

Coincidentally, chaps, Twitter user Cristi Hanzel posted this tweet of her cat wearing claw caps that matched her own glittery purple nail varnish and the people of… Read the full story

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15 children’s party food items ranked worst to best

July 3, 2017, 6:29 am

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Come on, admit it mums and dads.

As nice as it is to watch your child having fun bowling, swimming or whatever activity takes place at a children’s party there is one moment we are all waiting for.

Stomachs growling, hovering near to the table until the call goes out from the birthday child’s mum or dad.

‘Parents, feel free to dig in.’

Like ravenous wolves you descend on the buffet, ignoring that most of it has been prodded, sneezed on or messed with by a group of five year olds.

Children’s party food is awesome and I’ve ranked the items worst to best.

15. Quiche

Read the full story

These mother-daughter tattoos are perhaps the loveliest way of celebrating your bond

July 3, 2017, 7:03 am

≫ Next: Primark customers are loving the store’s new ‘Team Unicorn’ pyjamas

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Getting a tattoo is a pretty big decision.

Loads of us know people who got them done in Malia and Shagaloof with their mates and now are branded for life as being a lad, lad, lad.

Joe Wicks really isn't here for last minute holiday diets or 'beach body' shaming

But once you’ve graduated, you can’t really get away with that sort of banter.

After all, tattoos are permanent.

As you get a bit older, you start to see tattoos more as bits of body art, and these days, older women are embracing the ink just as much as younger ones.

In fact, many are getting… Read the full story

Primark customers are loving the store’s new ‘Team Unicorn’ pyjamas

July 3, 2017, 7:19 am

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Primark’s recent sleepwear has got the internet excited.

If you want to start a family, get yourself a toyboy - say Harvard researchers

The pink, blue and white pyjama set is specifically aimed at those who love magic and mythical creatures, as the words ‘Team Unicorn’ are sprawled across the bottom of the pyjama top in large, block letters.

Sure, we shouldn’t get too excited about pyjamas – it’s not as if we’re ever going to leave the house in them. Well, at least not in regular pyjamas.

Read the full story

A bar just for siestas has opened in Spain and we need to holiday there immediately

July 3, 2017, 7:24 am

≫ Next: These Nickelodeon-themed tattoos will make 90s babies feel very, very nostalgic

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One of the best things about holidaying in Spain, alongside the warm weather, sunny beaches and tapas, is the siestas you’re inclined to take due to Spanish tradition.

Dog owners are giving their pets matching manicures and we are not okay with it

Though we’re sure most of you know, just to clarify – a siesta is a short nap that us taken mid-afternoon and is very common in hotter places around the world, such as Spain.

Siestas are especially perfect for those who have been checking out cities or their surroundings, and are therefore exhausted from the day.

However, one start-up is ensuring… Read the full story

These Nickelodeon-themed tattoos will make 90s babies feel very, very nostalgic

July 3, 2017, 7:26 am

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If you were a 90s baby, there’s no doubt you spent your entire childhood glued to the shows that Nickelodeon had to offer. 

What it's actually like to have a mental breakdown

Shows such as The Amanda Show, Drake and Josh, Kenan and Kel, Aahh!!! Real Monsters and Rocko’s Modern Life ensured there was something for everyone.

Even today, many of us still show our dedication to the much-loved shows by watching clips on YouTube in an attempt to acquire some of that precious 90s nostalgia.

However, while you may think you’re still Nickelodeon’s biggest fan – we’ve found many people who’ve trumped that… Read the full story