A canny student saved $18,000 (£14,500) after he moved out of his expensive apartment and into a van with his beloved husky dog. Michael Hanes, 31, now lives, eats and sleeps with his dog Scarlett in a Ford camper van.

Acupuncture graduate Michael, from Kamloops in British Columbia, Canada, has been living in the wild on four wheels with Scarlett for 18 months after deciding he no longer wanted to pay thousands a year for pricey college accommodation.

Determined to save that money, he packed his bags, moved out of his cozy flat in Victoria, and spent $9000 of his savings on a 1978 Ford van, and has called it home ever since.

Michael, who is single, said: ‘I was renting a flat on my own but I just found it too expensive and I was unable to sustain the lifestyle I wanted. It was costing my more than $1000 just to pay to live, and I wasn’t happy like that.

‘I spent quite a lot of my savings on the van so I was very nervous, moving out of the flat and into the van was one of the scariest things I have done. But we have had so many amazing adventures together and Scarlett has been the best partner in crime for me.

‘We have done everything together and I wouldn’t have been able to do this without her. Adopting to van life was actually very easy and to be honest, I think I like it more than I should.

‘The van feels like home for me now, and I don’t see myself leaving the van anytime soon.’

Michael was keen to try and improve his quality of life and save some cash. But he was unsure of how to do so – until a male pal told him about his camper van, and how much he enjoyed living in it. At the time Michael was shelling out $1000 a month on rent, plus bills and student loan repayments, and he said his friend’s life on four wheels sounded like the perfect way to save bags of money.

With the facilities to cook, shower, sleep and eat in the back of his van, Michael estimates that his mobile home has saved him $18,000 since early 2019.

Michael also credits being away from the buzzing social scene close to Pacific Rim College campus , where he studied, helped him focus on his studies and pass his exams. He graduated successfully in April and has said being away from the tempting campus social life positively impacted the quality of his work.

Michael said: ‘My friend told me how good it was and how much freedom he had, it sounded pretty awesome and I felt it was achievable for me.

‘I had some savings to spend on a van but realized I wouldn’t be able to convert a regular van into a home, so had to find a ready-made camper van.

‘The one I have is a 1978 Ford and it came with everything I need, running water, a bed, electricity, and a mini kitchen. I gave my landlord a month’s notice on the apartment and I have called the van my home for 18 months now.’

Michael has said living in the van has injected his life with a sense of ‘adventure’, and whilst for the most part he has lived out in the wild, Michael has made daily trips back to the city for visits to the gym and to college classes.

Michael and Scarlett, who he adopted at nine weeks old, have spent the last year and a half touring the scenic Victoria region, with the pair enjoying nothing more than parking up somewhere secluded to spend a peaceful night in the wilderness.

He said: ‘We have lived in the area surrounding Victoria and we have had some great adventures together. It has felt liberating to be able to move around as we like and pitch up where we want.

‘We have spent a lot of time in the mountains and we just pitch up in some real secluded spots. I shower, cook for us both and sleep in here, it really does feel like home.’

Michael plans to spend the rest of the summer traveling around British Columbia with Scarlett, before returning to the Victoria area in the fall for work placements. He said he will get his license to practice acupuncture professionally in October, and plans to continue living on four wheels.

Michael said: ‘It’s definitely the best thing I have ever done.

‘I find myself at a bit of a cross roads now and I can honestly say I don’t want to leave the fan at all yet.

‘Having Scarlett here with me has made it more than bearable. My mental state would have been seriously effected if I didn’t have her with me.’

Though you might not have heard of the term runner’s face, it’s certainly a concern for those who love pounding the pavement.

With so many of us developing a new passion for running outdoors during the coronavirus pandemic – including a massive 92% rise in people signing up to the Couch to 5K app – and with many being reluctant to return gyms and fitness studios while the country eases out of lockdown, the running community will only continue to grow.

John Lewis has seen a dramatic increase of 72% in online sales of running shoes since lockdown began, so it’s clear to see that more and more people are loving the joy of the great outdoors.

The benefits of running are many, both from a physical perspective and in terms of improving your mental health, thanks to the endorphin buzz you get after completing your favourite route. However, one of the negative effects of taking up this time-honoured hobby is the toll it takes on your skin.

By bouncing up and down on a hard surface for a sustained period of time, you play havoc with your skin’s elasticity and plumpness. The more you run, the more you’ll need to pay more attention to the effect it’s having on your face. Whether you prefer to sprint or jog on your runs, you will gradually expect a loss of volume and skin elasticity, leading to sagging skin and sunken cheekbones, the effects of which have the same results as premature ageing.

Aesthetic doctor Dr David Jack explains some of the many concerns he receives from his patients about the impact of running causing ageing, telling Metro.co.uk: ‘Over time, repeated exposure to UV light from the sun can have a negative impact on the skin in many ways (pigmentation, reduced collagen/elastin levels and general DNA damage), and running often will cause a reduction in body fat levels which are often more obvious on the face than elsewhere.

‘There may also be a slightly increased level of oxidative damage to the skin from anaerobic exercise.’

The good news is there are several solutions to prevent that runner’s face look.

‘The main thing is to use an SPF and cleanse the skin straight after exercise and performing a lymphatic drainage massage technique on clean skin with a little oil, which is excellent for lifting and reducing excessive tissue fluid,’ notes Dr David. ‘Plus, apply an antioxidant serum before and after running is also important to reverse some of the oxidative damage to the skin.’

Now you’ve got the perfect running kit at the ready, it’s time to add a few secret weapons to your running kitbag to keep your face as toned as the rest of your body.

Your new runner’s face checklist:

Stating the obvious here but hydrating with water is key pre- and post-run to prevent dehydration.

Introduce Gua Sha or facial massage into your skincare routine – particularly after a run. Designed to relieve tension in the muscles of the face, boost circulation, and encourage lymphatic drainage to lift, sculpt and tone cheekbones, it essentially retrains the muscles of the face after the hours of impact it receives during your runs.

Another no brainer, but before any workout outdoors, use sun protection. Dr David Jack recommends his All Day Long lightweight moisturiser with added SPF50, £89, especially during the summer months, to prevent sunburn and premature ageing – this simple step will go a long way.

Book in for a weekly FaceGym virtual PT 1-2-1 digital face training session concentrating on the lower face to lift and contour after a run. A FaceGym expert trainer will demonstrate the key facial exercises to get your face fit, which will help defy gravity as well as lifting, sculpting and improving muscle tone around the neck, jowls and cheeks. Goodbye runner’s face, hello cheekbones.

Invest in an antioxidant serum, like Aesop Parsley Seed anti-oxidant serum, £55 or Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, £140 – pricey but mighty powerful in delivering a major dose of protection.

Apply FaceGym Spirulina Training Stick, £38.50 before a run. Infused with MyoSKINFIT and Bidens Pilosa extract, which helps to strengthen skin and improve elasticity while you run, all you need is a quick sweep across the face before a run and to let the stick work its wonders.

Invest in a good pair of running sunglasses with UVA and UVB defence, which will prevent frowning when running. It’s hard to find a stylish pair that perform without slipping down your face. SunGod is a great shout for all outdoor sports and ticks the boxes for practicality, UV-protection, style and affordability.

A visor is also another good option to shield you from the sun – Lululemon stock a range of colours to complement your workout mood.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE: Viral image shows how much of each skincare product to apply

MORE: Dolphin skin is the latest beauty term that’s all about getting that summer glow

MORE: 17 of the best oils to add to your skincare routine

Lauren Bruzzone is proving without a shadow of a doubt that age really is nothing more than just a number,

The super-fit 73-year-old spends her free time lifting weights, performing planks and flipping upside down into handstands.

Lauren works out six times-a-week with her personal trainer Wesley James, and she can’t get enough of her regular fitness fix.

Maths professor Lauren, from Stamford, Connecticut, said that the trick to staying fit in old age is powering through the first few minutes of a workout.

She says: ‘It’s a matter of getting past that first five minutes – whether it’s getting out of bed or starting a workout.

‘Your mind tells you it’s going to be awful. Then you start doing it and you find out it really isn’t so bad.’

Lauren added that her rigorous exercise regime has given her freedom in her seventies. And mobility becomes more important than ever as you get older.

‘I can move freely. If I drop something, I can pick it up. I can get up out of a chair or take a walk,’ she explains.

‘These may not seem significant, but when you can’t do them, it matters.’

Videos of Lauren easily performing handstands beside Wesley show that she has no difficulty keeping up with her trainer, who is 41-years younger.

In another clip, Lauren switches between a plank and downward dog pose while balancing on top of a stack of weights.

Trainer Wesley, of Norwalk, Connecticut, is full of admiration for his elderly client and says that she is ‘dope’.

‘Lauren embodies every desirable quality that I could ever ask for in a client and friend,’ says Wesley.

‘I love her and she knows that I am her number one fan.

‘We have been working together for over a year and a half now and to watch her growth and willingness to make changes, especially at her age, is both humbling and rewarding.

‘I know that my workouts are pretty intense, yet she shows up to see me at least six days a week.

‘Lauren is just too dope.’

Wesley, who owns his own fitness company Basiq Fitness, hopes that Lauren will inspire more people to exercise later in life.

‘We just really wanted to show the world that anything is possible, at any age, if you truly believe,’ he adds.

‘So stop making excuses, trust in your abilities, and never give up.’

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

MORE: Oatly launches ‘Oatgurt’ – a dairy-free yogurt alternative

MORE: These outdoor plants could help you sell your house

MORE: The BAME debate: Why terminology matters when we’re talking about race

Sound the alarm – another makeup trend has reared its head and we’re feeling pretty, ahem, all-white about it.

Celebrities from Jodie Comer to Janelle Monáe have been dabbling with white eyeliner, and the effects have been pretty enviable, with the bright white providing a neutral yet stand-out way to draw attention to the windows to your soul.

That’s why we’ve put together some tips and tricks on how you can master this look yourself.

How to wear white eyeliner

The first port of call for white-liner beginners should probably be the classic winged eyeliner.

To get it just right, Lucy Roberts, in-house makeup artist at Falseeylashes.co.uk, told us: ‘Have a winged black cat liner and outline with white eyeliner to make the look slightly more eye-catching.’

You can make each colour as thin or as thick as you please – it’s worth expirementing to find out what you prefer.

If you’re looking for something very bold, Lucy recommends: ‘Pair your graphic liner with a set of white false eyelashes for an eye-catching makeup look.

‘The contrast between the monochrome appearance will create a retro design makeup look.’

Alternatively, you could try another stand-out look by wearing your liner a la Janelle Monáe, whose white take on the classic 60’s cut crease made a delicate but definitely noticeable statement.

To achieve it, simply experiment with taking your liner from the inner corner of your eye up through the crease of your eye and into a long flick towards the outer end of your eyebrow.

From there, join the flick to the outer corner of your eye with a slightly curved line.

You can also use white eyeliner for a bit of visual trickery to make your eyes look bigger.

Lucy says: ‘By adding white eyeliner on the waterline of your eyes, makes your eyes appear wider. It gives you a brighter and more awake appearance.’

If you want to start off with a slightly less intricate look, you could also try white eyeshadow.

Covering your lids in a flat, opaque white or giving them a light white dusting will allow you to dip your toe into this trend while still helping your eyes pop.

Follow Metro.co.uk across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Share your views in the comments below.

MORE: Dolphin skin is the latest beauty term that’s all about getting that summer glow

MORE: Makeup artist creates gory illusions that look like food bursting out of her skin

I can still remember the day vividly. It was November 2006 and I’d turned to check the time while sat in an art class at school. As I studied the clock, I noticed my eyes had gone fuzzy.

By the time I woke up the next morning, my life had changed forever – I couldn’t walk, see or hear properly. Beyond terrified, my immediate thought was that I had a brain tumour. I was 15 years old.

I crawled to my parents’ bedroom, screaming for help, and we went to A&E.

What followed was hospital visit after hospital visit while my symptoms persisted.

I had numerous MRI scans, a lumbar puncture, hundreds of blood tests and neurological exams. The consultants had a list of suspected conditions but never told me what these were. Meanwhile the symptoms remained, but their severity changed constantly.

In January the following year, a consultant finally told me that I had ‘highly active, aggressive, remitting multiple sclerosis’.

As I sat in the treatment room taking in his words, I had no idea what this meant but I could tell from my parents’ reaction – they broke down in tears – that it was bad. I naively asked if I would need chemotherapy and how they would cure it.

I was so confused because I hadn’t heard of MS and I felt anxious for my poor parents.

My doctors told us they had never seen MS in a 15-year-old. It is a degenerative condition caused by your immune system attacking your central nervous system, and most people are diagnosed in their 20s or 30s with symptoms often taking many years to develop.

There was no information on teenage patients, nothing about treatment or management for symptoms. All the information was aimed at much older people.

My doctor also couldn’t give me a prognosis because she hadn’t seen MS in someone so young and it affects everyone differently anyway.

Until this point, I had been a typical teenager – I was into art and graphics at school, went to the cinema and met up with friends. Suddenly, I couldn’t do any of that. I thought my life was over. I felt robbed, like everything I had dreamed of had been taken away and my life as a disabled person had been laid out in front of me.

I missed the fifth year at school, and because we had moved house around the same time, I hadn’t gotten to know many people. This meant I could text my old friends but not go to see them. Those friendships dried up and I felt really lonely, as well as betrayed and hurt.

My symptoms became progressively worse over two months. I couldn’t feel anything throughout my body, I lost my sense of taste. I still had issues with my hearing and vision and used a wheelchair.

I felt increasingly helpless and couldn’t envision any sort of future for myself. Like most teenagers, I had assumed I would go to university, have a career, get married and have children. But now I couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to be with me. 

I had no choice but to cope with the symptoms, and became completely dependent on my parents – not only for physical support, but also emotional – they filled the gap where my friends had been.

When I was 16 I attended an MS support group but everyone else there was at least 30 years older. One guy laughed at me and said, ‘You’ll be like us one day’. That put a wall up around me, I never wanted to be told that again. At the same time it made me determined not to be like them, not to be beaten by this condition.

My neurologist got me a drug called Tysabri, which at this point had never been prescribed for someone under 18 and thankfully the treatment slowly reversed my symptoms. I started my first dose in March 2007 and by the June my parents and I were able to go on holiday in Turkey.

I was so grateful the drug was working, and I can remember the last thing to come back was my eyesight. Until then I had been forced to wear an eye-patch because of double vision. One morning, I woke and I could see again. I burst into tears, I was overjoyed.

I’m still on the same medicine today. 

Nine months after my first attack, I’d returned to school and passed enough exams to get me into uni to study architecture. It felt like a massive achievement. I chose Edinburgh because it was near our home.

University was a turning point for me, because it’s where I met Kevin, in my last year of studying. Meeting him allowed me to appreciate and understand myself.

I knew that I was gay. I’d always been comfortable with my sexuality but being a gay man, having MS and being diagnosed young had made me feel like a minority within a minority within a minority.

I had never told anyone I was gay, but here was a man I felt comfortable enough with to have that conversation.

I was attracted to how confident Kevin was. Being with him is like going out with your grandad, everyone knows him! I’m quite reserved and he brought me out of my shell.

I was worried about telling him about my MS because I was scared he wouldn’t want to be around me, but I found the courage to talk about it the first night we met.

He was completely cool about it and to my amazement already knew what MS was.

My condition has never affected our relationship. Kevin allows me to see there is a path that is not focused on the illness, but on life outside it.

In January this year, he proposed.

We had climbed to the top of Goatfell, the highest point on the Isle of Arran when Kevin got down on one knee. It was a complete surprise and we’re planning on getting married in October. 

As for my MS, in a way, I feel lucky. I still have attacks but my neurologist thinks that as my symptoms came at such a young age, my brain and body were still developing and were capable of putting up a fight – it could rewire itself.

I’m now at a point in my life where I’m able to live with MS as a gay man. The two are intertwined because I had to learn to live with each of them separately but not be defined or stereotyped by them. I never thought I’d accept them together as one.

To anyone who is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition, I say: find your niche, find people like you. And don’t give up on your ambitions, re-think how you approach them, but know that they are still in reach.

In many ways I have achieved the dreams that I had before the attack, apart from having kids – which Kevin and I would love, but right now, we’re just enjoying the present.

I wish that terrified 15-year-old boy had known just how happy he was going to feel all these years later.

For more information about multiple sclerosis and support visit shift.ms here

Do you have a story you’d like to share?

Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.

MORE: What is multiple sclerosis?

MORE: We can stop multiple sclerosis, and this is how

MORE: ‘I lost all feeling in one side of my body at 28 – but MS won’t stop my fight’

Little Bella Cole, four, suffers from an undiagnosed genetic condition that makes her throw up when she eats.

The youngster hasn’t been able to eat in her life and has to be fed through a tube directly into her intestines for sixteen hours overnight.

The rare condition means Bella weighs just under 24lb – and wears 12-18 month sized clothes.

She is the same size as her one-year-old brother Teddy.

Parents Philippa Rabbitts, 31, and Matthew Cole, 35, a roofer, often have to correct strangers who assume the two are twins.

Bella’s family, from Essex, has raised money for an operation to help her, but are now fundraising to get her to America for specialist treatment.

Philippa, a full-time mum from Chelmsford, said: ‘Bella understands that she has a tube in her belly.

‘She knows about it and she knows that other people don’t have them. She can’t use things the way other four-year-olds do.

‘For example, for her toilet training, I have to carry around a special seat to go on top of the toilet.

‘If I didn’t, she would fall down the toilet. All the normal things she should be doing at the age of four have to be adapted for her.’

Bella’s condition means she vomits every morning and night.

Mum Philippa added: ‘For us, because we’ve seen it so much we are used to it, but for other people who don’t see it so often it can be really concerning for them.

‘It was her birthday last week and for a child to not be able to have birthday cake is heartbreaking.

‘She can’t be on milk forever.’

Bella was born early weighing 4lb 11oz at 37 weeks after she stopped growing in Philippa’s womb.

Philippa was induced and gave birth to Bella by c-section.

At six weeks Bella was refusing any form of food – she stopped taking milk and started vomiting frequently.

She was given a nasogastric tube aged six weeks and then a tube into her intestines when she turned one – and this is still how she is fed today.

Bella still vomits multiple times a day – and doctors have no idea why.

Therapists believe the daily vomiting had caused food aversion, and her family fear the longer she is tube fed, the harder it is going to be to wean her on to real food.

Her family believe the first step to help Bella eat and stop vomiting is to have another tube placed in her stomach, replacing the one that feeds her intestines.

Faced with a twelve-month NHS wait, they raised £10,000 to pay for it privately, and she will have this operation in August.

They hope to then take her to Marcus Autism Center based in Atlanta, America, to help her eat normally, and wean her off the tube.

But the treatment alone costs £35,000, leaving the family to fundraise to cover the costs.

‘We know it won’t be an overnight fix,’ Phillipa said.

‘The treatment process can range from four to eight weeks, but we cannot afford to send her to America for any more than four weeks.

‘We hold fundraisers and once the lockdown restrictions are less strict we will be able to continue to hold fundraisers.

‘During the lockdown, we have managed to raise £5,000.’

The family hope to take Bella over to the US next February,

Phillipa added: ‘We are desperate for our daughter to eat for her sake – to enjoy all the lovely foods that children love to eat!

‘Even though she vomits many times a day you would never know, as she always has a big smile and carries on as normal.

‘We would be very grateful for any donations towards what would be life-changing for Bella.’

To donate towards Bella’s operation, you can visit her JustGiving page.

Do you have a story to share?

Email metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

MORE: Taking a walk on the beach could help improve your mental health, says study

MORE: Macmillan teams up with Snapfish to create greetings cards for people with cancer

Living through lockdown has changed our priorities when it comes to searching for a home.

While previous research points to a newfound appreciation for gardens, natural light, and space for a working area, the past few months have made something else an important deciding factor in where we choose to live: whether we can have pets.

Rental app Movebubble says they’ve seen demand soar for pet-friendly properties since the pandemic started, with searches for listings that allow cats and dogs more than doubling (a rise of 109%) in lockdown.

Aidan Rushby, CEO of Movebubble, commented: ‘Since lockdown came into effect, people have not only rapidly adapted to Home Walkthrough video viewings – but have shown a real shift in new priorities coming to light in the search for a new home.

‘With millions of people now working from home or on extended furlough, many have taken the opportunity to quench long-held aspirations to have a pet to keep them company

‘While today’s forced remote working culture has been an adjustment for lots of Brits, many are looking forward to the possibility of working from home more after the pandemic subsides – suggesting we could see this burgeoning trend continuing.

‘As pet owners ourselves, we know how it can be more challenging to find a home that accepts pets. The good news is things are changing.

‘Earlier in the year, housing secretary Robert Jenrick called on landlords to make it easier for tenants renting a property with pets, so homeowners are being actively encouraged to consider responsible tenants with furry friends”

‘At Movebubble, we’re here to do it for renters, which is why we offer a filter on the app for you to search for pet-friendly properties. Compared to this time last year, we have 38% more applicable homes available.’

Below you can take a look at the most virtually viewed pet-friendly homes currently up for rent on Movebubble.

1. Three-bedroom home in Hounslow, TW3, from £2,290 a month

As well as being pet-friendly, this apartment building has a cinema room and an on-site gym. Fancy.

2. Two-bedroom flat in Greenford, UB6, from £1,844 a month

A brand new two-bed flat right by the river in Greenford.

3. Two-bedroom flat in Manchester, M15, from £1,550 a month

In the heart of Deansgate, this apartment building also has its own gym and bike storage.

And here are the most viewed (as in, people are looking at the listings but not having a full-on 3d video tour) pet-friendly properties on the app:

1. Three-bedroom flat in Salford Quays, M50, from £1,450 a month

Dogs will love the nearby green spaces, while human residents will likely enjoy the snazzy kitchen and living area.

2. Two-bedroom house in Barnet, N11, from £1,800 a month

Why yes, that is a London home with a terrace and a patio garden.

Inside there’s underfloor heating, which is absurdly fancy.

3. One-bedroom flat in Milton Keynes, MK9, from £1,060 a month

Another flat in one of those super swish newbuild blocks with perks including an on-site gym, bike storage, and, of course, allowing pets.

4. Five-bed home in Chigwell, IG7, from £3,250 a month

If you’re a family with a dog, here’s an ideal rental.

There’s outdoor space in the form of a patio garden and a terrace, but the park and Hainault Forest are close by for proper strolls.

5. One-bedroom flat in Manchester, M3, from £1,025 a month

And again, another building with its own cinema and gym.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE: What I Rent: Chloe and Ross, £875 a month for a one-bedroom flat in Brighton

MORE: Mum’s parenting hack goes wrong leaving bathroom and kids coated head-to-toe in green paint

MORE: The top properties people want to rent in lockdown show how much we’re craving outdoor space

With working from home the new normal and companies following the likes of Google, Facebook, Amazon in announcing employees will work from home for many months more – and in the case of Twitter, forever – many of us are looking at a long summer of wifi woes and zoom calls in boxer shorts.

There will be challenges, tech troubles, sticky, hot weather and domestic distractions. To help, we have put together a list of ways to survive – and even supercharge – your summer work experience.

The Bandwidth Battle

There’s nothing worse than losing connection in the middle of an important Zoom call because your wifi can’t make the stretch. And the bandwidth battle with kids on multiple devices is a major headache. Here are three things that help:

Wifi Wonders

These little beauties can help you achieve the ever elusive goal of seamless whole-home Wi-Fi coverage.

With advanced mesh technology, the small units work together to form one unified whole-home network with the same network name – eliminating weak signal areas once and for all.

Effective for up to 6,500 square feet with just three of them – giving you stable, high-speed connections wherever you are in your home. Works with Amazon Echo/Alexa, Antivirus and Parental Controls,

TP-LINK Deco M9, Pack of 3, £333.87, Amazon

Powerful Connections

The devolo Magic 2 WiFi Next is both reliable and powerful – it uses your home’s own electrical circuit to send strong WiFi signals throughout.

Turning your home’s electrical wiring into a super-fast internet network, you just plug in the first adapter and hook up your router via Ethernet cable, and the second one can be plugged in elsewhere in your house to extend your internet coverage. It also features a pair of Ethernet ports for connecting stationary tech like TVs or game consoles. The pass-through design means you won’t even lose out on plug sockets.

Easy set up – just plug in and go it works with all broadband providers..

Devolo Magic 2 WiFi Starter Kit Powerline Kit, £158, AO.com

Personal Hotspot

One of the great things about working from home is that don’t actually have to work from home.

Take it outside with this hotspot from D-Link – which has been selling out since lockdown for a reason. It allows you to connect and share super-fast 4G LTE mobile Internet with download speeds of up to 150 Mbps, allowing you to stream music/videos, play online games, download and upload files on multiple devices from anywhere at higher speeds.

D-Link DWR-932 4G LTE Mobile WiFi, £121.58, Amazon

Upgraded Coffee

For some of us, right up there with wifi is good coffee and one of the drawbacks of working from home is missing out on your daily coffee run. This uber stylish and surprisingly compact machine from Jura brings the barista experience to your kitchen.

The newly launched ENA 8 uses freshly ground coffee beans to make fantastic coffee – and is super easy to use. The height-adjustable spout adjusts to the dimensions of your usual mug and it tells you when the filter needs changing and starts the auto-clean function automatically,

There is also a Jura app available which links your phone to your machine for remote activation – so your hot coffee is ready for you when your feet hit the bedroom floor.

Comes in a smart looking black, red, white and aluminium.

iJura ENA 8 Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine, Black £975, John Lewis

Better Lighting

The desk lamp gets an upgrade with the Groov-e Apollo. Not only can it reduce eye strain but it is flexible lamp with three LED light modes, features wireless charging and it plays music!

You can connect via Bluetooth to hear work tunes using its 3W speaker. USB powered, users can take the Apollo and plug in wherever they are working.

LED Lamp with Wireless Charger and Bluetooth Speaker, £29.99, Groov-e

Standing Tall

Sitting down all day is good for no one. You can turn your tabletop into a standing desk with this easy adjustable desktop that moves straight up and down for more stability with no sway, tip or height-drop—even as you lean on it.

It arrives fully assembled—bonus! – just place it on your tabletop, and you’re ready to go.

Adjusts between sitting and standing with hand-brake levers and has a nice, stable platform with a solid metal design.

Ergotron Desktop WorkStation, £322.98 Amazon

No Tech Neck

Neck pain from looking down on a screen is a real pain and one of the hazards of working from home.

Having a good laptop stand will make working instantly more comfortable and healthier. Stylish with an improved ergonomic design, the Curve means users no longer have to hunch over and tilt their heads downwards towards a screen. They can elevate their laptop to a more comfortable height, relieving neck and shoulder strain in the process.

Twelve South Curve, £49.99, Amazon

Watch Your Back

How about an office chair that actually looks good in your living room?

This beauty provides great lumbar support, looks great in any lounge and the smooth castors are perfect for zipping over to the kitchen kettle for your tea break.

Kin Tub Chair with Swivel Base, £410.20, DBI Furniture

Electric Desk

A desk that allows you to change its height – whether you are moving it lower for typing while seated or higher if you want to stand or just hover near your laptop, this adjustable, electric desk is a great find.

Comes in a range of sizes and colours.

Height Adjustable Electric Desk, £533, DBI Furniture

Plug Bug

Perfect when you are working next to one single outlet and need to multi-task, the PlugBug Duo from Twelve South lets you keep USB-powered devices charged as well as two USB ports on a MacBook Power adapter, letting you charge three devices at once.

Twelve South PlugBug Duo, £49.99, Amazon

Charge Me Up

Unlike most 3 in 1 wireless chargers that look like giant spaceship launch pads, this one takes things vertical – with a minimal footprint, it still can charge 3 devices at once – phone, AirPods/AirPods Pro and Apple Watch.

There is a little lip on the front which doubles as a perfect stand for watching videos or making video calls during your charge.

STM Charge Tree, £69.95, Amazon

Blue Light Protector

Researched and developed by Optometrists in the UK, these medically rated screen protectors filter out blue light, protect eyes and help with sleep.

Clear view, anti-glare coating and anti-bacterial a bonus.

Anti blue light screen protector for laptops, monitors and PCs £29.99 – £79.99 Ocushield

Keeping It Clean

There has never been more reason to keep your workspace germ free.

This fragranced sanitiser surface spray (which contains 65% alcohol), is great to have to hand at your desk to keep things clean and it also brings a lovely citrussy whiff of grapefruit and verbena to your home office.

Surface Spray Sanitiser, £3, Wax Lyrical

First-Class Computing

If you have thus far managed to resist the lure of the Mac, this one is hailed by many as the ‘best Windows laptop around.’ The Dell XPS 13 is easy compact and light (just 1.27kg) but also packs a punch.

Its edge-to-edge keyboard (when you open it’s all screen that you’re looking at) is great for wading through emails and the keys are wonderful for clean, easy typing. The combination of a 10th-gen Intel i7 processor, 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD also mean you are never going to struggle for power or storage.

Available in either a HD or 4K resolution, text is clear and easy to read, and colours are vibrant.

XPS 13 2-in-1 Laptop £1,399, Dell

Buy the Book

An ultra lightweight laptop with 10 hour battery life, the SUS Vivobook is great for when you’re on the move and looking for a reliable basic that gets the job done.

A wonderfully clear HD display, this affordable, streamlined model comes with a bonus 1-year subscription to Microsoft 365 AND with 1TB Cloud Storage.

Asus E203 11.6″ Laptop, £199, Ao.com

Power Printer

The 4-in-1 design on this Epson printer means that it will print, scan, fax and photocopy all your important documents from the same machine.

By sending tasks straight from your phone or email, you can run off your weekly calendar before you’ve even jumped out of bed. Plus, this model comes with refillable colour tanks instead of cartridges, so not only is it a lot better for the environment, but it’s a lot lighter on your wallet too. And the WiFi Direct lets you send jobs without connecting to a router.

Epson EcoTank ET-4700. £249, Ao.com

Keeping Your Cool

We actually need to spend a bit of time on this one because working at home usually means a lack of the kind of cooling systems/aircons that modern offices offer. Here are some ideas to help keep you cool at home.

Small But Mighty

Stylish looking AND effective, with a small footprint, this scandi looking fan has round round edge blades for increased air flow, and an adjustable tilt.

Surprisingly quiet and powerful, the 4 rounded edge blades are designed to mimic aerofoil design on plane wings, so it gets the job done.

Russell Hobbs RHMDF1201WDB Desk Fan, 45 W, Black with Wood Effect Trim, £46.99 Amazon

Smart Fan

The AirGo smart fan, the first of its kind, is packed full of fun features. First of all, you can can set the fan to a schedule to cool the room before you need it, and using an app, you can make it automatically turn based on the temperature of the room!

You can choose between 3 modes, one of which mimics nature’s air flow to ensure a controlled and calming breeze, giving you a feeling of sitting outdoors and its noise reduction technology makes it one of the quietest fans on the market.

AirGo Smart Fan, £109.99, GeoSmartPro

The Big Guns

This portable a/c is designed to make a large room cool while still remaining quiet. No loud blowing here! The fitted castors mean you can move it from room to room too – so it can work in a home office and also keep you cool at night.

Fitted with 3 adjustable fan speeds, and an oscillating function, you can control the speed and direction of air low

This product also comes with a free one year manufacturer guarantee. A free second year guarantee is available upon registering your product.

Russell Hobbs Portable Air Conditioner, £299.99 Amazon

A Nice Cold One

Working out in the garden just got better with this waterproof cooler bag.

Ice lasts up to 72 hours, it’s watertight, durable and unsupported self-standing. The food grade BPA-free lining is free from toxins and easy to clean.

Waterproof Cooler Bag, £159.99, Red Original

Tumble For Ya

For those who need a cold one while they work, this cute tumbler is deskside-ideal because it won’t leave that annoying puddle of condensation that others do.

Beautifully keeps your bevvie cold or hot – whichever one you are going for – no matter how distracted you get by zoom calls or childcare.

Bonus: Ohelo’s products are designed in UK and 5% of profits go towards sustainable charities. Packaging is 100% plastic free and their distribution centre is 100% powered by renewable energy.

Tumbler, £29, Ohelo

Silence is Golden

If your house is full children’s screams and television, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones is a must.

These wireless headphones not only produce impeccable sound quality, but are also really comfortable to wear for hours at a time with adjustable base, noise cancellation, and up to 24 hours of battery.

Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones £249.99, Skull Candy

Budding Beauties

Launched to celebrate Bob Marley’s 75th birthday just last February, these are the first sustainably-minded ANC true wireless earbuds.

Crafted from bamboo, natural wood fibre composite, silicone and IPX4 rated, these earbuds give crystal clear sound – great for any zooming you need to do.

They offer 7 hours battery, or 28 hours with the case.

Redemption ANC True Wireless Earbuds – RRP £179.99. House of Marley

Ear Plugs

Looking to boost focus and eliminate annoying background noise? You will love these Isolate 2 ear protectors.

Forget traditional ear plugs; these don’t make things sound like you’re underwater, they allow you to ‘turn down’ external noise.

These are the new version of the company’s original Isolates, with the 2020 model featuring six new aluminium colours and two titanium variants, as well as a brand-new ergonomic shape that makes for an easy, comfortable fit.

Isolate 2 PRO £49.99, Flare Audio

WFH Attire

Quality and affordable – these leggings are pretty much the ideal WFH ensemble.

Thick and non-see through, with a brushed cotton, they feel as comfortable as your pjs but far more work acceptable.

They sit high on the waist which means no love handles or underwear on show and the wide waistband makes them comfy without cutting in.

Everyday Leggings for Women, From £13.50, Love Leggings

WFH Support

Let’s be real here – no one wants to sit around in a wireless bra when they don’t have to.

These wirefree bras are beyond comfortable and offer great support for all shapes and sizes. This one, called ‘Eden’ billed as their ‘comfiest bra yet’ is the brand’s first organic cotton bra, and the debut style in their sustainable range.

Eden Organic cotton with front fastening zip, £34, Royce Lingerie

Control Yourself

Pandemics are high on the list for stress eaters and many of us have used our time in lockdown to walk less and eat more – and are now paying the price.

If you work better when EVERYTHING feels under control – these commando leggings are a must. They have an internal waistband which smooths, flattens and flatters as well as a firming fabric that doesn’t bag or sag.

They really do make you look smoothed out.

Commando Control Leggings, £80, Luxury Legs

Light as Air

The absolute best part about working from home? The comfortable footwear.

Famous on Instagram already – Air & Grace make trainers that are known for their comfort but also rate high on any scale of fabulousness. They have luxurious leather uppers and full leather linings, with the brand’s patented Tender Loving Air technology hidden inside. It’s made from the same high performance materials used by top sports brands.

These white and navy glitter trainers strike just the right note.

Copeland White & Navy Glitter Trainers, £159, Air and Grace

How to mark the end of the work day in style….

Sunshine Tipples

Premium Italian gin brand Malfy is inspired by the Amalfi Coast – a place most of us would love to be right now. So why not be transported via cocktail?

The Pink Grapefruit one is a standout. Distilled from fresh Sicilian pink grapefruit, Italian lemons, juniper and other botanicals, it has a refreshing and zesty fruity feel, with citrus and rhubarb coming through.

Malfy Gin Rosa Pink Grapefruit Italian Gin, £26.49, Amazon

Happy Hour

This sparkling peach Bellini cocktail in a can is the perfect treat for another hard one day at the home office.

Crisp and elegant, the taste is pure heaven. Part of the brand’s new range of canned cocktails, flavours include Passion Fruit Martini, Strawberry Daiquiri, Espresso Martini, Pink Gin Fizz, Amaretto Sour and Piña Colada.

Funkin’s Peach Bellini Sparkling Cocktail, £2.29, Funkin Cocktails, and Sainsbury’s

Rejuvenate

H30 Hydration from British supplement brand Rejuvenated provides the body with vital minerals and ions for the ultimate pick-me-up when you’re feeling sluggish after a long day.

Ionic electrolytes optimise cellular metabolism and promotes healthy glowing skin from the inside out. The addition of electrolytes make it an excellent hangover cure too!

H30 Hydration, £24.95, Rejuvenated

Booster Shots

100% natural and vegan friendly, these pocket shots are a great end of day pick-me-up.

Offering a healthy, sugar/caffeine free alternative they are made by James White Drinks on their farm in Suffolk –and include freshly pressed fruit juices and spices such as crushed root ginger or turmeric.

Flavours include: Organic Ginger, Extra Hot Ginger, Turmeric, and Lime & Chilli.

James White Zinger, £1.49, Available at Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barrett, Waitrose and Zinger Shots

Stress Buster Supplement

New from holistic expert Dr. David Jack, and in line with holistic thinking on the benefits of certain mushrooms, nootropics and adaptogens, Relax is a blend of 17 ingredients each chosen for their relaxing and mood boosting effects.

Taken as an evening drink, it comes as a naturally flavoured powder that is mixed with hot water to create a hot chocolate-salted caramel tasting drink that combines adaptogens, (used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine) to regulate the effects of stressors on the body and improve attention levels.

Relax, £59, Dr David Jack

Rescue Mask

Why not multi-task while you’re working on a spreadsheet? Clear up congested skin and brighten a dull complexion while you toil in Excel with the Eve Lom Rescue Mask.

A multi-award-winning product, it helps blotchiness, breakouts, fatigue and morning-after puffiness. Smells heavenly, does not dry the skin but absorbs excess oil and balances the complexion. Afterwards, skin looks radiant – and it doesn’t drip onto your laptop while on.

Eve Lom Rescue Mask, £55, Space NK

Send Cheer

I mean, you’re home to receive parcels right now – why not send yourself a treat? Or if you’re feeling generous, send to a friend.

The Relax Hamper from Meg Rivers Bakers is filled with a delicious Clementine & Almond cake, along with thoughtful treats designed to soothe even the most exhausted.

Along with a mouth-watering cake and teas is a self-care book and scented therapy balms, (‘Be Happy’ and ‘Sleep Well’) with an inspirational message of your choice.

Their Relax Hamper is available for £40, £5 of which is donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust, bringing ‘HOPE’ to young people living with cancer.

Relax Hamper, £40, Meg Rivers Bakers

Reset and Refresh

When you need a pick me up (that is NOT food related) try this powerful blend of essential oils that is beloved by beauty editors and celebrities everywhere.

Oliverum’s Body Oil is a rich, nourishing therapeutic oil which absorbs quickly and is sublimely aromatic – with over 30 essential and cold-pressed botanical oils.

Nourish parched, dry, continually-washed-hands and then cup hands over my mouth and breathe in the aroma for a quick, relaxing and invigorating boost to help stay focussed!

Oliverum Body Oil, £40, Oliverum

And finally… Be kind to yourself

Life coach and Hypnotherapist Malminder Gill lists her 5 top tips for mentally surviving WFH this summer:

Create the right environment. Research shows the top performers are the ones that have personal space, privacy and control over their environment. Work spaces should be comfortable and distraction free.

Signal the end of your working day. Do something that signifies the end of your working day to help you to switch off mentally, whether it’s having a glass of wine, going for a walk, calling a friend.

Share your calendar with your household. Not only does this ensure privacy and respect – but it means there is less chance of a zoom fail!

Go out. Go outside in the morning or make a coffee to take with you on a walk – it’s good to start the day with some fresh air and stretch of the legs.

Switch it up! Switch up your routine. If life becomes mundane then it will be difficult to stay motivated and spark creativity! Change your walk route, your lunches, your exercise… anything you can.

When fit and healthy Adam Gray, 33, visited the doctor in July last year with a stomach ache, he never imagined he would be diagnosed with incurable cancer.

The dad-to-be had just tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart Christine, who was also pregnant with their first daughter Amelie, now nine months old.

His perfect life was ‘turned upside down’ in the space of 48 hours as he was given the devastating news that he had just six months to a year left to live.

The family is now raising funds to get specialist treatment in Germany in the hopes of prolonging his life, as well as funding crucial research in search of a cure.

Adam, originally from York, North Yorkshire, said: ‘At the end of 2018 we’d just been on our honeymoon in South Africa – I felt like I was on top of the world.

‘We were about to welcome our first daughter into the world. I just got a new job in London and I felt great.

‘Then it felt like my world just came crashing down out of nowhere.

‘I was a young and fit man, I cycled to work each morning for nine miles and played football each weekend.

‘In the space of two days my entire life was flipped upside down.’

When Adam initially went to the doctor with stomach pain, he was almost sent home. Then tests and an ultrasound revealed that Adam had pancreatic cancer – known as the silent killer due to its lack of observable symptoms – which had spread through his liver, lungs, and lymph nodes.

Adam was told his endocrine tumours had been spreading aggressively throughout his body for at least two years.

Adam, a lawyer currently based in London, said: ‘I remember the doctor told me not to Google pancreatic cancer – and they were right.

‘The first year prospects were not good.

‘On the first day, they said I was completely fine. I even worked from my bed throughout the day.

‘But after the ultrasound the found the tumours. They had spread all over.’

By the time Adam felt anything wrong with his body it was already too late.

Adam spent 10 and a half months on chemotherapy, undergoing 12 cycles, but the tumours didn’t stop growing.

The treatment left Adam in excruciating pain and unable to sleep – but says despite all this, witnessing the birth of his daughter midway through treatment was still the happiest moment of his life.

Adam and his wife and newborn have been shielding since lockdown and keeping spirits up by enjoying each day together.

‘I’ve got my beautiful bundle of joy and I think this has all changed my perspective on life,’ Adam said.

‘I was very work and fitness oriented – but family is my only focus now.

‘They’re my everything.

‘I don’t want to leave them behind. I want to live in the present and cherish every moment with them.’

On Thursday 9 July, Adam will be undertaking the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise £5,000 for Royal Free Charity along with his brother, Simon.

Adam said: ‘I desperately want to raise awareness about this cancer because it affects a lot of people and we just don’t have the funding necessary.

‘I was completely healthy and never once thought I could be sick.

‘If we can get additional funding and research we can spot it earlier and save lives.

‘If we can help one person have a better life and save a single life that would be worth it.’

If you’d like to donate towards Adam’s cause and help to fund his treatment, you can do so through JustGiving.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE: Bride runs charity 5K in wedding dress to mark cancelled big day

MORE: Macmillan teams up with Snapfish to create greetings cards for people with cancer

MORE: Couple marry at midnight in one of first weddings as lockdown is lifted

We know that life amid the coronavirus pandemic could have a ‘devastating impact’ on the nation’s mental health, leaving us anxious about leaving the house, overwhelmingly stressed by crashing job markets and the economy, and isolated thanks to lockdown measures.

Now a new study examines who has been hit the hardest by feelings of loneliness and poor mental health in lockdown – and it turns out that it’s single men who are struggling alone.

New research from eharmony and Relate hasd found that four in ten single people have felt lonely during lockdown, with men more likely than women to say they’re struggling to be alone (45% versus 35%).

The survey of 2,000 UK adults also found that men reported a slightly higher prevalence of mental health struggles during isolation.

The ways we hope to tackle these feelings of loneliness differ between genders.

Men seem keen to stick a plaster on mental health issues by finding someone to date ‘as soon as possible’ post-lockdown, with a fifth saying they feel like they need to rush back into dating to tackle feeling lonely versus only 8% of women.

Eharmony relationship expert Rachael Lloyd urges men and all singletons to exercise caution before rushing into a new relationship as lockdown lifts.

‘Typically, men are less open with their feelings, and less likely to lean on friends and family for emotional support,’ says Rachael.

‘But, in quite a few cases, they crave romantic intimacy even more than women, as evidenced by our new report with Relate.

‘However, for the one in five men now eager to pursue new relationships, I’d think carefully about the type of person you wish to attract.

‘If you’re looking for a happy, long-lasting relationship, you ideally need to find someone who shares your core values and has a high degree of compatibility. In parallel, make sure you reconnect with family and friends so that when you do find the right person, you bring more balance to the relationship.’

It’s worth noting that being coupled up doesn’t magically fix mental health issues – you can still feel lonely and miserable while you’re in a relationship, so it’s important not to think of dating as an easy remedy for feeling down.

One silver lining of isolation is that it has given some singles time to reflect – with over a quarter (29%) realising that they’re actually happier on their own.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE: Lockdown has made me face up to the fact I have no friends

MORE: Lonely locked-down nursing home residents make touching appeal for pen pals

MORE: Pregnant women and new mums hardest hit with anxiety and loneliness in lockdown

Like any mother, Emma Colverd wants the best for her daughter, Grace. And Emma believes that Grace’s learning disabilities should never hold her back.

Emma was delighted when Grace was able to join a basketball programme in New York for young people with learning disabilities – something that had previously been out of bounds for her. But when they returned to London in 2016 Emma found there was little available to help her Grace continue her passion and to stay active and socialise.

So, Emma set up her own inclusive sports club to help Grace, and other children like her – the Safe Haven Basketball Club. 

‘Fitness is a very important part of my life,’ Emma tells Metro.co.uk.

‘I first got into doing classes at the gym after having my second child. Doing classes alongside a lot of other people encourages me and keeps me motivated, and I have made friends and felt better mentally whenever I am regularly involved in doing classes, whether it is step, or yoga, or pilates.’

Emma also loves playing tennis with her husband and three kids – all three of her children love sports, and Emma wanted to make sure sport could continue to be a part of Grace’s live, regardless of her disabilities. 

Disabled children and young people are twice as likely to be lonely, compared to their non-disabled peers and only a quarter of disabled children regularly take part in sport and activity at school.

With Safe Haven Basketball, Emma wanted to make sure that marginalised young people can experience the health and social benefits of sport, as they are so often excluded from mainstream activities.

‘Of course there have been hard parts of bringing up Grace,’ says Emma. ‘I used to call it “combat parenting” because there were so many times when we had to fight to get her what she needed to be able to flourish, to be her voice.  

‘But really, Grace has been a gift to our family. She is the most overwhelmingly loving and positive presence, getting pleasure out of everything that life offers and often really surprising us with her abilities and her insights.  

‘Seeing all my children grow up has been delightful, and Grace is no exception – we are so proud of all she has achieved.’

Starting the inclusive club for Grace has been Emma’s way of showing her appreciation for the love and happiness that her daughter has brought to her life. She also wants Grace to have every opportunity that other children have.

‘Grace absolutely loves all sports, and basketball in particular,’ explains Emma. ‘Sport gives her confidence, fitness and positive experiences.

‘It is a shared activity, which requires awareness of other people and helps to develop this awareness, at the same time as having clearly defined rules and boundaries, so that everyone can be sociable even if this is not their particular skill.

‘I want Grace to have exactly the same opportunities as kids without learning disabilities do – it seems completely normal to me that there should be sport available at all levels.’

Emma’s club is supported by sport inclusion charity Access Sport, through their disability inclusion programme – which so far has engaged more than 10,000 disabled young people and up-skilled over 800 new disability inclusive coaches and volunteers. Safe Haven Basketball now has clubs in Westminster, Hackney and Southwark. 

‘Belonging to a club brings friendships, common experiences and interests within a structured environment which is why so many people love belonging to sports clubs. Grace is no different,’ says Emma. 

‘She loves the fitness aspect, she is competitive and loves it when she scores, she enjoys the success of her team, or the bonding that happens when things don’t go according to plan.  

‘It gives her a community, one which stretches from Madison Square Garden (where she has actually played) to our local sessions. She is a fan and a player.’

Emma set the club up when her family returned from a two-year stint in New York. She secured some funding from Basketball England, found a coach and a sports hall and started classes with the help of a teacher at her daughter’s college.

‘We have grown ever since, mostly by word of mouth,’ says Emma. ‘Our sports club is for any young person with learning disabilities aged between 14 and 25 who wants to be play basketball and be part of a club. We work with volunteers and a L2 professional coach at all sessions.’

Emma’s hope is to provide opportunities to play basketball, be part of a team and a club, to take part in competitions, regionally and nationally.

‘We aim to be completely inclusive of all levels of ability, and to provide continuity and community to the players, to reinforce existing friendships, and to help to forge new friendships,’ adds Emma.  

‘School leavers often find their participation opportunities in sport dropping away, and we seek to redress this, and to give our players a lifelong love of basketball, and the tools to continue to play throughout their lives.  

‘We also aim to develop leadership skills and opportunities within the sport. Our volunteers come from many different sources, and we widen their horizons of what is possible through sport, while at the same time widening the experiences of our members.’

Emma is so passionate about sport being accessible for people like Grace because the list of benefits that comes with being active is just so long.

‘I think the main thing is confidence and a sense of belonging,’ says Emma. ‘Physical exercise is also a really important part of this, and we have high expectations, which build positive experiences for both our players and their families.  

‘I would say that the improvement in mental health is as strong as the improvement in physical well-being – that are interrelated. And friendships have been formed so that, for example, during lockdown, there has been reduced isolation and a sense of mutual support.’

And Emma says these positive effects have rippled out to the families of her club members too, so the benefits are truly wide-reaching.

‘People with learning disabilities are people and just like any other person, sport benefits them too,’ says Emma.

‘Adaptations do not need to be costly or difficult – it is really about having a ‘can do’ attitude, high expectations and community values. I cannot see any reason to argue that sport should not be accessible to everyone.’

Are you a woman who is defining what it means to be strong? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

MORE: Strong Women: Postnatal depression destroyed my confidence, I had to fight to win it back

MORE: Strong Women: Body standards are dictated by white people – women of colour need to take up space in fitness

MORE: Strong Women: At first I was terrified – but wild swimming makes me feel complete

It’s unlikely you’ve ever looked at your local train station and thought: ‘I’d like to live there’.

But if this property is anything to go by, perhaps we should all be giving train stations a try.

A cottage converted from a Victorian train station in Tavistock, west Devon, has gone on sale for £275,000.

It’s pretty dreamy, with a courtyard on what used to be the platform.

Known as The Ticketing Hall, the two-bedroom terraced home is one of four cottages that make up the Grad II-listed former station.

It might be stating the obvious, but the ex-station still very much looks like a train station from the outside, and still has original and unusual features on the inside that give away the property’s former life, including a canopied entrance way and tall ceilings in the sitting room.

The current owners are a married couple who bought Tavistock North Railway Station in 2007 and spent 10 months transforming the rundown building into four different cottages: The Porter’s Office, The Ticketing Hall, The Refreshment Hall, and The Station Master’s House.

The owners live in The Station Master’s House, of course, and for ten years rented out the other three as holiday homes before selling off The Porter’s Office and The Refreshment Hall.

Now they’re planning to permanently sell the final holiday cottage, The Ticketing Hall, with a guide price of £275,000.

Owner Colin Rogers said: ‘In 2007 my wife and I were living in Hampshire but within two weeks of buying the old railway station we fell in love with Tavistock.

‘The view across the town to Dartmoor is incredible.’

Tavistock North Railway Station was opened in 1890 and remained in operation for almost 80 years, closing in 1968.

It is built of granite from the local Merrivale Quarry with brickwork detailing sourced from Gunnislake in East Cornwall.

The slate for the roof came from Mill Hill, a quarry just outside Tavistock, and all the ironwork was made in what was Tavistock Foundry.

Colin said: ‘The London and South Western Railway stations always used as much local material as possible.

‘The Victorians were incredible for detail but they used to apply a lot of ornamentation to things where it wasn’t strictly necessary to make them look good, and even the railway stations were done like that.’

The couple’s renovation work has turned what was once a derelict space into a stylish cottage.

Inside there’s a bathroom with a claw-foot bathtub and a wet room style shower, a snazzy kitchen with solid timber work surfaces, and vaulted ceilings and exposed roof timbers throughout.

Go upstairs and you’ll find two bedrooms, one of which with an en-suite shower room.

Vikki Bennett, spokesperson for OnTheMarket, said: ‘This conversion has retained some of the station’s best features at the heart of the property.

‘This makes for an interesting but comfortable home which would make any rail enthusiast proud to live in it.’

Ben Palmer, Residential Sales Valuer for Stags in Tavistock, said: ‘I have lived in and around Tavistock for more than 25 years and worked as an estate agent in the area since 2004 so I know it very well.

‘In all that time, The Ticketing Hall is one of the loveliest properties I’ve come across and it’s been finished to an incredible standard.

‘It will make a beautiful home for whoever decides to take it on.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE: Gran transforms 19th century chapel into dream home using skills taught by late husband

MORE: Everything you need to know about where and how to find a rundown property to buy

MORE: A bad bathroom could devalue your property by up to £20,000

Imagine having your own dressing room. An entire room dedicated to clothes, shoes and makeup – and everything organised and coordinated neatly.

But for most people, finding the space is a barrier, and the cost of converting a room would be off-putting. But one savvy woman managed to transform her spare room into the most enviable dressing room, all for just £300.

Monika Bacanskaite, from Bridgwater, Somerset, had always dreamed of having a beautifully girly dressing and beauty room – so she made her own on a strict budget.

When the 22-year-old moved into a new home with two spare rooms, she set about transforming a dark and dull bedroom into a stunning, light-filled beauty room. 

‘I have always dreamt about having my own dressing and beauty room – probably most girls dream about it so I wasn’t an exception really,’ the mum of one told LatestDeals.co.uk.

‘First of all I needed a spare room, so luckily when we moved into our new family home there were two spare rooms, so of course one of them was definitely meant to be my dressing room.

‘This room was painted in dark navy and red colours, so, first of all, I had to do three coats of paint to cover it all.’ 

The painting took Monika a couple of days. She didn’t have loads of time as she is also a mum and was juggling parenting responsibilities. Luckily, her partner chipped in to help.

‘The colour I chose to paint it in was white as I just love light colours: it gives me a clean feeling and everything goes with it in my opinion,’ she says.

‘Once the painting works were done I was able to start organising where everything would be.

‘I was so excited as I knew that I would be able to display my collections of makeup, so they weren’t kept in drawers anymore and anyone who comes around could have a little look, and mostly I would be admiring them just seeing all laid out.’

Because of lockdown, Monika couldn’t visit any shops to pick out her furniture, so she opted for online shopping and found lots of things on sites like Amazon.

‘I started ordering bits that I thought would be useful, like wardrobe rails, hangers, shelves and so on,’ says Monika.

‘I already had two Argos bookcases that were the perfect size for displaying my makeup, so I was thinking about how to connect them together to make it into one walk-in wardrobe piece. 

‘I didn’t want to spend hundreds of pounds on IKEA walk-in wardrobes, so I thought I would build my own one. 

‘I bought a wardrobe rail from Amazon and connected with it these two bookcases, so that made a perfect place to hang my jackets and a whole unit became stable!  

‘I had to drill the rail into the sides of the bookcases. I added an Argos cube storage unit in the middle of these two bookcases. I store my shoes here, and it fits just perfectly.’

The last thing she added was a shelf on the top of the bookcases to make them come together as one piece, and she says they turned out great.

‘I purchased some stick-on LED lights off Amazon to stick them to the top of the bookcase shelves, so now the items I display there are looking even better. I am really happy how it turned out,’ she adds. 

Next, Monika decided to update her basic dressing table. She had the idea to make some small shelves to surround her mirror, and a large shelf on top.

‘We had an old bathroom cabinet that I actually took apart to make these little shelves around my mirror. I painted them and it made great shelves so nothing was going to waste,’ she says.

‘The large shelf on the top of my mirror was from our TV unit. We didn’t use it, so I took this shelf and added it there. These shelves made even more displaying space for my items.

‘The stools for my dressing table I bought from The Range and they were perfect – just what I wanted. I fitted another wardrobe rail in between the bookcase and wall to have a place to hang my knee-high boots and handbags.’ 

To create the hangers she used clothes pins from Amazon.

‘In the end, I would roughly say I spent a maximum of £250 to £300, but that’s including the rug, dressing table, mirrors and storage units.’

Monika is delighted with how her stunning dressing room has turned out, and says the project kept her busy during the lockdown. 

‘I didn’t really expect it to look this good. To be fair, since staying all day at home with a baby while my partner is at work and with no one visiting us I did get bored,’ she explains.

‘I needed at least a small break where I could just use my imagination and create, so decorating this room kept me entertained and I did really enjoy all the process, and it was so satisfying.

‘Once my family started complimenting my room, I felt so proud of what I had done, and I appreciate all the nice words everyone says.

‘It’s just my own little place where I can do whatever I want, especially since being a makeup artist I love having all my products laid out so I get inspired by seeing them on what look I want to create next.’

Do you have a DIY story to share? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

MORE: Strong Women: My disabled daughter has a right to play sport – so I created my own club

MORE: Single men ‘hit hardest’ by loneliness and mental health issues in lockdown

MORE: The BAME debate: Why terminology matters when we’re talking about race

Before lockdown, the dating world was our oyster. We could change our location settings to meet people from across the world safe in the knowledge that, when we wanted to meet in person, they were just a train or plane ride away.

When the pandemic hit, though, things changed completely.

Public transport was a no-no. We couldn’t go to stay round people’s houses, and were forced to instead meet up in local parks, staying two metres away from dates.

For some, this has strengthened long-distance relationships, showing them that they can keep a spark going without physical interaction.

But a new dating trend – dubbed locdating – sees some people going in the exact opposite direction, instead changing their location settings to include a much smaller local pool of people.

A study by dating app Bumble found that 25% of users are refusing to leave their local area in order to date, with 48% more inclined to look locally than before lockdown.

Those who are locdating on the app are reducing their settings to as little as a mile radius, giving them the option to walk or cycle to dates rather than having to trek on the tube or get a bus.

It’s something of a step back to a more traditional form of dating, whereby location was a major factor on who caught your eye.

In 1932, one in eight of 5,000 married couples in Philadelphia, US, surveyed lived in the same building. Over the decades, we’ve focused more on the ‘perfect’ partner, using technology to increase choice on the hunt for love.

Research has suggested that, in some cases, this level of choice is actually detrimental, leaving us afraid of ‘settling’ in case this perfect unicorn-person comes along later on.

Perhaps with locdating we can switch off from the feeling of unlimited options, instead getting to know people more deeply rather than swiping left at the first perceived incompatibility.

It won’t work for everyone, and of course we’ll still need to have our dealbreakers and boundaries.

But, given that Bumble also found that more than half (55%) of people using their app are seeking more meaningful relationships after experiencing loneliness during lockdown, locdating could be just the start of a more holistic view to finding love.

Do you haver a story you’d like to share?

Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

MORE: Cottage converted from Victorian train station with a courtyard on the platform goes on sale for £275,000

MORE: Strong Women: My disabled daughter has a right to play sport – so I created my own club

It’s an image to instill deep fear into the hearts of anyone who doesn’t plan to have children: a newborn baby clutching the IUD that failed to stop their mum getting pregnant.

The photo shows a baby boy clutching what reports claim is his mum’s copper coil after his birth at Hai Phong International Hospital, in the city of Hai Phong in northern Vietnam.

VN Express reports that the boy’s 34-year-old mother, who has two other children, had the contraceptive coil inserted two years ago.

Contrary to what you might have seen spread on social media, the baby doesn’t appear to have yanked the coil out – instead the IUD came out at the same time as the baby, who then held the coil as the obstetrician took photos.

Obstetrician Tran Viet Phuong said that the IUD may have failed to prevent pregnancy if it had shifted from its original position, adding: ‘After delivery, I thought him holding the device was interesting, so I took a picture. I never thought it would receive so much attention.’

Thankfully despite being unplanned, the baby arrived healthy, weighing 7lbs. He remains under observation with his mum.

Images of the baby spread rapidly online, with many claiming that the baby was born holding the IUD – which isn’t true.

That claim is a similarly terrifying urban legend to one that spread back in 2017, when, again, photos were shared of a baby holding the intrauterine device that failed to prevent pregnancy.

Again, in this instance it was claimed across social media that the baby had been born holding the coil – as a result of people misinterpreting the mum’s caption she posted alongside the photos of her ‘mirena fail’ and spreading incorrect information through memes.

In actuality, the Mirena coil had moved to sit behind the placenta, and while it did emerge during a C-section, the baby was not born holding the contraceptive form.

While photos and stories such as these are likely to grab attention (and inspire horror), it’s important to note that in the majority of cases, contraceptive methods such as the copper coil are pretty effective.

The NHS states that when inserted correctly, the coil is more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

MORE: Mum still feels pain two years after 42-hour labour caused third-degree tear

MORE: 2020’s Best baby gifts for baby showers and new mums and dads

MORE: Man quit coke, ket and gambling to go hill walking and now he’s addicted

Most allergies are inconvenient but, on the whole, can be managed day-to-day. 

That’s a challenge for one family from Arizona, who have an unusual allergy that makes leaving the house extremely difficult.

Kylie Szafranski and her eldest daughter, River, suffer with a severe sunlight allergy, which means it’s practically impossible for them to leave the house without having a reaction.

The rare condition, known as Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP), means Kylie and River have to go to extreme lengths to protect themselves, such as UV protective clothing and getting special tinting for their cars windows.

The mum-of-five first noticed she suffered with the condition after using a tanning bed at the age of 16. Afterwards, she experienced extreme pain and parts of her skin blistered and fell off.

Kylie spotted River had inherited her condition as a baby, when she broke out in hives following sunscreen application and sun exposure.

The 29-year-old said: ‘When my daughter River was born, I had no idea she would have a sunlight allergy, too, because it’s so rare.

‘Someone put sunscreen on her when she was a baby, without asking us first. Then as soon as she got into the sun she swelled up, broke out in full body hives and it blew the capillaries in her skin.’

River is photosensitive, like Kylie, her but also has an allergy to sunscreen known as ‘allergic contact dermatitis.’

Kylie said: ‘Her allergy is even rarer, affecting less than 1 per cent of the population. It may involve a rash, itchy skin, swelling and blistering.

‘This is different from me because I am not allergic to sunscreen, though it doesn’t work for me which is not uncommon for people with EPP.’

The allergy is also known as the ‘vampire disease’ and is believed to be where the myth of vampires stemmed from centuries ago. This is because people who suffer with the condition avoid the sunlight and are usually very pale due to chronic anaemia.

Kylie’s family find humour in this vampire comparison and joke with their family and friends about it.

However, she has experienced abuse, too, with some people saying the sunlight allergy stems from her being ‘demonic.’

Kylie is determined not to let negative comments get her down and plans to explain to her daughter that their uniqueness sets them apart from others.

She adds: ‘People are crazy. I’ve been told I’m a child of Satan because evil things live in the dark.

‘I never let it get to me, I know people are crazy. It’s actually quite funny that people can think that way.

‘I always tell all my kids they’re special and beautiful. River is such a strong little girl and I know she will be just fine.

‘All I want to do is raise awareness and educate people about the reality of sun allergies because lots of people don’t think they even exist. The more education and awareness we can get out there the better.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

MORE: An orgasm allergy could leave you with anxiety and brain fog after sex

MORE: Boy’s ‘milk allergy’ was actually an incurable condition that makes him ‘forever three months old’

MORE: Mum makes breast milk soap that helps with her daughter’s eczema

If the weather presenter has a smile on their face, mine quickly drops. It means sunny, warm days and probably even more sweating from me than usual.

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive and abnormal perspiration, isn’t as simple as it sounds. While I sweated heavily as a child, I attributed it to being unfit. But it was at university when I first realised my body didn’t act like other people’s.

Walking to the library with friends, I felt like an anchor weighing them down with my purposefully shambling pace to avoid the worst of the sweating.

The signs of this curse are obvious. Beads of sweat on the brow coupled with an inkblot pattern of moisture tattooed on the back of my t-shirt. If it’s really hot, drops slowly slide down my leg.

This, brought on by walking alone – and it being too uncomfortable – spurred my decision to find answers. My GP soon confirmed my diagnosis and it was a relief to have a name for what was happening to me after so much self-doubt.

My condition makes me produce much more sweat than a ‘normal’ person – even in winter it doesn’t disappear. When others are shivering, I’m trapped in my coat of perspiration, unable to switch off the heat.

It starts at the slightest increase in temperature. Putting on layers, sitting near radiators and even walking to different rooms can activates it – the flood gates open and my clothes are ruined.

It’s not just a case of doubling up on deodorant and drowning in talcum powder. My sweating adds a layer of social anxiety that saps my confidence whenever I go out.

It sounds melodramatic, but when you’re just walking down the high street, out of breath and sun blaring on your neck, this experience can feel crippling.

I’ve seen and heard people’s sideward gazes and muffled comments. One person might point to show their companion the circus sideshow walking past them, soaked and tired.

On several occasions, people have shouted out at me to mock my waterlogged appearance.

‘Oi mate. you want a towel?’ one man once yelled from across the road. It’s not like I can slip into a wetsuit, however functional that might be.

It drains you, literally.

Returning from shopping or walking to a bus stop, and feeling the damp drips on my t-shirt, leaves a bleak impression on my mood. I feel dragged down by this helpless stain on my clothes and body. 

When I’ve visited gyms in the past, a quick few minutes on the treadmill leaves me and my clothes looking more like I’m running in a washing machine. It takes a lot of strength to ignore the cascading drops in front of me, as I try desperately to keep going.

I can’t help but assume the much fitter, more determined athletes notice my drowned rat impersonation, which leaves me feeling even more exposed and yearning to leave and never return. 

Hyperhidrosis can affect a single area such as the feet or armpits, or in my case it can be much more widespread. For those who have the problem in one spot, treatment is more realistic: botox injections or electric therapy to rattle the sweat glands.

But it’s a bit difficult to treat the condition when every part of your body is affected like mine. I wouldn’t expect a doctor to sit there for hours, slowly zapping every bit of skin or injecting goo into it.

Teachers would often enjoy pointing out my lateness or wet appearance to the class

The advice from dermatologists and doctors for us sweatboxes is painfully generic and condescending. From simply being told to wear loose fitting clothes to trying leather shoes and absorbent socks, it’s unrealistic and pretty unhelpful.

So, what can I do? It sounds like I’m forever swimming in my own pool. When the advice is so obvious and treatments so unreasonable, it leaves me stranded.

I’m worried for young people especially. The pressures to look ‘normal’ are difficult to ignore when you’ve got hyperhidrosis. It’s not a case of ignoring playground banter and hoping it goes away. 

It’s a grim, torrid reality.

Though I wasn’t a sporty kid, returning from some torturous PE lesson to the changing rooms was an ordeal. It was worse if you had a regular lesson straight after.

Teachers would often enjoy pointing out my lateness or wet appearance to the class, only building up my self-hate further. School breeds these anxieties, sowing the seeds of future failures. 

Sex isn’t great either. It’s much less romantic when you need to towel down at halftime. No cuddling afterwards. Not unless you want to wake up in your own pond. Foreplay becomes the main course when you’ve already drenched your duvet.

It’s made the idea of romance seem impossible. Why would anyone want to be with a guy who can’t hold hands or hug?

Sweaty people are the subject of ridicule. We’re an easy target, glistening in the sunshine. 

But here’s the thing: everybody sweats. Some more than others, some less. Everyone’s body is different, reacting to the world around it. Mine just happens to react more fluidly.

There’s nothing I can do to drastically change my sweating. Losing weight is the capital task but the stains will always be there, ready to fill my washing machine with every single day.

Body confidence is key for us all. We can learn to appreciate our sweaty, saggy bits and in turn see others’ as beautiful.

When you see someone like me in public suffering with sweat, think about what we’re feeling. It might look unattractive or gross to you – but don’t look at us like we’re hideous.

We’re only human. Sweaty, but human.

Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing james.besanvalle@metro.co.uk.

Share your views in the comments below.

MORE: The coronavirus lockdown is giving people with hyperhidrosis – excessive sweating – unexpected freedom

MORE: Prince Andrew says sex claims against him can’t be true as ‘he can’t sweat’

MORE: Mum who can’t sweat fears she could die inside ‘boiling’ flat

Gyms still aren’t open, and you’re probably running out of ideas for living room workouts at this point.

Adding a resistance band to your home gym equipment is a great way to give yourself an additional challenge, without needing to invest in expensive or bulky weights.

Resistance bands can enhance your warm-up stretches, intensify your workouts and help to build muscle and strength.

If you’re looking to work on the tone and strength in your legs and bum, Jeff Kloepping, an international fitness instructor, has created a bespoke workout that you can try at home. All you need is a looped band, and a small amount of floor space.

Try this to give your tired workout regime a lift, and reinvigorate yourself to stay active until the gyms reopen again.

Resistance band workout to tone your legs and glutes

Seven simple moves that you can try at home.

Side plank with a clamshell

Lie on your side with your knees slightly bent and prop yourself up on your left elbow, which should be in line with your shoulder.

Lift your hips as high as possible by pressing into your left forearm and keeping your abs engaged.

With a resistance band just above your knees, raise your top knee to open your thighs, then slowly lower your knee to complete the rep.

Do 10 reps on each side.

TIP: Hold each rep at the top for five seconds – this will really fire up both sides of your glutes.

Single leg hip thrusts

Lie on your back with one knee bent and your foot flat on the ground, and the other leg bent with your shin facing the ceiling.

Your resistance band should be attempting to pull your thighs together.

Bring your hips up, hold for two seconds, and then come back down to the starting position.

Do 10 reps before switching legs and repeating.

TIP: I have is with the elevated leg, bend the knee and pull up towards your chest to pinch the hip on that side. This will help activate the opposite glute.

Make sure to keep your ribs down, if you are having trouble with this put your chin on your chest.

Reverse lunges

Your resistance band should be wrapped around your shoulders, and held in place under your right foot.

Take a large step back with your left leg, bend both knees to create two 90-degree angles with your legs.

Return to a starting position to complete the rep.

Do 10 of these and then switch your resistance band to the other foot and repeat.

TIP: By placing your front foot on a small platform (1 or 2 inches) you will be able to increase the stretch in that glute.

Step-ups

Wrap your resistance band around your shoulders and keep the other end securely in place under your foot, which should be flat on the platform in front of you.

To test the height of the platform you should use, stand straight and lift your knee as high as you can with a flat back.

The step should be the height of your foot. Not any higher if you are using a resistance band.

Make sure to not just drop back down to the floor after you step up; lower yourself down slowly.

Do 10 reps, switch feet and repeat.

Side lunges

Wrap the resistance band around your shoulders, and the other end around the leg you will be stepping with. Keep a wide stance.

Bend your left leg whilst keeping your right leg straight.

Use the straight leg to push yourself back to your starting position and keep it straight throughout the entire movement.

Do this 10 times on either side.

TIP: Something to watch out for with side lunges is not to round your back.

Keep your back flat, stomach tight, and chest high.

Stiff leg deadlift

Stand on your resistance band, with your feet hip-width apart, and hold either end of the band in your hands.

Bend at the hips and keep your legs and back straight as you move your chest towards the floor, before straightening back up.

Repeat this 10 times.

TIP: Only go as far down with your torso as you can push your hips back.

Once your hips stop traveling backwards, initiate the movement to the original position by driving your hips forward.

Banded hip thrusts on a bench

Your resistance band should be wrapped around your belt line and held firmly against the ground by your feet.

Place your shoulder blades on a bench, then thrust your hips off the floor, driving through your heels.

Make sure your shins are perpendicular to the floor when at the top.

Lower yourself back down and repeat 10 times.

TIP: In order to isolate your glutes, only lower your hips as far as you can before your knee starts to travel backwards.

Do you have fitness tips to share? We want to hear from you.

Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

MORE: Strong Women: My disabled daughter has a right to play sport – so I created my own club

MORE: Woman transforms dingy bedroom into stunning dressing room for £250

MORE: Super-fit 73-year-old lifts weights and can do handstands

With hotels opening around the world, some people are still unsure about the human contact that comes with room service.

But a hotel in California has come up with a genius solution to ensure social distancing is carried out at all times.

Hotel Trio in Healdsburg, California, is home to a robotic butler which caters for the vino needs of guests.

Rosé the Robot does exactly what its name implies – delivers wine to rooms in a totally touch-free manner.

The handy contraption operates totally on its own, navigating hallways, entering lifts and finding rooms without any human interference. It simply alerts passers-by with the digital message which reads: ‘I’m on a guest delivery.’

There’s no doubt the wine is as good as it comes, too, as the town of Healdsburg and the larger Sonoma region are both known for their famous wineries.

Dry Creek Vineyard, Flanagan Winery and Francis Ford Coppola Winery are just a few that are located nearby.

But Rosé the Robot not only delivers wine. It can also carry snacks, extra towels, toiletries – or anything a visitor might need (within reason of course, he’s only a little fella).

As well as the robotic butler, the hotel is also implementing a number of measures to keep both customers and staff safe. Some of these include mandatory masks and sanitation procedures. 

In other travel news, the world’s first gold-plated hotel has opened in Vietnam, with 24-carat bathtubs and toilets.

The 25-storey five-star hotel officially opened last week after almost 11 years of construction. It boasts a gold lobby, gold-plated infinity pool, gold-tiled roof and golden lifts.

Do you have a travel story to share?

Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

MORE: Ship that used to act as a lighthouse is transformed into a floating hotel in Amsterdam

MORE: Aldi is giving away £1,000 worth of vouchers to Britain’s best DIY bar made in lockdown

MORE: Exotic frog travels 5,000 miles from Colombia to Wales in supermarket bananas

After what seems like an eternity spent in lockdown, it’s about time we looked at treating ourselves – and what better reward is there than an exotic holiday?

While foreign travel to some locations may still be on hold for this year, that shouldn’t stop us from dreaming to a time when, hopefully, we’ll be back to some sense of normality.

So, the next question is where should our first holiday be? To celebrate the return of travel in style, what we want is somewhere that defines paradise on earth; a place where pristine white beaches and lush, gorgeous tropical rainforests abound; a happy country bathed in sunshine all year – and, most importantly, a destination that is safe.

Not only that, but in the wake of the lockdown, where we’ve watched the natural world relish in environments where human impact has decreased, it would be refreshing to travel somewhere that has sustainability in mind, too, right?

Well, luckily, there is such a place: Costa Rica.

With a year-round perfect climate that averages temperatures in the high 20s, this diverse corner of the world, which borders both the gorgeous Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, is ready and waiting to provide the dream escape the second we’re allowed on a plane again. 

Not only that, but thanks to its nationwide Pura Vida Pledge, this beautiful country is going all out in effort to become emissions free and protect the incredible animals and plants that call this place home – and it’s something you can help with when you visit, as we’ll explain later.

The combination of idyllic weather and well-cared for environments makes the prospect of a beach holiday even during the winter months promising, but it’s not just our own vitamin D levels that all this sunshine benefits. Costa Rica is home to a staggering 6.5 per cent of all the world’s flora and fauna, who dwell in the country’s wealth of protected national parks and rainforests, something you’re quick to realise as you’re exploring this small country.

Pura vida, or pure, full life, embodies everything in Costa Rica

To scale, Costa Rica is roughly 2.5-times the size of Wales, so travelling about to see all the incredible natural sights it has to offer isn’t an arduous process. The region’s diverse landscapes offer a variety of microclimates which make it such a perfect place to immerse yourself in wildlife – exactly what the doctor ordered when you’ve been stuck in your home for months on end.

It’s testament to the positive impact the Pura Vida Pledge is already having. By promoting a green, low-emission economy, supporting sustainable tourist companies and introducing measures such as increasing rainforests to counteract years of deforestation, the wildlife in Costa Rica is thriving and excitingly diverse.

As a result, you’re guaranteed to spot a whole host of incredible creatures during your time here. Cheeky coatis, for example – a cute ring-tailed mammal that lives in the trees and is distantly related to the racoon – are curious animals who are normally on the prowl scavenging for food, so keep your wits about your packed lunch.

The national parks are the best places to dabble in some wildlife watching. Guanacaste province on the Pacific coast is an especially vibrant place to visit, with the Rincón de la Viega national park offering sights of everything from pumas and jaguars to armadillos.

However, between white-face capuchin monkeys, crocodiles and toucans, to two-toed sloths, iguanas and striking Halloween Moon Crabs, perhaps Costa Rica’s most famous resident has to be the scarlet macaw, who live among the almond trees on the country’s Pacific coast.

Putting the health of its environment at the centre of everything it does, Costa Rica is working towards a zero-emissions existence

Unfortunately, the birds are endangered, but there are enough of them remaining in what is now protected land that you’ll almost definitely see them at least once during your adventures. If you time your visit right, you may even be able to watch them partake in their ritual mating dance and display all the beautiful colours in their wings. And, if you sign up to the Pura Vida Pledge, you can help keep this amazing birds safe and happy in their natural habitat.

As you can see, being able to experience this variety of extraordinary creatures is helped enormously by the Costa Rican way of life, which they refer to as ‘pura vida’.

Pura vida, or pure, full life, embodies everything in Costa Rica. From the positive attitude of its residents, which has given the country its title as the world’s happiest, to its determinism for peace and tranquility, which saw it completely eradicate its army in 1948, this feel-good way of living has also been advantageous for the natural world here.

So beneficial is this ethos, that it earned Costa Rica the Champions of the Earth award last year, the UN’s highest environmental honour. Putting the health of its environment at the centre of everything it does, Costa Rica is working towards a zero-emissions existence, and it’s already made great strides in the right direction.

The Pura Vida Pledge is a call to everyone to give something back and think about their actions

From increasing its forests to over 50 per cent to combat years of deforestation, to ensuring that a staggering 95 per cent of its energy resources are renewable, the pura vida mentality has paid off, and everything from Costa Rica’s rainforests, animals, birds and oceans are flourishing. It’s an attitude we can all get on board with – particularly as, during the course of the pandemic, we’ve watched the earth begin to heal itself as we put our polluting lifestyles on pause. It’s a way of life that has inspired the Pura Vida Pledge.

This is a call to everyone to give something back and think about their actions during their time in this beautiful country. Booking accommodation with sustainable partners, carbon offsetting, and simply respecting the environment may all seem like small actions, but collectively they can have an enormous impact.

So, whether it’s to enjoy a much-needed escape from the restricted lives we’ve been living during the pandemic, or to experience a country leading the way in a better, more harmonious way of life, a trip to Costa Rica is certainly alluring. And, in choosing to holiday here, we can each do our bit to support this amazing way of life, too.

And, while you’re planning soaring through Costa Rica’s rainforest canopies on a zipwire, hiking up to see its magnificent volcanoes or coming face-to-face with its resident sea turtles, think about how your long anticipated vacation here could be doing a great deal of good – and not just for your tan.