Simply Woman & Home

MUSIC THERAPY FOR MENOPAUSE Whether you sing along to Adele when you’re feeling sad or listen to David Bowie for a nostalgia fix, we’re all familiar with the power of music for our wellbeing. But, did you know pressing Play on your favourite song can

On a sunny day there can surely be nothing more glorious than swimming outdoors, surrounded by blue sky and birdsong. ‘We’ve seen more and more people take to wild swimming – in rivers, lakes and the sea – since pools were closed during the pandemic,

It seems like every five minutes there’s a brand new fad or wellbeing trend to try. But, often, what’s best for the body and mind is to go back to basics with your daily self-care. In her new wellness manual, nutritional consultant MaryRuth Ghiyam re

In need of a little R&R? Lighting a scented candle might just be what the doctor ordered. From classic brands to newer modern fragrance trends, there’s a fragrance to suit every mood. It’s time to invest in some well-deserved self-care… Boy Smells It

How many times have you made a snap decision that you wish you could take back, or rushed into a commitment before realising that you should have taken a moment to pause and reflect on your options for that crucial bit longer? Many people strive to m

After presenting Loose Women for 13 years, Andrea decided to quit – in the midst of the pandemic. The mother of two left to launch This Girl is on Fire*, her female personal growth online site. Now a trained life coach, Andrea is also an author with

Saucy Tea, £9 for 15 bags, labtonica.co.uk Packed with jasmine blossom, rose petals and hibiscus, this blooming brew has an uplifting, full flavour. But it doesn’t just quench your thirst, the unique combination also stirs your senses and gives your

What if you could wave a magic wand and find yourself in the job of your dreams? If you’re looking for a shortcut to help fast-track your career, that wand may come in the form of sparkly gemstones with awesome superpowers. Whether you’re already an

TIP Finish by scattering over herbs, garlic or chilli for an even more flavourful result. Prepare a whole squash like this and you’ll have meals for a week! If you’re squashed out after a few of them, you can also blend the squash into a dip with a l

One of the things most of us love about welcoming the warmer weather is being greeted with the annual opportunity to pull out our spring wardrobe. Experimenting with bright, bold colours puts a smile on our face and makes us feel more focused, confid

PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY. IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, SEE YOUR GP ■

Brits have long had a love affair with ‘curry’ – an umbrella term for the many varied dishes of South and Southeast Asia – with one in five* of us rating it as our favourite meal. And while the mild tastes of tikka masala and korma still top the list

Mushrooms have compounds in them that act as a prebiotic which helps to stimulate the growth of gut microbiota. Serves 2 • Ready in 45 mins 1tbsp butter2 shallots, finely diced1 clove garlic, finely minced2 sprigs fresh thyme150g mixed mushrooms (any

Solid wood frame included Shiny finish Made with recycled polyester 10 different colour combos Soft velvet on the back

Eat eggs. Don’t eat them. Always have breakfast. Fast until lunch. Don’t eat dinner after 6pm… With so much conflicting advice on how to eat when, it’s hard to know what to believe. To set the record straight, we bring you the facts and reveal the co

A flush to the cheeks is the epitome of a healthy look. The secret to natural rouge? Forego foundation across the cheeks to allow your natural colour to shine through, and top up with dewy textures, which appear more realistic. This spring, opt for f

If you’ve been hankering after a new look, without too much expense, then colouring your own hair could be just the thing. It’s cost-effective, there’s no appointment required and the whole process can be wrapped up in under an hour – all from the co

Body care has come a long way from fruity shower gels, with active ingredients now common in our creams and lotions. But we’re not about to set you off on a seven-step daily ritual. ‘Taking care of your skin from the neck down is just as important as

Never underestimate the power of a good brow. Filling in and shaping your eyebrows will accentuate your features, lift the eye area and frame your whole face. If you have been blessed with naturally-luscious arches, good for you. Turn to fixing gels

When you switch off, your whole body kicks into repair mode, skin included. New cells are created and old ones shed, excess fluid is drained and toxins are broken down. Your circadian rhythm (body clock) is wired to work through the night, so poor sl

Warmer weather is on the way, but if you’re feeling slightly too attached to your cosy, concealing jeans and jumpers, we feel you. We’ve devised a doable month-long routine to help you get in shape fast. Each week, there’s a full-body workout featuri

Mindfulness can benefit us mentally and emotionally – and by mastering what’s known as ‘mindful exercise’, the practice can enhance our physical health too. ‘By bringing mindfulness into all your workouts, you are bringing greater awareness and focus

CAROL BATES 55, from West Sussex, founded the Crawley Old Girls (COGS) football team in 2015 and has played for them ever since. ‘I grew up with my dad playing football and was always dragged along to watch. As a teenager, I served the teas and pies

Many of us turn to Google as a first port of call when it comes to our health concerns and fitness inquiries, and for good reason – the internet lays a gold mine of information right at our fingertips. But wading up to our eyeballs through endless on

This column is about encouraging women of any age to improve their health, fitness and strength. All of this inevitably leads to increases in confidence, self esteem and mental health, plus the obvious physiological improvements, such as improved bod

It’s fair to say that going to the doctor’s is never much fun – whether it’s attending a routine cervical screening or seeking help for a rash/pain/annoyance that simply won’t go away. But for some of us, visiting the GP triggers debilitating stress

Don’t be put off by its scientific name, L-theanine is the latest secret weapon for anyone looking to ease anxiety, reduce stress and aid sleep. It’s a naturally occurring amino acid that is found in some plants and fungal species. Plus, if you’re a

As many as 49% of the UK population report suffering from hay fever symptoms and up to 37% of people have developed symptoms for the first time in the past five years* – and the future’s not looking any brighter. In fact, allergy researchers have pre

Shopping, travel and work have changed, and the way we take care of our health has, too. Two-thirds of GPs now urge their patients to take greater responsibility for their own health. With that in mind, here’s our round-up of the best at-home tests a

Just like any other muscle in your body, your pelvic floor muscles need to be worked out to maintain strength and tone. Though hidden inside us, this group of muscles are vital, literally creating the ‘floor’ that supports all your pelvic organs, inc

There’s never a good time to get a cold sore, and it always feels like they last for a lot longer than they should – especially if you have a big event on the horizon! But while you might think great oral hygiene will help ward them off, unfortunatel

Alzheimer’s has gripped health headlines over recent years. And it’s no wonder – there are currently over 850,000 people living with this condition in the UK and this is set to rise to 1.5m by 2040*. Although scientists have been desperately trying t

Q I’m in my late 50s and need to have an operation on my foot, – it will be my first operation ever. I want the surgery, but I am terrified about the anaesthetic. Could you please explain to me what happens? I’m worried about waking up during the ope

We can all relate to Freddie Mercury blasting out ‘I Want to Break Free’ – deep down, who doesn’t want to shake off their shackles and soar towards a world with no limits? But somehow it just isn’t that easy. We put it down to our past, other people

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Do you wonder why you feel insecure in relationships or avoid intimacy with your partner, especially if you haven’t experienced any significant ruptures in your adult relationships, such as infidelity or divorce? It could be down to your attachment s

During the pandemic, many spent more time alone than ever before. Not all of us hated it, but isolation can be difficult for some. ‘Most people are scared of sitting alone with their own thoughts,’ says Francesca Specter, author of Alonement – How to

Stressful moments can’t be avoided, but if life is regularly getting on top of you, it’s time to learn the tricks that will encourage you to relax. ‘Relaxation techniques help us build resilience to chronic stress, improve the quality of sleep and di

1 Among your friends, you would describe yourself as… A The quiet one B The one who asks questions C The wise one D The gossip 2 A friend tells you a secret. You… A Take it to your grave, obviously! B Share it with your therapist for her thoughts C T

Bad dreams can be distressing – and many of us have that recurring one which comes back to haunt. But could it be a warning? Here, our experts help decipher the meaning of your dreams, so you can put your mind at ease… This could suggest you are in p

This has to be a dream. I have woken to a symphony of tropical birds, the sound of waves lapping the beach, my bedroom curtains twitching in the breeze. I leave my bed and pad outside, where the dawn sun warms my skin. A few yards and I am onto the b

One of the prettiest villages in Cornwall, Portloe is home to several steep-sided valleys with cliffs that tumble down into the sea. Smuggling was rife here in the 18th and 19th centuries, with fishermen bringing home French brandy and hiding it in c