In The Moment

This issue, we focus on ways to nurture and build confidence – from practical steps that can give us the strength to break out of an unhelpful routine (page 18), to the confidence we can gain from accepting all the aspects of our personality, includi

We know that aluminium-free natural deodorants are better for our body, but often their packaging still includes plastic. Enter nude deodorants – companies who are reducing their environmental impact further with biodegradable packaging and a carbon

How much wear do you get out of your clothes? A recent study found that almost half of us don’t wear items of clothing for two days in a row, with 63 percent of us using a warm or hot setting when we then chuck them in the wash. “A whopping 34 millio

Eating seasonally and locally is a great way to support the environment and get the most nutritional benefits from our food, but knowing what, how and when to eat isn’t always clear. River Cottage have launched a new series of retreats designed to he

Planning a city getaway? Add Cardiff to your list – it’s been named the best city in the UK for your skin. The study looked at a whole host of factors, from UV and pollution levels to lifestyle stress and even wind speed to ascertain where would be b

1 Feel good! The Big Retreat Wales is back from 22nd-25th May, promising that you’ll leave feeling better than when you arrived after four days of wellness, food and relaxation. There are over 200 activities to fill your weekend with, as well as plen

The world of wellness can be a confusing place, but Suzy Glaskie, functional medicine certified health coach and one of our regular contributors, is on a mission to change that with her new podcast. Each episode of Wellness Unwrapped offers straight-

If you’re totally obsessed with turmeric, listen up – sumac is the latest spice on the wellness scene. Traditionally used in Middle Eastern and Arabic cooking, this bright red powder is made from the crushed dried fruits of the sumac bush and offers

The term ‘woodworking’ might make you think more hard graft than peaceful pastime, but for artist Aleksandra Zee, it has become a key part of her wellbeing. “There’s just something about wood,” she explains in her new book, The Way of the Woodshop (D

We know that eating our greens is good for us, and sea and freshwater vegetables particularly so. Chlorella is a freshwater algae and a nutrient-dense whole food rich in essential minerals. It’s also a great source of protein – an added bonus for all

It’s the term used by doctors who offer advice using a Health At Every Size (HAES) approach. While obesity can affect certain medical conditions, many women are reporting that GPs and other medical professionals are recommending weight loss as a fix-

“It all started by accident!” Mel remembers. “I’d been active before having kids, but afterwards I found it impossible to exercise – I was too tired, felt too guilty and back surgery meant that I had lost all confidence. I posted a desperate plea on

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, so planting seeds is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Begin by holding the seeds in your palms, considering where they have come from and how you are helping to give them life, then notice all of the s

We all have times when our self confidence takes a dip, but Anna Barnes, author of The Confidence Journal, says it’s never lost forever. “Lack of self-confidence is characterised by critical self-talk and self-doubt, which can hold you back and preve

Overwhelm can feel all-consuming, taking over our lives, draining our energy and distorting our perspective. Left unchecked it can also lead to burnout. So how can we recognise when it’s building and what can we do to ease it? Overwhelm can be tricky

Many of us feel jaded about cooking the same meals week-in, week-out, or guilty about falling into the same TV and sofa trap most nights. And, in fact, research suggests that about 40 percent of the activities we do every day are performed in the sam

Subscribe to In The Moment for insightful advice, expert tips and life hacks to help you navigate life’s ups and downs and find your flow. We’ll send you a set of Orla Kiely tins when you do: what better excuse do you need to accompany your me-time w

Since time began, humans have strived to fit in with the tribe. Our survival depended upon it. Although the stakes are lower these days, the need to blend in continues. Yet when we are taught to show only the parts of ourselves deemed as ‘acceptable’

Fear. It is such an emotive word. A mental state which can be so powerful and uncontrollable that it manifests itself physically. That bubble in your stomach that pushes your bladder down and your lungs up; makes your breath short and your muscles we

Lying on my side, I’m on a treatment table in a clinic in greater London, nearing the pinnacle of my first session with osteopath Nandip Sehra of Bodyverse Clinic. Sehra has her arms pretzel-bound around my upper torso and with rolling crunches, time

Kansa wand face massage was developed to help improve the skin’s health and appearance naturally, without the need for invasive treatment. It is based on the principles of Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, which focuses on harmoniou

Sustainability is at the heart of every garment created by Gudrun Sjödén, with a focus on designs that blend natural organic fabrics with colours and patterns inspired by Nordic folklore. We love their Spring collection inspired by watercolour sketch

Who doesn’t love the look and feel of a new outfit? To swish about in front of the mirror, do that sticky-out leg pose, then inevitably wear it every day for about a week because the novelty is just so irresistible. I know that’s not just me. And in

Your home can be the key to better health, better sleep, better relationships, and an all-round better life. Your home can also lock you into a damaging relationship, drain your energy, and devour your money. Every choice you make about your home inf

Live with roommates? Have friends and family around you? Chances are that if you’re looking to live a more sustainable lifestyle, not everyone around you will be ready to jump on that bandwagon. I experienced this when I started transitioning into a

1 Not at all true, never true, or not at all like me 2 Not as true as I’d like, rarely true 3 Sometimes true, half the time true 4 More often than not true, frequently like me 5 Absolutely true, always like me, or all the time Tally up your score to

When I began my course, I did what all good students do and found a friendly Facebook group of fellow trainee counsellors. Within this virtual common room, members ask all kinds of questions, from where to buy bargain text books to advice on where to

We all experience cravings from time to time – maybe it’s carbs as we step through the front door after work, sweets or chocolate when we’ve had a tiring or stressful day. Whatever it is we crave, this is our body sending us a signal that we are in n

As most of us try to cut down on highfat options, particularly dishes like fried foods, this craving is usually psychological – wanting what we can’t (or haven’t allowed ourselves to) have. However, it may be an indication that you need more essentia

If you’re exercising a lot, there’s a chance you may begin to crave salt, as sodium (which helps to maintain water balance in our body) is lost in sweat. However, most of us consume too much salt, so it is rare for sodium levels to drop too far. Stre

Craving pasta, bread or potatoes? You are probably feeling low on energy and simply need to replenish. Try healthier, fibre-rich carbohydrates, like apples, bananas, root and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage or broccoli. Knock up Jack

We tend to crave sweet foods when we are looking for comfort or need to boost our energy levels quickly, as the latter is exactly what sugars deliver. Instead of going for processed sugars, try to opt for fruit, particularly berries, which deliver th

Churning. When I’m asked to describe Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, that’s the word. It feels like someone is ringing out my intestines; twisting my insides into a knot. I’d been out for a swim with my family and we had seafood for lunch. Then, the

The end of a long-term relationship can bring feelings of being rejected, unwanted and undesired, regardless of whose decision the split was, or even if it was mutual. These feelings can linger long after the relationship itself has been mourned. Aft

Immerse yourself in the gentle art of collage and you’ll soon find your imagination running wild with the many possibilities it presents. From elements which at first seem to have no connection, we can create something entirely new with just a little

Rebecca Solnit has been an essential commentator on politics and culture for several decades now, but with the feminist burgeoning of the last few years, it’s started to feel like the world has caught up with her. She wrote the essay Men Explain Thin

The British Isles are home to an incredible variety of places to run,” say writers, photographers and adventure experts Jen and Sim Benson in their latest book, Short Runs in Beautiful Places. “Across the length and breadth of the nation, an extensiv

Staring down into the depths, I will myself to stay calm and focus on emptying my mind as my lungs tighten. Sam, my instructor, is stood in the water next to me, timing my breath hold. I try not to count the seconds ticking by, and instead imagine th

For a long time, I called myself a perfectionist. It was a label that suited me: it explained my high expectations, my intolerance for anything but the very best in all I do. And it had the faint hint of a humble brag, too; like saying you ‘work too

The hot South African sun provides the perfect excuse, if one were needed, to cool o_ in the private pool at the rear of my suite. Staring out towards the waterhole located less than 800 metres away, a barely perceptible movement and an inelegant gru

How can you resist the 80s style of this bright backpack? Cotopaxi’s retro, colour block designs are a big Instagram favourite, and the 15-litre Tasra rucksack is guaranteed to brighten up any day, with plentiful pockets and stowable straps. Each one