Simply Woman & Home

GROUP SPECIALS EDITOR Michelle Hather HEALTH EDITOR Faye M Smith DEPUTY HEALTH EDITORS Ali Horsfall Natalia Lubomirski HEALTH WRITER Rose Goodman COVER DESIGN Ian Cave ART EDITORS Billy Peel Ian Pollard GROUP PICTURE DIRECTOR Karen Whitehead PICTURE

There’s plenty to Feel Good about at this time of year. Crisp, cold mornings, cosy nights in, comfort food and gentle exercise to warm the body and soul – it’s what we love about winter. And in this issue, we want you to love it too. We’ve started ou

Menopause wreaking havoc on your locks? Try Viviscal Hair Growth Tablets (£56.99 for 60 tablets, viviscal.co.uk) – made with a combination of hair-boosting ingredients, such as biotin and zinc, to promote healthy tresses from within. Chilly weather c

This refreshing blend of mango and pineapple is infused with the recommended daily allowance of 10ug of vitamin D3. A convenient way to get your vitamin D fix on the go. Just one spray a day onto your tongue or the inside of your mouth will give you

It can be very easy to give into all of those tempting festive foods but this could affect both your gut and your wellbeing. Try stress guru Neil Shah’s mind-soothing menu… ✢ Have porridge for breakfast, as it will give you sustained energy until lun

Incorporating these instant soothers into your festivities will help you to keep calm in the chaos… American scientists have discovered that listening to music you love is key – it replaces blood vessels and boosts blood flow, helping you unwind – wh

‘I lost someone close to me to suicide, and wanted to do something to help other people who were struggling. In looking into how to help, I found that listening and being understood can be powerful when someone is in distress, and it’s something any

cruse.org.uk, freephone: 0808 808 1677 Offers face-to-face (when appropriate and possible), telephone, email and website support to those struggling with grief. Services are provided by trained volunteers and are free to access. hopeagain.org.uk A we

Along with loneliness and upset, there are other perhaps unexpected reactions that you may experience more obvious emotions, such as: Even if the death of the person was expected, when someone who was a big part of your life dies, it can still be ver

Enjoy three of Molton Brown’s bestselling bath and shower gels worth £30 for only £18.99 – saving just over 35% with free p&p, plus a Molton Brown branded organza bag. This fabulous trio of 100ml bath and shower gels retails at £30 and includes fragr

Shop-bought products can contain lots of hidden carbs and sugars, and take you out of ketosis. Don’t get caught out, by making sure you’re reading the packaging before buying. It can be easy to ‘fall off the wagon’ when leaving the house, so make sur

Pastries, canapés and sausage rolls soon add up. ‘Look for the healthiest nibbles on the buffet table, such as veggies and dips,’ says Signe. ‘It can be easy to overfill a large plate, and then we eat more than we need,’ says Signe. Use a side plate,

A lippie that lasts a lifetime? Sign us up. Chanel 31 Le Rouge, £140, chanel.com, could be the chicest eco-conscious buy of all time. The refillable case is glass, not plastic, designed to last a lifetime (and in theory, become a bit of an heirloom).

Balm cleansers work especially well on dry skin types and this option, packed with nourishing, active ingredients to boost collagen production, is a particularly good one. This melts away even waterproof make-up in a matter of seconds, making it the

Forget the old myth that dirty hair holds a style better – who wants to go out with greasy roots? Wash your hair – you’ll feel so much better! You’ll probably style your hair more times this party season than the rest of the year so use products to k

So you’ve decided to wear red lipstick to your festive party? Great! It’ll add instant glamour to any outfit and can be the ultimate confidence booster, once you get used to seeing yourself with a bolt of red across your mouth! However, if you’re not

You’ve been planning your ‘look’ for a special event for weeks. You’ve got the hair, the make-up and the outfit all planned, only for a beauty bloomer to scupper your plans at the 11th hour. Well fear not, we’re here with all the beauty advice you ne

COMPILED BY: BECKY JOINER-O’RIORDAN ■

Not just for the playground, a skipping session works the whole body. You’ll get fitter, sculpt your shoulders, arms and legs and boost bone health, too. Turning the rope from the wrist, not the elbow, will give you more control. Plus, try to land li

Head outside and stretch your legs – it’s the easiest way to avoid feeling overwhelmed and having cabin fever when cooped up indoors. ‘Try to spend at least half an hour outdoors every day over the Christmas period,’ says psychologist Meg Arroll. Vit

Don’t rely on standing on wobbly chairs, stools and sofas when adorning high branches of the Christmas tree – invest in a proper stepladder to avoid falls. In addition, unpack your decorations with care – broken baubles can cause a nasty cut. Over 30

Offers an extensive health A-Z resource with causes, symptoms, treatments and advice. Websites from established national charities – eg Cancer Research UK (cancerresearchuk.org), Diabetes UK (diabetes.org.uk), Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust (jostrust.org

You may have heard about a weekly injection that can make you look trimmer in no time. Recently approved by the NHS, semaglutide injections are the prescription weight-loss drug behind the headlines. Sharon Osbourne and Boris Johnson have tried it, a

No drug is without side effects. ‘With semaglutide, these can include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, fatigue, upset stomach, dizziness and heartburn,’ says Abbas. Some brands have a warning on the packaging highlig

The cold and flu season might be upon us, but don’t let the sniffles take the joy out of your festivities. Feel overwhelmed knowing what to stock your medicine cabinet with? You’re not alone. But fear not – we’ve rounded up the most effective bug-bus

Noticed that your extremities feel a bit numb at this time of year? A healthy circulatory system is crucial for good wellbeing. From your heart health and energy levels to how your body heals itself, your circulation plays a big part. When the temper

Stress and anxiety, overwhelm. There are certainly enough challenges in our daily lives to leave us feeling off balance and reaching out for help. But formal therapy, especially in a cost-of-living crisis, is a financial stretch for many of us right

Hosting? Email or text a plan – so it’s there in black and white – to minimise festive stress and reduce unwanted communication. ‘That way people know what’s happening and what’s expected – for example, do they need to bring food? Who’s doing what or

You’re relatively independent and see free time as an opportunity to be productive. You use spare time or space to sort out your life admin or life goals, which is great, but make sure you also take time out to simply recharge and clear the mind of l

Reassure the other person they’re important to you, and suggest an alternative option. Keep it positive. Say, ‘I’m busy on Thursday, but can meet up on Friday if you like?’ Focus on your goals. Say, ‘I appreciate you asking me, but I don’t like anyth

‘Thirty minutes of sexual activity could burn more calories than walking on a treadmill or 40 minutes of yoga,’ says GP Dr Louise Newson, founder of Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre. Menopausal women who had an orgasm every week had oestr

My exercise regime… I love doing pod hot yoga – it helps me to stretch my muscles. I find it depressing when I can’t get there because of my hectic schedule, so when I travel, I do an hour in the gym every day instead. I also like to walk my dog Char