January - 2022

The pandemic's left 86% of parents overwhelmed: Here's where to find help

Nine in 10 (86%) parents say the pandemic has left them feeling overwhelmed, unable to cope, and lacking balance in their life, new figures published today on Parent Mental Health Day (27th January) reveal. Major contributing factors to this are the effect of lockdowns and fears of more, the pressures of home schooling (45%), fear over becoming ill (36%), work pressures and lack of work (29%), and financial difficulties (28%). Most parents and carers have little or no time to

Squeezing spots and being naked at home: Brits' top winter pick-me-ups revealed

It seems Brits are appreciative of the little things in life, revealing their top pick-me-ups to get them through the winter months. These include putting on fresh bed sheets, eating the last bit of chocolate in the cupboard and dancing in the kitchen, a survey of 2,000 adults shows. A third enjoy having a big clear out, singing loudly to music and looking through old photos, making the top three in a list of 40 ways respondents expressed they cheered themselves up. A further

The NHS' 12-week weight loss plan explained

If you're looking for help with developing some healthier eating and physical activity habits, in a way that's tailored to you, the NHS Weight Loss Plan is likely one of the best bets. Completely free, the plan is broken down into 12 weeks to give you time to 'set weight loss goals, use the body mass index (BMI) calculator to customise your plan, plan your meals, make healthier food choices, get more active and burn more calories, and record your activity and progress'. The w

High Street pharmacies in England to help people lose weight

High street pharmacists in England can now refer customers who are concerned about being overweight to a free online NHS service to help them get in shape. The programme, which is also available on a smartphone app, takes 12 weeks to complete, and offers support and tips on achieving healthy weight loss. It is designed to help the estimated one in four adults who are obese. Until now, obese patients with either high blood pressure or diabetes had to be seen by their GP to acc

5m volunteers sought for UK’s largest ever health research project

Five million Britons are to be recruited to join a major health study which aims to predict who will get ill in their later years even before they show symptoms. Hoped to be the UK’s largest ever health research programme, Our Future Health will track people throughout their lives in a bid to come up with new ways to prevent, detect and treat diseases such as dementia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Experts said the coronavirus pandemic has meant that people are

Exercise addicts urged to build in rest days

A mental health charity is reminding people that while exercise is a good thing, some people are taking it too far, often as an antidote to the stress and anxieties of life. Mind says some push on, even if they are injured or unwell: keeping fit can become an obsession. During the first Covid lockdown, exercise was one routine people could still do. Some, like 21-year-old Catherine, became over-reliant on it. "Like many people, I was on furlough during lockdown. My days lacke

Calls to male sexual abuse helpline double in 2021

More than 7,000 calls, texts and emails were received by Safeline's male helpline in 2021 - more than double the number of 2020. It's one of several services the charity runs for survivors of sexual abuse, and has seen a huge rise in people reaching out for help. The charity's Chief Executive Neil Henderson tells Radio 1 Newsbeat there was a 110% increase last year. "We're seeing a lot more younger people seeking support now," he says. It's estimated as many as one in six men

Dr Hilary Jones: Losing weight is ‘not just about vanity’

Losing weight is “not just about vanity” and action is needed to reverse indirect harms such as reduced activity that emerged during the coronavirus pandemic, a leading doctor has said. TV medic Dr Hilary Jones described “almost an epidemic of obesity” in the UK, which he said has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis. The GP explained that losing weight is “as important as giving up smoking”, with many physical and psychological benefits, as well as “looking better on the

How to beat the January blues - by happiness therapists

January is well known as the grimmest month of the year – the Christmas tree is down (or it should be, according to tradition), everyone's on a diet and off the booze, and the weather is like having a freezing sponge chucked in your face. Plus, this year, we have the added misery of Omicron and rising prices. Beating the blues seems a tall order - easier to hide under a duvet till it's over. But trust us, it can be done. This week, Carole Middleton – mum to the Duchess of Cam

Covid: PCR not needed after positive lateral flow under new plans

Covid testing rules are to be eased for people without symptoms, who will no longer need to confirm a positive lateral flow test with a PCR. While Covid levels are high, people can be confident that rapid tests are highly accurate, the UK Health Security Agency said. The change will come into force in England next week and across the rest of the UK within days. It will be reviewed when coronavirus levels in the population drop below 1%. Around 4% of people are currently infec

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