No (Adventurous) Sex Please, We're British: One In Ten Haven't Tried New Position For Six Years

July 20, 2015, 9:52 am

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Summer's here bringing with it sunshine, evenings spent in the local beer garden and - surprisingly - not that much sex.

A new survey has revealed that the hotter months are far from being steamy for couples, with just 13% of people saying they'll be more adventurous in bed.

The research, which was conducted by Durex, also lifted the lid on something of a sexual black hole among Brits - regardless of the season.

One fifth of people surveyed said their sex life hadn’t improved in the last year and a shocking one in 10 people (11%) said they haven’t tried anything new in the bedroom for over six years.

What's more, a pitiful 5% of people said they'd spend more time with their partner this summer.

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But sex and relationships expert, Alix Fox, says regardless of whether you feel up to it or not, you should make the most of sex.

"It’s easy for couples to fall into a predictable routine in their intimate lives: convenience, lack of time or just force of habit are the main culprits for taking the sizzle out of sex," she says.

"But since summer tends to raise people’s spirits and energy levels, it’s the ideal season to try some sensual new tricks and techniques together, and revitalise an important part of your relationship that may have accidentally become more ‘mind-numbing’ than ‘mind-blowing’."

"Shake any staleness out of your sex life, and wake your sense of experimentation out of hibernation,” says Fox.

"You don’t necessarily have to do anything wildly complicated or scarily daring to transform lovemaking from ‘mildly mundane’ to ‘jubilantly joyous’; something as straightforward as giving a tube of pleasure gel a whirl can act as a refresher and open you and your partner up to further thrilling experiences."

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There a few things you can do to spice things up when it comes to sexy time, says Tammy Nelson, who is also a sex and relationships expert.

In a blog on The Huffington Post, she writes: "Great sex is planned. Sometimes couples think that only spontaneous sex is great sex. Not true.

"Making a date for sex can create what I call 'sexual anticipation' which, for women, creates more desire for sex."

She also says that it's implicit that you state what you want when it comes to sex.

"Sex does improve dramatically when you can tell your partner what you desire in bed. Don't expect them to read your mind, they can't," she adds.

Nelson also believes that sex doesn't necessarily have to be about throwing one another across the room and performing miraculous acrobatic feats.

"You don't have to sling your partner around the bed or jump around like maniacs to have great sex," she explains.

"In fact, sometimes it's even more sexy to force yourselves to relax and enjoy one position, to hold it longer than you would normally enjoy."

Well there you have it. Now get out there and have some sex.

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City Banker Quits Job For Life On Remote Island On Channel Five Show 'Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild'

July 20, 2015, 9:53 am

≫ Next: Letting Go: Couple Hand In Their Notice, Get On Their Bikes And Cycle From London To Japan

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Jon Watkinson used to earn £75,000 a year when he worked as a City banker. But the 31-year-old left all that behind four years ago for a relaxed life on a remote island.

Watkinson purchased a one-way ticket to Bangkok at the age of 27 and after travelling around South East Asia, he's settled on the island of Don Det in the middle of the Mekong River in Southern Laos.

He is now appears on Channel 5 documentary Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild, where he tells Fogle about how he hunts for food and helps the community build shelters.

Frogs are often on the menu - apparently they're a good source of protein.



Watkinson began working in finance at the age of 19, but in the programme, he reveals that he "dreaded waking up" between Monday and Friday in his 20s.

"The epiphany moment came when I looked around at work at everyone typing into their computers. I didn't see what we were producing. We were just producing emails and nothing of any value," he says.

"I thought I have never built or made anything or had tangible results in my hands, I thought that's what I want to do."

The former banker quit his high-flying job and sold his luxury London apartment, along with almost all his other possessions.




He now lives in the tranquil community of Don Det, which has a population of about 400 people.

Technology is a distant memory for the explorer, who has now lived without a TV or phone for years.

He uses electricity purely for the necessitates - a fridge and an electric fan, to help him survive the humidity. Surprisingly, electricity remains his biggest expense though, costing him around £15 per month.



These days, Watkinson says he couldn't be happier and the only thing he misses is friends and family back home.

"My family are very supportive. I miss them but they supported me in this. It's a sacrifice for my way of life," he says.



Unfortunately, finding a girlfriend may prove difficult for Watkinson as the island has very strict rules around dating. He would have to marry anyone he wishes to be romantically involved with almost immediately.

Despite that, he says he has "no doubt" that Don Det is where he is destined to live forever, saying if he does meet a woman, she'd need to "commit to the lifestyle" as he has.

Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild is on Channel 5 Mondays at 9pm

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Letting Go: Couple Hand In Their Notice, Get On Their Bikes And Cycle From London To Japan

July 20, 2015, 10:46 am

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How many people do you know who have done the London to Brighton bike ride?

Chances are it's probably quite a few.

More than 28,000 people took part in the 54 mile cycle in support of the British Heart Foundation in June 2015 and that's just one of many annual events that sees cyclists travelling between the cities.

But how many people do you know who have got on their bikes to travel from London to... Japan?

Sounds like you'd need to be an athlete to complete that course right?

Not so, as Claire Mason, 30, and André Siwek, 31, are proving.



Claire Mason and André Siwek waiting to board a ferry in Dover

The couple are following a route that will see them cover a distance of more than 12,900 miles - through Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates, Oman, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China.

Yet neither of them are professional cyclists.

The couple lived in a rented house Greenwich, London, where Siwek, who is originally from Toronto, Canada, worked as a civil engineer and Mason studied psychology and worked as a research assistant within the Military Health Research department at Kings College London.

They cycled to work every day, but other than that didn't train or prepare for their mammoth journey.

"Our life consisted of a couple of trips to the pub each week, especially on pub quiz nights, and at weekends we would meet up with friends for bike rides, trips to the park or board games in the pub when the weather was bad," Mason told HuffPost UK Lifestyle.

"Nothing too exciting!"

The idea for the trip blossomed out of an off hand comment and before they knew it Mason and Siwek were handing in their notice and packing their bags.

"The idea started as a kind of joke," explained Mason.

"We had been on a few shorter cycle vacations and we were always disappointed about how short and rushed they felt.

"We had both always wanted to visit Japan well before we met and one day we just joked about cycling there.

"It was a crazy idea that quickly became more and more realistic.

"The initial steps such as reading about places to visit were pretty noncommittal.

"Then purchasing some gear was the next step, then slowly, reading more about routes, places people have cycled long distances and also seeing others who were out on the road, put us over the edge.

"I think we both had concerns about whether we were making ‘the right’ decision, especially as many of our friends were purchasing houses, getting work promotions and making other big and more conventional life choices."

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The Businessman Who Gave It All Up To Be A Modern Day Monk

Mason adds that both she and Siwek agree the hardest part of their preparations was finding the right way to explain to their bosses why they were leaving. But they needn't have worried:

"Both bosses was surprised by the trip and had lots of questions, but were also excited for us and incredibly supportive," says Mason. "Both of us left on really good terms with our work place."

Mason handed in her notice, but Siwek's company let him take unpaid leave for the entire length of the trip and then he will be able to return to his position when the cycling is finished.

"What an amazing organisation to work for," adds Mason. "In our experiences our bosses were far more understanding and encouraging than we imagined and all our worrying was unfounded."

The couple spent a year saving up and when they set off in spring 2014 they calculated that they had enough money to last them a year - however their money has gone further than they imagined and they have managed to extend their trip by an extra six months.

"The thing about cycle touring is it’s really cheap," explains Mason.

"Transport is free, we camp or stay with people along the way who we meet or find on warmshowers or couchsurfing. So, nearly all our expenses are for food."



Free camping

"Living on a budget has actually not been as big a change as I expected," she adds.

"Perhaps this was due in part to having been on a very tight budget for 10 months or so before leaving for the trip.

"Also we just find there is not so much to spend our money on now, not many pubs or shopping malls in rural India or Burma.

"We do occasionally struggle when we are in cities, then the lure of new clothes or a fancy dinner is tempting but we know for every pound we waste now we are shortening the trip or making things difficult for ourselves in the future.

"I think for myself the hardest part is when it is raining and miserable and I just want to stay in a hotel, but we can’t stretch the budget that far, so we have to put the tent up in the bad weather and just deal with it.

"We also have much more of a ‘make do and mend’ mentality than we did before. André has sewn up so many holes in his shorts that I am not sure there is much of the original shorts left!

"It also makes you realise how easy it is to get caught up in the need to buy and replace things all the time – and it is not really necessary.

"We try to keep a good balance of sticking to our budget but still treating ourselves every now and again."



Cycling over the Carpathian Mountains

Aside from budgeting, another major concern for anyone considering this type of trip would be fitness levels, but Mason says you shouldn't concern yourself too much with questions over whether you are "fit enough":

"Maybe you are and maybe not," she says. "However after a couple of weeks on the bike you will become fit enough!

"The great thing about a cycle trip is you can go at your own pace, doing as little or as much a day as you wish.

"Our longest day has been 130 km and our shortest just 10 (pushing your bike up a muddy track in the Himalayas is not fun).

"We commuted by bicycle to work every day in London before the trip but other than that did no training or preparation.

"We began in Belgium and Holland - great places to start as they are so flat and our fitness just improved as we went along. Some days are hard and some days just fly by."

Mason and Siwek are currently in Hanoi on route to the Chinese border.

"The city is a great place to stop and recuperate," says Mason. "The food is fantastic and there is a lot to see.

"We also took a trip to Halong Bay but opted not to take a tour and instead travelled by moped, we saw a lot of the hidden places of the beaten track and it was stunning."

They had planned their route to include places they had both never been and had a desire to see, however they have had to make a few adjustments along the way.



Pamukkale, Turkey

"We had originally wanted to visit Iran," says Mason. "Sadly due to a change in Visa regulations we were not able to.

"However, every change in our route has led to new adventures in really interesting places. Georgia, Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates and Oman were a few countries that were not originally part of the plan, but have been some of the most interesting of places we passed through."

A typical day for Mason and Siwek begins with packing up their campsite and making breakfast, before cycling for a few hours.

They stop for a few short rest breaks along the way and take a more substantial break for lunch before cycling for a few more hours.

Then they find a wild camp spot, set up their tent and beds, make dinner (often pasta or rice) whilst listening to music or a podcast, clean up, clean themselves (if possible) and then crawl into bed to read or watch a film before sleeping.

However, their 'typical day' changes a lot depending on the country, hours of sunlight and weather.

"Highlights of the trip so far - besides the big sights such as the Taj Mahal in India, Ephesus in Turkey, the Wieliczka salt mine in Poland, and other big well known sights - we have seen some other gems along the way which are off the beaten track, beautiful monasteries and ancient underground in Turkey, mysterious burial mounds and old Portuguese forts in Oman, wild landscapes and beautiful fortified churches in Romania and so many other beautiful places in between.



Ephesus in Turkey

Aside from planning a provisional route, Mason and Siwek arranged very little before they left.

"It has been a real adventure, often not knowing where we will be spending the night," says Mason.

"This one particular fact has put us ‘out there’ and open to new experiences and meeting new people.

"We have ended up sleeping in some strange places, but every one has been an experience to remember.

"We’ve slept in gas stations, mosques, churches, gurudwaras, schools, animal sheds, local’s homes; in forests, deserts, jungles and everywhere in between."

However it hasn't all been plain sailing, there's no denying that living so exposed to the elements can be tough and Mason admits to sometimes feeling miserable.

"There have been many moments where I have questioned why I am making myself miserable by cycling through the mud in the rain, hungry, cold and tired," she says.

"However, this feeling has yet to last longer than a few hours, and often we have found the ‘touring gods’ would come through and look after us in the most unexpected ways – our fortunes would turn around suddenly and we would find ourselves relaxing in a local Turkish bath after being fed and taken in by a kind family who took pity on us.

"We have also found that we don’t miss creature comforts as much as we thought we would.

"Having said that here has been numerous times recently where I would have killed for a clean, western-style toilet with running water!"



Kuang Si Falls, Laos

Reflecting on the trip so far Mason says it has changed her in three main ways:

"The first and most important is that I feel my whole perspective on the world has shifted somewhat," she says.

"It sounds a little corny but I really am convinced that the world is mostly filled with nice and kind people who are curious and want to help, of course this is not true of everyone, but I think when you are at home watching TV and absorbing the media it is easy to become convinced the world is a scary place full of people who want to do you some harm and its just not true.

"I feel much more positive about the human race and life in general than I did before the bike trip, and less scared to just go and explore it.

"Secondly, I would like to be more generous to my fellow humans; the generosity we have been shown along our trip has blown us away and made us question how we would have treated travellers in our home countries before the trip.

"Hand on heart I am not sure I would have been half as generous or patient as many of the people we have met and I aim to change this in the future.

"And lastly, I am not so worried about the future and whether growing up and perhaps having a family will spell the end of my travelling days.

"We have met so many people travelling the world from all different walks of life and of all different ages. We have also met quite a few families with young children doing huge round the world trips in camper vans.

"This is something that excites me and makes me feel optimistic for the future and the adventures I have ahead.

Read more from Mason and Siwek on their blog Punctures and Panniers.

This July we're running a Fitspiration campaign, where we're championing fitness as a positive addition to life rather than always being about weight loss. From inspirational interviews to easy-to-follow exercise tips, we hope to inspire everyone to get out there and have fun. Trust us, your body will thank you for it. If you'd like to contribute email uklifestyle@huffingtonpost.com or tag us on social media using the hashtag #HPFitness

'Revolving Door' Hospital Discharge Culture Criticised Following 'Shocking' Accounts From Patients

July 21, 2015, 1:26 am

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"Thousands of shocking stories" have been provided by patients who have been discharged from hospital without the right care and support, a health report has uncovered.

Healthwatch England said its report showed a "number of common basic failings" including hospitals not routinely asking patients if they have anywhere to be discharged to, details of new medications not being passed on to GPs and carers, and families not being notified when loved ones leave hospital.

It said that the National Audit Office recently reported that the NHS deals with one million emergency re-admissions within 30 days of discharge every year - at a cost of an estimated £2.4 billion.

The watchdog said that while not all of these cases are the result of a poorly managed discharge, its patient-led investigation found that 17% of those being re-admitted for the same issue are returning to hospital within just seven days.

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Its report, which brings together 3,230 stories and pieces of evidence, gathered by 101 local Healthwatch groups from across the country, focuses on those most affected by poorly managed discharge processes - those with mental health conditions, older people and homeless people.

It found patients are experiencing unsafe, delayed or untimely discharge due to a lack of co-ordination between health, social care and community services, and there is a lack of support available for people after discharge, often leading to re-admission.

An example of this was an 81-year-old man who had suffered his third, severe stroke who was discharged from hospital at 10.30pm by taxi, without anyone from his family being notified. He was re-admitted with severe health problems the following week.

Other key findings show that many people feel discriminated against or stigmatised during their care, often leading them to feeling "rushed out the door".

Patients are also often not feeling involved in decisions about their ongoing care post discharge - one woman told of how her husband was discharged after a suicide attempt, despite his repeated pleas to stay because he did not feel able to cope.

No follow-up care was offered upon discharge and he killed himself the following week.

The inquiry also found that individuals' full range of needs are not considered when being discharged from hospital or a mental health setting - for instance their housing situation or carer responsibilities.

One woman described how she was discharged with no care plan for herself and no additional support to help with care for her husband who has Alzheimer's.

Healthwatch England said it also heard some "excellent examples of discharge being managed well", but there is considerable variation up and down the country.

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Its chairwoman Anna Bradley said: "Throughout the inquiry we have heard thousands of shocking stories about what happens when people leave hospital without the right planning and support.

"This is not a new problem, but what makes these findings worse, is that in many cases some pretty basic things could have made all the difference.

"There is a huge human and financial cost of getting discharge wrong. We hope that the increased focus on integration of health and social care, and pressure on finances will create a new impetus to fix it.

"Whether it is about properly helping new mums at risk with depression or making sure patients receiving end of life care are given the support they need to spend their final days at home with their loved ones rather than in hospital, everyone should experience a safe, dignified and well planned transfer of care."

Phil McCarvill, deputy policy director of the NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals, community and mental health providers, said: "The scale and complexity of the NHS can sometimes make the experience of care feel less tailored to individual's needs.

"Delivering compassionate, dignified care must be the top priority of everyone who works in the NHS and change is needed wherever patients' experience falls below that standard."

Janet Morrison, chief executive of older people's charity Independent Age, said: "The 'revolving door' approach to hospital discharge is letting patients down.

"The report shows this is not just bad for patients but also for the system as a whole, with huge financial implications.

"The process can be confusing for older people and their families as they're often asked to make complex and difficult decisions when they're already under considerable pressure."

Dad Turns His Kids Into Superheroes With #BreakfastMugShots (And Other Dads Follow Suit)

July 21, 2015, 1:40 am

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One dad has made breakfast time pretty great for his kids by turning them into superheroes... just with his mug of tea.

Lance Curran snaps these 'mug-shots' to share on Instagram, by holding up different character mugs in front of his kids' faces and taking a photo of his child in the perfect pose.

And by the looks of it, other dads are following suit.

A photo posted by Lance Curran (@wearecareful) on Jun 7, 2015 at 8:40am PDT

Sunday #breakfastmugshot

A photo posted by Lance Curran (@wearecareful) on May 31, 2015 at 7:42am PDT

Sunday #breakfastmugshot

A photo posted by Lance Curran (@wearecareful) on May 24, 2015 at 7:31am PDT

Recruiting both his daughter and son in the mug shots, Curran has made a habit of posting one every Sunday on his Instagram page with the hashtag #BreakfastMugShot.

Curran, who describes himself as a warehouse director and comic book czar for @Threadless on his Instagram page has built up a pretty large following, with currently nearly 9,000 following his account.

A photo posted by Lance Curran (@wearecareful) on Jul 17, 2015 at 6:37am PDT

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A photo posted by Lance Curran (@wearecareful) on May 17, 2015 at 8:23am PDT

A photo posted by Lance Curran (@wearecareful) on May 3, 2015 at 7:18am PDT

A photo posted by Lance Curran (@wearecareful) on Jun 14, 2015 at 8:17am PDT

A photo posted by Lance Curran (@wearecareful) on Mar 29, 2015 at 8:29am PDT

And now dads all around the world are using the hashtag to turn their own kids into fun-loving characters and superheroes.

A photo posted by shiho (@shiho_rav) on Jul 17, 2015 at 5:38am PDT

A photo posted by B Sto (@brianstovall) on Nov 16, 2014 at 7:17am PST

A photo posted by B Sto (@brianstovall) on Mar 16, 2014 at 6:24am PDT

Who knew you could have so much fun with your kids and your mug of tea?

Emma Thompson On Sexism In Hollywood: 'I Think It's Completely S*** Actually'

July 21, 2015, 1:54 am

≫ Next: Kendall Jenner Heart Hair Selfies Are The Latest Instagram Trend

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Actress Emma Thompson has spoken out about ageism and the lack of opportunities for women in the acting industry, and has revealed that “sexism and unpleasantness” is worse than ever.

Speaking to the Radio Times, the 56-year-old said of the current status quo: "I think it's still completely shit, actually.

"I don't think there's any appreciable improvement and I think that, for women, the question of how they are supposed to look is worse than it was even when I was young.

"So, no, I am not impressed, at all."

The Oscar-winning actress' latest role sees her playing a 77-year-old prostitute in The Legend Of Barney Thomson.

Directed by and also starring Robert Carlyle, the role sees Thompson don prosthetics to age her substantially.

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Carlyle said he wanted Thompson for the role as he needed an actress "who wasn't going to show any vanity".

Of her transformation, she said: "People often want to hear some tremendously banal thing like 'Oh my God, it is just so awful looking at myself'. 

"But I can't offer up anything like that. You are creating a character. It is not you anymore, it is a character that you can then inhabit."

Kendall Jenner Heart Hair Selfies Are The Latest Instagram Trend

July 21, 2015, 2:00 am

≫ Next: Jaime King Gives Birth To Baby Boy, Introduces Him To World Through Touching Family Snap

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Kendall Jenner proved she had a talent for selfies to rival sister Kim Kardashian when one of her Instagram posts became the app's most liked photo of all time.

Racking up a whopping 2.6m likes in just one month (it now currently stands at 2.9m likes after 8 weeks), the snap shows the 19-year-old model lying down on the floor with her eyes closed and her long, brunette hair shaped into a crown of hearts.

❥

A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on May 25, 2015 at 3:51pm PDT

Jenner's hair looked so adorable that the photo has sparked a wave of cute copycats recreating her style with even more adorable results.

Behold, the #hearthair Instatrend:

A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ YASMIN SALGADO GUERRA (@yasminsguerram) on Jul 10, 2015 at 5:49pm PDT

A photo posted by Vanessa & Thor (@thor_the_mighty_cavalier) on Jul 20, 2015 at 2:55pm PDT

A photo posted by aviouslymee (@aviouslymee) on Jul 20, 2015 at 6:34pm PDT

A photo posted by Sky E. House (@goodvibezx3) on Jul 19, 2015 at 8:30pm PDT

A photo posted by Lucy Smith (@lucy.r.smith) on Jul 5, 2015 at 1:36am PDT

A photo posted by Sarah W. (@swong_16) on Jul 18, 2015 at 10:02am PDT

A photo posted by Ekaterina (@ekiiven) on Jul 4, 2015 at 12:43am PDT

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Jaime King Gives Birth To Baby Boy, Introduces Him To World Through Touching Family Snap

July 21, 2015, 2:02 am

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Jaime King has given birth to her and Kyle Newman's second child together.

The couple's new son, whose famous godmother is Taylor Swift, was born on 16 July and is baby brother to one-year-old James Knight.

The 36-year-old Hart of Dixie star shared a photo of the family of four on Instagram with herself wearing a hospital gown, feeding her newborn and looking lovingly at her husband who is holding James on his lap.

A photo posted by Jaime King (@jaime_king) on Jul 20, 2015 at 2:11pm PDT

King wrote on the photo: "We are SO happy to welcome to the world our new baby boy! Born Thursday, July 16th!"

King and Newman have not yet announced their second son's name. In an interview early July, King discussed the difficulty she was facing choosing a baby name.

She told People magazine: "I know the first part [of the name]. We just have to decide on the second part. Names are never easy, you don’t want something to be too Hollywood and out there."

She added that her son will be called by his first and middle name, explaining that she likes "classic and eclectic mixed together".

King also revealed during her pregnancy that Swift would be godmother to her second child, which prompted a pretty amazing baby shower in June 2015.

Swift is yet to share her joy at the birth of her godson on social media, but we're pretty sure it won't take long.

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And Then Came the Worry

July 21, 2015, 2:08 am

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My mum doesn't really worry about anything.

I mean, obviously she is concerned about her family and cares that are we are all happy and safe. Even now we are all grown up she likes to hear from us daily, but we all catch up every day in our family, it's our thing. But she isn't a worrier by nature.

She's chilled and accepting that life happens and sometimes it's amazing and sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes we can all run into trouble and she is cool with that. She always says there's no point worrying, when you could spend that time dealing with the issue and finding a solution, and then only IF it happens. She's like a guru I swear.

My dad on the other hand, an extremely loyal man and talented artist is a real worrier. He panics over things that have happened and can 'fearcast' about things that might. Which isn't a negative thing at all, but the way he (and I at times) both are.

'Going to Glastonbury Lorna? Oh watch your bag, make sure you don't walk back to the tent alone, and watch out for terrorists and socialists' - did I mention I am 41 and haven't lived at home since my late teens?

I have inherited a healthy dose of both of their personalities and for that I'm truly grateful, but I would say I'm chilled about the big things. Recently diagnosed with a long term illness that is incurable, I didn't panic. Recently faced with a broken lock on my front door? I spiraled into freak out mode. ''But I have to go to work, what if the chub lock below also breaks? What if the lock needs changing? On and on until I had convinced myself I couldn't possibly leave the house, despite a secure double lock staring right at me.

Fight or flight is a term often banded about by people who know the brain better than I do. A response to difficult situations which we either stay and fight or run away from. I've been known to do both in odd circumstances. I put this down to being blessed (i always finish what I start and never miss a deadline) and cursed (I lie awake a lot) with an unhealthy leaning towards anxiety. So much so that my brain and body has been known to mix up responses. It's a massive deal breaker for me. When the brain starts reacting in the same way to a slightly overdrawn bank account to a life or death situation one has to ask what an earth is going on in there?

It was this that led me to change my life recently, faced with a difficult career choice and struggling daily with all the changes happening health wise and career wise I handed in my notice to the job I had been at for three years.

I had found myself panicking and dreading it all. For no reason other than the way I was handling balancing my long term pain with trying to be the person I want people to think I am - a sassy PR with a penchant for gin and tonic and not a care in the world, basically taking fake it till you make it a wee bit too far until I knew something had to give.

So I quit my job and made some changes. New changes.

I've started to look at the bigger picture of my life. The horrors of Tunisia still playing heavily on my mind, I looked at the twitter feed of a lovely blogger who sadly died in the attack. Her twitter feed full of lovely excitement for her holiday. It makes you think doesn't it? That all this worry we carry is all about what may never come anyway. That life as we know it can change in a blink of an eye. We really do only have the moment we are currently in.

So yes, this is my plan. Panic less, worry less, and solve more. I may not achieve it all of the time, I mean, anxiety isn't something you can prepare for in some cases, but trying to keep mindful of the fact that most of the time things work out alright is something I am really trying to make part of my life.

I think sometimes we have to look at how far we have come and what we have achieved. Give ourselves a pat on the back and take a breath and look around and know that whatever lies ahead we all have inner strength there that we just need to tap in to at the times we need it.

And for the days that doesn't work for me, I will obviously just call my mum, but I will be prepared for the worst case scenario, as I get that from my dad. Some things are simply genetic.

A Crustacean Craze Is Hitting the Capital!

July 21, 2015, 2:10 am

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There is currently a lobster-mania gripping the capital at the moment. London is becoming inundated with lobster restaurants. What was once a luxury, reserved for the fanciest of places (with a price tag to match), is now becoming widely available, as lobster restaurants pop up all over the city.

London's courtship with lobster began with the opening of restaurants like Burger and Lobster, which graced the capital in 2011. The premise of this restaurant is that there are only two items on the menu - lobster and burgers. This surf 'n' turf has a set price, and its fair to say it reignited demand for lobster in the capital. And this demand is currently spreading beyond the capital, with restaurants now in Cardiff and Manchester, and coming soon to Bath and Liverpool.

While Burger and Lobster brought lobster into the mainstream, there is now a new wave of lobster shacks popping up across the capital, which offer a different way of enjoying this crustacean. And that comes in the format of lobster rolls: butter-soaked lobster meat stuffed into a brioche bun and served with fries. It's the ultimate posh fast food. Lobster Kitchen is one of these new lobster fast-food shacks. It opened at the tail end of 2014, but Lobster Kitchen is not alone: it's competing with two other lobster-roll formats within a square mile (Fraq's Lobster Shack and Smack Deli).

Lobster Kitchen itself is an unassuming, small place. Tucked between VQ and a YMCA just behind Tottenham Court Road, you would be forgiven for not even noticing it's there. In fact, my testing buddy and I, arriving separately, both managed to walk past it several times before spying the tiny sign indicating its existence. Inside, it looks like a pop up. With bar stools and benches, lobster cages and buoys dangling from the ceilings, and an open kitchen, you get the New-England vibe it's trying to channel. And it's clearly a fast food joint: with solo cups, plastic trays for your food, and the quite uncomfortable stools, I felt we had overstayed our welcome after 90 minutes, despite the fact the restaurant was virtually empty (particularly for a Friday night).

The menu is simple: different varieties of lobster, predominantly served in brioche rolls of varying sizes. Though there are a few other options to choose from, such as lobster Thermidor tails, split lobster and even BBQ ribs. I deliberated for a while on the guac roll, but couldn't quite decide how I felt about lobster covered in guacamole. Instead, I settled on a double garlicky role: two small brioche buns packed full of lobster meat. There was certainly plenty of meat in the rolls and just the right amount of garlic butter oozing out of the sandwich.

My testing buddy chose a king Asian roll: one larger bun filled with lobster meat covered in sweet chilli, fish sauce, chillies, mint and coriander. Once again, there was plenty of meat in the sandwich, though the Asian flavours were very subtle, and almost undetectable. It definitely could have used a boost of flavour.

The sides were as expected: the sweet potato fries were cooked just fine and the lobster mac 'n' cheese was calorific-ly wonderful, and surprisingly the chefs didn't skimp on the lobster meat. We washed this down with a glass each of house white wine, with the bill coming to £38.

Our verdict: the food was certainly tasty and hit the spot. But I'm not sure it's quite worth the money. Lobster Kitchen is half way between a pop up and a restaurant. It looks and feels like a pop up, and is not quite refined enough to be a restaurant. Yet it charges restaurant prices. Lobster and Kitchen has certainly brought this costly delicacy into the price range of those who don't have a trust fund, but I'm not quite sure its great value for money. And, as a Northerner, one thing I truly dislike is when food isn't good value for money.

For more reviews and recipes, head to https://infoodieheaven.wordpress.com

Cowards Complain on the Internet

July 21, 2015, 2:13 am

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Last night I became involved in a Twitter argument that was not my own. I know I shouldn't have, it's petty and never solves anything but for once I just couldn't help but weigh in. 'Too often I've had to hold my tongue at work,' I thought from the comfort of my sofa. 'Now is my time.'

So why did I bother you might wonder? Why did I let it get to me?

Other than a sorry 6 months working in a BT call centre at 17 the restaurant industry is really all I know. I worked in my local church cafe on the weekends when I was 13 and I've rarely looked back. I've gone from washing dishes to running service in a busy Parisian restaurant to eventually over-seeing the launch of a menu in one of Paris's best coffee shops. I've worked front of house in an AA rosetted restaurant in Scotland and even spent 18 months as a butler on a private estate. I currently help run a cafe in Lancashire which is owned by 2 of my most talented and hardworking friends. If it sounds like I'm bragging, I'm not. Spend 15 years in any industry and unless you're a complete idiot you'll probably end up doing some cool things.

I'm telling you all of this to help you understand what led me to my online explosion. Working with the public is easily the hardest part of my job. 99% of people are wonderful, kind, understanding and appreciative and make me love my job even more. It's the rest that often have me tearing at my thinning hair in disbelief. It will never cease to amaze me what some people think they're entitled to just because they are a customer.

It all started because a table were unhappy with their meal at my friend's restaurant. Instead of attracting the attention of the staff, or even walking the 10ft to the open kitchen, they decided to air their grievances online. Asides from being lazy, this is far more harmful to a small business than you think.

As soon as you grab your phone and start typing that review, you've already decided something. You have no intention of letting them do anything to improve the situation, you just want to have a dig.

Online complaints are generally effective against bigger 'faceless' companies as it allows a direct line to the right person and the public nature of the approach guarantees a quicker response. With small restaurants this is not the case. For a start, you're actually on the premises. The chef is likely to be there too, having worked the previous 10-12 hours preparing for service. Given the amount of work that's put in, they are probably going to be equally, if not more, upset that you haven't enjoyed your meal and will probably do everything to make it right.

It's cruel and leaves your restauranteur with a dilemma. Respond meekly, take the criticism (deserved or otherwise) and hope the customer, the customer's friends, the customer's followers, give them a second chance or risk alienating them all? Either way its a lose/lose. It's hard to refute an opinion written online, for all of Google to see forever.

This might seem a little over the top and maybe you think I'm overly biased toward our humble proprietor so let me say this. He can be an asshole sometimes. I'm an asshole sometimes and yes, even you dear customer, are an asshole sometimes. That's life. We all have off days. He also makes mistakes. Of course he does. We all do. Maybe you did have to wait slightly longer than you would have liked. These things happen. Shouldn't he still have the chance to apologise to your face before you tell the whole world about it? Wouldn't you like that chance?

Small, independent businesses should be the lifeblood of this country. We should be championing these entrepreneurs at every turn. Without them we would have no choice but to frequent the same soulless chains day in, day out.

So the next time you are in a cafe or restaurant and something isn't entirely to your liking try speaking to someone first. You don't like confrontation? Good! Chances are they don't either. I fully believe that they will do whatever they can to make your experience better. And if they don't? Then my friend, twitter is ready and waiting for you. Go wild.

Remember, the customer is always right!

Before I Die...

July 21, 2015, 2:18 am

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What will you do? A very simple question that can be put to everyone and one that has been put to the people of Galway over the last 3 weeks. The question was put out there in a public space, on a public street with chalk there for everyone to write what they would do. Funny how such a simple question can get you thinking? Reading the answers, each and everyone was so different from the rest, showing just how much each and everyone of us is so different in what we want to do and be. And yet we are all so similar, we love to engage with ideas, people and be part of life.

Life is so fast paced now, that often we have very little time to just take stock and ask ourselves what it is we want to do, where we want to go or how do we feel about situations, people and ourselves.

So what do you want to do before you die? This deserves some thought, often we are afraid to allow ourselves to think about what we want as it can really overwhelm and leave us searching for answers. Answers that might not be there today but with the right mindset and identifying your goals and how exactly you can achieve these- is the first step in fulfilling them. Goal setting may seem like pie in the sky to some, but goals and targets especially when it comes to health and fitness can be the deciding factor in whether or not you actually achieve anything. The key to goal setting is having the tangible steps and factors needed to actually achieving that goal visualised. Many people say oh I would like to run a 5km, lose a stone or become fitter. They are just thoughts, words, they are not goals yet, until you put pen to paper and say ok I need to plan how I am going to get to be able to run 3 miles, you will find it so difficult to do.

So maybe we need to ask ourselves "what would I like to do before next week?" I always stay start small and build on it. This week I am embarking on a new journey with my training to see how I can challenge my body in different ways, this combined with my Crossfit training will hopefully teach me many new things. Monday being day one, is the day of change. I am alternating my diet and beginning a new training system, of which happened at 7:30am on Monday morning. I am excited for the challenge. Why am I doing this you might ask? Because I like to always challenge myself, to try new things and to step outside of my comfort zone. Why would or should we simply stay in the same lane. Why should we expect the same results and why should we continue to do the same things on the daily, the weekly or even yearly. They say change is as good as rest, well I certainly won't be resting but I will be pushing myself , my body and my mind on in a new direction that I know will benefit my health, lifestyle and my overall mindset.

So what would you do before next week?

10 Ways to Be Happy When Alone

July 21, 2015, 2:21 am

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The feeling of being alone often conjures up a turbulent whirlwind of fear. It is a fear that you will be alone forever, that you are isolated from everyone and everything, that you can't change how you feel about solitude.

Society is petrified of seclusion and this is especially difficult if you are in a new city, have recently come out of a relationship, started a new job or generally have just ongoing feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Here are my top ten ways to feel comfortable in your own skin and rejoice in being by yourself!

1- Be patient. If you're not used to being alone or even hate being alone, then patience is your new and wonderful friend. Patience is enriching and can lift you, because it is a centring practice. Treat it as an acceptance that being alone now is a wonderful and exciting thing, because you will discover many things about yourself. Once you embrace patience and being alone, you will start right there, at the beginning, and begin to see the wonderful opportunities in front of you.

2- Devote yourself to a new art. Start meditating, practice yoga, learn how to do Capoeira. Pick up a pen and draw, paint anything or write about your childhood, remembering by gone days or what your favourite things were at school. Often learning practices or colleges give the first class free, so your can learn something wonderful whilst being around like-minded people.

3- I dare you to do something absolutely random and spontaneous! Talk to dog walkers in the park, buy a smoothie and talk rubbish to the counter assistant, find peace within strangers; they too are alone like you. Things that you may have avoided based on your own principals can be changed and you can dare yourself. Ask silly questions. Smile at strangers. And leave your phone at home.

4- Get dressed up for no apparent reason. I like to do that if I'm feeling a bit crap, then just walk around with no aim but to feel the breeze on your shoulders. People always ask me, 'Where are you going?' and then a whole new conversation can start up.

5- Take yourself out somewhere fancy. Always wanted to try that restaurant or tea parlour? Why not, take yourself and wonder in the splendour or being somewhere so lovely. Feel like being caught up in another world or story? Sit back and enjoy a movie in the dark.

6- Look up. Looking up at the sky is soothing. Looking out into water is relaxing. Looking up at old architecture or statues is also beautiful. Just look out and up and eventually your mood will too.

7- Write your ten most favourite things about yourself and your life. Can't get to ten? Start making them up and stick them on every available space in your bedroom. If you're happy in your head then solitude is blessed. You will get those ten in the end.

8- Read inspirational stories! Saturate the inspiration from your favourite film star, entrepreneur, musician or artist- they too had it hard and worked through the turmoil. They too were alone and sacrificed everything, often friends, family and relationships, to believe in their art. Believe in your art and believe in yourself. Buddhism and meditation books are there to create space in your head. Deepak Chopra and Pema Chodron do wonderful inspiring literature, often with accessible five-minute exercises.

9- There will never be another today. Nor this moment at this time. Here you are in this great big world, a place of wonder and magic, and your heart is there for you to love others. Whether you believe it or not, there are people out there that love you too, you just have to meet them. Enjoy the present moment you live in now.

10- Let go of baggage. Who makes you feel good in your life? What lifts your spirits? Sometimes there are friends and relationships that we think are fine but are not good for our soul. The reason you know is because you get a niggling feeling in your heart or gut that just won't go away. Perhaps their simply not right for you. Or they're not entirely true. You've moved on and it's creating a toxic atmosphere in your soul. Don't sweat the small stuff, neither obsess about whether they are or aren't. Just distance yourself politely and discover the real new you.

Actually, All Food Is Full Of Chemicals

July 21, 2015, 2:23 am

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You know that handful of wild, organic $10 blueberries you just ate? They were full of chemicals -- and that's okay!  

As a new AsapScience video explains, all foods have chemicals in them. So when companies are calling their foods "chemical-free," it's pretty meaningless. So too is that ubiquotous maxim of health nuts everywhere: "If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it."

Chances are, you can't pronounce everything in a banana: glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, starch, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, histidine, leucine, lysine, arginine, valine, alanine, serine and glycine, to name a handful. And, paradoxically, the chemical list is sometimes shorter in unhealthy foods. A candy heart, for example, has a shorter list of chemicals than a banana does, according to the video. 

While this might seem like semantics, it's an important concept to take into consideration with so many food companies using "natural" language to convince you their products are healthful. 

SEE ALSO:

Cauliflower Recipes: 9 Awesome Ways To Cook It From Making Rice To Mashed Potato

Hidden Health Dangers Of Kale: Traces Of Rat Poison Found In Popular Superfood

As this video reminds us, sometimes you need a little food perspective. And it's worth taking blanket health claims with a grain of salt (or, y'know, NaCl).

In another example, did you know that pretty much all the food you eat is processed? 

"The idea of saying, 'Just avoid processed foods' is crazy," registered dietician Dawn Jackson Blatner told The Huffington Post. "Yogurt is a processed food. It’s actually been cultured and packaged. Canned beans, with no other ingredient besides beans, is processed because [the beans] have been cooked and they have been canned."

Of course, there is a difference between "good" and "bad" processed foods. Yogurt, for example, is minimally processed, meaning it retains the good qualities of its source, such as calcium and protein. Foods like soda and and refined bread fall, by contrast, fall in the "highly processed" category, meaning they're been processed to the point where they're not longer recognizable as their original plant or animal source. 

Which all goes to show you that there's no shortcut to consumer knowledge. Yep. There are tons of chemicals in your banana, and your can of beans is processed. You learn something new every day! 

The Key to Productivity? Spend the Day Getting Ready for Sleep

July 21, 2015, 2:24 am

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Are you sleeping on the job? It might be time to reconsider your priorities.

From showing the world how stoic you are by putting in so much overtime and working at weekends, the new, smarter way to work is to improve your work/life balance, starting from looking after your sleep.

Who wants to work with grumpy people ? Would you rather feel tired and irritable or happy and energised ?

A good night's sleep makes us better people

It all starts with good sleep: in an article on productivity, author Annie Ashdown explained that sleep and stress management are crucial to productivity.

Lack of sleep is unfortunately related to a number of health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

A calm state of mind is the perfect environment for good decision-making. We often think that we need to multi-task and work overtime to be productive and gain more from our working day. Don't you think you could achieve better results and complete work at a higher quality in less time if you are starting the day feeling rested ?

A good night's sleep improves memory and learning; when we get tired, we start making mistakes and that affects not only our work performance but also our social interactions.

In other words, a good night's sleep makes us better people. Many complain that their lack of sleep is ruining their life and what makes them have sleepless nights is stress. Their mind is racing and falling asleep is a challenge. One lost night's sleep can have similar effects to having too many units of alcohol. Feeling hangover and lethargic is the unwelcome side-effect of lack of sleep, not to mention feeling quite irritable and short-tempered too.

To challenge that, you need to make the most of your waking hours but not in the traditional sense of achieving as much as possible.

In other words: your waking hours should be geared towards having a good night's sleep.

Sophrology : dynamic relaxation to improve the quality of sleep

What's the solution? Rethink your priorities and start putting the quality of your sleep at the top of your to-do list.
During a day of intense activity at work, instead of allowing your mind and body to be overtaken by stress and end up being unable to wind down, you can choose to carve out 5 minutes of dynamic relaxation techniques 3 times a day, simply sitting at your desk or when you can take a quick break.

Dynamic relaxation techniques can be invaluable to manage your stress rapidly and get a good night's sleep. A technique that has emerged in recent years is Sophrology, which is well-known and widely practised in Continental Europe.

Sophrology is both a stress management technique and a tool for self-development and self-awareness.

Using a series of simple breathing and visualisation exercises, Sophrology can address issues like stress and insomnia by calming down the central nervous system and making you more aware of the signals from your body, ranging from anxiety to stress, and how you can control them.

Sophrology, created by psychiatrist Alfonso Caycedo in the 1950s, focuses on the mind/body connection. You can start noticing some results after one session, but to gain the maximum benefit it is advised to do a daily practice, even a very short one. You can practise Sophrology either sitting down or standing up and you can easily fit a daily session in your schedule as you will only need a few minutes to do it.

The aim of Sophrology is not to mask or ignore your problems but to allow you to observe what is going on in your life, observe your thoughts and feelings and feel more in control. As you start to feel more on top of things as your day goes by, you are less likely to end up in a state of overstimulation at the end of your day.

What can you expect from a regular Sophrology practice? After a week, you may notice that your sleeping patterns have become more regular and that you feel less irritable. After a few months, you will get used to observing your thoughts and feelings and start gaining a sense of perspective and confidence. Not only you will be more focussed and much more productive during the day, but you might start to re-discover the simple joys of life : enjoying a beautiful lanscape, appreciating the beauty of a flower, observing what is around you in a more positive way, restoring a sense of balance between doing and being.

Does it all sound too good to be true ? Fear not, studies have shown that meditation and relaxation techniques can do wonders for your well-being. Meditation techniques can ease various stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression.

How does this fit with productivity? It's very simple: if you feel less anxious, irritable and stressed, you feel more in control of your schedule and your to-do list. You may start feeling energised and refreshed after a good night's sleep and ready to face the day ahead. It only takes a few minutes a day and it's a great investment for long term health.


Sources:

Sophrologie Tome I, Dr Patrick-André Chéné http://www.ellebore.com/index.php?art=3&th=135

Tome II http://www.ellebore.com/livres-sophrologie-tome-ii-ellebore_135_4.html

Sophrologie et gestion du poids, Dr Marie-Andrée Auquier http://www.ellebore.com/sophrologie-et-gestion-du-poids_135_246.html

La relaxation dynamique 1er degré, Dr Patrick-André Chéné http://www.ellebore.com/la-relaxation-dynamique-1er-degre---vivre-son-corps-avec-la-sophrologie_135_252.html

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Woman Launches Feminist, Intersectional Magazine About Periods (And No, It's Not A Monthly)

July 21, 2015, 7:13 am

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Periods. Approximately half the world's population get them, and yet they remain a taboo subject which is seldom discussed.

Thankfully one woman hopes to change that. Soofiya Andry, 23, has launched her own 'zine (think of it as a small, self-published, low-cost magazine), called Bloody Hell, that will focus on periods and experiences of menstruation, which hopes to break down current societal taboos.



"Often the narrative surrounding menstruation is shameful and treated like something to hide," she tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle. "I wanted to readdress that. My only real aim was to capture people’s stories of menstruation."

In recent months, with the outrage over artist Rupi Kaur's censored period photograph and discussions around homeless women's experiences of menstruation, conversations are certainly beginning to shift. But Soofiya says a lot needs to be done to make menstruation an inclusive space.

Discussions around periods, or "period talk" as she describes it, is dominated by white cisgender women ('cisgender' meaning where an individual is assigned the correct gender at birth eg. a woman who identifies as female, in comparison to 'transgender' where an individual's biological sex and gender do not match at birth).

"There are people of all genders who menstruate," says Soofiyak, who is Muslim Pakistani. "I have non-binary and trans friends who have uteruses and menstruate but don’t define necessarily as ‘women’. So when mainstream media and people use phrases like ‘lady time’ or ‘women’s problems’ it's often very alienating."

Her zine hopes to counter that, with inclusivity and intersectionality being central to the project.



Soofiya, who is a graphic designer and MA student, always wanted Bloody Hell to be collaborative effort, calling on friends and her wider networks to contribute.

"There’s quite a diverse mix of people who submitted, including trans and non-binary people. I’m also a woman of colour as are few other contributors, so there’s a nice mix of cultures in the zine too," she says.

"One submission was from a lovely person who did a photography project based on a vampiric ghost in Malay folklore called ‘Pontianak’. It was really refreshing to see how menstruation is considered cross cultures and in folklore too."

"I’d like the next issue to be even more diverse than this one."


A menstruation playlist from Bloody Hell

Soofiya has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), something she says she wouldn't have been able to detect if she didn't feel able to discuss her periods. This is something she wants to empower other women to do.

"PCOS can affect how you menstruate, among many of the symptoms," she says. "I’ve been on and off pills to deal with the symptoms. It’s gotten worse for me in the past year or so. I’m working with my GP to help keep things in hand, but it’s tricky.

"I guess, in way this project is a nice little cathartic release for my experiences with menstruation and PCOS."

SEE ALSO:

Worried About Heavy Periods? This Test Will Tell If You Need To See Your GP


These Honest Illustrations Sum Up How We Feel On Our Period


Toxic Shock Syndrome Doesn't Just Affect Women Who Wear Tampons


This Teen Is Calling All Guys To Bring Tampons Into School To Help Out Their Girl Friends

Soofiya has set up a crowdfunding page for her zine, where supporters can donate in exchange for their own hand-stitched issue or a "bleeding vag" badge.

Budget Bum Lift Leaves Mum In Agony On Channel 5 Show Botched Up Bodies: 'It Looks As If I've Been Bitten By A Shark'

July 21, 2015, 7:27 am

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Warning: article contains photograph of individual's post-surgery bottom that some readers may find offensive

When Heidi Faulkner lost half her body weight, she was left with an unexpected, unwanted side effect.

The property manager, from Hertfordshire, found herself with excess skin around her bum and legs, so jetted off abroad for "booty lift" plastic surgery .

But instead of getting the toned physique she desired, the budget procedure left the mum-of-one with diagonal scars across her buttocks.

The surgeon had removed too much fat, meaning that in the weeks after surgery, Faulkner even found it difficult to sit down.



Faulkner, 36, had been unhappy with her size for years when she decided to lose weight.

"I overate, I didn't exercise. I was in foster home and what not and I wasn't taught to look after myself," she explains in Channel 5 show Botched Up Bodies.

Faulkner says it used to take her a month of planning to find an outfit to wear on a night out before she lost weight, because it was hard to find clothes she liked in her size.

"I didn't want to be the fat girl out with my skinny mates," she says.

After trying "every diet going" and even giving hypnosis a try, Faulkner opted to have a gastric band fitted by a surgeon here in the UK. The band helped her to halve her body weight and she went from 16 stone to eight stone.

Although she was initially thrilled with the results, a leak in the gastric band meant Faulkner soon began to put weight on again.

SEE ALSO:

Alicia Douvall Says We Need To 'Protect Vulnerable Girls' From Cosmetic Surgery

Kim Kardashian Super-Fan Reveals Love Of Surgery Has Backfired

The band was fixed and Faulkner lost the weight again, but her fluctuation in size left her with excess skin around her legs and bum.

"My little boy actually said to me: 'Mum, it looks like your bum's melted'," she says.

Knowing that going to the gym wasn't going to shift the skin, Faulkner turned to surgery for a second time. But as bum life procedures cost £4,296 on average in the UK, she flew to Prague in the hope of having the same procedure at a fraction of the cost.

But when her bandages were removed after surgery, Faulkner was in for a shock.



"It looked as if a shark has come and bitten my bottom and taken a chunk away," she says.

"I remember hearing someone screaming and then realising it was me."

Faulkner now has diagonal scars across her buttocks and says she regrets having the cheap surgery. She wants others to know the dangers budget procedures aboard can hold.

"I didn't want to be embarrassed my myself anymore,"she says. "But by me trying to put that right, I've just created bigger problems."

Heidi Faulkner appears on Botched Up Bodies, Tuesday night at 10pm on Channel 5.

What's It Like To Live With ADHD? 12 People Share How It Feels To Live With The Disorder

July 21, 2015, 7:39 am

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Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be hard enough, without having people not understand the condition.

A new video from BuzzFeed offers an interesting insight into what it's actually like to live with ADHD.

The term ADHD refers to a group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

According to the NHS, it can occur in people of any intellectual ability, although it is more common in people with learning difficulties.

SEE ALSO:

ADHD: Myth or Reality [Blog]

The Rise of ADHD, Autism, Aspergers in Our Children [Blog]

ADHD - Why One Parent Chose to Medicate [Blog]

In this eye-opening video, people who suffer from the condition share their experiences of ADHD, using the anonymous sharing app, Whisper.

Here's what they have to say:

"Everyone says I use my ADHD as an excuse when I have a hard time focusing. It really pisses me off that people don't understand."

"My ADHD is so bad that I have to close my eyes when I'm on the phone. I won't pay attention to the person otherwise. Literally every person around me is a distraction."

"I hate having ADHD, it's like my mind is running in ten different directions."

"I think the main reason I've never dated is because of my ADHD. I can't sit still for more than ten seconds."

"I have ADHD and nobody knows because I don't want it to be an excuse."

"I've just started college, my ADHD is awful, I think I'm going to fail."



"I really want to join the military but I don't think I can make it without my ADHD medication."

"For the first time in my life I'm taking meds to help regulate my ADHD. It's helping but I don't like how my personalities differ."

"I have ADHD and can never pay attention. It's kind of putting my family and friends on edge."

"I wish I could turn my ADHD off, I've had to read whole chapters again and restart movies because I was thinking about something else."

"I joke with people about having ADHD when I act dumb, but I secretly do have it and it makes my life a living hell."

"When I got diagnosed with ADHD when I was younger, people told me I would not amount to much. I proved them all wrong."

Do Men Or Women Have A Higher Tolerance To Pain? This Experiment Finds Out

July 21, 2015, 7:47 am

≫ Next: Saatchi Gallery To Host Chanel Exhibition, From Karl Lagerfeld to Coco Chanel

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Contrary to popular belief that women have a higher pain tolerance than men in order to prepare them for the scream-inducing nightmare that is childbirth, some studies have shown that men are actually better at handling pain than women.

To put the debate to rest once and for all, six men and six women agreed to have their pain endurance levels put to the test.

In the above video, each volunteer is timed as they put their hand in a bowl of water filled with ice.

The men pondered their way through the pain...


"Is this what the people on the Titanic felt like?"

While the women took a more practical approach...


"It feels like when I go on a run - where it starts out really terrible and I really don't want to be there. Then after a while you're like: 'Well, this is just the pain I feel for now, so I might as well keep feeling it'."

At the end of the experiment, the volunteers' times were analysed.

The women spent an average of 96.3 seconds with their hands in the ice water, while the men spent an impressive 111.3 seconds in ice - making them the winners.

But remember, the BuzzFeed team tried the ice water test in a controlled environment with experts on hand, so don't try this endurance test at home.

SEE ALSO:

If Men Had Periods Could They Cope? (Probably Not)

Man Experiences The Pain Of Childbirth, Responds Accordingly

Saatchi Gallery To Host Chanel Exhibition, From Karl Lagerfeld to Coco Chanel

July 21, 2015, 8:23 am

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Chanel is debuting a new exhibition in London this October and it looks incredible.

The display, entitled Mademoiselle Prive, will span three floors of the Saatchi Gallery and opens from 13th October - 1st November.



Fashion lovers who missed out on the V&A's sold out Alexander McQueen exhibition will be pleased to know that entry to the Chanel event will be free, with its doors open 7 days a week.

Expect to see Chanel's stunning haute couture pieces alongside the fashion house's re-issued 1932 "Bijoux de Diamants" high jewellery collection - the only jewellery ever created by Coco Chanel in 1932.



The exhibition will give viewers the chance to explore the magical Chanel story, from the inspiration behind Coco Chanel's original designs all the way through to Karl Lagerfeld's tenure today.



Can't wait 'till then? The Saatchi Gallery will also be hosting the photography exhibition Second Floor:
The Private Apartment Of Mademoiselle Chanel from 12th September - 4th October, a series of 34 photographs capturing the private rooms of Mademoiselle Chanel at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris.

More information can be found at saatchigallery.com

SEE ALSO:

Chanel Are Opening Their First Spa

Kendall Jenner Just Schooled Us In The Art Of Power Dressing In Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld's Cat Earned £2 Million Last Year