Although we appear to be a nation more switched on to our health and wellness, worrying research has revealed that half of us think just 30 minutes of exercise each week is enough for a healthy heart. It has been found that 50.5 per cent of people are oblivious to basic heart health requirements, and who don’t know what constitutes a healthy body mass index. The new study, by AFIB Matters, also found that the figure is even lower for men, with the survey revealing that only 49.8 per cent of...

Green spaces are perfect places for you to get active. And with the help of Great Britain, British and National Wrestling Champion, Keith McNiven, founder of Right Path Fitness, you can get active with the most effective outdoors exercise. "There's no need for fancy equipment. Your local park has everything you need for a good workout. Training outside improves mood, offers variety and can increase motivation,” he explained. Exercises to try include: • Walk out push-ups: Good for building core...

Experts have warned of the danger of a chemical used in black henna that could be affecting some 20 per cent of children. A recent British Skin Foundation survey found that 20 per cent of children could be in danger of having serious reactions to black henna temporary tattoos, which is the same number of adults also putting themselves at risk, a trend which is popular at overseas holiday destinations. Real henna is orange/brown in colour. Black henna tattoos are not based on henna, but a...

There can be conflicting advice about the best way to sleep, but did you know that some suggestions can actually be harmful? A new study has found that nearly half (45 per cent) of people are compromising their sleep quality by following sleep myths, with 52 per cent believing you can catch up on sleep, while over a third (39 per cent) think four hours sleep each night is enough. And more than a quarter (28 per cent) think an alcoholic tipple before bed helps you sleep better. The new...

A leading charity has raised concern that delayed diagnosis of coeliac disease is creating a growing health problem across the UK. Coeliac UK has issued a warning that undiagnosed patients are at risk of suffering with complications of the disease, including irreversible neurological damage. In its 50th anniversary year, the charity is urging health professionals and the general public to take coeliac disease seriously. Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive, said that even though awareness of coeliac...

Almost half of the nation spends less than one hour outside every day. That is according to a new poll, which also found that one in five people say they are not content and that British people rank their wellness as ‘average’, with time spent outside and time spent sedentary being key areas for improvement nationwide. Hours of sleep and ‘me time’ are where Brits rank their habits highest, although the average amount of sleep still falls short of the recommended seven to nine hours, at just...

A new campaign is aiming to encourage Brits to move out of their comfort zone. According to research, nine in 10 people in the UK claim they are stuck in their very own version of Groundhog Day, from leaving the house at precisely the same time every morning to eating the same lunch every day, spending six hours every week dreaming about doing things differently and trying new experiences. And so, Highland Spring has launched a new campaign, supported by behavioural psychologist, Jo Hemmings,...

As the summer months approach, so too does the prospect of exam season, and all the stresses this can bring, but it needn’t be such an anxiety-ridden time if you follow some simple tips. Rescue Remedy has teamed up with Neil Shah, Director of the Stress Management Society, to help keep on top of the exam period, while remaining calm and focused. Manage study time: It’s important to schedule your work. Draw up a balanced and realistic revision schedule and stick to it. Have regular breaks and...

With the London Marathon just a few weeks away, running fever can often sweep the nation. But before you begin pounding the streets, whether you’re running a marathon or just starting out, take tips from Crosby Tailor, a PT and advocate of low impact workouts and founder of the 30 Day Transformation workout series. An expert in low impact exercises that still achieves incredible results, Crosby is on a mission to help those avoid injury and negative results, caused by overtraining. So, what...

We can all feel a little cranky from time to time, but with a few simple holistic changes, you can ensure your mood stays in balance. Dr Marilyn Glenville, leading Nutritionist and author of Natural Alternatives to Sugar, highlighted the importance of eating right, recommending: “Eat little and often so that your moods are not being affected by a roller coaster of blood sugar highs and lows.” B vitamins are also crucial for mood, with Nutritionist and Fitness Instructor, Cassandra Barns,...

It’s easy to consume additional calories without even knowing it, and this is putting greater pressure on our collective waistlines. And so to help, the British Nutrition Foundation has offered its top tips for knowing your calorie intake as part of the ‘Know your numbers’ calorie advice issued by Public Health England (PHE) in a bid to cut childhood and adult obesity. The BNF advises: l Breakfast (400kcal): Breakfast is a great opportunity to get at least one of your five a day – add fruit to...

ChaYkra is the new label that creates specialised and ethically sourced garments for yoga. The London-based brand uses only 100 per cent sustainable materials from fair trade certified factories, with the debut collection’s style being ‘Brindian’, fusing British elegance with Indian flair to create a unique style reflecting the identity of the brand's British Indian sister founders. All garments in the ChaYkra collection have been made with natural organic cotton for its comfort, breathability...

A new campaign is helping the nation get on its bike and get active. free2cycle has launched in a bid to increase productivity, and physical and mental wellbeing by encouraging more people to cycle regularly. The revolutionary social enterprise prioritises behaviour change over bike ownership through incentivising individuals to get more active, more regularly, meaning they can obtain a bike funded purely by pedal power. “Inactivity is causing severe and preventable pressure on the NHS and the...

Fly direct to Malta from £44*. The Maltese Islands, an archipelago of three islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino – lie in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, just 80km south of Italy. The European Union’s smallest Member State covers an area of just 316km2, yet within its boundaries lies a wealth of cultural heritage. The capital city, Valletta, and its more ancient predecessor, Mdina, are two of Malta’s most popular destinations. Both are endowed with a treasure-trove of architectural and...

After much publicity and campaigning, 2018 has seen the official ban of microbeads in personal care products in the UK. Manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products will no longer be able to add tiny pieces of plastic known as ‘microbeads’ to rinse-off products, such as face scrubs, toothpastes and shower gels. The ban has come into force after a number of skincare brands, along with organisations such as Greenpeace and the Marine Conservation Society (MSC), fought for their banning....