Table of contents for 11-Feb-2021 in Pick Me Up!

Working as a lead nurse, focused on pulmonary hypertension, I loved my career in the NHS. For over 30 years, I dedicated my life to the health of others. However, in 2019, after suffering with chronic insomnia, I made the decision to retire. It took me a while to accept that I didn’t have anywhere to go, but I soon began to settle into my more leisurely life with my husband, Chris. Only, when coronavirus struck, I knew I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing. Like many others, almost immediately, I came out of retirement and started doing call consultations from home. It worked well, but I wanted to do more. My daughter Bryony had set up a group of volunteers in her local area, and I decided to do…

Be a winner! This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! This 40L recycling bin has two convenient 20L split compartments. The stainless-steel kitchen bin has a hygienic foot pedal, removable inner bucket and a soft, quiet close lid. Segregate waste with ease! For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Twist and shout Open tough jars by running the lid under hot water to loosen it. Angela Garvin, Essex Gorgeous DIY I created my own, shabby chic message board using wine bottle corks. Carol Adams, West Midlands Spotless home Blow away Use a hairdryer to clean dust from artificial flowers. Judith Cairns, Colchester Hang on If you’re struggling to hang a picture straight, place a marble on top of the frame…

Repeat problem Q I keep getting cold sores. Will I ever be able to get rid of them for good? Becky, Somerset A Cold sores are pretty common and usually clear up on their own within 10 days, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain. Recurrent cold sores can be an indicator of other underlying medical problems, such as a problem with your immune system. There are some very effective medications which should be able to help you. Speak to your GP or pharmacist and they should find something that works for you. Unfortunately for some individuals there is no cure, but most people will be able to control the outbreaks. What’s the norm? Q My seven-year-old daughter suffers with terrible constipation and sometimes…

Canine companions There has been a massive increase in puppy sales and puppy prices over the past year. The benefits of having a furry friend really can be life changing for a lot of people. Since more of us have been working from home during recent times, it has been proven that those with a dog have better work lives. Being able to pet a canine companion throughout a workday lowers stress levels. These lowered stress levels also ensure a healthier heart. Also, a study has shown that dog owners are 34 per cent more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking per week than non-dog owners. I woof you Furthermore, while on a walk, dog owners have on average a 28 per cent increase in walking speed compared…

Personalised photo boxers, £24.99, Prezzybox.com The perfect gift for Valentine’s, stag parties or anniversaries. Have fun customising! Verdict: BONKERS! Pull a funny face! Love potion decanter, £19.99, Firebox.com Turn any beverage into a potent aphrodisiac. Don’t underestimate the placebo effect! Verdict: BONKERS! Pour your heart out! Pinky swear white salt and pepper shakers, £18.50, Redcandy.co.uk Think your dinner is under seasoned? We pinky promise not to tell the chef! Season until your heart’s content. Verdict: GENIUS! Treat your favourite cook.…

With at least one vaccination due for all of us this year, a few will have to confront their phobias of needles. Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, has shared his top tips for those of us who are worried about upcoming injections. 1. If you’re going for an injection, tell the person giving it to you about your phobia and they’ll take good care of you. They can help by distracting you, perhaps by talking to you during the process – which is over before you know it. 2. There’s a process called ‘applied tension’, where you tense your muscles for 10-15 seconds at a time, then rest, and repeat 5 times. Doing this every few days for a week can train your body to prevent fainting. Then, whenever…

Q I have a constant buzzing in my ear and it’s incredibly frustrating. Could it be tinnitus? Scott, Bournemouth A Tinnitus is the medical terminology for noises in the ears that are not caused by sounds coming from the outside world. It is fairly common and not usually a sign of anything serious, but the cause of the tinnitus should still be investigated if you have had it for a while. There are numerous causes and making an appointment with your GP will initiate these investigations to find the source of this irritating problem. It may well get better on its own, but there are treatments that can help and your GP will help determine the best cause of action for you.…

Muddy dog season is here! Crisp winter walks, fires and cosy nights in – or, for many dog owners it’s damp walks, muddy paws and the dreaded post-walk ‘shake’. Muddy dog season is very much upon us. But fear not, help is at hand with the new Be:Loved pet care range. Here the team have shared their tips for bath time… STEP 1. Brush your dog before a bath – Matted hair holds water, leaving your dog with irritated skin. STEP 2. Use lukewarm water – Hot water can burn dogs more easily than humans. For large breeds which are prone to overheating, reduce the temperature again. STEP 3. Distraction techniques – A great way of making bath time more enjoyable. Play with toys or let them lick peanut butter…

Lydia May, from Birmingham knew there was something going on with her son… Staring at Joe, six, I had tears in my eyes as my concern grew about his eating. What have I done wrong? I thought. When Joe was born he had issues around feeding – his reflux was bad and he never latched onto breast feeding. Worrying about these issues, I knew I had to take him to the paediatrician, who wrongly told me there wasn’t a problem and to try reflux milk. Joe isn’t curious about food like he is with everything else in his life. But, it’s not just a lack of curiosity, he is terrified of new foods. Reaching for the strawberry rice cakes one day, my other son grabbed one and started munching. ‘Where’s…

QUEEN OF HEARTS Be the Queen of Hearts this Valentine’s Day with this glamorous jojoba, vanilla and almond oil collection from Baylis and Harding. Indulgent, luxury bath and body treats, as well as pampering gift sets for you or a special loved one. 1. Jojoba, Vanilla & Almond Oil Heart Fizzers Gift Set, £9, Morrisons 2. Jojoba, Vanilla & Almond Oil Candlelit Bath Set, £18, Tesco 3. Jojoba, Vanilla & Almond Oil Luxury Hand Treats, £6, Morrisons 4. Jojoba, Vanilla & Almond Oil Luxury Hand Care Set, £8, Morrisons 5. Jojoba, Vanilla & Almond Oil Luxury Bath Bubbles, £8, Tesco 6. Jojoba, Vanilla & Almond Oil Bathing Gift Set Box, £10, Tesco 7. Jojoba, Vanilla & Almond Oil Luxury Bathing Set, £15, Morrisons A simple touch Wear your heart on…

Solve the puzzle to find a word. Fit the words back in the grid and the letters in the highlighted squares spell out the answer. We’ve put in one word to help. 3 letters Ash Asp Hen Hop Nap 4 letters Stag Stir Thee Thou Thus 5 letters Frock Prank Shade Tunic 6 letters Action Alkali Assign Enough Exotic Off cut Outing 7 letters Augment Goodies Papoose 8 letters Diamonds Dwindles Sheepdog Stacking This week’s puzzle answers! Cross it! Pristine PLEASE NOTE Pick Me Up! will still be bringing you great puzzles to pit your wits against, but will no longer be offering prizes. Don’t forget, you can do puzzles for big cash prizes every week in our sister magazine, Chat. JUST FOR FUN…

Spend Palentine’s Day with Percy Pig or celebrate Valentine’s Day in-style with Rosé Beer and Love Whips! No matter how you choose to celebrate the day, Marks and Spencer’s have you covered with their range of gift bags and hampers. For more visit marksandspencer.com ALL THE PERCY LOVE GIFT BAG, £25 Spend Valentine’s or Palentine’s with Percy! This super cute gift bag includes an adorable Percy Pig soft toy and iconic sweets, Percy biscuit tin (with heart shaped boppers!) and indulgent heart shaped chocolates. Order now for delivery from 2 Feb. VALENTINE’S PERCY PIG GIFT BAG, £30 Surprise a Percy loving partner or pal with the first ever floral Percy Pig Gift Bag! This pretty pink arrangement features roses, germini, tulips, matricaria – and of course a pack of Percy…

YOU’VE GOTTA LOVE! When I was a young girl, I had dreams of being in the police force. I spent the first few decades of my life as a secretary, but I always wanted to do more. Then at the age of 45, I finally pursued my passion when I became a special constable. Providing a duty of care to my community, working on the streets and in prisons, I loved the experience. Then 13 years later, I was forced to retire. ‘I don’t feel ready to stop,’ I told my husband Robert, then 58. ‘It keeps me young!’ Our two children were both grown up – I had all the time in the world to help other people. ‘Have you thought about becoming a PCSO?’ my daughter-inlaw asked me. ‘Oh no,…

Lucy Power is a leading conscious Success Coach and co-founder of Beyond School which offers a new way of learning for families. Lucy helps people to raise their selfawareness and develop into their very best self. www.beyondschool.co Harsh home truths Q After telling my sister some home truths about her badly behaved kids, she’s stopped talking to me. Was I wrong to be honest? I was trying to help. Lisa, Derby A Honesty is never wrong and nor is trying to help. Are you certain you spoke your truth clearly and that you were trying to help? If not, what did you need instead? If so, I wonder how you framed the conversation with her and whether you said what you wanted to say in a way that was easy…

BIG health story Throwing another ready meal into the microwave, I set the timer for two minutes and dashed upstairs to get my uniform off. After a long day working in an emergency services control room, I was ready to collapse into a heap on the sofa. Before I knew it… Ping! Dinner was ready and tonight’s grub was whatever ready meal I’d found in the fridge. And in truth, this had become a bit of a bad habit. Living on my own, I hadn’t been cooking proper meals for years. With my job demanding so much of me, I was always picking up bites to eat here and there. Takeaways, ready meals - you name it, if it was quick and easy I’d eat it. But as the years…

Raynaud’s disease 1Raynaud’s disease affects your blood circulation. □ True □ False 2It is a common problem. □ True □ False 3Raynaud’s is usually linked to an underlying health condition. □ True □ False 4It can run in the family. □ True □ False 5Nothing can help during an attack. □ True □ False 1 TRUE It’s a condition which causes pain, numbness, pins and needles or changes in colour in your fingers or toes when you’re anxious or stressed due to limiting of the blood flow to the affected areas. 2 TRUE It is most common in women between 18 and 35 years old and it affects up to 20% of the adult population worldwide. 3 FALSE It does not usually cause severe problems and symptoms can be eased by keeping warm,…

THIS WEEK Money saving challenges The penny pinching pros from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have revealed nine of their favourite money saving challenges that Brits can start today, and there’s something for everyone – no matter what they earn or their savings goals. Choose one or two that are best suited to your circumstances and goals. It’s always a good idea to have some savings to fall back on, as you never know what life’s going to throw at you! 1 The No Spend month This is as straightforward as it sounds – just don’t spend anything for a month. Not taking into account essentials like fuel, basic groceries (but only what you really need), utility bills, mortgage or rent and insurance payments, say ‘no’ to all additional spending for an entire month.…

www.theastrologyroom.com Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April With a rather difficult aspect between the planets pushing you in several directions, both mentally and physically, it’s clear you’re drained. Keep an eye out for an attractive face that can be found in the company of friends. This could be the beginning of a beautiful new chapter. The new moon on Thursday helps you take stock of what you really want. Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Careful what you say about your personal life to new faces. The planets are making you far more open than usual and you may end up saying things that you will later regret. Remember that your words will not be forgotten, especially by the older generation. There’s a reason your…