Table of contents for 15-Sep-2022 in Pick Me Up!

Kissing my baby boy goodbye, I felt a sudden pang. ‘I’ll see you in the morning,’ I told Jaxson, stroking his soft, chubby cheeks. He was only seven months old, and it was my first night out without him. ‘He’ll be fine,’ my mum Amanda reassured me. ‘Go and have fun!’ He was staying at Mum’s round the corner, and I knew he was in good hands. Waving them off, I went to the kitchen and poured myself a drink. Then my mate Sarah* knocked at the door. ‘Let’s party,’ she cheered. We’d gone out a lot together pre-baby. I loved being a new mum, but I couldn’t wait to get dolled up, have a boogie and let my hair down. ‘What do you think of these shoes?’ I asked…

A new national survey commissioned by wellness company Mentholatum has revealed that 64% of 18–29-year-olds have back problems. So, what is the cause of these issues? Covid introduced hybrid and home hours to the mainstream workplace. Brits found themselves hunched over their desks and this is where the back problems began. Not everyone has access to a supportive chair, with 20% of those surveyed having to work from a bed or sofa. Incorporate stretches into your day and exercise regularly, but if problems persist, seek medical attention.…

INSTANT appointment With Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk) Feeling anxious Q I often feel so anxious that I want to be sick – do you have any tips on combating anxiety? Sarah, Hastings A If anxiety symptoms are severe enough to reduce your quality of life, you may have generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). Perhaps certain events or situations trigger anxiety symptoms or a panic attack. Tell someone you trust about your anxiety symptoms. Keep a record of your symptoms in a ‘mind diary’ that you can show to your GP. Using simple breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, will help to control very acute symptoms. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that is often very successful. It is also helpful to learn…

Morning 5am: wake up to the sound of screaming pihas, a bird that calls in the morning. Get the fire lit, fill up the pot with water and put over the fire to warm. Begin putting the hammock away. Eat breakfast – either oats, or sometimes fish from a catch the night before. Change from dry clothes to wet day clothes (nothing dries in the jungle…ever!) Powder feet and put socks and boots on. Put down tarp that covers you when you sleep. Pack bag, fill water, put out fire. Brief the team on the route and plan for the day. 7am: set off on a bearing. Spend the day cutting through the forest, stopping once an hour for a water break. Every few minutes I direct the team about which…

Squirming around on the spot, I tried to be as quick as I could. ‘All done now,’ I cooed, picking Albie, then one, up from his mat. He’d always give me a hard time, whilst I tried to pick his outfit of the day. Luckily, I had my husband Chris, 32, and our daughter’s Lilly,10, and Poppy, eight, to give me a helping hand. Plus, we had number four on the way, with a baby girl due to arrive in October last year, so it would give them all practice! ‘Stay still little man,’ I groaned, trying to pull Albie’s top over his head, one day in April last year. Tugging the material over his arms, his right one got caught in the sleeve and as a result he had…

Why not make a start on filling your Instagram feed with more inspiring content, with these great accounts? @bunny.bispo – if you want to see someone styling together amazing outfits each day whilst reminding people of their authentic beauty, then this is the account for you! @alexlight_ldn is great at educating people about the damaging effects of diet culture and has recently released her own book You Are Not A Before Picture to spread her message! @_nelly_london posts her authentic bikini body regularly and unpacks the reasons why we think of perfectly normal features as ‘flaws’.…

Laughing and cheering with friends before a school sports match, it was clear to see that sisters Amina and Sarah were popular amongst their peers Like most highschoolers their age, they were interested in social activities like pep rallies. The two were both seniors at Lewisville High School in Texas, and enjoyed messing about together with their school friends. Children of American Patricia Owens and Egyptian taxi driver Yaser Said, 65, they seemed like your average family. Yaser first met Patricia in his local convenience store, where she was working back in 1987. She was just 15 at the time, and he was 29. After promising her parents that he could provide her with a good life, they were soon married. Within the first three years of their marriage, she…

HAVE YOU HEARD? Barbie’s got a new look! They’ve teamed up with Strictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis to unveil their very first doll with a behind-the-ear hearing aid. Dolls with disabilities – we love it! We’re loving There’s nothing better than dimming the lights, cosying up under a blanket and opening up a good book to wind down for the night. Now, you can take your wellbeing routine to the next level with the new and improved Neom Pod. Let the gentle gurgle and dreamy scents take you to a new level of relaxation. With a white ceramic cover and recycled light wood base, it’s chic as well as soothing. Try out the new breathing mode – the light will slowly brighten for seven seconds then dim for 11…

Stepping up to the plane door, I felt a gust of wind smack me in the face. I was a whopping 13,500ft in the air. Taking a deep breath, I squeezed my eyes tight, leaned forward and jumped. My stomach dropped as I plummeted to the ground. As air whooshed around me, I opened my eyes. The view was incredible. This is like flying, I thought as I soared, completely in awe. I could see for miles, and as adrenaline pumped through me, I pulled my parachute and floated back to earth. ‘I can’t believe I did it!’ I said to my instructor, as my feet landed on solid ground. I got the bug, and from that first jump, I was hooked. Between 2015 and 2020, I did five tandem…

September can be a confusing time of year – the sun might make an appearance, or a rainy day can come with quite a chill. Here’s a list of fashion essentials that can carry you through into the next few months… A chunky cardigan A selection of oversized knits Pleated or wide leg trousers A check shirt Autumnal midi dresses Printed mini skirt to wear with tights and boots Cosy loungewear sets Sturdy boots A warm winter style jacket Oversized blazer Meet the creator… Claire Rodrigues Lee, 44, from London, set up her own fashion brand to bring her out of the dark… Coming out of a very long and unhealthy relationship at 34 years old, I had to start my life from scratch. In all honesty, it was the…

Bathing heaven Love yourself a relaxing bath? Well, so does treasured TV presenter Stacey Solomon. That’s why she’s teamed up with Dove to launch her very own limited-edition Bath Soak & Salt range and Bathe & Bloom Gift Pack – available from Asda 1. Dove X Stacey Soloman Renewing Care Bath Soak & Salt For the ultimate bathing experience, this collection is comprised of the Dove Renewing Care Peony & Rose Bath Soak (£5.99) and Bath Salts (£6.99). Formulated with a blend of skin-natural moisturisers, these products will help to soothe the skin and relax tired and aching muscles. With a limited-edition design, they create a moment of truly elevated self-care. 2. Dove X Stacey Solomon Bathe & Bloom Gift Pack Elevate your bathing routine with the Bathe & Bloom…

www.clairepetulengro.tv Catch Claire live on Facebook ARIES 21 March–20 April You may be upset about something that did not go your way last week. Concentrate on what you learnt. It’s more than you have taken on board all year so far. News of a birth or pregnancy divides family. It’s too soon for you to know whose side you should be on, so don’t be pushed by those who only have half the facts and not the whole story. You’ve got this, Aries! Call: 09058 170 710* LEO 24 July–23 Aug Although the approaching full moon will make you more outspoken than others would like, it does at least offer them the facts which are needed to go forward with you. Don’t explain yourself several times, or it will only…

STAR LETTER If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis. Ideal for storage or composting food waste, the 18L capacity caddy is a kitchen essential. It’s also dishwasher safe, so can be easily cleaned to remove all those pesky bin smells. For more ways to make your life easier, visit: addis.co.uk Fill your boots! For instantly shiny boots, just paint them with black gloss paint. Katie Gooding, Tidworth Keep it fresh Sprays and car fresheners often smell of chemicals and don’t last long. Take a wooden clothes peg, soak in essential oils and peg it to your air vent to make your car smell nice. Richard Adams, West Midlands PROTECT YOUR HOME Research by Tesco Bank warns that your home is most vulnerable to a break-in…

Vitamins are something we will all take at some point. But do you know the correct way to store them? Rich Quelch, global head of marketing at Lifestyle Packaging, a company that provides medical storage, reveals the dos and don’ts of storing your vitamins. Don’t – Bathroom The humidity of showers and baths can quickly deteriorate vitamins and lower their potency, reducing their effectiveness and speeding up their expiration date. Don’t – Kitchen While the kitchen may be the heart of the home, it shouldn’t be home to your supplements. The heat from ovens and hobs in addition to damp conditions and steam created by sinks, kettles and dishwashers makes the kitchen a treacherous environment for storing supplements. Don’t – Refrigerator The fridge is a high-moisture area, and the condensation…

Rearranging the sunglasses on my face, for the hundredth time, it was frustrating. It was not a wonky fashion statement – I was trying to hide my face. How long do cold sores last? I thought. I had a huge one across my nose and cheek. After many long months of enduring the huge sore across my face, I considered getting it checked. So in 2012 I made an appointment at a skin clinic. I wasn’t convinced anything was wrong, but I didn’t want to look ugly! I had my consultation and was shocked that I was called back a few days later. I was always a strong woman, and tried to see the fun in life. ‘It’s only a cold sore,’ I quipped. ‘No, it’s not,’ the doctor told…

1. Adventures don’t have to be big budget. Some of the best adventures are ultralow budget expeditions or day adventures. 2. To learn more, surround yourself with people who are better than you, who are kind and enthusiastic, so you can learn from them. 3. Plan and prepare as much as you can, but be ready to be flexible and embrace the unknown – it’s all part of the excitement! 4. You’ll never be completely ready – sometimes you just have to take the leap and go for it. 5. Trust yourself, and trust your instincts.…

Create an autumnal pet sanctuary in your home… One of life’s greatest pleasures is getting into the garden, whether you’re green-fingered or consider it your place to relax with your pet. If you are enjoying the best of both, then you may want to consider how they can work in harmony and with autumn around the corner, now is the perfect time to get ahead and plan a pet-friendly garden. Stairlift and home life company Stannah and BBC Gardener’s World presenter, Mark Lane, has shared his top tips to pet-proof your garden, from avoiding dangerous plants to thoughtful design considerations… STAY AWAY Ordering your bulbs ready to plant for glorious spring and summer displays is an exciting feeling. But many flowering bulbs can actually cause loss of appetite, or in…

Add some sparkle to your bakes with the new Jane’s Patisserie: Celebrate cookbook. Packed with simple, mouthwatering treats, you can make a showstopper for any occasion. With over 70 new recipes, Jane Dunn has everything you need to indulge! Jane’s Patisserie: Celebrate, £20, Amazon Follow Jane on Instagram: @janepatisserie Birthday cake cookies ■ 155g unsalted butter■ 100g soft light brown sugar■ 100g white granulated sugar■ 1 egg■ 1tsp vanilla extract■ 300g plain flour■ ½tsp bicarbonate of soda■ ½tsp sea salt■ 250g white chocolate chips■ 75g funfetti sprinkles FILLING ■ 75g unsalted butter■ 150g icing sugar■ Pink food colouring HOW TO… 1 In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and white sugar together until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat again. Add the flour, bicarbonate of…

Dancing around as the sun beamed down, I clapped along to the music. The energy was just so electric. Passers-by were crossing the road to join in and a small crowd was forming. Watching my daughter Rosie-May, eight, in her element, singing her heart out at the entrance to Cheltenham Festival, my heart simply swelled with pride. I smiled as she pranced around, while belting out the words to Little Mix. People couldn’t take their eyes off her – she was born for this. Rosie-May had always been such a kind-hearted little girl. It didn’t shock me when she came home from school, upset about the children in Ukraine who had been separated from their parents. ‘Mummy, I wouldn’t know what toys to choose if I could only take a…