According to statistics from No More Panic, there were 8.2 million cases of anxiety in the UK in 2013. Mixed anxiety and depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in Britain with 7.8 percent of the population meeting the criteria for diagnosis. Mental health charity Mind states that nearly 6 in 100 of us are suffering from generalised anxiety and 0.6 in 100 have a panic disorder. And women are more likely to suffer from anxiety and panic than men. That’s a lot of people, living in a cycle of fear and probably waiting for the next panic attack. What is a Panic Attack? Whether you suffer…
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Easy Sweet and Savoury Slow Cooker Recipes
Autumn is in the air, which means it’s time to dust off the slow cooker. I love coming home to the scent of dinner that has been cooking all day filling the house. It’s the epitome of autumnal cosiness and marks the start of a new season. Plus as busy routines start up again after a summer break, it’s good to know that dinner is one thing that can be sorted in advance and pretty easily too! While putting this list of easy slow cooker recipes together I came across some amazing sweet treats which I am just dying to try. I may even consider investing in a second slow…
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Should You Limit Your Child’s Screen Time?
As a parent of the digital age, it seems like the goal posts for screen time for children are always on the move. While I love its convenience and the freedom it offers, I am terrified of its power to consume hours of your day. It didn’t surprise me that a recent study found that we check our phones every 12 minutes. I check my phone more regularly than I should. I aimlessly scroll from app to app for no reason at all. Most of the time I’m doing research for my next article or replying to client emails. We have a complicated relationship with screen time. It offers a…
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116 Blog Post Ideas Perfect for Family and Lifestyle Bloggers
Writer’s block happens to us all. You rack your brain for blog post ideas and wait for that flash of inspiration. You open up your laptop and wait for the words to come flowing out. The blank page taunts you. Believe me when I say that every single blogger and writer has been there at some point. That little spark of creativity doesn’t always come so easily. If you’re starting a new blog or need a sprinkling of inspiration then here is the definitive list of blog post ideas to kick-start your creative mojo! Travel and Days Out Blog Post Ideas Bucket list of things you want to do, travel…
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30 Messy Play Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers
We love messy play in our house but coming up with messy play ideas can be a bit of a challenge. I often need an activity that will engage both a toddler and a preschooler at the same time. As it’s school holidays, I search for activities that will help both children play harmoniously without ‘he ruined it!’ being shouted my way. Aside from it being a great way to fill the time, sensory play is important for a child’s development. Research shows that by engaging in sensory play, it helps build nerve connections in the brain’s pathways which help them complete more complex tasks. There are many ways in…
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Healthy Breakfast Ideas for the Family
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Most mornings we go straight for a bowl of cereal and a cup of tea so I’ve decided it’s time to shake it up with some healthy breakfast ideas. Like most families, our mornings can be pretty hectic. With racing in and out of the shower, searching for a matching pair of socks (or shoes) for the kids, coaxing our pre-schooler out of the house and a stressed husband that’s going to be late (again). Adding a carefully prepared breakfast to the mayhem is one step too far. The other day Jack asked if he could have egg for breakfast instead.…
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The Family Holiday Bucket List – Spain
As the children get older, I’m putting together a bucket list of all the places we’d like to visit. Buoyed by our fabulous holiday to Spain, I have been researching child-friendly holidays and places to explore in the region. While I love spending lazy days going from the beach to the pool and back again, there are plenty of sights in mainland Spain and islands that I am desperate to see and for the kids to enjoy too. Spain is a wonderful and welcoming place for people with young children so I know it is a place we shall be spending many more sun-soaked family holidays. As the kids are…
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Quotes to Help You Rise Up After Defeat
Last night, England’s dreams of World Cup glory were shattered. It’s hard not to feel heartbroken when the team got so close to the final. I think we all thought that maybe, just maybe, we’d make it all the way. But it wasn’t meant to be. Croatia got the better of us and the England team, not football, is coming home. As we cry into our coffee this morning, we must remember there is a huge amount to be proud of. The team and Gareth Southgate did something that seemed impossible a few weeks ago. They lifted up a nation torn down by Brexit and politics and made us believe…
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Our First Family Holiday Abroad to Spain
We have recently returned from a wonderful family holiday in El Campello in Spain. Jack is soon starting school so we avoided the school holidays to enjoy our first family holiday abroad. After spending years alternating between Devon and Suffolk for our annual holiday, I was desperate for a ‘proper’ sunny holiday. Spending 10-hours in a car, constantly checking over my shoulder to make sure the kids weren’t getting car sick and hovering a bucket underneath Jack’s chin as he turned pale. I didn’t want that hassle. Surely catching a 2-hour plane journey is easier? You know what, it is easier. Don’t get me wrong, we had tantrums, late departures…
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My Postpartum Hemorrhage Recovery
Trigger warning with this post Childbirth is painted as a painful yet magical experience. We’re talking waters breaking, quick dash to the hospital followed by a serene, pain medication-free water birth surrounded by twinkly lights and chilled-out music. Sure, there’s pain and probably a lot of screaming, but all that dissolves once your little bundle of joy is placed in your arms. While I didn’t entirely buy into this unrealistic expectation of birth, I rather hoped that amid the chaos would be a moment immediately post-birth that would eclipse all the pain that had gone before. In reality, I delivered my first born in theatre, surrounded by at least 10…
