Viewing all items in Resource Category: Looking at You

In this strange locked down season, because of the coronavirus pandemic, I’ve noticed a change in the type of pictures posted on social media. In place of the look-here-at-me selfies are snapshots of buds opening to display the colours of spring. Such hopeful images counterbalance gloomy statistics in the news media. There are also more...

Even before the lockdown, social media seems to have been replacing the role of pubs in socialising, as far as young people are concerned. In 2005, an estimated 18 per cent of young people aged 16 to 24 were non-drinkers. According to one study, that has now risen to 29 per cent. “Online technology has...

Do you think of yourself as a runner?  If not, now may be the time to consider taking it up. According to the NHS, running burns more calories than any other mainstream sport, which is perfect if you want to shed a few pounds. Running is a cardio exercise, which means it gets your heart...

Many of us have had our sleep patterns disturbed in recent weeks.  After all, a pandemic, lockdown and growing financial crisis are hardly conducive to relaxation. But the fact is that, whatever is happening out there, we desperately need our sleep. It is vital for the proper functioning of our brain and heart. Anyone who...

21st June is Father’s Day, and last year four in ten fathers failed to see their children on Father’s Day. Now there may be perfectly good reasons for this – Father’s Day is not as ‘big’ as Mother’s Day, and fathers may well be seeing their children just fine on other days. But a survey...

Having a religious faith may well make you feel better about your health, according to recent government figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data linking religious belief and health in an effort to “understand the circumstances of people of different religious identities.” It found that 66 per cent of Muslims, 68 per...

These are stressful days.  The towering storm clouds of coronavirus and financial trouble are casting a long shadow over all of us. Many of us deal with our stress by expressing it. Loudly! We lose our temper, swear, shout and even throw things at our loved ones. We over-react to various personal setbacks because we...

From large pink hamsters that smile and wave at you, to cars that can’t get off roundabouts, a lot of us are reporting weird, vivid, and intense dreams just now. Experts say that financial worries, cabin fever and boredom may all be factors.  But – on the plus side, there is also the fact that...

A recent survey carried out by YouGov, on behalf of the Mental Health Foundation, found that more than one in five adults in the UK had felt panicked by the coronavirus, three in 10 had felt afraid, and more than six in 10 had felt anxious.  And that was even before lockdown. One therapist suggests...

Domestic abuse is soaring just now. Even as far back as early April, it was up by 30 per cent. No wonder, then, that charities are urging us to keep an eye out for anyone in danger.  The warning signs include bruising, repeated shouting and all types of controlling behaviour. If someone is in immediate...

According to handicraft expert Kirstie Allsopp, a missing button was the number one reason why 350,000 tonnes of wearable clothing may end up in UK landfill this year. But that was before lockdown.  Now you have time to make do – and mend!  Rescue and reuse your clothes.  After all, it saves money and the...

Terry Waite spent four years in solitary confinement in Beirut. He says: “In isolation, it is easy to become introspective and depressed. All of us, when we are honest and examine ourselves critically, will discover things about ourselves of which we are not especially proud. I had to learn how to grow a greater acceptance...