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Exam season is underway, and many teenagers might be feeling overwhelmed about the important tests they’re facing over the next few months. “Sitting exams is often one of the most overwhelming and high pressure experiences teens face, and students often put immense pressure on themselves,” says Lara McIvor, a revision expert at Save My Exams. “For parents with children taking exams, it can be difficult to know how best to support their child without being too involved or under-supportive. “As parents and teachers, it should be our mission to ensure students have access to clear support systems, coping mechanisms and study techniques over these challenging few months, and we should all be better educated in the warning signs of stress in teens.” And Matt Buttery, CEO of the Triple P Positive Parenting Programme, adds: “This can be a stressful time, but the good news is that parents can support young people and help remove some of the pressure around exam season. By setting a positive example and encouraging them, you can help ensure they remain happy and healthy, as well as reach their full academic potential.” So what can parents and carers do to actually make the whole exam experience better for teens? 1. Encourage them to chat with you Encourage open communication, and if your teen seems stressed, ask if they’d like to talk through revision together, or more broadly discuss their concerns, suggests Buttery. “It’s important your child knows you’re there for them if they need you,” he stresses. 2. Set up a quiet study area Ensuring your child has an optimum place to study without distractions is vital to their success, McIvor says. “Often concentration can wane, so making sure there are limited external distractions – such as loud music or TV – will allow for the best results and prepare them for their silent exams,” she says. 3. Don’t just rush to make them feel better It’s vital to acknowledge what teenagers are feeling, rather than just trying to make it go away, stresses psychologist Dr Audrey Tang. “One of the most important things anyone can do is validate their right to feel as they do,” she explains. “We’re not very good at sitting with anxiety and often rush to try and make it go away or to feel better, and this can lead us to quick fixes which can include unhealthy behaviour choices such as not bothering to try, often led by unhealthy thoughts like ‘If I don’t try, I can’t fail’.” 4. Help teenagers unpack their feelings Encourage teens to analyse or unpack how they’re feeling about their exams and revision, advises Tang. “If we take a moment to respect our feelings, and try to unpack exactly what we’re worrying about, we may be able to work out what we need to do next,” she explains. For example, is your teen’s anxiety caused by them not understanding some things, and if it is, which specific bits are causing the problem? Or is it linked to knowing their parents are stressed and not wanting to add to it, and if that’s the case, are other services available? “When we begin to unpack our feelings, rather than suppress or deny them, we have a better idea of what action is going to help us the most,” Tang explains. 5. Help with visual prompts Creating an ongoing learning environment throughout the exam period is key, says McIvor. She suggests sticking notes with key quotes, equations, etc on them around the house in places where your child can always see them. “This can be really useful for some students as it allows for constant exposure to materials,” she explains. 6. Avoid ‘toxic positivity’ If a teenager says things like, ‘I’m so stupid’, or ‘I’m rubbish at everything’, it’s natural for parents to tell them they’re brilliant, observes Tang. “Unfortunately, this has the effect of not validating those emotions, and the opportunity to understand what they’re trying to say is lost,” she explains. “A better way to navigate that discussion would be to acknowledge the feeling with something like ‘I’m really sorry you’re feeling that way’, and asking for more information.” 7. Be a good role model Role modelling healthy ways to manage your own anxiety is hugely important, stresses Tang. “Why would you expect a young adult to listen to you if you aren’t showing in your own practice that what you’re suggesting works?” she asks. And Buttery advises parents to lead by example by staying positive and calm when talking about exams. “Avoid using phrases such as, ‘You must be nervous’,” he says, “As you may risk accidentally making an otherwise calm child more stressed. Children learn a great deal about how to manage their behaviour and deal with difficult situations from their parents. By demonstrating calm and resilient behaviour, parents can have a positive influence on their children’s ability to cope with adversity.” 8. Try stressbusting techniques together Tang suggests practising self-care or stressbusting techniques together, such as affirmations with deep breathing. One technique, she says, is to get your child to note down everything they need to do and its relative importance on a pie chart, where the size of the slice shows the importance of the activity. Then ask them to draw on a scale of zero in the centre, to 10 on the outside, where they are in each segment. “This gives them a visual representation of what they need to do, and where they are, as well as an indication of the areas they’re neglecting, and how important those areas are,” she says. “By having everything on one pie chart, it might feel a lot more manageable.” 9. Maintain the family routine Ensuring family dinners and other rituals remain part of daily life can help teenagers cope with exam stress, as routine is predictable and reassuring at a time of pressure and uncertainty. Maintaining structure can also help your child plan their downtime, stresses Buttery, who adds: “It’s important to ensure they’re taking time to relax and unwind, whether by watching their favourite TV show, playing a game, or hanging out with friends.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Children In Need removes Pudsey’s bandana to show not all challenges are visible Is your child too anxious to go to school? What’s the link between the menopause and anxiety?

Did you think we were done with anniversary sales? If the Nordstrom one didn't quite scratch your beauty itch, you'll be happy to hear Dermstore's got you covered. Starting today through August 17, you can get up to 25% off on all your favorite beauty brands. Simply pop in the promo code CHEERS at checkout to see the $$ drop — and to earn two free gifts on orders of $200 or more. Whether you're in the market for a new cleanser, a reader-favorite texturizing spray, or an internet-famous foot mask, the Dermstore Anniversary Sale should be a top destination for you right now.

Amy Dowden has shared an update after announcing she has breast cancer. The dancer told fans that she underwent a single mastectomy to treat stage three breast cancer after she was first diagnosed in May. But last month, she was told she needed chemotherapy after further tumours were discovered following the surgery. Since receiving her diagnosis, Dowden, who is best known for working as a professional dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing since 2017, has been raising awareness of breast cancer and updating her followers throughout her treatment. In her latest update, Dowden shared a series of posts to her Instagram Stories showing her followers the bespoke wig she had made as undergoes chemotherapy. Both Dowden and the owner of Be Unique Wigs by Charlotte shared a screenshot of their messages, as Dowden thanked her for making the wig. Charlotte, the wigmaker, wrote: “I’ve been working on a wig for the beautiful @amy_dowden and just received this lovely message from her! “I love her,” wrote Dowden in the messages, asking if she could order another one. “Thank you so so so very much.” The wigmaker said in an Instagram post that it was an ‘honour” to make the wig for the Strictly professional. “I’m hoping it will give you some comfort in a difficult time, I’ve said many times on here... it’s not just hair!” said the wigmaker. “Losing your hair can make such a difference to your confidence it’s almost like losing part of your identity,” Charlotte added. Last month, in an Instagram Live conversation for the charity CoppaFeel!, Dowden spoke about being told she’d need chemotherapy after more tumours were discovered following her mastectomy. “For me my journey everything changed,” she explained. “I was originally going to have a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. But then, after my MRI, they found another tumour so then it changed into a mastectomy and then, after my mastectomy, unfortunately, they found even more tumours. “They found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me that was a massive blow,” she continued. “It wasn’t in the plan, originally – and I know the plan you can’t get fixated on.” Dowden also added that would not be able to dance in a competitive capacity on this year’s Strictly. “This year, it means I’m not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly, but I’m in such regular contact with the team – the BBC have just been utterly incredible,” she said. “The rest of the year looked very different to what was planned but hopefully I’ll enter 2024 cancer free and I’ll never take anything for granted and promise to live life to the full,” she wrote in a post last month. Dowden joined Strictly in 2017, and has competed in every series since, reaching the final in 2019 with kids’ TV presenter Karim Zeroual. Find the full Strictly Come Dancing 2023 lineup here. Read More What I gained (and lost) by walking 10,000 steps each day for 5 months Pink fan who went into labour during concert names newborn son after pop star Woman behind viral ‘not real’ plane tirade says her life has been ‘blown up’ Strictly’s Amy Dowden shares health update following second cancer diagnosis How to sleep during hot weather, according to experts What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Telly gardener Daisy Payne has given fans a giggle with a tongue-in-cheek post during a visit to a farm – saying she prefers a “wild bush”. The 26-year-old, who is This Morning’s resident flower expert, was at Belvoir elderflower plant to muck in with the harvesting of this year’s crop and deliver it from ‘bush to bar’ within 24 hours. Afterwards, Daisy uploaded a video of herself looking summery in a flowing dress, with a cheeky little note for her 21,900 followers. “A wild bush is always the best,” she captioned the post, sharing it alongside a clip of herself chatting to Pev Manners, managing director at Belvoir. The cheeky TV guest helps him pick some elderflower, before declaring “I’ve got a bit more bush here” and then wanders off, basket in hand – while Pev belts out ‘Singing In The Rain’. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Social media users have been left in stitches at the funny moment – and Daisy’s cheeky caption, with many people poking fun at Pev. “Pev loves a bit of bush,” said Rupert. “Yep. Sounds like Pev to me..,” added Lawrence. “This is too cute, I can’t cope!,” said Stacey, to which Daisy replied ‘Isn’t it! Legendary Pev!”. “Love it,” said someone else. “Fantastic.. we’ve been collecting them too xx,” said another person. [sic] Taking on the ‘bush to bottle 24-hour challenge’, Daisy teamed up with local pickers in a bid to make the refreshing elderflower favourite drinks from start to finish – and deliver it directly to supermarkets and bars within the set timeframe. She said: “I was delighted to be part of this wonderful harvest. “I’m a huge fan of elderflower cordial and it was great to find out more about these fantastic flowers, which are both cultivated but also grow wonderfully wild in the hedgerows. “It was wonderful meeting the local community around Belvoir Farm, who had come out to help us all pick and then transform this wonderful bounty of nature into the delicious drink we all know and love. “It’s really a unique experience. “Not only can the pickers earn some extra cash with their endeavours, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy nature, and really understand the process of bush to bottle.” Pev added: “It's great to take Daisy out of her garden into the wonderful Vale of Belvoir countryside and we’re delighted to say our annual harvest is still going strong, and it was great fun working with Daisy to welcome her into the wonderful wild organic fields at Belvoir Farm. “It really has given this year’s harvest a brilliant start.” With a crucial six-week blooming season from late May to the end of June, flowers are picked from the farm’s 60-acre organic plantation and the surrounding hedgerows. It is the only type of harvest in the UK that relies on the community to help, and people from the surrounding five counties come back year after year to collect flowers and bring them to the company’s headquarters. Daisy also went behind the scenes to find out more about the brand’s Elderflower Cordial; charting its bush to bottle journey and award-winning recipe that’s now shipped worldwide to over 40 markets. Taking up the challenge to pick, infuse and blend the flowers with trademark sugar, lemon and spring water that go onto create its signature delicious flavour, Daisy then bottled, boxed and delivered the bottles for customers to enjoy. Belvoir Farm was established in in 1984 by Pev’s parents, John and Mary Manners. The Elderflower Cordial is still made to his mum’s original family recipe – with over 30 delicious premium soft drinks also now part of the brand. He said: “I’ve been picking elderflowers since I was a young boy, when my mother started making elderflower cordial on our kitchen table to her own original recipe. “The wonder of our cordial is the fantastic taste, which is developed as the freshly-picked flowers gently infuse for 24 hours to be turned into a rich and fragrant cordial, whose recipe has remained the same for nearly 40 years. “This year’s ‘bush to bottle’ challenge will demonstrate the speed at which we can deliver the freshest tasting Elderflower Cordial, transforming these beautifully fragrant flowers into our delicious drinks, straight off the production line and into the hands our consumers. “Without compromising on our ingredients, the quality or the great taste our customers love.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Marissa Smith was a lifelong Barbie fan. But nothing could quite match to the frenzy she felt when the first Barbie movie trailer dropped last year. “I started going through this rabbit hole of finding vintage bags and apparel that were Barbie-branded,” she admits. “That really started me on this path of ‘I need to dress up for these film screenings.’”

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Harry Styles is the latest celebrity to be replicated in wax form as Madame Tussauds has unveiled not one, but seven wax figures of the popstar after receiving "thousands of fan requests." The seven waxworks will be on display at museums in London, New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Berlin, Singapore and Sydney, each of them sporting some of the singer's iconic looks from recent years. In London, the Harry figure wears a double-breasted hunter green blazer, large flower broach, pistachio green trousers, ivory boots and a bright green handbag, the look is paired with a classic pearl necklace jewellery which references Styles's My Policeman premiere outfit during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter After it took 10 months for Madame Tussauds’ artists to complete, the public can see the figure for themselves when it premieres on July 27. In New York, the Harry waxwork will sport the memorable sequin rainbow jumpsuit wore during his 2022 headlining Coachella set, while Berlin's figure will wear Styles's another of his Coachella costumes - an oversize faux fur coat paired with a metallic leather waistcoat and trousers. While some of the other figures will don outfits the As It Was singer has previously worn during his Love On Tour concert series. Sydney’s Styles figure dons a pink satin shirt, burgundy trousers and a feather boa, from one of his shows in San Jose, California. A bronze sequin vest with fringe attached originally worn at a gig in Long Island, New York, is what the LA wax figure will have on, while in Amsterdam it will be a a pink double-breasted suit with floral embroidery, similar to a look he wore on stage in Dallas. For Singapore's Styles waxwork, a blue and yellow two-piece from the Glasgow leg of his Love On Tour concert series will be sported. But what do Harry fans make of the waxwork - here are some of the best reactions to the Harry Styles London waxwork: Many were impressed with the images they saw of the figure, describing it as "scary accurate." Though others disagreed, and while they note it isn't the worst waxwork they've seen, they noted how "something is off." While others made some comparisons, from Margaret Thatcher to Princess Diana, Benedict Cumberbatch and Don't Worry Darling co-star Chris Pine... Fans can see the Harry Styles waxwork in person at Madame Tussauds in London from July 27. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Hailey Bieber looked gorgeous as she posed for a series of candid photos taken at her home

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