Heather Armstrong – an influencer and original “mommy blogger” known by the name “Dooce” – has died aged 47, her social media confirmed. A post on her Instagram account appeared to confirm her passing on 9 May. “Heather Brooke Hamilton aka Heather B Armstrong aka dooce aka love of my life. July 19, 1975 - May 9, 2023,” the caption read. “‘It takes an ocean not to break.’ Hold your loved ones close and love everyone else.” No further details on her cause of death have been revealed. Armstrong, who lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, rose to internet fame in the early 2000s with her popular blog, Dooce.com. The mother of two, often hailed as the “queen of the mommy bloggers” wrote candidly about parenthood, her struggles with sobriety and depression, and why she left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, according to Vox. She was named one of Forbes’ top 30 most influential women in media in 2009, and went on to author many books, including Things I Learned About My Dad: In Therapy,It Sucked Then I Cried, and The Valedictorian of Death. More follows… Read More Mother shares horrifying moment she found ticks living in her daughter’s ear Jennifer Garner recalls her shocked reaction after learning about vaginal collapse Jennifer Lopez ‘understands’ why her 15-year-old twins ‘don’t want to talk’ to her

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Areas with lower bird diversity appear to have a higher number of hospital admissions related to mental health conditions, research suggests. Experts analysed data from ebird – an online database of bird observations by citizen scientists – to estimate diversity across the US state of Michigan. The team then combined this with hospital admissions for anxiety and mood disorders in the state. The findings, published in the journal Geo: Geography And Environment, showed lower bird diversity to be a significant predictor of higher numbers of hospital admissions for mental health conditions, highlighting the complex relationship between the disorders and biodiversity crises. It is critical we take a holistic approach to our mental health and nature Dr Rachel Buxton The researchers said that while income and the presence of green spaces were the strongest predictors of anxiety and mood disorder-related admissions, there were also independent “significant associations” between mental health and bird diversity. Lead author Dr Rachel Buxton, assistant professor at the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences at Carleton University in Canada, said: “Often we consider nature as representing the amount of green space near homes or the distance to the nearest park, but the link between species diversity and health is underexplored. “Our study shows that if species diversity can affect mental health at the severe end of the spectrum (hospitalisations), it is possible that the decline in biodiversity across the globe may be intricately connected with our anxiety and mood on a day-to-day basis. “It is critical we take a holistic approach to our mental health and nature. “Investing in nature should not be viewed as a luxury, but a necessity, and evaluated in the context of the support for wellbeing it offers individuals and communities living in urban or nature-scarce environments. “Restoring and conserving diverse bird communities could be one avenue to improving mental health in cities and factored into urban restoration projects and public health policies.” Last year, researchers from King’s College London found that watching birds or listening to birdsong was linked to mental wellbeing, with effects lasting up to eight hours. The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) team said at that time that the links between birds and mental wellbeing were not explained by co-occurring environmental factors such as the presence of trees, plants or waterways.

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A heatwave is headed to the UK, with parts of the country predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife. With temperatures likely to soar to 28C, what does this mean for your exercise regime? If you’re tempted to ditch the workouts and head to the nearest beer garden or park instead – or just flop on the sofa with a fan on full blast – we don’t blame you. But if you are keen to keep active, it’s wise to consider how the heat might affect things, and what adjustments you could make in order to stay as comfortable and safe as possible… 1. Exercise early in the morning It tends to be a lot cooler early or late in the day. Omar Mansour, fitness coach and ambassador for audio fitness app WithU, says: “The heat can be really difficult to deal with, so switching your schedule around and making time for your workout in the morning is a good idea. “Whether it’s getting outside before the heat gets into the day, or getting into the gym ahead of the heat and the rush, avoiding workouts in higher temperatures can keep you comfortable, but on track.” 2. Do a home workout Steered away from home workouts now pandemic restrictions have lifted? When it’s mega hot outside, exercising in a cool room at home might make sense – plus you can jump straight into a refreshing shower afterwards. “You don’t always have to go to the gym to get your pump on. With increased temperatures and gyms becoming busier, home workouts are a sure-fire way of prioritising your fitness,” says Mansour. 3. Be a hydration hero Staying hydrated is always important during exercise – but even more so when the sun heats up, when you could be at greater risk of dehydration symptoms, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. “Keeping hydrated during workouts in the heat will help your body do its job, by sweating in order to keep you cool,” says David Wiener, training specialist at AI-based fitness and lifestyle coaching app Freeletics. He suggests thinking about drinking water throughout your workout to “maintain your blood volume levels. This allows you to train and perform better due to the amount of oxygen being pumped around the body.” 4. Switch it up Intense cardio may not always be suitable in the heat, but if you still want the benefits of moving your body – switch things up. “Working out doesn’t always mean working up a massive sweat, and prioritising your mental health is equally as important as prioritising your physical health,” says Mansour. “There are a range of workouts, including yoga, stretching, barre and mindfulness, that allow you to prioritise your physical and mental health without overheating.” 5. Take the pressure off Wiener says it’s OK to make workouts “shorter and slower” when temperatures ramp up. Even with a 15-minute HIIT session, you’ll still be making those gains. 6. Go for cooling kit Fitness clothing needs to be adapted to the time of year – and when the heat is on, it’s all about maximising your ability to stay cool. Wiener advises opting for “breathable, lightweight and light-coloured workout attire that permits sweat to evaporate”. This will also help keep skin irritation and heat rashes at bay, he adds. “It’s also vitally important to wear a hat,” says Wiener – and don’t forget to protect your eyes if you’re out in the sun. 7. Call it quits if it gets too much It really is OK to call it a day early if you need to. As Wiener says: “Be sure to listen to your body. If you start to feel extremely tired, lightheaded, disorientated, or nauseous, you should stop exercising, grab some water and find somewhere cool to sit.” Speak to your GP if you have concerns about any of these symptoms.

From woodland walks to winter terraces, the shorter days and longer evenings make you want to come home to a warm winter glow, earthy tones and forest green furnishings. Along with cosy textiles and ambient candlelight, the starting point is often a themed tablescape before thoughts turn to an inviting sofa with statement scatter cushions to sink into. Here’s how to embrace the natural world with forest green homewares and rustic accents… 1. Burleigh Tableware: Green Asiatic Pheasants Collection, Green Asiatic Pheasants 17.5cm Plate, £22; Green Regal Peacock Collection, Green Regal Peacock Mini Tankard Jug, (160ml), £36; rest of items from a selection, Burleigh. A flight of fancy brings the outdoors in with green pheasants and peacocks teamed with natural linens, seasonal décor and crystal stemware as clear as a calm stream. 2. Woodland Creatures Oven Gloves, £30, Cherith Harrison. With hearty casseroles and comfort food at the top of winter warmer menus, a practical pair of oven gloves takes on a whole new light with woodland wildlife enriching mealtimes. 3. Green Acorn Lidded Mug, £15, National Trust. Sweater weather is all about cupping your hands round a warming mug of cocoa, with a cute lid to keep it piping hot. 4. Living County Fabric 4-Seater Split Sofa Scatter Back, Rodeo Tan/Win Chk Choc/Pan Bge/Sta Bge – Fabric, £1,199, SCS. When you want to luxe up your life – and living room – a new sofa can be a game-changer. Think warm tones to lift your space, complemented by stud detailing, hardwood feet and co-ordinating cushions to up the comfort level. 5. Rustic Metal Reindeer Tea Light Holders, £16 each, Marquis & Dawe. Taking inspiration from a Highland lodge, these tea light holders set the scene with two similar designs… one features a small village house nestled amongst the tall pines. 6. Foxgloves! Lampshade, £65, Mountain & Molehill. With the clocks going back and shorter days on the horizon, lighting can make the biggest impact… providing the perfect centrepiece for country-style décor. 7. Orla Kiely Larch Fabric Medium Sofa, £1,399 (was £1,729), rest of items from a selection, Barker And Stonehouse. Orla Kiely’s leaf-on-stem designs always hit the right note, and this sofa in a solid fir green solves the styling dilemma of how to mix-and-match your furniture… the chic, clean lines and satisfyingly soft cushioning make this an investment buy that goes with everything. 8. Pheasant Wool Cushion, £43, JJ Textile. An easy foundation piece for creating a cohesive country living look, this pheasant cushion loves an accent chair. 9. Woodland Walks Candle, £21, (180g), Woodland Walks Diffuser, £30, Sophie Allport. A sure-fire way to recreate the earthy scents of woods and moss is to scent surround with candles and diffusers to bring the outside in. 10. Matcha Bouquet, Medium Letterbox, £42, Cult Furniture. This mixed bouquet of eucalyptus and rich green foliage channels a biophilic theme, and will lift a forgotten corner or sideboard. 11. Check Printed Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set, £16 – £27, Chevron Faux Fur Throw, £40, rest of items from a selection, Dunelm. Team a cosy fleece in café au lait colours with moss green and moody mauve, topped with a faux fur throw… and you’ll be ready to snuggle up and slumber. 12. Luxe Faux Fur Throw Olive, £65, Walton & Co. Another easy styling tool: take this luxe olive faux fur throw and drape it over an armchair to cosy up your world with nature’s favourite shade. Read More Hibernation mode: 5 small self-care adjustments to make before the clocks change 13 possible cancer symptoms you should get checked out Neglecting women’s health at work could cost UK economy £20.2bn a year – analysis Nearly three-quarters of mothers feel invisible, study suggests The best ways to work-out in 22 minutes – as study finds this is magic number for offsetting ‘negative impact of sitting’ What crops will we be growing in the future, as climate change alters the landscape?

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