13 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Marks & Spencer is selling a pink wool coat that’s almost identical to Princess Kate’s & I have some thoughts about it
Loved Kate Middleton’s pink coat with large pockets? Marks & Spencer has a dupe for it and it’s super affordable. Royal fashion expert Leanne Bayley goes to test it out in her local M&S. Did she loved it? You bet she did. See photos and shop the look…
13 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Woman, 25, marries man 15 years older than her own dad for one simple reason
Julieta and Charly first met in 2023 are now happily married, despite their 43-year age gap, with Julieta exclaiming that she wishes to be by her husband’s side right up until the "very last day"
13 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
What is 75 Hard? The intense fitness challenge behind Paddy McGuinness’ transformation
Of all the fitness challenges out there, none are as prolific as 75 Hard.
With more than 5.2 billion views across TikTok alone, you’ve likely seen it littered all over your ‘For You’ page or Instagram feed.
Paddy McGuinness recently revealed his dramatic physical transformation after using the concept, telling his followers: ”It really is amazing what can be achieved in such a short period of time… if you’ve got the willpower.’
But you might be wondering whether you should take part – or what exactly sets it apart from other regimes.
Created in 2019 by Andy Frisella, a podcast host and entrepreneur, it’s dubbed a ‘transformative mental toughness program’. In fact, Frisella passionately states that 75 Hard is not a fitness challenge at all.
Yet the 75-day routine involves two workouts a day, among other strict rules, and is widely credited for kickstarting people’s healthy habits. But experts also warn about a more dangerous side to intense challenges like this.
Here, we take a look at the popular trend in more detail.
What are the 75 Hard rules?
If you decide to do 75 Hard, there are six rules you must follow every single day for 75-days.
- Pick a diet to follow, with no alcohol or ‘cheat’ meals. You get to choose which diet you follow – whether that’s a wholefood-focused meal plan or something more extreme, but you have to stick with it for 75 days. Regardless of what food you eat, you can’t touch a drop of alcohol.
- Drink a gallon of water daily. That’s around 3.7 litres of water, every single day.
- One outside workout a day. This workout must be 45-minutes long and has to be done outdoors regardless of the weather. This could be walking, running or an outdoor HIIT class.
- One other workout a day. Yep, you have to complete a second workout every day too. This one doesn’t have to be done outside and, again, isn’t prescriptive – it can be Pilates, strength training, circuits, yoga or anything else.
- Read 10 pages per day of a non-fiction book. Ideally, the book is something that will help with personal growth and develop your mindset.
- Take a progress photo every day. These photos don’t need to be posted anywhere, but must be taken of your physical body.
The overarching rule of 75 Hard is that if you drop even one of these tasks on any given day, you have to start the challenge from scratch. That means going back to day one and starting your 75 days again.
What are the benefits of the 75 Hard challenge?
Frisella says the challenge ‘is the only program that can permanently change your life, from your way of thinking to the level of discipline you approach every single task in front of you with.’
There’s no research to support this claim, but many use 75 Hard as a way to kickstart a new lifestyle. The short-term challenge might be beneficial for those who find the idea of overhauling their movement and dietary practices too confusing or easy to give up on.
‘Many people prefer operating within the confines of strict rules with as little open to interpretation as possible when it comes to improving their health,’ says Eleanor Heaton-Armstrong, a personal trainer and qualified nutritionist.
‘An all or nothing approach doesn’t work for most people but might be the best option for people who have tried more open-plan regimes before without success. Following rules that keep you accountable for your decision-making process means you don’t have to think about anything other than completing the tasks you’ve been set.’
The other benefit is that it might give you room to explore new types of movement that you enjoy. Because you have to do two workouts a day – and one outside – you will quickly realise that mixing it up and trying new things is the best way to keep the challenge enjoyable.
‘Finding a form of movement you enjoy that doesn’t feel like a physical or mental chore has a huge benefit,’ agrees Heaton-Armstrong.
More Metro Fitness
Is 75 Hard healthy?
While moving more and eating well are undeniably health-promoting behaviours, there is a lot about this extreme routine that could be dubbed ‘unhealthy’.
Firstly, the amount of movement is well over the NHS-recommended amount of activity to support a healthy life. It recommends 150 minutes of moderately vigorous movement – or 75 minutes of vigorous movement – a week, while 75 Hard will see you doing over 630 moving minutes over 75 days.
‘Whilst I don’t have an issue with someone performing this much activity in a day on paper (athletes, professional sports players and experienced fitness enthusiasts routinely do the same or more) there is of course the risk of injury and fatigue from person to person,’ notes Heaton-Armstrong.
‘After 75 days with no rest, stress levels would be sky high and, since this isn’t an in-person regime, there’s no fitness or well-being professional present to help you manage either of these issues as there would be if you are an aforementioned athlete.
‘Beginners are especially susceptible to encountering problems and I definitely wouldn’t encourage anyone to exercise this much unless they were very well versed in training and recovery.’
Overtraining syndrome is a condition where too much exercise can cause hormonal, psychological and performance-based markers to become less than optimal.
There’s no defined amount of exercise or period of time that causes overtraining, and it will differ depending on the type of exercise chosen and how experienced the person is when they increase their training, among other factors, but one study found that it takes just 21 days for some athletes to experience overtraining syndrome.
Another element of overtraining syndrome is a lack of energy intake. Research shows that diets low in calories and carbohydrates can cause overtraining syndrome in active populations, as the body can’t keep up intense movement without fuel.
While the 75 Hard diet is not prescriptive, it is likely that many people will opt for restrictive diets. ‘Eating well does not need to involve cutting out food groups, treats or going completely sober. I recommend increasing fresh produce and decreasing sugar, wine or processed food in small increments.
‘If you wanted to include a time challenge or monitor your calories you could do so, but small changes over a sustained period of time will yield the best and most sustainable results,’ says Heaton-Armstrong.
Taking photos every day is also a form of body checking and could lead to obsessive behaviour, which can contribute to negative body image and hyper-fixations over your physical self. For a challenge that is allegedly not about the physical transformation, daily photographs of the body emphasise the importance of aesthetic changes above any other type of discipline or mental growth.
Should you do 75 Hard?
Regardless of how your body responds, you might find changing many factors of your life too overwhelming. ‘It might be better to tackle one aspect of your life at a time rather than taking on changes to your diet, training and mental discipline, all in one go. And above all we need to include rest days.
‘Flexibility and the omission of any premise of failure is proven to lead to better results when it comes to improving health. It doesn’t really make sense that one day off would undo all of your progress so far.
‘The sustainability of any challenge is down to the individual, but 75 Hard in particular involves a huge personal commitment and one that I don’t believe is realistically sustainable after the 75 days,’ says Heaton-Armstrong.
‘As with any intense training or dietary regime, once you stop the likelihood is that you may see a plateau or even regression in some of your progress. It’s why I personally would recommend a more balanced, much less strict approach to health changes. Most decent personal trainers and nutritionists will tell you that quitting something is the surest way to craving it.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
13 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Start the new year strong with these 11 sports bras designed to support your 2026 fitness journey
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As we fully enter 2026, there’s no better time to start your fitness journey, right? As the old saying goes ‘new year, new me’ – and ladies, that starts with the all important sports bra.
Whether you’re thinking of hitting the gym, taking up yoga, or training for a marathon, the right sports bra can make all the difference to your comfort, and performance.
A great-fitting bra can help to improve posture and reduce shoulder, back and neck pain so getting it right is essential. But where do you start?
Well, the correct sports bra will depend on what you’re looking for. Fuller busts needing extra support for high-impact workouts might want to opt for an underwired design – whereas those with smaller busts attending a gentle yoga class could go for something with less structure.
When it comes to brands, there are lots of options to choose from including Lululemon and Nike but, the real test of a good sports bra is the ‘jump test’, particularly if you have larger boobs.
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Pop on your new bra and jump up and down, do some burpees or a downward dog to see if you’re kept secure enough for the type of activity you’ll be doing. Not too much jiggle and able to breathe? You’re good to go!
Ready to get moving? Browse our pick of the best sports bras to see you through your new year exercise regime.
TALA DayFlex Square Neck Sports Bra
The TALA DayFlex Square Neck Sports Bra is a minimal, cleanly designed, buttery‑soft activewear bra made from the brand’s signature DayFlex fabric, designed to feel like a 'naked feel' second skin.
It’s intended for everything from yoga to daily walks, offering comfort, style, and light-to-medium support depending on the version.
M&S Goodmove Ultimate Support Contoured Sports Bra A-H
This Goodmove sports bra offers maximum support for intense workouts, with contoured shaping, underwiring and moisture‑wicking fabric to keep you secure and comfortable.
Its non‑padded design maintains a natural shape, and the updated construction provides improved bounce control and sports‑ready comfort.
The bra has also been independently tested for bounce reduction by Progressive Sports Technologies Ltd at Loughborough University.
Shock Absorber Shaped Support Bra
The Shock Absorber Shaped Support Bra is designed for high‑impact exercise, offering strong bounce control, contoured shaping and a secure, held‑in fit.
Shock Absorber has specialised in high‑support sports bras since 1995, creating designs that minimise movement and provide stability through intense workouts.
Their bras are known for combining firm support with breathable, comfortable materials and are especially praised by runners and those with larger busts for delivering reliable, no‑bounce performance.
lululemon Energy Zip-Front Bra High-Support
The lululemon Energy Zip‑Front Bra is a high‑support sports bra designed for runners and other high‑impact activities.
It features foam cups for shaping, adjustable double‑crossback straps for a secure fit, and a front‑zip closure with a hidden hook to make it easier to get on and off.
The soft, brushed underband adds comfort, while the design supports B–G cups and is built to keep everything firmly in place during intense movement.
Sweaty Betty Soft Touch Super Soft Reversible Yoga Bra
The Sweaty Betty Soft Touch Super Soft Reversible Yoga Bra is a light‑support, ultra‑soft, reversible yoga bra with breathable, sweat‑wicking fabric and a comfy scoop‑neck racerback design.
Freya Dynamic Sports Bra
If you’re looking to beat the bounce, this non‑wired sports bra keeps everything held close to your chest to minimise movement, whether you’re lifting weights or heading out for a run.
Soft‑touch elastic, padded straps and a gentle hook‑and‑eye fastening keep things comfortable, while the wide underband stays flat against your body without rolling.
And if you want a little extra support, just clip the J‑hook together for an instant racerback.
Fit‑wise, this style runs big in the back – size down there and up in the cup for the perfect fit (usually just one size each does the trick).
Under Armour UA SmartForm Evolution Mid
The Under Armour UA SmartForm Evolution Mid is a medium‑support sports bra designed for activities like cycling, weight training and boxing.
It uses SmartForm technology, where an adaptive molded pad and auxetic jacquard interior flex and contour to your body for a customised fit.
The super‑soft, structured fabric offers comfortable coverage, while strategic mesh panels boost breathability.
It also features adjustable, convertible straps for a secure fit and moisture‑wicking, fast‑drying fabric to keep you cool during workouts.
Overall, it’s made for support that moves with you without feeling restrictive.
Gymshark Double Up Sports Bra
The Gymshark Double Up Sports Bra is designed to carry you from high‑energy HIIT to everyday light training, offering support that’s “more trustworthy than your ex.”
It features a flattering V‑neckline and a low scoop back, with a double‑layered design and crossover adjustable straps for a more personalised fit.
With no cups or cup holes, it delivers a natural feel and streamlined silhouette.
This style provides medium support and is made from a soft, stretchy blend of polyester and elastane for comfort and movement.
adidas Workout Essentials Knit Light Support Bra
This light‑support bra is designed with a seamless knit finish to keep your workouts distraction‑free.
Its engineered fit gives you comfort and freedom of movement, while the tight fit, full lining and optional removable padding provide dependable support for low‑impact training.
Breathable Climacool fabric helps you stay cool and fresh, and the elegant strappy back makes it perfect for pairing with open‑back gym tops.
A versatile, stylish choice for comfortable everyday workouts.
Nike Universa Women's Medium-Support Padded Sport Bra
Keep cool and confident through every workout.
The Universa sports bra uses Nike’s Stealth Evaporation technology to help disguise sweat, while its midweight, ultra‑smooth fabric offers a secure, supportive feel.
Sculpted pads and clean, minimal seams create a sleek, streamlined fit that moves with you – all without compromising comfort or style.
H&M SculptMove™ Medium Support Sports Bra
This sculpting sports bra is crafted from functional SculptMove™ fabric for a contouring, body‑hugging fit that supports you exactly where you need it.
It also features DryMove™ technology to help lift moisture away from your skin, keeping you comfortable as you train.
Designed with a rounded neckline, slim straps and an open, strappy racerback, it offers both style and freedom of movement.
The lined cups come with removable inserts so you can adjust the shape and fit to your preference.
Providing medium support, it’s ideal for moderate‑intensity workouts.
These are just a few of our top picks, but have we missed one that you’ve been wearing, and testing since last year? Let us know in the comments.
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13 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
How Søstrene Grene is taking over the UK high street — one £5 mug at a time
The UK high street continues to struggle, with stalwarts such as Claire’s, River Island, and WHSmith announcing closures in recent months, and an average of 38 shops putting their shutters up for good, every single day.
But Danish-born homeware brand, Søstrene Grene, is bucking the trend.
Their stores are like a warm hug: cutesy trinkets, low lighting and cosy soft furnishings. It’s a welcoming slice of hygge among a bleak retail picture — and crucially, at wallet-friendly prices.
A chic bread basket for £3.60, a soap dispenser for £2.94, and mugs (a fan favourite) for £4.94. Nothing looks cheap, though: Søstrene Grene isn’t quite as budget as Primark or Flying Tiger, but it’s somehow giving Zara Home, without the price tag.
Founded in 1973 by Danish couple Inger Grene and Knud Cresten Vaupell Olsen, the company’s ethos is based on the personalities of a pair of fictional sisters, Anna and Clara, inspired by Inger’s aunties.
While Anna is creative, Clara is practical and organised. The idea is that they represent all that Søstrene Grene has to offer.
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Starting with one store in Aarhus, Denmark’s ‘second’ city, Inger and Knud’s sons, Mikkel and Cresten, slowly took over the business from 2003, evolving it into an international brand.
Between 2024 and 2025, Søstrene Grene opened 47 new locations, mostly in the UK and Germany, and more than 100 million customers walked through their doors.
Today, it has 386 shops across 17 countries — and there’s more to come, with more stores opening across the continent. In 2025, it opened 22 new shops in the UK alone.
Søstrene Grene's London locations
- Tottenham Court Road
- Argyll Street
- Kings Cross
- Southside, Wandsworth
- Canary Wharf
- The Broadway, Wimbledon
- Richmond
- Bromley
- Thames Street, Richmond upon Thames
- Uxbridge
- High Street, Staines-upon-Thames.
‘It’s a small break from hectic daily life’
Speaking to Metro, founder, Mikkel Grene, says the company is selling an ‘experience’, rather than specific products. He says more than half of their customers walk in, not knowing what they actually want to buy.
Mikkel explains: ‘It’s a small break from hectic daily life. They just want to see what we’ve come up with since the last visit, so there’s always something new coming in.
‘It’s more like a marketplace. You never really know what you might find, and some people refer to it as a small fix that they need every month or every week, so it’s the sort of feeling they get when they enter the store.’
The Ikea-style layout of the stores has been there since the very beginning, and the purpose has always been to take the customers on a ‘journey’ through the different categories, from beauty and homeware, to arts and crafts.
Mikkel says that the initial intention was to create a feeling of being in a market in Southern Europe, where the customer ‘never knows’ what they might find around the corner.
‘It’s like a treasure hunt, where you’re making your way through the store. We’re also deliberately making it quite dark and closed, so you sort of lose direction quite quickly, and you’re immersed in it. That’s something that’s really appealing to our customers, especially women,’ Mikkel explains.
The UK has had a long love affair with all-things Scandi, but Søstrene Grene say they consider themselves to be so much more than just a quintessentially Danish brand.
‘We’re tapping into a lot of different cultures,’ Mikkel says. ‘I still think that the Danish design tradition is an important part of who we are, and that strict cleanness that there is to the colours, and the aesthetics.
‘But we’re also quite whimsical, and you’ll find the whole palette here.’
When it comes to the products stocked in-store, Søstrene Grene employ a team of 10 designers.
They’ve actively rejected using digital or AI designs, in favour of a more ‘authentic and tactile expression.’
Mikkel adds: ‘We like to use natural materials, like wool and cotton instead of polyester, and we’ve always been this organic brand, all the way back to the 1970s.’
So, how do they keep prices so low?
Of course, the major selling point of Søstrene Grene is that prices are low.
Online, a candleholder costs just £6.60, while a four-pack of egg cups goes for £5.52.
There are other cute, kitsch-y things on offer, too, like tea strainers (£3.59 each), bread baskets (£2.89), and decorative ceramic mushrooms (£1.28).
When asked exactly how they keep their products wallet-friendly, Mikkel told Metro that the brand ‘avoids expensive intermediaries’ — that’s a third-party, or the middle man between the suppliers, in order to keep ‘margins as low as possible.’
They’ve also consistently chosen not to up their prices despite an unstable economic landscape. He said: ‘When inflation went up in 2022, and over the past couple of years, we decided to absorb most of the price increases instead of passing the bill on to our customers.
‘We decided to do that because the cost of living was on the rise, and we did not want to put any more pressure on our customers.’
And it’s a business model that’s working for them. Søstrene Grene is no doubt benefiting from ‘little treat’ culture — the ‘f*** it’ mentality, particularly within Gen Z circles, who are all too aware that they’ll likely never be able to afford a house deposit, so why not indulge in a tiny treat every once in a while?
A study from Next found Brits’ treat themselves at least once a week, with 18% buying themselves a little something up to three times a week, spending £5 on average.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, Søstrene Grene has big plans. This year, it’ll be launching in Poland and Italy with physical shops, and online in Spain.
And, by 2027, it’s aiming to have 100 on British soil, which Mikkel describes as one of the brand’s most ‘exciting markets.’ To date, though, he’s proud of every single success they’ve had – and he never takes any of it for granted.
‘We’re humble, as not a lot of retailers are seeing these numbers these days, so it’s amazing,’ he says. ‘It’s even hard for us to understand.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
12 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Starbucks sets strict new rule for UK customers after ‘brawl’ in America
In November 2025, Starbucks sent its customers into an absolute frenzy with the launch of a limited-edition Bearista Cup in the US.
People were so desperate to get their hands on the $29.95 glass (around £22) that some camped out overnight for it. Others queued from 4am, and a few even got into physical brawls in stores, fighting over dwindling stock.
Many were left devastated when the cups sold out almost instantly, with shoppers sharing videos on TikTok of themselves crying after missing out on the cups.
So in demand are they that resellers have listed them on eBay for as much as $5,000.
In the UK, we watched all of the drama unfold from a safe distance, as the cup wasn’t available to buy here… until now, that is.
The coffee chain has just confirmed that the viral, sell-out Bearista Cups are finally coming to the UK.
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In a post on Instagram, Starbucks teased the upcoming launch, with a shot of the lid and straw, writing: ‘This is not a drill… see you 15.01.’
They added that there’s a strict rule in place for buying the cups, though – there will be a limit of one Bearista Cup per customer, and they’re only available while stock lasts.
On the Starbucks app, a message for users adds that merchandise ‘may not be available in all stores’, so you might want to do your research before you go out to try and get one this week.
What is the Starbucks Bearista Cup?
For those unaware, the Bearista is a limited-edition glass cold cup, in the shape of a teddy bear. It’s got a green beanie hat on top of its head and a green and white striped straw.
The bear is holding its own small Starbucks cup, featuring the chain’s logo.
It’s not yet been confirmed how much the cup will cost in the UK, but it will likely be a similar price to the US.
On social media, Brits are already going wild over the news that Bearistas are launching soon.
Replying to Starbucks on Instagram, @hollymayhunter said: ‘I’ve set my reminder… I’ll be there.’
@adoseofapril wrote: ‘I can’t believe we’re getting them too!!’
While @sophiegotsleeved commented: ‘OMG’, and @ijoyceee proclaimed: ‘SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY.’
Others had some concerns, though, with @danielrfriary saying: ‘I give it an hour before they’re on Vinted for £75’.
@life.with.sophiee posted: ‘As much as I’d like one, I just cba if it’s going to cause a riot’. And @emmxspike added: ‘Hope it’s not going to be chaotic like it was in America.’
Metro asked Starbucks UK how they planned to keep things from spiralling here, after everything that went down in the States.
A spokesperson told us: ‘We don’t have anything further to share aside from what you’ve seen, except to say – he’ll be popping up in stores only, but there won’t be many, so one per customer, and while stocks last.’
Do you have a story to share?
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12 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Why you shouldn’t feel guilty about watching TV after a long day, according to science
12 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
I found Dad washing the car with a paintbrush. His dogs knew exactly what was happening
I glanced down at my phone, which I used to track my dad, Keith, who had Alzheimer’s – and gasped.
He was walking up the M60 slip road.
It was bad enough that my 72-year-old dad was in the middle of a motorway at 7:00pm on a Saturday night – but I knew he had his two dogs with him, and that he’d lost the capacity to understand the importance of having them on a lead.
Terrified, I called the police and the family, but my cousin got there first. Thankfully, the roads were fairly quiet.
But I was right – the dogs weren’t on a lead. There could have been a catastrophe. But, amazingly, the dogs never left Dad’s side.
My dad and I have always loved dogs. Almost 30 years ago, when I was 11, he and my mum decided to get a flat-coated retriever. Seven years later, they got another puppy.
The dogs meant everything to Dad. He and I would get up at 6:30am every morning and walk them together before school; he’d talk to them constantly, and our teatime routine revolved around them.
For years, Dad was a member of the Flat-Coated Retriever Association, which involved training gundogs using dummies, and he made so many friends just from walking his dogs. Everybody loved him.
But in 2017, we started noticing something was wrong.
Dad was a wonderful listener – he’d always want to know how you were, first and foremost. But that year, he started just talking, talking, talking about himself.
There was a sudden lack of listening skills and attention span, and it was very out of character.
Then he started forgetting words, and getting muddled and frustrated. In 2018, I remember worrying, before my wedding, about whether he’d be able to do his speech.
He’d get lost frequently, which was bizarre for him, and one day I found him washing the car with a paintbrush.
He was clearly worried, but he put off a diagnosis for years. Even after he was eventually diagnosed in 2019, it was a battle to get him to go for check ups. He was just in denial.
His dogs always knew, though. They had always wanted to run off and explore on a walk, but when he started getting lost they would not leave his side.
The oldest dog used to just stare at my dad constantly on walks, and in the house, they’d both follow him everywhere. It was incredibly intense and the whole family noticed it.
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Dad’s decline was very sudden.
His personality started to change. He’d do things like picking bobbles off his clothes and stacking them on the arm of the sofa and if anyone cleared them off, he’d get really angry. In his mind, his task had been ruined.
And, of course, there was the motorway incident in 2022.
Mum had to start locking all the external doors, because he’d forget he’d been out with the dogs already, and would want to keep going out.
He didn’t understand why he was locked in and he’d try to get out, rattling doors and banging windows.
Towards the end of Dad’s time at home, his dogs were his only pleasure.
He loved my mum and I, of course, but the dogs were different. He’d sit on the sofa, with one on each side, and they made him feel safe and secure.
One day in October 2022, my mum called me – Dad had locked her in the garden, so he was inside alone.
I could hear him shouting and banging the windows, and I couldn’t get there quickly on this occasion, so I advised her to call the police.
Neither Mum or I imagined what would happen next.
The police were brilliant, getting him to unlock the door and speaking with both him and my mum.
They thought he should go to A&E for a medical review, so they called the paramedics – and he never came home again.
It was a huge shock, and incredibly sad, but looking back, things couldn’t have gone on as they were.
That day, Dad was taken to a dementia assessment unit. Mum and I went over, and the Sister in charge warned us that he was very aggravated.
Dad saw me from across the ward. He shouted my name and wet himself, and I hurried over to him.
We hugged for what seemed like 10 minutes. He kept begging us to stay with him, and I thought: ‘This is truly the worst day of my whole life’.
Dad stayed there for around five months, and we made the difficult decision for him to never see his beloved dogs again. It would break Dad’s heart for them to visit and then have them taken away from him.
Dad seemed to deteriorate very quickly in the hospital.
Still, we tried to make it cosy. We put pictures up, and there was a little robotic dog that was supposed to be for the whole ward but became my dad’s. He’d just sit and stroke it.
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I trained one of my dogs to be a therapy dog so she could visit him, and that made a big difference, too.
Dad was moved to a care home in February 2023, but it wasn’t quite right for him.
My dad was never comfortable with anyone helping him with his personal care. It was only me who could change his pads and clean him up – if anyone else tried to do it, it was hell on earth for them and for him.
I loved that Dad still knew he could trust me, but that home wasn’t the best place for him; the staff just weren’t trained to cope with his needs.
So later that year, he was moved to a challenging behaviour care home, where the staff were very highly trained in dementia. But he was only there for six weeks before he got shingles and passed away in October 2023.
Learn more about Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer’s Society is there for people again and again, through the hardest, most frightening times. If you need support or information, visit alzheimers.org.uk or phone the Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456
I was with him when he died, and both Mum and I cried from sheer relief – relief that he wasn’t living in this hell any more – and I haven’t cried since.
I started grieving the loss of my dad years before he actually died, because the Dad I knew was disappearing before my very eyes and I just didn’t know anything could be done.
His deterioration hit us like a tornado – and we couldn’t do anything to stop it.
Now, though, I know the importance of early diagnosis – and I encourage any family members of someone with suspected Alzheimer’s to urge them to get diagnosed as soon as possible. They might be able to get treatment to reduce some symptoms.
My dad put off getting a diagnosis for years. We just didn’t know how important it was.
Dad’s condition plateaued for a long time – and goodness knows what he would have done without his dogs. They kept him busy while his world as he knew it was disappearing.
After Dad left home for the last time, his dogs seemed to relax – as though they’d taken on the role of his carers and now they were off duty.
Now, they’re eleven and six years old, and they live a content and quiet life with just my mum – but I’ll never forget how they acted around Dad when he was ill.
I doubt I’ll ever witness anything like it again.
Originally published on 13th April 2024
As told to Izzie Price
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11 Jan, 2026 | Admin | No Comments
Getting less than this much sleep per night can ‘cut years off your life’
Waking up groggy is an immediate downside of being late to bed and early to rise, but new research has confirmed that the consequences go far beyond the next day.
According to a study by Oregon Health & Science University (OSHU), insufficient sleep could actually ‘cut years off your life’ — adding a dark double meaning to the phrase ‘you can sleep when you’re dead’.
Using a US-wide health habits survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers compared respondents’ answers against life expectancy in their area.
Aside from smoking, getting less than seven hours of sleep per night was the factor most associated with dying younger, affecting longevity more than diet, exercise, socioeconomic status, or loneliness.
‘I didn’t expect it to be so strongly correlated to life expectancy,’ commented senior author and OSHU associate professor Andrew McHill, PhD.
‘We’ve always thought sleep is important, but this research really drives that point home: people really should strive to get seven to nine hours of sleep if at all possible.’
McHill called the findings ‘remarkable’, adding that although he’s a sleep psychologist with a good understanding of the health impact of poor rest, ‘it was still striking to see it materialise so strongly in all of these models.’
The study – published in the journal SLEEP Advances – is the first to show year-by-year connections between sleep and life expectancy across each US state.
This means outlier regions where results deviated from the norm during certain periods can be targeted for future investigation, potentially helping pin down exactly why the two factors are so closely linked.
Do you get at least 7 hours of sleep most nights?
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Yes, I make sure to get enough sleep
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No, I usually get less than 7 hours
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It depends on my schedule
Ahead of opening up further scientific breakthroughs though, McHill says this project highlights the importance of prioritising sleep ‘at least as much as we do to what we eat or how we exercise.’
‘Sometimes, we think of sleep as something we can set aside and maybe put off until later or on the weekend,’ he concluded. ‘Getting a good night’s sleep will improve how you feel but also how long you live.’
'Sleepgasms' are real — my climax wakes me up in the mornings
If you need any more convincing to get a good night’s sleep, this ought to do it.
Otherwise known as a nocturnal orgasm, a ‘sleepgasm’ is an orgasm that happens during your sleep, without any physical stimulation.
‘They’re a healthy part of sexual function, often linked to erotic dreams or subconscious arousal,’ Dr Hana Patel, UK GP and women’s health expert tells Metro.
But, you need to be in a pretty deep sleep for it to happen, as Dr Hana explains it usually happens during REM sleep.
REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement – the more deep your sleep, the more your eyes will move around. Once you’re in REM sleep your eyes move quickly in all directions.
In this deep sleep, your brain becomes much more active. Yes, the more asleep you are, the more alert your brain is. This is where your vivid dreams will happen – at your deepest phase of sleep.
For more information, check out our full article on everything you need to know about the elusive sleepgasm.
How many hours of sleep you need each night
The NHS recommends adult sleep for 7-9 hours’ sleep a night, but the exact ideal amount can differ depending on a number of things, including a person’s age.
For example, guidelines suggest babies under 12 months get around 12-16 hours, school-age children get 9-12 hours, and over-65s get 7-8 hours.
‘Individual sleep need is like height – we are all different and it is to a large degree genetically determined,’ sleep researcher Dr Neil Stanley previously told Metro. ‘Anywhere between about four and eleven hours can be considered normal but getting just one hour less sleep a night than you require can have measurable effects on your physical and mental health.’
Given the potential health implications, it’s a good idea to at least try to stick to that magic seven-hour minimum.
However, if that’s not an option, Dr Stanley advises keeping an eye on what works best for you; if you feel tired every day, it’s a definitive sign you aren’t getting enough shut-eye.
What happens if you get less than 6 hours sleep a night?
- Weakened immune system. Dr Sue Peacock is a consultant health psychologist and sleep expert. She explains: ‘While you sleep, your immune system produces protective, infection-fighting substances such as cytokines. It uses these substances to combat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. These cytokines also help you sleep, giving your immune system more energy to defend your body against illness.’
- Increased anxiety. ‘Unfortunately, one can exacerbate the other,’ says Dr Sue. ‘Anxiety can have a negative effect on your body’s ability to fall asleep, as your brain is in “fight or flight” mode, thinking of all the potential outcomes for whatever is causing the anxiety. ‘Furthermore, anticipatory anxiety and specific anxiety about sleep can lead to sleep disturbance and insomnia, which then creates a feedback loop that can make both conditions worsen.’
- Menstrual irregularities. Dr Katharina Lederle, a sleep and body clock specialist, tells Metro: ‘The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) increases during sleep deprivation, and in healthy young women in their follicular phase, is associated with a significant increase in TSH level. ‘High levels of TSH causes menstrual irregularities, anovulation (when an egg isn’t released), amenorrhea (when you don’t get periods) and recurrent miscarriages.’
- Loss of productivity. Dr Katharina explains: ‘One US study found that employees who averaged five hours of sleep a night lost 2.22 days of work a year, compared to the 1.48 of those that got eight hours. ‘A lack of sleep negatively impacts all the things we need to do our jobs well: cognitive performance, decision-making, memory and attention span.’
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