Growing up in the Arab world, as a woman, from pre-pubescence onwards, I was often taught to view my body and desires with a sense of shame. For years, it seems the media, schools, doctors, and even friends and relatives have perpetuated the myth that my virtue is tied to my chastity, and that being […]
I’m not really one for virtual exercise classes, partly because the lack of atmosphere puts me off, partly because you’re not actually obliged to show up. However, last year forced everyone’s hand when it came to keeping up with regular exercise classes, and gyms and trainers had to adapt quickly to catering to clients remotely. […]
How to whip our bodies and minds into shape as we finally emerge from hibernation? Many of us are conscious of a few extra lockdown pounds, but this is no time to be hard on ourselves – plus, there are many enjoyable (and sustainable) ways to keep our wellbeing and weight in check simultaneously. “Beach […]
I fear this year there will be none of Keats’s promise of “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Rather, we would be better to bulk buy SAD [Seasonal Affective Disorder] light accessories and only then immerse ourselves in the poet’s concept of “negative capability”, which translates roughly as: Don’t let uncertainty paralyse you. It’s uncertain, […]
Trigger warning: Different elements of disordered eating and exercise addiction are discussed in this piece. “Complimenting someone on their weight loss can be as harmful as complimenting someone on their weight gain,” wrote Demi Lovato on Instagram Stories in a post discussing recovery from eating disorders. “If you don’t know someone’s history with food, please […]
At one point, every celebrity on earth was into cupping. There was Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Gaga and Victoria Beckham – most of whom were doing it as far back as the early Noughties – as well as a whole host of famous athletes, including Anthony Joshua. Even Kim Kardashian tried it to treat […]
I remember walking down Oxford Street on Friday 8 July 2016, joining masses of other Black people to cry, “No justice, no peace.” Only a few days after protesting again, with that same plea for humanity, I can’t help but reflect on how our vulnerability has once again been put on display, for others to […]
If your skin has ever reacted to drinking wine, you’re not alone. While many of us experience facial flushing when nursing a glass of chablis, there are numerous other ways drinking wine can negatively impact your overall skin health. Naturopathic doctor and beauty expert Dr Isabel Sharkar, co-founder of the Indigo Integrative Health Clinic in […]
