Read our posts about Women

06Oct

Bare Reality: 100 Women and their Breasts

Laura Dodsworth

society, women

Body

There has been so much public debate about breasts recently, from Free the Nipple to No More Page 3, from breastfeeding selfies on Facebook to Rihanna on the red carpet. I think the time has never been better to hear how women really feel about their breasts, and to see how they really look.  I have always been fascinated by the dichotomy between women’s personal lives and how they are depicted by the media; between how we feel about breasts privately and how they are presented for public consumption. We see images of breasts everywhere in the media and yet...
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01Oct

Faster Isn't Always Better

Nix Ticehurst

exercise, women

Body

In today’s fast-moving world, it is difficult to find time to work out, let along to stop and stretch our muscles. Understandable, perhaps, that when it comes to stretching versus cardio, cardio often wins out.  We fit in a high intensity exercise class between work, the school run, dinner and bed; if we burn 600 calories in a fast-class, we don’t have to worry about an extra glass of sauvignon, right? Wrong. Sadly, the net effect of our always-on-the-go lives is a constant adrenalin rush that can leave us more frazzled than when we started. Too much cardio and not...
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22Sep

Does Facebook distort our body image?

Anna Oldershaw

self, women

Therapists

Facebook offers a fun way to connect with others, share photos, news and events.  However, arguably everybody uses Facebook in other subtle, self-esteem boosting ways: to project a more ideal sense of themselves, to receive supportive comments and to gain ‘likes’ from others.  Sounds warm and wonderful. But there is a flip side.  Other people are also presenting their best selves and constant social comparison can lead to self-persecutory thoughts as well as self-improving and assuring ones. Our negative thoughts provoked by a visit to Facebook can often revolve...
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18Sep

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Your Biological Clock

Terri Apter

health, women

Body

“Wanting a child” is a strangely mild phrase to cover a desire that can punch one in the gut, and leave a constant thrumming in one’s ears, hands and knees.  It is warm and deliciously tactile, yet comparable to a war-like rage. Like an obscenely powerful hoover, it vacuums up your inner rational voice, leaving you reckless of loss, care and peace. But the inner rational voice fights back with reminders of easy delights, such as the day-to-day agency whereby it is you who decides where to go, and when.  At work or among friends, the clarion calls of careeer ambition...
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17Sep

Foods to Make You Look and Feel Younger

Thorbjorg Hafsteinsdottir

health, nutrition, women

Body

Watching what you eat and when you eat it can help you look and feel younger says Scandinavian nutritionist Thorbjorg
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03Sep

We All Use Sexist Language, Women Too

Terri Apter

men, society, women

Relationships

Adjectives have now become the scapegoat for a sexist culture - these naughty words are seen to be drenched in misogyny.  First “bossy” came under fire; now “feisty” is targeted. Forget feisty's positive meaning - apparently the fact that it is commonly used to describe women provides sufficient proof of bias and bad intent. When I went through the list of additional 'women only' words presented in The Telegraph Wonder Woman, I felt the frisson of easy recognition that often accompanies what psychologists call the 'confirmation bias': it is much easier to think...
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18Aug

Partners of Miscarriage Feel Ignored

Julia Bueno

bereavement, family, men, miscarriage, women

Therapists

We must also recognise the grief experienced by partners of miscarrying mothers so they have the space and support for their loss to be noted.
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29Jul

Pregnancy Massage

Kate Codrington

complementaryhealth, massage, pregnancy, women

Body

If there is ever a time you need a massage it's when you are pregnant. The average pregnancy weight gain is 12.5kg  and this can create all sorts of aches and pains that massage treats brilliantly, but here many other highly beneficial effects too.  What can pregnancy massage treat? Relieving lower back pain Giving you space to integrate the changes your body is going through Reducing anxiety Providing a neutral space to explore how you feel about your pregnancy Helping get better quality sleep Managing swollen feet and...
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25Jul

How Sports Protect Girls' Self Esteem

Terri Apter

anxiety, depression, exercise, women

Body

Dr Terri Apter explains how engaging in sports can improve the body image and overall confidence of teenage girls and help to reduce depression.
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07Jul

Your Period is Not Your Enemy

Kate Merrick

body, health, women

Therapists

Women spend most of their lives struggling to accept their bodies and biology. Knowing your menstrual cycle will allow you to learn to love your period says therapist Kate Merrick
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