Advice, guides & articles

If, like me, you're struggling to take in the news coming from Ukraine at the moment, you might also have wondered if and how to talk to your children about it. My daughter is twelve, so shielding her from it is not an option. Like many her age she is a huge fan of TikTok and, unlike many previous global events, this war is all over the popular social media platform. As much as I wish I didn't have to talk about tragic events such as a war taking place not too far from home, I worry I am going to have to.

The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine has shocked us all to the core. It's hard not to feel completely helpless sat here in the UK, watching and reading the news for updates. There must be something we can do to help. Thinking about what I can do to help opens up many questions: What should I donate? Can I volunteer to help sort through donations? How can I donate money and which charities should I use to ensure the cash goes to the people who need it? How can I help refugees when they arrive in the UK? Like many of you I want to help, so where should we start?

Here in the UK, as Spring moves in there is something about that first sunny day that makes us feel positive after the long dark nights of Winter. But although there are obvious reasons to feel happy about a bit of sunshine, there are genuine reasons why the sun makes us feel so good. Boosts Serotonin It turns out “sunny disposition” is more than just an expression. Exposure to sunlight increases the release of a hormone called serotonin in your brain, which is a chemical associated with boosting mood and helping you feel calmer and more focused. The more sun we get during the day, the happier we are. Improves Sleep Along with a boost in serotonin, the greater your exposure to the sun in the daylight hours, the more melatonin you produce at night, which improves sleep, synchronises your biological clock and lowers stress. Vitamin D As well as directly improving your mood, the sun is really important for our general health in many ways. Vitamin D promotes reduced inflammation and modulates cell growth. It’s also very hard to get enough from food sources alone. The sun is the best natural source of Vitamin D, and it only takes 15 minutes of sunlight a few times a week to notice a difference. Lowers Blood Pressure When sunlight hits your skin, your body releases something called nitric oxide into your blood. This compound brings down blood pressure and improves heart health. Feelings of relaxation may also naturally bring down blood pressure, so boosting your happiness by soaking up rays will also bring your blood pressure down. So as Spring approaches, make sure you take advantage of the improving weather and get outside. Take a stroll, have your morning cup of tea on the porch, or start doing those jobs in the garden, and enjoy all the benefits the sun has to offer. Remember to stay safe in the sun, always use a factor 30 sunscreen, and spend time in the shade when the sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm from March to October. Follow funeral-notices.co.uk on social media to see when new articles are published: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn

Cats are increasingly being used as therapy animals and companion pets, and for good reason. Studies have shown that owning a cat can help to reduce stress and have a positive effect on your mental health. Simply petting your furry friend can trigger a release of endorphins into the brain, making you feel happier. Here are 5 more reasons why it’s a good idea to get a cat. Low Maintenance Cats are very low maintenance pets, as they mostly look after themselves. You don’t need to walk them or bathe them, and they don’t require your attention all of the time. As long as they are fed, watered and have somewhere clean to do their business, they are happy. Independent Cats are commonly regarded as the most independent pet. They are quite happy to entertain and take care of themselves with minimal input from you. They are the ideal pet for someone who may not be home all of the time, or even for someone who works from home so cannot devote all of their time to a needy pet. Hunters Cats are known to be natural hunters, and are therefore likely to keep your house pest free. In fact, cats were thought to have been first domesticated by people looking for pest control for their food stores. Affectionate Despite common misconceptions, cats can be just as affectionate as other pets. Depending on the cat, you may have to work a little harder to earn their trust, but it’s well worth it for the love and affection you get in the end. There’s no feeling like a cat sleeping soundly on your lap, purring away. A constant source of entertainment If nothing else, a cat will keep you entertained. From watching them hunt the laser pointer or their toy mouse, to finding them sleeping in the strangest places, you’ll never be bored with a cat in the house. Thank you for reading. Follow funeral-notices.co.uk on social media to see when new articles are published: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn

The way we think, and what we think about, can affect how we feel and act. For example, if you think or worry a lot about upsetting things, you might often feel sad or anxious. Mindfulness aims to help you become more self-aware, feel calmer and less stressed, feel more able to choose how to respond to your thoughts and feelings, cope with difficult or unhelpful thoughts, and be kinder towards yourself.

Taking up cooking and baking has been shown to have many positive effects on people’s mental health. Whether you’ve been cooking all your life or have never made anything more than toast, it’s worth taking up these hobbies and cooking and/or baking regularly.

Here on the funeral-notices.co.uk blog we want to help shine a light on charities up and down the country that do incredible work to help people in all aspects of life. Those charities might be raising millions of pounds every year, or they might be raising just a couple of hundred, but regardless of what the amount is, it’s the love and care shown for those around them that is what really makes the difference. Today we’re going to take a look at the charity Shelter, find out who they are, and see what it is they do.

Many men have been raised to not talk, cry, or reach out for support. Therefore, their grief tends to stay inside. There is evidence that men are more likely than women to remain silent or grieve in isolation, engage in action-oriented forms of grief expression, or lose themselves in distractions such as work.With the spotlight on men’s health recently, let’s look at how this sensitive time can be difficult for some men to work through and how we can offer support.

A random act of kindness can be the highlight of someone’s day. Be it a simple thing like having the door held open for you when you’ve got your hands full, or a bigger gesture like someone buying you lunch when you’ve had a particularly rough day. These seemingly small acts, when replicated by thousands of people all across the globe, make our world a happier place to live in.

Valentine’s Day is the time of candlelit dinners, red roses and heart shaped chocolate boxes, but where did it start and how did it become the day of love as it is known today?