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    This Self-Help Book Is Going Viral–Here Are the 6 Takeaways That Changed My Life

    If you read one book in your life, make it The Myth of Normal. That’s what I started telling people after I devoured the 500+ page book in under a week. The author, Gabor Maté, is a Canadian physician who specializes in covering addiction, stress, and childhood development. He’s written multiple bestselling books on these topics, but his new title has even captured the attention of the TikTok universe. So what’s so special about this book?
    In The Myth of Normal, Gabor Maté addresses society’s newfound obsession with wellness, but then questions whether we as a society are, in fact, well. Because while it’s easy to spend money on the latest health trends, are they actually helping us become healthier? This book goes on a journey breaking down what we get wrong about wellness and how different factors, such as trauma, society, childhood development, and addiction, all play a role in our overall health. I’ve read a lot of health and wellness books, but I walked away from this book with what felt like never-before-heard insights on how to live a healthier life. In case you don’t want to read all 500 pages, I broke down my biggest takeaways below.

    1. Be your own health advocate
    In the book, Dr. Maté discusses western medical practices and how there can be a “power hierarchy that casts physicians as the exalted experts and patients as the passive recipients of care.” Doctors are experts in their fields for a reason, and we seek specialists out for answers as to why our bodies are sick, but it’s important to remember that no one knows your body better than you do. Doctors are busy people with a full roster of patients, and sometimes all we get is 15 minutes to explain our concerns, which (more often than not) isn’t enough time to consider and discuss all the different factors that may be leading to your symptoms. In my own diagnosis of interstitial cystitis, it took multiple visits to different doctors and many rounds of tests before I was diagnosed, which probably could have been done sooner if I had been a better advocate for my body. The lesson I took away here is that you have to feel comfortable with your diagnosis and care, your body relies on you to speak up for it, and there’s never any harm in seeking a second opinion.

    2. Prioritize healthy relationships
    I’m sure we can all think of someone in our lives who has left us feeling drained, bad about ourselves, or unhappy. On the other hand, there are people in our lives who bring us joy, make us laugh, and lift us up. News flash: Both types of people affect our health. Dr. Maté shares how our emotions have a direct impact on our nervous system, which is especially true for intimate relationships and what’s known as interpersonal biology. Translation: The closer we are to someone, the more our physiology interacts with theirs.
    One study showed that married people have lower rates of mortality than their age-matched single contemporaries. However, unhappily married people were worse off in well-being than unmarried people, according to another study shared. Now should we all be running off to get married for better health? Probably not. What this study brings to light is the effect of positive relationships. It shows why we should prioritize the people in our lives who make us feel good and find ways to let go of the ones who don’t or no longer serve our well-being. 

    3. Learn to regulate your emotions
    No one likes to feel pain if we can help it. For this reason, we often learn to repress emotions or block them out with coping mechanisms, such as work, watching TV, or eating our favorite foods. If you’re like me, you were never taught as a kid how to process emotions in a healthy way. Sadly, it’s just not something that was on the school curriculum. Fortunately, it’s becoming more widely understood that regulating emotions is healthy. Even anger can lead to blind rage or resentment when suppressed. Instead of burying our emotions and carrying them around with us, releasing them through practices such as journaling, therapy, or talking to a trusted friend can help us build a new pathway to better health (both emotional and physical). 

    4. Mental health is equally as important as physical health
    The idea that the mind and body are connected is nothing new. However, Dr. Maté points out that society still tends to separate the two. How often does your doctor ask about your childhood traumas, your relationship with your parents, your degree of loneliness, your job satisfaction, and how you feel about yourself when you go in for a check-up? It’s most often believed that you see your therapist for those issues and your doctor only has to do with the body, even though the body and mind are directly linked and directly impact one another. This new study of science is called psychoneuroimmunology, and it maps the pathways of mind-body unity. Taking care of our mental health can often be put on the back burner, but learning to prioritize it in the same way we do our physical health is beneficial to the body as a whole.

    5. Live authentically 
    Dr. Maté defines authenticity as “the quality of being true to oneself, and the capacity to shape one’s own life from a deep knowledge of that self.” In other words, as long as we are consistently expressing our emotions and feel safe when we do, we are living an authentic life. But we struggle to live an authentic life when we choose to repress our emotions and do so often enough that it becomes unrecognizable.
    This book sheds light on how stress, including the stress of self-suppression, may disturb our physiology, including the immune system. If we are repressing our true feelings and emotions, we’re disarming our bodies’ ability to protect us from stress. If you are someone who feels like they struggle to live authentically, working with the help of a professional  like a therapist to pinpoint those moments can be an extremely helpful way to a path of authentic living. 

    6. Find healthy ways to manage stress
    Believe it or not, stress is actually a vital part of our survival, but there are two types of stress: acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is what happens when we feel an immediate threat, maybe when walking home alone at night with a stranger lurking close by. It’s healthy to feel that sort of stress as it alerts the body to keep us safe. But unrelieved stress is ongoing, and unless we find ways to relieve that stress, it can lead to depression, chronic inflammation in the body, an unhealthy immune system, and many other ailments. 
    A 2012 study from Harvard Medical School showed that women with a high job strain were 67% more likely to experience a heart attack than women in less stressful jobs. Dr. Maté has written a whole other book on the effects of stress on the body entitled, “When The Body Says No: The Hidden Cost of Stress,” which emphasizes how if we don’t find healthy ways to manage chronic stress, it can lead to more serious health concerns. Some healthy ways to deal with stress can include exercise, meditation, therapy, connecting with your community, and unwinding with hobbies that bring you joy. 

    7 Hacks I Learned From Atomic Habits That Changed My Life More

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    Millennials Are Apparently Now Ditching Booze For Tea

    Having a night out celebrating a new job? What’s in your cup might not be champagne, but rather tea, according to a new survey from market intelligence firm Mintel. The report showed that millennials between the ages of 26 and 41 are now ditching booze for tea.

    Almost half (49%) of those surveyed in the UK agreed that tea is a good alternative to alcohol, with 55% of millennials likely to ditch booze in favour of a cup of tea. And it’s not just millennials: we know that Gen Z are famous teetotallers.

    So, why the switch?

    Among reasons cited is the high cost of living (who can afford that G&T?). “Across the globe, Millennials are going semi-sober and embracing wellness more than any other generation,” says Adele du Toit, spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council (SARC).

    Another big factor? The quest for a healthier lifestyle is driving down alcohol sales and boosting sales for tea.

    The sweeping trend of quitting alcohol has caused a seismic shift in nightlife in Europe. According to Forbes Magazine, bars and nightclubs across the US, UK and Europe are suffering as a result. In the last few years, over 10 000 bars have shut down in the US and 6 500 nightclubs have either had to cut back on their hours or close up shop entirely. Nightlife in Europe isn’t what it used to be either. In Britain, nightclubs are closing down, from 3 144 to 1 733, and in the Netherlands, 38% of nightclubs closed their doors.

    Millennials are looking after their health

    While their parents may have found a good pub crawl to be a titillating social activity, millennials are opting for juice crawls. “The quest for affordable luxuries coupled with the boom in health and foodie culture has already seen vast changes in the tea industry. Even in supermarkets, the shelf space dedicated to standard tea products has shrunk, making way for a larger range of speciality teas and herbal infusions that offer new experiences for discerning tea drinkers,” says Adele.

    The tipple most millennials are leaning towards the most? Rooibos. “Last year, Rooibos was voted among the country’s favourite hot beverages in the 2022 Sunday Times GenNext Survey, in which more than 6 000 youth named their coolest products,” says Adele. “Given the wide range of beverage options that the youth of today can choose from, the accolade speaks volumes.”

    It makes sense, says Adele. Rooibos is versatile; you can have it hot or cold, in cappuccino form or even in a mocktail. Plus, rooibos contains antioxidants and is free from caffeine.

    Our fave teas:

    Faithful To Nature Matcha Green Tea

    Faithful To Nature Organic Rooibos Tea

    Woolworths Infusions Chamomile Flowers

    Women’s Health participates in various affiliate marketing programmes, which means we may get commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. More

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    Hotel Café Royal in Paris delivers style, sophistication, and unparalleled service

    News

    by Amy Sessions
    2 hours ago

    The Stay
    Designed with an incredible ability to seamlessly blend tradition with the modern technology comforts you’d expect from a hotel at this level, you will fully relax and enjoy your stay from a breakfast that caters to every taste to a turndown service that warms the bath towels. Both rooms and suites feel spacious and accommodate bathrooms with a bathtub and separate walk-in shower, so your simple nightly rituals feel like extravagant downtime.

    Hotel Café Royal
    The unwind
    One of the most tranquil spas you will ever visit – the underground Askasha spa boasts a large pool, spacious sauna and relaxation rooms where you can practise Yoga and Pilates, a welcome respite from the business of the city centre. Book in for a well-earned Aromatherapy Associates massage and be transformed back to the freshest version of yourself.

    Hotel Café Royal
    The Dining
    With a menu inspired by the iconic and storied Parisian neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, home to Hotel Café Royal’s sister hotel Lutetia Paris, Brasserie Saint Germain delivers on taste and service alike. The menu created by Eliano Crespi and his culinary team offers up the best of seasonal produce in a cosy semi-formal setting, the Sole Meunière and Salade Juliette are not to be missed. More

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    Hotel Café Royal in London delivers style, sophistication, and unparalleled service

    News

    by Amy Sessions
    10 hours ago

    The Stay
    Designed with an incredible ability to seamlessly blend tradition with the modern technology comforts you’d expect from a hotel at this level, you will fully relax and enjoy your stay from a breakfast that caters to every taste to a turndown service that warms the bath towels. Both rooms and suites feel spacious and accommodate bathrooms with a bathtub and separate walk-in shower, so your simple nightly rituals feel like extravagant downtime.

    Hotel Café Royal
    The unwind
    One of the most tranquil spas you will ever visit – the underground Askasha spa boasts a large pool, spacious sauna and relaxation rooms where you can practise Yoga and Pilates, a welcome respite from the business of the city centre. Book in for a well-earned Aromatherapy Associates massage and be transformed back to the freshest version of yourself.

    Hotel Café Royal
    The Dining
    With a menu inspired by the iconic and storied Parisian neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, home to Hotel Café Royal’s sister hotel Lutetia Paris, Brasserie Saint Germain delivers on taste and service alike. The menu created by Eliano Crespi and his culinary team offers up the best of seasonal produce in a cosy semi-formal setting, the Sole Meunière and Salade Juliette are not to be missed. More

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    Ozen Bolifushi in Maldives is the perfect secluded slice of paradise for slow living

    Lifestyle

    by Ruman Baig
    2 hours ago

    While luxurious resorts in The Maldives are hardly scarce – here you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything other than smart island retreats – Ozen Bolifushi is simply put, a cut above, taking barefoot luxury to an entirely new level.
    The Arrival
    Step off the plane and onto the resort’s private catamaran, a smart charter outfitted with cream sofas, an espresso bar and panoramic windows. The convenient 30-minute ride to Ozen Bolifushi relieves the hassle of connecting seaplanes, a true sanity-saver when travelling with children. As you near the island, the resort zooms into focus – all swaying palm trees and powdery sunbleached sands surrounded by the brightest blue water. You’ll be met with traditional Maldivian drumming, a fresh coconut water and a mist of Avène’s thermal spring water, before heading straight to your villa in one of the island’s elegant Rolls Royce buggies along with your personal butler.
    The Vibe
    The island is smaller than some, lending an intimate feel where faces become familiar after just a day. You’ll find there is a sleepy sense of stillness and privacy to Ozen, withonly the sweeping waves, paradise-perfect beaches and occasional guest on a bike within eyesight. Days can be spent lounging, swimming, snorkelling and scuba-diving, or browse the island’s boutiques, charter a yacht, feed the stingrays at sunset and simply wander the maze of palm tree-lined pathways dotted with crochet hammocks and swings. And while adults settle poolside, children of all ages will be kept entertained with daily activities, such as treasure hunts, pizza making, water polo and ice hockey on the resort’s open-air ice rink, a first in The Maldives. With Ozen’s Reserve Plan, guests will not be required to sign throughout their stay, allowing for complete self-indulgence on the free-flowing premium bottles and culinary experiences.

    The Stay
    No stone has been left unturned when it comes to furnishing the villas, where spacious suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows with unobstructed ocean views, walk-in wardrobes, private pools, outdoor dining verandas, spa-inspired bathrooms and a fully-stocked private bar. Perched above the sea, the water villas stand out and are perhaps what springs tomind when envisioning the Maldives. Accessed by bike or buggy along a boardwalk, these villas offer a sprawling outdoor deck with several seating areas and sunken sofas, from which you can spot shoals of fluorescent fish swirl by. A number of the villas also feature a water slide into the sea which makes for a playful way to wake up on your morning swim. For the ultimate in seclusion and splendour, the Royal Reserve is a sprawling threebedroom beachfront home (along with separate spaces for staff) complete with an open-air jacuzzi, a gym, pool, an overwater bar, plus a dedicated Teppanyaki restaurant as well as a kitchen and grape cellar.
    Wellness
    When not racking up steps strolling the island, guests can take to the ocean-facing treadmills at the gym or book in for a group class and sunrise flow on the yoga pavilion. Further unwind at Ozen’s spa, an idyllic garden sanctuary where expert facials and knot-banishing massages in the overwater treatment suites will soothe you into a mediative state. Guests can also book a consultation with the island’s resident Ayurveda doctor, who after checking your pulse will recommend holistic healing remedies to work into your daily regime.

    Dining
    Food at Ozen draws on a “garden-to-table” concept where chefs plate dishes using herbs, seasonal vegetables, microgreens and tropical fruits freshly picked from island soil. Breezy lunches will be spent on the beach at Vista Del Mar where the varied buffet includes a spread of salads, grilled meats, seafood, sushi and homemade pastas to rival that in Rome. Come evening, feast on mezze and tagines at Sangu or sample Saffron’s mouth-watering curries through their concept dining experience. While fine dining restaurant ORIGINE, delivers an elegant culinary journey along with grape tasting sessions held by the resort’s enthusiastic sommelier – an experience well worth booking ahead for.
    theozencollection.com
    March’s – The Style Issue – Download Now 
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    Taylor Swift’s Diet and Fitness Routine on Tour

    Life on tour is grueling (or so I’ve heard), but Taylor Swift could’ve fooled us with her seemingly effortless stamina throughout her 3-hour “Eras Tour” show (complete with seamless outfit changes on stage, might I add). It got me wondering how she performs her way through 44 hits from her 10 studio albums without so much as breaking a sweat or popping one of the sequins off her red-and-sequined-snaked Reputation look. So naturally, I scoured the internet for every tidbit I could find about her wellness routine (you’re welcome, Swifties). How does she sweat it out? What does she eat in a day? Is she just like us when it comes to self-care? Read on for a breakdown of T-Swift’s health and wellness standbys. Alexa, play the Midnights album.

    For fitness: She dances it out (on and off stage)
    According to an article in Marie Claire, pounding the pavement and dance-based workouts from New York-based studio Body By Simone are the singer-songwriter’s secret weapons to keeping up endurance and strength to perform dozens of shows while on tour. Body by Simone classes (which are also offered on their digital studio so you can sweat it on-the-go) combine a unique fusion of dance, Pilates, and functional strength training (think: high-intensity dance cardio, bodyweight moves, and light dumbbell exercises) that create “a safe space where women can feel inspired and motivated to become the best version of themselves,” said Simone de la Rue, Body by Simone’s Founder. To give Swift’s fitness regimen a whirl, try this 20-minute full-body Body by Simone workout. You’ll jump lunge, push up shoulder tap, crunch as you side plank, and jump squat your way to Swift fitness status.
    But dancing (on and off the stage) isn’t the only exercise she swears by. “For me, running is about blasting a whole bunch of new songs and running to the beat,” Swift told WebMD. “It’s also good because it makes me find a gym wherever I am…I love exploring the places we go when we tour.” If running isn’t your jam (same), give the Taylor Swift treadmill workout a whirl (it’s way better, IMO).

    For diet: She follows intuitive eating habits 
    Show biz is not without its fad diets, cleanses, and quick fixes, but don’t count Swift as part of that crowd. Rather, she takes a balanced approach to her diet. Translation: Taylor follows a wholesome menu during the week while letting loose with her food choices on the weekends. “…I try to keep it lighter, but it’s nothing too regimented or crazy,” Swift conveyed to WebMD. “I don’t like to create too many rules where I don’t need them. We know what’s good for us, thanks to common sense.” Case in point: She told WebMD she passes on sugary drinks and sticks to salads, yogurt, and sandwiches Monday through Friday, but enjoys a burger and fries, ice cream, or cookies on weekends (a girl after my own heart). 
    We could all take a page from Swift’s book on mindful eating—that goes for sweets too. If you’re a Swiftie, you probably already know she’s no stranger to baking up a storm of desserts. “I bake pumpkin bread for everyone I know and make ginger molasses cookies and hot chocolate and chai,” she expressed to Bon Appétit. As for her go-to drinks? Skinny vanilla lattes on weekdays and PSLs on weekends. “The point is I’m never cutting out what I love,” Swift informed WebMD. She is just like us!
     
    For hydration: She always has a water bottle with her
    Swift can’t live without her Starbucks like the rest of us, but she knows water does a body good and makes it a point to load up on water, tour or no tour. “I have so much water in my dressing room because I drink, like, ten bottles of water a day,” Swift revealed to Bon Appétit. “I drink so much water my friends call me an alien.” She never leaves home without a water bottle and even keeps a case in her car for good measure. While you don’t have to guzzle ten bottles in a day (assuming you’re not a pop star performing night after night), a general rule of thumb is to aim for about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day. When we stay sufficiently hydrated, our cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems work more efficiently. So do as Taylor does and hit your hydration goal for the day. Step 1: Start with a glass of water first thing in the AM. Your skin will reap the benefits, too. 

    For mental health: She journals 
    “Health is a big part of being happy,” Swift shared with WebMD, which to her means being in great shape both physically and mentally. It turns out she’s a journaling stan (that instantly gets her the Everygirl stamp of approval, BTW): “From a young age, any time I would feel pain I would think, ‘It’s OK, I can write about this after school.’ As a young kid, I learned to process my emotions by writing.” Swift was onto something at an early age, because putting pen to paper has a bevy of benefits, including reducing stress, creating space from negative thoughts, and deepening self-discovery. 
    And it’s no surprise that Swift also takes to her songwriting and music to feel all her feels: “…anytime something hurts, like rejection or sadness or loneliness, or I feel joy or I fall in love, I ask myself, ‘Can I write a song about this so I know how I feel?’” she said. Even if your journal entries about your feelings don’t become a platinum hit, journaling can provide an effective way to process emotions. Think of it like a therapy session with yourself.

    For self-care: She has a routine to feel at home while traveling
    In her interview with WebMD, Swift didn’t sugarcoat life on tour: riding hours on a bus, giving it her all on stage, and not sleeping in her own bed can feel draining. Her key to staying balanced through it all? Following a comforting routine and packing certain travel essentials. Her first order of business when settling into her hotel room is unpacking. “I do it everywhere I go,” Swift said. “I really like the way it feels to have my clothes put away in drawers and my shoes in the closet.” According to WebMD, Swift also always brings candles with her to her destinations. 
    If you caught Swift’s Netflix documentary Taylor Swift: Miss Americana, you know that her squad includes her feline companions—Olivia, Meredith, and Benjamin—and she has personalized bags and cat backpacks for them for travel on her private jet, according to Parade Pets (they’re practically just as famous as their mom, thanks to their many cameos on IG and TikTok). What’s more, Swift brings them to events and music video shoots alike every chance she gets (as evidenced here and here). As a fellow four-legged animal mama (sorry, I’m partial to dogs), I can relate (minus the Gulfstream, of course). 

    I Tried the Taylor Swift Treadmill Workout for a Week—Here’s What Happened More

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    Wall Pilates: The Low-Impact Workout Everyone Is Obsessed With

    You’d be hard-pressed to find a workout that boasts low-impact exercises that benefit both physical and mental health (hello, mind-body connection) like Pilates does. Before you brush the fitness modality aside because reformer Pilates classes are out of your budget or you think you don’t have what it takes to become a Pilates girl from home, TikTokers stan the new version of the workout (the 6.6 billion views say it all) that you don’t want to sleep on. Enter: Wall Pilates, FitTok’s latest obsession.
    Forget any large, expensive equipment—all you need is that bare wall you’ve been meaning to dress up in order to work up a sweat. The best part? It won’t make a dent in your wallet. Whether you use it as added support or a way to level up your mat practice, consider the four walls in your home office or living room the only accessory you need to get your Pilates on. Let’s dive into what Wall Pilates is and six no-equipment-necessary workouts that’ll leave you feeling better and stronger. 

    What exactly is Wall Pilates?
    If you’ve gotten a taste of any form of Pilates, you’ve likely powered through glute bridges and the classic Pilates move that is the hundred. Well, replace the ball, band, or reformer machine with a wall as your prop to perform the exercises, and voila, you’re a Wall Pilates girlie. Translation: Wall Pilates is a variation of mat Pilates that entails pressing one or more body parts (mainly your feet) against a wall while you carry out movements like the hundred, wall squats, or plank. The wall is there to not only provide balance and stability, but also add resistance. And while your glutes and core will feel most out of the burn in Wall Pilates routines, with standing exercises that target your arms and chest (think: wall push-ups and planks), your upper body won’t get left out of the sweat sessions. 

    @blissedhappiness
    Use the wall as your Pilates prop 😁 #pilates #pilatesinstructor #pilatesworkout #abs #bodytransformation #abschallange
    ♬ Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) – Doja Cat

    How to try it for yourself
    Ready to give Wall Pilates a go? Start with these six workouts courtesy of YouTube to check off a week of movement. 

    If you’re looking to a get taste of what Wall Pilates is…
    [embedded content]
    Just starting out on your Pilates journey? Look no further than this 10-minute, beginner-friendly workout with certified Pilates and Barre instructor Callie Jardine. Expect a glute-bridge burner, leg lifts, crunches, and some stretches to round it out. 

    If you want to focus on core, glutes, and quads…
    [embedded content]
    Grab a mat and your favorite wall for a 20-minute routine from Pilates with Donna Finnie. You’ll ease into the flow with a round of slow plank walk-outs and work your way to the core of the workout with wall sits, bird dogs, and more. By the end of sweat sesh, your form will be *chef’s kiss*, thanks to Finnie’s detailed instruction throughout. 

    If you’re all about abs…
    [embedded content]
    In the mood for a total ab scorcher? Follow Rachel’s Fit Pilates‘ 15-minute workout for a variation of the hundred, bicycles, side planks, and much more core work on and off the wall. Talk about a quickie, but goodie. 

    If upper body is more your thing…
    [embedded content]
    Meet Pilates with Donna Finnie once again on the mat (and wall) to enhance mobility and increase strength. You’ll start with breathwork, followed by arm exercises like arm rotations, wall push-ups, and kneeling plank push-ups. This workout (just shy of 24 minutes) will highlight any imbalances you may have (i.e. having one arm or shoulder that feels stronger) and hone your awareness on how your body moves and feels.

    If you’re looking for a full-body workout…
    [embedded content]
    For a full-body training, join Trifecta Pilates in standing exercises (think: single-arm wall push-ups, leg lifts, and split squats) and floor work that includes a glute bridge variation that gives major Miley Cyrus vibes (see: her “Flowers” workout) and an ab series. By the end of the 40-minute class, you’ll feel it everywhere—I mean everywhere. 

    If you’re ready to take it up a notch…
    [embedded content]
    Wild Waves Yoga guides you through a 20-minute intermediate to advanced Wall Pilates yoga fusion workout in this video. After a proper warm-up, you’ll work the booty, legs, and core with exercises such as a bridge series, heel lifts, split squats, downward dog, finished off by a dolphin plank hold (spoiler: it’s no joke). But don’t worry—the last few minutes reward you with satisfying upper and lower body stretches. Ahh… More

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    At-Home Test Kits: From Ovulation To STDs, Here’s How To Get Results At Home

    Ah, technology. We’ve come a super long way from sitting in stirrups for test results to now, where we can simply buy an at-home test kit to know our status. From finding your fertile window to knowing your STD status, these at-home test kits are well worth the purchase, especially when you’re feeling uncertain and don’t want to sit in a queue at the clinic.

    Zoie HPV Self-Test Kit

    HPV remains one of the biggest risks to women’s overall health since it’s a major precursor of cervical cancer. South Africa has really high rates of cervical cancer. Since testing can be tedious, get results at home without visiting the clinic.

    VIVOO V3 Advanced Urine Test

    Think of this as your all-in-one health test kit. It’ll measure your levels of Magnesium, water, vitamin C, calcium, pH levels (alkaline diet, anyone?), ketone, protein, oxidative stress and sodium. There’s also an app tie-in so you can make sense of the numbers and what it means for your body, right now.

    Easy@Home Ovulation Test Strips

    This test identifies your fertile window with a whopping six days of opportunity with 99% accuracy. A complementary app lets you compare all your test results, with interactive graphs that lets you track your menstrual cycle.

    Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test

    This test identifies your two most fertile days – and it works. The digital test gives you a cute smiley face when it’s ovulating. Plus, it gets to work in just five seconds.

    DNX Medical UTI-AID Test Strips

    With accurate results in just 60 seconds, this is the same kind of kit used by doctors. Use the colour chart provided to see how your urine holds up.

    Exacto Vaginal Infection Rapid Self Test

    Gets to work in seconds. Simply insert the test into the vagina, press it onto the vaginal walls for ten seconds, then remove. Compare your result to a colour chart and get your results. Easy peasy.

    ESO Test Syphilis Rapid Screen Test

    This is an antibody test, which tests for the presence of antibodies in the human body that are produced in response to the TP bacterium. Results are delivered in 15 minutes.

    INSTI – HIV Self-Test

    Keen to know your HIV status but scared to visit the clinic? Get yourself tested at home with this quick kit. The INSTI kit provides accurate results in 1 minute, and is used by healthcare professionals, too.

    ESO Test Herpes Rapid Screen Test

    You’ll need one to two drops of blood for this test, but that’s negligible. Results are delivered within 15 minutes – no lab testing required.

    ESO Test Gonorrhoea Rapid Screen Test

    This is an antigen test, which tests directly for the presence of the gonorrhoea bacteria in the body, with high clinical accuracy. Expect results in less than 15 minutes. More