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A confession. I find the Christmas issue of healthy

expert panel

Every issue we work with our leading experts in the fields of health, wellbeing, natural beauty, fitness and nutrition to review our magazine and ensure our content is balanced. Here, they share how they dodge festive season stresses

YOUR SAY

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the CLINIC the latest health advice from leading specialists, just for you

A funny quirk in our psychology could have a major

TOP TRACKS

Taking the train can allow you to enter some of the most remote, stunning and untouched places on the planet with time to soak up the scenery, no satnav in sight. And it’s better for your carbon footprint, too

WIN! AN ITALIAN VILLA HOLIDAY FOR FOUR

Established villa operators Tuscany Now & More are offering a lucky healthy reader plus three friends or family the chance to win a one-week holiday at the idyllic Il Cerro

COOL OFF

Going for a run might be just the stress-buster you

HOW TO WIN AT CHRISTMAS

While most of us love the holiday season, there’s no

Your most positive Christmas

Make this Christmas a joyful, rejuvenating and life-affirming experience with our expert guide to spending your festive break firmly on the bright side

’ We need to perfect the art of getting tipsy’

Government alcohol guidelines keep getting tighter, yet Brits are still the world’s biggest binge drinkers. Professor Adam Winstock thinks it’s time we recognised the pleasure of gentle intoxication, so we can learn to be tipsy, not smashed

SHOULD YOU MAKE RESOLUTIONS THIS NYE?

Only 12 per cent of us actually manage to keep our resolutions – so is it worth bothering?

The Christmas Life Debrief

As we wind down and reconnect with people we haven’t seen for a while, Christmas is a rare opportunity for a personal end-of-year review – a time to reflect on what we’ve learned, and make plans for our future goals

THE WOMEN WHO REWROTE THE WELLBEING RULES

We celebrate the grassroots campaigners who made it their missions to improve all our lives

SEX ON THE BRAIN

Cliché or not, we tend to have more sex during the holiday season. But with distractions and stresses dialled up to 11, it can also feel like we’re just going through the motions. Kate Moyle explains how a new breed of mindful sex can bring back your pleasure principle

REINVENT THE Christmas weight gain story

Many of us pile on the pounds over the festive season – then end up on a drastic weight-loss mission. But what if it didn’t have to be that way?

VITAMIN K2

It’s thought to boost heart health, build strong bones and reduce cancer risk, too. But are we getting enough vitamin K2 in our typical western diets?

The rise of ORTHOSOMNIA

More of us are tracking our sleep with watches and apps – and it’s causing an unhealthy preoccupation with achieving the perfect night’s rest. Dr Alanna Hare explains the risks of striving for sleep utopia

THE EDIT

The new studies and stats you need to know about

SHOULD I TRY IT? ART THERAPY

We’ve got the mindful colouring books, but could drawing or painting be as beneficial for your emotional wellbeing as talking therapy?

My life in health

Geneticist, broadcaster and scientific author Professor Steve Jones says the UK’s health problems can be solved with social change

FITNESS the best in fitness inspo, trends and workouts

Is 2020 the year you’ve promised yourself a dog? Your

Your body needs Pilates

It’s the exercise you think you know – the one that’s a bit like yoga, without the namaste. But it’s so much more than that. Pilates is a posturecorrecting, strength-building workout that counters modern malaises, and builds an agile, injury-proof body

The kit that gives back

Christmas is full of good intentions. To make them more achievable, try these bits of fitness kit with eco credentials that will get you moving and minimize your environmental footprint in 2020

”I won an ultra-distance marathon while breast-feeding”

Ultra-runner Jasmin Paris won the 2019 Montane Spine Race, a 268- mile marathon along the Pennine Way. Not only did she smash the men’s and women’s record by 12 hours, she did it while expressing breast milk for her 14-month-old baby

Mountain climbers

A full-body exercise which requires no equipment, mountain climbers can boost your cardiovascular fitness, burn fat and build strength. Here’s how to do them correctly

BEAUTY inspiration to help you look your best, naturally

Turns out that festive pine tree can do more than brighten

Give your skin the day off

If you want to get your skin party-season ready (not to mention your hair and nails), you need to put a little bit of effort into your rest days

USE BALM AND CARRY ON

When biting winds and central heating are doing your skin no favours, it’s time to call in the rescue balms. We quizzed aesthetics and dermatology nurse Emma Coleman on the ingredients worth looking out for in these healing heroes

Join the CULTURE CLUB

We know all about good gut health, and now burgeoning science and the latest product innovations have catapulted microbes into the skincare spotlight. Here’s why bacteria is beauty’s latest buzzword

BALANCE because self care is health care

New research has confirmed that the physical presence

THE HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS

Slow down and discover the simple joy of making your own tasselled tree decorations this Christmas, says crafter Clare Youngs

HOW TO MOVE ON FROM THE “NO TIME” MYTH

With our constantly connected, fast-paced lifestyles, it’s not surprising we feel under stress to keep up. But a few simple strategies to manage your time can help you feel calmer and more in control

”Why i stepped out of the light and into the darkness”

When a childhood fear of the dark chased her into adulthood, Sigri Sandberg set out into the polar night, where she found a valuable treasure in need of defence

rewards for life

Inside this special section, you’ll discover the latest

WHAT’S HOT NOW

Your calendar’s booking up and 2020 is fast-approaching. But no fear – we’ve got the tasty treats, sustainable beauty fixes and health-boosting supplements to see you through the festive period

HEALTHY HERO

Meet Gail Crampton, a store advisor from Dudley

Prizes you’ll love

Fantastic gifts and offers, just for rewards for life members

HOW TO DO EVERYTHING BETTER

on sale 14 December

Jo Pavey

She won her first gold as a mum-of-two and the British long-distance runner shows no signs of stopping. At 46, she’s hoping to compete in her sixth Olympic Games

welcome

DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Raising the bar

Chocolate is undergoing a revolution, with chocolatiers sourcing ethical beans, roasting on home soil, and creating bespoke bars to suit every taste and lifestyle

EASIEST-EVER CHRISTMAS PART Y R ECIPES

Whether you’re hosting a bash or you’ve got some guests popping round unexpectedly, these quick recipes will make the occasion suitably celebratory

THE HEALTHY WAY WITH… CHESTNUTS

Not just for roasting on an open fire over Christmas, eating chestnuts could support bone health, help fight winter fatigue and do good for your heart as well

How can I make vegan canapés that feel special?

These plant-based nibbles will make all your Christmas guests feel welcome

IN SE A SONÉ…butternut squash

Sweet, nutty and easy to chuck in a roasting tin, butternut squash is our health-boosting winter kitchen staple

WIN! A KitchenAid 2.1L Food Processor

Whizz up the soups, stews and smoothies of your dreams with this quality kitchen must-have

The big feast

We’ve got your special day sorted with a Christmas dinner everyone will love, thanks to our favourite recipes from Happy Vegan Christmas and Vegan Christmas Feasts

My life in food

Firm believers that healthy food should be delicious, siblings Gracie and Sophie Tyrrell launched their blog ‘Squirrel Sisters’ in 2014 as a passion project. Five years later, they have their own successful snack line