Health & Wellbeing

Calls have been made to ban the Coca-Cola truck from Liverpool this Christmas, but the city is welcoming healthier alternative Green Cola.

Green Cola will arrive in Liverpool on Monday December 4th with samples available in one the world's longest bicycle trailers, which will be festooned with Christmas lights.

Liverpool's Liberal Democrat leader Richard Kemp, who wrote a letter to the managers of Liverpool One shopping district setting out his opposition to the Cola-Cola truck visit, which he labelled a 'cynical event', is pleased to welcome Green Cola to the city.

“I am delighted that Green Cola will be visiting Liverpool,” he says. “Their visit promotes a product that is much healthier than their rivals. They are also a small UK company whose profits are recycled in this country.

“A council's role in public health is not to ban products or to wag fingers, but we need to encourage healthier lifestyles and better eating and drinking habits. We do our best to draw attention to better ways and new products like Green Cola.”

Mirna Juarez, Liberal Democrat for Allerton and Hunts Cross who will be hosting Green Cola during their visit, adds: “I am really happy that Green Cola, a healthier alternative, is coming to Liverpool. We have high obesity levels among adults and children here and I believe sugary drinks are part of the problem.”

Green Cola contains NO sugar, NO calories and unlike other diet colas, NO aspartame, NO preservatives, and NO phosphoric acid. It is sweetened with Stevia and caffeinated with caffeine from green coffee beans. And it tastes great!

The drink is available from Ocado, Amazon, Tesco cafes, artisan food stores and independent cafes.

“There is nothing else on the market like Green Cola and we hope that the people of Liverpool will choose us as their preferred cola,” says Paul Woodward, CEO of Green Room Brands, the Surrey based company that has introduced Green Cola to the UK.

Derbyshire children’s charity Treats has been donated almost £10,000, after a successful fundraising event held by ECA, the leading electrotechnical and engineering services trade body.

A cheque was handed over just days ago by ECA members to Treats, a local charity in operation for 30 years, who rely entirely on donations. During this time they have delivered dream-come-true gifts, gadgets, trips, toys and medical equipment for children in need.

Vicky Ashton, Treats Vice Chair, commented:

“Without the support of organisations such as ECA we would simply not be able to do what we do. We are very grateful for this generous donation and it will make a big difference to a lot of children in Derbyshire.”

The evening fundraiser was recently hosted by ECA at Derbyshire Cricket Club. The event saw a record number of over 200 guests from across the Midlands come together. Attendees, who included electricians, wholesalers and manufacturers, gave generously to the charity.

The event was made possible through the support of the leading manufacturer Schneider Electric and electrical wholesalers Edmundson Electrical and Newey & Eyre.

Mike Ratcliffe, Chair of the ECA Derbyshire & Burton Branch and an event organiser, said:

“We are delighted with the response we had from ECA members and our friends at Schneider, Edmundsons and Newey & Eyre. We raised a huge amount of money for a very worthy charity and had a great time in doing so. Thank you to all those who helped make it possible.”

ECA members looking to get involved in next year’s charity event won’t have long to wait. Preparations have already begun and the date has been confirmed for Saturday 16 June 2018.

The co-owner behind one of Liverpool's most talked about restaurants Izakaya has revealed how the business has spurred on another flourishing company.

After just a few months of the widely acclaimed launch of the Japanese cuisine-inspired venture in Castle Street, highly regarded Liverpool chef and entrepreneur Harry Marquart was approached by North West Academies in Cheshire seeking help to run a school dinners service in the region.

Harry explained: “We'd received a lot of praise around Izakaya's opening and highlighted the emphasis in our menus and marketing on how keen we were to help improve the region's record on health through the Japanese style of eating.

“We were then delighted to be approached to demonstrate our expertise and have the opportunity of making an impact within the education sector.

“We were offered an initial budget to feed pupils a 2 course lunch and through the help of local suppliers wanting the help to back the project, the service has been an unparalleled success. The pupils are now eating locally sourced produce of high quality and all the positive feedback has led to some great referrals for the business.

The office Christmas party is a highly anticipated annual event in the calendar, with workers across the nation using it as a chance to get dressed up and let their hair down with colleagues.

But, what happens when it all goes a little too far, and colleagues are left embarrassed by their antics or too hungover to make it into work the next day?

A new survey of 1,000 UK workers, conducted by the UK’s largest indoor go-karting company TeamSport looked into the best, worst and the simply bizarre excuses UK workers have made when calling in sick the day after the office Christmas party.

Of those who admitted to calling in sick, a staggering 60% admitted it was because they were simply too hungover.  

Interestingly, the reasons for calling in sick were very different for male and female respondents. Women didn’t want to attend work the next day, as they had embarrassed themselves at the party (12% versus 6% of men), or they argued with a colleague (10% versus 6% of men). Whereas, for the men, they felt they needed time to recharge their batteries (23% versus 14% of women) or they didn’t want to face work commitments such as meetings (6% versus 2% of women).

The actual stories used to explain to the boss why they couldn’t come in that day included being stricken down with food poisoning (16%), feeling sick (11%), a sudden case of a stomach bug (5%) and a broken down car (3%).

Other amusing excuses included:

• “I forgot to put the washing machine on, I’ve no clean clothes”
• “I won’t be able to make it to the office this morning, I’ve bruised my brain”
• “Sorry I can’t come in today. I’ve swallowed a spider”
• “I won’t be in the office today; my ears are sore from the music at the party last night”

The report also considered the differences between industries, highlighting the worst culprits for calling in sick. These were:

• Information technology (24%)
• Business, consulting and management (19%)
• Creative arts and design (18%)
• Property and construction (12%)
• Engineering (12%)

It seems that workers in the property and construction industry are the most promiscuous, with nearly one in three (29%) admitting to getting intimate with a colleague at the party, and this being the reason they didn’t want to face work the next day.

With a thriving, 24 hour nightlife, it’s no surprise that workers in the capital were the biggest offenders for calling in sick, (17%), followed by the West Midlands (13%) and the North West (13%).

Dominic Gaynor, managing director of TeamSport Indoor Karting said: “Our research into the best and worst excuses for calling in sick is rather amusing. It’s particularly interesting to take a look at the differences between each industry.  

“It can be difficult to drag yourself out of bed the day after a huge work party, and that’s why we’re encouraging businesses to consider other ways to celebrate Christmas with their employees. Exciting days out such as a day at the go-karting track are not only great team-building exercises, but they’re also really fun. Plus, avoiding a party fuelled by alcohol means there is less opportunity for workers to come up with these bizarre excuses and call in sick.”

A new initiative has been launched to help ensure care home residents in Wolverhampton receive safe and effective support when they need to go to hospital in an emergency.

The "red bag scheme" will see poorly residents given a transfer bag which will be with them from the moment they leave their care home until the time they return from hospital.

The bag includes medication, belongings, standardised paperwork and personal and clinical information about the resident which will assist ambulance and hospital staff and ensure the resident’s admission and journey to and from hospital is as comfortable as possible.

It is based on a successful scheme introduced in the London borough of Sutton to address gaps in the care and support network – both clinical and socially – for poorly residents who needed to go into hospital, including paperwork not being standardised and belongings and medications going missing.

The red bags should help speed up the transfer between home and hospital and cut the time residents have to spend in hospital, with evidence elsewhere suggesting the length of stay could be reduced by up to four days. It could also save nursing staff up to 40 minutes per shift which would otherwise be spent chasing documents, personal items and toiletries.

The red bag scheme was officially launched by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Elias Mattu at an event at Linden House attended by representatives from the City of Wolverhampton Council, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, West Midlands Ambulance Service and 11 local care homes who are taking part in a six-month pilot.

Mayor Councillor Mattu said: "The red bag scheme is a great example of partnership working across health and social care which will ensure patient safety and improve their experience if they have to go to hospital.

"We have seen elsewhere the benefits that transfer bags can bring; in many cases, they will help significantly reduce the time people have to spend in hospital, and also free up the time of healthcare professionals by ensuring they have all the information they need about their patients to hand.

“Even simple things like ensuring patients have their own toiletries with them will save nursing staff time and money sourcing these items."

David Laughton CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: "This initiative will ensure the nursing team has everything they need to care for and treat the patient as soon as they arrive on the ward, reducing the time they have to wait for vital information. It will help to speed up the discharge process and get them back into their own environment as quickly as possible.”

Eleven local care homes are taking part in the six-month pilot, with the bags being rolled out to as many of the City's 76 care homes in due course.

Health experts have predicted that artificial intelligence will replace doctors within the next 10 years.

With the rise of apps and websites ready to diagnose illness and give treatment recommendations within seconds, StemProtect.co.uk the UKs stem cell bank, says that GPs will soon be a thing of the past, and instead we’ll turn to AI to give us all the information we need.

Among the apps already available for phones are those, which can provide information about the right dosage for specific prescription drugs, and diagnose health problems for you. There are even those that give you access to your medical records at any time, and allow you to request repeat prescriptions and have them delivered straight to your door.

Spokesperson Mark Hall for StemProtect.co.uk said: “The way technology is affecting our health is so huge that we could see doctors completely replaced within 10 years. “

“Companies like ours, which bank stem cells to treat an individual’s future health problems, are generally thought of as being the best examples of high tech health solutions. “

“But the truth is that every area of medicine is being affected by new technology, including something as mundane as simply visiting your GP. With the apps and websites that people have access to at the touch of a button, it’s simply a case of diagnosing a set of symptoms, finding out what the treatment will be, and then ordering and repeating the treatment whenever necessary.”

But how will the public feel about the move away from GPs? Sally, 45, from Nottingham, said: “I much prefer to see someone face to face. There are some things that technology is good for, and I’m more than happy for that to carry on, but I’ll personally always want to see a real person when I’m not feeling well. I know lots of older people will feel the same way too.”

Among younger generations, usually known as ‘digital natives’, the mood is very different. Carl, 23, said: “I’m too busy to go to a doctor and I don’t really see the point. Most things that are wrong with you can research online in no time. I really like the idea of using apps and artificial intelligence instead, as long as the information going in is good then I don’t see the difference between getting assessed by an app or getting assessed by a doctor, it’s all the same to me.”

While it might be the case that doctors could in theory be replaced by artificial intelligence very soon, it seems we’re not quite culturally ready for the switch just yet. So while medical apps continue to grow in popularity and usefulness, they’re still more of an addition to GPs rather than a replacement.

What are your thoughts? Would you see a robot Dr? Do you already face time your Dr instead of visiting?

Sublime Samana has introduced the “Mangrove Dew” treatment to its existing menu of spa services offered at the Coconut Whispers Spa. The new addition comes days after being recognized as one of the best spas by Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe, a publication specialized in highlighting the best spas in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

The new detail-oriented, spa mega-treatment is divided into three sections to accomplish the overall goal of spiritual relaxation, stress reduction and the betterment of blood circulation.

First, guests are headed into the Temazcal to allow the heat to open the pores of the entire body. The Temazcal is an ancient, dome-shaped sweat lodge used by various indigenous groups for purification purposes. The philosophy behind the treatment is the return to the womb to be spiritually separated from the outside world and reconnected with the inner self.

Next, guests are covered in a warm mud treatment, which is left on the body to strengthen and revitalize the elasticity of the skin. While waiting for the mud treatment to dry, guests receive a corporal massage focused on the head, hands and soles of the feet. Once the mud treatment dries, guests are rinsed off.

Finally, guests are submerged into an organically prepared coconut milk bath and are left alone to relax. Pre-Hispanic cultures considered these baths revitalizing and necessary to protect the body and soul from negative energies. The coconut milk is rich in vitamins C, E, K, B, and is prepared in-house.

The duration of the treatment is 120 minutes, including additional time allowed for guests to remain in the lounge area. The Mangrove Dew treatment can be booked individually or as a couple for USD$150 per person.

The uniqueness of Coconut Whispers Spa relies on the effective use of every part of the coconut from using the outer shell to create exfoliators to grinding the coconut meat for facials and using the extracted milk for the bath. To complete the full coconut-themed experience of the spa, guests are given a refreshing drink straight from the young coconuts handpicked from the surrounding palm trees.

A new study investigating awareness of mouth cancer in the United Kingdom reveals a startling lack of awareness when it comes to the disease and one of its leading causes, the human papillomavirus (HPV), sparking concern for health experts.

Research carried out by the Oral Health Foundation finds as little as three in 20 (15%) British adults recog.nise HPV, the world’s most common sexually-transmitted infection, to be a cause of mouth cancer.

The report also shows more than two in three (67%) are unaware of oral sex increasing a person's mouth cancer risk by sexually transmitting the HPV virus.

During the next decade, HPV is expected to overtake smoking and excessive alcohol consumption as the leading cause of mouth cancer and with many unable to assess their own level of risk, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, is concerned this may lead to a growing number of mouth cancers being diagnosed too late.

Dr Carter says: “Almost every sexually active person will contract HPV as some point during their life. For most people, HPV is completely harmless and will not result in any symptoms or health problems. More often than not, it will lay dormant and then it will simply be thrown off, before the person even knows they have been infected.

“In some cases, however, HPV can lead to mouth cancer. It is quite alarming that awareness levels between HPV and mouth cancer are so low, especially given the scale of the problem.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that there are more than 600 million cases of HPV infection worldwide.

There are now in excess of 7,500 new cases of mouth cancer in the UK a year, a figure which has increased by more than two-thirds (68%) in the last 20 years.²

“The number of HPV-related mouth cancers has risen sharply over recent years and this presents a number of problems,” adds Dr Carter.

“The key issue is not only do too few people know how HPV is passed on, but also that it could potentially lead to mouth cancer. This is especially dangerous, as by not considering ourselves at risk, it far more likely that we are less proactive when it comes to checking for any usual changes occurring to our mouth.

“Mouth cancer can be difficult to detect early as it often develops inside the mouth and is rarely visible on the outside of the body. This means it is especially easy to overlook the early signs and symptoms of the disease.”

The early warning signs of mouth cancer include mouth ulcer that do not heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps and swellings.

An early diagnosis of mouth cancer increases a person’s chance of survival from 50% to 90%.

November is Mouth Cancer Action Month and the Oral Health Foundation is encouraging people to be Mouthaware by regularly checking for unusual changes to the mouth, lips, head and neck.

The charity has developed a full guide to mouth cancer self-examination and ask those who discover anything suspicious to contact their dentist or doctor immediately.

HPV also causes cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina and penis, as well as genital warts. British girls have been given the HPV jab since 2008 as part of the cervical vaccination programme.

Next week, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), will make the ruling as to whether or not to extend the vaccination to boys.

Further findings from the charity’s research show almost three in four (73%) support the proposals to vaccinate boys while a previous study revealed 95% of doctors and dentists also back the proposals.⁴

Peter Baker of HPV Action, a collaborative partnership of 48 patient and professional organisations that campaigns for gender neutral HPV vaccination, says: “The current HPV vaccination programme in the UK is immoral and is fundamentally supporting gender inequality.

“It is unfair, unethical and socially irresponsible to have a public health policy that leaves almost half of the population vulnerable. By changing the way HPV vaccinations are delivered in the UK we can save lives.

“Introducing a gender-neutral HPV programme will save thousands of lives every year in Britain. It will also save the under-pressure NHS tens of millions of pounds every year in treating HPV-related diseases.”

Mouth Cancer Action Month runs throughout November and is organised by the Oral Health Foundation and sponsored by Simplyhealth Professionals, with additional support from Dentists’ Provident. The charity campaign is aiming to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms linked to mouth cancer so that more cases can be caught early.

Public Health England is urging all NHS frontline staff to take advantage of free online training to help them deliver effective stop smoking advice.

The latest figures show the burden to the NHS in England from smoking is £2.6billion. There is an urgent need across all parts of the NHS to support people to quit, to improve the health of local populations and to help secure the sustainability of the NHS.

The savings to the NHS for each patient referred to stop smoking services and prescribed nicotine replacement therapy is £13.00 each year for four years.

NHS England is investing almost £600m in Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) schemes, including one which focuses on identifying and supporting people who smoke or who drink alcohol at higher risk levels. Under the scheme, additional funding is being made available to hospitals that help their patients to quit smoking.

PHE is encouraging all healthcare staff to undertake a 30 minute online course, provided by the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, based around short film clips providing examples of how very brief advice can be delivered to patients; including key facts, figures and messages.

The evidence on ‘Very Brief Advice’ (VBA) interventions, where healthcare professionals discuss smoking with patients shows that, compared with no advice, the likelihood of quitting is 68% higher if stop smoking medication is offered.

Nigel Smith, Health Improvement Manager for PHE West Midlands said: “Every year smoking costs the NHS in England a staggering £2.6billion and in the West Midlands region alone it causes around 26,570 deaths. And for every death, a further 20 smokers are suffering from a smoking-related disease.

“Smokers respond well to healthcare staff giving advice and as health professionals we have a duty to take every opportunity to help end the needless, preventable misery and suffering smoking causes.

“A truly smokefree NHS isn’t just about banning smoking on hospital grounds, it’s about healthcare staff doing all they can to encourage patients and visitors, as well as colleagues to lead by example, to stop.

“The good news is that the training is easily accessible and effective. We’re seeing record breaking successful quit rates this year. Most smokers want to quit and all healthcare staff should seize the moment and be ready to intervene and have that crucial chat about smoking.”

There has never been a better time for people to quit and for healthcare professionals to discuss quitting with their patients. The ban on attractive branding on packs, together with better and more quitting options including e-cigarettes, stricter controls on smoking in public and supportive campaigns like PHE’s Stoptober, have all contributed to successful quit attempts in the first six months of this year being at a record high, with almost 20% remaining smokefree a year after quitting.

People in the Midlands are being urged to tap into the healthcare expertise available at their local pharmacies, after a new survey revealed that 35% of those in the region incorrectly think the flu jab can give them flu.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) study also shows that while many people are embracing the public health role of pharmacies, some topics are perceived as off-limits.

The results of the survey are being published today (NOV 6), to mark the beginning of Ask Your Pharmacist Week, and reveal that in the Midlands:

• 57% of people understand that pharmacies offer health promoting services like blood pressure checks, flu jabs and help to give up smoking
• 50% understand that they can ask their pharmacist about reducing heart attack or stroke risks, but only 26% think it is OK to ask in a pharmacy about reducing cancer risks
• just 12% of people know that most pharmacies have consultation rooms, where they can talk to the pharmacist without being overheard

Pharmacist, Nitin Sodha, managing director of Knights pharmacies and a NPA board member representing the Midlands, is backing Ask Your Pharmacist week.

He said: “Most people know that pharmacists are experts on medicine, but many don’t know about the other services we can provide.

“We can treat common ailments, give advice on maintaining and improving your health and offer a range of NHS services, without the need for an appointment.

“Come in and talk to us, you might be surprised at the level of expertise on your high street.”

NPA chairman and pharmacist, Ian Strachan, said: “People are starting to understand that pharmacists are highly qualified clinicians.

“The public is getting accustomed to certain 'new' pharmacy services, such as flu vaccinations on the NHS, and they understand that pharmacies have a role in supporting healthier lifestyles.

“Yet they need to be reassured that nothing is off limits in terms of what you can ask your pharmacist about your medicines, your health or your general wellbeing.

“We want people to feel that it’s perfectly acceptable to talk with the pharmacy team about cancer, sexual health and many other topics they might have thought were are out of bounds.”

Hundreds of independent pharmacies will be holding ‘Discover Your Local Pharmacy’ open days in and around AYP Week, using campaign packs supplied by the NPA.

People can find out more about services available at their local pharmacies by visiting discoverpharmacy.co.uk.

Dr Sarj Bahia and Dr Amro Maarouf at Edgbaston Private Medical Practice are raising awareness and showing their support for the global campaign ‘Movember’ by growing their moustaches. The practice is also donating £20 to the important men’s health charity for every health screening booked during the month of November, raising funds for those who need it most. Their donations can be tracked via their JustGiving page, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/epmp-practice.

The Movember Foundation is the only men’s health charity tackling men’s health on a global scale, year-round. The charity addresses some of the biggest issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. The vision for the charity is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health, planning to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% before 2030.

Edgbaston Private Medical Practice are urging patients to book in for their health screenings, allowing for the early detection and effective treatment of potential health problems, whilst collectively raising money for such an important cause.

Dr Bahia, Principal GP at Edgbaston Private Medical Practice, comments: “Since opening at Colmore Row we are seeing more and more men concerned with their health, ranging from physical issues to mental health. We’re keen to support anything that can raise awareness of encouraging men to seek help in a confidential environment.”

A new environmentally friendly form of packaging - which puts tomato plants to good use - is on supermarket shelves this week.

Waitrose is experimenting with a new form of non-plastic punnet which uses tomato leaves to help package tomatoes.

The packaging is created in a complex process using the latest technology, that joins together dried tomato leaf and recycled cardboard pulp.

The new style punnets will be used for Waitrose Duchy Organic cherry tomatoes and baby plum tomatoes  in selected branches. If the trial is successful, the non-plastic punnet for these products will be rolled out to further branches in 2018  and could potentially save 3.5 million plastic trays a year.

Nicola Waller, Head of Fresh Produce at Waitrose, said:

''We are determined to reduce our use of plastic across our business.

''This builds on our commitment to ensure that all our own-label packaging is widely recyclable (using the widely recycled logo), reusable or home compostable by 2025.

''Since 2009 we've reduced overall packaging across all products by nearly 50 per cent and are excited about this imaginative way to present our Duchy Organic tomatoes to our customers.''

Other recent Waitrose packaging innovations include the boxes for Waitrose Red Lentil Pasta and Waitrose Green Pea Pasta which are partly made from pulses. This reduces the use of virgin tree pulp by 15 per cent and lowers greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent. The box for Waitrose Duchy Organic eggs is made from a mixture of rye grass and recycled paper, saving 77 tonnes of wood and paper per year and using 60 per cent less water to produce.

A University of Wolverhampton graduate has released a record to raise money for Cancer Research UK and the Compton Hospice based in Wolverhampton.

Amy Goodall, 22 from Wolverhampton, who studied for a degree in Musical Theatre in the School of Performing Arts at the University’s Walsall Campus, has made the record as a non-profit project.

Amy used the verse and chorus of a song she had written when she was 15, at the time she lost her grandfather, and started to remake it when she was studying at the University.  Her song ‘Piece of Me’ has been released under her stage name, Amy G.

Amy said:  “My grandad was my musical inspiration and he passed away soon after being diagnosed with lung cancer.  I was left to find my own path in music and, years later, found myself thinking about him, especially as more and more people around me were being diagnosed with cancer.”

Amy used the verse and chorus of a song she had written when she was 15, at the time she lost her grandfather, and started to remake it when she was studying at the University.  Her song ‘Piece of Me’ has been released under her stage name, Amy G.

“I wanted to use my influence in music to create something that will always be relevant to an audience, and be accessible to all audiences. When I lost my grandad to lung cancer this rollercoaster of emotions occurred and this song has been made in his memory. It is also a dedication to those you have lost and to those who are currently battling this journey.”

Sarah Browne, Head of Music and Musical Theatre at the University, said: “I’m really pleased to see Amy is advancing her career and thinking of others who are less fortunate. Amy was a superb student; thoughtful, driven and exceptionally talented. It’s great to see her professional career going from strength to strength and I’m sure her time on the Musical Theatre course will serve her well. We’re really proud of Amy and all that she continues to achieve.”

Anyone wanting to donate to Amy’s cause should follow the link to her giving page.  Listen to, like and share Amy’s song on YouTube.

With the shorter days and darker mornings, it can be difficult for our bodies to adjust to the change of seasons. On the 29^th October, the clocks will go back an hour, as a reminder that we’re now well into autumn.

No matter how much we love our cosy knits and evenings snuggled up with a hot drink, there’s no denying that these shorter days can take their toll on us, both mentally and physically.

Online bed and sleep specialist, Time 4 Sleep, has put together some top tips on how to look after yourself during the colder months, and how to deal with the change in seasons when the clocks go back this autumn.

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep

Take advantage of the dark nights and go to bed a little earlier. Even if you’re just relaxing and reading a book in bed, it’s a great way to unwind and switch off and will ultimately help you get a better night’s sleep. With the nights getting darker earlier, it won’t feel like you’re having an early night either.

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital in allowing you to function properly throughout the day. Lack of sleep can affect your ability to focus on crucial everyday tasks and can impact your productivity at work.

Start the day with a good breakfast and your favourite hot drink

Waking up when it’s still dark is always a challenge but if you can give yourself a little something to look forward to in the mornings, it can make those early alarms that little bit easier.

Whether you’re a coffee or a tea person, the thought of your morning brew is sure to help you get out of your cosy bed. Always make sure that you allow time for a good warm breakfast too; it will set you up for the day and help you to focus while you’re at work.

Adjust your routine

Shorter days can play havoc with your daily routine which, in turn, can affect your sleep pattern and your mood.

Try to adjust your routine accordingly to keep yourself happy and healthy throughout the autumn and winter months. If possible, allow yourself a little more time in the evenings to enjoy relaxing and unwinding before the sun goes down.

Perhaps have your meal a little earlier so you have more time to enjoy the evening, or treat yourself to an extra hour in bed on a Saturday morning so you’re waking up to the sunlight rather than in darkness.

Treat yourself

If there’s one thing we all love about the colder months, it’s the delicious food and drinks. With rich, comforting casseroles, tempting toffee apples and hot mulled wine everywhere you go, make time to treat yourself to your favourite seasonal dishes and snacks. You deserve it!

Embrace the seasons

When the temperature drops, it’s easy to want to cosy up and stay indoors. While nights in front of the TV with a mug of hot chocolate are tempting, it’s also important to get out of the house and enjoy some time outdoors.

Find time to embrace each season. Autumn brings with it so many much-loved traditions; muddy boots, crunchy leaves and pumpkin spiced lattes are not to be missed! Each season is a new adventure and should give you something to look forward to.

Tesco has today underlined its commitment to British agriculture by signing up to the National Farmers' Union Fruit & Veg Pledge – as well as increasing the amount of vegetables in people's diets by supporting The Food Foundation's Peas Please pledge.

Designed to nurture long-lasting relationships between retailers and growers, the Fruit & Veg pledge highlights the importance of treating suppliers fairly, reducing food waste and buying more British fruit and veg when it's in season. Tesco is the first of the Big 4 supermarkets to become a signatory.

The move further cements Tesco's long-term support for British farmers, growers and producers. Significantly, it also builds on a range of steps taken to redefine its relationship with suppliers over the last three years to be named the most improved retailer in the Groceries Code Adjudicator's most recent annual survey. Last year, Tesco was also ranked top in the independently run supplier Advantage survey.

This comes on the same day that Tesco has also committed to support The Food Foundation's Peas Please initiative, focused on making it easier for more people to eat more vegetables. As part of this, Tesco has pledged to prioritise increasing the amount of vegetables when developing recipes and introducing new products, and ensure more vegetable options are included in evening meal deals. In addition, the retailer will continue to work with its supplier partners to develop new products to increase overall consumption of vegetables, as it works to help customers make healthier food choices.

Tesco's Chief Product Officer Jason Tarry said:

“We're proud to celebrate our partnerships with British farmers and growers by signing the NFU's Fruit & Veg Pledge, which highlights both our commitment to British agriculture and healthy products. British farmers and growers produce fantastic quality food and we believe if we invest in them for the long-term, our customers will enjoy better quality, affordable food today and tomorrow.

“Signing The Food Foundation's Peas Please pledge also underlines our commitment to help our customers make healthier choices by making it easier to eat more vegetables, which in turn helps support our British farmers and growers too.”

NFU President Meurig Raymond said:

“It is excellent news that Tesco has signed the NFU's Fruit and Veg pledge. British farmers produce the food which helps to feed the nation and it is positive to see Tesco recognise that fact, committing to values that ensure fairness for the farmer and the supply chain.

“By offering this vital certainty and commitment, Tesco's suppliers of fruit and veg will be in a stronger position to invest in their business, plan for the future, boost productivity and compete in a global marketplace. By signing up to the pledge, Tesco is telling suppliers it has started the journey of delivering ever higher standards of business integrity, which we are very proud of.

“With surveys showing that 90% of the public think farming is important to the UK economy and that 89% think it is important to have a productive farming industry, it is timely for Tesco to publicly show their support for British farmers.”

People who haven't already done so are being reminded to get themselves vaccinated against the flu this winter.

Flu is a highly infectious disease and can lead to serious complications for people who have long-term health conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease or who have suffered a stroke.

People with these and other long-term health conditions are eligible for a free flu vaccination through their GP or pharmacist.

The over 65s, carers and those in long-stay residential care homes, pregnant women, children aged two and three as well as school children from Reception through to Year 4 are also eligible for the free flu vaccine, with children receiving their vaccination through a quick nasal spray rather than an injection.

People who are not eligible for a free vaccination can still get their vaccination at retailers including some supermarkets and high street pharmacies for a small charge.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "It is estimated that several million people get flu each winter and it can be very dangerous, with many of us needing hospital treatment.

“The message is clear; if you are eligible for the flu vaccine, please get it now – it’s free because you need it. Even if you are not eligible for the free vaccination, you can still arrange to get it for a small charge.”

Providing flu vaccinations is part of the Stay Well This Winter campaign, a joint initiative from NHS England and Public Health England to help the public ward off common winter illnesses. Please visit www.nhs.uk/staywell for more information.