Digested

Getting back into fitness later in life can be a daunting challenge. Retired Olympian Roger Black shares his tips for overcoming obstacles and staying fit as you get older. 

Michaela Thomas is a clinical psychologist, couples therapist and the author of The Lasting Connection—a practical guide to developing love and compassion for yourself and your partner. Here, she speaks to Eva Mackevic about mindfulness in a relationship, common myths around everlasting love and how to survive lockdown around your partner. 

What is cryptocurrency? What can it be used for? Is it safe? These and many other questions are answered by crypto expert, Julian Sawyer, who's the managing director of the UK and Europe at Gemini. 

Anna Walker speaks to doctor and author Philippa Kaye about the myths and taboos that surround the menopause as she releases her new book on the subject, The M Word.

This month, we explore the drama, cathartic beauty and—sometimes—silliness that comes with the art form that is opera. Classical music journalist Alexandra Coghlan offers beginner tips on which works to start with, how to watch them, what to look out for at the performance and even what to wear (spoiler alert: even flip flops are acceptable!).  From the giddy joys of Mozart to the soul-crushing emotional overdrive of Tchaikovsky, via the intricate complexities of Britten, there's something for everyone in opera, as Alexandra explains. All you need is an open mind and the willingness to be swept away into a stirring world of drama, passion and adventure. 

Christmas can be a very stressful time, what with all the shopping, cleaning and dinner prepping—not to mention dealing with difficult family members or grief. In this month's festive episode, author of Calm Christmas, Beth Kempton, offers advice and practical tips on how to remain calm and mindful during this often-tumultuous time which will encourage you to use this time of natural hibernation to germinate new dreams and nurture a beautiful life in the year ahead. 

In our age of constant information and communication, more and more of us are seeking out moments of calm. For many people, ASMR (or Autonomous, Sensory, Meridian Response) is a vital tool for reducing anxiety and inducing a special, "tingling" sensation. Anna Walker talks with the ASMRtist and author Unwind Your Mind: The Life Changing Power of ASMR, Emma WhispersRed, about the phenomenon. 

As concern grows over the environmental costs and ethical implications of intensive factory farming, an increasing number of us are embracing diets and lifestyles free from animal products. Has the time now arrived for us all to reject the exploitation of animals completely and become vegan? Anna Walker talks to the author of Should We All Be Vegan?, Molly Watson, to find out. 

We're all living longer—but how can we ensure that we're living better? The author of How to Age Joyfully, Maggy Piggot offers her advice on treating our twilight years as something to enjoy and celebrate. 

A good night's sleep can mark the difference between a good day and a bad day. The hours we spend in bed shape our mood, motivation and decision-making skills, impacting every corner of our lives. Eva Mackevic speaks to elite sleep coach Nick Littlehales about the secrets to perfect slumber. 

Whether it's getting married, having kids or a high-paying job, society loves to tell us how to live our lives. Paul Dolan, professor of Behavioural Science at the LSE, explains why these preconceived narratives can be damaging to us as individuals, and how to find your own route to happiness, in his new book, Happy Ever After.

Plastic. We all know we're using too much. But how much difference can one person realistically make to the state of our oceans? Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace and author of How to Give Up Plastics offers his insider knowledge on how anyone can reduce their plastic footprint.