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Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I'm 37 and I starved myself in my teens, smoked for 20 years and never said no to a party - when I found out my biological age, I was truly shocked
I'm Monique and I'm 37. It shouldn't be something I need to 'confess' - and I know, intellectually, there's nothing to be ashamed of - but my age is a detail that I've tried to conceal at work. How successful I've been with this is unclear - I'd have to ask my colleagues - but, working on the very youthful Femail desk, I suppose I've lied by omission. When the subject of birthdays comes up in our corner of the office, I place headphones over my ears, fix my eyes on the computer screen and type furiously. If age is discussed at after work drinks in the pub, I adopt a vague expression and float away. My issues with getting older cannot be blamed on my parents. Long before he got ill, my late dad would remind me, with typical dry humour, that getting older was 'better than the alternative'. But, every January when my birthday comes around, it's tinged with a fear that is quite distinct from the existential dread that I assume everyone experiences. I fear the physical signs of ageing which women, in particular, have long been told will limit not only their romantic opportunities but also their professional ones. For, though I think I would be able to blend in with my 28-year-old sister-in-law's friends on a good day - I am, after all, committed to a complicated and expensive skincare routine - I know, rationally, that it's almost impossible. My fraught relationship with ageing is, at least in part, rooted in my understanding of how I've mistreated my body over the years, whether through the restrictive diets and over exercising that pervaded my teens and twenties, the smoking habit that continued for almost two decades - I stopped for good last Christmas - or the predilection for parties that has only recently given way to early nights. While I would describe my present lifestyle as 'moderate' - I eat relatively well, keeping my passion for fried chicken in check, run or swim a couple of times a week, walk whenever I can and rarely drink more than two glasses of wine in one go - I have always wondered whether my previous behaviours would catch up with me. Now in my late thirties - and aware that at 40 our risk of developing myriad health issues increases - I'm becoming more focused on looking after my body. Already at an increased risk of certain cancers due to the BRCA2 gene, it would be foolish not to try to optimise my health and minimise the lifestyle factors that make us all more susceptible to disease. And, just as someone who wants to improve their physical strength needs to start by understanding where their weaknesses are, I wanted to understand what kind of damage I was dealing with - which is where biological age testing came in. 'Understanding a patient's biological age can help identify potential areas for targeted interventions and assist in developing personalised treatment plans to optimise health and well-being,' the company that conducted my test says in its patient report. I must also add, however, that biological age testing is having a moment now, not least thanks to the success of comedian Katherine Ryan's podcast 'What's My Age Again?', which asks celebrity guests to take the test before being interviewed. The Mail's Bryony Gordon appeared on the show last month, receiving a result that she was definitely not expecting. Unsurprisingly, given what I've described here, I wasn't particularly optimistic - I was sure my biological age would be significantly higher than my chronological age, probably somewhere between 50 and 70 - but it was still worth finding out. Of the three tests that can determine someone's biological age in 2025, I took the £375 GlcanAge test at the longevity-focused - and suitably futuristic - HUM2N clinic in London's South Kensington. As the clinic's founder and CEO, Dr Mohammed Enayat, explained: 'The test looks at a process called glycation, which is affected by inflammation, but particularly metabolic inflammation, as one of the major drivers of aging.' The number and type of 'glycans' in the patient's blood, chain-like structures which play a vital role in the majority of biological processes and determine whether your cells will experience inflammatory or anti-inflammatory reactions, are analysed in a lab. Through this, it is possible to provide a clear picture of the general health of their body. When I received my result in a typed report, I was nothing short of shocked. My biological age wasn't somewhere between 50 and 70 - it was, remarkably, 20. My first thought was: How? But while I had lots of questions for Dr Enayat, he was not especially surprised, partly due to the way the GlycanAge test actually works. The test 'reflects the preceding two-three months', the doctor explained, which, in turn, means that the result can change - both improve and get worse - relatively quickly. 'If you were to measure this during [a period of] illness, your biological age undoubtedly would have been a lot higher,' he added. I did my test on May 8 and, between March 1 and mid-April, I didn't drink any alcohol, an irritating reminder that abstaining from booze only helps with overall health. Dr Enayat agreed that my result was 'obviously positive' - but he didn't let me bask in glory for too long. Rather, we swiftly moved on to the areas where I didn't score well and, in some cases, scored badly. My score in one of the metrics, Glycan Median, which is positively influenced by factors like heart health, metabolic health and weight, was in the second percentile. Improving this is relatively straightforward, however, with increased exercise - not only cardio but also strength training - being highly recommended. Similarly, my score for the Glycan Lifestyle (B) metric, which is negatively influenced by factors like smoking, poor sleep and stress, was much worse than that of other women my age. I'm painfully aware that I don't sleep very well, often waking in the very early hours and unable to get back to sleep, something which I reported in the symptom questionnaire that I filled out before discussing my results with the doctor. There are, of course, measures I can take here, the most obvious being paying more attention to the horribly-named 'sleep hygiene'. The 3-2-1 rule, for example, which insists on no food or alcohol three hours before bed, no work or exercise two hours before bed and no screens one hour before bed, is one tried and tested approach. As someone who tends to scroll news, clothes and dating apps until my eyes are closing, or my phone runs out of battery, there's a lot of room for improvement. So, what now? The worst thing I could do with my impressive result, I was made to understand, would be to be complacent. Given that biological age can change as frequently as every two-three months, it would be unadvisable to embrace late nights or start drinking to excess. While it might be interesting to see how much damage I could do in a relatively short period, a much better bet would be to remember where I didn't score well and work with experts - a nutritionist and personal trainer in my case - to improve these. Indeed, members of HUM2N's health programmes experience a 42 per cent improvement in their overall health in as little as eight weeks. With memberships starting at £299 per month, plus a joining fee of £595, an advanced clinic like HUM2N could not be called accessible - though I've no doubt that I would experience the improvements promised. But am I ready to commit to a rigorous programme when the sun is shining, outdoor drinking is in full swing and holidays are on the horizon? I think I better leave it until September.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I'm not ashamed of reading troll paradise Tattle. It exposes grifting influencers and their hypocrisy... I'll be bereft if it shuts down: CLAUDIA CONNELL
The email was brief and to the point. 'Has anyone ever told you that you've got a face like the Churchill dog?' asked the author, contacting me after I'd written about losing weight. Then there was the time, after revealing my online dating adventures, that a charming gent wrote a letter to tell me 'You look like an overstuffed sofa, no wonder you're single.'
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals the phone lock screen which could mean that you're a self-absorbed 'narcissist'
Choosing what to use as the background of your phone lock screen is a small decision - but it could say a lot about you. Take US President Donald Trump, for example, who was lambasted last week for adorning his phone screen with a photograph of none other than himself. Social media users spotted a golden opportunity to mock the president after the reveal when he alighted Air Force One last month. It clearly showed an image of the POTUS himself from July 2019, pointing straight at the camera - or at himself whenever he looks at it. Critics said it was evidence of Trump's 'narcissistic' personality, branding him as 'self-absorbed'. But what does yours say about the persona you project to the outside world? While they aren't necessarily accurate depictions of the device owner's personality, it's safe to say that, for most people, wallpapers serve as great place for snaps of loved ones, cherished pets, or anything that could put a positive spin on the day. Holly Beedon, Clinical Lead from Living Well UK, told Femail that it can offer a 'subtle but revealing window into how we see ourselves, what we value, and where our attention naturally drifts'. What we choose for our phone lock screen can sometimes reflect certain traits of our personality or life stage that we are in, says expert Holly Beedon. Stock image used 'While there's no definitive psychological diagnosis to be made from a single image, patterns and preferences can hint at our emotional priorities and unconscious self-messaging,' she continued. If you, like Trump, have a selfie of yourself as your phone lock screen, you may be seen as 'somewhat self-centred', she continued - adding that, 'in some cases, this is true'. 'This kind of imagery could be tied to narcissistic traits – specifically the desire to admire one's own image, or curate a specific identity.' However, she caveats that 'it's not always that simple'. 'Some people use a flattering photo of themselves during a period when they felt confident, motivated, or empowered – this almost serves a visual pep talk to oneself,' she added. There are other, more practical reasons for why someone might choose a photo of themselves for their phone lock screen. Doing so can make it easier to return a lost phone to its rightful owner, for example. Holly continued: 'So, while self-image can certainly play a role, the intention behind the choice to make yourself your own lock screen matters just as much.' Meanwhile, picking a photo of a partner to look at whenever your phone lights up 'often reflects emotional closeness and romantic focus', she explained. 'It can signal that the relationship is central to that person's life or that they find comfort and motivation in seeing their significant other daily. For some, it's a private way of reinforcing connection and intimacy in a busy or stressful life.' This could be the reason behind Kylie Jenner's phone screen, which she revealed in 2023 had a snap of boyfriend Timothee Chalamet leaning in to kiss her cheek. Some people choose to use photos of their family members, such as children or parents, and this usually represents 'strong emotional bonds and values rooted in caregiving, tradition, or identity'. Mike Tindall demonstrated this in 2019 when he revealed an adorable family photo featuring his wife Zara Tindall and their daughter Mia, who was five at the time, on his phone screen while he was away in Japan. Parents with multiple children tread in dangerous waters, though, if they display just one child on their lock screen. It doesn't necessarily mean that the child who lights up the screen is their 'favourite', but that could be how others might perceive it, Holly warned. 'It might simply be the most recent photo taken, or one that captures a particularly proud moment,' she remarked. 'Still, if this is a consistent pattern, it could suggest a closer bond with one child, or that they identify more strongly with that particular relationship.' Having a photo of friends on a lock screen can often indicate that the device owner is someone who 'thrives on social connection and values their chosen relationships deeply'. How you come to the decision of who takes pride of place on your phone screen can be a surprisingly emotional decision, and having friends there could reflect 'a stage of life where friendships are the primary support system'. As Britons become ever more pet-obsessed - with figures showing an estimated 60 per cent of UK households owning at least one pet - it's no surprise that our furry friends are a popular lock screen choice. Having them on your phone can represent a strong emotional attachment, and could also mean your pet is a source of daily comfort. 'Pets often bring a calming or joyful energy to someone's day,' Holly continued. 'And having them on a lock screen can reflect that soothing or stabilising role.' People and pets aside, some phone owners prefer to have images of nature or scenery, which might suggest a need for calm, inspiration, or escapism, the expert added. 'People who use these photos may value mindfulness, solitude, or feel most themselves when outdoors,' she explained. 'Sometimes, these photos serve as visual reminders to slow down or to mentally return to a peaceful place during the stress of daily life.' Others yet have photos of seemingly random objects - but Holly says these are 'rarely random at all' and usually represent something meaningful to the person whose phone it is. It could be anything from 'a goal, an aesthetic, a private joke, or a vision board of sorts'. Some people may even use their phone lock screen as a means of visualisation or manifestation, using it as 'daily cues to focus the mind and align behaviours with a goal'. Finally, there's the phone owners who simply have a blank screen - although these people are increasingly few and far between. If you do come across someone who has nothing at all on their phone background, it could be because they prefer minimalism, privacy, or to avoid distractions as much as possible. 'A blank lock screen might reflect a desire for digital simplicity, or a subtle resistance to the emotional pull of personal photos,' Holly suggested. 'For others, it's simply a way to protect mental space - deliberately not engaging with their phone on an emotional level. 'Ultimately, a lock screen isn't a psychological blueprint, you can't know somebody through such a small detail - but it can be a telling snapshot of what someone wants to see – how they want to feel - or be reminded of - multiple times a day.'
Times
13-06-2025
- General
- Times
Short-man syndrome? At 5'7 I am the expert
I can reach the plates on the top shelf in the kitchen. I can, honestly. But I don't look good when I do it. There's a tippy-toe, whole-body stretch that's very hard to make look cool or traditionally masculine. When people come over for dinner I usually make a defensive joke about it. This, if anything, draws attention to the stretch and turns it into a sort of circus act as I grasp the china with my fingertips. I'm still not completely comfortable with my height. Being short is always partially falling short of a manly ideal. I've been short — 5ft 7in — for about 50 years (the first 11 years of my existence don't count) and along the way life has informed me of my status. Phrases such as 'tall, dark and handsome', 'imposing figure' and 'short arse' placed me in a height hierarchy. I don't wake up every morning and shake my fist at my genetic inheritance but I'd rather be taller. I'm not proud of that but if I could take a pill and wake up at least 6ft, I would.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Why stopping HRT has changed my life in the most radical way possible. I know it runs counter to all medical advice... but if you're taking it, hear me out: SARAH VINE
All my life I cared what people thought of me. As a teenager I cared that my feet were too big to be a ballerina and that I wasn't blonde like all the pretty girls. I cared that all the other kids had the right kind of Superga trainers and Benetton sweaters, whereas I had normal plimsolls and chain store jumpers.
