Wellness

8May By Martin KagweriNo Comments

issue 14, Issue One 2, Mother's Day, Wellness

What Would Love Do? – Ann Justi

Love begins with a mindset. Be Love. Do Love. What would love do? How would your mother do something? A love mindset – asking “What Would Love Do?” – is a transformative, proactive approach to life that favors compassion, patience, and understanding over fear, judgement, or control. It is not a passive emotion but an active choice to act from a place of connection, aiming for empathy and harmony in relationships and daily decisions. What Love Would Do: Listen to Understand: Love listens deeply without immediately trying to fix or react, offering presence and empathy. Set Boundaries: Love acts kindly but sets firm boundaries, knowing that true love respects both oneself and others. Choose Forgiveness: Love chooses to forgive and let go of grudges, creating peace instead of re...

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8May By Martin KagweriNo Comments

issue 14, Issue One 3, Mother's Day, Wellness

The Quiet Strength Within

By Cristal Johnston There is a quiet kind of strength that lives inside a woman. It shows up before the world wakes.It stays long after everyone else has gone to bed.It holds families together in ways no one ever really sees. Right now, I am living inside that truth. I am home with my parents, helping care for my mom - the heart and soul of our family. She is beginning to show signs of dementia. And if you have ever watched someone you love slowly change, you know how heavy and sacred that space can feel. In these moments, I am not just a nurse. I am her daughter. And I am holding both roles at once. When the Brain and Body Speak Together What I have learned through years in the ER, and now through this deeply personal season, is this: What is happe...

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8May By Martin KagweriNo Comments

issue 14, Issue One 1, Mother's Day, Wellness

Mother’s Day as a Mental Health Connection

By Dr. Catherine Jackson – Brain Psychologist, Author, Coach & International Speaker Traditionally, Mother’s Day is a time for many to connect with and celebrate the mothers in their lives - yourself if you are a mum, your mother, a godmother, an aunt who is like a mother, sisters who have children, and more. Growing up, my Mother’s Day celebrations focused on love and gratitude toward my mother. We would attend church. Mother’s Day Sunday services were always nice, though typically more packed than usual. Nonetheless, I embraced it. After the service, we would share a meal either braving crowds and long waits at a restaurant or enjoying a home-cooked meal. Gifts were always part of celebrating Mum. As children, we gave handmade cards and small gifts. As I grew into adulthood ...

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8May By Martin KagweriNo Comments

issue 14, Issue One 3, Mother's Day, Wellness

Running means ‘me time’ for busy women

Busy mums will benefit from running or exercise to help them reduce stress and anxiety. Christina Collison explains. The benefits of running for mental health are well documented. When I was the Editor of Women’s Running magazine, I met and spoke to many women who used running to help them manage their mental health as well as getting fit. It wasn’t just a case of running to lose a few pounds or feel fitter. While that was important for some, many women I spoke to enjoyed running because it helped them unwind and improved their mood, enabling them to combat stress. For many women, it helped them cope with the ups and downs of being a mum. It’s hardly surprising that so many mums rely on exercise to reduce stress. Research from the University of Bath and the University of Melbourne re...

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23Dec By Martin KagweriNo Comments

Christmas Issue, ISSUE 13, Issue One 2, Mind & Body, Wellness

The Holiday Reset Journal – Cristal Johnston

The Holiday Reset Journal is your simple, supportive companion to help you stay grounded, energized, and in control through the busiest season of the year. Inside, you’ll find daily prompts, reflection questions, hydration + habit trackers, and simple mindset shifts that make navigating holiday stress and food choices feel easier and more intentional. This journal helps you stay connected to your goals, listen to your body, and build momentum one small win at a time - without perfection, pressure, or restriction. It’s designed to keep you focused, confident, and consistent so you step into the New Year feeling lighter, clearer, and proud of yourself. A perfect starting point for anyone wanting healthier habits, better blood sugar balance, and a calmer, more joyful holiday s...

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21Dec By Martin KagweriNo Comments

ISSUE 13, Issue One 1, Wellness

Reborn on the Run: How I Became a More Optimistic, Happier Runner – Christina Collison

Christina Collison shares how she has let go of fear, embraced joy, and rediscovered herself with every mile. Running didn’t just change my body – it has transformed my mindset. Running is one of my favourite activities. It brings me true happiness, a freedom I don’t feel anywhere else. The mental health benefits are endless. When I run, my busy mind quietens, my body feels alive, and my confidence lifts. On a good run, I feel unstoppable. On a tough run, I find resilience I didn’t know I had. Every time I push through the moments I want to quit, I’m reminded that we all have far more strength than we give ourselves credit for. Running has taught me one of life’s greatest lessons: keep going – the reward is worth it. In the past two years, running hasn’t just strengthened my mind...

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21Dec By Martin KagweriNo Comments

ISSUE 13, Issue One 2, Wellness

Reflect. Reset. Renew – Dr. Catherine Jackson

2025 has been one heck of a year with many ups but far more downs. Personally and professionally I had goals that while started, were not completed. Things like reading a certain number of books this year and on the professional side creating more products and services to serve more people, slowly faded more as the year went on. Sure I started the year out strong. Like many of us do, I got and set up my planner for success. I am a planner girl! Not the digital kind, while there’s nothing wrong with it and if it works for you that’s great but I am an old school paper and pencil planner girl. I look forward to selecting and creating my planner every year and creatively setting up every page in a way that keeps me engaged in the planner month after month, week after week and day after day. Pa...

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21Dec By Martin KagweriNo Comments

ISSUE 13, Issue One 1, Thriving, Wellness

My Festive Reset- Monica Bradley

Here’s how Monica Bradley, Founder of MB Associates, plans to use the festive season to recharge and reawaken her goals. It’s the same every year. Christmas is portrayed as a season of joy and togetherness – and this can be true. But it can also be a time when we’re most depleted after a busy year. As a business owner, I know this only too well. After 12 months of managing the needs of clients, colleagues, family and friends, the festive season arrives. Instead of resting, I find myself racing around ensuring I have everything I need for festive gatherings at my home. As the managing director of MB Associates, a thriving mortgage brokers in Surrey, I spend most of the year with a hectic schedule. My role entails helping clients, managing my team, leading the business, attending event...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Wellness

Mental Health IS Wealth – Dr. Catherine Jackson

How often when you think about building wealth do you think about your mental health? For most of us, the answer to this is little if at all. When most of us think of wealth building we think of money. Obtaining it, maintaining it, and having so much of it we can pass it down through the generations. Typically and traditionally building wealth involves generating and sustaining long-term income through a variety of income sources, savings, and investments that allow us to engage in the betterment of society as a whole through philanthropic efforts.  However, mental health is wealth.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Issue One 4, Mind & Body, Wellness

What if life could be different for women going through perimenopause and beyond? – Theresa Russell

What I have learned over the last 10 years after struggling with one perimenopause symptom after another is that life can be what I make of it. I know I can hear you right now, what are you talking about? The concept by itself seems so simple and yet most women won’t even try.  For example, if you think you have a hard life then you do. If you look for the good in your life, then you will.  If you think that you suffer from so many symptoms and you stay focused on them, then you will stay in that mindset. Tony Robbins has a profound quote “where focus goes, energy flows”. As a midlife woman, I totally understand the physical and emotional challenges that we face.  I have personally experienced over ten symptoms myself.  At my lowest point, I found myself on all fours...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Wellness

How To Keep Your Pelvic Floor Health For Life – Kim Vopni

While most people have heard the term pelvic floor, many don’t realize what the pelvic floor does on a daily basis. Your pelvic floor is working 24/7, supporting your bladder, colon, rectum and sexual organs. This versatile set of muscles performs many important functions. Pelvic floor muscles help your bladder and rectum relax and contract on demand when you need them, and they’re the muscles that contract during sex. When pelvic muscles are too loose or too tight, problems can occur. Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles can lead to urinary leakage, accidental bowel leakage and pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which the uterus, bladder and bowel may drop causing sense of pressure and fullness. If these muscles are too tight, it can be hard to relax, causing difficult bowel movemen...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Wellness

7 Best Ways to Care for a Parent without Burning Yourself Out – Christina Collison

Have you noticed yourself providing more help and support than ever to your parents? Are you finding it tiring and upsetting? Writer Christina Collison, who cared for her late mum for ten years, advises on providing the best care for your parents without jeopardising your well-being. Sooner or later, it comes to most of us. As children, we were used to our parents taking care of us. As young adults, it’s common to continue to rely on our parents for emotional support and guidance. The balance shifts slowly when we enter middle age, and our parents become more reliant on us. As they grow older, their health may change, and they may need your help and support with daily tasks, including shopping, housework, and maybe even personal care. As their child, it’s difficult for you to deal wi...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Wellness

What every woman needs to Know about Dementia – Christina Neal

More women than men are at risk of developing dementia, and women are more likely to be the main carers for loved ones with the disease. Christina Neal, Founder & Editor of Dementia Help magazine, reveals some common symptoms to look for and how to reduce your risk… Do you know someone living with dementia? Or perhaps you have a friend caring for a loved one with the condition? Dementia affects the brain and can have a debilitating effect on those living with the condition, making them increasingly reliant on the support of their loved ones for daily care. I understand how difficult this can be, as my own mother had vascular dementia, causing her to go from being an independent and self-sufficient woman living alone to needing assistance with even the most basic daily tasks. While t...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Wellness

Full body strengthening exercises with Diana Mamedova

Strength training is also known as weight training, resistance training, and muscular training. The general definition of strength training is any physical movement in which you use your body weight or equipment (e.g., dumbbells and resistance bands) to build muscle mass, strength, and endurance. Fortunately, bodyweight exercises don't require a dedicated gym, so you can fit in a workout whenever you have some spare time, wherever you are. Click the VIDEOS below to start your body strengthening Journey My name is Diana. I’m 29 years old.  I’ve been doing sports for 17 years, I did ballet then I went to dancing school, and then I got into stretching. I love what I’m doing. I love my clients I see how they fall in love with sports an...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Wellness

The Importance of Nutrition- Dr Diana Martin Gotcher

Nutrition is arguably one of, if not THE most important measure of health and longevity. Diet fads and obsession over the physical “look” of our bodies have overshadowed the importance of fueling the cells with the most nutrient dense foods on the planet…raw, whole foods! No matter your dietary preferences, the facts remain the same. Research shows that plant foods, eaten in their most natural state, offer the highest quality of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants essential for health and longevity. There is a vast difference between living in survival mode and thriving with abundant energy! Raw plant foods are easily digested and assimilated by the body. When we consume food that our body recognizes as usable fuel, we will feel energetic, and function optimally. Bei...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Wellness

Perimenopause-Menopause, get prepared to figure it out for yourself – Theresa Russell

What is it and why are healthcare providers not prepared to help women when they seek out assistance? Why is half of the population still suffering, most of them in silence? We can ask endless questions to most health care providers but most of them will not answer. Women’s health has been deemed as unimportant. Medical schools do not educate on hormones. Therefore, gynecologists are not prepared to offer menopausal women guidance on this subject. Be prepared when you do want to talk about your strange symptoms that you will be brushed off and a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication will be given to you. Before you get that filled make sure that you look at the side effects. You do not want to trade one symptom for another one. Ladies, you are your own health advocate. You need...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia Kikoyo1 Comment

Wellness

Join Stella’s fundraiser for Walk 100 Miles for Breast Cancer Now – South England Challenge

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual observance held during the month of October. It is intended to raise awareness about breast cancer, the second most common cancer among women in the United States according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021. In 2018, the latest year for which incidence data are available, in the United States, 254,744 new cases of breast cancer were reported among women, and 42,465 women died of this cancer. For every 100,000 women, 127 new breast cancer cases were reported and 20 women died of this cancer. How to create Breast Cancer awareness Promote patient-provider discussions of family history and riskPresent personalized information about breast cancer risk, especially for men or young women at high risk due to family history.Dir...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Celebration, Wellness

9 HOLIDAY WELLNESSS TIPS – Dr. Catherine Jackson

The holiday season can be filled with excitement. For many of us we look forward to spending time with family and friends, traveling or putting together wonderful holiday gatherings and parties. One of my favorite and fondest memories around this time of year is gathering with my family at my Aunt’s home where I see all of my aunts, uncles and cousins. Everyone brings a homemade dish or two, we open with prayer and thanks for blessings, break bread together, play games and talk into the wee hours of the night. However, with all of the hustle and bustle, the most wonderful time of the year can also be the most chaotic time leading to stress, anxiety and feelings of depression. With a little mindfulness everyone can fully enjoy the holiday season’s fun times and traditions, new and old. Thes...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Beauty, Mind & Body, Wellness

The weather is improving and “SUMMER’’ is here! – Farah Zaidi

It is time to start changing the way we treat our skin. As we emerge into summer, our skin is exposed less to cold/dry air, more to higher moisture levels, more sunshine and warmer temperatures. This is a great time to change and update our skincare routine. To start off with, my favourite, SUNSCREEN! As the sun shines down on us, we need to increase the SPF rating in our skin care. Ideally, a minimum of SPF30 if going about our daily routines. Obviously if you plan to travel and go to warmer climates near the equator you should be opting for higher SPF and trying to avoid the sun at its peak between 11am - 3pm. Try and stay in the shade or at least use light clothing as cover up. I would also recommend to look for a ‘physical sunscreen’ which contains titanium or zinc oxide - the...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Wellness

How to Do Yoga at Home – FitnessinFifteen

Have you taken time to acquaint yourself with the benefits of doing Yoga? The art of practicing yoga helps in (more…)

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Thriving, Wellness

Claudia Taboada Talks Being Stellar and The Importance of Selfcare

When Nico, Claudia Taboada's son was diagnosed with severe autism at 2 years old, she abandoned her law career to become his full-time caregiver. But it was the walks she had with Nico's dog more than 8 years later that completely changed her life. How would you describe yourself? Have you always identified yourself like so? Right now I would identify myself as someone who is finally becoming the most self-actualized version of herself. Someone who goes after dreams with confidence and who has found her life’s purpose and mission.  And no I was not always this way, just 11 years ago I was an autism mom not only her physical and mental health but also her identity due to motherhood burnout.  You're a celebrated speaker, coach & digital entrepreneur. What's your backstory?&nb...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Wellness

A Brain Walks Into The Kitchen – Dr. Shelley Kaplar

By Dr. Shelley Kaplar This happens more often than not, then one typically walks back out of the kitchen trying to either find the thought or remember what they were going to get. Thankfully you’re not alone when this happens. Cognitive decline starts at the age of 40 and progresses as we age. If there has been a brain injury ranging from a mild concussion up to a severe TBI (traumatic brain injury) then the rate of cognitive decline speeds up.  As we age our brains start to shrink which also compromises areas of the brain that contain nerve fibers, and there are fewer connections between neurons. This can be a result of the deterioration of the myelin sheaths, which are the insulating layers around the nerves. Our brains also stop being able to metabolise glucose effectively wh...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Restricted, Wellness

Mindfulness in a Pandemic: Even More Important Than Before – Ann Justi

By Ann Justi In a world that feels increasing out of one’s control, creating circumstances people would never have imagined only a year ago, turning to mindfulness has become an increasingly valuable means by which to cope.  People are using it as a mental health tool for dealing with everything from social isolation to recovery from stress.  The benefits include calmness, self-control, and better mental health, which is as important as physical health and should be maintained just like your daily workout. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is a mental practice in which someone directs their attention to the present moment, having a nonjudgmental awareness of their immediate surroundings, thoughts and feelings.  Practicing mindfulness in any situation, whether daily o...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia KikoyoNo Comments

Mind & Body, Restricted, Wellness

What Are Pelvic Floor Exercises? Kim Vopna, The Vagina Coach, Explains

Kim Vopni, the Vagina Coach, is the founder of Pelvienne Wellness Inc and Core Confidence Education. She's on a mission to break through taboos and redefine how we think about women’s health. "I want women to know how to connect to their pelvic floor so that they can overcome challenges like incontinence and organ prolapse and regain a sense of control and power in their lives," she shares on her website. In this insightful interview, she explains what pelvic floor exercises are, and why you need to be doing them. You’re an intimate wellness coach. Tell us what that actually involves. I am a personal trainer and my focus is on the female pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a central part of our sexual wellness and the topics I talk about with people can be quite intimate in nature or i...

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11Nov By Stella Olivia Kikoyo1 Comment

Mind & Body, Restricted, Wellness

10 Reasons You Should Start Running, and How to Get Started! – Christina Neal

Have you always wanted to run but you think it might be challenging to start? There are numerous benefits to running and it’s easy to get started if you know what to do. Author and marathon runner Christina Neal has these top tips for beginners. There’s so many good reasons to run. If you want to get fitter, lose weight, feel stronger and live longer then consider taking up running. Regular running will reduce your risk of heart disease and extend your lifespan. A study conducted by the American Medical Association showed that running could extend your life by up to three and a half years. Some studies have even shown an increase in life expectancy of seven years. There’s no doubt that running improves heart health as it strengthens the heart. Running can also help to lower blood pre...

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21Dec By Martin KagweriNo Comments

Christmas Issue, Issue 11, Slide one 2, Wellness

How to Stay Fit Over the Festive Season- Christina Collison

Keeping up your exercise routine over Christmas will help you stay calm, feel energized, and cope with any seasonal stresses that may come your way. Christina Collison explains how and why you should find time to keep working out. The Challenge of Staying Active If you’ve let your workouts lapse over Christmas in the past, you’re not alone. A fitness report released by PureGym last year showed that 30% of people are most likely to reduce or stop exercising in the lead-up to the festive season. Are you going to be one of them, or will you commit to staying active? It’s understandable that exercise may not be the first thing on your mind over Christmas, even if you normally work out regularly. Routines change at this time of year, and it’s not uncommon to wake up not knowing what da...

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