Rice: "It is essential that we give ourselves permission to have a full lunch hour”

At least 19% of UK workers take under 15 minutes for lunch and over 10% admit they never take a break at lunch time, a new survey from Monster.co.uk has revealed.

The survey has also revealed that even when people take a break, the most popular activity is catching up on e-mails and phone-calls which means never leaving their desks.

When asked what they'd rather be doing the most popular choice was reading (22%), closely followed by the power nap (22%). Regardless of time taken less than 1% of workers think that working is a good way to spend their lunch hour.

The survey highlights a growing trend in a climate of job insecurity to be present at our desks at all times. However, time and time again this proves an ineffective way of working. This summer, Monster.co.uk is launching a campaign to 'Bring Back Britain's Lunch Hour'. Together with a team of Lunch Hour experts including celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine, Monster will encourage UK workers and employers to have a full hour for lunch and take a bit of 'me time'.

Launched on 14th June, a dedicated website - http://www.bbblh.co.uk will feature advice, tips and ideas from a range of experts including easy to prepare power lunches from celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine, nutritional advice from Fiona Hunter and life-coaching from Carol Ann Rice.

As leading Life Coach Rice comments - "It is essential that we give ourselves permission to have a full lunch hour. To have a proper break; a nice walk, a mini workout, a little retail therapy, a nutritional lunch away from the workplace - all help us to honour ourselves during the working day. Thus we feel energized and more able to keep the stresses of the day in perspective."

To find out more and create your perfect lunch hour visit http://www.bbblh.co.uk

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THT’s spokeswoman Edwards: “Safe sex isn’t something we should be ignoring”

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has called on pub and bar staff to make sure their condom machines are fully stocked this World Cup to keep amorous sports fans safer from sexually transmitted infections during the tournament.

With previous major sporting events attracting an increased demand for condoms, for both athletes and supporters, it’s likely that this year’s World Cup tournament will prove no exception for increased post-sporting action.

Last year, despite 100,000 condoms being stockpiled for the Winter Olympics, an additional 8,500 had to be emergency airlifted into the Olympic Villages in Vancouver and Whistler.

And in Sydney, at the 2000 Olympics, organisers’ original order of 70,000 condoms for athletes went so fast that an extra 20,000 were needed which also ran out before the end of the Games.

Singer Beverley Knight is supporting THT’s ‘Scoring without getting an own goal’ World Cup campaign: “Pubs and bars are going to be packed to the rafters this World Cup and landlords and bar staff can make a real difference to keeping their punters safer throughout the tournament by making sure their condom machines are also full to the brim!

“There’s nothing that’s going to put you off your game more than an unplanned pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection this summer, so let’s make safer sex sexy again.”

Terrence Higgins Trust’s spokeswoman, Genevieve Edwards, said: “With levels of sexually transmitted infections rising steadily in the UK safe sex isn’t something we should be ignoring. By keeping condom machines in the gents and ladies’ loos fully topped up staff can help prevent their customers getting an own goal this summer.”

For more information on how to look after your sexual health this World Cup log on to www.tht.org.uk/worldcup.

Many drink so much they can't remember what they did after the match

Sports fans could be putting their sexual health at risk this World Cup, research conducted by HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has revealed.

Nearly one in ten 18-34 year-olds in the UK drink so much while watching sporting events, in person or on TV, that they can’t remember what they did afterwards.

In response to this, THT has published an online guide, ‘Scoring without getting an own goal’, to give sports fans top tips for safer post-match action, without a red and itchy card, this summer.

Terrence Higgins Trust’s spokeswoman Genevieve Edwards said: “If people are getting so drunk they can’t remember what they did the night before, it’s more than likely protected sex and condoms won’t have been top of their priority list.

“This is really worrying in relation to the World Cup this year, with thousands of people gathering in both the UK and South Africa to watch the tournament, enjoying a holiday atmosphere, having a lot to drink and potentially putting themselves at huge risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV if they are forgetting about protected sex.

“With the UK having the worst sexual health in Western Europe and 5.2 million people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa, the highest rate in any country, it’s vitally important sports fans look after themselves by using condoms throughout the World Cup this summer, whether at home or abroad.”

Dr. Christian Jessen, presenter of “Embarrassing Bodies” and Terrence Higgins Trust supporter said: “The World Cup is bound to put you in the mood for some post match action. With the sun hopefully shining, lots of drinks on the go and masses of people gathering in pubs across the UK and abroad it’s the perfect pulling ground. But it’s also likely to be a time you might forget all about safer sex and put yourself at risk of those oh-so-passion-killing sexually transmitted infections. 

“If you’re looking to score it’s vital you’ve got condoms to keep yourself match fit and free from anything nasty that could lead to long term health problems.”

Please log on to www.tht.org.uk/worldcup to read the ‘Scoring without getting an own goal’ guide.

AfricanAncestry.com’s tips for redefining “roots” of true beauty for women of African descent

In the world of African-American beauty, the words “roots” and “tips” may conjure up thoughts of re-touches and manicures. Imagine – for a moment -- that your beauty standards were attached to royalties, family pride, achievement and inner-worth? Wouldn’t that be beautiful in any culture?
 
AfricanAncestry.com, the leading resource for DNA-tracing of African roots, is helping thousands of women of color complement their Americanized beauty ideals with an inner “knowing” that transcends any imposed standard. Through African Ancestry’s proprietary ancestry tracing process, women of African descent across the nation are tapping into unprecedented levels of self-awareness and ultimately seeing themselves in a new way.

Gina Paige, founder and Ancestry Beauty expert of AfricanAncestry.com, shares the following top tips for redefining the “roots” of true beauty for women of African descent:

1. Know Your African “Make-Up”."From the alignment of your face and symmetry of your eyes to the fullness of your lips and curve of your hips, everything that is the essence of you is rooted in who you are and where you come from. While these traits are becoming more revered in American culture, no surgery or other manufactured beautification process can override what’s distinctly yours by birthright.    

2. Customize Your Wardrobe. The influence of African customs can be spotted anywhere from your local Malls to high-fashion runways. From artisan hairstyles and ornate jewellery, to hand-woven authentic fabrics and sophisticated accessories. Gain a better understanding of your African trend-setting heritage and wear it with pride and confidence.

3. Top Your Models. Sure Beyonce and Oprah are icons in their own right in the U.S. However, women of African descent have also inherited rich legacies of royalty, entrepreneurialism and gifted talents from the various ethnic groups throughout West and Central Africa. Seek out resources that expand your territory when looking to positive, uplifting role models.
 
4. Family Refills. As a result of the slave trade, African-American family identities – including beauty traditions - were erased and replaced. Take your family’s identity into your own hands and seek reliable answers from companies like AfricanAncestry.com. One swab can reveal the roots of an entire family, which means every woman and/girl seeking true beauty in that lineage can benefit.

5. Globalize Yourself. Are you really a minority? People of African descent are amongst the most populated people in the world and defining yourself in a broader context expands your conditioned points of reference. Africa alone comprises more than 800 different ethnic groups with unique characteristics and languages. Your make-over doesn’t stop there. Once you know, routinely tap resources that help you connect, interact and learn with people that share the same ancestry. Visit AfricanAncestry.com to find out how you can start the discovering true beauty.            

As women of African descent, knowing your African roots can unlock a world of resources that affirms your inner self and connects to your outer beauty.

Check out AfricanAncestry.com’s Gina Paige’s discussion on beauty standards on BET as part of My Black Is Beautiful program airing on Sundays at 1 p.m. EST., and hosted by Tasha Smith, Alesha Renee, Leela James and Kim Coles.