Brits have revealed the advice they would give their younger selves – including investing in property as early as possible, taking more photos and not being afraid of rejection when asking someone out. A survey of 2,000 adults found 58 per cent would love nothing more than to give the younger version of themselves some good tips. Those surveyed said they would look after their physical health more, avoid wasting their time on negative people and learn from their mistakes. The top 20 list also included recommendations to save 10 per cent of your wages every month, spend more time with your parents and celebrate the little wins. But while 67 per cent would offer financial words of wisdom, 82 per cent felt positive knowing every decision they’ve made has led them to the point where they are now. And the same percentage (82 per cent) wanted to live their life with no regrets. AXA UK commissioned the study as part of its ‘Future You will thank you’ campaign which looks at how our future selves will thank us for the good choices we make today and reveals the decisions people are most thankful for. Scarlette Douglas, former A Place in The Sun host and I’m A Celebrity contestant, is taking part in the campaign discussing the forks in the road which led her to a career in television. She has contributed to an eBook revealing more of these insights from celebrities and the public. Scarlette said: “I had been performing in musicals for eight years when I made what I feel was a great decision at that point in my life, which was to move away from theatre and pursue a different career in television presenting. “I finished my last musical in 2014 and in 2015 I landed an amazing job as a presenter for A Place in The Sun – I had my first presenting role on a Channel 4 show. “I’ve now been in television for eight years and if I didn’t take a leap of faith and make that decision to leave musical theatre and pursue television, I would never be where I am now.” The study also found buying a house as soon as possible, getting married and heading off abroad were some of the things people are most grateful to their young self for. But when it came to regrets, 39 per cent had at least one big one in their life. Of those, 56 per cent said these were romantically linked, while 35 per cent had health-related regrets. Others spoke about how they wish they got to know parents and loved ones better before they passed away. Although 27 per cent had learnt from some of the regrets their parents had experienced. Architect and TV presenter George Clarke is also involved with the campaign and spoke about his first home. He said: “When I bought my first ‘grown-up’ house it was a wreck and definitely a building project. “We had to live in it while we did the work bit by bit over the course of three years – it was a major project and at the time we didn’t have a lot of money, so it was work, earn, do building work... repeat. “It was a major refurbishment and what made it even harder was our child was born during the build too. All of it was a big risk, especially a financial one. “The house looked amazing when we completed it, and although we loved it the financial pressure and the length of the build took its toll and we made the decision to sell. “We were very lucky with the sale and we were able to buy another house just a few hundred yards from the one we’d sold – that project began the journey of setting ourselves up for life.” The research also revealed that dropping a phone down the toilet, having to pay hefty vet bills and having their home flooded were the situations where people regretted not getting insurance. There was a desire among those surveyed, by OnePoll, to say yes more often, with people wanting to experience new travel and holiday destinations (46 per cent), new social activities and plans (35 per cent) and new friendships (34 per cent). Jason Fox, TV broadcaster, former UK Special Forces soldier and Royal Marines Commando, is also taking part in the initiative. He said: “When I left the marines after 20 years of service, I suffered from PTSD and had to learn to look after my mental health. “I realised I could also be useful in the civil world, by showing others that mental wellbeing is a strength, not a weakness. “When I was able to, the best decision I made was to invest in my mental health initiative and organisation ‘Rock 2 Recovery’ to support others in similar situations.” Tara Foley, AXA UK’s CEO, said: “Every decision we make impacts our future, from the biggest life choices to the smallest. “The findings show most people are pretty happy with the majority of decisions they’ve made, but they wouldn’t be averse to going back and giving their younger self a bit of guidance to influence how things turned out further down the line. “It’s encouraging that so many people say they aren’t living their life with regrets and it’s good to see a real desire to experience new things and push the boundaries, such as visiting far-flung places or trying new activities. “Making sure you’re always covered for every eventuality – whether it’s car, home, business or health insurance – means you can take on whatever life throws at you without worrying about unforeseen consequences or unexpected financial challenges.” Top 10 pieces of advice many people wish they could tell their younger self: 1) Be more confident 2) Try not to care what other people think 3) Don’t let opportunities pass you by 4) Look after your physical health more 5) Don’t waste time with negative people 6) Learn from your mistakes 7) Save 10 per cent of your wages every month 8) Eat healthily as it will pay dividends down the line 9) Go on all the holidays you can 10) Invest in property as early as you can 11) Don’t just settle for things 12) Just relax and enjoy the ride 13) Look after your mental health better 14) Spend more time with your parents 15) Celebrate the little wins 16) Take more risks 17) Don’t be afraid of rejection when asking someone out 18) Always be there for your mates 19) Take more photos 20) Be disciplined with your time Read More Brits are so fed up with emails that retail giants now send reminder letters Adults are eager to explore the world alone over the next three years, study finds Study finds more people are moving into high flood zones, increasing risk of water disasters Chris Hemsworth shares big life changes after ‘shocking’ health warning How to get rid of bedbugs: Signs and symptoms amid threat of UK invasion I have felt the shame of infertility – it’s why I started a club for women like me

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By Leroy Leo and Bhanvi Satija About 75,000 medical workers from Kaiser Permanente facilities went on a planned

While women have long complained about the negatives of menopause, Kelly Ripa has recently discovered one benefit of going through the process. In a recent episode of her podcast, Let’s Talk Off Camera With Kelly Ripa, the Live With Kelly and Mark host discussed an under-appreciated aspect of menopause that she recently experienced herself. “I love not getting my period,” Ripa, 53, told her podcast guest and her real-life hormone doctor, Dr Erika Schwartz. The TV personality said that she experienced the beginning of menopause during the Covid-19 pandemic. Menopause, according to the Mayo Clinic, marks the time in a person’s life when their menstrual cycle ends and they no longer get their period. However, Ripa recalled the moment she learned of a main upside to menopause - the ability to wear white pants without fear of getting her period. “My first Memorial Day through Labor Day after menopause… it was the summer of the white pants because I never had to worry about wearing white pants,” Ripa recalled. The All My Children alum went on to speak with Dr Schwartz about the misconceptions of menopause, and how many people still consider the topic to be taboo. “People still whisper the word menopause,” she said, adding that “the information is still so hidden”. Her hormone doctor agreed, noting that “we’re still in the Dark Ages” when it comes to menopause and described the process as “like a bad secret”. Ripa said that even her friends of the same age are in denial going through menopause. She revealed that some of her friends routinely “tell me they still get their periods regularly”, while others consider the process to be “embarrassing”. “They’re talking to me, an open book, and still cannot bring themselves to talk about having gone through menopause. It is too scary for them to acknowledge,” she said. Dr Schwartz maintained that some women have trouble opening up about menopause because they feel it’s a sign that they’re “no longer useful” in society. “Because, in this day and age, there’s still a lot from yesterday’s day and age that has permeated the society and culture,” the doctor said. “And we think that being aged beyond menopause, we’re no longer useful.” “The moment you’re no longer fertile, you’re not useful,” Dr Schwartz continued. “I think you’re very useful. That’s when you have the information, the experience. You have so much to bring to the table, that I think every woman should feel great about herself.” Ripa has been married to husband Mark Consuelos since 1996. The longtime couple share children Michael, 26, Lola, 22, and Joaquin, 20. The TV host previously revealed that when she first started going through menopause, she mistakenly thought that she was pregnant. Speaking to Haute Living about her book, Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories, in 2022, she recalled the moment she believed her husband had accidentally “got [her] pregnant”. “I started taking pregnancy tests daily, but then Mark sort of gingerly said: ‘Could there be another reason why you’re not getting your period?’ and me saying: ‘What other reason could there possibly be?’ He really had to walk on eggshells here [by explaining to me that I was probably going through menopause],” Ripa said. However, she ultimately felt relieved that she wasn’t pregnant. “I was really grateful that I was not going to have to explain to my kids that they were about to meet their new sibling,” she joked. Read More Kelly Ripa says she thought she was pregnant when she first started going through menopause Viewers applaud Kelly Ripa and husband Mark Consuelos’s ‘great chemistry’ after Live co-hosting debut Kelly Ripa says she worked out of a janitor’s closet for years before ABC gave her a permanent office Teenager received a ‘zero’ at school because he didn’t have class supplies As transphobic hate crimes rise by 11% in a year, how to be a better ally All the big-ticket celebrity donations to Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund Benefit

Transgender hate crimes have increased by 11% in England and Wales, according to new data. Statistics from the Home Office found transgender hate crimes increased by to 4,732 offences in the year ending March 2023. The rise could be partly down to public discussion by politicians, the Home Office said. “What we’re seeing in today’s Britain is a horrifying reality of anti-trans narratives that are spreading across media and from high profile politicians, and the Home Office themselves have admitted it is a likely cause of rising violence,” Robbie de Santos, director of external affairs at LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, told the PA news agency. “We can’t be complacent about any sort of divisive or dehumanising rhetoric, or failure to deliver on policy to protect our communities. “As a survivor of a violent attack myself, I want everyone to know you’re not in this alone. We’ve proven time and time again, that when we come together as a community we can demand and create true change.” The data comes a day after the prime minister Rishi Sunak weighed in on the debate around transgender rights at the Conservative Party Conference. “We shouldn’t get bullied into believing that people can be any sex they want to be. They can’t, a man is a man and a woman is a woman. That’s just common sense,” Sunak said. Health Secretary Steve Barclay used his speech at the conference to propose a ban on trans women from female NHS wards. With many members of the transgender community feeling threatened, what can you do to support anyone struggling? Ambassadors for LGBTQ+ young people’s charity Just Like Us share their advice for allies… Talk about it Your loved ones may not know anyone who is trans, or understand what it means to be transgender. “I need friends and family to keep talking and taking a stand against transphobia,” explains Charlie Hall, 25. “Talk about it with your colleagues, friends and family. Trans people are a small minority and allies need to take action, show others that trans people exist and are just trying to live their lives.” Matty Robins, 20, adds: “Personally, my friends reposting Instagram posts from transgender people in need, or anything about Trans Day of Visibility [March 31] or Trans Day of Remembrance [November 20], for example, has been one of the biggest displays of allyship to me.” Reach out Every trans person may be facing something different. “Ask us how you can support us. Every person is an individual and reacts differently to the situation and therefore needs different kinds of support,” explains 22-year-old Carden Cappi. Challenge hate and discrimination “Trans people need allies standing up for us,” explains Robins. This could include: “Correcting people when they deadname (using the name someone was assigned at birth) or misgender a trans person, whether the trans person is there or not. Fighting for trans inclusion at school, university and in the workplace.” Instead of “calling out” someone, which Robins says can be “inflammatory and cause people to turn away from transgender allyship”, he recommends talking to them about what they just said. “They may not mean it or understand how something they say is perceived as transphobic.” Be willing to learn “Friends and family can be supportive by educating themselves,” explains Charlie Middleton, 24. There are lots of resources out there to help you learn more about the trans community. Books like The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye (Penguin, £10.99) and Juno Dawson’s The Gender Games: The Problem With Men and Women, From Someone Who Has Been Both (Two Roads, £10.99) are well worth a read. You can also follow trans activists on social media – including Charlie Craggs and Munroe Bergdorf – to learn more about the community. Read More Impact of relationships with AI chatbot programmes ‘worrying’, psychologist says Pokemon’s Detective Pikachu Returns and more top games of the week How to talk to kids about cigarettes and vapes, following Rishi Sunak’s smoke-free generation plans 4 must-have denim trends for autumn, from wide-leg jeans to split skirts Doorscaping: How to create a fabulous front door display for autumn More than a quarter of middle-aged women living with ‘metabolically healthy obesity’ – study

Selena Gomez has launched her inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit auction, and many A-list celebrities donated big-ticket events and items to raise funds for mental health awareness. On 4 October, the Rare Beauty founder celebrated the first annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit: A Night of Radiance and Reflection in Los Angeles. The event supported Gomez’s non-profit organisation, the Rare Impact Fund, which works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and expand access to mental health services and education for young people. Not only did the sold-out event help raise money towards the Rare Impact Fund’s mission of mental health awareness, but it was also attended and supported by a number of star-studded celebrities. Martin Short, Gomez’s Only Murders in the Building co-star, served as emcee and auctioneer for the evening. Of course, the legendary comedian didn’t stray from making the occasional joke or two. “I am proud to call Selena Gomez my friend, and not because she’s successful or rich; because she’s both,” said Short, per the Hollywood Reporter. “What makes tonight very important is we’re here to support youth mental health awareness. I don’t think there’s anyone in this room that hasn’t been touched by mental health and its issues and the pain it can bring a family. We are here to raise urgent funds for the young people who need them.” The benefit also featured a special performance by Grammy-winning singer HER and a DJ set from music producer and Gomez’s “Wolves” collaborator, Marshmello. However, it was the number of big-ticket items and experiences donated by celebrities that were the main event. Perhaps the most notable donation came from Gomez’s longtime friend Taylor Swift, who donated VIP tickets to her Eras Tour concert, listed on the Rare Impact Fund Benefit’s auction site for the starting price of $5,000. The item is no longer available, according to the Hollywood Reporter, because it’s already sold for a staggering $15,000. Gomez’s fellow Only Murders in the Building co-star, Paul Rudd, also donated quite the fan experience - a movie night with none other than Rudd himself for $5,000. Other sold auction items included a glam session with Gomez’s stylists and lunch with Camila Cabello. Pro soccer star Lionel Messi donated a signed jersey, which may explain Gomez’s meme-worthy attendance at his Inter Miami game in Los Angeles earlier this month. The Argentine player’s jersey is still available to bid for $6,000. Other items that have not yet been sold include VIP tickets to Luke Combs’ “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” tour in Los Angeles, a signed banjo from Steve Martin, a luxury five-night Airbnb getaway to Mexico, and a four-night stay at the Four Seasons Resort in Maui. Gomez took the stage at the Rare Impact Fund Benefit on Wednesday, where she spoke about her own struggles with mental health. “This has been the culmination of a lifelong dream for me, but it has also stemmed from some of the darkest moments in my life,” the former Disney Channel star told attendees. “I struggled with the world inside my head for a long time and I felt lost and I felt hopeless at times. In 2020, I received my diagnosis of bipolar disorder and, to be honest, everything quickly changed,” she continued. “I actually got the knowledge and the answers I had been desperate for for so long, and understanding that obviously makes me become more aware of it, and I’m less afraid than I used to be. “With that knowledge, I could seek out the support I needed to be myself, to find my joy again, and tonight I’m very proud to say that I have. I’m working really hard every day and I’m so happy just to be alive and be here with you guys today.” The Rare Impact Fund, which Gomez founded in 2020, has a goal of raising $100m in the next 10 years to expand access to mental health services and education for young people around the world. While the “Lose You to Love Me” singer acknowledged that her mission “probably sounds really absurd,” she noted that it’s people like her little sister, Gracie, and “the world that she and her generation inherits” that inspires her to make the world “a kinder one, a clearer one, a more connected one, with support and access”. “It has been my ultimate dream to launch this fund and it’s probably the most important thing that I’ve ever done, and I just couldn’t be more proud of the Rare Impact team for the work that they’re doing,” Gomez added, before thanking the crowd for “everything you’re going to do tonight; it’s the hardest journey I’ve ever been on but by far the most rewarding”. Gomez first revealed she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder - a mental health condition that causes episodes of mood swings - in 2020, when she appeared on Miley Cyrus’s Instagram Live series titled “Bright Minded”. During a wide-ranging interview with Rolling Stone published in November 2022, Gomez shared that she checked into a mental health facility in 2018 after experiencing her first bipolar episode. She opened up about the “dark” period in her “early twenties” when she “started to feel like I was not in control of what I was feeling, whether that was really great or really bad”. In her Apple TV+ documentary, My Mind & Me, Gomez described the fear she felt after receiving her bipolar disorder diagnosis. “When I first got out, I didn’t know how I’d cope with my diagnosis,” she recalled in the documentary, which was released last November. “What if it happened again? What if the next time, I didn’t come back? “I needed to keep learning about it,” she said of the condition. “I needed to take it day by day.” Gomez has also been open about her battle with the autoimmune condition lupus, which she was diagnosed with in 2014 and underwent a kidney transplant for in 2017. Read More Selena Gomez opens up about her mental health struggles: ‘Maybe it would be damaging to tell people who I am’ Selena Gomez opens up about bipolar diagnosis: ‘I’ve been to four treatment centers’ Selena Gomez reveals she may never carry children due to bipolar medication How to dress like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for Halloween 2023 NFL defends spotlighting Taylor Swift during Travis Kelce’s games Travis Kelce says the NFL is ‘overdoing it’ with their Taylor Swift coverage

English, the language of Shakespeare and the internet, is often touted for its flexibility and adaptability. But with great flexibility comes great inconsistenc

Stopping the nation from smoking has long been a top priority for medical experts, families and governments, and PM Rishi Sunak has made his plans for the issues clear. At the 2023 Conservative Party Conference, Sunak said that the legal age for buying tobacco should rise every year from those born in 2009 in a bid to “try and stop teenagers taking up cigarettes in the first place”. He said: “A 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette” under new legislation he is proposing for England. The Prime Minister also said more must be done to “restrict the availability” of vapes to children, but what can be done by parents in the meantime? Here are the conversations to have with your children… The dangers of smoking “Starting smoking and vaping at a young age can have serious and long-lasting health consequences,” explains Dr Chun Tang, medical director and GP at Pall Mall Medical. “Nicotine is particularly harmful to developing brains. Young people are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction, which can lead to a lifetime of tobacco dependence. Nicotine impacts cognitive function and memory, potentially affecting academic performance. “Aside from the detrimental effect on cognitive ability as outlined above, smoking is, of course, a leading cause of various health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and many others,” he says. “Smoking during adolescence can also interfere with the growth and development of the lungs, leading to reduced lung function. This can result in breathing difficulties and decreased physical performance.” The dangers of vaping Vaping isn’t a safe alternative, yet he sweet-smelling, plastic steam machines are rife. “Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon, and the long-term health effects are still not fully understood,” says Tang. “There is ongoing research to assess the potential long-term risks, including the development of chronic health conditions.” Vaping has been associated with various adverse health effects, including lung injuries, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular issues, he notes. “Some of the chemicals found in vaping aerosols can be harmful when inhaled into the lungs. “If a smoker takes approximately 15 puffs of a cigarette before putting it out, then we can safely assume that a 600-puff disposable vape is equivalent to around two packs of cigarettes. “Some reports suggest young people can get through as many as 7 vapes a week, the equivalent of 14 packets of cigarettes. “That is an enormous amount of nicotine and so we can expect to see the health risks posed by nicotine to be [more] exacerbated in vapers than smokers – which could be severely impacting cognitive function and affecting academic performance.” It’s essential, he says, for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals “to educate young people about the potential risks of vaping and smoking and provide support and resources for those who want to quit”. Don’t lecture them Try to be open and curious rather than defensive and angry if your child is smoking or vaping. Dr Kerry Irving, senior clinical psychologist at online mental health platform Kooth, says: “Approach any conversation to understand why the young person smokes or vapes rather than to lecture, as the latter can cause people to shut down.” Consider available supportThere may be resources online and in person that might help your child, from the NHS to TikTok creators tracking their quitting journey. “Suggest accessing external support – encourage the young person to see their GP or to make use of some of the free Stop Smoking initiatives online or in your local community,” Irving says. Be sympathetic to relapse Expect wobbles. If your teen or child is quitting smoking or vaping try to stop accept that overcoming an addiction is not easy and recovery is not linear. “Relapses are an important part of changing any behaviour long term,” says Irving. “You can help the young person learn from these by gently encouraging them to reflect on what went wrong and helping them plan for how to try again.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 4 must-have denim trends for autumn, from wide-leg jeans to split skirts Doorscaping: How to create a fabulous front door display for autumn More than a quarter of middle-aged women living with ‘metabolically healthy obesity’ – study