Tag Archives: Life

The 2 Words You Never, Ever Want To Say To An Angry Person

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The last thing that most of us want to deal with is an angry person in our face. But chances are, sooner or later, it’s going to happen.

So what do we do? And, maybe more importantly, what shouldn’t we do?

Those are some of the questions that Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, the co-hosts of HuffPost’s “Am I Doing It Wrong?” podcast, recently posed to Ryan Martin, better know as the Anger Professor, to find out how to “do anger better.”

“You had a great tweet,” Michelson said during the conversation. “You said something like, ‘Never in the history of “calm downs’ has ‘calm down’ calmed down someone.’ So I’m guessing ‘calm down’ is not the thing you want to say.”

“I think ‘relax’ is even worse,” Punjabi added.

“No, ‘relax’ has never relaxed anyone,” agreed Martin, a psychology professor and an associate dean for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

“This is a case where … people are elevated and they’re not necessarily thinking as rationally, and they’re a little defensive. You’re not going to make as much progress with those sort of direct statements that you want to make,” he added. “Telling people to do things like ‘just breathe’ aren’t going to have much of an impact.”

Instead, modelling those actions yourself is going to be more effective.

“One of the things I think is funny is that often when people tell someone to ‘calm down,’ they yell it or they say it in a very loud, stern voice,” said Martin, the author of How To Deal With Angry People and Why We Get Mad: How To Use Your Anger for Positive Change.

“But if you actually back up a little bit and you start speaking softer than normal, you start to communicate in a little more gentle tone, people will sort of inherently match that. This also is rooted in our evolutionary history, that we tend to match the people around us in tone.”

This can help take the edge off the situation without using those triggering phrases, which tend to make us even more irritated.

“It’s, frankly, manipulative. … You’re actually decreasing that elevation,” Martin said. “So speaking in that more gentle voice, staying calm yourself, finding ways to ultimately, if they’re venting, [offer] some minimal encouragers to let them get through that.”

Once there’s less intensity, you’re more likely to have an opportunity to respond.

“I don’t think you want to agree with someone if you don’t agree with them,” said Martin. “But if you can frame a response that seems validating, to let them know ‘you’re obviously really upset about this, let’s talk through some solutions together’ — ways that you can validate their feelings without necessarily validating the cause of their feelings.”

We also discussed the three questions that you should ask yourself before you get angry, what you should do before you send an angry email, and much more.

For more from Ryan Martin, visit his website and Instagram.

Need some help with something you’ve been doing wrong? Email us at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com, and we might investigate the topic in an upcoming episode.

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Rectal Cancer Is Rising In Millennials. Doctors Have A Theory Why.

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The untimely deaths of actors Chadwick Boseman and James Van Der Beek, who both died of colorectal cancer in their 40s, have brought more awareness to the disease, which is impacting younger people at higher rates each year.

Colorectal cancer, which is the group name for colon and rectal cancer, is the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults under 50, and new research has found that rectal cancer deaths specifically are rising in adults in this age group — namely, millennials. According to NBC’s reporting, rectal cancer will be the top cause of cancer deaths in people under 50 by 2035 if the trend continues.

While rectal cancer is similar to colon cancer, the difference lies in where the cancer is located. “The rectum is considered a part of the colon … it is the end of the colon before the anus,” explained Dr. Jatin Roper, a gastroenterologist with Duke Health and associate professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine in North Carolina. “Because the tissue is biologically fairly similar, rectal cancer is often categorised with colon cancer under the name of ‘colorectal cancer.’”

“Rectal cancers are tumours that start in the rectum. They’re similar to colon tumours in many ways,” said Dr. Michael Foote, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

HuffPost spoke with doctors who pointed out the biggest warning signs of rectal cancer, along with guidance on what you can do to reduce your risk.

The most common signs of rectal cancer include bleeding and abdominal pain.

The most common symptom of rectal cancer is rectal bleeding. This red flag is particularly “much more common” in younger people with rectal cancer, Foote said. This could be blood in the stool or even maroon-coloured stools, according to Roper.

The blood can range in colour from bright red to dark red and can happen when you poop, or at random times throughout the day. The blood may appear in the poop itself or on the toilet paper when you wipe. This can cause some folks to confuse the bleeding for hemorrhoids or even menstruation.

Abdominal pain is also commonly reported. Additional symptoms include changes in bowel habits, constipation, thinner stool, fatigue and weight loss, Roper said. Anemia is also a sign of rectal cancer, he said.

Since rectal cancer happens at the end of the colon, it’s more likely that patients will experience thinner stools or blood in the stool, according to Roper.

“I think the key message is that any change in your gastrointestinal tract should not be ignored, and so any change in your GI function should be investigated by a doctor, and the most concerning signs that should prompt an investigation include any sign of blood in the stool,” Roper said.

In some people, though, rectal cancer has no symptoms, Roper said, which makes regular colorectal screenings even more crucial.

Rates of rectal cancer deaths are rising in younger adults.

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Rates of rectal cancer deaths are rising in younger adults.

Rectal cancer rates are currently rising in younger adults in their 30s and 40s.

Recent research published by the American Cancer Society shows that while colorectal cancer rates are declining in people 65 and older, rates are increasing in younger adults.

“We know that young people getting cancer, most of it’s on either the left side of the colon or especially in the rectum,” Foote said.

“The rate of rectal cancer is rising more quickly than the rate of colon cancer. We don’t know why,” Roper said. Historically, colon and rectal cancer were considered diseases of older individuals, according to Roper, but “it is now recognised that rates of colon and rectal cancer are rising dramatically in younger people. Such that it is unfortunately becoming common to diagnose cancers in individuals under the age of 50.”

Foote stressed that colon and rectal cancer are still overall rare in younger adults. However, cases are increasing more steeply in younger generations, Roper explained. The rate of rectal cancer in people born in 2001 (Gen Z) is higher than for millennials born in 1991, which is, in turn, higher than for the oldest millennials, born in 1981.

“Even in a recent report at a conference that looked at rates of colorectal cancer in teenagers ― very young individuals ― while the absolute numbers are quite low, the rate of rise is just remarkable,” Roper said.

Research shows that the rates of colorectal cancer in adults under 50 has increased by 63% since 1988, according to Foote. Eight out of 100,000 adults under 50 had colorectal cancer in 1988, and now that number is 13 out of 100,000.

While the overall numbers seem low, the increase is concerning “because it raises the possibility that there’s something in our environment or in our diet that we haven’t pinpointed that is increasing this risk in people that are younger, and until we identify what that is, it’ll be very hard to address it,” Roper said.

While research is ongoing, there are a few things experts think could be behind the increase in rectal cancer rates.

Obesity is a risk factor for colorectal cancer in both younger adults and older adults, both experts told HuffPost. “But, most of the people that have young onset colorectal cancer are not obese,” Foote said. Diabetes is also a risk factor, Foote added, but most younger people with colorectal cancer are also not diabetic.

“The rise in colorectal cancer in younger people started sometime between probably 1950 and 1990 … and [rates have] been increasing at a greater rate since,” Foote said.

It’s thought that something changed in our environment during that time; experts don’t believe the rate increase is simply because people are being screened more.

“It’s associated with a Western diet … high animal fat, high carbohydrates, relatively lower vegetables, red and processed meat, and … refined grains and processed sugars,” Foote said.

According to Foote, from 1950 to 1990, our food landscape changed. Fast food popped up across the country, preservatives became more plentiful and even plastic food containers ― which contain microplastics ― became commonplace.

“Other possible causes can include changes in the gut microbiome, or the bacteria that live in our intestinal tract,” Roper suggested. “That microbiome can be changing due to changes in our dietary habits in the last few decades or change in exercise habits. It’s a little bit unclear.”

There are steps you can take to lower your rectal cancer risk.

While there is no one way to totally erase your risk of developing rectal cancer, there are actions you can do to reduce your risk. First, it’s important to get your routine colonoscopy or a stool-based test, which both screen for colon cancer and rectal cancer.

For people at average risk, these start at age 45. “If the 45th birthday is coming up, plan one year in advance to get scheduled for one of these tests with the doctor,” Roper suggested.

For folks who can’t make time for a colonoscopy or don’t have someone to pick them up after the procedure, stool-based tests such as Cologuard and faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) are good options.

“And a positive FIT test or a positive Cologuard test means that you should get a colonoscopy to follow up to investigate that positive test,” Roper explained.

Those with a first-degree family history of colon or rectal cancer (a parent or sibling who had it) may be eligible to get a screening test before 45.

Beyond screenings, Roper recommended following a Mediterranean diet, which is low in animal fats, especially red meat, and high in soluble fibres such as many types of beans, veggies, fruits, seeds and whole grains.

“Try to avoid sugar-sweetened beverages,” Foote suggested. It’s also a good idea to limit your alcohol consumption.

“People are trying to avoid plastic containers more — I think that’s not such a bad idea,” Foot said, who added the caveat that data linking microplastics to colorectal cancer is not as clear.

“If you do have obesity or diabetes, think about trying medications or trying a lifestyle change to reduce your risk there as well,” Foote said. “And then talk to your doctor, get established with a primary care doctor early. A lot of young people don’t have access to primary care. They don’t prioritise it.”

Having a doctor you regularly check in with and who knows your personal history is an important way to manage your health. Don’t ignore symptoms of rectal cancer symptoms, either.

“I think this is a change in how the medical community looks at these symptoms over the last …10 to 20 years, because the incidence of rectal and colon cancers [is] rising so dramatically in younger people,” Roper said, before adding that the symptoms mentioned above deserve investigation but aren’t always signs of rectal cancer.

“If you’re having symptoms, don’t just sit on them,” Foote said. And if your doctor doesn’t take your symptoms seriously, don’t be afraid to escalate the problem.

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I Knew My Cancer Was Back, But My GP Insisted It Was Just A Gym Injury

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You know your body better than anyone – but what happens when no one listens? Welcome to Ms Diagnosed: a HuffPost UK series uncovering the reality of medical gaslighting. With new stats showing that 8 in 10 of women have felt unheard by medical professionals, we’re sharing the stories of seven whose lives were nearly lost to the gap between their symptoms and a system that refused to listen. As the UK introduces Jess’s Rule – a new mandate for GPs to ‘rethink’ after a third visit – we’re exploring why the medical system is still failing women and how we can start to fix it.

The pain was absolutely unbearable.

By January 2024, the pain that had started in my forearm had spread to my neck; and it was agony.

On the way to pick my daughter up from school, I’d be in tears because it was so excruciating. As I approached the school gates, I’d think, ‘Just power through!’.

I’d been contacting my GP surgery for a year; but, while tendonitis and a nerve conduction test were floated, the real cause of my symptoms wasn’t picked up. And it really should have been; because I had a history of cancer.

Eventually, in February 2024, I was diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer, which had spread to my lungs, liver, lymph nodes and bones; among other areas.

And I can’t help wondering whether the cancer would have spread so much if it had been picked up earlier.

I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2016; and it’s worth saying that my treatment, from my first appointment with my GP onwards, was fantastic. I had a lumpectomy, followed by three weeks of radiotherapy. Subsequent test results showed my chance of recurrence was low, so my oncologist said I didn’t have to have chemotherapy.

Fast forward to January 2022, and I started getting a deep, dull ache in my left forearm.

It was strange. I did go to the gym, but I hadn’t injured myself. At this point, I didn’t want to go to the doctor; it felt too embarrassing to go and say, ‘I’ve got armache’.

Now, of course, I’d advise anyone with these symptoms to go to the GP; no matter how trivial or embarrassing it may feel. But back then, I just didn’t know.

I remember saying to a friend, ‘What if it’s the cancer again?’ but they said, ‘No, it won’t be,’ – because, of course, no one knows ongoing, unexplained pain can be a symptom of secondary cancer. So I dismissed the thought.

But it got to the point where, if the pain came on when I was having a conversation, I couldn’t concentrate on what was being said; so I decided to go to my GP in January 2023. I specifically remember her saying to me, “It’s so weird that you haven’t done anything to cause it!” – but she just gave me some exercises for tendonitis.

I’m frustrated by the fact that she thought it was strange and yet didn’t look into it more; but I’m far more disappointed in the GP I saw next.

I tried the exercises, and I tried taking painkillers, too – but, obviously, none of that did anything.

Around a month or so later, the pain started spreading to my neck and shoulders. It got to a point where I couldn’t lift my left arm past my shoulder. I tried to hang from the bar in the gym in the hope it would stretch it out – I knew I was strong enough; but I physically couldn’t do it.

Now, I know there were so many tumours that they were causing an obstruction.

I was always in pain. My husband booked me a massage, and I thought, “Good, I’ll have that, and then I’ll feel all loose and relaxed”. But, of course, I didn’t; because the pain had nothing to do with the muscles.

I went back to the GP surgery in September 2023, and saw a different GP. I told him all about the unexplained neck and arm ache, and said the area above my collarbone was really tender.

He examined me – but throughout the appointment, his manner made me feel as though my symptoms weren’t worthy of his time.

He then suggested I should have a nerve conduction test, which he referred me for.

He’d warned me there’d be a wait for that test, so I started Googling, hoping to find ways to manage the pain in the meantime – and I read about how there are lymph nodes just above the collarbone, which was where I was getting the pain.

As soon as I saw that, alarm bells started ringing and I felt really scared. The pain was on the same side as my breast cancer; and I knew breast cancer and lymph nodes are often connected.

I used the NHS messaging service to contact that same GP, saying I’d realised the area I’d mentioned as being tender was where my lymph nodes were; and I mentioned having had breast cancer before. I was worried, and I wanted to let him know what I’d learned.

He replied saying he hadn’t found any lymphadenopathy (swelling of lymph nodes).

But roughly three weeks later, I noticed a pea-sized lump in the lymph node area. I wasn’t as worried as I should have been, because I’d been reassured by the GP that he hadn’t noticed anything of concern.

The pain was also getting increasingly unbearable, though, so I contacted the GP again – through the messaging service, because I didn’t want to waste their time with more appointments – and said the pain was constant. He replied saying I could make an appointment to explore pain relief options.

“He’s still thinking it’s not anything to worry about,” I thought, feeling reassured.

By January 2024, I couldn’t live with the pain any longer; so, even though I finally had a date for the nerve conduction test, I went back to the GP. This time, he found lumps in my lymph nodes; and he acted surprised, saying, “How long have you had these?!”.

“That’s the area I told you was really tender,” I said.

He referred me to the hospital; and from that point on, my care was wonderful. I had an ultrasound and a biopsy, and I felt fine during the tests, but whilst I waited with my husband to see the consultant and I was alone with my thoughts, I started to realise: “It’s the cancer, isn’t it?” I broke down in tears.

When I saw the consultant, she confirmed my fears. “I’m really sorry,” she said. “It does look like the cancer’s come back.”

The appointment where I received my official diagnosis was six days later, on my husband’s 40th birthday. ‘It is cancer, and the care is going to be palliative,’ said the consultant – and I couldn’t stop crying.

“I don’t mind what you do,” I insisted. “Cut off my arm; do whatever you have to do; but I can’t die. I can’t leave my husband or daughter.”

“I’m sorry,” she replied. “If it turns out there is any option for surgery we’ll do it, but because of where the cancer is, I don’t think it will be a possibility.”

At that time, I thought I’d only have months to live. My husband and I were both distraught and utterly overwhelmed.

Now I know that, thanks to incredible advances in cancer treatment, my prognosis is much more favourable.

But I can’t help wondering what could have been. I know you can’t cure secondary cancer; but if it had been picked up sooner, would it be so widespread now?

I’m constantly aching and have been unable to return to work. Without a pension or life insurance, this has had a huge impact on my family.

The hardest thing is, I’ll never know what effect being diagnosed so late has had on my prognosis.

I know GPs have an incredibly difficult job, but the symptoms I went in with are common symptoms of metastatic breast cancer. I want every GP to know the symptoms of secondary cancer; and I want primary breast cancer patients to be told, “Hopefully, it never comes back; but here are the symptoms to look out for”.

Because I just didn’t know.

Charli has been greatly helped and supported by Breast Cancer Now; in particular, by their ‘Younger Women Together’ events, which are opportunities for women aged 18-45 who are struggling with cancer to come together, share their experiences and support each other. Find out more here.

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My GP Said I Was ‘Fine’ — But I Had A Melon-Sized Tumour In My Chest And Acute Leukaemia

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You know your body better than anyone – but what happens when no one listens? Welcome to Ms Diagnosed: a HuffPost UK series uncovering the reality of medical gaslighting. With new stats showing that 8 in 10 of women have felt unheard by medical professionals, we’re sharing the stories of seven whose lives were nearly lost to the gap between their symptoms and a system that refused to listen. As the UK introduces Jess’s Rule – a new mandate for GPs to ‘rethink’ after a third visit – we’re exploring why the medical system is still failing women and how we can start to fix it.

“Have you tried Head & Shoulders shampoo?,” asked my GP. ‘We think you might have a scalp infection.’

I stared at her, gobsmacked. I had between 20 and 50 hard, pea-sized lumps that kept appearing on my scalp, as well as horrible flaking. I knew it was more than a scalp infection.

“I’ve had a dry scalp all my life,” I said, eventually, “I use Head & Shoulders all the time.”

“Hmmm,” mused the GP. “Well, we’ll prescribe you some shampoo that will hopefully get rid of the lumps.”

I didn’t have a scalp infection. I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL); and this was diagnosed following a trip to A&E, after I’d gone to my GP surgery every week for ten weeks to no avail.

My symptoms started in July 2021, when I was 26. I’d had Covid for two weeks – then, things only got worse.

For a start, there were those lumps developing on my scalp; as well as down the back of my ear, down my neck and in my armpits.

I was losing a lot of hair; I had terrible night sweats; I was sick a lot; and I was very fatigued, to the point where my boyfriend was having to help dress me. Even walking 100 metres to my office from the carpark, I’d have to stop and catch my breath.

I first visited my GP that summer. ‘We’ve seen a lot of people come in with exactly what you’re saying,’ she said. ‘We think it could be Long Covid.’

That initially made sense; I’d had Covid, after all. But over the course of the following ten weeks, I went back to the GP again and again and she’d make me walk up and down the corridor to test my blood oxygen levels and my pulse. “You’re fine; you’re fine,” she’d say.

“Well…I’m obviously not fine, because I’m out of breath all the time,” I said, utterly bewildered. Once, I was just sitting on the grass watching my boyfriend playing sports when my watch notified me that my heart rate was too high.

But the GP kept saying, “No, no, you’re fine.” As it later turned out, I had a tumour the size of a melon on my chest.

I went back to the surgery again and again with the same symptoms. I’d be told things like, “You’ve got a history with asthma; we’ll give you an inhaler.”

I was prescribed the same shampoo again for the lumps on my scalp. Another time, they suggested the lumps were an allergic reaction to my hair dye.

I had blood test after blood test, but I kept hearing, “They’re fine, they’re fine, all your bloods are fine.”

Obviously, my blood was not fine.

Lizzie with her parents

Lizzie Burbeary

Lizzie with her parents

Every time I left the GP’s office, I felt so let down. It seemed there was no end in sight; I’d just been pushed away again with an inhaler or some scalp treatment.

It was incredibly frustrating and very upsetting – all the more so because I knew, deep down, there was something very wrong. Once, when I was really struggling at work, I said to my manager: “Something’s not right. I know it.”

Another time, I messaged my mum: “What if it’s cancer?”. She replied: “If it was going to be cancer, it would have come back on your blood tests. Try not to worry.”

Those texts will always stick with me. Clearly, on some level, I knew.

In October 2021, I got a migraine at work. I do get migraines, but this was the worst head pain I’ve ever had. I couldn’t even open my eyes. I rang 111 and explained the migraine and all the symptoms I’d had since July; and they sent an ambulance.

I was taken to A&E, where I had a blood test, an ultrasound and a CT scan.

Then, because of Covid restrictions, I was left on my own in a little side room. After about four hours, a doctor came to see me. “We think you’ve got Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” he said.

“I’m sorry…I don’t know what that is,” I said, helplessly.

“It’s a type of cancer,” he said; and then he left. I was on my own trying to process that news; and I burst into floods of tears.

I was taken to the cancer ward, where I stayed for seven days while they did various tests. Eventually, I was diagnosed – not with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but with ALL.

My treatment lasted for nearly three years, because I had a high percentage of leukaemia in my bone marrow as well as my blood. I had regular chemo, and a lumbar puncture every four weeks to take out spinal fluid and check for cancer in my brain. I also had a Hickman line – which was inserted into a vein in my neck and poked out of little valves in my chest – to administer chemotherapy and take regular blood samples. I never got used to that.

Eventually, I finished my treatment in June 2024 – and I’ve now been in remission for 21 months.

I visit my consultant every six months for blood tests and a check-up, and I have to take antibiotics if I get a cold because my immune system isn’t 100%. But with each month that passes, I get stronger. I’m going to the gym three or four times a week and my hair is so long, which feels amazing.

But while I’m a lot better physically, I still struggle mentally.

Even though my consultant told me my treatment would have been the same whether I’d been diagnosed on Day 1 or Day 100, I’m horrified when I think of how many times I was told by a GP that I was fine, when I unequivocally wasn’t – and, thanks to being misdiagnosed repeatedly, I’m left with health anxiety.

Every time I get a bruise on my leg, I automatically think: ‘The cancer’s back.’ If I ever get hot in the night, I worry that I’m getting night sweats again.

In November, a few symptoms were making me extremely anxious – night sweats, bruising, aching muscles and bones. I couldn’t wait for my next scheduled appointment, so I arranged an emergency appointment with my consultant. After reviewing some blood tests, he reassured me that I was a ‘picture of health’ and had nothing to worry about.

I think I’ll always have this anxiety – I went through such a tough journey, the thought of going back to that is incredibly scary – but feeling my strength returning has helped.

And my advice to anyone else struggling to get answers for certain symptoms is: Trust your instincts, and keep on pushing. Try to get a second opinion; if necessary, go to A&E and tell them about all your symptoms.

I’m so glad I kept pushing. I knew something was very wrong; and it turned out I was absolutely right.

Learn more about ALL:

ALL is a rare type of blood cancer, with just 790 new people diagnosed in the UK every year, according to Leukaemia UK. The most common symptoms are fatigue, frequent infections and bruising.

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What The Renter’s Rights Act May Mean For Landlords And Tenants

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On May 1, 2026, the first phase of the Renter’s Rights Act reforms will come into effect.

The government said the act was created to “empower renters by providing them with greater security, rights and protections so that they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.”

But what does it actually mean for tenants and landlords?

Here’s what Amy Rootham, home insurance expert at Compare the Market, told us about the most important changes for both groups.

How will the Renter’s Rights Act 2026 affect tenants?

“While the Renter’s Rights Act is largely focused on improving protections for tenants, it will also change how renting works day-to-day. Renters will have more flexibility and security, but may also need to plan more carefully around things like moving, budgeting, and maintaining the property,” said Rootham.

She said five significant changes will include:

  1. The end of ‘no-fault evictions’. “The end of ‘no-fault’ evictions means renters have greater protection against being asked to leave without reason. However, the shift to rolling tenancies also means contracts are more open-ended, making longer-term planning feel less predictable.”

  1. Greater flexibility to move. “Tenants will be able to leave with shorter notice, making it easier to relocate for work or personal reasons.”

  1. Better protection against poor living conditions. “Stricter rules on issues like damp and mould should lead to quicker fixes and improved housing standards, giving renters more confidence to raise concerns.”

  1. Easier access to renting with pets. “Tenants will have a stronger right to request a pet, which is a major shift for many households. However, renters should still be mindful of their responsibilities, as they may be expected to cover any damage caused.”

  1. Rent increases will follow a set process. “Under the new rules, landlords will need to use the Section 13 process to increase rent, with increases limited to once per year and at least two months’ written notice required. Tenants may also be able to challenge increases they believe are above market rate.”

How will the Renter’s Rights Act 2026 affect landlords?

Per Rootham, some of the most significant changes for landlords will be:

  1. Rolling tenancies. “As of the 1st May, all fixed-term contracts will move to rolling monthly contracts, removing the certainty of long-term contracts. Landlords must check that their loss-of-rent cover doesn’t lapse or become invalid if a tenant decides to leave. The new regulations mean tenants only need to give a minimum of two months’ notice.”

  1. Extended liability for missed rental payments. “The threshold for mandatory eviction due to arrears is increasing from two months to three. This means landlords could face significantly longer periods without income.”

  1. Stricter health and safety responsibilities. “With Awaab’s Law now applying to the private rented sector, landlords will be legally required to fix hazards like damp and mould within strict timeframes.”

  1. Reduced grounds for refusing pet ownership. ”One of the most significant changes likely to impact landlords relates to pets. Tenants will gain a legal right to request a pet – this cannot be refused without a ‘reasonable’ justification.

    “Crucially, consent will be legally implied unless landlords respond to the request within 28 days.”

  1. Removal of ‘no-fault’ legal protection. “The end of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions means all expulsions must now go through a ‘Section 8’ court process. This is often slower and more expensive. Landlords should consider reviewing their legal expenses cover to make sure it can help handle these more complex, evidence-based court hearings.”

  1. Mandatory database fees. “Landlords will have to join a new Private Rented Sector Database and an Ombudsman scheme. Unregistered landlords could find their insurance voided if they are not compliant with these new statutory registries.”

Shelter says this could be good news for tenants

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Sarah Elliott, chief executive of housing and homelessness charity Shelter, said: “For too long, renters have stayed silent about discrimination and endured hellish conditions, for fear of losing their homes. The Renters’ Rights Act has the potential to transform private renting, finally freeing tenants from the injustice of no-fault evictions, which have pushed record numbers into homelessness.

“But renters must understand that the current system remains in place until May 1, 2026. Until then, we stand ready to help them understand the vital changes the Act will introduce. Anyone in need of support should visit our website for housing advice or use the webchat to speak to one of our advisers.”

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Oh Good: Cooking Sprays Are Probably Ruining Your Nonstick Pans

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We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how olive oil might not be the best choice for roasting spuds.

It turns out the kind of oil you use for nonstick pans matters no matter what you’re cooking in them, too.

According to cookware brand Circulon, “there are several reasons to avoid using cooking sprays on your nonstick cookware”.

Why are cooking sprays so bad for nonstick pans?

Speaking to the New York Times’ Wirecutter, Fran Groesbeck, a managing director of the Cookware and Bakeware Alliance trade association, said that – ironically – some non-stick sprays can ruin the coating on your pans.

They can leave a thin film behind after use, she said, and it’s especially hard to spot on nonstick pans.

“You can’t necessarily see that residue, because nonstick coatings are all black, but if you don’t properly clean it off after you’re done cooking, then your food will start to stick.”

This film is made up of ingredients not usually seen in non-spray oils, like soy lecithin. As they linger on an often-reheated pan, they polymerise, becoming next-to-impossible to remove.

But that’s not the only unwanted side effect. Because these sprays typically have a lower smoke point than many other oils, they begin to burn on your pan – corroding the nonstick surface further.

Speaking to EatingWell, cookware company Our Place’s associate director of product development, Stephanie Hong, said: “Many spray oils also contain chemical propellants, which are prone to breaking down under high heat. This instability can lead to scorching, residue buildup and long-term damage to the nonstick surface, ultimately causing the very sticking you were trying to avoid.”

What should I use instead?

If you want to use less oil, try wiping your nonstick pan with a paper towel dipped in your usual oil, Circulon shared.

Alternatively, you could place regular oils in a mister bottle, though Hong warns this could carry its own risks.

“The ultra-fine oil particles (even from pure oil options or refillable oil-misters) can burn and carbonise during cooking, leaving behind a stubborn residue that bonds to the pan’s surface and gradually impacts the pan’s nonstick performance,” she told EatingWell.

She added, “To preserve the quality and lifespan of your nonstick pans, skip aerosol sprays” altogether.

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Torte Peasana: This Italian Cake Is The Best Way To Use Up Old Bread

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I’ve recently got back into making sourdough, but it’s brought about a problem I could never have expected: by day five, I sometimes have rock-hard leftovers.

I can’t bring myself to throw it away. But now I’m at week four, I’ve grown a little tired of bread-and-butter puddings.

So, when I found a recipe for torte peasana – an Italian dish that’s sometimes called “village cake,” “black cake,” or “milk cake” – I figured I’d give the baked custard a go.

Spoiler alert: it’s delicious.

Some old sourdough

Amy Glover / HuffPost UK

Some old sourdough

What is torte paesana?

It’s a cake from the Lombardy region of Italy. There’s no one set recipe, but usually, it uses up stale bread in a thin custard made with sugar, cocoa, eggs, and milk.

Grappa-soaked raisins sometimes make an appearance (I soaked mine in orange juice, which is probably sinful but tasted delicious). Nuts, like almonds or pine nuts, are common, and crushed Amaretti biscuits occasionally feature, too.

But I would be doing the dish a disservice if I pretended its scope was that limited. You can include a variety of fresh or dried fruit (I reckon pears, dried cranberries, or figs would be delicious) if you want.

You don’t have to soak dried fruit in anything, but if you choose to, a variety of wines and spirits will do, as will some fruit juices.

You can add orange zest to the mix if you like. I used old sourdough, but you don’t have to: stale baguettes or even old ciabatta would be great too.

Cocoa can be substituted for chocolate, and vice versa. Like bubble and squeak, torte paesana has all the hallmarks of a brilliant leftover recipe: it’s endlessly adaptable, next to impossible to mess up, and almost inevitably delicious.

Torte Paesana

Amy Glover / HuffPost UK

Torte Paesana

How did it taste?

It’s impressively rich and deliciously squidgy; a bit like bread and butter pudding or French toast, but more grown-up and with a greater mixture of crunchy and chewy textures.

It’s addictive.

How do you make torte peasana?

Ingredients:

The recipe I ended up making for my tiny torte peasana was:

  • 125g old bread,
  • 30g raisins (other dried fruit will do),
  • 30g flaked almonds (whole almonds or other nuts will be great too),
  • 10ml orange juice (grappa, wine, coffee, or other drinks will do),
  • 25g cocoa,
  • 250ml full-fat milk,
  • 1 egg,
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar.

But this was only because I had a tiny amount of bread (125g) left, and it left me with a smaller, thinner tart.

Double what I have here for a bigger, better cake.

That would look like:

  • 250g bread,
  • 60g raisins or other dried fruit,
  • 60 nuts,
  • 15ml orange juice, grappa, coffee, or other soaking liquid,
  • 50g cocoa,
  • 2 eggs,
  • 6 tablespoons granulated sugar,
  • 500ml full-fat milk.

Method:

1) Heat up the milk. I was dealing with very old, tough sourdough. If your bread is softer, you may be able to cover it in cold milk and sit it, weighed down, on the counter for an hour or so, but I couldn’t do that. I brought the milk to just below boiling.

2) While this is cooking, place a tablespoon of e.g. grappa over the dried fruit. This can be done in a bowl. And if you don’t have anything “special” to soak them in, boiling water plumps them nicely; hot coffee would be delicious.

3) Pour the hot, but not boiling, milk over finely-torn bread and place a weight (I used a bowl full of ceramic beads) on top to ensure it’s submerged. Let it sit for about half an hour. Now would be a good time to add fruit zest if you want to include some.

4) Preheat the oven to 170°C ten minutes before the bread’s finished soaking. Line a tart tin (I used a pie tin, which worked fine despite my meagre half-serving) or a pie tin, though ideally not one with a removable base, as this can leak. If you are using biscuits, whizz them into a powder now.

5) Mash the bread. I used the end of a wooden rolling pin, but a wooden spoon would probably have worked. For especially stubborn bread, use a stick blender. Make sure the milk is not still hot; tepid is fine, but hot milk will cook the egg early.

6) Add the cocoa, eggs, and sugar. If you’ve blended or smashed up some biscuits, add them now too. Stir or mash them together. Don’t worry too much about how the batter looks: so long as there are no massive lumps of bread and nothing’s curdled, it’ll work.

7) Add the nuts and soaked raisins and stir. Then, pour the mix into the lined container and bake. For my mini-tart, it took 20 minutes. For the bigger one, it should be about 35-40 minutes. Check to see if the tart is firm.

8) Let it cool. Torte paesana gets better with age (allegedly: I didn’t wait long enough to check), so leave it overnight in the fridge if you can bear it. Serve with cream or creme fraiche, or (as I used) mascarpone, if you like.

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Grating An Apple Into Your Sourdough Starter Can Make Your Loaves Taller And More Delicious

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I’ve just about managed to get a new sourdough starter to bubbling good health, and have been amazed by how simple the process is.

All you need is water, flour, and time (as well as the ability to handle that day-three stench).

But just because it can be that easy, it doesn’t mean it always is. For instance, Paul Hollywood grates an organic Cox apple into his – and he’s not the only expert to recommend the method.

Here’s why that’s a great (or should I say… grate? Sorry!) idea.

Why should I grate an apple into my sourdough starter?

Of course, the step is completely optional. But given that sourdough starters are used for their wild yeasts and “good” bacteria, the addition makes sense.

A 2016 paper found that the addition of flowers, fruit, and berries to “mother” sourdough levains can stabilise the bacteria in the mixture quickly.

That’s important because in lots of ways, the formation of a strong starter is a kind of battle between “good” and “bad” bacteria.

That benefit was seen with all kinds of plant matter.

But only starters made with apple flowers (blossoms from an apple tree) or apple pulp contained multiple species of a bacterium called Acetobacter, which might make softer, taller, more flavourful loaves.

Shocker: bread legend Paul Hollywood knows what he’s doing.

How can I make a sourdough starter with apple?

Paul Hollywood grates one apple, skin-on – ” I like to use a Cox, but any organic apple will do” – into 1kg flour and 360ml water.

He recommends using organic kinds as too many chemicals might mean ”the starter may not ferment”. If the study we mentioned earlier is anything to go by, apple flowers should work too.

Mix those together and cover them in an airtight container (without touching them) for three days before your first feed.

Then, keep discarding some of the starter daily and adding flour and water to feed until it doubles in size consistently. I usually wait ’til it’s performed well three days in a row before I put mine in the fridge; I then feed it twice a week, once the day before use and once the day of.

If you use it more often, Hollywood says, keep it on the counter and feed it every three days.

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Can An ‘Analogue’ Sleep Routine Help My Insomnia?

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This year, I’ll be trying sleeping tricks to see whether they actually improve my insomnia. Check back in on this series, Rest Assured, to see how I get on.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been on a science-baked crusade against bad sleep.

So, when I heard about “analogue sleep,” I thought I’d give it a go to see whether it stopped my 3am wake-ups.

What is “analogue sleep”?

Nick Hawkins, Managing Director at Grove Bedding, explained that it’s a low-tech, screen-free approach to bedtime.

“We may live in a digital world, but sleep remains physical, rhythmic, and deeply human. By making our nights tech-free, we give ourselves the chance to rest properly – and to wake feeling genuinely restored,” he said.

Basically, it’s about avoiding screens and building a tech-free sleep routine. Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, Dr Chelsea Perry, owner of Sleep Solutions and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, said she ditches her phone two hours before bed.

In the same article, sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan from Oak Tree Mobility said: “Set healthy boundaries on tech: no electronics in the bedroom”.

Reading and other calming hobbies (perhaps something like stress-reducing knitting or NHS-approved meditation) might be a good replacement for my previous nighttime scrolling, Hawkins said.

While I have already got into the habit of enjoying a novel before bed, I confess I usually watch some videos or check my alarm afterwards.

So, I gave it a go.

How did it go?

I’m going to be completely honest here: I struggled a lot.

I’ve been reading more than ever, but I couldn’t help but feel a familiar urge when I flopped my book down on my bedside table – I usually check my messages, ensure my alarm’s been set, and yes, enjoy a bit of social media before bed.

Perhaps this in itself is a cause of concern, but I found that while I had my average five 3am wakeups a week, my failure rate of returning to sleep was higher than usual (I only fell back asleep before 7am once, resulting in too many midday naps, which is a vicious cycle).

I think I was worrying about little things, like whether I’d missed an important message or (a repeated concern) not saved my alarm correctly.

Some reassurance, however: some scientists think that, though all artificial light can disrupt your sleep patterns, the blue light linked to your phone might not actually be especially harmful.

Dr Michael Gradisar, head of sleep science at Sleep Cycle, previously shared: “While sleep experts often recommend keeping phones out of the bedroom or avoiding them before bed, many people simply won’t follow this advice. This can lead to stress… which negatively impacts sleep”.

In this case, being too fastidious about avoiding screen time did not work for me, despite strong evidence that it should.

Still, sticking to a routine is undeniably great for your sleep health, and reading before bed, which really has helped my sleep, has cut my screen time down significantly.

As Dr Grasidar said, “individuals can still use interactive technologies like video games or their phone, but then transition to more passive activities such as watching TV, listening to music, or tuning into a podcast as they wind down.”

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Wall Planks May Be The Best Exercise For Blood Pressure

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Regular exercise can help to manage blood pressure, because it makes our hearts stronger.

But according to a huge 2023 study, which looked at 270 trials from 1990-2023, “isometric” exercises might be the most effective at the job, with “wall sits” the best performer among these.

Researchers found that isometric exercise was more likely, on average, to lower blood pressure than aerobic exercise training, dynamic resistance training, combined training, and high-intensity interval training, though all forms were still immensely helpful.

What is isometric exercise?

It involves keeping your body still while you tense specific muscles for a set period of time. You don’t move your joints during the movement.

“Isometric exercise” is sometimes called “static” exercise.

It is the opposite of “dynamic,” or “isotonic” exercise, which involves little load and consistent pressure on various muscles. For example, running and swimming.

Most forms of exercise involve a combination of isometric and isotonic exercise, though some are 100% one or the other.

What are some examples of isometric exercises?

These include:

  • Wall sits
  • Planks
  • Glute bridges
  • Side planks
  • V-holds
  • Calf raises
  • Hollow holds
  • Copenhagen planks.

In the 2023 study we mentioned earlier, published in the BMJ, wall sits (placing your back against a wall with your thighs parallel to the ground) were the most effective of the isometric exercises for lowering blood pressure.

Does that mean I should only do isometric exercises?

The best approach to exercise seems to be a mixture of weight training and aerobic training. This has been linked to increased longevity compared to sticking to one or the other.

Speaking to the British Heart Foundation, senior cardiac nurse, Joanne Whitmore, said: “Exercise is good for your heart health and health in general. It can reduce the risk of heart and circulatory diseases by up to a third.

“Aerobic exercise in particular can help the heart and circulatory system work better through lowering blood pressure. Current guidelines also encourage muscle-strengthening exercises, like yoga or Pilates.

“It’s encouraging to see other forms of exercise explored in this research as we know that those who take on exercise they enjoy, tend to carry on for longer, which is key in maintaining lower blood pressure.

“However, there are other lifestyle choices that can benefit your blood pressure. These include keeping to a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, cutting down on salt, not drinking too much alcohol and taking any prescribed medication”.

Speak to your doctor if you have a heart condition and want to take up new exercise, she added.

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