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Also known as ‘bigorexia’, muscle dysmorphia is an anxiety disorder that causes sufferers to perceive themselves as small, even though they are large and muscular.

In a similar way to anorexia nervosa, those with muscle dysmorphia feel the need to change their body shape to cope with internal anxieties. Instead of a desire to lose weight however, bigorexia causes a desire to gain muscle and look bigger.

The condition can affect both men and women, however most reported cases appear to be men. Rob Wilson is the chair of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation and said, “We know about 10% of men in the gym may have muscle dysmorphia.”

Signs of muscle dysmorphia include:

• compulsive exercising
• use of anabolic steroids
• abuse of protein shakes/supplements
• angry outbursts
• increased irritability
• obsessive over appearance and ‘body checking’ in the mirror
• depression...

Living with pain day in and day out can have a catastrophic effect on your energy levels and mental health.

As well as following your doctor’s advice in regards to physical therapy and/or medication, it can help to refocus your energy into other areas of your life to prevent depression and better cope with the situation.

Below are some ways you can do this.

1. Live in the present moment

When you have chronic pain it can be easy to ruminate on the past or fixate on the future. Focusing your thoughts on the present moment encourages you to live in the now and can help reduce stress and anxiety. Many people find mindfulness meditation helpful, with some saying it helps to reduce the perception of pain.

2. Understand the mind-body link

There is a strong connection between your emotions and physical sensations. Stress and anxiety can make the body tense up and can make pain worse. Try to reduce your stress...

Anger has the capability to destroy relationships, careers and your happiness. We all experience anger – it’s normal and healthy. Problems arise when anger becomes our go-to reaction and we fail to take control of it.

If you think you may have a problem with anger, the following tips may help you understand the emotion better:

Form a better relationship with anger

Pushing anger away can be emotionally damaging, making it all the more problematic when it eventually does surface. Instead of hating it and avoiding it, acknowledge that anger is present in your life and commit to doing whatever it takes to stop it taking over.

Get to know your triggers

Your triggers may involve certain people, situations or even internal states (such as stress). Identifying your triggers is the first step to controlling your anger. Visualise how you’ll react differently next time the trigger...

A campaign has been launched in Wales to raise awareness of the upcoming ban, designed to protect under 18s from second-hand smoke. Those caught smoking in a car with under 18s present will face a £50 on-the-spot fine.

Mark Drakeford, Health Minister, said that children are at a greater risk from second-hand smoke, which has been linked to asthma, lung and ear infections and even sudden infant death syndrome.

“This danger is heightened when they are in the confined space of a car and can’t escape the fumes.

“There is evidence that even with the windows open, the level of toxic chemicals remains high.”

The ban has been popular with the public, according to Jamie Matthews from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Wales. Matthews explained that the ban, combined with forthcoming standardised cigarette packaging regulations, will work to ‘denormalise’ the act of smoking, discouraging young people from taking up the...

As wonderful as smart technology and TV is, they demand a great deal of our time. With constant notifications and 24/7 access to the Internet, it can be hard to focus on the present moment.

As well as affecting our stress and anxiety levels, this lack of focus can affect our waistlines. This is because we eat mindlessly on the go, or in front of a TV/computer screen. When we’re not focusing on what we’re eating, it becomes all too easy to overeat. Research has shown that eating in front of the TV increases food intake by 18%.

Mindful eating is a concept that involves slowing down and being in the present moment when eating. This encourages you to recognise the physical sensation of hunger and fullness, and really relish the flavours you taste. Doing this helps to increase awareness, so you know how much you’re eating, stopping you from overeating.

Take a look at the following three rules to keep in mind when eating...

A recent study has revealed that those who get six hours of sleep or less are over four times more likely to contract the cold virus than those who get seven hours or more. The US scientists who carried out the research suspect that adequate sleep is essential for the body’s immune defences.

The study findings build on previous research that suggest those who are sleep-deprived are more likely to catch infectious diseases and have a slower recovery when they do become ill.

Scientists recruited 94 men and 70 women for the study, with an average age of 30. They had two months of interviews, questionnaires and health screening to establish baseline levels of stress, temperament and alcohol/tobacco use. The participants then used a wrist-mounted device to track their sleep.

To find out how well they fought off infections, the volunteers were given nasal drops containing the cold virus. Doctors checked mucus samples over the following week to see if and when...

As children, a favourite pastime for many was colouring in. Whether you were a stickler for staying in the lines or found freedom in unusual colour combinations, most of us have fond memories of this activity.

Now, colouring in has been scaled up for us adults – and it’s being promoted as a stress reliever. This is because it engages us both physically and mentally. The physical aspect helps to channel any nervous energy, while the mental aspect stirs the imagination and helps us to relax.

The adult colouring books that are emerging have more intricate patterns and designs which are challenging enough to encourage mindfulness, but simple enough to instigate a meditative state. Colouring in has even been described as an active meditation.

Research has shown that structured colouring in (rather than doodling or sketching) decreases anxiety and stress. Again, this is thought to be because of the fine balance between being engagement and...

For most people, booking a holiday to escape the dreary British weather is cause for celebration. For those with aviophobia (fear of flying) however, it can be a source of dread.

If you have a flight coming up and are travelling with someone who has a fear of flying, it can be hard to know how to help. To you, their fear may seem irrational. You may think reeling off statistics about how flying is safer than driving will help – in the majority of cases, it won’t.

Phobias are often hard to understand from an outside perspective. Even if you don’t understand why your loved one finds flying so difficult, there are ways you can help support them.

Don’t dismiss their feelings

Telling someone with a phobia to ‘get over it’ is probably the worst thing you can do. This suggests that their feelings don’t matter and that they should be able to control their anxiety, which is often impossible. Instead look...