Woman preparing to do 100 star jumps a day next month to aid mental health charity
Clare Hurst will take on the challenge throughout August in support of Mental Health UK.
The 38-year-old, of Heckmondwike, said: "I've suffered with my mental health in the past and I wanted to do something to help such an important charity so it can help others.
"Mental Health UK is a charity very close to my heart, and I'm determined to do these 100 star jumps throughout August to raise as much money as I can.
"I also want to raise awareness of mental health and get more people talking about the topic.
"I've overcome many challenges with my mental health, but I want other people who are suffering to know that help is out there, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and things will get better."
Clare thanked everyone who has supported her so far.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/page/clare-hurst-14
Mental Health UK's website states: "We are the charity for everyone's mental health.
"We challenge the causes of poor mental health and provide people with the tools they need to live their best possible life at home, school and work."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Young Scottish woman's holiday nightmare after 'sun cream mix up'
A Scottish dancer's face swelled up so much she could barely see after she used tanning oil instead of sun cream. Hally Galletta was making the most of the UK heatwave at an outdoor swimming pool. The 23-year-old forgot her own sun cream and instead applied some of her friend's tanning oil, assuming it had SPF in it. And after four hours in 32C (89F) heat, her face had turned bright red. Hally's face started to swell, and the next morning she was in agony and could barely open her eyes. READ MORE: Ryanair flight 'utter chaos' as passengers 'jump off wing' with 18 people injured READ MORE: Edinburgh man was 'spending £400 a month on takeaways' before going on Mounjaro READ MORE - Oasis fans say gig-goer 'didn't deserve' ticket as they spot what she's doing READ MORE - Alan Titchmarsh makes 'heartbreaking' find after returning home with wife "It was a hot day - 32C with a UV index of eight," Hally, from Perth, told What's the Jam. I normally wear SPF every single day, but that morning I forgot to put it on. "I knew my friend was bringing tanning oil and I used that, not realising it didn't have any SPF in it. I was only in the sun for about four hours. "When we left the pool, my face was red, but I didn't think too much of it because I'd never had a bad sunburn before. "Later that evening, it started to swell. I put on some aftersun and hoped it would be better by morning, but when I woke up, I could barely open my left eye, and the pain was awful. "I kept trying to manage it at home with aloe vera, antihistamines, ibuprofen and ice, but nothing helped. The next day, my skin felt even tighter, more painful, and then it started to blister and peel." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Hally says her face was so red and swollen that people were staring at her in the street. Her face is still recovering, and Hally worries there will be long-term damage to her skin. She said, "It was really noticeable. People were staring when I was out, and when I went to work, everyone was asking if I needed to go home or see a doctor. "My friends and family were really concerned. My face is still healing. It's peeling and sore, and I'm planning to see a doctor soon to check everything is okay and that there's no long-term damage." Hally is sharing her story to raise awareness of the importance of wearing sun cream. She added, "It's been such a wake-up call. I think a lot of people my age still think more about getting a tan than protecting their skin, but I'll never leave the house without SPF 50 on my face again. "It's really not worth the pain or the risk. I'm just praying my face goes back to normal soon."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Tiny Habit That Could Be Fueling Your Anxiety Without You Knowing It
Chances are you don't realize the impact anxiety can have on guys. Studies continuously show that women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder–but that doesn't mean you're immune. Researchers can't explain the causes of this disparity, but believe guys may feel pressured to exhibit anxious feelings in ways that seem more masculine. 'I think the biggest thing is men are socialized not to show anxiety,' said Carmen McLean, PhD, a researcher and clinical associate professor at Stanford University's Department of Psychiatry. 'Socializing to show agency and self-efficiency dissuades from showing anxiety.' This is one reason anxiety is often accompanied by substance abuse and other 'internalizing disorders, ' said McLean. Sometimes these signs can be subtle, meaning it's especially important to recognize symptoms of anxiety disorders specific to males. Some clues—nervousness, dread over impending danger and rapid breathing—are common across gender lines, but these five manifestations of anxiety disproportionately impact men: Men with social anxiety disorder are more likely to fear dating and are more commonly single, separated or divorced, according to an analysis of survey information from Columbia University. 'Men are supposed to take the lead in dating,' explained Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD and psychology professor at Boston University who researches anxiety. 'The male is the one who is expected to take the first step. That puts them in a performance situation.' Even in the age of apps, men are typically the pursuer. On OkCupid, males are three times more likely to send a first message in an opposite-sex exchange. This means constantly offering yourself up for evaluation and rejection–an anxiety-inducing prospect. 'It's a challenge for people who don't like to play that game,'said Hofman. Plus, some agonize over being chronically single–with reason–David Ezell, clinical director of Darien Wellness, a psychology clinic in Connecticut, told Men's Health. 'Men really benefit from marriage,' Ezell said. 'They're less likely to be sick. They're less likely to be hospitalized. They're hospitalized for shorter stays if they are hospitalized.' Also, marriage is a status symbol, a sign of 'maturation,' said Ezell. With so much at risk, dating and bachelorhood are significant sources of stress in men with anxiety. Men drink and use drugs to relieve anxiety more often than women, according to the same Columbia University study. Research has consistently shown a link between substance abuse and mental health disorders, particularly in men. 'They are looking for medication,' said Ezell. He explains a glass of booze pairs well with the 'I-can-fix-it-myself' attitude associated with masculinity because it doesn't require medical assistance and may seem like a socially acceptable way to ease stress. 'Alcohol is a very effective drug,' said Hofmann. 'It's why it's so popular.' Think about college students who 'pre-game" by drinking at a dorm or with a small group of friends before going to larger parties. They may not realize it, but this helps manage the anxiety of socializing. Guys who forego professional treatment may instead turn to drugs or heavy drinking to cope with anxiety–and this may be a doorway to addiction. In some men, anxiety may manifest as rage or anger. 'It's much more acceptable,' said McLean. While women may find support from friends or mental health professionals, guys often let their feelings build up until they hit a breaking point–and then the flood gates open. 'Because emotions don't get expressed [by men], because anxiety isn't expressed in a healthy way, there are busts of anger as a result,' said Ezell. 'I think anger is considered decisive.' If typical signs of anxiety, like nervousness or fear, are discouraged in men, anger is their only acceptable emotional response. In another study of survey data from Columbia University, men were more likely than women to experience relationship strain from worrying. This could be because women are more likely to have a circle of close friends, whereas men tend to have few confidants who can provide support through emotional distress. 'Men tend to rely on romantic partners for stress,' said Hofman. This can be a burden, he explained. Sociologist Eli J. Finkel further detailed the risk of putting all that psychological dependence on one person in his book, The All-Or-Nothing Marriage. Finkel argued that modern relationships are tense because people seek comfort, growth, purpose, and a host of other needs from romantic partnerships. Prior generations sought comfort in an entire network of family and friends. 'Marriage for a long time served a set and relatively limited array of different functions for us,' Finkel told the NPR podcast Hidden Brain. 'And over time we've piled more and more of these emotional and psychological functions." Anxious men might burn out their few outlets (or only outlet) for social support quickly. Ezell's practice is located in Darien, Connecticut, a bedroom community for hedge fund managers and Wall Street executives. With a median family income of $208,125, it's frequently named one of the wealthiest municipalities in the United States. Despite their success, Ezell has clients who are riddled with anxiety over what they haven't accomplished. 'My clients make a lot of money,' said Ezell. 'They are still not happy and want to know why.' Guys are often anxious about getting ahead of peers, he said. If a friend winters in Aspen, his client wants to winter in the Alps. There is a particular pressure in status attainment—and status advancement—that fuels anxiety disorders for many. 'We are very grateful by getting things,' Ezell said, 'but we get acclimated to that status very quickly. If I am eating well; I want to be eating better.' You Might Also Like The Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Men to Buy Now 25 Vegetables That Are Surprising Sources of Protein
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Weedkiller ingredient widely used in US can damage organs and gut bacteria, research shows
The herbicide ingredient used to replace glyphosate in Roundup and other weedkiller products can kill gut bacteria and damage organs in multiple ways, new research shows. The ingredient, diquat, is widely employed in the US as a weedkiller in vineyards and orchards, and is increasingly sprayed elsewhere as the use of controversial herbicide substances such as glyphosate and paraquat drops in the US. But the new piece of data suggests diquat is more toxic than glyphosate, and the substance is banned over its risks in the UK, EU, China and many other countries. Still, the EPA has resisted calls for a ban, and Roundup formulas with the ingredient hit the shelves last year. Related: 'We thought we'd got the numbers wrong': how a pristine lake came to have the highest levels of 'forever chemicals' on record 'From a human health perspective, this stuff is quite a bit nastier than glyphosate so we're seeing a regrettable substitution, and the ineffective regulatory structure is allowing it,' said Nathan Donley, science director with the Center For Biological Diversity, which advocates for stricter pesticide regulations but was not involved in the new research. 'Regrettable substitution' is a scientific term used to describe the replacement of a toxic substance in a consumer product with an ingredient that is also toxic. Diquat is also thought to be a neurotoxin, carcinogen and linked to Parkinson's disease. An October analysis of EPA data by the Friends of the Earth non-profit found it is about 200 times more toxic than glyphosate in terms of chronic exposure. Bayer, which makes Roundup, faced nearly 175,000 lawsuits alleging that the product's users were harmed by the product. Bayer, which bought Monsanto in 2018, reformulated Roundup after the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a possible carcinogen. The new review of scientific literature in part focuses on the multiple ways in which diquat damages organs and gut bacteria, including by reducing the level of proteins that are key pieces of the gut lining. The weakening can allow toxins and pathogens to move from the stomach into the bloodstream, and trigger inflammation in the intestines and throughout the body. Meanwhile, diquat can inhibit the production of beneficial bacteria that maintain the gut lining. Damage to the lining also inhibits the absorption of nutrients and energy metabolism, the authors said. The research further scrutinizes how the substance harms the kidneys, lungs and liver. Diquat 'causes irreversible structural and functional damage to the kidneys' because it can destroy kidney cells' membranes and interfere with cell signals. The effects on the liver are similar, and the ingredient causes the production of proteins that inflame the organ. Meanwhile, it seems to attack the lungs by triggering inflammation that damages the organ's tissue. More broadly, the inflammation caused by diquat may cause multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, a scenario in which organ systems begin to fail. The authors note that many of the studies are on rodents and more research on low, long-term exposure is needed. Bayer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Despite the risks amid a rise in diquat's use, the EPA is not reviewing the chemical, and even non-profits that push for tighter pesticide regulations have largely focused their attention elsewhere. Donley said that was in part because US pesticide regulations are so weak that advocates are tied up with battles over ingredients like glyphosate, paraquat and chlorpyrifos – substances that are banned elsewhere but still widely used here. Diquat is 'overshadowed' by those ingredients. 'Other countries have banned diquat, but in the US we're still fighting the fights that Europe won 20 years ago,' Donley said. 'It hasn't gotten to the radar of most groups and that really says a lot about the sad and sorry state of pesticides in the US.' Some advocates have accused the EPA of being captured by industry, and Donley said US pesticide laws were so weak that it was difficult for the agency to ban ingredients, even if the will exists. For example, the agency banned chlorpyrifos in 2022, but a court overturned the decision after industry sued. Moreover, the EPA's pesticides office seems to have a philosophy that states that toxic pesticides are a 'necessary evil', Donley said. 'When you approach an issue from that lens there's only so much you will do,' he said.