Lockdown put my new relationship on fast forward...

HEALTH NOTES

“It can cause a lot of stress between couples, but I think the lockdown could be an ideal time for couples to talk about the issue and get the balance right about how they share chores.

“It’s not fair for women to expect men to read their minds about what they want them to do around the house, and feel resentful when they can’t. You need to talk about it and work out a strategy so you both feel happy.”

Aggie, it emerges, has gained deep understanding of her emotions after six years of therapy, which she undertook partly because of her tricky relationship with Kim Woodburn, her co-star on How Clean Is Your House. It’s been previously documented that the pair had difficulties while working together and haven’t spoken off-camera since 2007.

“I went into therapy around 2005 when my marriage was breaking up, but it emerged that my relationship with Kim was much more troubling for me,” she explains.

She’s philosophical now about their rift, which she believes is unlikely ever to be repaired.

“I know I couldn’t have done more to make it work. Occasionally, I’ll have a dream where we hug and I feel I can put it all behind me, but the reality is I can’t ever see it happening. It was a very bruising experience.”

Nowadays, yoga is integral to Aggie’s wellbeing.

She’s practised it since she was 50 and qualified to teach four years ago, following a tough training course where she studied anatomy, physiology, meditation and Sanskrit.

“Yoga’s made me fitter, stronger and more flexible, and also I believe it’s made me slightly calmer and more forgiving,” she says.

Her own inner calm was sorely tested earlier this year, when she discovered a new house she’d bought three years ago was so riddled with faults it had to be partially rebuilt.

“It was a horrible shock to discover my dream home was literally a nightmare,” she says ruefully. “For a while, I didn’t even know if I could claim on insurance.”

She says: “Although it was stressful, remarkably I sort of breezed through it all. I kept reminding myself of all the things that were right in my life

– my health and my family and telling myself I’d come out the other end and be OK – and here I am.”

Now settled, she’s celebrating the fact she feels everything has fallen into place. “I have a lovely relationship, two wonderful sons, a fantastic family and friends and enough work to keep me interested. What more could I ask for?”

Aggie enjoys yoga

■ Aggie MacKenzie is giving free online yoga classes during the lockdown. Visit aggiestips.com

■ HAVE you ever wondered...how often you should wash your bath towel?

You may think you rarely need to wash your bath towel – after all, it’s clean because you only dry off after your shower. Right? Well, no.

The longer towels stay damp, the longer the yeasts, bacteria, moulds and viruses stay active.

These can cause toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, warts, or promote the spread of these skin conditions. Dirty towels can also cause a flare-up of eczema or atopic dermatitis.

So, as a general rule, you should wash your towel at least once a week and your facecloth a couple of times a week. Wash towels more frequently if you’re sick to avoid reinfection. Spread your wet towel out so it can dry thoroughly between uses.

■ THE World Health Organisation says while several drug trials are ongoing, there’s currently no proof that hydroxychloroquine or any other drug can cure or prevent coronavirus. The misuse of hydroxychloroquine can cause serious side effects, illness and even lead to death.

The WHO is coordinating efforts to develop and evaluate medicines to treat Covid-19.