Horoscopes
JENNY BLUME predicts your destiny for APRIL 5-11
Aries MAR 21 – APR 20
Roll out the red carpet, Aries coming through! Thanks to luxury-loving Venus, your glamour quota is on the rise. A stream of social events should keep you busy this month, while on the beauty front, a new product or procedure could produce impressive results. TIME TO TRY Wearing diamonds or red gemstones to attract romance into your life. CYNTHIA NIXON The actor and activist loves being generous and using her leadership skills.
Taurus APR 21 – MAY 21
It’s all about indulgence right now so book a massage, splash out on a beauty treatment or plan a long lunch. If you’ve been bottling things up, a friend’s fresh perspective is just what you need. With sentimental vibes intensifying, why not organise a family photoshoot?
TIME TO TRY
Dust off some old boxes – something precious is waiting to be found.
Gemini MAY 22 – JUN 21
Hey, party girl! With your social sector glowing, friends are coming out to play, but be warned, they might be a bad influence. Watch the bubbly, and with Mars leading you astray, be careful of where you wake up. If an urge to entertain strikes, keep arrangements simple.
TIME TO TRY
Leave your credit card at home if you’re trying to stick to a budget.
Cancer JUN 22 – JUL 23
Your options are multiplying, Cancer. Career-minded types might even receive a job offer, while on the money front, good news (or a pay rise) could lift your spirits. On a cautionary note, think carefully before booking any holidays – and check your insurance.
TIME TO TRY
Balance that hard-working side with plenty of play.
Leo JUL 24 – AUG 23
Something exciting could pop up unexpectedly, so be prepared to go with the flow. On the love front, it’s all good. If doubts or indecision have been plaguing your romantic life, your blossoming confidence is about to point you in the right direction. Trust your instincts.
TIME TO TRY
Step outside your comfort zone – not just at work but socially as well.
Virgo AUG 24 – SEP 23
Slow down, Virgo. You’re normally so practical, but right now, Neptune may be clouding your vision. Next week’s new moon should bring more clarity, but until then, focus on unwinding. If tiredness or poor health has been dragging you down, prepare to turn a corner.
TIME TO TRY
Update your perfume under Friday’s luxury-loving moon.
Libra SEP 24 – OCT 23
Exciting plans could crystallise this week. A surprise development might open doors or a family member’s news could spark impromptu celebrations. Under Saturday’s sparkling stars, catch up with a group of fun-loving friends or enjoy an indulgent night of romance.
TIME TO TRY
Discuss long-term dreams and goals with your partner or a friend.
Scorpio OCT 24 – NOV 22
Feeling bored or frustrated? It’s time to explore why. At work, look for ways to shake up routines or if you’re stuck in a rut, update that CV. Networking could prove productive during late autumn, so make an effort to circulate and surround yourself with positive people.
TIME TO TRY
Ditch a bad habit – or person – before next Monday’s new moon.
Sagittarius NOV 23 – DEC 22
Simplicity is your magic key this month. Amazing ideas may be flowing, but don’t squeeze in too much or you could end up running yourself ragged. Instead, relax with old-style fun (and the kids might even join in). Bicycles, badminton and board games are all perfect.
TIME TO TRY
Challenge yourself and get that adrenaline pumping.
Capricorn DEC 23 – JAN 20
If you feel like getting back to the basics, just do it. Earth yourself in the garden or cook up a weekend feast. Just be warned: unexpected guests could call, so keep the fridge stocked. If underlying tensions have been simmering, Sunday could bring reconciliation.
TIME TO TRY
Place a piece of citrine in your home’s west to attract good fortune.
Aquarius JAN 21 – FEB 19
Keep an eye out for new friends, especially through work or local clubs. The rapport will be immediate. Old friends might also burst back onto the scene, or an ex could make a surprise appearance. With your energy levels buzzing, why not start a lunchtime walking group?
TIME TO TRY
Offer a helping hand to someone who’s been doing it tough.
Pisces FEB 20 – MAR 20
Welcome to the season of reunions. A bout of nostalgia could strike this week, prompting you to chase up old friends or relatives. A trip away might even hit the agenda. Couples, if you’re craving more freedom or stimulation, a good heart-toheart may be in order.
TIME TO TRY
Stick positive affirmations or mantras onto your bathroom mirror.
Mood swings are no more mysterious than hot flushes and insomnia – they’re just a normal sign that your hormones are changing, so it’s time to lose the stigma around them, says clinical neuropsychologist Dr Nicola Gates. “Menopause is something you have no control over, so there’s no need to be hard on yourself for having mood swings.”
ACCEPT BIOLOGY
In New Zealand, the average age of menopause – defined as 12 consecutive months since your last period – is 52. Before that, your body’s production of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone slows down, and your periods become irregular.
Thankfully, by the time mood swings appear, you’ve already had plenty of practice at navigating hormonal fluctuations. “You’ve gone through puberty and become used to hormonal changes like PMS during your reproductive years. If you’ve ever been pregnant, that’s another time your hormones have been erratic and unpredictable.”
Accepting emotional changes as a natural part of this transition is a great way to begin to regain control.
PRACTISE CONTROL
“Many things influence mood swings – your hormones, what’s going on around you and what’s going on inside your head too,” says Dr Gates. If life is feeling particularly stressful, your ups and downs may reflect this. “But there’s really no excuse for behaving badly. We’re still responsible for how we interact with other people.”
Rather than exploding, take a few slow, deep breaths while using mindfulness techniques. Remembering your dramatic shifts in mood are only temporary can also help to put things into perspective.
NURTURE YOURSELF
Menopause can signify the end and the beginning of two very different life stages. “Some women find this change in identity quite difficult, but others completely embrace it,” says Dr Gates.
If your erratic moods are taking over, it’s worth looking at your lifestyle. “Not getting enough sleep can impact your mental health and having lots of hot flushes can negatively affect your mood as well.”
She suggests trying meditation and exercise for relaxation, while avoiding known triggers for hot flushes. “They can be brought on or amplified by alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, spicy food and too much sugar.”
ASK FOR HELP
If you’re struggling with stress or a persistent low mood, see your GP. “The reduction of oestrogen affects other neurotransmitters such as endorphins, serotonin and oxytocin,” explains Dr Gates – and this change in brain chemistry can lead to depression and anxiety.
When fluctuating moods leave you feeling irritable or depressed, it’s also worth addressing it with a loved one. And “don’t use the fact that you’re having mood swings as a reason to be self-critical – try self-compassion instead”, says Dr Gates.
Let’s be real – we would all like fuller, voluminous hair. While hair extensions can provide instant volume, hairstylist Linda Flowers recommends going for the chop because “shoulder-length hair looks thicker and denser”. But for those who want to work with what they’ve got, she shares a few other tricks to fake a thicker hair illusion…