Lifting our SPIRITS

Firstly, dear readers, I hope you’re all okay. I’m writing this while we’re in another lockdown, and I imagine by the time you’re reading it, we’ll still be there. Of course, the great news is that we may well be a bit nearer the end. And that’s what it’s all about, I guess, sitting tight and being patient and knowing better times lie ahead. I’m lucky to be able to work from home and – touch wood – we’re all well, but these past weeks have still found me feeling the need to dig deep into positivity reserves. My husband is working from home, too; my 16-year-old son, Ben, is trying to study for A-levels with online lessons, and my older son, Ed, who is at university, is now stuck back at home with his parents (pretty frustrating for all of us!). And Scamper, our new puppy, has had his training classes cancelled due to Covid and seems to be getting more and more out of control every day. Working on Prima, though, does give me a lift, and I hope you find it can boost your spirits, too. There’s our fun feature on Bridget Jones’s Diary (page 30), and I found TV’S Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s ideas on smart eating really doable (page 68). I also found myself practising my in-and-out breaths after reading our feature on breathing (page 74). When Scamper chewed up my new gloves, I took a deep breath and yes, I did feel calmer. And while my own pet may be driving me mad, I loved the pictures you sent in of your gorgeous furry friends (page 38). There’s a real feeling of celebrating loved ones in this issue, too, whether that’s through Valentine’s crafts (page 77) or the prettiest bakes in our cookery pages (page 98). Do also take a look at our real-life feature by Tanith Carey, who shares the Valentine’s cards she and her husband have sent over the years; they really tell a story (page 33). Sending you all good wishes and when we next chat in the March issue, just think, spring will be round the corner.