Does anyone fancy a quick bite outdoors?
amol or ibuprofen if it’s painful. If it’s itchy, try some antihistamines.”
BEES
“Bees are gentle and will only sting if frightened, so when one comes near you, keep calm and still,” says Dr Lee. “Although it can be hard to avoid the impulse, avoid swotting it. It’s likely to simply fly away.”
Stay away from flowers, as bees feed on the nectar inside flowering plants. “Bees like sweet things too,” adds Dr Lee. “So always keep food in sealed containers and don’t leave sweet foods outside uncovered. Don’t leave half-drunk cans of fizzy drinks hanging around.
“If bees appear, don’t jump up and run away in a panic. Get up slowly and move cautiously in the opposite direction. Bees don’t like panic.”
Same advice sweat, so don’t get too hot and sticky!”
Also, avoid clothes with bright colours and floral patterns. Eat picnic foods quickly, seal everything up, and dispose of waste promptly and carefully. Close dustbin lids and keep car windows rolled up.
Same advice as a wasp sting (but note hornets do not leave their sting behind).
MOSQUITOS
You can try out gadgets like the Thermacell Mosquito & Midge Protector (prices start from around £25), or wear scented bracelets to try and keep pesky mozzies away, but you might be surprised to hear the colour of your clothes makes a real difference to whether or not you get bitten. “Go for light coloured clothing, or beige or khaki. Don’t wear black leggings as they will bite through thin fabric,” says Dr Lee. “They can even bite through jeans!”
Dr Lee advises liberally applying a certified insect repellent containing DEET, before you leave the house, and don’t forget exposed areas such as your neck, fingers, ankles and wrists. “Mosquitos love stagnant water, so don’t go near ponds. Other sources can be blocked guttering,
or other collections of water, such as a watering tray underneath your plants. “Mosquitos are attracted by some smells, such as lavender, so again, avoid any perfumed body products,” she continues. “They dislike the smell of lemons.
“Citronella candles are ineffective because although mosquitos don’t like the lemons, they’re attracted by the increase in carbon dioxide from burning the candle.” “Wash the area with soap and water, and pat dry with a towel,” says Dr Lee.
“Apply calamine lotion to help relieve the itching. Apply a cold compress for five to 10 minutes. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if it’s painful. Try antihistamines for itching, or ask the pharmacist for advice.”
HORSEFLIES
“Horseflies are most likely to be out and about at dawn and dusk, although they can bite at any time,” says Dr Lee. “They also love piles of manure, so avoid farmyards.”
She says to take care walking in long grass or beside stagnant water such as ponds, lakes and marshes. Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers, tucked into your socks. Wear a sunhat or a cap, with some form of neck protector. Again, wear light colours and avoid perfumed products.
Dr Lee recommends to try Picaridin insect repellent spray for horseflies. Also, they dislike the scent of peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, clove, rosemary and basil.
“These often cause a blister at the bite site, but avoid scratching the top of the blister, even if it’s itchy. Clean the area using cotton wool with plain soap and warm water, and pat gently dry.
“It’s not a good idea to use other remedies like vinegar or bicarbonate of soda, as these have been shown not to work,” says Dr Lee. “Apply a cold compress for five to 10 minutes. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if it’s painful. Try antihistamines for itching.”
With any insect bite or sting, if you have a bad reaction or symptoms get worse, seek medical advice.
“A normal bite or sting should heal within a few days” suggests James. “The pain and inflammation could be made worse if you have a mild allergic reaction to the bite or sting, but this should normally pass within a week. If you’re worried about a bite or sting, speak to your pharmacist to find the right treatment.”
Any possible signs of anaphylaxis should be treated as a medical emergency.
This includes any difficulty breathing, feeling lightheaded, faint or confused, a fast heartbeat and unconsciousness, as well as symptoms like a red, itchy rash (hives), vomiting and swelling.
Horsefly
Open food containers will likely draw some unwanted visitors
New guidance has us thinking about our waistlines.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) says adults with a body mass index under 35 should ensure their waist measurement is less than half their height. For example, if you are 5ft 5in, you might want your waist to be 32.5 inches or less. This isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach as we all carry weight differently, but it could be a good starting point.
People who have more weight in their middle can be more likely to struggle with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
A slim waist alone is not necessarily enough to ensure you are fit and healthy, but putting more effort into exercise and a healthy diet is no bad thing. If you have any concerns about your health and fitness, speak to your doctor.
Stomach exercises could help trim your waistline, with Georgie Spurling, fitness coach and founder of GS Wellness (gsmethod.co.uk), saying: “Having a strong core makes you feel incredibly strong all round. In day-to-day things like sitting at your desk, walking up stairs and more, it makes a huge difference to how you carry yourself.”
She adds: “We can target certain areas with strengthening moves to appear more defined. Body fat percentage plays a big role in this. So nutrition is key.”
By having a healthy, balanced diet and focusing on waist-training exercises, you might be able to trim your midriff and feel stronger. Here are some exercises you can do– without having to do hundreds of sit-ups...
PLANKS & THEIR VARIATIONS
Ben Scarles, trainer and studio manager at F45 Soho (f45training. co.uk/soho) explains a “plank is one of the easiest exercises you can do to improve your core strength”.
If you’re bored of the regular version, he says: “Try a three-point plank [where you hold a plank, alternating between raising one leg off the ground, then the other], or a high-low plank [where you move between a plank on your hands and on your elbows, trying to keep your body steady].”
TAKE THE HIIT
HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, can burn fat and muscle –while always keeping workouts interesting.
“To get stronger, HIIT works really well,” says Ben. Most gyms offer HIIT classes, and there are plenty that are accessible online if you want to try them at home.
HOLLOW BODY HOLD
According to Ben, a hollow body hold is basically a plank flipped around. Lying on your back, raise your head, shoulders, arms and legs into the air using your abs – while keeping your lower back glued to the floor.
The further you stretch those arms and legs and the longer you hold it for, the tougher the workout. Ben also recommends adding a rock back and forth, to really hit your obliques.
SQUATS AND DEADLIFTS
When we think about getting slimmer, we may sometimes avoid heavy weight training for fear of getting ‘bulky’, but actually, lifting weights might make it easier to tone and reduce inches in the long run.
Ben says squats and deadlifts are “exercises that work the whole body” – and you’ll keep coming back to them, “Because you get those little wins when you manage to lift more than you have before”.
Lifting weights requires you to engage your core, to carry the load and stop yourself from getting injured.