It’s hard to predict the future, but usually around this time of year, the mercury starts dropping and the Met Office start warning of frosty mornings, potential snow and hazardous driving conditions.

It’s that time of year again: festive commercials take over the TV, there’s a sudden urge to watch Elf on Netflix, mulled wine becomes your drink of choice, quaint market stalls pop-up on the high street and everywhere is dazzled by twinkling fairy lights.

Mental health issues can affect people in all sorts of ways, so it’s important to look after both ourselves and each other. Throughout the winter months, approximately 2 million people in the UK will experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Let’s face it—travelling is amazing, but nothing puts a damper on your trip faster than painful blisters. And unfortunately, they’re all too common when you’re on the move. Think about it: long days of walking, unfamiliar terrain, and maybe even new shoes—it’s the perfect recipe for those pesky, painful pustules. Sound familiar?

Calluses on the hands and feet can be a source of irritation and pain. Yet they are often misunderstood, with people unclear about what causes them and what they can do to avoid calluses or treat them once they happen. With this in mind, we have created this guide to the top 5 causes of calluses and what you can do to prevent yourself from falling into the traps.

For some, winter is the time when you’re most likely to suffer from cold sores. Cold sores can be triggered by exposure to cold air, and the chilly winter wind can dry out and crack lips, creating the perfect conditions for cold sores to appear. However, cold sores affect people in different ways, and while cold and wintry conditions can cause cold sores, they are far from exclusively a winter thing.

Nothing ruins a nice big hike like a nasty little blister, and ironically the former is almost always the cause of the latter. There are, however, steps you can take (no pun intended) to minimise the possibility of blisters rearing their ugly heads, as well as treatment you can undertake to ensure an existing blister doesn’t ruin your walk entirely.

The wonderful thing about the great outdoors is that it’s there waiting for you at any time of year, and there’s nothing that can stand in the way of you enjoying it – as long as you are properly equipped and prepared.

Oh, cold sores. Despite their annoyance, they’re part and parcel of life. Or, at least for an estimated 67% of the global population. For something so common though, they are plagued with misconceptions – from how they originate and their level of contagiousness, to treatment options and more.

Being active is so important for your health, but it can take a toll on your feet. Whether you’re a runner, gym-goer, or hiking enthusiast, your feet are key to powering through workouts and adventures — but they don’t always get the attention they deserve. That’s where we come in. From common foot problems to helpful tips, including our very own foot pain chart to help you spot any issues, your footcare routine is sorted.