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SHOCK around the CLOCK! Our twins were born in different years

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Keep your home free from dander and allergies with the best air purifier for pets

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Best heated cat beds to keep your feline friend warm this cold, cold winter

## _Want to live a longer, healthier and happier life? It’s time to switch your mindset_

Could a dose of optimism be just the wellbeing boost you need? Research shows that optimists tend to live on average 11-15% longer than pessimists and have an excellent chance of living beyond the age of 85.

‘Higher levels of optimism have been linked to better sleep quality, lower inflammation and healthier levels of cholesterol and antioxidants,’ says Sumit Paul-Choudhury, author of _The Bright Side: Why Optimists Have the Power to Change the World_ (Canongate, £20). ‘Optimists have fewer heart problems and cope better with stress, pain, cancer and infertility. There’s a relationship between pessimism and depression and optimists have been reported as more resilient in the face of extreme events.’

Optimists are also more likely to be successful at work, wealthier, and more likely to have a good relationship and more friendships.

So, how does optimism work? Sumit uses an ancient folktale of frogs placed in milk churns to demonstrate how optimism is so powerful.

‘One frog, having established that it’s impossible to climb or jump out, despairs of its fate and soon drowns,’ he says. ‘Its more determined companion, however, continues to kick and thrash – until eventually the milk is churned into butter, allowing him to leap to freedom. The first frog has fallen into a “pessimism trap” – because it doesn’t see any way out of its predicament, it simply gives up. The second frog continues to struggle even though it can’t see any way to escape either. In so doing, the frog stumbles on a solution it could not have predicted at the outset. That second frog is an optimist.’

Sumit says it’s important to try looking for the bright side – because if you don’t, you’re giving up before you even begin.

He says, ‘80% of success is just showing up. You miss every shot you don’t take.’

One criticism of optimism is that it fosters unrealistic expectations. Sumit distinguishes between optimism as a mindset and fanciful expectations for particular situations and outcomes – for example, the belief you are going to win the lottery and solve all of your financial problems, leading to disappointment when you don’t.

‘Dispositional optimism keeps you going, prompting you to look for solutions and explore alternatives,’ he says. ‘Unrealistic optimism can help you endure, but when you come up against an immovable obstacle, the disillusionment can be crushing.’

Is it possible to become more upbeat? Sumit is cautiously optimistic.

‘The received wisdom used to be that traits were largely settled by the time we reach adulthood, but that’s not entirely true – much therapy aims to move the needle on traits. And the line between traits and more transitory “states” – feeling nervous before a job interview, say, and elated afterwards – can be blurry. So yes, maybe it’s possible to change our levels of optimism.’

Writing our best possible self has been shown to help with switching our mindset.

‘Spend 15 minutes each day writing about the version of yourself in a future where everything has gone right,’ says Sumit. ‘All your efforts have paid off and you have accomplished everything you ever wanted to. Then spend five minutes imagining that future.’

**Train yourself to become more optimistic**

Psychologist Martin Seligman, who pioneered positive psychology, believes so. He developed an ABCDE method to help retrain mindsets into a more optimistic state:

A – Adversity: The situation that calls for a response. Perhaps you got a rejection letter for a job.

B – Beliefs: How do you feel about the event? Write down the thoughts you had during and after getting the letter.

C – Consequences: What happened then? Did you decide you were rejected because you weren’t good enough, and felt like giving up on your job search?

D – Disputation: Argue with yourself! Imagine you are giving advice to your best friend in the same situation. How would you dispute their pessimistic take on the situation in a constructive way?

E – Energisation (action): The idea is you see that it isn't as hopeless as you first thought and are inspired to keep working on your goals for a new job.

How to be… AN OPTIMIST

## _Time poor? Here's how to squeeze exercise into your day?_

I swear by short bursts of activity – what I call ‘exercise snacks’. Whether it’s a five-minute stretch between meetings or a quick walk to clear your mind, these small moments can really add up and keep you feeling active without disrupting your day.

When I need to take calls or brainstorm ideas, I often head out for a walk with my dog while doing it – ticking off two things I have to do. I find it not only helps me stay active but also boosts my creativity and focus. Turn phone calls or virtual meetings into walking meetings where possible. It’s a simple way to add movement while staying productive.

As someone who’s juggled intense schedules, I’ve learnt the importance of protecting my lunch break. I use part of it for physical activity, whether it’s a quick workout, a jog or a calming walk. If you feel like your lunch break has disappeared into your workday, speak to your employer about how you can reclaim that time – it’s yours to use for your wellbeing. I suggest putting it in the diary as a meeting – this will ring-fence the time for you.

I rely on technology to keep me on track. Fitness trackers or simple alarms can remind you to stand, stretch or take a short walk every hour. Even small movements like this can make a huge difference to your energy levels and focus throughout the day.

• From Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, in partnership with Vitality Health Insurance

4 ways to…fit in fitness

## Here's a sneak peek at issue 3's cover stories

As a proud Cockapoo owner, I know how important it is to find the best dog food for Cockapoos to make sure your beloved furry friend is getting all the nutrients they need while also taking into consideration any dietary requirements they may have. This much-loved and highly recognisable crossbreed may vary in colour and coat, but a sweet and friendly temperament, a fun-loving personality and high intelligence and food motivation levels can be found in almost every Cockapoo. They may love their grub, but they're also known for being quite fussy, so finding the :a[best dog food]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/the-best-dog-food/' } to tempt their tastebuds is sure to be up there on the list of priorities for any Cockapoo owner.

Some Cockapoos are prone to getting an upset tum, such as my doggy-nephew Teddie, so it's important to look for a :a[dog food for sensitive stomachs]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-food-sensitive-stomachs/' } when shopping for something new to add to their diet. Just like us humans, Cockapoos are all different so one hound may be okay with any type of dog food, like my pup Bella, whilst the other may end up having diarrhoea or vomiting after ingesting it. You may have to go through a bit of trial and error before you find the best food for Cockapoos, but once you've found it, you'll be rewarded with a wagging tail and plenty of cuddles.

## Best dog food for Cockapoos at a glance:

Cockapoos can also be more prone to getting ear infections than other dogs (another thing that my fluffy nephew Teddie suffers with - poor pooch), but switching to a hypoallergenic food can help with this. Your vet might advise switching to a hypoallergenic diet if your pooch suffers regularly with their ears. This diet offers the right type of :a[dog food for itchy skin]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-food-for-itchy-skin-allergies/' } and allergies, but it can also help to reduce the effects of any other health problems. To find out which food and ingredients your pooch may be allergic to, take a look at the FAQs section below.

Of course, the taste is the most important factor as far as these picky pooches are concerned. So, I've made sure I’ve included all the best dog food for Cockapoos that are bound to get your pooch's tongue wagging as soon as they get a whiff at dinner time.

## Best dog food for Cockapoos {#h-best-dog-food-for-cockapoos}

_:a[Rosie Floyd]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/rosie-floyd/' } is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers._

I own a Cockapoo – here’s the dog food I recommend to keep them happy, healthy and thriving

Owning a cat or dog with a pet allergy can _actually_ be possible with one of the best air purifiers for pets and homes. You may be wondering what exactly is an air purifier and how it can help. Essentially it's an electric fan with multiple filters to trap dust and hair and some models have advanced filters that make it possible to capture odours and even bacteria and viruses. If you've been meticulously using your pet carpet cleaner to clean up after your furry bestie and your Shih Tzu is still making you achoo – an air purifier can help remove the pet dander. Along with :a[carpet cleaners for pet hair]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/care/the-best-carpet-cleaner-pets/' } and :a[pet surveillance cameras]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/care/best-pet-cameras-home/' }, it's another gadget for your pet arsenal to minimise the mess caused by our furry besties.

While a :a[pet hair remover]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/care/best-pet-hair-removers-uk/' } keeps soft furnishings, carpets and bedding free from pet hair and other pet-related allergens, what about the environment itself? It's no joke if you live in a small home and the poor air quality is causing well-being and even health issues. Your furry friend is not to blame, but it may be that their fur and dander (flaky skin particles) are causing you or a loved one to suffer allergy symptoms. That's where an air purifier can make all the difference.

## Best air purifier for pets at a glance:

When it comes to choosing the best air purifier for a household with pets, it's worth going for a model that has an activated carbon filter as well as a HEPA filter. Number one: it will reduce the amount of particulates in the air. And, number two... it'll take care of feline musk and pooch pong.

Air purifiers are great for keeping sneezes at bay, but that's not all. They can help keep that _eau de wet fur_ smell from your moggy or doggy at bay, which you may not be able to notice, but visitors to your home can! :a[Pet odour eliminators]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/advice/best-pet-odour-eliminator/' } can work wonders to mask the smell, but it's an air purifier that'll go the distance. Take a look at our top picks below...

## How we chose the best air purifier for pets

All of these air purifiers have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered filter technology, noise level and affordability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching air purifiers to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.

## Our verdict: Which is the best air purifier for pets?

Natalie says: "Personally, for a household with pets, I would go for the larger Blueair Blue Max 3250i Smart unit. It has a huge surface filter and it cleans the air fast. The app control is really straight forward and it's fascinating to see how sensitive the unit is to cooking fumes and even cleaning products.

"As an allergy sufferer, this air purifier has increased my wellbeing and improved my quality of sleep during the pollen season. If you have a pet household and a loved one who suffers from allergies, I highly recommend Blueair. Also, I genuinely found that it cuts down the dust in the air so there's one less chore to worry about!"

:a[Lars Dunberger]{href='https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lars-dunberger-7952685a_ccprize2019-activity-6602460305589182464-oraA' target='_blank' rel='noreferrer noopener nofollow'}, Technology Development Manager for B Corp air purifier expert, Blueair, explains why Blueair improves indoor air quality and reduces allergens:

"The Blueair Blue Max is a high-performing air purifier which can improve the quality of your indoor air by filtering out allergens, pollutants and other harmful airborne particles from the air. B Corp Brand Blueair’s air purifiers eliminate approximately 99.97 per cent of all pollen from the air via the incorporation of their HEPAsilent filtration technology. This can vastly improve air quality and create a pollen-free home environment."

## Top tips to improve indoor air quality and reduce allergic symptoms

• Take regular showers, change clothes and wash sheets in hot water to remove any pollen taken in from outside into the home.

• Vacuum upholstery and carpets regularly. Go for a :a[vacuum designed to remove pet hair]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/care/best-vacuums-for-pet-hair/' }.

• Bathe pets who spend a frequent amount of time outdoors.

• One of the most effective pollen management strategies is to use a high-performing air purifier to remove pollen, dust and other small allergens in living spaces and bedrooms where you spend the most time.

_:a[Natalie Knowles]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/natalie-knowles/' } is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things cats and dogs. In her other life Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator._

**_Joe and I had four kids.  My new friends Hayley and Paul  had none. Was there  something we could  do to help them? By  Michaela Fuller, 31_**

I looked down at the little bundle in my arms and my heart melted.

I’d just given birth to my son Fable.  
Even though he was my fourth child, the thrill of holding my new baby for the first time was every bit as wonderful as it had been with the other three.  
‘Look at our little man,’ I said to my husband Joe.  
‘He’s perfect,’ he replied. ‘Just like the others.’  
I brought Fable home, and he met his siblings Aoife, Everly and Arwen.  
With four kids, I felt so lucky.  
I’d read so many stories about other women who’d struggled to conceive, and it was heartbreaking to think of them being denied this joy.  
And a thought struck me.  
I turned to Joe and said: ‘I’d like to look at being a surrogate.’  
After having Everly, I’d read about surrogacy. But Joe and I had agreed that we’d have all of our children first.  
Now, I knew the time was right.  
‘I fully support you, love,’ Joe said.

I chose not to go through a surrogacy agency. I didn’t want money, but I did want to make a connection with a couple.  
So I found a Facebook group called Missing Piece Surrogacy Community UK, and spotted a post from a lady called Hayley Smith.  
She was new to the group, and explained that she and her husband had been desperate to have a baby, but she’d lost her womb to ovarian cancer.  
Though she’d had the all-clear since, Hayley was still heartbroken because being a mum was her dream.  
My heart went out to her.  
I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, I wrote. Welcome to the group.  
Two weeks later,  I got a message from her.  
Hi Michaela, how are you? she said. Thanks for your warm welcome.  
We got chatting and clicked. Hayley was bubbly and friendly, and before long we were messaging every day.  
Then a few months on, we met up near my home in Overton, Hampshire.  
We went for a walk and Hayley told me that being unable to carry her baby was more painful than getting the cancer diagnosis.  
Her story really touched me, and later I told Joe: ‘She’s the one.’  
Hayley and I started meeting up every month. She brought her niece to meet my kids, and we got Joe and Hayley’s husband Paul involved too.

We had picnics in the park, and did arts and crafts with the kids. Hayley and Paul became part of our family.  
‘You’re like a sister to me,’  I told her.  
We even met each other’s parents.  
A year on, Hayley and I were shopping one day when she said: ‘Would you be our surrogate?’  
We hadn’t actually discussed it much, but there was no doubt in my mind.  
‘Of course I will,’ I replied.

Tears fell as we hugged.  
I explained to my kids that I was going to have a baby for Hayley, and they were so excited about it.  
Hayley and I drew up our own agreement, and a few months later, I travelled to London for the transfer. We were using donor eggs and Paul’s sperm.  
Sadly, the embryo didn’t take.  
However, we tried again, and 10 days after the second transfer I had some wonderful news.

‘I’m pregnant!’ I told Joe.  
He scooped me up into his arms, hugging me tight.  
Shaking with excitement, I created a display board decorated with snowflakes and a picture of the pregnancy test result, and I snapped a photo of it.  
Then I sent it to Hayley.  
Within seconds, my phone rang. It was Hayley and she was in tears.  
‘You’re having our baby!’ she cried.  
Hayley came to every appointment, and Paul joined us  for every scan.  
They held a  gender-reveal party  at their home in Kent, inviting my family and theirs.  
I ordered two cannons full of colourful confetti to be released.  
Hayley and Paul held on to one, and Aoife and their niece held the other.  
When the time  was right, the cannons exploded  in a flurry of bright blue.  
‘It’s a boy!’ I cried.  
Then, just after my due date, I woke at 2am with sharp pains.  
I shook Joe awake and said: ‘I’m having the baby!’  
We dropped the kids off with family and Joe took me to hospital.  
Hayley and Paul met us there, and the four of us went to the delivery room.  
I was in pain, but Hayley held my hand throughout.  
After 90 minutes, little Mason arrived safe and sound.  
‘Would you like to hold him?’ the midwife asked me.

‘No, give him to Hayley,’ I told her.  
She passed him to Hayley and she sobbed with joy.  
Watching her, my heart swelled.  
I knew that feeling — holding your baby for the first time — and I was so happy I’d helped my friends to experience it.  
Hayley turned to me and said: ‘I love you. Thank you so much.’  
Now Mason is eight months, and he’s doing so well. Hayley and Paul are wonderful parents.  
We see each other all the time, and our children think of Mason as a cousin.  
I’ve told Hayley I’ll help her with a sibling, but we’ll see what happens. Our journey has brought two families together and created a whole new one. It’s wonderful.

Hayley told Take  a Break: ‘I couldn’t have met anyone better than Michaela to carry my baby. She was so respectful and compassionate throughout, and always put my feelings first. Mason means the world to us, and there are no words to thank her, but I want her to see him grow up. I know I’ve made friends for life in Michaela and her wonderful family.’

‘I had a baby for a couple I met on Facebook’

If you're unsure about your dog’s breed, want to check their general health, and would like to know if your pup may benefit from sensitive dog food or :a[dog health supplements]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-dog-supplements/' } of some kind, a dog DNA test kit isn't a bad idea. The best dog DNA test kits are super simple to use; just swab the inside of your dog's cheeks, send them off and have the results delivered to your home or email inbox in a matter of weeks.

Generally, if you're unsure of your dog's breed or are curious about your pooch's genealogy, a pet DNA test will help give you some answers. It'll provide a more thorough backdrop of their ancestry and may highlight why they have some unique, quirky personality traits. Plus, most of these kits include an MDR1 test that checks for genetic variations that may result in potential health problems and medication sensitivities.

All in all, these handy dog DNA tests give you a full picture of your pup and can only be beneficial to your pooch's health and well-being. If any issues are spotted through the tests, you can make changes to your doggy's lifestyle or diet to ensure good health and happiness. For example, you can invest in grain-free dog food, calming plug-ins or :a[joint care supplements]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/best-joint-supplements-dogs-uk/' } to help them out - which will improve their quality of life tenfold.

To help you find out more about your pet's DNA and their ancestors, we've rounded up the best dog DNA kits on the market, from breed discovery kits to affordable options.

## Best dog DNA test kits UK {#h-best-dog-dna-test-kits-in-the-uk}

**To learn more about the above three doggy DNA tests, check out our :a[Wisdom Panel Dog DNA test reviews.]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/wisdom-panel-dog-dna-test-reviews/' }**

## How we chose the best dog DNA tests {#h-how-we-chose-the-best-dog-dna-tests}

All of these dog DNA tests have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered the accuracy, breadth of discovery and customer reviews in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching dog DNA tests to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

With pets big and small on our team, where possible, we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.

_:a[Piper Huxley]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/author/piper-huxley/' } is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content._

The 7 best dog DNA test kits in the UK for checking your pup’s health and heritage at home

**_Tracy’s daughter Katy had a headache in school. Then Tracy received the call no mum ever expects..._**

As I laid my gorgeous daughter Katy into her cot, her little hand grasped my finger.

‘Time for bed,’ I cooed to her as her big brown eyes closed.  
Katy was a calm and happy baby — she had a beautiful giggle and was always smiling.  
Then at six months, I noticed that sometimes when Katy let  out a laugh, she’d lose her breath. And soon after, she developed a cough.  
‘It’s asthma,’ said our GP.  
With a family history of asthma, I wasn’t surprised.  
‘We’ll get her an inhaler and she should be fine,’ the doctor reassured me.  
Over the next few years, Katy became a sister to five younger siblings.  She was a great help, running about in the garden with them and helping me pack the little ones off to bed each night.  
But when she was in primary school, she started having asthma attacks where she’d end up in hospital.  
The attacks became so regular that the nurses knew her by name and we were given open access to the children’s ward, allowing us to skip past A&E.  
‘Hi, Katy, don’t worry, we’ll get you sorted,’ they’d say as she was wheeled through from ambulances.  
Over time, Katy’s asthma meant she had to give up the things she loved.

At her gymnastics club, she’d sprint and jump.

But as the other girls got ready to go again, Katy plodded over, her hand on her chest.

'Can I have my inhaler, please, Mum?’ she asked sounding breathless.

It was heartbreaking, and when it kept happening, she decided to give up gymnastics.

A few months later, another favourite hobby — horse riding — was also given up as the horses began to trigger Katy’s asthma too.

Despite doing everything we could to prevent them, Katy’s asthma attacks only seemed to get worse.

‘Are you OK, sweetie?’  I asked Katy after we’d returned home after a particularly bad episode.

We’d been in hospital for three nights and she was sitting under a blanket on the sofa.

‘I’m good, just a bit tired,’ she said, smiling up at me.  
She was so resilient. She never let her asthma get her down, even though it had taken so much away from her.  
Katy would happily tell her friends all about her condition — the medication and inhalers she used. She just accepted that being asthmatic was part of her.  
Being open about her asthma also made both me and her feel safer, knowing that the people around her would know what to do if an attack came on.  
When she started secondary school, we ensured the staff knew what they were doing when it came to Katy’s asthma.  
Then one morning, Katy rang me from school.  
‘I’ve got a headache, Mum, can I go home?’ she asked.  
‘Of course, make sure you drink some water,’ I told her.  
Having just hit puberty, headaches were common, so I had no reason to worry about Katy looking after herself at home.

‘I’ll be home later, love you,’ I said before I hung up.  
After finishing at the clothes shop I worked in,  I was about to set off on the school run, when my mobile rang.  
It was my neighbour.

‘Tracy, I think you better come home. There’s an ambulance here for Katy. She’s having an asthma attack,’ she said.  
I raced home and turning into our road, I saw a sea of ambulances. Two were right outside the house, one over the road and another a few houses down. Plus, a rapid response paramedic car.  
And as we got closer, I could see paramedics spilling out of my front door.  
‘Oh my God, Katy!’ I said as I rushed towards her.  
There she was, on the doorstep — her eyes closed, her hair fanned out around her. They’d pulled her top down to get to her chest.

Katy had called a neighbour when she sensed an asthma attack was coming, but had been struggling too much to get to the front door to let them in.  
Another neighbour had used their spare key and found Katy in the hall, collapsed.  
I watched as gloved hands pushed on my little girl’s unmoving chest, attempting CPR.  
‘She’s not breathing and we don’t have a pulse, we need to get to the hospital,’ one of the paramedics told me.  
With so many paramedics, I was forced to travel in a separate ambulance to Katy on the way to the hospital.  
When we arrived at the hospital, they had managed to restart Katy’s heart. But only a few minutes later, it had stopped again.  
I watched in horror as a flurry of doctors and nurses surrounded my little girl.  
Please help her, I thought.  
But two hours after the initial attack, the doctor decided it was time to stop.  
‘I’m so sorry, Tracy, there’s nothing else we can do,’ they said.  
I fell to my knees sobbing — my little girl, the one who made me a mummy.  
She was just 12.

The next few days passed in a blur. My house was overtaken by police because Katy’s death had been so sudden.  
We stayed with a neighbour, but I was allowed in to grab a spare change of clothes for the kids.  
As I walked through the front door, I stopped at the spot Katy had collapsed and tried not to break down.

I had to be strong for my kids but I just couldn’t comprehend that she’d never be with us again.  
A few months later, after the funeral where we wore pink in Katy’s memory, her primary school got in touch. They wanted to do some fundraising and help raise awareness of asthma.  
We created posters and provided training for local schools on how to spot and prevent an asthma attack.  
I was touched  by how kind everyone was to me and my family.  
But we struggled — waiting lists for counselling were  long and the grief was overwhelming. Each day, I’d drop the kids at school and struggle to return to the house where Katy had died.  
At a community grief group — Handmade with Love & Making Memories — I confided in others who had lost loved ones.

‘I just keep being offered medication by the GP,’ I told them.  
I found I wasn’t the only one — there just wasn’t enough support.  
On 28 February, what would have been Katy’s 14th birthday,  I held a fundraising event at our local pub for Asthma + Lung UK.  
Then months later, I did the  Kilt Walk. It felt good to do something productive, and I hoped the funds raised would help others.  
Losing Katy is the hardest thing that’s ever happened to our family and I hate to think of anyone else going through the same thing.  
That’s why I’ve started my own grief group — Gone But Not Forgotten — to help people access help.  
Grief is something no one should go through alone, and I know Katy would be proud of me helping others. She was always so kind.

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