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The South Wales Magazine


A huge new wellness resort is coming to Manchester – here’s a peek inside the Bucharest version
As the first ‘Therme’ is being built in the UK, Claire Spreadbury finds out what to expect. Anyone for a dip? (Therme Manchester/PA) A wellbeing resort, which developers claim will be the ‘world’s largest’ of its kind, is set to open in Manchester in 2028. Building is underway at the 65,000 square-metre site for Theme Manchester – which will cost an estimated £500 million to complete. The spa and water park will include more than 20 saunas and almost two kilometres of water s


6 changes to make now to improve your sleep in warm weather
Simple adjustments can significantly reduce the impact of high temperatures on your sleep. Try to cool down your environment and your mind, advises the expert (Alamy/PA) As summer approaches, many of us look forward to longer days and warm evenings spent outdoors. But while rising temperatures are welcome during the day, they can become far less appealing at night when it’s time to sleep. If you’re concerned about how the warmer weather might affect your rest this summer, you


6 unexpected signs you’re dehydrated – and what to do about it
Dehydration can sometimes sneak up on you with some surprising symptoms. Make water a priority during the heatwave (Alamy/PA) As temperatures across the UK continue to climb to record highs, it’s important that staying hydrated doesn’t slip down the priority list. Dehydration is very common during heatwaves, and can range from mild to severe explains Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice. “Most of us are probably mildly dehydrated the majority of the time and expe


When It’s your child, experience matters at Nuffield Health
At Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals, specialist paediatric teams deliver care that is carefully designed around the needs of children and young people, ensuring they feel comfortable, listened to and fully supported at every stage of their journey. Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals Every parent knows that few things matter more than their child’s health. From the first unexplained tummy ache to a niggling sports injury or concerns about development, deciding wh


How to boost your chances of living to 100 – as Sir David Attenborough approaches milestone
Everyone is talking about the latest longevity health trends, but to what extent can we actually increase our lifespan? Sir David Attenborough turns 100 on May 8 (Ian West/PA) The nation’s favourite broadcaster, natural historian and environmental advocate Sir David Attenborough will celebrate his 100th birthday next month on May 8, marking a remarkable seven-decade career that has defined natural history storytelling and reshaped humanity’s understanding of the planet. To ce


6 overlooked signs of coeliac disease to never ignore
The symptoms tend to be persistent, reoccurring and unexplained. Symptoms of coeliac disease can range from mild to severe, and often come and go (Alamy/PA) While many people recognise the common digestive issues linked to coeliac disease, fewer are aware of the more subtle symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. In the lead-up to Coeliac Awareness Month in May, we spoke with Alice Andrews, health policy lead at Coeliac UK, who helped clear up some common misconceptions about


Four pools in Cardiff take part in Swimathon 2026
Fairwater, Western, Eastern and Maindy leisure centres in Cardiff are hosting fundraising challenges for Swimathon 2026. Swimathon 2026 at Cardiff Leisure Centres The world’s biggest fundraising swim - which began 40 years ago - happens over the weekend of 20-22 March and sees fundraisers’ proceeds going to Cancer Research UK, end of life charity Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation. Individuals can choose to swim a variety of distances - 500m, 1.5k, 2.5k, Swimathon 5k


8 simple ways to boost your kidney health
Measures include staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet low in sodium, and controlling blood pressure. Your kidneys work hard for you, so protect them with these lifestyle tweaks (Alamy/PA) Relying too heavily on anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen for pain relief could negatively affect kidney health, warn experts. Kidney Care UK and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) have urged consumers to be cautious about frequently using NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamm


A New Era in Patient Care at St Joseph’s Hospital Newport
St Joseph’s Hospital has successfully performed its first robotic assisted surgical procedure, marking a significant milestone in its continued investment in advanced patient care. Robotic-Assisted Surgery from Mako SmartRobotics™ at St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport. Following a recent investment of over £1 million, independent private healthcare provider St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport is now able to offer all patients considering hip and knee replacement surgery even more ac


‘You don’t need to hit 10k steps’: Rita Ora’s workout philosophy and why less can be more
The British artist says listening to her body has helped transform her relationship with fitness. Rita Ora now opts for low impact strength training as opposed to intense cardio (Primark/PA) Rita Ora, 35, has spent more than a decade living at speed. From chart-topping singles and global tours to becoming an X Factor judge and a familiar face on prime-time TV, her career has been defined by momentum. And in an industry where visibility is currency and stamina is key, slowing


Are statins the best choice for me?
Discussing your personal circumstances with a GP is essential when considering statins. Statins are often taken to lower cholesterol (Alamy/PA) New research suggests that most side-effects linked to statins are not caused by the drugs. The new study, published in The Lancet, looked at data from 123,940 people who were were followed up for an average of 4.5 years after initiating treatment and took part in 19 clinical trials comparing the effects of statins to a placebo. Resea


Award‑winning joint care at Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals
Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals are celebrating national recognition for patient safety in orthopaedic surgery. Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals This year, Nuffield Health hospitals performing joint replacements across England and Wales have, (for the fifth consecutive year), achieved the National Joint Registry (NJR) Gold Quality Data Award, the registry’s highest mark for data quality and compliance. This reflects rigorous standards designed to improve


The Vale Resort Reveals £500k Gym Refurb
The all-new gym space offers state of the art equipment, new dedicated training zones and a brand new look for 2026. The Vale Resort Gym South Wales’ iconic Vale Resort has today unveiled the completion of a significant refurbishment of its extensive gym in time to help guests kick-start their new year fitness goals, investing £500,000 in the latest in fitness technology and equipment, as well as all-new training zones, to maximise the health and wellness experience for guest


Things you are too embarrassed to ask your doctor – but really should
Surgeon and social media star Dr Karan Rajan gives the lowdown on being honest about your ailments. Being honest with your doctor could save your life (Alamy/PA) There are some subjects many of us find hard to talk to our doctors about – bowel habits, sexual organs and personal hygiene spring to mind. But these are problems that we shouldn’t be afraid to discuss, says surgeon and social media star Dr Karan Rajan, 35, who has more than 10 million followers on social media, has


5 small bursts of equipment-free exercises to boost longevity
You can weave these quick exercises into any part of your day. You don’t need any equipment to do these short-burst exercises (Alamy/PA) New research suggests that small increases in daily moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity may reduce the risk of death. The study, which was published in The Lancet, examined data from almost 95,000 middle-aged and older adults in the UK, and 40,000 people from Norway, Sweden and the US. Researchers, led by academics from the Norw


Can how you eat affect how you age?
Dr Ian K Smith, author of Eat Your Age, explains how to keep yourself looking and feeling youthful from your 30s to your 60s and beyond. Dr Ian K Smith gives his health tips for ageing well in every decade (Alamy/PA) We all know ageing is inevitable – but that doesn’t stop most of us wanting to look and feeling younger. But while there’s no mythical fountain of youth to bathe in, there are ways to slow down how ageing makes us look and feel, promises Dr Ian K Smith. In the Ha


Mariella Frostrup: I have ‘more of an appetite for adventure’ in my 60s
The Irish-Norwegian broadcaster and women’s health advocate chats to Lauren Taylor about travelling in mid and late life. Mariella Frostrup (Mariella Frostrup/PA) Mariella Frostrup is sick of “the terrible idea that you end up post-50 and don’t have an interest or an appetite for more” in life. The 63-year-old broadcaster, author and campaigner – perhaps best known for being a menopause advocate – says it couldn’t be further from the truth for people in her age group and olde


How to navigate party season without sabotaging your wellbeing
Why aiming for moderation can benefit your body and soul over the festive break. Here’s how to enjoy all those Christmas invitations without overdoing it and feeling rotten the next day (Alamy/PA) Hitting the booze and festive food hard is often as much a part of Christmas as awkward work dos and Rudolf. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can enjoy December without a perpetual hangover and a tin of Quality Street constantly on the go – you might even have a better time.


8 health check-ups for over-60s to tick off this winter
From breast and bowel screening to vaccinations, stay on top of these health checks. Get your all check-ups done and dusted (Alamy/PA) As December rapidly approaches, now could be the perfect time to tackle any lingering health admin that you may have been putting off before the Christmas festivities officially commence. Taking care of our health becomes even more essential as we grow older, so staying proactive is key. “While genetics play a role, advancing years, environmen


Movember: 8 of the best moustaches throughout history
If you’re looking for inspiration this Movember, here are the famous people to look to. Jacob Elordi makes it into the top eight best moustaches (Alamy/PA) Once written off as a relic of the 1970s, the moustache is staging a confident return, fuelled by a new generation of style-savvy men reclaiming the upper lip. From Jacob Elordi to Timothée Chalamet, celebrities are starting to sport this contentious facial hair more and more on the red carpet. But getting a moustache righ
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