I write a fortnightly column for East Anglian newspapers all about positive ageing. If there’s a topic you’d like me to cover, please get in touch.
| 17/04/2023 | Time to return to how we were The other day, I found a very old newspaper. It was fascinating, especially the adverts. |
| 10/04/2023 | Getting your confidence back I bumped into a friend the other day. She’s generally so bright and breezy, but there was something different about her. |
| 03/04/2023 | Good news! Older people are good at making decisions This is the time of year when big decisions tend to be taken. |
| 27/03/2023 | When illness or injury leads to depression One of the aspects of growing older, as many of us know, is that it’s a time of extraordinary change. |
| 20/03/2023 | Salvaging a failing but long-term relationship Last week, I wrote about life after the death of a spouse. |
| 13/03/2023 | What five years or widowhood have taught me Last Thursday, was the fifth anniversary of my husband’s death. As you do, on those sorts of days, I found myself thinking about what I’ve done since then, and what I’ve learned. |
| 06/03/2023 | Should older people return to work? The experience and attitude of older workers has plenty of appeal to employers |
| 27/02/2023 | Don’t be a smellfungus! When I was small, my father was on a committee in charge of a project to turn a large church into a smaller one and transform the remaining space into a community centre. |
| 20/02/2023 | How the next of kin question triggers emotions It can be very awkward to think of a suitable answer when asked to name a next of kin |
| 13/02/2023 | Could you foster a patient? Just over a fortnight ago, there was a very interesting piece in the EDP and Evening News by David Hannant, specialist reporter on health and education. |
| 06/02/2023 | Balancing on one leg the key to better health Can you unleash your inner flamingo and balance on one leg for a period of time? It could be key to your future health |
| 30/01/2023 | Halt dementia with two key steps I was eating my breakfast bowl of porridge the other morning while vaguely listening to a news bulletin when I heard something which made me put my spoon down and take notice. |
| 23/01/2023 | Don’t let Blue Monday get you down Last week, as you might have noticed, there was a day designated by the media as “Blue Monday” |
| 16/01/2023 | Volunteering helps you feel special I remember seeing an interview with the fabulous Dame Maggie Smith some years ago |
| 09/01/2023 | If Christmas was a pain, make changes before the next one So, how are you all – now that the dust has settled over the festive period? |
| 02/01/2023 | Eliminate spiralling stress So, we’ve endured the longest night, we’ve negotiated Christmas and lurched into 2023. Now what? |
| 19/12/2022 | Share your back story with young relatives It’s funny what you think about when you can’t sleep, isn’t it? |
| 12/12/2022 | OPINION: Keep warm to keep health Recently, I read an article which claimed that being cold can lead to loneliness |
| 07/12/2022 | OPINION: Self-care for the carer Christine says people who are caring for others in the final stages of their lives must make time for themselves |
| 28/11/2022 | OPINION: How to feel better right now Getting outdoors, wearing bright colours and having a good old sing – the robin is the perfect advocate of Christine’s tips for staying positive this winter |
| 21/11/2022 | OPINION: Remembrance Christine says a walk in the woods at this time of year can keep you feeling positive, especially if you’re mourning a big change in life circumstances |
| 14/11/2022 | OPINION: Inspirational trio I love to be inspired. I’m sure you do too |
| 07/11/2022 | OPINION: Christmas pitfalls Of all years, this one should be one where spending is under control and realistic, argues Christine |
| 31/10 2022 | OPINION: It is time to declutter? Christine Webber says most of us could do with a good clear-out at home |
| 24/11/2022 | OPINION: Get out of your comfort zone Christine on her recent holiday |
| 10/10/2022 | OPINION: 30 Life-changes to help you age positively Using weights to exercise can help keep you in shape in your later years |
| 03/10/2022 | OPINION: Empty nest syndrome Christine Webber says parents need to embrace the freedom when their children leave for university |
| 26/09/2022 | OPINION: Avoid SAD For some people, shorter autumn and winter days can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder |
| 19/09/2022 | OPINION: The Queen and how to live well and long The Queen pictured at Balmoral two days before she died aged 96 |
| 12/09/2022 | OPINION: Think like the Stoic philosophers In her experience, Christine says getting support from friends or family will help in times of crisis |
| 05/09/2022 | OPINION: Autumn resolutions Grandma loved to show the youngsters how to use her little knife |
| 29/08/2022 | OPINION: In praise of stepfamilies Christine stays being a stepmother or stepfather should be seen as one of life’s positives |
| 22/08/2022 | OPINION: Living with a depressed partner Christine says gentle reminders of your love for your partner will always help |
| 15/08/2022 | OPINION: Don’t bore with your complaints Skipping is a good example of a weight bearing exercise that gives a good work-out |
| 08/08/2022 | OPINION: Ask, don’t tell, if you want to be helpful So often sitting down over a cuppa and having a chat is the best way to offer support |
| 01/08/2022 | OPINION: Gratitude Christine Webber says whatever life throws at you, try and stay positive |
| 25/07/2022 | OPINION: Dame Judi is my positive ageing model Dame Judi Dench is Christine’s positive ageing role model |
| 18/07/2022 | OPINION: Benefits of dogs Dogs can bring invaluable structure, routine and clarity of thought in good times and bad |
| 11/07/2022 | OPINION: Loneliness There are many steps you can take to avoid feeling alone |
| 27/06/2022 | OPINION: New romance You’re never too late to find new love, says Christine Webber |
| 20/06/2022 | OPINION: Meeting the NHS halfway Christine Webber argues that making lifestyle changes is key to easing the burden on the NHS |
| 13/06/2022 | OPINION: Could a 4-day week be the answer Getting the balance right between being busy and having a life is key as we begin to lead normal lives again |
| 06/06/2022 | OPINION: Divorce – and considering the children When divorce is the only answer to a sour marriage, put the children first, says Christine |
| 30/05/2022 | OPINION: Is sorry the hardest word? Elton John, who had a hit with Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word in 1976 |
| 23/05/2022 | OPINION: Steps towards change It may seem like a long road, but sticking with plans to improve yourself for the better will pay off, says Christine |
| 16/05/2022 | OPINION: The Money Conversation – and why we need to have it Differences over money can stem from something as simple as the cost of a gift like fudge or the purchase of a sports car, says Christine |
| 09/05/2022 | OPINION: Energy is the key to a happier life Simple changes to your lifestyle and diet could do wonders for your energy levels |
| 02/05/2022 | OPINION: You’re never too old to be bold! Christine says the mould can be broken at any age |
| 25/04/2022 | OPINION: Memory – and how to improve it Humans cannot compete with the computing power and memory of AI but Christine’s tips might help you remember where your car keys are |
| 18/04/2022 | OPINION: Why 2022 is the year of the hug A hug can make people of all ages so happy, says Christine |
| 11/04/2022 | OPINION: My golden rules for happiness as you get older Christine Webber on her birthday tour of Scotland |
| 04/04/2022 | OPINION: Let’s stay together – my simple steps to saving a relationship Simply holding hands or taking a walk together at a favourite place can do wonders for a relationship |
| 21/03/2022 | OPINION: Mothering Sunday – sadly Mother’s Day is not a joyful occasion for everyone So often sitting down over a cuppa and having a chat is the best way to offer support |
| 07/03/2022 | OPINION: Long grief – and how life changes, even years later, intensify our loss Christine says keeping old photos of lost loved ones out and not hidden away will help |
| 21/02/2022 | OPINION: Feeling tired all the time? Take action by getting active Keeping active – from swimming to dancing around the kitchen may make you feel less tired, says Christine |
| 07/02/2022 | OPINION: Keep busy, be happy and don’t slide into poor mental health Christine says meeting a pal for a coffee or going out for a meal with a partner can do wonders for your mental health |
| 23/01/2022 | OPINION: Is your LFT getting in the way of positive January change? Christine Webber says your frustration tolerance could be the difference between craving biscuits or broccoli this month |
| 27/12/2021 | OPINION: Let’s use Rose’s spirit and resolve to challenge ourselves in 2022 Strictly Come Dancing 2021 champions Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis |
| 13/12/2021 | OPINION: Single at Christmas? Make plans, get out and socialise Christine Webber urges single people not to stay home alone at Christmas |
| 29/11/2021 | OPINION: Why the amazing Lady Glenconner is my new role model Christine recently met Lady Glenconner and has been on a high ever since |
| 15/11/2021 | OPINION: Nominating a Crisis Buddy can help when confidence is low It’s all about the confidence… nominating a Crisis Buddy can help you when self-esteem is low |
| 18/10/2021 | OPINION: Why lighting a candle can help you deal with grief in winter Christine Webber says lighting a candle or planting a shrub in memory of a lost family member or friend can work wonders through dark winter months |
| 3/10/2021 | OPINION: Don’t be an autumn hermit! We should embrace the darker months Christine Webber urges people not to stay in and hide away this autumn but instead get out, meet people and do fun things together |
| 20/09/2021 | OPINION: Why a hello and goodbye kiss can save a relationship Most marriages start with a kiss – and keeping that greeting going during them can really help, says Christine Webber |
| 06/09/2021 | OPINION: September’s a chance to rescue the shambles of August Christine Webber says it’s time to get back on track this September |
| 09/08/2021 | Shocking comments aimed at RNLI show woeful unkindness Comments that the RNLI are offering a “migrant taxi service” show a lack of humanity, argues Christine Webber |
| 26/07/2021 | OPINION: Don’t be alarmed if you are turning into your parents Don’t be alarmed if you find you pick up the some traits and interests as your parents as you get older, says Christine |
| 12/07/2021 | OPINION: Don’t panic as restrictions ease, do things at your own pace Christine says there is no point in panicking about things as the world begins to open up again |
| 28/06/2021 | OPINION: Revisiting friends from our youths has many benefits Christine says we long to reconnect with childhood friends when we get older to yearn for simpler times |
| 14/06/2021 | OPINION: Summer 2021 is a balance between normality and simplicity Getting stressed about something as trivial as traffic queues seems crazy in the post-lockdown world, says Christine |
| 31/05/2021 | OPINION: Now is the wrong time to start complaining about anything Christine Webber says we should ignore complainers as we exit lockdown |
| 17/05/2021 | OPINION: How you can get some Purpose, Structure and Balance in your life Taking time out for yourself and getting clarity in your own mind is vital for your well being, says Christine Webber |
| 03/05/2021 | Seven steps to making May the month you get back in shape A warm breakfast like porridge – with optional nuts and berries – will give you a great start to the day. Christine sometimes has two bowls a day! |
| 19/04/2021 | It’s fine to walk and not run straight into post-lockdown life Christine suggests everything from exercise classes to working in an office to meeting up with friends may seem a little strange as lockdown rules ease |
| 22/03/2021 | How celebrating yourself can help ease you back into post-lockdown life Christine Webber says you can aid your return to post-lockdown life by celebrating what’s good about you |
| 08/03/2021 | App-y days are here to stay if you’re brave and embrace modern technology Walking and fitness apps can be a great help to your health, especially in lockdown, says Christine Webber |
| 22/02/2021 | Better parenting and ditching stale friendships – how lockdown changed us Dads in particular have had more time to spend with their children as they both spend more time at home during the week – one of the positives of lockdown, says Christine Webber |
| 08/02/2021 | The kindness of strangers is remarkable and heartwarming Christine Webber became emotional when she received her invitation to have her Covid-19 vaccination |
| 25/01/2021 | How to get things done and survive these dull winter lockdown days Are days passing you by and you’re getting nothing done? |
| 11/01/2021 | How I’ve helped to reduce my back pain during lockdown |
| 28/12/2020 | Our gift to the NHS is to stop making them cure our own self-indulgent habits Smoke too many cigarettes and consume too much alcohol and you could be putting added pressure on the NHS, says Christine Webber |
| 11/12/2020 | Small pleasures have counted for so much in 2020 Many of us have rediscovered simple pleasures, such as the joy of gardening, says Christine. |
| 29/11/2020 | Moving with the times like Strictly’s Bill Bailey will make you look and feel younger Bill Bailey, star of this year’s Strictly, has shown older people can be very active |
| 16/11/2020 | Why we don’t want to be living All By Myself anymore Columnist Christine Webber says we no longer crave our own space |
| 01/11/2020 | Why it’s never been more vital to share our inner feelings Columnist Christine Webber says now is not the time to keep things bottled up inside |
| 19/10/2020 | Walking back to happiness – why going for a stroll is so good for you Many health charities point to walking as the simplest exercise that benefits mind, body and soul. |
| 04/10/2020 | Think small, nice things and that’ll get you through the autumn blues Simple things like the next cup of coffee or a walk in the park will help combat your autumn blues |
| 21/09/2020 | Lockdown has heightened our fear of losing control – but we can handle it! Christine Webber says we’ve handled similar restrictions on our liberty before and we can do it again |
| 06/09/2020 | Feeling stressed? Only you can do something about it Columnist Christine Webber has some advice if you’re getting a bit stressed by the events of 2020 so far |
| 23/08/2020 | You’re not losing your memory, just forgetting how to remember Christine says many of us forget things, but simple measures such as writing things down or using songs or rhymes to remember things can help |
| 10/08/2020 | What are the secrets of the ‘super agers’? Our columnist explores ways in which to age well. |
| 27/07/2020 | Time to give the children in your life a summer to remember after coronavirus woes So many children have faced major disruption to their young lives over the past six months that it’s up to the adults in their lives to give them a blast over the next few weeks, says Christine Webber |
| 12/07/2020 | Over eaten during lockdown? There’s a simple trick to getting back in shape Christine Webber has had plenty of dealings with problem eaters over the years – and has one great bit of advice if you’ve piled on the pounds during lockdown |
| 29/06/2020 | Life’s complete now there’s another heartbeat in the house Columnist Christine Webber realised something was missing in her life as lockdown set in. Now she’s found out just what it was… |
| 14/06/2020 | Have your sleep patterns been compromised by coronavirus crisis? Struggling to shut down at the end of the day during lockdown? Christine Webber has nine tips to make sure you sleep easy at night. |
| 31/05/2020 | Stop kidding yourself chaps and take a good look at your own health Technology changes mean it’s never been easier to speak to your doctor, which is something plenty of men need to do, says Christine Webber. |
| 17/05/2020 | A quiz, a language or ironing with the wrong hand – keep your brain engaged Christine Webber says its so important to keep the brain engaged as we get older, especially of many of us are spending more time on their own |
| 04/05/2020 | Is it finally becoming OK to talk about weight now? It’s human nature to try to look for the positives. Christine Webber sees several: including that Covid-19 might finally start to break down taboos around weight and obesity |
| 20/04/2020 | How lockdown could literally change your life Christine Webber says many of her friends are thinking of completely overhauling their lives after lockdown. Although this phase of our lives has been very challenging, perhaps there is a chance to turn it into something truly radical? |
| 04/07/2020 | Coronavirus has sorted out the heroes from the villains As we all deal with the impact of coronavirus, the nation seems to have naturally championed those who deserve our praise and, as Christine Webber suggests, filtered out those for whom we have diminishing respect |
| 22/03/2020 | Structure, helping others and doing a jigsaw will all help right now! Well you’ve survived a weekend of staying inside. But what now? Christine Webber offers some tips for how to get through this week |
| 09/03/2020 | Don’t worry be happy, seems to be the apt mantra right now Taking joy in the little things is the way to get through each day, says Christine Webber |
| 23/02/2020 | Marriage on the rocks? Go back to the start and remember why you first fell in love Christine Webber says its best go back to basics and the start of your relationship if your marriage has gone a tad stale |
| 10/02/2020 | The importance of good friends and good health as we get older Having a good friend is not only vital to get you through life’s daily troubles but it will also enhance your health and possibly prolong your life, says Christine Webber |
| 30/01/2020 | Can we do anything to stop dementia? Christine Webber’s mother suffered from Alzheimer’s so she has more reason than most to investigate brain health |
| 12/01/2020 | How to say ‘no’ if you really have to Christine Webber says it pays to put yourself first when dealing with a difficult situation |
| 29/12/2019 | Be SMART and you really can achieve goals in 2020 Thinking of making a new year’s resolution? Be positive and realistic and you can get there, says Christine Webber |
| 15/12/2019 | How to this survive Christmas if you’re not exactly full of festive cheer Christmas can be a time some people want to avoid – but there are ways you can get through it without being down |
| 01/12/2019 | My two tips to make sure you never get old You can deal with getting older by staying fit and positive, says Christine Webber (aged 72 and three quarters) |