Six stories to make you smile, from Chris Hoy’s silver lining to Gary Barlow and his son
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed and anxious this past week, you’re not alone - thankfully, the weekend is here to give you some breathing room.
To help you unwind and get your mind off things, we’ve scoured the internet for some of the most positive stories from this week.
From the silver lining that Sir Chris Hoy has found amid his terminal cancer diagnosis, to the unexpectedly funny attention on Gary Barlow and his son Daniel Barlow - and even to some Christmas cheer - here are the gems we’ve dug up.
🏅 Chris Hoy finds the silver lining
Sir Chris Hoy has given his first interview since revealing his terminal cancer diagnosis last month, and is determined to find the silver lining in his situation.
Speaking to the BBC in his documentary Sir Chris Hoy: Finding Hope, which aired on Tuesday 8 November, the former Olympian said he wants to "change the perspective of stage four cancer" to show people you can still be "happy and healthy" while living with a terminal illness.
He also described himself and wife Sarra Kemp - who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly after he received his cancer diagnosis - as "lucky" because there is treatment available to help them manage their conditions.
🫁 NHS mobile screening trucks helped thousands catch cancer early
NHS mobile scanning trucks have helped save more than 5,000 lives by catching lung cancer early.
The trucks, launched as part of the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme in 2019, have been dispatched to communities across England with the highest rates of lung disease. NHS Cancer director Dame Cally Palmer said: "These lung checks can save lives, so it’s fantastic that the NHS has been able to diagnose thousands of people at an early stage when lung cancer is potentially curable."
📏 Gary Barlow's son captivates the internet
Gary Barlow and his son Daniel Barlow have unexpectedly become the talk of the internet after a family photograph went viral.
Fans were stunned by how much taller Daniel, 24, appeared next to his dad. In the image, which Gary initially shared on Instagram, Daniel appears to tower over Gary, his mother Dawn Andrews, and sister Emily Barlow. It has sparked thousands of memes of disbelief - the photo appears to be a welcome distraction from the anxiety of the US election that has just passed.
🎄 London's streets set aglow for Christmas
The festive spirit is starting to ramp up as Christmas lights, decorations and window displays have been seen across the country this week. On Thursday 7 November, Carnaby Street held it's popular Christmas lights switch-on event, with a light show taking place every 30 minutes. Famous department stores such as Selfridge's and Fortnum & Mason have also unveiled their huge Christmas window displays, bringing such much-needed cheer to the high streets.
🤞 Lupus patients hold on to new hope for 'cure'
A new treatment for lupus has been hailed by doctors as "groundbreaking", with the hope that it could end the need for lifelong medication.
Three patients have received CAR T-cell therapy for the most serious form of lupus, heralding new hope for the estimated 50,000 lupus patients in the UK. The treatment works by genetically modifying a person's cells to fight the disease. It has been used on patients in Germany, who are now in remission and do not need to take lupus medication.
💨 Ever heard of a 'fart walk'? Now you have
Going on a 'fart walk' is the hottest new health trend on TikTok, and experts say it has some real benefits.
A 'fart walk' refers to a walk taken post-dinner that helps the body to release gas, hence the name. The term was coined by social media user Mairlyn Smith, who first shared a video about her and her husband’s walks after dinner on Instagram. Health experts have encouraged this trend, adding that it can also help bring blood sugar levels down after a meal, therefore helping to keep Type 2 diabetes at bay.
Read more about health and wellness:
10 simple ways to improve your mental wellbeing today (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
"I'm The Happiest I've Ever Been After Hearing This": People Are Revealing The Most "Life-Changing" Advice They've Ever Received From Someone Completely Unexpected (BuzzFeed, 8-min read)
Simply looking at greenery can boost mental health – new research (The Conversation, 3-min read)
