If You’re Trapped at Home With the Flu, Amazon Prime Is a Godsend

There are few things more miserable than being stuck at home with the flu. 

Your head is pounding, your throat feels like sandpaper, and even the idea of popping out to the shops feels wildly optimistic. 

It’s in moments like these that modern conveniences stop feeling like luxuries and start feeling like genuine lifelines.

Enter Amazon Prime.

When Leaving the House Just Isn’t an Option

Flu has a way of stripping life back to its bare essentials. You need rest, fluids, warmth, and ideally not to infect half the neighbourhood by dragging yourself to a chemist. Amazon Prime removes that pressure completely. With a few taps, essentials can be on their way to your front door, often by the very next day.

From paracetamol and throat lozenges to tissues, hand sanitiser, and even humidifiers, it means you can focus on recovery rather than logistics.

Comfort on Demand

When you’re ill, comfort becomes currency. Prime’s huge catalogue of films, box sets, documentaries and gentle background TV is invaluable when concentration is low but silence feels oppressive. 

Whether it’s a familiar sitcom you’ve watched a dozen times or a cosy film you can half-doze through, having endless options without needing to think is a quiet blessing.

Audiobooks and podcasts are another unsung hero—perfect for resting your eyes while keeping your mind lightly occupied.

Food, Drinks, and the Little Things You Forgot

Flu has a habit of striking just after the fridge has emptied or the teabags have run out. Prime’s grocery options, cupboard staples, herbal teas, honey, soups, isotonic drinks and even indulgent comfort snacks can all be delivered without you having to brave the cold.

That moment when the doorbell rings and you realise you don’t have to go without a single thing you need? That’s real relief.

No Guilt, No Pressure

Perhaps the greatest gift Amazon Prime offers when you’re ill is permission to stop. No last-minute dashes to the shops. No favours to call in. No guilt about “just pushing through”. Everything arrives quietly, efficiently, and on your terms.

When you’re poorly, that sense of being looked after—even by a service—is surprisingly powerful.

A Modern Sick-Day Essential

Being ill is never pleasant, but being ill at home no longer has to mean being uncomfortable or unprepared. Amazon Prime turns a flu-ridden house into a place of rest, warmth, and quiet convenience.

When your only real job is to get better, having the world come to you isn’t indulgent—it’s sensible.

Why Mental Fitness Must Become Part of the UK’s New Year’s Resolutions

By Rajesh Ananda

Every January, millions of people across the UK resolve to improve their lives. Gym memberships increase, diets are reset, and there is renewed focus on physical appearance and health.

Yet one vital area remains overlooked: mental fitness.

Across the UK—and throughout Europe—stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion are increasingly part of everyday life for adults of all ages. Long working hours, financial pressures, constant digital stimulation, and ongoing uncertainty place sustained demands on the nervous system.

Mental-health challenges are no longer confined to any one group. Professionals, parents, carers, students, and retirees alike report rising levels of stress and mental strain. While the causes may differ, the underlying physiological response is the same: when stress remains unmanaged, it takes a real toll on psychological and physical well-being.

Mental Fitness Is Not a Luxury

We already understand the importance of physical fitness. Regular exercise keeps the body strong, flexible, and resilient.

Mental fitness works in precisely the same way.

Meditation is not about belief, religion, or withdrawing from daily life. It is a practical, accessible practice that helps calm the nervous system, stabilise the mind, and build resilience to stress. Over recent decades, a growing body of research has shown that regular meditation practice can support emotional balance, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall well-being.

From my own experience of teaching meditation for more than fifty years, I have observed a consistent pattern:

When the mind becomes calmer, life becomes more manageable.

Meditation in Modern Life

Meditation is increasingly recognised not as a luxury or trend, but as a life skill—one that supports clearer thinking, healthier emotional responses, and greater inner stability under pressure.

Notably, modern meditation does not require lifestyle changes or belief systems. It is designed to fit into everyday life, supporting people where they are, rather than asking them to step away from their responsibilities.

Across the UK, interest in meditation and mental well-being continues to grow as individuals seek practical ways to cope with the demands of contemporary life.

A New Kind of Resolution

As the new year begins, perhaps it is time to broaden how we define “health.

Looking after the body is essential—but caring for the mind is equally important.

Mental fitness should not be treated as an optional extra. In a world of increasing complexity and pressure, it is becoming a necessity.

This January, alongside physical fitness goals and healthy eating plans, I invite people across the UK to consider one additional resolution: to care for the mind with the same commitment we give to the body.

https://https//www.fisu.org

Cinderella helps Young Families and SEND Community go to the Ball!

Iver Heath Drama Club is delighted to announce an extra performance of its 2026 community pantomime, Cinderella.

The additional show will be the club's first Relaxed Performance, designed to to support families with younger children and audience members with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 

The additional show will take place with the five previously announced shows in early February 2026 at Iver Heath Village Hall. 

The venue is near South Buckinghamshire's border with Slough and Uxbridge in London. Iver Heath is also home to the world famous Pinewood Studios.

Relaxed Performances offer a welcoming, inclusive environment with adjustments such as gentler lighting and sound, a flexible attitude to movement and noise, and a generally calmer atmosphere. 

They are ideal for anyone who may benefit from a more laid‑back theatre experience. For this performance, the club has reduced the audience capacity and will have a 'Meet the Cast' introduction at the start of the show.

“We want everyone in Iver Heath and the surrounding area to feel that live theatre is for them,” Matt Streuli, Co‑Chair and Dame of Iver Heath Drama Club told That's Christmas 365.

“Our cast and crew are all volunteers, and this relaxed perfrmance is part of our commitment to making theatre more inclusive, especially for families who may find the cost or environment of professional theatre challenging.”

IHDC has been entertaining the community for over 70 years and performs at the Iver Heath Village Hall — itself a registered charity. "I really hope this trial performance will demonstrate demand for more accessible theatre so we can offer more relaxed performances in the future." said Kaia Barton, the pantomime's director.

A family ticket to see Cinderella's panto adventure is only £32, far more affordable than many professional pantomimes, and the club are trialling a special ticket price for 'Access Card' holders for this additional show.

Tickets, and details, for all six shows are now available at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ihdc

How We at That's Christmas 365 Are Fighting Off the “Australian Superflu” (and How You Can Too)

Posed by models

The couple behind That’s Christmas 365 (and our related blogs) have been properly knocked sideways by what the headlines have been calling the “Australian superflu”. 

We both had our flu jabs… and yet here we are: wiped out, sore, shivery, coughing, and wondering how something that feels so ordinary can also feel so utterly brutal.

If you’re in the same boat, this post is for you: a practical, UK-friendly guide to getting through flu sensibly, safely, and with the least misery possible.

First: what is this “Australian superflu”, really?

“Superflu” isn’t a medical term — it’s a media nickname for a fast-spreading variant of influenza A (H3N2) that’s been getting attention internationally, including strains described as emerging strongly in Australia and then showing up widely elsewhere. The World Health Organization has noted increased detections of H3N2 “subclade K” viruses in multiple countries. 

In the UK, UKHSA has been publishing seasonal surveillance updates through the 2025–26 season, and they’ve also explained something important: flu vaccines are mainly about reducing severe illness (like hospitalisation), not guaranteeing you won’t catch flu at all.

So yes — you can be vaccinated and still get flu. It’s miserable, but it isn’t a sign you “did it wrong”.

The goal: recover well, reduce risk, and avoid complications

Think of flu recovery as three priorities:

Support your body while it clears the virus

Watch for warning signs that mean you need medical advice

Reduce spread (especially to vulnerable people)

Let’s do those properly.

1) Home care that actually helps

Rest like it’s your job

Flu is not a “push through it” illness. If you try to power on, it often drags on and bites back. Proper rest isn’t laziness — it’s treatment.

Try:

Sleep whenever you can

Keep activity gentle (even showering can feel like a marathon)

Don’t rush back to normal just because you feel 20% better

Hydration: small and often

Flu dehydrates you through fever, sweating, faster breathing, and “can’t be bothered to drink”.

Easy wins:

Water, squash, warm tea, broth

Ice lollies if you can’t face drinks

Little sips frequently if you feel nauseous

Fever, aches, and that “hit by a bus” feeling

For most adults, typical over-the-counter options can help with comfort:

Paracetamol for fever/aches

Ibuprofen can also help some people (if you can take it)

Use medicines exactly as labelled, and avoid doubling up products that contain the same ingredients.

Sore throat and cough comfort

Flu coughs can be rough and relentless.

Comfort measures:

Warm drinks (tea, lemon, warm water)

Lozenges

Saline nasal spray (especially if post-nasal drip is driving cough)

Honey-based drinks can soothe throats (not suitable for babies under 1 year)

If your cough is keeping you from sleeping, a pharmacist can advise on symptom relief options that are appropriate for you.

Steam and air: don’t overcomplicate it

Dry air can make everything feel worse.

Try:

A bowl of hot water in the room (kept safely out of reach)

A humidifier if you already have one. Or check out Amazon https://amzn.to/4jt6C7s.

Ventilation (brief fresh air changes can help your comfort and reduce spread)

Eat what you can manage

You don’t need “superfoods”. You need calories and fluids.

Gentle options:

Soup, toast, bananas, yoghurt, rice, porridge

Little portions more often

2) When to seek help (this bit matters)

Flu can turn into something more serious, especially for older adults, pregnant people, people with chronic conditions, or anyone immunocompromised.

Get urgent medical advice (NHS 111 / urgent care) if you notice:

Breathing is difficult, very fast, or painful

Chest pain or pressure

You can’t keep fluids down, or you’re barely passing urine

Confusion, extreme drowsiness, or you’re getting worse after seeming to improve

High fever that isn’t settling, or symptoms are rapidly worsening

If it feels “not right”, trust that instinct.

3) Antivirals: worth knowing about (especially if you’re at higher risk)

There are prescription antivirals that can reduce the risk of complications for eligible people — but timing matters. In general, they’re most useful when started early.

In the UK, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir are recognised options for treatment and prophylaxis in certain circumstances. Guidance and prescribing rules have been updated and discussed in NHS/UKHSA-linked resources. 

If you (or someone in your household) is in a higher-risk group and you suspect flu, it’s worth contacting NHS 111 or your GP promptly to ask what’s appropriate.

4) “But we had the flu jab…” — why it can still happen

This is the part we really want to emphasise, because it’s easy to feel disheartened.

UKHSA’s messaging is clear: the flu vaccine typically reduces the risk of severe outcomes, even when it doesn’t fully prevent infection — and effectiveness can vary by strain and by season. 

So even if you’re ill (like we are), the jab may still be doing important behind-the-scenes work: lowering the chance of complications, hospital admission, or a longer recovery.

5) Reduce spread without turning your house into a hazmat zone

If one of you is ill and the other is trying desperately not to join them:

Handwashing (properly, with soap)

Don’t share towels, mugs, or cutlery

Wipe high-touch surfaces (door handles, remotes, phones)

Ventilate rooms (short, regular fresh-air changes)

Consider a mask if you’re caring for someone vulnerable or you have to be close-up

Our very unglamorous recovery plan

Right now, our approach is:

Rest, even when we’re bored of resting

Fluids, little and often

Simple food

Symptom relief for aches/fever

No heroics (the blogs will still be here when we’re better)

And if anything shifts into “this is worsening, not improving”, we won’t hesitate to get medical advice.

A gentle reminder from us at That’s Christmas 365

If you’re reading this while ill: you’re not failing. Flu can flatten the best of us — and this season’s strains have been widely discussed for their ability to spread quickly. 

Take it seriously, take care of yourself, and let recovery be the plan.

Christmas Doesn’t End on 25 December – Help Is Available If You Need It

Don't worry. Help is available

For many people, Christmas is a season of generosity, warmth, and togetherness. But once the decorations come down and January arrives, reality can feel very different. 

Bills land on the doormat, credit card statements appear, and household costs suddenly feel heavier than ever.

If you’re finding yourself in a difficult financial situation in the post-Christmas period, please know this: you are not alone, and help is available.

Needing support is not a failure. It’s a reflection of the pressures many households face right now – especially during winter.

Foodbanks: No One Should Go Hungry

Across the UK, foodbanks exist to make sure nobody has to choose between heating and eating.

The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of foodbanks that provide emergency food parcels to individuals and families in crisis. Many operate discreetly and with compassion, often alongside additional support such as advice services. https://www.trussell.org.uk

Local independent foodbanks, church-run pantries, and community hubs may also be available in your area. GP surgeries, schools, councils, and charities can often help with referrals or point you in the right direction.

If you are struggling to put food on the table, reaching out is an act of strength.

Help With Energy Bills: Gas & Electricity Support

Winter energy bills can be frightening, particularly after the expense of Christmas.

Charities such as Citizens Advice can help you understand your options, check you’re receiving all the support you’re entitled to, and speak to energy suppliers on your behalf if needed.

The Energy Saving Trust also offers guidance on reducing energy use, improving efficiency, and accessing grants or schemes that may help lower costs in the long term.

If you’re behind on payments, don’t ignore the problem. Many suppliers have hardship funds or payment plans available – but you usually have to ask.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk

Struggling With Water Bills?

If water charges are causing stress, there is help.

Some households may qualify for WaterSure, a scheme that caps water bills for eligible customers on certain benefits or with medical needs that require higher water use.

Your local water provider may also offer social tariffs, payment plans, or hardship funds. Speaking to them early can prevent matters escalating.

https://www.iwnl.co.uk/help-and-advice/watersure

Debt Worries: Free, Confidential Advice

If Christmas spending, rising costs, or unexpected expenses have left you worried about debt, free and confidential advice is available.

The StepChange offers practical support, budgeting help, and debt solutions tailored to your situation. There is no judgement – just clear, calm advice from people who understand.

You don’t have to face financial worries on your own, and you don’t have to make decisions in panic.

https://www.stepchange.org

A Quiet Reminder From That’s Christmas 365

Christmas is about kindness, compassion, and community – and those values don’t expire when January begins.

If you need help, please reach out.

If you know someone who may be struggling, please check in on them.

If you’re in a position to help others, even in a small way, that kindness matters more than ever.

From all of us at That’s Christmas 365, we send warmth, understanding, and hope to anyone finding this season difficult. Christmas lives on in care for one another – every day of the year.

GB News Charity Calendar 2026 Sells Out in Record Time – Additional Copies Now in Production Due to Huge Demand!

The inaugural GB News Charity Calendar 2026 has proven a fantastic instant hit, selling out completely shortly after launch and prompting GB News to produce additional copies to meet the overwhelming public demand.

Priced at just £9.99, this wall calendar features 12 stunning, viewer-submitted photographs showcasing the best of Britain's lstunning andscapes and seasons, from rolling hills and harbour towns to spring markets, autumn mists, seaside summers, and snowy peaks.

100% of profits from every sale go directly to the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children (LTCFC), proudly supported by Queen Camilla. 

Founded ba in 1928, LTCFC has spent nearly a century supporting disadvantaged and special-needs children through annual outings in decorated London black cabs, funding for essential equipment (such as mobility aids, communication boards, and sensory rooms), theatre trips, Christmas parties, and more. All donations go straight to the cause, with a voluntary committee ensuring there are absolutely no salaries or overheads.

Chairman Tony shared his heartfelt thanks in a message to supporters, telling That's Chhristmas 365: "This is just a little thing I did this morning for the calendars, because they sold out and we had to do another interview to redo it. But this is just for me to say thank you to everybody for the past year, and happy new year going forward. So, a happy new year to everybody!"

With over 700 calendars sold in the initial run, the rapid sell-out underscores strong support for beautiful British imagery and meaningful charity impact. 

The GB News Shop is currently sold out, with operations paused over the holiday period (reopening 5 January 2026), but additional production is underway to restock soon due to the exceptional demand.

This successful first collaboration between GB News and LTCFC highlights the power of community generosity as we head into 2026. The charity looks forward to putting the funds to work creating joy and providing vital support for children who need it most.

Founded in 1928, the London Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children (LTCFC) is dedicated to supporting special-needs and disadvantaged children across the UK. 

Through volunteer London black cab drivers, the charity organises joyful outings, funds essential equipment for schools and hospices, and hosts events – all with 100% of donations going directly to the children. 

Proudly supported by Queen Camilla, LTCFC relies on the generosity of the public, drivers, and partners. Visit www.ltcfc.org.uk for more information.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our PR Partners and Business Friends

As the year draws to a close and we look ahead to a brand-new chapter, we wanted to pause and offer our sincere thanks to the PR professionals, agencies, independent publicists, and businesses who have supported That’s Christmas 365 over the past twelve months.

Running a year-round Christmas platform is a joyful but demanding endeavour. 

Behind every story shared, every product highlighted, every campaign covered, and every festive idea brought to life, there are people who believed in what we do and took the time to reach out, collaborate, explain, organise, and support. That effort never goes unnoticed.

Champions of Creativity and Calm

PR is often at its best when it’s invisible, but we see the hard work. The carefully written press releases, the thoughtful pitches that genuinely fit our audience, the patience when timings shift, and the professionalism when things don’t quite go to plan. 

Your work helps Christmas magic reach readers in a way that feels authentic, helpful, and inspiring rather than forced.

You’ve trusted us with your stories, your brands, and sometimes your hopes for a campaign, and that trust means everything.

Supporting Businesses of All Sizes

We’re especially grateful to the small and medium-sized businesses who took a chance on That’s Christmas 365. 

Whether you’re a family-run brand, a seasonal start-up, or a long-established company adapting to a changing retail world, your passion shines through. It’s a privilege to share your products, traditions, and ideas with our readers.

Christmas thrives on variety, handmade alongside heritage, innovation alongside nostalgia, and your businesses help keep that richness alive all year round.

Collaboration Over Transaction

What has stood out most this year is the spirit of collaboration. Conversations rather than demands. Mutual respect rather than box-ticking. A shared understanding that Christmas content works best when it’s rooted in warmth, honesty, and genuine enthusiasm.

That approach aligns perfectly with our ethos, and it’s why so many of our partnerships feel less like work and more like creative friendship.

Looking Ahead to the New Year

As we step into the New Year, we do so with gratitude and optimism. We look forward to:

New stories and campaigns

Continued partnerships

Fresh ideas and festive inspiration

And many more opportunities to celebrate Christmas in all its forms — 365 days a year

To every PR professional who emailed, called, followed up, explained, reassured, and supported, thank you.

To every business that trusted us with your brand, thank you.

We wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year, filled with successful campaigns, strong relationships, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

From both of us at That’s Christmas 365, here’s to another year of shared success — and a little bit of Christmas magic, every single day.

If you want to get in touch, please email us at afj_uk@yahoo.com.

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A New Year’s Toast Without the Fizz: Why Beer Can Be the Perfect Alternative

There’s a powerful expectation that seeing in the New Year must involve a cork popping and a flute of something sparkling held aloft at midnight. 

Champagne, Prosecco, Cava – they’ve become part of the cultural shorthand for celebration. But sometimes life intervenes, plans change, and the shops are simply out of reach.

This New Year’s Eve, with flu firmly keeping us housebound, the traditional sparkling wine run just wasn’t happening. And honestly? That turned out to be no bad thing at all.

Instead, we’re welcoming the New Year with a couple of bottles of Leffe – and it feels like a celebration perfectly suited to the moment.

Letting Go of the Sparkle Myth

There’s nothing magical about bubbles themselves. What matters is the act of pausing, reflecting, and marking the passing of one year into the next. Sparkling wine has simply become the default, not the rule.

When you’re under the weather, overly acidic or highly carbonated drinks can be less appealing anyway. Beer – particularly a well-made Belgian abbey-style beer – offers warmth, depth, and comfort rather than sharpness and fizz.

Why Leffe Works So Well for New Year’s Eve

Leffe is not a “quick pint” beer. It’s a beer that asks to be sipped and appreciated, which makes it ideal for a quieter, more reflective New Year.

Rich, rounded flavours – gentle sweetness, soft spice, and malt warmth

Lower carbonation than sparkling wine, making it easier to drink when you’re not feeling at your best

A sense of occasion – it’s still a bottled, poured, glass-worthy drink

Comforting rather than bracing, perfect for a night in

Whether it’s Leffe Blonde with its honeyed smoothness or Leffe Brune with its deeper, caramel notes, it feels intentional rather than second-best.

Celebrating at Home, on Your Own Terms

There’s something quietly reassuring about seeing the New Year in from the sofa, wrapped in blankets, listening to the distant sound of fireworks through the window. No crowds, no pressure, no forced cheerfulness – just the shared acknowledgement that you made it through another year.

Raising a glass of beer rather than sparkling wine doesn’t diminish the moment. If anything, it makes it more honest. It reflects where you are, how you’re feeling, and what you actually want rather than what tradition says you should want.

A Gentle Toast to the Year Ahead

So tonight, our toast isn’t loud or extravagant. It’s a simple clink of beer glasses, a shared smile, and a quiet hope that the coming year brings better health, calmer days, and more small moments worth savouring.

If you’re also spending New Year’s Eve unwell, snowed in, or simply choosing comfort over convention, consider this your permission slip: the New Year doesn’t care what’s in your glass.

Sometimes, a good beer is exactly the right way to begin again.

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