Jamie Shapiro A psychologist studying the effects of relationships on mental health has said that ‘loneliness is an epidemic’ after findings showed single people are at greater risk of physical illnesses including heart disease. Mark Cox from De Montfort University Psychology department made the statement in response to a study carried out on Valentine’s Day, […]

Jamie Shapiro A leading charity boss has called for a little known disorder to become a ‘household name’ after a study found that only 4% of people know about it. Trichotillomania, the illness which causes sufferers to pull out their hair affects one in 25 people globally and leads to ‘painful isolation’. A 100-person study, […]

What do single people think about the 14th February? All out of love. Picture taken by Jamie Shapiro If you’re single like me then the chances are you too hate Valentine’s Day.And I’m not talking about ‘argh the family is coming round for Christmas dinner’ hatred, I’m talking about real visceral hatred.For me, my diary […]

Debunking the myths started by whisky snobs. By Jamie Shapiro. I was in a hotel bar the other day. (Being a freelance journalist, I find myself in these a lot.) And I had hit a block in an article I was writing. I needed a drink. Nothing heavy. Nothing big. But something strong. I needed […]

All of the pro’s, none of the con’s. By Jamie Shapiro. People have been getting tattoos since the dawn of civilisation but when I got my first one, I felt like I was going where no man had ever gone before. I still remember the feeling. It was a combination of feelings actually. Doubt. Was […]

The new way to do well in business. By Jamie Shapiro. I was working in a warehouse in Park Royal, lifting boxes all day for minimum wage when I started bouldering. I was angry with myself, and I was angry with others because I felt like I had been left behind. My friends had all […]