Indholdsfortegnelse for 22 January 2026 i Take a Break Weekly

Nakhwezi Lakuhle is worried sick when her fella goes missing. But when she finally tracks him down, there’s someone else there with him. Find out who it is on page 6. Also this week, on page 48, Joanne Thomas decides to start dating again after splitting from her husband. But minutes in, her first date takes a terrifying turn. On page 28, an unusual experience leads Olivia Beardsmore to make a big decision about her marriage. But will she end up getting burnt? And, on page 32, readers share the unique bakes that made their celebration something to remember. On page 15, we’re embracing the winter blues – but only in our wardrobes! And on page 30, we’re keeping the cold weather at bay with some comforting soups and stews.…

I can HANDLE IT I’m always struggling for storage in my kitchen cupboards and frying pans in particular seem to take up too much room. But I’ve found a really handy solution. I popped a couple of old magazine files into a cupboard and slotted my frying pans into them. They fit perfectly and it means my pans take up less space. Problem solved! Zowie Kater, Southampton, Hants MONEY matters Before I go on holiday, I make myself a pocket-sized ready reckoner, which I can check before I buy anything. I made this one for a trip to Prague out of an old reminder card covered in sticky labels and it was really handy. Deborah Tucker, Halesowen, W Mids WARM UP act My air fryer is already a great energy saver.…

When Roz Cant first felt a twinge in her right knee, she ignored it thinking it was nothing serious. But the pain persisted and five years later, by the time she turned 40, the pain had spread to her right hip, wrist, toes and fingers. The discomfort was so intense and unbearable that primary school teacher Roz, now 44, who was a longdistance runner, had to give up running and felt frustrated and depressed. Roz says, ‘I gained three stone in weight. I went to the doctor who sent me for physiotherapy and scans, which found nothing. ‘I was given painkillers and told I was middle aged and suffering from wear and tear. They said nothing could be done. I’d dread every day as I was in so much pain.’…

Stress is something we all experience, but very few people realise how closely it’s connected to our eye health,’ explains Dr Stephen Hannan, clinical services director at Optical Express. ‘Stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, causing pupils to dilate and placing extra pressure on the delicate muscles that control eye movement. This can cause discomfort, blurred vision and even headaches – all of which can make daily life feel harder to manage.’ Here, Dr Hannan shares four simple steps to help you manage the effects of stress on your eyes. Use relaxation techniques Breathing exercises, gentle stretching or short walks can help calm the nervous system and reduce physical tension, including around the eyes. Prioritise rest and hydration Dehydration and lack of sleep can worsen eye strain and dryness, both…

Each number in the grid below represents a different letter. We’ve placed one starter word in the grid which shows you that 3 = L, 9 = I, 5 = R and 11 = A. We’ve also filled in all the Ls for you, and you can do the same for the Is, Rs and As. All 26 letters of the alphabet will appear – keep track by crossing them off at the bottom of the page. FINISHED? Now, from the top, list the letters in the yellow squares for the winning word! Write it on the entry coupon, enter online, phone or text. See page 57.…

Pacing the living room, I fiddled with my engagement ring, nerves radiating through me. This is the longest two minutes of my life, I thought, glancing at the pregnancy test lying face down on the coffee table. When it was finally up, I flipped it over to see two strong lines staring at me. I was pregnant! Grabbing my phone, I called my fiancé Ryan at work. ‘Hi, babe, are you OK?’ he asked. ‘I’m pregnant!’ I squealed. There was silence and then Ryan let out a joyful laugh. ‘That’s amazing!’ he said. We’d been together four years and while we hadn’t been actively trying for a baby, after getting engaged we’d agreed to just see what happened. When Ryan got home that night, he swept me into a huge…

I was completely shocked when I found out I’d won the Big Cash Stash with Take a Break magazine. I’ve honestly never won anything before in my life, so when I first got the message telling me, my immediate reaction was to think it was a scam. When it finally sank in that it really was genuine, I felt an overwhelming mix of disbelief, excitement, and relief. I kept thinking, This sort of thing just doesn’t happen to me! Winning this has come at such a special time and has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. It’s not just about the money, but the reassurance and joy of knowing that sometimes luck really does strike when you least expect it. I’ve been buying Take a Break for years and…

Dear John, When I sat down at the evening class I’d joined in the hope of meeting some new people, I felt nervous. I’d just moved to the area, so I didn’t know anyone, plus I was going through a difficult time in my life, so joining the class had been a big step. After the class, the group would go to the pub for a drink. You were a dapper man with kind eyes and a friendly smile. During the following months, we became friends. I discovered that at 40, you were 10 years older than me. And like me, you had two children and you loved to dance. ‘I’m an original rock and roller,’ you said, your eyes twinkling. ‘When I was four, I’d alternate the only two…

More prizes than ANY other magazine! ENTER ONLINE AT takeabreak.co.uk OR SCAN ❯ How to enter Entries to arrive by midnight Monday 2 February 2026 You can enter as many competitions as you like. Please use BLOCK LETTERS throughout. 50p* TO SEND ALL YOUR ANSWERS! TEXT 65115 It’s now even easier to enter! You no longer need to register. ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO ENTER EACH WEEK IS… ● TEXT TAB02 then a space followed by a name, house number/house name and postcode, then your answers, all separated by a space to: 65115 eg Tab02 J Smith 19 (or house name eg Old Mansions) AB1 2CD then all the answers you wish to enter (see examples, below). Easy! Each entry will cost only 50p plus your standard network rate charge.…

Could you recommend a lip stain that lasts all day? Stacey Jones, Manchester Peel-off masques, such as Sacheu Lip Liner STAY-N, £14, and Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain, £18, have become increasingly popular thanks to their impressive staying power. Both options work by dyeing the top layer of your lips for long-lasting colour. Simply apply the formula, wait for the instructed amount of time and then peel off to reveal your new shade. For a budget-friendly option, try Essence Line N’ Stain! Tattoo Lip Liner, £2.49. The marker-style liner delivers intense colour. SUPERMARKET SAVVY… Aldi’s new Lacura Ultimate Serum, £8.49, helps to deeply hydrate, brighten and protect dull winter skin. Designed for use morning and evening after cleansing, the formula is enriched with vitamin C to boost radiance, along…

Even the most cheery folk can find January challenging. But for those suffering from seasonal affective disorder, the combination of low light and cold weather can feel too much to bear. There are various treatments available, and of course it’s always worth talking to your GP if you are struggling. But if you’re looking for a free, natural remedy, you might want to consider getting out your yoga mat to combat the winter blues. ‘The colder months can leave us feeling a bit tired or low in energy, but yoga is a wonderful way to shift that,’ says Sunita Devi, Lead Teacher at Hotpod Yoga (hotpodyoga.com). ‘Moving your body through yoga poses can help to release tension, boost circulation and create a sense of lightness – both physically and mentally.’…

As I took off my wedding ring, I knew I’d done the right thing. But behind the certainty, panic flared. After seven years, my marriage was over. I’d spent most of it longing to become a mum but it had never happened. So now, at 36, I wasn’t just childless, I was also single, which meant my dream was even less likely to come true. To keep it alive, I made a decision to freeze my eggs. Then, a year on, I met someone new at work. We married and began trying for a baby straightaway. Sadly, two pregnancies ended in miscarriage. But we kept trying, and I soon fell pregnant again. Nervous, I didn’t tell anyone at first, not even my husband. Then at my six-week scan, the sonographer…

ARIES 21 Mar – 19 Apr Anything goes, Aries. Venus and Neptune are promising to sweep you up on a flight of fancy. Rams hoping for romance should find it comes naturally. You probably won’t mind what happens this week, as long as it’s out of the ordinary. The luminaries are putting you in the mood for alternative dreams. Enjoy the ride! Team up twice TAURUS 20 Apr – 20 May You bulls aren’t ones to blow your own trumpets, fortunately, others should be doing it for you. There’s someone giving you a run for your money, Taurus, in the best possible way. They’ll end up showing you how clever you are. Hobbies and study are your other areas for growth, while love shines bright. Teach eager learner GEMINI 21…

The house was painfully quiet and, as I sat down on the sofa, I felt a pang of loneliness. It was a year since I’d separated from my husband, and whenever our son went to visit his dad, the evening stretched out in front of me. So I pulled out my phone and scrolled through Tinder. One profile caught my eye. James was 41 and a wellness coach. He seemed the adventurous type, wearing a backpack in a picture of him out mountain climbing. Looking to meet a decent person, he’d written. After matching, we exchanged messages. Next day, we spoke on the phone. He told me he ran a gym, and I discovered we were both into mindfulness. ‘I practice meditation and yoga,’ James said. When he told me he…

I lifted my glass to my lips and took a huge gulp of wine. My friend’s eyes widened. ‘Oh dear,’ she said. ‘Is it that bad?’ I put my glass down and nodded. ‘I’ve had it with men,’ I said. My relationship had just ended and now I was at a party and drowning my sorrows with my pals. The last thing I was looking for was love. But then I locked eyes with a stranger across the room and everything changed. He was gorgeous and I couldn’t stop myself from making my way over to him. As we got chatting, the twinkle in his eye sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach. ‘I definitely felt a spark,’ I said to my friend later. ‘I thought you were done with men?’…

Pearls of Wisdom All these five-letter words fit into the grid horizontally, vertically or diagonally, reading forwards or backwards. The first and last letters of each word should be written inside diamonds and the rest of the word in the pearls. We’ve placed some starter letters to get you going. CLUES BACON BASIL BROOM CHAIN COWER LOCUM LORRY MELON MIXER MOIST NEVER NOISY NOVEL SKILL SONIC SPURN STAIR SUNNY TIGER TOXIN Up and Downer By writing the solutions to the ‘down’ clues downwards, you will reveal the solution to the ‘up’ clues reading upwards, and vice versa. DOWN 1 Heavy goods vehicle (5) 2 Rodent (3) 3 Pull up a chair? (3) 4 Of the nose (5) 5 Take on (a child) as your own (5) 6 Walking stick (4)…

As I stared back at my reflection in the mirror, I wept. Since giving birth to my daughter 18 months earlier, I’d gained around two stone and my once defined cheekbones and jawline had vanished. ‘My face is like a balloon,’ I sobbed to my husband. On top of that, my skin was red and itchy. When my hair started falling out too, I went to see my GP. Tests for polycystic ovary syndrome came back negative and the doctor said, ‘You just need to eat less and exercise more.’ Still, my symptoms grew worse and I developed worrying new ones. I broke out in acne and a fine white fuzz grew across my face so I returned to my doctor, where more blood tests ruled out thyroid and autoimmune…

Curried beef & sweet potato bowl Serves: 4 Takes: 25min • 1½tbsp vegetable oil• 1 onion, finely chopped• 3 garlic cloves, crushed• 500g lean beef mince• 400g sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1.5cm cubes• 3tsp curry powder• 2tsp cornflour• 2tbsp mango chutney• 250ml hot chicken stock, made with 1 stock cube• 75g frozen peas• Coriander sprigs, to garnish (optional) 1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Cook the onion and garlic for 3min or until the onion softens. 2 Add the mince. Cook, breaking up the mince with a wooden spoon, for 3-4min or until browned. Add the sweet potato and curry powder. Cook for 1min or until fragrant. Add the cornflour, chutney and stock. Bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to…

1 PICTURE A Who is this Oscar-nominated star of Judy, Wicked Little Letters and new film Hamnet? 2 What number do the Roman numerals IX represent? 3 Celebrations to honour the life and work of which Scottish poet, whose poems include Auld Lang Syne, take place each year on 25 January, his birthday? 4 What colour are the seeds of a kiwi fruit? 5 PICTURE B In which Australian soap did Isla Fisher rise to fame, playing Shannon Reed in over 300 episodes? 6 According to the well-known saying, ‘The exception proves the’ what? 7 In which Asian mountain range is the abominable snowman said to live? 8 What is the lightest known metal? 9 PICTURE C Name this species of wild cat. 10 Bugs Bunny is white and which…

Courteous, well-mannered • 24-9-22-33-57-38 Popular pet rodent, - - - pig • 48-52-67-40-7-27 Customary routine • 16-39-65-19-8 Sarcasm, parody • 5-53-13-68-50 Give forth, produce • 14-1-61-35-41 Honey-making insect • 63-31-23 Technical language • 12-55-42-69-51-34 Single piece of paper • 32-45-58-43-56 Secure – your seatbelt! • 37-71-18-2-26-11 Religious faction, cult • 62-10-44-4 Specialist at fixing leaks • 21-70-29-6-54-66-47 Coloured eye part • 36-30-60-28 Eagerness, enthusiasm • 72-17-46-25 Enigma, conundrum • 20-73-3-15-49-59-64 HOW TO ENTER Solve the clues and transfer letters to the numbered squares to spell out a message for Pisces. The yellow squares reveal our hidden star, who was born under this sign. Write her name on the entry coupon, enter online, phone or text. See page 57.…

Choose from a huge range of magazine subscriptions and save on shop prices! greatmagazines.co.uk/jansale *Saving applies to initial trial term. The minimum term is 12 months. Offer closes on 1st February 2026. UK only. Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Trial offers auto renew on 6 monthly/quarterly payments thereafter. See website for our complete range of magazine subscriptions and prices. If you wish to cancel before the end of your trial period, please notify customer services at least 10 days before the end of your trial. Should the next payment have already been taken by the time you cancel, please contact us as soon as possible to arrange a refund. Any subsequent payments are non-refundable and any cancellations…

Can I have a BABY at 47? I’m 47, a mother and a grandma. Last year I stopped taking contraception, thinking I’d soon be going through the menopause. My hubby and I took other precautions, but now I’ve realised I’m pregnant. Surely I can’t have a baby at my age? TaB Reader Amanda, 54: ‘At 46, I began having hot flushes. I went to see my GP, who did a pregnancy test “just to rule it out”. We were both speechless when it was positive. My first response was, I can’t do this! My two sons were in their 20s and my friends were becoming grandmas. ‘The GP told me that while having a baby later in life carried risks, I was in good health and I’d be closely monitored.…

A royal surprise! Picking up the envelope from the doormat, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was from Buckingham Palace! Inside was a beautiful card from King Charles and Queen Camilla, congratulating me and my husband Tony on our platinum wedding anniversary. We’d met at what we called the local hop and I’d had to step out of my petticoat when it had fallen down mid-dance! Now, here we were celebrating 70 years of wedded bliss – and the surprises didn’t stop there. Later that week, our daughter said, ‘We’re taking you for lunch.’ But arriving at the local golf club 40 friends and relatives were waiting to celebrate with us. ‘Surprise!’ they all cried as we walked in stunned. There was a barbecue sizzling away, entertainment and two beautiful…