Sarah Haselwood

Freelance journalist and HR content writer specialising in health, wellness, fitness, HR and workplace issues.

Journalist Portfolio

Metro •

No desk and no respect: Is the flexi working dream really a nightmare?

Kirsty Holden loved her fast-paced job as an administrative assistant in the legal industry. Ambitious and highly organised, she practiced a ‘right first time’ attitude. 
It was a role that Kirsty thrived in and felt great pride for, and she was especially proud to work in what she thought was a forward-thinking and supportive environment.
However, by the time she had become a mum of two after more than five years years at the company, it was a job that eventually became a nightmare -leaving her...

Caring for your mental health when you have chronic pain

The British Pain Society reported that over two-fifths of the UK population is affected by chronic pain. Although chronic pain may be eased with medication, pain can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or chronic stress. A holistic approach to living with chronic pain can be essential to reducing worry, guilt, anxiety, depression, and other associated feelings. Here, we explore the steps that you can take to take care of your wellbeing.
Counsellors or psychologists can help...
Metro •

I'll always prefer Celebrity Race Across the World to the 'normal' version

I love a reality show.
From Big Brother to SAS: Who Dares Wins, it’s fair to say I’m fascinated with watching people being thrown into different, often challenging, situations and seeing how they behave and react.
And while it’s always interesting to watch ‘normal’ people tackle these programmes, once you throw celebrities into the mix, I am completely hooked.
Perhaps it’s because I studied psychology and I get a rush out of seeing how the ‘other half’ live. 
More likely, it’s just that I’m slig...
Metro •

The workforce crisis impacting up to 50,000 people every year

When Karen Deulofeu discovered that the painless lump on her stomach – which had grown to the size of a large ball in just five months – was actually a life-threatening ovarian cyst, it was a lot to take in.
Not to mention that she would need surgery the same day to remove it. 
But that wasn’t all. Karen’s consultant then suggested she should consider a full hysterectomy at the age of 25.
Knowing she might want a family one day, Karen went against the idea – so was advised that she should start...

Coober Pedy: The Underground Opal-Mining Town in Australia’s Outback

After a seven-hour road trip from Alice Springs, I stepped off of the bus and into the desert. As far as the eye could see was a flat, moon-like, dusty landscape dotted with large, sandstone mounds and little else. It was strangely quiet. There were seemingly few people around, and the land was scattered with corrugated-iron, shoebox-like buildings and discarded mining machinery. Even the town sign was hoisted to an old mining vehicle, hinting at this place’s opal-mining history. Welcome to Coob...
Fit&Well •

I had hip pain every time I ran until I started doing these six physical therapist-approved exercises

Last year, the pain in my hips was so severe that I had to stop running.I sought advice from physical therapist Laura Wilson, co-founder of The Swiss Touch Physiotherapy, to see if the issue could be improved.She told me that I wasn’t using my glutes (the big muscles in the butt) enough and my hip mobility was limited.“Reduced hip mobility can disrupt running mechanics and lead to compensation through the lower back, knees or ankles. Limited hip extension reduces stride length and efficiency,” W...
Metro •

23 steps for a fitter, healthier you in 2023 - that you can actually sustain

Seven weeks. No, that’s not the predicted tenure for the current Prime Minister; it’s the average length of time a New Year’s resolution lasts.
However, to help you set new goals that last past March, we have 23 steps you can take in 2023 to reach a consistently fitter, happier and healthier you.
Long-term change is tough. It takes commitment and effort. Therefore, for change to be successful and sustainable, it must be gradual and achievable.
Mandy Wong Oultram, award-winning personal trainer...
Science •

What happens to your body in the first 10 minutes of exercise?

The first few minutes of exercise can feel like the most challenging hurdle in any workout—and for good reason. As your heart races, your breath quickens, and your muscles spring into action, your body is undergoing a rapid transformation. These changes, from your lungs to your brain, set the stage for better performance and lasting health benefits. Here’s what’s happening as your body powers up.Your body starts gearing up for action before you break a sweat. This “anticipatory increase” in hear...
Silver Magazine •

Practical tips to stay fit and healthy over 50 - Silver Magazine

It’s not patronising to recognise this. As we age, a holistic approach encompassing physical activity, balanced nutrition, mental stimulation and social engagement is essential for staying fit and healthy. Particularly once you’re over 50. Here are a few useful tips for lifestyle changes that can help promote longevity, and enhance your life for as long as possible.
It’s essential to keep moving, whatever form of exercise you choose. Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, or yoga, whic...
HRD •

Mental health awareness training in the digital age - HRD

Mental health issues cost the UK economy over £117 billion a year, the equivalent to approximately 5% of GDP. And while we know organisations must support mental health, managers and employees often are not equipped to notice or manage specific cases, and well-being programmes may be introduced too late.
All employers must be more able to recognise and support mental health in the workplace all year round, and if done correctly, training is the prerequisite for healthy usage of digital health &...
Men's Fitness •

CrossFit terms explained

Are you confused by CrossFit acronyms? Don’t know your WB from your WOD? Here are the most useful CrossFit terms explained…
The CrossFit brand and workout format has grown steadily since its conception in 2001, with more than 10 million regular participants globally. And the annual CrossFit Games allow participants to battle it out to gain the title of the ‘Fittest on Earth’. But if you’re new to CrossFit, you’ll need to be prepared for the numerous acronyms and abbreviations it uses. The work...
Men's Fitness •

I was struggling to workout in the morning - and now I know why!

The best time of day to exercise is a topic often discussed and one that remains a subject of debate. When you exercise is also known as chronoactivity, and different research suggests the time of day best for optimal health benefits.


In this feature, we investigate whether it’s best for your body and mind to get up early and exercise, save working out for an afternoon break or get moving in the evening. The best time of day


Contrary to what you might have been told, and sorry to disappoi...
HELLO! •

I cleared menopausal brain fog with this small morning swap

Brain fog is one of the many symptoms associated with perimenopause - and one I am all too familiar with.Although I know there is scientific reasoning behind the poor concentration, foggy thought processing and leaky memory, it feels like it's worsening by the day.I find myself easily distracted and regularly start doing something then have no idea what I was intending to do. Losing the 'switched-on' feeling I used to have has been frustrating.We experience brain fog in menopause due to a declin...
Business Insider •

I met my husband in a gym class. 14 years later, our love of fitness has made us better parents and a stronger couple.

Nearly 15 years ago, I met my husband in a gym class. We both worked in London and used to go to early pre-work classes. After a few limited conversations in spin and circuits classes, my husband, Julien, asked me out, and we began dating.

At the time, I didn't think our shared interest in exercise would be important to our relationship. Yes, it was an unusual story to tell people when they asked how we met, but I didn't think it was any more significant than that.

However, as we're about to c...
Silver Magazine •

Is forest bathing actually good for you? - Silver Magazine

It seems likely that it may be impossible to eradicate stress entirely. But immersing yourself in nature is never a bad idea. So could forest bathing be the answer? But what is forest bathing, and is it actually good for you? Or just a bit woo-woo?
Although stress levels in the UK appear to be rising, there may be a simple way to help manage or reduce stress: forest bathing. A survey earlier this year found that 63% of individuals are stressed at least every week, up by a third since the researc...
Metro •

I’ve stopped looking for work – there’s just no point any more

‘Unfortunately, after reviewing all candidates, we will not be progressing your application to the final stage.’ 
That’s the email I received in June this year informing me that I’d been ‘unsuccessful’ in securing a full-time job. And I was furious. 
Not only had I endured six weeks of pre-interviews and written tasks for this position, but I’d already been invited for a final interview. That invite had now been rescinded and it was clear I’d been misled. 
But why did it take me following up wit...
Men's Fitness •

Benefits of skipping for men: why it pays to learn the ropes

Skipping is more than just a playground pastime; it’s a versatile and effective workout that’s stood the test of time. From ancient practices to modern-day fitness routines, from double dutch skipping to Egyptians reportedly using vines to jump, its history is rich and varied.


More recently, the rise of high-intensity interval training and CrossFit have boosted the popularity of skipping. It’s a standard element in numerous workouts, and in the recent CrossFit Open 216,926 athletes completed...
The i Paper •

I got pregnant five months after giving birth - I've never known depression like it

No one should feel alone if they experience antenatal depression My pregnancy story was unusual. My firstborn was five months old, and here I was pregnant again. I was in shock and found myself in a position of caring for a baby, whilst also trying to get my head around having another. My emotions were a tangle of confusion, disbelief and fear – and it quickly escalated into much more.I thought I was just overwhelmed and exhausted, like all new mums, but once the shock of my second pr...
Metro •

Like Kate Garraway, I got 'unsettling post' months after my dad died

My beloved dad died unexpectedly of a heart attack in August 2022, leaving my mum, brother and I in a bubble of disbelief.
We managed to cope with the funeral preparation and the stark loneliness that loss brings – but once the initial shock wore off, the brutal reality of life without him kicked in.
This was made harder still by the number of letters from banks and utility companies addressed to my dad that arrived at my mum’s house. Even after we’d informed them of his death.
Unwanted letters...
Men's Fitness •

How To Run Outside In Winter

As long as you’re mentally and physically prepared – with the right kit, running headphones and some of the best moisture-wicking underwear – running in winter can be both highly rewarding and beneficial to your fitness routine.
The benefits of running outside in winter are simply too positive to ignore. Studies comparing indoor versus outdoor activity highlight that ‘green’ exercising in nature creates more positive engagement and improves self-esteem, revitalization and negative moods, such as...
Business Insider •

My kids are only 13 months apart. At first it was hard, but now I'm grateful I had them close together.

There are varied opinions about the so-called "perfect" age gap between your children, but I can only speak from experience of having two boys born 13 months apart.

When I tell people, there is usually a sharp intake of breath and a look of pity, but I would absolutely recommend a small age gap. Yes, it was scary and incredibly challenging initially. However, they are now 9 and 10, and I wouldn't change a thing. The age gap turned from exhausting to amazing.

It took a while to get pregnant wit...
Metro •

I've lost £2k to teachers' strikes - I won't be buying them end-of-year presents

At my sons’ school, parents often group together to buy presents for class teachers and assistants to say thank you.
But I won’t be doing it this year – and I’m preparing to be questioned about it.
My reason is simple.
My boys have had seven days off school this year due to teacher strikes. This has not only impacted their education and learning, but also me and my work.
Strikers are running the risk of creating a parent-teacher divide.
I’m all for supporting my children’s school. Now in years...
Metro •

I had a dating disaster with a chino-wearing misogynist - and he dumped me

‘Women are crazy, nothing but trouble,’ my date said.
‘I despise them. That’s why I work in an all-boys school.’  
No smiles, sarcasm, or tongue-in-cheek jest. Just plain, old-fashioned misogyny.  
I was shocked and convinced I’d misheard him. Then the panic and realisation set in – I had to get through a meal with someone that clearly wasn’t right for me.
It felt like a huge waste of time to go through the motions when alarm bells were roaring in my head.
At 32, I’d tried everything to find lo...
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