{"id":40277,"date":"2026-05-19T05:16:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T05:16:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/40277\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T05:16:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T05:16:20","slug":"i-moved-to-malta-from-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/40277\/","title":{"rendered":"I moved to Malta from London"},"content":{"rendered":"

Around half a million people left the UK to live abroad<\/a> last year, and it\u2019s not just retirees. A survey by the British Council has found that 72 per cent of 18 to 30-year-olds would consider living and working overseas<\/a> \u2013 with cold weather, the high cost of living, extortionate childcare costs, a lack of work-life balance and even poor romantic prospects among their motivations for leaving. The i Paper\u2019s Expat Files<\/a> follows Brits who have taken the leap and settled elsewhere, detailing the ups and downs of their journeys. British barrister Geraldine Noel, 52, ended up in Malta by accident in 2010. She tells Maybelle Morgan how the island has changed.<\/p>\n

I never would have thought adopting a rescue dog and being banned from bringing it into the UK would have led me to settling in Malta<\/a> \u2013 going strong 16 years now \u2013 but I love my life here in the sun and wouldn\u2019t change a thing.<\/p>\n

I grew up in Brixton. A lot of people don\u2019t know that there is a huge Maltese community in south London, so I grew up surrounded by people from the islands there. I ended up graduating from Oxford University and then worked for a while in tech companies in the UK, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service, until I moved to New York to get my postgraduate degree from Fordham University.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShorts\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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One in four people in the UK is living with mould and\/or damp in their home\u2026<\/p>\n

David Prince, a leading damp surveyor who travels across the country treating mould, spends the day with The i Paper writer Eleanor Peake.<\/p>\n

\"EleanorSurveyor David Prince warns people are being overcharged by rogue companies for unnecessary treatment (Photo: Teri Pengilley)<\/p>\n

\nThe UK\n<\/p>\n

Britain\u2019s damp problem is one of the worst in Europe.<\/p>\n

45%<\/p>\n

Private renters are\u00a0disproportionately affected, with 45 per cent currently battling symptoms of damp.<\/p>\n

30%<\/p>\n

From 2015 to 2024, British winters were 16 per cent wetter than in previous years.<\/p>\n

By 2070, UK winters are projected to be up to 30 per cent wetter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The house I visited with David Prince \u2013 a private rental<\/p>\n

Renters are desperate for a resolution to their ongoing damp issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

David notes that although the bathroom has an extractor fan, the room wasn\u2019t being ventilated efficiently. <\/p>\n

The hot air from the bathroom was floating towards the coldest part of the building (the bedroom) and turning into water as it hit the cold bedroom walls.<\/p>\n

This was an internal ventilation issue, other houses have an external issue. When the guttering is overgrown the water has to go somewhere else, sometimes seeping back into the brick.<\/p>\n

\nThe houses most at risk\n<\/p>\n

Victorian terraces, or those built in the 1910s, are more likely to have rising damp \u2013 where the water seeps through the foundation of the house. <\/p>\n

\"DavidCaption: David Prince, Director of Abbott Property Care Ltd.
For a feature on damp by Eleanor Peake, Senior Features Writer at The i Paper.
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ The i Paper
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

\"DavidCaption: David Prince, Director of Abbott Property Care Ltd.
For a feature on damp by Eleanor Peake, Senior Features Writer at The i Paper.
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ The i Paper
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

Modern houses are often built with concrete ring beams, one of the coldest materials to build with. The damp turns to condensation just by hitting the walls.<\/p>\n

Damp specialists <\/p>\n

\"EleanorCaption: Eleanor Peake, Senior Features Writer at The i Paper, meets David Prince, Director of Abbott Property Care Ltd, to examine the issue of damp in rental properties.
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ The i Paper
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

Only a small number of damp specialists \u2013 around 250 \u2013 are registered with the Property Care Association (PCA) in the whole of the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This means that a majority of people in the UK are receiving quotes and recommendations about damp from building surveyors who aren\u2019t qualified to give a diagnosis, says Prince.<\/p>\n

\nThe golden rules for managing damp\n<\/p>\n

The most common issues can be solved by simple tweaks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Start with the outside. When it\u2019s raining, have a walk around your building to see if the gutters are pouring water down the wall, or water is being trapped in some way.<\/p>\n

Make sure you\u00a0have good ventilation in key wet rooms: kitchen, bathroom, utility, and toilets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Open all your windows every day for a short period of time to force natural ventilation \u2013 even on cold days.<\/p>\n

Never place furniture, or even pictures, on an external wall if it suffers from mould. It helps retain moisture. <\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman awaking after sleeping well in a nice sleeping room. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

SLEEP<\/p>\n

How to reset your sleep<\/p>\n

Irregular sleep has been linked with poorer cardiovascular health, metabolic disruption, inflammation and mood imbalances.<\/p>\n

If your sleep has fallen out of whack, this is what the experts recommend. <\/p>\n

From personalised \u2018sleep windows\u2019 to unhelpful bedtime routines.<\/p>\n

Consistency in bedtimes<\/p>\n

It helps the brain feel safer and more predictable around sleep, which is important for people with\u00a0insomnia. When sleep and wake times are consistent, that clock stays well aligned.\u00a0When sleep timing is all over the place, the body clock becomes confused\u2026<\/p>\n

dr ZOE GOTTS, CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT THE LONDON SLEEP CENTRE<\/p>\n

\"CoupleCouple sleeping in bed \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\nThe changes to make\n<\/p>\n

\"SleepSleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Find your sleep window<\/p>\n

When do you naturally start to feel tired? Aim to allow your body to sleep within that timeframe most nights.<\/p>\n

Wake at the same time<\/p>\n

Pick a wake-up time you can stick to and anchor everything around that, says Dr David Garley, sleep expert.<\/p>\n

\"SereneSleep doesn\u2019t have to be so complicated (Photo: Olga Pankova\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"TOPSHOTCaption: TOPSHOT \u2013 NASA\u2019s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is seen at sunrise at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on April 1, 2026. On Wednesday three men and one woman are set to embark on the first crewed journey to the Moon since 1972, a landmark odyssey that aims to launch the US into a new era of space exploration. The NASA mission dubbed Artemis 2 has been years in the making after facing repeated setbacks, but is finally scheduled to take off from Florida as early as April 1 at 6:24 pm (2224 GMT). (Photo by Gregg Newton \/ AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: GREGG NEWTON
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors<\/p>\n

Get out into sunlight<\/p>\n

Exposing yourself to daylight soon after waking helps to sync your circadian rhythm, says Dr Garley.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nHow to reset your sleep\n<\/p>\n

Regulate your nervous system<\/p>\n

Many people are running on exhaustion but still in a state of high alert, so might not be able to rest when needed, says Dr Gotts. <\/p>\n

Gentle routines, reduced evening stimulation, and calming the body can make a huge difference.<\/p>\n

\"SleepSleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"SeniorSenior bed woman problem pain headache home elderly mature pain bedroom upset unhappy female caucasian adult relationship retirement old difficulty ache head sick migraine hangover sleep \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t spend too long in bed<\/p>\n

If you cannot sleep within 20 minutes, get out of bed, ideally out of the bedroom, and find a relaxing and distracting activity to do while you wait for the natural urge to return.<\/p>\n

\nThe tweaks to make to reset sleep\n<\/p>\n

\"Caucasian(Photo: AzmanL\/Getty\/E+)<\/p>\n

Look at your bedtime<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t presume earlier to bed (ie. more time in bed) equals better sleep. The timing needs to fit you.<\/p>\n

It might mean going to bed later<\/p>\n

Set an alarm to anchor the wake-up time, then choose a bedtime that allows you to fall asleep easily and aim to sleep solidly within that time.<\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman in bed at night having trouble sleeping. \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"AA mature woman lies in bed and reads a hardback book \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t overdo it<\/p>\n

Too much preparation can increase pressure around sleep so a short and consistent routine is far more effective.<\/p>\n

Weight training has a host of benefits, but only if it\u2019s done correctly.<\/p>\n

We asked personal trainers the common mistakes that people make when lifting \u2013 especially for the first time or early on in their strength journey \u2013 and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman lifting barbell with heavy weights in cross training gym \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Priotising weight over form<\/p>\n

When the load is too heavy, form usually breaks down, the wrong muscles take over, and the risk of injury goes up. If you can\u2019t control the lowering part of the movement, keep good posture, or move through the full range, you\u2019re compromising.<\/p>\n

CELEBRITY TRAINER AND PT AIMEE LONG<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

\nThe mistakes you could be making\n<\/p>\n

\"CloseClose up of male athlete gripping heavy green kettlebell during strength training exercise in cross training gym \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Not progressing<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re reaching for the same pair of dumbbells each week you\u2019re likely just maintaining muscle, not building.<\/p>\n

The wrong trainers<\/p>\n

You need adequate support for your ankles, without overly cushioning your arches.<\/p>\n

\"Close-upFind the best shoes for you (Photo: Xavier Lorenzo\/Getty\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman at the Gym \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Not timing your rest<\/p>\n

PT Nancy Best\u2019s advice is to take 90 seconds of downtime before picking your weight back up.<\/p>\n

\"WomanResearch has found that strength training can help slow bone loss
(Photo: FJ Jimenez\/Moment RF
via Getty)<\/p>\n

Neglecting recovery<\/p>\n

Progress does not happen during the workout itself; it happens afterwards when your body repairs and rebuilds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Poor sleep, not eating enough calories or protein, or training the same muscles hard every single day can hinder recovery and leave you constantly exhausted, says Long.<\/p>\n

\nNot choosing the right exercises\n<\/p>\n

An effective programme is built around variety.<\/p>\n

Ensure your training includes each movement for the upper and lower body.<\/p>\n

PT Luke Worthington recommends a push\/pull programming. <\/p>\n

Upper body push targets the shoulders or chest and upper body pull typically works the back.<\/p>\n

Lower body push includes squats and leg press whereas pulls include deadlifts and hinges.<\/p>\n

What to do<\/p>\n

Perfect the movements before increasing the weight.<\/p>\n

Best recommends Nike Metcons or Converse for a flat, stable surface.<\/p>\n

Aim to eat 1.4-2g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight if you\u2019re regularly exercising.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re comfortable you can increase the weight, number of sets or reps, or range of motion to progress each lift.<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

6 min read<\/p>\n

The eight biggest mistakes we make
when retiring<\/p>\n

Psychologist and author Dr Denise Taylor says we shouldn\u2019t sleepwalk into retirement, nor stop walking, just because everyone else has.<\/p>\n

\"DrDenise Taylor\u2019s marriage ended at 60 as the structure of the working day faded away (Photo: Mihai Zsigmond)<\/p>\n

\nThe mistakes we make when retiring\n<\/p>\n

\"TheThe man is currently drawing a small defined benefit (DB) pension (Photo: SimpleImages\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Hoarding money <\/p>\n

Many clients tell me their biggest regret was spending too little when they were healthiest and most able to enjoy it.<\/p>\n

Planning to rest<\/p>\n

Boredom in retirement is misunderstood. It\u2019s rarely about having nothing to do. It\u2019s\u00a0about having time without meaning.<\/p>\n

\"TiredNaps before 1pm can lead to better cognitive performance in the following hours (Photo: Lord Henri Voton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"\"Photographer: Lourdes Balduque
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
Copyright: Lourdes Balduque<\/p>\n

Not mentally preparing<\/p>\n

People prepare financially and practically, but don\u2019t do the psychological work of leaving well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Waiting to plan what\u2019s next<\/p>\n

Once the structure of work disappears, people can slip into a narrower way of being. Start sketching out possible paths at least two years ahead. Even rough ideas about what you might want to explore \u2013 creative projects, volunteering, learning.<\/p>\n

DR DENISE TAYLOR<\/p>\n

\"DeniseDenise Taylor has worked with many clients who moved into \u2018purposeful\u2019 roles expecting to feel better, only to be more depleted than before
(Photo: Ilona Gierach)<\/p>\n

\nCommon mistakes she sees\n<\/p>\n

\"asian\u2018I know it\u2019s a minor thing but it makes me feel unheard and ignored\u2019 (Photo: PonyWang\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Not preparing as a couple<\/p>\n

Discuss how much time you want together, and what kind of lives you\u2019re moving towards, rather than assuming it will naturally align.<\/p>\n

Trying to stay busy<\/p>\n

Without noticing what drains your energy, activity becomes a way of bypassing the deeper adjustment. <\/p>\n

\"LawnRemember to care for your lawn (Photo: RHS \/ Tim Sandall)<\/p>\n

\"SeniorSenior bed woman problem pain headache home elderly mature pain bedroom upset unhappy female caucasian adult relationship retirement old difficulty ache head sick migraine hangover sleep \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Treating it as an ending<\/p>\n

People can find themselves psychologically stranded. Days begin to blur into one another.<\/p>\n

\nRetiring because everyone else is\n<\/p>\n

For a generation raised to expect retirement at a certain age, default timing can feel normal.<\/p>\n

The timing is personal. <\/p>\n

\"PortraitPortrait of senior man at desktop computer in home office \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

The mistake is retiring without\u00a0questioning whether that timing actually fits your own life. It ignores your relationship with work, your health and\u00a0your finances. <\/p>\n

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Agony Uncle<\/p>\n

5 min read<\/p>\n

\nWhat to do\n<\/p>\n

1For some a gradual shift is best like working fewer days or changing role, slowing down.<\/p>\n

2Experiment before you leave.\u00a0Taking a sabbatical\u00a0or reducing hours can show you how retirement might feel.<\/p>\n

3Prioritise a small number of meaningful anchors: one regular commitment, one place where you feel known and one activity.<\/p>\n

4Slow it down psychologically \u2013 question default timing, resist expectations and ask yourself what kind of transition you are actually stepping into.<\/p>\n

\"GLASTONBURY,Sir David Attenborough is estimated to have travelled almost two million miles in his career, and has visited 90 countries and all seven continents in his quest to enhance our understanding of nature (Photo: Shirlaine Forrest\/WireImage)<\/p>\n

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH<\/p>\n

The national treasure has celebrated his centenary<\/p>\n

For all the inspiring insight into nature that\u00a0Sir David Attenborough\u00a0has given us, he has also shown us how to age well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here, Chief Features Writer Kasia Delgado looks into his lifestyle, and the tips he\u2019s shared to live to 100.<\/p>\n

\"ProgrammeCaption: Programme Name: Africa \u2013 TX: n\/a \u2013 Episode: The Future (No. 6) \u2013 Embargoed for publication until: n\/a \u2013 Picture Shows: SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH WITH A THREE MONTH OLD BLIND BLACK RHINO ??? LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY, KENYA \u2013 (C) BBC\/David Chancellor \u2013 Photographer: David Chancellor
Photographer: David Chancellor
Provider: BBC\/David Chancellor
Source: 6
Copyright: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures\u2019 Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) as set out at www.bbcpictures.co.uk. In particular, this image may only be published by a registered User of BBC Pictures for editorial use for the purpose of publicising the relevant BBC programme, personnel or activity during the Publicity Period which ends three review weeks following the date of transmission and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial, prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required.<\/p>\n

LOREM IPSUM<\/p>\n

Never retiring fully<\/p>\n

Putting your feet up is all very well, but it\u2019s very boring, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n

In the last two years alone, Attenborough has done voiceovers on a number of projects, including\u00a0Wild London,\u00a0and a National Geographic Disney film,\u00a0Ocean.<\/p>\n

Although his workload has remained high, he did acknowledge in 2017, that as he ages, he sometimes finds it harder to recall correct words as quickly as he did before. <\/p>\n

Improving his diet<\/p>\n

In his 90s, Attenborough has cut back on red meat, and begun eating an increasingly vegetarian diet.<\/p>\n

Whether as he said, he \u201csimply lost the taste\u201d for meat, or whether it was an environmental or health reason, the NHS advises that eating a lot of red and processed meat increases your bowel cancer risk at any age.<\/p>\n

\"FoxCaption: Fox Cub BBC Wild London 2026 Attenborough Screenshot<\/p>\n

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\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Big Read<\/p>\n

7 min read<\/p>\n

Keeping active<\/p>\n

\"SirCaption: Sir David Attenborough visits the London Wetland Centre in west London where he launched his new campaign to raise public awareness to help reverse the butterfly decline, urging the public to plant butterfly-friendly flowers in their garden to help reverse declining numbers of the insects.
Photographer: Stefan Rousseau
Provider: PA
Source: PA Archive<\/p>\n

Attenborough has previously said he has \u201cnever done exercise\u201d in an official capacity.<\/p>\n

But he has\u00a0kept active by going for walks in Richmond, where he lives.<\/p>\n

Interviewers who have been to his home have also mentioned him practically skipping down the stairs of his house. <\/p>\n

\t
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\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n

TELEVISION<\/p>\n

8 min read<\/p>\n

\nAvoiding becoming isolated\n<\/p>\n

When Sir David\u2019s wife Jane died in 1997, the couple\u2019s adult daughter Susan moved in with her father. He said at the time:\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m quite used to solitude in the wilds but, no, an empty house is not what I enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TELEVISIONCaption: TELEVISION PROGRAMMES: THE QUEENS GREEN PLANET
Monday 16th April 2018 on ITV
Sir David Attenborough joins Her Majesty the Queen in the gardens of Buckingham Palace
This unique, landmark documentary follows Her Majesty the Queen and an ambitious legacy project to create a global network of protected forests, spanning the 52 countries of the Commonwealth.
This project, called the Queen\u2019s Commonwealth Canopy, brings together Her Majesty\u2019s deeply held commitment to the Commonwealth and her little-known love of trees.
At the heart of the film is a conversation between the Queen and Sir David Attenborough filmed in the gardens of Buckingham Palace last summer. In a rare opportunity to see the Queen talking informally to Sir David, the conversation ranges from climate change, to conkers and birthday gifts.
The film follows members of the Royal Family involved so far in making the Queen?s Commonwealth Canopy a reality, including Prince Harry planting trees in the Caribbean, and Prince William and his family in Canada\u2019s Great Bear Rainforest.
(c) ITN Productions
For further information please contact Peter Gray
0207 157 3046 peter.gray@itv.com
This photograph is ? ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme THE QUEENS GREEN PLANET or ITV. Once made available by the ITV Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the Transmission date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com<\/p>\n

Provider: From ITN Productions
Copyright: ITV<\/p>\n

\"KingSir David Attenborough during the event marking his 100th birthday today at the Royal Albert Hall (Photo: BBC Studios Natural History Unit\/Buckingham Palace)<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also been known to respond personally to fan letters and maintain relationships with people who admire him. He has no iPhone or email address and instead prefers to communicate by handwritten letter.<\/p>\n

Appreciating small things<\/p>\n

It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual\u00a0beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living<\/p>\n

\"VeteranCaption: Veteran broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough with an Australian bearded dragon after receiving an honorary degree from Queen\u2019s University in Belfast for exceptional services to science and broadcasting.
Photographer: Paul Faith
Provider: PA
Source: PA Archive<\/p>\n

Forget lifespan, everyone is focused on extending their healthspan: meaning, the number of years you live in good health<\/p>\n

So what tiny tweaks can you make to your daily routine to extend a fulfilled life? Health writer Rosie Fitzmaurice tried some out.<\/p>\n

\"rosie-fitzmaurice3\" <\/p>\n

\nThe research\n<\/p>\n

One year<\/p>\n

Analysis from the University of Sydney found that getting an additional five minutes of\u00a0sleep, two minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and an additional half-serving of vegetables per day\u00a0could lead to an extra year of life.<\/p>\n

A decade<\/p>\n

Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night, more than 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day and following a healthy diet, were traits associated with almost a decade of additional lifespan.<\/p>\n

\nDaily tweaks to make\n<\/p>\n

\"ColorfulColorful Array of Mixed Beans \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Daily spoonful of beans<\/p>\n

One large study found that an intake of 20g of legumes daily may reduce a person\u2019s risk of dying in any given year by up to eight per cent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fibre at breakfast<\/p>\n

Most people in the UK eat around 16\u201318g fibre a day but 30g is recommended. <\/p>\n

\"Ro??ieCaption: Ro??ie Fitzmaurice \u2013 fibre maxing.
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ i news
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

\"Woman(Photo: Carlos Gawronski\/Getty).<\/p>\n

Olive oil shots<\/p>\n

One major\u00a0study<\/a> found those who ate the most olive oil (more than half a tablespoon a day) had a 19 per cent lower risk of death from any cause.<\/p>\n

\nDaily tweaks to make\n<\/p>\n

4There are benefits to eating an early dinner when we\u2019re insulin sensitive and strolling afterwards to help digestion.<\/p>\n

5Vigorous intermittent\u00a0lifestyle physical activity \u2013 rather than structured exercise -ccould reduce the risk of a heart attack. \u00a0<\/p>\n

6Strength training is still important and just 30 to 60 minutes each week is associated with a 10 to 20 per cent lower risk of death.\u00a0<\/p>\n

7Balance training improves neuromuscular co-ordination and proprioception, which are critical for preventing falls.<\/p>\n

Rosie puts this to the test<\/p>\n

\"WashingWashing Garbanzon Beans \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

She had a helping of beans daily and loaded her breakfast with nuts, seeds and berries.<\/p>\n

Fitzmaurice swapped butter for olive oil, had dinner two hours earlier (around 6pm) and did one-minute bursts of exercise throughout the day. <\/p>\n

She also practised her grip strength through dead hangs at the local park and brushed her teeth on one leg to improve balance.<\/p>\n

The verdict<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t predict the future, but it\u2019s true that making a few microtweaks to my weekly routine have had a surprisingly uplifting effect\u00a0on my mood. As the world feels so utterly terrifying, taking control of the small things feels like therapy.<\/p>\n

ROSIE FITZMAURICE, HEALTH JOURNALIST FOR THE i paper <\/p>\n

\"WriterCaption: Writer Ro??ie Fitzmaurice. Rosie Fitzmaurice
Photographer: Teri Pengilley
Provider: Teri Pengilley \/ i news
Source: Teri Pengilley<\/p>\n

Is napping an
invaluable part of the day or an unproductive hour?<\/p>\n

To find out how to feel better, brighter and bushy-tailed,\u00a0we asked\u00a0Russell Foster,\u00a0a
professor of neuroscience at
the University of Oxford, everything you need to know about napping.<\/p>\n

\"TiredNaps before 1pm can lead to better cognitive performance in the following hours (Photo: Lord Henri Voton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"ACaption: A mother and new born baby taking a nap together on the sofa in a quiet but tender moment.
Photographer: Jamie Garbutt
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Stone RF
Copyright: Jamie Garbutt<\/p>\n

How long should we nap for?<\/p>\n

For Professor Foster, the ideal length of a time for a nap is just 20 minutes and certainly no longer than 30.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want to do is\u00a0fall into deeper sleep, because then recovery from that can leave you groggy,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\nIs there an optimum time of day to nap?\n<\/p>\n

Napping too late in the day is warned against.<\/p>\n

An early-afternoon nap of around 20 minutes\u00a0can improve your cognition during the second half of the day.<\/p>\n

If you have a nap later on, you can push back your sleep pressure, which means the longer you\u2019ve been awake the greater need for sleep, at night.<\/p>\n

As long as you\u2019re getting the sleep that you need to function optimally, that\u2019s the main thing.<\/p>\n

\"SleepSleep tourism in hotel. Exhausted woman sleeps sweetly in bed in the morning \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

How much sleep does a person need?<\/p>\n

Sleep is like\u00a0a shoe: one size doesn\u2019t fit all.<\/p>\n

Oversleeping on days-off or sustaining your waking day with caffeine\u00a0and other stimulants are signs of tiredness.<\/p>\n

Not everybody needs eight hours of sleep; it\u2019s variable, dynamic and individual. And will vary over a lifetime depending on the season. <\/p>\n

\nOther things to know\n<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter where you physically nap as long as it feels right and you\u2019re comfortable. You can create the right environment by making it dark, calm or using a smell like lavender.<\/p>\n

\"Senior\u2018I encourage anyone that is sleepy to take a good nap, guilt free,\u2019 writes Zuva Seven (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"YoungThe drug is taken by one in five Americans under 14, but it is only available on prescription in the UK (Photo: ozgurcankaya\/Getty)<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, napping is probably a metric that you\u2019re not getting the sleep you need at night, says Professor Foster. \u201cBut don\u2019t beat yourself up over it. A short nap, if it improves the second half of the day, is fine\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

What is causing damp? And how to fix it<\/p>\n

In addition to being generally unpleasant, living in a damp property can lead to structural and health issues if left unaddressed for long periods of time. <\/p>\n

Read on to find out the industry expert advice on how to cut the risk of damp forming in your home\u2026<\/p>\n

\nStart with your windows\n<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t keep them closed.<\/p>\n

\"ATake time to rest (Photo: Counter\/Getty\/Digital Vision\/Nicolas Hudak)<\/p>\n

Regularly opening windows \u2013 even on cold days \u2013 can improve the ventilation inside and decrease the humidity of the room. <\/p>\n

Also wipe away the\u00a0condensation that has formed\u00a0overnight with a microfiber cloth to remove the dampness.<\/p>\n

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Big Read<\/p>\n

8 min read<\/p>\n

\nHow to reduce the risk of damp\n<\/p>\n

\"WomanWoman loading washing machine in the kitchen \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Dry clothes in the bathroom<\/p>\n

Avoid drying clothes in bedrooms or living rooms without airflow.<\/p>\n

Avoid curtains over radiators<\/p>\n

It can trap heat behind the fabric, reduce room warmth and cause condensation on windows.<\/p>\n

\"CentralCentral heating problem at home. Woman checking heating radiator in cold apartment \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"FurnitureFurniture assembly in new apartment \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

Nudge your furniture <\/p>\n

Large furniture items placed tightly against cold walls can trap condensation, leading to mould over time.<\/p>\n

\"Berlin,Caption: Berlin, Germany \u2013 January 20: Condensation has been reflected on a cold winter morning on an old double box window on January 20, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel\/Photothek via Getty Images)
Photographer: Thomas Trutschel
Provider: Photothek via Getty Images
Source: Photothek<\/p>\n

It could be the age of your home<\/p>\n

Close to 90 per cent of UK homes with solid external walls lack insulation, making them vulnerable. <\/p>\n

The airtight design of some new builds helps with energy efficiency but can trap moisture if ventilation isn\u2019t properly managed, says Chad Bragg, chief technical officer at\u00a0insulation company SuperFOIL.<\/p>\n

\nHow to reduce the risk of damp\n<\/p>\n

Clear clothes out<\/p>\n

Clothing that is packed\u00a0too tightly in a wardrobe traps humidity, especially if it is slightly damp. <\/p>\n

\"Woman(Photo: Getty).<\/p>\n

\"FileCaption: File photo dated 19\/09\/13 of a general view of a central heating thermostat. Households are set to learn their energy bills will fall by around 7% from April in a shake-up of costs after the Government promised they will receive an average ?150 cut. Latest predictions suggest Ofgem will reduce the energy price cap by ?117 to ?1,641 a year for a typical dual fuel household from April 1 when it makes its announcement on Wednesday. Issue date: Sunday February 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons\/PA Wire
Photographer: Steve Parsons
Provider: Steve Parsons\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

Heat strategically<\/p>\n

If the heating in your home is reduced in temperature by just two degrees, humidity levels will increase by 10 per cent.<\/p>\n

Keep lids on pans<\/p>\n

While cooking it avoids releasing moisture into the air. A good cooker hood is most effective.<\/p>\n

\"PersonProtein doesn\u2019t have to mean steak (Photo: 10\u2019000 Hours\/Getty Images\/Digital Vision)<\/p>\n

\nPlanning for an extension?\n<\/p>\n

Pay attention to insulation<\/p>\n

\"Construction(Photo: Pramote Polyamate\/Getty).<\/p>\n

Poor insulation creates \u2018thermal bridges,\u2019 or cold spots, where the new structure joins the old house. These cold junctions act as magnets for condensation, causing localised mould, heat loss, and discomfort.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"\"\/<\/p>\n

In 2010, I started to feel homesick for the UK, but Malta was my next choice. It wasn\u2019t unknown to me \u2013 I knew the people were friendly and the weather was good. My dad is from the Caribbean, and Malta has that same relaxed, island-centric lifestyle. At the time, Malta didn\u2019t have any breed-specific dog legislation (now, in the last three years they\u2019ve brought them in because the sanctuaries have been overrun).<\/p>\n

While I was still in New York, I interviewed for the position of vice-president at FIMBank in Malta. I did a Skype call, got accepted, and then the company rented a dog-friendly apartment for me for a week to help me get on my feet. I landed in G\u017cira, a beautiful coastal town along the seafront, and I\u2019ve been in Malta ever since.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t realise it at the time but I was the only English barrister in the whole of Malta \u2013 and because of EU changes, I still am. I was very fortunate to come here before Brexit, so I\u2019m still considered a European lawyer. That\u2019s not the same for new British lawyers \u2013 the doors are closed on them now. <\/p>\n

Since then, I ended up setting up my firm, Acumum Legal & Advisory \u2013 we are licensed by the Maltese government to manage residency applications and work permits. Before Brexit, Britons were the biggest foreign population in Malta, but afterwards, a lot of older people left because they were worried about medicine, the cost of living, currency conversions, and their pensions.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2018Malta is one of the sunniest countries in Europe, getting around nine months of it a year \u2013 the weather is amazing\u2019<\/p>\n

I\u2019m very fortunate. I was able to purchase a property in the north of the island in St Paul\u2019s Bay some 13 years ago. So I\u2019ve been able to avoid the year-on-year increase of property prices that we are currently dealing with. It\u2019s a small island, and in the last 10 years, the official population has gone up by 100,000.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s been a huge surge of Americans who are looking to retire on the island of Gozo \u2013 in particular, because it\u2019s less developed and greener than the rest of Malta. It\u2019s also cheaper than the mainland, because, if you\u2019re working in Malta, are you really going to be getting up at the crack of dawn to get on a ferry? And in bad weather, those ferries may not be running. Gozo is only a little island so there can be storms, high winds and huge waves between January to April.<\/p>\n

I have a small two-bedroom apartment with a 120-square-metre garden with five citrus trees, a mango tree, and a pomegranate vine, and I\u2019m growing loquats \u2013 a sweet, tangy fruit that tastes like a plum. I can see the sea from the garden and the beach is a five-minute walk away. Back when I moved, a two-bedroom in St Paul\u2019s Bay would have cost between \u00a3150,000 and \u00a3250,000 and now that same property would be worth between \u00a3200,000 and \u00a3350,000.<\/p>\n

I love the Maltese \u2013 their stubbornness, their joy of life, their bon-viveur attitude. Malta is one of the sunniest countries in Europe <\/a>\u2013 getting around nine months of it a year \u2013 the weather is amazing.<\/p>\n

Whilst I came here as, and live here as, a single person, the culture means that there are lots of opportunities to make friends. I attend events organised by organisations like the Rotary Club of Malta, where we raise funds for charity. In the summer my friends I organise a boat trip every weekend with costs shared; we bring food to share on a pot-luck basis. I also enjoy going to concerts \u2013 last year I went to see Robbie Williams, a fantastic outdoor concert in the balmy evening weather.<\/p>\n

There are so many things that make Malta appealing to British nationals: English is an official language, there are British pubs galore that do roasts with all the trimmings, red post boxes, Marks & Spencer. You can get Waitrose and Iceland-branded products in certain supermarkets. I actually have Greggs sausage rolls in the freezer right now.<\/p>\n

Of course, tax efficiency is one of the most appealing things about living here. Malta still has the British non-dom regime and a variety of tax breaks that include a 15 per cent rate on income remitted to the country, and no capital gains or inheritance tax.<\/p>\n

The curse of Brexit, though, means it\u2019s so much harder for young people to move over \u2013 you have to have a work permit, or be on a residency programme. But there are jobs here, especially if you\u2019re a plumber or electrician, as there is constant development. You won\u2019t be as well paid as you would in the UK, but then you get other benefits \u2013 to live on a Mediterranean island, for one!<\/p>\n

One of the things I love is the proximity to other countries. Sicily is a 75-minute ferry away (about \u00a3120 for a return) so I\u2019ll do day trips and go and see Mount Etna. In the summer, I\u2019ll go camping with the dog and pitch a tent in Nebrodi Park nature reserve. We\u2019re close to the coast of North Africa, and my colleagues will zip over to Corsica, ort to Sardinia and the other islands of Italy.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u2018I take the dogs for a walk past Roman baths and I\u2019ll jump in the sea by Golden Bay beach and have a swim\u2019<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also very multicultural here, and there is an inclusive, welcoming vibe \u2013 we\u2019ve got Colombians, Argentinians, Venezuelans, Indians, Bangladeshis. But this influx also means there is a lot of pressure on Malta, and there is a lack of investment in infrastructure, and housing pressure because of rental prices right now.<\/p>\n

There are reasons it might not be for everyone. We are the most densely populated place per capita in the EU. There\u2019s constant development \u2013 new things popping up, hotels, resorts, and more, which means traffic and noise. This overdevelopment is also encroaching on green spaces.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m very lucky that I live near a green space in the north of the island. So I take the dogs for a walk past Roman baths, and if it\u2019s good weather, which is most of the year, I\u2019ll jump in the sea by Golden Bay beach and have a swim. From anywhere between \u00a325-\u00a365 you can go to beach clubs or lidos where you can rent a bed and be served cocktails all day and use the pool. It\u2019s a good life.<\/p>\n

As for whether I\u2019m tempted to ever go back to the UK? I\u2019m so involved now with my life and work in Malta. I\u2019m not going back any time soon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Around half a million people left the UK to live abroad last year, and it\u2019s not just retirees.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40278,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[26],"tags":[1195,1416,27,20360,6387],"class_list":["post-40277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-london","tag-expats","tag-features","tag-london","tag-malta","tag-the-expat-files"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/116599546562975479","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40277"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40277\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}