I don’t know about you, but I could do with a little bit of fitness inspo these days. I’m barely exercising beyond my active commute, and I’m feeling it mentally. If only there were someone fit and in some way relatable to get me out of my static fug. Enter: Serena Williams, who made her professional tennis comeback earlier this week at Queen’s Club this week. The 44-year-old won her first doubles game alongside teenager Victoria Mboko, marking Williams’ first victory in four years.

There’s so much to love about this story. First off, what a brilliant example of intergenerational cooperation. Second (and this is a testament to her physical prowess), how refreshing to celebrate a woman in her 40s doing what she does best. She’s come back from what we could call an extended mat leave and is back competing at the very top level. OK, she’s got a huge advantage in terms of having access to the best coaches, physios and nutritionists, but here’s proof that life doesn’t end at 39 – and that midlife women are out there, being unashamedly ambitious. Sadly, Mboko picked up an injury which possibly marks the end of the couple’s tournament but even if they don’t make it beyond the opening titles of this competition, I’m sure this is the start of a new, iconic chapter for both players.

Every relationship has its ups and downs. One minute you’re in the honeymoon phase of in-jokes, sex and adventures, and the next, you’re rowing about who put a plate in the top deck of the dishwasher. But imagine if, all of a sudden, you could barely bring yourself to look at your partner without flying into a rage or descending into tears. And imagine if that happened every single month.

Well, for over 800,000 women living in the UK with PMDD, that’s a reality. Alongside brain fog and fatigue, their luteal phase – or ‘hell week’ as some call it – is characterised by extreme mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression and overwhelm. And that, understandably, can have a devastating impact on relationships. So, how do women manage to relationship-proof hell week? We’ve gathered together just some of the tools PMDD survivors are using to ensure that the condition doesn’t wreak lasting damage on their closest ties. 

Question:

I don’t know where to start with things like creatine and collagen. What do I need to know when it comes to ‘functional ingredients’?

Answer:

The great thing about collagen is that it works throughout the entire body. It helps provide support wherever you need it, particularly for your gut lining and joints. Yes, it can help the skin, but it really supports the matrix of soft tissue throughout the body.

I’d be looking for unsweetened collagen (I like ones that come from grass-fed bovine sources), which you could add to a smoothie. You can find pre-made collagen-rich smoothies like the Recover + Repair we just launched with Atis, which is also packed with creatine monohydrate. 

Creatine’s brilliant for so many things. It’s often thought of as a gym bunny supplement, but it’s great for recovery. It supports muscle growth and repair, and it’s also really good for balancing energy. So, if you take it in the afternoon, it might just help you to get through the rest of the day.