Sophia Moss

Sophia Moss Journalist & Copywriter

Need a versatile writer who specialises in health, culture, travel, or finance? I'm available for freelance writing and editing work.

Examples of my work

Islands •

One Of Oklahoma City's Most Livable Neighborhoods Offers Safe Streets, Nearby Parks, And A Relaxed Lifestyle - Islands

Nestled in Northwest Oklahoma City, just under three miles from this unsung, artsy cowboy culture destination, lie the leafy streets of Edgemere Park. Named one of Oklahoma's seven most livable neighborhoods due to its reputation as an affordable, family-friendly, and safe neighborhood, this town also houses one of the state's many unique historic districts.
Established in 1926, Edgemere Park has retained much of its original look and feel. Prominent architectural styles that you'll see lining t...
Islands •

A Lovely Little Town On The Newfoundland Coast Is A Solo Traveler's Dream With Rugged Trails And Ocean Views - Islands

Hiding on the coast of Newfoundland's remote Great Northern Peninsula, 229 miles from Deer Lake regional airport, is the stunning little town of Conche, Canada. Originating as a French fishing area in the 1500s, Conche became a site of conflict two centuries later when the British and French fought for control of the region's natural resources.
With a population of just 149 as of 2021, Conche is undeniably tiny, but what it doesn't have in numbers, it more than makes up for in landscape. Newfoun...
ellaone UK •

How Your Menstrual Cycle Affects You - And What To Do About It - ellaone UK

Do you ever feel like sometimes you wake up buzzing with energy and feel ready to take on the world, and other times you want to curl up under a blanket and snuggle with your phone, like a chrysalis in a cocoon? Many different factors affect your energy levels, including where you are in your menstrual cycle.
You might’ve heard that people who menstruate have two body clocks, while men only have one. We all have a circadian rhythm, which is our natural 24-hour biological clock. Our circadian rhy...
The Upcoming •

Diamonds and Dust at the Emerald Theatre | Theatre review

Diamonds and Dust is a larger-than-life jukebox musical featuring burlesque, striptease, gasp-out-loud aerial feats, and a dose of old Western history. It is loosely based on the true story of Miss Kitty LeRoy (Faye Tozer), a dancer, faro dealer, and owner of The Mint, a gambling den in Deadwood, South Dakota. For a while, Kitty’s luck seemed strong and life was good, but Lady Luck (personified by Dita Von Teese) flirts but never marries, and can withdraw her favour at any time.Tozer plays Kitty...
Islands •

Hidden On The Tennessee-North Carolina Border Is An Abandoned Town Lined With Mossy Trails - Islands

Roughly 23 miles from underrated, artsy, and vibrant Johnson City, Tennessee, and 16 miles from the hiking capital of Western North Carolina hides the ruins of a 20th-century ghost town. Abandoned in the 1950s, Lost Cove was a remote community on the Tennessee-North Carolina border.
Allegedly, unionists established Lost Cove, North Carolina, during the Civil War and hoped the remote setting would keep fighting at bay. Once connected to the outside world by a nearby train, this community never ha...
Islands •

An Abandoned Toll Road Stop In Colorado Is Now A Trail-Laced Escape Of Ruins, Ridges, And Stillness - Islands

Want to escape the 21st century? Under a 10-minute drive from Morrison and 14 miles from Denver is a quiet path that winds along a bumpy mountain, leading to an abandoned cemetery in what remains of a 19th-century ghost town.
Mount Vernon, Colorado – located in what is now Jefferson County — was one of the first settlements to spring up in Jefferson Territory during the Gold Rush era of the mid-1800s. Founded in 1859 by Joseph Castro, the settlement was, for a while, the de facto capital of what...
The Upcoming •

Heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics? Here’s how to do it

If you’re heading to Paris for the 2024 Olympics, you’re probably wondering how to get there, where to stay and what else you’re going to do in between watching the swimming, breakdancing or sailing.
How does one get to Paris? Flying is always an option, yet it can often be quicker, more convenient, and more enjoyable to take the Eurostar, which travels from London St Pancras to Gare du Nord, Paris in just two hours and 19 minutes. For those not residing in London – or those in London who simply...
Islands •

Pennsylvania's Tourist-Friendly Village Where Amish Culture Thrives Offers Handmade Goods, Crafts, And Treats - Islands

Fancy escaping to a tree-lined historic village where you can explore some of Pennsylvania's best Amish country gems, attend an annual apple, peach, or strawberry festival, and pick up unique handmade crafts? Consider visiting the idyllic town of Smicksburg.
Founded in 1827 by Lutheran minister Reverend J. George Schmick, Smicksburg is a pastoral town in Indiana County, around 65 miles from Pittsburg and 14 miles from Punxsutawney. Thanks to a significant Amish community, the region is a great p...
Islands •

Hidden In The Hills Of Tennessee Is An Underrated Town With Quiet Countryside Views And Laidback Charm - Islands

Are you looking for a small town vibe where you can enjoy a slower pace of life and explore the countryside, climb a mountain, pick up an antique or two, and soak up some community artsy vibes all in the same day? Just under an hour's drive from Nashville is the small, tree-lined town of Woodbury, Tennessee.
Located in Cannon County in Middle Tennessee and just over a 20-minute drive from the nearest city, Murfreesboro, Woodbury was founded in 1836. This whimsical town loves a bit of history, an...
FlexSEQ •

7 Habits That May Aggravate Joint Pain - FlexSEQ

On the flipside, overdoing exercises or doing them incorrectly can also aggravate joint pain. “One of the most common injuries to the spine occurs with improper lifting,” says Dr. Michael Gerling, member of the American Board Certified Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon and Founder of The Gerling Institute. “Numerous studies have shown that poor body positioning while lifting heavy objects dramatically increases the pressure on the discs of the spine and leads to injuries. Bending at the waist rather tha...
Flexiseq •

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is persistent pain which has lasted for at least three months. Chronic pain is different from acute pain, which is pain that happens suddenly - as a result of injury, for example - and goes away when the body heals itself. Acute pain is a normal response to tissue damage or potential harm, and it often serves as a warning sign to alert you to notice the danger and do something about it. If you touch a hot stove, you will feel acute pain and quickly withdraw your hand. This pain help...
Hana •

Hypermobility & the Pill - A Compatibility Guide | Hana®

If you have a hypermobility disorder, you may be wondering if you can take the contraceptive pill safely and effectively. The answer is not a simple yes or no, as different pills may have different effects on your condition.
There are two main forms of hormonal oral contraception in the U.K. They are combined contraceptive pills, which contain synthetic versions of the naturally occurring hormones oestrogen and progesterone, and progestogen-only pills, which contain the synthetic hormone progest...
ellaone UK •

What's Your After Sex Self Care Routine? - ellaone UK

Imagine that you’ve just had sex. What do you want to do next? Are you a stay in bed, cuddle and fall asleep type of person? Do you dissect what did and didn’t go so well? Maybe after sex you like to get a cup of tea and discuss the meaning of life, whether aliens exist, and how electricity actually works with your partner(s).
What is after sex care? Usually associated with the kink community, aftercare is, as the name suggests, how you and your partner(s) care for your own and each other’s phys...
FlexSEQ •

7 Ways To Manage The Stress Of Arthritis - FlexSEQ

Something that doesn’t always get talked about is how stressful it can be to live with a chronic pain condition like arthritis. Being in pain can be very stressful in itself, which in turn can affect your physical and mental health.“Stress and pain are closely connected; this is what we call the mind-body connection,” says Bayu Prihandito, Founder at Life Architekture, Certified Psychology Consultant & Life Coach. “When you’re stressed or anxious, your body goes into a ‘fight or flight’ mode, wh...
The Upcoming •

Passing Strange at the Young Vic | Theatre review

Passing Strange, the 2006 semi-autobiographical musical by first-time writer Stew, makes its European debut at the Young Vic this summer. The story follows a middle-class African American Youth (played by Keenan Munn-Francis) living in 1970s Los Angeles, where the sun always shines and (he feels) people live plastic lives against a backdrop of palm trees and emptiness. Youth wants to find “the real” – what “the real” is is never fully specified, but Stew asks you to consider it for yourself. Can...
ellaone UK •

Losing Your Virginity Later in Life: Your Body, Your Timeline - ellaone UK

If you’ve been here before, you’ll know that at Hana® we think virginity is a social construct that ultimately makes a big deal out of something which is 1: a very personal decision that is nobody else’s business and 2: not actually a big deal at all. 
The idea of ‘losing your virginity’ feels inherently problematic. For one thing, it implies that virginity is something that can be lost or given away, something that is either a prize for whoever wins it or an embarrassing burden that you need to...
ellaone UK •

11 Reasons for a Late Period (Besides Being Pregnant!) - ellaone UK

Picture this: you’re constantly thinking about crisps, your boobs are sore, you’re feeling bloated and everything feels like it’s one inch away from making you cry. Your period might not be your idea of a good time, but this regular monthly visitor usually lets you know that your menstrual cycle is running smoothly.
Once in a while, however, you might look at the calendar and realise that your period is running a bit late. Everyone’s cycle is different and missing a period isn’t necessarily a ca...
Public Sector Mortgages •

Variable vs fixed rate mortgages for public sector workers | Public Sector Mortgages

Are you a public sector worker looking for a mortgage? Whether you’re a police officer or a school teacher, an ambulance driver or a soldier, you are playing a crucial role in our society and you deserve a good rate on your mortgage. Not sure whether a fixed rate or variable mortgage is most suitable for you? Let’s get into it.

A variable rate mortgage is where your interest rate and monthly payments can go up or down - i.e. they can vary. There are three types of variable mortgage that you may...
ellaone UK •

Why I'm Not Having Kids - ellaone UK

When you picture your life, do you see children in your future? Or do you see something else?
Growing up, you might have got the impression (from books, films, family and wider societal norms) that having children is just something that adults do. Some people can’t wait to have children, but others may feel a sense of pressure or obligation to work towards a life that doesn’t call to them. 
“I didn’t seem to realise it was a choice,” says LeNora Faye, the 41-year-old Co-founder of Childfree Medi...
Hana •

Interview with an Intimacy Coordinator | Hana

So I get sent the whole script of a series or a film, and I go through the script with a fine-tooth comb. I underline, highlight and draw out anything that is deemed as intimacy, from hand holding intimacy to full on penetrative sex.
Intimacy could look like somebody in the shower or sitting on the toilet, it could be people getting stripped down to their underwear – anything that’s beyond the normal, fully clothed person. It’s important to highlight everything and have the conversations to cove...
The Upcoming •

YAMATO: The Wings of Phoenix at Peacock Theatre | Theatre review

For the first time in five years, Yamato brings their taiko performance to London’s Peacock Theatre. When the show starts and the group starts banging their drums, this reviewer thinks to herself: “So, is it just two hours of drums?”.
There are a lot of drums, but there’s no “just” about it. Yamato incorporates physical theatre, comedy, dance, audience participation and raw energy with all different types of taiko (Japanese for drums) ranging from tiny clackers to Odaiko, the group’s biggest dru...
The Upcoming •

Alice Ripoll: Zona Franca at Southbank Centre | Theatre review

Zona Franca (translating as “free zone” from Portuguese) is the latest creation by Brazilian choreographer Alice Ripoll. Combining an eclectic mix of contemporary dance, contact improvisation, afro-house, funk and passinho (a mix of pop, funk and break dancing), alongside visual art, vocalisations and moves inspired by TikTok, this performance is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Created against a backdrop of political unrest and COVID-19, Zona Franca is both fun and unnerving.
The performers flow...
The Upcoming •

Boy Parts at Soho Theatre | Theatre review

Boy Parts, a one woman show starring Aimée Kelly based on the 2020 novel by Eliza Clark, offers a female-focused American Psycho for the 2020s. Irena likes to take explicit photographs of average looking boys and men in her hometown of Newcastle, enjoying the power she wields over them. When given the opportunity to submit her work to a trendy art gallery in London, Irena finds a new muse in Eddie from Tesco. As fragments of her past begin to emerge, and Irena’s grip on reality gets more tenuous...
The Upcoming •

Pygmalion at the Old Vic | Theatre review

This adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s 1912 Pygmalion, directed by Richard Jones, is manic, fast-paced and gaspingly funny. Set sometime in the early 20th century, when cockney accents and class snobbery were abundant, a crowd of genteel people hide from the rain whilst a poor cockney girl named Eliza Doolittle (Patsy Ferran) tries to sell flowers. Henry Higgins (Bertie Carvel), an eloquent and overbearing man with hands in his pockets and a slight slump in his shoulders, starts writing down e...
Moneysprite •

Equities vs bonds: A guide | Moneysprite

The main difference between equities (often known as shares or stocks) and bonds is that when you buy an equity, you are buying a small share in a company. A bond, on the other hand, is a loan from you to a company or the government.

When you buy equities, you are essentially buying small chunks of a company. As a shareholder, the more shares you buy, the more of the company you own. If that company does well, the value of your shares will go up and, if you wish, you can sell your shares for mo...
Flexiseq •

The Science of Osteoarthritis

“Arthritis is a broad term referring to inflammation and degeneration of the joints, causing pain, swelling, and decreased mobility,” says Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD, a medical advisor for the Health Reporter. “There are various forms of it, with osteoarthritis being the most prevalent.” Other forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Each type has different causes and symptoms, but they all involve inflammation and damage to the joints.”...
Hana •

Can you take birth control over the age of 45? - Hana

“Women who are over the age of 45 and still ovulating should consider using some form of contraception if they do not wish to become pregnant,” says Rhiannon John, sexologist at Bedbible. “However, if a woman has already reached menopause, she generally does not require contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy. Menopause is typically diagnosed when a person aged 50 or above has not experienced menstruation for a consecutive period of 12 months or if they are under 50 and have not had a peri...
Hana •

What is virginity and is virginity a social construct? - Hana®

There was also this expectation that a virgin with a vagina would bleed after having sex for the first time because there was an expctation that she would have had an intact hymen, which would break after having sex.
In reality, this often isn’t the case. “The hymen is a thin membrane surrounding the vaginal opening. There is a misconception that it totally covers the opening of the vagina, and an intact hymen would indicate someone is a virgin, which would break the first time someone has sex....
ellaone UK •

Can you still have periods and be pregnant? | ellaOne

Have you heard stories about people who didn’t know they were pregnant until they went into labour? You know that getting your period means you’re not pregnant, but if someone was pregnant and didn’t know it then wouldn’t that mean they were getting their period?
You might be asking: “well I got my period, but could I still be pregnant?” This is an important question and we want to put your mind at ease, so read on for a discussion of this topic featuring comments from Dr Hana Patel*, a GP spec...
Flexiseq •

7 Tips To Help With The Depression Of Arthritis

Have you experienced depression since your arthritis diagnosis? If so, you’re far from alone. Studies have shown that depression and anxiety can lower your pain tolerance, whilst at the same time chronic pain can exacerbate feelings of low mood and stress, creating a vicious cycle. Living with chronic pain and feeling like you’re being held back from some of the things you used to do is not an easy thing to deal with and difficult feelings around this are an entirely understandable reaction. You...
ellaone UK •

What happens if you take ellaOne on your period? - ellaone UK

So can ellaOne® affect your cycle? “Some women may find that their period may last longer than usual after taking emergency contraception,” says Dr Hana Patel. “Some women experience a lighter or heavier flow during their first period after the morning after pill, but it is more common to experience a heavier bleed than lighter. If your period is a week later than usual or still hasn’t started within 3 weeks of taking the morning after pill, there may be a possibility that you could be pregnant...
Hana •

What is vaginismus and how can it affect your sex life? - Hana

Whilst you might be used to calling it a vagina, the external part of the female reproductive system is actually called a vulva. The vulva is connected via a muscular canal to the neck of the uterus, and this canal is called the vagina. It’s like a tunnel that connects these two parts of your anatomy. 
Vaginismus refers to an uncontrollable, automatic reaction when something – maybe a penis, a tampon, a medical device or all of the above – attempts to penetrate the vagina. It’s not a conscious t...
Flexiseq •

7 Key Ways A Pain Diary Can Help Arthritis

Let’s not sugar-coat it: living with a chronic pain condition like arthritis is difficult. There are good days, so-so days and worse days - and it can be hard to know if and when you’ll have a flare up. Living with the uncertainty of chronic pain can feel disempowering, and it can make you feel like you don’t have any control.
There is no cure for arthritis, but there are tools you can use to manage your pain, find patterns and learn ways to deal with it more effectively. One way to help yoursel...
The Upcoming •

Daisy Jones and the Six | Show review

Daisy Jones and the Six, based on the 2019 bestselling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, will premiere on streaming giant Amazon this March. The ten-part miniseries follows the fictional (and yet very believable) story of 1970s rock band Daisy and the Six, who dramatically rise to fame and then, when they are on top of the world, break up, out of the blue, for reasons unknown. The miniseries follows a similar format to the book: decades later, band members and those associated with The Six give thei...
The Upcoming •

“I look for a space where the dancers and I can find freedom to create and to express without judgement”: Alice Ripoll on Zona Franca at Southbank Centre

Since 2009, Alice Ripoll has been combining improvisation, contemporary dance, dance theatre and a range of movements inspired by Brazilian genres, to explore movement and the human experience. Initially training as a psychoanalyst, Ripoll explores unconscious processes that are channelled through her company and allows the movements to unfold for the viewer to take away what they will. Her new piece, Zona Franca, was initially born during the end of lockdown and evolved against the backdrop of...
Hana •

How can exercise affect your menstrual cycle? | Hana

Exercise on your period has been shown to be beneficial for a number of reasons. Some women and people with uteruses experience painful cramps just before and during their period, and regular exercise can help to reduce them. The main reason believed for this is due to the endorphins and pain-relieving hormones that are released during exercise. 
This is why exercising during your period can help boost your mood and counteract the fatigue you may be feeling. This could be from something as simpl...
The Upcoming •

Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance at the V&A | Exhibition review

As you walk into the exhibition rooms for Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance at the Victoria and Albert museum in London, your attention is immediately drawn to a white, draped Roman-esque marble figure, one hand on his waist and head at a proud, slightly inquisitive angle. This is David (1408-9), a biblical sculpture originally intended for Florence Cathedral, which has never been seen in the UK before. Surrounding David are grey and blue walls, church-like domed “windows” showing later parts...
Hana •

Sex at 40: functional or fantastic? | Hana®

Data from the American Medical Association in 2014 found that 85% of women over 40 are still having sex and the majority of them consider sex to be important. But what about the quality of the sex? Does sex get better with age?
“Sex can and does get better with age because you discover what works for you, try new sexual activities and sensations,” says Samantha Evans, a sexual health and pleasure expert and founder of Jo Divine. “This boosts your confidence and acceptance of your changing body s...
Hana •

Why do I have a low sex drive? Causes of no or low libido - Hana

“Libido or sex drive can be affected by how women feel about themselves and how they feel about their vaginas,” says Julianne Arena, MD, FACOG, ABAARM and Cliovana Practitioner (double board certified physician)*.  “This leads to the next layer – how they think about their partner and relationship, then lifestyle factors as simple as how much sleep they get. Add on fluctuating hormones throughout a woman’s life, stress, anxiety, and other health issues, and there are numerous challenges to achie...
ellaone UK •

Why do people kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve? - ellaone UK

New Year’s Eve is celebrated in many different ways around the world, with different countries having their own unique traditions and customs. The tradition of kissing at midnight is thought to date back to two ancient winter festivals: Saturnalia in ancient Rome and Hogmanay, a Viking tradition still celebrated on New Year’s in Scotland. 
“Saturnalia was the most popular holiday on the ancient Roman calendar, where there was a ritual of offering gifts or sacrifices to the gods during the winter...
The Upcoming •

Evanescence at the O2 Arena | Live review

American goth rock band Evanescence headlined at the O2 last night, ably supported by Within Temptation, whose ethereal blend of classical gothic and heavy metal is a smouldering start to the evening. The Dutch symphonic support group (formed in 1996) treat the venue to an artistic, theatrical and meaningfully political show, featuring more special effects and pomp than the headliners. Highlights include shooting fire, a large, staring, otherworldly head, and the lead vocalist dressed in a stunn...
Hana •

How do hormones change as you age? | Ask Hana®

From about our mid-to-late twenties, estrogen and progesterone levels are at their peak for people with uteruses. These two hormones are important for female reproductive and sexual development, including regulating the menstrual cycle and playing an essential role in pregnancy.
As you reach your thirties, the levels of these hormones start to naturally decline, which is most commonly marked by changes to your menstrual cycle. From mid-to-late forties, people with ovaries may experience “perimen...
Hana •

Am I unusual to be 35 and still not ready for kids? | Hana®

If you do think you might want kids in the future, but you don’t feel ready to have them now, don’t panic. Fertility does typically decline with age, but it’s not like you go from being super fertile at 34 to barely fertile at 35. Everyone is different; some people may struggle with fertility in their early 20s, whilst others may find it easy to get pregnant and have healthy pregnancies in their mid 40s. 
“The ‘biological clock’ in fertility is used to describe a woman’s ovarian reserve, and is...

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