Wellbeing

Research-informed reading on physical health, mental wellness, nutrition and fitness – summarised from trusted health publications, with a link to every original source.

TopicsMental healthDiet and healthPrognosisFitness and exerciseBoost intelligence

  • ‘I’m a Clinical RD—Here’s How Skipping Meals Takes a Major Toll on Your Mental Health’

    Skipping meals regularly can harm physical and mental health, warns clinical dietitian Alexandra Pereira. Habitual meal skipping may impact energy, metabolism, create health issues, and may cause gastritis, or stomach lining inflammation. It can affect mental health by lowering blood sugar, releasing stress hormones and leading to mood imbalances. Studies show that irregular meal patterns increase the prevalence of mood disorders. Pereira advises consistency in eating, honoring hunger cues, and setting small, achievable goals to develop eating habits.

  • How To Deal With Turbulence Anxiety so Your Next Flight Is Less (Emotionally) Bumpy

    Turbulence anxiety stems from a normal brain response to fear, according to Dr. Alyson Smith at Delta Air Lines. Turbulence results from irregular air currents and is not generally dangerous. Anxiety strategies include sitting near the plane’s front or wing, flying in the early morning or at night, observing calming pre-flight meditations, avoiding alcohol or caffeine, staying hydrated, and not trying new medication aboard. Engage with flight attendants and loved ones and remain focussed on facts and control measures like seatbelts.

  • How Anxiety Became Content

    The increasing volume of anxiety-related content on social-media, which has led to the ‘prevalence inflation’ of mental health issues, is transforming anxiety into a popular media category, potentially exacerbating a national anxiety crisis. This further fosters a prolongation of anxiety among users, pushing them into self-fulfilling spirals of anxiety disorders and contributing to their withdrawal from social activities. The conversation about mental health needs to shift towards destigmatizing therapy and treating anxiety as a modifiable state rather than a fixed identity.

  • Staying slim after GLP-1 treatment

    A recent study reveals that long-term weight management after weight loss with GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound is still largely unknown. While some patients remained lighter after switching to a placebo, many regained about half their lost weight. Insurers’ rules and the high cost of these drugs represent further challenges. Experts call for focused research on weight maintenance strategies.

  • Scientists Identify Cause of Morning Sickness, Potentially Ending Misery for Many

    A study published in the journal Nature reveals that the hormone GDF15, produced by the fetus’s part of the placenta, could be responsible for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. The research also suggests pre-emptive treatment of GDF15 might desensitize women to its effects, potentially preventing severe morning sickness. The findings could influence treatments for conditions such as hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe and persistent form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

  • A shot of Wegovy, straight.

    GLP-1 drugs, used for diabetes and weight loss, are being tested for their potential to reduce alcohol and cigarette cravings. However, pharmaceutical companies show reluctance in supporting this research due to potential commercial risk and safety concerns. Scientists hope to prove patients’ reported reductions in drinking desire with concrete clinical trial outcomes.

  • It’s winter, but don’t forget your sunscreen

    Sunscreen isn’t only necessary during summer or vacations, but all year round, asserts dermatologist Dawn Davis from Mayo Clinic. Even during colder months and indoor activities, UV rays can penetrate glass and clothing, posing a skin cancer risk. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or above and frequent reapplication are essential. It’s also advised to pay attention to the product’s expiration date and storage conditions.

  • Missing shots, with consequences

    The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted routine immunization programs, reducing the uptake of non-Covid vaccines. The most significant impact is seen in HPV immunizations, particularly among adolescents. In Canada, due to missed in-person school sessions, only 16% of 12-year-olds are up-to-date with HPV vaccinations in 2022, down from 58% before Covid. Such decreases could lead to spikes in HPV-related cancers in the future.

  • Exploring Creativity with Rick Rubin’s Book

    The author discusses their exploration of creativity through reading Rick Rubin’s book “The Creative Act: A Way of Being”. The book, capturing the essence of art as self-expression and a spiritual conduit, played a crucial role amid the author’s creative process. The book’s insights on disregarding the voices of criticism and nurturing the soul through art are particularly significant to the author.

  • Midjourney V.6 is Arriving before X’mas Image Generation On Website Incoming!

    Midjourney is set to release version V6 in December with upgrades in image quality, prompting, and creative possibility, along with enhanced aesthetics and a new style tuner. Accompanying these updates is a new explore page and image generation on their website. Subsequent updates will further improve its capabilities, looking ahead to version 7, training video models, and 3D development.

  • Unlocking Creativity: Strategies for Cultivating Your Creative Potential

    Unlocking creativity requires intentional strategies including embracing curiosity and open-mindedness, making room for solitude and reflection, fostering a creative environment, and learning from failure. Engaging in creative exercises, seeking diverse inspirations, nurturing a growth mindset, prioritising self-care, and seeking feedback can also enhance creativity. Regardless of the innate talent, creativity, seen as a skill, can be developed and unleashed with practice and mindset.

  • A trainer who has worked with Meghan Markle and Jennifer Aniston shares his top tips for boosting longevity

    Celebrity trainer Sebastien Lagree promotes low-impact strength training as the key to healthy aging and longevity. Building muscle increases calorie burn, while daily walks improve heart health. Longevity is also influenced by diet, with moderation being preferable to exclusion. Consistent habits, like workout routines and sensible eating, along with community involvement, contribute to long-term health and fitness.

  • If You’re Stressed, Try Flipping Your Perspective Upside Down—Literally

    Inversion yoga, or yoga positions that involve turning upside down, is gaining traction for its stress relief benefits. Advocates of the practice assert that it helps manage anxiety, cultivates a self-focused perspective, and quiets the sympathetic nervous system responsible for our stress responses. Inversion yoga doesn’t just alleviate stress but also encourages muscle building, balance improvement, and core strength. It’s a simple and accessible exercise one can incorporate into their routine.