All about physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Stop right now and listen. What can you hear? I’m betting you can hear something: it’s a noisy world we live in. You’re probably well aware that too much noise is bad for you. New research suggests it’s time we embraced the power of silence.
Did you know the winter blues, aka Seasonal Affective Disorder, can be treated with light therapy? You’re probably aware that the blue light emitted by your phone and computer may be wreaking havoc with your sleep. But could light also be affecting your health and mood in other ways? Let there be light Danielle Feinberg, Pixar’s director of photography, argues that light is the magical ingredient that brings animated worlds to life. For example, without […]
We’ve all heard learning a second (or third) language is good for you. And research has shown bilingual brains are different to the brains of people who speak only a single language. But what exactly are the advantages of being bilingual?
If you could control your dreams, what would you do? Many of us do have some control over our dreams. It’s called lucid dreaming and if you can’t already do it, you may be able to learn how.
Wish you had a better memory? Some people are born with an extraordinary memory; others develop their skills over time. One of the toughest memorisation exercises of all is the training required to become a London cabbie. But if that vocation doesn't appeal, there are simple techniques you can learn right now to improve your memory.
Bats, bears and some birds do it, but humans can’t: hibernation. Animals hibernate to save energy through long cold winters. Sounds appealing, doesn't it? NASA wants to know if human hibernation is possible. Why? Because it because it would make the trip to Mars a hell of a lot less boring.
Have you ever had a hug from a stranger? How did it make you feel: warm, happy, comforted? Feeling connected to other people, especially through touch, has been shown to protect us from illness. Something as simple as a pat on the back or a supportive touch on the arm can induce trust and reduce pain and stress. Although often disregarded, touch has a profound influence on how we feel and can communicate complex emotions without words.
It’s late, you’re exhausted, and you’re craving chips. Most of us have experienced midnight munchies, but what makes fatty, salty and sweet foods particularly appealing at night?
I remember being told in primary school that no one else on the planet had exactly the same fingerprints as me. Pretty powerful stuff for a seven year old. Patterns that were uniquely mine and that I’d never really looked at before, despite the fact they had been part of me since before I was born. But is it true? Are each of your fingerprints truly one of a kind?
Are you into colouring books? Right now a quarter of the best-selling books on Amazon were colouring books. Adult colouring books. It’s an international craze that doesn’t show any sign of slowing. But is there any evidence for their touted health benefits? Will you be any calmer, less anxious or more focused if you spend time colouring-in?
Dr Jen Martin 