Arts and Crafts: A Pathway to Wellbeing

In a world where mental health concerns are escalating, especially post-COVID-19, finding accessible and effective ways to enhance wellbeing is paramount. A recent UK study looked at whether doing arts and crafts can make people happier and less lonely. The research...

Your Brain Compensates as You Get Older

No one’s brain is as sharp at 60 as it was at 20. However, new research supports the notion that folk’s brains can make subtle adjustments with age to compensate for that decline. A team of British researchers has found more evidence that as the mind ages,...

Band exercise for shoulders

This exercise should be mandatory for people who sit at desks. It’s called the Band Pull Apart. When you sit for long periods your back muscles tend to round and weaken. One of the best exercises you can do to strengthen your upper back is the Band Pull Apart....

“A game-changer” for Parkinson’s – new studies.

An estimated 7-10 million people worldwide, are affected by Parkinson’s disease. Our brain is the body’s command centre and through a network of chemical messengers it relays messages back and forth to different parts of the body. Dopamine, a chemical messenger that...

Now, what was I looking for? Why your short-term memory falters

According to Dr Sharon Sha, a professor of neurology at Stanford University, when we blank on information we just learned or thoughts we just had, it’s typically because our brains didn’t save them as long-term memories to begin with. Q: Some thoughts...

Do Something Health-Promoting Every Day

“Resolution season” is upon us, that notoriously short period at the beginning of the year when people take notice of the fallout from their holiday celebrations. For some, it’s almost an annually reoccurring event, like the holidays themselves. Gym memberships are...

Wearing Hearing Aids May Reduce Mortality Risk

New research, based on data from over 10,000 adults, suggests that regular use of hearing aids is linked to a 24% lower risk of mortality among adults with hearing loss.   Key facts: Only one in 10 people with hearing loss who need hearing aids actually use them,...

The false promise of fish oil supplements

Despite what the labels say, there’s no evidence that these capsules will improve your cardiovascular health — and they may even harm it. From Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter Millions of Americans — including one in five people over age 60...

Digital Gadgets to Help Our Health

Wearable health-tech can help seniors become more independent. Key Takeaways Despite the perception that digital health technologies are not aimed at older adults, they have the potential to significantly benefit this demographic with features like health monitoring...

Try the Brain Food Quiz

Question 1: Which type of fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon and trout, are known to support brain function? A) Omega-6 fatty acids B) Omega-3 fatty acids C) Saturated fats D) Trans fats ANSWER B) Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)...

Afterlife Conversations helped with Grief

Summary: Interactions with the deceased, or ADCs, are reported by 30-34% of individuals. A recent study explored the effects of ADCs on those grieving a partner. The findings reveal that a majority found ADCs therapeutic, with 47% saying it eased acceptance of their...

Do optimists live longer?

Researchers have been trying to answer this question or years. With the pandemic years, political upheavals, international news and economic worries it’s no wonder you may be finding it hard to keep a positive outlook. The good news is that a 2022 study published in...

Can we believe ‘research’?

Good question: the answer is…. “It depends”. There’s a big difference between the sort of whizz-bang research we see in advertising and the scientific journal articles that are rarely reported in the media. Let’s consider a few examples. Think of the claims made by...