Krakenimages/Shutterstock A close friend – let’s call him John – recently called, asking for advice. He woke up with severe muscle aches and fatigue. Understandably worried that it could be COVID-19, he asked whether he should go to work, run to get a test or stay home. Because he didn’tContinue Reading
Teenagers who dieted and thought they were overweight had greater symptoms of depression than those in previous generations. dotshock/ Shutterstock The proportion of teenagers who are overweight or obese has risen over the past 30 years. In parallel, there has been an increase in societal focus on weight loss andContinue Reading
We found no link between smartphone use and mental health. Rawpixel.com/ Shutterstock Smartphones have become an essential part of daily life. On the other hand, there’s no shortage of research pointing towards supposed negative effects of smartphone use, with some even claiming that the more time you spend using yourContinue Reading
Eating small meals often, or snacking on nutrient-dense foods (like nuts), is one way to increase calorie intake. Tatiana Bralnina/ Shutterstock There’s no shortage of articles and resources out there offering people advice on the best ways to lose weight. But not everyone wants to lose weight. For those whoContinue Reading
Superset exercises should target opposing muscle groups. Dreams Come True/ Shutterstock Resistance training is an increasingly popular way to build strength, lose weight and get in shape. But despite its many benefits, it can also be time consuming – which is why many fitness enthusiasts have started incorporating “supersets” intoContinue Reading
A man wearing a continuous positive airway pressure mask – one of the techniques preferred over using a mechanical ventilator. Kiryl Lis/Shutterstock As the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hits hospitals, the hiss and bubble of advanced respiratory support is an increasingly familiar sound on medical wards. This isContinue Reading
Following the good news from three separate COVID-19 vaccine trials, optimism that life might be “back to normal by spring” is running high. There are many reasons to temper this optimism as there is a lot we don’t know about the safety and long-term efficacy of these vaccines, as manyContinue Reading
Over a year, the addition of plants caused a 6% decrease in stress levels. Jeanie333/ Shutterstock There is growing evidence that being in natural spaces – whether while gardening or listening to bird song – has a positive effect on mental health. Being in nature is also linked to improvedContinue Reading
We were told at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that the virus did not discriminate. But the truth is that COVID-19 has brought to light the structural inequalities in healthcare that have existed for decades. In the UK, people from an ethnic minority background are more likely to dieContinue Reading
hedgehog94/Shutterstock To be properly protective, COVID-19 vaccines need to be given to most people worldwide. Only through widespread vaccination will we reach herd immunity – where enough people are immune to stop the disease from spreading freely. To achieve this, some have suggested vaccines should be made compulsory, though theContinue Reading
