Born to be Mild

26/02/2026

26 February is National Letter to an Elder Day in the US. Jacob Cramer came up with the idea in honour of his grandmother’s birthday and when he realised how few older adults and elderly residents (especially in care communities) receive letters. Loneliness affects people of all ages, and for older adults it can contribute to higher risks of depression, cognitive decline, and even heart disease. Take some time today (or at any time) to write a note to a friend, loved one or a family member. A handwritten note can lift one's mood, foster connection and remind someone that they are not alone.

20/02/2026

February is Healthy Lifestyle Awareness month. What is a healthy lifestyle? A healthy lifestyle can be defined by daily habits that ensure physical and mental well-being. There are many small habits which will enhance daily life and improve long-term health, including choosing whole foods, drinking more water, moving your body, getting enough rest, spending more time outdoors and building meaningful social connections.

What other healthy habits are on your daily list?

Explore simple, sustainable lifestyle habits, from nutrition and sleep to movement and mental well-being, to help you stay healthy throughout the year.

12/02/2026

Researchers have found that writing, reading and learning a new language can lower the risk of developing dementia by almost 40%. This supports other research which has shown that staying mentally active, socially engaged and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including paying attention to diet, physical activity and managing stress, all help prevent or slow cognitive decline in older adults.

Dr Isolde Radford, a senior policy manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, says: "“This new research shows that staying mentally active throughout life can cut the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 40% ... This supports what we already know about the preventive steps people can take to reduce their risk of developing dementia.”

Cognitive health in later life is ‘strongly influenced’ by lifelong exposure to intellectually stimulating environments, say researchers

10/02/2026

As AI news keeps trending and making headlines, it is important that we try to understand how this technology impacts and will impact our physical and mental health. A recent study found those who use AI for personal use had a much higher depression rate.

Personal usage of generative AI may increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and irritability, a new study finds.

05/02/2026

World Cancer Day falls on 4 February, and the theme for this year is "United by Unique", to remind us to place people at the center of care and exploring new ways of making a difference.

30/01/2026

Often we equate the word 'rest' with 'sleep', however there are other types of resting which are restorative and necessary if we are to thrive. According to Dr. Zhou from the Harvard Medical School, we need physical, mental, spiritual, sensory, creative, emotional, and social rest.

Sleep is just one of seven types of rest your body and mind need. Learn the different kinds of rest and how each one helps restore your energy....

29/01/2026

Worldwide many joined the dry January challenge to abstain from alcohol for 31 days. There are many benefits, both short term and long term, for those who either abstain completely or drink less alcohol for a period of time. Bethany Agusala explains the benefits and offers some tips to reducing alcohol consumption.

New year, new you...less booze? See how trying Dry January can have direct benefits to your health. UT Southwestern explains.

20/01/2026

Epistrophe, a Greek principle which means to 'return with purpose' can help us as we face a new year and consider past and present resolutions as we strive for personal, professional or emotional growth.

As Chester H. Sunde writes: "Epistrophe recognizes that you bring your entire history with you, and that's an advantage. Every previous attempt taught you something. Every failure revealed a pattern. Every struggle showed you something about how you respond to difficulty."

We can ask ourselves: What wisdom can I bring to familiar challenges?

Most people experience New Year's as defeating repetition. An ancient Greek principle transforms familiar returns into opportunities for growth through accumulated wisdom.

17/12/2025

For many, December is the time to raise a glass - in acknowledgement, in thanks, in celebration and in fellowship. But it is also time to consider what is in those glasses...

Darshen Naidoo and Susan Goldstein share a thoughtful and enlightening piece about the consequences of alcohol consumption.

It’s time we faced the truth: alcohol is one of the most harmful substances we consume, and its impact on health and society is devastating. If we still think that alcohol is ‘not that bad’, or if we have forgotten about its dangers, maybe it’s time for us to revisit what its devastating imp...

11/12/2025

We hear the term 'antimicrobial resistance' and many of us know that it is a major issue, however the reality and the possible solutions are quite complex. How can we better address this issue and move forward with greater understanding and a plan for the future? Marina Joubert, a science communication researcher, shares some insights about the difficulties faced when trying to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance, and how to address these challenges.

Antimicrobial resistance is projected to cause up to 10 million deaths each year by 2050

05/12/2025

Women tend to live longer than men. It's a fact! And, in the US, this gap has increased to about 5.8 years, with women living to approximately 81, and men to approximately 76. A recent research team highlighted some areas which women tend to pay more attention to than men when it comes to health. See the article link below to find out more.

Women now live about 5.8 years longer than men. Researchers believe that one reason for this is that women are better than men at addressing health needs that contribute to longer lives, like losin...

03/12/2025

In December, there are a lot of distractions and temptations to let go of healthy habits maintained throughout the year. Instead of waiting for your new year's resolution, keep following simple habits to enhance your physical and mental wellness during the festive season. Francesca Coltrera lists five timeless habits for better health. These include bringing mindfulness into your day, getting enough sleep, eating right, moving more and being aware of toxins like air pollution or forever chemicals.

Influencers, news headlines, and well-meaning friends and family offer conflicting advice on wellness. Quick fixes and fads may do little for our health, and some even prove harmful. Try to work th...