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Lifestyle /

Health & Wellness

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Meditation and how to find balance
Sex and relationships
Veganism and vegetarianism
true or false?
Reproductive health
Medicine
January often brings “exhausting” pressure to set rigid self-improvement goals, but “soft January” offers a kinder alternative. Wellness experts talk about what the trend means to them. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

Explainer | What is ‘soft January’? New trend helps you start the year with less pressure

January means ambitious fitness and career goals for many of us. Wellness experts explain the ‘quiet reset’ alternative that’s catching on.

Wellness

Weight rebound after stopping Ozempic, Wegovy? Not necessarily, new data says

Social media

Guilty of doomscrolling? Meet the YouTube stars telling you to log off

What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, January 23-25

A huge wellness expo, a luxury pop-up bar, a reimagined classic holiday ballet and more await Hongkongers this weekend.

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Vitality Living Asia is back from January 23 to 25 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Vitality Living Asia is back from January 23 to 25 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Wellness

He had cancer, she had a rare disorder. How two 85-year-olds came out on top

Bob and Fran German share how going vegan changed their lives and helps them keep fit, healthy, full of energy – and sniffle-free.

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Wellness

‘Going analogue in 2026’: how letter writing is making a comeback

Letter writing and writing instruments are seeing a surge in interest as people look for space to reflect and build meaningful connections.

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Wellness

The hidden benefits of common vaccines, including reduced dementia, heart risks

Flu, RSV, shingles, Covid and other vaccines have ‘off-target’ benefits for older adults, making them ‘key tools’ for healthy ageing.

Various studies around the world have linked jabs for influenza, shingles, RSV and more to a lowered risk of diseases associated with ageing, prompting further research into what doctors call “off-target” benefits. Photo: Shutterstock
Various studies around the world have linked jabs for influenza, shingles, RSV and more to a lowered risk of diseases associated with ageing, prompting further research into what doctors call “off-target” benefits. Photo: Shutterstock
Music

‘First Asian woman in hip hop’ went from misfit to managing Wu-Tang members

Sophia Chang moved to New York at 21 and worked with some of the 1990s’ biggest rappers. Now 60, the Korean-Canadian’s aim is to stay strong.

Wellness

She lost 13kg in 4 months. Now she’s on a mission to help others get fit

After transforming her own health, Karen Chau started Fit2Give, a Hong Kong charity offering free training to church ministers and NGO staff.

Wellness

The huge benefits of quitting alcohol, from weight loss to slowing ageing

Ex-drinkers and sobriety experts explain how life is better and healthier without drinking as many attempt the same during Dry January.

Jodi Clark, seen in January 2023 and this month, who now runs online groups, challenges and retreats for women, has lost 38kg (84lb) since she stopped drinking more than 3 years ago. Photo: Jodi Clark
Wellness

We rewrite our memories every time we recall a moment. How that can help us

Every time we recall something, it sets off actions that change us and alter our memories – something that could have therapeutic benefits.

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When we recall events, our brain alters that memory, while the memory changes us at the same time. This has many therapeutic possibilities. Photo: Shutterstock
When we recall events, our brain alters that memory, while the memory changes us at the same time. This has many therapeutic possibilities. Photo: Shutterstock
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, January 16-18

Loosen up for the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, shop discounted home goods, enjoy special-edition buns and more this weekend.

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Art

Hong Kong artist challenges labels surrounding disability in new show

In ‘Decolonising Madness’ at Eaton HK, Sophie Cheung explores colonial-era definitions of ‘mental incapacity’ that still inform laws.

Tourism

What’s fuelling South Korea’s running boom? A look at the fitness obsession

From office workers to ultra-marathoners, South Korea’s running boom is reshaping streets, travel and retail as millions hit the pavement.

Runners set off during the DMZ International Peace Marathon, in the Demilitarized Zone in Gangwon province, in South Korea, on September 21, 2025. Some 10 million South Koreans now identify as runners, according to industry and tourism data, roughly double the figure from 2015. Photo: The Korea Times
Wellness

Singaporean pro boxer uses skills from the ring to dominate life’s other fights

Efasha Kamarudin credits boxing for helping her build self-confidence, tackle body-size hang-ups and bounce back from new motherhood blues.

Efasha Kamarudin, known professionally as The Face, poses inside the ring at the Spartans Boxing Club in Singapore, where she trains. Photo: Instagram/fash_theface
Efasha Kamarudin, known professionally as The Face, poses inside the ring at the Spartans Boxing Club in Singapore, where she trains. Photo: Instagram/fash_theface
Wellness

At 52, she is stronger than ever. How strength training helps women in midlife

Strength training after 50 helps women counter bone loss post-menopause, build muscle and maintain a healthy weight.

Wellness

How mobility exercises can help you stay active and healthy as you age

Mobility exercises strengthen your muscles, increase your range of motion, and help you stay healthy in body and mind as you get older.

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Wellness

Singaporean dementia study links Alzheimer’s to clogged ‘brain drains’

Blocked glymphatic channels, part of the brain’s waste-cleaning network, could be an early Alzheimer’s marker, Singaporean researchers find.

An elderly Asian woman with dementia is comforted by her daughter. A study of nearly 1,000 Singaporeans found that those showing early signs of Alzheimer’s tended to have “enlarged perivascular spaces”, or blocked glymphatic channels, the pathways through which cerebrospinal fluid washes away toxins from the brain. Photo: Shutterstock
An elderly Asian woman with dementia is comforted by her daughter. A study of nearly 1,000 Singaporeans found that those showing early signs of Alzheimer’s tended to have “enlarged perivascular spaces”, or blocked glymphatic channels, the pathways through which cerebrospinal fluid washes away toxins from the brain. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

This Chinese-Vietnamese plant-based influencer makes even haters love tofu

Wendy the Food Scientist is on a mission to make plant-based eating simple, healthy and satisfying – no ultra-processed ‘fake meat’ required.

Wellness

Explainer | It’s not you, it’s the weather: all about seasonal affective disorder

Beat the winter blues – and even summer SAD – with expert tips on light therapy, diet and mindfulness for better seasonal mental health.

Wellness

Why your gut microbiome is so important for health and how to protect it

Bacteria in the gut perform important jobs that help prevent disease, but how to best protect and improve yours? An expert weighs in.

The gut microbiome performs all manner of important jobs, including breaking down fibre and starches, synthesising vitamins and amino acids such as vitamins B and K, and producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that help prevent disease. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

The benefits of boredom, from more creativity to better cognitive function

Often seen negatively, boredom is crucial for creativity and growth – so stop turning to your phone when you feel it coming on, experts say.

Feeling bored? Experts say boredom boosts creativity, resets your nervous system and helps you assess if you need a change in life. Boredom also allows time to rest the brain and eyes and helps nurture development in young brains. Photo: Shutterstock
Feeling bored? Experts say boredom boosts creativity, resets your nervous system and helps you assess if you need a change in life. Boredom also allows time to rest the brain and eyes and helps nurture development in young brains. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence

Dose of uncertainty: experts wary of AI health tech gadgets at CES trade show

Technology and health experts question the accuracy of these products and warn of data privacy issues.

Wellness

Not just a Dry January alternative, the rise of non-alcoholic beers

Non-alcoholic or zero beers are a growing section of the drinks market and for many represent a stepping stone towards greater sobriety.

Wellness

She broke Hong Kong powerlifting records. Now she’s battling bad health advice

Jaclyn Hei Tsang is on a mission to debunk online health myths and unfounded advice by setting the record straight on her Instagram page.

Tsang in training in Stockholm, Sweden ahead of a competition in 2023. Photo: instagram.com/jaclyn.tsang
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