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Lifestyle /

Health & Wellness

Related Topics:
Meditation and how to find balance
Sex and relationships
Veganism and vegetarianism
true or false?
Reproductive health
Medicine
At her heaviest, Kiran Dembla weighed 76kg. She drastically cut her weight in seven months, before becoming a competitive body builder, DJ and mountaineer, proving it is never too late to chase dreams. Photos: Kiran Dembla
Wellness

She lost 24kg in 7 months, then became a bodybuilding DJ. Here’s how

In 2006, Kiran Dembla collapsed from a blood clot in her brain. It kick-started a health transformation that completely changed her life.

Wellness

Why these common painkillers might be bad news for long distance runners

Wellness

Japanese-American, 60, who went viral saying it’s never too late to start over

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SCMP Highlights

Japan’s love for Chinese noodles; ‘unlucky’ chocolate: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From AI’s predictions for the Year of the Horse to an ‘unlucky’ chocolate mahjong set, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Tantanmen noodles at Szechuan Tantanmen Aun in Tokyo. The noodle dish, which has its roots in China’s Sichuan province, is found on many menus in Japan, but how did it become so popular in a country known for food with light flavours? Photo: Phoebe Amoroso
Tantanmen noodles at Szechuan Tantanmen Aun in Tokyo. The noodle dish, which has its roots in China’s Sichuan province, is found on many menus in Japan, but how did it become so popular in a country known for food with light flavours? Photo: Phoebe Amoroso
Wellness

How do superagers stay so young? Genes can play a key role, study suggests

People in their 80s with high brain function are far less likely to carry the APOE4 gene than those showing mental decline, research finds.

Wellness

‘I fought back’: how Heather Mills took control of her health via her diet

Paul McCartney’s ex-wife Heather Mills reveals how a plant-based diet and later focus on low-fodmap foods have had huge impacts on her life.

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Wellness

Skydiving? It’s just another day for these retirement home residents

From skydiving to gardening, VR experiences offered to residents of US retirement homes are having positive effects on their quality of life.

An elderly retirement home resident engages in a VR experience. Texas-based tech company Mynd Immersive offers its Great American Elderverse - a VR platform that that blends entertainment with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy - in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across 10 US states. Photo: Instagram/myndimmersive
An elderly retirement home resident engages in a VR experience. Texas-based tech company Mynd Immersive offers its Great American Elderverse - a VR platform that that blends entertainment with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy - in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across 10 US states. Photo: Instagram/myndimmersive
Wellness

When dementia steals the right words, the ‘wrong’ ones speak volumes

Experts say dementia patients often lose the ability to communicate, but the metaphors they use can help carers better understand them.

Wellness

How a vegan diet can help prevent and manage cancer, and the foods to focus on

Experts talk about the links between diet and disease and why one of the best reasons to eat a plant-based diet is to help prevent cancer.

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.

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

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

New research suggests that many people who stop using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic maintain their weight loss, countering previous studies.

New data suggests that many patients maintain weight loss after stopping GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which runs counter to previous findings cautioning that many patients will regain lost weight if treatment is interrupted. Photo: Shutterstock
New data suggests that many patients maintain weight loss after stopping GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which runs counter to previous findings cautioning that many patients will regain lost weight if treatment is interrupted. Photo: Shutterstock
Social media

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

On YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, influencers like Olivia ‘Unplugged’ Yokubonis and CatGPT are urging doomscrollers to unplug and reset.

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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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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Octogenarian YouTubers Bob and Fran German practise qigong in a video. The vegan couple switched to a whole food, plant-based diet years ago because their “lives depended on it”, and now say they feel as fit as ever. Photo: YouTube/AskBobnFran
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.

In a society shaped by constant availability, hands-on hobbies like writing letters and scrapbooking require focus and patience - things that more people are looking for as they seek to get away from their phones. Photo: Lee Seung-ku
In a society shaped by constant availability, hands-on hobbies like writing letters and scrapbooking require focus and patience - things that more people are looking for as they seek to get away from their phones. Photo: Lee Seung-ku
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.

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.

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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.

Karen Chau, who is from Taiwan but has called Hong Kong home for the last decade, is pictured at a gym in the city’s Tin Hau neighbourhood. After losing 13kg in four months, she set up her charity Fit2Give to help church ministers and NGO workers on their fitness journey. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Karen Chau, who is from Taiwan but has called Hong Kong home for the last decade, is pictured at a gym in the city’s Tin Hau neighbourhood. After losing 13kg in four months, she set up her charity Fit2Give to help church ministers and NGO workers on their fitness journey. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

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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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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Women-focused running club She Runs Collective will host a session on January 17 to help runners prepare for the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. There is also plenty on this weekend for non-runners, from a printing exhibition to a special-edition barbecue bun set at some branches of Tim Ho Wan.
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.

Sophie Cheung poses among works at her “Decolonising Madness: The Naturally (In)complete Human” exhibition, which runs at Eaton HK until February 1. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Sophie Cheung poses among works at her “Decolonising Madness: The Naturally (In)complete Human” exhibition, which runs at Eaton HK until February 1. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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.

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.

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.

Sarah Baldassaro (left) demonstrates a strength-training regimen with her trainer, Hilary Granat, in Washington. Medical experts say strength training keeps bones and muscles healthy after menopause, when oestrogen loss speeds up a reduction in bone density and contributes to the gradual loss of muscle mass. Photo: AP
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