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Wellness

Wellness
Latest news and features on wellness, including diet, mental health trends, exercise, fitness, medicine and diseases.
The best time for a power nap is for 15 to 20 minutes after lunch, between 1pm and 2pm, one expert says. Photo: Shutterstock
How to age well

How a nap helps you power through the day and why you should set your alarm

An afternoon catnap lasting from 10 to 30 minutes can leave you refreshed and recharged, and even strengthen your mental health over time.

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Mental health support essential for all of society after Tai Po fire tragedy

Britain

Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic author, dies at 55 from brain cancer

Parenting: newborns to toddlers

Love your baby bump? How to get a bespoke pregnancy sculpture in Hong Kong

Samantha Waterhouse was not able to capture her own unique curves during pregnancy, so now she helps other mothers-to-be preserve theirs.

Samantha Waterhouse, pictured here in 2021 when she was pregnant with her first child, has set up a bespoke pregnancy sculpture service that transforms a woman’s unique curves into pieces of art using 3D scanning technology. Photo: The Bump Collective
Marathons

She’d make excuses to skip running club. Now she’s smashed the 6 big marathons

Sophia Leung didn’t start running until her 40s and even then she wasn’t keen. Six world major marathons later and running is her ‘medicine’.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)

Health benefits of mugwort and its role in TCM and Japanese herbal medicine

Mugwort is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb with warming properties, used in East Asian traditional medicine and modern spas.

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Healthy eating

Should you eat more fibre? How much you need and what foods are full of it

Fibre offers benefits from improved digestion to better heart health – but think twice before going all out on ‘fibermaxxing’.

Protein-enhanced products have been trending for years, but the number of new products promoted with high or added fibre has seen a big uptick of late. On social media, this has helped boost “fibermaxxing”. Photo: Shutterstock
Style Edit

Style Edit: Noble Panacea has landed in Hong Kong – meet CEO Céline Talabaza

The brand recently opened a flagship counter at Hong Kong’s Lane Crawford and launched the groundbreaking Absolute Peptide8 Night Serum.

How to age well

How does 71-year-old yoga teacher look so much younger than her age?

From waking up with the sun to having lemon water to start her day, Argie Ligeros shares her secrets for ageing well.

Science

Chinese scientists develop promising stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s

New biotech allows ‘seeds’ planted in the brain to differentiate into new nerve cells, reshaping its neural network.

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Chinese medical experts have created an ultra-efficient stem cell treatment for Parkinson’s disease that has achieved remarkable results in clinical trials. Picture: Shutterstock Images
Mental health

Explainer | On the verge of a breakdown, new mother discovers what stress really is

A battle with cancer, a new baby and an alcoholic husband tested high-flying executive Asha’s ability to cope with stress.

Asha plays with her child. The high-flying marketing executive started off knowing all about positive stress, but a battle with cancer, a new baby and an alcoholic husband saw her have to learn new ways to overcome her mental tension. Photo: Asha
China society

Editorial | Silver lining in China’s ageing population shouldn’t be overlooked

Increase in life expectancy affirms Beijing’s commitment to boosting healthcare standards and presents economic opportunities.

How to age well

Why you should take up swimming after your retirement

Swimming takes pressure off joints, builds muscle strength and cardiovascular health, boosts mental health, and can improve your social life.

Singapore

‘Better late than never’: Singapore parents laud curbs on phone use in schools

The city state is among countries that have stepped up measures to curb screen time and tighten social media restrictions for adolescents.

Singapore is among countries that have stepped up measures to curb screen time and tighten social media restrictions for adolescents. Photo: TNS
What to do in Hong Kong

5 things to do in Hong Kong and ways to help this weekend, December 5-7

Whether heading to a bar that gives proceeds to Tai Po fire victims or donating essentials, there are various ways you can help this weekend.

As the focus shifts to rehousing those affected by the Tai Po fire, Hong Kong Charity Crossroads Foundation is asking for donations of essential items, which can be dropped off at its warehouse in Tuen Mun. Photo: Instagram/crossroadsglobalvillage
Martha Stewart

How does Martha Stewart look so young? The 84-year-old icon’s skincare secrets

Stewart never stops – after the release of Netflix’s Martha last year, she’s launched Elm Biosciences and stars in American Eagle’s holiday ad.

How to age well

At 50, she became the first woman to swim around Hong Kong’s Lantau Island

Open water swimmer Edie Hu shares how 10 years of endurance training helped her swim the 65km circumnavigation and set another record.

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How to age well

Yellow, brittle, excessive peeling: how your nails give your health away

A nail artist and a doctor share the telltale signs of poor health, from fingertip colour changes to ridges, plus simple tips for nail care.

Pale or blue-tinged nails can suggest circulation issues, while yellowing nails, like these pictured, may point to fungal concerns. Photo: Shutterstock
Beauty

Is lymphatic drainage the secret to glowing skin?

The delicate massage technique boosts circulation, reduces puffiness and supports detoxification – but do its benefits live up to the hype?

Dementia

How many steps should you walk for minimum brain health decline?

A new study suggests that walking’s potential benefits in slowing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s may begin well below 10,000 steps a day.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Hospital fee reform must balance social fairness with budgetary needs

While standard X-ray services at public hospitals will remain free, the pricing overhaul must be watched closely to avoid unintended harm.

People at the Shroff Office of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jordan on March 25. Photo: Jelly Tse
How to age well

Could magic mushrooms help us live longer? What Bryan Johnson’s test showed

Johnson’s conclusions after taking magic mushrooms are backed by findings that psychedelics could extend life by rewiring the brain and more.

Recent research suggests psilocybin, the psychedelic found in magic mushrooms, could prolong life by improving mental health, reducing oxidative stress and improving DNA repair responses. Photo: Shutterstock
What to do in Hong Kong

Why this Aids charity’s Hong Kong art show smells of resilience

Aids Concern’s ‘Emanate’ exhibition features art and fragrances created by people affected by HIV and Aids that tell their stories.

Beauty

How hand cream evolved from seasonal product to year-round staple

Once a seasonal essential, hand cream has become an everyday must-have, boosted by TikTok and the beauty industry trend of ‘skinification’.

Disease

Explainer | What is MASLD? Most common chronic liver disease affects up to 40% of adults

Previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, MASLD is trending upwards as obesity levels rise, but it can affect lean people too.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a common liver disease driven by metabolic dysfunction. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Singapore ‘sharenting’: where does openness end and overexposure begin?

While sharing children’s exam results may serve to document life’s journey, it may also expose them to danger, counsellors say.

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A group of children playing on a tablet. A recent trend in Singapore is of parents sharing videos of their children online. Photo: Shutterstock
Mental health

How to make 2026 the best year of your life? YouTuber Ali Abdaal has answers

An entrepreneur with 7.6 million followers across social media, Abdaal will share tips on subjects from careers to love at a Hong Kong talk.

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Beauty

8 of the most coveted beauty advent calendars of 2025

The world’s biggest beauty brands – and department stores – are ushering in the holiday season with 24 days of luxe beauty ritual.

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