Born to be Mild

21/04/2026

Foods with added sugar is everywhere. We are well aware of the obvious ones like fruit juice, carbonated drinks, cakes and sweets, but sugar is often added to bread, cereals, ready-made meals and many more. We tend to over-consume sugar in our modern diets. Researchers have found that over-consumption of sugar has a myriad of effects, including raising blood sugar levels, increasing insulin resistance over time, causing cavities, inflammation, obesity, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. It can also affect our mental reserves, as diets high in refined sugar can influence symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as mental distress.

Some ideas to limit your intake of refined sugar includes checking food packaging for sugar content, trying to swap out high sugar treats for healthier alternatives and limit adding sugar when preparing food and beverages at home.

Foods with added sugar are everywhere – even in some surprising places. So how easy is it to go without sugar and what difference can it make to your health?

16/04/2026

In a new book, Cas Holman, a a toy designer, educator, and play expert, suggests that "playfulness is not merely enjoyable, it is essential for well-being, growth, and meaningful connection in adulthood". How can we reclaim a sense of playfulness as adults? Holman says adults can embrace possibility, release judgement and reframing success - a learning mindset is required. Finding a sense of play, can help increase well-being, growth, and meaningful connection.

A recent book explores why unstructured, judgment-free play fades in adulthood—and why it’s worth reclaiming for our creativity, curiosity, and learning.

13/04/2026

As babies, we have to learn how to balance. Once that crucial skill has been mastered, we very often take it for granted, that is, until it fails you. Many older adults worry about stumbling or falling. But how do you know if your balance is 'unbalanced'? Matthew Solan recommends trying a four-stage balance test. See the link below to try the exercises.

Try these simple at-home balance tests to gauge your stability and understand your risk of falling....

09/04/2026

Do you default to a single type of exercise or do you like a variety of different activities? Researchers have found that doing different types of exercise or physical activity can help people live longer.

People who engage in a variety of different types of physical activity may be more likely to live longer than people with little variety in their exercise habits who spend the same amount of time e...

26/03/2026

Procrastination can make you feel more anxious. And anxiety can cause procrastination. Often procrastination can make it harder to complete tasks and can also make it harder to manage the negative emotions associated with completing a task. However, self-compassion tools like mindfulness and acceptance can break the negative cycle of anxiety/procrastination. Self-compassion is also very important in this process. Have patience and be kind to yourself, and don't be afraid to take small steps!

Procrastination and anxiety often fuel one another, which can make it very difficult to complete tasks, as the combination of both can exacerbate delay.

24/03/2026

Today is World TB Day. Tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s top infectious killer, with 10 million people falling ill with TB each year and 1.5 million people dying each year. Those with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use to***co, have a higher risk of falling ill with TB and most of the infections occur in low- and middle-income countries. TB is also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance. TB is preventable and treatable.

19/03/2026

With CBD products more widely available and relatively easy to access, experts urge caution. In the USA, more older adults are using cannabis products for a variety of reasons, however experts warn that there are many pitfalls which older adults should be aware of.

Health experts warn: "aging changes how our bodies process many substances, including cannabis. This can mean older adults are more vulnerable to perilous side effects such as falls. Cannabis can also interact with prescription and over-the-counter drugs, which adults 50 and up tend to use more often than younger people do."

Increasing numbers of older adults are using cannabis in recent years. People over 50 report using it to relax, sleep better, feel good, relieve pain, improve mood or mental health, or treat medica...

17/03/2026

Vaccines, especially for respiratory illnesses like influenza, RSV and pneumococcal, can prevent hospitalization in older adults. As part of a holistic treatment and prevention plan for adults, vaccinations can support and even strengthen immune systems. With flu season swiftly approaching, see your healthcare provider if you have any questions about vaccinations.

A Spanish review suggests vaccines — influenza, RSV, COVID, pneumococcal, zoster, and others — may help preserve immune function in older adults and reduce hospitalizations.

12/03/2026

This year the theme for World Kidney Day is "Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet". There are eight golden rules for taking care of your kidneys:
- Keep fit and be active
- Eat a healthy diet
- Check and control your blood sugar
- Check and control your blood pressure
- Take appropriate fluid intake
- Don't smoke
- Don't take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/pain-killer pills regularly
- Get your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the 'high risk' factors.

See the World Kidney Day website for more information about kidney health, preventing chronic kidney disease and even a fun quiz.

Take a quick fun-quiz and test your kidney health knowledge! How Much Do You Know About Kidney Health? Take our quiz Your Amazing Kidneys The kidneys are complicated and amazing organs that do many essential tasks to keep us healthy. The main job of your kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water....

06/03/2026

Many people believe that if you have sufficient self-control or willpower, you will be able to make changes or achieve things that will eventually lead to increased well-being. A new study casts some doubt on that assumption. Researchers found those will higher scores on aspects related to well-being, had a higher self-control for meeting their goals. Lile Jia, a coauthor of the study, suggested: "We may want to increase our daily well-being... This could involve finding activities that are more restorative and fulfilling for us—like practicing gratitude, connecting with supportive friends, or aiming for greater meaning or purpose in life. By building up our reserves, we will be helping ourselves to have more energy, fight off temptations better, and stay on course for breaking bad habits."

A new study suggests that if your aim is changing bad habits, you can build self-control by focusing on increasing your well-being.

05/03/2026

By 2035, half of the world’s population are expected to be living with overweight or obesity. Childhood obesity is rising. Often obesity is seen as a personal issue, however there are many systemic and community issues which contribute. This includes poverty, unequal access to education and healthcare, food deserts, and environments which negatively impact healthy living.

World Obesity Day 2026 (4 March) calls on eight billion of us to help change the story on obesity.

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.