How do we keep happy and healthy as we get older?
Time spent in the natural world influences what we eat, says study. In our virtual world, nesting in front of computer screens means fewer people are spending time outside disconnecting from nature, and that's bad news for our health. Doctors in some countries are prescribing nature-based therapies to improve the health of their patients and... Continue Reading →
According to a new study, humans have in-built wisdom, selecting foods containing specific nutrients that benefit health. Whilst other animals have innate intelligence when selecting the right foods to meet their nutritional needs, very little is known about what drives human food choices. Scientists widely believe that human dietary choices evolved to prioritise high energy... Continue Reading →
The immune system may be a significant pathway explaining how nature and the body work jointly to fight disease, says research. We all know roaming through woods, countryside or paddling in the sea is good for our wellbeing. Research has discovered that spending time in natural environments protects against chronic illnesses such as depression, diabetes,... Continue Reading →
"We may think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it's our garden that is really nurturing us", said the British biographer Jenny Uglow, and she could be right. In England, 64% of people aged 45-64 report spending some of their free time tending a garden. Ask them why and a typical response might... Continue Reading →
Probiotics alone or combined with prebiotics may ease depressive symptoms, says study. Depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, and researchers are busy looking for new ways to treat the condition. One area of interest is focusing on the gut-brain axis or the relationship between the digestive and nervous systems. Although research is... Continue Reading →
Just eleven minutes of mindfulness training decreases alcohol consumption, says study. In 2019 middle-aged people in the UK were more likely to exceed the weekly alcohol limit, with 37% of men and 19% of women drinking over 14 units of alcohol in a week. If drinking less alcohol is a New Year resolution that is... Continue Reading →
Whether you're in a wood, park, garden or downloading nature sounds at home or work, they have more health benefits than you realise, according to research. In collaboration with the national park service, researchers from North America analysed data from 18 previous studies exploring how natural sounds influence human health. “Sound perception enables most species,... Continue Reading →
Forest environments may have preventive effects on lifestyle-related diseases, says study. When we stroll amongst trees savouring the fresh air, earthy smells, or hear the rustle of leaves with the sunlight bouncing off the branches, it’s not difficult to see how nature uplifts and soothes our mood. But it does much more than that. It's... Continue Reading →
Cumulative stress speeds up the ageing process in young and middle-aged adults, says study. We often judge how well we are ageing by comparing ourselves with those born around the same time. But, we also have a biological age which is different for us all. Scientists measure our biological age by looking at biochemical changes... Continue Reading →
The age you feel is a better predictor of health than the date on your birth certificate, study confirms. How old would you be if your age were unknown? Would it make a difference to how you feel? The well-known saying 'you are only as old as you feel' has some evidence to support it.... Continue Reading →
Afternoon of Life 