Opinion β stop excluding men from the body positivity conversation
The archaic mindset that vulnerability isnβt βmanlyβ β particularly regarding image and self-esteem β should not be an excuse for rejecting men from our efforts to challenge unrealistic beauty standards. For as long as Iβm able to remember, women have been the primary target of societal body critique. Permeating almost...
Current in Wellness
Procrastination has been linked to poor mental and physical health
Avoiding certain responsibilities might feel rewarding in the moment, but itβs likely worse for our mental and physical well-being in the long run. A breadth of studies have shown that chronic procrastination isnβt just bad for our to-do lists, but also for our mental and physical health in the long...
Exposure to body positive content can help aid mental health
A new study has labelled the viewing of diverse figures on the internet as an effective βmicro-interventionβ for self-esteem that prevents or limits the adverse impacts of social media. For decades, body positivity has lived comfortably in mainstream media. Acting as a remedy to idealistic, unattainable beauty standards weβve long been...
Social media βweight lossβ trend causes Ozempic shortage
The Ozempic injection, which keeps blood sugar levels in check for patients with Type 2 diabetes, has been in shortage for months following tenuous claims online that celebrities are using it to lose weight. In 2022, social media inspired many of the ways we sought to improve our wellbeing...
Is egg freezing really a golden ticket to delaying parenthood?
The option for women to freeze their eggs is now regularly recommended by doctors, promoted in popular culture, and marketed to the masses via social media advertisements. But should we be wary of depending on its success? A new world record was broken last month, with two twin babies born...
British doctors can now suggest surfing as a mental health remedy
Young people experiencing depression and anxiety will be prescribed surfing, roller skating, and dancing before being offered medication by doctors. Letβs face it, feelings of being stressed, burnt out, and sad are bound to pop up in our hyper-aware and overloaded era of modern life. Under these circumstances, the most tempting...
Does mindfulness work just as well as medication to curb anxiety?
New evidence suggests that daily meditation is as effective at treating restlessness, feelings of worry or dread, and sleep problems as a regularly prescribed antidepressant. Amid the ongoing mental health crisis, openly discussing how weβre feeling has never been more important. Fortunately, spaces encouraging conversation are becoming increasingly widespread. Improved dialogue has opened doors to new, more diverse treatment, with greater research into causes, symptoms, and possible support options. In an effort...
Why arenβt we talking about Gen Z drug use?
New research shows that 1 in 3 young people have used drugs in the past 12 months. So why canβt we talk about it? Since the pandemic, the number of young people using drugs has spiked. According to The Mix, an organisation providing βessential support for under 25sβ, 1 in 5 substance users now take drugs or alcohol to escape problems in their life. Official figures show that drug-related deaths...
Opinion β the heroin chic resurgence must be nipped in the bud
With nostalgia trends all the rage, nineties fashion has made a comeback. However, recent headlines touting thin as being βinβ again imply that so too has its toxic counterpart: the glorification of skinniness and the unhealthy behaviours necessary to achieve it. Although the popularisation of heroin chic occurred long before I was old enough to have it shoved in my face by clothing campaigns and the media, its damaging impact...
Opinion β We need to stop categorising unique traits as mental illness
According to popular online content, if youβre easily distracted, chatty, and energetic, you probably have ADHD. If youβre a little socially awkward and bothered by loud noises, perhaps youβre autistic. Why have we started demonising uniqueness to glamourise neurodivergence? And how is this damaging? It seems like every other week there is a new personality disorder trending in online spaces. And if itβs one youβve heard of before, thereβs suddenly...
