Brianna S.

New figures show that around one in eight people across Test Valley suffer from depression, with 13.1 percent of adult GP patients across the borough having had a diagnosis of depression in 2019-20.

WITH increased numbers of people suffering from anxiety, stress, and depression this last year, nature has often offered comfort to those struggling to cope.

Matcha is a trendy new green tea which is finely powdered, and traditionally mixed with hot water, whisked and drunk.

The matcha tea is manufactured in a delicate manner to preserve their texture and flavour. They are dried and aged before being stone-ground into fine powder. It has about the same amount of caffeine as found in coffee, along with a natural substance called l-theanine, which induces an ‘alert calm’ in the body, a kind of relaxation without drowsiness.

The “best” diet is a theme: an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and plain water for thirst. 

That can be with or without seafood; with or without dairy; with or without eggs; with or without some meat; high or low in total fat.

Artificial sweeteners used in diet food and drinks do not help in losing weight but actually trick our bodies into thinking that sugary foods do not have any calories. People who consume artificial sugar also tend to eat more calories by increasing their portion size.

A brand new, extensive study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that there are complications associated with eating non-nutritive (artificial) sugar, like increased BMI (weight gain) and cardiometabolic issues.

• We all have experienced pain, be it physical or psychological.
• Trying to quantify or define the intensity of the hurt being experienced isn’t easy.
• Pain is relative, as each of us has a different anatomical and neurochemical build, a different context that makes it unique.
• All these factors make pain a complex phenomenon, and most of us are managing it pharmacologically (popping pills), which generally causes problems.

The way many of us, especially young adults, consume digital media, often by multitasking, can impair attention, according to new studies.

Media multitasking, which is engaging in the TV program while texting or using social media, is a common activity among the younger population.

• Cooking at home isn't much of a hassle when you plan things ahead. Weekly meal plans exist and are a trend that's easy to follow.
• Schedule it so it happens.
• Home cooking includes investing in the right tools like quality knives, pots and pans because it makes cooking essentialy more fun to do. You can pair cooking while listening to music or a podcast, anything you enjoy doing.
• Keep it realistic. You don't have to cook 90% of the time, set aside 30 mins for cooking and 10 mins for decluttering your fridge.
• Keep it simple. Repeat often. You don’t get bonus points for complexity or variety.
• Have 3-5 go-to recipes. The more you make a recipe, the easier it will become and the less mental resistance you’ll feel when you think about making it.

Five Ways To Improve Flexibility:

• Practice Yoga, Pilates, tai chi and stretching.
• Get good quality protein post your exercise routine, combining it with Vitamin C to aid recovery.
• Hold your stretches of a longer period, like 30 seconds if you can.
• Practice daily, as an increased range of motion reduces the risk of injury.
• Take a warm bath to relax your muscles.

Food allergies happen when your body reacts in a mild or a severe manner after consuming a type of food that your body is supersensitive to.

Severe food allergies in which the body exhibits serious symptoms like slow pulse, blood pressure drop and wheezing/dizziness (anaphylaxis), are getting increasingly common, with a quarter of people having allergies experiencing them. Anaphylaxis cases are on the upswing across the world, just as food allergies become widespread. While the data is tricky, multiple sources point towards a 7 percent rise in food allergies worldwide as of 2018.

• Thoughts and restlessness are a product of stress and worry and lead to a common problem: Insomnia.
• Being unable to sleep can cause further mental health issues like chronic anxiety and depression due to more time spent lying awake and worrying.
• The world has witnessed a surge in insomnia due to the ongoing pandemic and its offshoots like joblessness and health worries of our loved ones.