https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/24/feed All the latest fashion and beauty news, style advice and tried-and-tested products en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Tara Loader Wilkinson Tara Loader Wilkinson Georgina Tang’s childhood was deeply unhappy. Growing up in poverty in Hong Kong’s New Territories in the 1960s, as one of eight children born into an arranged marriage, her first memories are of physical abuse at the hands of her jealous mother. “When they were forced to marry at the age of 21, my father was in love with another woman, whom he never quite forgot about,” says Tang, now 63. “It drove my mother crazy. It made her furious that I was my father’s favourite – she hated me because he... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371491/he-my-driving-force-how-hong-kong-born-mother-built-legacy-her-disabled-son https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371491/he-my-driving-force-how-hong-kong-born-mother-built-legacy-her-disabled-son Wed, 21 Oct 2026 03:00:38 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Plain old water could be responsible for making plastics harmful to people, according to a new study that portends significant consequences for human health. The study, published in the journal Nature, found chemical reactions between water and six types of fossil fuel-based plastic-created particles that damaged red blood cells and proteins in laboratory tests. As plastic in the body breaks down into smaller and smaller bits – known as microplastics and nanoplastics – the potential danger... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371477/how-microplastics-react-water-damage-our-bodies-and-cause-inflammation https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371477/how-microplastics-react-water-damage-our-bodies-and-cause-inflammation Tue, 20 Oct 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan Osteoporosis is a stealthy condition. The disease, which weakens bones by making them thinner, less dense and more likely to break, advances slowly and silently, says Dr Edith Lau, founding president of the Asian Pacific Osteoporosis Foundation (APOF), and for most people the first sign is a broken bone. That break can follow something that does not seem serious – a minor fall, lifting something heavy, even a bout of coughing or sneezing. Sufferers most commonly break their forearm, spine or... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371338/how-prevent-osteoporosis-strength-training-eating-calcium-rich-food https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371338/how-prevent-osteoporosis-strength-training-eating-calcium-rich-food Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan This is the 100th instalment in a series on dementia, including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers and stories of hope. When this series launched, my mother was still by my side. My first column explored what looking after her taught me about dementia. Now, as I write this 100th piece, I reflect on what dementia taught me about the nature of care itself. Before she was diagnosed with dementia – but likely as her memory began to fray – my mother was admitted to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371107/what-dementia-care-around-world-teaches-us-about-dignity-community-avoiding-burnout https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3371107/what-dementia-care-around-world-teaches-us-about-dignity-community-avoiding-burnout Sun, 18 Oct 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter When Ria Xi set off on her 20,000km (12,400-mile) endurance challenge, she had no idea what the impact on her body would be. But she was curious to find out. The Beijing-born former tech executive who used AI to develop running training plans has now developed a daily test to track her biometric data alongside memory, motivation and energy levels as she runs across Eurasia. The extraordinary journey, which began on May 1, 2026, from Vladivostok, Russia, will see Xi run the ancient Silk Road... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370981/its-never-hurt-less-chinese-ultrarunners-knee-pain-fades-20000km-silk-road-trek https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370981/its-never-hurt-less-chinese-ultrarunners-knee-pain-fades-20000km-silk-road-trek Sat, 17 Oct 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung When Sonia Chandiramani lost her mum to ovarian cancer in 2017, she found solace in an unexpected place: the rugby pitch. “I was spending five nights a week with my team, plus weekends,” says the 33-year-old Chandiramani, who had been playing since she was 14. “It was my second family. “At her funeral, people showed up, and it meant a lot,” she says. “It’s just a reminder that there are more families than just your family.” Two years later, Chandiramani and some fellow players established... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370857/hong-kong-rugby-player-and-cancer-survivor-why-screening-key-even-young-and-fit https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370857/hong-kong-rugby-player-and-cancer-survivor-why-screening-key-even-young-and-fit Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Mid-October is a tease for Halloween fans – spooky season feels tantalisingly near, yet still just out of reach. Luckily, Hong Kong offers plenty to keep you busy until then, and remember that Monday is a public holiday. Whether you are after a new piece of ink, a perfect pour-over, a night at the ballet or a deeper stretch, there is more than one way to fill the long weekend. 1. Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition 2026 The Hong Kong China International Tattoo Exhibition 2026 will... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370938/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-long-weekend-october-16-19 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370938/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-long-weekend-october-16-19 Thu, 15 Oct 2026 09:16:56 +0000 dpa dpa Colds may be spreading where you are as the end of the year nears, and they are usually followed by plenty of tips on staying well – but are any of them worth your while? We asked scientists whether we should drink warm beer, head to the sauna, take vitamin C supplements and more. 1. If you let yourself get cold, will you catch a cold? This is partly true. However, feeling cold does not automatically make you ill, which requires viruses. “It is true that your body’s defences are weakened to some... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370959/8-old-wives-tales-about-colds-and-how-avoid-them-vitamin-c-sleep-warm-beer https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370959/8-old-wives-tales-about-colds-and-how-avoid-them-vitamin-c-sleep-warm-beer Thu, 15 Oct 2026 07:15:05 +0000 Sasha Gonzales Sasha Gonzales When 73-year-old Rosemina Hamzah stepped up to the hex bar at Singapore’s Mbold Seniors Hex Bar Deadlift Challenge in August, she was not just attempting her first deadlift competition ­– she was rewriting what ageing looks like. Latching onto 67.5kg (149lbs), more than her own body weight of 64kg, the novice lifter pulled it with ease – a personal best to win her category. It was a remarkable feat for a woman who, just over a year ago, could hardly walk and was constantly in pain. Before August... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370800/singaporean-grandma-73-couldnt-walk-without-pain-today-she-deadlifts-675kg https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370800/singaporean-grandma-73-couldnt-walk-without-pain-today-she-deadlifts-675kg Wed, 14 Oct 2026 03:01:13 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung In the last instalment of a four-part Health Matters series on traditional Chinese medicine, Chloe Loung experiences the patient journey at Hong Kong’s new Chinese medicine hospital, where Western doctors and TCM practitioners work side by side to streamline holistic healthcare. There are no receptionists barking ticket numbers in chaotic waiting rooms at the new Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong. In fact, stepping into the complex’s sunlit atrium, you can barely hear a footstep. Hong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370262/inside-hong-kongs-chinese-medicine-hospital-where-eastern-and-western-healthcare-meet https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370262/inside-hong-kongs-chinese-medicine-hospital-where-eastern-and-western-healthcare-meet Sun, 11 Oct 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press To most, the plague is an ancient nightmare, a scourge that wiped out tens of millions in medieval Europe and killed more than 20,000 people in colonial Hong Kong between 1894 and 1929. A recent death at a plague research facility in Siberia is a stark reminder that the bacterium that causes it, Yersinia pestis, was never eradicated. While modern medicine has transformed the former “Black Death” into an easily treatable bacterial infection, the disease continues to circulate quietly across the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370337/plague-isnt-history-where-it-still-exists-how-it-spreads-and-cure https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370337/plague-isnt-history-where-it-still-exists-how-it-spreads-and-cure Sat, 10 Oct 2026 23:15:08 +0000 dpa dpa You spend the evening alone on your couch, decline a party invitation or prefer to stay at home instead of going out to a pub or cafe. Some people withdraw, consciously or unconsciously, from social interactions. Sometimes it is just a phase that can help you recharge your social battery. If it is prolonged, however, it can be harmful to your health. People naturally need time for themselves, say, after partying or during stressful periods in their lives. It is perfectly normal to keep to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370310/how-much-alone-time-too-much-experts-differences-between-recharging-and-withdrawal https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370310/how-much-alone-time-too-much-experts-differences-between-recharging-and-withdrawal Fri, 09 Oct 2026 23:15:08 +0000 dpa dpa Does your knee crunch like a coffee grinder whenever you move it? It could be a sign of patellofemoral osteoarthritis, the breakdown of cartilage on the underside of the patella (kneecap) and groove of the femur (thighbone). “Degenerative changes behind the kneecap are the cause,” says Dr Sven Ostermeier, an orthopaedist based in Freiburg, Germany, adding that the condition should be treated as early as possible or, ideally, prevented in the first place. The kneecap does more than merely protect... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370127/knee-pain-and-crunching-causes-and-3-exercises-ease-osteoarthritis-kneecap https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370127/knee-pain-and-crunching-causes-and-3-exercises-ease-osteoarthritis-kneecap Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:15:04 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu As the weather cools in October, it is finally pleasant enough to venture out on weekends, so it is time to trade the indoor hustle for this season’s best offerings. This weekend’s line-up brings together meaningful community events, immersive storytelling and unique local flavours across the city. Here are five things to do in Hong Kong this weekend. 1. ‘What We Regret Most’ “What We Regret Most” is a community-driven, story-led exhibition that invites people to embrace the messy, awkward and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3370126/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-9-11 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3370126/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-9-11 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 08:15:06 +0000 Bhakti Mathur Bhakti Mathur In the punishing world of Hong Kong endurance sports, few events command as much respect as the Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC), a gruelling 298km (185-mile) test across the city’s major trail networks. While 51-year-old ultra-runner and coach Elliot Froidevaux has conquered the challenge twice, his journey from a 100kg (220lbs) heavy smoker to elite trail runner was no solo effort. Standing next to the Swiss-born, Hong Kong-raised Froidevaux is his older sister, Joanne Nixon, a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369882/hong-kong-siblings-who-bond-over-fitness-reveal-why-endurance-runs-family https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369882/hong-kong-siblings-who-bond-over-fitness-reveal-why-endurance-runs-family Wed, 07 Oct 2026 03:00:12 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan This is the 99th instalment in a series on dementia, including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers and stories of hope. Will using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) preserve a woman’s brain health and protect her from dementia or not? The debate continues. Various studies have looked at the effects of menopause and hormone treatment on the brain – and dementia risk. Some have suggested that HRT has no impact on brain health in older women, and that it has a neutral... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369547/can-hrt-help-prevent-dementia-new-research-suggests-it-might-depending-key-factors https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369547/can-hrt-help-prevent-dementia-new-research-suggests-it-might-depending-key-factors Sun, 04 Oct 2026 23:15:08 +0000 Aidyn Fitzpatrick Aidyn Fitzpatrick In the third instalment of a four-part Health Matters series on traditional Chinese medicine, Aidyn Fitzpatrick speaks to a Hong Kong fencer studying TCM and local practitioners to see how athletes, both elite and amateur, are using TCM alongside Western medicine for smarter injury recovery. Fresh off helping Hong Kong clinch a bronze medal in the women’s foil team event at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, fencer Janelle Leung Ya-lei – ranked 53rd in the world – knows the fine margin between peak... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369447/tcm-or-western-medicine-sports-injuries-why-hong-kong-athlete-chose-both https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369447/tcm-or-western-medicine-sports-injuries-why-hong-kong-athlete-chose-both Sun, 04 Oct 2026 11:00:07 +0000 dpa dpa With proteinmaxxing and fibremaxxing trends both taking over, it can be difficult to understand which is more important. Should we focus on eating enough protein each day and hitting our targets, or should fibre be the priority for gut health and well-being? To answer these questions, we spoke to two dietitians, who shared their expert advice and explained how protein and fibre can complement each other. “Both are important,” says Dr Linia Patel, a UK-based women’s health dietitian, performance... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369511/fibre-or-protein-which-more-important-its-about-balance-experts-say https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369511/fibre-or-protein-which-more-important-its-about-balance-experts-say Sat, 03 Oct 2026 23:15:06 +0000 dpa dpa Ever heard of lipoprotein(a)? Don’t worry if you have not. That is the name of a cardiovascular risk factor that many people are genuinely unaware of. Two experts explain why it makes sense to have this value measured with a blood test at least once, and what to do if the result turns out to be too high. What exactly is lipoprotein(a)? Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a component of the blood. “It is structured like ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol,” says Anja Vogt, a specialist in internal medicine and deputy... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369498/how-high-your-risk-heart-disease-lipoproteina-blood-test-can-help-you-find-out https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369498/how-high-your-risk-heart-disease-lipoproteina-blood-test-can-help-you-find-out Fri, 02 Oct 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung The National Day “golden week” break is upon us, and with it comes the familiar dread: packed MTR carriages, huge crowds and a slow-moving tide of visitors. But as always, there are several ways to escape the hordes, whether that is trying experimental gelato, practising poolside yoga or checking out an exhibition of Hong Kong’s beloved neon lights. 1. Ciao! Gelato Fest 2026 The city’s first large-scale Italian gelato festival is back at PMQ for another edition, bringing together 20 brands from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3369409/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-2-4 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3369409/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-2-4 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak Julius Brian Siswojo is as well known for co-founding Hong Kong’s pioneering hip-hop group 24Herbs as he is for championing skateboarding in the city. Having been “on the deck” – skateboarding, for the uninitiated – since 1988, the 52-year-old is acutely aware of the negative stereotypes associated with the culture: rebellious youths causing trouble in the streets late at night. But Siswojo, who says he does not drink, smoke or touch drugs, stays focused on a healthy lifestyle – not just for... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369175/52-how-hong-kong-skateboarder-julius-brian-siswojo-redefining-ageing-and-longevity https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369175/52-how-hong-kong-skateboarder-julius-brian-siswojo-redefining-ageing-and-longevity Wed, 30 Sep 2026 03:01:26 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for a third of all deaths. The tragedy? It is largely preventable. On World Heart Day on September 29, which continues its “Don’t Miss a Beat” theme, three prominent cardiologists share their hopes and fears for the future of heart health, the technologies that excite them, the simple daily choices that could save your life, and essential habits they practise to safeguard their own. 1. An early diagnosis advocate Among the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369038/whats-future-heart-health-cardiologists-advances-life-saving-habits https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369038/whats-future-heart-health-cardiologists-advances-life-saving-habits Mon, 28 Sep 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan For millions across Asia, high blood pressure is more than just a clinical metric – it is baked directly into the region’s rich culinary spread. From soy sauce and fish sauce to dim sum broths and salted egg patties, high-sodium condiments and preserved ingredients are at the core of daily flavour. While public health groups have long urged people to cut back on salt, fresh research suggests we have been missing half the equation: balancing sodium by significantly increasing dietary potassium at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368746/how-potassium-can-lower-your-blood-pressure-without-cutting-back-salt-or-flavour https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368746/how-potassium-can-lower-your-blood-pressure-without-cutting-back-salt-or-flavour Sun, 27 Sep 2026 23:15:10 +0000 Aidyn Fitzpatrick Aidyn Fitzpatrick In the second instalment of a four-part Health Matters series on traditional Chinese medicine, Aidyn Fitzpatrick investigates the drug-interaction risks of combining Chinese remedies with Western medicine, and how Hongkongers can protect themselves from avoidable complications. An elderly woman with a mechanical heart valve was taking warfarin, a blood thinner to prevent and treat blood clots, when she began using the Chinese herb danshen, often marketed for “blood circulation”. Her blood lost... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368656/hidden-risks-using-traditional-chinese-medicine-western-prescriptions https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368656/hidden-risks-using-traditional-chinese-medicine-western-prescriptions Sun, 27 Sep 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Lily Canter Lily Canter Halfway up a long hill in the Kenyan wilderness, a photographer pointed towards the bush. Just 20 metres (66 feet) away, a hyena was running through the undergrowth, chasing its prey. It was exhilarating – and a little terrifying. I was taking part in Beyond the Ultimate’s For Rangers Ultra, a five-day, 230km (143-mile) race through five Kenyan wildlife conservancies, where encounters like this were all part of the unique experience. Armed rangers were stationed around 300 metres apart along the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368581/what-i-learned-230km-ultra-marathon-race-kenya-over-5-exhausting-days https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368581/what-i-learned-230km-ultra-marathon-race-kenya-over-5-exhausting-days Fri, 25 Sep 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers, is a form of expression that dates back more than 500 years. It continues to blossom quietly – not only with traditionalists, but also with newcomers who find its blend of creativity and mindfulness to be restorative. Ikebana can be a bit like solving a puzzle, except there is no fixed answer. Because each flower and human individual is different, there are multiple solutions. “There’s a ‘detox’ purifying factor and a healing,” says Hiroyuki Okada,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368755/how-relax-and-detox-through-ikebana-ancient-japanese-art-flower-arranging https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368755/how-relax-and-detox-through-ikebana-ancient-japanese-art-flower-arranging Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:15:06 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven Lifestyle stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. All about Hong Kong’s herbal teas and how Gen Z is reviving the health tradition Long before modern chain pharmacies and over-the-counter painkillers were readily available in Hong Kong, there were leung cha: intensely bitter herbal “cooling teas” brewed in massive brass cauldrons in traditional open-front shops. 2. How... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368592/hong-kongs-gen-z-revives-herbal-teas-experts-couple-intimacy-7-lifestyle-highlights https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368592/hong-kongs-gen-z-revives-herbal-teas-experts-couple-intimacy-7-lifestyle-highlights Thu, 24 Sep 2026 06:15:06 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu When Kevin Cureau first spoke to his oncologist about the mass behind his knee, he was not stressed out. “It was more, ‘Oh, this is just something I have to get through.’ I wasn’t scared or anything,” says Cureau, 37, a French-Chinese cancer survivor born and living in Hong Kong who was diagnosed with stage-three liposarcoma in late 2025. Cureau took the news so calmly that even his doctor was a little surprised. But he admits that, at the time, he did not fully understand what liposarcoma was.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368369/i-wasnt-scared-young-hong-kong-rare-cancer-survivor-who-stayed-positive https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368369/i-wasnt-scared-young-hong-kong-rare-cancer-survivor-who-stayed-positive Wed, 23 Sep 2026 03:00:06 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan This is the 98th instalment in a series on dementia, including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers and stories of hope. Dementia news is almost relentlessly grim – a steady drumbeat of rising cases and elusive cures. More bad news came in 2025, when semaglutide, the blockbuster GLP-1 drug celebrated for treating diabetes, obesity and various other conditions, failed to slow Alzheimer’s progression. The setback prompted semaglutide’s developer, Novo Nordisk, to pull the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368006/why-dementia-preventable-and-new-tools-can-reduce-your-risk https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368006/why-dementia-preventable-and-new-tools-can-reduce-your-risk Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Lisa Cam,Ashlyn Chak Lisa Cam,Ashlyn Chak In the first instalment of a four-part Health Matters series on traditional Chinese medicine, Lisa Cam and Ashlyn Chak explore how a new generation of health-conscious youth is discovering century-old leung cha and helping neighbourhood tea shop owners safeguard a dying trade. Long before modern chain pharmacies and over-the-counter painkillers were readily available in Hong Kong, there were leung cha: intensely bitter herbal “cooling teas” brewed in massive brass cauldrons in traditional... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367808/guide-hong-kongs-bitter-herbal-teas-and-how-gen-z-reviving-health-tradition https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367808/guide-hong-kongs-bitter-herbal-teas-and-how-gen-z-reviving-health-tradition Sun, 20 Sep 2026 11:00:07 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan Recently, an acquaintance told me about her brother’s marriage break-up. “They had sex once in eight years,” she said – as if that were the sole reason. It would not have been: the couple’s collapsing relationship was the reason. The absence of sex – except for that single occasion in eight years – was a symptom that likely made it worse. It raises the question, though: is there a sweet spot for sex in a relationship? How many times a week or a month should we be “doing it” to keep a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366995/how-much-sex-should-couple-have-focus-quality-over-quantity-experts-say https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366995/how-much-sex-should-couple-have-focus-quality-over-quantity-experts-say Fri, 18 Sep 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Aidyn Fitzpatrick Aidyn Fitzpatrick For many professionals, finding an hour for the gym is about as feasible as finding an extra day in the week. There are deadlines, family obligations, late-night calls and the small matter of getting enough sleep. That is why “exercise snacks” – or micro-workouts – have become so appealing. Rather than reserving exercise for a long session, the approach breaks activity into short bouts: a brisk climb up stairs, a few squats between meetings or an interval session squeezed into a lunch break. The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367852/no-time-gym-how-micro-workouts-could-help-busy-professionals-improve-their-health https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367852/no-time-gym-how-micro-workouts-could-help-busy-professionals-improve-their-health Thu, 17 Sep 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung With fine weather forecast in Hong Kong for the coming few days, it’s a sign to spend the day outside this weekend. Whether that’s shopping, eating, drinking or exercising, you’re sure to find something on this list. Read on for all the details. 1. Rooftop Moonlit Market Start the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations early with the Rooftop Moonlit Market in Lai Chi Kok on Saturday, September 19. Along with local bites, handmade crafts, live music and a full afternoon of family-friendly activities,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3367693/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-18-20 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3367693/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-18-20 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:15:06 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam At 89, many rely on glasses or hearing aids. Wu Bin needs neither. Daily runs and regular football games keep the legendary martial arts coach of action icon Jet Li in fighting form. Wu is a convincing advertisement for the wellness benefits of lifelong discipline. He still travels widely and recently presided over the 18th Hong Kong International Wushu Competition, where Dragon He, the son of another of Wu’s former students, Jaden He Jingde, was competing. A founder of the Beijing Wushu Team,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367392/how-jet-lis-trainer-wu-bin-89-ages-well-and-still-nurtures-martial-arts-talent https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367392/how-jet-lis-trainer-wu-bin-89-ages-well-and-still-nurtures-martial-arts-talent Wed, 16 Sep 2026 03:00:04 +0000 Richard James Havis Richard James Havis For most people, bedtime is a routine matter of turning off the lights and hoping for eight hours of rest. For David R Samson, an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology, it often means venturing deep into the wild or far back in evolutionary time. Whether sleeping high in the forest canopy to study chimpanzees or joining the Hadza tribe in remote Tanzania, Samson’s Indiana Jones-style fieldwork exposes the ancient roots of human slumber. As director of the Sleep and Human Evolution Lab... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367177/why-sleeping-less-apes-helped-humans-become-earths-dominant-species https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367177/why-sleeping-less-apes-helped-humans-become-earths-dominant-species Sat, 12 Sep 2026 23:15:09 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu The peak summer heat is finally easing in Hong Kong, and a lot is going on in the city in the coming days. Whether you are in the mood to check out cool art, browse exclusive fashion pop-ups or go on a forest soundwalk, here are five things to do in Hong Kong this weekend. 1. Chilai Howard at the Goethe-Institut Hong Kong interdisciplinary designer and artist Chilai Howard’s solo exhibition, “A Self-Portrait: The Process of Erasing” is running at the Goethe-Institut Hongkong until October 6.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3366989/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-11-13 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3366989/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-11-13 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Amy Wu Amy Wu The symptoms started a little before my 50th birthday in December. I pride myself on healthy living, and my gauge of good health has always been consistency: are sleep, eating, digestion and period cycle regular? Now the clockwork was off, if only slightly. My hypervigilance was born more than a decade earlier in Hong Kong, where I lived from 2009 to 2013 while working as a journalist. In 2013, at age 37 with no family history, I was treated for stage 0 breast cancer – the earliest detectable... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366711/12-years-after-surviving-breast-cancer-new-health-scare-tests-american-journalist https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366711/12-years-after-surviving-breast-cancer-new-health-scare-tests-american-journalist Wed, 09 Sep 2026 03:01:45 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan This is the 97th instalment in a series on dementia, including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers and stories of hope. The seeds of dementia may be sown long before our first birthday – or even before we are born. New research shows that while risks such as high blood pressure and cholesterol compound over decades, early sugar exposure can harm the brain before we take our first breath. A study by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) published in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366317/why-too-much-sugar-early-life-even-womb-could-increase-your-dementia-risk-later https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366317/why-too-much-sugar-early-life-even-womb-could-increase-your-dementia-risk-later Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:15:08 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times More consumers are choosing whole wheat bread over white bread in the interest of health. But many products sold as whole wheat bread are not what they appear to be. To identify genuine whole wheat bread, consumers should check whether whole wheat flour is listed as the first ingredient. Some “whole wheat” bread products are made primarily with refined wheat flour, with a small amount of whole wheat added and caramel colouring – or other colourants – to give the bread a darker... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366353/whole-wheat-bread-isnt-always-what-it-seems-dangers-flour-fakes-and-how-spot-them https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366353/whole-wheat-bread-isnt-always-what-it-seems-dangers-flour-fakes-and-how-spot-them Sun, 06 Sep 2026 07:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam If you think this summer has been brutal, imagine how it feels for our pets, especially dogs. Whether cooped up in air-conditioned flats or kept in outdoor village compounds, dogs face severe physical and psychological strain during extreme weather. This link between environmental stress and pet reactivity comes amid a greater community focus on dog behaviour and safety in urban spaces. Hong Kong has recorded its hottest summer on record. Climate change is not only raising temperatures but also... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366301/how-take-care-your-dog-during-hong-kongs-summer-heat-and-thunderstorms https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3366301/how-take-care-your-dog-during-hong-kongs-summer-heat-and-thunderstorms Sun, 06 Sep 2026 04:15:06 +0000 Emma White Emma White For more than two decades of Janet Leung’s life, hunger replaced her joy. After losing her father, endless food maths filled her head, drowning out other thoughts. Her anxiety around eating kept others at a distance. Miserable as she was, Leung could not give up this distraction; it offered an escape from the sideways glances and judgment that she endured in her youth. Hidden inside the grown-up was a 16-year-old girl, stuck in an environment that demanded perfection. Patching a ‘broken... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365952/hong-kong-womans-20-year-eating-disorder-after-dads-death-and-how-she-recovered https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365952/hong-kong-womans-20-year-eating-disorder-after-dads-death-and-how-she-recovered Wed, 02 Sep 2026 03:00:05 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Fresh off the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Hong Kong-born Tammy Wong is still buzzing – and not just from the adrenaline. The 30-year-old weightlifter, who represented England in the women’s 48kg category, finished with a combined total of 160kg (352lbs), just 7kg shy of a podium finish, and five off her own personal best. A three-time champion of British Weight Lifting’s British Championships, Wong played hockey as a child, continuing through university while going to the gym on the side.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365834/hong-kong-born-weightlifting-champion-tammy-wong-strength-fear-and-femininity https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365834/hong-kong-born-weightlifting-champion-tammy-wong-strength-fear-and-femininity Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:15:05 +0000 dpa dpa Most of us probably would not contemplate going for a run in jeans or tackling a HIIT class in an everyday bra, yet the underwear beneath our gym kit tends to receive considerably less thought. But with sweat, friction and tight-fitting gym clothes all potentially affecting intimate skin, perhaps it deserves more consideration. From moisture-wicking seamless briefs to plastic-free thongs, there are now plenty of pairs designed – or marketed – specifically for exercise, but do we actually need... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365599/brief-guide-choosing-right-underwear-workouts-and-mistakes-avoid https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365599/brief-guide-choosing-right-underwear-workouts-and-mistakes-avoid Sat, 29 Aug 2026 20:15:05 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan David, who is in his forties and works in finance in Hong Kong, does not remember a life without hepatitis B, a viral infection of the liver. “I have been a … carrier for as long as I can remember,” he says. “I found out early on as a child since I was born with it – my mother is a carrier, too.” David’s experience is far from unusual in Hong Kong. According to Dr Loey Mak Lung-yi, a specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology, mother-to-child transmissions account for more than 90 per cent of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365315/what-hepatitis-b-viral-infection-1-20-hongkongers-has-many-unaware https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365315/what-hepatitis-b-viral-infection-1-20-hongkongers-has-many-unaware Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Bhakti Mathur Bhakti Mathur Watching Paul Goodson conquer Hong Kong’s gruelling trail runs and blaze through Hyrox arenas, it is hard to imagine that nine years ago he was trapped in an obese body that was failing him. In 2017, at the age of 29, Goodson weighed 150kg (330lbs). Sleepless nights drove him to the doctor. The verdict was devastating – severe sleep apnoea and a warning that he might not live to see 30. Compounding the crisis was another diagnosis – binge eating disorder (BED). He would regularly gorge on food... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365161/how-150kg-teacher-lost-66kg-after-being-told-he-might-not-live-30 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365161/how-150kg-teacher-lost-66kg-after-being-told-he-might-not-live-30 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Anthea Rowan Anthea Rowan This is the 96th instalment in a series on dementia, including the research into its causes and treatment, advice for carers, and stories of hope. A quiet heartbreak is unfolding behind the closed doors of dementia care, one that few carers dare to speak about openly: the ebb of physical intimacy. A tentative question posted to an online dementia carer support group sparked a flurry of moving responses. That question: “I really don’t know how to approach this subject, but I’m wondering who is... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364807/how-navigate-sex-and-intimacy-when-dementia-changes-relationship https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364807/how-navigate-sex-and-intimacy-when-dementia-changes-relationship Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:15:07 +0000 dpa dpa Oat, soy, almond – look in anyone’s fridge or head to a cafe and you might find a slew of plant-based drinks. We hear multiple claims about health and the environment, but are these drinks actually – as is so often claimed – better than cow’s milk, better for the climate or better for those of us with allergies? Some of these claims are true, some are not. Our fact-checkers assess seven popular statements. 1. Plant-based drinks are healthier than cow’s milk False. Milk and dairy products... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364671/milk-vs-plant-based-alternatives-7-claims-put-test https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364671/milk-vs-plant-based-alternatives-7-claims-put-test Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Mythily Ramachandran Mythily Ramachandran My friend Sunita* did not see it coming. Her messages went ignored, and calls were dismissed. The truth hit when her daughter blocked her completely. Sunita could not fathom why: she had always encouraged open communication with her children. The child who had once loved and admired her now called her “toxic” and severed ties. Sunita slipped into depression, unable to sleep or do household chores, haunted by one question: “What did I do wrong?” She missed her daughter. Fond memories of the past... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364659/parental-estrangement-rise-asia-why-do-adult-children-go-no-contact https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364659/parental-estrangement-rise-asia-why-do-adult-children-go-no-contact Fri, 21 Aug 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Morning Studio editors Morning Studio editors People often hold many different roles throughout their lives. For Dr Francis Chan Ka-leung, those include professor, researcher, entrepreneur and collector. “I’ve been a restless person since I was a kid,” says the professor of medicine and therapeutics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). “I tend to follow my heart at different times, including practising medicine, teaching students and doing research.” Although this range of roles satisfies the side of Chan that craves variety, his... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/longevity-blueprint/article/3363851/medical-research-collecting-antiques-cuhk-professor-believes-preserving-lifes-valuables https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/native/lifestyle/health-wellness/topics/longevity-blueprint/article/3363851/medical-research-collecting-antiques-cuhk-professor-believes-preserving-lifes-valuables Wed, 19 Aug 2026 04:00:07 +0000 Sasha Gonzales Sasha Gonzales At 66, Canny Chan laced up her first pair of ballet shoes, chasing a childhood dream to dance like a prima ballerina. Two years later, the Hong Kong retiree can effortlessly glide through basic routines and move gracefully to music – a proud physical feat in itself. But what most surprised her was not her improved flexibility; it was the sudden sharpness of her mind. She never imagined that the dance form would help her think and feel better, too. “Not only has my overall physical form and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364245/how-ballet-helps-these-seniors-keep-their-bodies-and-brains-feeling-young https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364245/how-ballet-helps-these-seniors-keep-their-bodies-and-brains-feeling-young Wed, 19 Aug 2026 03:00:13 +0000