https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/323222/feed Latest news and features on wellness, including diet, mental health trends, exercise, fitness, medicine and diseases. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3370127/knee-pain-and-crunching-causes-and-3-exercises-ease-osteoarthritis-kneecap?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:15:04 +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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369511/fibre-or-protein-which-more-important-its-about-balance-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3369409/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-october-2-4?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3369038/whats-future-heart-health-cardiologists-advances-life-saving-habits?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368656/hidden-risks-using-traditional-chinese-medicine-western-prescriptions?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368755/how-relax-and-detox-through-ikebana-ancient-japanese-art-flower-arranging?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Sep 2026 08:15:06 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu Few celebrations illuminate Hong Kong quite like the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time to light up the streets with glowing lanterns, gaze at the moon and share mooncakes with loved ones. This weekend features many Mid-Autumn-themed activities to make it a little more fun. Here are five things to do in Hong Kong to elevate your celebrations. 1. An Evening of Lunar Resonance Visual art and music collide in this Mid-Autumn chamber music event happening on Saturday. “Design × Chinese Orchestra: An... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3368598/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-mid-autumn-festival-weekend-september-25-27?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3368598/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-mid-autumn-festival-weekend-september-25-27?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. I read the chief executive’s policy address delivered last week from its first page to its last and one word never appears: hope. Its 11 mental health measures are all about coping. Two gaps stand out. First, the missing middle. Four of the 11 measures target students, teachers... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3368351/hong-kongs-mental-health-narrative-must-instil-sense-hope?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3368351/hong-kongs-mental-health-narrative-must-instil-sense-hope?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Sep 2026 03:30:05 +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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3368006/why-dementia-preventable-and-new-tools-can-reduce-your-risk?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Sep 2026 11:00:07 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang Precisely targeted sound waves could mark a major advance in treating pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma – an aggressive form of brain cancer – within a few years, according to a leading advocate of the technology. Researchers in Hong Kong and around the world are testing whether the approach can help treat tumours that are among the most challenging to manage. “The next big breakthrough in the near future will be more effective treatments for … glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer,” said Dr Neal... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3368041/focused-ultrasound-could-be-next-big-cancer-breakthrough-hard-treat-tumours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/china-business/article/3368041/focused-ultrasound-could-be-next-big-cancer-breakthrough-hard-treat-tumours?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Sep 2026 08:00:07 +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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 23:15:04 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones Thailand has moved to make weight-loss pens prescription-only, as a glut of the GLP-1 medicines – which mimic the hormones released once someone is full – floods the black market and influencers swarm TikTok to extol the quick wins of the simple injections. The Southeast Asian nation, which is never far behind wellness or aesthetic trends and has a notorious black market in counterfeit drugs, has seen the uptake of GLP-1 medicines skyrocket, doctors say, including the market-leading Ozempic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3368044/thailand-makes-weight-loss-pens-prescription-only-counter-glut-illegal-medicines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3368044/thailand-makes-weight-loss-pens-prescription-only-counter-glut-illegal-medicines?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:21:59 +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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3367693/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-18-20?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 03:00:04 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Danish pharmaceuticals giant Novo Nordisk, maker of weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, announced on Monday a name change to just Novo, hoping it will be more “memorable and relevant” for clients. The rebrand comes ahead of a strategic presentation on September 21, when executives are to lay out their plan for “a faster, more competitive and increasingly consumer-driven market”. The company is battling fierce competition in the anti-obesity sector, where its hugely successful Ozempic and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3367460/ozempic-maker-novo-nordisk-slims-down-novo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3367460/ozempic-maker-novo-nordisk-slims-down-novo?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:26:54 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Few would guess that Hong Kong’s first plant-based canned coffee brand, Busy Brew, is run by a 23-year-old. One might be tempted to see it as a Gen Z entrepreneur fairy tale: a student spots a gap in the market, builds a cult following for her canned oat milk lattes, lands incubation funding and watches the product fly off shelves in some of the city’s largest retail chains. But founder Nikita Kuwadekar, born and raised in Hong Kong, will be the first to tell you that the journey has not been... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367151/how-hong-kong-gen-z-coffee-entrepreneur-filling-market-gap-her-can-do-attitude?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3367151/how-hong-kong-gen-z-coffee-entrepreneur-filling-market-gap-her-can-do-attitude?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Carolina Malis Carolina Malis The curling iron used to be one of the least glamorous objects in the bathroom. You plugged it in, hoped the barrel was hot enough, burned two fingers in the process, and more or less accepted whatever came out. Now it has a learning curve, a TikTok following, and in some cases, a waiting list. The tools themselves have changed, and so has the conversation around them. Hair health has become as consuming a conversation as skincare, and that’s changed what people expect from their tools. Everyone... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3367054/how-choose-best-curling-tool-your-hair-wands-air-stylers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/beauty/trends/article/3367054/how-choose-best-curling-tool-your-hair-wands-air-stylers?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung In the final instalment of the Health Matters wellness series on Hong Kong’s growing wellness trends, Emily Hung examines alternative therapies helping residents restore their balance, as practitioners stress that small, conscious moments can make the biggest difference. For Hong Kong film practitioner Ngai Tsz-wai, peace of mind begins on all fours. The 40-year-old practises animal flow, a quadrupedal, ground-based movement system that blends elements of yoga, dance, gymnastics and martial... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3367298/all-fours-or-wilderness-retreat-how-hongkongers-are-reclaiming-their-calm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3367298/all-fours-or-wilderness-retreat-how-hongkongers-are-reclaiming-their-calm?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2026 11:00:09 +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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3367177/why-sleeping-less-apes-helped-humans-become-earths-dominant-species?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 23:15:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s daughter, Apple Martin, was recently spotted enjoying a weekend in the Hamptons with a “mystery man”. Apple was seen sharing an embrace and a kiss with her beau, whom Page Six has identified as her long-time boyfriend, Moshe Levi. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s daughter Apple Martin appears to have a new romance. 💕 The 22-year-old was spotted passionately kissing a mystery man during a shopping trip in the Hamptons — seemingly the same guy she was seen... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367185/meet-moshe-levi-who-dating-apple-martin-daughter-gwyneth-paltrow-and-chris-martin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367185/meet-moshe-levi-who-dating-apple-martin-daughter-gwyneth-paltrow-and-chris-martin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 11:00:06 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The Hong Kong government will table a bill at the Legislative Council in the first half of 2027 to introduce a statutory cooling-off period for prepaid beauty and fitness contracts, the commerce chief has said. Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah revealed the timeline on Saturday, two weeks after the government concluded a two-month consultation on the policy proposal to address limitations of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance on August 31. “We hope to table the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367280/hong-kong-table-cooling-period-bill-beauty-fitness-deals-mid-2027?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3367280/hong-kong-table-cooling-period-bill-beauty-fitness-deals-mid-2027?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 05:46:58 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa American football coach Lane Kiffin has been making headlines in the past weeks as his team, the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers, await a verdict on whether they will be expelled from the collegiate Southeastern Conference (SEC). Leaders from schools in the conference are planning to meet on Thursday to discuss expelling LSU amid a dispute over the team’s push to add players who spent time on NFL teams. On Tuesday, the SEC amended a lawsuit filed last week to request a temporary... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367011/meet-lane-kiffins-ex-wife-layla-who-supporting-him-amid-lsu-expulsion-threat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367011/meet-lane-kiffins-ex-wife-layla-who-supporting-him-amid-lsu-expulsion-threat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:00:07 +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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3366989/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-11-13?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Paul Yip Paul Yip As we observe World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, the global community reflects on a sobering reality: suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people. Every year, more than 720,000 people die by suicide – each life a story cut short, a family shattered, a community left to grapple with unbearable loss. In Hong Kong, the Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP) at the University of Hong Kong estimates last year’s suicide rate at 13.0 per 100,000 in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3366437/social-media-must-join-fight-against-teen-suicides?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3366437/social-media-must-join-fight-against-teen-suicides?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2026 01:30:05 +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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2026 04:15:06 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Starting September with a bang, the city is serving up everything from major fashion showcases and underground art exhibitions to caviar on gelato. If runway shows and designer labels are not quite your scene, or dessert is not your thing, there is also a three-day health and wellness festival happening at the same time. Here are five things to do this weekend. 1. Messina x Nomad Caviar Ice cream purveyor Messina has teamed up with Hong Kong-based Nomad Caviar for a limited-edition collaboration... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3366173/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-4-6?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3366173/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-4-6?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:15:08 +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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365834/hong-kong-born-weightlifting-champion-tammy-wong-strength-fear-and-femininity?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:15:05 +0000 Victor Ting Victor Ting In the third instalment of a five-part Health Matters wellness series on Hong Kong’s growing wellness trends, Victor Ting examines how wearable devices are reshaping personal healthcare in the city, as experts caution that they should not replace professional medical advice. Alice Wong had little idea how seriously ill she might become until unusual patterns on her smartwatch prompted her to seek medical advice. A year ago, Wong, who was still in her twenties, had bought the device but paid... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3365718/warning-saved-my-life-can-hongkongers-trust-smartwatches-or-are-they-being-misled?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3365718/warning-saved-my-life-can-hongkongers-trust-smartwatches-or-are-they-being-misled?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:00:10 +0000 Carolina Malis Carolina Malis Creatine has had a pretty fixed identity for most of its commercial life. It came in enormous tubs, it lived next to things called Xtreme Mass and Hyper Shred, and it was, for a very long time, something men bought before lifting heavy things. Most women never questioned whether it applied to them, and most brands never bothered to suggest that it might. But at some point, searches for creatine for women started climbing, and by 2025, Thorne, one of the supplement industry’s most credible names,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3365056/creatine-women-benefits-strength-brain-health-and-hormones-without-bulk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/beauty/wellness/article/3365056/creatine-women-benefits-strength-brain-health-and-hormones-without-bulk?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:00:09 +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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365599/brief-guide-choosing-right-underwear-workouts-and-mistakes-avoid?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 20:15:05 +0000 Emma White Emma White When Linda Lee was young and living in the heart of Hong Kong’s urban metropolis, her father found peace in a small cluster of greenery in their flat. He stood in the corner each day, tending to each pot. When he smoked, he always turned to blow the smoke onto the plants, which would absorb the chemicals, he said, leaving clean air for Lee and her mother. Lee’s father was a tough character. He did not talk much, or have many friends. But Lee saw something in his face relax whenever he tended to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3365589/green-day-hong-kong-horticultural-therapists-relaxing-urban-farm-experiences?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3365589/green-day-hong-kong-horticultural-therapists-relaxing-urban-farm-experiences?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2026 08:15:06 +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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3365315/what-hepatitis-b-viral-infection-1-20-hongkongers-has-many-unaware?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Emma White Emma White The weather’s looking a bit dicey again this weekend, but there will still be plenty of events happening around town. There’s a Wagyu challenge, a musical with cosmic themes, a clothing swap and a beginner’s meditation class to keep you busy. If you are looking to learn something new, explore the galaxy, test your intuitive meat-weighing skills or upcycle your wardrobe, there’s a wide variety of options available. 1. “Golden Cut” Wagyu Challenge On Friday, August 28, Wagyu Yakiniku Jun is... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3365447/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-august-28-30?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3365447/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-august-28-30?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:23:40 +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?utm_source=rss_feed 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?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Aug 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Kate Chan Kate Chan Hong Kong preschoolers will be offered free dental check-ups starting next month, with more than 70 per cent of the city’s kindergartens having already signed up for the new government initiative. The Department of Health announced on Monday the launch of the Outreach Oral Health Programme for Preschool Children on September 1, aimed at fostering oral hygiene habits and preventing tooth decay at an early stage. Under the scheme, dental teams from 23 participating service providers will visit... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3365080/hong-kong-offer-free-dental-check-ups-preschoolers-september?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3365080/hong-kong-offer-free-dental-check-ups-preschoolers-september?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:38:27 +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?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3364807/how-navigate-sex-and-intimacy-when-dementia-changes-relationship?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:15:07 +0000