Health and Wellness

Mental health isn't just the absence of mental illness. It extends to a more holistic spectrum of emotional and social well being, and affects how we think, feel, and act. To raise awareness of mental health issues globally and mobilise efforts around it, World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year. This year's theme highlights the urgency to make quality mental health care a reality for all.

The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc and redefine normalcy for almost everyone in every part of the world. The past 18 months have been a uniquely challenging time on many fronts. As we learn to adapt to new ways of living, the ongoing uncertainty continues to challenge us at a level much more profound than we may realise.

Dementia is characterised by confusion, disorientation, and impaired memory — it is often portrayed as a ‘loss of mind.’ In a concerning development, recent studies have linked the overuse of screens and connected devices to reduced attention and failing memory among younger people in what is being described as ‘digital dementia.’

As countries worldwide have been dealing with the problems of the Covid-19 pandemic, it can be difficult to imagine anything worse than communicable or infectious diseases. However in reality, today we are facing the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Humans are not only made to move — it is essential to our survival. The World Health Organization attributes over 3 million deaths each year to insufficient physical activity. The more we move, the more we boost the health of our bodies and minds, and the more alive we feel. Walking is one of the simplest ways to stay active.