Born to be Mild

05/06/2026

Microplastics. We've all heard or read about them. We know they're not good. They're in our water and in our food, on our shoes when we walk into our homes. There are microplastics in every ecosystem in the world, and in our bodies. But what are they? What are the implications for our health and what can we do about it?

It is important to remember that plastic never goes away, it just breaks down into smaller and smaller bits. Research on the impact of microplastics is still limited, but there are definite signs that microplastics can harm our health and bodies.

Kara Meister, a pediatric otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at Stanford Medicine, suggests limiting our exposure to plastic as much as possible. As far as possible, stop using single use plastic items, avoid using plastic or non-stick cookware, try to wear clothing made of natural fibers, seek out cosmetics and toiletries without any plastic in them. She also recommends purchasing wooden or metal toys for children, instead of plastic ones. Heat increases plastic leaching, so handwash plastic items and do not use plastic in the microwave when reheating food.

For more information on microplastics and recent research, please click on the link to Katia Savchuk's article:

Whether we know it, or like it, our bodies are polluted by tiny fragments of plastic that fail to break down in our earthly environment. What does that mean for our long-term health, and what can we do about it?

03/06/2026

World heart rhythm week is observed annually during the first week of June. This year the theme is “Your Heart, Your Rhythm, Your Story”, placing lived experiences and personal stories at the forefront to create awareness. Heart arrhythmia means an irregular heartbeat, caused by faulty electrical impulses to the heart. This can cause a too-slow or too-fast heartbeat. It might feel like a pounding, racing heartbeat or a fluttering one. Symptoms and experiences vary greatly, from palpitations, dizziness or blackouts, to strokes or even sudden cardiac arrest.

29/05/2026

When caring for a family member or visiting a friend with dementia, it can be challenging to make sense or manage the personality changes and common behaviours. Heidi Godman explains some of the most common dementia behaviours and offers six coping strategies, including not pointing out or arguing with strange or inaccurate statements, not reasoning with the person with dementia, use distraction, keep unsafe objects out of sight, supervising hygiene routines and spending time with the person. See the article link below for more information.

Dementia poses many challenges, both for people struggling with it and for those close to them. Understanding common behaviors and learning to handle situations that arise can help families and car...

28/05/2026

Mallika Marshall gives advice on seven things you can do to prevent your stroke risk today. Some of these include quitting smoking, treating diabetes and cutting down on drinking.

Aging and a family history can increase your risk for a stroke, but women can reduce this risk by managing factors that are under their control. Lowering high blood pressure, keeping weight in chec...

19/05/2026

Hypertension, often also called high blood pressure, is sometimes called the 'silent killer'. In fact, it is estimated that 1 in 3 adults in South Africa live with high blood pressure. Many people have no symptoms, but hypertension can cause damage to heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Fortunately, there are many ways to control hypertension, including ensuring you are getting enough exercise, managing stress, don't smoke and eating a healthy diet, including limiting salt. To learn more about what hypertension is, its symptoms and prevention, see the link below:

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, has no warning signs or symptoms.

15/05/2026

Experts estimate that most people consume almost double the recommended daily allowance of salt. This week is Salt Awareness Week with the theme of "Salt it Out". If you eat too much salt regularly, it puts strain on the heart, brain, kidneys and blood vessels, increasing the risk of serious health conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, vascular dementia, osteoporosis, and stomach cancer. Salt is present in many prepackaged foods and in products like cereals and bread. Many people also add salt while cooking and then add additional salt before eating. Reducing salt can be as simple as adding less salt while cooking or deciding not to add salt at the table, choosing lower salt alternatives and making informed choices about the products we purchase. This year, decide to "Salt it out" by reducing salt for long-term health!

https://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/awareness/salt-awareness-week-2026/

11/05/2026

Sir David Attenborough recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Although life expectancy has increased over the last few years, reaching the 100 milestone is still quite impressive. Dr Mohammed Enayat, a GP and expert in longevity, shared five tips for a healthy and long life. These include regular exercise, avoid stress, sleep well, good nutrition and being part of community and purpose.

Sir David Attenborough, the beloved natural historian and environmental advocate, is set to mark his 100th birthday next month on 8 May. This extraordinary milestone not only celebrates a seven-decade career that has profoundly shaped our understanding of the natural world but also prompts reflectio...

21/04/2026

Foods with added sugar is everywhere. We are well aware of the obvious ones like fruit juice, carbonated drinks, cakes and sweets, but sugar is often added to bread, cereals, ready-made meals and many more. We tend to over-consume sugar in our modern diets. Researchers have found that over-consumption of sugar has a myriad of effects, including raising blood sugar levels, increasing insulin resistance over time, causing cavities, inflammation, obesity, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. It can also affect our mental reserves, as diets high in refined sugar can influence symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as mental distress.

Some ideas to limit your intake of refined sugar includes checking food packaging for sugar content, trying to swap out high sugar treats for healthier alternatives and limit adding sugar when preparing food and beverages at home.

Foods with added sugar are everywhere – even in some surprising places. So how easy is it to go without sugar and what difference can it make to your health?

16/04/2026

In a new book, Cas Holman, a a toy designer, educator, and play expert, suggests that "playfulness is not merely enjoyable, it is essential for well-being, growth, and meaningful connection in adulthood". How can we reclaim a sense of playfulness as adults? Holman says adults can embrace possibility, release judgement and reframing success - a learning mindset is required. Finding a sense of play, can help increase well-being, growth, and meaningful connection.

A recent book explores why unstructured, judgment-free play fades in adulthood—and why it’s worth reclaiming for our creativity, curiosity, and learning.

13/04/2026

As babies, we have to learn how to balance. Once that crucial skill has been mastered, we very often take it for granted, that is, until it fails you. Many older adults worry about stumbling or falling. But how do you know if your balance is 'unbalanced'? Matthew Solan recommends trying a four-stage balance test. See the link below to try the exercises.

Try these simple at-home balance tests to gauge your stability and understand your risk of falling....