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Health

Sleeping and waking up early works for some people, but others are more naturally suited to a later timetable. Photo: Shutterstock

Why the 5am Club isn’t for everyone

Ahead of World Sleep Day, we look at how to get the best night’s sleep and why getting up early isn’t always as productive as you may think.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:15AM

The early signs of dementia you need to look for in loved ones and yourself

9 Mar 2026 - 3:39PM

These Hong Kong women are showing what’s possible in their sports

8 Mar 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

Microplastics are a problem. These innovators are finding clever solutions

Microplastics have been linked to human health issues from low fertility to heart attacks. But some pioneers are fighting back.

7 Mar 2026 - 12:45PMvideocam

Indian entrepreneur Kruvil Patel founded the brand Trishula in 2019 to make edible cutlery, from spoons and sporks to straws and skewers. Single-use plastic cutlery is a huge driver of the microplastics in our environment. Photo: Trishula

Is poor sleep just a symptom of getting older? Experts say it doesn’t have to be

Ageing does not mean poor sleep is inevitable. Experts reveal why older people can be more susceptible, plus how to improve sleep quality.

7 Mar 2026 - 7:30AM

Why electrolyte drinks like Gatorade and Pocari Sweat aren’t always beneficial

Health professionals explain who does and doesn’t benefit from electrolyte supplements and why making them at home isn’t a good idea.

4 Mar 2026 - 6:15PM

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Paging Dr Chatbot? 5 things to know before you ask AI about your health

AIs like Chat GPT and Claude are not substitutes for professional care, say experts, but can give useful information if used responsibly.

4 Mar 2026 - 3:15PM

AI chatbots can offer health insights but they are not substitutes for professional care. Here are some things to consider before talking to a chatbot about your health. Photo: Shutterstock

75-year-old Hongkonger works over 70 hours a week. Why is he still so happy?

More seniors in Hong Kong like Benny Ratnani are working past 65 not just for financial reasons, but to retain self-esteem and self-worth.

4 Mar 2026 - 11:00AM

All about TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ Angong Niuhuang Wan, and when not to take it

The prized Angong Niuhuang Wan is thought to help stroke victims if taken at the right time. But when is that, and can it harm you?

5 Mar 2026 - 11:19AM

Why wild health raves will be one of 2026’s biggest wellness trends

The Global Wellness Summit’s new trends report predicts wellness to pivot from hi-tech and performative to cathartic and connective.

28 Feb 2026 - 5:15PMvideocam

Luuk Melisse, a former dancer and founder of mindful movement community Sanctum, leads the Sanctum Frequency festival in Amsterdam in 2024. A new chapter is opening for the wellness industry, one that owes a lot to the euphoric rave culture of the 80s and 90s.
Photo: Sanctum

It’s not ‘all in your head’: women’s pain really lasts longer, study finds

Myth-busting findings that immune system differences cause chronic pain to persist longer for women highlight the need for better treatment.

28 Feb 2026 - 7:29AM

Women’s pain has often been overlooked as “more in the mind”. But a new study has found chronic pain to be more exacerbated for women than for men, and the biological reason behind it. Photo: Shutterstock

Women’s heart attack symptoms and risk factors differ from men’s. Here’s what to know

Women’s heart attacks often have more subtle symptoms and sex-specific risks. Experts provide preventive measures to protect your body.

26 Feb 2026 - 6:08PM

Parents of Hong Kong’s ‘Girl Behind the Face’ finally share their story

Mui Thomas’s story of living with a rare skin disease has moved many. Now, her adoptive parents share why they ignored advice to ‘walk away’.

25 Feb 2026 - 11:00AM

What is the best brain training test to reduce dementia risk?

Study finds speed-based brain training better than memory or reasoning training in reducing risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

23 Feb 2026 - 7:15AMvideocam

In a study on whether specific types of cognitive training could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, the group that undertook speed training improved the most, in areas including safer driving, improved mood and more self-confidence. Photo: Shutterstock

‘I could not walk’: how exercise helped a mother manage serious knee pain

With surgery off the table, Hong Kong-based Kavita Biswas forced herself to strengthen the muscles around the knee.

22 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

Kavita Biswas could barely walk short distances before she started physiotherapy and resistance training to strengthen the muscles around her knee. Now the osteoarthritis sufferer can walk for up to 45 minutes at a time and manages her daily life independently. Photo: Kavita Biswas

Is magnetic heating technology a new weapon in the fight against cancer?

America’s Mayo Clinic is testing Israeli technology that targets solid tumours with fast-rising heat in a process it calls hyperthermia.

21 Feb 2026 - 7:15PM

Burnout brought a CEO to breaking point. How to recognise the signs and fix it

Headhunting firm founder Oliver Rolfe became compulsively addicted to his work and felt ‘miserable, emotionally numb’ – but couldn’t stop.

23 Feb 2026 - 3:52PM

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The apple in this picture is not red, but grey. Why your brain lies to you

The representation of reality your brain provides after processing sensory perceptions may not match the real thing, a neuroscientist says.

19 Feb 2026 - 3:15PMvideocam

What colour is the apple on the cover of Daniel Yon’s book A Trick of the Mind: How the Brain Invents Your Reality?
Photo: Amazon — What colour is the apple on the cover of Daniel Yon’s book A Trick of the Mind: How the Brain Invents Your Reality? Photo: Amazon

Singaporean started aikido in her 60s in poor health. Now 73, she’s a black belt

The Japanese martial art helped Lily Chan get off osteoporosis medication and massively improved her overall health and mobility.

18 Feb 2026 - 11:03AMvideocam

Want to beat your sugar cravings? How to cut down and even quit sugary foods

Kick-start your sugar-free journey with expert tips on managing cravings, mindful snacking and embracing healthier substitutes.

17 Feb 2026 - 11:16AM

How the cancer that killed James Van Der Beek is threatening more under-50s

No one knows what is causing the rise in colorectal cancer cases in younger adults. Here are the symptoms and who is most at risk.

16 Feb 2026 - 3:15PM

Photo: @vanderkimberly/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C6U5VHXLcPw/?hl=en&img_index=1

This Singapore-based executive lost 21kg in 9 months and cured his knee pain

Weighing 93kg was a wake-up call for Ben Payet, whose health journey fixed a knee issue that threatened to stop him running for good.

15 Feb 2026 - 11:15AM

Ben Payet at his heaviest weight of 93kg in October 2024 (left) and at his current weight of 72kg, which he first achieved in July 2025. Photo: UP Singapore

8 hot wellness trends in 2026, from women’s longevity to ‘health raves’

Here are some of the top wellness trends predicted for 2026, including a focus on women’s health, ‘neurowellness’ and reducing over-tracking.

14 Feb 2026 - 4:15PM

Can drinking tea and coffee reduce dementia risk? Yes, according to a study

A study conducted over 43 years suggests drinking two to three daily coffees, or one to two cups of tea, for a reduced risk of dementia.

13 Feb 2026 - 6:14AM

Want to feel happier? Watch Spirited Away or play Zelda, new study says

Studio Ghibli films and games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can boost calm, purpose and happiness, a new study suggests.

11 Feb 2026 - 3:15PM

A still from Spirited Away. Research shows films like this, as well as certain video games, can enhance calm, purpose and happiness. Photo: Studio Ghibli

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