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#UrbanLife

Articles tagged with "UrbanLife" - explore health, wellness, and travel insights.

12 articles
5 min read

"Touch Grass" Goes Mainstream: Science Confirms the Healing Power of Nature for Modern Burnout

news social sciences

In recent years, the phrase “go touch grass” has gone viral on social media platforms, evolving from Gen Z’s favorite online insult into an unexpectedly effective piece of wellness advice. What began as a tongue-in-cheek way to tell someone to step away from digital disputes and reclaim perspective now carries new weight, as scientists worldwide have increasingly found that reconnecting with the natural world can significantly combat the effects of modern burnout and mental fatigue (VegOutMag).

#Health #MentalHealth #NatureTherapy +9 more
6 min read

Why We Snap: The Science Behind Overstimulation and Irritability

news mental health

It happens to everyone: after a long day filled with noise, digital pings, and never-ending demands, you snap at a loved one or lose patience in a seemingly trivial moment. According to new insight featured in HuffPost’s recent article, “So THAT’S Why You Get Mad When You’re Overstimulated”, this isn’t just a personal flaw—it’s a biological response experienced by countless people worldwide, including many Thais adapting to the nonstop rhythm of modern life (HuffPost).

#MentalHealth #Overstimulation #DigitalWellbeing +7 more
4 min read

Why Overstimulation Can Make Us Snap: Science Explains the Mean Streak

news mental health

A new wave of psychological research is shedding light on why we often become irritable or even mean when we’re overstimulated—a problem that resonates with thousands across the globe and is highly relevant as life in Thailand grows more fast-paced, urban, and digitally driven. According to a viral phenomenon discussed in a recent HuffPost report, people overwhelmingly share the experience of getting snappy or short-tempered when their senses and minds are bombarded with too much information, chaos, or noise (HuffPost).

#MentalHealth #Overstimulation #Stress +4 more
4 min read

Ancient Roman “Fast Food” Revealed: Fried Songbirds Fueled Commoners’ Snacks

news social sciences

A new archaeological study has shaken up what we thought we knew about ancient Roman dining, revealing that the “fast food” culture of the empire went well beyond bread and olives. Recent excavations in Spain have shown that ordinary Romans, not just the elite, frequently enjoyed fried songbirds—especially thrushes—at bustling roadside eateries, according to a study in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (The Independent).

The finding comes from a detailed analysis of ancient animal bones excavated from a cesspit in the city of Pollentia on Mallorca, dating to the period spanning the first century BC to the first century AD. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of mammals, fish, reptiles, and, most notably, a significant number of small thrush bones discarded at the site of a commercial district. These culinary scraps provide a surprisingly intimate glimpse into the eating habits of Roman commoners and challenge the notion that such delicacies were reserved solely for the wealthy.

#archaeology #ancientRome #foodhistory +5 more
5 min read

Ranking High, Feeling Pressured: Singapore’s Happiness Paradox Sparks Debate in Asia

news psychology

A recent wave of international rankings has put Singapore in the spotlight, designating the city-state as the third happiest city in the world, behind only Copenhagen and Zurich according to the 2025 Happy City Index (CNBC). Yet, this glowing reputation has triggered a complex reaction among Singaporeans themselves, echoing a broader debate across Asia—including Thailand—about what true happiness means in highly structured societies.

Singapore’s strong position on the index, published by the Institute for the Quality of Life, was determined by an extensive assessment across six key categories: citizens’ well-being, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility. Notably, 2025 marks the first year the index included health in its evaluation—an addition reflecting increased global concerns about physical and mental wellness after the COVID-19 pandemic.

#happiness #Singapore #indices +7 more
5 min read

5-4-5 Walking Technique: The Accessible Fitness Trend Boosting Health and Happiness

news fitness

A newly emerging walking method known as the “5-4-5 walking technique” is gaining popularity for its ability to simultaneously energise both body and mind. The technique, recently highlighted by a fitness writer at Tom’s Guide in a first-person account, injects interval-style variety into daily walks and promises notable health benefits. As everyday Thais seek affordable and accessible ways to improve physical and mental wellbeing, could this innovative approach offer a new model for nationwide fitness?

#WalkingFitness #IntervalTraining #ThailandHealth +6 more
5 min read

Eye Contact and Small Talk: A Simple Pathway to Social Well-Being, New Research Shows

news psychology

Recent research in social psychology is shedding new light on the powerful yet often overlooked social benefits of simple acts like making eye contact and engaging in small talk with strangers. At a time when loneliness and social disconnection are on the rise worldwide—including in Thailand—experts suggest that these small gestures are not merely polite, but serve as “psychological generosity” with tangible benefits for both individuals and society as a whole. The insights, published in The Conversation by a professor of social psychology, challenge the prevailing trends of tech-induced social withdrawal and make a compelling case for a renewed focus on everyday human connection in public spaces (The Conversation).

#psychologicalgenerosity #socialconnection #mentalhealth +7 more
4 min read

Small Gestures, Big Impact: The Science Behind Eye Contact and Small Talk for Social Well-being

news psychology

A groundbreaking new analysis reveals that simple acts such as making eye contact and engaging in polite small talk with strangers offer far more than fleeting pleasantries—they represent a form of “psychological generosity” that can significantly enhance individual and societal well-being. Published on May 21, 2025, in The Conversation by a noted professor of social psychology, this research underscores how daily habits in social attention are fundamental to fostering community, decreasing isolation, and building a healthier, more connected society (The Conversation).

#mentalhealth #psychology #Thailand +7 more
4 min read

New Research Identifies 10,000 Steps as Key to Reversing Risks of Excessive Sitting

news fitness

A groundbreaking international study has identified the optimal number of daily steps needed to offset the health hazards of long periods spent sitting—a finding with particular resonance for Thailand’s increasingly urbanized and sedentary society. According to researchers, taking between 9,000 and 10,000 steps each day significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and early death, even among individuals with highly sedentary lifestyles. This new evidence challenges the traditional “10,000 steps per day” recommendation by directly linking step count to the dangers of prolonged sitting, and delivers crucial guidance for desk-bound Thais and anyone concerned with modern sedentary habits (ScienceAlert).

#Health #PhysicalActivity #SedentaryLifestyle +7 more
6 min read

New Research Shows Parenthood Reshapes Friendships, Sparking Reflection Among Thai Families

news parenting

A viral question on social media—do parents have fewer friends than people without kids?—has set off a nationwide debate and inspired fresh research into how parenthood impacts adult friendships. Recent reports and expert insights reveal that while parents don’t necessarily “lose” friends, the dynamics, quality, and expectations of adult relationships undergo substantial changes once children arrive. This growing body of research and real-life testimony, which has resonated with many Thai parents and would-be parents, underscores the broader social implications of Thailand’s shifting family structures and the urgent need for supportive communities in the face of urbanization and changing lifestyles (TODAY.com, The Cut, Mother.ly).

#parenthood #friends #familylife +7 more
6 min read

Thai Brains Show Promise: New Studies Reveal How Our Minds Can Learn to Tune Out Annoying Distractions

news neuroscience

Imagine cruising down Rama IV in morning traffic, your focus broken by flashy billboards and blaring tuk-tuks. While the chaos of Bangkok can feel overwhelming, emerging scientific research reveals that our brains have a surprising ability to adapt and learn to filter out distractions—helping people stay focused amid sensory overload. The latest evidence, from a collaboration between Leipzig University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, explains how repeated exposure to the same distractions can literally train your neural circuits to ignore them, a finding with deep relevance for urban-dwelling Thais as well as Thai students facing digital and classroom noise (SciTechDaily).

#Attention #Distraction #BrainScience +7 more
4 min read

Your Brain Can Learn to Tune Out Annoying Distractions, Researchers Find

news neuroscience

A new study has provided compelling evidence that the human brain can actually learn to ignore persistent distractions, promising practical insights for everyone from Bangkok commuters to Thai students easily sidetracked by environmental noise or visual clutter. Led by teams from Leipzig University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the research, published in The Journal of Neuroscience on April 17, 2025, reveals that our visual system adapts to repeated distractions by gradually filtering them out—even at the earliest stages of perception (SciTech Daily, 2025).

#Neuroscience #Focus #Distractions +7 more