#Wellness

A new study highlighted by Business Standard shows that regular, moderate-to-high intensity exercise can significantly reduce negative thinking, including rumination and worry. For Thai readers, this provides a practical, accessible path to bolster emotional resilience and overall well-being. In a time of rising stress and economic pressures, exercise emerges as a usable tool alongside traditional mental health support.

Negative thinking—rumination and persistent worry—has long been linked to anxiety and depression and can lower quality of life. In Thailand, national surveys indicate a noticeable uptick in stress-related concerns in recent years, underscoring the need for everyday strategies to safeguard mental health. The latest findings align with a growing global emphasis on self-directed interventions that people can weave into daily life.

A new wave of research is bringing renewed attention to the physical, mental, and sexual health of women navigating midlife, with experts highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to menopause and wellness. Recent findings shared by Mayo Clinic underscore that as women reach their 40s and 50s, comprehensive healthcare and informed lifestyle choices can make menopause a transformative, thriving stage rather than a period marked by decline or discomfort (Mayo Clinic Healthy Aging).

A quiet nutritional crisis is taking hold in Thailand and around the world: most people are not meeting the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber. While protein bars dominate social feeds and store shelves, science shows that insufficient fiber affects digestion, chronic disease risk, gut health, and metabolic balance. Recent analyses suggest up to 95% of people fall short of their fiber targets, a concern echoed by major nutrition reviews and studies relevant to Thai populations.

In a world fixated on protein-packed diets, a quiet nutritional crisis has taken root—in Thailand and globally—as new research warns that most people are not consuming nearly enough dietary fiber. While social media influencers and food manufacturers tout protein bars and shakes, scientific evidence now shows that fiber deficiency is a far more widespread and serious issue, with implications for digestion, chronic disease risk, gut health, and even metabolic balance. In fact, up to 95% of people may be missing the mark on their recommended daily intake, according to recent coverage in Vogue and reinforced by large-scale studies relevant to the Thai population.

Stamina isn’t reserved for athletes. New scientific guidance shows that anyone can improve endurance with simple, consistent steps that boost heart and lung health, energy, and long-term well-being. In Thailand, rising chronic diseases make stamina a national priority, and fresh research supports practical paths to lasting fitness.

Data from respected institutions indicates that boosting cardiorespiratory fitness — how well the body uses oxygen during activity — reduces chronic disease risk and lowers early-mortality odds. This means small, steady gains in endurance translate into meaningful health benefits for Thais across all ages.

A wave of recent scientific research is challenging the common perception that meditation and mindfulness are universally beneficial, ignoring their potential to cause significant harm for some practitioners. While meditation, rooted in centuries-old Buddhist traditions and widely promoted in modern Thailand as a stress-relieving and wellness-enhancing practice, reports now highlight overlooked adverse effects—including anxiety, depression, dissociation, and even psychotic episodes. As mindfulness gains popularity across Thai schools, corporate offices, and healthcare settings, these revelations carry urgent implications for local practitioners, educators, and policymakers.

A new study suggests that experienced meditators may have brain ages nearly six years younger than their actual ages. The finding has sparked interest in mindful practices among health-conscious Thai readers, highlighting meditation as a potential-friendly option for healthy aging.

In Thailand, meditation sits at the intersection of culture and daily life. With an aging population—authorities project a substantial rise in citizens aged 60 and older by 2040—low-cost, accessible brain-health strategies are increasingly valued. The idea that meditation could support cognitive vitality resonates with Thai communities who already view mind-body balance as integral to well-being.

A wave of recent research is calling into question the idea that meditation is universally beneficial. While mindfulness has deep roots in Buddhist traditions and is widely promoted in modern Thailand as a tool for stress relief and wellbeing, new findings show potential adverse effects for some practitioners. Reports point to anxiety, depression, dissociation, and even psychotic symptoms in rare cases. As mindfulness expands into Thai schools, workplaces, and healthcare, these findings carry important implications for teachers, administrators, and policymakers.

As Thai society becomes ever more health-conscious, fresh scientific insights are changing how we understand the path to greater stamina—no matter one’s age or starting fitness. Recent research and expert guidance are making it clearer than ever: anyone can improve their endurance through proven, practical steps that benefit not only physical performance but also long-term well-being (Prevention). The latest studies emphasise that increasing cardiorespiratory fitness, measured by VO₂ max (the body’s capacity to use oxygen efficiently during exercise), does more than allow you to take the stairs with ease. It actively reduces the risk of chronic disease and lowers the risk of early death (AMA), making stamina enhancement a vital goal for Thais of all backgrounds.

A recent study making waves in the scientific and wellness communities suggests that the brains of dedicated meditators can appear nearly six years younger than their chronological age, raising fresh interest in the ancient practice among health-conscious Thais. According to an article from Psychology Today, people who regularly meditate may have brain ages that are on average 5.9 years younger than their calendar years would suggest, a finding that could reshape how both individuals and public health institutions address brain aging.

A new wave of scientific concern is cresting over cannabis use, as recent research finds that using marijuana—whether smoked or eaten in gummies—is directly associated with significant risks to heart health. The findings, published in JAMA Cardiology and led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), upend the common belief that cannabis is a safer or even harmless alternative to tobacco, particularly as legalization and recreational use continue to rise worldwide, including in Thailand.

A new study raises serious concerns about cannabis and heart health. Research led by investigators at UCSF and published in JAMA Cardiology shows that cannabis use—whether smoked or consumed as edibles—may impair cardiovascular function. The findings challenge the idea that cannabis is a safer alternative to tobacco, especially as legalization and consumer use expand globally, including in Thailand.

For Thai readers, the study arrives at a moment when policy, health messaging, and potential economic benefits of cannabis are hotly debated. Thailand has moved to legalize certain cannabis activities, creating a local landscape where public health guidance needs to keep pace with evolving regulations. The new evidence underscores the importance of clear information for patients, clinicians, and regulators.

A dramatic rise in cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) linked to herbal and dietary supplements in the United States is prompting renewed scrutiny of the global supplement industry—a warning that Thai consumers should heed as these products grow in popularity at home. Recent research referenced by NBC News highlights an eightfold increase in supplement-related liver transplants in the U.S. over the past 25 years, with experts cautioning that “natural” does not always equal safe (NBC News).

A surge in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) linked to herbal and dietary supplements in the United States is prompting renewed scrutiny of the global supplement industry. This trend matters for Thailand as wellness products gain popularity at home. Research cited by major outlets shows an eightfold increase in supplement-related liver transplants in the U.S. over 25 years, underscoring that “natural” does not always mean safe.

The implications are twofold. First, they challenge the assumption that herbal and dietary supplements are harmless. Second, they highlight health risks from products increasingly marketed in Thailand’s expanding wellness market. Many Thai consumers seek liver support, vitality, and overall wellness through turmeric capsules and herbal blends, making awareness of risks essential.

A US brain-health expert has popularized a practical, evidence-based technique to combat negative thoughts. The method uses short writing exercises to retrain the mind, leveraging neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself. For Thai audiences facing stress from work, study, and daily life, this approach offers an accessible path to better emotional health.

Mental health challenges are a global concern, including in Thailand. The COVID-19 era and rapid social and workplace changes have driven higher levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout among students and professionals. Research from international health authorities underscores the need for simple, affordable mental health tools. This writing-based technique aligns with that goal, delivering practical support adaptable to Thai contexts.

A groundbreaking approach to overcoming negative thoughts has emerged from the field of neuropsychiatry, offering hope for millions who struggle with persistent self-doubt and emotional overwhelm. A leading US brain health expert has championed a practical, evidence-based method that uses simple writing exercises to retrain the mind and foster a more positive outlook, harnessing the brain’s remarkable ability to rewire itself—known as neuroplasticity. This mental training strategy holds particular promise for Thai readers, many of whom seek effective ways to manage stress and emotional health amid the pressures of modern life.

A major new study has found that engaging in tailored exercise programs before surgery can reduce the risk of complications by up to 50%, offering hope for improved recovery and shorter hospital stays for patients in Thailand and around the world. This promising discovery—supported by several recent international studies—suggests that pre-surgery preparation through fitness routines and dietary improvements, known as “prehabilitation,” could become a standard part of surgical care.

The findings, reported across global outlets such as MSN, NPR, and the academic journal The BMJ, come at a crucial time. Surgery remains a leading cause of hospitalization in Thailand, with recovery often complicated by infections, slow wound healing, or organ dysfunction, especially among elderly or chronically ill patients. These new studies shine a light on how taking proactive steps before an operation may significantly lower these risks, marking a shift in both patient and clinical expectations.

A major international study finds that tailored pre-surgery exercise programs can reduce postoperative complications by as much as 50%. For Thai patients and others worldwide, this points to a practical path to safer surgeries, quicker recoveries, and shorter hospital stays. The trend, known as prehabilitation, is gaining momentum as a standard part of surgical preparation.

The research, highlighted across global outlets and in a leading medical journal, arrives at a timely moment. In Thailand, surgery remains a common hospital pathway, with recovery risks including infections, slow wound healing, and organ stress—especially among older adults and people with chronic illnesses. The new evidence suggests that preparing the body before an operation can significantly lessen these risks, shifting expectations for patients and clinicians alike.

A NASA-backed study is renewing interest in rebounding—the simple act of jumping on a mini-trampoline. In recent Thai and international coverage, researchers report that 10 minutes of rebounding may be up to 68–70% more effective than 30 minutes of jogging for cardiovascular health, endurance, and overall fitness, with less joint strain. This finding could reshape how time-constrained people in Thailand—and around the world—structure their workouts.

Rebounding involves rhythmic bouncing on a compact trampoline. Compared with jogging, it distributes impact more evenly across the body, making it a gentler option for joints. Originally, NASA’s work aimed at helping astronauts restore bone density and muscle mass after long space missions. Now, fitness professionals and everyday exercisers are embracing rebound workouts as an efficient way to stay healthy at home.

A growing body of research suggests that a simple adjustment to daily routines—standing up or taking a brisk stroll for just two minutes after every twenty minutes of sitting—could play a crucial role in stabilising blood sugar, even for those who struggle to fit formal exercise into their lives. Health experts are drawing attention to the so-called ‘2 per 20’ rule, which is quickly gaining traction as an accessible strategy for people at risk of diabetes and those seeking to maintain better metabolic health amid increasingly sedentary lifestyles, such as those common among office workers and students in Thailand and around the world. (Indian Express)

A groundbreaking NASA-backed study is putting the humble mini-trampoline, or “rebounder,” back in the fitness limelight. According to recent international and Thai news coverage, NASA’s research demonstrates that a 10-minute rebounding exercise can be as much as 68–70% more effective than 30 minutes of jogging for improving cardiovascular health, stamina, and overall fitness, while putting far less stress on joints (MSN, Times of India). This revelation could reshape how time-pressed Thais—and people worldwide—approach their daily exercise routines.

A newly published article is reigniting debate around the roots of depression, presenting fresh analysis and decades of scientific evidence that question the long-standing view that depression is primarily a biological illness requiring medical treatment. The piece asserts that psychological, not biological, factors may lie at the heart of depression—a claim with profound implications for how the disorder is diagnosed and treated globally and in Thailand.

For years, the mainstream belief—widely propagated by medical authorities and reinforced by pharmaceutical marketing—has been that depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and should be approached like other physical illnesses. This perspective shifted in the 1980s, coinciding with the publication of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-III manual and the widespread introduction of antidepressant medications, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, the article cautions that this medicalization of depression is not firmly founded on scientific evidence and may be failing patients worldwide (madinamerica.com).

New scientific findings are challenging the popular belief that waking up at dawn and taking cold showers automatically boosts success. A recent analysis argues that these morning rituals work for some, but are not universal superpowers. For millions who have followed them, the question now is whether the benefits are real or overstated.

In Thailand, the trend of “morning mastery” has grown online and in seminars over the past decade. Executives, students, and wellness enthusiasts alike have embraced early rising and cold showers hoping to sharpen focus and productivity. Yet the latest studies suggest the outcomes are more nuanced than advertised.

A flurry of new scientific research is challenging the long-held beliefs popularized by self-help and productivity gurus: that waking up at dawn and taking cold showers are surefire ways to supercharge your success. According to a recent article, “Science has debunked the morning mantra of productivity gurus: cold showers are just as useless as waking up early,” leading experts now say the effectiveness of these morning rituals is more myth than magic, raising questions for millions who have faithfully followed these regimens for years (thinkstewartville.com).