You probably already know that the benefits of walking are plentiful and there’s a lot of research demonstrating the healing effects of nature for you, in particular your health and your mood. 

However, the power of walking together with a loved one through nature is even more powerful and beneficial. In one study, scientists investigated the effects of a 20 minute walk between a mother and daughter either in a shopping centre or in an area of nature. Researchers found that the nature walk resulted in more positive interactions and closeness between the pair, when compared with their walk in the shopping centre. In addition, the nature walk led to a greater improvement in their attention too.  

Who do you think knows you best? Your partner? Your parents? Your pals? Or in this world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), could it actually be your smartphone?!

In terms of possessions, my wedding ring comes in contact with me (i.e. my person) the most at 24hrs per day, but after that it’s my smartphone that comes into contact with me the next most often, ahead of clothes, bed, sofa, headphones & computer keyboards. Maybe if I played a musical instrument, it’d be high up there too.

Are you being a good friend to someone? Are you appreciating the role friendships play in your overall health (and maybe even your life expectancy)!

Enjoying strong friendships brings a wealth of benefits, many of which are obvious. But one gift of close relationships that you may be less familiar with, is the potential power to become a “SuperAger! 

A SuperAger is someone who is older than 80, but who is as mentally and physically able as an average middle aged person. 

You already know that good communication leads to stronger relationships and better mental health. But did you know that - especially in the case of your loved ones - it can also benefit their physical health as well?!

Recent research has measured the impact that a supportive conversation has on the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in that person’s body when they are feeling stressed. If cortisol continues to remain on the rampage for too long it can lead to all sorts of issues, commonly including sleep disorders and heart disease. Simply by choosing to communicate in a particular style, you have the power to help alleviate their stress, enhance their emotional state and alter their body’s physiology, calming their flow of cortisol.

Now we all know that physical activity is important for so many reasons, so why are there so many people that don’t do enough of it?

Maybe it’s our personalities that determines our relationship with exercise?