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The Independent •

Scientists find fatherhood changes men’s brain matter

New research shows that fatherhood changes men’s brain chemistry. According to a new study published in the Cerebral Cortex scientific journal, becoming a parent causes men’s brains to experience changes that support their ability to bond with their baby and become sensitive to the baby’s needs, which is believed to be an adaptation crucial to our species’ survival. Lead researcher Darby Saxbe, a University of Southern California psychology professor who studies structural brain changes, and her...
The Independent •

What is an ‘avocado hand’ injury?

Hand surgeons are seeing a lot more avocado-related hand injuries.

According to research, thousands of people slice their hands and fingers annually while cutting avocados primarily between April and July. Surgeons have seen these injuries so often that they have begun to call them “avocado hand” injuries, due to the injury typically occurring while cutting an avocado.

People lose their grip on the avocado and accidentally slice their palms or fingers, doctors have warned. When this happens, t
The Independent •

New research suggests white noise machines may be unsafe for children to sleep with

New research shows that white noise machines may be unsafe for children to sleep with.

With many American adults increasingly using white noise machines to help them sleep at night, it’s no surprise that children may also rely on them. However, a new study in the scientific journal, Sleep Medicine, suggests that many of these machines may be exposing children to alarmingly loud sounds that can be detrimental to their development.

Unfortunately, The Washington Post reported that many white nois
The Independent •

How can you treat mosquito bites and get them to stop itching?

With summer heating up, mosquito bites are on the rise.

Female mosquitoes cause these bites when they feed on human blood, leading to raised bumps on human skin that can become itchy and irritating. The sensation occurs because female mosquitoes secrete saliva into your bloodstream when they bite you, to which your body immediately sends the chemical histamine to the area after categorizing the saliva as an allergen. Histamine causes the bite area to itch and swell, sometimes more so in some pe
The Independent •

What your heart rate says about your fitness level

A person’s heart rate can say a lot about their fitness levels.

With the average smartwatch or fitness tracker, people have a wealth of information about their health and fitness, including their heart rate. From heart rate zones to variability, there’s a lot of information at our disposal, but sometimes the meaning of all these statistics can get lost on those unfamiliar with them.

Mayo Clinic cardiologist Kathryn Larson recommends that patients determine their health and fitness goals first
The Independent •

How to limit microplastic exposure in your daily life

Experts say that we have all become increasingly exposed to microplastics in our daily lives.

From clothing to food packaging, exposure to microplastics has become nearly unavoidable, but with a few hacks from experts, people can successfully limit their exposure. Although we cannot control the majority of microplastics we are exposed to - with products like paint, car tires, and more all potentially creating the particles - avoiding purchasing and using the following products can help lower ex
The Independent •

Gen Z dating app fatigue has led matchmakers to stage a comeback

Gen Z dating app fatigue has led matchmakers to stage a comeback in the US.

According to a health survey by Forbes, 79 percent of Gen Z-ers report experiencing dating app burnout, with many turning to alternative ways to find love including one of the oldest methods out there: matchmaking. Many young adults are sick and tired of the trappings of modern dating, from ghosting to catfishing, matchmaker Germany Fox explained to Popsugar that her younger clients are seeking “old-fashioned” romances.
The Independent •

How the gray rock method can help you stay strong amid conflict

The gray rock method has taken off as an alternative way to manage conflict with others.

Over the last decade, the gray rock method has gradually garnered popularity as a conflict mediation tactic, typically applied during an argument that may be unproductive or prone to escalation. Most recently, gray rocking resurfaced during an episode of Bravo’sVanderpump Rules in which Ariana Madix used the tactic to avoid her cheating ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval.

According to clinical psychologist Ramani
The Independent •

Bridal parties are increasingly choosing wellness retreats over boozy benders

A new trend points to bridal parties increasingly choosing wellness retreats over boozy benders.

More and more brides are foregoing the rowdy Bachelorette parties of yore, and instead, they’re opting for healthy, calming wellness retreats. According to one bride, a physician’s assistant named Margaret Wilson who spoke to The New York Times, she and her bridal party were drawn to the idea of “a unique experience that wasn’t solely dependent on partying”.

“I had been through a lot of life change
The Independent •

Parents pledge to ban children from using social media until eighth grade

Parents are pledging to ban children from using social media until the eighth grade.

In an interview with NBC News, a mother from Indiana named Emily Meyer spoke about the “Wait until 8th” movement, saying that she’s pledging to only allow her children to have phones when they reach the age of 13. Meyer said that she and her husband had already agreed to wait for their own family to give their children phones.

“We have made kids grow up in this society way too fast,” the mother of three said.
The Independent •

Woman says those experiencing pregnancy loss need separate waiting rooms

A woman has called for hospitals to have separate waiting rooms for patients experiencing pregnancy loss.

In a TikTok video, India Batson candidly spoke about how she wished there were special waiting rooms for people like her who have suffered pregnancy loss. She reflected on her experience at a recent Ob-Gyn doctor appointment, in which she noted how heart-wrenching it was to be surrounded by pregnant women so soon after having a miscarriage.

“Sitting in that waiting room next to tons of pre
The Independent •

Many of the world’s happiest countries are also the best places for women

The countries that are the happiest also tend to have higher levels of gender equality.

Each year, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network produces the World Happiness Report, a list that determines which countries in the world are the happiest. In the annual list of the happiest countries in the world, countries like Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and New Zealand made the cut.

These countries not only have the honour of being dubbed one of the happiest countries on Ear
The Independent •

New study reveals worst states to give birth in the US

A recent study revealed which states in the US are the worst places to give birth in 2024.

A birth injury law firm compiled data and analysed the results to find out which states were the best places for mothers to give birth. The firm considered the impact of factors like maternal and infant mortality, and the cost of healthcare and childcare in each state before putting together a list based on the data.

Mississippi was at the bottom of the list, with its significant healthcare challenges as
The Independent •

Why is napping culture having a hard time taking off in the US?

Napping culture hasn’t taken off in the US like in other countries.

From siestas in Spain and Nigeria, riposas in Italy, and idlip in the Philippines, people around the world proudly practice napping. But in the United States, napping is considered a sign of laziness and a lack of ambition.

A byproduct of the American dream, hustle and grind culture reigns supreme in America, with many workers often avoiding time off or breaks to get even more work done. Rest isn’t considered a priority to our
The Independent •

‘The Bachelor’s’ Joey Graziadei reveals he has Gilbert’s syndrome

The Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei recently revealed the cause of his “yellow eyes” on social media.

In an Instagram post shared on 29 February, the 28-year-old tennis instructor addressed concerns from fans about the yellow tinge in the whites of his eyes, saying that they were caused by a condition called Gilbert’s syndrome.

“Hi everyone, I hope you are having a beautiful day,” Graziadei started the video. “I want to jump on here really quick and talk about something that I am seeing a lot of com
The Independent •

Mother born on Leap Day gives birth to baby on Leap Day

A mother born on Leap Day has given birth to a baby on the same day 40 years later.

On Thursday 29 February, Dr Kai Sun - an assistant professor of medicine and a rheumatologist at Duke Health - rang in her milestone birthday welcoming daughter, Chloe, with husband Michael Paik. The baby girl is the third child for the couple, who already share Charis, five, and Caleb, three.

“My husband and I were just saying how cool it would be if she were born on the same day as my birthday. And somehow, i
The Independent •

TikTok’s ‘rejection therapy’ trend pushes people to combat social anxiety

TikTok’s latest mental health trend, called “rejection therapy,” is offering one way to combat social anxiety. With the “rejection therapy” tag garnering more than 63 million views on TikTok, many people have increasingly documented their trials and tribulations as they place themselves in scenarios where they could be socially rejected. From giving a stranger their number to asking someone to buy them food, users are embracing discomfort as a way to overcome their fears and build their confiden...
The Independent •

New study reveals that money can buy happiness - especially if you’re a billionaire

A new study shows that money can buy happiness, contradicting years of the upper-class claiming the opposite. Recent findings published by Wharton School happiness researcher Matthew Killingsworth indicate that millionaires and billionaires are happier than those earning up to $500,000 a year. The research directly contradicts the hedonic treadmill theory, which suggests that no matter how much wealth you obtain, people adjust to normal levels of happiness and the the joys money can buy aren’t a...
The Independent •

Workers are increasingly ‘quiet vacationing’ with remote jobs

People are increasingly “quiet vacationing” while working remote jobs, a recent study has revealed. With more than 22 million US adults working remotely, according to the Pew Research Center, workers are taking advantage of not having to be in the office by enjoying so-called “quiet vacations.” The concept of quiet vacationing piggybacks off LinkedIn buzzwords like quiet quitting. But instead of gradually putting minimal effort into their jobs, quiet vacationers take mini-vacations while on the...
The Independent •

Scientists find why dance therapy works for those with neurological disorders

Scientists are trying to learn more about how dance impacts the brain with a new field of study, dance neuroscience. With increasing evidence pointing to a positive connection between dance and the brain, scientists are now pursuing dance neuroscience as a legitimate field of study. For decades, researchers have used dance as therapy for those with neurological disorders.It’s only recently that scientists have attributed dance’s positive impact on the brain – from motor function to mental wellne...
The Independent •

Experts find grief retreats can help people cope with loss

Travel can help those afflicted with grief get outside their day-to-day lives and provide the space and time to process their emotions. In a 2020 study published in Research on Social Work Practice, researchers found that grief-focused retreats could significantly reduce the distress caused by grief, their findings remained true when they followed up with participants later on.

With Condé Nast Traveler’s calling “grief-related wellness” one of the top wellness travel trends of 2024, it isn’t su
The Independent •

Nestlé announces plans to launch frozen foods targeting Ozempic and Wegovy users

Nestlé has announced plans to launch frozen foods that target weight-loss drug users.

In the last year, GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have skyrocketed in use as celebrities like Oprah Winfrey have credited them with their slimmer figures. With the growing number of consumers taking the drugs, Nestlé has revealed plans to launch the new frozen-food brand, Vital Pursuit, aimed at the burgeoning demographic.

According to a recent survey from the health policy resear
The Independent •

‘Rage rituals’ are the latest wellness trend among women

“Rage rituals” are the latest wellness trend among women on TikTok.

A new trend is gaining traction online, where women are paying a fortune to go to the woods and smash things, which wellness experts have dubbed “rage rituals”. Some exclusive wellness retreats now include these stress-relieving ceremonies, where participants scream and beat large sticks on the forest’s ground. Since the forest is far away from residential areas, participants have the freedom to fully embody their rage.

For ye
The Independent •

New research says ‘super agers’ have incredibly sharp memories

Super-ager octogenarians have been found to have incredibly sharp memories similar to people decades younger than themselves, say researchers.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the brains of super-agers indicate that they have less brain atrophy compared to many of their peers. The research was conducted on 119 octogenarians from Spain, specifically looking at 64 super-agers and 55 older adults with normal memory abilities for their age.

Each participant comple
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