Months later, the lamb who saw the wolf was cranky, restless, poorly developing, and losing weight. The lamb died whilst the other lamb remained healthy. Although the wolf did nothing to the lamb next to it, the fear and stress that lamb lived in killed it prematurely, while the other lamb that did not see the wolf, was peaceful and developed well with a healthy weight gain.

In this experiment lbn Sina demonstrated the importance of mental health. Do not trouble yourself with unnecessary worry and concerns.

Source: Avicenna, “Concerning the Soul”, in F. Rahman, Avicenna’s Psychology: An English Translation of Kitab Al-Najat.”

“The focus needs to be on eating well, eating a variety of foods, and foods that support bone and heart health,” says Dr Claire Phipps, GP and advanced menopause specialist. Think about a Mediterranean style of eating, with lots of oily fish, wholegrain, pulses, fruit and veg, good fats (avocado, olive oil, for example), nuts and seeds, protein and dairy (calcium is vital for supporting bone density). Good health at this stage of life really is best achieved through diet rather than supplements – “our body uses it much better”. That said, Phipps would recommend taking a vitamin D supplement, maybe magnesium, as “it can be helpful for insomnia”.

While we need good fats (think avocado, nuts, seeds) – as opposed to saturated and trans fats found in processed and fried foods – to make certain hormones, we also need them to nourish our gut microbiome. “That’s really important in menopause,” says Phipps. With all the challenges women are facing, “if the gut isn’t functioning as well, then it’s not going to make you feel any better”. Fermented foods, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, can help here because they contain probiotic live bacteria (as does live yoghurt). Chef Jane Baxter, co-author alongside Dr Federica Amati of Recipes for a Better Menopause, suggests doubling down by adding kefir and chopped sauerkraut to a breakfast pancake batter, or blending kefir with garlic, lemon zest and chopped herbs (tarragon, parsley, chives) to marinate meat (“It has an amazing effect on chicken”). Sauerkraut, meanwhile, works a dream with braised veg, or any egg and toast combo, while kimchi would be very at home in a seafood soup. “You can also use kombucha instead of tonic with gin,” laughs Baxter, “but I didn’t really say that.”

Eat to the beet: the super foods and villains to avoid

It’s worth harnessing herbs and spices, too. “They’re a really good way to increase diversity in our diet as well as enhance the microbiome,” says Joanna Lyall, nutritional therapist and founder of The Better Menopause. Add cinnamon to breakfasts and smoothies, as it can help to lower blood glucose levels, while turmeric is “a lovely anti-inflammatory spice”, and chilli “can be good for boosting metabolism”. Fresh ginger, Amati notes, “helps with symptoms of heartburn and nausea”, plus it will pep up salad dressings. Baxter suggests whisking it with chopped pickled ginger, honey, rice vinegar, mirin, soy sauce and garlic, to drizzle over cooked quinoa, puy lentils, buckwheat, veg (broccoli, french beans, squash), nuts and herbs. “Quinoa and lentils are a great way to boost protein,” says Lyall. Protein, when combined with exercise, is particularly important during menopause, as lean muscle mass reduces.

“In Japan, women report fewer hot flushes and night sweats, and there’s some evidence that foods rich in phytoestrogens [a plant compound which mimics some of the functions of oestrogen] can be really helpful,” says Phipps. Soya products, such as tofu, are a good source, so try switching up your morning eggs with a scramble of tofu and greens. Another good way to start the day is oats, which Lyall would soak overnight with chia seeds for additional protein and essential fats. Then, get creative with toppings: “Blueberries or chopped banana, perhaps some granola (homemade if you can), a handful of nuts and seeds, some peanut butter – it can still feel indulgent.”

When it comes to vegetables, Lyall looks to rainbow colours to get “that diversity of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals”. Soups and salads are a good place to mix things up – and get in an extra handful of spinach or kale. Come spring, we’re in the territory of asparagus, courgettes, broad beans, and peas (frozen are fine), so Baxter would be inclined to combine them in a minestrone alongside herbs (fresh basil and mint), but soups are also an opportunity to use lentils, which contain fibre, protein, and iron.

"If you want the chocolate or the cake, don’t guilt trip yourself – just try and do 80% good, 20% bad"

Dr Claire Phipps

For salad days, pile roast carrots on to bean puree and finish with a carrot-top pesto (use good olive oil and get some nuts in there, too), alternatively Baxter “loves beetroot with oranges and caraway seeds”. This would also go nicely with oily fish (mackerel, perhaps) and some yoghurt. “From a heart health point of view, you need to be thinking about omega-3, so you want at least one serving of oily fish every week,” adds Nigel Denby, dietician and founder of Harley Street at Home, offering perimenopause and menopause support through workshops and clinics.

Certain foods, however, can exacerbate symptoms for some women. For example, the enzyme that processes alcohol reduces as we get older, so if you’re struggling with sleep, hot flushes and night sweats, Denby suggests laying off the booze. Caffeine, a stimulant, isn’t conducive to a good night’s sleep either, so Denby recommends avoiding caffeinated drinks after 3pm. Sweeteners in fizzy drinks can “make your bladder more irritable and make you want to pass water more frequently,” adds Phipps, which is already a common symptom of menopause. Added sugars in confectionery can cause fluctuating blood sugars. “This won’t be helpful for anxiety, which is also experienced by a lot of women at this time,” notes Denby.

In addition, the reduction in oestrogen causes the metabolism to slow down, making weight gain more likely. “As a result, lots of women start doing crazy diets, fasting, and cutting out food groups, which is not beneficial,” says Phipps. It’s important to remember, food and cooking can be a form of self-care. “That’s a really big part of menopausal symptom relief,” adds Phipps. “We eat for joy as well as for nourishment.” Sure, we want to be cutting out ultra-processed foods as much as possible (but that’s true for any stage of life), but don’t restrict yourself. “If you want the chocolate or the cake, don’t guilt trip yourself,” says Phipps. “Just try and do 80% good, 20% bad.”

~Anna Berrill~

Recognise that accepting your body matters

“Your body is the longest friendship that you will ever have and it is important to take care of that relationship,” says Tasha Bailey, a therapist based in south-east London and author of the book Real Talk. Body confidence is a common cause of concern for her clients, “especially among women and non-binary people”, she says, and people are increasingly thinking about cosmetic procedures because they have become so normalised.

Know that we live in a difficult moment for body image

“Over the past 15 years, beauty ideals have changed a lot: with AI, photo-editing and filters, they are more unrealistic than ever,” says Phillippa Diedrichs, professor of psychology at the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England in Bristol, and author of the forthcoming The Body Confidence Book for teenagers. “We have so many opportunities to compare ourselves online, and now we can create images of ourselves that try to replicate them. I think this shines a light on very human tendencies that have always been there, but unfortunately social media and selfie culture magnifies them.”

Consider how social media makes you feel about yourself

The rise of social media has been a massive factor in self-esteem issues in recent years, explains Thomas Midgley (who set up The Body Image Treatment Clinic in London, UK, in 2019), after working with people with eating disorders in the NHS for many years. “During the pandemic, some of our younger clients increased their social media use from one hour a day to five or six,” Midgley says. “Many of them use this time to follow the curated lives of influencers. This involves watching them do photoshoots on the beach in swimwear or working out in athleisure gear, before focusing on what they eat and drink to maintain their physique, with a solid dose of product placement along the way. The people who are watching are desperate to be like these individuals, creating a huge sense of inadequacy and obsessiveness around body image.”

Quitting apps may not be the solution

Midgley uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and compassion-focused therapy, which involves “not telling anybody what to do or what not to do”. Instead, he helps clients to “build the capacity to step back from situations and understand how they have become vulnerable to this process … Most people realise they are being pulled in by these clickbait feelings, of being excited and desiring something. If they can consider, ‘Why am I doing this? Why am I following this person? How is it nourishing me, or is it damaging?’, then they are more likely to bring a sceptical eye to what they are doing and be able to step out of these cycles and act differently going forwards.”

Consciously curate your feeds

Diedrichs suggests reframing social media as a space we can consciously curate. “Do an experiment over a week. When you use social media, think about how certain types of posts or accounts make you feel. Are you inspired and uplifted? Or are you feeling like you are not good enough? Is there a rise in anxiety or discomfort in your body? If you notice that you are feeling envious, try muting or unfollowing content that makes you uncomfortable, and find new accounts that inspire you. Then observe how that makes you feel over the next week. If you notice a positive shift, consider taking time to cull and curate your feed every few months. If you don’t notice a difference, it might be time to take breaks from social media,” she says.

Seek out different body shapes

“Diversify your social media feed,” says Bailey. “Make sure you are following black bodies, brown bodies, disabled bodies, trans bodies – the full spectrum of ways that bodies can look. When we view adverts and social media, a lot of the time we see one particular type of body” [that is not the same as ours]. It is important to be in a space where your body is celebrated.”

Try talking to a therapist

In England, this should be accessible through a GP or via NHS talking therapies – albeit with a long wait – says Midgley. “The strongest evidence base for treatment of diagnosed conditions associated with body image is through CBT, whether that is for body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, or other symptoms that generate body-image-based issues. What this means is talking to a therapist to understand the thoughts, emotions and behaviours that are maintaining a particular issue, then testing beliefs and fears though behavioural experiments and behavioural change strategies to bring about positive changes in real-world settings.”

Look at how beauty ideals change over time

“Talk to older people and ask them what trends were popular when they were younger,” says Diedrichs. “You’ll realise that aspirations were very different even 10 years ago, and will therefore likely change in the future. Having those conversations makes you realise how transient such ideals are, and that feeling pressure to match them is a rigged game and a never-ending and unfulfilling cycle.”

Make peace with your body

Bailey suggests taking time to regularly scan your body mindfully, focusing “not on what your body looks like, but how you feel in your body. Notice which areas you tend to judge, be it your stomach, thighs, arms or whatever. Apologise for that judgment and thank that part of your body instead for the other things that it does for you. Creating a new narrative around those parts of the body is really helpful.” She also suggests drawing parts of the body you need to make peace with. “This will allow you to see that part of your body in a different light. And to actually appreciate it and spend time looking at it with kindness and compassion rather than with scrutiny.”

Let your body surprise you

Kevin Braddock is a therapist and fitness instructor who runs The Soma Space, in Oswestry, Shropshire. “Our premise is ‘movement for mental health’, using exercise as a way to assist people,” he explains. Visitors to the studio “surprise themselves, especially with Boxercise and weightlifting, which may appear to be frightening things to do. I think this is where body confidence can come from: if you are led into that process gently, you might discover that you can lift 50kg, or do continuous punching for a minute, which is not easy. On the whole, gym culture still sells this idea of six-packs and weight loss, which can be so shaming. But physical movement is in itself very positive: it has mood benefits through releasing endorphins, and it makes people feel strong and more in possession of their body.”

Look in the mirror and find things you like about yourself

When we are looking in the mirror, we are often checking whether our appearance looks “right”, says Diedrichs. There is “a natural tendency to focus on the parts of our bodies that we don’t like or that we think need correcting. So the mirror becomes a space that we associate with negative judgments about the way we look. Research has shown that it is beneficial to take a moment to stand in front of the mirror, where you can see your whole body, in as little clothing as you feel comfortable with. Then either say out loud or in your head five things that you like about the physical qualities of your body and five things you like about you as a person that have nothing to do with the way that you look, like emotional, social and intellectual qualities. Repeat this several times a week over a month. At first it might feel awkward, but over time it will start to reframe the way you view your body, into a positive or more neutral way.”

Or avoid mirrors entirely

“We have no mirrors at The Soma Space,” says Braddock. Otherwise “you’re always comparing yourself to a mirror image. If we’re constantly looking in the mirror, then we’re not really looking internally at ourselves.”

Accept that bodies adapt as we age

“When we get older,” says Diedrichs, “we often change in ways that move us away from what society tells us is the ideal way to look.” But “it is important to practise appreciation for our body as it is carrying us through life and is a vessel for our adventures and experiences. It might feel uncomfortable or unwell at times, we’ll have aches and pains, but its many functions are complex, wonderful and worthy of gratitude.”

Don’t make a change to your body without serious thought

Bailey asks clients considering cosmetic surgery: “How happy are you going to be once this procedure is finished?” It isn’t a decision to be taken lightly, she says, despite the fact it is now so commonplace. “It is really important to unpack what the reasons are behind it, what satisfaction it is going to bring, and will there be another thing that they will focus on next?”

Move in a way that brings you joy

“Whether it’s dancing, walking or swimming, do things that make you feel energised and proud of the body that you’re in, rather than focusing on the need to change it,” says Bailey. When you are taking part in such activities, make sure you are surrounded by people with similar bodies to you, she adds. Bailey loves dance but found most classes attracted a particular type of body shape, so she found a plus-size dance class. “The feeling I had from going to these classes was so different, because I felt my body was celebrated,” she says.

Approach dieting cautiously

We need to “think about what toxic narratives we might have around dieting and unpack them before we even step into it”, Bailey advises. “Be clear about what is the actual goal, but also be compassionate with that goal. What can make dieting really difficult is when we’re very inflexible, or harsh on ourselves when things don’t go to plan. There needs to be a sense of flexibility; there needs to be reflection. And we also need to be able to forgive ourselves for mistakes, or when we’re not losing as much weight as we want to.”

Face your fears around wearing a swimsuit

“What is something that you’ve stopped yourself from doing in summer because you’re worried about the way you look?” asks Diedrichs. “When we avoid it, the more difficult and anxiety-provoking it becomes. Set yourself a challenge to do the thing you worry about, and see what happens. Is it as bad as you imagined? Does anybody even notice? Often we fear judgment, but what happens is that most people are too busy focusing on themselves. Instead of worrying, try to focus on the sensations of your body: how does it feel to have the sun on your skin; to be paddling in the water? How does it feel to be enjoying quality time with your friends or family? Really ground yourself in those sensations and the experience as a whole, rather than worrying about the way that you look.”

Be aware when exercise or food are taking over

“People with conditions such as anxiety and depression can be very hard on themselves,” says Braddock. “I used to compete in triathlons and got obsessed and spreadsheety about the whole thing. After a while, I thought: ‘Hang on a minute, this is meant to be fun.’ If you feel knackered and tired, and like you are failing all the time, that I would say would be the benchmark for knowing you are overdoing it.”

Midgley adds: “If somebody is taking themselves to the gym when they are no longer enjoying working out, or going when they are injured, and it becomes a need and not a want, then alarm bells should be going off. The same goes with food, if it is taking over and dominating thoughts, and someone is obsessing over calories, or has to plan everything they eat to the point it impacts their ability to socialise. Calorie-counting apps have been one of the big challenges I’ve seen in the treatment of eating disorders over the last 20 years as they drive obsessiveness and compulsions around eating, shape and weight.”

Access all the help available

Midgley suggests: “Go to your GP and find out the help that is available there. A charity called Been There offers people support in relation to body image, or the charity Beat has advice on eating disorders. The Dove Self-Esteem Project is a good resource too.”

Bailey says: “The I Weigh podcast by Jameela Jamil is compassionate and straight-talking when it comes to healing and body confidence. I’d also recommend trying out group therapy options or body confidence workshops as a cheaper alternative to therapy.”

Dopamine dressing can give you a boost

For a quick body confidence boost, wear clothes that give you a lift, says Bailey. “Being experimental with your wardrobe can be fun, whether you’re showing skin or not. Dopamine dressing is about wearing colours and textures that instantly make you feel good. Tapping into this can be a great way to boost your moodand more...”

~Sarah Phillips~

Researchers said the landmark study, which is about to get under way, was “the biggest, most exciting trial in prostate cancer screening and diagnosis” for more than two decades.

The mass trial will mix and match different methods of spotting the disease early, including high speed scans and gene tests, in order to establish which combination is most successful.

Scientists said the findings could pave the way for national screening strategies while providing a “treasure trove” of information to help fast-track treatment.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Men (in the UK) who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, 23% dies from the disease, annually.

However, there is no screening programme, amid concern that existing tests are too unreliable, and would result in too many men undergoing needless treatment with harmful side effects.

The £42 million project, involving Imperial College London, University College London, Queen Mary University of London and the Institute of Cancer Research, will recruit more than 300,000 men aged 45 and over to test new methods.

New approaches may be ‘twice as effective’

Researchers said the new approaches had the potential to be twice as effective as screening methods that had previously been tested, with estimates they could reduce prostate cancer deaths by up to 40 per cent.

Scientists said the Transform trial, funded by Prostate Cancer UK, was a “game changer” because it would allow them to test so many combinations of factors, including genetic markers.

The first phase will involve about 12,500 men, who will be randomised to receive different combinations of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood tests, high-speed MRI scans (known as a Prostagram) and different types of genetic testing.

The trial’s second stage, involving up to 300,000 men, will test the most promising options from stage one of the trial, with patients tracked for at least a decade.

‘By far the biggest, most exciting trial’

Professor Hashim Ahmed, chair of urology at Imperial College London said: “This is by far the biggest, most exciting trial in prostate cancer screening and diagnosis in over 20 years.

“By evaluating fast MRI scans, PSA testing and genetics, we’ll finally be able to prove which is the best of the bunch when it comes to diagnosis. We will also see if they perform better in combination.

“By creating flexibility in the way we’ve designed the trial, we can incorporate promising new tests as they’re developed, future-proofing the study and making sure we design the best possible potential screening programme.”

Professor Ros Eeles, professor of oncogenetics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London and honorary consultant at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said the results could allow medics to identify the men most at risk of aggressive cancer, in need of regular checks.

She said: “We have already identified over 400 genetic variants that are inherited and are associated with a risk of prostate cancer in diverse populations.

“Transform is a game changer because it will allow us to rigorously test genetic markers on a large scale in men from diverse ancestries. This could give us the information we need to use genetic risk scores to identify men at risk of aggressive cancer who will need regular tests, while sparing men at low-risk unnecessary biopsies and treatments.”

Earlier methods ‘very blunt’

Professor Mark Emberton, dean of UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences, said previous attempts at early detection of prostate cancer had used “very blunt” tools.

He said the combination of new advances, incorporating MRI, would allow scientists to establish which combination of tests worked best at identifying men with cancers that would impact on their quantity and quality of life if left untreated.

Currently, men over the age of 50, or 45 for black men, can request a prostate-specific antigen test.

Raised levels indicate an increased risk, and can lead to further tests, but are notoriously unreliable.

Around one in seven men with normal PSA levels will have prostate cancer that gets missed, while raised levels can result in action being taken to treat slow-growing cancer that would never have caused harm.

Dr Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, commissioned the screening trial, said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer without a screening programme and it’s about time we changed that.

“We know that earlier diagnosis saves lives, but previous trials haven’t been able to prove that enough men would be saved using PSA tests alone, while they did show that these old screening methods caused significant unnecessary harm to men. We must now prove that there are better ways to find aggressive prostate cancer that will save even more lives while causing less harm.

“That’s why I’m so delighted and proud to announce Transform. This is the research that will get us there.”

He said: “This could save thousands of men’s lives every year in the UK alone. But it won’t just be the UK – this trial could change practice globally – so we’re into tens of thousands of men saved each year.”

Researchers have worked with the UK National Screening Committee – which decides which programmes should be rolled out – the National Institute for Health and Care Research on the design of the trial, in the hope that findings can “revolutionise” prostate cancer diagnosis, the charity said.

Professor Rhian Gabe, professor of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials at Queen Mary University of London, said: “The UK has led the way in developing cancer screening programmes through rigorous, robust research. However, despite it being the second most common cause of cancer death in UK men, there still isn’t a screening programme for prostate cancer.

“Transform is an exciting opportunity to evaluate promising and innovative screening strategies for the early detection of prostate cancer on a national scale, with the ultimate aim of preventing deaths from prostate cancer.”

With all of this in mind, I set out to make an effort to forgive in a healthy way and quit walking around with the weight of all those grudges.

1. Understand It’s a Process

There isn’t some magical way to come to forgiveness overnight. Letting go of the grudges you have will come gradually, so be patient with yourself. And ask that others also be patient with you.

Often times you’re the only person that knows you’re still carrying these feelings around, but if someone is actively seeking your forgiveness, don’t feel pressured to say you’ve gotten there when you’re still stewing.

This is often how grudges form. We don’t allow ourselves enough time and we expect too much of ourselves and others.

When my husband and I argued awhile back, it took him some time to deal with it and forgive me. Thankfully I’d recognized what was going on and didn’t push him, like I had in the past; we all need space and time to process and move on.

2. Acknowledge Your Hurt

For me, this is the most difficult part. Dwelling in my feelings of sadness, betrayal and anger is not something I enjoy. Frankly, I’m a bit scared of doing it. Emotions often cloud my logic, making it impossible to have a rational conversation. But knowing how you feel can help you in your quest toward letting go.

My sister and I were estranged for some time, and for a while I would just make jokes about it, not really delving into the fact that I was hurt and needed comfort. Once I sat down, had a good cry and wrote about it, things started moving on their own. She texted me, and I responded. If I hadn’t dealt with the hurt and sadness I felt, I wouldn’t have known how to act when she contacted me. It would have been a missed opportunity, but because I knew how I felt, I could respond with a sense of confidence, which ultimately helped me to move forward.

Honoring how we feel is an important first step in learning to forgive and let go. By allowing ourselves to feel our emotions, each one is allowed to pass through us instead of getting stuck somewhere because we’re afraid or unable to bear expressing it.

3. Try Not to Take It Personally

This might sound callous or downright mean, but letting go of a grudge comes a lot easier when you realize that what happened—what was said or done—has much more to do with the person saying or doing those things than you.

I remind myself of that when I get upset about that disagreement I had with my friend. You know the one that’s more than a year old? It helps calm me down immensely when I tell myself, This has nothing to do with me; she’s got her own issues to work out too. That’s what is going on.

Remembering that we’ve all got our own problems, and that most of the time people aren’t maliciously out to hurt us, can help take the sharp edges off our anger and make it easier to let go.

4. Say the Words Out Loud

You might feel a little silly doing this, but it can be really therapeutic to hear yourself say “I forgive my friend for… ” and say what you’re forgiving and explain why. Say it to yourself out loud, so your brain can hear you.

I did this with my friend because all of our correspondence was through email. I really felt like it all played out in my head. Once I heard the words spoken, my brain seemed a lot more at peace about it. I didn’t feel that same fire flare up in me every time I thought about the situation.

Forgiveness requires action on our part, so saying the words is important to completing the process. You’ll find that letting go comes easier when you’re acting the part.

5. Shift Thoughts to the Positive

A lot of the reason we hold grudges is because we focus on the negative events that occurred. Even after we’ve said we’ve gotten over it, we still fixate on that one phrase she said or that time he left without saying goodbye. What helps in this situation is to find the silver lining.

For me, I used to think about how my sister judged my spiritual choices, but now I know I can’t really do anything about that. Since I’ve chosen to move past it, when those thoughts come up, I just remind myself about how now I can see my nieces and nephews grow up.

Sometimes the only thing that’s positive about moving past a situation is that you’re in a better place, physically, spiritually or mentally. So be it. Focus on that.

Think about how much more energy you have now that you don’t deal with that nightmare boss every day or how you’ve found more time to meditate or exercise now that you quit spending time with that manipulative friend. When you train yourself to see the positive side of a certain event or situation, you focus less on the past. Slowly the hurt and pain fade because you don’t stir up those negative emotions every time the memory appears.

6. Remember When Someone Forgave You

We know we’re not perfect beings. We can be hurt, but we can hurt others as well. Acknowledging this will take the possible self-righteous edge off our anger and bring us back down to reality.

When I realized how many times my friend had forgiven me for making stupid mistakes or saying careless things, I was almost ashamed it took me so long to forgive her for one disagreement. In fact, when I struggle to let go, I often look to her as an example of compassion and forgiveness.

Remembering the kindness we’ve been extended can help soften our hearts toward others and help us release our grudges. Forgiving and letting go isn’t something you do for another person—it’s something you do for yourself. It offers you freedom, so embrace it in a healthy way.

~ Rebecca Watson ~

Doctors have long known that when people lose their temper they are at far greater risk of heart problems until they calm down.

But until now, it was unclear what was causing the effect.

To find out, researchers asked 280 adults to recall a personal memory that made them either angry, anxious or depressed. A control group was asked to count to 100 to induce an emotionally neutral state.

The team found that when participants became angry after remembering past experiences, the function of cells lining the blood vessels was negatively impaired for 40 minutes, an effect which is likely to restrict blood flow.

In contrast, anxiety and sadness did not trigger the same change in the functioning of the blood vessel lining.

“Impaired vascular function is linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke,” said Dr Daichi Shimbo, professor of medicine at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

“We saw that evoking an angered state led to blood vessel dysfunction, though we don’t yet understand what may cause these changes. “Investigation into the underlying links between anger and blood vessel dysfunction may help identify effective intervention targets for people at increased risk of cardiovascular events.”

Blood vessels are not just tubes but have an inner lining which controls how relaxed or constricted the vessels are. Anger causes a release of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol and raises blood pressure, but the mechanism behind the effect has been unclear.

READ: 6 Ways to Let Go of Anger

According to data released by HPA, 45.7 percent of children aged 13 to 15 years use various tobacco products. Among them, 45 percent of children are male, while 43.2 percent are female.

The Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in 2019, revealed that 23.1 percent of boys and 10.7 percent of girls aged 13 to 15 years used electronic cigarettes. The survey also revealed that electronic cigarettes were used by 17.1 percent of all children in the same age group. Additionally, 3.1 percent of children reported using shisha, and among them, 14.9 percent started began using shisha at the age of 10.

According to the survey, 25.7 percent of the Maldivian population uses tobacco products, which accounts for approximately 1 in every 4 people. The majority of tobacco users are men, with a percentage of 35.6 percent, while females users are make up 7.6 percent.

Tobacco usage by age group

● 15 – 29 years: 20.1 percent

● 30 – 44 years: 29 percent

● 45 – 65 years: 23.4 percent

With the increase in the use of tobacco in Maldives, there is growing concern about the impact on secondhand smokers. According to the data, 27.1 percent of secondhand smokers reported being affected because someone in their household is a smoker. Additionally, 10.4 percent of secondhand smokers stated that they were impacted by smoking in their workplace.

Statistics provided by the Maldives Customs Service reveals that tobacco products worth USD 25,646,223 (MVR 393,652,853) were imported into the Maldives between January 2022 and the end of April 2023. Cigarettes and bidis made up the majority of these imports while electronic cigarettes ranked as the second most imported product.

These figures highlight the significant amount of tobacco products being brought into the Maldives and underline the need for continued efforts in tobacco control and prevention.

~The Edition~