Five Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Irritable Bowel Syndrome Risk: Insights from Hong Kong Research
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that impacts the functioning of the bowel, resulting in either an increase or decrease in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in stool consistency. Generally, there is pain in the abdomen that causes discomfort during bowel movement. Those diagnosed with IBS tend to have a curtailed […]
How Values Drive Behaviour: Understanding True Motivation to Change Behaviour
“My New Year’s resolution will be to exercise at least three times a week”, “this is my year where I am going to finally stop smoking”, “no more late night scrolling this year!”. Sound familiar? Next thing you know, the next year is on the way and you haven’t met that goal. Then you set […]
Understanding the Empathy Gap: Parents and Children’s Mental Health
I started playing the piano when I was 4 years old. I used to miss out on playdates to practice for 3-4 hours every day. By the time I was 9, I had completed the highest grading ABRSM exam. When my eldest son turned 4, we started him on the piano. He has an extraordinary […]
What Causes Panic Attacks? Symptoms, Triggers & Treatments
The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines panic as “a sudden, uncontrollable fear reaction that may involve terror, confusion, and irrational behavior, precipitated by a perceived threat.” In simpler terms, panic is an intense wave of fear that strikes unexpectedly, leaving you feeling confused, overwhelmed, and out of control even when no real danger exists. What […]
Rebuilding Resilience from the Inside Out: A Nutritional Perspective on Chronic Stress, Adrenal Dysfunction, and Mental Health
Stress has become a defining feature of modern living—particularly in Asia. In 2023, 88% of Singaporeans reported feeling stressed, up from 84% the year before (Cigna, 2023). In Hong Kong, over 60% of adults report daily stress, often driven by financial or political instability (HKU Public Opinion Programme, 2024). Alongside this, antidepressant use (in HK) […]
Understanding Anxiety Disorders: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
According to the American Psychological Association, “Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes.” As this definition rightly mentions, anxiety is more than just an emotional state. It involves other components such as the cognitive or thinking and physiological aspects. Anxiety disorders are characterized by persistent and excessive fear […]
Breaking Down Walls: Embracing Boundaries for Better Mental Health
Boundary setting has become somewhat of a catch phrase these days. Movements like ‘MeToo’ and ‘LGBTQ’ have given voice to those who were previously dismissed and have drawn new lines around what is and what is not acceptable. In the past it might have been acceptable for a man to “joke” about a woman’s body […]
Understanding Depression in Adults: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
Depression in adults is a mental health condition characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or irritability lasting for at least two weeks. Cognitive and physical symptoms often accompany these emotional states, and as these symptoms intensify, they can significantly impair an individual’s ability to function in daily life, affecting work, relationships, and overall well-being. […]
How Tech is Shaping the Future of Mental Health & Well-Being
The Mind talk interviewed Peter Chan, founder of TreeholeHKwho shared his vision for transforming the narrative around mental health and wellbeing. TreeholeHK is a social enterprise dedicated to building resilience among individuals in Hong Kong and beyond by leveraging psychological principles in innovative ways. Chan believes that the current discourse often focuses too heavily on […]
Neurodiversity in Hong Kong: Celebrating Diversity Through Education and Awareness
From the 17th – 23rd march Hong Kong along with the world celebrated the neurodiversity celebration week. This week saw several organisations holding workshops, panel discussions and events that promoted awareness around the topic. In today’s day and age, it has become even more important to spread education around neurodiversity due to a lot of […]