In this episode I look at smart phones. They have changed the way we live beyond imagination  but are they doing us any harm in terms of the way we think and behave? Links: Life before smartphones: https://medium.com/be-unique/before-smartphones-were-a-thing-87208717b8d7 Teenage brain: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Whats-Going-On-in-the-Teenage-Brain.aspx Teenagers and smart phones: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-smartphones-really-destroying-the-lives-of-teenagers/ Alpha brain waves: https://www.healthline.com/heal ..read more

Becoming a parent is a gift but it has its challenges. In this episode I look at some factors to be mindful of including the difference between the child and adult brain plus micro tips to help navigate your way through the maze of parenthood.  Links:  Parenting styles: https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/style/parenting-styles-explained/ Brain development in children: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/early-childhood-brain-development-and-health/ Parenting styles and psychological complaints: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC48 ..read more

Skin - it’s known as our largest ‘organ’ and most of us have had some kind of skin issue. This is my 101. Enjoy! Guttate psoriasis: https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis-guttate Pitiryiasis rosea: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/pityriasis-rosea-symptoms Scarlet fever: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176242 Slapped cheek syndrome: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/slapped-cheek-syndrome/ Omega 3 and skin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7892455/ Probiotics and skin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9386980/ Acne:  ..read more

Polypharmacy is a situation where a person is on several medications.  It is sometimes necessary but needs to be managed and monitored to avoid harm which can be anything from minor to major. Links: Polypharmacy in older adults: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41999-021-00479-3 Deprescribing: https://www.bgs.org.uk/AAAdesprescribing Drug side effects: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/10-scariest-prescription-drug-side-effects Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

Do you get enough down time? Do you even have time for down time?! In this episode I briefly look at what it is and why it is important. It’s a short episode but hope you enjoy the exercise in it  and the links in the show notes. Links: Why down time is important: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime/ How to achieve ‘flow’: https://medium.com/swlh/the-brains-default-mode-what-is-it-and-why-meditation-is-the-antidote-d0408ab989d6 The default mode network of the brain: https://neuroscientificallychallenged.com/posts/know-your-brain-default-mod ..read more

In this episode I look at the concept of ‘ideas’ rather than resolutions that might shape your 2024 on an individual and societal level, including a couple of things I managed myself in 2023. There are also some easy hacks to incorporate into your day which can work for everyone. My IDEAL framework for behaviour change: https://shows.acast.com/savinglivesinslowmotion/episodes/behaviour-change-2-the-ideal-framework Circular economy: https://unctad.org/topic/trade-and-environment/circular-economy Ban on single use plastics: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66946643 AI and p ..read more

In this episode I look at the role of our genes in health and illness. Patterns of inherited diseases: https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-genetic-disorders-are-inherited-2860737 Epigenetics explained: https://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2014/apr/25/epigenetics-beginners-guide-to-everything Epigenetics and inheritance: https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/inheritance Ethics of medical genetic testing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24300652/ CRISPR technology: https://frontlinegenomics.com/unlocking-the-future-where-is-gene-editing-go ..read more

The NHS is a jewel in the crown of British culture offering free healthcare for all at times of need. But it has come under stress in recent years. In this episode I take a look back at what the NHS has achieved and why it is so important. The birth and history of the NHS: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/health-and-social-care-explained/the-history-of-the-nhs Continuity of care: https://www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj.n2468#:~:text=A%20new%20research%20paper%20tells,a%20reduced%20risk%20of%20death. The cost of hospital care (bills): https://www.buzzfeed.com/daniellaemanu ..read more

Cholesterol has become an obsession for so many people over the last 50 years. In this episode I look at the story of cholesterol and why it is important and when to worry about it. Links: The history of cholesterol: https://www.escardio.org/Journals/E-Journal-of-Cardiology-Practice/Volume-19/history-in-medicine-the-story-of-cholesterol-lipids-and-cardiology Food and cholesterol: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/11-foods-that-lower-cholesterol Monacolin K (in both red yeast rice and statins): https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sc ..read more

Medicalisation is the how human experience becomes something that needs medical attention. There are pros and cons of this including the ‘need’ for medicine vs something that is being sold to us something that is unnecessary. I look at some examples in this episode and why it is something that needs consideration. Links: Ivan Illich: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/dec/09/guardianobituaries.highereducation Sadness vs depression?: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953617302551#:~:text=Medicalization%20describes%20a%20process%20by,normal%20behavior%2 ..read more