Have you ever noticed how Japanese skin is always glowing and radiant? When I personally contemplate, many thoughts come to my mind. For instance, Japanese skincare does put a lot of emphasis on hydration—be it from moisturisation or drinking specific teas. Another point that I appreciate is that it does put in a lot of work in using fresh-from-farm ingredients in their food items. There are plenty of tips to learn from this famous yoga technique.

Here are the top 10 lessons that Japanese skincare has to offer:

Always Pick Fresh From Market

One of the most admirable aspects of Japanese culture is their preference for seasonal and fresh ingredients. Japanese cuisine emphasizes food items that are directly sourced from the market or farms. These nutrient-rich foods reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin, and promote overall wellness, including heart health. This directly contributes to keeping both the body and the skin youthful and glowing.

Use Different Methods For Hydration

It’s not just about drinking water. Japanese people are known for their tea culture, with beverages like matcha and green tea forming an essential part of their daily hydration routine. These teas are not only refreshing but also packed with antioxidants that help detoxify the skin and support a healthy glow from within.

Never Say No To Physical Activity

A major takeaway from the Japanese lifestyle is the seamless integration of physical activity. Whether it is walking to the store, cycling, or engaging in traditional martial arts, physical movement is a constant in their day-to-day life. This active lifestyle boosts cardiovascular health, enhances circulation, and contributes to the skin's natural glow.

Neglecting Skin Is Neglecting Health

For the Japanese, skincare is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Their rituals focus on a gentle and layered approach that pays attention to hydration and the skin barrier. With the use of natural and minimalistic products, these routines help maintain a clear and radiant complexion over time.

Prioritise Sleep

Beauty sleep is taken seriously in Japan. Quality rest is known to help the body regenerate and repair skin cells, leading to a fresher, younger-looking appearance each morning.

Harness The Power Of Fermented Food

Fermented foods like miso, natto, and pickled vegetables play a big role in the Japanese diet. They are rich in probiotics, which support gut health and in turn, contribute to clearer skin and better digestion.

Small And Balanced Portions

Portion control is another lesson to take from Japanese culture. Eating smaller, balanced meals ensures the body gets the right nutrients without overburdening the digestive system—an approach that benefits overall health and skin clarity.

Minimalist Lifestyle

Less is more in Japanese living. This applies not just to their homes but also to their skincare. A clean, uncluttered routine helps in avoiding skin irritation and supports long-term skin health.

Regular Bath Is Essential For Good Health

Daily bathing, especially in warm water, is a deeply rooted practice. It’s not just about hygiene but also about relaxation, stress relief, and improving circulation—all of which reflect on the skin.

Losing one’s sense of self, the way they think or even remember things are all part of the cognitive degenerative disease known as dementia. It is an umbrella term that is used to define memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that can be so severe that it interferes with our daily life.

Although there have been many researchers and focused studies conducted on dementia, there is still a lot we do not know about the disease like what causes it and how to cure it. While there are many risk factors associated with it, there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding it. The reason why it is important to know the early symptoms of the disease is because recognizing and getting the disease diagnosed early can help the patients receive early treatment and better their symptoms. Many times, these symptoms are unrelated to the disease itself. One such sign is – changed or bad handwriting.

How Your Handwriting Indicates Dementia

According to a 2020 study published in the Wiley Online Library, changes in handwriting, or suddenly having bad handwriting, can be an early hint of dementia. These changes, such as shaky writing, difficulty forming letters, and problems with spelling and grammar, might appear years before more obvious symptoms lead to a diagnosis.

Having trouble with reading and writing, especially if it's new for the person, often signals dementia. This might be noticed in everyday things, like a change in how birthday cards are written.

Other Changes Related To Dementia

Shifting Tastes and Sensory Issues

According to the Alzheimer’s Society other less-known signs include not enjoying favorite foods anymore. Sensory issues are not always recognized as dementia symptoms and are often not reported. These could include increased sensitivity to noise, changes in how smells are perceived, and alterations in how food tastes, which might make a loved one dislike foods they once enjoyed.

Changes in Walking (Gait)

According to Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment journal, changes in how someone walks, like shuffling their feet, could also be an early symptom. Individuals with dementia are more prone to trips and falls. This can be because they might start to struggle with understanding space and judging distances, which affects how they move around their surroundings.

Using the Wrong Words

Another symptom that has been highlighted is using the wrong word in a sentence, according to Alzheimer’s society. Struggling to find the right words is a lesser-known sign of dementia. This can look like stuttering when trying to speak, stopping sentences halfway through, or mixing up similar words (like saying "jumper" instead of "jacket"). This difficulty is called 'aphasia' and can affect both general words and people's names.

Frequent Lateness

The final symptom that often goes unnoticed is consistent lateness, which can be connected to problems reading clocks. Losing track of time can be an early sign of dementia that is sometimes missed. A clear indicator of this symptom is when a person starts being late for appointments and social gatherings. This can be due to memory loss or the inability to read an analog clock anymore.

When 15-year-old Aadya completed her Class 10 board exams, she was supposed to breathe a sigh of relief, not confront a life-altering diagnosis. A bright student from Noida, India, Aadya had always been active and poised. So when her mother noticed a slight curve in her posture, it was brushed off as just another case of bad teenage posture. What followed, however, was a revelation that changed the trajectory of her life.

Aadya was diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves abnormally, often forming an "S" or "C" shape. The family had never heard of the term before. Yet, in a matter of days, she underwent spinal correction surgery to prevent permanent deformity and complications that could impact her lungs and heart.

Her journey is not unique, scoliosis, a condition often overshadowed by other childhood health issues, affects millions of children worldwide. In the United States alone, about 3 million new cases are diagnosed every year, most of them in children between the ages of 10 and 15. Yet, despite its prevalence, scoliosis remains dangerously underdiagnosed, with many families and schools unaware of the early warning signs.

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is defined by a sideways curvature of the spine, often forming an “S” or “C” shape when viewed from behind. While a healthy spine appears straight, a child with scoliosis may lean to one side, have uneven shoulders or hips, or display a prominent shoulder blade. The condition can affect the thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (lower back) regions, and in severe cases, it can impact internal organs like the heart and lungs.

The majority of childhood scoliosis cases—about 80%—are classified as idiopathic, meaning there is no identifiable cause. Other types arise from congenital spinal deformities, neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy, or connective tissue diseases like Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Sometimes, trauma, infection, or even tumors can trigger the condition.

Globally, the prevalence of scoliosis in children and adolescents is estimated at around 3.1%, with rates varying by region, gender, and other factors. Girls are disproportionately affected, with some studies showing they are up to seven times more likely than boys to develop severe forms of the disease. The risk increases with age, peaking during the rapid growth spurts of adolescence.

Aadya’s doctor, Dr. Tarun Suri, Orthopaedic and Spine Surgeon at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, says, “When Aadya came to us, her spinal curvature had already reached nearly 50 degrees—well beyond the surgical threshold. The deformity was not just cosmetic; left untreated, it could impair lung and heart function.”

What makes this condition more alarming is that girls are seven times more likely to be affected than boys, and nearly 80% of cases have no identifiable cause—making early detection and routine school screenings absolutely vital.

Despite the medical terminology, scoliosis can present in subtle ways: uneven shoulders, an asymmetrical waist, leaning posture, or a visible rib hump when the child bends forward. These signs are often dismissed until the curvature worsens.

Scoliosis is not just a physical challenge—it carries deep emotional and psychological consequences. A 2024 study published in Springer Nature revealed that 58% of adolescents with scoliosis also experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and distorted body image.

Aadya’s journey was no different. “The word ‘scoliosis’ was terrifying,” her mother recalls. “The idea of surgery during her board exams? Unimaginable. But today, seeing her walk tall and smile again, we know we made the right decision.”

According to Dr. Suri, “For a young girl facing board exams and social pressures, we knew the emotional stakes were as high as the medical ones. Our team’s goal was to offer not just clinical excellence but a holistic recovery.”

Recovery from spinal surgery is often both physical and psychological, requiring strong family support and open communication with schools to create flexible academic plans during the healing process.

Recognising Signs Of Scoliosis

Recognizing scoliosis early is crucial. Symptoms may be subtle at first—uneven shoulders, a tilted waist, or one hip higher than the other. Some children may develop a visible rib hump when bending forward. These signs can easily be mistaken for poor posture or shrugged off as growing pains.

Unfortunately, the lack of routine scoliosis screenings in many schools means that most cases are detected late, often after the curve has progressed to a point where surgery is the only option. Dr. Tarun Suri, Aadya’s orthopedic surgeon, emphasizes the importance of vigilance:

“When Aadya came to us, her spinal curvature had already reached nearly 50 degrees—well beyond the surgical threshold. The deformity was not just cosmetic; left untreated, it could impair lung and heart function. For a young girl facing board exams and social pressures, we knew the emotional stakes were as high as the medical ones. Our team’s goal was to offer not just clinical excellence but a holistic recovery.”

The impact of scoliosis extends far beyond the spine. A 2024 study published in Springer Nature found that 58% of adolescents with scoliosis struggle with mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, poor body image, and eating disorders. The visible nature of the condition, coupled with the challenges of bracing or surgery, can deeply affect a child’s self-esteem and social life.

Dr. Suri notes, “Every parent, every schoolteacher should know what scoliosis looks like. Early detection can prevent years of physical and psychological trauma.”

What Parents Should Know

Understanding what to look for and acting early can be life-changing. Here are common signs parents should monitor:

• One shoulder higher than the other
• Uneven hips or waist
• Visible curve in the spine
• Ribs that stick out on one side when bending
• The child leaning to one side when standing

If you suspect scoliosis, consult a pediatrician or orthopedic specialist promptly. Diagnosing it early could mean avoiding surgery altogether and preserving your child’s long-term quality of life.

Causes and Risk Factors of Scoliosis in Kids

While most cases are idiopathic, researchers have identified several risk factors that may contribute to scoliosis:

Genetics: Scoliosis often runs in families, suggesting a hereditary link.

Gender: Girls are more likely to develop severe curves that require treatment.

Age: The risk peaks between ages 10 and 15, coinciding with puberty and growth spurts.

Other Health Conditions: Neuromuscular disorders, congenital spinal anomalies, and connective tissue diseases all increase risk.

Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as nutrition and physical activity, may also play a role, though evidence is still emerging.

Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam and imaging studies like X-rays to measure the degree of curvature. Curves greater than 10 degrees are considered scoliosis, but intervention depends on severity and progression. Mild cases may only require monitoring, while moderate cases might be managed with bracing. Severe curves—usually over 40 degrees—often necessitate surgery to prevent lasting deformity and internal complications.

Despite affecting millions worldwide, scoliosis remains underrecognized, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to screening and specialist care is limited. Scoliosis may not be life-threatening, but it is life-altering—especially when left undiagnosed. As in Aadya’s case, what appeared to be poor posture was a hidden condition with the potential to damage her heart and lungs.

With 1 in 10 kids at risk, scoliosis deserves more visibility in public health conversations. From mandatory school screenings to more accessible orthopedic care, addressing this condition early can save children from both physical deformity and emotional distress. And perhaps, most importantly, it can help more children—like Aadya—stand tall, pain-free, and confident once again.

Mental health is a complex system, even though researchers have been looking at different aspects of it, there is a lot more we need to learn. For many, mental health problems lack physical symptoms, which leads them to dismiss mental health concerns as real issues. Many people believe that mental health issues can be cured if people think in a certain type of way or avoid doing certain things. However, it is not that simple.

However, thinking that mental health issues do not manifest in physical symptoms is wrong. According to the Mental Health Foundation, mental health and physical health are two-way streets. Physical health problems can greatly increase your risk of developing mental health problems, and mental health challenges can, in turn, affect your physical well-being.

Physical Effects of Suffering Mental Health

Research clearly shows that individuals dealing with mental health issues are more prone to developing preventable physical conditions, such as heart disease. Beyond that, mental health problems frequently come with noticeable physical symptoms. Since our bodies and minds aren't separate entities, it's not surprising that mental ill-health can manifest physically. For instance, people can have symptoms like

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Digestive problems.
• Anxiety often leads to an upset stomach.
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• difficulty concentrating.

These symptoms underscore that what's happening in your mind can have a very real impact on your health.

How Our Minds Affect Our Bodies

According to a 2023 study published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry, it's common for people to experience both mental and physical health problems at the same time. However, in many medical settings, doctors don't fully understand just how much our mental well-being can impact our physical body. People with diagnosed mental illnesses, in particular, face a higher risk of developing long-term physical health issues. They're often at a disadvantage because our healthcare system tends to treat the mind and body as completely separate.

Three Key Areas Affected Due To Mental Health

To learn more about this connection, researchers closely examined 30 in-depth interviews. These interviews were conducted with individuals who had serious mental illnesses or with their family members. The researchers specifically selected participants who had significant experiences with both physical and mental health symptoms occurring at the same time.

The study revealed common physical health challenges for people with mental illness, highlighting that mental and physical symptoms influence each other in both directions. We identified three main themes:

How Mental States Show Up Physically

Participants talked about how their bodies physically reacted to their mental states, like stress causing stomach aches or anxiety leading to headaches.

Challenges Getting Medical Care

They shared difficult experiences trying to get treatment for their physical symptoms while also dealing with a mental health condition. Sometimes, doctors might focus only on the mental health aspect, missing the physical problem.

Confusing Healthcare System

Participants spoke about the difficulties of navigating a healthcare system where mental and physical health services aren't well-coordinated, making it hard to get comprehensive care.

Why Do Mental Health Struggles Manifest Physically?

The Mental Health Foundation explains that people who have mental health issues often also have preventable physical health problems like heart problems.

Shared Genetic Risk: The genes making you prone to mental health issues might also increase your risk for certain physical conditions.

Low Energy & Motivation: Mental health problems or medications can drain your energy, making self-care difficult.

Difficulty with Appointments: Impaired concentration or planning due to mental health can make it hard to arrange or attend medical visits.

Lack of Lifestyle Support: Healthcare providers may wrongly assume you can't make healthy changes, withholding support for things like quitting smoking or drinking.

Delayed Medical Help: Your physical symptoms might be misattributed to your mental illness, leading to less investigation and fewer routine checks that could catch physical issues earlier.