A recent study published in the BMJ journal Heart highlighted an important correlation between extreme weight fluctuation and increased mortality risk in obese individuals with cardiovascular diseases. The research is conducted by Angila Ruskin University (ARU), and analyzed data from 8,297 UK participants recruited through the UK Biobank study. The participants of the study were tracked over 14 years. This study was thus marked as one of the most extensive investigations into weight change and mortality risk among cardiovascular patients.

What Do The Findings Say?

The study was led by Dr Jufen Zhang with Prof Barbara Pierscionek and Dr. Rudolph Schutte. They studied the long-term effects of weight fluctuations on health outcomes. The research was also able to find that both weight gain and weight loss of more than 10kg, or 22lb can significantly increase the risk of death in obese individuals with cardiovascular disease.

Increased Risk From Weight Gain

Participants who gained more than 10kg over the study period experienced a three-fold increase in cardiovascular-related deaths.

Their all-cause mortality risk nearly doubled compared to those who maintained a stable weight.

Increased Risk From Weight Loss

Those who lost more than 10kg faced a 54% higher risk of all-cause mortality.

This suggests that both weight gain and weight loss can have detrimental effects on patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

Dr. Zhang noted: "It was perhaps unsurprising that significant weight gain was associated with higher mortality, but interesting that a similar association was found among those who lost a lot of weight."

But, Why Exactly Are Weight Fluctuations That Harmful?

The traditional view for a healthy life is to lose that extra weight, however, this study shows that even when you lose extra weight drastically, which is a trend being promoted by the fitness industry, it can raise your risk of cardiovascular diseases. The findings thus challenge the common perception that any weight loss in obese individuals is beneficial. What the research points out is the importance of maintaining a stable weight, even within the obese range, which is crucial for reducing mortality risk.

What Can Contribute To The Increased Risk?

Metabolic Instability: Large weight fluctuations can disrupt metabolism, leading to hormonal imbalances and stress on vital organs.

Muscle Loss: Rapid weight loss, particularly when not managed properly, can result in the loss of lean muscle mass, which is essential for heart health.

Underlying Health Issues: In some cases, unintentional weight loss can indicate the presence of undiagnosed health conditions.

What Are The Other Reasons For An Increased Risk?

The study was also able to pinpoint specific lifestyle and demographic factors that could lead to weight gain. These include a higher BMI, smoking and previous alcohol consumption. They have been associated with an increased likelihood of major weight gain. Another factor is that younger individuals were more prone to significant weight gain as compared to older participants.

The study comes at a critical time as obesity rates in the UK continue to rise. According to the Health Survey for England:

• The percentage of obese individuals rose from 15% in 1993 to 29% in 2022.
• More than two-thirds of people aged over 35 are considered overweight or obese.
• The financial burden on the NHS is estimated at £6.5 billion annually due to obesity-related health issues.

When was the last time you let yourself play truly, freely, without worrying about looking silly or being judged? From picking up a paintbrush, dancing like no one's watching, or scribbling with crayons like you did as a child. Feels a little strange, doesn’t it? But what if we told you that this very act of tapping into your inner child could be the key to unlocking emotional healing and building resilience in adulthood?

In this high-pressure, fast-paced world, we’re so consumed by adult responsibilities that we often forget one simple truth: healing doesn’t always happen through words or logic, it can also happen through play and art. Welcome to the world of expressive arts therapy, where your imagination leads the way to emotional release, self-discovery, and deep healing.

None of us are necessarily born with the wisdom, responsibility, and emotional intelligence of adulthood. We develop these roles over time, experience, and sometimes, hurt. But in between freedom of childhood and the boundaries of adulthood, many of us forget the essence of whom we used to be the spontaneous, curious, expressive inner child.

That inner child, though, never really goes away. For others, it's buried under years of trauma, societal norms, and emotional repression. The mental health world is now waking up to the value of getting back in touch with this inner child — and one of the most powerful, affordable, and fun ways is through playful art.

What Is Inner Child Work?

Inner child work is a therapeutic approach rooted in the understanding that childhood experiences shape adult behavior. It’s a process of identifying past emotional wounds, acknowledging unmet needs, and “reparenting” oneself with compassion and understanding.

Imagine this: You are five, you trip during recess, and people laugh. You might not recall the event itself, but the hurt of humiliation and the commitment to never again risk embarrassment may affect your adult life in ways you're not even aware of. You might shun public speaking, avoid being vulnerable, or stay away from leadership — all because of an old unresolved memory.

This is where inner child healing becomes useful. It enables you to recognize such emotional imprints and greet your younger self with compassion, rather than criticism.

As Pablo Picasso famously said, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." For a lot of expressive arts therapists, this statement isn't merely symbolic — it's a guiding reality.

"Art helps unpack traumas that words can't always access," says Gunjan Adya, a Certified Expressive Arts Therapist. "Adults don't get to play much. They're trapped in a loop of duties and routines, and they're often detached from their feelings. Art provides an arena in which to feel, to convey, and above all, to heal."

Art is a secure, non-verbal means by which we can re-encounter lost aspects of ourselves. Making — whether drawing, painting, dancing, sculpting, or writing poetry — provides an expression for repressed feelings and a way to understanding ourselves.

Why Adults Need to Make Time for Child-Play?

As we grow older, play becomes secondary to productivity. Schedules, careers, and family responsibilities leave little time for imagination. But this privation has a cost — chronic stress, burnout, and emotional disconnection.

Gunjan adds, "Creating something, even imperfectly, makes us happy. Humans are born nurturers. The process of making — be it a piece of clay sculpture or a doodle — is a process of nurturing ourselves. It's meditative, emotionally calming, and deeply therapeutic."

Science substantiates this. Art therapy reduces cortisol levels, enhances mood, and increases cognitive flexibility, found studies. Unlike verbal-based therapies, expressive art therapy also has open arms to those who would find it challenging to put thoughts into words.

Which Art Forms Work Best?

Gunjan says there's no one-size-fits-all solution. "For some, painting with color on canvas is therapeutic. Others might find it through dance or sculpture. Through art, individuals have an opportunity to express themselves for what they feel inside — many times not even realizing that until later.

Dance releases emotion through the body. Sculpting invites patience and being present. Poetry writing orders and understands feelings. All modalities provide a unique quality of access to the self. Perfection isn't the objective, but discovery of emotion.

When adults permit themselves to do the same without censorship, they relink with the spontaneous, risk-taking essence of their youth — the same essence that long ago showed them how to find joy, venture, and dream.

How Art Helps Do Self-Repair?

While art is often viewed as a hobby, in the context of mental health, it becomes a transformative tool. Adults facing grief, burnout, anxiety, or past trauma can benefit immensely from incorporating art into their routine — even in small doses.

Tips for starting your inner child healing through art:

• Choose an art form that resonates — it could be painting, collage, dancing, or even adult coloring books.
• Carve out non-negotiable time for creation, without expectations or productivity targets.
• Let your art be guided by intuition. What colors attract you? What shapes feel comfortable? What movement feels liberating?
• Look at what you created — not to critique, but to see the emotions behind it.

You don't need to be an artist. You just need to be open.

Getting back in touch with your inner child isn't regression, it's integration. It's a strong, research-supported journey to healing adult hurts by giving yourself what you might have lacked as a child: freedom, creativity, and unconditional self-acceptance.

As Gunjan so eloquently says, "Art speaks to emotions we've silenced. When adults give themselves permission to play, they begin to truly heal."

Gunjan Adya is a Certified Expressive Arts Therapist and Founder at Tula Journey in India

‘If only building muscles was as easy as sleep’ is a thought that most people can relate to. As you may know, building muscles is not simply for aesthetic reasons, but muscle definition is important for your body’s overall well-being. Whether it is your back health, joint health or even your posture.

However, exercising regularly and focusing on muscle building can be a very taxing job for your body. Except for exercising, one must follow a strict diet and be rich in all the nutrients like protein, fiber, carbohydrates, etc. Many people opt for protein shakes to enhance muscle growth as well. These protein shakes could help you build muscle by simply sleeping. Dr Mark Hyman, practicing family physician and the Chief Medical Officer of Function Health, took to social media and explained science backed ways to aid your body build muscles.

How Can You Build Muscle While Sleeping?

Dr. Mark Hyman cited 2012 research done by the American College of Sports Medicine, which showed that 40g of protein before bed can keep your body in a muscle-building mode for 7.5 hours, leading to a 22% increase in muscle protein synthesis and sustained overnight repair.

A study on healthy young men demonstrated the effectiveness of 40g of casein protein consumed 30 minutes before sleep in boosting muscle protein synthesis and improving overnight recovery after evening resistance exercise. The timing allowed for optimal digestion and absorption during sleep. Casein is a type of protein that digests slowly, which makes it a good choice for providing a steady supply of building blocks to your muscles throughout the night while you are resting and recovering.

The timing of when they drank the protein was really important for it to work best. By having it right before sleep, the casein had time to be fully digested and absorbed into their bodies just as they were falling asleep. This led to higher levels of amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle, circulating in their bodies throughout their normal sleep. This steady supply helps the muscles rebuild and grow effectively overnight.

What Its Some Other Health Benefits Of It?

Having some protein before bed doesn't just help your muscles get stronger. It can also help you feel fuller for longer, which can be really helpful if you tend to get hungry in the evenings. By keeping those nighttime cravings at bay, this simple habit could even play a role in managing your weight without you even realizing it while you are fast asleep and not reaching for snacks.

While eating protein before bed can be great for muscle growth, it's important to pay attention to how your own body reacts to it to make sure you sleep comfortably. It's always a good idea to chat with your doctor before making big changes to what you eat, especially if you have any health issues or are taking medication. Pay attention to your digestion and adjust the amount or timing of your protein if you feel any discomfort.

The National Health Services (NHS) reminds us that there are tons of different proteins in our bodies, and they do all sorts of important jobs. They help our immune system work properly and keep our muscles and bones strong as we go through life. To get a healthy amount of protein, it's good to eat lean meats and try to eat less of things like bacon, ham, and sausages, which are more processed.

While the health issues associated with climate change may seem far off, we may have to worry about a killer fungus that infects millions. A new study shows that Aspergillus species, which can cause severe infections in humans, livestock and plants will continue to grow because of the higher temperatures. The research is currently under peer review. The authors explain that invasive aspergillosis and its prevalence in a place correlates with the environmental suitability, meaning the warmer the temperature, the more severe the strain.

To understand this infection better, we spoke to Dr. Sabrinath Ravichandar, Pulmonologist from Chennai.

What Infection Does Aspergillus Species Cause?

The fungus in question can lead to invasive aspergillosis, a severe infection that typically starts in the lungs and has the potential to spread to the brain. While people with healthy immune systems can usually combat the fungal spores, those with a weak immune system are more at risk. According to a 2024 report in Lancet, annually more than 2 million people develop invasive aspergillosis with 34 thousand deaths.

Dr. Ravichandar explains that the early signs of this infection include coughing (sometimes with blood), shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, fatigue and wheezing. The symptoms may differ for people who have a weak immune system, he explains. “In immunocompromised individuals, symptoms may progress rapidly. Sinus infections, facial swelling, or vision changes can also occur if the fungus spreads. Prompt medical attention is crucial for effective treatment.”

Climate Change Fuels Fungal Spread

The study suggests that this fungus, called Aspergillus, could move from warmer parts of the world into Europe and the UK as climate change gets worse, and temperatures keep rising. Researchers say that climate change makes disease outbreaks more likely, and these fungal infections are becoming harder to treat and more common.

Why Is This Fungus A Cause Of Concern?

Experts say these fungi are "extremely difficult" to treat. There aren't many medicines that work against them, and the fungus is becoming resistant to the drugs we have. They are also very hard to diagnose. Dr. Ravichandar says, “Antifungal medications like voriconazole and amphotericin B are effective treatments. Early diagnosis and targeted antifungal therapy significantly improve outcomes in affected individuals.”

Challenges in Treatment and Diagnosis

Experts caution that these fungal infections are very difficult to treat. Researchers note that along with limited availability of effective treatments and medications, there is a concern regarding whether the infection becomes drug resistant. Now the question arises - how will the infection be effectively diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Ravichandran explains that the effectiveness for the treatment for aspergillosis depends on what kind of strain it is. While medication may help, sometimes there is need for other kinds of treatments. “In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove infected tissues. Treatment effectiveness varies; it depends on the infection type and the patient’s immune status. Invasive aspergillosis is harder to treat and can be life-threatening despite therapy.”

How Is Infection Caused By Aspergillus Diagnosed?

Researchers emphasize the difficulty of diagnosing this infection, saying there are many challenges associated with accurate diagnosis. Dr. Ravichandar explains that diagnosis for aspergillosis involves chest X-rays or CT scans to detect lung damage. He continues, “Blood tests to detect antibodies or antigens, and sputum or tissue cultures to identify the fungus. A bronchoscopy may be performed to collect lung samples.”

Who Is At Risk And Are There Preventive Measures They Can Follow?

The expert says, “People most at risk include those with weakened immune systems, cancer, organ transplants, or lung diseases. To protect themselves, they should avoid dusty environments, wear masks when exposed to soil or mold, maintain good hygiene, and promptly treat infections. Regular medical follow-ups help detect and manage early signs effectively.”