This digital era is all about catching up with trends, TikToks and reels, but at the cost of what? Many believe all of this happens at the cost of one's health and mental well-being. As a result, the grades of students, especially in high school, when they are exposed to social media the most, start to drop. However, a study based on the University of Birmingham's findings, peer-revied and published by the Lancet's journal for European health policy compared 1,277 students and the rules their 30 different secondary schools had for smartphone use at break and lunchtimes.` The study found something else, contrary to the popular belief.

What Did The Study Find?

The study found that banning phones in school is not linked to pupils getting higher grades or having a better mental wellbeing. The study found that a student's sleep, classroom behavior, exercise or how long they spend on their phones did not seem much different for schools with phone bans versus schools without it.

However, the study did find that spending longer time in social media or on smartphones in general may be linked to such measures. This was the first study in the world that looked at school phone rules along with the children's health and education.

In an interview to the BBC, Dr Victoria Goodyear, study's lead author said, that the findings are not against smartphone bans in school, but, a suggestion that bans in isolation are not enough to tackle the negative impacts.

The focus must be on reducing how much time the student spends on their phone, which cannot just be supervised in school.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The schools were chosen from a sample of 1,341 mainstream state schools in England. Among these the behavior of student form schools that banned the smartphones versus those who did not ban it were studied to find out that schools restricting smartphone use did not seem to see the intended improvements on health, wellbeing and focus of the student, as one would have wished to.

The study also used the internationally recognized Warwick-Edinburg Mental Well-Being Scale, a measure of mental well-being focusing entirely on positive aspects. It is a 14-item scale with 5 response categories. This method was used to determine the wellbeing of the children who participated in the research. It further looked at students' anxiety and depression levels.

It also asked from teachers about whether their students were on target, below target or above target in English and maths.

What Do The Students Feel?

When asked students, they said that the smartphone ban forces you to hang out and chat with your friends and some of them think in lower school, it has helped them spend less time scrolling social media and making lots of friends.

Experts point out that the important part is to help students learn to use their phone in a safe and controlled space. This way, phone-related issues, especially distraction, its impact on your mental health, will be much less. The answer is not ban, but the use of the smartphone in a controlled environment, so students learn to value the "freedom" they have been given to use them at break and lunch.

For many health-conscious people, sugar is the biggest health mistake they can make. Having earned a bad reputation, many people avoid sugary foods and opt for sweet fruit drinks instead. However, these juices and sugary drinks may be worse for your health than sweet desserts are. New research suggests that how you get your sugar might be just as important as how much you have.

Liquid vs. Solid Sugar

A new study published in the journal Advances in Nutrition, indicates that drinking sugary beverages like soda may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes more than eating sugary foods such as cookies and cakes.

Experts say this research is important because it shows the way sugar is consumed really matters. Instead of just saying "cut all sugar," we now have strong proof that where the sugar comes from, its form, and what it's eaten with are key to your health risk.

Surprising Findings About Sugar

The study found that at how different types of sugar affect health, researchers reviewed the habits of over 500,000 people. Their main finding was surprising: sugar from solid foods wasn't linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, but sugar from drinks was.

Specifically, for every extra 12-ounce sugary drink you had daily, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes went up by 25%. Even fruit juice had an effect, with an extra 8-ounce serving raising the risk by 5%.

Interestingly, sugar from food not only didn't connect to diabetes risk, but in some cases, it seemed to offer some protection. Having a small amount of table sugar or total sugar (including natural sugar) daily was actually linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

These findings together show that "not all sugars are the same."

It's important to remember that this study only shows a connection between sugary drinks and type 2 diabetes, not that they directly cause it. While most studies considered things like body weight and smoking, other lifestyle habits could still play a role. For example, people who drink a lot of these beverages might also be less active, which can affect diabetes risk. Still, experts say the study is very thorough.

Why Liquid Sugar Might Be Worse

Sugary drinks might be more harmful because they don't have the fiber, protein, or fat that typically slow down digestion in solid foods.

This means liquid sugar gets into your bloodstream very quickly. This causes a sudden jump in blood sugar and insulin levels, and your brain doesn't get the signal that you're full. This fast intake can also make it hard for your liver to process the sugar, especially the fructose part.

In large amounts, fructose turns into fat in your liver. This buildup of fat is linked to metabolic problems that lead to type 2 diabetes. Other things in sugary drinks, like chemical additives and artificial colors, can also mess with your body's balance. Basically, sugary drinks like sports drinks, sodas, and cocktails are generally "bad for your health and should be had with care—or ideally, not at all."

How to Cut Back on Sugary Drinks

Sugary drinks can feel addictive. If you find yourself hooked, try to slowly reduce how much you drink, just like you would with alcohol or tobacco. It helps to plan ahead for when you usually crave a soda.

You can start by mixing plain sparkling water with an equal amount of fruit juice or soda. Then, week by week, slowly reduce the amount of the sugary drink until you're mostly just drinking sparkling water. If it helps, add a little lemon or lime juice for flavor. Make this your new habit.

You've heard of "clogged arteries," but do you truly understand what is going on in your body? It's not merely a matter of consuming too many cheeseburgers. Something known as atherosclerosis—a gradual, insidious accumulation of plaque composed of cholesterol, fats, calcium, and other materials—lies beneath the surface, often the true cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Cardiovascular disease is still among the biggest killers globally, and a lot of the risk comes from its invisibility. Atherosclerosis, which is sometimes referred to as the silent killer, slowly plugs up arteries and lays the groundwork for heart attacks and strokes well before they manifest. The best news? With the proper information and preventive actions, you can shield your arteries and heart.

This is the thing: this toxic buildup doesn't present symptoms until it has already done substantial harm. Cardiovascular disease, says the American Heart Association, is the number one cause of death worldwide, and atherosclerosis is at the center of the epidemic.

But the good news is: atherosclerosis can be prevented, even reversed in some instances—if you know how it comes about, how to detect its signs early on, and what changes in lifestyle can actually safeguard your heart.

What is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a disease where plaque accumulates on the arteries' walls. This plaque is composed of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances moving through the blood. Eventually, these deposits harden and constrict the arteries, decreasing blood supply to organs.

"Atherosclerosis is a devious, even lethal illness wherein artery walls get clogged with plaque," describes Dr. Paneendra S, Orthopedic Surgeon. "Atherosclerosis develops over the course of many years and usually is without symptoms until it leads to a life-threatening event such as a heart attack or stroke."

The illness usually starts when the lining of the arteries inside, the endothelium, is damaged. A number of reasons are responsible for this damage, such as:

• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Chronic inflammation

"Once the endothelium has been hurt, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol can filter through the arterial wall," says Dr. Paneendra. "White blood cells rush in to break down the cholesterol, but this reaction creates fatty nodules called atheromas."

These atheromas may develop and then rupture, producing clots that either occlude the artery in which they were formed or embolize to a different location within the body, obstructing an organ elsewhere.

Warning Signs and Where They Appear

Although dangerous, atherosclerosis typically develops silently. Its warning signs first become apparent only when blockage is complete. Depending on the arteries involved, the signs are variable:

Heart (Coronary Arteries): Chest pain or discomfort, also referred to as angina.

Legs (Peripheral Arteries): Pain that occurs during walking (claudication), numbness, or non-healing sores.

Brain (Carotid Arteries): Slurred speech, numbness, or weakness—often stroke warning signs.

Feet and Toes: Burning, color changes, or chronic ulcers caused by inadequate circulation.

These symptoms indicate that one of the primary arteries has already experienced extensive narrowing or blockage. Early treatment and control are important to avert permanent damage.

Role of Inflammation and Lifestyle For Heart Damage

Chronic inflammation is a key contributor to the formation of atherosclerosis. Obesity, lack of exercise, and dietary factors cause chronic inflammation, which further accelerates arterial damage.

The diet rich in saturated and trans fats raises the level of LDL cholesterol, while fruits, vegetables, and fiber intake ensures your body has natural ant-inflammatory power.

How You Can Prevent This Life-Threatening Heart Condition?

Because atherosclerosis progresses silently, prevention is more important. Here's how you can regain control of your heart health:

1. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet

Emphasize whole grains, leafy greens, berries, nuts, and healthy fats such as olive oil. Reduce your intake of processed foods, red meat, and sweetened drinks.

2. Exercise Regularly

Strive for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week, including brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.

3. Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors. Quitting dramatically reduces the risk of arterial plaque buildup.

4. Manage Stress

Chronic stress can raise blood pressure and trigger inflammation. Practice mindfulness, yoga, or deep breathing techniques.

5. Monitor Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Routine health checkups can help detect high cholesterol or hypertension early, allowing for timely intervention.

6. Control Blood Sugar

For individuals with diabetes or prediabetes, blood sugar control is essential to minimize inflammation and artery damage.

When to Seek Medical Help?

Even if you don't have symptoms, if you have several risk factors—like a history of heart disease in your family, smoking, or high cholesterol levels—it's crucial to see a healthcare professional. Tests for screening purposes such as cholesterol panels, blood pressure checks, and even coronary calcium scans can evaluate your risk.

"Overall, atherosclerosis is frequently unsuspect, progressive disease that can be severely damaging to cardiovascular health," cautions Dr. Paneendra. "Because symptoms only typically appear after widespread damage, early detection and prevention are critical."

Dr. Paneendra S is an Orthopedic Surgeon at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bangalore in India

If it feels like the news cycle has become an emotional treadmill you can’t get off, you’re not alone. The sheer volume of distressing headlines—from war zones to natural disasters, political unrest to climate collapse—can make staying informed feel like an endurance test. And yet, turning away often feels impossible. For many, following the news is more than a habit; it’s a moral choice. So how do you stay connected to what matters without spiraling into anxiety or hopelessness?

Human brains are hardwired to prioritize threats. This survival mechanism means we’re naturally drawn to negative news—but it also makes us vulnerable to the mental and physical consequences of repeated exposure. Doomscrolling, the habit of endlessly consuming grim headlines, can lead to anxiety, fatigue, irritability, trouble sleeping, and even symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress.

Graphic images and videos shared on social media often carry more emotional weight than traditional reporting. While TV and print journalism tend to follow editorial standards, your social feed delivers raw, sometimes disturbing content with little filter. And research shows the psychological impact can be significant.

Even knowing the risks, many people feel compelled to stay plugged in. If your loved ones are in a conflict zone, if your identity is linked to ongoing social issues, or if you simply feel that tuning out would be irresponsible—these are all valid reasons to follow the news. But here's the thing: the line between responsible consumption and emotional overload can be thin.

What Mindful News Consumption Actually Looks Like?

Instead of attempting to detox entirely from the news (which isn’t always realistic), experts recommend learning to engage with it mindfully. That means paying close attention to your motivations, your emotional responses, and your mental bandwidth before, during, and after consuming news. Here’s how to start:

Pause first. Take a few deep breaths and check in with yourself. Are you already anxious or overstimulated? Are you opening the news app to learn something specific or just out of habit?

Notice your reactions. While reading or watching, ask: How is this making me feel physically and emotionally? Are my shoulders tense? Is my heart racing? Are my thoughts spiraling?

Process, don’t just scroll. After a news session, take time to reflect. Did you learn something useful? Did it change your perspective? Do you feel informed, or just drained?

Even small moments of self-awareness can help you regain a sense of control over what and how you consume.

Red Flags That It’s Time to Step Back

Sometimes, the signs that news consumption is affecting your mental health can sneak up on you. Watch out for:

• Obsessively checking news updates
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue or mental fog
• Feeling hopeless or overly irritable
• Digestive issues or physical tension
• Emotional swings, panic shopping, or impulsive behavior

What To Do When the News Is Too Much?

If you’re feeling saturated by the weight of current events, take a break. That might mean muting notifications for an hour, deleting social media apps for a weekend, or creating clear boundaries (no news after 7 p.m., for example).

Then reconnect with your body and environment. Activities that require your hands or physical movement can be grounding: gardening, baking, walking outside, even tidying up a messy drawer.

Connecting with others can help too. Whether it's through conversation, humor, or shared silence, human connection can buffer the effects of emotional overwhelm.

And if your distress is interfering with your work, relationships, or daily functioning, it’s time to talk to a mental health professional.

Stay Informed Without Losing Yourself

You don’t have to choose between ignorance and overwhelm. It’s possible—and necessary—to find a middle path.

Set intentional limits: Check the news once or twice a day, from a trusted source. Avoid doomscrolling before bed. Be selective with your exposure, especially to graphic content.

And remember, staying informed is important, but staying regulated is essential. You are more capable of helping others and engaging in meaningful change when you’re not running on emotional fumes. News doesn’t have to wreck your day. With a bit of awareness, you can learn to read the world without losing yourself in the headlines.