Weekly Health Horoscope For December 15-21, 2024: Spend Time Relaxing With Deep Breathing Exercises

Updated Dec 16, 2024 | 03:40 PM IST

SummaryThis week's wellness horoscope provides personalized tips for each zodiac sign, offering guidance on maintaining mental, physical, and emotional health. Focus on balanced nutrition, mindful practices, exercise routines, and self-care rituals to support overall well-being and vitality.
Weekly Health Horoscope

Weekly Health Horoscope

Aries

Aries people are advised to adopt a regular weekly health regimen. Yoga or stretching first thing in the morning helps set a good tone and strengthen resistance against stress. Because of a higher workload, midweek may cause mental tiredness; hence, keeping balance depends mostly on giving relaxation and enough water top priority. To increase general wellbeing and raise energy levels, your diet should consist in lots of fruits and vegetables. Tension might be released by spending quiet times in nature or by engaging in a creative pastime. If you follow these ideas, by the weekend you could find a difference in mental clarity as well as physical energy.

Taurus

Taurus people have the opportunity to realign with their health goals this week. Starting a new exercise program—such as team sports or gym membership—will revitalize your body and mind. Improving digestion and preventing pain will depend on cutting back fried and processed foods. After engaging in mindfulness activities or a relaxing meditation session, you could experience a sudden mental clarity. Set aside some time toward the end of the week for a spa day or leisurely nature walk to decompress and revitalize. Your strength and concentration will be much enhanced by simple but controlled routines.

Gemini

For Gemini people who want to include holistic health techniques into their way of life, this week is perfect. Yoga and Ayurveda could become transforming friends in enhancing mental and physical health. Midweek could bring some tiredness; hence, give mild exercise top priority and make sure your meals include raw fruits, leafy greens, and hydrating foods to replenish your energy. Steer clear of overworking and missing meals since these could throw off your normal rhythm. The weekend presents a great chance for you to get back in touch with friends and relatives, therefore improving your mental state and attitude. Focusing moderation and balance can help you to feel rejuvenated.

Cancer

Cancer natives should concentrate on creating a regular wellness schedule. To increase endurance and strength, think about looking at outdoor activities or a fitness class. If you follow a rigorous schedule early in the week, you might find improvements in chronic medical conditions. Short meditation breaks during the day or deep breathing techniques help one to properly control stress. Steer clear of decadent meals and give clean eating first priority if you want to stay active. A reflective weekend spent journaling or practicing self-care will boost your general vigour and help you to build mental tranquillity.

Leo

Leos should concentrate on giving self-care top priority and tackling any long-standing health issues this week. Including whole grains and fresh fruits—nutrient-dense foods—into your diet will help digestion and increase your energy. A light workout program or a fast morning walk will help you start your day in a good attitude. You might feel some tiredness midweek, thus it's important to have enough breaks and peaceful sleep. Meditating or a peaceful yoga practice will enable you to clear your mental state. If you follow these ideas, by the weekend you should probably feel more grounded and energised.

Virgo

For Virgo people trying to improve their health, this week seems bright. While a nutrient-dense diet will help you complement your efforts, dedication to a disciplined fitness program will produce great results. Even little health problems should be taken note of and quickly addressed to prevent consequences. Stress will be reduced by include relaxing techniques as journaling or nightly meditations. Maintaining energy requires a mix between rest and physical exercise. Treat yourself to a soothing exercise that works your body and mind at the conclusion of the week.

Libra

If libras concentrate on mindfulness and exercise, they probably will have a health improvement this week. Beginning your mornings with a yoga or walking practice can help you to establish the mood for a good day. Including lean meats and a range of vibrant veggies in your meals helps increase your energy. Time spent on joyful hobbies or artistic interests helps one control stress. If you follow these behaviours by midweek, you can find a boost in energy and optimism. The weekend is ideal for rejuvenation via silent meditation or nature treks.

Scorpio

Scorpios should concentrate this week on striking a balance between their mental and physical states. Maintaining your energy all through the week will depend mostly on hydration and appropriate diet. Your stamina will be much enhanced by daily light activities as stretching or walking. Now is the moment to take care of little health problems you have been neglecting. Light-hearted activities and socializing will help one find mental release and a feeling of connection. Spend time relaxing with deep breathing exercises, which will also help to properly control stress.

Sagittarius

This week will be good for Sagittarius natives to start new healthy practices. Positive comments from a regular check-up could inspire you to keep up a better lifestyle. Including nutritious grains, fresh veggies, and greens into your meals will boost immunity and help digestion. Midweek, concentrate on breathing exercises to keep balance and quiet your thoughts. Your great energy will help you easily reach your fitness objectives; but, remember to rest enough. By the weekend, you could be rejuvenated and ready to create fresh wellness goals for the next week.

Capricorn

Capricorns should use this week to reaffirm their health-conscious objectives. Including consistent exercise into your daily schedule will increase mental as well as physical resilience. Staying hydrated and eating meals high in nutrients will help you fight tiredness and keep concentrated. Problems at work could surface, but keeping a cool head and a good attitude helps to avoid too much stress. The weekend is a great time to indulge in leisurely, mental and physical rejuvenating activities like reading or gardening. Most likely, you will leave the week feeling inspired and invigorated.

Aquarius

Aquarius people will gain from a week emphasizing consistency in health habits and discipline. Establish reasonable objectives and keep a diet high in proteins to renew your will to be physically fit. Cycling or hiking can help you increase your stamina and improve your mood; midweek is the perfect time to investigate these pursuits. Steer clear of too indulging in processed or sugary foods since they could throw off your energy level. By means of yoga or meditation, mindfulness will allow you to maintain a focused and pleasant attitude. By the conclusion of the week, you might find fresh drive toward long-term wellbeing.

Pisces

Native Pisces people are encouraged to focus especially on their physical activity and dietary consumption this week. Regular health visits could show changes, thereby increasing your confidence in your present way of living. Including additional fiber and water into your diet will help with hydration and digestion. Light workouts include yoga or swimming will keep you moving and away from stress. Spending leisure time in serene surroundings might help you to rejuvenate your spirit and mind. By the conclusion of each week, you will probably feel more balanced and ready to keep up these good practices moving ahead.

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This US County Has The Highest Rates Of Dementia - Here Is The Reason Why

Updated May 13, 2025 | 04:07 PM IST

SummaryAlzheimer’s devastates many people throughout the world. It is one of the most common causes of dementia. While there are particular people who are more likely to develop this condition, this is the county that data shows to have the highest rates of dementia patients.

(Credit-Canva)

Being the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memories, thinking skills and behavioral abilities. These symptoms eventually grow enough to interfere with daily tasks. According to the Alzheimer’s Association over seven million Americans live with Alzheimer’s and that number is said to increase to 13 million by 2050. Nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia issues.

However, are there certain places that have more people affected by Alzheimer’s? According to the South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Texas has the fourth highest number of Alzheimer’s and second highest number of deaths from Alzheimer’s in the US. The Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation states that the Starr County is where 26% of Medicare beneficiaries come from. It is a rural Hispanic centric county in the Rio Grande City.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

National Institute on Aging explains that one of the biggest risk factors for Alzheimer’s is aging, most people develop Alzheimer’s when they are 65 or older with less than 10% cases happening before this. Other things include genetics, and research has shown conditions such as heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure could also be risk factors.

Researchers do not fully understand what causes Alzheimer's. They think it's due to clumps of proteins in the brain that damage brain cells. It's likely a mix of genes, how people live, and what's around them. However, one common factor that has been observed by the researchers is that many of these families come from poor economic backgrounds.

Being poor might play a big role because people in poorer areas often have worse air, drive more instead of walking, have more stress, and don't see people as much. She also mentioned that there might be bad things in the water, like arsenic, that can hurt the brain. The very hot weather in Texas could also be a problem, adding stress to the body. Finally, she noted that the large Hispanic population in the area might be more likely to get dementia for reasons we don't yet know.

How Socioeconomic Background of People Affects Alzheimer's

To understand how financial backgrounds could affect Alzheimer's, a 2018 study done by the International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease showed that the number of people without jobs in a region didn't seem to change how much Alzheimer's affected lifespan. This study looked at different areas in Slovakia to see if things like how much money people have, how many people have jobs, and how much education people get affect how long people might live if no one ever got Alzheimer's disease.

However, they found that the amount of money a region had (GDP), the average pay people got, and how educated people were, did have an impact.

More education seemed to indirectly lead to a bigger impact from Alzheimer's on lifespan, which matches what other studies have found. Surprisingly, they also found that when wages and the overall wealth of a region were higher, Alzheimer's seemed to have a bigger effect on shortening lifespan. This is different from what other studies have suggested, where more money usually means less Alzheimer's.

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Gardening Helps Slow Down Cognitive Decline

Updated May 13, 2025 | 06:00 PM IST

SummaryThe study stated that nature can significantly increase physical activity and social connection while reducing stress, which has multiple positive knock-on effects such as blood pressure, blood sugar control and healthy weight.
Gardening Helps Slow Down Cognitive Decline

Gardening Helps Slow Down Cognitive Decline

Gardening preserves cognitive function and may also help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, among others. A new study, which was conducted by researchers in the UK, showed that those who grew and nurtured plants as well as lived in greener environments slowed down their cognitive decline. Intrestingly, there is already enough empirical evidence that shows plants reduce stress and improve memory and recall.

It is because of this that many countries have care farms, which get their name from the way they serve people's impulses to work and connect with others. Speaking to the BBC, Henreitte Bringsjord, whose parents founded one of such farms, said, "My mum and dad loved farm work, and they thought about how hard it is for people with dementia to stop working and lose their social life. So, they wanted to help people with dementia become a part of life again."

How Do Plants Help You Boost Neurological Pathways?

The study, which was published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, stated that nature can significantly increase physical activity and social connection while reducing stress, which has multiple positive knock-on effects such as blood pressure, blood sugar control and healthy weight. According to health experts, physical activities really have immense health benefits, but gardening surcharges those.

To test the same, researchers from the University of Edinburgh investigated if there might be a link between gardening and changes in our intelligence over our lifetimes. The study compared the intelligence test scores of participants at age 11 and age 79. All the participants in the study were residents of Edinburgh and were traced throughout their lifetimes. Of the 467 people tested, almost 31 per cent had never gardened, but 43 per cent regularly did. The results showed that those who spent time gardening showed greater lifetime improvement in their cognitive ability than those who never or rarely did. "Between the ages of 79 and 90, cognitive ability, including memory, problem solving, and word fluency, generally declined across the board, but the earlier advantage of gardeners endured", researchers of the study said.

Besides gardening, these are the activities that can also help you boost cognitive health.

1. Physical Exercise: Improves blood flow to the brain and promotes neurogenesis.

2. Mental Exercises: Engaging in puzzles, chess, and memory games enhances problem-solving skills and memory.

3. Reading and Learning: Reading diverse materials or learning a new language strengthens neural connections.

4. Playing Musical Instruments: Enhances cognitive processing and coordination.

5. Social Interactions: Meaningful conversations and group activities stimulate cognitive and emotional processing.

6. Mindfulness and Meditation: Reduces stress and improves focus and attention span.

7. Adequate Sleep: Supports memory consolidation and cognitive function.

8. Healthy Diet: Consuming foods rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and vitamins promotes brain health.

9. Hobbies and New Skills: Learning new skills or hobbies keeps the brain active and engaged.

10. Cognitive Training Apps: Apps designed for memory and focus training can provide structured mental workouts.

ALSO READ: 6 Tips To Take Care Of Your Gut Health By Celebrity Doctor Steven Grundy

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Should You Turn Off Your Wifi Router Before Sleep?

Updated May 14, 2025 | 02:00 AM IST

SummaryWi-Fi routers emit non-ionising radiation — a low-level form of electromagnetic radiation, but does it really bother when you sleep? Let us find out.
Should You Turn Off Your Wifi Router Before Sleep?

Credits: Canva

A wave of social media posts has sparked curiosity around a simple bedtime habit: switching off your Wi-Fi router at night. Some claim it boosts sleep quality, reduces headaches, and even improves mental clarity. But is there any science to back this? Here's what experts say happens when you turn off your Wi-Fi for seven nights in a row.

Does Wi-Fi Radiation Affect Your Body?

Wi-Fi routers emit non-ionising radiation — a low-level form of electromagnetic radiation (EMF) — that is widely considered safe under normal household exposure. Dr Hiran S. Reddy, consultant physician, diabetologist, and critical care specialist at Gleneagles Hospital, Hyderabad, who spoke to Indian Express said that for most people, turning off the router is unlikely to cause any physiological changes.

“WiFi devices emit low-level, non-ionising radiation, which current scientific consensus deems safe at everyday exposure levels,” he explained.

However, Dr Reddy noted that people who report heightened sensitivity to electromagnetic fields — a condition known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity — may experience perceived relief from symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. But clinical evidence for this condition remains inconclusive.

Is Sleep Impacted by Wi-Fi Signals?

Dr Sudhir Kumar, consultant neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, speaking to Indian Express told that most studies on Wi-Fi radiation have been conducted on animals. “There’s no conclusive evidence that Wi-Fi disrupts melatonin production from the pineal gland or interferes with human sleep,” he says.

He explains that Wi-Fi routers typically operate at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies, which emit far less energy than a mobile phone held close to the head. At common indoor distances (1–2 metres), the signal strength drops significantly, making it unlikely to influence melatonin or sleep in any measurable way.

The Real Sleep Disruptor: Screen Time

Interestingly, both doctors agree that if anything is affecting sleep, it’s likely the screen time, not the router itself. Blue light emitted from phones, tablets, and laptops interferes with the pineal gland and suppresses melatonin — the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.

“Disabling Wi-Fi might reduce digital engagement, particularly screen exposure late at night. That can indirectly improve melatonin production and sleep quality,” says Dr Reddy.

Better Sleep Hygiene, Not Less Radiation

While switching off your Wi-Fi router for seven nights won’t likely cause direct changes in your brain or body, it may lead to better bedtime routines. Less internet access could mean fewer late-night scrolls, reduced digital distractions, and an earlier wind-down — all of which support better sleep hygiene.

“Quality sleep enhances everything from mood and cognitive function to immune health,” Dr Reddy noted.

What Does The Study Say?

As per the 2020 study published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, titled: Spending the night next to a router – Results from the first human experimental study investigating the impact of Wi-Fi exposure on sleep, a night of Wi-Fi exposure doesn’t seem to cause sleep problems for healthy young men — but it might make very subtle changes in brain activity that scientists are still trying to understand.

How Was The Study Conducted?

Researchers studied how Wi-Fi exposure might affect sleep. They invited 34 healthy young men (average age around 24) to stay in a sleep lab for five nights. The first night helped them get used to the lab. Then, they had two test nights — each one following a “normal” night to compare results.

During the test nights, some participants were exposed to Wi-Fi signals (at 2.45 GHz, like your home router), while others got fake (sham) signals. The researchers didn’t tell the participants which one they were getting. Sleep was measured in two ways:

Subjective sleep: How well participants felt they slept (through a questionnaire).

Objective sleep: What actually happened in their brains and bodies during sleep (measured using special equipment called polysomnography).

What They Found

The Wi-Fi signals did not cause any major or noticeable effects on:

  • How well participants thought they slept
  • The general structure and stages of their sleep (called sleep macrostructure)

However, a detailed look at brain activity showed a small change:

There was a slight decrease in brain wave activity in the alpha frequency range (8–11.75 Hz) during deep (non-REM) sleep when Wi-Fi was on. This change is called a reduction in EEG alpha power.

What It Means

Wi-Fi signals didn’t seem to change how people felt they slept or the main parts of their sleep.

There was a small, measurable brain activity change, but it’s unclear if this has any real impact on health or sleep quality.

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