What is trauma? It is an emotional and physical response to distressing events such as violence, accidents, or natural disasters. It can also have lasting effects on your mental and physical health. One of the most well-known conditions linked to trauma is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can cause symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, and hyper-vigilance. What is more interesting to note is that trauma is also believed to be stored in the body, particularly in the hips.

How Are Emotions Stored?

In 1985, neuroscientist Candace Pert found that small proteins which are called neuropeptides activate the circuits linked to emotions. She also noted that "your body is your subconscious mind". It was she who pointed out that the physical body can change depending on what you are feeling. Her research suggests that emotions are electrochemical signals that can carry emotional messages throughout the body. They are then stored, expressed and experienced through body.

As per a 2021 study, titled, Biomolecular Basis of Cellular Consciousness via Subcellular Nanobrains, noted that cell consciousness can be explained by the presence of nano brains and that cells are “highly sensitive” and respond to sensory stimuli as well as internal and extracellular electromagnetic fields.

The researchers concluded that eukaryotic cells, or the cells that make up plants, animals, fungi, and single-celled organisms, are “cognitive and intentional.”

Why Is It Stored In Your Hips?

The body’s response to trauma is complex, involving both the nervous system and hormonal changes. When faced with danger, the body activates the fight, flight, or freeze response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare the body for survival but can also lead to prolonged physical tension if the trauma is not processed properly.

The nervous system plays a crucial role in this process. The amygdala, responsible for processing emotions, can keep the body in a heightened state of alertness even after the threat has passed. This prolonged response may contribute to tension and trauma being stored in certain muscles, including those in the hips.

The hips serve as a critical connection between the upper and lower body, supporting movement and weight distribution. They are also linked to the sacral chakra, which is associated with emotions and creativity. Because of this connection, many believe that emotional trauma can become trapped in the hip muscles, particularly the psoas muscle.

The psoas muscle extends from the lower back to the hips and plays a role in movement and posture. When the body experiences trauma, the psoas may contract as a protective mechanism. Over time, this can result in chronic tension and pain.

Are There Any Signs That Your Hips Stored Trauma?

Chronic stiffness or pain in the hips and lower back

Difficulty relaxing, particularly in hip-opening stretches

Feelings of anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness

Difficulty expressing emotions or engaging in creative activities

What Can Help?

Yoga can immensely help release the stress in and around your hope, especially when trauma is stored. You can try the pigeon pose or the butterfly pose that can help stretch and release the tension in the hips.

Somatic therapy focuses on becoming aware of physical sensations and gently releasing stored trauma. This approach helps individuals reconnect with their bodies and gradually let go of tension held in the muscles, including the hips.

Deep tissue massage and myofascial release techniques can target muscle tightness and help release stored emotions. Regular bodywork can support relaxation and healing.

Every two seconds, someone in the world needs blood—but far too few people step forward to donate. Whether it’s for accident victims, cancer patients, or those undergoing major surgeries, the demand for safe, healthy blood is constant and often urgent. Yet many potential donors hesitate, held back by fear, misinformation, or uncertainty. On World Blood Donor Day and beyond, it’s time to break down those doubts, understand the life-saving impact of one donation, and discover how giving blood could be easier—and more rewarding—than you think.

While blood donation is widely regarded as an act of altruism, what often goes unnoticed is the remarkable impact it has—not just on the recipients, but also on the donors themselves. Despite major awareness campaigns, myths and fears still prevent a significant portion of eligible individuals from rolling up their sleeves.

Every single blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives. According to Dr. Lopita Bhattacharya, a medical officer blood bank at BM Birla Heart Hospital, “One pint of donated blood is separated into red cells, plasma, and platelets, each of which can be administered to patients based on individual needs—be it trauma victims, cancer patients, surgical patients, or those with chronic blood disorders.”

At any NABH-accredited blood bank, no part of donated blood goes to waste. “Safety, accuracy, and quality are given utmost priority. The entire process is handled with the latest technology and rigorous screening,” she adds.

Dr. Umakant Mokalikar, Blood Centre Incharge at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune echoes the sentiment. “There is no substitute for human blood. Every donor plays a vital role in the healthcare system, especially in emergencies. Blood donation is truly a humanitarian act.”

Busting Common Myths Around Blood Donation

Despite awareness, misinformation continues to hinder blood donation drives. Experts say that correcting these myths is the first step to building a more robust and reliable donor base.

Myth 1: Blood donation makes you weak.

Fact: “The fluid components are replaced within 24 hours, and red blood cells regenerate within weeks,” says Dr. Bhattacharya. Healthy men can safely donate every 3 months; women, every 4 months.

Myth 2: The process is painful or too time-consuming.

Fact: “The blood draw itself only takes 8–10 minutes. Including the screening and post-donation rest, the entire visit wraps up in under 45 minutes,” Dr. Bhattacharya clarifies.

Myth 3: Only rare blood types are needed.

Fact: Common blood types are often in higher demand due to their compatibility across patient populations. “Every blood type is essential—be it for surgeries, maternity care, or injuries,” she notes.

Myth 4: Older adults or thin individuals should not donate.

Fact: If you're between 18–65 years, in good health, and meet minimum weight and hemoglobin thresholds, you’re eligible. First-time donors can donate until age 60.

Myth 5: Women can't donate blood.

Fact: “Aside from temporary conditions like menstruation or lactation, women can and should donate blood if they meet eligibility,” Dr. Mokalikar emphasizes.

Myth 6: Blood donation may cause infections.

Fact: The process uses sterile, one-time-use equipment. “There’s zero risk of catching infections,” he reassures.

Are There Any Health Benefits for Donors?

Donating blood is not just a selfless gesture; it comes with tangible health perks.

Improved heart health: “Regular donation helps lower iron overload in the body, which is linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases,” Dr. Bhattacharya shares.

Calorie burn: One blood donation session can burn around 600–650 calories, similar to a light workout.

Stimulates red blood cell production: “Donation encourages bone marrow to generate fresh red cells, helping keep your circulatory system active,” she explains.

A mini health screening: Donors undergo blood pressure, hemoglobin, and pulse checks. Blood is also screened for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B & C, providing an early warning system for the donor’s own health.

Mental well-being: “The psychological benefit—knowing you’ve potentially saved lives—releases endorphins and improves mood,” adds Dr. Mokalikar.

What Happens To Your Body After Donating Blood?

Once donated, your blood is processed into three core components:

Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs): Used in trauma, surgeries, and patients with anemia or cancer.

Platelet Concentrates: Vital for patients with clotting disorders, infections, or undergoing chemotherapy.

Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP): Used in patients with liver failure or bleeding disorders.

This separation maximizes the utility of a single donation—reaching three different patients with three different medical needs.

According to WHO, less than 1% of the eligible population donates blood in many countries—a number that needs urgent improvement. “If more people come forward regularly, hospitals will have the reserves to act swiftly during crises like accidents, natural disasters, or major surgeries,” urges Dr. Mokalikar.

He adds, “Blood donation is not a one-time favor. Men can donate every 3 months, and women every 4 months. Routine donations help keep blood stocks consistent and reliable.”

Blood donation is one of the most powerful acts of human kindness, and one of the simplest. The entire process—from screening to actual donation and rest—takes less than an hour but leaves a lasting impact. As Dr. Bhattacharya puts it, “It’s free, it’s safe, and it helps others while improving your own health. Why wait?”

Twins or multiple births are a rare occurrence. According to Twins Trust the likelihood of giving birth to twins is about one in 250, which is about 0.5%. While being a twin may be rare, them experiencing the same illness may cause many people to be shocked.

Ryan and Sean Collard, twin brothers from Hetton-Le-Hole, faced the same devastating cancer diagnosis within months of each other. Both have bravely overcome the disease and are now using their experiences to help other men. They've launched a men's health page dedicated to raising awareness about testicular cancer and offering support to young men going through similar struggles.

Ryan's Fight: Dismissed and Diagnosed

Ryan, who is now a primary school teacher, recalls being initially dismissed by a doctor who told him he was "too young" for cancer when he first reported his symptoms. He had severe issues, including passing out multiple times a day and half his body going numb, which eventually led to him being rushed to the hospital twice.

After pushing for answers through multiple appointments, Ryan, at just 23, was finally diagnosed with stage three choriocarcinoma, an aggressive form of testicular cancer. He shared on their joint Instagram page, 'Cancer Lads,' how frustrating it was to be initially brushed off.

Sean's Diagnosis and Their Shared Mission

Just as Ryan was recovering from his aggressive cancer, his twin brother, Sean, received his own devastating diagnosis of a less aggressive form of testicular cancer. Sean underwent surgery and chemotherapy and has since gone on to have two children. Ryan, now 31, is also married with a son, thanks to fertility treatment.

Ryan emphasized the power of connection, telling Chronicle Live, "It was only when I met other men who had a similar lived experience I felt really able to talk freely and feel properly understood. That is why I started an Instagram account." He wanted to create a space where others could find that same sense of understanding and release emotions.

Twins And Health Issues

There has always been a great interest in surrounding twins and their health. Questions like, ‘do both twins get affected if one of them sick?’ often occur to people. A 2023 study published in the Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. It shows that twins do face a higher risk of health complications compared to singletons, due to their risk of being born earlier.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, more than 60% of twins, and almost all higher-order multiples (like triplets or quadruplets), are born early, which means before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The more babies there are, the earlier they tend to arrive.

Babies from multiple pregnancies have about double the risk of being born with certain problems, including issues with the spine and brain (like spina bifida), digestive system, and heart.

Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is also a cause of concern. This serious condition only happens with identical twins who share a single placenta. In about 15% of these cases, blood vessels in the placenta connect in a way that one twin gets too much blood (the "recipient"), and the other twin doesn't get enough (the "donor"). This can overload the recipient twin's heart and lead to too much amniotic fluid, while the donor twin will have very little fluid.

Why Talking Matters: A Call for Men to Speak Up

The brothers' story highlights a critical issue: men often delay seeking help for health concerns. Data from Macmillan confirms this, showing that nearly half (48%) of men in their 30s admit they wait for health problems to disappear on their own. This figure is twice as high as men aged 60 or over, underscoring the vital importance for men, especially younger ones, to open up and talk about their health.

With the constant rising temperatures, many people are worried about their health and wellbeing. Heat related illness have become the main source of concern for many people, as they look for better ways to navigate in the heat. Different countries have published heat guidelines to ensure citizens do not fall ill. It is very important to know the signs of and symptoms of these heat-illnesses as they could save your life!

One such symptom could be a major cause of concern. The National Health Services UK explains that people who are experiencing heatstroke need to be on alert. If the symptoms do not get better withing 30 minutes, you must call for help.

When to Seek Emergency Help

According to the NHS, if someone shows signs of heatstroke and is still unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled down, and drinking fluids, you should contact emergency services. While heat exhaustion often improves on its own within 30 minutes of cooling down, if it progresses to heatstroke, it becomes a medical emergency.

The NHS explicitly states: "Call 999 now if you or someone else have signs of heatstroke, including still [being] unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking fluids."

Heat Alert Issued for Parts of England

This week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a yellow heat alert for certain areas of England, warning that even moderate temperatures could be dangerous. The Met Office predicts temperatures could reach up to 30°C in the East of England, East Midlands, London, and Southeast regions.

The UKHSA emphasized that "whilst temperatures may not seem too high for the general population for now, data from UKHSA shows that even at these forecasted temperatures, vulnerable groups and health care services can be impacted."

Under the UKHSA and Met Office's Weather-Health alerting system, a yellow alert indicates potential impacts such as:

• Increased demand on healthcare services from vulnerable groups.
• A higher health risk for individuals over 65 years old or those with existing health conditions, like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Heat Exhaustion vs. Heatstroke

It's crucial to understand the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke, as the latter requires immediate emergency attention. Signs of Heat Exhaustion include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Excessive sweating; skin may be pale and clammy or develop a heat rash (note: changes in skin color can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
• Cramps in the arms, legs, and stomach
• Fast breathing or heartbeat
• A high temperature
• Feeling very thirsty
• Weakness
• If these symptoms don't improve after 30 minutes of cooling down, it could be progressing to heatstroke.
• What to do for Heat Exhaustion (to prevent heatstroke)

If someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, immediately move them to a cool place and remove any unnecessary clothing, such as jackets or socks. Encourage them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or simply cool water. To help lower their body temperature, cool their skin by spraying or sponging them with cool water and fanning them. You can also apply cold packs, wrapped in a cloth, to their armpits or neck.

To stay safe when it's hot, the UKHSA also recommends a few key things. Try to stay out of the sun between 11 am and 3 pm, which is usually the hottest part of the day. Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun. If you do go outside, cover up with appropriate clothing, a hat, and sunglasses, seek shade, and remember to apply sunscreen often. Plan any physical activities like exercise or walking your dog for cooler times, such as the early morning or evening.