Tag: Health

A randomised controlled trial has been published in The Lancet, supporting the use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the treatment of depression. Its findings report “enduring positive outcomes in terms of relapse or recurrence, residual depressive symptoms, and quality of life.” Access the full article For an introduction to mindfulness, read our International Therapist article, ‘Changing your mind’,…

The World Health Organisation is focussing on food safety for World Health Day 2015. Unsafe food is linked to the deaths of an estimated 2 million people annually – including many children. Food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances is responsible for more than 200 diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. New threats…

A report by Professor David Walker looks at the regulation of herbal products and practitioners, stating that in terms of statutory regulation, ‘there is not yet a credible scientific evidence base to demonstrate risk from both products and practitioners which would support this step’. Read more Image: iStockphoto

A new study shows that providing women with skills to manage stress early in their breast cancer treatment can improve their mood and quality of life many years later. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings suggest that women given the opportunity to learn stress management techniques…

Created by young people for young people, the ‘Rise Above’ website aims to build emotional resilience in individuals aged 11 to 16 by equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed decisions, and help deal with the pressures of growing up. It also encourages conversations about the key health and well-being…

Reducing insulin dosage can help diabetics avoid blood sugar dips at night after exercising in the evening, a new study from Northumbria University has found. Funded by Diabetes UK and the Northumbria University Strategic Investment Fund, it is the first ever study which has found a way to completely avoid these dangerous falls in blood…

We recently published a news item on the detrimental effects of daily commuting on well-being (International Therapist, Issue 108). New research has revealed people who walk or cycle to work benefit from improved mental well-being, compared to those who travel by car. Data on around 18,000 commuters across the UK from long-running studies (over 18…

Research* commissioned by Cats Protection shows that sharing a home with a cat can help people of all ages cope with the demands of everyday life, with findings such as: • During the months of January and February, cat owners suffer 60% less headaches than non-cat owners, are 21% less likely to catch a cold…

A poll of more than 2,000 Britons by sunshine.co.uk about their ‘Top holiday fears’ found that 33% were worried about getting sunburn. Professional therapists are well placed to talk to clients about sun protection, particularly if going on holiday comes up in conversation. The following article, published in International Therapist (July 2013, Issue 105) points…

Professor of Dementia Studies at Leeds Beckett University, Claire Surr, writes about how dementia is worrying the British public. As an academic working in the field of applied dementia research, the fact that dementia is a topic on everyone’s lips brings with it mixed feelings. On the one hand its position of prominence on the international…

gulp (give up loving pop) is a campaign by Food Active to raise awareness of health issues related to the consumption of sugary drinks, including: obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay. Firstly control your love for sugary drinks! There are hundreds of different sugary drinks available, but here are some that you…