A New Study Challenges The ‘Ideal’ Daily Step Count. And It’s Lower Than You Think.

Posted on 02/08/2025 by Boris Clair

Walking 10,000 steps per day has become a popular goal in the modern age, but it turns out this benchmark might not be the fitness gold standard after all.

According to a study published in The Lancet last week, getting 7,000 daily steps is enough to see meaningful health benefits. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis and systemic review of data from previous studies and found diminishing returns above that number.

Compared to walking 2,000 steps per day, reaching 7,000 steps was associated with a 47% lower risk of death, 25% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, 38% lower risk of dementia, 28% lower risk of falls, 22% lower risk of depressive symptoms, 14% lower risk of type 2 diabetes and 6% lower risk of cancer. The improvements in health outcomes beyond 7,000 steps were more modest by comparison.

“The 10,000-step target, which originated in marketing campaigns, has often been seen as too high for many,” Dr. Asim Cheema, a specialist in internal medicine and cardiology at the telehealth platform Your Doctors Online, told HuffPost.

“Even a moderate amount of daily physical activity, such as walking 7,000 steps, can have significant health benefits,” he added. “This study indicates that a lower target can still yield substantial benefits for cardiovascular health, mental well-being and overall longevity. It suggests that you don’t need to aim for the highest threshold to make meaningful changes to your health.”

Indeed, many have traced the 10,000 steps a day rule back to a 1960s Japanese marketing campaign. This kind of research offers a helpful perspective shift away from the widespread cultural fixation on getting 10K steps every single day.

“These findings are refreshing, because they challenge the ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset that often surrounds fitness,” said Anjan Pathak, co-founder of wellness platform Vantage Fit. “For years, 10,000 steps per day was treated as a universal rule, even though its roots were more commercial than scientific. This study offers a more compassionate approach.”

The Real Takeaways For Step Counts

The conclusions of the study don’t necessarily mean you should treat 7,000 steps as some new gold standard, however. These findings don’t make 10,000 steps a bad goal, either.

“For those who already walk 4,000 steps, increasing to 5,000 or more will show benefit,” said Hannah Arem, scientific director of implementation science for the health care system MedStar Health. “For those who can, reaching this goal of 7,000 is likely to increase benefits. Beyond 7,000 steps, this study suggests that the health benefits for the outcomes examined are only incremental. That said, there may be health benefits other than those assessed in this study that come from increasing step counts.”

Dr. Matthew Badgett, an internal medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, emphasised that it’s hardly news that there are diminishing returns above a certain amount of activity. And even if certain risk reductions start to plateau above 7,000 steps, you’re still experiencing benefits when you go beyond that number.

“The study still finds that 10,000 is better than 7,000 ― it’s just not as beneficial as going from 2,000 to 7,000 steps,” he said. “I think the real takeaway is that any amount of activity is going to be beneficial, and you continue to benefit from doing more on top of that, even if the added activity doesn’t lead to as much benefit. Whether your goal is to hit 7,000 or 10,000 doesn’t really matter, but I don’t want people to see this news and decide to cut their usual 10,000 to 7,000.”

Of course, there are extreme examples of individuals who do so much physical activity that it ultimately causes harm to their bodies. But that concern does not apply to the vast majority of people.

“If the average person can go from 2,000 to 7,000 steps per day, they will benefit. And if they can go from 7,000 to 10,000, they will also benefit,” Badgett added.

“I think the real takeaway is that any amount of activity is going to be beneficial, and you continue to benefit from doing more on top of that, even if the added activity doesn’t lead to as much benefit.”

– Dr. Matthew Badgett, internal medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic

Badgett also stressed that analysis of step counts doesn’t offer the full picture of health and fitness.

“Step counters aren’t measuring exercise per se,” he said. “What if you’re a cyclist or you swim a lot or lift weights? These are forms of exercise that [don’t] show up on a step counter, but they’re still hugely beneficial for health. Even running, which is better exercise than walking, gets you fewer steps per mile, because each step moves you further.”

Badgett pointed to two important aspects of fitness: regular exercise and just generally not being sedentary.

“I think 7,000 steps a day is generally a marker of non-sedentary nature,” he said. “Someone who’s getting 2,000 steps per day is probably sitting down at their desk to work from home in the morning, and then they barely leave the desk all day, other than to go one room over for the bathroom or kitchen. And then after work, they just sit and watch TV. Someone who gets closer to 7,000 steps probably does chores around the house, might do some yard work after work, or even drives to work, which brings, inevitably, a little bit of walking.”

Indeed, getting small bursts of steps throughout the day is much healthier than sitting the whole time. If you know you aren’t being so sedentary and are also getting regular exercise, you don’t need to fixate on exact step counts.

“I talk to my patients more about moving around throughout the day and also setting aside time to do a specific exercise, whether it’s weightlifting, running or swimming,” Badgett noted. “I might explore how many steps they’re getting as a baseline to establish a goal, but for someone who is older and has physical limitations, I prefer time goals ― like 20 minutes, rather than a specific number of miles or steps. It’s all really patient-dependent.”

How To Get Your Steps In

As the Lancet study shows, even small increases in your steps can bring substantial benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of mortality and a number of health conditions.

“Move more throughout the day,” Arem advised. “That doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym if that doesn’t fit in your lifestyle. Get off the bus or subway a stop earlier. Take the stairs instead of the elevator for a floor or two. Park farther away from the door in the parking lot.”

These little changes are attainable and thus a good way to kick off your fitness journey.

“Fitness in any form is a long game, and the first priority doesn’t have to be a step count ― it should be creating the habit,” said Dave Paul, host of the “Walking Is Fitness” podcast. “Start small and pick a time of day that you can do it consistently. I mean no more than five or ten minutes. You can always add more later, but if you try and do too much to start, it can feel overwhelming, which can lead to giving up.”

Personal context matters, so you have to determine what is right for you ― whether it’s short strolls or upping your walking game with rucking.

“Walk while taking calls, park a bit farther, or take short strolls during breaks. Health isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about showing up for yourself every day, in small, meaningful ways.”

– Anjan Pathak, co-founder of wellness platform Vantage Fit

“Begin by setting a realistic goal that you can comfortably achieve and gradually increase your steps over time,” Cheema suggested. “For example, aim to walk 2,000 steps a day and increase by 500 steps each week. It can also be helpful to break up your walking into smaller sessions throughout the day, such as walking after meals. Consistency is key to building a sustainable habit.”

He also emphasised the importance of overall lifestyle factors like nutrition, sleep and stress management. And if you have physical limitations like joint problems, turn your walks into swims or stints on the elliptical.

“I also recommend the ‘Japanese walking’ method for patients who can tolerate more intensity in their walking routines, as this has shown health benefits with a lesser overall number of steps,” said family and emergency physician Dr. Ali Shehata.

During the hot summer months, you might also move your treks to an indoor venue like the mall or treadmill section at the gym ― or even invest in your own walking pad.

“Make movement part of your routine rather than an added burden,” Pathak advised. “Walk while taking calls, park a bit farther, or take short strolls during breaks. Health isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about showing up for yourself every day, in small, meaningful ways. If 7,000 steps a day is what gets someone moving without fear or shame, then that’s a wonderful place to start.”

What Is A Fart Walk And Why Is It So Good For Ageing?

Posted on 02/08/2025 by Boris Clair

The benefits of walking are pretty undeniable.

A simple stroll can “improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart, thereby helping circulation, lower[ing] blood pressure, [and] helping in the prevention of heart disease and stroke,” Matthew Nolan, a chief instructor at Barry’s in New York City, previously told HuffPost.

It’s even been linked to lower dementia risk.

But in a recent Instagram Reel, Dr Tim Tiutan – a physician and assistant professor – signed off on the idea of adding some, er, gas to your evening wander too.

Stitching a video in which author and creator of the hashtag #fartwalks Mairyln Smith said she and her husband go for “fart walks” after dinner to help them “age beautifully,” the doctor helped us to “look into the science of fart walks.”

Yup, ‘fart walking’ really is good for us

Walking can help to improve “intestinal motility” Dr Tiutan said, meaning it can banish both gas and constipation.

But Smith explained that “the main reason we do fart walks is because by walking… we are helping reduce our chances of developing type 2 diabetes… as you age, especially after 40, you have a bigger chance of developing type 2 diabetes.”

The National Institutes of Health puts the age at which type 2 diabetes risk rises a little younger, at 35. Diabetes UK says that walking may help us to regulate insulin better.

A 2016 study involving people with type 2 diabetes found that 10 minutes of “light” walking following each meal did a better job of managing participants’ blood sugar than walking for 30 minutes at any one time.

That’s partly why a likely gassy (thanks to the “intestinal motility”) post-dinner walk may be better for you than you might think.

Exercise of any kind prevents “large spikes in blood sugar,” the doctor agreed (it can lower your blood glucose for up to 24 hours after completion).

The practice may lower your cancer risk, too

Walking “also lowers our cancer risk,” Dr Tiutan continued.

Professor Amy Berrington, Leader of the Institute for Cancer Research [ICR]’s Clinical Cancer Epidemiology Group, said: “There is strong evidence that getting enough physical activity is linked to a lower risk of many types of cancer in both men and women.”

Cancer.gov says we should aim roughly for 150-300 minutes per week of moderately paced walking.

So perhaps I shouldn’t have been as surprised as I initally was to hear Dr Tiutan say, “I totally support fart walks.”

The Cute Reason Dogs Love Digging In The Bin (And How To Stop It)

Posted on 31/07/2025 by Boris Clair

There is nothing worse than coming home from a busy work day, putting down your bag, and walking into the kitchen to see the contents of the bin are quite simply… all over the place.

Then your pooch looks at you with those sweet eyes and their tail wagging and you just cannot stay mad at them, even if their favourite hobby is nothing short of disgusting.

Why do they do it, though? Especially if there isn’t actually any food in there? Is it for the love of the game?

Well, kind of.

Why dogs love to dig in the trash

“Never forget that dogs are descended from grey wolves,” said BBC Science Focus Magazine.

They may feel like our furry babies but in reality, these domesticated pups still have a little wildness in their bones.

The experts added: “Our pampered pets have inherited the wolves’ keen sense of smell and scavenging tendencies, making ‘playing’ with rubbish a favourite pastime for some.

“Wild wolves also roll in strong-smelling substances, such as faeces, to mask their scent when they’re hunting.”

This will also sound familiar for dog owners who find themselves regularly scrubbing fox poo off their dog’s paws (and coat). Lovely.

How to stop dogs from rummaging through bins

The pet experts over at Pets4Homes advise:

Keep your dog out of rooms containing bins unless supervised, using doors or baby gates as barriers.
Use bins with secure, childproof lids that cannot be easily knocked off by your dog.
Anchor outdoor wheelie bins to walls or fences and add catches to prevent your dog from tipping them over (remember to release catches on bin collection day to avoid issues).
If your dog tends to go after other people’s bins during walks, consider using a well-fitting muzzle and keep them on a lead when near bins.

Good luck!

Your Meal Deal Might Be Raising Your Risk Of Lung Cancer, Study Warns

Posted on 30/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Eating ultra-processed food (UPFs) has already been linked to 32 harmful effects to health, including a raised risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and early death.

Now, another study has linked a higher intake of ultra-processed food to an increased risk of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It’s the third most common cancer in the UK, with around 49,000 people diagnosed each year.

Previous research has noted a “significant association” between intake of UPF and the risk of several cancers, including colorectal, breast and pancreatic cancer.

Here’s what you need to know about the latest study.

First up, what is ultra-processed food?

Ultra-processed food typically undergoes multiple processing steps and contains long lists of additives and preservatives. It’s often ready-to-eat or heat.

Examples include ham, mass-produced bread, cereal, crisps and biscuits.

It’s thought more than half of the typical British daily diet is made up of ultra-processed food. But not all of these foods are terrible news – yoghurt and high-fibre cereals, for instance, can form a part of a healthy diet.

There is however a clear link emerging between negative health outcomes and diets high in UPF.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) noted “we still don’t know whether it is because these foods are unhealthy because of how they are made, or if it’s because a large majority of processed foods are high in calories, saturated fat, salt and sugar”.

UPF intake also increases the risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity, which is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK.

As high consumption has already been linked to a heightened risk of several health conditions, researchers wanted to know if this might also include lung cancer.

What did the new lung cancer study find?

Researchers used data from the US Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trials, involving 155,000 participants aged 55–74.

Cancer diagnoses were tracked until the end of 2009 and cancer deaths until the end of 2018.

Some 101,732 people (50,187 men and 51,545 women; average age 62) who completed a Food Frequency questionnaire on their dietary habits on entry to the trials were included in the study.

Foods were categorised as: unprocessed or minimally-processed; containing processed culinary ingredients; processed; and ultra-processed.

The three types of UPF that featured the most were lunch meat (11%), diet or caffeinated soft drinks (just over 7%) and decaffeinated soft drinks (nearly 7%).

Over a period of 12 years, 1,706 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed, including 1,473 (86%) cases of non-small cell lung cancer and 233 (14%) of small cell lung cancer.

After accounting for factors including smoking and overall diet quality, researchers discovered participants who ate a diet high in UPF were 41% more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who ate the least UPF.

Specifically, they were 37% more likely to be diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and 44% more likely to be diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. The findings were shared in the respiratory journal, Thorax.

The study has major limitations

The study is observational, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect.

The researchers also acknowledged they weren’t able to factor in smoking intensity (worth noting given smoking is the main cause of lung cancer) and dietary information was collected once, so couldn’t account for changes over time.

In response to the study, Professor Sam Hare, consultant chest radiologist at the Royal Free London NHS Trust, said: “A quarter of lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers so we do need research exploring whether other factors are associated with lung cancer. We also know immunity is linked to cancer biology so it is a good idea to do research into factors like diet.”

Yet he said more work is needed to establish direct causation between UPFs and lung cancer.

“Crucially, whilst the study does make some adjustments for smoking status, the amount of smoking is not factored in, which is known to be directly related to lung cancer development,” he said.

“Dietary habits also change considerably over the course of such long term studies. As such, it is difficult to directly conclude that lung cancer is related to the level of UPF consumption alone given it was only declared at the start of the study.”

Professor Tom Sanders, an expert in nutrition at King’s College London, also noted the smoking link, and added: “Unhealthy diets often go hand in hand with smoking habit and low socioeconomic status. But there appears to be no plausible mechanism to explain why ultra-processed food should affect risk of lung cancer.”

Should you cut out UPFs?

The study’s researchers suggested limiting consumption of ultra-processed food may help curb the global toll of lung cancer.

Supermarkets are home to thousands of UPF products, which can make it really hard to know where to turn during your weekly food shop. Often, these are the most affordable products, too.

The British Heart Foundation previously advised: “Instead of trying to completely cut out these foods, think about the balance in your diet.

“Make sure that there are minimally processed foods in there too – eat fruit and vegetables with your meals and drink water instead of sugary drinks – and try to fit in time over the week for home cooking.”

Whole grains, fruit, and vegetables could help protect against cancer, so it’s certainly worth trying to add more of these to your trolley if you can.

So THAT’s Why Restaurant Risotto Tastes So Much Better

Posted on 28/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Risotto is one of those creamy Italian dishes that’s oh-so-comforting and a real treat as the weather starts to cool.

But if you find the risotto you make at home is lacking a certain something, culinary pros have a word of advice – and the mistake you’re making might actually be very easy to rectify.

Recently, a risotto-loving Redditor took to r/AskCulinary to say their risotto smells nice and rich, but “doesn’t taste that way” – and they pondered where they were going wrong.

They shared that they typically cook the onions and toast the rice for a minute, before adding white wine. They then cook the rice in mushroom stock (for about 25 minutes) before adding butter and parmesan.

Redditor ivaivazovski also said they added some mushrooms, which they’d fried separately and, again, deglazed with white wine.

“It tastes alright, but I was expecting it to taste a lot richer based on the smell. What can I do to actually enhance the taste?” they asked.

How to make risotto richer

If you’ve been faced with the same dilemma, chances are you’re skimping on salt. Or butter. Or both. As one commenter said: “Richness comes from fat, so more butter and more cheese folded in.”

The overwhelming consensus was that the probably dish needed more salt, too.

“Risotto, especially mushroom risotto, wants lots of butter, and you’re likely lacking salt as well,” said one respondent.

Others suggested you could add salt (“and a little complexity”) with a tablespoon of soy sauce.

Chef Ben Kelly said when making restaurant-style mushroom risotto, the key technique is to “slowly and gradually cook a starchy ingredient by adding liquid in small amounts and stirring”.

The aim is to “draw starch” from the main ingredient to give the dish its creaminess. The chef said 90% of the creaminess should come from the starch, and the rest should come from butter and parmesan cheese.

Any other tips?

Just. Keep. Stirring.

The chef explained you should be adding a ladle of stock to the rice and then stirring it gently until the liquid has been absorbed – “then add more and repeat”.

The process is long – it will take about 20 minutes in total – but it’s worth it.

“If you want that creamy, silky risotto texture, this is how you get it. The rice is done when it is plump and tender but not mushy. It should still have a tiny bit of chew to it,” he added.

Don’t try to make too much at once, either.

As Italian chef Valentina Harris explained for Sous Chef: “In the vast majority of domestic scenarios, cooking any more than 600g of rice for Risotto in a large pot will just spell disappointment.”

She also warned against browning your onions – cook them in butter until soft, instead – and to add all the rice to the pan in one go, before stirring and toasting the grains “without browning”. Then, gradually add your stock.

I Swapped 10,000 Steps A Day For 30 Minutes Of ‘Japanese Walking’ – I’ve Never Been More Active

Posted on 28/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Even though I love running and regularly go to the gym, facts are facts; I work from home and don’t love a long evening ramble. As a result, I regularly fail to get 10,000 steps a day, even though that’s been my goal for years.

All my “Jeffing,” VO2 max training, and treadmill interval sessions were not enough. I average around 6,500 steps daily, and my ongoing attempts to hit the 10k target have proven unsuccessful and inconvenient.

I tried walking after work (a non-starter), taking a lunch-break stroll (sometimes useful, but mostly impossible due to the Endless Kitchen Tasks working from home seems to highlight).

So, you can imagine how happy I was to read about “Japanese walking,” the strolling style said to be as good for us as 10,000 steps, while taking a fraction of the time.

Ironically, despite spending less time walking, my average steps are up to 8,100 a day.

What is “Japanese walking”?

Japanese walking, also known ‘the 3-3 walking workout’, is essentially the interval training of the walking world. It was developed by Professor Hiroshi Nose and Associate Professor Shizue Masuki at Shinshu University in Matsumoto, Japan.

Like “Jeffing,” which sees runners intersperse periods of high-intensity running with walking, Japanese walking packs bursts of intense stepping into a stroll.

Specifically, it asks you to walk for three minutes at a fast pace and slowly for another three minutes. Repeat this five times for a 30-minute workout.

The 2007 paper that the method’s inventors wrote found that, among middle-aged participants, those who tried “Japanese walking” left with lower blood pressure, stronger thigh muscles, and better aerobic ability than those who either did not walk or walked 8,000 steps a day at a moderate pace.

“High-intensity interval walking may protect against age-associated increases in blood pressure and decreases in thigh muscle strength and peak aerobic capacity,” the paper reads.

Dr Suzanne Wylie, a GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, told HuffPost UK: “Even a modest 30-minute walk delivers remarkable cardiovascular benefits, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke whilst improving blood pressure control.

“Regular movement helps maintain a healthy weight and strengthens muscles and bones – a crucial factor as we age, to help prevent osteoporosis and preserve mobility.”

A recent early walk (I usually hate them, but Japanese walking made it more bearable)

I’ve never found walking easier or more fun

Having tried the method myself, it’s safe to say I’m never going back.

Somehow, knowing the walk is going to take a maximum of half an hour means I’m much more open to the idea.

I walk more often, enjoy the time more (I think that the three-minute-on, three-minute-off approach makes the exercise go by much faster), and have even upped my step average by a couple of thousand per day.

“From a clinical perspective, any form of consistent, moderate-intensity walking, especially if it incorporates posture, breathing, or mindfulness as Japanese walking sometimes does, can further enhance cardiovascular and mental health,” Dr Wylie shared.

As a recent convert, I couldn’t agree more.

5 Signs Your People-Pleasing Is Actually A ‘Survival Mode’

Posted on 26/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Chances are you either know, or are, a “people pleaser” ― someone who feels the urge to please others, sometimes at your own expense.

It can make you reluctant to say “no” to others, anxious about speaking up for your own needs, and suspicious that the people in your life are always taking advantage of your “helpful” nature.

But speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr. Bijal Chheda, consultant psychologist and the founder of neurodiverse-inclusive mental health clinic Nos Curare, sometimes the instinct can be a form of “fawn mode.”

What is “fawn mode”?

“While many people are familiar with the classic stress responses ‘fight, flight, or freeze,’ there’s a fourth overlooked reaction called ‘fawn mode,’” Dr Chheda told us.

“Fawn mode is a psychological response to threat where, essentially, people-pleasing is turned up to become a survival strategy.”

But instead of causing you to flee from or confront a perceived threat, “fawn mode” means you become hyper-attuned to the needs and expectations of those around you.

It can happen to people who were bullied or exposed to an emotionally unsafe environment in childhood, the expert said, but it can also start in adulthood following toxic work, romantic, familial, or platonic relationships.

“Because they fully believe that their safety or acceptance depends on keeping others happy, people in fawn mode feel the need to work extra hard in the moment to maintain peace,” the psychologist shared.

For those on the autism spectrum, fawning behaviours “may overlap with masking or the act of camouflaging one’s real traits as a way to blend in with social expectations.

“They do this consciously in order to minimise rejection or avoid criticism, often resulting in burnout.”

Those with ADHD may face similar pressures, she continued.

What are the signs I’m in “fawn mode”?

Per Dr Chheda, you may be in fawn mode if:

1) Saying no feels impossible, even when you’re overwhelmed.

You might find it hard to set boundaries, even ones that are sorely needed, the psychologist said.

“Even when your own energy or time has been depleted, you tend to prioritise others’ needs to avoid conflict or confrontation.”

2) You are constantly anxious about upsetting others.

“This heightened anxiety makes every interaction feel like a test where one wrong move could lead to disapproval or instant abandonment,” Dr Chheda told us.

This can make clear, honest communication “exhausting.”

3) Apologising has become a reflex or automatic response.

Find yourself saying “sorry” out or habit, even if you’ve done nothing wrong?

“In these instances, apologising has become a default response used to smooth over situations or deflect potential criticism,” explained the psychologist.

“Over time, this habit can blur the lines of personal responsibility.”

4) Your sense of self-worth depends on being needed.

Some people in “fawn mode” tie their self-worth to how useful they feel they are to other people.

“In turn, this dynamic makes it hard to recognise your own personal needs or prioritise self-care without feelings of guilt,” Dr Chheda stated.

5) You feel responsible for how other people feel.

You might be hyper-vigilant about other people’s emotions and moods.

“This constant monitoring can leave you emotionally exhausted. In focusing so much on others, it becomes easy to lose sight of your own feelings or identity,” the pro told us.

What should I do if I think I’m in “fawn mode”?

You don’t have to turn a lifetime of habits around in a day, Dr Chheda revealed.

“Self-awareness is the first step to breaking free from fawn mode. Take time to reflect on when these behaviours began and how they have been reinforced throughout your life,” she advised.

“Once you have done this, you can start setting micro-boundaries. Begin with small steps like saying no to low-stakes requests or pausing before agreeing to things.”

The process of untying your worth from the needs of others can be lonig and tricky, the psychologist ended, but is ultimately worth it.

This Handwriting Change May Be An Early Sign Of Parkinson’s

Posted on 25/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Parkinson’s disease, the condition Ozzy Osborne was diagnosed with roughly five years before his death, affects about 153,000 people in the UK at the moment.

It is a progressive neurological disease. While there is no single, outright cure for it yet, the NHS says therapies like medication and physiotherapy can minimise its symptoms for many.

But sadly, the condition is often misdiagnosed, even though early diagnosis can be very beneficial.

That’s why organisations like Parkinson’s UK champion better, earlier diagnoses, and hope one day for a single test that can accurately spot the disease as soon as possible.

In the meantime, however, they’ve shared early signs of the condition; one of which involves changes to your handwriting.

How is handwriting linked to Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s UK says that noticing smaller handwriting over time is one potential early sign.

This is called micrographia, and could affect as many as 50-60% of people living with Parkinson’s, though the numbers are not settled.

“You may notice the way you write words on a page has changed, such as letter sizes are smaller and the words are crowded together,” the charity shared.

A 2022 paper suggested that the handwriting change may precede other motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, like tremors.

Parkinson’s is not the only cause of handwriting changes – it’s been linked to other neurological changes, while Parkinson’s UK says “writing can change as you get older, if you have stiff hands or fingers or poor vision” – but it may be worth seeing your doctor about it, especially if it comes with other symptoms.

What are the other early symptoms of Parkinson’s?

According to Parkinson’s UK, having a single early symptom doesn’t mean you’ve got the disorder.

But “if you have more than one sign, you should consider making an appointment to talk to your doctor,” they wrote.

Aside from micographia, the other possible symptoms they listed were:

Tremors. Shaking in your finger, thumb, hand, or chin while at rest is a common early symptom.
Loss of smell, especially for strongly-scented foods like bananas, liquorice, and gherkins.
Moving a lot in your sleep, especially if you start acting out your dreams or thrashing around a lot.
Trouble with movement or walking. You might find your arms don’t swing as much as they used to when you walk, that your limbs or stiff, that your shoulders of hips feel tight, or that your feet feel “stuck to the floor.”
Constipation. This can be normal, but it can persist with Parkinson’s.
Developing a soft, low voice that others might describe as hoarse or breathy and which might sound quieter than usual.
’Facial masking,′ or a sad or angry expression on your face that happens regardless of your mood.
Dizziness or fainting, for instance, when getting up out of a chair – this can be linked to low blood pressure, which is associated with Parkinson’s.
Stooping or hunching over, especially if this is new for you.

So THAT’s Why You Keep Waking Up At 3AM

Posted on 21/07/2025 by Boris Clair

Even though I have insomnia, my issue doesn’t actually lie in getting to sleep.

Nope – I nod off just fine. My problem is staying in dreamland; more often than not, I wake up at 3am and simply cannot get back to sleep.

There are things I’ve learned to do to cope with the problem. “Clock blocking”, refusing to stay in bed for more than 20 minutes, and (paradoxically) willing myself to stay awake have all been effective at getting me back to sleep.

But given that almost a third of us wake up in the middle of the night at least three times a week – and that multiple friends had cited 3am as their most common early rising hour – I thought I’d ask Dr Seeta Shah from PANDA London if there’s anything “special” about that time.

Here’s what she told us…

Why do I always wake up at 3am?

“Waking up around 3am is a surprisingly common experience,” Dr Shah confirmed.

This, she said, could be down to a mixture of biological and lifestyle factors, like your body’s natural sleep cycle.

“During a typical night’s sleep, we go through multiple 90-minute cycles that include different stages of sleep, from light to deep and REM sleep,” the doctor said.

“Around 3am, most people are transitioning between cycles, and the sleep tends to be lighter at this point. That makes us more susceptible to waking, especially if there are external disturbances such as noise, light, temperature changes or even the need to use the loo.”

Then, she said, there’s a hormonal component. “In the early hours of the morning, the body begins to increase its production of cortisol, the ‘stress hormone,’ in preparation for waking,” she explained.

“This natural rise in cortisol, combined with a dip in melatonin (the sleep hormone), can make the body more alert and prone to waking around this time.”

Cortisol usually dips to a low at around midnight and slowly rises thereafter.

“If you’re feeling anxious or have an active mind, this early-morning wakefulness can quickly turn into prolonged sleeplessness,” Dr Shah told us.

How can I stop waking up at 3am?

“Lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, late-night screen use, inconsistent bedtimes, and even blood sugar dips can all contribute to waking at this hour,” the doctor explained.

If you suspect this may be the cause of your early morning wake-ups, consider changing your habits and seeing how it affects your kip.

But “if waking at 3am becomes a regular pattern, it’s worth examining both physical and mental health, as well as evening habits, to identify and address any underlying causes,” Dr Shah cautioned.

The NHS said that if poor sleep is affecting your day-to-day life and causing you distress, you should speak to your GP about it.

The Internet Loves Getting ‘Cheaters’ Fired – But I Worry We’re Missing The Point

Posted on 21/07/2025 by Boris Clair

I still remember the backlash when it turned out that Ned Fulmer, the ex-BuzzFeeder who had been dubbed the “wife guy” of online group Try Guys, had cheated on his partner with his colleague.

He was let go from his Try Guys role amidst public outrage. And now, Astronomer’s CEO Andy Bryon has stepped down from his role following a TikTok clip which some online sleuths say shows him cheating with his HR lead at a Coldplay concert.

Though the company have not confirmed Andy was the person in the viral video, they have written in a statement that “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met.”

I have already shared that I’m not the biggest fan of how some people are engaging with the “Coldplay affair.”

Nor do I think that public reaction should influence a person’s professional status before an official investigation.

For instance, the company’s Senior Director of People, “identified” by TikTok detectives, has had her LinkedIn profile bombarded by commenters who think she got her promotion by hiding her boss’ romance.

The comments came despite there being absolutely no evidence that this was the case (the company has since revealed she “was not there. This is a rumour started on Twitter”).

This is wrong. A likely innocent woman’s professional page is now littered with potentially career-disrupting claims due to almost certainly baseless delusions of online “accountability.”

That’s the sort of perversely gleeful dogpiling I’m sure Jon Ronson’s So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed would have a field day with.

Lawyer Eric Kingsley, firm partner at Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers, told us: “Legally, the private life of an individual usually will not be cause for termination unless the private life somehow overlaps the professional environment or threatens the organisation.”

But in the case of both Fulmer and, if true, Bryon, there’s more to the story than just “bad vibes.”

“If the conduct in question involves other staff members or directly affects the workplace environment, the rationale for termination greatly changes,” the lawyer said.

Fulmer’s relationship was with a relatively junior employee, while Bryon’s suspected “affair” was alleged to be with his HR lead.

“A Chief Executive Officer being involved in a romantic relationship with an employee, even more so if there exists a position of power, creates huge potential for problems of favouritism, coercion, and the risk of legal action based upon harassment or retribution,” Kingsley added.

“Even if the relationship remains voluntary, the potential can damage the morale of employees, cause intra-company disputes, or violate stated policies of the company. Some companies place explicit policies regarding intra-company relations in place in order to avoid complications.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Roulet, a fellow and director of studies in psychology and behavioural science at King’s College, Cambridge, says that “If someone’s personal life affects their professional performance and engagement, yes, we could definitely consider HR interventions (it could be a warning or go as far as getting fired).”

The same goes if their performance and judgement are affected by the relationship, he added.

But I don’t think unfairly prying and overly moralistic internet commenters keep those rules in mind in their hunt for a perceived “bad guy” – Astronomer’s Senior Director of People is proof that many of us make the court of public opinion far too punishing, despite using inconsistent “laws.”

That misses the point; it’s all about power dynamics.

As it happens, piling on an (again, likely innocent) woman who you believe to have gotten her promotion based solely on hiding an affair without any evidence whatsoever is not exactly the best use of our collective power.

I fear the “reward” of firing a person armchair warriors believe to have cheated has left some to believe that their beliefs about adultery, whether grounded or not, ought to result in indiscriminate real-life action.

Personally, I don’t think that unkind quest has anything to do with accountability; we are confusing our own amateur sleuthing for genuine, professional investigation.

Just because the two might sometimes have the same result, though, does not mean it’s fair to equate them.

WellnessMaster

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