Loneliness is the negative emotion associated with feeling isolated. Starting university, a new job, or moving to a new city can be daunting and can leave people feeling like this. There are two ways to tackle this, either reduce the isolation or improve the negative emotion associated with being alone. Here at Healthwords we have 4 simple tips for starting to tackle both components. These include joining a community, helping others, building fewer but stronger relationships, and avoiding comparisons.

Anxiety is a normal response to stress or perceived danger, helping us stay alert and ready to cope with challenges. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming or constant, it can begin to interfere with daily life. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to anxiety because adolescence is a time of rapid physical, emotional, and social change. Academic pressures, social expectations, family dynamics, and the influence of social media can all contribute to increased stress. By understanding the causes of anxiety and recognising the signs early, parents and professionals can help teenagers manage stress effectively and build resilience. Causes of Anxiety in Teenagers Several factors can contribute to anxiety in young people: Biological Factors Brain Development Teenagers' brains are still growing, especially the areas that control emotions and decision-making, which can make them more prone to intense feelings, including anxiety. Genetics Anxiety can run in families. If a parent or sibling has an anxiety disorder, a teen may have a higher risk. Hormonal Changes Puberty hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline can amplify stress responses, making anxiety more likely. Life Events and Social Pressures Peer Pressure: Teens often feel intense pressure to fit in with friends or social groups. School Expectations: Tests, homework, and exam pressures can lead to stress and anxiety. Social Media: Online platforms can create unrealistic standards, leading teens to compare themselves to others and feel inadequate. Family and Environmental Stressors Family Conflict: Arguments or unresolved issues at home can make teens feel unsafe or anxious. Parental Expectations: High expectations can create pressure, especially if teens think they aren't meeting them. Stressful Home Life: Financial problems, health issues, or family separation can increase anxiety. Chronic Stress or Traumatic Events Bullying: Both in-person and online bullying can have lasting effects on mental health. Academic Failure: Struggling at school can reduce self-esteem and increase stress. Traumatic Events: Losing a loved one, accidents, or significant life changes can trigger anxiety.

Anxiety can set in ahead of big events such as an interview or an exam, or you may just be feeling a bit on edge without any particular cause. Some pharmacy products are known to calm mild anxiety and that panicky feeling that can rise up. Let’s take a look at one of them on the market in more detail: 5-HTP.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially during adolescence—a time of rapid growth and change. Teenagers face unique challenges, including hormonal shifts, social pressures, school stress, and identity development. While feeling stressed or anxious occasionally is normal, ongoing mental health struggles can affect daily life, relationships, and school performance. Understanding teenage mental health helps parents, caregivers, and teens themselves identify problems early and access support. This article covers common mental health issues, their causes, signs to watch for, and strategies to help teens maintain emotional well-being. What is Teenage Mental Health? Teenage mental health refers to a teen's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how they think, feel, and interact with others. During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant development, particularly in areas related to decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Common mental health issues include: Anxiety Depression Body image concerns Low self-esteem Persistent or severe mental health problems can affect confidence, academic performance, and relationships. Recognising the signs early is key to practical support and intervention.

Sleep is one of the most essential parts of staying healthy, yet millions of people struggle to get enough quality rest. Poor sleep can leave you feeling tired, stressed, and unfocused, and over time, it can take a serious toll on your overall health. While countless products and remedies claim to improve sleep, one natural option has been gaining attention: magnesium. This essential mineral supports hundreds of processes in the body, including muscle function, stress regulation, and relaxation, which makes it a vital player for sleep quality. But does magnesium really help you sleep better? Let’s explore how magnesium affects sleep, the signs of deficiency, the best food and supplement options, and how to safely use it for better rest. What Is Magnesium and Why Does It Matter for Sleep? Magnesium is a vital mineral that your body needs every day. It helps with: Muscle and nerve function Blood pressure regulation Immune system support Energy production and cell repair For sleep, magnesium is especially important because it: Regulates neurotransmitters (the brain’s chemical messengers). Supports healthy levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a calming neurotransmitter that helps your brain “switch off” at night. Plays a role in the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle. Magnesium is found naturally in foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. However, many people don’t get enough, which can impact their ability to relax and sleep well.

What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, without judgment. It helps reduce stress, manage anxiety, and improve focus by training the mind to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Mindfulness is gaining popularity as a powerful tool for improving mental and physical well-being. Rooted in ancient practices but widely embraced in modern health care, mindfulness allows individuals to live in the present moment and focus their attention without judgment. Practising mindfulness regularly can improve stress management, emotional regulation, mental clarity, and productivity.

Mindfulness is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for improving mental health, reducing stress, and feeling more present in daily life. But if you’re starting out, it might feel confusing or overwhelming. The good news? Anyone can learn mindfulness. It doesn’t require special equipment, a lot of time, or advanced training. This beginner-friendly guide will help you understand what mindfulness is, why it works, and how to build a practice that fits into your lifestyle. What Is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of paying full attention to the present moment - your thoughts, feelings, body, and surroundings without judgment. It helps reduce stress, improve focus, and respond to life with greater clarity and calm. Mindfulness means being aware of the present moment, instead of replaying the past or worrying about the future, you notice what’s happening right now. It isn’t about “emptying the mind.” Instead, it’s about curiosity and awareness. You can practice mindfulness while: Walking Eating Doing chores Or simply breathing Over time, mindfulness trains your brain to pause before reacting, which can help reduce stress, sharpen focus, and improve emotional balance.

This guide is all about mental health and wellbeing. Mental health is important for a happy life, but it is often misunderstood or ignored. This guide will help you understand mental health and provide tools to help you prioritize your mental health. There are many factors that affect mental health. Some factors are biological, such as genetics and brain chemistry. Environmental factors like childhood experiences and socio-economic status can also impact mental health. Psychological factors like stress and coping mechanisms can also affect mental wellbeing. We want to empower you with the knowledge and tools to take care of your mental health. We will explore evidence-based strategies for promoting mental wellness at every stage of life. From understanding the underlying mechanisms of mental illness to practical techniques for self-care and seeking professional support when needed. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Seeking help when needed is a sign of strength. We hope this guide helps you prioritize your mental health and wellbeing.

As a GP, many of my patients struggle with the concept of mental health. It often brings up feelings of guilt, failure or embarrassment, but I don’t see the same when discussing a physical condition, such as an eye infection, a knee injury or a heart attack. Stigmatising attitudes towards mental health are imposed by society and also by patients themselves. So let’s try to break down the stigma, and bring conditions of the body and the mind to an even playing field.

Miscarriage, or early pregnancy loss, is defined as the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks gestation (time since conception). The majority of miscarriages occur before the 13th week of gestation. Sadly, miscarriage is far more common than people sometimes think. One in every four to five pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Miscarriage is an incredibly difficult and emotional experience. There are physical, mental health, and social impacts from a miscarriage. If you have had a miscarriage, are worried about it, we want you to be reassured that there isn’t anything you have done wrong, and there is nothing you could have done differently or better. A miscarriage or even multiple miscarriages does not mean that you are not going to be a parent.

PHQ-9 is a questionnaire that is used to help assess the severity of depression. The name stands for patient health questionnaire and the 9 is because there are 9 questions that ask about different symptoms and how often you experience them. Each answer is assigned a number of points out of 3 and once you add the points from the 9 questions you will have a score out of 27. If you score 5 points or more, this suggests mild depression severity, 10 points and more for moderate, 15 points and more for moderately severe and 20 points or more for severe depression severity. The questionnaire isn’t for diagnosing depression but for assessing severity.

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures. These seizures happen because of unusual electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy can affect lots of people and can have a significant impact on their lives - it doesn't just affect the person who is experiencing epilepsy but also their family and friends. Living with epilepsy can be tough. People with epilepsy can have occasional problems with their memory, mood, energy levels and daily activities. They might also have a hard time at school, work, and general social activities. It's essential to learn about epilepsy so you can understand it and how it affects people with the condition and the people around it. It can also help people with epilepsy to feel more supported and valued. If you or someone you know has epilepsy and is untreated, it's worth seeking help from your doctor. Treatments available can help manage seizures and improve quality of life. Remember, you are not alone. With the right support, you can live a happy and fulfilling life, no matter what challenges you may face.