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Health & Wellness

Stress can be either “good” or “bad” depending on the trigger, say clinical psychologists, who explain how to beat the bad kind and avoid the associated health risks through everything from knitting and gardening to using gadgets. Illustration: Shutterstock
Wellness

The difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ stress and how to beat the harmful kind

Clinical psychologists explain the two types of stress and how to calm ourselves with methods like nerve stimulation and analogue hobbies.

What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this rainy weekend, May 15-17

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Wellness

No membership required: Hong Kong parks are this coach’s gym of choice

Wellness

Why tai chi and qigong are great for health, and English classes in Hong Kong

The Chinese ‘internal’ arts of tai chi and qigong offer a host of health benefits and are slowly becoming more accessible to English speakers.

Lawrence Tse leads a class outside the tea museum in Hong Kong Park. Photo: Lawrence Tse
Lawrence Tse leads a class outside the tea museum in Hong Kong Park. Photo: Lawrence Tse
Wellness

This fit former bodybuilder thought pole would be easy. He was wrong

Hong Kong-born LA resident Ray Kayan found that gym strength means little on the fitness pole, an activity he finds ‘empowering’.

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SCMP Highlights

Part-Asian identities, ‘skinny runner’ to top Hyrox star: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From former wine critic on passion for endurance sport to art show on East, West gardens, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

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Wellness

Want to do Hyrox? Hong Kong coaches explain how to train and prepare

Hong Kong Hyrox coaches explain training methods, what to avoid and why carbs are good, plus why it’s important to choose your race wisely.

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Hong Kong Hyrox athlete Caleb Heung competes in his first solo Hyrox race in Bangkok in 2026. He and fellow competitor-trainer Daniel Yeung share tips on how to prepare your body and mind if you want to take part in the hugely popular fitness competition. Photo: Instagram/caleb_heung
Hong Kong Hyrox athlete Caleb Heung competes in his first solo Hyrox race in Bangkok in 2026. He and fellow competitor-trainer Daniel Yeung share tips on how to prepare your body and mind if you want to take part in the hugely popular fitness competition. Photo: Instagram/caleb_heung
Wellness

From wine critic to representing Hong Kong in the world’s fastest-growing sport

Now one of Asia’s fastest Hyrox athletes, former wine critic Claire Nesbitt helps others achieve their Hyrox and other fitness goals.

Wellness

1 in 4 people are ‘Alzheimer’s gene’ carriers like Chris Hemsworth. What to do

APOE4 comes with a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease, but the 25 per cent of people who have it can lower that risk with lifestyle changes.

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Wellness

How to sleep better, from bedtimes to regularity – what the research says

Sleep research has come a long way in the last decade. Here’s what you need to know to help make your slumber better.

According to British neuroscientist Matthew Walker, mastering sleep requires managing three main factors: regularity, timing and continuity. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

Healing like Wolverine? Why peptide stacking is taking off and risks involved

Taking multiple synthetic peptides to target goals like weight loss, muscle growth and injury recovery is not without its risks, experts say.

The “Wolverine Stack”, named after the Marvel superhero, is an example of peptide stacking that combines two peptides: one known for healing-promoting effects and another that is anti-inflammatory. Photo: Marvel Entertainment
The “Wolverine Stack”, named after the Marvel superhero, is an example of peptide stacking that combines two peptides: one known for healing-promoting effects and another that is anti-inflammatory. Photo: Marvel Entertainment
Wellness

Do you feel more anxious after googling symptoms? You could have cyberchondria

Also known as ‘Dr Google syndrome’, cyberchondria can lead to depression or, at worst, illness anxiety disorder.

What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong on Labour Day weekend, May 1-3

Hunt for rare Pokemon cards, savour French wine and cheese, shop for antiques, enjoy a Cantopop Pilates party or watch Aaron Kwok’s new film.

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SCMP Highlights

Inside a notorious triad, simple tests for ageing well: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a 60-year-old Singaporean keeping fit with pole dancing to the birthplace of China’s chilli culture, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

The “flamingo” test - balancing on one leg - is one of the ways you can assess how well you are ageing. Photo: Shutterstock
Food and Drinks

Asian-American mother challenges tough Chinese traditions for new mums

Clarissa Wei’s cookbook ‘Sitting the Month’ puts a modern spin on the traditional Chinese foods typically given to post-partum mothers.

Clarissa Wei is the author of “Sitting the Month”, a cookbook that aims to dispel misconceptions surrounding the ancient Chinese tradition of “zuo yue zi” so new mums can recover after childbirth with confidence. Photo: Lin Hou Jun
Clarissa Wei is the author of “Sitting the Month”, a cookbook that aims to dispel misconceptions surrounding the ancient Chinese tradition of “zuo yue zi” so new mums can recover after childbirth with confidence. Photo: Lin Hou Jun
Wellness

How this 60-year-old Singaporean is defying age through pole dancing and fashion

Known on TikTok as the ‘Corridor Runway Aunty’, Vicsland Poh proves that a person’s silver years can be full of new challenges and knowledge.

Wellness

The 10-minute morning exercise workout that millions of Japanese people do

Over 20 million people in Japan practice a Radio Taiso session at least once a week in a country with one of the highest life expectancies.

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Wellness

What is ‘nonnamaxxing’? Viral health trend embraces Italian grandma’s lifestyle

Daily walks, gardening, cooking from scratch – whatever an Italian grandmother would typically do, Gen Z are going wild for online.

Embrace Italian nonna habits like cooking, walking, and less screen time for a healthier, happier life - at least, that is what TikTok users believe as “nonnamaxxing” takes off online. Photo: dpa
Embrace Italian nonna habits like cooking, walking, and less screen time for a healthier, happier life - at least, that is what TikTok users believe as “nonnamaxxing” takes off online. Photo: dpa
Wellness

Are you ageing well? 5 simple tests to get a picture of your biological age

Particularly useful for over-50s, these simple physical tests can give you a better idea of your biological age and highlight any red flags.

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Wellness

Are ice baths good for you? What you need to know before taking the plunge

Ice baths and cold plunges are springing up across Hong Kong, but will traditional Chinese medicine ideas freeze them out of the market?

Wellness

How a zoo’s sights, sounds and smells can benefit people with dementia

Tour programmes at Berlin Zoo for people with dementia are helping them feel part of society and even jogging happy childhood memories.

Monika Jansen, 85, touches a sculpture of a rhino as she takes part in a guided tour for people with dementia organised by Malteser Berlin, part of the international Catholic aid organisation The Sovereign Order of Malta, at Berlin Zoo in Germany on March 26, 2026. Photo: AP
SCMP Highlights

Alternative knee pain therapies; monthly zodiac forecast: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From Hong Kong’s upcoming drama The Season to the latest dessert shop in town, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Tim McCosker (kneeling), a physiotherapist at CoreOFit Physio, works with his patient, former Hong Kong rugby player Rob Naylor
Tim McCosker (kneeling), a physiotherapist at CoreOFit Physio, works with his patient, former Hong Kong rugby player Rob Naylor
Wellness

Is your family addicted to screens and junk food? How to change their habits

In her book Dopamine Kids, Michaeleen Doucleff examines our reliance on ‘magnets’ that hamper happiness and explains how to overcome them.

Wellness

‘Hero of his own life’: how this Hongkonger beat high cholesterol in 12 months

Shashank Gangil had high cholesterol, signs of fatty liver and plantar fasciitis. Here’s how he got in top shape before his twins were born.

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Music

A stroke paralysed pianist’s right hand. Now he wows crowds with just his left

Inspired by his music teacher, South Korean pianist Lee Hun now plays left-hand music only after a stroke paralysed his entire right side.

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South Korean pianist Lee Hun, who plays with only his left hand after his right side was paralysed by a stroke, is now preparing for a new challenge: his first joint performance with an orchestra at an international music festival next month. Photo: AP
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