Magazine of the Month – May 2025: Women’s Health UK
We’re starting something new:
Each month, I choose a magazine that catches my eye — and more importantly, my mind. Throughout the month, I’ll be sharing excerpts, ideas, and articles that spoke to me in some way.
This May, I’m leafing through Women’s Health UK and starting with a topic that feels deeply personal: friendship.
One of the first articles I came across shared something both touching and scientifically grounded:
A study from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found that regular social activity (like attending birthday parties, watching a game with friends, or going on trips together) can reduce the risk of dementia by 38%.
Why? These types of connections require complex interpersonal interactions, which help keep our neural networks active and healthy.
For me, friendship is a pillar of balance. My closest friends know me deeply, accept me exactly as I am, and are always there — just as I am for them. These bonds nourish us in ways we often overlook.
On the next pages, I found five recent studies that are worth holding on to:
1. Cold water, clear mind
According to a study by the University of Portsmouth, immersing yourself in water at 10°C for 10 minutes, three times a week, improves cognitive function, sleep, and mood.
(My experience with cold therapy alongside Panos now has another scientific backup.)
2. Consistent sleep = longer life
A study by the American Heart Association found that having a consistent sleep schedule — going to bed and waking up at the same time — is linked to a 48% lower risk of premature death, regardless of how many total hours you sleep.
3. Plant-based calcium and cancer prevention
Oxford University published research showing that consuming an extra 300 mg of plant-based calcium daily (from kale, tofu, or beans, for example) is associated with a 17% lower risk of colorectal cancer.
4. Mini workouts at your desk
According to the University of Essex, short strength-based movements during your workday (like squats or knee raises) can improve posture and reduce lower back pain.
5. Habits take time
University College London (UCL) reminds us that it takes an average of 66 days (or 2 to 8 months) for a new habit to become automatic. So if something feels hard at first, it’s not a failure — it’s just not a habit yet.
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This is just the beginning.
This issue of Women’s Health is full of thoughtful content, ideas, and reminders for gentle self-care. In the coming days, I’ll share more pieces that stood out to me — not as ready-made solutions, but as small invitations to remember that change always begins with something simple and real.
All articles mentioned are from the May 2025 issue of Women’s Health UK.
