January is a time for new beginnings, pushing us to take on new challenges and engage in new research projects. One way to do that is by keeping up-to-date with the latest research and discoveries in 2023. This month’s selection of Open Access articles (selected by our journal editors) explores the latest research in health and well-being, sustainability practice, and the influence of technology on our lifestyles.
1. Is Ginger the Wonder Drug We’ve Been Waiting For?
Ginger is everywhere – from children’s cookies and delicious soups to hot drinks and smoothies. But have you ever considered the medicinal significance of the spice? Ancient Eastern traditions have long celebrated the role of ginger in supporting overall well-being, and recently ginger has returned to mainstream discourse as a remedy for many health concerns as experts suggest a blend of modern medicine and traditional practices could be the cure for issues like stress, lack of sleep, and mental health.
Learn more about ginger’s analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, antioxidant, and immunomodulator qualities here.
2. Can We Protect the Health of Our Environment Through Slow Fashion?
It is no secret that the textile industry is the source of significant levels of pollution and wastage, with 92 million tonnes of garments ending up in landfills each year. Some critics suggest the solution is in the consumer’s hands, urging members of society to purchase less and recycle their wardrobes. However, others are instead focusing on the introduction of more sustainable practices in the development and distribution of textiles and clothing. Many fashion schools are therefore beginning to introduce more sustainable practices in their teachings to help minimise the impact of garment production on our environment.
Discover how this Indonesian fashion school is attempting to foster more sustainably-minded fashion designers here.
3. How are Instagram’s Beauty Standards Affecting Your Mental Health?
any ancient civilisations venerated beauty, and their gods and goddesses often represented contemporary ideals of perfection. These definitions of beauty were hugely diverse, and ancient pantheons offer a dazzling variety of body shapes, sizes, and colours – some deities were not even wholly human. However, as social media influencers have become the latest gatekeepers for beauty, promoting a single homogenous version of Eurocentric beauty on a global scale, we sometimes wonder whether Aphrodite, Lakshmi, and cow-headed Hathor would have been able to compete with today’s ‘Instagram models’. Many women, particularly women of colour, have expressed issues with body dysmorphia and poor self-image because of their subconscious attempts to achieve this ‘unachievable’ standard.
Learn more about how social media may be influencing your perceptions of beauty here.
4. Sitting Up Straight: What Could be Causing Your Neck Pain?
The phrase ‘good posture’ often calls to mind images of poised ballerinas or Victorian-era girls tottering around with books on their heads. But many of us know that good posture is an essential solution to one of the most common pains ailing many people across the world: neck pain. Body posture, reading hours, work type, and self-rated use of cell phones and PCs are all significantly associated with neck pain. As we become ever-more dependent on technology for entertainment and work, how can we better prioritise adjusting our seating positions and lifestyles to heal our pain?
Find out more about how you can prevent and alleviate neck pain here.
5. How did the Pandemic Impact our Children’s Social Health?
COVID-19 had a profound impact on the social development of young children who were just beginning to interact with the world during lockdown. Many parents have expressed concerns about the negative impact of homeschooling, potentially stunting children’s social development at a crucial age. Distance learning prevented them from playing with friends at break time, engaging in teamwork during class projects, and interacting with teachers in-person. However, new research is exploring ways to make up for lost time, equipping these children with the vital social skills and experiences they missed out on during the pandemic.
Learn more about ‘Positive Education’ and how it could help children develop their social skills here.
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