OrangaWellbeing

Social media ads are urging postmenopausal women to get their hormone levels checked, but this doesn't determine whether or not you might benefit from treatment.

Have you ever felt slightly short-changed by a salad mix or bag of shredded cheese?

Have you heard of a “cortisol cocktail”? Rather than something you might order at a bar, this drink is one of the latest wellness trends floating around social media.

Do you go to the toilet when you don’t really need to? Are you always telling the kids to pee before you head out?

Skincare brand Naked Sundays has pulled one of its sunscreen products from the Australian market amid industry-wide questions about whether sunscreen products are meeting their sun protection claims.

Most significantly, she is the spokesperson and face of a deeply flawed "wellness" industry, says her biographer Amy Odell.

After training as an opera singer, Isabella Moore now works as a 'curve', aka plus-size, model in London.

Children are especially vulnerable to the influence of advertising, which is now more sophisticated and personalised than ever.

The popular Australian sunscreen label has announced that it has pulled its Lean Screen product off shelves after its own independent testing returned inconsistent SPF protection results.

Hayley's AI companion is credited with changing her life but for others they can be used for sex or even convey sinister overtones, raising questions over whether the industry needs regulation.

Thanks to social media and constantly seeing their own face on Zoom, more men are seeking the help of Botox injections.

If you’re feeling extra hungry while breastfeeding, there’s a good reason for it. Your body needs more nutrients to support milk production.

Maybe you’d like to spend time on hobbies or hang out with friends, but nothing feels as exciting and engaging as it used to –– so you just squander another hour on social media.

It took 13 years, 51 endometriosis lesions, a cyst, two surgeries and a hernia before she was able to start healing.

Ten pharmacists RNZ called said no, chemists can not give sick notes to customers. But in a statement, the Ministry of Health said actually yes, they can.

While instant noodles offer comfort and familiarity, their nutritional profile has room for improvement. You can upgrade your bowl with a few easy additions.

We spoke to six young women about their experience with sex and relationships in a dating culture that is increasingly confusing and tainted with violence.

Women who have lost interest in having sex with their partner may assume they don't like sex anymore.

A new three-part documentary series, Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser, reveals the toxicity behind the scenes by speaking to former winners, contestants, team doctors and experts.

We've all struggled to recognise someone who seems to know us, but for around 3 percent of people, identifying faces is a lifelong challenge.

Win or lose, amateur MMA fighters will likely wear their experience on their faces and bodies and still go to work on Monday morning.

Breasts are ‘sisters, not twins’. So while your bra is symmetrical, it’s normal your breasts aren’t.

Cryotherapy, infant stem cells, extreme cold, IV infusions, red light therapy … more people are paying big bucks to buy into a "longevity" industry — and that has some traditional doctors worried.

Neil Macandrew and Betty Laing have a lifetime of wisdom to draw on when it comes to making their pension dollar go further.

"I don't understand how this could be out there."

There's a volunteer crisis hitting grassroots sport in NZ.

The rise of the term 'food noise' is tied to the popularity of celebrity weight loss drugs such as Wegovy.

Think about your cookware and the kind of meals you make before snapping up a new spatula.

Parents are often told fruit is “bad” because it contains sugar, prompting concerns about how much fruit they should allow their child to eat.

Being around someone who's often in a bad mood isn't fun. But what about when you live with that person?

While it can work as a good rule of thumb, there’s more to nutrition than just the number of ingredients.

Food companies are rushing to add more protein to food, create new high-protein products or emphasise the protein in existing marketing.

A new study reveals, the popular animated Aussie pup isn’t just entertaining kids, she’s modelling how to to deal with life’s ups and downs.

The “100 kettlebell swings a day” challenge is the latest viral fitness endeavour on social media.

Two people who have had dengue fever twice tell their stories about how it felt having the illness sometimes called “breakbone fever”.

Around 40 percent of people have eyeballs that aren't smooth or round, which gets in the way of light passing through.

Part way through folding your freshly washed — and now dried — laundry, you notice it.

Do you have to call in sick? Can your boss ask for a doctor's certificate? Will a RAT test suffice?

Floss picks with kid-friendly designs and flavoured floss can help boost a child's motivation to floss.

As the number of people with allergies grows worldwide, scientists are trying to work out precisely how and why these conditions – such as asthma and eczema – develop.

Employers can legally ask you for a medical certificate if you need to take sick leave - even for one day. It can be a long wait to see a GP but there are other ways to get a sick note.

Socks are a warm, humid cocoon that’s ideal for microbial growth.

Memory lapses become more common as we age, but a study out of UK and US universities has found that adults over 50 have fewer "memory glitches" when they have better wellbeing - including a decent exercise regime.

If not, you might be one of the four percent of people who have aphantasia - a mind's eye that is blind.

Young people are harmed by viewing appearance-related cyberbullying even when they're not the target.

Your dog tilts its head when you cry, paces when you’re stressed, and somehow appears at your side during your worst moments. Coincidence? Not even close.

Although many Kiwi men are raised to be tough, a Wellington psychologist says it's more often women who need permission to show themselves kindness.

Singer Justin Timberlake reveals his struggle with Lyme disease during his recent world tour.

Māori and Pasifika are often perceived by themselves and others as highly fertile. It is a stigma that brushes over infertility rates that match or exceed those of the general population.

"Ozempic face" has become a social media byword for the sagging skin and hollowed-out appearance that can accompany the use of GLP-1 medications.

In a school system obsessed with assessment, kids with non-linear intelligence can too easily fall through the cracks, says teacher and writer Welby Ings.

"You're going to be learning some of the hardest things you might have learnt at this point in your life, and you kind of need to be switched on," says student Renata Herrera Rojas. And noodles just won't cut it.

A scoop of green powder is not equivalent to a serving of vegetables, says dietician Stephanie Partridge.

Researchers have found taking 7,000 steps reduces the risk of several health conditions including heart disease, dementia and depression, compared with low activity.

After 18 years with bipolar 1 disorder, an Australian woman's life has been changed by a poo transplant from her partner.

Clocking more than nine hours every night may be a symptom of poor health, according to new research.

For so long, Casey Johnston considered her body the enemy. But whilst she was trying to 'get healthy', she was actually making her body weaker.

Students at an Auckland specialist school are getting valuable practice in the art of connection as they learn to play the strategic two-player board game.

Covering the full cost of a shared experience with someone you're close to can make it more enjoyable, according to new research.

In her memoir Boogie Wonderland, 58-year-old journalist Kate Halfpenny gets real about the alcohol addiction that took hold of her husband when they left locked-down Melbourne for a simpler life on the coast.

"If you can get up to your neck, your whole body seems to equalise, I guess, and then after a while it'll tingle, and it'll be really nice."

A drinking water competition has compared the best of the best when it comes to the taste and smell of drinking water, and an Australian water source has clinched the prize.

If you spend any time in the wellness corners of TikTok or Instagram, you’ll see claims women need one to two hours more sleep than men. What does the evidence say?

With an exercise trend towards weight training, especially for women, shoulders and lower backs are proving vulnerable.

This arrangement can have benefits. But it doesn’t have to be permanent, and doesn’t have to mean the end of intimacy.

Talking about what we want after we die is a difficult conversation for many, and a Taupō mum and her 15-year-old son have come up with an idea to make the whole process easier.

Dr Benjamin Baird is an expert on ways to induce and control lucid dreaming and how it can benefit our health and well-being once we wake up.

Bacteria are lurking on your sponge, your pet’s toys and your tea towels. Here’s what the research says - and how to protect yourself.

The kettle is a household staple practically everywhere – how else would we make our hot drinks?

How long should your chicken be on the barbecue for? And is the chopping board good to go after rinsing with just hot water?

Foods high in fibre are among the healthiest we can eat.

Sophia and Bob Warren started training for the endurance event just weeks before their first competition. They've now done it three times, including a spin at the World Champs in Chicago.

Waking up from a nightmare can leave your heart pounding, but the effects may reach far beyond a restless night.

Why is it some kids seem to not even feel the cold? Should you let them wear jandals even if it's freezing outside?

When you buy a new electronic appliance, shoes, medicines or even some food items, you often find a small paper sachet with the warning: “silica gel, do not eat”.

Four years after her own mental health crash, the 24-year-old White Fern is spreading the word about a free kids' counselling hotline.

Eye patches aren’t just for pirates and villains. In Elio, Disney/Pixar introduces a young hero with a patch – and breaks old stereotypes in the process.

After 20 surgeries to remove skin cancers from his face, New York-based journalist John Koten decided to start taking better care of it with lotions and potions.

I rode the Tour de France to study its impact on the human body: Fatigue, triumph and lessons in endurance.

Ever said "don't worry, it won't hurt" to try and overcome any worries on the way to the doctor or dentist? Well, that could make it worse, according to the experts.

The 24-year-old, who plays for the champion Crusaders and is in rehab after a serious knee injury, is speaking up as part of a campaign by All Blacks' partner, Bupa, along with other rugby stars.

Many top players make some sort of noise as they are striking the ball — an audible sign of effort that can range from a muffled grunt to a piercing shriek.

Imagine your friend hasn’t replied to a message in a few hours. Most people might think, “they are probably just busy”. But someone with ADHD might spiral into a flood of thoughts like, “they must hate me!” or “I’ve ruined the friendship!”

An international team of researchers may have just cracked the code for what makes someone “cool.”

For many older people, downsizing is a painful process. Objects hold memories. Getting rid of them is like saying goodbye to friends for ever. 

South Auckland's Tōtara Hospice - where Dr Jap is Medical Director - is the setting for the new TV show Hospice Heroes.

We all like to imagine we’re ageing well. Now a simple blood or saliva test promises to tell us by measuring our “biological age”. And then, as many have done, we can share how “young” we really are on social media, along with our secrets to success.

Children’s play is essential for their cognitive, physical and social development. But in cities, spaces to play are usually separated, often literally fenced off, from the rest of urban life.

If you have a deep need for privacy and a strong aversion to following the herd, the answer might be yes.

Temperatures have dropped which means runners, cyclists, rowers, hikers, or anyone physically active outside need to take extra precautions to stay safe and exercise in relative comfort.

In times of change, the pressure to make the "right" decision can feel overwhelming — like that single choice could make or break your future.

It is a question that may have grated on you for sometime, does too much cheese give you weird dreams? According to new research, yes it does, but not just any dreams, more often nightmares.

Wegovy, a weight loss drug made famous by celebrities around the world, is on New Zealand pharmacists' shelves, but it is unfunded and could cost users around $500 a month.

We often hear we need to head outdoors more often, but is looking at a natural view from a window good enough? And what are the rewards other than physical activity?

Disordered eating - the term used for problematic behaviour not frequent or severe enough for an eating disorder diagnosis - is still cause for concern, says a researcher.

Winter can be a contagious time of year for everything from Covid-19 to the common cold, but there are ways to limit the risk of illnesses spreading from one family member or housemate to another.

It can be a concerning and confusing time for children who are exposed to images and stories about conflict.

Face yoga has gained online popularity in recent years for its promised antiaging, face slimming effects, but does it actually do anything?

The weight loss and diabetes drug, which is only available on prescription, should be on pharmacy shelves within days ending a years-long wait for the much-hyped medication.

The latest entries in New Zealand’s food composition database reflect the nation’s growing ethnic diversity and rising demand for plant-based options and allergen-friendly foods.

How many of these home remedies actually work? Are they rooted in fact or just an old wives' tale?

We are hitting the grumpiest time of the year - after Matariki there are no public holidays until October, it's cold and dark and gloomy. How do we keep ourselves feeling okay?

Harko Brown, a traditional Māori kite maker, wants to see more kites in the air for Matariki.

It's unclear how often people are recorded without their consent in intimate situations and settings, but advances in digital cameras are likely making it more common.

“If I was say a millionaire, but I was still very much struggling with my health, with food addiction, all of these different things, the money would just come in and then it would go out on all of these addictions.”

A recent Deloitte study found that only six percent of Gen Z workers aspire to leadership roles in the workplace. The reasons for that are many.

Storing a scrunched, snotty cloth up your sleeve probably wouldn't be advised, but they can offer just as much protection as a tissue if handled well.

Young adults around the world are struggling more than ever before, says the co-director of a massive global wellbeing study, and to help we need to understand why.

Shorter days and colder mornings can make regular exercise even more challenging in winter.

You might love slipping into the sheets after an evening shower, but an expert says a morning scrub delivers a fresher start to the day.

“I can't kick to the head, because I can't reach that high now, but I can take someone's knee out,” says 86-year-old martial arts teacher Mary Patu.

16 out of the 20 popular sunscreens tested didn't meet the mark, including one that was wildly out of reach.

The unpredictable nature of thunderstorms may put some on edge. Experts gave us tips to calm your nerves, children and pets.

About three percent of urban New Zealanders are considered “committed” bike riders, and even fewer get in the seat rain, hail or shine. But some do.

Workplace attitudes are slowly shifting when it comes to being sick at work. RNZ spoke to five experts about what is expected of you and what you can expect from your employer.

As the price of necessities soars in Aotearoa, food insecurity permeates daily life, exacerbating existing eating disorders and giving rise to new ones.

TikTok video claims a McDonald's coke and fries can help a migraine. Epidemiologist Dr Fiona Imlach says it may not be totally far-fetched.

The broadcaster never thought she would take the one drug she was most afraid of, but she did so in the name of research.

A random Instagram post led Sacha Willetts down a rabbit hole that introduced her to a whole new sport.

Going too far with a diet might have serious impacts on your mental health.

Claire Turnbull was stuck in a cycle of overeating and shame, even after she trained as a nutritionist and fitness coach. Her new book shares how she reprogrammed her relationship with food.

New research suggests the widespread marketing of junk food on social media is influencing the food choices of young people.

Tahlia Vosaki trains five days a week, up to four-and-half hours a day around homeschooling.

A social media trend is telling women they should be able to complete 11 proper push-ups, but it is debatable whether it is a good measure of overall fitness.

As teen anxiety and depression continue to rise, and as our rangatahi face mounting pressures, the experiences these centres offer are increasingly important.

German life coach Karin Kuschik offers handy phrases for setting boundaries and dodging drama in her best-selling book 50 Sentences That Make Life Easier.

This isn’t a national call to quit caffeine. It’s just a story about a girl who stopped drinking tea and coffee to see how it would feel.

Almost all New Zealand teenagers use social media. RNZ spoke to four who don't.

Small acts of resistance known as "micro-feminism" can help women feel empowered at work.

Research from the University of Chicago looked at 'superagers' - people over 80 years who have the memory of someone decades younger - to try to understand why.

"You might have a sore back after you've worn high heels that day, but we've got no link between that and chronic long-term back pain."

Stats New Zealand data shows hundreds of thousands of us are working in our 70s, 80s and even 90s. Venetia Sherson, 77, asks, What keeps us at our posts?

Whether you’re signing on for a new job, have a child at school, or going to the hospital, there are crucial moments when you’ll be asked to provide an emergency contact. But what happens when you have no one to call on?

The popularity of weight loss drugs has caused a shortage in recent years, but how effective are they at helping with food addiction and obesity in the long term?

The research found “significant changes” in the brains of people who were overworking, which is a combination of physical and emotional overexertion, as well as a lack of rest.

The aim of the challenge is to avoid all those things you don’t actually need to buy.

During perimenopause oestrogen levels begin to drop which decreases bone density and muscle mass.

While many patients have their surplus embryos discarded by IVF clinics, some find themselves attached to the microscopic cell cluster.

Solo downtime can relieve stress temporarily, but taking care of other people is how we build resilience.

On the day we celebrate mums, people who haven't realised their dreams of having children can get slammed by 'invisible grief'.

From a celebrity-spruiked success to a relic of diet culture. How a changing world of nutrition led to Weight Watchers' bankruptcy.

It's what all the fitness folks are doing but what is proffee? How do you make it? And is it good for everyone?

Ready-to-wear clothing – garments picked from a rack of identical items - has really only been a thing for a relatively short time in history, especially in women’s clothing.

Is it mood, FOMO, the desire to impress? Or maybe some tricky behavioural triggers we're not even aware of?

There’s doom and gloom about everything. But after a cancer diagnosis, Nigel Latta, the clinical psychologist, author and veteran TV presenter, isn’t buying in.

Staff at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital are being trained to help their patients look on the bright side by a team of 'clown doctors'.

You might be one of the many people with 'inattentional blindness' – a brain glitch that makes it hard to clock unexpected objects in our visual field, and chatting on the phone while driving especially risky.

Less than 1 percent of models during recent runway shows were plus-sized. Some fear it shows fashion is on a worrying trajectory away from inclusivity.

Many boys and men who are already feeling defensive mishear the phrase as a criticism of maleness itself, says Australian sociology professor Michael Flood.

We asked three psychologists for their take on the Let Them theory — what's worth taking on board, and if there is anything to be cautious about.

Centenarians have strong genes on their side, but we can have "a very good shot” at reaching 93 with a healthy lifestyle and the right attitude, says longevity researcher Tom Perls.

Plastic, wood, bamboo, glass or ceramic? Experts weigh in on what's safest.

Scroll through social media and you'll likely find a reel promoting hot cross buns as a good pre-workout snack. Two sports dieticians share their thoughts, along with what and when to eat before exercising.

The Easter holiday period marks a busy time on the roads - and with it, an increase in roadside accidents. An emergency doctor shares what you can do to help if you witness one.

Seasonal plenty or cooking conundrum? This episode of RNZ podcast Thrift looks at getting creative with vegetables.

An understudied mental technique for falling asleep involves thinking of random words.

Dermatologists share their verdict.

To help create architectural guidelines for dementia-friendly housing, an Auckland researcher is interviewing people who live with the condition.

Wellness studios are seeing more young people swap drinks for steam, turning sauna sessions into a new way to relax, connect and sweat it out with mates.

Exercise doesn't need to be expensive, Katy Gosset learns in the latest episode of RNZ's Thrift podcast.

"Has anyone seen my Lorazepam?" Parker Posey’s Southern-drawled plea has thrust an anti-anxiety drug into the spotlight in the latest season of Mike White's dark comedy.

Maureen Maclean says 16 years of regular yoga classes has strengthened her body and also boosted her social life.

Have you ever felt like your body odour changes from one day to the next?

Scrubbing the ubiquitous chemicals isocyanate and xylene from the planet would mean a whole lot less eczema, says a US allergy researcher.

On 26 March 2020, Kate Newton’s street in Auckland went into lockdown along with the rest of the country. Five years later she tracked down her old neighbours.

Ozempic is in, body positivity is out - and a new social media trend isn't helping.

Writer Olga Khazan decided that her personality needed an upgrade when she realised she constantly noticed the bad things about life, but not the good things.

Forgiveness helped course correct Young New Zealander of the Year finalist Ben Purua's life after his role in a man's murder. What can we learn from that?

Women have long been sold the message that a ‘flat’ tummy is something that is both ideal and achievable. The reality is that it's not.

A long hot shower may be comforting, but will it make you any cleaner than a quick soapy rinse?

While hikers everywhere attempt to be the fastest to complete their journey, Venetia Sherson contemplates the joy of a gentle trudge.

Former professional rower Oonagh Cousins says an arts-based workshop for people with Long Covid helped her feel less alone.

The symptoms of burnout are insidious, a clinical psychologist says.

With garlic setting you back $4 a bulb, this spice can be found at your Indian grocer for a fraction of the price.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's suggestion of a Marmite sandwich and an apple for lunch wouldn't keep a child full or feed their brain sufficiently, according to local health and education experts.

About 90% of adults consume caffeine daily mostly through tea and coffee, so of course our kids are curious.

The idea that we need to wear scented sprays on our bodies to be clean is simply not true, says an English anatomy professor.

We know a lot about how hunger can impact young minds when it comes to learning, but hydration can play a big role too.

Colour Me Menopausal is a new activity book for adults that uses humour to educate about the phase of life when a woman's reproductive years comes to an end.

When the Wellington writer quit alcohol, she started to gain weight. What followed was two years of extreme dieting.

Weekly music therapy sessions help six-year-old Kiara find her voice as she finds her rhythm.

Here's what to consider this summer before your child runs starkers along the beach.

Tradwife doesn't go to work. Brat turns up late and hungover. Demure is on time and appropriately dressed. Can you keep up?

Sleepovers might seem like a rite of passage. That doesn't always have to be the case.

Some parents think introducing alcohol to their kids at a young-ish age "like the French" is a good idea. It's not.

Which sunscreen offers the best protection? Are more expensive ones better?

Men tend to overestimate their swimming ability, sometimes leading to a devastating loss. Even a rudimentary flotation device can help.

With an exceptionally hot summer on the cards, experts are sounding alarm bells.

Why does it feels so satisfying? And - importantly - is there a polite way to switch from yes to no when end-of-year obligations overwhelm?

Mike McIntyre folded down his client's ear to get a "clear workspace" for his clippers and spotted an angry-looking skin lesion.

Migraine sufferers have an 'invisible disease' that keeps them off work and out of normal life, writes Rachel Choy.

Black spatulas and other black plastic kitchen items can contain flame retardant, which probably isn't great for your body.

"Even if you do win, you're on a high for a little while but then you're like, 'Oh s..., what do I do next?"

There has been a period product revolution in the last decade - but are NZ teens using them?

There can be a huge difference in what your local doctor costs - even just across the street.

A new mass sports event is coming to New Zealand next year and all the fitness folks are amping up for it.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder or ARFID is an eating disorder that revolves around an aversion to food and eating.

When you drive south down State Highway 1, you can't ignore the exit number: 420. That number - spoken as four-twenty - is cultural slang for weed.

How can we take the edge off the daylight savings transition?

Bowls of Weet-Bix. Loaves of bread. Packs of noodles. It it actually necessary?

Gadgets allow us to track how much we eat, what we eat, our sleep and exercise but experts say they're not always making us healthier.

Over the past four years, terminal ovarian cancer has been shoving Cora Torr, 61, towards life's exit door. To offset this rude intruder, she's enlisted the help of a death doula.

"If that is the best tool you have in your tool box that is telling you something," says a counsellor, sucking some air out of the #cartime balloon.