Health Benefits of Walking to Work
Walking to work offers a range of benefits, from saving money to increasing daily step counts. However, recent scientific findings suggest that it also plays a significant role in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer. According to research, commuting on foot can nearly halve the risk of liver tumors and reduce the likelihood of kidney cancer by a third.
In contrast, driving to work every day has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer, with studies showing a 40% higher chance of developing this condition among frequent drivers. Scientists from Oxford University and the University of Auckland in New Zealand conducted a study analyzing how daily travel affects the risk of various cancers. They examined the commuting habits of over 250,000 individuals aged between 40 and 69 in the UK.
The study found that 14% of participants walked to work, 8% cycled, 15% used public transport, and 63% drove. Previous research by the same team had already shown that walking or cycling to work can lower the risk of breast and bowel cancer. The latest findings, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, explored the connection between commuting and 16 other types of cancer. While liver and kidney tumours showed a clear link to commuting habits, no significant effects were observed for the remaining cancers.
The researchers emphasized that active commuting, such as walking, helps integrate physical activity into daily routines, whereas driving tends to promote a more sedentary lifestyle.
Staying Cool During Heatwaves
As temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent, staying cool is essential for maintaining health. Scientists have developed a scientifically proven method to help people stay comfortable during extreme heat. The key involves using an electric fan to cool the body’s exterior while consuming the right amount of cold water based on individual weight.
According to research conducted by Heibei Vocational University of Technology and Engineering in Xingtai, China, the most effective way to lower body temperature is to sit near a fan and drink 6 milliliters of cold water per kilogram of body weight each hour. For example, a person weighing 90 kilograms would need approximately 540 milliliters (just under a pint) of cold water per hour, while someone weighing 60 kilograms would require around 360 milliliters (two-thirds of a pint).
The study, published in the Journal of Thermal Biology, found that this combination was far more effective than using a fan alone or drinking smaller amounts of water. Researchers subjected 14 young men to eight hours of extreme heat exposure, with temperatures averaging 36.5°C (97.7°F). At different times, they either had no cooling aids, used a fan, or had access to varying amounts of cold water.
The results showed that fans alone could increase the risk of dehydration, while insufficient water intake failed to counteract the negative effects of heat on the body. The researchers warned that heatwaves are becoming a growing health threat, particularly in homes without air conditioning.
Laughter as a Pain Relief Tool
Abdominal surgery may be a serious procedure, but a recent study suggests that laughter could help ease the pain associated with it. Watching just 25 minutes of comedy before undergoing surgery has been found to reduce post-operative pain. Each year, the NHS performs about 1.3 million abdominal surgeries in England, including procedures like appendix removal and hernia repair, which often require painkillers afterward.
Laughter is known to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and can help relieve muscle tension that contributes to discomfort. To test this theory, researchers recruited 176 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. Half of them watched 25 minutes of comedy clips, while the others were not given any entertainment.
The results, published in the journal Nursing And Health Sciences, showed that those who watched the comedy experienced lower levels of anxiety before the operation and reduced pain afterward. On average, their anxiety and pain levels were almost half those of the group that did not watch the show. Turkish scientists concluded that using humor as a pre-surgery preparation could offer a drug-free way to manage pain and improve mood.
They noted that pre-operative anxiety is common among patients, regardless of the surgery's severity. They emphasized that laughter and humor can enhance pain tolerance and have positive effects on overall well-being.