Anisha Kukreja

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all walks of life in Hong Kong. The social lives of Hongkongers were put on hold as people cancelled social gatherings, avoided entertainment venues and bought takeaway instead of eating out. People experienced waves of stress, anxiety and depression as the virus spread around the community. Throughout the pandemic, the government has urged the people of Hong Kong to fight the virus “together”. But, the events of the past year have not been a tale of unity in face of a common crisis, rather a story of disparity and inequality.

In the wake of the March 16 Atlanta shootings and a year filled with pandemic-instigated racist slurs, hate crimes and stereotypes, Asians all over the world have expressed their solidarity with the #StopAsianHate movement on the streets and online.

Don Don Donki, a large Japanese retail chain, is set to expand to 24 outlets alone in Hong Kong by mid-2024 despite the plummeting economy amid COVID-19. First opened in 2019 in the bustling Tsim Tsa Tsui district, it has now spread to Tsuen Wan, Causeway Bay, Central, Tseung Kwan O and Siu Sai Wan. What is it that makes Don Don Donki or other retail chains so popular and profitable? Marketing psychology can answer this for us. Hidden forces shape our buying decisions – right from the layout of the store, to the language used to market a product, to accurately tailored advertisements that pop up on our smartphones. The discounted price of an item is just the tip of the iceberg in sales.

“ Christmas is here, bringing good cheer. To young and old, meek and the bold…” But along with that joy, your favourite Christmas tunes may also bring bouts of exhaustion, distress and fatigue… How does that make sense, you wonder?

Negative emotions are part and parcel of life. While anger may motivate us to do better , sadness and grief aid in processing trauma. But, as they say, excess of everything is bad. And it turns out, daily encounters with anger are associated with poor physical health in elders.

New Year’s resolutions: yet another seasonal cliché or the perfect opportunity to bring about change? We can help you decide!

A new revelation suggests that smoking may lead to long-lasting mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression. While many smokers are switching to electronic devices to wean themselves off, we wonder whether e-cigarettes are a feasible solution?

The Lunar festive season is upon us. Although an exuberant time for one and all, the elderly in our lives might not accommodate as well to the holiday season as us, due to physical or mental limitations. Find out how you can ensure their comfort while encouraging them to be an active part of the celebration.

A face mask can only do so much to protect you from potential health risks when some of the most poisonous substances reside in our homes. Indoor air pollution kills as many as 3.8 million people every year. Learn how to improve air quality in your home for the betterment of all, especially the seniors, who are in jeopardy more than any of us.

Discharge planning is a critical component in the caregiving process which provides both stability for the person entering recovery and peace of mind for their families. When your loved one in another city is being discharged, how can you ensure a well organised plan while being miles away from loved ones?

Technological advancements have yet again proven themselves to the masses. As the global health crisis continues, with coronavirus sweeping the world, the public has found some benefits in consulting medical professionals online from the safety of their homes.

Her grandfather was in his late stage of Alzheimer’s, but the moment she would play old Shanghainese tunes, he would hum along, and sometimes, even dance with her. These were the amazing little details that made policy researcher Helen So convinced of the power of music therapy. It allows our elderly loved ones to “live a little”, she firmly believes.

Music therapy is a way of enhancing, improving, and contributing to quality of life, as expert Helen So rightly puts. Read what she and music therapist Emily Yeung have to say to family caregivers who want to incorporate music therapy in their caregiving routine. The beauty of music therapy lies in its innate ability to share powerful connections with people who struggle to put their thoughts and feelings into words. People with dementia are often heavily medicated to subside their agitate