Although it has been gaining more attention over recent years, the manosphere isn’t new. The term was first coined in 2009 and has been growing ever since. In a paper published in the medical journal The Lancet, authors Professor Sarah Hawkes and Professor Kent Buse define it as “a diffuse commercial ecosystem and loose collection of online communities united by shared beliefs about masculinity, misogyny, and male victimisation”.

Since its beginnings, the manosphere has taken on many different forms. From men going their own way to looksmaxxers and red pill communities, the phenomenon spreads over a large selection of subjects. However, there is one issue connecting them all: a fear of an apparent “crisis of masculinity”, allegedly brought on by feminism. A preoccupation that seems to only be getting bigger.

“Explanations for the rise in engagement with the manosphere are diverse and include social, psychological, cultural, and economic domains. At a time when boys are disengaging from education systems, and men are over-represented in suicide statistics and in rates of incarceration, health and social care systems that can offer support are under increasing financial pressure and are struggling to deliver services, and narratives of male disadvantage gain a great deal of traction,” the authors write. 

Although women nor feminism can be blamed for the sense of failure and abandonment members of the manosphere are experiencing, they are an easy scapegoat at a time when their needs aren’t met by health policies, systems, and services.

“This misattribution is precisely why content moderation alone is insufficient: restricting manosphere content does nothing to address the unmet needs that make its explanation attractive in the first place”, Hawkes and Buse write. 

In order to address the manosphere and the many problems it is creating in society as a whole, the authors thus propose to address it as a public health harm. By doing so, it becomes possible to look beyond strategies of content moderation, access safeguards, or algorithm diversion.

Instead, governments, healthcare systems, schools, social media platforms, and all other stakeholders could work together to address the issue through population-level prevention, education and engagement, norm change, and the strengthening of health and social systems alongside regulatory and fiscal measures. Moreover, by treating the manosphere as a public health problem, it would make seeking and giving mental health support more accessible. 

In their paper, Hawkes and Buse argue that public health approaches have previously been used to deal with other societal issues, such as gender-based violence and drug use, by targeting the underlying determinants, but also by reducing stigma and discrimination, reframing public narratives and attitudes, expanding equitable access to services, and moving beyond the carceral logic of policing and punishment as the primary responses.

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With that in mind, the authors put forward six priorities allowing for a comprehensive public health response to the health harms of the manosphere.

1. “The upstream conditions that shape vulnerability and engagement should be addressed, including educational marginalisation, social exclusion, and isolation in boys and young men.”

2. “Multisectoral collaboration between health systems and other front-line sectors that routinely engage with boys and young men should be strengthened, particularly education.”

3. Communications strategies should be developed to avoid framing masculinity as inherently toxic or boys and men as inherently problematic. Positive and inclusive framing should be encouraged instead, such as those that promote so-called healthy masculinities.

4. Platform regulation should be considered analogous to other public health regulation strategies.

5. Governments should invest in monitoring, research, and evaluation to track evolving digital ecosystems, assess the effectiveness and impact of interventions, and identify unintended consequences.

6. Although the manosphere did not create misogyny, it could be normalising and amplifying it. If the attraction and impact of the manosphere are to be tackled, the underlying misogyny and anti-equality prejudices embedded in most societies must also be confronted.

While according to the paper, reframing the manosphere as a public health threat will initially face resistance, especially from platform stakeholders and content creators. However, given the potential benefits for boys and men, women and girls, and the wider society, a coordinated answer to the issue should be given as soon as possible.

L’article Experts push to treat manosphere as public health issue est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

“Azerbaijan’s health tourism potential can only be realised through close cooperation between the tourism and healthcare sectors,” said Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the opening. “Our priority is to translate that potential into high-quality services, trusted international partnerships and a coordinated strategy that delivers lasting benefits for visitors and local communities.”

Organised by the State Tourism Agency, the two-day conference runs until 5 November. The programme includes medical and wellness tourism discussions, an exhibition, business meetings and a Global Healthcare Accreditation seminar.

Azerbaijan prepares a health tourism strategy

Addressing the conference, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Health, Nadir Zeynalov, said developing health tourism could support improvements in healthcare services and strengthen the country’s international competitiveness. He identified service quality, patient safety and cooperation between public institutions and private providers as priorities.

Zeynalov said Azerbaijan’s geographical position, medical infrastructure, specialists and tourism offer provide a foundation for becoming a regional medical tourism centre. Achieving that objective would require closer collaboration between healthcare institutions, tourism businesses, investors and international partners.

The conference comes as the country prepares a dedicated framework for the sector under its State Programme on the Development of Tourism for 2026–2030. As Travel Tomorrow previously reported, the programme includes plans for a health tourism strategy and action plan, alongside measures to support international accreditation.

Speaking to journalists at the conference, Elgun Javadov, head of the Cultural Heritage and Regional Tourism Department at the State Tourism Agency, explained that a concept and strategy document would help define Azerbaijan’s positioning and identify the resources required to develop the sector.

Javadov stressed that health tourism could not be developed by a single organisation or sector. The conference, he said, was intended to bring partners together to discuss priorities and apply relevant international experience.

Building patient confidence

International accreditation and the coordination of patient care were recurring themes in the opening discussions. Monish Arora, deputy CEO of Sea Breeze Health Valley, said Azerbaijan already has healthcare capacity, but providers must demonstrate that their services meet international expectations.

He called for clear responsibilities and better support throughout the patient’s journey, from the first enquiry to treatment and follow-up. Alongside accreditation and clinical standards, he highlighted practical requirements such as timely responses, communication in the patient’s language and reliable arrangements for transfers and accommodation.

Michel Julian, senior programme officer at UN Tourism, emphasised that a successful strategy requires a long-term vision and cooperation between healthcare and tourism institutions. Understanding target markets and building a reputation for quality, he said, are central to gaining the confidence of prospective patients.

Julian pointed to market diversification as another consideration, citing South Korea as an example of a destination attracting patients from different countries. Trust and a clear destination image, he argued, need to be built over time.

Measuring medical tourism consistently

The discussions also addressed how Azerbaijan can measure the sector’s development and compare its performance with other destinations. Participants highlighted the difficulties created by inconsistent definitions and data collection methods.

Julian stressed the importance of identifying the traveller’s primary motivation. Travel undertaken principally for treatment, diagnosis or other health purposes needs to be distinguished from healthcare received in other circumstances, including by foreign workers living in a destination.

Countries can combine sources such as hospital surveys, visa information and data collected by tourism authorities and statistical institutions, he explained. Using consistent definitions helps avoid double counting and makes international comparisons more meaningful.

Connecting medical care and wellness

While the opening day focused on medical tourism, the conference also examines opportunities in wellness, prevention and rehabilitation. Azerbaijan’s offer includes mineral and thermal waters, therapeutic muds, resort facilities and Naftalan oil, which has a long history of use in local treatment traditions.

The country has also been developing links with European health tourism organisations. Earlier in 2026, the Azerbaijan Tourism Board joined the European Spas Association as an advisory member during the HEALTHXCHANGE Summit in Varna.

L’article Health Tourism Conference opens in Baku with focus on quality and international growth est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In May 2026, an Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain was discovered in Central Africa. The WHO declared the event a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 after confirmed cases were reported in eastern Congo and linked cross-border infections emerged in Uganda.

Despite the seriousness of the illness, the WHO was very clear about the fact that countries should not close their borders or impose restrictions on travel and trade. The organisation judged the global risk of transmission to be rather low, as Bundibugyo Ebola only spreads via direct contact with infected bodily fluids or blood.

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However, the US did not hesitate to take action. In May 2026, passengers who had been in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the prior three weeks were banned from entering the US, and that rule was extended to US citizens in July 2026. 

“Travellers, including U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals, who have been in DRC within 21 days before departure will not be allowed to board flights with U.S. destinations. These travellers should plan to remain outside the United States for at least 21 days after they leave DRC. If they have been in outbreak-affected provinces in DRC, they may be subject to additional travel requirements from local authorities before they leave DRC,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) writes.

Those restrictions are set to become even tighter starting from 3 November 2026. The CDC has announced that from that date onwards, all passengers boarding an international flight to the United States, regardless of location of embarkation, must attest in the form of a signed statement that they have not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days before their flight leaves for the United States.

According to the order, airlines and aircraft operators must confirm that all passengers onboard the aircraft have completed the attestation before or at the moment of boarding. Any passenger who has failed to complete and present such an attestation – unless they have an exemption issued by the US Government – must be prohibited from boarding the plane. A copy of the completed version of the attestation for each passenger must be kept for at least 42 days after the passenger’s flight arrives in the US from a foreign country.

At the moment of writing, specific rules also apply for those travelling from South Sudan or Uganda. Non-US citizens and non-US nationals, including lawful permanent residents with a Green Card, who have been in South Sudan or Uganda within 21 days before departure will not be allowed to enter the United States and should plan to remain outside the US for at least 21 days after they leave South Sudan or Uganda.

US citizens and US nationals who have been present in Uganda or South Sudan (and have not been present in DRC) within 21 days before arrival in the United States will have their air travel routed through designated US airports for public health entry screening. Those airports are Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

According to the CDC, no Ebola cases linked to the current outbreak have been reported in the US so far. It is therefore unclear why the US are choosing to change their policy on 3 November 2026. 

L’article US to introduce new Ebola screening for all arrivals in November 2026 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The call followed a briefing at the Press Club Brussels Europe, which brought together policymakers, health experts, researchers and tourism stakeholders to discuss the future of health, tourism and longevity in Europe.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the Brussels Declaration on European Medical Spas, Prevention and the Life Sciences Agenda, calling for natural therapeutic resources and climate-based treatments to be recognised, protected and better integrated into European health policy.

“Europe has natural health resources, medical expertise and spa infrastructure that could make a greater contribution to healthier and longer lives,” said Dr Siyka Katsarova, President of ESPA. “We need to connect these strengths through coordinated research and cooperation with healthcare professionals and policymakers. Prevention should be recognised as a priority across both health and tourism policy.”

Associate Professor Dr Milena Angelova, the European Economic and Social Committee’s rapporteur on the EU Life Sciences Strategy, addressed the role of prevention and active ageing in the life sciences agenda. She also considered how natural therapies could complement health systems, while highlighting the need for stronger scientific evidence.

Daniel Attard MEP discussed the issue from a sustainable tourism perspective, examining links between healthy ageing, wellbeing tourism and destination development. His report on destination management and regional tourism growth was adopted by the European Parliament in April 2026.

Elisabeth Kotthaus, Head of the Tourism Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, focused on tourism’s role in Europe’s wellbeing economy, including opportunities for year-round tourism based around climate destinations and natural health assets.

The Brussels Declaration identifies thermal and mineral waters, therapeutic muds, natural gas treatments, marine and mountain climates and spa traditions as strategic health assets. Among its seven priorities are integrating medical spas into EU health strategies, supporting research into balneology and climatotherapy, protecting natural therapeutic resources and strengthening professional standards.

It also calls for spa facilities to participate in European research infrastructures and cross-border clinical networks, while promoting digital tools for personalised prevention and long-term follow-up. Balneology, climatotherapy and natural health research should also be formally incorporated into the EU Life Sciences Strategy, according to the declaration.

The initiative comes as health and wellness tourism gains greater attention across Europe. Earlier this year, the HEALTHXCHANGE Summit in Varna similarly called for stronger coordination between healthcare, prevention and tourism, while Italy was recently named the World’s Best Spa Destination for 2026.

The discussion is set to continue in June 2027, when the Belgian city of Spa will host a joint event organised by ESPA and the European Historic Thermal Towns Association. The location carries particular significance: Spa’s mineral waters have shaped the town’s identity and tourism development for centuries.

L’article European Spa Association calls for medical spas to play bigger role in EU health policy est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The disease, long gone from our radars thanks to global vaccination programmes, has shown its ugly face again in several countries recently, including the United States, where two separate possible measles exposures were reported within days of each other in Philadelphia.

The latest took place in the airport’s Terminals B and F, and in areas connecting to Terminal C, D and E, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

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It involved one individual with measles who was travelling through the city but did not leave the airport. Health authorities are urging anyone who was in the vicinity at the time to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms.

Early symptoms include fever, cough, a runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that typically starts on the head before spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure.

The good news is that most people recover. Measles can, however, cause serious complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, and can be fatal.

The virus is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or merely breathes. The air then remains infected for up to two hours after that person has left.

#DYK? If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby can become infected if they are not protected!

Learn more about protecting yourself and loved ones from measles by getting vaccinated: https://t.co/6E1u22mPNd. pic.twitter.com/AVCOHaJ6cd

— Philadelphia Public Health (@PHLPublicHealth) September 23, 2026

The airport incident followed another possible exposure at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which occurred on 11 September, and was announced six days later.

CHOP and the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia health departments said they were “working closely to ensure that potentially exposed infants receive a preventative antibody product to prevent or lessen severe disease and to take steps to prevent the further spread of measles”.

Following the airport exposure, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr Palak Raval-Nelson called the two incidents “a reminder of how important it is… to be up to date on our vaccinations”.

People who are fully vaccinated against measles have little to fear. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine provide 97% lifetime protection. 

Those who may have been exposed and are unvaccinated, unsure about their vaccination status, pregnant, or immunocompromised should contact their doctor.

“Some people may still be eligible for treatment after exposure that can prevent measles or reduce the severity of illness,” the Health Department wrote. “Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead before visiting a healthcare facility and tell the provider about the possible measles exposure.”

The Philadelphia incidents come amid a sharp rise in measles infections in the United States.

As of 24 September, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had recorded 3,659 confirmed measles cases in 2026, compared with 2,289 during the whole of 2025. Forty new outbreaks were reported in 2026, with 95% of confirmed cases associated with outbreaks.

Pennsylvania is the worst hit, with 903 cases this year, up from 48 in 2025, and four deaths, according to state figures. It is followed by South Carolina, with 670 cases compared with 333 the year before, while Utah has also recorded hundreds of cases.

Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio and Arizona have also each recorded more than 100 cases.

CDC reports cases in 47 jurisdictions; only a handful of US states have so far escaped the resurgence.

L’article Measles exposure at Philadelphia airport amid surge in US cases est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

A recent study conducted by the Office of Health Economics (OHE) for the pharmaceutical lobby EFPIA across Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Greece, Romania and the United Kingdom, concluded that the annual costs of obesity and high body mass index (BMI) represent between 0.7% and 1.4% of national GDP.

The numbers are alarming, and the fact that they keep climbing is what gives the study its urgency.

In 2024, 26% of adults in Europe were obese with a BMI of over 30, and a further 30% were overweight. Since 1990, overweight and obesity have risen by 22%, and obesity alone by more than 75%. The share of deaths attributable to elevated BMI has grown by more than 25% over the same period.

According to the World Obesity Federation, by 2035 half the world’s population will be either overweight or obese.

This comes at a very high cost, not only for the people affected but for society and governments as a whole.

Germany bears the heaviest burden at €55.2 billion a year, followed by the UK at €43.2 billion. France faces €23.3 billion, Italy €20.3 billion and Spain €19.6 billion, while Greece, Ireland and Romania each face between €2.5 and €3.4 billion.

The burden exceeds defence spending in Germany (1.3% of GDP against 1.1%), Spain (1.2% against 0.9%), and Ireland (1.1% against 0.4%), and translates into a per capita cost ranging from €131 per Romanian resident to €662 per German resident.

Elevated BMI is linked most strongly to type 2 diabetes, accounting for almost 60% of the disease’s healthy years of life lost, as well as to cardiovascular, kidney and fatty liver disease, cancers, neurological disorders, chronic respiratory diseases and digestive disorders.

These conditions cost the health system some €100.4 billion a year, €30 billion of it in Germany alone.

The costs do not stop at treatment. Indirect costs, including absenteeism, economic inactivity, informal care and premature mortality, account for between 18% (France) and 58% (UK) of the total burden, highlighting, EFPIA says, “the need for a cross-governmental and broader societal response”.

The study also reviews past approaches to the issue, finding that many have not had the desired impact. “An urgent shift in perception, prevention, diagnosis and treatment is required”, said Nathalie Moll, Director General of EFPIA.

Its recommendations are to formally recognise obesity as a disease; address obesity-related stigma; improve access to prevention and treatment; build the evidence for investment; and integrate obesity into the EU Safe Hearts Plan implementation.

Recognition is key, the report argues, as it would help align obesity care with that of other chronic diseases and improve access to treatment.

The recommendations come as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs flood the market, while reimbursement varies considerably between countries. EFPIA argues that access to such treatments should form part of a broader strategy combining prevention, diagnosis and long-term care.

Their long-term effects are still being assessed, but greater public investment in research, prevention and access to treatment might go a long way towards preventing the many conditions linked to obesity.

L’article Obesity costs Europe billions and claims 278,000 lives a year, study finds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The study compared 47 cities using five equally weighted factors linked to feeling good while away: annual sunshine, conditions conducive to quality sleep, the proportion of restaurants classified as healthy, green space per resident, and walkability between major attractions. The methodology was developed with guidance from Harvard-affiliated clinical psychologist Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, according to the index.

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Lisbon’s strength lies in its balance. It records 2,828 hours of sunshine a year, offers 49 square metres of green space per resident, and is compact enough for visitors to explore on foot, even if its steep streets demand sensible shoes. Nearly one in ten restaurants in the city is categorised as healthy—the second-highest share in the survey—while fresh seafood, neighbourhood tascas, and varied international options help make eating well relatively accessible.

Its urban appeal also benefits from its proximity to the coast. Cascais and Costa da Caparica can be reached by public transport in under an hour, allowing a city break to combine hillside viewpoints, parks, and waterfront time. Lisbon tourism officials said the result supported a strategy centred on distinctive experiences while protecting the qualities valued by residents as well as visitors.

Second-placed Helsinki stood out for calm surroundings, efficient transport, and proximity to nature. The Finnish capital leads the index for low noise and light pollution and provides around 126 square metres of green space per person. Orlando, in third place, pairs its theme-park energy with 2,930 annual sunshine hours, more than 148 parks, gardens and recreation areas, and extensive lakes and wetlands.

European cities dominated the remainder of the top ten. Athens placed fourth, followed by Edinburgh, Madrid, Vienna, Budapest, Oslo, and Vilnius. Surprisingly, for a city once notorious for traffic problems, Athens received the highest walkability score, while Edinburgh’s mix of parks, pedestrian-friendly sightseeing and healthy dining helped offset its comparatively limited sunshine.

The findings point to a broader shift in how destinations are marketed. Rather than treating wellbeing as a specialist retreat product, the index frames everyday features—daylight, movement, restorative sleep, nutritious food, and access to nature—as part of a mainstream city break. BookRetreats co-founder Sean Kelly said travellers are increasingly choosing places according to how they aspire to feel when they arrive.

As with any composite ranking, the result is a guide rather than a guarantee: personal preferences, season, budget, and the character of an individual trip will shape the experience. Still, Lisbon’s first-place finish underlines a persuasive proposition for international visitors—a European capital where culture, coastline, and daily outdoor life are intricately connected.

L’article Lisbon named world’s happiest holiday destination in new global index est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The conference is designed as a strategic platform connecting public institutions with healthcare and wellness providers, travel agencies, wellness and retreat facilitators, medical and wellness tourism operators, international experts, investors, destination management organisations and destination development partners.

Beyond promoting Azerbaijan’s existing offer, the event aims to encourage partnerships between the tourism and healthcare sectors, attract international expertise and investment, and support the development of new medical and wellness tourism products.

The conference comes at a particularly significant moment for the sector. Health tourism has recently been formally incorporated into Azerbaijan’s national tourism priorities under the country’s newly approved State Programme on the Development of Tourism for 2026–2030.

Health tourism enters Azerbaijan’s 2030 strategy

Approved by President Ilham Aliyev, the five-year programme provides a new framework for the development and diversification of Azerbaijan’s tourism industry through the end of the decade.

Health tourism is specifically addressed in the programme, which foresees the preparation of a dedicated strategy and action plan for the sector.

The country also plans to improve regulatory and legal acts governing the accreditation of medical institutions, with a particular focus on medical tourism. At least five facilities providing medical tourism services are expected to participate in international accreditation processes by the end of the programme period.

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Importantly, the organisation of an annual Health Tourism Conference is itself included among the programme’s targets, giving the Baku event a formal role in Azerbaijan’s longer-term tourism development plans.

The wider 2026–2030 programme also envisages creating a tourism product centred on the Great Silk Road, launching eight cultural tourism products and organising four domestic and one international promotional event, including festivals. Restoration of monuments and infrastructure development in state historical and cultural reserves are also planned.

Together, the measures point to a broader effort to diversify Azerbaijan’s tourism economy and develop specialised segments capable of attracting new international markets.

Building an international health tourism platform

The Health Tourism Conference has been developing alongside those ambitions, bringing together stakeholders from Azerbaijan and abroad to examine opportunities across medical and wellness tourism.

The first Health Tourism Conference was held in Shusha in 2024, establishing a platform for discussions around Azerbaijan’s potential in the sector. The initiative has since expanded as the country seeks to develop stronger links between tourism, healthcare and wellness.

Through panel discussions, networking and business meetings, the event seeks to create stronger connections between healthcare institutions, tourism businesses, investors, facilitators and destination developers.

Azerbaijan has a range of natural resources that could support this positioning, including mineral and thermal waters, therapeutic muds and the country’s distinctive Naftalan oil, which has a long history of therapeutic use. These assets are increasingly complemented by spa, wellness, medical and recreation facilities.

The objective is not simply to attract people travelling for medical procedures, but to develop a broader health tourism ecosystem incorporating prevention, rehabilitation, wellness, balneotherapy and nature-based experiences.

Azerbaijan strengthens European health tourism links

As Travel Tomorrow reported from Varna earlier this year, Azerbaijan showcased its growing health tourism ambitions at the HEALTHXCHANGE Summit 2026, organised by the European Spas Association (ESPA).

Representing the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Deputy Chairman Teymur Suleymanzada presented the country’s health tourism potential to European stakeholders, highlighting its mineral springs, therapeutic muds, favourable climate conditions and expanding network of spa and recreation facilities.

A significant development during the summit was the Azerbaijan Tourism Board joining ESPA as an advisory member, providing a platform for closer cooperation with European destinations and experts on issues such as quality standards, certification and destination management.

The move is particularly relevant as prevention, longevity and wellness become increasingly important elements of European tourism discussions.

Part of Azerbaijan’s wider tourism transformation

The increased focus on health tourism comes against the backdrop of a broader transformation of Azerbaijan’s visitor economy.

This growing focus on health tourism is part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to establish itself as a leading tourism destination in the Caucasus, diversifying its international offer across culture, nature, winter sports, gastronomy, wellness and other tourism segments.

The newly approved 2026–2030 tourism programme now provides a framework for taking that diversification further.

Within that context, the Health Tourism Conference in Baku represents more than an industry gathering. Combined with a dedicated national health tourism strategy, plans for international accreditation and growing cooperation with organisations such as ESPA, the annual event is becoming part of Azerbaijan’s efforts to build an internationally competitive medical and wellness tourism sector.

L’article Azerbaijan to host Health Tourism Conference in Baku as sector gains strategic importance  est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

A new study by researchers at the University of Southampton has found a small but consistent association between social jet lag and anxiety among adolescents, raising questions about whether school schedules sufficiently reflect teenagers’ biological sleep needs.

Published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, the research examined the relationship between social jet lag and anxiety among young people aged between 12 and 18. The researchers conducted a systematic review of 18 studies and combined the results of 12 comparable studies involving more than 230,000 participants in a meta-analysis.

The results showed that teenagers experiencing greater social jet lag were more likely to report higher levels of anxiety, and vice versa.

Although the researchers stress that the findings demonstrate an association rather than proving that irregular sleep causes anxiety, the pattern was consistent across the studies analysed.

What is ‘social jet lag’?

Social jet lag describes the mismatch between a person’s biological body clock and the schedule imposed by school, work or other social obligations.

For teenagers, this can mean waking up early throughout the school week despite naturally wanting to go to sleep and wake up later, before shifting their schedule at weekends to compensate for lost sleep.

“During puberty, the body’s internal clock usually shifts back by a few hours, meaning teenagers naturally don’t start feeling sleepy until later and would ideally wake up later too,” explained Dr Sarah Chellappa, co-author of the study at the University of Southampton.

At the same time, teenagers face competing demands ranging from early school starts to spending time online in the evening, potentially reducing the amount of sleep they get during the week.

Many consequently sleep longer at weekends in an attempt to catch up. But researchers warn that repeatedly switching between weekday and weekend schedules can further disrupt the body’s internal clock.

The phenomenon is comparable to travelling between time zones, except that instead of boarding a plane, teenagers are effectively moving their sleeping patterns backwards and forwards every week.

Anxiety and sleep may reinforce each other

The findings are particularly significant given the prevalence of anxiety among young people.

According to the World Health Organization, around 4.4% of 10 to 14-year-olds and 5.5% of 15 to 19-year-olds worldwide experience an anxiety disorder.

The Southampton research suggests that sleep patterns could be one of several factors associated with those difficulties. Importantly, however, the relationship may work in both directions: greater social jet lag was associated with higher anxiety, while higher anxiety was also associated with greater social jet lag.

Another meta-analysis published earlier in 2026 similarly found an association between social jet lag and both anxiety and depression among adolescents and young people. However, its authors rated the certainty of the available evidence as very low and called for further high-quality longitudinal research.

Together, the findings add to growing research examining how the timing of sleep, rather than simply the number of hours spent in bed, could affect young people’s wellbeing.

Should schools start later?

The researchers argue that addressing the problem should not be reduced to simply telling teenagers to go to bed earlier.

“The findings highlight the importance of maintaining regular bedtimes and wake times throughout the week, even at weekends,” said Dr Hannah Ravenhall, lead author of the Southampton study.

But individual habits are only part of the equation.

“It’s important to look beyond what individuals can do alone and recognise how broader societal systems can influence sleep,” Ravenhall added.

That includes considering whether secondary schools should start later to better accommodate the biological changes that take place during adolescence.

The combination of teenagers naturally becoming more inclined towards later sleeping hours and institutions requiring them to wake early can create a mismatch between biological and social time.

Researchers therefore suggest that public health guidance should place greater emphasis on regular sleep timing, while schools, families and policymakers could consider structural measures that make healthier sleep patterns easier to maintain.

With the new school year getting underway across Europe, the findings provide another reminder that catching up on sleep at the weekend may not fully compensate for disrupted routines during the week. When it comes to teenagers’ sleep, consistency could matter almost as much as quantity. 

L’article ‘Social jet lag’ linked to higher anxiety levels among teenagers, study finds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

For many a traveller, long-haul flights are a necessary evil when discovering the world. Although alternatives do exist – including train travel and cruise trips – some destinations are just easier to reach by flight. But spending endless hours in a (cramped) aeroplane seat can leave its mark, from a stiff neck to sleeping feet and everything in between. The human body is not designed to spend too much time staying inactive.

“If you sit at work all day, if you sit at home a lot, then you should be really mindful of trying to take a break from your sitting habits as often as possible – at least every 30 minutes. Even if you exercise, you still should be mindful of taking breaks and be moving throughout the day, because exercise is not enough to overcome the risks of sitting, and sitting in long bouts,” said Keith Diaz, co-author of a 2017 study from Columbia University Medical Center that suggested movement ‘snacks’ every 30 minutes.

Walking the aisle every now and then is a great way to stay active during a flight, but it isn’t always possible and, depending on the seat you managed to secure, it may soon start to bother your neighbours. In-seat exercises can be a valuable alternative or simply an add-on to those aisle laps. But where to find inspiration?

Pilates, invented by Joseph Pilates in an effort to help World War I soldiers recover from their injuries, offers a large number of exercise options that can easily be done in a seated position. At home, they can help you deal with the long hours spent behind a desk; when travelling (by plane), they may prevent you from spending the first days of your trip feeling all shattered due to the voyage.

Five plane-friendly pilates exercises

Pelvic tilt

An immobile pelvis can cause quite a lot of lower back pain and other uncomfortable issues, as it has a tendency to go into an anterior or posterior position instead of staying neutral. To resolve this issue and to activate the pelvic region, pelvic tilts are a great exercise that can be done from a seated position.

1. Sit up tall and inhale, slightly arching your lower back and pulling your pelvis backwards.
2. Exhale, drawing your belly toward your spine while pulling your pelvis upwards.
3. Repeat this rolling motion for a couple of minutes.

@alignwithwellness #pelvictilt #pelvic #tilt #MyCostume #exprESSIEyourself #MicellarRewind #chiropracticadjustment #chiropractor #maine #yarmouthme ♬ Faded (Instrumental) – Alan Walker

Shoulder rolls

Shoulders generally don’t agree well with flying. Especially if you have a tendency to get stressed on the plane, chances are you’re unconsciously putting a lot of tension on your shoulders and neck. Shoulder rolls offer some much-needed relief in a matter of seconds.

1. Sit up tall, with your hands and arms relaxed along your sides.
2. Pull your shoulders slowly towards your ears, then backwards and upwards again, making a circular motion.
3. Repeat a couple of rounds before reversing the direction.

@yuta_bodymaking Muscles Stretched: Shoulders, traps, upper back #stretching #warmingup #shoulders #gym #fitness #fyp ♬ Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

Spine stretch

Can’t shake the feeling that you’ve been sitting for too long, even after taking a little walk and doing the previously mentioned exercises? A spine stretch might be just what you need to get everything realigned and ready for the rest of your voyage.

1. Sit up tall and inhale.
2. Exhale, meanwhile slowly bending forwards. Keep your sitting bones grounded and stay in control of the movement.
3. Once you can’t go any further, inhale, slowly stacking your spine again into a seated position.
4. Repeat if needed, and if you want and can, use your (stretched) arms to accompany the movement.

Knee lifts

What if you can’t walk around but are desperately longing to get those legs moving? Well, you do a very convincing walking impression while staying seated. Not as good as the real deal, but it will get those muscles going.

1. Sit up tall and put your feet firmly on the ground, bending your knees at a 90° angle.
2. Lift one foot from the ground, keeping that knee in a straight angle.
3. Hold for a couple of seconds before slowly putting your foot on the ground.
4. Repeat with the other foot and go on as long as you want.

@gloveractive Try today's exercise of the day: Seated knee lifts! This gentle, effective exercise strengthens hip flexors, lower abdominal muscles, and quadriceps. They improve hip mobility, support functional movements like walking or climbing stairs, and help alleviate lower back pain. This exercise is ideal for beginners and seniors. #Exercise #Fitness #Health #Mobility #Strength ♬ Take My Space – nimino

Seated ABCs

If the previous exercise isn’t enough of a challenge or if those legs just won’t wake up, don’t hesitate to combine the knee lifts with some ABCs. If the alphabet is too long, just spell out your name and switch to the other foot.

1. Sit up tall, both feet on the ground.
2. Slightly lift one foot and start writing out the alphabet, moving your foot and toes but staying immobile with the rest of your body.
3. Switch to the other foot and repeat as long as necessary.

L’article Five pilates exercises to stay supple during a long-haul flight est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.