In this edition, we talk about how loneliness and social isolation can affect our mental and physical health. The impacts of loneliness and social isolation can be far reaching with links established to varied health issues such as anxiety and depression, development of dementia, poor physical health, poor sleep, and high blood pressure.

Fortunately it's in everyone's power to stave off loneliness and develop social connections.

Volunteering is a great way through which we can work towards improving emotional and social wellbeing. The emerging field of social prescribing recognises the huge mental wellbeing and physical health benefits of connecting patients and the community.

Popular volunteering activities include helping the local sports club, getting involved with ParkRun, supporting your local school, joining the community shed or garden, or assisting organisations such as OzHarvest, Red Cross, Salvation Army, FoodBank or St Vincent daPauls.

We also discuss varied options on how to keep our brain healthy and improve our cognitive skills. Plus, there is a delicious stuffed sweet potato recipe, perfect for cold winter days.

Get a copy of our May Healthy Intel HERE.

Missed the last few editions of Healthy Intel? You can read every edition HERE.