Our brain is just like a muscle and it thrives on exercise. Moreover, it is the fastest-aging organ in the body. Studies show that brain volume naturally decreases with age due to neuronal loss, starting as early as your late 20s or 30s. This process accelerates over time, leading to a decline in cognitive functions such as memory, processing speed, and decision-making.

However, there is a way to counter it. Neurologists across the world agree that frequently playing brain games can prevent brain ageing. Backing them up is research showing that brain-training games may help improve attention levels, memory, response time, logic skills, and other measures of cognitive function if played over a long period.

And the good news is that these brain games are affordable and easily accessible to all. you just need a pen and paper for sudoku and the same goes on for crosswords. However, if you are someone who is up for a high-tech, options for brain games are plentiful.

To give your brain a workout while having fun, try these games and activities:

Sudoku

Crosswords

Elevate

Peak

Happy Neuron

Happy Neuron is another game that organizes its games into memory, attention, language, executive functions, and visual/spatial categories. Training is personalized, and progress tracking is available. While a subscription is required, a free trial lets you explore its offerings. The app is available only for Android users.

Braingle

Queendom

Queendom features personality tests, puzzles, and "brain tools" for cognitive improvement. Free accounts provide limited access, while full reports require payment.

My Brain Trainer

My Brain Trainer offers an online "brain gym" with games and puzzles to boost mental fitness. It recommends 10 minutes of training twice a day. Subscription plans are more affordable than similar platforms and free trials are available.

As flu season kicks off, health experts around the world are sounding the alarm over a new strain of the virus that appeared in June, four months after the composition of this year’s flu vaccines had already been set. This new variant, a version of H3N2, is triggering outbreaks in Canada and the U.K., where authorities are warning of an early wave sending people to hospitals.

“Since its appearance, it has spread quickly and is now the dominant strain in several Northern Hemisphere countries,” said Dr. Wenqing Zhang, head of the World Health Organization’s Global Respiratory Threats Unit, during a briefing on Wednesday. The concern comes because the flu strain has mutated. With many people already vaccinated, the question now is: will the flu shot still offer protection?

What Is H3N2 Strain That Is Spreading In UK And Canada?

H3N2 is a type of influenza virus and is recognized as one of the two main strains circulating widely. Also referred to as subclade K, it is currently the most prevalent strain in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Symptoms Of H3N2 Strain

The H3N2 strain can cause a sudden high fever, persistent cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. Other typical symptoms include chills, headaches, and nasal congestion. While most people recover within a few days, H3N2 infections can linger longer than other flu strains, with cough and weakness sometimes lasting for weeks.

Is This Flu Strain Already In The U.S.?

H3N2 is classified as an influenza A strain. Although anecdotal reports suggest some people across the U.S. have tested positive for flu A, detailed nationwide data is limited. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hasn’t released a full report on flu activity since September 26, largely due to the government shutdown.

Will This Year’s Flu Shot Be Helpful?

Each year in February, global health authorities and pharmaceutical companies decide which viral strains to include in fall flu vaccines for the Northern Hemisphere, based on circulating strains observed in the Southern Hemisphere. This year’s flu shot protects against three influenza strains — two types of influenza A and one type of influenza B.

It’s important to note that the flu vaccine does not completely prevent infection. Its primary role is to reduce the severity of illness. Last year, vaccines were up to 55% effective in keeping adults out of hospitals. Preliminary data released by U.K. health authorities on Tuesday shows this year’s vaccine is around 40% effective in preventing hospitalization among adults, according to the NHS.

Despite the mismatch, experts still encourage vaccination. Schaffner said, “Decades of data show that even when the match isn’t perfect, the vaccine helps prevent hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and can literally save lives.”

What Happens If You Skip A Flu Shot?

Skipping vaccination leaves people at higher risk of severe illness. During the last flu season, two-thirds of hospitalized patients in the U.S. were not vaccinated, according to CDC data. Even more concerning, 90% of children who died from the flu hadn’t received a full course of vaccines. Guidance recommends that children under nine who have never been vaccinated should get two doses, while everyone else receives a single annual shot.

Doctors are urging people to take extra precautions this season to protect themselves and their families from a new and aggressive strain of flu. Data from Australia shows that the H3N2 strain has caused its worst flu outbreak on record, and experts warn that the same could happen in Britain as winter begins.

UK health officials say flu cases have appeared nearly a month earlier than expected, and vaccination rates are worryingly low, especially in care homes where two out of five residents remain unvaccinated. Described by health authorities as “particularly unpleasant,” H3N2 is already driving up hospital admissions across the country.

What Is the H3N2 Strain?

H3N2 is one of two major strains of the influenza virus currently in wide circulation. Known scientifically as subclade K, it is the most dominant strain in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This subtype of influenza A first appeared in 1968 and has re-emerged seasonally ever since. It should not be confused with a variant linked to pigs that infected humans in 2011, which primarily affects those in direct contact with infected animals.

How High Are the Flu Rates at the Moment?

The UKHSA reports that hospital admissions linked to flu in England have risen to 3.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.4 the previous week. Although this is still below the peaks seen in recent years, it represents levels that typically occur later in the season.

Experts told The Independent that this early surge suggests the flu season has begun unusually early and could lead to a more severe winter ahead.

Symptoms of the H3N2 Strain Spreading in the UK

Like other flu viruses, H3N2 tends to cause a sudden onset of symptoms such as:

• Fever or chills
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or blocked nose
• Body and muscle pain
• Headache
• Fatigue or general weakness

However, people infected with H3N2 often experience higher fevers, typically above 38°C, and more intense symptoms than those seen with strains like H1N1.

Unique Symptom of the H3N2 Strain Spreading in the UK

While the typical symptoms are similar to other forms of influenza, H3N2 infections are known for being longer-lasting and more exhausting. Patients often find the cough and weakness linger for several days after the fever subsides. In some cases, particularly among children, gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and vomiting may also occur, according to the UKHSA.

How To Tell the Difference Between A Cold And The Flu

Flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly and are more severe, marked by fever, chills, body aches, and extreme tiredness, while cold symptoms develop gradually and are generally milder. A blocked or runny nose is more common with colds, and colds rarely cause serious health problems, unlike the flu, which can lead to complications.

H3N2 Flu Strain: Vulnerable Groups

Although most healthy adults and children may only experience mild to moderate illness, doctors warn that older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and those with weakened immunity are at higher risk of serious complications. The early arrival of H3N2 and its stronger symptoms could strain the healthcare system further this season.

Health experts emphasise that prevention remains the best defence: getting vaccinated, maintaining good hygiene, and seeking medical care promptly if symptoms worsen can all reduce risk. Staying alert and prepared can make a significant difference in managing the spread of this year’s flu strain.

As India continues to struggle with worsening pollution levels, the steadily rising AQI is triggering a range of health problems. While the toxic smog outside draws most of the attention, indoor pollution is another serious yet often ignored threat. According to the National Institute of Health, more than four million deaths across the world every year are linked to indoor air pollution. This largely preventable cause of disease and death needs urgent attention. Here’s a closer look at how the air inside your home may be just as harmful as the toxic air outside.

What Is Indoor Pollution?

Indoor pollution is found in nearly every closed environment—homes, offices, schools, restaurants, and malls. It includes fine particles like dust mites, soot, and mould, as well as harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur dioxide released through everyday activities like cooking, heating, or cleaning. Though it can affect anyone, individuals with respiratory illnesses such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are especially vulnerable.

Is Indoor Pollution Worse Than The Rising AQI?

The effects of poor indoor air are becoming a growing concern in India, as more people experience constant coughing, fatigue, headaches, and irritated eyes. On average, we spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors, yet studies show the air we breathe inside is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the World Health Organization. This poses serious risks for young children, elderly people, and pregnant women, who are more sensitive to pollutants.

Indoor Pollution Is Harmful For Your Lungs

Data from AQI India reveals that poor indoor air quality can be particularly dangerous for people with allergies or respiratory problems. Common household items such as incense sticks, air fresheners, mosquito coils, and synthetic paints release toxins that can make indoor air up to 100 times more harmful than the air outside.

The American Lung Association notes that indoor pollutants can inflame and damage lung tissue, reduce the lungs’ capacity to fight infections, and worsen conditions like asthma, COPD, and even lung cancer. Because indoor air circulation is limited, pollutants from cooking, cleaning, or building materials can accumulate easily. Children and older adults are at greater risk since their lungs are either still developing or already weakened.

Can Indoor Pollution Lead To Asthma Issues?

Prolonged exposure to air pollutants can lead to permanent lung damage and increase the likelihood of developing chronic respiratory diseases like COPD. While it doesn’t directly cause asthma, it can aggravate existing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

The National Institute of Health explains that people with asthma already have inflamed and sensitive airways, making them more reactive to irritants in polluted indoor air. When these airways are exposed to allergens or chemical pollutants, inflammation worsens, mucus production increases, and airflow becomes restricted. This can lead to a rapid decline in lung function and, in severe cases, trigger a life-threatening asthma attack requiring emergency medical care.

How To Prevent Indoor Pollution?

Reducing indoor air pollution is possible with consistent preventive measures. The World Economic Forum highlights several ways to improve air quality indoors:

Proper ventilation: Good airflow is essential to replace stale, polluted indoor air with fresh air from outside. Homes that are tightly sealed to save energy can trap harmful gases and raise carbon dioxide levels, leading to headaches, dizziness, and tiredness.

Use green cleaners: Many common cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that pollute the air. Natural alternatives such as vinegar, baking soda, borax, citrus extracts, or essential oils can clean effectively without releasing toxins.

Indoor plants: Keeping plants indoors helps improve air quality as they absorb pollutants, release oxygen, and add humidity. They also help lower dust levels, making the air fresher and easier to breathe.

Use air purifiers: Air purifiers can significantly cut down indoor pollutants like pollen, dust, pet dander, and mould spores. They can also remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide. When buying one, choose a purifier that suits the room’s size and has a high CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) score, which indicates how effectively it cleans the air.

By paying attention to indoor pollution, we can take a major step toward protecting our lungs and improving overall health, even as outdoor air quality continues to decline.