A wise man once told me that “everyone needs a little love occasionally”. At the time, he was trying to console his young son through a difficult break-up, but that statement has never been more true.

11 years ago I found out that I had passed my all my exams and was heading to Cambridge University, where I eventually specialised in Biochemistry. The first thing my dad said to me when I told him was: “Remember, this doesn’t mean that you actually know anything”. What I think he was trying to say was “congratulations” (and I’m sure he did say that as well). However, even now, I can hands-down say that this is the best advice I have ever been given.

Not that long ago, the Internet told us about the “pill to cure Alzheimer’s”, which scientists had recently discovered. As usual, we can be safe in the knowledge that they found almost nothing of the sort.

HOWEVER, three recently published studies have received far less attention despite pointing towards a simple way to reduce the risk of dementia in old age. It’s free, and everyone can do it. Sleep.

In the 15 months or so since I started blogging and talking about health, I have tried to find a way to describe the overall approach I think we should take to maximise health and happiness. The more I’ve read, and the more I’ve interacted with people, especially those with different ideas to my own, the clearer this approach has become in my mind.

Very recently I took a hiatus from working as a junior doctor in the UK to move into academia and work towards a PhD in Oslo, Norway. As I contemplated what the NHS (National Health Service) might look like when I return in four years time, I was struck by what you will almost certainly feel is a ridiculous premonition…

….The zombie apocalypse is coming. I’m sure of it.