Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 11 i WellBeing Wild

This will be my last ever editor’s letter for WILD, so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for picking up this little magazine. It’s no secret that print media is something of a floundering industry, but if you’re holding these pages, you probably appreciate the allure of fingers on paper, eyes on a page, the smell of the print factory, even. No matter the speed and ease of the internet, for as long as I can spread out every soon-to-be-crinkled article on my bed and inhale the smell of ink on paper, I will always bring home a magazine after any long or testing day. Like fresh flowers, some things simply can’t be replaced by the digital world. One of the first places I visited on…

We want to hear from you! What makes you feel wild or what do you love about WILD magazine? Our favourite answer will win the brand-new book The Mindful High Performer by motivational speaker Chelsea Pottenger. The book is the ultimate guide for those who want to perform at their best in work and in life, with a focus on mental fitness. Send your love letters to kduncan@umco.com.au. WILD is created on Bundjalung Country in Byron Bay and printed on Gadigal Country in Sydney. In this present moment, WILD has found a new home with you, perhaps on Country very far from its conception and print. Wherever WILD lands, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the sacred waters and lands on which we live, work, learn, rest and play. We…

Do you tend to feel things deeply and have high empathy for others? Are you often described as “shy” or “sensitive” or “fussy” by those who know you? Do you feel overwhelmed in busy places and loud spaces? Is it important for you to have time alone to recharge your batteries? If so, you may be a highly sensitive person (HSP). What is an HSP? Just as different plants respond in various ways to different environments, so do people. Some of us are far more sensitive to our environment than others. In fact, approximately 30 per cent of us are considered “highly sensitive”. Sensitivity is a biologically based temperament trait like extroversion and conscientiousness. Our temperament forms the building blocks of our personality. We all fall somewhere on the sensitivity…

Stress is a normal physical, mental and emotional response to new or challenging situations and is experienced by everyone at one point or another throughout life. Thankfully, the body can effectively deal with short bursts of stress and these experiences can even be beneficial. But long-term, chronic stress can have a number of negative health implications. Unfortunately, women are twice as likely to struggle from stress and anxiety compared to men and overtime this can lead to imbalanced hormones, decreased libido and even fertility complications. Knowing how to support your body through stressful times can make all the difference. Next time you’re feeling a little heightened, try implementing one of these coping techniques to help calm your nervous system and ensure your hormones are happy and balanced. When you experience…

What can guests expect when they embark on a retreat at the Byron Yoga Retreat Centre? Guests can expect to leave feeling more relaxed, refreshed and recommitted to healthy habits. Wherever you are on your wellness journey, Byron Yoga Centre will help you take the next steps. It’s also a beautiful opportunity to meet like-minded people — and your best self! The wonderful thing about a retreat with Byron Yoga Centre is that you can set your own goals. For some it’s a well-deserved break with time to relax by the pool, walk on the beach and take it easy. Many come to begin or deepen their yoga and meditation practice. For others it’s a total reset and refocus to nourish the body, mind and spirit. Nothing on the program…

As our lives become more and more entangled with our digital personas, it makes sense that a whole new world of online social behaviour is cropping up. Over the past few years, we’ve cycled through the dating concepts of ghosting, catfishing and benching, while dealing with roaching and email phishing in the workplace. But there’s a new contender on the rise and it applies to every social domain, from the illusive world of dating to friendships and careers. It’s called breadcrumbing and it’s everywhere. When someone breadcrumbs you, they string you along by feigning interest in you — whether as a romantic partner, future employee or close friend. They’ll drop small crumbs of attention in the form of an email, date idea or social media interaction without committing to you…

If your palms get sweaty when the subject of politics comes up at the dinner table, you’re not alone. Politics can be dry, complex and in some cases confronting. But two journalists, Justine Landis-Hanley and Elfy Scott, are working to change that perception and make politics more accessible through their podcast, Left Right Out. Each week the duo publishes episodes based on questions that have been asked by their listeners, from understanding the Federal budget to unpicking which party is best on climate change and why housing in Australia is so expensive. “The goal of the podcast for us is to provide young people, particularly young women, with a space that answers their questions about politics in a non-judgemental way,” founder Justine says. “[We want] to empower them with the…

Now that borders near and far have reopened, travel is once again becoming a priority. But the question of how we can explore the world and its wonders without leaving an impact on the environment rings louder than ever. This was at the forefront of my mind as my fiancé, Tom, and I sat down to plan our first travel expedition in more than two years. Tasmania has been one of my bucket list destinations since I first laid eyes upon its rugged landscapes in a National Geographic magazine as a kid. We knew we wanted to explore the state in a “hands-on” way, so it made sense that our mode of slow travel would be Tom’s beloved van — a March 2020 purchase that he’s been itching to get…

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go into business with your partner? I’m sure many people couldn’t think of anything worse, but that’s exactly what my husband James and I did when we launched our conscious marketing agency, Betsy & Francis. Only 9.8 per cent of the Australian businesses set up in 2021 were founded by couples. Considering the huge financial benefits of going into business together and the limited opportunities for working mothers, this figure seems substantially low. A Danish study by The Institute for the Study of Labour interviewed 1069 co-entrepreneurial couples and discovered that most of the couples went into business together because the female partner had limited opportunities in the workforce. The research evidenced the financial benefits were significant for both partners,…

Megan, what inspired you to create Daughters of India? I have always had a love of vintage gauze dresses. During a trip to India, I witnessed the magic of block printing and its history. It was then that the idea of Daughters of India was sparked. I really wanted to create something unique that no one was offering — garments where women could feel beautiful and comfortable no matter what size and age. I wanted to support the artisans in India and bring their talents to the forefront and shine the light on their craft. You don’t create in collections or ranges. Can you tell us why? Our dresses are constructed by hand by artisans in India and we adore everything they create. These artisans are at the forefront of…

Amelia, what inspired you to enrol in naturopathy at Endeavour? From a young age my parents inspired me to live a healthy and inspired life. I remember my whole family going raw vegan for a month as my mum had returned from a health retreat in the Philippines. I also grew up in Asia, so travelling inspired me to learn more about the traditional ways of medicine. I experienced some of my own health issues as a teenager. I saw a naturopath on the Northern Beaches and fell madly in love with herbal medicine; I visited Endeavour’s open day when I was 15. From there, I studied Medical Science and finished half of the degree before returning to Endeavour five years later to study Naturopathy. I have never looked back.…

Non-fiction Self-Care for New Mums RUBY MATLEY, PAN MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA Ruby Matley’s latest book, Self-Care for New Mums, hasn’t left my side since becoming a new mum. My only regret is that I didn’t come across the book sooner, especially during the postpartum phase. Self-Care for New Mums is a warm, wise and practical guide sharing self-care routines designed for women dealing with the demands of new motherhood. Diving deeply into guilt, connection and mental health, the book speaks to many mothers’ experiences. It makes a perfect gift for new mums, expecting friends or dads looking for ways to help their partner find enjoyment and experience some much deserved “me” time. If all mums were to take a page out of this book, it would make a world of difference.…

Art Amyisla McCombie’s illustrations have totally captured my heart. Her playful and imaginative works really do transport you to a world altogether more joyful, and I currently have two of her prints hanging in my daughter’s nursery (with plenty more to come, I’m sure). Moment The petition for consent to be included in the national curriculum has been approved by Ministers of Education. Led by Chanel Contos, the Teach Us Consent movement launched the petition in February 2021, demanding earlier and more holistic consent education to be mandated in Australian schools. The new curriculum is expected to be implemented in 2023. Georgia Nelson spoke to Chanel about the movement in issue 09 — you can find the article online at wellbeing.com.au/wild…

What comes to mind when you think of a lone woman hiking? Do you picture Reese Witherspoon traversing the Pacific Crest Trail in the film Wild? A woman with all her belongings on her back, navigating the mountains alone and finding inner peace along the way? Or does your mind conjure horror stories of snake bites, falls from high cliffs or, darker still, a violent stalker? Whatever you imagine, the science is clear: spending time alone in nature is very good for you. There are well-documented physical benefits of course, like improved cardiovascular health and balance, but there’s also a plethora of research supporting the mental health benefits. According to a 2021 study based on data from Norway, Germany and New Zealand, solo wilderness activities provide a range of pathways…

Porcini Ragù I’m not sure if you’re allowed to call a sauce that doesn’t contain meat, doesn’t start with a soffritto and that only cooks for 10 minutes a ragù, and yet because of the concentrated flavour of the dried porcini, this has all the intensity of a meat ragù that has simmered for hours. Anyone who has made the spicy mushroom lasagne from Ottolenghi Flavour will realise what I’m trying to achieve here: an abridged version of that ragù with the same intensity, but without the hours chopping kilos of mushrooms (yes, I heard you!). This recipe is inspired by two of my favourite dishes at Ristorante Pizzeria Acone near where I grew up in Tuscany — penne all’Aconese and tagliatelle alla Beppa. Serves: 2 as a main with…

1983 starts like any other year in Loganlea. Hot and wet. Our street is flooded as it always is in January, the height of the cyclone season. I stand on the upstairs verandah and watch two entire gum trees float past the house, rushing towards the creek. Our family is like the flood below, each one of us kids a fallen branch that could be smashed to bits any time. Trish, twenty-two, the medical student; Barb, nineteen, the prettiest one; Val, eighteen, who is wild; and Bev, fifteen and so far, so good. Then comes Brian, twelve, the only boy; and then you, seven, and me, four: the accidents. When people ask me how many brothers and sisters I have, I always pause, and not for effect. I just can’t…

Somewhere between the disastrous floods that killed 22 people in Eastern Australia earlier this year and Putin’s threats of WWIII, I started avoiding my phone. It had become the bearer of constant bad news and my capacity to summon an empathetic response had all but dried up. I was suffering from what the internet has dubbed “worry burnout”, what clinicians call “compassion fatigue”, or what I like to bark at my long-suffering husband: “How much more of this can we take?!” It wasn’t that I didn’t care about those who had lost their homes to record-breaking floods or the Ukrainian women fleeing wartorn cities, leaving their husbands behind. Of course I did. But in the aftermath of one disaster after another, I had become exhausted, angry and cynical; I couldn’t…

Did you know The Jetsons was set in the year 2062? The space-age cartoon family lived in a high-tech world of aero cars and cloudadjacent homes that supposedly is only a handful of decades from now. First aired in the 1960s, The Jetsons represented a future version of society and family living. Australian homes today encompass a wide range of styles and sizes, reflecting our diverse population and lifestyle choices. From sunburnt shacks in the dusty outback to sleek inner-city apartments and sprawling double-brick builds in the ’burbs, our residential landscape is worlds away from “Orbit City”, the Jetsons’ town in the stratosphere. Forward-thinking home design, however, can improve life in a myriad of ways. What is a future-proofed home? A future-proofed home is designed for longevity, offering reassurance and…

“You don’t look like an accountant,” said another schoolyard dad to my husband. The comment wasn’t meant to be cruel or derogatory — my husband has a mohawk that he often wears in a topknot — it was simply a statement of fact from a stranger who, like everyone else, is used to most finance professionals fitting the traditional corporate mould: a suit and tie and a short, neat haircut. Many of us are guilty of playing into these stereotypes. While the tech and creative industries often get away with a more informal, diversified approach to personal style, other sectors aren’t so liberated. Law, accounting, finance, education and politics come to mind, where I’m sure many a young intern or graduate has removed facial piercings and covered their tattoos to…

Kirsten, what initially drew you to the holistic wellness industry? I come from a family of nurses and healers, and always assumed I too would be in the healing arts. My childhood was spent between the coastal jungles of Borneo, Malaysia and rural New Zealand; this immersion in nature in my youth lent itself to a fascination with the workings of the natural world. The sciences were always my favourite subjects at school, and I’d often borrow microscopes from the science lab, spending hours at home peeking into the intricacies of plant life. The messaging around healthy eating in the ’90s was not particularly holistic in its approach and cultivated a negative and misinformed relationship with nutrition for many young women, including myself. Ultimately, it was a desire to deepen…

Edith, can you tell us a bit about what you create. Hello! I’m an Australian-based illustrator and textile designer. I split my time between client commissions (in publishing, stationery, fashion and design), exhibition work and my own label, Edith Rewa. For my label, I create hand-illustrated silk scarves, which showcase native Australian plants. I like to think of them as wearable silk plant companions to be worn when you need to feel connected to the natural world. My work is grounded in protecting the diversity of Australia’s natural environments. I’m always looking for new ways to entwine the worlds of traditional botany with the contemporary art and design space, while exhibiting native plantscapes that are underrepresented or unknown. I transfer my drawings of plants and places that may not be…

1. BFree’s Gluten-Free Pitas Want a healthy treat that’s also gluten-free? Discover BFree’s gluten-free pitas. Get creative in the kitchen with sweet and savoury recipes made from BFree’s healthy and nutritious pitas. Experience the BFree product range in Woolworths and selected IGA supermarkets, and discover recipes at: bfreefoods.com/au 2. Giesen Wines The world’s first alcohol-removed New Zealand sauvignon blanc is sporting a fresh new look! Zero per cent alcohol and 100 per cent flavour, Giesen is ideal for the health-conscious consumer. With 80 per cent fewer calories than a traditional 12.5 per cent sauvignon blanc, you’ll find only 13 calories per serve. Perfect for those occasions where you’re the designated driver, or just want to cut back on alcohol. The Giesen zero per cent range also includes a rosé, pinot…

About Mindful Gardening This bookazine digs into how to cultivate more mindfulness through gardening and how to use it to create greater peace, focus, productivity and joy in your daily life. Our slow, beautiful pages and practical exercises will help you integrate a regular, beneficial practice into your everyday living. About WellBeing Mindfulness 101 Welcome to what will be a life-affirming exploration and guide into the world of mindfulness. Inside you will find the origins of mindfulness: Hinduism, Buddhism, Yoga; Mindfulness techniques: the Raisin Exercise, Breath meditation, Moving meditation; and so much more! 8 issues of WellBeing Wild magazine RRP $103.60 plus 2 bookazines Mindful Gardening and WellBeing Mindfulness 101 RRP $19.95 each FOR ONLY $80 Are you one of the Wild ones? Hurry! Offer ends 13th October, 2022 Subscribing…

Thank you WILD for running Georgia Nelson’s article on the importance of teaching consent to kids from a young age (issue 09). Although we hear the painful testimonies of sexual assault with pain and rage, it’s through the courage of sharing that we’re beginning to hope for meaningful change. Thank you, Chanel Contos, for your powerful voice and for channelling your own experiences into action that can help countless others. As parents we are often torn between trying to educate our children about sex and sexual experiences and the fear of somehow destroying their innocence in the process. What we’re learning is that educating our children teaches them authority over their own bodies, to set boundaries and respect the boundaries of others. Sexual consent education must be considered an essential…

You don’t have to follow tech trends to have clocked the rise of wearable tech. Whether it’s Apple Watches, Fitbits, Garmins or Jawbones around the wrists of friends, colleagues and fellow commuters, these devices are everywhere. No matter your goal, there’s a snazzy gadget that will help you get there; performance-tracking watches, the more subtly designed “smart rings” and even futuristic “smart glasses”, each offering data points about everything from sleep quality and step count to period prediction and fertility monitoring. But what’s the catch? On the surface, these devices create a health nirvana in which we can respond to real-time metrics. If a watch is helping us walk more, run faster and sleep better, should we not embrace the world of wearables? But as with every nascent technology and…

When I was growing up, there were endless opportunities to dance: in the playground at school, at birthday parties, at friends’ homes on a Saturday morning grooving in front of MTV and of course at the dance classes I attended each week. Dance was a big part of my life and I didn’t realise how much it gave me until the opportunities to fling my limbs around diminished in adulthood. During lockdowns, the few remaining opportunities for adults to dance (such as house parties and weddings) disappeared altogether, but it was during this time — after 10 years — I began dancing again, at home. YouTube was an accessible resource for warmups and simple choreography and when I felt more comfortable and inspired, I signed up to Zoom dance classes…

Socialising has long been synonymous with drinking, but as Australians become more health conscious, sobriety is on the rise. However, the dilemma of what to drink when you’re not drinking has all but vanished. A booming non-alcoholic drink market is meeting the demand of young folk who are looking for healthier options in social settings. When Giesen launched its 0% Sauvignon Blanc in 2020, its sell-out releases in Australia and New Zealand proved consumers wanted great-tasting non-alcoholic options. The ubiquitous drinking culture is finally being called into question and millennials are leading the way. According to a 2021 report by Wine Intelligence, the growing movement towards moderation is particularly apparent among younger consumers. The research also points to consumers seeking nonalcoholic wine options on occasions where they are driving or…

I am clinging to a rock wall in the Blue Mountains, tears streaming down my face. You might think my distress comes from a fear of falling 20 metres down the cliff-face (though my sturdy safety equipment promises otherwise). In truth, my panic-stricken sobs come from a deep disappointment in myself; I don’t know if I can climb any further. Full disclaimer: I am not an experienced rock climber. Earlier this year, I joined my boyfriend and his friends on their annual climbing trip to the Blue Mountains to “give it a go”. But it turns out these climbs are not designed for first timers, no matter how determined you might be. As I gripped the sandstone and looked up at the challenging problem, I realised I didn’t have the…

It can take an entire 24 hours to fully unwind and slow down. For some, total relaxation can only be found after flying across the ocean, but thanks to a growing tiny house movement, off-grid bliss is just a short drive away. Staying in a hotel, camping or road-tripping in a van aren’t the only options for a getaway close to home. Leave the city behind for a nearby secluded woodland where you can wake to the sound of birds from the comfort of a pint-sized cabin. Welcome to the tiny home, where nature meets total comfort and sustainable design. Tiny homes are roughly defined as less than 46sqm, but come in many different shapes and sizes, from cabins on wheels immersed in the wild to futuristic shacks by the…

Some months into the pandemic, news outlets began reporting on the ineffectiveness of cloth masks. “Time to chuck the cloth!” they warned. I read on, slightly horrified. While I understand the health and safety benefits of N95 masks and alike, the idea of throwing out my beautiful, handmade cloth masks was devastating. Not only because of my attachment to them (we’ve been through several lockdowns and countless grocery runs together), but also because of my commitment to the classic adage: reduce, reuse, recycle. I became determined to repurpose my masks in some way, rather than simply trash them with my general waste. I brainstormed ideas of how to upcycle them — maybe I could combine them into an oddly shaped quilt? My friend suggested fashioning them into a bikini —…

Chalimah, when did you first become interested in health and wellness? I’ve always been drawn to nature, even as a little girl. I grew up in a remote coastal town in Western Australia which instilled in me immense reverence for the earth’s natural beauty and cycles of life. I find the role that nature plays in health and wellbeing inspiring and realised early in life that my purpose was to facilitate health and healing while respecting and nurturing our planet. This led to me studying horticulture and naturopathy to combine my passion for plants and healing, utilising their empirical, clinical and scientific teachings. After completing my studies, I started to create tea blends for my clients. Given they would be drinking these regularly to support their health, two other factors…

1. Harlo Suitable for all skin types, Harlo’s pH Balanced Oil Cleanser is specially formulated to deeply cleanse and hydrate without disrupting the skin’s essential protective acid mantle. It’s made with a blend of organic purifying plant oils high in vitamins A and B and omega fatty acids, and with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Gently cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural oils. harlo.com.au 2. Young Living Aria Diffuser Set the mood for an at-home spa experience with the Aria Diffuser from Young Living. Featuring a solid American maple base and glass dome to direct essential oil vapor, the diffuser has multicoloured LED lights and a selection of soothing built-in sounds. The auxiliary port allows you to play music from a mobile phone or music player. Comes with…

SoulAdvisor Ready to take a holistic approach through food and diet to address your health concerns? Find qualified nutritionists, naturopaths, herbalists, dietitians, health coaches and ayurvedic practitioners to support your wellness journey. Search by symptoms or therapy. SoulAdvisor.com Life-Space Probiotics + Skin Rebalance A premium, targeted probiotic formula containing two strains of beneficial bacteria plus lactoferrin, zinc, vitamins E and C and biotin. Helps to reduce the occurrence of symptoms of acne, congested skin pores and supports skin healing. Life-Space Probiotics + Skin Range is available at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline Pharmacies and online. lifespaceprobiotics.com Yoga Teacher Trainings with Byron Yoga Centre Byron Yoga Centre has over 30 years’ experience in offering quality teacher trainings. 200- and 300-hour all-inclusive residential courses are run from the tranquil Byron Yoga Retreat Centre just…