Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 174 i WellBeing

Did something resonate with you in this issue of WellBeing? Tell us! Write to WellBeing, Locked Bag 154, North Ryde, NSW 1670, email wbletters@universalmagazines.com.au, comment on our Facebook page or tweet us: @WellBeing_Mag. We reserve the right to edit all letters. Soul Stories Lucky me arrives home to my favourite magazine placed in my work space, ready to delve into and indulge in all its goodness. Wellbeing, thank you with all my heart that I’m still with you, four years later! I still pinch myself that Soul Stories gets to play a tiny part in this inspiring magazine. Sending all of my heart and energy to your previous editor, Danielle Kirk. Her journey is taking her elsewhere and I hope it will be full of love, beauty and wonder. Tams…

Walnuts are tree nuts of the genus Juglans. Technically, they are stone fruit, not true nuts. Once picked, walnuts need to be stored properly or they are susceptible to insect or mould infestation, producing aflatoxin (a potent carcinogen). They are best stored at low humidity, below 25°C. The nut meat is used as a high-protein food and walnut oil as salad dressing but its low smoke point limits its use for frying. Nutrition Walnuts contain high protein (15 per cent), high fibre (7 per cent) and high fat (65 per cent). Micronutrients are lutein, zeaxanthin, a range of B vitamins (with high levels of B6) and minerals, particularly manganese (163 per cent RDA), magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. The fat profile shows high polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids with alpha-linolenic acid…

T: +61 418 166 111 E: chat2di@gmail.com My art has been influenced by the traditional Japanese Zen aesthetic of wabi sabi, which highlights the transient, imperfect yet pure nature of beauty. Coming from an Asian heritage has helped my understanding and appreciation of this Zen philosophy, which I try to emulate through my painting. After experimenting with differing media, watercolour is the medium I feel the greatest affinity for. I have been encouraged in my artistic endeavours by my photographer husband Brian and my Moku teacher, Bronwen Wade-Leeuwen. My inspiration is from nature; its abstract shapes, luminosity, colours, hues, shadows and highlights sharpen my senses and awaken my creative inner self. This inspiration allows me to reflect upon, contemplate, concentrate and create, allowing space, the fluidity of colours and water…

Depression does not always hit your life like an electrical storm; sometimes it’s more like an overcast day that goes on and on with no promise of sunshine. Stop right now and check in with how you are feeling. Now put the spotlight on how you felt yesterday. And last week. And last month. And last year. What does your emotional audit tell you? Are you in a good place much of the time? Do you have moments where you enjoy life, connect with others, experience pleasure and meaning and fulfilment and feel good about yourself and positive about life? Or have you been mostly flatlining? If you can’t remember the last time you had a good belly laugh or climbed out of bed feeling happy to face the day,…

A growing number of people are taking antidepressants to help alleviate mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Some people report that antidepressants do a great deal to lift their mood and reduce issues like teariness, rumination and malaise caused by depression. However, many people also find that antidepressants can cause side-effects that range from agitation and weight gain to belly problems and sleep issues. In some cases these side-effects don’t kick in immediately but develop over time, so the link between the medication and the health issues is not always obvious. What’s important to remember is that any medication, including antidepressants, should be used with caution. Taking them for a short period of around three months is a good compromise. However, in cases of severe depression, if antidepressants…

“Heart” is a mysterious and unfathomable word with its many definitions and interpretations. There’s a heart that doctors medicate and treat, a heart that surgeons operate on or transplant; there’s a heart that can be deeply hurt following loss or tragedy; there’s a heart that can be filled with joy, a heart brimming over with love; and then there’s a heart wherein resides the centrality of the entire universe. The human heart is deeply complex and truly extraordinary — far more than a “blood pump” for the body. Modern medicine will have you believe it’s simply a four-chambered muscular organ that beats at around 100,000 times a day, 24 hours a day, delivering oxygenated blood to your 75 trillion-plus cells. Did you know it contains its own neurons and intelligence?…

Going trekking? Here are the essentials you’ll need for your trip: Gardening gloves. To protect you from stinging nettle. Rain jacket. With high altitudes in the mountains and weather conditions that can change in an instant, a rain jacket is a must. Long-sleeved, breathable top and thick pants. You will be walking through thick brush, so the more protection, the better. Hiking socks. Long, thick socks are essential. Tuck these into your trousers so as to keep away fire ants and other creepy-crawlies. Hiking boots or shoes with a good tread. Wear these in thoroughly before your trek. Plenty of water. Your trek potentially could last eight hours and conditions can be treacherous, so be prepared. There are many local guesthouses and hotels close to the national parks as well…

Getting there South Australia’s 3816km coastline requires time and several trips to explore. From Adelaide, fly/drive travellers can divide the journey, looping east along the coast to return via Mount Gambier and the Barossa Valley. Westbound travellers could trace the Eyre Peninsula’s coastline to Ceduna and Head of Bight for whale watching before following the Eyre Highway back to the city. When to go Winter is the best season to whalewatch, wildflowers bloom in early spring and the coast’s white-hot summers are tempered by top beach swimming and surfing. Watching whales Whales are spotted close to shore right along the Nullarbor’s coastline every winter, congregating in large numbers off Head of Bight where boardwalks and viewing platforms facilitate close encounters. Entry costs $15 for adults, $6 for kids and $35…

DVDs THE FLORIDA PROJECT Directed by SEAN BAKER Starring WILLEM DAFOE, BROOKLYNN PRINCE, BRIA VINAITE THE SHAPE OF WATER Directed by GUILLERMO DEL TORO Starring SALLY HAWKINS, MICHAEL SHANNON, RICHARD JENKINS An exhilarating vision of carefree childhood just as it intersects with adult disappointment, The Florida Project is a postcard from the frayed edges of society — in this case, a sun-blasted strip of concrete in Orlando near the magical kingdom of Walt Disney World. There stands a run-down motel called Magic Castle, painted all over in an eye-watering shade of bubblegum mauve; among its residents are six-year-old Moonee and her troubled mum Halley, a stroppy, tattooed mall rat barely out of her teens. Halley (Bria Vinaite) drifts and grifts her way through life, sometimes selling sexual favours to make…

EverEscents Organic Hair Care EverEscents Organic Hair Care has created the next generation of hair repair products that are not only beautiful but easy to use on all hair types. Using sweet almond and rice to restore the hair’s structure and replace essential proteins, it’s the perfect treatment for hair that’s hopelessly damaged from excessive chemical treatments or environmental factors. W: everescents.com.au Grants Perfect for kids who tend to think toothpaste is “too spicy”! Grants Australian-made and -owned kids’ natural toothpaste has a pleasant blueberry flavour, which kids love, and uses plant-based xylitol, proven to reduce decay-causing bacteria in the mouth. Plus, it’s certified vegan and free from fluoride. W: grantsofaustralia.com.au Life Basics SPF 30 All Natural Facial Sunscreen Lightweight and non-greasy, this daily sunscreen contains soothing calendula, green tea…

CARLA OATES is a natural beauty expert and the author of Feeding Your Skin. Good fats keep your skin nourished and lubricated from the inside out. While the word “fat” and fats in our diet have garnered negative attention over the years, good fats are friends, not foes. The right fats are absolutely essential for a healthy mind, lean body and beautiful skin. Eat fat, be slim Research shows a healthy high-fat diet can reset your metabolism and prevent obesity. Including good fats in our diets will help regulate blood sugar levels, burn fat stores, increase feelings of satiety and reduce hunger so we’re less likely to binge on refined carbohydrates. Good fats are essential for healthy skin, hair and nails. They are often loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, making them…

JACKIE FRENCH is the author of The Chook Book (Aird Books). Her oldest chook, Gertie, is now 17. Although Gertie’s sisters have all long since fallen off the perch, Gertie still lays extremely large brown eggs most days of the year. Get in touch with Jackie via facebook.com/jackiefrenchauthor, twitter.com/jackie_french and Instagram.com/Jackie_french. There are some glorious jammaking fruits that are difficult to buy. If you love jam making, you need to grow your own. I can remember when jam was a treat. Real jam, not the stuff that came from the shop and was reputed to be mostly choko, sugar and food colouring. Real jam was made of strawberries, bought in bulk from the farm as “jam berries” because they were too ripe to sell to the shops. These days, our favourites…

DR MICHAEL ELSTEIN is a Sydney-based anti-ageing physician and writer. He is the author of three books including his latest, The Wellness Guide to Preventing the Diseases of Ageing. He has also designed the app The Diet Guide to Ageing Prevention. Rather than suppress acid production we should be aiming to enhance this key substance. For aeons, naturopaths have been telling us that the gut is your most vital organ and that if you keep your digestive system in prime condition the rest of you will follow suit and good health might be the result. Conversely if y our gut is dysfunctional, then a host of illnesses can be a consequence. When we address any of these infirmities the first thing we need to do is examine the gut for any…

In 1997, my life changed forever. As a healthy 22-year-old, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition of the central nervous system affecting the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. According to the doctor there was no cure and how MS would affect my functioning, the frequency of relapses and level of impairment were all unknown. My first episode of immobility was confusing. For the first time ever, I experienced the disconnect between mind and body. At work in an office with all eyes on me, my mind knew I needed to walk but my legs were unresponsive. My foot dragged. I tripped, holding on to anything I could to make it back to my desk. From this moment, my life was dominated by my condition. Everything I did…

HEALTH SERVICES AND YOGA BONFIRE YOGA ‘Your place to thrive’ Jindalee Home 13/34 Goggs Road, Jindalee QLD 4074 p 07 3279 1515 BONFIRE YOGA 13/59 Eastern Road, Browns Plains QLD 4118 p 07 3800 7140 bonfireyoga.com.au ONLINE YOGA SUPPLIES BOLSTERS & THINGS Quality Yoga Props since 1994 p 08 8536 2804 e enquiries@bolstersandthings.com.au bolstersandthings.com.au SERVICES ANGEL YOGA FOR KIDS m 0412 564 757 e admin@angelyoga.com.au angelyoga4kids.com.au ASHTANGA YOGA SHALA e aysbris@gmail.com ashtangayogashala.com.au BEING YOGA m 0478 561 974 e freedom@beingyoga.com.au beingyoga.com.au BLISS BABY YOGA m 0413 996 439 e info@anadavis.com anadavis.com BYRON YOGA CENTRE p 02 6685 8327 e info@byronyoga.com byronyoga.com THE CENTRE OF YOGA m 0414 919 725 e janie@thecentreofyoga.com thecentreofyoga.com DRU YOGA p 02 6161 1462 e info@dru.com.au dru.com.au FREMANTLE YOGA CENTRE m 0417 187 433 e info@fremantleyoga.com…

April/May APRIL 21 Tamworth, NSW Taste Tamworth Festival destinationtamworth.com.au APRIL 22 Earth Day earthday.org MAY Global Mindful in May (sign up by May 1 to participate) mindfulinmay.org MAY AU Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Month crohnsandcolitis.com.au MAY 5–6 Melbourne, AU ACNEM Conference: Mastering the Integrated Approach conference.acnem.org MAY 11–13 Sydney, AU Mindd International Forum 2018 mindd.org/mif18 MAY 14 AU Mother’s Day Classic Walk or Run mothersdayclassic.com.au MAY 13–19 AU Food Allergy Week foodallergyaware.com.au MAY 15 Global International Day of Families un.org/en/events/familyday MAY 17–19 Sydney, AU Dietitians Association of Australia National Conference daa2018.com.au MAY 17–20 Noosa, QLD Noosa Food & Wine Festival noosafoodandwine.com.au MAY 18–20 Sydney, AU Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Annual Conference acupuncture.org.au MAY 19 Global World IBD Day worldibdday.org MAY 24–27 Sydney, NSW MindBodySpirit Festival mbsfestival.com.au MAY 26 AU National…

To be more conscious of the environment. I have been achieving this by recycling more and doing more volunteering for charities. The biggest thing I want to do is lose weight and to quit smoking, which is going be hard, but I have an amazing daughter who is going to help me achieve my goals. Denise Campbell My intention for the year is to be more mindful in all aspects of my life; physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I plan to achieve this by keeping a record in my WellBeing Inspirations Diary. Elaine Boyd Our intentions are to help more people this year with their health and wellness than we did last year, especially local kids. Also, to continue on our own health and happiness journey using more primal methods…

Vitamix The sleek design of the Vitamix Ascent Series has my dinner party guests drooling before I’ve even served dessert! Featuring program settings for smoothies, soups, dips, desserts and a self-cleaning mode, I just hit the touchscreen interface and walk away, knowing the Vitamix will take care of the rest. First up, I tested my favourite smoothie recipe. I added one banana, some frozen raspberries, a handful of baby spinach, a few cashews and a scoop of cacao powder to the two-litre container and hit the smoothie function. I watched the speed increase by half-speed increments, then slowly reduce as it counted down from 50 seconds before shutting off completely. Now, I’ve had this smoothie almost every day for a few years, but this morning it was different; it was…

If you had to choose one word to sum up the work of Jacinta McDonell, “disruptor” would be apt. While this word is often thrown around in the current entrepreneurial world, it’s particularly relevant for this mother of three. Her special talent? Making something very rigid approachable for all. She looks at the rules, regulations and requirements of everyday parts of life and asks — why? Why can only that person, at that time and in that way, do it? When she doesn’t get a good enough answer she goes ahead and creates the change. First it was Australia’s first 24-hour gym. Then it was charity work in Africa. And now it’s yoga and meditation. In each industry, this born entrepreneur is able to break down the barriers that keep…

What if I told you there’s a way to address the underlying causes of illness simply by understanding what ingredients to eat, how to prepare them and when to eat? It’s an equation that adds up to food most definitely being medicine. By understanding where our food comes from, what ingredients, preparation and cooking techniques are best and even consciously selecting the times you choose (or choose not) to eat, you have a recipe for living in optimal health. Most common chronic diseases — such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer — have similar root causes. They are triggered and accelerated by insulin and leptin resistance, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction. The mitochondria are the small subunits within cells that essentially generate your body’s energy. Optimising their…

When exploring chakras, you are invited to dive into investigation of your energy body and the vital force within, which is also referred to as prana, ki, qi, chi and mana, which connects your physical and subtle bodies and is transmitted by the means of chakras, the spinning vortexes of energy positioned alongside your spinal cord, aligning from its very base to the crown of your head. As mentioned in part one of our chakra exploration, the seven-chakra system, commonly accepted by various healing modalities and practices such as Reiki, qi gong, tai chi and crystal healing among others, is discussed here. Your subtle body, of which chakras are a part, is intangible but it unavoidably penetrates your physical body and influences the state of your mind, health and overall…

A study of 25,000 people by Chiba University in Japan has found that people on a computer for five or more hours a day suffer more anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Too much television also makes us feel less satisfied with our lives and is linked to depression. That’s good reason to engage in non-techno activities to boost your brainpower and spirits. So why not: Read a book or the newspaper (not online!). Play a game of chess, memory or Trivial Pursuit. Knit a jumper or scarf. Do a crossword or Sudoku puzzle. Handmake cards for birthdays of loved ones. Start a herb garden. Write a short story or haiku poem. Sit outside and cloud watch. Listen to old records or CDs. Call a friend or relative to catch up.…

This is an edited extract from Healthy Hormones: A Practical Guide to Balancing Your Hormones by Belinda Kirkpatrick and Ainsley Johnstone, published by Murdoch Books, RRP AU$35.00 Are your hormones healthy or a little off balance? Unsure of the role hormones play in your overall health? Naturopath Belinda Kirkpatrick answers all the important hormonal questions in her latest book, Healthy Hormones: A Practical Guide to Balancing Your Hormones. Cleverly infusing everyday dishes with nutrient-dense, hormone-balancing ingredients, she shares 50 delicious, gluten-free recipes that are suitable for the whole family. With over a decade of clinical practice, Kirkpatrick’s passion for balancing hormones and improving women’s health is unsurpassed. The in-depth guide reveals the impact hormones have on energy levels, sleep quality, mental health, period regulation, conception and pregnancy and what to…

Black Bean Wafer Crackers Using the goodness of black beans, ORGRAN has produced the ideal entertainer to complement your dips, toppers and side dishes. Featuring all-natural ingredients and no hidden nasties, ORGRAN Black Bean Wafer Crackers allow you to enjoy the nutritional components of black beans, while delighting in a mild, earthy flavour. W: orgran.com Gaia Spa Cuisine Bring delicious flavours of Gaia Retreat & Spa’s multi-award-winning spa cuisine to your home with the release of the new Gaia Spa Cuisine — Celebrated Recipes cookbook. Experience exquisite food combinations with innovative style, fusing culinary passion with subtle, colourful flavours, capturing the true intensity of Gaia’s dishes. W: gaiaretreat.com.au/shop Sassi Salts Black Pyramid Sea Salt Flakes Mixed with activated charcoal, a natural digestive aid and detoxifier, Sassi Salts Black has the…

LEE HOLMES runs Supercharged Food and recently released her newest book Supercharge Your Gut. Visit her blog at superchargedfood.com for more cooking inspiration, recipes and tips. In my Supercharged Kitchen at home, autumn/winter is a time when I rev up the stove, bring out the crockpot from the back of the cupboard and get more into home cooking. My philosophy for this time of the year is based on the concept of low and slow and feeding my family warming, nourishing meals made with hearty ingredients and coloured with herbs and spices. Slow cooking is a traditional method of cooking that uses a gentle flame for a long period of time. The long, slow heating allows the dish to retain the vitamins and minerals that would otherwise be destroyed. Slow cooking…

KAREN GOLDRICK is a holistic veterinarian at All Natural Vet Care, Russell Lea, Sydney. T: 02 9712 5844, W: naturalvet.com.au The most important aspect of your pet’s health that you can manage is nutrition — and weight. Cancer is a disease that generally results from a long timeline of events. There are many factors that may influence a pet’s chances of cancer, including genetics, environment and lifestyle. If we address these early, we may slow or even prevent cancer in pets. Genetics Some breeds have a higher incidence of certain types of cancer. Boxers, for example, have increased incidence of mast cell tumours, German Shepherds of hemangiosarcomas, Schnauzers of squamous cell carcinomas and Rottweilers of osteosarcoma. Though we can’t actively change genetic predispositions, we can make health choices as well as…

KAREN BRIDGMAN is a holistic practitioner at Australian Biologics, Sydney. Exercise has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety, improve oxygenation and assist in the management of stress. A 68-year-old man was virtually dragged into my office by his wife, who has been increasingly concerned with her retired husband’s bad temper tantrums. He had always been “fiery” but it seemed to be getting worse. He said he was quite OK but, on questioning, there did appear to be issues he hadn’t thought of as a problem. Since retiring several years ago, he had been watching television a lot more and had been checking out websites with controversial political views. As a result he was also becoming increasingly fearful of what appears to be happening in the world. My diagnosis was that he…

PRACTITIONERS SUSAN WALLING KINESIOLOGY 17 Parkside Row, Preston, Melbourne Vic 3072 m 0428 333 048 e susanwalling@outlook.com.au susanwallingkinesiology.com.au ORGANIC BEAUTY SAGE BEAUTY 292 Campbell Pde, North Bondi NSW 2026 p 02 9130 7064 e info@sagebeauty.com.au sagebeauty.com.au SPACE CLEARING SOPHY ROBERTSON Creating Sacred Space m 0412 308 515 e sophyrobertson@gmail.com sophyrobertson.com.au REIKI HEALING SOPHY ROBERTSON Creating Sacred Space m 0412 308 515 e sophyrobertson@gmail.com sophyrobertson.com.au PSYCHIC READINGS SOPHY ROBERTSON Creating Sacred Space m 0412 308 515 e sophyrobertson@gmail.com sophyrobertson.com.au HOLISTIC HEALING INFINITE HEALING ENERGIES Shop 6, 654 King Street, Erskineville NSW 2043 p 02 9565 4803 e info@infinitehealing energies.com.au infinitehealingenergies.com.au AESTHETIC PRACTITIONER EVA KARPATI 17 Bay Street Double Bay NSW 2018 p 02 9363 23985 e doublebay@karpati.com.au HERBALIST SAGE BEAUTY 292 Campbell Pde, North Bondi NSW 2026 p 02 9130 7064…

If you could be a better version of yourself, what would you be? Take out a notebook and pen and start writing everything that comes to your mind. Writer’s block? Unsure on how to answer? Let’s begin by looking at the language of virtue and value. Virtue, by definition, is moral excellence. It’s an honest habit that generally results in the gaining or maintaining of your values. Virtues are certain qualities or characteristics you have. We’ve touched on values here before but, as a refresher, your values represent the truth of who you are. They reflect what matters to you, what you stand for and what gives you a sense of purpose. Your values are principles that guide your behaviour in both professional and personal realms, providing a blueprint for…

Are you courageous? I was made to ponder on courage when prompted by a remark by my eldest daughter (yes, pretty much all my thinking does derive from those wondrous female offspring of mine). We were in the car on the way to dance class when she casually ruminated, “You know, I’m given everything I need in life but I just don’t have the courage to use it.” This little thought bubble sparked a few things in me. For a start, there was awe; self-awareness like this was not part of my pre-teen skill set. To the best of my recollection, when I was 12 my highest thought processes centred around how to get my parents to buy me a fashionable pair of jeans and the recent revelation that sophisticated…

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble vitamin-like nutrient synthesised by cells in human (mammalian) tissues. Coenzymes are small molecules that facilitate the chemical reactions of other enzymes. CoQ10 is critical for producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the electron energy transport chain, thereby being critical for energy production. CoQ10 is a major antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrient that plays an important role in immune modulation. It concentrates in organs and tissues that are highly metabolically active: the heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas and immune system. CoQ10 can be important to supplement because synthesis becomes less efficient as people age, while stress as well as a variety of medications deplete the body stores. Ubiquinone was first identified in 1940 when it was isolated from beef hearts. Its chemical formula was…

What is Bush Medijina? Bush Medijina, the name of our not-for-profit social enterprise, means “bush medicine” in the Anindilyakwa language. Where is Bush Medijina located? Where do you harvest? Our base is the Angurugu Community on Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria. We harvest our plants locally; the whole island is home to our medicines. Please describe some of the bush produce you collect? We use knowledge passed down from our mothers, grandmothers, aunties and elders to harvest produce on our country to make skincare products and healing remedies. We pick merrika (broad-leaved wattle) and dumburumba (native sandalwood) leaves and boil them to make body balms, lip balms and soaps. We traditionally use merrika and dumburumba for treating sores, cuts, stings and skin rashes. These balms can be rubbed…

Argan oil, the oil extracted from the nut of the argan tree, is sometimes referred to as liquid gold and has been touted by many as the magical elixir of the new millennium. It’s not surprising that cosmetic giants are getting on board and infusing argan oil into moisturisers, cuticle creams, hair serums, bath products and even makeup. You can now buy argan oil-infused lipstick to plump up your lips and give them extra shine. Out of Africa Half a world away, in the vibrant cultural melting pot of Morocco, is where the argan tree (Argania spinosa L.) grows. It survives for up to 200 years in the harsh conditions, its deep roots protecting the arid landscape from the march of the desert. It’s the nut that contains the oil…

Those big feelings, like disappointment and anger, are hard to take. They are hard enough for adults who understand emotions and have rational minds to deal with them but, for kids who have not developed this level of rational thinking, they are much trickier and often cause significant angst in families. It’s our job as parents to help our children recognise their feelings and not “rescue” them from the hard ones but help them develop their own strategies for dealing with them. Every feeling comes for a reason. • Anger is a clue that something is wrong and we need to make it right again. • Fear or being afraid stirs up our fightor-flight instinct and we need to take it seriously to change a situation. • Sadness is a…

“If a person gave away your body to some passerby, you’d be furious. Yet you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along so they may abuse you, leaving it disturbed and troubled. Have you no shame in that?” ~ Epictetus What essentially makes you depressed or anxious or angry? Most would say it’s what happens to you that determines how you feel. You were retrenched from work today and are devastated. You were abused by a friend and feel angry and sad. You were ignored by your partner and feel rejected. Many people, however, including psychologists, now recognise life events play only a small role in how you feel and behave. The real culprits are your thoughts. It’s not what happens to you but how you interpret and…

As depression cannot be wished or willed away, it’s important to seek help. The following will boost your level of support and make you feel less alone: Talk to trusted and empathetic friends or family. Network with friends about the names of good counsellors or see your GP for a referral. Ventilating feelings and fears often lightens the load and puts problems in perspective Make an appointment and debrief about your feelings while getting helpful strategies. Find a counselling modality that is a good fit for your personality such as cognitive behavioural therapy (which deals with distorted/faulty thinking), psychotherapy (which uses different modalities) or behavioural activation (which involves scheduled mood-boosting activities). Join an online chat group for people suffering depression. Ask your GP about antidepressants. Or see your naturopath for…

Having a glorious giggle reduces blood pressure and also helps you stay healthy by boosting your immune system. Do you blush bright red even when you feel just a tiny twinge of embarrassment? Perhaps you get slippery, sweaty palms when you give an impromptu speech, or your heart feels as though it will explode out of your chest when you feel nervous. Fear, anxiety and awkwardness are very real emotions that everyone experiences in different situations. Some people seem to take circumstances that can potentially cause fear or embarrassment in their stride. For others, tripping over their tongue, or feeling uneasy, leads to blushing, sweating and feelings of anxiety. Being embarrassed often leads to even more uncomfortable sensations, Fortunately, you can deal with these reactions in natural ways and break…

Getting there Air Asia flies from Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Perth to Colombo via Kuala Lumpur (airasia.com). A 30-day online tourist visa costs US$35 for adults (kids under 12 years enter for free). Apply at eta.gov.lk. When to go Expect great weather, crowds and peak season prices from December to April (avoid the June–September monsoon). Beds are easier to find in May and November. Where to stay In Tangalle, try the recycled decor rooms at eco-friendly Serein Beach (from AUD$55/night, sereinbeach.com). In Galle, Fortaleza runs five premier boutique hotels, priced from AUD$200/night (fortaleza.lk). Don’t miss Aurudu (New Year’s Eve) on April 13; blue whale watching in Mirissa (December to March); Galle’s Literary Festival in January (galleliteraryfestival.com) and green and hawksbill turtles nesting on Rekawa Beach from April to September.…

Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat’s award-winning recipe book A Taste of Gwinganna features 160 pages of delicious gluten-and dairy-free recipes, plus a special section on how to make your own fermented foods. W: gwinganna.com Synergy Natural Super Greens 200g Powder Synergy Natural Super Greens Powder combines four of nature’s most calorie-sparse and nutrient-dense wholefoods: spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and wheat grass. Boasting an extraordinary array of easily digestible nutrients, fat-burning compounds, vitamins, minerals, proteins and phytochemicals, the powder packs a true superfoods punch. W: synergynatural.com Golden Door Elysia Health Retreat and Spa, Hunter Valley This year, make yourself a priority. Experience healthy eating, physical activity, informative and motivational seminars, rest and rejuvenation at Golden Door. Golden Door’s all-inclusive programs will change your life — the way you live it,…

Choosing a yoga course can be daunting; not just who to train with, but which course to select. Byron Yoga Centre, located in Byron Bay on the New South Wales north coast, has trained more than 3000 teachers. The centre runs a range of different trainings and retreats in Byron Bay as well as part-time options offered in Sydney and Melbourne. Beginning your teaching career Starting out as a yoga teacher can feel like a giant leap. It’s not easy to go from being in a class to leading it but you can ease into it. Begin by teaching friends and family and offering classes by donation. Then, when you are ready, you can start with one or two classes a week, organically building towards a fuller schedule. The minimum…

ALEXX STUART is a passionate educator in the space she calls “living a low tox-life”. Through her speaking, workshops, e-courses and online community, she helps people make the best new choices for them, their families and the planet. lowtoxlife.com Unfortunately, it’s not a perfect world where we’re all detoxifying perfectly and so we do, most of us, need support on the detoxification front. We live in a world where, at every turn, it seems as if we’re being sold something to detox, much of it with very little substance or proof that it will work. Do we need to detox, though? I mean, don’t our bodies just detox all the time, anyway? Many skeptics say, “We detox every day — we don’t even need to think about it — so it’s…

JAN MCLEOD is a highly respected coach, mentor, speaker and consultant, a specialist in the areas of high performance, wellbeing, nutrition, and change strategy in the workplace www.thecapacityequation.com.au Or madforhealth.com.au. Healthy eating is not just what you eat; it’s also about when, how and why you eat. Like you, many of my clients work in busy work environments. Like you, they are often short on time and long on priorities; and, like you, they are juggling deadlines and commitments. There’s nothing wrong with this scenario as long as it doesn’t have an impact on your ability to invest in wellbeing fundamentals, including healthy eating. Below I have outlined key guidelines to follow for sustaining healthy eating in the workplace. Build sustainable eating habits My experience tells me that if you can…

CHRISTINE BROADBENT has been practising astrology for 30 years. As a professional consulting astrologer and teacher, she offers workshops, personal readings and an informative newsletter. Contact: Christine@astrologyspot.com.au or Ph: 0402 664 101. For Taurus Your earthy, productive skills are highlighted in May with a Full Moon on April 30 starting May on a high-energy note. The transit of Jupiter through your opposite sign smiles on partnerships and public roles, especially May 6–12 and May 19–25, when Water sign harmonies add creative flair. Capitalise on this May 29–Jun 7, when Venus provides a sweeter touch. Jun 20, 21 & 23 provide another boost but late June requires restraint and caution in contracts and communication. Cancer April 28–May 20 is earthy, with practical knowhow, strategic moves and ideal conditions. Your Cancer security urge…