Advertisement
Home Page 5282

Keep smiling: How to stay upbeat in trying times

Photo: Getty Images

When times are tough, don’t despair. It is possible to change the way you see things, and expert help is always at hand…

Looking back over recent headlines you could be forgiven for thinking the world is about to come crashing to an end. The only uncertainty seems to be what we will ruin first — the economy or the environment.

Amid all this doom and gloom, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless. And those feelings are magnified if you’ve been directly affected by the worldwide economic crisis, as an increasing number of us are.

“Financial problems are a significant source of concern for many Australians,” says Caroline Doherty, spokesperson for Crisis Support Services (CSS), a not-for-profit organisation that offers counselling to people under pressure. “Of all the calls we receive, financial worries are the second most common, after relationship problems.”

CSS runs 10 free helplines, including Mensline Australia and the Beyond Blue information line, and professional counsellors answer every call.

“That’s what makes our service so valuable,” says Caroline. “We hear from people who are just having a bad day to those who are a suicide risk. Our counsellors assess each one and determine what help they need.”

But can you help yourself see things differently too? Yes, says Dr Dianne Vella-Brodrick, senior lecturer in psychology at Monash University in Melbourne. She specialises in Positive Psychology (PP), a field that focuses on how changing the way you think can affect your happiness and satisfaction with life.

“There are many different pathways to happiness,” she says. “Some are transient and simple — such as the act of eating a slice of cake. Too often we assume money will make us happy, but research shows this is not true. If you are experiencing severe poverty it will obviously affect your quality of life, but if you have food to eat and a roof over your head, you have all the makings of happiness.”

  1. Discuss your risk with your family. Depressing media reports can leave you feeling more worried than is necessary.

  2. Limit the amount of time you spend reading about the financial crisis.

  3. Be wary of placing blame for your financial situation on your partner. You’re in this together.

  4. Discuss with your partner what would make you feel secure. Is it paying the bills early, saving money for a rainy day, or having a cupboard full of food? Make these necessities a priority.

  5. Talk to friends — it’s a relief to know you’re not alone.

  1. For birthdays and special occasions, focus on ‘doing’ gifts — spend time building a tree house with your kids or help your little one make their favourite superhero costume.

  2. We live in a beautiful country, so get out there and enjoy it! Hikes, days at the beach and bush walks are all inexpensive.

  3. Timeshare your skills with others. Are you a good cook? Invite friends round for a cooking lesson to fill an evening. Is your partner into the Great Outdoors? Have them arrange an expedition.

  4. Donate time to charity. It’s a fulfilling pastime that helps combat the consumer side of the festive season.

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

Smitten with kittens!

This is my kitty, Aeky. She’s my world!

My gorgeous kitty Aphrodite’ loves the camera! She is definitely a poser.

My bengal kitten Aztec is 7 months old.

Introducing Bobbi, our new Manx Kitten. They say they have no tail, so they can’t balance — not true!

This is Claude — the cheeky little kitty we could never live without!

Here is my gorgeous 3-month-old ragdoll, conducting his orchestra.

A pic of our little kitty. She is called Danger Danger. Danger for short.

This is our kitten Eazy, who has added much excitement and mischief to our household.

This my adorable ragdoll kitten Fozzy, aged 3 months, at his cheekiest.

Although I have a gorgeous 9-month-old son, Noah, Honey will always be my little girl.

Ain’t I cute?

This is one of my little kittens Nikki, who I think looks absolutely adorable in her wings.

“No one told me I look like this in the morning!”

Our kitty loves water and decided he needed a clean before his photo was taken on my wedding day.

Pizza’s a real snoozer. He can fall asleep anywhere and in any position.

This is our 4-month-old kitten, Sassafrass. She’s pretty tired after a long day playing in her room.

My friend in the cupboard.

Our Sumo is one cute little kitty.

This my beautiful little girl Tallulah. She’s 7 weeks old and full of life. I adopted her from a Sydney dogs and cats home. I’m so in love with her!

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

My favourite pet

This is the latest pet gallery of photos submitted by Woman’s Day site visitors. If you’d like to send in your own beloved pet pics please do so at the end of the slideshow. ————————————————————————– This is Kobe three years ago when we got her from the pound! She is an inspiration to me everyday. I love her so much, I look forward to coming home every night to see her. — Kylee

This is my dog Lusk AKA Luskasaurus/Luskington. He is a beautiful golden retriever cross blue cattle with a very devoted and excitable nature. Couldnt be without him. — Nikkea

These two are brother and sister and my ying and yang but unfortunately I just lost Gypsy after 14 years together but she is still a part of our ying and yang. — Madison

My baby, I miss her so much. She lives back home in Macedonia. — Tessa

Chaos by name and chaos by nature, what a spunk rat. — SammyE

This is my one year old Australian bulldog, Buckley… he is my pride and joy. — Kirstie

Zeus was way more than just a pet he was our best-friend. He loved his walks, chicken necks and new toys, and most of all he loved us and we loved him. — Clifton family

Every time the camera comes out, my pet flashes this big smile. — Shelley

This is Sally, my beautiful pomeranian who loves to watch passers-by from the lounge room window. — Lorna

Here is my best buddy my labrador, Yogi. He’s a cheeky dog, alway’s playing and enjoys going for a swim at the beach. He’s always a good boy for his photos. Here he has reindeer ears on. What a cutie. — Carlyie ——————————————————————- Submit photos of your own adorable pets here!

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

Summer survival guide

Photo: Getty Images

Ah, summer time — sunshine, clear skies, long days, swimming, parks, picnics and public holidays. While there’s much fun to be had, it’s easy to forget the risks — our beloved warmer months can be a health hazard, and not just to our skin. So we’ve asked an expert for tips on how to stay healthy this season.

“Summer is all about fun, but we need to take care and make sure we stay safe,” explains Dr Ron McCoy, spokesperson for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

“The good news is that most of the medical issues we more commonly see at this time of year can be prevented. It’s a great idea to do a reputable first aid course, have a fully-equipped first aid kit, and an up-to-date book on hand.”

Here is Dr McCoy’s top advice for dealing with just some of the conditions we may face.

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

Rebecca Gibney exclusive: The battle to save my home

By Patrice Fidgeon

Pictures: Ross Coffey

Rebecca, her husband Richard and their son Zac are willing to fight to save the piece of paradise they call home in Tasmania…

When Packed To The Rafters star Rebecca Gibney moved to Tasmania six-and-a-half years ago, she hoped she would find a haven in which to relax. Little did she realise her idyllic dream home was under threat from an environmentally unfriendly eyesore set to be built in the beautiful river valley which the family call home.

Since then, Rebecca and her husband Richard Bell, along with countless thousands of pulp mill opponents, have campaigned for close to four years against the establishment of a pulp mill in the rolling green hills of the Tamar valley in which their mesmerisingly beautiful property sits.

Opponents of the proposal to build one of the world’s largest chlorine bleaching pulp mills, claim that not only would it spoil the area’s natural beauty, it would add to pollution, consume native forest and use billions of litres of precious water each year. It would also pollute the waters of Bass Strait and the Tamar River, and in doing so, affect tourism.

Passionate about their local environment, Rebecca, Richard and their peers have devoted hours to lobbying, on rare occasions being intimidated and abused by a small but angry pro-mill minority. Now, however, the family and their local community appear to be coming close to winning the fight. But it has come at a cost.

“Whenever you voice your opinion on something, you always know you’ll come up against people who look to discredit you. And that’s fine. But it got a bit personal. I was vilified in the press because I’d taken a stand,” Rebecca tells Woman’s Day exclusively.

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

Crime special: This woman faked cancer for money

**By Jacqui Lang

Nearly all of us know someone who has had cancer, and are aware of its effect on families. So why would someone pretend they were suffering from such a cruel disease?**

South Australian mum Angie Walsh wept as she told a radio audience how cancer was killing her. Her cancer was inoperable, but if only she could afford a new cancer drug treatment, she sobbed, it could make all the difference. If not, she would be dead in six months…

“I know there are people out there who are so much worse off than me, but at the moment we have no family or support, it’s overwhelming,” Angie told listeners in Victor Harbor, SA.

Angie’s tearful tale and a feature in the local newspaper soon had caring souls reaching for their wallets, wanting to assist the 31-year-old who claimed she was suffering terminal thyroid cancer and leukaemia. After all, who wouldn’t want to help a mum, whose cancer had spread to her brain and kidneys, to have more time with her family?

In all, kindly folk donated $9000 to help the married mother of one. The only problem was that Angie Walsh never had cancer. Charged with 24 counts of deception and identify fraud, Angie is currently on bail and awaiting her trial.

Her lawyer, Sarah Grimwade, claimed Walsh has bipolar and multiple personality disorders, and attended a Perth psychiatric clinic in 2002. Her mental state will be considered when she finally faces court next month.

The lengths Angie allegedly went to in order to look like a cancer patient are disturbing. Riverside Serviced Apartments manager, Emma Reid, told the Herald Sun newspaper that Walsh had worn a scarf and shaved her eyebrows when she stayed at the Melbourne hotel in August 2006, to look like she was undergoing chemotherapy.

For the full story, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on sale January 5).

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

In the mag – January 12, 2009

Issue on sale Monday January 5, 2009

Rebecca Gibney exclusive: The battle to save my home

The TV star, her husband Richard and their son Zac are willing to fight to save the piece of paradise they call home in Tasmania…

Tom and Katie’s death threat terror

The Hollywood couple bunker down after attacks from crazed anti-Scientology fanatics…

Sacha caught with another woman

Aussie actress Isla Fisher is left fuming after her long-term fiancé gets in a clinch with another woman…

Lose weight with Oprah now!

The TV mogul invites her millions of fans, including Aussie women, to join her new fight against flab…

Harry and Chelsy’s romantic getaway

The loved-up pair take a luxury break in Mauritius before Harry leaves for the Army Air Corps…

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

Tom and Katie’s death threat terror

The Hollywood couple bunker down after attacks from crazed anti-Scientology fanatics…

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are living in fear after receiving a series of death threats, believed to have been sent by fanatical anti-Scientology groups.

“The threats are perceived to be so great that the FBI has been alerted,” a source told the UK’s Mail On Sunday newspaper last week.

The couple have already experienced opposition to their controversial Scientology beliefs, but insiders say the latest round of threatening letters has left Tom, 46, so rattled he’s ordered that he and Katie, 30, stay in separate locations and travel in bullet- and bomb-proof vehicles.

“Tom’s cars look perfectly normal, but in reality they are more like armoured trucks,” an insider told In Touch magazine.

Tom also took the unusual step of arriving at the LA premiere of his new movie Valkyrie via a hidden tunnel, avoiding anti-Scientology protesters outside the cinema.

The star was with his children Isabella, 16, and Connor, 13, but Katie and two-year-old Suri remained in New York, where Katie is performing with John Lithgow in the Broadway revival of All My Sons.

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

Sacha caught with another woman

Aussie actress Isla Fisher is left fuming after her long-term fiancé gets in a clinch with another woman…

Isla Fisher is said to be furious with her fiancé Sacha Baron Cohen, after the British funnyman was caught kissing a mystery brunette at an LA nightclub last week.

While Isla, 32, was at home caring for the couple’s one-year-old daughter Olive, Sasha, 37, was spotted partying and drinking at celebrity haunt Teddy’s nightclub, where onlookers say he caught the eye of a dark-haired beauty.

The pair were seen locked in a deep conversation, before the mystery woman wrapped her arms around Sacha — best known as the creator of Borat — in an enthusiastic embrace, with the couple sharing a kiss.

Insiders fear that Sacha’s obvious flirtation has raised uncomfortable questions about his and Isla’s long-running, four-year engagement.

Having met at a Sydney party in 2002, they became engaged two years later. But so far the couple have failed to make it down the aisle, with Isla yet to convert to Judaism, Sacha’s religion.

Related stories


Advertisement
Home Page 5282

Lose weight with Oprah now!

Getty

The TV mogul invites her millions of fans, including Aussie women, to join her new fight against flab…

Oprah Winfrey is embarking on a worldwide weight-loss campaign in a bid to scale down her 90kg figure and get healthy.

The bold move follows the talk show queen’s stunning admission that in the past two years her weight has spiralled out of control.

Determined not to let her problem balloon any further, Oprah has enlisted celebrity personal trainer Bob Greene to help get her — and her viewers around the globe — back in shape.

It all begins this week, when Oprah kicks off her Best Life Week with a series of specials on The Oprah Winfrey Show, airing in tandem in the US and here in Australia on Channel Ten. The shows are followed by a week of webcasts on www.oprah.com, from January 12.

“My goal isn’t to be thin. My goal is to be the weight that my body can hold and be healthy and strong and fit,” Oprah explains. “2009 is the year of hopefulness and I feel hopeful.”

Having slimmed down to a toned 72kgs in 2004, Oprah, 54, says her weight ballooned after she was diagnosed with a thyroid condition in 2007.

“From the moment I learnt I had a thyroid problem, I thought, ‘I don’t know how to fight this’,” she admits.

Feeling defeated by the knowledge that her metabolism was out of balance, she admits she simply gave up exercise and watching what she ate.

Related stories


Advertisement