Health

Many Australians, at some time in their life, will need to access aged care services – if not for themselves, for their spouse, parents, children, relatives or friends. Through Commonwealth, State and Local government departments and a large number of community organisations, there is a wide range of services and support available – you just […]

The more diverse your circle of friends, the healthier you’ll be. Here are some ‘natural’ ideas on how to connect with others. Put your hand up: Besides introducing you to new people, putting yourself forward for charity or volunteer work makes you feel better about yourself. Open your mind: Fancy making a vegetarian lasagna? Learning […]

Try a Candle Meditation. Gazing into a candle flame is a simple, effective way of quieting thoughts and focusing your mind. Sit quietly at a table, and place a candle in a holder in front of you. Light it. Look steadily at the candle, and take five deep breaths, one after the other. While you […]

Video Games for Attention Deficit Disorder. A new kind of video game, one with EEG (brain wave) biofeedback, is being used by psychologists to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), a condition characterised by hyperactivity and poor concentration. Patients have an electrode attached to their scalp, which is then connected with the computer; they play the […]

According to the Chinese system of chi kung, gently and rhythmically tapping various acupressure points on the body creates a vibrational wave that travels deep into the tissues, balancing the flow of energy, and stimulating the circulation and flow of lymph. These are the classic “Three Taps”, said to clear negative energy and help the […]

The jury is still out on the cause of Parkinson’s Disease – a devastating illness that affects thousands of Australians each year – but researchers at Boston’s Harvard School of Public Health may have come across a clue. The study tracked the diets of 124,200 men and women over 12 to 14 years, and found […]

Herbs and Surgery Don’t Mix. Many common healing herbs – like ginseng and St John’s wort – can increase your chance of problems during or after surgery, says the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Herbal remedies affect how your body reacts when you undergo surgery. For instance, both ginkgo and feverfew can interfere with the blood-clotting […]

If you use essential oils in your bath, add them just before entering so their delicate healing properties won’t evaporate in the steam before you get in the tub. Oh, and swoosh the water to disperse the drops thoroughly so there are no ‘hot spots’ of oil.

Stress can harm your heart and compromise your immune system, resulting in a lowered resistance to infection. Try these three quick tips to beat stress and bring instant calm. 1. Shrug Your Shoulders This releases tension held in your neck and back. Slowly and deliberately raise your shoulders as close to your ears as you […]

As if helping to lower cholesterol and relieving some menopausal symptoms isn’t enough good news, soy may soon have a new health claim to make. In a small study conducted at Hull University in England, researchers tested the effect of soy supplements on diabetic women. For 12 weeks, one group of the women ate meals […]