There must be something good in the air Down-Under — according to a recent survey, at least two-thirds of Australians believe they hold the key to being happy. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) tested 22,000 people as part of its 2007/08 National Health Survey and found that around a third of Australians exhibit some […]

Even when it’s justified, nursing a grudge can harm your health. Try these five steps to make peace with your past. Anger and hostility increase your risk of many health problems, from headaches and colds to hypertension and insomnia. Researchers have found that people stewing over a grievance have higher blood pressure, increased heart rate, […]

Having a snuggle with your loved one isn’t just about the feel-good factor anymore, new research shows that hugging and kissing can actually fight stress levels too. Researchers at the University of Zurich in Switzerland have found that intimacy can lower levels of stress hormones in the body and improve psychological health. But, there’s a […]

Dreams are clues from your unconscious mind about what’s bothering you in the waking world. Check out these 16 symbols from slumberland. 1 Aeroplane This usually means two things: one, wanting the freedom to ‘fly solo’ towards a destination, and two, defying gravity and, by association, thumbing your nose at convention. 2 Animals If you […]

If you knew you could do just five simple things a day to stay sane — would you? Scientists in the UK have found that simple social and personal activities like gardening or fixing things around the house can improve mental health just as much as eating a healthy diet of fresh fruit and vegetables […]

Feeling stuck? Try Pamela Allardice’s seven-step plan to bust that rut and push forward in your life. 1 Make time First, create an opportunity for inward focus. Getting unstuck isn’t just about moving on: before you can do that, you need to look within and establish who you are and what you want. Schedule an […]

New scientific research has revealed that depression can potentially cause severe brain damage, reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment amongst sufferers. A three-year study of 38 patients admitted to a psychiatric ward with serious depression found that grey-matter loss in key areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulum and hippocampus […]

A gift book to celebrate 75 Years of The Australian Women’s Weekly: Memories and great moments from Australia’s most loved magazine This sumptuous gift book is filled with a lifetime of memories as seen through the pages of Australia’s most widely read magazine. In October 2008, Australia celebrates the 75th birthday of a publishing icon. […]

A study carried out in the US has revealed that women become unhappier than men in later life, despite experiencing greater overall life satisfaction in early adulthood. According to the survey to be detailed in an upcoming report in the Journal of Happiness Studies, women start out far happier in life than their male counterparts […]

Not a morning person? These 10 ideas from Pamela Allardice will have you out of bed pronto and feeling perkier once you’re up. 1 First things first. You’ll feel awful in the morning if you don’t get enough sleep. Going to bed five minutes earlier each night for two weeks will increase your shut-eye time […]