Feel better in 5
Big changes start with simple steps. Try these ideas to help improve your wellbeing
1 A DAY TO DAY MUST-HAVE
Have you ever wondered what the one item you should always carry on you at all times (other than insulin, of course!) would be? 24 Daily pawpaw ointment (available at TerryWhite Chemmart, $3.99 for 25g) is a great travel-size soothing ointment for almost anything. Whether your lips are dry, you have a scratch, minor wound or burn, eczema or psoriasis, a mozzie bite (hello summer!), diabetic foot ulcer… whatever the drama, pawpaw ointment will help to aid in the healing process and provide temporary relief. How? One hundred per cent natural, this ointment contains papaya (pawpaw), which is packed full of minerals (including calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium, as well as vitamins A and C) that promote healing across your body.
2 HIT THE WAVES
Do you want to learn a new skill, start exercising and also calm the mind, but don’t know where to begin? Why not learn to surf? Trust us, you’re never too old to get started! Surfing increases your shoulder and back strength, and decreases joint stiffness through the rotating motion of your arms and the pivoting of your joints when paddling through the water to catch a wave. Then, by standing upright and balancing yourself on an ever-moving object, your flexibility, and leg and core strength, are also increased. And, while doing all of this, you are surrounded by water, which has long been known to have a calming effect on your mind, improving your mood. If you’ve never surfed before, or have been out of the water for some time, find a surf school near you to get started. Or, if surfing doesn’t interest you, head down to the beach to reap the benefits of a calmer mind by simply watching and hearing the waves roll in – you can thank us later!
3 DON’T FEAR CHRISTMAS
It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of the year, and with about one quarter of Australians already suffering a significant amount of regular stress, the festive season only adds to it, whether it’s the thought of family dramas or feeling pressure to create a ‘perfect’ celebration (BTW there’s no such thing, so get off social media now!). No matter your deal, here are some ways to ward off festive stress:
• Write a list – and check it twice.
• Decide what food you want to serve on Christmas Day well in advance. (Hint: we’ve created the ideal menu on page 59.)
• Think about what people are asking, and decide if it’s a priority, before commiting to plans.
• You have every right to use the word ‘no’ to achieve a stress-free Christmas.
• Don’t leave everything until the last minute… hello panic attack!
• Remember to have fun. After all, Christmas is about spending time with those who mean the most to you. ➤
4 NATURAL DOSE OF VITAMIN D
Summer is right around the corner and so is the strong Aussie sun. We know how easy it is to go outside and enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather – after all, this is the simplest way to get vitamin D naturally. By exposing your skin for as little as 15 minutes, your body produces enough vitamin D for the day. This essential vitamin has multiple roles in your body, from maintaining the health of your teeth and bones, and supporting your immune and nervous systems, as well as the brain, to regulating your insulin levels and supporting cardiovascular health.
Although it is vital to get a daily source of vitamin D, especially after the cooler, darker months of the year, it is important you do this safely. Before heading outside, ensure you apply the lightweight, fragrancefree TerryWhite Chemmart Sunscreen SPF50+ ($12.99 for 1L). Once the sunscreen is on, follow the Cancer Council’s advice and wear protective clothing, a hat and sunnies when exposed to the sun.
5 GET YOUR OM ON
Hear us out. Meditation isn’t just about breathing deeply as you sit cross-legged with your eyes shut. Rather, it’s much more than that. Dating back more than 2000 years, meditation has long been a technique people have used to quickly relax their body and calm their mind. However, it also helps you change your relationship with your thoughts.
As you consciously become aware of the thoughts running through your mind, you are able to focus on them, understand the emotions surrounding them and learn to let go of the ones that cause you stress.
Not only does meditation increase your self-awareness, it has also been recognised as a natural technique to calm your anxiety and stress levels, improve your sleep (through releasing the tensions of the day) and decrease your blood pressure. To find a type of meditation that works for you, search “Meditation Near Me” on Google or download a meditation app (such as Calm or Insight
Timer) to your smartphone to start exploring the options.