Prevention Magazine Australia February/March 2021

Are you feeling optimistic? I am! Having consigned 2020 to history, doesn’t it feel amazing to have this brand new year in front of us? I wonder how the turmoil and uncertainty of the past 12 months may have changed what you’re seeking from the year ahead. My own goals for 2021 are completely unlike any I’ve set before. I’m someone who has always been busy, squeezing every last bit of juice out of each day, but this year I’ve decided to do less, take life at a slower pace and prioritise calm. To that end, I recently gave myself permission to have a glorious 90-minute massage. Coming up with reasons not to do it was the easy part. Although allowing myself time out of my day was a challenge,…

Q HOW OFTEN DO YOU HAVE A CRY? 61% CRY AT THE DROP OF A HAT 39% RARELY SHED A TEAR Q DID YOU MAKE A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? 32% Yes! 2021, here we come! 68% NOPE, TOO MUCH PRESSURE Q YOUR FLUFFY PET OF CHOICE? 77% LOVE A PLAYFUL PUP 23% PREFER A FELINE FRIEND Q WHAT’S YOUR PREFERRED DAYTIME STYLE? 63%prefer a flowy, fun outfit 37% LIKE A SLEEK AND TAILORED LOOK Q Would you rather a brunch with friends or a fancy dinner date with a loved one? 65% BRUNCH-IT LIGHTS ME UP! 35% A FANCY DATE NIGHT GETS ME EXCITED *SURVEYS CONDUCTED ON INSTAGRAM (@PREVENTIONAUS) AND FACEBOOK (@PREVENTIONMAGAUSTRALIA)…

TRADE SECRETS While reading ‘Tiff’s secrets for a healthy body’ (Dec/Jan), TiffHall’s energy was so contagious. I loved that she highlighted that weight loss/fitness are not only about ‘clean eating’, but also about daily habits (loved her three-hour reset tip). She’s redirected my focus to transform my mind, body and health. It was a great article about an insightful woman willing to share her tips with other women. Loved it! Cheree Hendrickse, NSW SMALL STEPS, BIG REWARDS I really enjoyed reading ‘15 ways to feel great’ (Dec/Jan). It’s true to say that 2020 showed us we can’t control everything, but the article demonstrated how we can control the small things that can make us feel better. While they’re tiny steps, they can still make a huge impact on our happiness and that’s something we…

Offscreen While you likely don’t need to buy another sundress this year (sorry), you may need to replenish your SPF supply. Yep, even if it’s half full. “Out-of-date sunscreen can be much less effective, so you have a higher chance of burning and exposing yourself to the sun’s harmful rays,” explains dermatologist Dr Simon Zokaie. As well as accelerating the skin’s ageing process, getting burnt even once can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. So check the date on your sunscreen and throw it away if it’s passed. One other thing: “Allowing sunscreen to overheat or exposing it to moisture can break down its components and reduce its effectiveness,” says Dr Zokaie. So, stash the new one away from sunlight to maintain its UV-blocking power and make it last longer.…

Getting your fill of vitamins A, E and D could be key to fewer respiratory issues, a study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health shows. Hi gh intakes of vitamins A and E, in either supplements or foods, plus vitamin D in supplement form, were linked to fewer asthma and other breathing difficulties. Want to up your vit intake during the day? Get your As in liver, whole milk and carrots, Es in vegetable oils and nuts, and Ds from the mid-morning or mid-aft ernoon sun this summer. Fat on the move Could a fat transplant be the answer to obesity? That’s what scientists at Boston’s Joslin Diabetes Center are hoping. We all have different kinds of fat in the body: white fat (too much of which leads to obesity) and brown…

ORGANS CAN FUNCTION BETTER When your sympathetic nervous system is triggered during stressful events, your muscles tense up and your heart rate increases (a good survival mechanism in small doses), which leads to blood pressure going up. But when you relax, the hormone acetylcholine is released to slow down your heart rate, allowing your organs to get back to functioning at their optimal state. BREATHING EASES Shortness of breath is a common symptom of high stress levels, says clinical psychologist Dr Addie Wootten, CEO of Smiling Mind. “Actively slowing your breathing rate down activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps relax the body and bring back a state of balance. As you begin to settle, the uncomfortable sensations of stress and anxiety will gradually subside.” DIGESTION IS FINE TUNED If you feel constipated or bloated,…