Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 2 Issue 75 i The Art of Healing

The research, recently published in the British Journal of Psychiatry from a team at the University of Bath with international colleagues, analysed survey results from 385 caregivers of children aged 6-16 both in the U.K. and Portugal. Individuals completed an online questionnaire between 1 May 2020 and 27 June 2020. This cohort had experienced considerable adversity because of COVID-19. 70% were working exclusively from home, almost half reported a reduction in income, and nearly all children (93%) were being home-schooled. In addition, one in five identified at least one family member who was suspected or had been infected with COVID-19. Yet despite all this, when asked the question “Do you think there are any positives to come out of this pandemic and of the social distancing restrictions?” 88% of respondents said ‘yes.’…

Longer life expectancy and the associated neurodegenerative changes that accompany it, raise the prospect of dementia, with around 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 affected in the developed world. As people age, their sleep patterns change, with afternoon naps becoming more frequent. But research published to date hasn’t reached any consensus on whether afternoon naps might help to stave off cognitive decline and dementia in older people or whether they might be a symptom of dementia. The researchers explored this further in 2214 ostensibly healthy people aged at least 60 and resident in several large cities around China, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian. In all, 1534 took a regular afternoon nap, while 680 didn’t. All participants underwent a series of health checks and cognitive assessments, including the…

You are lying down in bed but there is a creeping, tingling, pulling sensation in your legs, which gives you a strong, uncontrollable urge to move your legs. In fact, it feels likes bugs are crawling in your legs. Goodbye, sleepytime. Welcome to restless leg syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease. WHAT IS RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME? Doctors categorise restless leg syndrome as a sleep disorder since symptoms occur mainly at night and while sleeping. However, the sensations may also happen during the day - especially when you sit still for a long time, such as on a plane or in the car. A chronic condition, restless leg syndrome (RLS) affects both women and men, but women more often. It can also occur in children, particularly if they have ADHD (Attention…

However, not all snacks are created equal. there are those that can rile you up and keep you from reaching high-quality sleep (sugary sweets and junk foods), while others contain just the nutrients you need for a deeper snooze. Below are a few expert-approved sleepy-time snacks for any late night craving. 1. Tart Cherries Tart cherries are rich in melatonin, the hormone produced naturally by the body that’s essential for sleep. One randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study even showed that participants who drank tart cherry juice had increased melatonin levels, which in turn improved sleep quality and sleep duration. Another randomised, double-blind, pilot study found that tart cherry juice was just as, if not more effective at managing insomnia than both valerian and melatonin products, and you don’t necessarily need to have a juicer on-hand. “Buy tart cherries…

I conceptualise anxiety as a continuum. We all experience different levels of anxiety. This is due to factors such as genetic makeup, temperament, family history, brain functioning and neurochemistry, personal experiences, and the interplay across them all. Some medical conditions are also known to cause or exacerbate feelings of anxiety, so it’s always a good idea to see a medical doctor if you are experiencing an increase in anxiety symptoms. Also, anxiety is a double-edged sword. Often individuals who experience anxiety are analytical thinkers who feel emotions at a deeper level and have higher levels of empathy. In fact, part of conquering anxiety is recognising the inherent qualities and strengths in characteristics you possess while standing up to challenges. If you suffer from anxiety, you want to accept and change…

The book was first published in 1939 with the title The Eye of Revelation: The Ancient Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation, and then revised in 1946. It was re-released with its latest title in 1985, after which it quickly became an international bestseller. My copy is from a 1998 edition. At that time, the book had sold more than two million copies. My version includes testimonials from people who practice the rites who claim benefits such as increased memory and clarity of mind, arthritis relief, better eyesight, more alertness, weight loss, and less frequent colds and pain relief - even in chronic cases. In the foreword, Bernie Siegel, M.D. asks, “Why look to the wisdom of ancient masters if modern science and technology can provide for all your needs and wants?”…

Gee, it is a wonderful thing when you start your day with a lovely message from someone who says they like what you’re doing. It makes you feel that it is all really worth it. I remember hearing Bob Brown speak a few years back, and when asked what one of the most significant things was that had happened to him - in his life, he said receiving a Thank You card. Ahhh, it’s the little things. The other thing I thought, when reading the same message which was from a lady who had contacted many years ago, is how important – and perhaps a little under-rated these days(?) is the value of longevity in whatever you do. This point came to me through an interview I did recently as…

According to the study conducted in the U.S., when people trust each other more, they feel more connected and care for each other more, which contributes to lower infection rates and fewer deaths from COVID. For the study, researchers Christos Makridis of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cary Wu of York University in Toronto compared over 2,700 counties spread across the United States, representing a variety of communities with different characteristics. Their data for infection and death rates came from a report put out by Johns Hopkins University who have been tracking the virus. For social capital, they used data from two large surveys that looked at elements considered by the Joint Economic Committee to be essential to social capital, such as stable family structures, trust in social institutions, and how much people vote, volunteer, and…

When placed in the context of the human body, consumption of these beverages has been linked to improper beating of the heart, cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle which makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood), increased blood pressure, and other heart conditions. With the global sales of energy drinks estimated at $53 billion in 2018 and rapidly growing, it is important to understand the potential unintended health consequences associated with these beverages, says Professor Ivan Rusyn from the Texas A&M University in the U.S. Researchers evaluated 17 widely available over-the-counter brands. They then treated cardiomyocytes with each drink. “Because the consumption of these beverages is not regulated and they are widely accessible over the counter to all age groups, the potential for adverse health effects of these…

“There have been times when clients tell you stories… [about] everything from domestic violence to elder abuse,” Healy said. “You just don’t really know how to deal with those things.” Healy’s experience is far from unique, which is why a new program has launched to equip hairdressers and barbers with the skills and resources to connect clients in domestic violence and elder abuse situations with the relevant professional help: Hairdressers with Hearts (HwH) .  The program has been developed with the assistance and expertise of the Red Rose Foundation, Caxton Legal and the Centre Against Domestic Abuse. Sonia Colvin, HwH founder and hairdresser, said that sometimes going to the hairdresser was the only time a domestic violence or elder abuse victim was on their own, and able to speak safely about…

The truth is there’s a reason we don’t let go of what no longer serves us, and it’s not because no one ever told us to. Its because we like our patterns, habits, and the familiar neuroplastic grooves of our ‘addiction’. There’s a certain kind of power in holding on, and we choose it again and again. Change (aka letting go) only comes when the intention to claim the freedom that is our birthright becomes stronger and more in the foreground than the reflexive recoil into the (illusory) safety of the old self. And this old self is running on one specific program – you’re not good enough. It’s a program that we adopted early in life because we were loved conditionally, but now we are the ones perpetuating that ‘bait-and-switch’ love. As Don Miguel Ruiz…

2018, Nusa Lembongan One day we had a group discussion about yoga philosophy. The other yogis seemed friendly enough but I closed off. I felt a great need to protect myself. The past few months had made me recoil from others. I had deleted all of my social media accounts. I didn’t want to see other people’s highlight reels and successes. I was ashamed of myself and I had nothing to share with the world. I wanted to pour the events of the past year into a glass bottle and throw it out to sea. Slowly, as we went around the class, my heart started pounding hard in my chest. Despite everything, I suddenly had an urge to share what had happened to me. They were all strangers. Perhaps that’s…

Albert Schweitzer, a German physician and Nobel Peace Prize winner, had it right when he said, “Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.” As it turns out, plenty of research backs up this idea that sharing good news contributes to greater wellbeing for all. Research by Nathaniel Lambert from Brigham Young University proves the perks of sharing positive experiences. Over a four week period, participants kept a journal of grateful experiences and shared them with a partner twice a week. Those who did both increased in happiness and life satisfaction. Not only that, but those who received the good news also reported better moods. In other words, sharing good news with others not only makes you feel better, it improves the wellbeing of those around you. Many…

Before we reveal the results, don’t take them as a sign that you should be avoiding any fruit or vegetables altogether - even the ones considered ‘dirty.’ Given research like this study out of the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, which found that after seeing pesticide messaging, low-income shoppers were less likely to purchase any fruit or vegetables, it’s important to point out that eating a non-organic strawberry is still by-and-large a healthier choice than eating say, a strawberry-flavoured gummy bear. Filling your plate with a variety of fresh fruits and vege will always be a cornerstone of good nutrition - and it’s especially essential in the throes of COVID-19. So, you can think of these lists more as resources to help guide your produce purchasing habits. If you only have a certain amount of…

Art exists wherever a person has something to say, and chooses to say it by creating a story or other experience. Amazingly, we all do this unthinkingly. We all comfort our loved ones by telling them about similar experiences we went through. We all relate to the people around us by describing relevant occurrences. That’s how we connect with each other – through stories and experiences, through art. As Leo Tolstoy writes; “Art is one of the means of effective communication between people.” So essentially we’re all artists. Professional artists are simply the ones who take the time, years and decades, to develop their creative skills, and to create strong, complicated works of art. Art belongs to all of us. And we all need it. So why is it then,…

Late night scrolling and COVID anxiety: the two big issues stopping Aussies from getting good sleep • 64% of Australians have experienced one or more new sleep challenges since the start of the pandemic • 68% of Australians say they use their phone in bed, with 33% stating they check their phone just before they go to sleep • Only one-third (33%) of Australians get the recommended minimum 8 hours of sleep per night during the working week • Two-thirds of Australians (67%) are interested in telehealth services Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, has recently announced the findings from its 6th annual sleep survey in a report; Seeking Solutions: How COVID-19 Changed Sleep Around the World. Philips surveyed 13,000 adults in 13 countries to capture attitudes, perceptions, and…

When we hear the word “stillness” we immediately think of it as the opposite of movement - but stillness is something quite different altogether. Stillness is an energetic quality of being. It is naturally present in the heart of every human being. The word stillness comes from the Middle English word stillness via the Old English stilnes, ‘meaning silence, absence of noise or disturbance, tranquillity, quietness and absence of movement’. Stillness is a choice. It can be felt by living in a state of presence where we remain connected to ourselves and are completely present in our body. We are at one with everything, and everyone in all that we do. Life flows with a simple rhythm – the rhythm of our stillness. In this quality of presence there is…