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“Never say never”: Nat Barr considers cosmetic enhancements

<p dir="ltr">Natalie Barr has confessed that she is open to getting plastic surgery despite being scared of going under the knife. </p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Sunrise</em> co-host claims her good looks are thanks to regular facials and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL).</p> <p dir="ltr">But now the 54-year-old is saying “never say never” if she chooses to go ahead with a little nip and tuck. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I think never say never. I haven’t had anything yet. I’ve been a bit scared, to be honest. But as I get older, I’m open to ideas,” she told The Daily Telegraph.</p> <p dir="ltr">When asked about the ugliest part of her body, Nat revealed that it was her feet</p> <p dir="ltr">“Feet. Well, specifically my feet. I’ve had a bunion operation. But, even before that, I’ve never liked them,” she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">Just two years ago, Nat was against any cosmetic injections saying she wasn’t a fan of them. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I am not one of those people who panics about looks,” she previously told Stellar Magazine.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I keep reasonably fit, I haven’t had botox - though no judgement if you do.”  </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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How a hobby can enhance your life and health

<p>Ever heard of healing with hobbies? Here's how the hidden power of hobbies can help relieve the symptoms of stress, grief and more.</p> <p>Coping with the stresses of life or coming to terms with grief and loss can be overwhelming and sometimes debilitating. While the cliché of ‘time healing all wounds’ does hold some truth, it is important to know there are pro-active strategies for overcoming challenging times and getting your life back on track.</p> <p><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/10-steps-to-improve-your-health.aspx">Healthy diet</a>, regular exercise, <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/wellbeing/are-you-cheating-yourself-of-sleep.aspx">proper sleep</a> and stimulating social connections are all important, but another beneficial approach is to engage in a hobby. Our ancestors enjoyed the healing value of creative pursuits, because activities such as sewing, knitting and woodwork were more of a necessity than a pastime.</p> <p>Nowadays computers and televisions dominate our leisure time and their passive and sedentary nature can be a hindrance to our mental wellbeing. Taking up a craft or hobby can be a very practical and positive way to restore balance to our lives.</p> <p><strong>Can hobbies induce positive physiological changes?<br /></strong>Performing a task that engages the mind in a focused and creative way may naturally seem like it would induce a beneficial response, but is there any hard evidence for this assumption? One study quoted in the Journal of the American Medical Association analysed 30 women who sewed as a hobby.</p> <p>Their stress responses, such as blood pressure, heart rate, perspiration rate and skin temperature were measured before and after various leisure activities. The results, when they were sewing, produced measurable improvements in the stress indicators, compared with increased stress responses when they engaged in other pastimes, such as playing cards or video games.</p> <p>One theory is that hobbies and crafts – especially those which require repetitive and rhythmic activities - can actually induce a relaxation response that improves psychological and physical wellbeing.</p> <p>Perhaps this is due to the ‘grounding’ effect they have on us. Regularly performing something that engages our creativity and concentration can bring our minds into the present and reduce the tendency to project negatively into the future or dwell on painful past events.</p> <p><strong>A healing and wholesome therapy<br /></strong>While the hustle and bustle of modern life may have typecast some hobbies and crafts as simply being a last resort for boredom or an unnecessary time-waster, the reality is that they may well be a primary vehicle for reclaiming a sense of purpose, wellness and recovery from life’s traumas.</p> <p>Rather than marginalising it, why not make the time and space in your life to dedicate to a craft as a way of restoring balance and contentment. Take a course at a community centre or join a craft club can be a great way to get you kickstarted. Make sure you then have a regular time set aside at home, (daily if possible), and have a set space devoted to your craft or hobby. Open your mind to the possibilities and you too can reap the benefits of healing with hobbies. </p> <p><em>Written by Tom Raeside. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/wellbeing/how-to-heal-with-hobbies.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p> <p> </p>

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5 lifestyle changes to enhance your mood and mental health

<p><strong><em>Jerome Sarris is a professor, NHMRC Clinical Research Fellow and NICM Health Research Institute Deputy Director at the Western Sydney University. Joe Firth is a Senior Research Fellow at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University.</em></strong></p> <p>When someone is diagnosed with a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety, <span><a href="https://theconversation.com/youve-been-diagnosed-with-depression-now-what-44976">first line treatments</a></span> usually include psychological therapies and medication. What’s not always discussed are the changeable lifestyle factors that influence our mental health.</p> <p>Even those who don’t have a mental health condition may still be looking for ways to further improve their mood, reduce stress and manage their day-to-day mental health.</p> <p>It can be empowering to make positive life changes. While time restrictions and financial limitations may affect some people’s ability to make such changes, we all have the ability to make small meaningful changes.</p> <p>Here are five lifestyle changes to get you started:</p> <p><strong>1. Improve your diet and star moving </strong></p> <p>Wholefoods such as leafy green vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, lean red meat and seafood provide nutrients that are <u><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-018-0237-8">important for optimal brain function</a></u>. These foods contain magnesium, folate, zinc and essential fatty acids.</p> <p>Foods rich in polyphenols, such as berries, tea, dark chocolate, wine and certain herbs, also <u><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22334236">play an important role in brain function</a></u>.</p> <p>In terms exercise, many types of fitness activities are potentially beneficial – from <span><a href="https://blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/default-source/factsheets/exercise_depression.pdf">swimming to jogging to lifting weights or playing sports</a></span>. Even just getting the body moving by taking a brisk walk or doing active housework is a positive step.</p> <p>Activities which also involve social interaction and exposure to nature can potentially <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22616429">increase mental wellbeing even further</a></span>.</p> <p><span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21694556">General exercise guidelines</a></span> recommend getting at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days during the week (about 150 minutes total over the week). But even short bouts of activity <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23795769">can provide an immediate elevation of mood</a></span>.</p> <p><strong>2. Reduce your vices</strong></p> <p>Managing problem-drinking or substance misuse is an obvious health recommendation. People with alcohol and drug problems have a greater likelihood than average of having a mental illness and have <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26277044">far poorer health outcomes</a></span>.</p> <p><span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23988010">Some research has shown</a></span> that a little alcohol consumption (in particular wine) may have beneficial effects on preventing depression. Other recent data, however, has revealed that light alcohol consumption <span><a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2353">does not provide any beneficial effects on brain function</a></span>.</p> <p>Stopping smoking is also an important step, as nicotine-addicted people are constantly at the mercy of a withdrawal-craving cycle, which profoundly affects mood. It may take time to address the initial symptoms of stopping nicotine, but the brain chemistry will adapt in time.</p> <p>Quitting smoking is <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3923980/">associated with better mood and reduced anxiety</a></span>.</p> <p><strong>3. Prioritise rest and sleep</strong></p> <p><span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25454674">Sleep hygiene techniques</a></span> aim to improve sleep quality and help treat insomnia. They include adjusting caffeine use, limiting exposure to the bed (regulating your sleep time and having a limited time to sleep), and making sure you get up at a similar time in the morning.</p> <p>Some people are genetically wired towards being more of a morning or evening person, so we need to ideally have some flexibility in this regard (especially with work schedules).</p> <p>It’s also important not to force sleep – if you can’t get to sleep within around 20 minutes, it may be best to get up and focus the mind on an activity (with minimal light and stimulation) until you feel tired.</p> <p>The other mainstay of better sleep is to <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Chronotherapeutics+and+psychiatry%3A+setting+the+clock+to+relieve+the+symptoms">reduce exposure to light</a></span> – especially blue light from laptops and smartphones – prior to sleep. This will increase the secretion of melatonin, which helps you get to sleep.</p> <p>Getting enough time for relaxation and leisure activities is <span><a href="https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/29550608">important for regulating stress</a></span>. Hobbies can also enhance mental health, particularly if they involve physical activity.</p> <p><strong>4. Get a dose of nature</strong></p> <p>When the sun is shining, many of us seem to feel happier. Adequate exposure to sunshine <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480364">helps levels of the mood-maintaining chemical</a></span> serotonin. It also boosts vitamin D levels, which also <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26680471">has an effect on mental health</a></span>, and helps at the appropriate time to regulate our sleep-wake cycle.</p> <p>The benefits of sun exposure need to be balanced with the risk of skin cancer, so take into account the <span><a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-protect-your-skin-while-getting-enough-vitamin-d-34143">recommendations for sun exposure</a></span> based on the time of day/year and your skin colour.</p> <p>You might also consider limiting your exposure to <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25242804">environmental toxins</a></span>, chemicals and pollutants, including “noise” pollution, and <span><a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318230.php">cutting down</a></span> on your mobile phone, computer and TV use if they’re excessive.</p> <p>An antidote to this can be simply spending time in nature. <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29093955">Studies show</a></span> time in the wilderness can improve self-esteem and mood. In some parts of Asia, spending time in a forest (known as forest bathing) is <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28788101">considered a mental health prescription</a></span>.</p> <p>A natural extension of spending time in flora is also the positive effect that animals have on us. <span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27541053">Research suggests</a></span> having a pet has many positive effects, and animal-assisted therapy (with horses, cats, dogs and even dolphins) may also boost feelings of wellbeing.</p> <p><strong>5. Reach out when you need help</strong></p> <p>Positive lifestyle changes aren’t a replacement for medication or psychological therapy but, rather, as something people can undertake themselves on top of their treatment.</p> <p>While many lifestyle changes can be positive, some changes (such as avoiding junk foods, alcohol or giving up smoking) may be challenging if being used as a psychological crutch. They might need to be handled delicately and with professional support.</p> <p>Strict advice promoting abstinence, or a demanding diet or exercise regime, may cause added suffering, potentially provoking guilt if you can’t meet these expectations. So, go easy on yourself.</p> <p>That said, take a moment to reflect how you feel mentally after a nutritious wholefood meal, a good night’s sleep (free of alcohol), or a walk in nature with a friend.</p> <p><em>Written by Jerome Sarris and Joe Firth. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.theconversation.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Conversation. </strong></span></a></em></p> <p><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102650/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p>

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US heightens security to avoid laptop ban

<p>Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has revealed enhanced security measures for foreign flights arriving in the United States. </p> <p>Officials say these security measures will prevent an expansion of in-cabin ban of laptops and other large electronic devices.</p> <p>“Inaction is not an option,” Kelly said, explaining that he believes airlines will comply with the new screening. Kelly explained that the measures will not be the last step to tighten security.</p> <p>Officials are requiring enhanced screening of personal electronical devices, passengers and explosive detection for the roughly 2000 commercial flights that enter the United States from 105 countries.</p> <p>There will also be more thorough screening at checkpoints and increased use of security technology, canines and preclearance locations.</p> <p>The decision not to impose new restrictions on laptops is a boost to US airlines which feared the ban would cause logistical problems and deter travel arrangements.</p> <p>Kelly noted that airlines that fail to comply with new security requirements could still face future in-cabin electronics restrictions.</p> <p>European and US officials told Reuters that airlines have 21 days to implement increased explosive screening and have 120 days to comply with other security measures.</p> <p>In March, the United States imposed restrictions on laptops on flights originating at 10 airports in eight countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey. This came amid concerns that a concealed bomb could be installed in electronic devices and taken onboard a flight.</p> <p>Britain followed suit by implementing similar restrictions.</p> <p>Homeland security officials said those 10 airports can be removed from the list if they meet the new security requirements.</p>

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