Tabla de contenidos para Issue 8 en WellBeing Being

Mindfulness is a way of being present in the world and relating to an experience with open awareness, curiosity and non-judgement. The practice of being mindful is perhaps most accessible in everyday moments, such as while making a cuppa, which is what I’ve recently been contemplating with my daily cup of coffee. Embracing fika Many Western countries see drinking coffee as a habitual quick hit of caffeine, whereas Nordic countries carve out time in the mornings and afternoons to enjoy their cup of coffee with presence. This sacred and mindful ritual intrinsic to Scandinavian culture is called fika. Fika allows you to cherish the experience of drinking coffee in its entirety. It’s seen as an opportunity to slow down and be mindful. While often enjoyed with others inside homes, at…

Journalling is a practice that has been around for centuries. The word “journal” derives from the French word “jour” — meaning daily — and was considered to be a practice of recording daily occurrences and accounts, developing later to include thoughts, feelings and emotions. The words “journal” and “journey” originate from the same route and this close marriage of meaning is something I have experienced myself through consistently showing up on the page. From the early days of logging my favourite horses at the riding stables or which boy I fancied most from school that day, to more recent years of using journalling as a tool for shadow work, processing trauma, emotions and beliefs buried deep in my subconscious. The intentional act of putting pen to paper turns a simple…

Landing that dream job by 27, married by 30, baby on the way a year later, completing that marathon by 40, travelling the world by 50 — whether you relate to this time frame or not, many of us have age-related goals we strive towards. However, ultimately, we don’t have control over how our life plays out, and each birthday can bring with it disappointment and shame that we haven’t achieved what we thought we would. “As life unfolds, you will most likely grow and change, and it’s wise to expect your goals to do the same,” says life coach Elise Clement. “Re-evaluating your age-related goals often will make sure they stay appropriate and achievable, aligned with your current life circumstances.” When you don’t meet a goal “The first thing…

I don’t think it’s accidental that the popularity of mending as a craft has grown since lockdowns took over our homes and the world as we knew it became more broken and uncertain. Sure, taking up new hobbies and returning to old passions became a survival mechanism for many of us during this past year or two. But mending brings together calm, creativity and power — the power of fixing what we can fix: holy jumpers, tears in jackets or skirts, worn socks. Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald, former journalist turned professional mender turned mending author, agrees. “It’s totally about controlling what you can control.” But that’s only half of it. Mending has a lot of other gifts for those who try it. As a mending artist, Erin makes the practice of not…

During the trauma of cancer, Lisa Lockland-Bell used singing as part of her therapeutic journey. The 49-year-old vocal coach and former opera singer had always loved singing, but it took two struggles with cancer (Hodgkin’s disease when she was 23 and stage-four cervical cancer at age 34) for the Queenslander to fully comprehend the healing power of belting out a tune. “It relieved a lot of stress,” she says of her experience. “You’re actually filling up the lungs; you’re expressing yourself. There were many times I’ve sung an operatic aria in my studio just crying through it to help increase all the good hormones and the immune system.” Proven benefits Though research is still exploratory — like most free self-help activities, therapeutic singing suffers a dearth of big research dollars…

Baked Salmon with Lemon, Tomato & Basil Serves 4 In this recipe, rich and tender salmon is slow-roasted until perfectly cooked and is accompanied by a gentle, summery sauce. The classic combination of basil and tomato complements the flaky salmon very well — it’s a total winner that you’ll go back to time and time again. 3 large sweet potatoes2 large salmon steaks, about 600g in total1 punnet cherry tomatoes1 lemon, sliced into wedgesHandful of fresh basil leaves1 cup vegetable stock3–4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oilSea salt and freshly cracked pepper Preheat the oven to 180°C. Finely slice the sweet potatoes into thin rounds and layer in a roasting dish. Place the salmon steaks on top along with the cherry tomatoes and a few wedges of lemon, then scatter the fresh…

Q: Why did you decide to create Luxeluna Face and Body skincare? A: In January 2018, my older son Cooper tragically passed away to a rare cancer-like blood disorder called HLH. This is where the journey of Luxeluna started. When Cooper was going through chemo treatments and preparation for his bone-marrow transplant, his skin became very itchy and sensitive. That is when I discovered oatmeal creams. They worked okay but I couldn’t find one that I absolutely loved. My own skin is also naturally very dry and sensitive and I could never find an all-natural product that would keep it moisturised all day. My skin also reacts badly to products with certain harsh ingredients. I found that by the afternoon, all products I used for very dry skin were still…

Q: When do you feel most present? A: Anytime I’m in the ocean. I am an ocean lover and an action girl. I love to walk or run along the beach in the early mornings or after work in the summer — it’s the perfect way to finish the day. In my downtime and on holidays you will find me camping, surfing, diving and fishing. Q: Why did you decide to create Humidity Lifestyle? A: After a lifetime of working with major brands and gaining a wealth of knowledge, plucking up the courage to create my own brand was the next step. I was forever the frustrated designer working with other brands, but I am glad I didn’t rush the process and we owe a lot of our success to…

Dreaming of waking up to birdsong or the crashes of waves? While city living will always be popular, increasingly, people are not just pining for a tree change or sea change — they’re actually making their move. The year 2020 saw more people than ever move away from Australia’s major cities in pursuit of a slower way of life. Being able to work remotely or find a job in your new community can make the move easier, as three city slickers found when they relocated. Tree change Annastasia, her husband and their puppy recently shifted from Melbourne’s inner city to a town in the Yarra Ranges. It was an adjustment having loved living so close to the CBD, but Annastasia has been surprised by how much she enjoys living further…

The intentional act of putting pen to paper turns a simple notepad into a sacred vault — bursting full of ideas, truths, promises — and portal, leading to hidden depths of shadow, light and mystery. 1 Bullet journalling. This is a colour-coded and structured way to organise thoughts by listing goals, reflections and gratitude, for example. This practice helps build mental clarity, calm and structure. 2 Prompt journalling. This practice uses writing prompts to help guide you in your reflection. This might take the form of shop-bought “journals” focusing on gratitude, mindfulness or self-care, online courses or googled lists of prompts to help get you started. 3 Dear-diary journalling. This type of journalling is a commentary on daily metric and occurrences. Travel writing would also fit into this category. Eg,…

Nature is not stagnant. It’s in a constant state of evolution, growth and change. It’s forever removing what’s no longer relevant and creating space for what is. This creates the cycle of life as we know it. It can be brutal at times, but everything exists within a balance that ultimately supports the growth of the ecosystem as a collective. Humans are not separate from nature; we are nature and if we take a moment to observe the natural order of things, we can gain deep insight into ourselves Change is the only constant in life and yet it is often the most resisted aspect of life! The changes happening in nature are most obvious when it comes to the seasons. Trees let go of their leaves to create space…

Practising mindfulness allows you to be present so you can fully embrace the experience you are having in that moment. Being present with another person involves giving them your complete and undivided attention and the space to feel valued and understood. When mindfulness is added to the relationship mix, connection and empathy are enhanced. Both people have a more positive feeling about each other and the experience they are sharing. Authentic, unconditional friendship is one of the greatest gifts you can give another person. Approaching the friendship mindfully allows you to cultivate a deep, lasting connection. What does the research tell us? A study published in 2014 demonstrated that mindfulness enhanced relationships when it was advantageous to be socially tuned with others. Participants were measured for their degree of mindfulness…

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” — Anonymous Travelling is one of life’s greatest privileges to savour, treasure and be moved by. It’s not just about relaxing or switching off from life, either. Travel can leave you so intrinsically connected to an experience that you can’t help but feel changed by it. Meaningful travel is about getting closer to your sense of self, rather than further away from it. From awe-inducing landscapes to the intricate ways culture weaves itself into destinations, we explore how travel has the power to change your life. A new way of travelling “We’ve all been forced to take stock of what is meaningful, what sustains us when times are tough and how we want to be in the…

In her latest book, How to Be Sad: Everything I’ve Learned about Getting Happier, by Being Sad, Better, Helen Russell argues that a life without sadness is a life not worth living. Sadness is an integral part of life — it teaches us what we can cope with, what we want from life and who our true friends are. If we ignore sadness, we’ll find it hard to be truly happy. Plus, resistance is a bit pointless, as Helen found out. In 1982, Helen’s younger sister Sophie died unexpectedly from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome.) For Helen and her family, there was simply no way to talk about it. After Sophie’s death, life changed for Helen and her mother. Her father left and started a new family. Other members of…

I had numerous soul-destroying salad experiences growing up but, thankfully, I stumbled across an authentic Greek salad in my early twenties, which persuaded me that salads could be exquisite and exciting. A traditional Greek salad makes me salivate to this day. It’s the perfect combination of textures, colours and flavours. Sweet, juicy tomatoes, bright in every sense; crunchy cucumbers cut into meaningful chunks so you actually appreciate them; inky, black olives delivering an impressive hit of flavour; crisp slivers of red onion; and a smooth, sexy dressing made with herbaceous olive oil, red-wine vinegar and fresh oregano, bringing everything into harmony. This colourful, fragrant mix of Mediterranean ingredients peek out from under generous slices of pure white, creamy, salty feta cheese. Did I mention there was no lettuce? A proper…

Q: Jess, you are a leading Australian nutritionist, bestselling author and founder of the beloved wellness empire JSHealth, which includes both JSHealth Vitamins and the JSHealth App. As a global business leader, how do you bring mindfulness into your day-to-day life? A: I am truly committed to mindfulness to keep me on track for my personal and professional health. It is vital for the success of JSHealth. When I am not mindful, especially of my health and time, I really start suffering mentally. As a leader of a company and community, being mindful allows me to be the best role model and leader. I am also unable to manage my workload the same way when I don’t commit to mindfulness. Some ways I bring mindfulness into my everyday life include:…

Q: What is AcuEnergetics®? A: AcuEnergetics® is an organisation with its core focus on improving bioelectrical flow in the body and mind. We do this in three main ways — treatments, trainings and meditation. The AcuEnergetics® treatment approach has a unique and effective approach to treating illness and easing pain. It works with the bioelectrical system in the body and was developed over the past 45 years by Australian Kevin Niv Farrow. It works by encouraging the body to promote faster, natural healing to ease pain and improve physical and emotional health. Q: What role does mindfulness play at AcuEnergetics®? A: I see mindfulness as bringing a conscious awareness to whatever we are doing, so it plays a very important role. Mindfulness in our everyday life is great as it…

Q: I feel most calm when… B: “I’m in nature with my family, after a bushwalk on a day off, surrounded by the ones I love.” H: [Smiles] “After surfing, on the weekend, knowing everything’s okay [chuckles].” Q: The last time I felt inspired… B: [Pauses] “I feel inspired most mornings after [yoga and meditation] practice, but most recently being involved in a global online conference with inspiring leaders, and feeling into the global connectivity of the intentionality around and possibility of growth through yoga and meditation.” H: “Came from a sense of awe watching the last full moon rise over the ocean. It was so beautiful and it reminded me of how small and insignificant all our worldly worries are, and how amazing the world around us is. That…

Nature is pleased with simplicity.”~ Isaac Newton The frosty morning air hits my face with the intensity of a cold-water dip during my quick dash to the toilet. The bathroom is located just a stone’s throw from our “Hybrid Tent”, which is most easily described as half-tent, half-cabin. Besides the kookaburras, magpies and cows having their varied conversations around the property, we’re the only ones awake. The alluring glow of dawn light reflects on Lachie’s face as I slide back into our bed beside the east-facing floor-to-ceiling windows of our home for the past two nights. It’s not quite sunrise but the sky is putting on a lightshow as bright orange hues melt into varying shades of yellow to pink. On the other side of us sits a cosy fireplace,…

I remember a moment in my early university days when a new friend asked what I was studying. When I answered, “Arts, majoring in philosophy,” she looked at me, slightly perplexed as another friend piped up, “She’ll end up being a waitress.” This memory has stayed with me and brought with it many philosophical reflections (what’s wrong with being a waitress?!). So far, though, I have had a really satisfying work life that utilises the skills I developed in that degree, which is, sadly, more than I can say for many of my peers. What this, and so many other life lessons, has taught me is that if you go with the flow, do what you enjoy and don’t push things that aren’t working, then the universe will usually have…

Try out this new and eco-friendly product today! Our business was established in 1983 at the foothills of the Blue Mountains by Elizabeth Valek. She's now joined by her daughter Geneva {both pictured here}. We've teamed up to develop Shampoo With A Purpose. Our brand aims to reduce plastic-use around the home, starting first and foremost with your hair care products. It's true - one of these bars saves up to SIX bottles of shampoo/conditioner. To this date, we have saved over 2,000,000 plastic bottles from being made, used or thrown away! If you're still not convinced, our bars are eco-friendly, kid-friendly and suitable for ageing/greying hair. They are vegan, cruelty-free, eco-sustainable, palm-oil free, sulphate-free, paraben-free and free from harsh chemicals. To boot, you can use them as an overall…

“Until you make the unconscious conscious,” wrote the late psychiatrist Carl Jung, “it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” What Carl meant, of course, is that if we neglect to explore the contents of our unconscious (or subconscious) minds, these parts of us will inevitably manifest in our daily lives and behaviours We see this in ourselves all the time. We overreact to a harmless comment; find ourselves helplessly embroiled in road rage; pour ourselves a glass of wine when we’ve already decided we won’t drink on weekdays. What’s often missing from these instances is what an unidentified writer once called “the space between stimulus and response” — a moment to pause, reflect and realise what we’re doing and why. It’s far easier, in the short…

Early womanhood can feel like a natural time to be short on money, but it doesn’t have to be like that. If we connect to the truth — that we’re at the start of a long journey of understanding what we want and how to get it — then taking control of our financial self is like working on our CV or cleaning out our wardrobe: something that pays off immediately, and again. But attacking our CV or a pile of clothing isn’t something we spontaneously want to do, and it’s easy to criticise ourselves for not understanding our money or what we do with it. It’s not your fault, either — studies have shown that Australian families teach their kids how to spend, rather than how to save. Gender…

1 Natural immersion: Spending time in nature, such as swimming, climbing a mountain, surfing and camping. Forest bathing is becoming popular, too. 2 Wilderness icons: Experiencing natural wonders and phenomena such as the Northern Lights, Antarctica, the 12 Apostles and Machu Picchu, as well as seeing the mountain gorillas in Africa or the great wildebeest migration. 3 Wellness boosters: Engaging in experiences that enhance your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing. These include activities such as yoga, meditation, nutrition, thermal springs, tai chi or mindful art sessions. 4 Going off-grid: Heading to places where you are completely off-grid to enjoy a digital detox and time away from everyone and the stresses of everyday life. This could be a boat trip, a hike or camping in the middle of nowhere. Time…

Spend time with a child and you’ll notice how intrinsically curious they are about the world around them. Whether it’s asking “why?” for the hundredth time or stopping to inspect a leaf on the footpath, kids bring a sense of wonder to their days. “Playing is a full-time job for kids, which means experimenting, using their imagination and exploring new things,” says clinical psychologist Dr Kirsten Hunter. “All of this involves beautiful doses of curiosity.” Yet, as we get older, this trait tends to diminish and, as a result, life can seem more mundane. A lack of inquisitiveness can result in feelings of stagnation, boredom and even depression. Fortunately, curiosity is something we can always tap back into. Why we become less curious We can lose our sense of curiosity…

Sow: Early spring or late summer, direct into final growing space; early spring or autumn, under cover Plant: N/a Harvest: Four–six weeks after sowing Eat: Fresh in salad, or make into pesto for freezing Rocket Eruca sativa, E. versicaria Salad rocket and its cousin wild rocket are super easy to grow and a great fresh addition to salads and pizzas. If you like a bit of kick to your leaves, then go for wild rocket. You can allow it to flower — the blooms are edible, beautiful and the insects love them. Growing tips • Rocket is really one of the easiest plants to grow. It germinates very quickly. • Sow seed 1–5cm apart in rows. After germination, thin the plants out, eating the thinnings, of course, and leaving one…

Q: What inspired you to create Shampoo With A Purpose (SWAP)? A: Our parent organisation has been a small business since 1983, and I joined the company around four years ago. SWAP was the first brand that we designed together, and I think it really captured the fun spirit of what we wanted to achieve and all the best bits of our relationship. Q: Please share a bit of information about your product range. Which products are your bestsellers? A: We have four different shampoo bars: Original, Dry or Damaged, Colour Treated and Volume. Each bar is worth up to six bottles of shampoo and conditioner, so it’s amazing value. We make a wide variety of other body-care and home products that eliminate plastic, such as dishwashing blocks, pet-wash bars…