Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

• Counter-productive TV ads: Over at Chew on This Paula Goodyer discusses adverts that poke fun at healthy habits. * Well balanced pasta: I like this pasta dish from Vegan Yum Yum. It has over three serves of vegies and looks delicious. * Celeriac chowder: I’m always a bit unsure what to do with celeriac, so I was delighted to spot Lily & Chew’s celeriac, sweetcorn and butterbean chowder. * 7 days of wellness tips: Another great link from …

Read more 29 February, 2008

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

Today’s task in 31 Days to Better Energy also comes from my colleague Alexia Morris (see below for more about Alexia). For today’s task Alexia has come up with some easy suggestions to get you moving more at work. h3. Why? The most common excuse for not exercising is lack of time. While many people’s lives are very busy, there’s no reason why you can’t move more during the day. *Incidental exercise can make a huge difference to your fitness …

Read more 29 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

We’re into the last week of 31 Days to Better Energy here at Limes & Lycopene and today’s task is to give a friend a call. h3. Why? In my experience most people have particular times of the day when they suffer energy slumps, with the afternoon being the primary time. With some people it’s straight after lunch, while others have their energy slump about 3.00pm. At this time it’s easy to reach for coffee or a sugar fix. While …

Read more 24 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

My first guest post, titled 7 Life Changing Strategies My Clients Taught Me is up on the Passion for Health site. This is the blog of Mike and James and is one of my favourite health sites. They write some great stuff and I particularly admire they’re approach to breaking bad habits and developing good ones. I hope you enjoy the post and have a browse through the site while you’re over there.

Read more 22 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

Today’s task in 31 Days to Better Energy is to cross something off your to do list. h3. Why? Sometimes the sheer weight of all the things we have to do can get us down. There’s work, the kids, the housework, tax returns, organising your paperwork, RSVPing to invitations . . . the list goes on. It can feel way too hard and like a burden on your back. These tasks nag away at the back of your head, bringing …

Read more 21 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

It’s a rainy Sunday here in Sydney, what better time to to plan a holiday? So that’s your task in 31 Days to Better Energy. h3. Why? I booked myself a holiday this week. Taking advantage of some cheap flights, I’ve organised a week up in sunny Queensland. It isn’t a long time since my last holiday and I’m certainly not tired and stressed out. However, since booking my trip I’ve noticed an improvement in my energy levels. I’m excited …

Read more 19 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

For Australian readers, on Sunday night Compass will be exploring happiness and its causes. The programme was filmed during the recent visit of Dalai Lama. It’s a panel discussion featuring His Holiness, actor/comedian Magda Szubanski; author and Executive Director of The Australia Institute Clive Hamilton; Canterbury MP and first indigenous women elected to NSW Parliament Linda Burney; and Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute Professor Gordon Parker. bq. Just how much can material possessions and wealth make you happy? ...

Read more 18 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

I’m sure you’ll like this task a lot better than yesterday’s. Today in 31 Days to Better Energy I want you to take at least 15 minutes out for yourself. h3. Why? It’s very easy to get caught up in your “to do” list and leave no time for yourself. You may work all week and then spend Saturday ferrying the kids around, doing the grocery shopping, tidying the house, mowing the lawn. This doesn’t leave a whole lot of …

Read more 18 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

Today’s task in 31 Days to Better Energy might take some explanation – it’s to take some time out from the energy drainers in your life. h3. What are energy drainers? Have you ever noticed the effect the people around you have on your energy levels? Interact with one group of people and you walk away with a spring in your step, feeling good not only about yourself, but also the world in general. In contrast, even five minutes with …

Read more 15 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

To start the new week, today’s task in 31 Days to Better Energy is to do some de-cluttering and tidy up your desk. h3. Why? It’s Monday morning, the beginning of a new working week. However, have you arrived at work, only to feel your heart sink at the sight of your desk? If you’re in-tray is overflowing and your desk is covered in stuff, it can make you feel out of control and overwhelmed – especially if you’re already …

Read more 13 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

While tiredness is the number one complaint of patients that see me in clinic, sleeping problems are often a big part of this. Today’s task for 31 Days to Better Energy is therefore another sleeping strategy – stop night-time clock watching. h3. What’s the problem? Do you wake during the night, look at the clock and start worrying about the day ahead? Do you get frustrated and stressed that you’re awake? Does the thought “oh no I HAVE to get …

Read more 08 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

If you’re in Sydney, did you know it’s a BEAUTIFUL day out there? It’s sunny and there’s not a cloud in the sky. Therefore, today’s task in 31 Days to Better Energy, is simply to get outside in the sunshine for 15 minutes. h3. Why? While I could quote you studies and complex research into neurotransmitter levels, vitamin D production and hormone functions, I’m not going to. Simply put, I think a bit of sunshine is good for the soul. ...

Read more 06 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

Your task today, in 31 Days to Better Energy, is to spend five minutes breathing – mindfully. Strange task you might think, after all we breath all the time and it’s specifically something you don’t have to think about. However, concentrating on your breathing for five minutes is a powerful stress management technique. When you’re stressed, one of the first things that happens is you start breathing more quickly and more shallowly – which contributes to the whole stressed out …

Read more 04 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

Moodgym is a fantastic online resource that I’ve referred countless patients to. It’s a free, interactive site which utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to explore issues around: bq. Why you feel the way you do? Changing the way you think. Changing ‘warped’ thoughts. Knowing what makes you upset. Moodgym includes information, demonstrations, mood exercises, all bound together in short interactive modules. You can do a few modules in one session, or simply save your answers and come back …

Read more 02 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

Day two of 31 Days to Better Energy is all about getting rid of negative emotions. While lack of sleep and exercise are obvious causes of tiredness, most people underestimate the degree to which negative feelings can sap your spirit. Boredom, sadness, anger, anxiety, frustration and stress take a big toll on your vitality. If you’re feeling these emotions regularly, then it’s draining you of energy and wellbeing. h3. Today’s task At the end of today, *spend about 10 minutes …

Read more 02 August, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

The Guardian has a regular feature, that I think’s quite neat – Five Ways To. These quick articles provide simple, practical was to manage a health problem. The most recent include: * Five ways to stay regular * Five ways to have healthy feet * Five ways to keep that holiday feeling * Five ways to de-stress * Five ways to improve your memory

Read more 24 July, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

WebMD has a list of 27 ways to boost your energy, hopefully titled Your guide to never feeling tired again. Many people believe tiredness is simply down to having too much to do and not enough time, however as WebMD states, this is not always the case: bq. often the true culprits are our everyday habits: what we eat, how we sleep, and how we cope emotionally. The advice covers diet, how to deal with stress and difficult …

Read more 03 July, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

As well as running Healthy Shopping Tours, over the next few months I’m joining together with psychotherapist and life coach Andrew Callinan and registered fitness instructor, Alexia Morris to run a programme called Life Plan. I’m really excited about this wonderful six-week programme – which approaches health and life change from the three crucial angles: motivation, diet and fitness. Participants will work with Andrew to overcome obstacles, set new goals and establish strategies for fulfillment in both personal and business …

Read more 24 May, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

Dietriffic has posted some good advice on how to increase your physical activity during the day. Many people say they don’t have the time to exercise, but being active isn’t always about setting aside tens of hours per week to go to the gym. Most of us can structure more exercise into our daily lives, simply by doing more incidental activity. This can range from getting yourself a bike and cycling up to the paper shop on the weekend, through …

Read more 23 May, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

• I’ve been reading and re-reading this post from Passion For Health . It perfectly encapsulates something I see every day in clinic. We are more knowledgeable about health and diet than we’ve ever been. The majority of people I come into contact with know what they need to do to eat well and be healthy and yet so many just don’t have the wellbeing and vitality they want . If that’s you read this post. * *Green vegies, ...

Read more 19 May, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

I loved this post over at Freaked-Out Fathers about the importance of defragging – time away from the bustle of life to clear your head. His advice is specifically for dads, but chill-out time is something we all need. No matter how much you love your job, your family, your partner, we all need “time away from the noise”. And if you’re not getting this time, then it will effect you and your relationships. bq. I suspect this is why …

Read more 15 May, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

One of the resolutions I’ve made while thinking about work life integration , has been to meditate on a daily basis. Until now I have been, at best, a sporadic meditator. It was always something I thought I should do, something that would be good for me – thought patterns which are never beneficial to starting a new routine or lifestyle change. In one of those strange instances of reminders coming from all (and unexpected) angles, I was thinking about …

Read more 05 May, 2007

Posted by kathryn in Work life integration

I’ve been thinking a lot about work-life balance recently: what it is, how to achieve it and perhaps most significantly, how to maintain it in the long-term. Before going away, I was tired and felt I needed my holiday just a bit too much. I’d let work and commitments overwhelm the other parts of my life – the parts that keep me healthy, stress free and full of energy. Work life balance has become such a buzz-phrase. Journalists write about …

Read more 04 May, 2007