| 29 September 2011
If you browse most pharmacies you will notice that they have large diabetes sections offering support for a "diabetes lifestyle" -- glucose monitors, lancets, blood pressure cuffs, medications, supplements and pharmacy magazines heavily supported by pharmaceutical advertising. Patients are encouraged to get their eye check ups, monitor their blood pressure, track their blood sugars, have foot exams and see their doctor regularly for better management of their blood sugars -- all apparently sensible advice for diabetics.
But what if type 2 diabetes could be completely reversed? What if it weren't, as we believe, an inexorable, progressive disease that has to be better "managed" by our health care system with better drugs, surgery and coordination of care? What if intensive lifestyle and dietary changes could completely reverse diabetes?
| 28 September 2011
I have to admit that I was very surprised when the popular pain-killer Vioxx was banned several years ago due to it's increased risk of stroke and heart attacks. I wasn't surprised by the fact that there was more research proving a link between pain killers and heart attacks. There has been considerable research on this for well over a decade.
What really surprised me back then was that Vioxx was the only painkiller taken off the market because many other painkillers were shown to be equally as dangerous as Vioxx.
Now new research raises questions why some commonly used pain killers have not been banned due to dangerous side-effects...
| 05 September 2011
Children whose mothers work part-time are less likely to be overweight than children whose mums are in full-time work or not in the workforce, according to new Australian research…
| 01 September 2011
Why do we often go on about how busy we are? It's as if we regard how busy we are as a symbol of self-worth or success. Do you 'do busy' in the hallucination of trying to be successful when in reality you are caught up doing things to make up for the fact that you don't feel successful?
Here I discuss why being busy doesn't mean your successful. In fact, the stressed out state you go into when "doing busy" actually lowers your productivity and can inhibit success...
| 23 August 2011
We've all heard of the fact that married men live longer than unmarried men and that being married has certain health benefits for men. I've have always wondered if the health benefit of marriage for men comes at the expense of the married woman's health. New research provides some surprising insights into this question…
| 23 August 2011
So many well-intentioned people (including some health professionals) still are recommending the use of heat as a treatment for injuries. Basic first aid tells you NEVER to apply heat to an injury. Heat increases inflammation and bleeding and delays recovery from injury.
Here I explain why you should never use heat to treat an injury and also why some people mistakenly feel that heat helps...
| 08 August 2011
A study published in February 2008 revealed that Americans are spending record amounts on treatments for back pain. While this boom is great news for the pharmaceutical and medical industries, it also suggests that most of these expensive treatments are a complete waste of money…
| 14 July 2011
A lot of companies spend a lot of money every year providing free flu vaccinations for their employees as part of an employee wellbeing program. But is this well-intentioned initiative a waste of money or does it successfully protect employees or even reduce the impact of workplace flus. If your company provides flus shots to your employees or are considering this you must read thie following interview with the Cochrane Research group epidemiologist Dr. Tom Jefferson...
| 14 July 2011
You are feeling miserable. The pressure in your head makes you feel you’re your eyes are popping out of your head and your throat feels like sandpaper. What should you do? Call on your local doctor and get a prescription or call on your doctor within? What approach resolves your flu the quickest?...
| 10 July 2011
Colds and flus are one of the most common causes of sick days in the workplace. If it is not the actual employee being laid down with a cold, workers also end up having to take days off to care for their afflicted child.
This can place a tremendous strain on the rest of the workforce and on the company itself to keep up with client demands. Any way of reducing the amount of time lost to colds would be welcome by employers and employees alike. German researchers have uncovered a nutritional supplement that does just that…
| 30 May 2011
It’s hard to believe, but a new medical study suggests that simply crossing arms can lessen pain! Scientists from University College London unveiled their findings yesterday, claiming that crossing of arms in front of the midsection significantly reduces the feeling of pain....
| 30 May 2011
Previously written off as an old wives’ tale, research is now that consuming chicken soup is one of the more scientifically-proven ways to alleviate the signs and symptoms of the common cold. Two studies published in the prestigious Chest journal have shown that chicken soup helps alleviate cold and flu symptoms through clearing nasal mucous, reducing inflammation, improving hydration and nutrition. Here is the chicken soup recipe that they used in the trial...
| 26 May 2011
Stress is the bane of our modern existence. Not only has stress been shown to reduce work productivity by 13% but it also a major cause in the development of numerous serious health problems that can drastically impair the quality of our work and personal lives. The reality is that we are finding ourselves in these stressful circumstances with increasing frequency. So what can we do to better handle stress?...
Developing your emotional management skills is an essential ingredient in handling stress. Research has now uncovered certain foods that actually help your body deal with stress...
| 08 May 2011
Parents and grandparents alike often extol the joys of parenthood yet a look at the current frontline of stressed-out and run-down parents with young children paints a different story. So what's the real deal on parenthood?
There has been a consistent discrepancy between research findings and our cultural beliefs. Research consistently has shown that parental unhappiness increases with each child you have yet there is a cultural belief that children bring you happiness
Is parenthood really the road to a rewarding and fulfilling state of bliss resulting from nurturing the development of a young soul to its full potential? Or are the joys of parenthood a Pollyanna, idealistic myth designed to ensure that younger couples successfully propogate the human species?
A recent study published in the March 2011 issue of the Population and Development Review journal finally provides clarity on the debate...Are the joys of parenthood fact or fiction?...
| 08 May 2011
A healthy work life balance is a juggling act. When you are able to work at your desired level, maintain excellent energy and vitality while also maintaining quality personal and family relationships you have a sustainable and healthy work life balance.
When we make the choice to start having children this juggling of our career, family life and health requires a whole new level of concentration. A recent study is showing that parents are choosing to sacrifice their health in order to juggle their home life and careers...
| 07 April 2011
Here's why most vitamin supplements end up in the toilet. Discover the three step process to finding the rare supplements that will actually do you some good...
| 07 April 2011
Over the years I have only found four supplements that actually had scientific trials perofrmed on the actual supplement brand that showed it to work. None of these supplements are vitamin and mineral supplements. Of these supplements there is only one supplement that myself and my family consistently take and have done so for the last twelve years...
| 01 April 2011
New research has added to the mounting evidence questioning the effectiveness of vitamin supplements.
| 23 March 2011
Although I agree that there is a need for supplementation in today's fast-paced world I absolutely disagree that people should take vitamin and mineral supplements. Why?... Because they are not natural!
Research shows that at best, vitamin and mineral supplements do nothing. At worst, research suggests that they can even do harm.
One of the most common supplements that people take are calcium supplements in the hallucination that it will prevent osteoporosis. Now more research is emerging that calcium supplements increase the risk of heart disease.
| 03 March 2011
A lot of time people injure themselves shortly after beginning a well-intentioned exercise program. If your body is out of alignment or balance, lifting weights can merely serve to reinforce and exaggerate that imbalance, increasing the likelihood of you injuring yourself.
Before beginning exercise programs that involve lifting weights I encourage people to get their body and posture checked by a chiropractor to point you in the right direction for improving your posture and balance.
But what else can you do to help yourself?... Take this test at home to learn what weaknesses/imbalances that you should work on to injury proof your body...
| 03 March 2011
Forget doing abdominal crunches, Pilates and all those informercial gadgets and devices. One of the best stomach exercises for you can be done anytime and anywhere, even while you're working...
| 03 March 2011
If you happen to come face to face with a tiger in the wild...should you run straight away? ...No. That reaction would just confirm that you are the prey and prompt the tiger to attack.
If you happened to come across a work colleague who made some rude, bitchy or intimidating comments to you, what should you do?...Get angry and upset or sulk and run away?...No. That reaction would just confirm that you are the prey and prompt that colleague to continue these attacks in the future...
| 02 March 2011
One of the important functions of exercise is to help create balance in the body. You do this by exercise your body in a way opposite to how you use it during the day. If you spend all day sitting down driving or in front of a computer you habitually use the same muscles in the same ways creating muscle imbalance, poor posture and aches and pains. This one minute exercise is ideal for working out those muscles and joints that rarely get used while sitting...
| 02 March 2011
Whenever you are feeling down, tired or depressed this music and singing will uplift your soul like no other.They sing with such love and spirit you can tangibly feel it permeate your soul. I guarantee you'll feel better after this experience...
| 02 March 2011
When a business talks about business sustainability policies and practices they are typically referring to their environmentally-friendly practices. I have long argued that humans are also part of the environment. Businesses should be human-friendly as well as environmentally friendly...
| 25 February 2011
Of the billions and trillions of dollars that governments pour into so-called "health care" every year, they have very little interest into investigating the cause and prevention of illness and the promotion of wellness. Why is that the case?
It is simply because a government gets more political mileage from the billions they spend on building more hospitals and facilities at the bottom of a cliff than they would get from building fences at the top of the cliff. The Australian Government's Measure Up campaign is a classic example of a token effort in the field of wellness. They are more interested in being seen to be doing something to promote wellness than actually achieving any results...
| 04 February 2011
Why do we overwork?
Some would say that the busier we are, the more successful we are? Others would say that they need to overwork just to make ends meet? But a German survey suggests that we may be overworking to compensate for a poor love life...
| 04 February 2011
Is obesity genetic or is blaming obesity on our genes just another way of avoiding personal responsibility? Studies on the Pima Indians in Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico help resolve the debate once and for all...
| 01 February 2011
Let’s face it. We all know that we need to exercise to keep healthy and to stay in shape but the sad fact is that a lot of us don’t exercise regularly or at all. The excuses range from, “ I just don’t like exercise,” or “I’m not an exercise person”, The most common excuse by far that represents the dilemma facing so many of us today is ....“I just don’t have the time.”
Well-meaning governments throughout the world have been recommending that we need to do 30 min of mild to moderate exercise per day. Unfortunately this recommendation is more a stab in the dark rather than being based on much science. More and more research is now showing that it’s not how much or how long you exercise it’s the intensity of your exercise that’s important...
| 13 December 2010
Our most common wish for others is for them to have a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year. Well here are some gift ideas to give to yourself or others that help make that wish a little easier to achieve...
| 12 December 2010
Chocaholics rejoice! There IS chocolate that it is actually good for you. But beware this benefit does not apply to the commonly consumed chocolate! But the good news is that this type of chocolate tastes divine...
| 11 November 2010
Corporate wellbeing expert, Dr Paul Lanthois suggests that its time to stop blaming long working hours for our poor work life balance...
| 08 November 2010
If someone asked you this question, what would your answer be?...
| 09 October 2010
One of the most successful pieces of advice for small business owners to improve business growth is to “take time out of working in your business so you can work on your business”. A report from a UK travel operator is showing that this same approach is also successful in improving your personal life, health and work life balance...
| 09 October 2010
Geoff Heugill’s recent gold and silver medals at the Delhi Commonwealth Games marked a triumphant return from his battle with obesity. An earlier interview on Channel 7’s Sunday Night program revealed that the champion swimmer had also been battling depression. Coincidentally, as Geoff fought his way back to the elite level of swimming he came across the most effective way to treat depression...| 09 October 2010
Corporate wellness consultant, Dr. Paul Lanthois is calling for a rethink of how we deal with mental health conditions following a report suggesting that anti-depressant medication is ineffective...
| 08 October 2010
Sustainability seems to be a real buzz word at the moment. Businesses are seeing the benefits of wiser, more energy-efficient use of our resources combined with recycling and other greener initiatives. But business is yet to really apply this sustainability concept to its most valuable resource...its workforce...
| 08 September 2010
Like many people my work often involves travel and working away from home. It is hard enough to stay in shape when you are at home let alone when your schedule changes when you work on the road. So here's some tips on how to keep up with your exercise program and staying motivated when you are on the road...
| 31 August 2010
It is often a struggle to juggle maintaining close personal and family relationships with the demands of your career but research is showing that this balancing act is good for your health. In fact, recent research suggests that having a good social network can boost your chances of living a longer life by 50%...
| 18 May 2010
When we exercise by ourselves there is often the tendency or temptation to cut a few corners or not train with the intensity that will give me the best results for effort but there are many ways to make exercise more interesting, motivating and more enjoyable. Here's just a couple of ways...
| 18 May 2010
Running a marathon without stopping has been one of my goals for the last 20 years. Whenever I participated in goal setting workshops or when I sat down thinking of all the things that I would love to do in my life, running a marathon was always written down. But it was always assigned to the “some day” category. This is my true account of the journey of training and actually running the marathon... an experience that tested me like no other...
| 28 April 2010
A recent study done by health insurer, Medibank Private shows that stress claims by Australian workers have doubled in recent years. Workplace stress is now costing the Australian economy an estimated $15 billion a year. Many employers and employees would be concerned as to what could be causing this trend but a recent Lifeline Australia Newspoll gives an indication of the likely culprit.
| 28 April 2010
When your time is limited as is generally the case with most working families today, you want to ensure that your time spent on exercising is going to give you the best reward for effort. Unfortunately, large numbers of people consider their walks as exercise but more research is showing why walking as a form of exercise is a waste of time.
| 28 April 2010
With a lot of legislation starting to restrict smoking in or around the workplace, smokers are beginning to feel ostracized around the workplace. Many claim that smoking helps them relax at work bringing rise to greater productivity. But if you analyze what goes on during a typical cigarette break you will soon discover that it is not the cigarette that makes smokers feel more relaxed…| 28 April 2010
For me, one of the most important ingredients to a successful career is the skill to enjoy your work. Yes, that’s right, I believe that enjoying work is a skill that can be learnt as opposed a natural gift or inherent part of the character. This gives hope to those like Adam, who find their workplace as a place to feel ostracized...
| 28 April 2010
Sustainability seems to be a real buzz word at the moment. Businesses are seeing the benefits of wiser, more energy-efficient use of our resources combined with recycling and other greener initiatives. But business is yet to really apply this sustainability concept to its most valuable resource...its workforce...
| 28 April 2010
The transition to parenthood is the ultimate work life balance test that some parents thrive in and many of us struggle. As with most things, success leaves clues and Australian research is confirming what many parents have found helps them to get more sleep and stress less...
| 02 March 2010
Arthritic aches and pains are a major issue in our ageing workforce. According to Professor Paul Hodges from University of Queensland’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences body aches, pains and injuries are the second most expensive cause of lost productivity at work and health care expenditure in Australia. Only cardiovascular disease costs our society more.
With arthritis making up a significant proportion of our injuries and pains, the big concern is that so many people are being left with the impression by well-meaning health professionals that arthritis is an inevitable part of ageing. Although arthritic pains may become more common as you age does that mean that arthritis is caused by old age?
| 02 March 2010
Whenever you injure yourself, you are taught to follow the traditional first aid protocol of R.I.C.E. For those who haven’t heard of it, R.I.C.E. stands for: Rest,Ice,Compression,Elevation.
Considering that musculoskeletal injuries are the second most expensive cause of lost productivity at work in Australia there is now a more advanced way to help injured workers relieve pain and get back to work as soon as possible...
| 02 March 2010
Does glucosamine sulphate actually help arthritis? Are all the available brands of glucosamine sulphate as effective as each other? There's good and bad news...
| 12 February 2010
I was recently emailed a copy of a segment from Brian Tracy’s book The Power of Discipline. As the title of his book suggests, he believes that the most important success principle is self-discipline. He went on to define self discipline by quoting Thomas Huxley, who said, “Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.” I am a big fan of Brian Tracy and was fortunate enough to meet him at a National Speakers Association get together in Brisbane a few months ago. I normally agree with most of his points but on this occasion I don’t...
| 05 February 2010
A controversial new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology is raising eyebrows amongst the scientific community and triggering a typical sensationalized reaction from the media. The study, lead by James Timmons, evaluated the fitness improvements in around 600 volunteers who were cycling at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes a day.
| 29 January 2010
When you collapse into your chair or your bed and you let out this tired sigh, it is your body innately trying to get more oxygen by taking a deeper breath. If you are regularly feeling tired, it may mean that you need to train yourself to breathe deeper...
| 13 January 2010
So what can be done to improve your energy levels throughout the day so you have enough energy for work, home and most importantly you have some energy left over for you?
The solution in 90% of the cases is to improve the quality and amount of sleep. But what if you're having trouble sleeping? Let's look at how to overcome the three most common sleeping problems...
| 07 January 2010
For many years businesses have long considered employee health and wellbeing to be the responsibility of the individual. Although people are responsible for their own health, corporations have only recently come to terms with the impact health has on the company's bottom line. They are realizing that their company's health is influenced by their employees' health.
Smart companies are now starting workplace wellness programs to help workers stay healthy and productive in an effort to lower health-care costs and employee absenteeism. A recent survey of hundreds of U.S. companies found that 41 percent had already launched a health-related strategy... and the results are paying off.
Statistics on bigger companies indicate that the savings can be almost $5 for every dollar spent on making workers healthier. And while larger businesses can afford more formalized health and wellness programs in the workplace, even smaller companies are can get in on the act...
| 04 January 2010
"Now that would have to have been the most perfect day," I said cheerfully to myself as I was pedalling home on my bike. I don't know if you have another voice inside your head but the voice inside of my head startled me that much that I nearly fell of my bike.
"Did you say PERFECT when yesterday you said that you were going to create a perfect day?" squealed my inner voice in delight.
"Yeah I suppose I did say perfect, "I acknowledged with a grin of self satisfaction while not even being slightly self conscious of having a conversation with myself.
"And you created it," cheered my alter ego who seems to represent the more exuberant side of me. I began laughing as I spent the rest of my journey home fully engaged in a conversation with my other half recalling the process I went through on the previous day to create this perfect day.
| 28 December 2009
Why do we waste so much time, effort and money trying to find a way to outdo and outsmart Mother Nature? Despite all the marvelous technological and medical achievements that have helped make our lives more comfortable it is easy for us to be seduced into thinking that technology has the answer to everything.
Some more progressive scientists at the University of Washington have reaffirmed rather than looking for some pill or potion to makes us relaxed, it is better to look to nature for a solution. Well according to their research we should be looking AT nature...
| 22 December 2009
How much more enjoyable would your work be if everyone was really motivated? How much more productive and profitable would it be for the company and its workers if everyone was motivated to do their best? Companies spend lots of time and expense recruiting outside speakers and consultants to motivate their workforce. Learn about a low-key and more low cost approach that ensures long-term motivation...
| 21 December 2009
It just seems that companies have got the whole work life balance out of sync. For some reason you have designed it so that your career obligations (and time required at work) peak during the most important time of your young families life. Then when your children are grown up and have left the house you are then encouraged to reduce your workload and retire...
| 18 December 2009
Why is it that so many people in their thirties and forties are so stretched to the limit that their bodies and minds are stretched close to breaking point?
A truly healthy work life balance isn't just an allocation of time. A healthy work life balance also involves an allocation of your energy to devote to your work and to other interests outside of work. With the developments of laptops, Blackberrys and Iphones technology has given us additional options to be able to do a bit of work while enjoying time with your family or while on vacation.
Unfortunately technology has made us less physically active and as a result, has weakened our capacity to produce our own energy. To make up for our technologically driven physical deficiencies, it is important to spend some of the time saved by technology exercising to boost your physical capacity to produce enough energy to sustain you...
| 17 December 2009
In this world of continually wanting to do more and more in less time, rest is still regarded as a luxury or an interruption to the long list of daily to-dos. If you are not burning the midnight oil trying to beat a deadline many other things can conspire against you in your quest for some elusive slumber. Snoring partners, restless children and your own mind that won't switch off generally ensure that you will join the masses of the sleep deprived.
Most of us are aware that we are less productive, less attentive and more stressed when we are tired. But when does sleep deprivation become really dangerous? Is there any long-term impact of sleep deprivation?...
| 16 December 2009
You have just started on a fitness kick and you wake up one morning with what seems to be a really bad cold. You are coughing and sneezing and it's hard to breathe.
Should you work out? And if you do, should you push yourself as hard as ever or take it easy? Will exercise have no effect, or make you feel better or worse?...
| 14 December 2009
So many times I hear of stories of people getting sick anytime that they slow down or go on holidays. This may actually be a sign that your body is getting healthier...
| 11 December 2009
You have just started on a fitness kick and you wake up one morning with what seems to be a really bad cold. You are coughing and sneezing, and it is hard to breathe.
Should you work out? And if you do, should you push yourself as hard as ever or take it easy? Will exercise have no effect, or make you feel better or worse?...
| 10 December 2009
Many of us are opting for various diet products and artificial sweeteners because we think that they are a healthier alternative for a snack or treat. It definitely is beneficial to reduce the amount of processed sugar in your diet; however concern is mounting over the side effects from these artificial sweeteners. They may be doing you more harm than good...
| 09 December 2009
With a lot of legislation starting to restrict smoking in or around the workplace, smokers are beginning to feel ostracized around the workplace. Many claim that smoking helps them relax at work bringing rise to greater productivity.(In reality it results in a 10% diminshed productivity) But if you analyze what goes on during a typical cigarette break you will soon discover that it is not the cigarette that makes smokers feel more relaxed...
| 26 November 2009
These simple co-ordination exercises can not only improve your co-ordination but they can also improve your brain function and ease of learning...
| 26 November 2009
Many of our meals today are eaten on the run as we try to multi-task in the belief that we are getting more out of our day. Many benefits of the nutritious meals that we eat on the go are wasted because of one fact that busy people tend to ignore...
| 26 November 2009
I have to admit, I am not the most technologically savvy of people in the world but at the same time I am not scared of using new technology. A lot of technological advances like mobile phones, I phones and Blackberries can greatly improve our productivity and work life balance but some applications in this time-poor society like texting, emailing and twittering seem to be adding to our workloads and dampening our productivity...
| 21 November 2009
Many businesses place great emphasis on trying to deal with workplace stress. The challenge is that many employees and bosses sometimes have trouble in leaving their outside problems at the door when they arrive at work. It is often these outside stresses and frustrations that end up creating stress at work. It is also true that things you do outside of work can also help you better manage work stress.
We have always joked how uptight bossed are in desperate need of a good roll in the hay but now Swiss research is proving that physical intimacy at home can drastically reduce your stress levels at work...
| 21 November 2009
It is easy to make effective decisions when you are feeling great. But how do you make effective decisions when feeling stressed or under pressure?...
| 21 November 2009
It was one of those days that occasionally happens when I am sure that I had a sign stapled to my back saying, ‘If you want a safe place to release your emotions, please come and see me now.’ I don’t know if it is because I had experienced a near nervous breakdown that people feel that I can relate to their emotional upheavals more than the average health professional.
Whatever the reason, June was the third person this morning who felt the urge to release the stress and angst that had been building up in their lives. However for June it was becoming a regular pattern to come in and tell me about everything that had been going wrong in her life. While June was composing herself I said, “Watch out for the miracle that will happen to you later this week.” But little did I know the power of those words...
| 21 November 2009
If you had any doubt about how much pain can suck the energy right out of you, you only needed to look at Graham. At the age of 39, he was bent over in agony and shuffling along like an old man. Even his face was wrinkled from the continual wincing in pain. I helped him to lie face down on the table so I could examine his inflamed lower back. As I felt his inflamed lower back I exclaimed "Oh no!" in exasperation. I had realised that he had committed one of the cardinal sins that often prolongs pain and recovery.
| 21 November 2009
Expanding waistlines are making a serious dent in business bottom lines in terms of time lost due to increased levels of illness and injury. As many executives move into their 40s and beyond, they attribute their bulging waistlines to be an inevitable part of ageing.But is age responsible for our declining energy and expanding waistlines or is it just a convenient excuse that hides a decline in our lifestyle habits?
Here is what the research says...
| 06 November 2009
I was recently reading Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews which is the official review journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. It was an article about the effects of exercise on the incidence of respiratory tract infections that caught my attention. It wasn’t that they concluded that mild to moderate exercise seemed to improve immunity against infections that surprised me. It was a particular study (1) that should have us all question how governments, businesses and individuals are responding to the flu. This is particularly relevant considering the recent hysteria surrounding the swine flu....
| 03 November 2009
Having an enjoyable workplace and client base is a key to a well-run business, but for the sake of having a healthy work-life balance it is also important that the workload is evenly shared by the team. It is often the honest, reliable team member that everyone likes who often ends up being the one whose life is thrown out of balance by work overload.
Although the blame is regularly laid at the feet of over-demanding bosses, the workers who take on the extra duties are equally at fault...
| 02 November 2009
I have read numerous articles about trying to stop workplace bullying, intimidation or aggression and they are all focussed on changing the attitudes of the aggressor. What about the attitudes and behaviour of the victims?Is their inaction or tolerance of certain behaviours at work actually training others to treat them in a poor way? Wouldn't addressing victims behaviour be more effective in stopping workplace bullying?...
| 01 November 2009
Most people are aware that nutrition plays a vital role in your health and wellbeing. It also plays a significant role in determining th amount of pain that you experience...
| 01 November 2009
After the initial euphoria of finishing my first marathon my fatigued legs began to let me know what they thought of being put through such an ordeal. Walking more like one of the characters from the Muppets, I gingerly made my way to a nearby public pool where I spent the next hour wading in water to help my aching muscles recover. Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health and is a vital component to an energetic and productive lifestyle. But exercise can also cause some harm your body. It can cause muscle damage, fatigue and inflammation. In fact, if not properly managed, exercise can become a form of stress. So can supplementation help or hinder this?...
| 30 October 2009
Many businesses and workers are being put under even greater strain as they try to cope with the ever-increasing rate of worker absenteeism or poor work performance due to “work-related stress”. In addition, the effects of stress, anxiety and depression in the home are stretching many families and relationships beyond breaking point. But are we dealing with stress, depression and anxiety the right way? Or are we just covering up the symptoms of stress with a chemical straight jacket while ignoring the cause.
| 13 October 2009
A refreshing cooling breeze and some late afternoon cloud cover over Mooloolaba beach provided an ideal climate and location for exercise. Judging by the numbers of people on the beach in their exercise gear, I wasn’t alone in thinking it was the perfect time for exercise.
As I began my run I soon realized that over 95% of people who thought they were exercising on the beach were not actually exercising. Technically they were moving (they were walking) but to me exercising is when you engage in physical activity with enough intensity and for long enough so that it improves your physical fitness.
| 06 October 2009
Many people have had their theories about what attributes are required to have a successful and rewarding career. Some say you need to have a high IQ. Others say that great communication and leadership skills are the keys while others think that coming from a wealthy family gives you a significant advantage in the business world. However a study that followed 268 Harvard students over a 70 year showed that the most significant factor to positively influence your career actually had little to do with what you did at work...
| 05 October 2009
Ask any marketing executive why companies rush to have their products associated with gorgeous models and sexy movie stars and they would probably reply, “Sex sells.” If you look at the recent machinations behind the recent Swine Flu outbreak the advertising executives new mantra may become “Fear sells even better.”....
| 01 October 2009
We all hear debates about the relevance and plausibility of a healthy work life balance. What we are really calling out for is how we can improve our quality of life both at work and at home. But to address this we first need to understand what actually has the greatest impact on our quality of life.
In 2002 the South Australian Department of Health surveyed 3012 South Australians to measure their health status and to ascertain what particular areas of health most affect your quality of life....
| 17 September 2009
The role of a parent is to teach your children but many times they end up teaching us a few lessons. These lessons have greatly helped us in dealing with the stress in our personal and working lives. My son Daniel had just turned five when he gave me a lesson in trusting your instincts...
| 16 September 2009
Just how many of you actually regularly get the eight hours of sleep that they recommend?
And who are they? When did they recommend this? All I can say is that they probably weren't in full time employment and they definitely did not have young kids.
Take my last day for example ...
| 08 September 2009
What do you do when life seems to be running at full speed and out of control? You have no sense of balance or direction in your life and you don't really know what to do? Here's how to get some of your mojo and balance back into your life ...
| 01 September 2009
So many people begin improving their lifestyle in a bid to lose weight. They monitor their progress by the bathroom scales....That is a BIG mistake.
During the initial stages of my health kick my weight actually increased and that is a good sign...
| 17 August 2009
Why do some people successfully change their habits and lifestyle whereas others keep going around in circles? Discover the key reason behind successful changea and follow this sure-fire process to successful and long-lasting change.
| 11 August 2009
Happiness can be a real deal clincher. With very little often separating competing bids and tenders, the deciding factor often comes down to how pleasurable it has been in dealing with the people involved. But are people naturally happy or is it a skill that can be learnt? I learnt the answer from who I regard as the "happiest person in the world" and the answer might have you reassess how and who you hire...
| 06 August 2009
Doctors, nurses, paramedics, police, firemen, truck drivers, pilots, miners, bakers, computer programmers, waiters, gas station attendants, journalists, and cleaners…the list is endless. Our everyday life that we take for granted is underpinned by the tireless efforts of a whole nocturnal society of workers who work the graveyard or nightshift. Having to spend the majority of your waking life under the cover of darkness not only takes its toll mentally and emotionally but "shift lag" also places a heavy physical toll on your body.So how can you best deal with it?...
| 04 August 2009
The beat of African jungle drums were blaring from the set of giant loudspeakers. You could feel the pulse of the music reverberating against my whole body causing my own pulse to rise in anticipation. I was a part of a group of about 1000 keen and not-so-keen participants who were being lead outside in to the early Hawaiian evening. A large full moon, showing itself above the silohuette of the palm trees just seemed to add to the primal nature of what we were about to put ourselves through. We were about to face a 50 feet fire walk and my senses were alive to the extreme...
| 01 August 2009
Have you ever experienced the joy of watching a child crawl or walk for the first time? How did it feel? Can you remember the look of sheer delight on their faces?
Although it was about nine years ago, It seems like yesterday when I first saw Aleisha (our first child) learn to crawl for the first time. My wife, Angela brought Aleisha with her to visit me while I was coordinating the health support program for about 500 budding entrepreneurs at Action Coach's 5 day "Billionaire In Training" workshop at the Hyatt Regency in Coolum, Queensland.
I can still recall that I had a short lunch break and met them at my hotel room. Angela came in at put Aleisha down on the floor. Aleisha saw me and her face exploded with delight. She took off crawling at high speed straight towards me. Tears welled in my eyes as Aleisha came crawling over to me emanating this half giggling, half puffing sound. For the next half an hour we spent on the practice putting green at the resort golf course as I rolled golf balls around watching Aleisha chase them.
Why am I mentioning this? It's to remind us of two words vital for reducing stress in our lives…
| 30 July 2009
Most people under stress acknowledge that they need to rest but circumstances at work or at home can often lead us to believe that the opportunity to really rest is just not practical for the immediate future. So in these situations is there anything is there anything else that you can do to help you manage the stress a bit better? Yes... rub these pressure points...
| 30 July 2009
So many companies make the mistake of trying to make the claim of "great customer service" as their unique point of difference yet they don’t even deliver the basic service of doing what they say. Simply keeping your word with your customers when you have an appointment or deliver will help alleviate a lot of the stress and antagonism from customers and will certainly help to retain customers.But what do you do when you are unable to honour your committments to your customer?....
| 29 July 2009
As we go about our day interacting with other flawed and emotional human beings it is inevitable that we will come across conflicts and disagreement from time to time. Is doesn't matter if the disagreement is with a spouse, friend or customer. If not quickly resolved, it has the capacity to generate great stress which can impact our health, family and productivity at work...
| 28 July 2009
When you are busy running a couple of businesses and you also are married with three energetic children under 10 years of age it is easy for us to become dependent on caffeine or just collapse on the couch when you get home. Being a health expert over the last 20 years I am continually amazed by well-meaning health professionals' onerous and out-dated health recommendations given that we are meant to fit in to our crammed lives. It's as if they think that we don't have any other committments in our day. Some of the most sensible health advice has come from one of the most energetic people I know... my five year old son Daniel...
| 27 July 2009
With the increasing trend in Western life to cram more and more into each day, we are craving for more energy and more balance in our lives whilst, at the same time, also maintaining our productivity. However the major epidemic is that the majority of us simply do not have the time or the energy to do the things that we really want to do.
Today’s time-strapped lifestyle has turned most of our lives into a day-to-day struggle for survival before we crawl into bed exhausted at the end of the day. Fatigue is not only creating strains at home but the workplace is definitely feeling the pinch...
| 23 July 2009
We’ve all heard different work-life balance experts and commentators regurgitate the same old clichéd advice, “You should work to live and not live to work.” But when you think about it, it would have to be one of the more ridiculous statements bandied about the public arena.
Do these supposed work-life balance experts that parrot this idealistic mantra belief that the occupation that you choose should be a sidelight in your life? Is your work really some evil dastardly villain that steals all your time and the possibility of any joy or fulfillment outside its walls?
| 23 July 2009
It is the end of an exhausting day. You and your partner lay side by side in bed, your chest is heaving and groans and sighs begin to echo throughout your bedroom. The breathing becomes more rhythmical and the noises peak to a crescendo….of snoring.
It’s an all too common scenario these days. Couples worn out from demanding days are collapsing into bed with exhaustion when they could be enjoying a rollicking good time together in bed.
“What? Sex? You’ve got to be kidding.” I can hear many of you say. “At the end of the day I don’t have the energy for sex. I need sleep.”
Well let me get straight to the point …
If you are too tired for sex and you are sacrificing your sex life for a few extra minutes of sleep each night, it’s no wonder you are always tired!