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Better sleep is a protective factor against dementia

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andree-ann-baril-1494268">Andrée-Ann Baril</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-de-montreal-1743">Université de Montréal</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-pase-1494296">Matthew Pase</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Dementia is a progressive loss of cognitive abilities, such as memory, that is significant enough to have an impact on a person’s daily activities. It can be caused by a number of different diseases, including <a href="https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer’s</a>, which is the most common form. Dementia is caused by a loss of neurons over a long period of time. Since, by the time symptoms appear, many changes in the brain have already occurred, many scientists are focusing on studying the risk and protective factors for dementia. A risk factor, or conversely, a protective factor, is a condition or behaviour that increases or reduces the risk of developing a disease, but does not guarantee either outcome. Some risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, such as age or genetics, are not modifiable, but there are several other factors we can influence, <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(20)30367-6/fulltext">specifically lifestyle habits and their impact on our overall health</a>. These risk factors include depression, lack of physical activity, social isolation, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as poor sleep. We have been focusing our research on the question of sleep for over 10 years, particularly in the context of the <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/framingham-heart-study-fhs">Framingham Heart Study</a>. In this large community-based cohort study, ongoing since the 1940s, the health of surviving participants has been monitored to the present day. As researchers in sleep medicine and epidemiology, we have expertise in researching the role of sleep and sleep disorders in cognitive and psychiatric brain aging. As part of our research, we monitored and analyzed the sleep of people aged 60 and over to see who did — or did not — develop dementia. <h2>Sleep as a risk or protective factor against dementia</h2> Sleep appears to play an essential role in a number of brain functions, such as memory. Good quality sleep <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2793873">could therefore play a vital role in preventing dementia</a>. Sleep is important for maintaining <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1241224">good connections in the brain</a>. Recently, research has revealed that sleep seems to have a function similar to that of a garbage truck for the brain: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2023.111899">deep sleep could be crucial for eliminating metabolic waste from the brain</a>, including clearing certain proteins, such as those known to accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the links between deep sleep and dementia still have to be clarified. <h2>What is deep sleep?</h2> During a night’s sleep, we go through several <a href="http://ceams-carsm.ca/en/a-propos-du-sommeil/">sleep stages</a> that succeed one another and are repeated. NREM sleep (non-rapid eye movement sleep) is divided into light NREM sleep (NREM1 stage), NREM sleep (NREM2 stage) and deep NREM sleep, also called slow-wave sleep (NREM3 stage). The latter is associated with several restorative functions. Next, REM sleep (rapid eye movement sleep) is the stage generally associated with the most vivid dreams. An adult generally spends around 15 to 20 per cent of each night in deep sleep, if we add up all the periods of NREM3 sleep. Several sleep changes are common in adults, such as going to bed and waking up earlier, sleeping for shorter periods of time and less deeply, and waking up more frequently during the night. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579041/original/file-20240229-16-efo9mx.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579041/original/file-20240229-16-efo9mx.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579041/original/file-20240229-16-efo9mx.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579041/original/file-20240229-16-efo9mx.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579041/original/file-20240229-16-efo9mx.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=279&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579041/original/file-20240229-16-efo9mx.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579041/original/file-20240229-16-efo9mx.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579041/original/file-20240229-16-efo9mx.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=350&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Sleep stages, and the role of deep sleep for brain health. (Andrée-Ann Baril)</figcaption></figure> <h2>Loss of deep sleep linked to dementia</h2> Participants in the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2810957">Framingham Heart Study</a> were assessed using a sleep recording — known as polysomnography — on two occasions, approximately five years apart, in 1995-1998 and again in 2001-2003. Many people showed a reduction in their deep slow-wave sleep over the years, as is to be expected with aging. Conversely, the amount of deep sleep in some people remained stable or even increased. Our team of researchers from the Framingham Heart Study followed 346 participants aged 60 and over for a further 17 years to observe who developed dementia and who did not. Progressive loss of deep sleep over time was associated with an increased risk of dementia, whatever the cause, and particularly Alzheimer’s type dementia. These results were independent of many other risk factors for dementia. Although our results do not prove that loss of deep sleep causes dementia, they do suggest that it could be a risk factor in the elderly. Other aspects of sleep may also be important, such as its duration and quality. <h2>Strategies to improve deep sleep</h2> Knowing the impact of a lack of deep sleep on cognitive health, what strategies can be used to improve it? First and foremost, if you’re experiencing sleep problems, it’s worth talking to your doctor. Many sleep disorders are underdiagnosed and treatable, particularly through behavioural (i.e. non-medicinal) approaches. Adopting good sleep habits can help, such as going to bed and getting up at consistent times or avoiding bright or blue light in bed, like that of screens. You can also avoid caffeine, limit your alcohol intake, maintain a healthy weight, be physically active during the day, and sleep in a comfortable, dark and quiet environment. The role of deep sleep in preventing dementia remains to be explored and studied. Encouraging sleep with good lifestyle habits could have the potential to help us age in a healthier way.<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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222854/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andree-ann-baril-1494268">Andrée-Ann Baril</a>, Professeure-chercheure adjointe au Département de médecine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/universite-de-montreal-1743">Université de Montréal</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-pase-1494296">Matthew Pase</a>, Associate Professor of Neurology and Epidemiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/better-sleep-is-a-protective-factor-against-dementia-222854">original article</a>. </div>

Mind

6 common factors that are impacting your sleep

While we all do our best to make sure we’re get our eight hours every night, at times it can feel as though we’re our own worst enemies. And while we’re all aware of the importance of sleep, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what the root of the problem is. Here are six common factors that may be negatively impacting your ability to get shut eye. Correct these and you’ll be on your way to enjoy a good night sleep. 1. Light Studies have shown the exposure to light can wreak havoc in terms of our internal circadian rhythm. Try to avoid having your vision obstructed by any light when you’re about to get to sleep and keep the use of mobile and computer devices to a minimum. 2. Food Asides from the correlation between poor quality sleep and processed foods, it’s generally not recommended you have large, heavy meals just before you’re about to go to bed. Also, try to avoid sugar and caffeine in the few hours leading to bedtime. 3. Noise Noise can also affect the pattern of your sleep as anyone who’s tossed and turned at the sound of a neighbour’s party. Earplugs are one option you can explore. It’s also an idea to perhaps try a light fan to drown the noise out somewhat, or some sort of gentle recording. 4. Temperature Each person has an optimal temperature for falling asleep and it varies between people. If you’re feeling a bit hot under the collar (or too cool to start sleeping) it’s worth experimenting with the temperature in your room until you find one that better suits. 5. Schedule Are bodies are fiends for routines, so try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekend. Not only will this help integrate your body into a regular sleep/wake pattern, it will also make the actual process of falling asleep seem much easier. 6. Naps While there’s nothing quite as nice as an afternoon nap during the day, it can actually significantly disrupt out sleep patterns during the night. If you really do have to nap during the day, try to keep it short and avoid napping too much in the later parts of the day. Image credits: Getty Images

Body

5 surprising factors damaging your heart

It’s important to maintain heart health at all stages of life, but it becomes particularly crucial as we age – after all, the older you get, the older your heart becomes, too. And even though you might be taking all the right precautions (e.g. quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly), you could be tarnishing your ticker without even realising it. Here are five things you didn’t know could negatively affect your heart health. 1. Damaged hearing – if you’ve spent much of your life working or living in noisy areas or regularly attending loud events (i.e. those rock concerts you frequented back in the day!), beware. A 2015 study found that people with high-frequency hearing loss in both years (most often due to prolonged exposure to high-decibel noise) were twice as prone to heart disease than those with normal hearing. 2. Air pollution – Have you been considering a sea or tree change? Now might be the time to do it. Researchers in 2011 discovered that exposure to traffic and air pollution is responsible for between 5 and 7 per cent of heart attacks around the world. Experts believe this may be due to an increase in arterial plaque build-up experienced by city-dwellers. 3. Sleep deprivation – A chronic lack of sleep increases production of adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormone), which in turn increases your heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, one study found those who regularly had less than five hours of sleep were three times more at risk of heart attack than those who got between six and eight hours. 4. Excessive exercise – Believe it or not, but exercise could be putting you at risk of a heart attack – that is, if you’re doing too much vigorous exercise too often. Anything that causes strain can lead to dangerously high blood pressure – this means weightlifting and endurance sports (e.g. marathons) could be off the table. Stick to low-impact workouts like brisk walking, light weights and yoga. 5. Too much sitting – We’ve heard it all before – that sitting is bad for you – but you might not have realised just how bad it can be. According to a 2015 report, the average adult spends more than half of their waking hours sitting down, making them more likely to suffer or die from heart disease –even those who exercised an hour a day couldn’t combat this higher risk. Images: Getty

Body

Former X-Factor star charged with murder of baby

Mitchell David Callaway, a former X-Factor contestant who appeared alongside Johnny Ruffo in the show’s 2011 season, has been charged with murder for the death of a nine-month-old girl in 2018. Emergency services had been called out over reports of an unresponsive baby girl in the Central West, and despite the best efforts of medical professionals and transport to Coonabarabran Hospital, she passed away. Callaway was arrested on June 8 - five years after her death - at a house in Bowraville, New South Wales. That same day, the 37-year-old faced Macksville Local Court, and was refused bail with instruction to attend court again the following week. The arrest was the culmination of a five year investigation under Strike Force King, after police officials received new information and executed a crime scene warrant at another property - actions which eventually led them to Callaway’s door. And now, the young girl’s mother has spoken out on social media about his arrest, and the devastating loss of her baby. “After almost five years to the day, an arrest has finally been made,” she wrote. “All the years of pain, suffering and grief and following my mother’s intuition. She spoke of how there was still a “long road ahead” in getting justice for her daughter, with court proceedings still to occur, but that it was good to see “the beginning of justice” in the wake of her heartbreak. “She has been the reason I have continued to fight, live and have made it this far,” she added. “Not a day goes by that I do not miss you and wish you were here. “This doesn’t bring you back but it does bring you some peace and the justice you deserve. Forever my little girl. Mummy loves you, xx”. Additional online tributes - from the time of her passing - described her as a “precious daughter”, and someone who was also an “adored and loved great-granddaughter, granddaughter, niece, and cousin”. A funeral was held for the girl, where more heartfelt words were shared, and her loved ones came together in a flurry of bright colour to “celebrate the first birthday she never got to have.” “She was the definition of perfect,” an obituary for her declared. “She was the happiest, smiliest, cheekiest baby who melted the hearts of everyone that met her.” Images: NSW Police

News

World economy in 2022: the big factors to watch closely

Will 2022 be the year where the world economy recovers from the pandemic? That’s the big question on everyone’s lips as the festive break comes to an end. One complicating factor is that most of the latest major forecasts were published in the weeks before the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern" target="_blank">omicron variant</a> swept the world. At that time, the mood was that recovery was indeed around the corner, with the IMF projecting <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2021/10/12/world-economic-outlook-october-2021" target="_blank">4.9% growth</a> in 2022 and the OECD <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oecd.org/newsroom/oecd-economic-outlook-sees-recovery-continuing-but-warns-of-growing-imbalances-and-risks.htm" target="_blank">projecting 4.5%</a>. These numbers are lower than the circa 5% to 6% global growth expected to have been achieved in 2021, but that represents the inevitable rebound from reopening after the pandemic lows of 2020. So what difference will omicron make to the state of the economy? We already know that it had an effect in the run-up to Christmas, with for example <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2021/dec/23/omicron-hits-uk-economy-growth-car-production-market-optimism-energy-crisis-business-live?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with:block-61c46e4c8f08efd5f0de270a#block-61c46e4c8f08efd5f0de270a" target="_blank">UK hospitality</a> taking a hit as people stayed away from restaurants. For the coming months, the combination of raised restrictions, cautious consumers and people taking time off sick is likely to take its toll. Yet the fact that the new variant seems milder than originally feared is likely to mean that restrictions are lifted more quickly and that the economic effect is more moderate than it might have been. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-admit-some-foreigners-with-presumed-covid-immunity-jan-9-2022-01-03/" target="_blank">Israel</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/1/3/australia-pushes-on-with-reopening-amid-milder-impact-of-omicron" target="_blank">Australia</a>, for example, are already loosening restrictions despite high case numbers. At the same time, however, until the west tackles very low <a rel="noopener" href="https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations?country=OWID_WRL" target="_blank">vaccination rates</a> in some parts of the world, don’t be surprised if another new variant brings further damage to both public health and the world economy. As things stand, the UK thinktank the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) published a more recent <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-26/world-economy-now-set-to-surpass-100-trillion-in-2022" target="_blank">2022 forecast</a> just before Christmas. It predicted that global growth would reach 4% this year, and that the total world economy would hit a new all-time high of US$100 trillion (£74 trillion). The inflation question One other big unknown is inflation. In 2021 we saw a sudden and sharp surge in inflation resulting from the restoration of global economic activity and bottlenecks in the <a rel="noopener" href="https://obr.uk/box/the-economic-effects-of-supply-bottlenecks/" target="_blank">global supply chain</a>. There has been <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/inflation-why-its-temporary-and-raising-interest-rates-will-do-more-harm-than-good-172329" target="_blank">much debate</a> about whether this inflation will prove temporary, and central banks have been coming under pressure to ensure it doesn’t spiral. So far, the European Central Bank, Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan have all abstained from raising interest rates from their very low levels. The Bank of England, on the other hand, followed the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ft.com/content/ca15ce59-ca72-497c-bf7a-c1482d972f01" target="_blank">IMF’s advice</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy-summary-and-minutes/2021/december-2021" target="_blank">raised rates</a> from 0.1% to 0.25% in December. This is too little to curb inflation or do any good besides increase the cost of borrowing for firms and to raise <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59140059" target="_blank">mortgage payments</a> for households. That said, the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/sterling-nears-2-year-high-vs-euro-rate-rise-bets-2022-01-04/" target="_blank">markets are betting</a> that more UK rate rises will follow, and that <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/markets-and-the-economy-brace-as-the-feds-first-hike-could-come-in-two-months.html" target="_blank">the Fed</a> will also start raising rates in the spring. Yet the more important question regarding inflation is what happens to quantitative easing (QE). This is the policy of increasing the money supply that has seen the major central banks <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/global-qe-tracker/" target="_blank">buying some</a> US$25 trillion in government bonds and other financial assets in recent years, including about US$9 trillion on the back of COVID. Both the Fed and ECB are still operating QE and adding assets to their balance sheets every month. The Fed is <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/fed-tapering?r=US&IR=T" target="_blank">currently tapering</a> the rate of these purchases with a view to stopping them in March, having recently announced that it would bring forward the end date from June. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ft.com/content/03a30484-b265-4a88-a861-de1784305d40" target="_blank">The ECB</a> has also said it will scale back QE, but is committed to continuing for the time being. Of course, the real question is what these central banks do in practice. Ending QE and raising interest rates will undoubtedly hamper the recovery – the <a rel="noopener" href="https://cebr.com/reports/city-am-uk-to-remain-one-of-the-top-six-global-economies-post-covid-says-cebr-report/" target="_blank">CEBR forecast</a>, for example, assumes that it will see bond, stock and property markets falling by 10% to 25% in 2022. It will be interesting to see whether the prospect of such upheaval forces the Fed and Bank of England to get more dovish again – particularly when you factor in the continued uncertainty around COVID. Politics and global trade The trade war between the US and China looks likely to continue in 2022. The “<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.piie.com/research/piie-charts/us-china-phase-one-tracker-chinas-purchases-us-goods" target="_blank">phase 1</a>” deal between the two nations, in which China had agreed to increase its purchases of certain US goods and services by a combined US$200 billion over 2020 and 2021 has missed its target <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.piie.com/research/piie-charts/us-china-phase-one-tracker-chinas-purchases-us-goods" target="_blank">by about 40%</a> (as at the end of November). The deal has now expired, and the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202201/1243977.shtml" target="_blank">big question</a> for international trade in 2022 is whether there will be a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ced.org/solutions-briefs/the-china-trade-challenge-phase-ii" target="_blank">new “phase 2” deal</a>. It is hard to feel particularly optimistic here: Donald Trump may have long since left office, but US strategy on China remains <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/biden-losing-china-strategy-protectionism-industrial-policy-by-anne-o-krueger-2021-09?utm_source=Project%20Syndicate%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=bf7c015f95-sunday_newsletter_12_26_2021&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_73bad5b7d8-bf7c015f95-105568073&mc_cid=bf7c015f95&mc_eid=14a09c8529&barrier=accesspaylog" target="_blank">distinctly Trumpian</a>, with no notable concessions having been offered to the Chinese under Joe Biden. Elsewhere, western tensions with Russia over Ukraine and further escalation of economic sanctions against Putin may have economic consequences for the global economy – not least because of Europe’s dependency on Russian gas. The more engagement that we see on both fronts in the coming months, the better it will be for growth. Whatever happens politically, it is clear that Asia will be very important for growth prospects in 2022. Major economies such as <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-22/u-k-economy-closer-to-pre-pandemic-levels-despite-3q-downgrade?sref=Hjm5biAW" target="_blank">the UK</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://tradingeconomics.com/japan/gdp" target="_blank">Japan</a> and the <a rel="noopener" href="https://tradingeconomics.com/euro-area/gdp" target="_blank">eurozone</a> were all still smaller than before the pandemic as recently as the third quarter of 2021, the latest data available. The only major developed economy that has already recovered its losses and regained its pre-COVID size is <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2021/12/08/a-most-unusual-recovery-how-the-us-rebound-from-covid-differs-from-rest-of-g7/" target="_blank">the United States</a>. Economic growth by country since 2015 <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/439333/original/file-20220104-18500-zchaq3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/439333/original/file-20220104-18500-zchaq3.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> OECD data On the other hand, China has <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/china/" target="_blank">managed the pandemic</a> well – albeit with strict control measures – and its economy has achieved strong growth since the second quarter of 2020. It has been <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/chinas-problem-with-property-the-domino-effect-of-evergrandes-huge-debts-168601" target="_blank">struggling with</a> a heavily over-indebted property market, but appears to have handled these problems <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-evergrande-says-construction-has-resumed-at-vast-majority-of-its-projects-11640602229" target="_blank">relatively smoothly</a>. Though the jury is out on the extent to which <a rel="noopener" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/15/economy/china-omicron-economy-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank">China’s debt problems</a> will be a drag in 2022, some such as Morgan Stanley <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/morgan-stanley-on-chinas-gdp-economy-in-2022.html" target="_blank">argue that</a> strong exports, accommodative monetary and fiscal policies, relief for real estate sector and a slightly more relaxed approach to carbon reduction point to a decent performance. As for India, whose economy has seen double dips during the pandemic, it is showing a strong positive trend with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2021/10/12/world-economic-outlook-october-2021" target="_blank">8.5% expected growth</a> in the year ahead. I therefore suspect that emerging Asia will shoulder global growth in 2022, and the world’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1758-5899.2010.00066.x" target="_blank">economic centre of gravity</a> will continue to shift eastwards at an accelerated pace.<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/174350/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/muhammad-ali-nasir-1244347" target="_blank">Muhammad Ali Nasir</a>, Associate Professor in Economics and Finance, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-huddersfield-1226" target="_blank">University of Huddersfield</a> This article is republished from <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/world-economy-in-2022-the-big-factors-to-watch-closely-174350" target="_blank">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

7 factors that tell you how wise you are

If you have always considered yourself to be a wise person, a new test could determine just how right you are. Researchers at the University of California’s School of Medicine have devised a scale that can help determine an individual’s level of wisdom with a high level of validity. Previously, the team had created a 28-item scale, which has been used in large national and international studies, research, and clinical trials to assess wisdom. Their latest scale, published in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-psychogeriatrics/article/abbreviated-san-diego-wisdom-scale-sdwise7-and-jestethomas-wisdom-index-jtwi/A9B158C6025CB60097F93E36E8D0B859#article" target="_blank">International Psychogeriatrics</a>, was found to be a reliable and comparable measure of wisdom, which has a strong association with wellbeing. “Wisdom measures are increasingly being used to study factors that impact mental health and optimal ageing,” <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211203081529.htm" target="_blank">said</a> Dr Dilip V Jeste, the study’s senior author and a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the university. “We wanted to test if a list of only seven factors could provide valuable information to test wisdom.” The scale is made up of seven statements that relate to the seven components of wisdom: self-reflection, emotional regulation, pro-social behaviours such as empathy and compassion, acceptance of diverse perspectives, decisiveness, social advising, and spirituality. Participants then rate the statements on a one to five scale, from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Examples include “I remain calm under pressure” and “I avoid situations where I know my help will be needed”, and others ask participants to rate their abilities to make major decisions, engage in self-reflection, and how they feel about diverse viewpoints. “Shorter doesn’t mean less valid,” Dr Jeste said. “We selected the right type of questions to get important information that not only contributes to the advancement of science but also supports our previous data that wisdom correlates with health and longevity. Dr Jeste said assessing levels of wisdom is useful for reducing loneliness and improving overall wellbeing. “Like the COVID-19 vaccine protects us from the novel coronavirus, wisdom can aid in protecting us from loneliness,” he explained. “Thus, we can potentially help end a behavioural pandemic of loneliness, suicides and opioid abuse that has been going on for the last 20 years.” With that in mind, Dr Jeste said future research would see the test be used to assess wisdom in genetic, biological, psychosocial and cultural studies, as well as other factors relating to mental, physical and cognitive health. “We need wisdom for surviving and thriving in life,” Dr Jeste said. “Now, we have a list of questions that take less than a couple of minutes to answer that can be put into clinical practice to try to help individuals.” For the abbreviated test, Jeste, along with coauthors and colleagues, chose one pivotal question (out of four prompts) from each of wisdom's seven subscale categories: The Seven-Item Wisdom Scale Prompts (Subscale in Parenthesis) "I tend to postpone making major decisions as long as I can." (Decisiveness) "I avoid self-reflection." (Self-Reflection) "I avoid situations where I know my help will be needed." (Prosocial Behaviors) "I often don't know what to tell people when they come to me for advice." (Social Advising) "I remain calm under pressure." (Emotional Regulation) "I enjoy being exposed to diverse viewpoints." (Acceptance of Divergent Perspectives) "My spiritual belief gives me inner strength." (Spirituality) If you’re curious and would like to test yourself on the original 28-question scale, you can do so <a rel="noopener" href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/5991949/Jeste-Thomas-Wisdom-Index" target="_blank">here</a>! Image: Getty Images

Mind

One major factor that could throw Sydney into snap lockdown

New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced that Sydney will not be going into lockdown, despite strong suggestions that COVID-19 cases may surge. NSW recorded a worrying rise, with officials confirming 10 new infections on Tuesday. Five locally acquired cases have been recorded in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night. Two of those cases were announced yesterday morning, but seven other infections were recorded after the official reporting period and will be included in Wednesday’s numbers. This means 21 infections are officially linked to the Bondi outbreak. Ms Berejiklian said that she may consider a lockdown if unlinked cases began to rise. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841949/gladys.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6ba41cc181f54e239f3c067ddd13eff3" /> “At this stage we follow Dr Chant and the health advice,” she said. “Because all but one case is linked to an existing case and that case was only discovered a few hours ago … that gives us a degree of confidence that what we have asked people to do matches the risk that is there at the moment. “If that changes, if we suddenly have a number of unlinked cases and if we suddenly have them outside the geographic region they are concentrated in that we will obviously adjust the health advice and we will respond to that (idea of a lockdown).” Ms Berejiklian did however announce a week-long extension of mask restrictions to all of greater Sydney. Blue Mountains and the Illawarra regions are also included in having to wear face masks, however the Central Coast is not. Masks are compulsory on public transport and indoor venues until midnight on Wednesday, June 30. “We will extend it to all of Greater Sydney. That means excluding the Central Coast and excluding the Hunter, but also they will be required to adhere to that compulsory mask wearing indoors for hospitality workers when we are going shopping, going grocery shopping, going to events inside,” she told reporters. “It is only when you are eating or drinking indoors at a venue that you can’t or shouldn’t wear a mask. In every other circumstance, if you live or are in Sydney, you must wear a mask for another week beyond Wednesday midnight.” Images: Getty Images

News

The one factor that will see lockdown extended

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Victoria has recorded 11 new infections yesterday but the lockdown is still likely to lift at the end of the week. However, there is one factor that could force authorities to extend the restrictions, as there are now 83 locally acquired COVID-19 infections. A significant rise in mystery cases would be the one thing that would keep restrictions in place. “We are certainly on course to lift the lockdown as scheduled,” one senior Victorian government insider told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/" target="_blank">Herald Sun</a>. “Unless there is a massive shock, we would be expecting that to happen.” The West Melbourne cluster is still of great concern and the variant is "more dangerous" and needs to be contained. Authorities believe that the variant leaked into the community from an overseas traveller despite genomic sequencing not turning up any matches to those in hotel quarantine. “This is almost certain that’s where this one has come from. Most people who have come across our borders have come through hotel quarantine, but we have no definite link to any particular breach,” federal chief medical officer Professor Paul Kelly said. “There was some speculation at some point this may be due to people who received some [hotel quarantine] exemptions. I’m assured by my colleague, the chief health officer in the ACT that there’s been no positive cases. They have all received the standard number of tests anyone who would be in hotel quarantine get.” Acting Premier James Merlino said that Victoria is living in a "different environment" due to the new variant. “There’s a reason why public health is so concerned about the Delta variant,” he said. “It is much, much more infectious than what we were dealing with last year. The last thing we want to see is this variant of the virus getting out and becoming uncontrollable,” he said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that he is "hopeful" that restrictions would be lifted "as soon as possible". “I would be urging that we move toward lifting those restrictions as soon as possible,” Mr Morrison said. “Hopefully [we] see Victoria opened again soon. Particularly for those parents who are having to keep their kids at home away from school. Kids have lost enough time out of school, over the course of the last 18 months.” </div> </div> </div> </div>

News

Morning Wars: Has the Karl factor had an effect?

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Breakfast news show Today has received its lowest TV ratings for 2020 despite the return of fan favourite Karl Stefanovic. The ratings received were close to its lowest ever for the show, with the show bringing in just 173,000 viewers. It was beaten by Sunrise at 272,000 with a gap of almost 100,000. The ratings mark Today’s second day in a row with under 200,000 viewers and are far lower than last year’s total average with hosts Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner. Media analysts Steve Allen said that it’s no surprise Today is struggling. “The majority of the breakfast audience is female, and they were the ones that reacted greatly against Stefanovic’s various missteps in 2018,” he told <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/nines-today-show-slumps-to-new-low-despite-karl-stefanovics-return/news-story/55b06adfee421e38d66749bbb850e31f" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. “Our knowledge of that audience is that they don’t forgive easily. We were never convinced his return after a year and a bit of PR boosting would rebuild the bridge. “I think the vast majority of people are watching Today on a wait-and-see basis.” <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B7URc2nA8o4/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/B7URc2nA8o4/</a> Allen explained that Nine’s executives were expecting Today to do better than it has been and that it’s unlikely there will be changes to the hosting lineup going forward on Today. “They certainly wouldn’t win again. The next time they make a major change is when Armytage or Kochie don’t renew their contract or leave Sunrise. “Plus, when you’ve got an expensive star on contract like Stefanovic, you’d much rather use that person than get rid of them.” Today’s highest rankings with Stefanovic at the helm was 475,000, which it hit back in 2016 with Lisa Wilkinson hosting alongside him. It was within that year that the show came close to rivalling Sunrise for a brief period, but it appears that viewers have abandoned Today for Sunrise as well as News Breakfast on ABC. </div> </div> </div>

News

The 3 important factors for happiness

The <a href="https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2019/#read">2019 World Happiness Report (WHR)</a> is out and the results are in: There are three important factors that help you find happiness. These factors are relationships, money and health. Dr Michael Mosley has learned to obtain these the hard way. He shared his thoughts with the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/money-does-make-you-happy-but-only-to-a-point-20190624-p520q5.html">Sydney Morning Herald</a>. “Lots of factors make you happy,” Mosley told the 1300 audience members at the Happiness and Its Causes conference. "But the three most important things... are relationships, money and health.” According to the WHR, money matters for happiness, but only to a specific point. “How much do you think you need to be relatively happy? The minimum? Turns out to be $50,000. The maximum, the point at which you get satiated where actually having more money won’t make you more happy? That turns out to be $90,000... beyond that point you don’t get a lot happier,” Mosley explained. “Another measure of happiness is when you feel you’ve 'made it'. That turns out to be much higher... about $140,000... to have bragging rights.” As he made his way through his life, Mosley discovered that money alone didn’t make him happy. He quickly met his wife at medical school and realised she filled a void in his life. “She filled an enormous emotional void in my life,” he said. Needing close and emotionally fulfilling relationships was something he didn’t realise he needed until he met her. “That was something I didn’t know until I met Clare.” The WHR has quantified the impact that relationships have on people that asked a simple question of 1.4 million people in 150 different countries. “If you were in trouble, do you have relatives or friends that can help you, whether you need them or not?” “This is the greatest single predictor of whether or not someone reports they are happy or not,” Mosley said. He finished the talk by giving his guide to a healthy life. “My guide to a happy life? Prioritise your relationships, eat a Mediterranean-style diet, fast sometimes – it’s surprisingly enjoyable, keep a waist less than half your height... try and do something that gets your heart rate up three times a week, meditate most mornings... and be grateful for people that make you happy.”

Money & Banking

Do you know what the leading cause of death in Australia is?

Many people might assume that cancer or obesity is the number one killer in Australia. While Aussies as a nation are getting better when it comes to sun sense and applying SPF and taking care of our outsides, how good are we at taking care of our insides? Not very, it would seem, with heart disease the number one cause of death among BOTH men and woman in Australia. Consultant cardiologist Dr Damian Roper, from St Andrew’s Specialist Centre in Brisbane, and top-selling author Dr Warrick Bishop, shared their top tips to keeping your ticker in top shape with <a href="https://coach.nine.com.au/2018/06/06/09/53/leading-cause-death-heart-disease">9Honey Coach</a>. 1. Know the risk factors “Start by understanding your risk factors such as age, sex, blood glucose status, cholesterol and blood pressure,” Dr Bishop advised. Dr Roper added, “Some of these [risk factors] are predetermined, and unfortunately there is nothing we can do to reverse them, such as your sex and age.” While males are at higher risk of developing coronary artery disease at a younger age versus females, the risk factor increases for both sexes with age. If you do have high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoke or are obese, your risk factor for heart disease can be lowered by making sensible and practical lifestyle changes. “We call these ‘modifiable risk factors’,” Dr Roper told Coach. “They are areas medical practitioners tend to focus on.” 2. Steps to reduce your risk The good news is, adopting basic changes to your everyday lifestyle will help to lower your chances of developing heart disease. Dr Bishop explained, “Once you identify if you’re at risk, you can also prevent potential complications by instilling positive everyday habits back into your routine.” Dr Roper continued, “In essence, it comes down to living a healthy lifestyle.” He added, “Don’t smoke, drink alcohol in moderation, eat healthily, exercise regularly and achieve the ultimate goal of maintaining an ideal body weight.” 3. Improve your diet This is one of the easiest ways to begin improving your health heart, and you can start implementing it straight away. “There is good evidence to show that eating a well-balanced Mediterranean-style diet [reducing red meat intake and replacing it with skinless chicken and fish, particularly salmon, plus plenty of fruits and vegetables, and ‘good fats’ including nuts, olive oil and avocadoes] can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes,” Dr Roper explained to Coach. “A glass of wine a night can also provide some cardiovascular benefit – unfortunately this does not extend to beer or vodka!” Dr Roper added. 4. Get moving We all know we need to do it – moving most days and exercising is important when it comes to your heart health, too. “Keeping physically active also has a positive impact on a number of modifiable risk factors, including weight control, reducing blood pressure and an improvement in cholesterol levels,” said Dr Roper. “[The World Health Organisation] recommends adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity, per week as a minimum,” Dr Roper recommended. “Muscle-strengthening exercises should be performed at least twice per week,” he added. If you have any mobility issues, Dr Roper suggested: “A flat walk on a daily basis for at least 20 minutes is a good start.”

Caring

5 factors that affect your weight (besides food)

We all know what we should be doing in order to lose weight – eat less processed food, reduce sugar, eat more fibre, drink more water. But besides what we put in our mouths, there are other factors that could be affecting the numbers on your bathroom scale. See if any of these ring true for you. 1. Stress Whether it’s related to your kids, finances, your career or even just your difficult neighbours – stress has a big impact on our waistline. If you live in a constant state of stress, your body has to work overtime just to return you to baseline blood pressure and regulated cortisol levels. Over time this can manifest itself into weight gain around the abdomen and an increased likelihood of heart problems or blood pressure irregularities. 2. Fatigue Not getting enough sleep doesn’t just put you in a bad mood; it’s bad for your body (especially if it’s a chronic situation). If you aren’t sleeping well, look at ways to change your bedtime routine and your sleep space to ensure maximum rest, so that you body can recharge. Being tired can lead to poor food choices (as does stress), which can impact your weight loss efforts. This is also true for shift workers, who have a disrupted circadian rhythm. If you are working nights or long hours it would be beneficial to take your own healthy meals to work with you rather than relying on options available from canteens or take away. 3. Hormones Environmental factors can affect our hormone levels, which can lead to weight gain. For instance certain chemicals in plastics, pesticides used on crops, and other chemical in detergents and cosmetics can all affect your oestrogen levels. 4. Sedentary lifestyle We’re all busy, but if you’re using your hectic schedule as a reason not to exercise you could be affecting your ability to lose weight. While we have all heard that weight loss is 80 per cent food and 20 per cent exercise, if your exercise component is closer to zero than twenty it might be time to make some changes. 5. Commitment We all want instant results, and that’s probably why so many diets are referred to as ‘fads’ – they’re not made for the long term. But giving up on your healthy lifestyle after two weeks of ‘being good’ doesn’t give your body enough time to reap the benefits of the nutritious food and movement. Commit not to a diet but to a new way of life that incorporates exercise and healthy eating as the new normal and eventually you can’t help but notice the difference in your measurements. If you’ve successfully lost weight before, we would love to hear your tips or advice for Over60 readers who are just starting out. Share your story in the comments below.

Body

6 factors to consider when buying new glasses

Described by the Daily Telegraph as one of the ‘women over 40 influencing the internet’, Alyson Walsh is a freelance fashion journalist, author and founder of the popular blog That’s Not My Age. When we meet, Marie Wilkinson, design director at Cutler and Gross, is wearing a beautiful pair of 1950s-style brick-red frames. ‘They’re called A Day at the Races,’ she tells me, ‘I was thinking about jockeys and how they want to be distinctive but don’t wear logos, just vivid colours. The colours are very dense, very high pigment, so you can see them from far away.’ Having worked with the eyewear brand for 33 years, and worn glasses since the age of eight (when her mother noticed she was sitting very close to the television), Marie has experimented with a range of different styles: from pink 1960s ‘kitten eye’ to round acetate frames in glittery black. Eulogising over eyewear as a glamorous fashion accessory rather than a mere ‘medical appliance’, she offers advice on what to look for when buying new frames. Fit, size and shape First, the basics: ‘Ensure the glasses frame the eyes and the eyes are the focus and sit centrally in the eye rim.’ Then you can start thinking about shape. ‘If you want something to open up your face, choose frames with a wider shape. For a small face, I would suggest an oversized, fine-rimmed metal frame for a playful take on proportion, or an immaculately fitting acetate frame. If you go for something bold then make sure it follows a natural line on the face – it could be a fringe, your eyebrows, jawline or cheekbones. There is something to celebrate on everyone’s face. The classic kitten eye is a recurring theme for me; it works with my hairstyle. If it’s the eyebrows, then ensure the frame follows the brow line, and runs just underneath the brow line to emphasise its sweep.’ Complement your look Glasses are part of your complete look, so consider how they work with your make-up and clothes. ‘Choose a colour that makes the eyes pop and enhances the iris colour. Like make-up, eyewear is a positive way to add colour to your face. If your signature lipstick is non-negotiable, then work with the lipstick. Make sure the frames are an opposite colour or it’s a red that’s in tune.’ It’s important to consider the bigger picture. ‘Glasses should flow. We always have full-length mirrors in our stores so that customers can step back and look at the whole silhouette.’ The je ne sais quoi As with all things style-related, following your heart or your gut instinct is often the way to go. ‘You should feel something, feel curious and want to try them on. Apparently there’s something like 10 per cent nostalgia – the frames remind you of someone and give you a warm fuzzy feeling – and the rest of it should be new and exciting.’ And when you find the perfect pair of specs, don’t be afraid to make a serious investment: ‘Having bespoke eyewear is a bit like having a suit made to measure: you’re looking for longevity. It’s an investment. Glasses can be re-polished and realigned – you can keep them forever.’ And what doesn’t go Wilkinson is not a fan of glasses on chains. ‘I don’t like it and it doesn’t look right at any age. It’s dangerous because your glasses are vulnerable.’ She suggests going for varifocals instead. And, of course, the only thing worse than bad glasses is no glasses at all. ‘Don’t read the menu with a mobile phone light. It’s more chic to have a pair of glasses.’ How to wear glasses with hats People often think that because they wear glasses, they can’t wear hats. That it feels fussy and hemmed-in and there’s too much going on. But there’s no need to go for the full-on Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady approach. Simply avoid hats where the rim sits on the top of the glasses frame and look for simple styles that allow a bit of space. Show the face in a beret, cloche or turban. For special occasions, doff your cap to the Advanced Style set whose flamboyant outlook often involves the combination of Schiaparelli-inspired shapes and statement specs, or big hats and big glasses. After all, no one thinks twice about wearing a big floppy straw sunhat or a Stetson and sunglasses in summer, do they? As Wilkinson says, ‘Glasses and hats are a yes! A wonderful opportunity for colours and shapes to play together.’ Earrings that you can wear with glasses Small to medium hoops, studs, cuffs and diamonds – and various combinations of all of the above – go with glasses. Chandeliers? Well, Jenna Lyons does it, usually with her hair tied back. I’m not a glasses-wearer just yet (though long overdue an eye test), but I can see that the tendency is to go for a necklace or strong lips over doorknocker earrings. Keeping it sleek means less clutter around your chops and often statement glasses are enough. <img width="127" height="154" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7266073/know-your-style-cover_127x154.jpg" alt="Know Your Style Cover" style="float: right;"/> This is an edited extract from Know Your Style by Alyson Walsh published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $24.99 and is available in stores nationally. Photographer: © Ayumi Takahashi.

Beauty & Style

5 preventable factors that are making you look older

It’s always nice when people think that you are younger than you actually are. But it’s not all down to genetics. There are some everyday factors that you can control which could be ageing you. Read on to find out more. 1. Diet You are what you eat, and if you are eating a lot of junk it’s going to show up in your skin, eyes, hair and teeth. Try to stick with ‘real’ food most of the time, and processed food only some of the time. Alcohol also plays a significant role – excess amounts can cause dark circles under the eyes, fatigue, wrinkles and redness. 2. Exercise Even if it’s just a swim or a stroll, getting your heart pumping is a great way to reduce the signs of ageing. Try changing your habits for the better – such as meeting a friend for a walk instead of a drink; or joining a hiking group instead of attending a book club. 3. Drugs If you can avoid cigarettes and recreational drugs, this is going to make a big difference to how old you look. You can also try to reduce the number of medicines you take – speak to your doctor about whether it’s possible to take combined or compound drugs instead. 4. Rest You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends and expect to wake up fresh faced and youthful. Your body needs adequate sleep and rest to produce and repair cells that keep your skin plump, your hair shiny, and your eyes clear. Try setting yourself a bedtime, and get up at the same time each day. Reset your body clock so that it gets used to resting at certain times of the day. And remember, there’s nothing wrong with an afternoon siesta. 5. Check-ups Doctors are able to screen for so many potential issues now, there’s really no excuse not to be checking in regularly. Be proactive with your health, so that if any risk factors do crop up you will be able to treat them early. Doctors will also keep an eye on your stress levels, anxiety and depression too, and can then refer you for specific treatment as needed. Do people ever comment that you look younger than you are? What’s your secret? Let us know in the comment section below.

Beauty & Style

These three aspects of life hold the key to happiness

When we think about what causes humans to be miserable, the finger is often pointed at money problems and poverty as key catalysts. A <a href="http://voxeu.org/article/origins-happiness" target="_blank">study</a> published this month by the London School of Economics (LSE), however, has found that these are not the two drivers of overall human misery. Mental and physical illnesses and failed relationships are. Researchers believe that in order to reduce overall human misery, policymakers should turn their efforts towards eliminating depression and anxiety. Doing so would reduce misery by 20 per cent, whereas the current drive to eliminate poverty in Western societies will only reduce overall misery by five per cent. Our new Prime Minister Bill English is being urged to focus on increased health spending rather than tax cuts, and a report such as this (although intended for the United Kingdom's NHS) has a valuable takeaway for New Zealand: extra budgeting to increase access to public mental health facilities would be "self-financing". That is, the money going into increase mental health care gets recovered by the Government through a higher employment rate (which means more tax is paid), and reduced visits to GPs and accident and emergency clinics. But the responsibility doesn't solely rest on policymakers. As a society made up of individuals and families, we need to take more ownership of our physical and mental health and our personal relationships. The LSE researchers say this means we should change our focus from "wealth creation" to "wellbeing creation". But what exactly does that look like in practice? It begins with school-aged children, and finding a school that suits them and supports them emotionally, according to the study. "The strongest factor predicting a happy adult life is not children's qualifications but their emotional health," the report says. “There is also powerful evidence that schools have a big impact on children's emotional health, and which school a child goes to will affect their emotional wellbeing as much as it affects their exam performance." As people reach adulthood and the decades pass, we must ensure their bodies, minds, and their relationships are all given equal weight as part of their overall health. Primary care practitioners do a good job at keeping our physical bodies healthy, and it's important to have a sound relationship with a GP. You need somebody you feel comfortable talking to; a practitioner that doesn't make you feel judged, embarrassed, or like an insignificant number who needs to be pushed through to get to the next patient. Mental health, as already noted, is a neglected part of the average person's health. We don't see the problems "in our heads" as serious as we should, and that can change by removing stigma around mental health care. We can all do this by reaching out to people we think are struggling, and simply asking them if they'd like to talk to somebody about it. If they express any kind of desire to, help them find the appropriate professional – it could start with phoning a helpline or talking to a GP, or approaching a counsellor or therapist. Changing the way we support each other through times of difficult mental health circumstances can pave the way for a culture of early intervention. When mental health issues are addressed sooner, they are less likely to contribute to long-term misery. Health on the relationships front is hard to grapple, because relationships do fail and people are left emotionally hurt. It's a fact of life. However, romantic relationships aren't the only kind of relationships we have. There are numerous studies out there showing how positively people benefit when they have close relationships with friends, and, conversely, a lot of research points to the detrimental effects of loneliness without regular social contact with such friends. Building strong friendships should thus become a health priority, because there's strong evidence that our overall health is better when we are socially satisfied. Continually monitoring these three aspects of our lives and not letting any of them fall by the wayside is vital in preventing human misery. In putting our efforts into them (and taking some focus away from money) the research suggests our happiness rates could vastly increase. Written by Lee Suckling. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Mind

The most important factor for happiness revealed

March 20 is the official International Day of Happiness, and even if you’re feeling down in the dumps new research just might’ve <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/2017/03/like-minded-couples-last-longer/">cracked the secret to a happy life</a>. Commissioned by the <a href="https://cambridgeweightplan.com.au/">Cambridge Weight Plan</a>, the research suggests that ‘happiness’ requires a combination of healthy self-esteem, confidence and connection. The report found that being overweight had a profound impact on mental wellbeing, with 59 per cent of those surveyed suffering from low self-esteem. Wellbeing Expert Casey Beros, says, “Whilst it¹s not a huge surprise that our hang ups are weight related, the research findings are confronting. Certainly not everyone who struggles with mental health is overweight, and not everyone who’s overweight struggles with mental health, but the research shows there is absolutely a relationship between our weight and how we feel about ourselves – and with 2 in 3 Australians overweight or obese, that’s a huge amount of people who aren’t living healthy and most importantly happy lives.” On the International Day of Happiness, experts are now encouraging everyday Australians to <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/03/walking-back-to-happiness-tribute-show/">do everything they can</a> to work on both their mind and their body. Beros adds, “When we feel good about ourselves physically, it can lead to us taking greater care of other areas in our life. As the research indicates, feeling depressed can impact the way we socialise, eat, exercise and our relationships. One of the biggest contributors to happiness is connection, and the research showed that not feeling good about ourselves impacts the way we interact with the people we love, whether that¹s socialising with friends or spending time with family, which is a crying shame because this is something we can do something about.” If you are struggling with low self-esteem, depression or anxiety it is important to seek help by either consulting your GP to find specific information relating to mental health.

News

10 factors that influence how you grandparent

What ‘makes’ you grandparent the way that you do? While it’s a skill that’s supposed to come naturally, especially after having children of your own, the way we behave as grandparents is shaped by a variety of different factors. These are the top 10 according to recent research. <ol> <li>Your experience with your own grandparents – Good or bad, your experience with your grandparents will greatly impact your perception of what a good grandparent is.</li> <li>Your experience watching your own parents’ grandparent – Over the years you will have observed your own parents in the role as grandparents to your children. Think about what you learnt from those observations and how it can shape your own experience.</li> <li>Your gender – Yes, it’s a generalisation but research has concluded that grandparenting is a gendered experience with grandmothers filling a slightly different role to grandfathers. Just because that may be the norm however, doesn’t mean it should define your own experience. You can break out of your prescribed gender roles if you feel confident and it can be a wonderful way to connect with your grandchildren.</li> <li>Your generation – Your age and the generation you belong to can have an enormous impact on how you perceive the grandparent role. Being aware of the norms that may be associated with your generation, especially the negative ones, can ensure you avoid these missteps.</li> <li>Your employment status – Whether you’re still working or fully retired has a significant impact on your grandparenting practices. If you are employed in a demanding role with little time to spend with your grandchildren it’s worth thinking about ways you can maximize the time you do have so that you can build a long lasting bond which will only get stronger as your work hours lessen over time.</li> <li>Your financial situation – The activities that your grandchildren often cherish the most cost very little. While financial concerns can put a dampener on your grandparenting try and separate yourself from those worries while with your grandchildren and get creative with how you spend your time.</li> <li>Your geographical location – Long distance grandparenting can be tough. Finding innovative ways to continue to connect with your grandchildren, despite there being distance between you is made much easier with technology like Skype.</li> <li>Your health – Health issues can make grandparenting difficult. It’s important to ask yourself how your health might impact your relationship with your grandchildren and how you can find ways to work with the identified limitations.</li> <li>Your relationship with your own children – A difficult relationship with your children can make for a fraught relationship with the next generation. It’s important to nurture the relationship with your own children to ensure a positive one with your grandchildren.</li> <li>The characteristics of your grandchildren – Each of your grandchildren will be completely and utterly unique. You may naturally gravitate towards one personality type over another but it’s important to recognize this and never play favourites. Build connections with all your grandchildren equally for long term happiness.</li> </ol> What’s the biggest issue you’ve faced as a grandparent? Tell us how you overcame it in the comment section below. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/is-it-ever-okay-for-children-to-lie/">Is it ever okay for children to lie?</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/how-to-encourage-kids-to-love-cooking/">5 reasons why it’s important to let kids loose in the kitchen</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/expert-advice-for-coping-with-estranged-adult-children/">Expert advice for coping with estranged adult children</a>

Family & Pets

What factors are affecting my life insurance premium?

While it’s a topic none of us want to broach that often, life insurance is one of the most important purchases we make for our family. That being said, you don’t want to be paying any more than you have to. We’ve taken a look at the main factors that are affecting your life insurance premium. Age This one probably goes without saying, but all other things being equal you can expect the younger you are, the lower your rate. Insurers generally encourage customers who are shopping around for policies to purchase them as soon as possible because the younger you are the cheaper the rate. Gender Interestingly, you can also expect your gender to have a bearing on the size of the premium you will be paying your insurer. As a general rule women tend to have longer life spans than men and as a result they can expect to pay lower rates for their life insurance when applying for a policy. The type of policy you’re applying for Expect the type of policy you’re applying for to also have a bearing on the amount of premium you’re paying to the insurer, as the risk of you passing away during the policy is higher if you’re covered for longer periods of time. It’s terrible to think about, but that’s the nature of the industry. General lifestyle habits The manner in which you’ve lived your life will also have a bearing on the amount of premium you can expect to pay to your insurer as part of your life insurance policy, including the following: <ul> <li>Smoking – If you’re a smoker expect to pay an entirely different premium to non-smokers. Smoking increases your chances of contracting a number of diseases which can mean you end up paying almost double the cost of your non-smoking counterparts.</li> <li>Obesity – If you happen to be severely overweight you can expect that to affect your premiums. However if you happen to be carrying a couple of extra pounds exclusions generally won’t be triggered unless they’re couple with a few other ailments.</li> <li>Drinking – We all like to indulge in the occasional drink (or five), you can expect drinking to only effect your premium if it’s a serious situation. That being said if it is it’s not entirely uncommon to expect to pay much more or have your policy refused altogether.</li> <li>Hobbies – Sure, your weekly sky dive might keep you feeling young, but if you’re an adrenaline junky that’s definitely going to have an effect on your premium. Naturally, the more dangerous the activity, the more expensive your policy is going to end up being.</li> </ul> Finding the right life insurance policy for you There’s no such thing as “one size fits all” in insurance and there are a lot of variables when it comes to a life insurance policy. When you are determining which coverage is right for you, make sure you do your research and shop around. Don’t be afraid to get a variety of quotes from different insurance companies and don’t let an agent talk you getting into more coverage than you need. Related links: <a href="/finance/insurance/2015/11/computer-hackers-tell-tale-signs/">11 signs you’ve been exposed to hackers</a> <a href="/finance/insurance/2015/10/changing-your-health-insurance-plan/">Is it worth shopping around for a health insurance plan?</a> <a href="/finance/insurance/2015/10/habits-that-make-you-unhappy/">8 little habits that are making you unhappy</a>

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