How To Live 2010 In The Moment by Christie B 

Believe it or not, a new year is already on us.  I don’t know about you, but I’m finding that time seems to be going quicker and quicker. So here are some of the things that I’ve been pondering upon in order to make the most of the minutes, hours and days that lie ahead.

Focus On the Here and Now
Too often when we are with someone or doing something, instead of being fully in that moment we are already at our next appointment or thinking about what we are doing that evening or the next week. I have found the biggest regrets are not taking the most out of the present opportunity.  We need to learn to “slow down time” by extracting every ounce out of the minutes that we have. Take a moment to really look at how someone clearly is seeing something; listen to what they are really saying and how they are actually feeling. This requires you being “in that thing” and not into the next thing. A moment fully embraced is a moment fully lived.

Dispelling Depression by Dr Julie Jordan 

“Do you think it could be depression?”  Nowadays this is not an uncommon question.  And for good reason.  Depression is a common condition that affects 15% of people at some stage of their lives.  This means depression is more common than asthma or diabetes in our community. But how do you know if you or a loved one has true depression or are just going through a down time?  How is it different to the everyday blues we all experience from time to time? 

As a doctor, the way I generally distinguish depression is by looking at the duration of the symptoms, the individual’s circumstances and what symptoms other than a depressed mood the person is experiencing.

Knowing the Circumstances
Looking at an individual’s circumstances can be a useful place to start.
A person who has recently lost a loved one may experience in the short term many of the symptoms of depression.   In bereavement, people often describe overwhelming sadness, shock, anger and loneliness, particularly in the early weeks. They are often tearful and find it difficult to sleep. But by knowing their situation, we can see these symptoms are likely to be a normal part of grief and would be experienced by most people going through similar circumstances.
 
Generally people who are grieving, experience these symptoms for days to weeks rather than for months at a time and for most people they gradually improve over time without treatment.

The Personal Touch

Personalised communication is becoming harder in today’s quick paced society. We’re squeezing more in, but at what cost?  SMS is replacing phone calls, pre-recorded automated messages are a substitution for one on one customer relations and personal letters have been replaced by Outlook, Facebook and MySpace.

Ten years ago when I was backpacking around Europe I made friends with a Canadian. At that point of time, emails were just taking off. We made a pact after we were parting ways to stay in touch, but not via email. For ten years we have been informing each other of new job promotions, partners, house moves and travels by mail. Yes, you read right. This antiquated method of staying in touch has been our preferred method of communication. We wanted to stay in touch even if it was only once a year, in a personal way. Each time I see a letter in the letterbox I get excited. 

Receiving a letter in the mail that is not a bill, but has been handwritten in pen screams time and effort to me. And in a society where no one has time, this is now becoming priceless. Emails are fine for the purpose of what they are designed for, quick and efficient communication. But today it’s being used for breakups, party invitations and the like.

We all need personal touches that communicate time. Time is a love language that we all need, some in varying degrees. What do you do to give things a personal touch? 

Finding ways to get some ZZZ By Christie B 

Well it is 2.30 am and I am awake, wide awake. I have sorted out my jumpy leg with a little celtic salt (a condition I’m experiencing since becoming pregnant).  But nothing stops my mind racing with unfinished details and nothing not even warm milk is helping me get to sleep.

It appears I have joined the 90% of Australians who suffer from some kind of sleep disorder.

Interestingly the cost, apart from human well being, is more than $10 billion a year to the community.  Yes, you read correctly billion, not million!

Australians spend an estimated $10 million per year on sleeping tablets.  So what are the options to cure sleep deprivation? What can we do to encourage it from happening?

Kids and alcohol don’t mix By Christie B

Society and cultural patterns of behaviour are making things certain behaviours acceptable at an earlier age. But how young is too young and where do we draw the line and say we need to do something to protect our children.

Recently I was looking at some statistics regarding children and alcohol.  Yes, I can’t even get my head around the fact that you could even use those two words in one sentence. I discovered 12% of children (ie people under 16) who are treated for alcohol abuse are 9-12 years old. As the mother of a nine year old I can not even begin to think how this would happen.

Then I started talking to a few of my friends and one of them told me a story about how her father used to take her and a few friends out and buy them all sorts of cocktails etc because he wanted to be a “cool” dad. She went on to be a binge drinker.

Combatting The Fat Crisis Christie B

A topical debate for parents at the moment is obesity in children. It’s become a worldwide issue, but Australia is leading with some scary statistics.

This week’s Herald Sun newspaper reported that in Victoria alone, 35 children are being treated for obesity-related diabetes and that some children are weighing over 150 kilograms.

Parents need to take full responsibility for their children’s diet, lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle.