Category Archives: Women’s Health

Features Singapore, Running, Travel & Wellness, Women's Health, Women’s Health

Project 1000 Ultramarathoner Natalie Dau Runs 1000 km in 12 Days Record-breaking Solo Charity Run from Thailand to Singapore

Via PRNewsGIG

Natalie Dau is a Singapore-based 10-time ultramarathon winner, crossed the finish line at The Westin Singapore on 5 June, marking the completion of her incredible Project 1000. Over the course of 12 days, Natalie ran an astonishing 1000 km, beginning the journey in Hat Yai, Thailand, on 25 May, traversing the entire length of Malaysia, and concluding the journey in Singapore. Covering a distance equivalent to approximately 2 marathons (42.2 km x 2) per day, the run concluded on Global Running Day, 5 June. Starting at 4 am on the final day, local runners in Singapore were invited to join in at various join points, seeing hundreds of individuals participate in running with Natalie and supporting her through to the finish line. Hundreds were gathered at The Westin Singapore to celebrate her historic achievement, with distinguished guests including MP Poh Li San and Mr. Ong Eng Huat of the Singapore Book of Records.

Finishline – Natalie

Natalie was recognized at the finish line by the Singapore Book of Records for the “Fastest 1000 km Thailand-Singapore Ultramarathon,” and her Guinness World Record title for the “Fastest Crossing of Peninsular Malaysia on Foot” is now verified.

Throughout the 12-day run, Natalie battled extreme heat, lack of sleep, dangerous road conditions, and a variety of other factors including wild dog chases. She was operating on just a few hours of sleep each night, starting the mornings shortly after midnight to maximize running during the cooler hours of the day. The temperatures were so high that her shoes melted on the pavement, and she went through 4 pairs of shoes on the trip.

Natalie Running.

Despite the extreme conditions and struggles with a hip injury and a urinary tract infection, she was determined to continue the journey and insists that giving up was never an option. “This project was about community, teamwork, and perseverance, and so many people were counting on me. I couldn’t let them down. I never considered stopping, and am so grateful to everyone who supported me and believed in me.” shared Natalie.

Natalie and Team.

Alongside the challenging factors, Natalie and her team were touched by numerous beautiful moments as they passed through local communities in Thailand and Malaysia, encountering warmth and kindness with people rushing to bring her water on the roadside, or giving a friendly wave of support. She also visited Hat Yai University and several local schools along the way, speaking with children about her experience and encouraging them to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.

Finishline – Team.

A cause closest to her heart, with Project 1000, Natalie is raising funds to support underprivileged women and girls, and bringing awareness to the gender gap in exercise and the importance of physical movement for mental health and overall wellbeing. Funds raised through Project 1000 are contributed to GRLS, a global charity and part of Women Win, which works to elevate women and girls around the world through sport and exercise. To make a donation in support of GRLS: https://www.gofundme.com/f/PROJECT1000RUN.

Natalie and MP Poh Li San

While challenging herself to push to new limits, at 52 years, Natalie hopes that her example may help others to feel confident, dream bigger, and resist self-limiting beliefs and societal expectations. “No matter what your goal is, it doesn’t have to be running or sport, everyone should feel that they can do something and believe in themselves,” shared Natalie.

Text and images supplied.

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Project 1000 Ultramarathoner Natalie Dau Runs 1000 km in 12 Days Record-breaking Solo Charity Run from Thailand to Singapore is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Quote Source: https://www.australiafitnesstoday.com/?p=15077&preview=true

AFTNews, AFTNews, Mental Health, Women's Health

WHO calls for greater attention to violence against women with disabilities and older women

Older women and women with disabilities face particular risk of abuse, yet their situation is largely hidden in most global and national violence-related data, according to two new publications released today by the World Health Organization (WHO). The health agency is calling for better research across countries that will help ensure these women are counted, and that their specific needs are understood and addressed.

Where there is evidence on gender-based violence amongst these groups, data shows high prevalence. One systematic review found greater risks of intimate partner violence for women with disabilities compared with those without, while another also found higher rates of sexual violence.

“Older women and women with disabilities are under-represented in much of the available research on violence against women, which undermines the ability of programmes to meet their particular needs,” said Dr Lynnmarie Sardinha, Technical Officer at WHO and the UN Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP) for Violence against Women Data and Measurement, and author of the briefs. “Understanding how diverse women and girls are differently affected, and if and how they are accessing services, is critical to ending violence in all its forms.”

Intimate partner and sexual violence are the most common forms of gender-based violence globally and affect around 1 in 3 women. Older women and women with disabilities are still subjected to these types of violence, but also face specific risks and additional forms of abuse, sometimes at the hands of caregivers or health care professionals. These include coercive and controlling behaviours such as withholding of medicines, assistive devices or other aspects of care, and financial abuse.

Among women aged 60 years and older, a review conducted by WHO found that physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence remained the most frequently experienced forms of abuse. However, as partners aged, some women reported a shift from predominantly physical and/or sexual violence to psychological violence, including threats of abandonment and other controlling behaviours.

Older women and women with disabilities can be extremely isolated when violence occurs, making it more difficult for them to escape and report the abuse. Stigma and discrimination can further reduce access to services or information, or result in their accounts of violence being dismissed by responders.

“Gender-based violence is rooted in unequal power and control over women,” said Dr Avni Amin, Head of the Rights and Equality across the Life Course Unit at WHO and HRP. “For older women and women with disabilities, their dependency and isolation are further exploited by perpetrators, increasing their risk of abuse. Services must be responsive to their needs and identify appropriate contacts through the health and care systems, so that all women experiencing violence can access empathetic, survivor-centered care.”

WHO recommends several measures to address evidence gaps. Noting that older women are currently represented in only about 10% of data on violence against women, this includes extending the age limit for survey participation. They also suggest incorporating questions relating to different types of violence, encompassing a broad spectrum of disabilities.

The two briefs, Measuring violence against older women and Measuring violence against women with disability, stress that older women and women with disabilities and their representative organizations should be engaged in all phases and aspects of survey design and implementation, to ensure they are appropriate and user-friendly. Formats like Braille or EasyRead can expand accessibility.

The briefs are the first in a series on neglected forms of violence and were developed as part of the UN Women-WHO Joint Programme on Violence against Women Data, through HRP. They are intended for use by researchers, national statistics offices, social care and welfare services and others involved in data collection on violence against women. Funding has been provided from the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Alongside the briefs, WHO has developed a survey module to support data collection on violence against older women, to be used alongside existing surveys. Resources to support inclusion of measures of disability in such surveys will be released later in the year.

Related link: Violence against women (who.int)

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WHO calls for greater attention to violence against women with disabilities and older women is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Quote Source:https://www.australiafitnesstoday.com/?p=14989

AFTNews, Features Thailand, Travel & Wellness, Women's Health

Zulal Wellness Resort Launches ‘Mother-To-Be’ Retreat

AFTNN/PRNewsGIG

Prenatal programme to nurture and empower women at any stage of their pregnancy

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, the Middle East’s largest wellness destination and the world’s first family wellness offering, unveils its new Mother-to-Be retreat. The two- to eight-night prenatal programme combines tailored nutrition, holistic therapies, pampering spa treatments and gentle movement to enhance wellbeing and ready mothers for the most important chapter of their lives. Zulal Wellness Resort’s peaceful setting, surrounded by the tranquility of Qatar’s northern desert and the Arabian Gulf, is ideal for mothers to be looking to relax and prepare themselves for the birth of their child. Their journey will be guided by a team of licensed maternal care experts, nutritionists, chefs, therapists and personal trainers.

The ‘Mother-To-Be’ programme is open to women at any stage of their pregnancy and can be tailored to include partners. Beginning with a holistic consultation, a personalised selection of activities will enable mothers to handle the physical changes that occur during pregnancy, ease aches and pains, improve sleep and strengthen the body in preparation for childbirth.  In addition, they will have time to bond with their partners and their babies.

A wide range of activities and treatments are available, including postural corrective therapy and Gyrotonic movement to relieve pain and swelling and improve posture; acupuncture to alleviate symptoms such as fatigue, nausea and heartburn; meditation and breathing exercises to support mothers during labour; and prenatal yoga, massage and aromatherapy to relax the body and mind.

A core part of the retreat is quality prenatal nutrition. A nutritional consultant will provide tailored advice about making healthy food choices and maintaining a balanced diet, and three bio-individualised wellness meals are included per night of stay.

The Mother-To-Be retreat is inclusive of accommodation, wellness meals, consultations and treatments, with a minimum stay of two nights.

Visit www.zulal.com or follow @zulalwellnessresort on Facebook or Instagram for more information.

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AsiaFitnessToday.com Zulal Wellness Resort Launches ‘Mother-To-Be’ Retreat is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. Source: https://www.asiafitnesstoday.com/strongzulal-wellness-resort-launches-mother-to-be-retreat

AFTNews, AFTNews, Kid's Health, Men's Health, Wellness, Women's Health

Powerful Cleverin arrives in Malaysia

Small yet powerful.

It is said that good things comes in small packages. Cleverin is a unique anti-viral and bactericidal product that has been proven to remove 99% of airborne viruses and bacteria by harnessing the power of Chlorine Dioxide, or Clo2.

The product is the brainchild of Taiko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. based in Osaka, Japan. The company itself has been around for more than 70 years and has expertise in various business segments related to consumer pharmacology.

A recent report by Taiko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which elucidated the mechanism by which Chlorine Dioxide molecules block infection by the COVID-19 (SARS CoV 2) virus in the human body, was published in the English academic journal, Annals of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics, under the title “Inhibition of the Binding of Spike Protein of SARS CoV 2 Coronavirus to Human Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 by Chloride Dioxide” (2020, Volume 5, Issue 5, Article 1195).

Cleverin is already available in 8 countries with expansion plans to the rest of Asia Pacific, Europe, including Russia, Mexico, Brazil and the US. A quick search on the internet finds that the product is also already available in Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore and the Philippines on top of its home market in Japan, of course.

Speaking at the virtual launch of the Malaysian market, Senior Vice President of Overseas Business of Taiko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsuhiro Yamashita, began his address by greeting the media in fluent Indonesian.

“We are pleased to introduce the Cleverin brand to the Malaysian market. We are confident that the brand will be met positively by Malaysians, as all households here will truly benefit from this all-in-one disinfector, steriliser, deodoriser and virus eliminator. Currently, we hold more than 130 relevant patents in the world and have seen annual sales in excess of USD 95 million. In fact, Cleverin is the best-selling product of its kind in Japan, where one Cleverin product is sold every five seconds1. These factors, in themselves, bear testament to Cleverin’s efficacy, which is backed by science and extensive research,” said Yamashita.

Cleverin is also proven to be as safe as it is effective. All its products are made with materials which have passed stringent safety procedures and tests in Japan and around the world. Cleverin products are also non-toxic to humans, and can safely be used around children, pets and elderly. The products’ safety and efficacy are also attested by its endorsement by various clinics, health professionals and governments, further lending credibility to Cleverin’s authenticity.

In Malaysia, Cleverin is available in two types – the stand-type Gel and the Stick Pen Type.

The stand-up Cleverin Gel is ideal for use in rooms and enclosed spaces with no power supply required for use. The Cleverin Gel is available in two sizes – 60 grams (RM58), which is able to disinfect a room of up to 13 square metres and lasts up to a month; and 150 grams (RM98) which is ideal for rooms of up to 20 square metres and lasts up to two months.

Meanwhile, the Cleverin Stick Pen Type is designed to be a more mobile and portable device, which can be used just about anywhere – even in the user’s own shirt pocket to remove viruses and bacteria in the surrounding air. The Cleverin Stick Pen is available in a single pack (RM49) which comes with two refills and each refill can last for about two weeks. Also available are refill packs (RM48) which contain six refills each.

Both the Cleverin Gel and Cleverin Stick Pen Type are easy to use anywhere – in the home, at the office, as well as in schools, hospitals, restaurants – just about everywhere.

The Cleverin range is now available online via Lazada and Shopee and will expand the distribution to retail outlets in Malaysia in 2021. Meanwhile, the rest of the world will just have to wait until Cleverin arrives on their shores.

1 Sales data from April 2019 to March 2020.

AFTNews, AFTNews, Men's Health, Wellness, Women's Health

WHO launches year-long campaign to help 100 million people quit tobacco

WHO today launches a year-long global campaign for World No Tobacco Day 2021 – “Commit to Quit.”  The new WHO Quit Challenge on WhatsApp and publication “More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco” are being released today to mark the start of the campaign.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of tobacco users saying they want to quit. The campaign will support at least 100 million people as they try to give up tobacco through communities of quitters. 

“Commit to Quit”  will help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco by advocating for strong tobacco cessation policies; increasing access to cessation services; raising awareness of tobacco industry tactics, and empowering tobacco users to make successful quit attempts through “quit & win” initiatives. 

WHO, together with partners, will create and build-up digital communities where people can find the social support they need to quit. The focus will be on high burden countries* where the majority of the world’s tobacco users live.

WHO welcomes new contributions from partners, including private sector companies that have offered support, including Allen Carr’s Easyway, Amazon Web Services, Cipla, Facebook and WhatsApp, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Praekelt, and Soul Machines. 

Quitting tobacco is challenging, especially with the added social and economic stresses that have come as a result of the pandemic. Worldwide around 780 million people say they want to quit, but only 30% of them have access to the tools that can help them do so. Together with partners, WHO will provide people with the tools and resources they need to make a successful quit attempt.

“Smoking kills 8 million people a year, but if users need more motivation to kick the habit, the pandemic provides the right incentive,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

WHO released a scientific brief earlier this year showing that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19. Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. Moreover, people living with these conditions are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.

Both global and regional cessation tools will be rolled out as part of the campaign. WHO’s 24/7 digital health worker to help people quit tobacco is available in English and will soon be released to support people in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish. 

“Millions of people worldwide want to quit tobacco – we must seize this opportunity and invest in services to help them be successful, while we urge everyone to divest from the tobacco industry and their interests,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion. 

To create environments conducive to quitting tobacco, WHO has worked with partners and countries around the globe to implement tobacco control measures that effectively reduce the demand for tobacco. 

WHO calls on all governments to ensure their citizens have access to brief advice, toll-free quit lines, mobile and digital cessation services, nicotine replacement therapies and other tools that are proven to help people quit. Strong cessation services improve health, save lives and save money.  

More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco: https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/more-than-100-reasons-to-quit-tobacco/

Digital Health Worker: https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/using-ai-to-quit-tobacco

WHO Quit Challenge on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/41798931892?text=tobacco

Features Australia/NZ, Wellness, Women's Health

Post-COVID workouts get appy – 200% year on year growth as virus changes mums health habits

New CLASS In-App Workouts On Monday, Wednesday And Friday’s at 11:00am

Australian mums have rushed to download workout apps that feature real people and habit-changing support rather than risk visiting gyms during the pandemic.

On the 10th anniversary of The Healthy Mummy, a national online community of over 1.5 million mums, has over 100,000 members using a new inclusive fitness app that features real mums leading fitness workouts and health advice.

“The pandemic and lockdowns have shown us that mums all over Australia and the world (especially those in Melbourne right now), are keen for the accessible augmented reality experience our new app delivers,” says The Healthy Mummy founder Rhian Allen.

“As part of our 10th birthday and new app relaunch, we have been busy building a new part of the app which is in-app Class workouts! It’s really exciting as this means we can run classes during the week with our fitness team that feels like a gym class. The workouts are in real time and direct from our Healthy Mummy studio.” Added Rhian.

“Online community support from relatable people who may still have a few curves are the new fitspo influencer – it’s time to forget those model-like Instagrammers. Our data shows that real lifestyle changes come from support, wellbeing and a community that’s there to motivate you.”

The new app includes workouts with inspirational real mums who have lost weight with The Healthy Mummy leading fitness workouts with The Healthy Mumm fitness expert, Wendy Smith.

Cicily Goodwin lost 53kg and has kept it off for two years. She leads fat-burning workouts and says she doesn’t always feel like exercising, but tries to dress in her favourite activewear to make sure she commits to moving her body.

Real mums like Sascha Farley lead pregnancy workouts, Samara Rochelle Khoury leads full body HIIT workouts and Mellissa Timmer leads advanced workouts.

“These healthy mummies are so inspirational in the way they’ve transformed their own eating and health that we feature them front and centre to show that real people make real transformation through our 28-day challenge and healthy lifestyle tips,” Rhian says.

The Healthy Mummy’s new improved app is designed by health and fitness experts, but tested by real mums to motivate busy mothers to take action to stay healthy. The new 10th anniversary app includes:

  • 100 new express recipes that can be made in 10 minutes, bringing the total recipe ideas on the app to 4500
  • New 10-minute boxing workouts, bringing the total workouts available on the app to 500
  • New dance cardio workouts and intense HIIT workouts to shake up workouts
  • Meditation sessions to add mindfulness and wellbeing to healthy lifestyles
  • In-app classes to reward those who want to show up for a socially distant but virtual face-to- face class
  • Special diamond rewards to maintain motivation and accountability
  • The ability to synch with Garmin, Fitbit, Apple Health and Apple Watch

With more than 4,500 delicious and healthy recipes, 350 exercises & 24/7 support – the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is designed to help busy mums commit to prioritising their health.

“We have delivered 10 years of empowering real mums to live healthier lives in a budget-friendly way – we can’t wait to keep adapting and changing to support mums over the next 10 years when we are bound to see even more changes and evolutions in the fitness and health space,” Rhian says.

The new invigorated app includes new EXPRESS workouts – dance cardio workouts with Jade Hatcher, professional dancer, mum of 2 and previous winner of Dancing with the Stars in 2019. New boxing workouts with trainer Laura Greenwood and new intensive Hiit workouts with trainer Wendy Smith. Plus new meditation workouts by new teacher Malinda Hayward.

The Healthy Mummy community has lost collectively over 3 million kilo’s in the last 10 years.

The Healthy Mummy app is available on Android and iOS. You can also watch them on YouTube.

Kid's Health, Men's Health, Wellness, Women's Health

Chiva-Som offers three complimentary online wellness services this September

International health and wellness resort, Chiva-Som, based in Hua Hin, Thailand is offering three complimentary online wellness services for guests around the world this September. These sessions are sure to provide valuable insights and tips to get the best benefits from these wellness therapies.

Guests simply need to register and fill in their details for sessions they are interested in. Chiva-Som’s health and wellness team will then send across the link to the session for the date.

PERFORMANCE: FLOW YOGA

4th September – 3pm Indochina Time (6pm SYD, MELB, CANBERRA)

The movement of the flow yoga practice is for all levels to help strengthen and mobilise muscles, joints and release toxins.

CLICK TO REGISTER

WELLNESS TALK: WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR GUT HEALTH AND MOOD

16th September – 3pm Indochina Time (6pm SYD, MELB, CANBERRA)

This online webinar will give you knowledge in understanding potential underlying factors for mood and the vital synergistic relationship that gut health and mental health share. Here you’ll identify what contributes to poor gut health, how it affects your mood and how it can be improved with natural health interventions such as diet, herbal supplements and lifestyle interventions

CLICK TO REGISTER

PERFORMANCE: NEURODYNAMIC NERVE STRETCHING EXERCISE  

30th September – 3pm Indochina Time (6pm SYD, MELB, CANBERRA)

Neurodynamic stretching with the unique style and fluid movements of traditional Thai dancing, to create Neurodynamic Nerve Exercise. This session provides the benefits of Neurodynamic stretching, a series of postures and movements that enhance mobility and flexibility, with the benefits of Thai dancing, which has been shown through studies to improve nerve function, muscle power, and enhance blood circulation.  

This is a great class for those individuals who are interested in a simple, enjoyable, and innovative way of engaging in the ancient art of Thai dancing while gaining the benefits of enhanced flexibility, decreased pain, and improved muscle tension.  

CLICK TO REGISTER

Travel & Wellness, Women's Health

Chiva-Som’s Renee Grandi Shares Her Secrets to Naturally Support Menopause

It’s time to talk menopause.  The more you can understand about the transition and how to naturally support your body through this time, the smoother the conversion.  This transition has somewhat been vilified, however, many other cultures found this time to be a new stage of life with vigour to follow – let’s go with that. 

It is essential to nourish and support your body as much as possible whilst going through this transition, by eating the right foods, supplementing with herbs and implementing lasting lifestyle changes.

Your diet will play a huge role in how your body processes menopause.  During this time your natural sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) are beginning to reduce their production, due to depleted ovarian follicles.  Oestrogens are essential to bone formation and integrity, as well as supporting healthy breast tissue, mood, sleep and cardiovascular functionality. 

Fortunately, the more information you can acquire about supporting your biochemistry, the more control you have with your hormonal shift.  This is your time to holistically nourish and support your body, take a hold of the reins and look after yourself with the immense love and compassion you deserve.

Top nutrients to support menopause

Calcium rich foods

These are vital to support your bone density, structure and integrity which can become depleted in menopause.  Aim to add a daily source of calcium rich foods into your diet.

Food sources:  organic, well-source dairy, eggs,

Tip:  Try to avoid excessive black tea or coffees as this can deplete bone mineralization.

Phyto-oestrogen Rich Foods

Phyto-oestrogen rich foods compete with oestrogen receptors and help to balance out hormonal fluctuations.  These foods have been shown to decrease menopausal symptoms over 12-weeks if you substantially increase your phytoestrogens. Aim for a quarter of your daily caloric intake to be abundant in these food sources.  This is where your diet can really be nourishing and supportive to menopause symptoms and digestion due to their high fibre content. 

All phyto-oestrogen foods should be organically sourced – especially tofu and soy products!  There are 4 different types of phyto-oestrogen sources:  lignans, coumestrol, phytosterols, Isoflavones.  Mix them up daily so you can get the maximum benefits.

Lignans: Linseeds, rye, millet, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, seaweed, buckwheat

Coumestrol: Soy sprouts, alfalafa, red clover, green beans, mung beans, red beans, split peas

Phytosterols: Olives, soy beans, pumpkin kernels

Isoflavones: Soy beans, alfalfa, red clover, parsley, chickpeas, mung beans and organic brown wholegrains

Tip: Get creative, get the ladies together for brunch, perhaps suggest that everyone is to bring a phytoestrogen rich dish! You can share recipes, cooking methods and have a good laugh.

Try to Avoid: Excessive caffeine, coffee or black teas. High sugar foods. Processed foods (keep it as wholefood as possible). Spicy foods as they may aggravate hot flushes. Eating or drinking too late before bed.

Herbs to Support Menopause

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage has traditionally been the go-to herb for menopausal women to reduce hot-flushes and promote stress reduction. It has been shown to bind to GABA receptors in the brain and positively impact the nervous system. Often menopause excessively stimulates the nervous system instigating hot-flushes, sweating, and anxiety.  Supplementation can improve memory retention, reduced stress and reduce excessive sweating without all the harsh side-effects! This is a great herb to make as a strong tea and ice it for those fiery moments.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm is a calming and sedative herb, perfect for getting you that well deserved restful sleep.  Menopause often disrupts rejuvinative sleep due to night-sweats, hot-flushes, increased anxiety and nervousness.  A recent 2020 study demonstrates that supplementing Melissa officinalis can significantly improve sleep, sexual desire, heart palpitations, flushes, sweating and even joint pain.  If you feel constantly on edge with mood changes galore and a longing for a deep restorative sleep, lemon balm might just be the herb for you.

Note:  Herbs and nutrients can interfere with other medications; it is important to seek advice from a trained professional prior to starting alternative therapies.

Lifestyle Recommendations

Aim to ensure a healthy weight

This will support your body from every aspect and you’ll feel great working on yourself! If you’re feeling like weight just keeps packing on, fatigue is your new shadow and depression is lurking – it might be time to check your thyroid too.

Exercise daily

Get those endorphins going! You won’t ever regret a workout, you’ll feel strong, capable and ready to take on your next task.  Remember, you are worth it, your body is worth it.

Ensure adequate sunshine

This is by far the best way to get your Vitamin-D and the perfect excuse to immerse yourself in nature.  Nature really is essential for mental health and wellbeing.

Do things that make you feel genuinely happy.

Time to self-evaluate! What do you do for fun? What makes you feel genuinely happy? It’s time to start doing this on a daily basis, life is too short to waste it being insipid.

Find your female tribe!

Get together with other women your age, be amongst the strength of women – support them and they will support you. We have evolution behind us with this one, there’s nothing like spending time with your tribe. 

By Renee Grandi, Nutritionist and Naturopath at Chiva Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin, Thailand.

AFT Features, AFTNews, Daily Digest, Features Australia/NZ, Men's Health, Mental Health, PRNews, Wellness, Women's Health

Blys launches online wellness and telehealth services – yoga, pilates, meditation, PT, counseling and more

On-demand wellness app enables skilled practitioners to work online 

Sessions help maintain Australians’ well-being from home

As self-isolation measures tighten in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, on-demand wellness app Blys announces the launch of its new telehealth service, which allows clients to book qualified wellness professionals for private or group sessions delivered via two-way video.

Blys also offers mental health assistance

In line with Blys’ vision to ensure wellness services are easily accessible to Australians, Blys will launch 20 new digital wellness offerings to help maintain mental and physical health while people across the country are urged to stay home. Costing as little as $39 for a private session, users have digital access to services including yoga, pilates, meditation, physiotherapy, personal training, mindfulness and mental health.

Blys’ digital offering comes at a crucial time as consumer behavior shifts rapidly to support a healthy lifestyle while in isolation. Research from global affiliate network Awin* has revealed a particular surge in online wellness content, with ‘home workout’ searches alone spiking 90% in 30 days.

In addition to ensuring Australians have access to vital wellness services, Blys is committed to helping self-employed practitioners make a living after being hit financially as a result of non-essential closures. 

Founder and CEO, Ilter Dumduz commented, “We are pleased to launch our telehealth service and continue to carry out our mission of conveniently providing wellness to Australians, especially as we navigate our way through a particularly isolating and uncertain time.

He added, “We are constantly seeking new services, fresh ideas, and partner practitioners to work alongside. Our utmost priority is the health and safety of our customers and practitioners. We urge Australians to stay home and to stay healthy and fit in both body and mind.” 

Blys has various services

“We already had a great response so far from our existing customers, particularly the business customers who are looking for ways to keep their Work From Home (WFH) staff physically and mentally fit.”

In an effort to combat the spread of virus, Blys encourages all valued clients and practitioners to remain at home in order to protect the wider community and has suspended all in-person massage bookings until further notice. 

Anyone looking for work as a personal trainer, yoga or pilates instructor, mental health professional, mindfulness teacher, or wellness expert, can get in touch with Blys directly at hello@getblys.com.au.

For all information on the telehealth service visit https://getblys.com.au/services/blys-telehealth/.

Beauty & Health, Kid's Health, Men's Health, Wellness, Women's Health

Top 5 Best Healthcare Centres in Selangor, Malaysia

As Malaysia prepares for its lockdown due to the novel coronavirus, or COVID19, those in the Selangor state of the country can look to these five healthcare centres for their health needs. The following article is written by Muhammad Afiq Dinie bin Nor Arzaimi at Tourism Selangor.

“The goal of real healthcare reform must be high-quality and universal coverage in a cost-effective way”. Every hospital plays a very important role in caring for every patient who comes for treatment. Therefore, we would like to recommend to you the Top 5 Best Healthcare Centres here in Selangor, Malaysia.

1. KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital

KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital is conveniently located in an upscale area of Kuala Lumpur that has become a center for expatriates and young urban executives. KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital is part of the KPJ Healthcare Group, one of the leading private healthcare providers in the region with more than 29 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Local and international patients most commonly visit this hospital to seek treatment in the department of Cardiology, Bariatric Surgery, Oncology, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Orthopaedic and Paediatric & Neonatology and also for general health screening.

2. Sunway Specialist Centre Damansara

Image provided by Tourism Selangor

Sunway Specialist Centre Damansara (SSCD) focuses on delivering outpatient specialist consultation and day surgery services. SSCD is a subsidiary of Sunway Medical Centre (SunMed), one of the largest private healthcare providers in Malaysia. Both SSCD and SunMed is equipped with modern facilities and equipment, supported by a team of caring and experienced healthcare professionals including medical consultants, allied health staff and dedicated nurses. 

3. The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital

Image provided by Tourism Selangor

The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital (THONEH) was established in 1986 by the late Yang Amat Berhormat (YAB) Tun Hussein Onn, the third Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Chairman of the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) (1975 – 1990). For more than 30 years, Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital has built a strong reputation as a centre of excellence providing quality specialised eye healthcare with expertise in a comprehensive range of sub-specialties by using the latest technology which can offer the most advanced medical treatments in its field. 

4. Avisena Specialist Hospital

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Avisena Specialist Hospital is located just 15 minutes away from Subang Airport, in the capital city of Selangor with a driving distance of 35 minutes to Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The hospital was officiated by the current Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj and was graced by Her Royal Highness Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin. Also present at the launch was YAB Tuan Amirudin Shari, Menteri Besar of Selangor. Avisena Specialist Hospital is a fast-growing healthcare group in Shah Alam offering a combined spectrum of primary care, specialist services and health wellness programs to serve healthcare needs of our community, local and international customers.

5. Columbia Asia Hospital Bukit Rimau

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Columbia Asia Hospital Bukit Rimau is a multi-specialty hospital located in Shah Alam and within reach of the communities in Subang Jaya, Klang and surrounding neighborhoods. Columbia Asia Hospital is staffed with highly skilled doctors and nurses with a vast range of up-to-date facilities and services. The Bukit Rimau hospital also covers an array of medical specialties such as Cardiology, Orthopaedic, Rheumatology, Sports Injury Medicine, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Radiology and Urology. 

Each hospital requires highly skilled panel doctors in a variety of medical field and speciality. It is important that hospitals and healthcare providers are able to attend to and treat patients with utmost dedication and proper care.