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Surgery won’t fix my chronic back pain, so what will?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christine-lin-346821">Christine Lin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-maher-826241">Christopher Maher</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fiona-blyth-448021">Fiona Blyth</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-mcauley-1526139">James Mcauley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-hancock-1463059">Mark Hancock</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie University</a> This week’s ABC Four Corners episode <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-08/pain-factory/103683180">Pain Factory</a> highlighted that our health system is failing Australians with chronic pain. Patients are receiving costly, ineffective and risky care instead of effective, low-risk treatments for chronic pain. The challenge is considering how we might reimagine health-care delivery so the effective and safe treatments for chronic pain are available to millions of Australians who suffer from chronic pain. <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/10434b6f-2147-46ab-b654-a90f05592d35/aihw-phe-267.pdf.aspx">One in five</a> Australians aged 45 and over have chronic pain (pain lasting three or more months). This costs an estimated <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/10434b6f-2147-46ab-b654-a90f05592d35/aihw-phe-267.pdf.aspx">A$139 billion a year</a>, including $12 billion in direct health-care costs. The most common complaint among people with chronic pain is low back pain. So what treatments do – and don’t – work? <h2>Opioids and invasive procedures</h2> Treatments offered to people with chronic pain include strong pain medicines such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30561481/">opioids</a> and invasive procedures such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36878313/">spinal cord stimulators</a> or <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/imj.14120">spinal fusion surgery</a>. Unfortunately, these treatments have little if any benefit and are associated with a risk of significant harm. <a href="https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-021-06900-8">Spinal fusion surgery</a> and <a href="https://privatehealthcareaustralia.org.au/consumers-urged-to-be-cautious-about-spinal-cord-stimulators-for-pain/#:%7E:text=Australian%20health%20insurance%20data%20shows,of%20the%20procedure%20is%20%2458%2C377.">spinal cord stimulators</a> are also extremely costly procedures, costing tens of thousands of dollars each to the health system as well as incurring costs to the individual. <h2>Addressing the contributors to pain</h2> Recommendations from the latest <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/low-back-pain-clinical-care-standard">Australian</a> and <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240081789">World Health Organization</a> clinical guidelines for low back pain focus on alternatives to drug and surgical treatments such as: <ul> <li>education</li> <li>advice</li> <li>structured exercise programs</li> <li>physical, psychological or multidisciplinary interventions that address the physical or psychological contributors to ongoing pain.</li> </ul> Two recent Australian trials support these recommendations and have found that interventions that address each person’s physical and psychological contributors to pain produce large and sustained improvements in pain and function in people with chronic low back pain. The interventions have minimal side effects and are cost-effective. In the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2794765">RESOLVE</a> trial, the intervention consists of pain education and graded sensory and movement “retraining” aimed to help people understand that it’s safe to move. In the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37146623/">RESTORE</a> trial, the intervention (cognitive functional therapy) involves assisting the person to understand the range of physical and psychological contributing factors related to their condition. It guides patients to relearn how to move and to build confidence in their back, without over-protecting it. <h2>Why isn’t everyone with chronic pain getting this care?</h2> While these trials provide new hope for people with chronic low back pain, and effective alternatives to spinal surgery and opioids, a barrier for implementation is the out-of-pocket costs. The interventions take up to 12 sessions, lasting up to 26 weeks. One physiotherapy session <a href="https://www.sira.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1122674/Physiotherapy-chiropractic-and-osteopathy-fees-practice-requirements-effective-1-February-2023.pdf">can cost</a> $90–$150. In contrast, <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/chronic-disease-individual-allied-health-services-medicare-items">Medicare</a> provides rebates for just five allied health visits (such as physiotherapists or exercise physiologists) for eligible patients per year, to be used for all chronic conditions. Private health insurers also limit access to reimbursement for these services by typically only covering a proportion of the cost and providing a cap on annual benefits. So even those with private health insurance would usually have substantial out-of-pocket costs. Access to trained clinicians is another barrier. This problem is particularly evident in <a href="https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/15nrhc/sites/default/files/B2-1_Bennett.pdf">regional and rural Australia</a>, where access to allied health services, pain specialists and multidisciplinary pain clinics is limited. Higher costs and lack of access are associated with the increased use of available and subsidised treatments, such as pain medicines, even if they are ineffective and harmful. The <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/data-file-57-opioid-medicines-dispensing-2016-17-third-atlas-healthcare-variation-2018">rate of opioid use</a>, for example, is higher in regional Australia and in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage than metropolitan centres and affluent areas. <h2>So what can we do about it?</h2> We need to reform Australia’s health system, private and <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/12/taskforce-final-report-pain-management-mbs-items-final-report-on-the-review-of-pain-management-mbs-items.docx">public</a>, to improve access to effective treatments for chronic pain, while removing access to ineffective, costly and high-risk treatments. Better training of the clinical workforce, and using technology such as telehealth and artificial intelligence to train clinicians or deliver treatment may also improve access to effective treatments. A recent Australian <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38461844/">trial</a>, for example, found telehealth delivered via video conferencing was as effective as in-person physiotherapy consultations for improving pain and function in people with chronic knee pain. Advocacy and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37918470/">improving the public’s understanding</a> of effective treatments for chronic pain may also be helpful. Our hope is that coordinated efforts will promote the uptake of effective treatments and improve the care of patients with chronic pain.<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/227450/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christine-lin-346821">Christine Lin</a>, Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-maher-826241">Christopher Maher</a>, Professor, Sydney School of Public Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/fiona-blyth-448021">Fiona Blyth</a>, Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-mcauley-1526139">James Mcauley</a>, Professor of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-hancock-1463059">Mark Hancock</a>, Professor of Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/macquarie-university-1174">Macquarie 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/surgery-wont-fix-my-chronic-back-pain-so-what-will-227450">original article</a>.

Body

Flying home for Christmas? Carbon offsets are important, but they won’t fix plane pollution

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susanne-becken-90437">Susanne Becken</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-mackey-152282">Brendan Mackey</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Australia is an important player in the global tourism business. In 2016, <a href="https://www.tra.gov.au/research/research">8.7 million visitors arrived in Australia and 8.8 million Australians went overseas</a>. A further 33.5 million overnight trips were made domestically. But all this travel comes at a cost. According to the <a href="http://tourismdashboard.org/explore-the-data/carbon-emissions/">Global Sustainable Tourism Dashboard</a>, all Australian domestic trips and one-way international journeys (the other half is attributed to the end point of travel) amount to 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide for 2016. That is 2.7% of global aviation emissions, despite a population of only 0.3% of the global total. The peak month of air travel in and out of Australia is December. Christmas is the time where people travel to see friends and family, or to go on holiday. More and more people are <a href="http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/analysis-of-a-119-country-survey-predicts-global-climate-change-awareness/">aware of the carbon implications of their travel</a> and want to know whether, for example, they should purchase carbon offsets or not. Our <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969699716302538">recent study in the Journal of Air Transport Management</a> showed that about one third of airlines globally offer some form of carbon offsetting to their customers. However, the research also concluded that the information provided to customers is often insufficient, dated and possibly misleading. Whilst local airlines <a href="https://www.qantasfutureplanet.com.au/#aboutus">Qantas</a>, <a href="https://www.virginaustralia.com/nz/en/about-us/sustainability/carbon-offset-program/">Virgin Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/sustainability-customer-carbon-offset">Air New Zealand</a> have relatively advanced and well-articulated carbon offset programs, others fail to offer scientifically robust explanations and accredited mechanisms that ensure that the money spent on an offset generates some real climate benefits. The notion of carbon compensation is actually more difficult than people might think. To help explain why carbon offsetting does make an important climate contribution, but at the same time still adds to atmospheric carbon, we created an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsh-erzGlR0">animated video clip</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xsh-erzGlR0?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Jack’s journey.</figcaption></figure> The video features Jack, a concerned business traveller who begins purchasing carbon credits. However, he comes to the realisation that the carbon emissions from his flights are still released into the atmosphere, despite the credit. The concept of “carbon neutral” promoted by airline offsets means that an equal amount of emissions is avoided elsewhere, but it does not mean there is no carbon being emitted at all – just relatively less compared with the scenario of not offsetting (where someone else continues to emit, in addition to the flight). This means that, contrary to many promotional and educational materials (see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGB2OAg5ffA">here</a> for instance), carbon offsetting will not reduce overall carbon emissions. Trading emissions means that we are merely maintaining status quo. A steep reduction, however, is what’s required by every sector if we were to reach the net-zero emissions goal by 2050, agreed on in the <a href="http://unfccc.int/paris_agreement/items/9485.php">Paris Agreement</a>. Carbon offsetting is already an important “<a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261517714000910">polluter pays</a>” mechanism for travellers who wish to contribute to climate mitigation. But it is also about to be institutionalised at large scale through the new UN-run <a href="https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Pages/market-based-measures.aspx">Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)</a>. CORSIA will come into force in 2021, when participating airlines will have to purchase carbon credits for emissions above 2020 levels on certain routes. The availability of carbon credits and their integrity is of major concern, as well as how they align with national obligations and mechanisms agreed in the Paris Agreement. Of particular interest is <a href="http://www.carbon-mechanisms.de/en/introduction/the-paris-agreement-and-article-6/">Article 6</a>, which allows countries to cooperate in meeting their climate commitments, including by “trading” emissions reductions to count towards a national target. The recent COP23 in Bonn highlighted that CORSIA is widely seen as a potential source of billions of dollars for offset schemes, supporting important climate action. Air travel may provide an important intermediate source of funds, but ultimately the aviation sector, just like anyone else, will have to reduce their own emissions. This will mean major advances in technology – and most likely a contraction in the fast expanding global aviation market. <h2>Travelling right this Christmas</h2> In the meantime, and if you have booked your flights for Christmas travel, you can do the following: <ul> <li> pack light (every kilogram will cost additional fuel) </li> <li> minimise carbon emissions whilst on holiday (for instance by biking or walking once you’re there), and </li> <li> support a <a href="http://www.co2offsetresearch.org/consumer/Standards.html">credible offsetting program</a>. </li> </ul> And it’s worth thinking about what else you can do during the year to minimise emissions – this is your own “carbon budget”.<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/89148/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susanne-becken-90437">Susanne Becken</a>, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Director, Griffith Institute for Tourism, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-mackey-152282">Brendan Mackey</a>, Director of the Griffith Climate Change Response Program, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith 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/flying-home-for-christmas-carbon-offsets-are-important-but-they-wont-fix-plane-pollution-89148">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

A quick and easy guide to the holliest and jolliest Christmas cocktails

When it comes to the holiday season, nothing screams festive like Christmas-themed food and drinks. For your next holiday party, or if you're looking for a festive tipple on Christmas Eve to welcome in the big day, here's a list of our three favourite Christmas cocktails. All easy to make and undeniably delicious, these festive cocktails are guaranteed to have you in the Christmas spirit quicker than you can say "Another round!" Holiday Margarita Ingredients: · 30 ml Cointreau · 30 ml Blanco Tequila · 30 ml Fresh Lime Juice · 6 drops Aromatic Bitters Method: 1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and add ice 2. Shake and strain into a cinnamon sugar-rimmed coupe glass 3. Garnish with rosemary sprig Holiday Cosmopolitan Ingredients: · 20 ml Cointreau · 40 ml Vodka · 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice · 20 ml Cinnamon Clove Cranberry Syrup Method: 1. To make the syrup: Add 1 cup cranberries, 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1 stick cinnamon, 5 cloves in a saucepan and heat up until boiled 2. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled 3. Strain into chilled glass 4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick Holiday Jam Ingredients: · 20ml Cointreau · 40 ml Vodka · 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice · 10 ml Cranberry Juice · 1 Bar Spoon Blackberries Method: 1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled 2. Strain into chilled glass 3. Garnish with a blackberry Image credits: Supplied

Food & Wine

Renaming obesity won’t fix weight stigma overnight. Here’s what we really need to do

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ravisha-jayawickrama-1457644">Ravisha Jayawickrama</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/blake-lawrence-1452739">Blake Lawrence</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/briony-hill-1041619">Briony Hill</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> The stigma that surrounds people living in larger bodies is pervasive and deeply affects the people it’s directed at. It’s been described as one of the last acceptable <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-australias-discrimination-laws-and-public-health-campaigns-perpetuate-fat-stigma-80471">forms of</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6592337">discrimination</a>. Some researchers think the term “obesity” itself is part of the problem, and are calling for a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27967229/">name change</a> to reduce stigma. They’re <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/obr.13590">proposing</a> “adipose-based chronic disease” instead. We study the stigma that surrounds obesity – around the time of <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/obr.13147">pregnancy</a>, among <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/oby.23266">health professionals</a> and health <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00071-8/fulltext">students</a>, and in <a href="https://www.phrp.com.au/issues/october-2022-volume-32-issue-3/weight-stigma-in-australia/">public health</a> more widely. Here’s what’s really needed to reduce weight stigma. <h2>Weight stigma is common</h2> Up to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26596238/">42% of adults</a> living in larger bodies experience weight stigma. This is when others have negative beliefs, attitudes, assumptions and judgements towards them, unfairly viewing them as lazy, and lacking in willpower or self-discipline. People in larger bodies experience <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/oby.2008.636">discrimination</a> in many areas, including in the workplace, intimate and family relationships, education, health care and the media. Weight stigma is associated with <a href="https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-018-1116-5">harms</a> including increased cortisol levels (the main stress hormone in the body), negative body image, increased weight gain, and poor mental health. It leads to decreased uptake of, and quality of, health care. Weight stigma may even pose a <a href="https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-018-1116-5">greater threat</a> to someone’s health than increasing body size. <h2>Should we rename obesity?</h2> Calls to remove or rename health conditions or identifications to reduce stigma are not new. For example, in the 1950s homosexuality was classed as a “<a href="https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2022.180103">sociopathic personality disturbance</a>”. Following many years of protests and activism, the term and condition <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4695779/">were removed</a> from the globally recognised classification of mental health disorders. In recent weeks, European researchers have renamed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”. This occurred after <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/382/bmj.p1587">up to 66%</a> of health-care professionals surveyed felt the terms “non-alcoholic” and “fatty” to be stigmatising. Perhaps it is finally time to follow suit and rename obesity. But is “adiposity-based chronic disease” the answer? <h2>A new name needs to go beyond BMI</h2> There are two common ways people view obesity. First, most people use the term for people with a body-mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or above. Most, if not all, public health organisations also use BMI to categorise obesity and <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(22)00138-9/fulltext">make assumptions</a> about health. However, BMI alone is not enough to accurately summarise someone’s health. It does not account for muscle mass and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/bmiforpactitioners.pdf">does not provide</a> information about the distribution of body weight or adipose tissue (body fat). A high BMI can occur <a href="https://theconversation.com/using-bmi-to-measure-your-health-is-nonsense-heres-why-180412">without</a> biological indicators of poor health. Second, obesity is sometimes used to describe the condition of excess weight when mainly <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/obr.13590">accompanied by</a> metabolic abnormalities. To simplify, this reflects how the body has adapted to the environment in a way that makes it more susceptible to health risks, with excess weight a by-product of this. Renaming obesity “adiposity-based chronic disease” acknowledges the chronic metabolic dysfunction associated with what we currently term obesity. It also avoids labelling people purely on body size. <h2>Is obesity a disease anyway?</h2> “Adiposity-based chronic disease” is an acknowledgement of a disease state. Yet there is still no universal consensus on whether obesity is a disease. Nor is there clear agreement on the definition of “disease”. People who take a biological-dysfunction approach to disease <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25336733/">argue</a> dysfunction occurs when physiological or psychological systems don’t do what they’re supposed to. By this definition, obesity may <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37279872/">not be classified as a disease</a> until after harm from the additional weight occurs. That’s because the excess weight itself may not initially be harmful. Even if we do categorise obesity as a disease, there may still be value in renaming it. Renaming obesity may improve public understanding that while obesity is often associated with an increase in BMI, the increased BMI itself is not the disease. This change could move the focus from obesity and body size, to a more nuanced understanding and discussion of the biological, environmental, and lifestyle factors <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/obr.13590">associated</a> with it. <h2>Workshopping alternatives</h2> Before deciding to rename obesity, we need discussions between obesity and stigma experts, health-care professionals, members of the public, and crucially, <a href="https://www.phrp.com.au/issues/october-2022-volume-32-issue-3/weight-stigma-in-australia/">people living with obesity</a>. Such discussions can ensure robust evidence informs any future decisions, and proposed new terms are not also stigmatising. <h2>What else can we do?</h2> Even then, renaming obesity may not be enough to reduce the stigma. Our constant exposure to the socially-defined and acceptable idealisation of smaller bodies (the “thin ideal”) and the pervasiveness of weight stigma means this stigma is deeply ingrained at a societal level. Perhaps true reductions in obesity stigma may only come from a societal shift – away from the focus of the “thin ideal” to one that acknowledges health and wellbeing can occur at a range of body sizes.<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/209224/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ravisha-jayawickrama-1457644">Ravisha Jayawickrama</a>, PhD candidate, School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/blake-lawrence-1452739">Blake Lawrence</a>, Lecturer, Curtin School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/briony-hill-1041619">Briony Hill</a>, Deputy Head, Health and Social Care Unit and Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/renaming-obesity-wont-fix-weight-stigma-overnight-heres-what-we-really-need-to-do-209224">original article</a>.

Body

Is the Barbie movie a bold step to reinvent and fix past wrongs or a clever ploy to tap a new market?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-gurrieri-5402">Lauren Gurrieri</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> After a months-long marketing blitz, the much-hyped Barbie movie is released this week. From a <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/barbies-malibu-dreamhouse-is-back-on-airbnb-but-this-time-kens-hosting/">Malibu Barbie dreamhouse</a> listed on AirBnB, an AI tool that <a href="https://www.barbieselfie.ai/au/">transforms selfies into Barbie movie posters</a> and multiple Barbie-themed brand collaborations ranging from nail polish to roller skates, Barbie is everywhere. She has even gone viral as a fashion trend known as <a href="https://www.elle.com.au/fashion/barbiecore-27286">Barbiecore</a>, exploding across social media with people embracing vibrant pink hues and hyper feminine aesthetics. A Barbie world is upon us. Although some have criticised this <a href="https://twitter.com/MosheIsaacian/status/1673415496929267712">saturation</a> strategy, it is a very deliberate marketing ploy to revitalise and redefine a brand with a contested position and history. As well as attracting adults who grew up with Barbie and are curious to see what’s changed, the reinvention is drawing in those younger fans swept up by the tsunami of marketing and merchandise. Despite being one of the <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/brandspark-most-trusted-brands-america-2022">most trusted brands</a> with a value of approximately <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1009126/barbie-brand-value-worldwide/">$US700 million</a>, Barbie has long attracted feminist criticism for fuelling outdated and problematic “plastic fantastic” sexist stereotypes and expectations. <h2>The Barbie backlash</h2> Only a few years back, Barbie was a brand in crisis. <a href="https://time.com/3667580/mattel-barbie-earnings-plus-size-body-image/">Sales plummeted</a> across 2011 to 2015 against the cultural backdrop of a rise in body positivity and backlash against a doll that represented narrow ideals and an impossible beauty standard. After all, at life-size Barbie represents a body shape held by <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01544300#page-1">less than 1 in 100,000</a> real people. In fact, she is so <a href="https://rehabs.com/explore/dying-to-be-barbie/#.UWs-5aKyB8F">anatomically impossible</a> that, if she were real, she would be unable to lift her head, store a full liver or intestines, or <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/305/6868/1575">menstruate</a>. The backlash has also been in response to growing concerns about how she influences child development, particularly how and what children learn about gender. Barbie has been identified as a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144521000243#!">risk factor</a> for thin-ideal internalisation and body dissatisfaction for young girls, encouraging <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S174014451630208X">motivation for a thinner shape</a> that damages body image and self esteem. And despite the multiple careers Barbie has held over the decades, research highlights that girls who play with Barbie believe they have <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-014-0347-y">fewer career options than boys</a>. This speaks to the power of toys to reinforce gender stereotypes, roles and expectations, and how Barbie has imported narrow ideals of femininity, girlhood and womanhood into young girls’ lives. <h2>Reinventing a long-established icon</h2> In response to this backlash, Mattel launched a new range of Barbies in 2016 that were promoted as <a href="https://shop.mattel.com/collections/fashion-dolls#filter.ss_filter_tags_subtype=Fashionistas">diverse</a>, representing different body shapes, sizes, hair types and skin tones. This was not without criticism, with “curvy” Barbie still considered thin and dolls named in ways that drew attention foremost to their bodies. From a white, well-dressed, middle-class, girl-next-door with friends of a similar ilk, Barbie has since been marketed as a symbol of diversity and inclusion. To signify the extent of the transformation, Mattel’s executives gave this project the code name “Project Dawn”. Mattel - like many other brands joining the <a href="https://theconversation.com/victorias-secret-joins-the-inclusive-revolution-finally-realizing-diversity-sells-163955">“inclusivity revolution”</a> - knew that diversity sells, and they needed to make their brand relevant for contemporary consumers. Diversity initiatives included a line of <a href="https://shop.mattel.com/pages/barbie-role-models">female role model dolls</a>, promoted as “introducing girls to remarkable women’s stories to show them you can be anything”. Barbie was also given a voice in the form of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BsRl9zFaeSKIL4XD-pdGHGbJRvkfe8S">Barbie Vlogs</a>, where she expressed her views on issues including depression and the <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/barbies-vlog-about-the-sorry-reflex-is-the-feminist-pep-talk-all-90s-babies-need-to-hear-9852366">sorry reflex</a>. A gender neutral collection called “creatable world” was added in 2019 to open up gender expression possibilities when playing with Barbies. Such efforts were crucial to undoing missteps of the past, such as a “Teen Talk Barbie” that was programmed to say “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSL2-rbE9AM">Math class is tough!</a>”, or the compulsory heterosexuality that Barbie has long advanced. <h2>The latest step in Barbie’s transformation</h2> Barbie the film is simply the next step in an evolution to make brand Barbie inclusive. And with a rumoured film budget of $100 million, the supporting marketing machine provides a critical opportunity to reset the Barbie narrative. With Greta Gerwig, acclaimed director of female-led stories such as Little Women and Lady Bird at the helm, and a diverse cast of Barbies of different races, body types, gender identities and sexual preferences, the film and its creators have sought to assure audiences of the film’s feminist leanings. Addressing the complicated history of Barbie is crucial for audiences who grew up and played with the doll and are grappling with introducing her to the next generation of doll consumers. Yet, Robbie Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films, has explicitly stated that Gerwig’s Barbie is “not a feminist movie”. Indeed, the main character still represents a narrow beauty standard - tall, thin, blonde, white - with diverse characters in place to support her narrative. Which begs the question: are these inclusion initiatives simply emblematic of diversity washing, where the language and symbolism of social justice are hijacked for corporate profit? Or do they represent a genuine effort to redress the chequered history of a brand that promotes poor body image, unrealistic ideals and rampant materialism? What is clear is that in today’s climate where brands are increasingly rewarded for taking a stand on sociopolitical issues, brand Barbie’s attempts to reposition as inclusive have paid off: sales are now booming. Seemingly, Barbie’s famous tagline that “anything is possible” has shown itself to be true.<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/209394/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-gurrieri-5402">Lauren Gurrieri</a>, Associate Professor in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT 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/is-the-barbie-movie-a-bold-step-to-reinvent-and-fix-past-wrongs-or-a-clever-ploy-to-tap-a-new-market-209394">original article</a>.

Movies

Why quick health fixes are never the solution

When it comes to diet and exercise, there are no shortcuts. Weight loss, muscle gain, addressing nutritional deficiencies, lowering of things like cholesterol... none of these things can be done quickly. All efforts must have a cumulative effect to work. We love a "quick fix" because we don't like hard work. When a study breaks the news that, for example, a glass of red wine a day is equivalent to going to the gym, people change their approach to their health without understanding what was actually a very flawed, limited study. But the messages from quick fixes are catchy. "I don't have to go to the gym!", "If I eat this, I'll lose weight in three weeks!", "I can get a six-pack without doing crunches!", and so the beliefs go. Knowledge, hard work and discipline is the only secret to achieving health goals. But that doesn't stop people trying to seek out an easier way. Quick fixes are appealing for many reasons. The world of health is complex and often unclear (and even contradictory). Quick fixes are clear cut. They give you explicit instructions that are easily followed, and they're usually one-dimensional, e.g. "don't eat anything except chicken and broccoli". They also often give you a hint of success early on, which gives you confidence. If you dramatically drop your regular diet for a juice cleanse that is only 25 per cent of your regular calorie intake, of course you're going to lose weight. Until you don't. The unsustainable – and usually unhealthy – nature of quick fixes is that they normally come with a yo-yo effect. You'll lose weight dramatically in the first few weeks but then you'll plateau, and then that weight will pile back on with a vengeance. The yo-yo effect is actually called "weight cycling", and is largely psychological. You embark on a reduced calorie diet and/or energy-intensive exercise regimen that is extreme from the outset, and initially you experience pride and elation over your efforts. The effects of fatigue soon set in and force you back to old ways (and often, backwards) in your health-related endeavours. Any kind of quick fix diet will also slow your metabolism down, because when you cut calories you're also cutting macronutrients. The result? Muscle loss instead of fat loss. This unhelpful quick fix mentality applies to "superfoods" and any kind of "ground-breaking" ingredients (think chia seeds, kale, blackcurrants, nut oils and the like) too. No single food can speed up your progress when it comes to your health goals. We're obsessed with quick fixes because they have a cult value to them. They're based around creating a fear of something – whether it's going to the gym or sugary foods – and telling you that if you follow a certain, easily-prescribed doctrine, you can be free of that fear. As a consumer, scepticism is your greatest tool when thinking about supposedly revolutionary health studies and claims made by so-called experts. When reading about a scientific study that claims a quick fix concerning the miraculous benefits of one type of food, specific exercise activity, or diet, there are a few important things to know. Firstly, that study might be taken from a minute group of subjects (e.g. only 10 people), which doesn't provide reliable evidence. Studies also can use unnaturally high concentrations of a "miracle" ingredient, enabling researchers to produce a desirable result that will get published in journals and mainstream media. A great example in recent times of this has been goji berries, and their purported effect on heart disease prevention. It's also vital to know what many studies are funded by corporations that stand to benefit from those desirable results. You, as a consumer, should be wary of any quick fix backed up by a single scientific source, because that research might have solely been conducted with a view to use it to sell a product. When it comes to health fixes, if it's easy and revolutionary, it's too good to be true. Take to Google with a sceptical eye, and you'll find it's easy to discover how misleading any quick fix can be. Image credit: Shutterstock Written by Lee Suckling. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff.co.nz.</a>

Body

Get-rich-quick schemes, pyramids and ponzis: five signs you’re being scammed

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/abdul-latif-alhassan-1390159">Abdul Latif Alhassan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cape-town-691">University of Cape Town</a> Consumers are under a lot of financial strain. The <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/cost-of-living-crisis-global-impact/">World Economic Forum</a> reports that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting people across the globe. With food and fuel prices rising, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep financially afloat. On top of that, salaries <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/workers-pay-globally-hasnt-kept-up-with-inflation-e6df92d">aren’t keeping up with inflation</a>, making it more difficult to save and build wealth. It’s during such times of economic difficulty and uncertainty that fraudsters lure unsuspecting consumers into “<a href="https://www.sabric.co.za/">get-rich-quick</a>” schemes, offering <a href="https://www.sabric.co.za/stay-safe/ponzi-pyramid-schemes/">an avenue to make easy money</a> by investing in a “lucrative” financial opportunity. Nothing beats the prospect of making easy money, and every now and again there seems to be a “get-rich-quick” scheme circulating on WhatsApp or on social media that seems legitimate. But it’s not. Our research interests centre on financial systems in emerging economies, and we advocate for financial inclusion and empowering marginalised communities through financial literacy and financial planning. We use our academic platform to share our expertise on finance, including common financial traps people should steer clear of. “Get-rich-quick” schemes are one such trap. They’re also sometimes called ponzi or pyramid schemes. The schemes are a form of <a href="https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/financial-fraud">financial fraud</a>. The people running them take money through deception: the misrepresentation of information and identity. They promise financial benefits that don’t exist. You should avoid them because, more often than not, they are bogus and fraudulent business ventures. There have been some massive fraud schemes over the past 30 years. In the early 1990s, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/mmm-global-russian-ponzi-scheme-from-1990s-reborn-and-now-spreading-like-wildfire-in-africa-a7333366.html">MMM Global</a> - one of the world’s largest and most notorious ponzi schemes - defrauded up to 40 million people, who lost an estimated $10 billion. Ponzi schemes have since resurfaced in different forms in <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/ponzi-scheme-investigated-as-some-victims-lost-as-much-as-r200-000-c3c3633c-2abb-4dd4-b668-a5ea608deb41">South Africa</a>, <a href="https://guardian.ng/business-services/nigerians-lose-over-n911b-to-ponzi-schemes-related-fraud-in-23-years/">Nigeria</a>, <a href="https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/zimbabwe-money-pyramids-ponzi-schemes/6305100.html">Zimbabwe</a>, <a href="https://allafrica.com/stories/202105170964.html">Kenya</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-09-2020-0177">Ghana</a> and several other African countries. There are five tell-tale signs of a “get-rich-quick” scheme. Watch out for them. <h2>The five tell-tale signs</h2> Firstly, they offer exaggerated and above-market returns within a short period of time, with the promise of little to no risk. There are two golden rules when it comes to investing. The first is that it takes time to make money. Amassing a small fortune within a short space of time should raise questions about the scheme. The second rule is: the higher the risk, the higher the return. In other words, no investment is risk free or can guarantee significant returns. There is always some risk involved. An investment that promises substantial returns tends to be quite risky, which repels most people with a low appetite for risk. Secondly, new members are constantly recruited to join the scheme. Typically, such schemes are sustained by relying on the investments of new members to pay existing members. Once the number of existing members exceeds new members, the scheme goes “belly-up”. At best you lose out on the returns you were promised. At worst you lose all the money you’ve invested. When the scheme collapses, it is almost impossible to recover the money you’ve lost because you’ve technically given it to a stranger (remember, the definition of financial fraud encompasses the misrepresentation of identity). Thirdly, there is urgency to join the scheme and no clarity on how the scheme works. This is a classic characteristic of a “get-rich-quick” scheme. There is usually no clear answer about the nature of the scheme, what it invests in, how it generates its returns or the credentials of the organisation. Legitimate investments are transparent and can provide investors with all the information they need to help them decide whether to invest. Unsurprisingly, a proper check of “get-rich-quick” schemes will unmask their fraudulent nature. This is why there’s always the urgency and coercion to make an immediate financial commitment under the guise of missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get rich. Fourthly, the scheme is not registered with or regulated by any recognised authority. Regulatory authorities are important because they monitor the conduct of financial service providers and protect consumers by keeping their best interests in mind. The protection provided by financial regulators also instils confidence in financial systems. “Get-rich-quick” schemes are not registered and operate outside the framework of regulatory bodies. This makes investors more vulnerable to loss and makes it more difficult to seek legal recourse when the loss occurs. Legitimate investments in South Africa are offered by authorised financial service providers and regulated by the <a href="https://www.fsca.co.za/Pages/Default.aspx">Financial Sector Conduct Authority</a>. You can search for any authorised financial service provider on the authority’s <a href="https://www.fsca.co.za/Fais/Search_FSP.htm">website</a>. Fifthly, they use the testimonies from existing members who’ve earned big bucks to promote the scheme. At the initial stages, the scheme tends to pay out to those who have invested early, and these members are encouraged to share the news of their wealth (which travels fast and far) to promote the scheme. But this is a tactic used to create the impression that you too can earn returns in the double digits. These schemes are both unsustainable and unethical as one person gets wealthy through someone else being deceived. <h2>Too good to be true</h2> It’s worth repeating that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Wealth comes from a sound investment strategy and decisions made over time. Any promise to “get rich quick” should be treated with the cynicism it deserves. It will ultimately reveal its fraudulent nature. Recognising the signs of “get-rich-quick” schemes can save you from unnecessary financial distress. It’s always a good idea to do your own investigation before committing your finances into any investment. You can find more information on the various types of scams through the <a href="https://www.sabric.co.za/">South African Banking Risk Information Centre</a>’s website and report them to the <a href="https://www.safps.org.za/Home/Contact">South African Fraud Prevention Service</a>.<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/205798/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bomikazi-zeka-680577">Bomikazi Zeka</a>, Assistant Professor in Finance and Financial Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865">University of Canberra</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/abdul-latif-alhassan-1390159">Abdul Latif Alhassan</a>, Associate Professor in Development Finance & Insurance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-cape-town-691">University of Cape Town</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/get-rich-quick-schemes-pyramids-and-ponzis-five-signs-youre-being-scammed-205798">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

5 simple tips to fix dry hair

As we age, our hair is just one of the parts of our body that goes through a drastic change. Aside from the obvious (going grey), it also becomes thinner, drier, duller, and you may experience some hair loss. But thankfully, you can take steps to ensure your hair looks as healthy as possible no matter what your age. Here are five tips to help you rejuvenate and re-moisturise dry, dull hair. 1. Get the temperature right You might like your showers extra hot, but too much heat can force the hair shalt open, and if your hair is dry or damaged, the shaft won’t be able to close fully and the moisture will seep right out. Instead, keep the water warm during washing then finish with a cool rinse to make your hair look shinier. 2. Don’t over-wash Using shampoo every day will strip your hair of its healthy natural oils, thus drying it out. Try to use it only every second day, using conditioner in between to add some moisture. 3. Raid the kitchen The secret to healthy, shiny hair could be lying in your kitchen. For a rejuvenating, vitamin-packed hair mask, simply mash a super ripe avocado with some olive oil. Apply to your hair, leave for 20 minutes and then rinse off – it’s an easy, natural way to restore moisture and shine. 4. Turn off the tools Your hair dryer or straightener may make life easier when it comes to styling, but it’s not doing damaged hair any help. If you absolutely can’t live without them, at least invest in the best tools you can afford. And when choosing a straightener or hair iron, don’t go any hotter than 185 degrees – any higher and your hair may become more damaged. The same goes for hair dryers – avoid the temptation to switch it up to the hottest setting, and before subjecting your hair to any dryers or straighteners, treat it with a heat protectant spray. 5. Book a trip to the salon It might not be that your hair is dry, but rather that the ends of your hair are dry, split and in need of a cut. A good way to judge how much you need to trim is by seeing how quickly your hair dries. If the ends air-dry almost immediately while the rest of your hair remains wet, those ends need to go. Images: Getty

Beauty & Style

Three years into the pandemic, it’s clear COVID won’t fix itself. Here’s what we need to focus on next

On March 11 2020 the World Health Organization classified COVID as a <a href="https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020">pandemic</a>. Three years on, it remains just that. As much as we don’t want it to be, and as much as it is off the front pages, COVID is still very much with us. But how bad has it really been? And, more importantly, what have we learned that could help us accelerate a real and sustained exit? <h2>COVID has hit us hard</h2> There was a <a href="https://theconversation.com/too-late-already-bolted-how-a-faster-who-response-could-have-slowed-covid-19s-spread-160860">slow initial</a> global response to what we now call SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. This allowed the virus to get a foothold, contributing to unexpectedly rapid <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-are-there-so-many-new-omicron-sub-variants-like-ba-4-and-ba-5-will-i-be-reinfected-is-the-virus-mutating-faster-182274">viral evolution</a>. Three years into the pandemic, with the removal of almost all mitigation measures in most countries, it’s clear the virus has hit the world very hard. <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/">So far</a>, almost 681 million infections and more than 6.8 million deaths have been reported. This is perhaps best visualised by its impact on life expectancy. There were <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/padr.12477">sharp declines</a> seen across the world in 2020 and 2021, reversing 70 years of largely uninterrupted progress. The excess mortality driving this drop in life expectancy has continued. This includes in Australia, <a href="https://www.actuaries.digital/2023/03/06/almost-20000-excess-deaths-for-2022-in-australia/">where over 20,000 more lives</a> than the historical average are estimated to have been lost in 2022. <h2>Not just COVID deaths</h2> The indirect impacts on the health systems in rich and poor countries alike continue to be substantial. Disruptions to health services have led to <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(21)00079-6/fulltext">increases</a> in stillbirths, maternal mortality and postnatal depression. Routine <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/15-07-2022-covid-19-pandemic-fuels-largest-continued-backslide-in-vaccinations-in-three-decades">child immunisation coverage</a> has decreased. Crucial malaria, tuberculosis and HIV programs have been <a href="https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/2021/2021-09-08-global-fund-results-report-reveals-covid-19-devastating-impact-on-hiv-tb-and-malaria-programs/#:%7E:text=GENEVA%20%E2%80%93%20The%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic,history%20of%20the%20Global%20Fund">disrupted</a>. A paper out this week highlights the <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1107560/full">severe impact</a> of the pandemic on mental health globally. <h2>Then there’s long COVID</h2> Meanwhile, more evidence of long COVID has emerged around the world. At least <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2">65 million people</a> were estimated to be experiencing this debilitating syndrome by the end of 2022. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/covid-19/long-covid-in-australia-a-review-of-the-literature/summary">estimates</a> 5-10% of people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 will develop long COVID, with symptoms persisting more than three months. That’s between 550,000 and 1.1 million Australians, based on the more than 11 million cases reported <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/australia/">so far</a>. <h2>COVID highlighted inequalities</h2> The pandemic has also had a huge economic impact, both directly and indirectly. The United States alone spent <a href="https://impact.economist.com/perspectives/economic-development/understanding-economic-consequences-covid-19-pandemic">US$4 trillion</a> on its response. Economists have estimated the pandemic will contribute an average 0.75% reduction in GDP in countries with high infection rates and high productivity in 2025. Studies in the <a href="https://www.local.gov.uk/health-inequalities-deprivation-and-poverty-and-covid-19">United Kingdom</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/04/us-covid-devastating-toll-poor-low-income-communities">US</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/25/disease-of-disadvantage-melbournes-lower-socioeconomic-areas-suffer-most-covid-deaths-amid-omicron">Australia</a> show COVID has had a disproportionate impact – including higher death rates – in disadvantaged communities and ethnic minorities. The causes range from high exposure in low-paid jobs to inadequate access to health care. And <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/blog/future-development/2021/05/27/covid-19-is-a-developing-country-pandemic/">poorer countries</a> have fared terribly on all fronts from COVID, including inequitable access to vaccines. <h2>There’s no end in sight</h2> We cannot assume there will be a natural exit to the pandemic, where the virus reaches some benign endemicity, a harmless presence in the background. In fact, there is little indication anything like that is imminent. In Australia, since the beginning of January, <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/australia/">more than 235,000 COVID cases</a> have been reported, almost as many as in 2020 and 2021 combined. Since the start of January, there have been 2,351 COVID-related deaths, more than twice as many as in the whole of 2020 and around the same as in the whole of 2021. <h2>What needs to happen next?</h2> The future response can be practically distilled into three overlapping actions. 1. Politicians need to be frank Our political leaders need to communicate frankly with the public that the pandemic is not over. They need to stress we still have an exceptional problem on our hands with acute disease as well as worrying concerns about long COVID. It’s crucial politicians acknowledge sufferers and those who have died. They need to do this while delivering the good news that addressing COVID does not require lockdowns or mandates. If our politicians did this, the public would be more likely to have their booster vaccines, get tested and treated, and adopt measures such as improving indoor ventilation and wearing high-quality masks. The health system also needs to be greatly strengthened to deal with long COVID. 2. Avoiding infections is still important Suppressing the virus is still important. We still can and should reduce the burden of newly acquired COVID and, therefore, long COVID. We have the tools to do this. We need full recognition that COVID is transmitted largely through the air. As this just-published article in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00642-9">Nature</a> discusses, there are things we can do right now to ensure we all breathe air that is safer, not just from SARS-CoV-2 but from other respiratory viruses. 3. Adopt new knowledge and technology We should be focusing on the science and be ready to adopt new knowledge and products rapidly. Just a few days ago we had trials of a <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4375620&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email">promising new approach</a> to treat long COVID with the diabetes drug metformin. There is also intriguing research that has identified <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2">persistent infection</a> as a potential underlying cause of organ damage and disease after COVID and in long COVID. This suggests anti-viral drugs such as Paxlovid may have an important role to play in reducing the impact of chronic disease. Many types of new COVID vaccines are being trialled, such as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02824-3">versions administered by nasal sprays</a>, which may be game changers. <h2>The virus won’t fix itself</h2> As we enter the fourth year of the pandemic, we must not leave it up to the virus to fix itself. The biggest lesson of the past three years is there’s little chance that is going to work, at least without an intolerably high cost. Rather, we can end the pandemic by choice. We know <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-covid-control-to-chaos-what-now-for-australia-two-pathways-lie-before-us-174325">what to do</a>. But we are simply not doing it. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/three-years-into-the-pandemic-its-clear-covid-wont-fix-itself-heres-what-we-need-to-focus-on-next-201181" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Caring

6 fixes for the most annoying beauty issues

When beauty blunders pop up – think flat hair, pigmentation issues or yellow teeth – it’s likely that your first instinct is to try to get a handle on the issue immediately. Taking matters into your own hands can be quite effective – but only if you know how to do it correctly. Here we tell you exactly what to do. The issue: Smudged lipstick The fix: The reason for smudged lipstick usually stems from your lips being dry or flakey before you apply your lippie. You need an ideal surface to start with. So, how do you get one? First, grab your toothbrush and lightly rub it over your lips to gently exfoliate any flakes. Then, apply a thin layer of hydrating primer – the one you use on your face will do the trick – to remove moisture and flatten fine lines so the surface of your lips is smooth and ready for colour. Fill in your lips with liner in the same shade as your lipstick, and dab on a couple thin coats of your lipstick. Finally, set your look by blotting lightly with a tissue and using a large make-up brush to lightly dust a thin layer of powder over your lips. The issue: Flat hair The fix: Whether you have thick or thin hair, at one point or another I am sure we can all say we’ve suffered from hair that just doesn’t sit how you want to it too. Furthermore, a do that just looks lifeless. If flat hair is a concern for you, you’ll want to try a root-lifting blow-drying trick. First, work a palm full of mousse from your roots through to the ends, then flip your head over and dry your hair upside down and away from the scalp. Hair should be slightly damp before you flip it back up. Voila, volume! The issue: Hair breakage The fix: Try as you might to care for your hair with the right products and washing it every two days or so, there are some other factors that can wreak havoc to your locks – like hair breakage. To avoid this, there are a few things you can do. For instance, after a shower, gently squeeze and blot the hair (rather than rubbing) with an old cotton T-shirt instead of a towel. It'll still soak up excess moisture, but won't cause breakage. When its time to comb, remember this: Being rough can cause the cuticle of the hair to fray, exposing the fragile inner shaft and making it more likely to snap. Detangle with a wide-tooth comb, working your way up from the end of your hair, using the least amount of strokes as possible. And if you like to tie your hair back, use a gentle tie, like a smooth, all-fabric one. The pressure of a super-tight band around a ponytail can wear away at your hair’s cuticle and cause the strands to break. The issue: Fading hair color The fix: If you splash out and get your hair colour done at the salon, chances are you’ll want to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Annoyingly, there are some factors that are out of your control. For instance, the water that comes out of your showerhead often contains minerals like copper and chemicals like chlorine that can alter your hair’s hue. Some people like to have a purifying showerhead filter installed. Failing that, use an at-home glaze or gloss like John Frieda's Colour Refreshing Gloss to add high-wattage shine and boost the hue, like a topcoat does for nail polish. The Issue: Brown spots The fix: Skin pigmentation is an extremely pesky beauty concerns. And getting rid of brown spots entirely is a long-term project that calls for diligent use of brightening products. But if you're looking for quick a fix, artfully applied make-up is your best option. First, dab concealer that's one or two shades lighter than your foundation onto the spot with a concealer brush, then follow with a dot of foundation that exactly matches your skin tone, and blend it well for a seamless look. The issue: Yellow teeth The fix: Luckily, booking in for teeth whitening with your dentist isn’t your only option when it comes to teeth whitening. Brushing with a paste made of baking soda and water a few times a month removes superficial staining and whitens teeth by a shade or two. Just don't do it more frequently than that, as baking soda is too abrasive for your everyday brush. For an immediate fix, lipsticks with blue undertones can also make teeth appear brighter. Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Garden fixes after heavy rain

Better Homes and Gardens’ resident landscaper, Jason Hodges, shares his advice for tending to the garden after heavy rain. When it comes to the garden and heavy rain, you need to be prepared. Where does water sit? What gets washed away? How are your drains working or failing? All things you can repair and get working for the future success of your garden. The heavy rain has saturated our soil, and strong winds have toppled over trees all week, but long-term, the saturated soil can hurt all plants in the garden. When the soil is water-logged the root system can drown from lack of oxygen. The first thing I would do is rake some mulch away allowing for some evaporation, either with a garden fork or even something like a cricket stump. Make some holes to allow air in and for the water to fill and again evaporate. Snails and slugs are opportunists and thrive and reproduce when times are good – they love the rain and the wet conditions afterwards. To control them I like to use a take-away container with a splash of beer in it. Placed level with the garden bed the snails go in and never leave. If your garden was flooded don’t be too quick to think the water’s gone down and everything’s fine. If they’re in the garden, avoid eating leafy vegetables such as lettuce, kale and spinach. They may have been contaminated by the flood water. Fruit trees such as citrus should be fine within a short period of time. Now that it has stopped raining it’s never too late to clean the gutters. Overflowing gutters can damage gardens and undermine the footings of your house. When you’re up a ladder either doing the gutters or any other job in the garden I recommend you have a second person with you, an extra set of hands to hold the ladder, spot problems and just pass you tools. It makes the process a lot safer and quicker. Look out for mould, moss and mildew that might grow on shady, damp paths over the next few weeks. A blast with a pressure washer will be a quick fix and a lot more enjoyable than slipping A over Z. A weak solution of vinegar and water will kill mould and mildew if you don’t have a pressure washer. Look for branches that may have been damaged but are still hanging in the tree. They will become more obvious as the foliage browns off and dies. Cleaning up the tear and damage will give the tree a better chance of recovery. If you have a watering system, override it and turn it off for a couple of weeks. The last thing the garden needs is a drink. If your pots were full of water remove the saucers and allow them to drain. It’s a hard time to garden after heavy rain, but let’s be thankful for it and hope we can enjoy the long-term benefits of having moisture deep down in our soil. Written by Jason Hodges. First appeared on <a href="http://www.domain.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domain.com.au.</a> Image: Getty

Home & Garden

"Kids are quick": Romantic proposal takes wild turn

What was meant to be a beautiful proposal took a turn for the worst when the engagement ring plunged right through the jetty cracks and into the ocean below. Luke was down on one knee ready to propose to his pregnant girlfriend Stephanie on the Hervey Bay jetty while two-year-old Harper Jane watched on. But before they saw what was happening, Harper Jane quickly grabbed the engagement ring from the box and it slipped out of her hands. “Kids are quick, much quicker than you think - I didn’t actually realise she had grabbed it,” Luke said in a TikTok. Luke called out Harper Jane's name before immediately throwing off his thongs and taking his phone and wallet out of his pocket, ready to jump into the water. <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 619px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7141170167098117402&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40alarcon_sinverguenza%2Fvideo%2F7141170167098117402%3Fis_from_webapp%3D1%26sender_device%3Dpc%26web_id%3D7070374670839465473&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Rubik, 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">Blindsided in the moment, his friend called out that he couldn’t jump because it was too shallow causing him to change his landing mid way through which left him with an earache. But Luke was on a mission to find the ring and was excited when he heard Stephanie’s dad call out to say that he could see it. “I can see it! Stop there, by your right hand,” he could be heard calling out. Thanks to the crystal clear waters of Hervey Bay, Luke was able to find the ring quickly and get back to shore. The ring eventually ended up on Stephanie’s finger, with the couple then revealing that Luke also wanted to ask Harper if he could be her step-dad. “I’m committing to them both so I felt like both of them should be present,” he said. “It’s just funny. Even if we had lost (the ring), there would have been humour in it - just sadness, too. “That will go down in the history books for us.” Images: TikTok

Relationships

‘Gone Girl’ fans can get their fix on killer-themed cruise

For fans of the author Gillian Flynn, the mind behind the thrilling novel Gone Girl, this cruise is for you. Flynn’s award-winning book, about a woman faking her own murder to frame her husband, earned actors Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike a string of accolades for their roles in the blockbuster adaptation. For those who can’t get enough of her stories, which include Sharp Objects and Dark Places, Flynn will be joining passengers on an eight-day cruise down the Danube River. “I am very excited about this,” Flynn told Today Extra. “Along the way I will be telling some stories and doing readings and answering questions about writing, anything about writing in general. “I’m always up to talk about books.” Flynn marked the ten-year anniversary of Gone Girl’s release in May, sharing with fans what a sequel could look like. “Today is the ten-year anniversary of Gone Girl. What am I thinking about?” she wrote on Instagram. “In Gone Girl chronology, Nick and Amy’s child would be close to 16 years old now. I keep wondering what a teenager raised by Amazing Amy would be like… and I’m chilled… in a good way.” Along with spending time with the acclaimed author, passengers on the cruise will be able to take part in various activities and day trips, as the cruise makes stops in Budapest, Visegrad, Vienna, Krems and Grein. The cruise, set to depart on September 15, will set passengers back $4,238 ($NZD 4,723) each and includes seven servings of breakfast and dinner, and six lunches. It is one of Avalon Waterways’ series of Storyteller cruises, with upcoming trips featuring comical novelist <a href="https://www.avalonwaterways.com/river-cruise/storybook-scenery-sarcasm-satire/WZA-T2/?season=2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christopher Moore</a> and musical group <a href="https://www.avalonwaterways.com/river-cruise/active-discovery-on-the-rhine-with-sister-hazel-northbound/WWA-T2/?season=2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sister Hazel</a>. To find out more about the killer cruise, head <a href="https://www.avalonwaterways.com.au/europe-river-cruises/active-discovery-on-the-danube-gillian-flynn-WBLT?season=2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Images: @thegillianflynn (Instagram)

Cruising

A quick guide to shiraz

A good shiraz is the perfect winter drop but how do you choose one and what is it like to drink? Here’s a few things to look for when choosing a shiraz. Winter may bring cold wind, rain and even snow depending on where you call home, but one great thing you can indulge in during the colder spell is a good red. With its strong, full-bodied flavour, a hearty shiraz is just the ticket to take the chill out of your bones. Shiraz is also known as syrah, so if you ever get over to Europe and feel like an intense red tipple, always ask them for a glass of syrah since the serving person may not know of it by another name. When poured, the colour can be anywhere between a medium red through to a rich purple/red to even a black in some varieties. Mint, spice, blackcurrant, aniseed, plum and chocolate are just some of the primary fruit characters you’ll be able to detect with shiraz. As the wine ages these flavours will evolve into more complex notes. Young varieties will often have a firm tannin taste, which means it tastes dry and comes out strongest around the middle of your tongue. For older wines, the tannins will be a little finer. Shiraz goes perfectly with red or game meat, so if you’re planning to have a big, juicy steak for dinner then pair it with a full-bodied glass of shiraz and you won’t be disappointed. Australia produces great reds, especially shiraz. South Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale have made steady names for themselves as regions which produce some great tasting reds. Gill Radford, co-owner of Barossa winery Radford Wines, reveals that while shiraz can be a great wine all-year round, it’s extra special in winter. “The colder months do create a lovely romantic notion of great, slow braised dishes, roaring fires and a feeling of nourishment and contentment that can only be appreciated with a great glass of red,” she says. When it comes to choosing a good shiraz, she said it will come down to personal preference in terms of palate and what you enjoy. However, it’s good to keep in mind the different varieties of shiraz depending on where it was produced. “Shiraz differs from region to region. For example, the Barossa makes really inky, deeply concentrated wines while Eden Valley (in the Barossa Ranges) tends to be more elegant and refined, while still harnessing its intensity,” she explains. Generally the cost of a bottle of wine is indicative of its quality, so more expensive wines tend to be aged longer in barrel. Younger, full-bodied varieties tend to have higher tannins and alcohol content. When it comes to pairing a shiraz with a meal, Ms Radford recommends a tasty French dish. “I’ve been known to go a little crazy for cassoulet – it’s a fabulous peasant dish that is really labourious but worth the effort,” she says. Image credits: Getty Images

Food & Wine

7 quick tips for cleaning your kitchen’s trickiest appliances

Microwave: Steam away messes Don’t waste elbow grease on the crusted messes in your microwave – just let them steam clean. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl. Add the lemon pieces to the bowl, along with 1/2 cup of water. Nuke the water and lemon for three minutes on high, or until the liquid starts to boil. Without opening the door, let the lemon water stand for five minutes. The lemony steam will help break down the gunk, making it easy to wipe off after you remove the bowl. Take out the turntable to clean it, then wipe down the top, bottom, sides and door of the microwave before putting it back. Blender: Let it self-clean Hate the idea of scrubbing every inch of the blade? Let your blender do all the dirty work. Fill the pitcher with hot water as soon as you’re done using it, add a couple drops of dishwashing liquid, and run the blender like you would for a recipe. Rinse it out and it will be ready for your next concoction. Just make sure you take the blender apart and give it a hands-on scrub every now and then for a deep clean. Slow cooker: Deep clean with baking soda A slow cooker makes food preparation easy, but the cleanup? Not so much. When your appliance has a mess that can’t be wiped away after a pre-soak, it’s time for a deep clean. Add ¼ cup of baking soda and a squirt of washing up liquid, then fill with water. Put the lid on, then turn the machine on high for two to four hours. Stand mixer: Use a wet rag Place a wet rag over areas with built-on food residue to loosen it. After a few minutes, the dried gunk should be softer and easier to wipe away. When cleaning the beater, let the attachment soak in water to help dissolve the mess before scrubbing it clean. Toaster: Target the crumb tray Don’t forget about that crumb tray, if your toaster has one. Slide it out and shake off the crumbs, or turn the whole machine upside down and shake lightly if it doesn’t have a removable tray. Wash and dry the tray before putting it back to get rid of any caked-on food. To clean out the inner corners of your toaster, reach in with a pastry or basting brush. Finish by wiping the outside with a damp cloth and mild detergent, or a bit of vinegar if it’s stainless steel. Stove hotplates: Try different tactics for gas vs. electric For a gas hotplate, unclog the port with a pin or unfolded paper clip. Then take off the removable parts of the cooktop and soak them in hot, soapy water. Scrub them clean, then rinse thoroughly. Wipe the cooktop with a damp, not wet, cloth to prevent water from leaking into the burner. Electric hotplates should never be submerged in water, so it can be hard to break down burnt spills, especially when washing up liquid isn’t strong enough. Combine baking soda and water until it has a paste consistency, then use the mixture to scrub the mess. Garbage disposal: Use lemon for a fresh scent If your disposal is starting to smell, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Get rid of grime in the grinding mechanics by pouring half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar, two cups of ice, and one cup of salt. With the cold water running, turn on the garbage disposal until the ice is gone. To freshen the odour, cut a lemon and grind the pieces one at a time in the disposal. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/home-tips/7-quick-tips-for-cleaning-your-kitchens-trickiest-appliances" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

You’re probably washing your hair wrong - here’s how to fix it

Unlike many other aspects of life, how to look after our hair isn’t necessarily something we’re taught to do. While there are plenty of tutorials, explainers and hacks for pulling off particular hairstyles, how-to’s for ensuring your hair is healthy (and looks it) seems to still be catching up. Hair expert Zoe Irwin says that many people who are washing hair incorrectly are even inadvertently damaging it, and has gone on a crusade to teach people how to care for their locks. Speaking to The Sun, the creative director at John Frieda Salons said hair is often more of an “afterthought” than other aspects of their physical wellbeing, such as skincare. “Your hair needs the same treatment in order to look its healthiest,” she says. To help your hair look its best and healthiest, here are some of Irwin’s top tips and advice across each stage of the hair-washing process. Less is more when it comes to shampoo According to Irwin, most of us use too much shampoo, and cutting back can not only save you money by making each bottle last longer but can lessen the amount of chemicals from shampoo that ends up in the environment. She suggests using only a small blob of shampoo - slightly smaller than a 50-cent coin - and to apply it by spreading the shampoo over your hand rather than directly onto your hair. This means that when you do wash your hair, the shampoo will be distributed more evenly. Irwin also discourages rubbing shampoo into your hair to create a lather, since your hair is at its most fragile when wet. Instead, massage your scalp by holding your head still and moving your fingers along your scalp. Use conditioner from tip to top After shampoo removes dirt and excess oil, conditioner comes in to nourish and replenish lost moisture - and there’s a way to apply it to avoid the dreaded feeling of a greasy scalp. Irwin says applying conditioner starting from the tips of the hair and working up to the top solves this problem, as the amount of product will dilute as you move towards your scalp. Take care when drying your hair Finally, Irwin says drying your hair should be done with care - avoiding too much friction of heat on your fragile locks. Instead of rubbing your hair dry with a towel, she suggests wrapping it in a towel or hair wrap and delicately pressing and patting the towel against your head. The longer you do this, the less amount of time you’ll need to use your hair dryer. When you do switch on your hair dryer, it’s best to use it in small sections of your hair on medium heat in circular motions. This helps your hair not only dry faster but also reduces the amount of heat damage inflicted. Wash intuitively and ditch the schedule As for how often to wash your hair, Irwin doesn’t say, but that’s because it's highly subjective. Though there is plenty of debate about washing hair daily, every couple days, once a week or even less frequently, it all comes down to how your hair behaves. Dermatologist Dr Iris Rubin told Cosmopolitan it’s best to shampoo hair as flakiness, excessive grease, itchiness or build-up start to crop up, rather than by following a regular schedule - with finer, straighter hair generally needing more frequent washes compared to thicker, curlier hair. Image: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

This $2 fix will save your feet next time you wear heels

Heels might make us look great and feel confident, but they can come at a cost to our hardworking feet, namely aches, pains, and even blisters. Rachel Clinkard, who works at family-run shoe retailer Charles Clinkard, is all too familiar with this situation - and she’s got an easy fix she swears works wonders. She says that all you need is a $2 roll-on deodorant, as reported by <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/bargain-29p-hack-stop-your-27221303" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mirror</a>. Clinkard claims that by applying some deodorant to the areas of your feet you think will rub while in heels, it will create a barrier between your skin and the shoe and help to prevent chafing. This hack can replace bandaids, plasters and other products like gel inserts. With deodorant going a long way, each application will be significantly cheaper than many of the alternatives too. Plus they smell great too! Image: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

7 easy bedtime fixes to help reduce belly bloat while you sleep

What causes belly bloat? Waking up with a bloated stomach is not a good feeling. But before you start blaming your puffy tummy on gas or PMT, you should know that bloating can also be a side effect of other conditions like diarrhoea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, or a food allergy or intolerance. For persistent belly bloat, seek a physician’s advice to get the help you need. Eat at the dinner table Lounging in bed while snacking is the perfect recipe for morning bloat. “If you lay down at night to munch, that allows gas to go down into your lower abdomen,” says Dr James Reynolds. “You should be sitting upright when you eat so if you do swallow excess air, it encourages the gas to go up and out versus down and in.” You should also eat slowly and avoid gulping your drink during your meals; inhaling your food and drinking while you eat can also increase air intake and up your risk for developing gas later on. Consuming vegetables like asparagus, bok choy and celery throughout the day are great options for keeping your belly bloat-free. Give your belly a massage Mum might have been onto something when she rubbed your belly as a kid to soothe a tummy ache. Sometimes bloating can be caused by constipation or problems in the gut, so gently massaging your stomach in bed may actually help move things along overnight. It increases your motility to move your hands along your gastrointestinal tract,” says gastroenterologist, Dr Judy Nee. Press along your colon, going from the right side of your lower abdomen up into your stomach area and down to the left side; this follows the path of the gastrointestinal tract. Dr Nee tells her patients to write out “I [heart] U” across their stomachs to ensure they massage their gastrointestinal tract in its entirety. Avoid taking vitamins before bed Some vitamin supplements have earned a bad rap for increased belly bloat because of certain ingredients. “Certain vitamin supplements have non-absorbable sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol syrups in them,” says gastroenterologist, Dr Alan Brijbassie. “These are non-digestible.” Since our body has trouble digesting sugar alcohols, additives and fillers found in some supplements, our gut bacteria have more time to feast on them and produce gas. A good ingredient label is typically short and sweet with easy-to-pronounce words that you know – if it looks like gibberish, chances are it contains additives or fillers. Steer clear of vitamins that list sugar alcohols, lactose and gluten as the ingredients (they may disguise them under words like food starch or wheat germ). An even better bet: get your vitamins and minerals from natural sources by eating a well-balanced diet. Do a low-intensity bedtime workout A small dose of light to moderate exercise before bed may just be the ticket to moving things along overnight and quelling any morning belly bloat. “Walking around or doing light exercise for 15 minutes after you eat increases your motility and moves the gastrointestinal tract along to help that feeling of bloating,” says Dr Nee. Try taking a 15-minute stroll around the neighbourhood after dinner or do some light yoga poses to relieve your digestive discomfort. Colour in an adult colouring book Stressing about that upcoming work presentation or job interview can put a real damper on your mood, hair, skin, heart, weight and even your belly. Your gut is extremely vulnerable to stress, which can cause changes in your motility and inflame your intestines, giving you that puffy, uncomfortable sensation in your stomach. Before bed, take a half-hour to decompress and rid your mind of any negativity or worries. Reading a book, writing in a journal, or dumping out the crayons to colour in an adult colouring book are just a few ways to put your mind – and stomach – at ease. Skip the nightcap “Carbonated beverages and beer are the two biggest culprits of bloating,” says Dr Brijbassie. “Stay away from drinking those at least two hours before bed.” Even better? Avoid all alcohol and food at least two hours before bed to give your digestive system a rest. It takes at least two to three hours for your stomach to empty itself out and laying down while your digestive enzymes are at work pulls the gas further into your abdomen. Drink peppermint tea Peppermint isn’t just reserved for minty fresh breath – it may also help relax the gastrointestinal tract and alleviate bloating. “A lot of the proof is anecdotal but it does help some people,” says Dr Brijbassie. “Peppermint oil [mixed with a little water] may also help the digestive enzymes break down food better.” Simply mix two to three drops of peppermint oil with a cup of hot water and drink up! But avoid sucking on peppermint candies or chewing gum because they may be loaded with sugar alcohols, which the bacteria in the small bowel ferments to produce gas and bloating. If you don’t consider yourself a peppermint person, try taking some artichoke leaf extract before bed. Written by Ashley Lewis. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/7-easy-bedtime-fixes-to-help-reduce-belly-bloat-while-you-sleep" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images

Body

”Fix the system not me”: A first for Australian Fashion Week

In a first for the yearly week-long display of new Aussie fashion, adaptive clothing has taken the fore through a show solely focused on the underrepresented sphere of fashion. Day four of <a href="https://aafw.com.au/index" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Fashion Week</a> saw a collective of designers take to the runway with fashionable garments that can be worn by both abled and disabled people and were modelled by the very people who inspired them. JAM and Christine Stephens, two designers whose designs were featured, share a mutual goal: to act as a voice for the adaptive designers collective and highlight the possibilities for stylish fashion that is inclusive. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdcVj66rDK8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdcVj66rDK8/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Australian Fashion Week (@ausfashionweek)</a> </div> </blockquote> “We want to give people living with disabilities a choice. A choice in fashion, a choice to be included and a choice to be heard,” Jessie Sadler and Carol Taylor, two designers for Christine Stephens, said in a press release. Taylor, the co-owner and lead designer of the fashion label, said the collection was inspired by a quadriplegic groom-to-be who “would never know what it would be like to unwrap his able-bodied bride”. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/05/fashion-week1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Models with disabilities took to the runway for the Adaptive Clothing Collective show. Image: Getty Images The outfits included multiple adaptive features, such as particularly magnetic button closures and zips to improve access for prosthetic users and even particularly contrasting colour choices. One model’s outfit, a sky-blue two-piece suit with contrasting magenta collars and inner linings, was inspired by their visual impairment that prevents them from distinguishing between darker colours, as reported by <a href="https://www.elle.com.au/fashion/adaptive-clothing-collective-australian-fashion-week-2022-27051" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elle Australia</a>. The runway featured disabled models throughout the show, including actress Chloé Hayden, who told <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/2022/05/10974587/adaptive-fashion-runway" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Refinery29</a> being asked to participate was an “out of this world” experience. “I grew up practising my model walk, doing personal little photo shoots, going to those Dolly model searches … I’m always jaw dropping at Australian Fashion Week,” she told the publication. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdcszIUBLKa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdcszIUBLKa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chloé Hayden (@chloeshayden)</a> </div> </blockquote> Following her appearance in the show, where she wore olive utility-style boots and a trench coat with the slogan ‘Fix the system, not me’, Hayden took to Instagram to share clips and her excitement. “Australian Fashion Week’s first adaptive runway. Let it not be the last,” she captioned the post. “More posts to come once I stop projectile crying and stimming.” Lisa Cox, an author, consultant and disability influencer who modelled for Christina Stephens, said the opportunity made her feel “seen” by the industry. “I feel more accepted and I feel seen by an industry that I haven’t felt a part of since I became disabled over 16 years ago … I feel both honoured and privileged to be part of such a landmark event in Australian fashion history,” she told Refinery29. Cox added that the absence of inclusivity in fashion has left her feeling unimportant and uncatered for - which she noted was also bad for those in the clothing business. “[It’s] offensive and it really hurts,” she said. “But on the other hand, people with disabilities are consumers too so that attitude is just bad business. My legs don’t work but my credit card does!” Emma Clegg and Molly Rogers, the creators of JAM the label, said the “universal design” of adaptive clothing is more comfortable, convenient and accessible for everyone, and encourage non-disabled people to also give them a try. "Purchasing from and supporting Australian inclusive [and] adaptive fashion brands will prove to the Australian fashion industry that there is the demand out there, and they need to be including people with disability throughout their businesses,” they told Refinery29. “It shouldn't be newsworthy that there is a designer with disabilities or clothes for people with disabilities at AAFW, but for now it must be celebrated,” Cox said. Whether you approach the issue from a position of fairness or business, with 20 percent of Australians living with a disability, it makes sense to design clothing that can be worn and enjoyed by everyone - and hopefully this show is just the first of many more. Here's a look at the styles appearing at the show. Image: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

"It was very quick": Children's entertainer dead at 29

Beloved children’s entertainer Chelsie Whibley has died at the age of 29. The actress, best known for her roles in Dani's House and Sadie J, was open about her battle with cystic fibrosis which caused mucus to build up in her lungs and function at 25 per cent. Her heartbroken husband Glyn Whibley shared the devastating news in a lengthy facebook post saying how wrong it felt waking up with her not there. “I cannot put into words the heartbreak I am now feeling without you here,” he wrote. “Waking up without you by my side just feels so wrong and I’m waiting to realise that this is all just a terrible dream… but sadly I know it is not. “From the first time we met I knew that this day would come but I knew you were the one I wanted to spend my life with…and it has been an incredible life…one that I would not change for anything in the world.” Glyn thanked Chelsie for being his inspiration and for bringing happiness into his life saying he would forever treasure their memories together. “You were such an inspiration to me and so many others, with such vigour and determination to prove the doctors wrong and keep living on. “We have made so many memories together that I will treasure for the rest of my life and I thank you for choosing me to share your life with! “You have brought such happiness to me and you will never know the true amount of love I had for you!” Glyn wished there was a different way to help Chelsie with all the suffering but knows she’s at peace “looking down on us”. “You were the love of my life and my bestest friend and I am going to miss you so so much! “I’m sorry we didn’t get the chance to go away in our caravan more and enjoy more times together… but those trips we did take will be sacred to me! “You are my absolute world and you will always be in my heart!! “I will look after your mum and help her through this devastating time along with the rest of your family… but at long last you can finally rest in peace without fear and discomfort. “I love you so much baby and will never forget you!! I can’t believe I’m actually writing all this but I know you’re still with me in spirit looking after me!! “Until we meet again my beautiful wife… I love you!!!!!!!! X x x” Image: Facebook

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”Fix the system not me”: A first for Australian Fashion Week

"It was very quick": Children's entertainer dead at 29