The real reason Aussies can't sleep – and what to do about it
Social media, perimenopause and poor diet are just some of the obstacles to getting good shut-eye. That's according to the 2025 Body+Soul Sleep Report.
Luckily, there are workarounds to help you sleep like a baby (well, maybe not a baby, but almost). So we have tracked down the expert-backed solutions to a better night's slumber
Dreaming of better sleep? So is half the country. Despite all the calming apps we download, sleepy tisanes we brew and 'rules' we follow (you know the ones – don't drink alcohol close to bedtime, keep your bedroom at 21 degrees Celsius etc etc) an alarming number of Aussies report having poor or inadequate sleep.
According to Body+Soul's 2025 Sleep Report, more than one in three of us clock six hours of sleep or less per night, while two in three of the people we surveyed admit that a lack of quality sleep affects their focus or performance at work at least once a week, every week.
Despite regularly being affected by poor shut-eye, responses to our indepth survey revealed that one in four of us aren't doing anything to improve our sleep quality. So all in the name of better slumber, here's what we found is keeping the nation up at night — and what the experts say we can do about it. Ready? Then let's begin.
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The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
"I was a high-functioning drinker": the silent risk few know about
A popular consumable entrenched in Australian culture may make us feel good at the time, but it's slowly destroying our health, yet the federal government's known for decades. Reaching for a bottle of pinot or a can of tasty pale ale may come with confronting warnings (just as cigarettes do) in the near future, with experts pushing for the truth to be brought into the light. In 1988, alcohol was revealed to be as toxic as asbestos, radiation and tobacco, and labelled a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet it's a widely unknown fact. Read more from The Senior: Cancer survivor Belinda Stark, 56, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, described herself as a "high-functioning heavy drinker" before becoming sober three years ago. She now wonders whether her lifestyle contributed to her diagnosis. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, and I knew there was a slight [cancer] risk, but I chose to put my head in the sand and continue to drink," the women's alcohol coach said. "My GP, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons - not one ever asked me how much I drank or if I should stop drinking." Ms Stark is concerned others battling cancer still aren't being warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol, or if it puts them at a higher risk of the disease returning. "A lot of women my age treat it as a reward or an escape," she said. "[Especially women with menopause], alcohol was like pouring gas on the fire." Around one in three people (31per cent or 6.6 million Aussies) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022-2023, according to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). Researchers from the University of NSW are pushing the Federal Government for mandatory warning labels on all alcohol products so people can make informed choices. University of NSW Research Officer of the Drug Policy Modelling Program, Dr Sarah Clifford, said the labels were more 'palatable' than reducing trading hours or price increases. "People like to be able to make their own decisions and I think providing evidence on a label is a good way to enable that," she said. Dr Clifford added that labels don't victim-blame and were accessible to everyone. In 2019, Canada had a short-lived campaign putting cancer warning labels on alcohol, before the alcohol industry threatened to sue. At the same time, South Korea warned of liver cancer on its alcohol products. But in a world first, Ireland pledged in 2018 it would mandate labels stating "a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers" on all alcohol products from May 2026, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. This has now been delayed three years after the alcohol industry lobbied the Government and fears of increased trade tariffs with the USA, according to the Irish Post. Cancer Institute NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Professor Tracey O'Brien told The Senior it's the ethanol in alcohol that is the cancer-causing compound because when the body breaks it down, it becomes "a toxic chemical which can damage the DNA of cells". "Drinking alcohol is linked to eight different types of cancer including breast, liver and stomach cancer and causes an estimated 5800 cancer cases in Australia each year," she said. The other cancers linked to alcohol consumption are mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus and bowel. Caroline Bellenger, 56, from the Gold Coast, gave up drinking 16 years ago after it nearly "destroyed" her life. "I just partied a lot right through to my 30s," she said. "I wouldn't have stopped drinking if there had been labels because I smoked too and I knew that was bad." But after drinking more at home after the birth of her child, Ms Bellenger became addicted and checked into rehab. Now she has a life full of fitness, a successful business as a corporate wellness speaker, and "positive relationships". "I've lost a father and a brother to cancer, but I never, at any point, connected alcohol to cancer," she said. Ms Bellenger believes the younger generation are now more health-conscious and having labels could impact them. Cancer Council Deputy Chair of Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, Julia Stafford, said it's "very well established" that alcohol causes cancer and it wouldn't cost the Government much to implement warning labels. "It's a no-brainer for governments to be working towards requiring the alcohol industry to include mandated, standardised, tested, noticeable health warning messages on alcohol products," she said. Ms Stafford said both the alcohol and advertising industries are "largely left to write their own rules" on how alcohol is marketed, especially around sport. "That does nothing to protect the community ... particularly young people," she said. Many consumers of alcohol have been led to believe certain types are healthy - such as products that are low in carbs, gluten-free, have antioxidants or are low in sugar. But as long as a drink contains the alcohol, it is considered unhealthy, according to research. "The only people who benefit from that myth that red wine is good for you, is the alcohol industry," Ms Stafford said. Professor O'Brien believes there is "no level of alcohol" that is completely safe and every drink consumed can increase a person's chance of getting cancer. "There is evidence that among NSW adults aged over 45 years, the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer increases by 10 per cent with every seven standard drinks consumed per week," she said. Other countries have specific guides on alcohol consumption and diseases, such as Canada, which states: "3 to 6 standard drinks per week, your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level." The problem with Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines, is it isn't cancer specific and all alcohol-related diseases are thrown in together. University of NSW Drug Policy Modelling Program Senior Research Fellow Dr Claire Wilkinson said it took 16 years to get warning labels telling Australians the danger of drinking while pregnant. "If we want to introduce a cancer warning label, we have to be aware that it occurs in this very politicised area where there's a lot of money involved, " she said. "It's likely also to face resistance in being implemented." The University of NSW academics said labels in Australia could take at least eight years to be approved and implemented by the government - and that is the best-case scenario. "I think it's worth being aware of the fact that governments do receive lobbying and donation from these [alcohol] groups," Dr Clifford said. But for all the money the Government raises from alcohol sales is just a drop in the ocean to the real cost to society. The estimated social cost of alcohol was a whopping $66.8 billion in 2017 - 2018, which includes healthcare, crime and lost productivity, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But only $7.5 billion was the expected alcohol duty to be paid to the Government for 2022-23, the ATO states. Sydney-based Feng Shui Master Jane Langof has been sober for nearly 20-years because of health reasons and its link to cancer. "I used to go to breast cancer parties where they were raising money," she said. "It was called Bubbles and Boobs. How ironic is that? "They're trying to raise money for cancer, [with one of the] biggest carcinogens." Knowing alcohol can also contribute significantly to weight gain, giving up alcohol was easy for Ms Langof. "I'd rather eat my calories than drink them," she said. For anyone thinking of giving up drinking but finding it hard, Ms Bellenger wants them to know what a rich life is waiting for them. "I don't feel like I've given up anything. I feel like I've gained a lot more," she said. Do you or someone you know have a problem with drinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A popular consumable entrenched in Australian culture may make us feel good at the time, but it's slowly destroying our health, yet the federal government's known for decades. Reaching for a bottle of pinot or a can of tasty pale ale may come with confronting warnings (just as cigarettes do) in the near future, with experts pushing for the truth to be brought into the light. In 1988, alcohol was revealed to be as toxic as asbestos, radiation and tobacco, and labelled a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet it's a widely unknown fact. Read more from The Senior: Cancer survivor Belinda Stark, 56, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, described herself as a "high-functioning heavy drinker" before becoming sober three years ago. She now wonders whether her lifestyle contributed to her diagnosis. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, and I knew there was a slight [cancer] risk, but I chose to put my head in the sand and continue to drink," the women's alcohol coach said. "My GP, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons - not one ever asked me how much I drank or if I should stop drinking." Ms Stark is concerned others battling cancer still aren't being warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol, or if it puts them at a higher risk of the disease returning. "A lot of women my age treat it as a reward or an escape," she said. "[Especially women with menopause], alcohol was like pouring gas on the fire." Around one in three people (31per cent or 6.6 million Aussies) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022-2023, according to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). Researchers from the University of NSW are pushing the Federal Government for mandatory warning labels on all alcohol products so people can make informed choices. University of NSW Research Officer of the Drug Policy Modelling Program, Dr Sarah Clifford, said the labels were more 'palatable' than reducing trading hours or price increases. "People like to be able to make their own decisions and I think providing evidence on a label is a good way to enable that," she said. Dr Clifford added that labels don't victim-blame and were accessible to everyone. In 2019, Canada had a short-lived campaign putting cancer warning labels on alcohol, before the alcohol industry threatened to sue. At the same time, South Korea warned of liver cancer on its alcohol products. But in a world first, Ireland pledged in 2018 it would mandate labels stating "a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers" on all alcohol products from May 2026, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. This has now been delayed three years after the alcohol industry lobbied the Government and fears of increased trade tariffs with the USA, according to the Irish Post. Cancer Institute NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Professor Tracey O'Brien told The Senior it's the ethanol in alcohol that is the cancer-causing compound because when the body breaks it down, it becomes "a toxic chemical which can damage the DNA of cells". "Drinking alcohol is linked to eight different types of cancer including breast, liver and stomach cancer and causes an estimated 5800 cancer cases in Australia each year," she said. The other cancers linked to alcohol consumption are mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus and bowel. Caroline Bellenger, 56, from the Gold Coast, gave up drinking 16 years ago after it nearly "destroyed" her life. "I just partied a lot right through to my 30s," she said. "I wouldn't have stopped drinking if there had been labels because I smoked too and I knew that was bad." But after drinking more at home after the birth of her child, Ms Bellenger became addicted and checked into rehab. Now she has a life full of fitness, a successful business as a corporate wellness speaker, and "positive relationships". "I've lost a father and a brother to cancer, but I never, at any point, connected alcohol to cancer," she said. Ms Bellenger believes the younger generation are now more health-conscious and having labels could impact them. Cancer Council Deputy Chair of Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, Julia Stafford, said it's "very well established" that alcohol causes cancer and it wouldn't cost the Government much to implement warning labels. "It's a no-brainer for governments to be working towards requiring the alcohol industry to include mandated, standardised, tested, noticeable health warning messages on alcohol products," she said. Ms Stafford said both the alcohol and advertising industries are "largely left to write their own rules" on how alcohol is marketed, especially around sport. "That does nothing to protect the community ... particularly young people," she said. Many consumers of alcohol have been led to believe certain types are healthy - such as products that are low in carbs, gluten-free, have antioxidants or are low in sugar. But as long as a drink contains the alcohol, it is considered unhealthy, according to research. "The only people who benefit from that myth that red wine is good for you, is the alcohol industry," Ms Stafford said. Professor O'Brien believes there is "no level of alcohol" that is completely safe and every drink consumed can increase a person's chance of getting cancer. "There is evidence that among NSW adults aged over 45 years, the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer increases by 10 per cent with every seven standard drinks consumed per week," she said. Other countries have specific guides on alcohol consumption and diseases, such as Canada, which states: "3 to 6 standard drinks per week, your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level." The problem with Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines, is it isn't cancer specific and all alcohol-related diseases are thrown in together. University of NSW Drug Policy Modelling Program Senior Research Fellow Dr Claire Wilkinson said it took 16 years to get warning labels telling Australians the danger of drinking while pregnant. "If we want to introduce a cancer warning label, we have to be aware that it occurs in this very politicised area where there's a lot of money involved, " she said. "It's likely also to face resistance in being implemented." The University of NSW academics said labels in Australia could take at least eight years to be approved and implemented by the government - and that is the best-case scenario. "I think it's worth being aware of the fact that governments do receive lobbying and donation from these [alcohol] groups," Dr Clifford said. But for all the money the Government raises from alcohol sales is just a drop in the ocean to the real cost to society. The estimated social cost of alcohol was a whopping $66.8 billion in 2017 - 2018, which includes healthcare, crime and lost productivity, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But only $7.5 billion was the expected alcohol duty to be paid to the Government for 2022-23, the ATO states. Sydney-based Feng Shui Master Jane Langof has been sober for nearly 20-years because of health reasons and its link to cancer. "I used to go to breast cancer parties where they were raising money," she said. "It was called Bubbles and Boobs. How ironic is that? "They're trying to raise money for cancer, [with one of the] biggest carcinogens." Knowing alcohol can also contribute significantly to weight gain, giving up alcohol was easy for Ms Langof. "I'd rather eat my calories than drink them," she said. For anyone thinking of giving up drinking but finding it hard, Ms Bellenger wants them to know what a rich life is waiting for them. "I don't feel like I've given up anything. I feel like I've gained a lot more," she said. Do you or someone you know have a problem with drinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A popular consumable entrenched in Australian culture may make us feel good at the time, but it's slowly destroying our health, yet the federal government's known for decades. Reaching for a bottle of pinot or a can of tasty pale ale may come with confronting warnings (just as cigarettes do) in the near future, with experts pushing for the truth to be brought into the light. In 1988, alcohol was revealed to be as toxic as asbestos, radiation and tobacco, and labelled a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet it's a widely unknown fact. Read more from The Senior: Cancer survivor Belinda Stark, 56, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, described herself as a "high-functioning heavy drinker" before becoming sober three years ago. She now wonders whether her lifestyle contributed to her diagnosis. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, and I knew there was a slight [cancer] risk, but I chose to put my head in the sand and continue to drink," the women's alcohol coach said. "My GP, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons - not one ever asked me how much I drank or if I should stop drinking." Ms Stark is concerned others battling cancer still aren't being warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol, or if it puts them at a higher risk of the disease returning. "A lot of women my age treat it as a reward or an escape," she said. "[Especially women with menopause], alcohol was like pouring gas on the fire." Around one in three people (31per cent or 6.6 million Aussies) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022-2023, according to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). Researchers from the University of NSW are pushing the Federal Government for mandatory warning labels on all alcohol products so people can make informed choices. University of NSW Research Officer of the Drug Policy Modelling Program, Dr Sarah Clifford, said the labels were more 'palatable' than reducing trading hours or price increases. "People like to be able to make their own decisions and I think providing evidence on a label is a good way to enable that," she said. Dr Clifford added that labels don't victim-blame and were accessible to everyone. In 2019, Canada had a short-lived campaign putting cancer warning labels on alcohol, before the alcohol industry threatened to sue. At the same time, South Korea warned of liver cancer on its alcohol products. But in a world first, Ireland pledged in 2018 it would mandate labels stating "a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers" on all alcohol products from May 2026, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. This has now been delayed three years after the alcohol industry lobbied the Government and fears of increased trade tariffs with the USA, according to the Irish Post. Cancer Institute NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Professor Tracey O'Brien told The Senior it's the ethanol in alcohol that is the cancer-causing compound because when the body breaks it down, it becomes "a toxic chemical which can damage the DNA of cells". "Drinking alcohol is linked to eight different types of cancer including breast, liver and stomach cancer and causes an estimated 5800 cancer cases in Australia each year," she said. The other cancers linked to alcohol consumption are mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus and bowel. Caroline Bellenger, 56, from the Gold Coast, gave up drinking 16 years ago after it nearly "destroyed" her life. "I just partied a lot right through to my 30s," she said. "I wouldn't have stopped drinking if there had been labels because I smoked too and I knew that was bad." But after drinking more at home after the birth of her child, Ms Bellenger became addicted and checked into rehab. Now she has a life full of fitness, a successful business as a corporate wellness speaker, and "positive relationships". "I've lost a father and a brother to cancer, but I never, at any point, connected alcohol to cancer," she said. Ms Bellenger believes the younger generation are now more health-conscious and having labels could impact them. Cancer Council Deputy Chair of Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, Julia Stafford, said it's "very well established" that alcohol causes cancer and it wouldn't cost the Government much to implement warning labels. "It's a no-brainer for governments to be working towards requiring the alcohol industry to include mandated, standardised, tested, noticeable health warning messages on alcohol products," she said. Ms Stafford said both the alcohol and advertising industries are "largely left to write their own rules" on how alcohol is marketed, especially around sport. "That does nothing to protect the community ... particularly young people," she said. Many consumers of alcohol have been led to believe certain types are healthy - such as products that are low in carbs, gluten-free, have antioxidants or are low in sugar. But as long as a drink contains the alcohol, it is considered unhealthy, according to research. "The only people who benefit from that myth that red wine is good for you, is the alcohol industry," Ms Stafford said. Professor O'Brien believes there is "no level of alcohol" that is completely safe and every drink consumed can increase a person's chance of getting cancer. "There is evidence that among NSW adults aged over 45 years, the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer increases by 10 per cent with every seven standard drinks consumed per week," she said. Other countries have specific guides on alcohol consumption and diseases, such as Canada, which states: "3 to 6 standard drinks per week, your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level." The problem with Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines, is it isn't cancer specific and all alcohol-related diseases are thrown in together. University of NSW Drug Policy Modelling Program Senior Research Fellow Dr Claire Wilkinson said it took 16 years to get warning labels telling Australians the danger of drinking while pregnant. "If we want to introduce a cancer warning label, we have to be aware that it occurs in this very politicised area where there's a lot of money involved, " she said. "It's likely also to face resistance in being implemented." The University of NSW academics said labels in Australia could take at least eight years to be approved and implemented by the government - and that is the best-case scenario. "I think it's worth being aware of the fact that governments do receive lobbying and donation from these [alcohol] groups," Dr Clifford said. But for all the money the Government raises from alcohol sales is just a drop in the ocean to the real cost to society. The estimated social cost of alcohol was a whopping $66.8 billion in 2017 - 2018, which includes healthcare, crime and lost productivity, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But only $7.5 billion was the expected alcohol duty to be paid to the Government for 2022-23, the ATO states. Sydney-based Feng Shui Master Jane Langof has been sober for nearly 20-years because of health reasons and its link to cancer. "I used to go to breast cancer parties where they were raising money," she said. "It was called Bubbles and Boobs. How ironic is that? "They're trying to raise money for cancer, [with one of the] biggest carcinogens." Knowing alcohol can also contribute significantly to weight gain, giving up alcohol was easy for Ms Langof. "I'd rather eat my calories than drink them," she said. For anyone thinking of giving up drinking but finding it hard, Ms Bellenger wants them to know what a rich life is waiting for them. "I don't feel like I've given up anything. I feel like I've gained a lot more," she said. Do you or someone you know have a problem with drinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A popular consumable entrenched in Australian culture may make us feel good at the time, but it's slowly destroying our health, yet the federal government's known for decades. Reaching for a bottle of pinot or a can of tasty pale ale may come with confronting warnings (just as cigarettes do) in the near future, with experts pushing for the truth to be brought into the light. In 1988, alcohol was revealed to be as toxic as asbestos, radiation and tobacco, and labelled a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet it's a widely unknown fact. Read more from The Senior: Cancer survivor Belinda Stark, 56, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, described herself as a "high-functioning heavy drinker" before becoming sober three years ago. She now wonders whether her lifestyle contributed to her diagnosis. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, and I knew there was a slight [cancer] risk, but I chose to put my head in the sand and continue to drink," the women's alcohol coach said. "My GP, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons - not one ever asked me how much I drank or if I should stop drinking." Ms Stark is concerned others battling cancer still aren't being warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol, or if it puts them at a higher risk of the disease returning. "A lot of women my age treat it as a reward or an escape," she said. "[Especially women with menopause], alcohol was like pouring gas on the fire." Around one in three people (31per cent or 6.6 million Aussies) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022-2023, according to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). Researchers from the University of NSW are pushing the Federal Government for mandatory warning labels on all alcohol products so people can make informed choices. University of NSW Research Officer of the Drug Policy Modelling Program, Dr Sarah Clifford, said the labels were more 'palatable' than reducing trading hours or price increases. "People like to be able to make their own decisions and I think providing evidence on a label is a good way to enable that," she said. Dr Clifford added that labels don't victim-blame and were accessible to everyone. In 2019, Canada had a short-lived campaign putting cancer warning labels on alcohol, before the alcohol industry threatened to sue. At the same time, South Korea warned of liver cancer on its alcohol products. But in a world first, Ireland pledged in 2018 it would mandate labels stating "a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers" on all alcohol products from May 2026, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. This has now been delayed three years after the alcohol industry lobbied the Government and fears of increased trade tariffs with the USA, according to the Irish Post. Cancer Institute NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Professor Tracey O'Brien told The Senior it's the ethanol in alcohol that is the cancer-causing compound because when the body breaks it down, it becomes "a toxic chemical which can damage the DNA of cells". "Drinking alcohol is linked to eight different types of cancer including breast, liver and stomach cancer and causes an estimated 5800 cancer cases in Australia each year," she said. The other cancers linked to alcohol consumption are mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus and bowel. Caroline Bellenger, 56, from the Gold Coast, gave up drinking 16 years ago after it nearly "destroyed" her life. "I just partied a lot right through to my 30s," she said. "I wouldn't have stopped drinking if there had been labels because I smoked too and I knew that was bad." But after drinking more at home after the birth of her child, Ms Bellenger became addicted and checked into rehab. Now she has a life full of fitness, a successful business as a corporate wellness speaker, and "positive relationships". "I've lost a father and a brother to cancer, but I never, at any point, connected alcohol to cancer," she said. Ms Bellenger believes the younger generation are now more health-conscious and having labels could impact them. Cancer Council Deputy Chair of Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, Julia Stafford, said it's "very well established" that alcohol causes cancer and it wouldn't cost the Government much to implement warning labels. "It's a no-brainer for governments to be working towards requiring the alcohol industry to include mandated, standardised, tested, noticeable health warning messages on alcohol products," she said. Ms Stafford said both the alcohol and advertising industries are "largely left to write their own rules" on how alcohol is marketed, especially around sport. "That does nothing to protect the community ... particularly young people," she said. Many consumers of alcohol have been led to believe certain types are healthy - such as products that are low in carbs, gluten-free, have antioxidants or are low in sugar. But as long as a drink contains the alcohol, it is considered unhealthy, according to research. "The only people who benefit from that myth that red wine is good for you, is the alcohol industry," Ms Stafford said. Professor O'Brien believes there is "no level of alcohol" that is completely safe and every drink consumed can increase a person's chance of getting cancer. "There is evidence that among NSW adults aged over 45 years, the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer increases by 10 per cent with every seven standard drinks consumed per week," she said. Other countries have specific guides on alcohol consumption and diseases, such as Canada, which states: "3 to 6 standard drinks per week, your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level." The problem with Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines, is it isn't cancer specific and all alcohol-related diseases are thrown in together. University of NSW Drug Policy Modelling Program Senior Research Fellow Dr Claire Wilkinson said it took 16 years to get warning labels telling Australians the danger of drinking while pregnant. "If we want to introduce a cancer warning label, we have to be aware that it occurs in this very politicised area where there's a lot of money involved, " she said. "It's likely also to face resistance in being implemented." The University of NSW academics said labels in Australia could take at least eight years to be approved and implemented by the government - and that is the best-case scenario. "I think it's worth being aware of the fact that governments do receive lobbying and donation from these [alcohol] groups," Dr Clifford said. But for all the money the Government raises from alcohol sales is just a drop in the ocean to the real cost to society. The estimated social cost of alcohol was a whopping $66.8 billion in 2017 - 2018, which includes healthcare, crime and lost productivity, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But only $7.5 billion was the expected alcohol duty to be paid to the Government for 2022-23, the ATO states. Sydney-based Feng Shui Master Jane Langof has been sober for nearly 20-years because of health reasons and its link to cancer. "I used to go to breast cancer parties where they were raising money," she said. "It was called Bubbles and Boobs. How ironic is that? "They're trying to raise money for cancer, [with one of the] biggest carcinogens." Knowing alcohol can also contribute significantly to weight gain, giving up alcohol was easy for Ms Langof. "I'd rather eat my calories than drink them," she said. For anyone thinking of giving up drinking but finding it hard, Ms Bellenger wants them to know what a rich life is waiting for them. "I don't feel like I've given up anything. I feel like I've gained a lot more," she said. Do you or someone you know have a problem with drinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Best weight loss program in Australia: The proven solution helping Aussies shed kilos fast
Struggling for motivation this winter? You're not alone. Dark evenings and cold temperatures make it more tempting than ever to stay indoors and fuel up on carbs. But the arrival of spring in a matter of weeks has Aussies turning to a 'miracle' weight loss program. Offering a solution to shifting stubborn kilos while still eating your favourite foods like pizza, ice cream and doughnuts, this balanced program has been a game-changer for thousands. Train With Ash is a growing online community helps Aussies transform their bodies. One member that had incredible results is 40-year-old mum Lani, who lost a whopping 25kg while eating her favourite foods, including chocolate. After feeling trapped in a cycle of restrictive dieting and gruelling workouts, Leilani joined Train with Ash's Fat Loss Forever program — and never looked back. She uncovered a different approach to weight loss, one that showed her how eating more and training smarter could actually help her shed kilos. Of course she isn't the only one to experience an incredible transformation thanks to Train With Ash. 53-year-old Lisa joined the community back in May 2024 after hitting breaking point. Looking back at her 'before' photo, she sees a woman in pain, hiding behind food, carrying shame and feeling like a failure. But her journey has been incredible, both physically and mentally. Lisa has now rebuilt her confidence, found a peaceful relationship with food and learned how to nourish her body without punishment. Feeling strong, capable and in charge of her future, her journey is more than just a physical transformation. Train With Ash is a growing online community that attracts thousands of people each intake thanks to its balanced nutrition and minimal training approach. Founded by Ash Lane, the multi-million-dollar coaching business changes the lives (and waistlines) of thousands. Unlike traditional programs that rely on restrictions, Train With Ash is designed to fit into the lives of busy, everyday women, especially mums juggling it all. The 12-week weight loss program does this without restriction, deprivation and tactics. Instead, it's centred around your mindset, your fitness and non-restrictive dieting. With the next free five-day challenge beginning September 1 — you could be the next to transform your body and mind. Train With Ash is hugely successful for thousands of Aussies across the country, and was built off Ash's own weight loss journey. — hours in the gym, cutting carbs, skipping cake at birthday parties, and counting every calorie. 'I thought that's what it took to get results,' she tells Best Picks. 'But I was miserable, and the moment I stopped, the weight would come back.' After years of trial, error, and education, Ash discovered the science behind fat loss — and realised women didn't need to live in a cycle of restriction and guilt. Instead of deprivation, women needed sustainable nutrition, minimal but effective training and education — so people understood why this approach works. 'Training? Just three sessions a week — and no, you don't have to live in activewear or cancel dinner with friends to make it work,' Ash says. What started as a small coaching business from Ash's home office is now a massive online movement. Thousands of women around the country are dedicated to Train With Ash, with hundreds sharing their success stories and progress shots. 'I want women to know they can have the body, health, and confidence they want — without giving up the things they love,' Ash says. 'It's not about punishment. It's about a plan that fits your life, not the other way around.' The next free five-day challenge starts on September 1. For more information and to get involved, head here now. Typical day on a plate with Train With Ash
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
BTN Newsbreak 14/08/2025
CYBERCRIME REPORT A new report from the Australian Institute of Criminology has found that nearly half of Australians experienced cybercrime last year. Yeah, the digital world provides a lot of opportunities for crafty criminals, and a lot of Aussies are getting caught out. See, the Australian Institute of Criminology or the AIC has just released its latest cybercrime report and found that around 47% of us have been the victim of a cybercrime in the last 12 months, with identity theft, malware, and scams being some of the most common crimes. While some people said they were pretty tech savvy, the AIC reckons this confidence could be why some people are letting their guard down. So as cybercrime becomes more sophisticated, the AIC is calling for Aussies to stay safe online by remembering to always install the latest software updates, use unique passwords, and enable multifactor authentication wherever you can. EUROPE WILDFIRES Countries in southern Europe have been battling extreme wildfires. Thousands of people have been evacuated as firefighters and volunteers battle the intense blazes in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Türkiye and the Balkans, which are being fanned by a record-breaking heatwave and strong winds. At least 3 people have died, and authorities say the extreme heat will likely continue over the coming days, prompting some countries to call for urgent aid from the European Union. HAIR TOOTHPASTE We all know it's important to brush our teeth, and scientists in London reckon they've now come up with the ultimate tooth protecting toothpaste which is made from hair! According to Scientists from King's College in London, hair could be the key to good oral health! Sort of. See, our teeth are coated in a natural protective layer called Enamel, but when Enamel gets damaged from things like acidic food and drink, poor oral hygiene and ageing, it doesn't repair itself and can lead to tooth decay, pain, and eventually losing teeth completely! But hair contains a protein called Keratin, and the King's College scientists found that when Keratin comes into contact with minerals in saliva, it forms a crystal-like protective coating similar to enamel. But it's a little more complicated than just putting hair in your mouth. The Keratin is actually extracted, and can then be used as a gel, or toothpaste. Keratin doesn't just come from human hair either, but also skin and animal wool. While the scientists reckon hair toothpaste will transform dentistry, it won't be available for another two or three years, so, in the meantime hair styles and good smiles won't have any crossover. DUST SLIPPER First up, to slippers made out of an unusual material: dust. Yeah, I'm talking vacuumed fresh off the floor, household dust. Rahat is a design graduate from Ravensbourne uni in London, and says he takes out bits of hair, sticks and other debris before flattening it out and heating his dust fabric to kill bacteria. BAKED BEAN RECORD And finally to the moment these four gentlemen broke the world record for eating the most baked beans with a toothpick in 3 minutes. That's David Rush, who's a bit of a world record legend, he currently holds more than 300 titles! Including this one, now.
