Latest news with #selfcare
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Aussie influencer Sam Guggenheimer: Social media is a highlight reel
Influencer Sam Guggenheimer, who boasts hundreds of thousands of online followers, is urging people to protect their wellbeing by not comparing their lives to the 'highlight reels' we see on social media. The 23-year-old has opened up about the mental health struggles she has experienced since her early teens as part of New Corp Australia's Can We Talk? campaign, in partnership with Medibank. 'From depression to anxiety and overcoming an aggressive eating disorder, mental health challenges have been a constant part of my journey,' Guggenheimer said. 'They've shaped me into the person I am today. 'Although some of the darkest days felt never-ending, there was always a part of me that knew there was light at the end of the tunnel.' In a job with no set hours, thepopular podcasterwho has more than 349,000 followers on TikTok said her mental lows could manifest as fatigue, where even simple tasks felt draining and overwhelming. 'During these times, I struggle to focus, feel unmotivated, and notice a real dip in my creativity,' she said. Guggenheimer, who is based in Melbourne, said she could lose interest in usually joyful activities and sometimes felt 'stuck, just going through the motions without real purpose'. But she has been candid with her followers about her struggles — something she has found 'incredibly powerful'. 'It not only helps me feel less alone but also provides other girls with the reassurance that life isn't perfect and polished all the time — and that's okay,' she said. Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our younger generations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needs to have the most important conversation of their life. Guggenheimer said she had worked 'really hard' to improve her mental health, and found that have a strong routine was 'crucial' for maintaining a stable mindset. 'I've fallen in love with the gym and working out, and being physically active every day has truly transformed my self-esteem and my belief in my ability to overcome challenges,' she explained. Guggenheimer said with so much access to people's 'curated lives online', it was easy to fall into the trap of comparison. 'This often leads to feelings of isolation and makes it harder to form real, meaningful connections, which can take a toll on self-esteem,' she said Guggenheimer said she resonated deeply with the 'Can We Talk?' message because it encouraged tough, honest conversations. 'Being vulnerable, whether online or in real life, can feel daunting, but it also creates real connection and understanding,' she said. 'It reminds everyone that no one's life is perfect — and having these conversations can truly save lives.' Her advice to others struggling was 'be kind to yourself'. 'We are often our own worst critics and can be incredibly harsh on ourselves — in ways we would never treat another person,' she said. 'Don't beat yourself up over mistakes or imperfections; show yourself the same care and compassion you would offer someone you love.' She encouraged people to build positive and sustainable habits for their wellbeing. 'Whether it's signing up for a new gym program, going for a walk to your local cafe every morning, or setting aside time for activities you love — physical movement … releases endorphins and boosts your mood naturally,' she said. 'Lastly, lean on the people around you. 'Build and nurture your real-life relationships. 'Remember: what you see online is often just a highlight reel.'
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Overwhelmed At Work? 5 Steps To A More Sustainable Workload
I find myself working before 9am and after 5pm on my own stuff because when I'm at work it's too hard to concentrate. I'm frequently interrupted by my colleagues, and a big part of my job is being available to others -- I oversee a bunch of things -- so I need to be available. How do I make a more sustainable routine? - Editor Working overtime should be an exception and not the default if you're going to have any semblance of personal and professional balance. While many jobs entail managing or collaborating with others, if you find that it's a full-time job to attend to your colleagues, you need to assert stronger boundaries or you're just working on their schedule, not yours. Finally, if you're fitting in your own work at the margins of your day, you're probably not giving your best energy to it. Improving balance, setting boundaries, and assigning the most energetic part of your day to your most important work will help you make your workload more sustainable. Here are five steps to take now: Pick one good habit at a time to adopt for better sleep, exercise, diet and stress management (e.g., sticking to a bedtime routine, hitting X steps each week, eating at least one fruit per day, meditating in the morning). Starting with self-care allows you to flex your change muscle and introduce something new to your routine without disrupting your work. At the same time, you're building a stronger foundation that will make it easier to disrupt your work for the better. You have to be your biggest advocate against burnout. Experiment with reducing your availability to interruptions by following specific practices that signal to others you shouldn't be disturbed. This can be as simple as hanging a sign on your door (or cubicle) that says, 'Do not disturb', 'Please don't interrupt' or 'Working on deadline'. If you're worried that's not friendly enough, you can add a specific time for people to come back (e.g., 'Check back in 30 minutes'). If you have an office with multiple spaces, make it a habit to leave your regular workspace and go somewhere away from your colleagues. Block your online calendar so meetings can't be scheduled at all times of day. Whatever you decide to carve out uninterrupted time, start with 30 minutes three times a week and work up to dedicated blocks of focused time every day. Interruptions from colleagues might be the key reason this editor's other work is spilling into overtime. However, they also might have a To Do list that is unrealistic and could be pared down. To pare down your task list and still protect your job, get clear on what your manager prioritizes from you. Some projects or clients are more important than others, and some ongoing tasks count more than others. For this editor, it might be publishing a certain number of stories on a set cadence, submitting a status report on audience analytics or moving forward on a long-term research assignment. These tasks should get the dedicated blocks of focused times, and other tasks (e.g., filing more than the minimum of stories) fall off. At some point, you can take on more because ad hoc projects finish or you get more efficient with your output, but don't work overtime until you know it's on something that matters. You may prefer some aspects of your job more than others, or it may be easier to do some tasks more than others. Unfortunately, if you default to what you like or what's comfortable, you might neglect what matters most. That includes your manager's top priorities, as well as your own. Your manager's top priorities may not 100% line up with yours. You may be interested in a promotion and need to take on tasks outside your current job or focus on work that gives you more visibility beyond your manager. You may be developing a skill (e.g., AI) that is currently a small part of your job. You may have a personal interest in exploring other departments or areas of the company outside your current role. To keep your own career moving, use some of your focused time for your top priorities, not just your manager's. If your best efforts to bring routine to your workday are still met with interruptions, you'll need to schedule your interactions more deliberately. This could be a 15-minute weekly check-in with your manager, when before they used to drop by for an update. It could be you proactively walking around to check on colleagues and offer your help at set times you choose. Or block off specific 'office hours' each day for questions and requests. It may take time for people to realize you're on a new work cadence, but if you stick to it, they'll realize this is how you work and will jump on the new routine. Improve your time management, and you improve your career.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Eight quirky ways to stop the ageing process from how you should stand to what type of music to listen to
THEY say age is just a number – but how old you feel does not correlate to the number of candles on your birthday cake. A new study found 36 years old is the age when most of us notice we are no longer in the first flush of youth. But there are plenty of ways to continue to feel young at heart. Here Laura Stott suggests ways to turn back time in a flash, whatever your age . . . CHALLENGE YOURSELF 10 Whether it's a fun run, starting dance lessons or walking 10,000 steps a day, set a target that is achievable. Completing a task that stretches your capabilities has been shown to build confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment, which makes us feel more youthful. Feeling physically fitter puts a youthful spring in your step, too. SAY CHEESE 10 Forget Botox or going under the knife, if you want to take decades off in an instant, then just smile more. Research has found that people with happy faces are perceived as younger than they are, and also feel it. One study found that images of cheery faces were considered much to be more youthful-looking than those with neutral expressions. PUT ON RECORDS YOU LOVED IN YOUR YOUTH 10 Whether these are rave tunes or power ballads might depend on how many decades have passed – and whether you first heard them on CD, vinyl or cassette. But whatever, listening to those songs can turn back the years in your mind. My DIY wrinkle cream is all natural - I only need 5 grocery store items, it stimulates collagen and removes age spots Studies show that favourite sounds activate a region of the brain linked to autobiographical memories. HAVE MORE SEX 10 Making love can leave you looking and feeling five years younger, according to one study. The research, for the charity Age UK, revealed that keeping busy between the sheets makes older adults both look and feel years younger. Experts believe this is because sex releases feelgood hormones, endorphin s. Another UK study even found that regular sex can make you look up to seven years younger. STAND UP STRAIGHT 10 As we get older, practising good posture is a proven way to look and feel younger. Keeping your spine tall, shoulders down and core strong will stop your skeleton from looking outwardly old, by preventing stooping or sagging. It can make us feel more confident which also turns back the clock cognitively. Whether sitting, standing or walking, pay attention to posture, to harness its instant anti-ageing benefits. TRY NEW FOODS If you always eat the same foods, change things up a bit. Whether that means a cuisine you've never tasted, at a new restaurant, or just varying your mealtime routine, these new experiences should make you feel open-minded. Even if you don't enjoy the flavours, breaking a dietary rut should make you feel younger. STAY ORGANISED 10 From filing your paperwork, to sorting your wardrobe, good housekeeping has been proven to make people feel younger. Researchers in 2019 concluded that the more ordered people's homes were, the more youthful they felt – with a structured environment boosting their optimism and improving memory, even longevity. GET SOME KIP Studies show that tiredness from a lack of quality shut-eye can make us feel ten years older. Participants who did not have sufficient sleep reported feeling older than their real age. In contrast, research in Sweden, at Stockholm University, found that being well rested can make us feel up to four years younger. YOUNG AT HEART Embracing a youthful mindset can also work wonders. Don't dismiss activities or opportunities as not being for you because of your age – challenge those ideas. Whether it's downloading TikTok, a new hobby or wearing this summer's latest trend, remain curious about new things – whatever your age. How to reverse ageing in just 2 weeks, according to royal go-to nutritionist LONDON -based Gabriela Peacock, who has helped the likes of Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie prepare for their weddings. She told Fabulous: 'The science is evident that we all have the power to make simple life changing alterations to better our future selves - no matter what genetic hand we might have been dealt with. 'The reality is, we all sometimes indulge in unhealthy eating habits like processed foods, smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol, inhaling city pollutants, and even drinking water from plastic bottles – none of this is good for us. 'All this does is promote the ageing process, but we all have the potential to change this.' It may be hard, but try to keep away from sugary carbohydrates, because they feed chronic inflammation, which is one of the worst enemies of reversing ageing. Now only will you end up putting on weight if you consume them regularly, but your energy and hormonal levels will be affected and this will influence how you look and feel. Whatever your age or state of health, it's never too late to reverse how quickly you are ageing and embrace the energy and vigour of a younger you. Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, are essential in neutralising free radicals—the culprits behind premature ageing. Integrating a spectrum of colourful fruits and vegetables into your diet provides a potent source of antioxidants. Omega-3 fatty acids, abundant in fatty fish like salmon and flaxseeds, are vital for maintaining skin elasticity and hydration. Omega-3s act as nourishment for your skin, locking in moisture and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen, a structural protein dwindling with age, can be replenished through collagen-rich foods like bone broth and lean protein sources.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
I got cosmetic surgery abroad – trolls say I should feel guilty for not splashing cash on my son, but they have no clue
A MUM has hit back at trolls who say she should feel guilty for spending money on cosmetic surgery instead of her son - insisting he never goes without. Jasmine Murphy, from Glasgow, has forked out thousands of pounds on operations in Prague, Czech Republic, over the past decade. 5 5 The 34-year-old - mum to Joshua, five - does not encourage other people to go under the knife, but is very transparent about any work she has had done on her TikTok page (@jasminemurphyhair). Over the past 13 years, she has had four breast surgeries including three reductions and one set of implants. She has also had liposuction on her face, hips, legs and stomach, plus botox, lip filler and procedures to "tighten" her mum tum and "blitz" cellulite. She said: "I'm a hairdresser, I'm in that world, and I absolutely love beauty treatments. I love things that are aesthetically pleasing." But she admitted she has always hated her breast implants, which she got after losing weight and then tried to hide in baggy T-shirts, so headed abroad earlier this month to have them removed. Including her flights and hotel, the procedure - which got her back to a C cup with a reduction and lift - set Jasmine back around £4,000. While she was on the operating table, she also opted to have upper blepharoplasty to get rid of "fat pockets" on her eyelids which cost a further £900. Jasmine told Fabulous: "I think cosmetic surgery can be dangerous and definitely isn't something to be taken lightly. "However most recently I had my implants removed and a breast reduction and it has substantially improved my confidence and I am so grateful I was able to do this. "I like to be honest about what procedures I have had done, invasive and non-invasive as I feel these things have improved my appearance and I would always be honest about that and work towards keeping beauty standards more realistic." I spent £13k on a Turkey makeover with veneers, a face of filler & a nose job - trolls still say I looked better before She added: "I'm not looking to promote cosmetic surgery to other women but I would always be transparent about what I have done and share my journey and recommendations if it was helpful to them." But after sharing details of her latest procedures, she was hit with a hateful question which read: "Do you ever feel guilty spending money on surgeries etc. when you have a child?" Remaining as transparent and honest as ever, Jasmine said the "short answer is no" before offering a deeper insight into her circumstances and strong work ethic that allow her such luxuries. In her TikTok clip, she said: "I work very hard for everything that I have. "I don't get into debt or sacrifice something in our household to accommodate me having a treatment done. 5 5 "My son is neurodivergent which means he has lots of sensory issues and aversions which. "A lot of the things that I buy for him - whether it's food, toys, playgroups, soft plays, clothes - sometimes like a good 80-90% of that goes in the bin because it triggers him, he doesn't want it, it's upsetting. "I pick him up from playgroups early if he's having a bad time but I don't mind. I spend a lot of money and work really hard to try and make his quality of life as good as possible. "So he doesn't have to sacrifice anything to accommodate me getting a beauty treatment done or a surgery." She continued: "I would just work extra hard and save the money and earn it. I don't drink, I don't socialise, I haven't been on holiday in six years because I don't think he'll cope with the flight and I've always felt bad leaving him. "And I think there is a lot of pressure on women to be a background product of a family. "Like you're a whole human being too so you can do something nice for yourself, you know, why not?" But she did admit: "Where mum guilt would kick in for me is travelling to go under anaesthetic because of course there's the health risk in that. "This is why I'm making sure I am as healthy as possible and I've been to Ross Hall Hospital here [in Scotland] so that I can have check ups and make sure everything's okay before I travel." Mass support Social media users were quick to jump to Jasmine's defence, as one gasped: "What a brass neck of a question to ask!" A second echoed: "What an odd question...I'm married with one son and I still swan off everywhere." A third said: "I think it's plain to see how well looked after and provided for your little boy is and as a sole parent myself I think it is important to do things for yourself when ever possible!" A fourth chimed in: "I've never understood the notion of feeling guilty for spending money on yourself when you have kids … as long as your kids are cared for why should you?!" "Some people just see negative in everything, treat yourself girl", added someone else. Meanwhile, a sixth fumed: "You shouldn't have to explain yourself, you are a good mum and clearly work hard."
Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Telegraph
How Champneys made us fall in love with spa hotels
A wooden paddle, ice cold facial roller, essential oils and sips of warm lemon water are all key components of Champneys' latest treatment, the '100 Years Face & Body Reset'. I instantly felt the benefits: energised legs, tighter skin and shoulder knots eased. My pampering took place at the original Champneys in Tring, Hertfordshire and was inspired by the spa's century-old treatment back catalogue which neatly combines nostalgia with cutting edge, much like the hotel itself where white robes, dance classes and detoxes are offered alongside of-the-moment cryotherapy and vitamin IV drips. I suspect it's one of the reasons the brand has survived for so long on the wellbeing scene – there's something for everyone. When Champneys first opened in 1925, there was nothing else like it in the UK. Established by Latvian wellbeing pioneer Stanley Leif, his Nature Cure Resort set in 170 acres was aimed at customers open-minded and wealthy enough to invest in holistic self-care that found the root cause of ailments rather than merely treating the symptoms. Guests, once described as 'starved, irrigated and beaten, but for a good cause,' would detox for weeks on warm lemon water and little else at the red brick mansion house, while taking part in immune-boosting treatments like hot and cold plunges (sound familiar?), combined with stretching and walks in the open air. In the 1970s global spa specialists Tanya Wheway and her late husband Allan were invited to manage Champneys, successfully transforming the brand from elitist holistic bootcamp to healthy holiday for all. In a time before mental health was front and centre, the decision to provide Lifestyle Consultants (psychologists) alongside fitness experts and dieticians was pioneering. 'What you're eating's important, but more important is what's eating you,' was Allan's mantra, says Tanya, who was also behind world-famous spa Chiva Som in Thailand. A star-studded era followed its purchase in 2002 by Stephen Purdew and his late mother Dorothy (or Mrs P as she was affectionately known by employees), who also owned three spa resorts which were rebranded under the Champneys name. Sporting heroes such as Frank Bruno and George Best would pop in for a sauna while super models and movie stars including Naomi Campbell, Barbara Streisand and Brad Pitt also donned a white robe. Its most famous guest, however, was Princess Diana – though staff remained discreet about the details of her visit, says Wheway. Fast-forward to today and the headline-making A-list visits of the early 2000s are a distant memory, with the average Champneys guest more likely to be working in accounts than Hollywood. The UK spa scene has radically altered too. Lemon water detoxes and Mr Motivator-esque fitness classes have long been relegated to spa room 101. Guests now tend to visit for a day or overnight stay rather than weeks and the vast majority are women compared to a century ago when it was men who were more likely to sign up for the Nature Cure. However, it's notable how many popular treatments today have their origins in the last century. 'It's gone full circle,' agrees Champneys' Wellbeing Director Louise Day, who says that the benefits of breathwork, for example, were recognised by Stanley Leif 100 years ago and are once again featuring heavily on spa programmes. Day has been with the company for decades and seen the fitness offer change organically from the 'feel the burn' era of Jane Fonda-style classes to the launch of bootcamps, PT sessions and strength training. She says guests are more focused on variety and personalisation, with mobility and HITT classes now part of the mix. According to Innovation Director Kate Taylor, Gen Z are the most clued-up generation health-wise thanks to social media, with most understanding that if 80 per cent of your wellbeing comes from lifestyle choices and just 20 per cent from genes, it's vital to start educating and looking after yourself way before the 35 years marker – the age your body officially starts to deteriorate. Gulp. Consequently, longevity and lifestyle are current buzz words in the spa world which Taylor believes will help shape wellness over the next 10 years. In response, Champneys is rolling out more retreats than ever before (up to 200), covering everything from detoxing and the menopause to the slightly more woo: a 'Twilight Moon Manifesting' retreat and 'Wim Hof Fundamentals' getaway. Taylor says research shows that poor sleep health is a concern that spans the generations from boomers to Millennials, so retreats to help guests get some shut eye are an important offer. And in an era when technology is threatening to impose on all areas of life, it's interesting to learn that Champneys' Group Spa Director Laura Sheridan is a big believer in digital detoxing and thinks human touch will become 'ever more important' to guests feeling increasingly isolated in a high-tech world. It's safe to say there's no danger of robots taking over the massage treatments at Tring just yet. Champneys clearly won't be hanging up its white slippers any time soon, with a new spa in Marbella scheduled to open this year, which will sit alongside the existing four spa resorts (Tring, Forest Mere, Henlow and Springs), two hotels and two city spas. Its challenge is to remain relevant at a time when there are more luxurious UK spa hotels than ever before and to meet the demands of guests expecting results in record time. Amanda Statham travelled as a guest of Champneys Tring, which offers doubles from £140.
