As a journalist who spends her time writing and researching about health, I have a major confession to make. I loathe exercise. I’ve read countless studies about its benefits and am well aware of its power to build bigger biceps, tone my tummy and tune my heart. But all this information has never been quite enough to overcome the fact that I find it very difficult to put exercise anywhere near the top of my priority list when there are people to be interviewed, a child to care for and friends to catch up with.   When I was in... Read full article »

I’ve lost count of the number of conversations I’ve had with people on the topic of whether or not emotions can affect our health. Inevitably, anecdotal stories get used to make one argument or another - “My uncle was the angriest, meanest man on the planet and he lived to the age of 94” or “My auntie was told she had six months to live, but she’s the happiest, most positive person I know and is still alive and kicking five years later.”   As a journalist I love hearing stories like this. Stories form the glue that binds us... Read full article »

I recently received an email from the organiser of an initiative called Wake Up for Peace asking me if I'd like to participate in a meditation event for the UN's International Day of Peace. The idea was to invite Rabbis, Bishops and spiritual luminaries from all faiths, as well as leaders from politics, business, academia and healthcare to come together and meditate on peace for half an hour. She wanted to know if I'd join them.     I agreed, thinking what a wonderful idea it was. But part of me was also super skeptical. I couldn’t imagine all those... Read full article »

We’re coming out of winter here in Sydney. Spring is in the air. The birds are chirping and blossoming flowers scent the air with sweet fragrance, but rather than fully enjoying the beginning of the new season, my two year old brought home a cold from childcare as a final parting gift from the grey drudgery of winter. It came resplendent with a sore throat, dripping nose and watering eyes.   My son was miserable and pretty soon so was I. As we both sneezed and spluttered our way through our days, my husband valiantly trooped on looking after us... Read full article »

Imagine you're five years old and a nice lady hands you a marshmallow. It’s soft white sweet gooeyness looks tantalising and it takes all your self-control not to eat it straight away. As the lady leaves the room she tells you that if you don’t eat the marshmallow until she gets back, she will give you two upon her return. She doesn’t tell you how long you will have to wait or where she is going. She just leaves you in the boring room with nothing to do but stare at the marshmallow.   If you’re anything like me, this... Read full article »

I'm writing this letter to you because I know how you feel. You may have just been diagnosed with one or more of the chronic diseases sweeping the world in what has been called an epidemic - heart disease, cancer, diabetes or an autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis. Maybe you've suffered all your life with asthma, high blood pressure, arthritis, thyroid issues, sinus issues, gut issues, migraines, back pain, chronic fatigue, depression or anxiety.   I’m writing to say I know how you feel. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease ten years ago. I thought I was seeing a... Read full article »