Category: HEALTH & FITNESS

Skydive Therapy: An Exciting Approach to Reset Your Mental Health

pexels russ jani 739657 skydiving couple

Immerse yourself in the adrenaline-fuelled trend of “skydive therapy”, a unique approach that’s been taking Australia by storm. This exciting concept isn’t just about thrill-seeking, but about an innovative, effective way to boost mental health and wellbeing. Recommended by leading psychologist, Dr Eric Brymer, skydive therapy is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone and fully embracing the present moment. This fascinating trend is backed by research from the adventure marketplace, Adrenaline, which demonstrates the transformative effects of such thrilling experiences. According to their findings, engaging in adventurous activities made Australians feel happier (45%), more accomplished (43%), and more self-confident (33%). Many people today are struggling with ‘routine fatigue’, a state of feeling trapped within the monotony of daily life. Over half (57%) of Australians are battling this tiresome condition, and a staggering 77% are turning to adventurous experiences to enhance their mental health and wellbeing. Dr Brymer believes that “adventure enables them to move past their comfort zones or fears and truly live in the moment, which can be psychologically freeing.” He recommends experiences that provoke emotions, connect participants with nature, and challenge them. These include, but are not limited to, skydiving, white water rafting, shark diving, canyoning, and swimming with dolphins. As Toni Westlake, Adrenaline’s Senior Marketing Manager, highlights, “completing an adventure feels incredible.” More than just the thrill of being outdoors or the sense of accomplishment, adventurous activities can have significant, long-lasting effects on happiness, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement, especially in individuals under 35. Dr Brymer provides practical guidance… Read More

Top tricks to save as health insurance costs increase

Groceries food healthy vegetables fruit

By Sophie Ryan, iSelect spokesperson Love checking out a new restaurant and hitting the town? How about a sneaky after-work cocktail on a Friday? Perhaps you’ve had to cut back on fun nights out recently and change things up for more affordable options. As the cost-of-living crunch continues to bite, you wouldn’t be the only one!  A recent study commissioned by comparison service iSelect found that 81 per cent of Aussies surveyed say their household is finding it difficult to manage extra cost-of-living expenses with price hikes across the board, while 28 per cent say it’s very difficult to manage and are making cutbacks wherever they can. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately millions of Aussies with private health insurance could be in for another price hike in October, as some of the country’s biggest funds including Bupa, nib, GMHBA/Frank, Defence Health (which combined have almost 40 per cent market share) increase their prices.  The bright side? This presents a perfect opportunity for you to consider reviewing your health cover and seeing if you can save money by switching. Keep reading as we reveal our top tricks to try now. We’ve just touched on switching, but let’s explain further. Some people can end up paying too much for unsuitable cover because they sign up for a health insurance policy and don’t think twice about it for years. Your health and circumstances can change, so sticking with the same plan or provider for a long period of time could cost you,… Read More

Testing out the new Fitbit Inspire 3 fitness watch

Fitbit Inspire watch pink

It was in August this year that everyone’s fave wearable tech brand Fitbit announced their latest and greatest – the Fitbit Inspire 3 fitness watch. And what a watch it is! Compared to other options on the market Fitbit has again knocked it out of the park with wearability, functionality and general stylishness. I mean, just look… The new Inspire was released with a couple of siblings Versa 4 ($379.95) and Sense 2 ($449.95) with itself coming in at $179.95, making it the latest, but not the greatest int he Fitbit line-up. So, why is it so good? Practicality. And function; but it’s a coupling that few other brands have mastered and here’s why. Similar to other models of the Fitbit range, the Inspire 3 comes with all the bells and more of what you want from top-of-the-range wearable tech that doesn’t let you down. Think massive features, like: With all this – plus a range of stylish colour combos to keep things interesting – there’s no wonder it’s thought of as the health & fitness tracker that helps you do what you love and feel your best. For more, head to the Fitbit Australia website

Heineken will help you actually leave work this National Go Home on Time Day

Photo of a Heineken bottle with a laptop computer

Last week we polled our Instagram audience on how happy they were with their work life balance and only 20% of you thought you had it figured out. New research from beer icons Heineken says this may just make you a Gen Z worker as they appear to have it figured it! This November 23, National Go Home on Time Day, Heineken are encouraging you to ditch the after-hours hamster wheel by adopting Gen Z’s ways. The research from Heineken found over a third (36%) of Aussies always find it hard to log off at the end of a standard workday. In addition, a whopping 86% of workers have had to cancel or delay personal plans due to working late, with almost a third (30%) saying they do this often. Findings indicate ‘hustle culture’ has become rife, with almost two thirds (63%) of Millennial workers believing their generation subscribes to this approach. Despite its prevalence, most Aussies workers (65%) think ‘hustle culture’ is toxic, but luckily it appears Gen Z has taken notice and wants to change. Gen Z workers do less overtime than their Millennial and Gen X counterparts (2.1 hours compared to 3.2 hours and 3.7 hours per week, respectively). When it comes to setting boundaries, the research found Gen Z workers are comfortable doing so, with most (96%) having set clear working guidelines, such as declining when asked to do additional work that falls outside of their job description or contracted hours, with their managers at least once. While the benefits of… Read More

This is the fitness tracker for people serious about fitness

A black watch and a white watch side-by-side

There are a lot of fitness trackers on the market and finding the right one to suit your needs isn’t always so simple. We’re here to help with a review of one very slick fitness tracker that does it all. Meet the Huawei GT 3 Pro, the ultimate fitness tracker for people serious about fitness.  With a redefined smartwatch look, the Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro is a premium and stylish tracker with enough innovative features to make any tech-nerd drool. It blends classic craftsmanship with timeless, customisable style, making it a fashion piece you’ll want to wear. With long lasting battery life (14-days of battery life for the GT 3 Pro Titanium. 7 days for the Ceramic), over 100 completely personalised workouts, remote shutter feature, answering of calls, ability to listen to tunes, its water resistance and other health-focused features, this watch builds on from its predecessor, the Huawei Watch GT 3, this smartwatch takes things even further, literally, and now boasts a diving depth of up to 30 metres! The Huawei GT 3 Pro is definitely the right fitness tracker for water babies. The Free Diving Mode is equipped with IP68 and 5 ATM water resistance ratings, allows wearers to venture 30 metres underwater, all while the watch tracks your depth and timing. While all-day heart rate tracking is part and parcel in high end smartwatches, the Sp02 monitoring to check the oxygen in your blood that the GT 3 Pro provides is very handy for divers. Now that we know the specs,… Read More

Kickstart your workout with the new Swisse active range

Swisse Active

Fitness peeps, listen up because you’ll want a piece of this! Swisse has recently launched Swisse Active, an all-new science-led sports nutrition range that includes products such as convenient powder formulas created to be mixed with water for on-the-go consumption.  The range is designed for everyday athletes looking to elevate their health and fitness by boosting performance at every stage of every workout. On top of that, it’s low in sugar and suitable for vegans! The formulas come in three variations: Prepare – with green tea and B vitamins; Perform – with electrolytes and beetroot, and Recover – with magnesium and BCAAs.  Prepare to kick-start your physical activity with an energy boost: Formulated with ingredients such as green tea, guarana, and B vitamins to deliver an energy boost prior to physical activity and support sustained energy levels. Also contains gingko and ginseng. RRP $25, 15 sachets per box. Perform during your workout with optimal hydration support: Provides a performance boost during physical ac- tivity electrolytes, including magnesium to support muscular function and reduce fatigue. Contains beetroot and maca root. RRP $25, 15 sachets per box. Recover with a post-workout replenishment after physical activity: Supports the recovery and replenishment stage following exercise with magnesium for muscle function and health. Also contains essential BCAAs, and turmeric. RRP $25, 15 sachets per box. Each product is conveniently colour-coded for easy identification and selection, so it can be effortlessly incorporated into a busy lifestyle. And remember, the powder sachets are to be consumed in conjunction with a nutritious diet… Read More

5 best places to go in Italy for wellness retreats

La Sirenuse Italy Amalfi

The concept of wellness in Italy isn’t new. In fact, it’s ancient. Extending well past 1,500 years to the Ancient Romans whose passion for baths, public bathing and their freedom and flexibility with sumptuousness and nudity is now only too-well known. Good things the modern day ‘Romans’ – the Italians – are keeping the tradition alive and well across the entire country and the famed Italian Rivieras where health and wellness spas, hotels and establishments don’t just exist and thrive, but have a clientelle of the most global scale. Working with the Italian National Tourist Board, we’ve found a round-up of five of the best wellness retreats to consider when you’re next on the back of a Vespa, wondering which way the Mediterranean breeze should blow you… Terme di Saturnia, Tuscany Occupying 120 hectares among the rolling Tuscan hills, Terme di Saturnia is centred around legendary open-air thermal springs which have been flowing from the centre of the earth for more than 3000 years. The special ingredient here is Saturnia bioplancton, a naturally occurring ‘miracle’ ingredient in the 37.5°C water which leaves skin silky smooth and soft, as well as minerals said to help reduce blood pressure, soothe tired muscles, and help cleanse and detox the liver. From massaging your shoulders in invigorating whirlpools to surrendering to treatments in the on-site medi-spa or beauty clinic, resident guests enjoy a personalised wellness program, while day visitors can hit the spa, hot springs, tennis court or geo-certified golf course for quick pick-me-up in a picturesque setting. Palazzo Fiuggi, Lazio Is there… Read More

Huawei launches new wearables in response to healthier lifestyles

Huawei wearables launch

For many of us, the pandemic has changed the way we think about our health and physical activity, pivoting towards a healthier way of life. Recent findings have revealed Australians have had a rethink about their behaviours towards their health, with four in 10 Aussies claiming they are prioritising their health now more than they did before COVID-19.  In response to this health trend, Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) has announced its newest wearables to its globally renowned portfolio offering a seamless combination of sleek designs and health-tracking benefits, which will be available in Australia from June 18.  Recent statistics show nearly three-quarters (72.8%) of people over 15 years of age don’t meet the Australian Government’s physical activity guidelines.  Nearly half of employed people aged 18 to 64 years described their workday as mostly sedentary.  With the launch of Huawei’s new wearables, now is the perfect time to kickstart the health journey with the brand’s newest products that are made with the best in cutting-edge technology boasting a range of features; from blood pressure monitoring to a built-in animated fitness coach.  The four new wearables include: HUAWEI WATCH D is an innovative wrist-type blood pressure monitoring device – a significant breakthrough in technology. It also has an array of other health-tracking features.  RRP: $799. Launch offer: 18 June 2022 – 17 July 2022: $150 retail gift card when purchased from Bing Lee, JB HI-FI, Mobileciti and Huawei Authorised Experience Stores. Customers can choose from $150 retail gift card or gift with the purchase of HUAWEI… Read More

Colour up your workout with Wild Mingo exercise mats

Wild Mingo mat 1

Wild Mingo’s exercise mats look just as stunning as their namesake (flamingos), bringing a fair whack of colour and excitement to your workout at home, at the gym or otherwise. The eco-friendly mats are made from recycled materials and featuring the work of local artists, each mat is designed to bring colour and movement into your daily routine. As the story goes, the Wild Mingo brand and creation came out of a whisp of creativity in 2020 Wild Mingo is all about brightening up your fitness world one paint splatter at a time. It’s all about joy and bringing that extra energy burst to whatever floor-bound practise you’re into on that day. The artwork for each Mingo mat comes from the brand’s hometown, Melbourne, designed by a local Melbourne artist Ashleigh Ben-Danan. Complete with microsuede finishing and a whole lotta energy, Wild Mingo offers a range of colours and styles for your next session. Have a look at the Wild Mingo website!