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ABC News
7 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
How embracing 'moments of pause' can help us when we're bored
Are you OK with boredom? You know those moments when time grinds to a halt, and you're fighting off restlessness? Before you reach for your phone to scroll or check an email, it's worth considering the benefits of sitting with it. What we do with this feeling is important, according to Michelle Kennedy, a mental health researcher on Kabi Kabi lands, on the Sunshine Coast. "Society has almost conditioned us that it's indulgent to be bored," she says. "[But] eliminating the state of boredom deprives us of a simple and natural way to reset our nervous system." So how can we embrace boredom, and what are some of the other benefits of doing so? Officially, boredom is defined as difficulty maintaining attention or interest in a current activity. Dr Kennedy says the fast-paced world we live in means some of us may not be allowing ourselves to fully experience moments of boredom. "It's so overstimulated, we are taking in so much information," she says. "Say we finish a task earlier than we anticipate, rather than just sitting there allowing us just to be in that moment, often we go 'Ok what else can I do to fill this space?' "[Or] you're watching a movie and all of a sudden it hits a low spot [and] you're going 'OK, this isn't really capturing my attention', so then your attention is turned to other things." Mandie Shean says our obsession with technology is exacerbating the situation. The adjunct lecturer in education at Edith Cowan University believes some of us are not good at handling feelings "of being uncomfortable". Dr Kennedy says reframing these moments of boredom as "pauses" could help us incorporate them into our day in a positive way. "Embracing that moment, and … just making time for that pause," she says. "Let's all take the dog for a walk or just sit out the back and have a chat. She says "starting small" will help us understand the benefits and then to gradually build more of that space into our day. Dr Kennedy says as adults we are often juggling work and family life. So if we have time between activities, we may be on our screens constantly organising, updating, or scrolling to simply stay occupied. "What we're doing is we're overloading our neural pathways," Dr Kennedy says. "When that nervous system is activated for too long … our system becomes overwhelmed. "So, it keeps us in this heightened state of arousal, which, long term can develop those early symptoms of anxiety." Dragan Rangelov, a psychology and cognitive neuroscience lecturer from Swinburne University of Technology says allowing ourselves to be bored (and not on screens) may reduce the activation of our sympathetic nervous system and "produce overall greater wellbeing". "It kind of flushes out this sort of sensory overload and possible negative consequences of it," Dr Rangelov says. Our experts say there are a few ways we can let ourselves experience boredom. Dr Rangelov says one method is mindfulness training or simply "sitting there and soaking the boredom in". "Mindfulness is essentially just focusing on yourself," he says. "There's mindfulness about your physical sort of sensations, how your breath is looking, what's your heartbeat? "There's also mindfulness about your psychological processes, whether you are anxious, whether you're agitated." This practice can help with emotional regulation and can lead to insights about your emotional responses to external events. Dr Shean says another way of embracing pauses or boredom is to engage in an activity. "It takes 15 minutes to get engaged in any task," Dr Shean says. "So, you can set a timer, the Pomodoro timer is a really good thing when you're bored. "It breaks up an activity into 25-minute intervals and then you get a break and it makes you engage even when you feel bored." She says it's also important to remember that just because a task seems boring doesn't mean it's not beneficial. "Doing my PhD was really boring in parts, learning my tables was boring, and cleaning the house was boring," she says. "And maybe for you, learning French or whatever it might be, it can be boring. "But some of those things are amazing and they're really good choices and you need to sort of hold space for those uncomfortable feelings in the middle of it."
ABC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
How often should you check in with your doctor about your contraceptive pill?
Stephanie Jenkins was 18 years old when she was prescribed a hormonal contraception tablet to help her with acne. The now-32-year-old from Kabi Kabi land on the Sunshine Coast took the same medication for a decade before she started experiencing debilitating migraines. "They were aura migraines, so disturbances in vision, light sensitivity, I couldn't see out of my right eye properly," she says. After having her symptoms dismissed by a GP, Stephanie saw another doctor through an online prescription renewal service. "As soon as I told her all of the symptoms and how often it had been occurring … she just point blank said, 'you immediately need to cease [the pill you are on]'," she says. The doctor told Stephanie the migraines were an indicator of an 'oestrogen overload', a side-effect of the pill which heightens the risk of stroke. "I didn't even know it was because of the pill, I just thought it was related to my period. "You just get put on it, you take it … set and forget." Dr Phoebe Holdenson Kimura says generally, GP's should conduct a yearly review for repeat prescriptions. The lecturer at the University of Sydney's General Practice Clinical School says the key message is that taking hormonal contraception should not be "a set-and-forget process". "Finding out when it was started, what it was started for is important," Dr Holdenson Kimura says. "So, recognising many women take the combined contraceptive pill for contraception, but it also can be used for acne as well as for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding or painful periods. She says doctors should also be checking risk factors with patients, including if they have had lifestyle changes or had medical issues such as migraines, deep vein thrombosis, a pulmonary embolism, high blood pressure, or have liver disease. Dr Eveline Mu is a research fellow at Monash University's HER Centre in Naarm/Melbourne and says there needs to be greater awareness at GP-patient consultations of the risks of depressive disorders. She has been studying the neurological impacts of hormonal contraceptive medication on women's moods. "We've found that there are certain types of common hormone contraception that will be worse for women who are susceptible to mood disorders or who have mood disorders," Dr Mu says. "Fluctuation or any differences in the oestrogen level can impact a lot of other neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine which are linked to mood and involved in emotion processing as well." Dr Pav Nanayakkara, a minimally invasive gynaecological surgeon from Jean Hailes for Women's Health, says along with a yearly consult there are other life milestones that should prompt a contraceptive medication check-in. "Any sort of significant life change — so pregnancy, around the time of perimenopause, any diagnosed medical conditions, any lifestyle changes," she says. "Because lifestyle factors can change as we age, we might have different requirements, or we might develop medical conditions." Research conducted by the Jean Hailes for Women's Health shows that just over half of the 3,537 women it surveyed last year, aged 18 to 50 years, didn't know about the full range of contraceptive medications available to them. "This finding was even more significant in the 40-to-50-year age group," Dr Nanayakkara says. "[These women] are then often giving advice to their daughters and may not necessarily know about all of the options." Stephanie says her mother took the pill, so it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. "It was the only thing that was offered to me as an acne treatment which seems wild to me because now I'm more educated," she says. Stephanie says she now tracks her menstrual cycle and uses other contraceptive methods. Dr Holdenson Kimura says it is also important to get advice from your doctor and not social media. "I'm having a lot more women coming in saying 'I want to talk about going off the pill' or, 'I've made the decision to go off the pill because I'm curious to know what it feels like'," she says. "I think that's fine … but equally it is important to be having those conversations [with their GP] about what to consider. "Especially if the pill's been managing heavy periods or painful periods and women want to come off it then we really need to look at what are the other options to help you with that." This is general information only. For detailed personal advice, you should see a qualified medical practitioner who knows your medical history.
ABC News
20-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- ABC News
Secrets to the perfect winter roast. Four cooks share their tips
There's something comforting about the smell of a roast wafting through the house on a chilly day. It's an investment of time and ingredients, which can make it daunting. Chefs and cooks share their tips and tricks to nail the perfect winter roast at home, from meats to vegetarian options. If you ask chef Matt Golinski, based on the Sunshine Coast/Kabi Kabi lands, there is nothing easier (or tastier) during winter than a slow-roasted lamb shoulder. "Really, all you're doing is just throwing it into a tray," he says. "It's probably simplest bit of cooking you'll ever do." He recommends: If you love a good pork crackling and are a beginner, try chef and cookbook author Hayden Quinn's crispy pork shoulder with green apple slaw. He recommends: Nipun Liyanapathirana creates cooking videos for social media and adds a tasty twist to a traditional beef roast. While you're not cooking a whole chunk of meat, his Sri Lankan spiced beef roast (similar to the popular Kerala beef fry) is "hearty, comforting, and full of depth and flavour". "It gives you the same exact finish as a typical roast, but the preparation and techniques used is completely different," he says. His technique means the meat is unlikely to be overcooked. He recommends: Alice Zaslavsky, a cookbook author and host of A Bite To Eat with Alice, has previously shared her favourite tips for the perfect roast chicken with ABC Lifestyle. Her favourite method is "the dry-and-hot" (dry brine and hot oven). She recommends: Vegetarians and vegans fear not, Hetty Lui McKinnon has many recipes for veggie-forward winter roasts that she has shared with us previously. "I remember a time when the non-meat option on a feasting table was lentil loaf," the food writer and cookbook author says. "Luckily, food has evolved, and a show-stopping vegetarian main can now be as exciting as anything else on the table." She recommends: She has recipes for a stunning roast butternut pumpkin and a whole roasted red cabbage with a maple glaze, which can become the star of your next meat-free celebration table.
ABC News
19-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
What is the etiquette around calling someone out of the blue?
Does your stomach drop when your phone rings unexpectedly? Modern communication is always changing, and while it might have been normal for our parents to just pick up the phone to call someone, these days it can feel stressful or strange for both the caller and the receiver. We asked two communications experts for their take on calling someone out of the blue. If you ask Anna Musson, an etiquette expert from Tarndanya lands/Adelaide, calling someone out of the blue is the modern-day equivalent of dropping in on someone unannounced. "But context is key," she adds. "If it's grandma and she loves it, that's fantastic." But "If it's a teenager or a friend of yours who you know does not like to receive calls," that's a different thing. Dr Naomi Smith, a digital sociologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast/Kabi Kabi land, says she is often struck by "horror" when her phone rings unexpectedly. "It feels very pressing, the demand of a phone call," she says. "You have to deal with it right then and there and give it your attention in the moment, in the same way you would if someone popped over unannounced." She says most people increasingly "like to have communication on their own terms and in their own time". "We like a bit of a heads up before someone calls so we can prepare ourselves mentally for the phone call that's going to take place." Our experts say a rise of scam calls, anxiety around communication and a preference for written communication, is giving rise to a phenomenon known as "telephobia". Telephobia is the fear of or reluctance to make or take phone calls. It's considered a type of social phobia or social anxiety. "I think there's a sense of risk around answering a phone call now," Dr Smith says. "We all know that numbers can be spoofed and every time someone calls me up, out of the blue, it seems to be someone wanting something from me or trying to scam me." Ms Musson says younger generations are typically more likely to experience telephobia. "We're talking about Gen Zs and below, even a lot of millennials, they really prefer being able to control the method by which we're speaking to them, and they prefer text. "They would even prefer a video chat over a phone call because it's just the way that they were raised." Ms Musson says we all need to have the ability to speak over the phone, both in our personal and professional lives. "It is actually a life skill, and there are instances when a phone call is appropriate," she says. "For example, if someone has passed away, think about what is going to be the most appropriate way to connect and show that you care? "And if it is someone who you know would rather a text, that's fine, but in many instances a phone call is appropriate if you're checking if someone is doing ok. "Or let's say you need to call the bank to verify your identity. "Remembering the person on the other end of the line wants to get a good solution too, so put a smile on your voice, make sure that you're clear with your communication." Dr Smith says a quick text prior is thoughtful, depending on who you're wanting to call. "I wouldn't text my mum and say, 'hey, I'm going to call you now', I think she would find that very strange," she says. "But some of my friends who I know are a bit phone shy, I would text them and say, 'hey, I want to have a quick chat, it's nothing serious, I just want to hear your voice'. "So they're just like, 'oh, she's just calling to say hi and hear the latest' and it's going to be a light, easy conversation." Ms Musson says these personal interactions are important for everyday life. "These human contacts are crucial, and we've got to look after each other's our own and each other's mental health," she says. "So don't shrink back, don't hold back from picking up the phone and making those phone calls. "If that means a text prior then definitely do it."
ABC News
03-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Here are the current rules on isolating when you're sick this flu season
I don't know about you, but the times of having to quarantine due to COVID-19 feel like a distant memory. But around this time each year, we're reminded that the virus is still active, as are many other serious respiratory illnesses during "flu season". There have been more than 65,000 cases of COVID-19 so far this year nationwide, more than 81,000 Influenza cases and 50,000 cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), according to the Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also designated a new strain known as NB.1.8.1, which is now the dominant variant in China and Hong Kong, as a "variant under monitoring". So, what has changed when it comes to quarantine rules? And do you still have to isolate if you or a family member has a respiratory illness? Advanced epidemiologist Anne Maree Baldwin says we're in a different situation now than five years ago when COVID-19 first arrived in Australia. "We had a new virus in a population without immunity, which was expected to have devastating impacts," says the public health expert from the Sunshine Coast/Kabi Kabi lands. "But now all or almost all of the population has some immunity to COVID through vaccination and having the disease." We are no longer required by law to quarantine or isolate when we have COVID-19. But Ms Baldwin says it is recommended. "Stay home and away from others when you have symptoms, irrespective of whether it's COVID or another respiratory illness," she says. "If you must go out, we ask people to wear a mask, avoid indoor or crowded situations, and keep away from others as best you can." Dr Libby Sander is an associate professor of organisational behaviour at Bond University on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri. She says there has been a culture shift since the pandemic back to a place where some employees feel obligated to go back to work even if they're unwell. "I'm often hearing [about instances] where people are being expected to go to work when they're sick because of staff shortages or they just feel obliged to go in because of the workload. "If you are sick, you shouldn't go to work, no-one wants you to make them sick." You can be infectious with respiratory illness from up to 48 hours before your symptoms start. So, if you've had a loved one or housemate at home who's been unwell, should you go to work? Ms Baldwin says it comes down to organisational policy. "Just communicating first and foremost, so everyone's aware," she says. "In general, quarantine isn't needed if exposed to COVID, we just ask that you stay away from others if you develop symptoms." She says it's particularly important to avoid people more likely to get severely sick, including immunocompromised people, older people, infants, and pregnant women. Dr Sander says working from home arrangements can provide people with security and flexibility. "If you're not really unwell you can keep working, you're not worrying about infecting other people … so I think flexibility is really important." In general, you don't automatically need to take a rapid antigen tests (RAT) after being around someone who's been sick. But it is recommended if you start developing symptoms or are planning on visiting a high-risk setting like aged care facilities, disability care, hospitals, or other healthcare settings. Ms Baldwin says testing is important for people who are either very sick or need antiviral medicine. "We have the RAT tests and they're widely available now in supermarkets and pharmacies, often for about $10," she says. "Some can test for four viruses, Influenza strains A and B, COVID and RSV. "The RATs are helpful for a quick result, which is important when the COVID and influenza antiviral should be started in a day or two of symptom onset." A diagnosis for whooping cough requires a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) from a GP to receive the necessary antibiotics. Chief medical officer at Healthdirect Australia, Nirvana Luckraj, says if you have tested positive for respiratory illness, "you should stay at home until all of your acute symptoms have gone". She says acute symptoms include sneezing, coughing and a sore throat. "If you still have acute symptoms like a cough after seven days, you may still be infectious. You should continue to wear a mask and physically distance whenever possible." Our experts say it's important to prepare yourself each year. "We see COVID waves and whooping cough at any time of the year and most RSV is actually at this time of year," Ms Baldwin says. "So being prepared is important and the best way to do that is vaccinate." You can get both the COVID and influenza vaccines at the same appointment — the Australian Department of Health advises that it is safe to do this and doctors and pharmacists will now allow this. This is general information only. For personal advice, you should see a qualified medical practitioner.
