Latest news with #MeganLee
ABC News
27-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Drinking less alcohol is hard. But there are ways to get started
Megan Lee is halfway through reaching her goal of a year without drinking alcohol. The assistant professor in psychology at Bond University on the Gold Coast/Yugambeh language region specialises in nutritional psychiatry. Dr Lee says despite her scientific background, she is "still in this crazy system" of pro-alcohol messages, which is why she was motivated to try a year off booze. "Most of us who are doing research on these things [it] is because we are interested in our own drinking behaviours," the 45-year-old says. "We are also struggling with moderation, just as much as everyone else." And Dr Lee says while many people find it hard to reduce their alcohol intake, the benefits are significant and there are some strategies that can help get you started. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to our health. They estimate that alcohol consumption plays a causal role in over 200 diseases, injuries, and other health conditions. That includes the biological health risks such as cancer and liver disease, as well as things like car accidents, drownings and suicide. Director of the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University Emmanuel Kuntsche says while sticking to the Australian Alcohol Guidelines (no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day) reduces the risk, it doesn't eliminate it. When you drink less, our experts say you may notice improvements quite early on. Improved sleep quality, higher energy levels, clearer skin and possibly even weight loss, or at the least, reduced weight gain. "There's this permanent hangover state that we kind of get used to if we drink every day — even one or two drinks every day, that goes away as well," says Dr Lee. When it comes to drinking less, knowing your "why", and having clear goals, will help you be successful, says Dr Lee. For her, it's about control, and enjoying life more. "I didn't like my relationship with alcohol. I wasn't even a big drinker, but I still don't like it controlling me over me controlling it. "Right at the beginning of my one year … before I started, we went to a wine tour in the Hunter Valley and my son's father doesn't drink and he was out in the vineyard kicking a football with my son. "Looking out the window, watching them play football in the sun … they were having the best time. "I was sitting there by myself, drinking my poison. I was like, 'I want to be out there'." A recent poll shows 44 per cent of Australians who drink alcohol want to drink less or stop altogether. Three in four respondents said drinking less was about improving their physical health, half wanted to improve mental health, and just over a third said they were looking to sleep better. Dr Lee says cutting down on drinking is often part of someone's plan to achieve better overall health. Positive role modelling for children is another common incentive to drink less, according to Dr Lee. Professor Kuntsche says negative experiences with alcohol will often inspire people. "That can be arguments with family, accidents, hangovers … but also life transitions like becoming a dad, for example, [or] turning 40." A deeply ingrained drinking culture and prolific positive messaging around alcohol makes cutting back or stopping drinking alcohol especially hard, says Dr Lee. She adds that alcohol is attached to everything we do, and we're often discouraged by those around us when we want to stop drinking. Professor Kuntsche says even for moderate drinkers, the psychological and physiological effects of alcohol can be difficult for people to go without. "You might have a nice little relaxing glass of wine each evening while cooking or watching TV, your body very quickly becomes used to that. "It's very difficult to change." Having days off drinking helps prevent your body developing a tolerance to alcohol's effects, therefore reducing a dependence on the drug. Committing to alcohol-free days each week can be useful, says Professor Kuntsche. For example, only drinking on weekends. "Or maybe it's 'Whenever I play soccer, the day before I don't drink'." Dr Lee suggests starting with one alcohol-free day the first week, then working up to more until you reach a week. "After seven days of not drinking any alcohol, your system is then free of alcohol, so you've detoxed." Working up to a month-long challenge like Dry July is ideal, she says. What works for you will sometimes come down to trial and error, says Professor Kuntsche, and taking a longer break like Dry July is always a good experiment. "If you drink it's a very good idea to abstain from time to time. "See what's happening to yourself, what is happening to your environment. How hard is it? How beneficial is it?" Dr Lee says after 30 days, you may feel you can go longer. "After the 30 days it actually becomes easier because you're not … focusing all the time on not drinking. "It becomes a part of your lifestyle." Strategies such as drinking a glass of water or non-alcohol drinks between alcoholic drinks may help some people reduce their intake, says Professor Kuntsche. He also suggests avoiding buying rounds with friends, and having smaller serves of alcohol, for example. Dr Lee says drinking less is easier when supported by those around you. Taking a challenge with your partner or friend can provide accountability and motivation. Joining communities such as Facebook groups of programs like Hello Sunday Morning can be helpful for these same reasons. "It's good to surround yourself with other people who don't drink," says Dr Lee. Dr Lee is a big fan of reading books and listening to podcasts to learn more about alcohol and strategies to drink less. Professor Kuntsche suggests counselling services if you need more support. Ultimately, Dr Lee says it doesn't matter what the goal is, or the framework of how you achieve it, as long as you're moderating in some way "then you're succeeding". "And you can build on that."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mayville & Juneau, Wisconsin, Suffer Severe Damage After Tornado Reports
The small towns of Mayville and Juneau, WI, suffered "significant" damage after tornado reports on May 15, 2025, according to The Dodge County Sheriff's Department. Photos and videos posted on social media showed the extensive damage, with a snapped-in-half silo, roofs blown off or damaged, and trees covering the roadways. The Dodge County Sheriff's Department released a lengthy statement on its Facebook page. It was titled, "Significant Weather-Related Damage." Megan Lee, a reporter for WTMJ-TV, posted damage photos on X and wrote, "Devastating damage in Juneau, Wisconsin tonight. A barn completely wrecked and a silo snapped in half. My heart is breaking for these Wisconsinites." Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said in a news conference that a "cluster of storms" caused significant damage to Juneau and Mayville, with powerlines and trees down elsewhere. Juneau and Mayville were the epicenter of the response, Schmidt said. He said that, at this point, only one person was taken to the hospital for injuries in the City of Juneau. "There may have been another minor injury that occurred." "We have people who are without homes," Schmidt said, adding that some people "lost their roofs and have nowhere to go." Schmidt asked people who don't live in Juneau or Mayville to stay away while authorities help clean up the communities. "At about 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Dodge County Area had significant storm cells that moved through the Dodge County area. As a result, significant damage has occurred, which primarily occurred in the Juneau and Mayville areas," the Sheriff's Department wrote in a written statement. "Currently, residents in those affected areas are encouraged to shelter in place while emergency crews work to clean up damage and restore power," the statement added. "Many streets and highways are closed due to power lines and trees being down. We are asking that all non–residents avoid the cities of Juneau and Mayville to allow emergency responders to assist those affected." A video posted by a storm chaser named Vince Waelti showed Mayville, WI, right after the tornado struck. That video showed downed trees and damaged roofs, minimally. WKOW-TV described the Mayville tornado damage as "significant," largely based on Waelti's video. According to that station, the National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado was spotted on radar in Dodge County "that looked like it hit the city of Mayville just after 6 p.m." on May 15. Here are the photos posted by Lee on X: Another image shared by WTMJ-TV showed a "flattened silo." Vortix wrote on X, "Had a rather brief but strong tornado to hit Juneau, #Wisconsin a few moments ago. While the TVS had a VROT of 65kts, the debris was only lofted up 5kft at most. The NWS shall investigate soon." Other damage photos show buildings with roofs blown off. The Sheriff's Department advised, "DO NOT drive around barricades or emergency vehicles unless directed to do so, as the streets and highways are closed for your safety." "City of Juneau residents who have been displaced from their homes are encouraged to report to Dodgeland Schools 401, S. Western Ave, Juneau, WI," they wrote. "City of Mayville residents who have been displaced from their homes are encouraged to report to the Tag Center, 1700 Breckenridge St, Mayville." The department added: "Red Cross and Dodge County Health and Human Services/Public Health are on scene to assist. At this point, only minor injuries have been reported to emergency personnel. Additional information will be relayed to the public later this evening at 8:30 pm. A press conference will be held at the Dodge County Sheriff's Office, 124 West St."
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Quantum technology gets space for global discussion in Calgary
How could quantum technology impact how we live? The University of Calgary is launching an initiative that will have specialists from different fields gather and study the implications of quantum technology. The effort is a collaboration between the university, the province and Mphasis, the initiative's first industry partner. The partnership has allowed the university to dedicate a 17,000-square-foot space north of its campus to the initiative. Megan Lee, the managing director of Quantum City, said the place will act as a vessel for ideas on how quantum technology can be used in our daily lives. 'We want to be the place where people from around the world will gather to essentially turn the quantum technologies into solutions,' Lee said. Quantum technology is the application of the principles of quantum physics, which is the study of matter and energy at their most fundamental levels. The technology can be used in different fields, including medicine (MRI machines are one example of this application), communication, energy and aerospace. The technology is in its infancy, and the world is still waking up to its capabilities, Lee said. For instance, quantum technologies could be used for navigation without GPS. Such technologies can also radically diminish the time it takes to compute solutions, which could affect the operations of many businesses. Quantum technology also comes with risks. A quantum computer could bypass the most sophisticated encryption systems, raising concerns about not only individual privacy but also the world's economic and political systems. Ultimately, the initiative's goal is to understand how to ethically use this technology while finding ways to mitigate its risks. 'We want to create a vibrant ecosystem, and hence create an economic and scientific hub for science in Calgary,' Lee said. 'It's kind of like a Y2K — we knew it was happening, then we had time to prepare for it… so we can learn from that experience and be better prepared for the days when quantum technologies are here.'
