Are mobile phones killing us?

Earlier this year I read an article in The Australian about a recent international study on the health risks of mobile phone usage. Following that there were numerous stories in the papers and on TV about the very same topic.


What this study showed was pretty damn scary. Mobile phone users who were in the top 10% of highest usage (you're looking at as little as 30 minutes or more a day to be in this group) were up to 40% more likely to develop glioma, a common type of brain cancer!


Pretty scary figures when you think about it. I mean 30 minutes a day on the mobile? Surely that's pretty average for most of us??? I'd hate to think about how much time those who use their mobiles on a regular basis as part of their work day!


So, what can we do to avoid excess mobile phone usage you ask?
- use landline phones where possible
- text instead of calling someone
- avoid having your mobile within a couple of metres of you while you sleep at night 
- use a wired headset or speakerphone where possible

I guess the one thing we can all take from this is to be more mindful of mobile phone usage. I mean, back in the day we all got along quite nicely without them!


Do you try to avoid using your mobile on a regular basis?

Making Australia Happy

This morning I received an email from a friend with a link to Making Australia Happy, a series being produced by the ABC.

It's based on a current study being undertaken in NSW with a select group of participants who want to 'get happy'.
The study is run over 8 weeks and is hosted by coaching psychologist Dr Tony Grant.
Basically what the study looks at is whether it is possible to teach ourselves to be happy.
It looks at things like positive psychology, mindfulness, physical activity and diet.
Throughout the study the participants are tested for their 'happiness level' to track how making various changes in their life are having any kind of impact.

Did you know what few people realise that happiness can be cultivated?
50% of happiness is based on genetics
10% on life circumstances like possessions, finances etc.
40% on the choices we make

You can view the first 2 episodes on the website now. I would recommend checking them out!
And while you're there you can take the happiness test yourself.

Let me know what you think of the study! Do you think that happiness can be learnt?

Sweet weekend - date night

For quite some time when I first started dating my hubby Friday night was also known as 'date night'.
It gave us the chance to catch up on our week and go somewhere nice for dinner or a movie or whatever it may be.

I adored date night as it didn't mean sitting together in front of the TV while one was on the laptop and the other reading a magazine. It was 'real time' together!

Somewhere along the line, like the majority of couples out there, date night slowly went from a weekly occurrence, to monthly, to every now and again...
Whether it be a long day at work or a lack of money or a busy schedule, life just caught up with us.

So recently it got me thinking - how important is 'date night' in a relationship?

In my relationship - well, we eat together most nights, we have cuddle time on the couch, we always catch up on how our day's been.
But you know what, while that's all well and good most nights, I think the absence of date night makes it feel like something's missing.

Ok, so granted we don't have children. If we did that would be all the more reason to make sure we included some 'us time' in our weekly schedule, that's for sure! But no matter whether it's just two people in a family or 6, quality time together is important for any couple.

So this week I made sure we locked in a date night. Last night we went to dinner and then caught a movie. And it was brilliant to spend some time together. What a great way to start the weekend.

So I guess this is a prompter, especially to all of you parents out there.
Schedule in a date night in the next week or two. You don't have to go all out. Even if you get take away and a DVD. Just spend some real time together. Chat about the things you used to chat about.
And enjoy each other :)