Reader Digest Australia Feb2020

OATUSRARPSOLDTDKOCRASISETSS AMAZING
ANIMALS
18FOODS You Never
Knew Existed
THAT HEAL
PAGE 70
“Must Eats”
from Experts SPECIAL
REPORT
PAGE 30 Why Sleep
Matters
THE
BORDER PAGE 46
GUARD
Who
Changed
History

PAGE 94

MY STORY
“A Chance
Discovery
Launched
My Career”

PAGE 12

Explore, Interact, Inspire

Available now, everywhere Who AZING
H HEAL Changed IMALS
Must Eats” History Never
from Experts xisted
MY STORY
A Chance SPECIAL
Discovery REPORT
Launched Why Sleep
My Career” Matters

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2020

30 42 58

Features life lesson humour

24 Jerk Alert! The Worst
Advice I Ever Got
making a difference We’ve all met these
obnoxious characters. Well-meaning but
A Safe Bed If you can’t avoid idiotic ‘words of
them, then diminish wisdom’ that are
An innovative idea their impact. a mistake to
assists the homeless take seriously.
by providing a secure CHRISTINA PALASSIO
place to get a good EDITED BY ANDY SIMMONS
night’s rest. 46
42
KATHY BUCHANAN health
AND ZOË MEUNIER
Sleep Matters
30
Often neglected,
health sleep is a vital aspect
of our life, health
18 Foods and longevity.
Proven to Heal Here’s why you need
it and how to get it.
Doctors and nutrition
experts select foods LISA FIELDS
shown to provide
significant health 24
benefits and
COVER IMAGE:LEVI BROWN reduce the risk of
chronic disease.

DAWN YANEK

ON THE COVER: 18 FOODS PROVEN TO HEAL – PAGE 30

1

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2020

108 94

63 75 in the news

animal kingdom life lesson The Border
Guard, the Mayor
Chameleons Hitting Refresh and the Wall
of the Sea
Clean and polish Barbed wire fences
The largest cuttlefish those dark corners patrolled by guards
in the world gather of your relationship were torn down
for a spectacular for a little loving after the demise
annual courtship. maintenance. of Communism
in Hungary.
DAVID LEVELL MEGAN HAYNES Now the fences are
going back up.
70 84
ADINDA AKKERMANS AND
did you know? profile CATRIEN SPIJKERMAN
ADAPTED FROM
Stranger Things The Right Idea THE IRON CURTAIN PROJECT

These creatures Property developer 63
are nasty by nature, Harry Triguboff
performing some had a vision that
revolting activities was ahead of
in order to survive. the times.

ANDY SIMMONS HELEN SIGNY

2 february 2020

16

102 Departments

photo feature the digest 92

Towering Successes 18 Pets
20 Health
Bigger isn’t always 23 News From the
better, but these man-
made towers of the World of Medicine
world soar above the 78 Travel
rest. CORNELIA KUMFERT 125 RD Recommends

108 regulars 18

travel 4 Editor’s Note 3
6 Letters
The Heart of Europe 10 News Worth

With a rich and Sharing
sometimes turbulent 12 My Story
French and German 16 Smart Animals
heritage, Strasbourg 54 Look Twice
is reinventing itself 91 Quotable Quotes
for the future.
humour
PAUL ROBERT
40 Life’s Like That 91
116
82 Laughter, the
bonus read Best Medicine

The Man Who is 92 All in a Day’s Work
Ageing Too Fast
the genius section
Could learning more
about a rare genetic 130 5 Easy Memory
disorder that makes Tricks
people age too quickly
help us grow older 133 Family Fun
more slowly? 134 Puzzles
136 Trivia
ERIKA HAYASAKI 137 Word Power
FROM MOSAIC

READER’S DIGEST

EDITOR’S NOTE

The Unique Voices of My Story

THE STRENGTH OF OUR MAGAZINE lies in keeping things real. We’re
able to do this by celebrating the adventures, achievements and bravery
of people we can all relate to – everyday people, told in their voices. The
features and anecdotes are real, and the emotions are experienced and
felt by their respective authors. The submissions we receive from our
readers for our regular My Story column are core to this emphasis. We
receive hundreds of submissions, each one detailing a moment in time
that left its author smiling, or with an impression or insight on life that’s
hard to forget. Reading through each submission is like taking a dive
into a series of conversations, each one entertaining and uplifting.

This month’s My Story by Richard Whitaker, ‘A Sign From Above’
(page 12), draws on a chance encounter he had as a child that guided
him into a life-long passion for meteorology. By writing and reliving this
experience, I hope Richard inspires others to share their own My Story.

For those of us who may be keen to rethink our diet,
out of need or boredom, ‘18 Foods Proven to Heal’
(page 32) offers a beautifully photographed and
informative insight into nutritional superfoods,
all of which are readily available and simple to
add to your cooking repertoire. My personal
favourites? Pomegranate juice and garlic (though
not together!).

Let us know what you think about our stories.
To contact us, see the details on page 8.

LOUISE WATERSON
Editor-in-Chief

4 february 2020

Vol. 198 OATUSRARPSOLDTDKOCRASISETSS AMAZING
No. 1177 ANIMALS
February 2020 18FOODS You Never
Knew Existed
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Louise Waterson THAT HEAL
Managing Editor Zoë Meunier “Must Eats” PAGE 70
Chief Subeditor Melanie Egan from Experts
Art Director Hugh Hanson SPECIAL
Senior Art Designer Adele Burley PAGE 30 REPORT
Senior Editor Diane Godley Why Sleep
Associate Editor Victoria Polzot THE Matters
DIGITAL Head of Digital Content Greg Barton BORDER
Digital Marketing Executive Jemma Newlyn GUARD PAGE 46
Who
ADVERTISING Group Advertising Changed
& Retail Sales Director Sheron White History
Account Manager Darlene Delaney,
Sales Support Manager Conor Hillis PAGE 94

REGIONAL ADVERTISING CONTACTS MY STORY
“A Chance
Australia/Asia Sheron White Discovery
[email protected] Launched
New Zealand Yulia McKenzie, My Career”
[email protected]
PAGE 12
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READER’S DIGEST

LETTERS

READER’S COMMENTS AND OPINIONS

Tigers Rising

We are all assaulted with the daily

barrage of news about the loss of

Earth’s biodiversity from fires burning

uncontrollably in the Amazon to the

destruction of wildlife everywhere.

India is proving that it doesn’t have

to be that way.

The recovery of its tiger population

(News Worth Sharing, November) is

a clear demonstration of what can be

achieved when a nation takes strong

action to preserve its environment

because everyone is diminished

whenever their natural world

disappears. MICHAEL WOUTERS

Magic Scissors for marginalised people, is a

I have been an avid reader of this thoughtful, compassionate soul.
magazine since my teenage years
and my interest in reading it has Not only does Lex facilitate
not dwindled. The article ‘One
Cut at a Time’ by Lam Lye Ching and care for these people, he also
(November) impressed me the
most. Hairdresser Lex Low, who empowers them, which I believe
is trying to make life dignified
is the ultimate step towards

a dignified existence. 

More power to him and

those like him. DURRE SHAHWAR

Let us know if you are moved – or provoked – by any item in the magazine,
share your thoughts. See page 8 for how to join the discussion.

6 february 2020

Love Those Spuds Letters

I enjoyed your story on potatoes ALL SMILES

(‘I Am the Food on Your Plate’, We asked you to think up a funny
caption for this photo.
December). When my kids were
Vege-terrier.
growing up they would badger me
LOH KOK HOONG
about their boring chops, potatoes
Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater.
and pea dinners. They still tease me
JOHN BURTON
about how bland and unhealthy this
My dentist said to eat fruit
staple meal is compared to the fancy and smile a lot.

dinners they prepare for their own STEVE OWENS

families. I now know that fatty chops A canine with canines
hard at work!
aren’t good for you, and that putting
PAUL BALIN
butter over your peas is not
Melon Collie Smile.
a good thing either, but thankfully
NEALE HARRISON
the humble potato can help prevent
Congratulations to this month’s
cancer and heart disease. This is very winner, Neale Harrison.

good news. DOREENA KELLY WIN!

Middle Children Are Nicer CAPTION CONTEST

I am a middle child (‘The Vanishing Come up with the funniest caption
Middle Child’, November). I have an for the above photo and you could
win $100. To enter, see the details on
WIN A PILOT CAPLESS
FOUNTAIN PEN page 8.

The best letter each month
will win a Pilot Capless
Fountain Pen, valued at over
$200. The Capless is the
perfect combination of luxury
and ingenious technology,
featuring a one-of-a-kind
retractable fountain pen nib,
durable metal body, beautiful
rhodium accents and a 14K
gold nib. Congratulations to this
month’s winner, Doreena Kelly.

7

READER’S DIGEST

older sister and a younger one. I was RD SHOP
definitely tagged by my sisters and
by my parents as having ‘middle- For quality products, book sales and more,
child-syndrome’. Though they said visit Readersdigest.com.au/shop
it in jest, I always felt that the tag and Readersdigest.co.nz/shop
came with negative connotations.
CONTRIBUTE
Yet, as an adult, I am the one
both my sisters turn to for support Anecdotes and jokes
and to confide in and both have Send in your real-life laugh for
told me how envious they are of the Life’s Like That or All in a Day’s Work.
loyal and close friendships I have Got a joke? Send it in for Laughter
with others. is the Best Medicine!

It was interesting to read in your Smart Animals
article that loyalty and diplomacy Share antics of unique pets
are common traits of middle or wildlife in up to 300 words.
children. I agree with Jennifer
Garner that middle children Reminisce
grow up to take care of others and Share the tales of an event from your
are patient and we really do like to past that made a huge impact in
be nice for the sake of being nice! 100–500 words.
Every family needs a middle child.
My Story
PAULA BERTRAND Do you have an inspiring or life-
changing tale to tell? Submissions
must be true, unpublished, original
and 800–1000 words – see website
for more information.

Constant Cough Letters to the editor, caption
competitions and other reader
I would like to thank Sydney submissions
ONLINE
Loney for the article on persistent Follow the ‘Contribute’ link at the
RD website in your region.
coughing in Health Digest (June). www.readersdigest.com.au
www.readersdigest.co.nz
I had been coughing and hacking www.rdasia.com

up phlegm for months and no one EMAIL
AU: [email protected]
seemed to have an answer until NZ: [email protected]
ASIA: [email protected]
I came across your article which
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I followed up on this and within PRINTED BY OVATO LIMITED, 8 PRIDDLE ST, WARWICK FARM, NSW 2170, FOR THE
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about a week it appears to be under

control. You have excellent health

hints in your magazine. Keep up

the good work. STAN CHUN

8 February 2020

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ANNUAL CLASSIC READS 2020 OW I LEARNED TO BE HAPPY PAGE 52

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PAGE 94 London PR

M“DLAMYiasyCuSchnCoTacavOnhreRecerYeedyr” RY
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PAGE 12

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READER’S DIGEST

NEWS WORTH SHAR

Women of Worth Give Back to the Community
Women of all ages in the
town of Putaruru on New of the development programmes (COMMUNITY) COURTESY TRANSFORM AOTEAROA
Zealand’s North Island are on offer, they become ‘Women of
Worth’ (named by participants

discovering the joy of actively giving to reflect what they had learnt

to the community while building during the programme) and

self-confidence. Aged from 17 to 65, meet informally in a friendly,

the women are part of a Transform social atmosphere.

Aotearoa (TA) charitable trust Their activities include

programme appropriately titled distributing free firewood from

‘Women of Worth’. local farms to women who need it,

The women come from maintaining the giant flower pots

diverse backgrounds with some in the town centre, helping in the

having experienced difficult and community garden, sewing items

challenging times. At TA they such as grocery bags and cushion

find self-esteem and a sense of covers, plus walks, picnics, films,

belonging. After completing one crafts, baking and cooking.

COMPILED BY VICTORIA POLZOT

10 february 2020

(DROUGHT ARTIST) FARMER: JUSTIN LAMPE; The Kind Act That Helped News Worth Sharing
BACKGROUND: GETTY IMAGES Shape a Life
Drought Artist
M evan Babakar had a difficult start
in life. Her Kurdish parents fled When the drought
Iraq during the Gulf War in hit Justin Lampe’s
the 1990s, travelling through Turkey, business, he drew
Azerbaijan and Russia until the family on his father’s advice to
reached the Netherlands and spent a ‘think outside the square’.
year in a refugee camp.
As work dried up, Justin,
Mevan now works for a fact-checking from Molong in the central
charity and lives happily in London. west of New South Wales,
But she never forgot the refugee camp was forced to let his staff
worker all those years ago who, out of the go and close down his
kindness of his own heart, bought her a fencing business.
red, shiny bike. “My five-year-old heart
exploded with joy,” she remembers. With a treasure trove
of tools and machinery in
Mevan, today aged 29, decided to track his workshop, he turned to
down the man and posted an old photo of metal art to make a living.
the two of them in the camp on Twitter. To The self-taught artist
her surprise, within 36 hours the charity discovered a way to tell
worker, Egbert, was located in Germany. stories of the Big Dry. With
his piece The Praying Jack
The pair were reunited and Mevan – a silhouette of a farmer
posted another photograph: “This is holding an empty rain
Egbert. He’s been helping refugees since gauge which he tributes
the ’90s. He thought the bike was too small to his late father – he has
a gesture to make such a big fuss about.” found success. Justin now
receives steady orders for
For Mevan, the lesson is that small his metal art, and spends
actions can have big consequences: “The his days crafting native
kindness Egbert showed me continues to animals, flora and fire pits.
shape me. That’s the magical thing about
kindness: it doesn’t cost anything and it 11
changes the world one person at a time.”

READER’S DIGEST

MY STORY

A Sign
From Above

This young boy couldn’t
ignore the message in the wind

BY Richard Whitaker

IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO NOW – There were three of us in our
a summer’s morning in 1959 – little gang, all of similar age, and
when I was an 11-year-old boy we spent many hours roaming
living in the outer suburbs of free in the orchards, marvelling at
Melbourne. The area located over the ocean of blossoms that spread
our family’s back fence was a large across the area in springtime.
stretch of apple and pear orchards
and this formed an idyllic playground We had made friends with the
for the neighbourhood boys. local orchardist and struck a deal
with him. In exchange for us

12 february 2020

My Story

patrolling the area and keeping were enthralled with the way they

other kids out, we could help fell and how far they travelled before

ourselves to all the apples and pears hitting the ground.

we wanted. We were his unofficial So an immediate inspection

security force and revelled in the was called for and we discovered

authority this gave us. Thankfully from a written message on the

none of the older boys in the district box that the mysterious objects

challenged us – we would almost were the remnants of a Bureau of

certainly have come off the worse Meteorology weather balloon that

for wear. had, by pure chance, fallen close to

On this particular summer’s our back fence after a long journey

morning we were wandering along high in the sky across Melbourne.

one of the long A printed note on

rows of pear trees DRAPED OVER A the balloon asked
when we saw the finder to take it
something very TREE WAS A LARGE to the nearest post

strange. Draped OBJECT THAT office from where it
over a tree was a APPEARED TO BE would be returned,
large object that free of charge,
appeared to be a A PLASTIC to the Bureau of
plastic parachute PARACHUTE Meteorology.

attached to an I was fascinated

aluminium with this find –

pyramid-shaped object, and this Dad photographed the three of us

was, in turn, tied to a cardboard holding it – and for a time it was the

box, about the size of two loaves talk of the neighbourhood. Later the

of bread. next week I went proudly to the post

This interested us greatly as we office with the box, accompanied by

loved parachutes. We spent many my parents, where a disinterested

hours of spare time making our postal official took possession of

own, using weighted handkerchiefs it, and it disappeared back into the

and dropping them from a large sorting room, en route, we assumed,

cypress tree in our backyard. We to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Richard Whitaker is 72 and has been I never saw it again, but the events
married for 50 years. He has two children,
and five grandchildren. He says his home in of that golden summer morning
Terrigal on the Central Coast of New South would last for the rest of my life.
Wales is a wonderful place to view the Right then and there, I decided
to become a meteorologist – or

weather and ocean in all their moods. ‘weatherman’ – and much of my

13

READER’S DIGEST

early life became directed with this stint almost exactly ten years after

aim in mind. From a very young age finding the weather balloon.

I knew what I wanted to be. Finally I was accepted into the

I was always interested in high- Bureau of Meteorology in 1971 and

level flight. Some two years earlier, spent the next 31 years with this

our family and neighbours had great organisation. It was an amazing

watched the little white satellite period of phenomenal progress

called Sputnik 1 move surprisingly with weather satellites, automatic

quickly across the night sky high weather stations and computers – all

over Melbourne. We stood in little developing at a breathtaking pace.

groups out in the street staring After leaving the Bureau, I joined

upwards in the Weather

wonder. AFTER MY Channel – which
Then in 1960 we EXPERIENCE WITH later morphed into
Sky News Weather
saw, for the first

time, what our THE WEATHER – and appeared on
planet looked like BALLOON, radio and television
from outer space on a regular basis.
when TIROS-1, the I DREAMED OF Well into my
meteorological BECOMING A retirement, I wrote

satellite, took METEOROLOGIST books about the
photographs
weather and spoke

from some 720 at many schools

kilometres above and community

the Earth. These published images gatherings spreading the word on the

were an international sensation wonders of the atmosphere.

and proved to be Earth’s first I was lucky, my career was my

‘selfies’. hobby and this is a wonderful recipe

With the space race in full swing for success and fulfilment that I

during the 1960s, I became a fan of would recommend. I am often asked,

the brilliant technology on parade “What got you interested in the

and after my experience with weather?” and my answer is always

the weather balloon, dreamed of the same: “I had a sign from above”,

becoming a meteorologist. that weather balloon from long ago.

By 1968 I had earned a science

degree and was about to begin Do you have a tale to tell? We’ll pay
my dream job when I received an cash for any original and unpublished
offer I couldn’t refuse – National story we print. See page 8 for details

Service – and I began my two-year on how to contribute.

14 February 2020

TALKS What’s New in RD Talks

Sit back and enjoy the audio versions of the most engaging
stories to have appeared in Reader’s Digest magazine.

WHERE HAVE ALL TRAPPED
THE BUGS GONE? UNDER A TRAIN

Some insect The little girl’s life
populations around was ebbing as she lay
pinned to the track.
the world have Listen to this real-life
gone into alarming drama of a young girl
decline. What does it and the heroes who
mean for the rest of
saved her.
life on Earth?

THE GREAT HOW I
LONDON FOG LEARNT TO BE

The fog that HAPPY
descended on
London in December A woman decides
1952 was no typical to boost her mood
fog. Soon the city and wellbeing by
found itself gasping signing up to an
online happiness
for air.
course.

TO LISTEN GO TO:

.rdasia.com/podcasts
www.readersdigest.co.nz/podcasts

www.readersdigest.com.au/podcasts

READER’S DIGEST

SMART ANIMALS

THE ACTIONS OF ANIMALS NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE US

The Protector disappeared. We lived in a small ILLUSTRATIONS: GETTY COMPOSITE
country town at the end of a dead-
NEIL SPACKMAN end street that led to a main road.

In 1980, a friend who knew I loved I ran to the front gate and looked
black Labradors asked if I was out towards the main road. Boy
interested in a young Lab that and dog were approaching the
needed a new home. After meeting intersection. I jumped in the car
with the owner and ‘Marcus’, my and went after them.
future wife, Karen, and I headed
home with the first member of our When they reached the
soon-to-be family. intersection, Marcus sat in front
of Garth, who was on his red and
After two years of marriage our
first son, Garth, arrived. Garth You could earn cash by telling us
and Marcus bonded immediately. about the antics of unique pets or
When Garth was about two, he wildlife. Turn to page 8 for details
and Marcus were outside playing. on how to contribute.
Then, in the blink of an eye the pair

16 february 2020

Smart Animals

yellow plastic trike. Every time Garth mucking out a loose box so I grabbed
moved, Marcus cut him off from the a lead rope and went out to the
main road and held him there until paddock to catch Boy-One. That
I arrived. I can tell you, it was a very particular summer morning, I was
relieved Dad who drove them home, wearing a green wraparound skirt
dog in the front, boy in the back. which tied at the back. I led Boy-One
over to one of the owners who was
A Bit of Horseplay standing behind me. He asked me a
question and as I turned to answer,
SARAH TURBOTT Boy-One started to play with the ties
at the back of my skirt, causing the
Boy-One was a liver chestnut horse at skirt to fall around my ankles, leaving
a stable at Waimauku, New Zealand, me in my underwear!
where I worked in 1983. After he’d
been racing for the day at Te Rapa I was mortified and turned bright
Racecourse in Hamilton, I unloaded red with embarrassment but I
him off the horse float. When I went could also see the funny side and
to the back of the float and lowered appreciate Boy-One’s sense
the ramp, Boy-One just stood there of humour. The owners tried not
refusing to move. I gave him a gentle to laugh but they could not help
push and he started down the ramp. but smile.
I immediately noticed that he was
limping and holding up his leg. This I went to Boy-One later that
is the worst thing that can happen to afternoon and he did the same thing
a racehorse as often, once a bone is again. He really did have a cheeky
fractured, the horse cannot race or, nature and so, after that, I never wore
worse, is put down. wraparound skirts near him again.

Our boss, Davina, explained that
Boy-One had fractured a bone in
his hoof. We were to keep him in
the paddock next to the house so he
could rest and be closely watched
in case he tried to lie down and
then couldn’t get up. The plan was
that after three weeks of rest, his
condition should have improved.
Hopefully, after six months he would
be once again fit for racing. 

The following week, the concerned
owners came to see how he was
getting on. At the time, I was

17

READER’S DIGEST

PETS

Bringing a Baby Home

A little preparation keeps everyone safe and happy

BY Dr Katrina Warren

WELCOMING A NEW BABY is an exciting time that
creates big changes for everyone in the household,
including pets who may no longer receive their
usual amount of attention. With some extra care,
pets can adapt very well to the arrival of a new baby.
Veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren shares her expert
advice about why it’s important to plan properly and
be sensible with your actions.

Our regular pet START MAKING CHANGES BEFORE BRINGING
columnist, BABY HOME Your pet shouldn’t associate the baby
Dr Katrina Warren,
is an established with any major changes or negatives to its lifestyle.
and trusted animal Start making any changes to the pet’s routine well
expert. in advance of the baby’s arrival. If your pet is no
longer going to be fed in the kitchen, allowed in your
bedroom or the baby’s room, on the couch or inside
the house, you should start making those changes
several months in advance.

FIX PROBLEM BEHAVIOURS Dog behavioural PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

issues such as jumping up, pulling on the lead or
barking should be dealt with in advance. You may
need to enlist the help of a professional trainer to
ensure that at the very least your dog will sit and lay
down at your command.

18 february 2020

Pets

FAMILIARISE NEW While it might make for a good picture,
SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND don’t leave your dog alone with a baby
SMELLS Many pets have
FIRST MEETING When introducing
never heard a baby cry before
and the sound can be very your baby to your dog, try to have
loud and initially alarming for someone else hold your baby for the
them. To help pets become initial greeting. Don’t make a fuss
accustomed to the noise, and be sure to reward your dog for
download an App of crying calm behaviour. It’s fine for pets to be
baby sounds and play it at a curious, or if they choose to ignore
low level until your pet is not the baby, that’s fine, too.
interested in the sound.
Ideally you want your pet to
Practise walking your associate the baby with positive
dog with an empty pram. times, so be sure to administer
Managing a dog and pram can be praise, cuddles and treats when the
a handful, it’s safest to familiarise baby is present.
yourself and the dog without the
baby initially.

Set the nursery up and allow your
pet to have a look around and smell
items associated with the baby,
such as powder and wipes, well in
advance. Immediately before the
baby comes home, bring a blanket or
clothes with the scent of your baby
from the hospital so your pet can
familiarise itself with the smell.

DR KATRINA’S 3 TOP TIPS FOR HANDLING BABIES AND CATS

Create a barrier to manage your cat’s where they are
the nursery Cats love access while still seeing uncomfortable.
sleeping somewhere and hearing your baby. Trim claws Cat claws
warm and high so a Always allow your cat should be trimmed
baby’s cot can be very to escape if they want immediately before
tempting. Consider to – cats do not respond bringing the baby
installing a temporary well to being pushed home, and regularly
screen door so you can into circumstances afterwards.

19

READER’S DIGEST

HEALTH

Brain
Pain

Identifying
and treating
common types
of headaches

BY Anna Sharratt

If you suffer from headaches then characterised by dull pain and ILLUSTRATION BY JAMIE BENNETT
you’re well acquainted with pressure around the forehead, as
throbbing or pulsing pain that can well as throbbing on one or both
leave you reaching for painkillers sides of the skull.
or looking for an ice pack. Though
more than 300 types of headache Tension headaches are caused
exist, the most common are tension, by stress, tight neck muscles, sitting
migraine and cluster headaches. in one position for too long or by
The good news? You can prevent cold weather, and usually last about
and minimise headaches – and new, 30 minutes.
promising treatments are available.
Treat these headaches with
TENSION HEADACHES over-the-counter painkillers. If the
discomfort doesn’t dissipate after
Chances are you’ve experienced several hours, or grows worse,
tension headaches, which affect see a doctor to rule out something
29 per cent of the population. more serious, says neurologist
The most common type are and headache specialist Dr William
Kingston.
20 february 2020

MIGRAINES Migraines affect CLUSTER HEADACHES These

17 per cent of women during their painful bouts have been called
reproductive years and ten per suicide headaches – and not without
cent of men and can last for hours reason. They’re characterised by
or even days, with symptoms that extreme discomfort that starts
precede and follow the attack. Often around the same time every day
running in families and triggered – usually in the morning – and
by stress, lack of sleep or changes typically increases for five to ten
in barometric pressure, these minutes, lasting up to an hour and
neurological disturbances can a half. Attacks can reoccur multiple
lead to throbbing on one side of the times a day. Currently, CGRP
head, nausea and vomiting, as well inhibitors are being evaluated as a
as sensitivity to light, sounds and form of treatment, says neurologist
smells. Because sufferers miss a lot and headache specialist Dr Sian
of work, “Migraines lead to more lost Spacey. Other brain­stimulating
productivity than having cancer,” therapies, such as occipital nerve
says Dr Kingston. stimulation and noninvasive
vagus nerve stimulation, are also
Thankfully, new preventative being explored. In the meantime,
medications called calcitonin gene­ treatments include patients inhaling
related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors oxygen through a mask, injecting
have emerged, which target the triptans or a synthetic version of the
protein that causes migraines. brain hormone somatostatin, and
Taken monthly, these injectable using local anaesthetics such as
drugs have demonstrated a 50 per lidocaine via the nose.
cent reduction in the frequency of
migraines. Patients should speak WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR
to their doctor about the suitability
and cost of this medication. Unusual headaches – ones that
you’ve never experienced before
Practising good migraine hygiene that become worse or more frequent
– getting rest and exercise, eating – warrant further investigation,
regular meals, skipping alcohol says Dr Kingston. If you notice
and caffeine – can also help, says unexplained weight loss, chills,
Dr Kingston. And if a migraine fever, vision changes or mobility or
strikes, rather than reaching for balance issues, ask your doctor to
over­the­counter drugs, such as rule out an aneurysm (a weakening
ibuprofen or paracetamol (which can of an artery in the brain) or a brain
worsen headaches in the long term), tumour. “It’s important to get the
consider prescription medications, right diagnosis,” says Dr Spacey.
such as triptans or ergots.
21

READER’S DIGEST phone or tablet, or take a seat at the PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
computer. This rule should apply to
HEALTH everyone in your household.

Tips to 2 REARRANGE THE FAMILY
Reduce
Technology ROOM FURNITURE Design your
Addiction
family room so that the TV is no
FROM 5-MINUTE HEALTH BOOSTERS longer the focal point of the room,
but an afterthought that requires
R esearch suggests that at least rearranging chairs to view it.
64 per cent of people now
spend up to four hours daily 3 LIMIT SOCIAL MEDIA USE
of leisure time in front of a screen.
Just as TV watching has been linked Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter,
to higher rates of obesity and Instagram or Snapchat, impose
diabetes, this extra sedentary time is limits on the time you spend
bad news for our health. on social media. Avoid aimless
browsing and give your time online
1 CHOOSE OUTDOOR a purpose: research holidays or read
the news. Then log off!
ACTIVITIES When you’re at
4 SET ASIDE READING TIME
home, make it a rule that
you can’t be online if Challenge yourself to read at least
the sun is shining. 30 pages of a great book before you
Instead, you have check your device. Pick the right
to go for a walk, reading material and you’ll soon find
ride a bike or get you’ve created a new pastime!
some other kind of
healthy physical 5 ENGAGE IN PROJECTS
activity for at least Compile a list of one-hour
an hour before you evening projects. List
can pull out your everything you can
possibly think
22 february 2020 of: organising
cupboards,
sharpening knives,
sorting through
your sewing
materials. Then try to
do one each evening.

NEWS FROM THE

WORLD OF MEDICINE

PHOTOS: ADAM VOORHES HOT BATHS HELP YOUR HEART Although products come in
childproof packaging, many seniors
A study of 873 men and women aged have reasons to transfer them to
between 60 and 76 showed that those easier-to-open containers or pill
who took at least five hot baths (with sorters. If so, it’s important to keep
temperatures over 41°C) every week them out of the reach of little ones.
had significantly lower markers
of atherosclerosis, which can lead Medications are a leading cause
to heart attacks and strokes. More of childhood poisoning worldwide,
research is needed, but the benefits according to the World Health
may be due to lower stress levels and Organization.
decreased blood pressure.
For most accidents, “the first step
PROTECTING GRANDCHILDREN can be to call a poison-control
FROM MEDICATIONS centre,” says Dr Malani. Their staff
can help with initial decision-
Most grandparents don’t give much making, including whether the child
thought to the risks their medications needs to be taken to hospital.
pose to their grandkids, suggests a
US poll on healthy ageing. More than MENTAL HEALTH AND EXERCISE
four-fifths of grandparents said that
when children were visiting, their According to a US study of 1.2 million
pills remained in the same place as people, those who exercised enjoyed
usual, often in cupboards or on better mental health than those
kitchen benchtops. “And who didn’t. But there was a limit.
when they travel to see
grandchildren, 72 per cent Individuals who worked out
reported keeping their for 45 minutes per
medications in their session felt better than
bag,” says Dr Preeti those who favoured
Malani, the poll longer work-outs.
director. Only a Similarly, hitting
small minority the gym three to five
locked them away. times a week – not
daily – correlated with

optimal results.

23

MAKING A DIFFERENCE ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES

A

SSLAEFEEP

When Norm McGillivray took a voluntary redundancy
in 2018, he wondered what was next. That’s when
an inspired ‘aha!’ moment set him
on a new path helping his city’s homeless

BY Kathy Buchanan and Zoë Meunier

24 February 2020

25

READER’S DIGEST

or two weeks last spring, a secure car park
station in Brisbane’s CBD came alive after
nightfall. Usually dark, silent and vacant,

Fthe car park was a hub of activity with a
flurry of volunteers setting up air mattresses
with fresh sheets and new pillows.

Onsite was a doctor, a nurse, a den- it is unacceptable to have 8000 people PHOTO: COURTESY BEDDOWN
tist, a social worker, a team of hair- sleeping rough across the country
dressers, chaplains and people hand- every night,” he says.
ing out clothes, food and drinks. Most
importantly, 41 of the city’s homeless CLOSE TO HIS HEART
were there to sleep, knowing that they
were safe, warm and had toilets and In just a few short years in the early
showers close at hand. 1970s, Norm’s parents went from
being happily married, to his father
Norm McGillivray watched with being struck down by a stroke at just
joy as the pilot of his new charity, 33. The stroke immobilised his fa-
Beddown, came to life. For the father ther’s right side, causing his face to
of three and grandfather of six, it was drop, impeding his speech and swift-
the fulfilment of a lifelong dream to ly impacting the family business. The
help others, and a legacy of his own carpentry shop his dad owned closed,
experiences as a young boy. and there was little financial support
available to the young family. The
Like many people, when Norm was couple divorced and Norm’s father
given redundancy, he was unsure found himself living on the streets.
what life had in store for him.
“I have vague recollections of him
Instead of taking a well-deserved coming in and out of my life after that,”
holiday, Norm applied for a series of says Norm. His father would drop in
jobs – without luck. So he decided it every two weeks and get a ‘tidy up’
was time to put into action a long- from his ex-wife, who helped him as
held dream and set up something best she could by giving him a shave,
himself to help others. haircut and new clothes. He died
at the age of 42 from a heart attack.
Homelessness is an issue close to His father’s experiences have been
Norm’s heart, as his father had end- ever-present for Norm, and made him
ed up living rough on the streets of determined to find a way to help oth-
London for many years. ers in a similar predicament. But how?

Norm was also saddened to see After spending a few days working
research showing that homelessness
in Australia is getting worse. “I think

26 February 2020

A Safe Sleep

through some concepts, serendipity A SECURE PLACE
finally stepped in as Norm was visit-
ing a local shopping centre. “I’m not Getting sufficient quality sleep in
sure if my dad was looking down on a safe environment is a daily chal-
me, but I got to the shopping centre, lenge for the homeless. “Sleep depri-
opened the car door and my lightbulb vation is a big issue, they are moved
moment happened as I was standing on regularly, fear for their security
in an almost empty car park.” and have to contend with the envi-
ronment,” Norm says.
Norm’s idea was to open empty
parking stations at night to the home- “Sleep deprivation also leads to
less. “The concept is to take spaces physical and mental health conditions
that are normally busy during the day such as irritability, memory loss, risk
but empty or vacant at night,” he says. of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obe-
“Car parks fit these criteria perfectly sity and hallucinations.” These health
and can be repurposed into pop-up problems make it all the more difficult
accommodation that is safe, secure to function normally, he says.
and comfortable for the homeless to
access a bed and a good night’s sleep.” With the support of his wife and
adult son and daughters, Norm used
the money he received from his

Volunteers setting up beds for the homeless in a Brisbane parking station

27

READER’S DIGEST

redundancy to start a charity, Bed- added, “I don’t have to watch my back

down. Once word spread, website here.” Perhaps most encouraging,

designers, town planners and other one female guest found employment.

professionals offered their services. After the benefit of uninterrupted

Finding a car parking company sleep, she was able to work produc-

willing to donate the space long- tively during the day.

term and support the idea was par-

amount. “Once I had my lightbulb WHILE NORM IS DELIGHTED with

moment, it was a matter of doing the impact of the trial, he is now

research on the main car park oper- fixed on securing a long-term solu-

ators in Australia. Secure Parking is tion. “[For our guests] to build a bet-

Australia’s and New Zealand’s larg- ter quality of life, we need to under-

est operator with over stand their situation

600 car parks.” “YOU CAN and help them access
CREATE
So Norm sent a SOMETHING longer-term solutions
pitch to Secure Park- FROM NOTHING for accommodation,
ing chief executive WITH FEW rehabilitation, edu-
officer Peter Anson, cation and training.”
RESOURCES”
who invited Norm to Since the success-
Sydney to pitch his ful pilot, Norm and
idea in person. Anson Beddow n’s cor po-
was immediately on rate and business

board and offered partners have been

company assistance reviewing and re-

with the project. fining operations, as

After battling a great deal of red well as recruiting more volunteers

tape, Beddown finally commenced and fundraising.

its two-week trial last September. “It “My phone is constantly buzzing

was amazing to see Beddown come with messages of support and people

to life and see the impact it had on asking when Beddown is coming to

our guests,” says Norm. Positive their city,” he says.

feedback from some guests speaks “I knew in my gut that this was

for itself: what I was meant to do. I have also

“Having a good sleep at night and learned that you can create some-

a routine reminded me of life and thing from nothing with few re-

I booked myself into rehab for six sources. It takes hard work, grit, pas-

months,” said one guest. sion and determination but if you

“It’s the first time I’ve had a dream truly believe in something, you can

in years,” said another, while a third make it happen.”

28 February 2020

TALKS What’s New in RD Talks

Sit back and enjoy the audio versions of the most engaging
stories to have appeared in Reader’s Digest magazine.

SEARCHING “WE’RE DEAD”
FOR RILEY Stay and fight,
Even though she’d or abandon your
never met him,
when Sally Pratley home? As one family
saw that a little struggles to decide,
boy was missing, the flames sweep
she knew she had in and it becomes a

to help. desperate battle
for survival.

THE PIG WHO HANA’S
LOVED PEOPLE SUITCASE
Worn and musty,
He wasn’t what it travelled from
you’d expect in a the horrors of
pet – or even in Auschwitz to
a pig. The heart- Japan, bearing
warming story of a a message
friendly pig with a
of hope.
huge heart.

O LISTEN GO TO:

.readersdigest.com.au/podcasts
www.readersdigest.co.nz/podcasts
www.rdasia.com/podcasts

HEALTH

BY Dawn Yanek

PHOTOGRAPHS BY

Fo1o8dsLeviBrown

30 February 2020

Many of us

suffer from

medical

HetoalPROVEN conditions
linked to our
diets. These
nutritional
powerhouses

can make
you healthier

with every

bite

31

READER’S DIGEST

ooking for a health superhero? Head to the
supermarket. Some foods have the power to
fight diabetes or heart disease – in other words,

L they can literally save your life. That’s not an
exaggeration. A large study in the New England
Journal of Medicine found that people of any age who
started including healthy foods in their diets improved
their chances of living longer. Replacing one serving of
red or processed meat a day with one serving of nuts
or legumes, for instance, was linked to an eight
to 17 per cent reduced risk of premature death.

But how do you choose the best options for you? We
talked to health experts and asked them: what one
nutrient-packed food would you like people to add to
their diets? Here are their picks, along with some of the
health issues each one may help prevent or treat.

KALE vessels and heart valves; and folate
for brain health.”
Heals: Eye conditions Serving size: ½ cup, cooked (59 g)

• Heart disease • Bones Dr Terry Wahls is a clinical professor
of medicine at the University of Iowa.
SELECTED BY DR TERRY WAHLS, She is the author of The Wahls
PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE Protocol, which outlines a paleo-
based diet and lifestyle programme.
1 “Kale is packed with carote-
noids, including lutein and GOOD TO KNOW: Aside from
zeaxanthin, which are particularly drinking plenty of water, people
beneficial for eye health. Not to prone to kidney stones should
mention that there’s a hefty amount opt for kale over spinach. Kale
of glucosinolates (organic sulphur), has a lower level of dietary
which help the body rid itself of oxalates than spinach, so your
toxic substances. Kale also has tons body won’t create those painful
of vitamin C, which improves masses of minerals and salts
immune-cell function; magnesium after you eat it.
for bone health; vitamin K for blood

32 February 2020

18 Foods Proven To Heal

MIXED NUTS

Heals: Heart disease

• High cholesterol • Low energy
• Constipation • Anaemia
• Weight gain • Diabetes

SELECTED BY MAYA FELLER, DIETITIAN
WHO SPECIALISES IN NUTRITION FOR

CHRONIC-DISEASE PREVENTION

2 “Nuts are a great source of 1NO.
heart-healthy fats, along with
some protein. Depending on the nut,
you’ll also have some fibre, calcium
or magnesium. Almonds, for exam-
ple, have 75 milligrams of calcium in
a 28-gram serving. Walnuts are high
in antioxidants. If I have a handful of
mixed nuts every day, I’m getting
everything.”
Serving size: About ¼ cup (28 g)

GOOD TO KNOW: Oils in nuts Kale is packed with
quickly turn rancid if exposed to carotenoids, including
too much heat. Store nuts in airtight lutein and zeaxanthin,
containers in the refrigerator for which are beneficial
up to six months.
for eye health
SALMON
canned – is rich in protein, omega-3s,
Heals: Brain function B vitamins, vitamins D and A and
selenium. All of these nutrients are
• Stroke • Inflammation • Heart critical for good health, particularly
disease • Rheumatoid arthritis omega-3s. These fatty acids help pro-
tect against age-related brain and eye
SELECTED BY RIMA KLEINER, diseases, reduce the risk of heart dis-
REGISTERED DIETITIAN ease and depression, maintain
healthy skin, calm inflammation and
3 “Salmon – whether farmed or
wild-caught, fresh, frozen or 33

READER’S DIGEST

12NO.

One of the most
underrated
properties
of garlic is its

ability to act as
an antifungal

boost immune function. (Other EDAMAME
sources of omega-3s include macker-
el, anchovies, walnuts and flaxseeds.) 5 These green soy beans pack
Studies show that pregnant women about nine grams of plant
who eat seafood two to three times protein and four grams of fibre in a
each week during their pregnancy go half cup. They are a great source of
on to have babies with optimal brain vitamin K, folate and fibre and con-
development, including an IQ boost.” tain no cholesterol. People who eat
Serving size: 85 g more whole soy may have lower rates
of heart disease and certain cancers.
PUMPKIN SEEDS
CAULIFLOWER
4 Pumpkin seeds are a great
source of zinc, iron and mag- 6 Cauliflower contains a com-
nesium as well as protein and ome- pound called indole-3 carbnol,
ga-6 fatty acids. Their fibre content which can decrease inflammation and
supports healthy digestion, heart slow cancer-cell growth. Plus it’s a
health and blood sugar regulation. source of folate, fibre and vitamins.

34 February 2020

18 Foods Proven To Heal

STRAWBERRIES TURMERIC

7 Strawberries are loaded with 10 This spice contains curcumin,
vitamin C, potassium, folate which has powerful antioxi-
and high levels of antioxidants. These dant and anti-inflammatory capabil-
fruits may help interrupt the develop- ities. It may reduce the risk of cancer,
ment of type 2 diabetes, reduce heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
inflammation in the colon and slow
cognitive decline by up to 2.5 years. SARDINES

FARRO 11 One 110 gram serving of sar-
dines has 17 grams of protein,
8 An ‘ancient wheat’ that is close to 50 per cent of your calcium
higher in kilojoules than most requirement, and over 300 per cent of
other grains, farro is also higher in your daily vitamin B12 needs.
fibre and protein. It provides magne- Sardines are also full of niacin,
sium, zinc, iron and B vitamins, in- magnesium, potassium and zinc.
cluding niacin and thiamine. Found
at health food shops, farro is a major GARLIC
part of the Mediterranean diet, which
studies show is great for losing Heals: High blood pressure
weight, reducing inflammation and
preventing heart disease, type 2 dia- • Atherosclerosis • Heart disease
betes and dementia. • Diabetes infections • Colon cancer

OLIVE OIL SELECTED BY KYLENE BOGDEN,
DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST
9 Olive oil is rich in vitamin E
and a great source of monoun- 12 “Garlic is wonderful for keep-
saturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. ing high blood pressure at bay
It helps reduce triglycerides and the – something I find very useful for in-
density of your ‘bad’ cholesterol dividuals under a ton of stress. One of
(LDL), and it may make your platelets the most underrated properties of
less likely to stick together, decreasing garlic is its antifungal ability. Allicin
your risk for a heart attack or stroke. is the biological compound responsi-
ble for this magical power. I often
recommend fresh garlic and

EXPERT SOURCES: NICOLE BEURKENS, PSYCHOLOGIST AND NUTRITION SPECIALIST; DENA CHAMPION,
AN ONCOLOGY DIETITIAN; KEITH-THOMAS AYOOB, AN ASSOCIATE CLINICAL PROFESSOR AT THE ALBERT
EINWSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE; KATE MARTINO, A PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT; MINDY HAAR, REGISTERED
DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST; LEE COTTON, REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST; INNA LUKYANOVSKY,
AUTHOR OF CROHN’S AND COLITIS FIX

35

READER’S DIGEST sometimes a garlic supplement when
someone is dealing with athlete’s foot
14NO. or even frequent urinary tract infec-
tions as a result of yeast over-growth.
Avocados have It is believed that garlic can reduce
been shown to the risk of various cancers, as well as
help improve prevent cognitive decline.”
cardiovascular Serving size: 3 cloves or 3 teaspoons,
health and lower minced (9 g)
cholesterol levels
GOOD TO KNOW: Garlic is most
36 February 2020 potent when eaten raw, but it may
upset your stomach. Lessen your

chance of experiencing stomach
irritation by eating raw garlic with
a balanced meal.

OVERNIGHT OATS

Heals: Diabetes

• High cholesterol • High blood
pressure • Heart disease

• Constipation • Weight gain

SELECTED BY DR ELENA IVANINA,
GASTROENTEROLOGIST

13 “Overnight oats – raw rolled
oats soaked in milk (preferably
non-dairy) and refrigerated overnight
– are a terrific source of resistant
starch. (Oats prepared by other means
also contain resistant starch, but some
is lost when oats are cooked.) Resist-
ant starch is not digested in the small
intestine and is therefore fermented in
the colon. This increases good bacte-
ria and decreases bad bacteria, which
can help with constipation and lower
colon cancer risk. In addition, it

18 Foods Proven To Heal

reduces the amount of glucose re- contain essential fat-soluble vitamins
leased, therefore lowering insulin de- A, E and K and important electrolytes
mand and reducing absorbed kilo- such as magnesium and potassium.
joules. This helps with insulin They are a great source of plant-
resistance, diabetes and weight loss. based protein, with approximately
Resistant starch is also one of the best four grams in one whole avocado,
sources of short-chain fatty acids, and boast 4.6 grams of soluble fibre
which helps control your hunger.” per serving.”
Serving size: ½ cup (114 g) Serving size: ½ cup, cubed (75 g)

GOOD TO KNOW: Play around with GOOD TO KNOW: If you want your
your favourite flavours – add avocados to ripen faster, store
almond butter, chia seeds, flax and them in a paper bag at room
fruit, such as berries and bananas. temperature, and they should be
Mix together, then put in the ready to eat within two to three
refrigerator overnight, and you’ll days. Placing an apple in the bag
have a nutrient-packed breakfast with them speeds up the process
waiting for you in the morning. even more. Don’t want to wait?
Avocado oil is one of the healthiest
AVOCADO oils you can cook with. Plus it has a
higher smoking point than olive oil,
Heals: High cholesterol so you can cook at higher
temperatures.
• Heart disease • Insulin resistance
• Cancer • Blood sugar swings POMEGRANATE
JUICE
SELECTED BY DR WILL COLE,
FUNCTIONAL-MEDICINE PRACTITIONER Heals: Inflammation

AND DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC • Immune system • Bones
• Hypertension • Cancer
14 “Avocados have been shown to
help improve cardiovascular • Heart disease
health and can significantly lower
total cholesterol and triglyceride lev- SELECTED BY SAMANTHA ATTARD,
els because of their monounsaturat- AYURVEDIC COACH
ed and polyunsaturated fat content.
These fatty acids have been shown to 15 “Studies have show n that
improve cognitive function, depres- pomegranate juice has more
sion, anxiety and brain fog, as fats are anti-inflammatory compounds than
a more efficient fuel source for your blueberry juice, grape juice or black
brain than glucose. Avocados also cherry juice. With my clients, I rec-
ommend pomegranate juice if they’re

37

READER’S DIGEST

having painful periods because it re- 18NO.
duces inflammation and cramping
while also providing a small (but Flavonoids in dark
healthy) sugar boost during a time chocolate may boost mood
when many women experience low
blood sugar. Studies have also and enhance executive
shown that pomegranate juice helps functioning
cholesterol and prostate-specific
antigen levels in men with prostate
cancer, and it has been used for hun-
dreds of years for those with diabe-
tes or metabolic syndrome. I choose
pomegranate juice because the fruit
is hard to find year-round. The juice
also provides concentrated vitamins
and anti-inflammatory phenols and
is easier to digest than the whole
fruit.” Serving size: 1 cup (250 ml)

GOOD TO KNOW: Tossing plant. They are also a great source of
pomegranate seeds on your salad dietary fibre, which helps control
may be good for your skin. Scientists blood sugar levels and provide excel-
have discovered that nutrients in lent amounts of iron, folate, magnesi-
pomegranates can help protect skin um and potassium. They are con-
from sun damage and possibly even sumed in the Blue Zones, regions of
from cancer. the world identified by author Dan
Buettner as having the longest-living
LENTILS people. Lentils, which belong to the
legume family, have more fibre than
Heals: Blood sugar spikes beans. A quarter cup of dry lentils
contains about 13 grams of fibre, and
• High cholesterol • Weight gain red lentils, 15 grams. A quarter cup of
• Constipation • Anaemia kidney beans has about half that.”
• Heart disease Serving size: ½ cup, cooked (114 g)
• Reproductive health
GOOD TO KNOW: Don’t mix new
SELECTED BY DR ROBERT GRAHAM, lentils with older ones, because
INTERNAL AND INTEGRATIVE the older lentils will take longer
MEDICINE SPECIALIST to cook.

16 “Lentils contain the highest
amount of protein of any

38 February 2020

18 Foods Proven To Heal

WATER KEFIR grains. Cover and keep warm (20-
30°C) to let it ferment. Pour the
Heals: Poor gut health liquid out after a day (drink it or use
it in smoothies or other drinks),
• Immune system dysfunction leaving behind the crystals and the
• Infection • Inflammation • Cancer jellyfish-looking ‘mother’. Then add
more liquid to make a batch for the
• Low energy • Allergies and next day. You can use the same
asthma grains numerous times.

SELECTED BY ROBYN OPENSHAW, DARK CHOCOLATE

PSYCHOTHERAPIST TURNED Heals: Mood disorders

NUTRITION RESEARCHER • High blood pressure
• Heart disease
17 “Water kefir, a fizzy, fermented
drink, is one of the easiest, SELECTED BY DR ASH NADKARNI,
most cost-effective ways to get live
probiotics to your gut. Making your PSYCHIATRIST
own kefir – preferably with organic
coconut water – is the superior option 18 “Flavonoids, which are found in
(see recipe). In just one day, the coco- dark chocolate, may boost
nut water is bubbly and wonderfully mood by affecting blood flow in the
tart. I can’t overstate the importance brain and enhancing executive func-
of eating fermented and cultured tioning. Additionally, flavonoids help
foods: the live probiotics and en- increase the amount of serotonin as
zymes are essential for gut health, well as other naturally occurring
which ripples out into every other mood-boosting chemicals in the
area of wellness. Most of our immune blood. This is separate from the expe-
system lives in the gut, so when the rience of enjoying what you’re eating,
gut is functioning well, we see bene- since chocolate can also stimulate the
fits beyond digestion.” release of endorphins. Because of its
Serving size: 1 cup (250 ml) antioxidant properties, dark chocolate
is increasingly being researched for its
GOOD TO KNOW: It’s easy to make effect on boosting immunity, lowering
your own kefir. You can find water blood pressure and protecting the
kefir ‘grains’ online and at health heart.” Serving size: 30 g
food stores. They are not actual
grains but rather clusters of GOOD TO KNOW: To obtain the most
bacteria, yeast and dextran (a type flavonoids, choose a dark chocolate
of sugar). Add 3 cups organic with 70 per cent cacao or greater.
coconut water (or a sugar-water
solution) to 2 to 4 tablespoons of

39

READER’S DIGEST

LIFE’S LIKE THAT

SEEING THE FUNNY SIDE

Finally, Dad stormed into the
bathroom, only to discover the
window open and my brother
nowhere to be seen. I never did find
out how he got home.

SUBMITTED BY SHARON HOUGHTON

Going Through the Roof CARTOON: CHRIS WILDT. ILLUSTRATIONS: GETT Y IMAGES

Apartment life often means little
privacy. I realised that one day
when my kitten was running around
my bedroom, climbing onto shelves
and into the cupboard as I was
getting ready for work.

I finally exploded at the kitten:
“You’d better sit down; you’re
getting on my nerves!”

A second later, a voice from
upstairs responded, “OK!”

SUBMITTED BY LADONNA HUGHETT

“I’m looking for a card that says What’s in a Name?
‘Your love is priceless’ for under $5.”
Women’s deodorant scents:
Neither Hide Nor Hair
Rose, Cotton, Spring, Meadow.
My father dragged my brother to the
barber to get his beautiful long hair Men’s deodorant scents: Winter Ice,
shorn. Arriving at the barber, Scott
asked to use the bathroom. He went Sharknado, Glacier Punch,
in, and Dad and the barber waited.
And they waited. And they waited. Art of Sport. @sophie_gadd

Taming the Mouse

When I woke up today, I thought I
saw a mouse on my floor. (Without

40 february 2020

my contacts, I can’t see things Life’s Like That
too clearly.) So I quickly trapped
the mouse with a box and put THE GREAT TWEET OFF:
my contacts in so I could take EQUESTRIAN EDITION
a look, only to find out that I
did not trap a mouse. I had If you enjoy horsing around, here’s
trapped my hairbrush. some fodder from Twitter.

SUBMITTED BY CELIA GRACE DENNEY If I ever got a horse, I would name
her Grace, just in case I ever
Past Bedtime fell from her.

A married couple with no kids @3SUNZZZ

just asked my wife and I to go out “We’ve traced the call. It’s coming
from INSIDE THE HORSE!”
for drinks at 9.30 tonight. Trojan 911 dispatcher.

They did it with a straight @EWFEEZ

face, too. @dadopotamus I bet on a great horse yesterday!
It took seven horses to beat him.
Coffee Line
@BRYCEEGIBBS
People ordering Frappuccinos at
an overwhelmed airport Starbucks Who called it a police horse
at 6.30am should automatically be and not a clip-clop-cop?
placed on the no-fly list.
CHUUEW
@morninggloria
Interviewer: Under skills you
SENSE OF HUMOUR put horse whisperer and able
REQUIRED
to see ghosts?
SIX-YEAR-OLD SON: Mum, Me: Ask that horse if you
why did you marry Dad?
ME: Because he made me laugh. don’t believe me.
SON: You know, you could have Interviewer: What horse?

just married a clown! @THEPUNNINGMAN

SUBMITTED BY MICHELLE NOBLE 41

LIFE LESSON

ALERT!

or at least dialling down the nasty

BY Christina Palassio

ILLUSTRATION BY Pete Ryan
For Chantal Berube*, the
devil wore casual clothes realised she was a jerk. You couldn’t
instead of Prada. In the au- reason with her. She wouldn’t listen
tumn of 2015, the 52-year- to anyone, wouldn’t take any advice.”

Berube considered her options. She

old fundraiser had been was in a senior position so felt she

in her new job for only a few weeks had some sway. She contemplated

when she realised that her boss, the suggesting her boss get management

non-profit’s executive director, was training, but a leadership consultant

going to be a challenge to deal with. she spoke to cautioned her against

“When I was interviewed for the wasting her energy on someone who

position, she seemed totally fine,” had already shown they wouldn’t pay

says Berube. “But I got in there and *NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED.

42 February 2020

43

READER’S DIGEST

attention. The advice was wise, but it however, that they may want to pro-
meant Berube needed to figure out tect the organisation instead of you.
how to handle engaging with a diffi-
cult person on a daily basis. If you don’t think you’re going to be
able to change your situation, there
Existing in the world means you’ll are still things you can do to improve
inevitably come in contact with a jerk it. “Treat the nasty behaviour like
– or at least jerky behaviour from an kryptonite and try to have as little
otherwise decent person. Whether exposure as possible,” says Sutton.
the unpleasant encounters happen
at work, while running errands or in One way, he says, is to slow the
your own home, here are some strat- rhythm of your communication
egies and skills to cut them short, and with a problem person. He uses the
minimise their impact on you. example of a friend with a demand-
ing supervisor who would send fre-
LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE quent and unfriendly emails at all
hours of the day and night. Rather
Many of us spend most of our waking than respond immediately, the friend
hours on the job, where hierarchies would delay writing back, effectively
and egos can result in the work jerk. taking some control over the pace of
There are the backstabbers, the con- the negativity.
descenders, the credit stealers and,
of course, those who act like angels Sutton also recommends practis-
when the boss is around and turn ing what he calls ‘mind tricks to pro-
into the devil as soon as she’s gone. tect your soul’. If you’re in a meeting
presided over by a jerk, try temporal
“Everyone can be a jerk under the distancing: imagine yourself in the
right or wrong circumstances. How not-so-distant future, somewhere
you respond depends on who they far away from the current situation.
are and the power dynamics,” says Or refrain the moment by imagining
Robert Sutton, author of 2018’s The you’re a leading scientist in the field
A**hole Survival Guide. of jerkology, observing a fascinating
subject with curiosity and dispassion.
Employees in supervisory posi-
tions can rally for anti-jerk policies, WATCH FOR SIGNS
making civility a stated workplace
value and establishing consequenc- The dating scene is another envi-
es for hostile behaviour. But for ronment where you’re likely to run
those taking abuse from a higher-up, into rude behaviour, whether it’s the
Sutton suggests collecting solid ev- woman who picks up her phone more
idence – emails and accounts from often than her fork – or her side of
others – before meeting with human the conversation – or the guy whose
resources about the issue. He warns, every comment seems to be aimed

44 February 2020

Jerk Alert

at deflating your confidence. It can conversation that addresses the issue
make you want to just give up. head-on can be fruitful.

While the rise of online dating has Sometimes, says Sutton, “People
increased the likelihood of encounters who leave others demeaned and
with jerks, Dr Lew Bayer, co-founder de-energised don’t realise they’re
of training group Civility Experts, says doing it.” They might be reacting to a
the higher supply has a positive side. stressful situation, or they could have
“It also means that the dating pool has caught their jerkiness from some-
become enormous, and we shouldn’t one else in their life. (Studies have
have to put up with jerky behaviour.” shown that bad behaviour is conta-
gious.) Putting in the effort to bring
How do you spot a creep ear- to their attention how they’re making
ly enough to not waste your time? others feel can be all it takes to spark
“Some of the warning signs relate a change.
to social protocol,” says Bayer. Poor
table manners, being rude to the Bayer has heard from clients who
waitress and arriving late are classic tell her that these kinds of talks are
red flags. “It’s also a bad sign when difficult. She recommends trying
someone makes an obvious error to avoid blaming language by leav-
but they don’t bother to apologise, ing out the sometimes-accusatory
or they opt not to deal with it and ‘you’ pronoun and instead focusing
simply say, ‘I am what I am’.” on providing examples of how the
person’s behaviour affects you and
Dating is all about being open and others, and the outcome you’re look-
seeking connection, so it can be hard ing for.
to know when to draw the line. It’s
easy to make excuses for someone, For Berube, a confrontation wasn’t
like attributing their bad behaviour to on the cards. She decided to move on
nervousness. But Bayer thinks it’s best to save her sanity, and her reputation.
to be proactive: “It’s not good personal Thankfully, she’s now in a workplace
practice to accept disrespect. It plays with a much more positive culture
hard on our self-esteem.” and colleagues. “Human beings are
such terribly flawed creatures and
GIVE FEEDBACK are bound to be jerks from time to
time,” she says. “The key is to spot it
Although total avoidance is advisable early, figure out if it’s a one-off or a
with many jerks, if you know the per- pattern of behaviour – and whether it
son and think their meanness is situ- can be fixed – and then decide if you
ational, it could be worth attempting can realistically continue on with
to help them be better. whatever relationship you have with
that person.”
Both Bayer and Sutton say that,
in some cases, having a respectful 45

READER’S DIGEST

46 february 2020

SLEEP

Matters

How a good night’s rest prepares you for tomorrow

BY Lisa Fields

47

READER’S DIGEST

racha Goetz, 63, used to stay up late at night
trying to tease out plots in the children’s
books she writes. When she missed her
bedtime too frequently, Goetz realised it

B had negative effects on her overall health.
“I actually noticed that getting too few
hours sleep led me to catch colds more frequently, so I
began to make a conscious effort not to stay up late at
night,” says Goetz, who now commits to getting seven-
and-a-half hours sleep regularly.

Karina Michel Feld, 42, used to stay that you spend in bed has a signifi-
out past midnight socialising, then cant impact on your overall physical
rise at 6am for work. She’d feel cranky and mental health.
and muddled all day, which made it
hard to make wise work decisions. There are two types of sleep: REM
(rapid eye movement) sleep and non-
Today, Feld regularly sleeps seven to REM sleep (deep sleep). Each impacts
eight hours and wakes up refreshed. different aspects of your wellbeing.
“Being in a better mood and being Non-REM sleep helps your body re-
able to make clear decisions during cover from the day’s rigours, and
waking life is crucial,” Feld says. REM sleep helps you process your
thoughts and create lasting memo-
Also, she often has meaningful ries based on your daily experiences.
dreams that guide her personal and
professional decisions. “I’ve been Restorative non-REM is your
known to go to bed and, after sleep- deepest sleep. It’s sometimes called
ing well and having dreamed, I wake slow-wave sleep, because your brain
up with a whole new perspective or waves slow significantly. As you go
direction,” says Feld. from the lightest sleep stage to the
deepest, breathing and heartbeat
Why You Need to Sleep slow, muscles relax, and brain waves
slow down even more.
You may not give too much thought
to the reasons why you need to sleep By comparison, in REM sleep –
each night, and if you’re like many where you do most of your dream-
people, you push off bedtime now ing – your heartbeat and breathing
and then in favour of doing other return to levels that are nearly what
activities. But the amount of time they are when you’re awake. Your

48 February 2020