Health Hub

The following resources have been prepared by the array of health professionals who make up SMG Health. Browse the latest articles, download resources, watch videos or listen to podcasts here.

Staying connected with our wellbeing allows us to make better-informed decisions about our health. Sometimes, small yet instrumental changes are needed to tweak our everyday habits which assist in long term behavior change.

Below you can find further information on a variety of general health and wellbeing topics.

Articles

Resources

Videos and Podcasts

How to build a home gym on the cheap

December 2020

Gym memberships can be expensive and when life gets in the way, or our motivation dips, it can be too easy to skip class. Enter the DIY, budget-friendly home gym that you can create with minimal fuss but plenty of rewards – here, physical health experts show us how to create a budget-friendly alternative to the gym in our own home.

As time has gone on, society’s understanding of mental health issues has improved significantly. Staying mentally healthy at home and at work is just as important as the food you eat or the exercise you do.

Below you can find further information on some of the most common mental health topics.

Articles

Resources

Videos and Podcasts

When someone close to you talks about suicide

February 2021

When someone close to you talks about suicide, it can be deeply troubling and difficult to know how to respond.

Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. The food and drinks we consume provide us with the necessary nutrients to provide our body with energy and maintain our wellbeing.

Below you can find further information on good nutrition from the array of health professionals who make up SMG Health.

Articles

Resources

Videos and Podcasts

Nutrition and sleep

February 2021

Along with a healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle choices, sleep is a very important piece of the wellness puzzle. What we eat can have both positive and negative effects on our sleep quality and quantity.

Instilling healthy habits into children at a young age helps set them up for a bright, happy, healthy future.

Furthermore, children aged 5-12 years old are recommended to do 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity per day.

Below you can find further information on how to help with healthy eating habits and physical activity for children.

Articles

Resources

Sucked in by the screen – present but always distracted?

July 2018

I give my husband a hard time about his smartphone use around our toddler. Don’t get me wrong; he’s a great dad – one of the best. But that shiny, electronic little sucker has a knack for hogging his attention at the expense.

Getting active throughout the day is a core component of a healthy lifestyle, whether that be time at the gym, or simply taking the stairs at the train station.

Furthermore, getting a good night of sleep can be an understated source of good performance for your day-to-day activities.

Below you can find further information on some of the most popular physical health topics.

Articles

Resources

Videos and Podcasts

Fitness when life feels frenzied

February 2021

Whether you travel for work, have a busy schedule with your family, or have frequent disruptions to your daily routine, life can feel frenzied.

Our sleep habits and hygiene pay a crucial role in our physical and mental wellbeing. Learning and improving our sleep cycles, and the understanding the importance of good sleep hygiene can assist in improving our mood, memory, judgement, and productivity.

Below you can find further information on a variety of sleep and fatigue management resources.

Articles

Resources

Videos and Podcasts

Getting a good night’s sleep

February 2021

If you have trouble sleeping, you’re not alone. On an average night, 33 to 45 percent of the population have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Even people who usually sleep well may have trouble when they’re under extra stress or away from home.

Our lifestyles are busier than ever before and, as an ageing population, it has never been more important to invest in our physical and mental health so that we can enjoy a healthy, happy life. Checking in with how you’re fuelling your body, booking in for key physical health check ups, making time and space in your life for you, and moving your body in enjoyable ways are all great ways we can give ourselves the best chance at health.

Below you can find some helpful resources and guidance on how to support your mind and body through life’s challenges.

Articles

Resources

Videos and Podcasts

Women's Health Week 2020

September 2020

Our lifestyles are busier than ever before and, as an ageing population, it has never been more important to invest in our physical and mental health so that we can enjoy a healthy, happy life. Checking in with how you’re fuelling your body, booking in for key physical health check ups, making time and space in your life for you, and moving your body in enjoyable ways are all great ways we can give ourselves the best chance at good health.

For optimal health and performance throughout life, it’s critical for men to prioritise health and nutrition needs.

Below you can find further information on men's health and self-care.

Articles

Resources

Videos and Podcasts

Men's health in Australia

October 2017

Health remains one of few areas in life where men have the odds stacked against them, but what exactly are the biggest issues facing Men's Health in Australia?

Cheap and healthy pantry tips

August 2020

We all know the importance of eating healthily, but – cha-ching! – sometimes it can feel like getting goodness into your belly costs a small fortune.

And research suggests it can. A 2013 BMJ Open paper from Harvard School of Public Health, for example, showed that healthier diets cost roughly US$1.50 more per day than less healthy ones.

But like a buffet, studies are mixed. Fast forward to much more palatable research published by The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre in 2017, for example, and healthy diets appear to cost an Aussie family of four 12 to 15 per cent less than unhealthy ones.

Now consider a 2012 paper from the US Department of Agriculture that states: “It is not possible to conclude that healthy foods are more expensive than less healthy foods [because] much depends on the specific foods compared.” Confused much?

Putting the science respectfully aside, Accredited Practising Dietitian Tim McMaster says that eating healthily “doesn’t have to be expensive”.

For some, it can help to be “savvy at the supermarket”, according to the Dietitians Association of Australia spokesperson.

Here are his simple shopping tips to help make cheaper (but still healthy) choices:

  • Plan your meals for the week to save money, avoid waste and factor in leftovers.
  • Buy fresh produce that’s in season – it’s cheaper and tastier.
  • Stock up on frozen or canned fruit and vegetables – they have a longer shelf-life than fresh and are generally cheaper but just as nutritious.
  • Go for generic brands of staples (e.g. rice, oats, pasta) and buy them in bulk, if feasible.
  • Prioritise essential foods (e.g. fruit, vegetables, protein-sources, grains and dairy) over treat foods.
  • To avoid filling your trolley with unnecessary items, don’t shop when you’re hungry.


Tim’s top 3 cheap eats

For a healthy and economical way to refuel, Mr McMaster says you can’t go past the following:

  1. Oats for brekkie – We’re talking “plain traditional rolled oats”. According to Mr McMaster, “they are packed with essential nutrients, including protein, fibre [and] B vitamins … keep us feeling full [and] ... are versatile”. He says they can be used to make porridge and bircher muesli, and to thicken smoothies.
    Tip – When using oats “add a handful of frozen berries, plus a teaspoon of chia seeds and nut butter for a simple, balanced and filling meal”.

  2. An eggy lunch – Eggs are “a good source of protein, and packed with 11 different vitamins and minerals, [plus deliver] … a good hit of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin, nails and hair”, says Mr McMaster.
    Tips – “You can enjoy eggs at any main meal with some avocado, wholegrain toast, mushrooms, tomato or spinach,” he says. Another option? “Bake a quiche or frittata to enjoy at lunch or dinner, including any veggies (fresh or cooked) that you have on hand.”

  3. Legumes at dinner – Kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans and other legumes are plant-based proteins high in fibre and a source of antioxidants, explains Mr McMaster. He says they count towards your recommended veggie intake, are available in canned or dry form and “can be a base for any dish, as well as a good meat substitute”.
    Tip – “Throw some [legumes] into salads, soups, stir-fries, curries, casseroles, or even roast with herbs and spices for a flavoursome and crunchy snack.”

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