The Art of Healing

With a rapidly increasing ageing population globally, every country is looking at how they are going to look after their elderly citizens as they get older. But as individuals, there is also a lot we can do for ourselves. With chronic disease also now so prevalent, it seems to make sense, but also be beholden upon us to take more care of ourselves, instead of relying on someone or something else. So in this issue we publish more articles that support a preventative approach to our health and wellness … “there is growing evidence that simultaneously targeting multiple areas of health, rather than focusing on an isolated single behaviour, is the ultimate key to maintaining independence and high quality of life during late-stage ageing.” It is also great to see that Monash University is launching a nationwide program in Australia to give general practitioners, pharmacists and nurses the support and confidence to deprescribe medicines that are causing harm or are no longer helpful. Ageing is definitely not for the faint-hearted, with many of us facing years of living with daily ongoing pain. So some people are choosing to self-medicate to keep pain at bay (think alcohol and caffeine), without perhaps considering the consequences. Our article on caffeine sensitivity for example, shows that not everyone tolerates caffeine well (think feeling jittery or anxious). So if you are looking for ways to calm down and regulate your nervous system, don’t miss the article on the benefits of yoga by Dr Abirami Prakash. With the uptake and dispense of GLP-1 medications for weight loss becoming quite commonplace, we also publish an article on some things to consider after you come off this medication by Dr Linia Patel from her book Life After Weight-Loss Medication, and another article on how stress fuels weight gain. Our feature this issue is for those who are seeking wellness experiences when they travel, with three more reviews from Vietnam including Alba Wellness Valley in Hue, Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang, and the new Fairmont in Hanoi. There are definitely opportunities for the hospitality industry with the ageing population, including for example restorative care which Dr Claire Gough explains in her article. Whilst the traditional healthcare model focuses on treating disease after it appears, today’s wellness-conscious traveller is taking a more proactive path, seeking ways they can maintain vitality, improve resilience, and extend peak performance. Read all about this and more in this our Spring 2026 magazine – enjoy!

THE DISEASE OF BEING BUSY

The Art of Healing

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR’S NOTE

Anxiety has overtaken relationship issues as the leading reason women seek counselling • New findings have been revealed from a clinical dataset that analysed 36,309 clients over 139,687 appointments across fifteen years of continuous practice records from 2011 to 2025.

Ultra-Processed Foods Damage Your Focus • New research from Monash University, the University of São Paulo and Deakin University shows a diet high in heavily processed foods can negatively impact the brain’s ability to focus and increases the risk of developing dementia.

Recognise the Sudden Warning Signs of Stroke • Stroke remains a leading cause of serious disability and death, but recognising symptoms quickly and seeking immediate medical attention can dramatically improve outcomes. Mayo Clinic experts emphasise that knowing the warning signs of stroke and acting fast can save brain function and lives.

Structured Programs Slow Down Biological Ageing • A major randomised clinical trial has established that structured lifestyle interventions such as healthy eating, regular exercise, and social activities directly slow the biological ageing process.

Rethinking Long-Term Antidepressant Use • A new clinical overview published in the Australian Journal of General...