Prevention Australia – June – July 2017

JUNE/JULY 2017 PREVENTION 11

Editor’s letter

There’s a funny scene in a popular movie

doing the rounds at the moment of a group

at a laughter workshop: the participants are

so serious as they go about practising their

deep belly laughs, which makes it both funny

and poignant. If only we could generate real

happiness by faking a laugh. (If you can,

congratulations!) But to many of us,

happiness can be a more elusive thing.

Perhaps you have tried to capture it by

revisiting the scene of a happy moment; a

memorable dinner, or a destination where

you had a fantastic holiday.

Of course, true happiness is more than

a fleeting good time. And as we enter our

midlives it’s possible that our notion of

happiness shifts a gear. We’ve either

accomplished – or let go of – some of the

things that we thought would get us there: a

home of our own; a growing family; a career.

So now, finding ourselves at this midway

place, the landscape around us is diferent.

When I spoke to this month’s cover star

Amanda Keller, she talked about how she

has arrived at a point where she is asking

herself, ‘What do I need to be happy?’ Or, as

she put it: “What do I require to function to

my potential? Not to meet everyone else’s

expectations, but mine.”

Perhaps that question resonates with you.

This month’s issue is dedicated to the many

things that help to build happiness. For

example, we’ve drilled deep into what you

can do to boost your energy with a 10-page

special packed with useful tips to enhance

ANDREA DUVALL

EDITOR

Finding your path

to happiness

your physical energy, together with smart

ways you can restore a feeling of inner

calm and balance. We also have a special

report on sleep, uncovering the key reasons

Aussies get a bad night’s sleep. (If you’re a

chronically bad sleeper, you’ll know how

getting a good night of zzzs transforms the

world into a truly happier place!)

And we profile three inspiring women

who’ve successfully launched their own

businesses in midlife. Being entirely

independent in their professional lives

has been key to them finding personal

satisfaction in so many other ways.

Plus do try this month’s delicious,

healthy meals designed to nourish your

soul and boost your vitality.

Feeling great from within is key to

framing a happy view of the world around

us. At Prevention, we’re here to help you

love your whole life!

CAN WE

SPEAK

FRANKLY?

Michelle Albert,

who you’ll meet

on page 82, is a

brave woman.

Her story is that

of many women

who are juggling

a busy life – kids,

career, family

and friends.

Then the codeine

tablets she used

to relieve her

chronic

headaches

became a way of

simply getting

through the day.

At one point,

Michelle was

taking 50

over-the-counter

codeine tablets a

day. The number

of women

seeking relief in a

packet of pills or

a bottle of wine

is a growing

health concern.

Michelle had the

courage to quit

and to speak

out. Do read

her story.