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Babysitting grandkids can ward off Alzheimer’s

<p>Good news for grandmothers! A new study finds grandchildren not only add joy to grandparents’ lives but that spending time with grandkids can ward off Alzheimer’s.</p> <p>The study, published in the journal Menopause, found post-menopausal women who spend time taking care of grandkids lower their risk of developing Alzheimer's and other cognitive disorders. However, too much time with the grandchildren – five or more days a week – wasn’t so good for grandma.</p> <p>Researchers for Women’s Health Ageing Project in Australia administered three different tests to assess the cognitive abilities of 186 women, ages 57 to 68. Among the group, 120 were grandmothers. The study found that grandmothers who helped with their grandchildren at least one day per week scored highest on the tests, while the women who spent five or more days a week with their grandkids scored significantly lower.</p> <p>Researchers found that grandmothers who helped out more often felt their own children – the parents of the grandkids – were too demanding on their time which dampened moods and impacted brain function.</p> <p>“The motivation of the present study was to expand on the current literature by examining the impact of grandparenting on cognitive function," the authors write in the new study. “To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between grandparenting and cognition.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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The real reason you’re not a grandparent yet

<p dir="ltr">How many times have you asked your child when they’re going to make you a grandparent? </p> <p dir="ltr">Too many times to count.</p> <p dir="ltr">But you may soon have an answer as to why you’re not a grandparent yet thanks to relationship expert Louanne Ward.</p> <p dir="ltr">The dating expert has shared the top six mistakes men and women are making that are keeping them single. </p> <p dir="ltr">The mistakes include:</p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">You expect a partner to be everything you ever wanted</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">When you expect something from your partner and it’s something you’ve always wanted it can almost always lead to disappointment. </p> <ol start="2"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">You see personality differences as negatives</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">“It is important to have differences and similarities,” Louanna explained.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdVXIueJqza/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdVXIueJqza/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Matchmaker | dating expert (@louanneward)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <ol start="3"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">You compare the person to past experiences or future dreams</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">“You are comparing the person to past experience you have had and the future experience you want to have, so you aren't actually present in the relationship,” she said.</p> <ol start="4"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">You are afraid of “settling” if they don't tick every box</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">Louanna explained that people would feel they are settling for a person if they don’t meet each of their criteria.</p> <ol start="5"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">You leave at the first time of trouble, not willing to work through it.</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">“You leave at the first sign of trouble rather than working through conflict or challenges,” Louanna explained.</p> <ol start="6"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">You don't give people a chance, and make snap judgements.</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">“You make a snap decision and judgement without scratching the surface,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">So what do you think?</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Relationships

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The surprising diet that can ward off dementia

<p dir="ltr">The foods we eat could help us to prevent the onset of dementia, according to a recent study. </p> <p dir="ltr">The new research shows that people with high levels of three key antioxidants in their blood are less likely to be diagnosed with the devastating disorder. </p> <p dir="ltr">Two of the compounds — lutein and zeaxanthin — are abundant in leafy green vegetables, such as kale and peas. </p> <p dir="ltr">The last antioxidant, beta-cryptoxanthin, is found in abundance in oranges and papayas. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lead researcher Dr May Beydoun, an expert in ageing from the US National Institutes of Health, said, “Extending people's cognitive function is an important public health challenge.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Antioxidants may help protect the brain from oxidative stress, which can cause cell damage.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Scientists have long advocated that a healthy, balanced diet can help to ward off dementia by boosting heart and circulatory health – both of which are known to play a role in the disease.</p> <p dir="ltr">As well as through diet, people can bolster their blood levels of the three compounds by taking supplements. </p> <p dir="ltr">During the extensive study, the effect of antioxidants on dementia was reduced when other factors were taken into account, including education, income and physical activity.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It's possible that those factors may help explain the relationship between antioxidant levels and dementia,” Dr Beydoun added.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

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TV star Mary Ward dies age 106

<p><span>Television star Mary Ward has passed away at 106.</span><br /><br /><span>The acclaimed actress, who became one of Australia’s first female media voices, is best remembered for her role in <em>Prisoner</em>, where she played Jeanette Brooks.</span><br /><br /><span>The long-time inmate known as 'Mum', from 1979 to 1981 also appeared in a number of other popular soap operas, including <em>Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice and Neighbours.</em></span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842552/daily-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/cf7abd2b4aab45cbafdb62fb3093fa45" /><br /><br /><span>Her nephew Mark Breheny said she didn’t get to see as many visitors and loved ones in recent months due to coronavirus restrictions in Victoria.</span><br /><br /><span>“She led a remarkable life and spent her final years much loved and supported by family and friends, not to mention the occasional Prisoner fan, many of whom who still wrote to her,” Mr Breheny told <em>TV Tonight.</em></span><br /><br /><span>Ward died on Monday morning at an aged-care facility in Melbourne, her family revealed.</span><br /><br /><span>Ward built an extensive resume, having starred in more than 20 TV series throughout her career including a long-running role as Mrs Catchcart in <em>The Henderson Kids</em> and <em>The Henderson Kids II,</em> between 1985 and 1987.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">RIP Mary Ward, 106.<br />Was "Mum" Brooks in the soapie PRISONER (Cell Block H)<br /><br />During WWII she was one of the first female voices on ABC Radio. Taught elocution in her youth with Lionel Logue, who in turn taught King George VI. <a href="https://t.co/etIcHgzvMe">pic.twitter.com/etIcHgzvMe</a></p> — Rhett Bartlett (@dialmformovies) <a href="https://twitter.com/dialmformovies/status/1416978216011505665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>She also appeared in six major films, including <em>Eureka Stockade</em> where she had a brief role as Lady Hotham alongside the iconic Chips Rafferty.</span><br /><br /><span>At 95 however, Ward decided to retire from acting.</span><br /><br /><span>Her career kicked off in Western Australia having attended boarding school there, but honed in on her craft in the UK.</span><br /><br /><span>Ward was born in Fremantle on March 6, 1915.</span><br /><br /><span>She became known as “The Forces Sweetheart” when she returned to Australia before World War II and became the first-ever female announcer on the <em>ABC</em>.</span><br /><br /><span>Her sweet and comforting voice on-air saw her earn her nickname.</span><br /><br /><span>Ward read letters on-air and played music requests in her broadcasts.</span></p>

News

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Radio star sells luxury Sydney home for $2.4 million to famous chef

<p>Radio personality Michael “Wippa” Wipfli and his wife Lisa have sold their beautiful, quaint property in Queens Park, Sydney, to move up the hill to Vaucluse.</p> <p>The Nova radio host, who works alongside his partner in crime Fitzy on their popular breakfast show, officially sold the property for a staggering $2.4 million.</p> <p>The Queens Park home has reportedly been sold to famous chef Nigel Ward, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/michael-wippa-wipfli-scores-2-4m-queens-park-sale-to-chef-nigel-ward-849739/" target="_blank">Domain</a>.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByUpHmDAWvZ/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByUpHmDAWvZ/" target="_blank">A post shared by Fitzy &amp; Wippa on Nova (@fitzyandwippa)</a> on Jun 5, 2019 at 2:10am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The home both Wippa and his wife Lisa have owned since 2014 is an architect-designed property which boasts four bedrooms, two bathrooms and was originally purchased for $1.87 million.</p> <p>The Queens Park house went on the market last month for $2.5 million, however, dropped to $2.3 million after it struggled to attract a buyer.</p> <p>The large deck is a standout which the couple spent time remodelling to perfection. Close by, a Caesarstone kitchen with island bench comes in partnership with ultra-modern appliances that would make anyone feel like a professional chef when cooking.</p> <p>Located in the Eastern Suburbs, the pad was built in the 1920s and in addition to a spacious, comfortable bottom floor, the owner added a second storey to the home to create even more space and luxury feel.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see inside the former home of Wippa.</p>

Home & Garden

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Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward become grandparents for the first time!

<p>Bryan Brown, 71, and Rachel Ward, 61, are now proud grandparents to a beautiful baby boy named Zan Neathway Gooding.</p> <p>Their daughter Matilda Brown welcomed her first child with fiancé and former <em>My Kitchen Rules </em>star Scott Gooding on Wednesday.</p> <p>The new mum took to Instagram to share some sweet snaps of the little bub in his grandparents’ arms, as they lovingly looked down on the bundle of joy.</p> <p>In one photo, Bryan looked positively smitten as he gazed lovingly at the newborn sleeping in his arms.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxgcTA6ldJ2/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxgcTA6ldJ2/" target="_blank">Zan had the pleasure of listening to Bryan’s best jokes for the first time today - it was a brief visit</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/scottgoodingproject/" target="_blank"> SCOTT GOODING</a> (@scottgoodingproject) on May 15, 2019 at 7:37pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Matilda shared another photo, this time of her mother Rachel, holding her grandson while sitting in the hospital room.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxoAgdRgKm-/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxoAgdRgKm-/" target="_blank">Crushing on my boys ❤️</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/matilda.m.brown/" target="_blank"> Matilda Brown</a> (@matilda.m.brown) on May 18, 2019 at 6:08pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The 32-year-old revealed that her parents were by her side during the entire birthing process, writing: “On the night I went into labour, dad was supposed to drop mum at the hospital (mum was my doola) and then wait in the waiting room.</p> <p>“But he ended up coming into the room and stayed for the entire birth.”</p> <p>She continued saying: “When I was pushing Zan out at the end, dad was stroking my head and mum was cheering me on, crying, saying, ‘Come on, Till! He’s so close!’</p> <p>“[It was] pretty special that both my parents got to be with me through such a monumental time in my life.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwyvHESlei9/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwyvHESlei9/" target="_blank">Last few days just me and tiddles before Zan muscles in. 👶🏼 💪🏼 @matilda.m.brown</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/scottgoodingproject/" target="_blank"> SCOTT GOODING</a> (@scottgoodingproject) on Apr 28, 2019 at 1:36am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The <em>Offspring </em>star is experiencing motherhood for the first time, with Scott right by her side.</p> <p>“Scott was amazing, never left my side, and is totally besotted,” she said on social media.</p> <p>The actress went on to explain that “labouring and birthing is the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced in my life”, however, “worth every second to finally meet my son.”</p>

Movies

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Sarah Harris reveals her husband Tom Ward suffers from neurological disorder

<p>Sarah Harris has opened up about her husband Tom Ward's lifelong struggle with narcolepsy. </p> <p>The Studio 10 host revealed her husband’s neurological disorder on last night’s comedy show Hughesy, We Have A Problem.</p> <p>Although chronic sleep disorders are no laughter matter, the mum-of-two was happy to share an amusing anecdote about her husband’s narcolepsy.  </p> <p>“My husband's actually a narcoleptic,” Sarah revealed, before going on to tell the true story of his forgettable helicopter flight over Las Vegas</p> <p>“Before they'd taken off, Tom had fallen asleep – so he'd paid $500 to see the sights of Las Vegas, landed and went: ‘Oh, that was a great sleep!’” she said to a laughing panel.</p> <p>“Totally slept through the entire thing.”</p> <p>Host Dave Hughes couldn't resist asking whether narcolepsy “ever affected your love life?”</p> <p>“To my advantage,” Sarah quipped back, “I don't have to fake a headache as much!”</p>

Body

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The 3 activities proven to ward off dementia

<p>Three new preventative activities have been identified in the fight against dementia, and it’s likely you’re doing one right now. According to a new Mayo Clinic study, published in <em><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28135351?dopt=Abstract" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">JAMA Neurology</span></strong></a></em>, activities that keep the mind occupied (namely, using a computer, craft and playing games) could lower the risk of age-related cognitive decline in over-70s.</p> <p>So beneficial are these activities that even in people with a gene variation associated with Alzheimer’s disease, mental decline was less common. “These kind of commonly engaged in, stimulating activities actually reduce the risk of people developing mild cognitive impairment,” co-author of the study and director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre, Dr Ronald Petersen, told <em><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/busy-minds-may-be-better-at-fighting-dementia/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CBS News</span></strong></a></em>.</p> <p>Researchers followed 2,000 adults between the ages of 70 and 93 who reported no memory problems, tracking their mental activity every 15 months for around four years. Over this time, 456 developed a mild cognitive impairment.</p> <p>Among the participants, the risk for mental decline lowered by 30 per cent for regular computer users, 28 per cent for crafters, 23 per cent who engaged in social activities and 22 per cent for those who played games. Surprisingly, reading books and newspapers did not have as beneficial an effect on thinking and memory.</p> <p>So, how often should you be undertaking these brain-happy activities? Those who performed them at least one or two times a week had significantly less cognitive decline than those who performed them less than two or three times a month. However, Petersen says these new findings should not necessarily be considered as an endorsement of “brain training” apps.</p> <p>“I’m not saying that your brain game isn’t good for people, but I’m not endorsing it at all,” he says of services such as Lumosity and BrainHQ. “We can’t say your exercises are the same thing as what we found in this, but it’s not an unreasonable connection.”</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what activities do you do to keep your mind sharp?</p>

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Lifting weights may help ward off dementia

<p>A study from the University of Sydney has discovered a “positive casual link” between strong muscles and improved brain power in people over the age of 55.</p> <p>The study examined 100 adults, aged between 55 and 80, with some form of mild cognitive impairment (a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease) and found that increasing muscle strength actually improved the brain function of those tested.</p> <p>Lead author of the study Dr Yorgi Mavros said, “What we found is that the improvement in cognition function was related to their muscle strength gains.</p> <p>“The stronger people became, the greater the benefit for their brain.”</p> <p>The study divide people into four groups, conducting two sessions every week for six months. The first group combined resistance exercises with cognitive training, the second exercised without cognitive training, the third group did brain training without the physical exercise, and the fourth group did a placebo brain and physical training.</p> <p>Researchers found the groups conducting resistance exercises drew the best results.</p> <p>Dr Mavros said: "The more we can get people doing resistance training like weight lifting, the more likely we are to have a healthier ageing population.</p> <p>"The key however is to make sure you are doing it frequently, at least twice a week, and at a high intensity so that you are maximising your strength gains.</p> <p>"This will give you the maximum benefit for your brain."</p> <p>Do you do any resistance training? Do you think you’ll feel compelled to do so after reading this research? Share your thoughts in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/10/7-foods-to-lower-blood-pressure/"><strong>7 things to eat or avoid to lower your blood pressure</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/2016/10/dorrie-jacobson-on-body-issues-and-intimacy/"><strong>How body image issues hold you back from intimacy</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/10/the-healthiest-leanest-ways-to-cook/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 of the healthiest, leanest ways t</span>o cook</strong></a></em></span></p>

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