Bond Business Review 133 by Publications Director BSA

Business Students’ Association

BOND BUSINESS REVIEW133

Study Survival Edition

Jessica Alba’s 8 Point Plan for Start-Ups Your Study Survival Guide

The mineral which could help you study easier

Your BSA says a very big goodbye

10 things to get you through the semester

Is Meditation the answer to stress?

Australia’s Top 10 Billionaires

Best places to do business in America BOND BUSINESS REVIEW | ISSUE 133

CONTENTS THE BUSINESS WORLD

EDITORS ADDRESS Brigette Foot

PRESIDENTS ADDRESSS Matthew Boyce

OUR BSA SAYS GOODBYE Michaela Orsmond

HER BUM MADE HER A BILLIONAIRE Brigette Foot

T0P 10 BILLIONAIRES IN AUSTRALIA

BEST PLACES TO DO BUSINESS IN AMERICA

JESSICA ALBA Brigette Foot

LIFE HACKS Stuart McKelvie

LIFESTYLE

YOUR STUDY SURVIVAL GUIDE

2014 HOROSCOPES

WHAT CAN MAKE YOU STUDY EASIER?

Delia McCabe

IS MEDIATION THE ANSWER TO STRESS?

MUST DOS

Tom Cronin

Editor: Brigette Foot Sub-Editor: Mary Langley

From the Editor Hi everyone,

I hope this semester has been treating you kindly. For me it has gone super quick and I can believe it’s almost over. It has been a very busy period for both the BSA and Business Faculty. I’d like to extend my greatest congratualtions to the Faculty for attaining the much anticipated AACSB accreditation! Sadly this is our last week as a BSA committee. I’m going to miss my Big Dogs :( I have had the best time with them around! And Stuart definitely wins the best committee member award for pretty much picking up the pieces when anything went wrong or going beyond his position every single time something was happening. So thanks Stu! I wish all the best to the candidates running for the new BSA. I’ll be returning as your Publications Director again next year and look forward to working with the new committee. This particular edition is more of a ‘fun’ edition as we say goodbye to possibly the best BSA that has ever existed...haha...and also to give you a light read as you procrastinate whether to study for your exams or complete your many many assignments which are piling up. Also. this issue is rather feminine but in a committee full of guys, something has to be feminine. I wish you all the best for your upcoming assessments and exams, and more importantly wish you THE BEST HOLIDAYS EVER! Love always,

Brigette *

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President’s Address Time to Move On The committee has been great and I have had a blast, I just hope everyone else feels the same way. Some words for the new committee: turn the role into what you want to make it, there is no set way of doing things. Make sure you have fun doing it, or you won’t want to do anything at all! It is hello and goodbye from the 2012/13 BSA: a very belated hello for semester 133 and a goodbye from the committee as we are finally at the end of our term.

So for what has to be one of the shortest President’s Reports, a big thank you to everyone that has made the BSA to what it is today!

It has been a rollercoaster of a term for us with dreams being realised as well as being crushed. I’m sure the way the committee has viewed the BSA has now changed from when we were campaigning to be elected.

To keep up to date on everything the BSA are doing check out our website, or drop a like on our Facebook page:

This would be the perfect time for me to brag about all the amazing things the BSA has done like winning Best FSA event 2 out of 2 times and winning Best FSA in our first semester, but I’m not going to talk about any of that, it’s no big deal.

www.bondbsa.com.au www.facebook.com/BondBSA. All the best,

Matthew Boyce

But seriously, we have done some great things in the term and I couldn’t thank the rest of the committee any more.

WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE BBR? Please email: brigette.foot@student.bond.edu.au WESBITE: Please visit: www.bondbsa.com.au FACEBOOK: Please like us on facebook: ‘Bond University Business Students’ Association CONTACT US: Location: Business Faculty Building (02_03_05) Office Hours: 10-2pm Monday - Thursday Office Phone: +61 7 5595 1412

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The Business Faculty and it’s degrees are now AACSB accredited. This places Bond in the top 5% of business schools worldwide. This accreditation is the hallmark of excellence has taken many years of commitment and dedication from the staff and students. To learn more about AACSB International accreditation, visit the accreditation section of the AACSB International website at www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/

“

Do one thing every day which scares you First Lady of The US, 1933-1945

“

- Eleanor Roosevelt -

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GEORGE STREET REVIEW | ISSUE 133

The BSA Big Dogs

say goodbye...

MATTHEW BOYCE President ‘It’s something in the ‘stache that commands authority and makes girls go weak at the knees.’

STUART McKELVIE Treasurer The charming Dachshund (aka Sausage Dog) is the punchline of too many jokes to count and source of endless amusement. Playful but stubborn and good with number apparently, most popular as pets in the American Accounting Industry.

MICHAELA ORSMOND

MAXWELL DAVIES Vice-President

JACK LEONARD Academic Affairs Director

Dandie Dinmont Terrier – a distinctive pouf on top of their heads, the rare (and quite nearly extinct) Dandie Dinmont can certainly bring chuckles. With this guy or BIG DOG around you’re sure to have a dandy time!

Who doesn’t want to take a Bull Terrier to academic issues? They’re intelligent, helpful and loyal, the companion you want on your side.

BRENT LEOSKOW External Affairs Director The Bergamasco has a coat which varies in colour as much as Brent’s suits. A smooth-talker from the Italian Alps this is one Big Dog who will play golf with the most exclusive CEOs.

MARK FOSTER Competitions Director Hair to a ‘Puli’ is like a phone to Mark Foster – inseparable. They’re also fast, agile and loyal.

JAMES NICHOLS Social Director This Big Dog knows how to have a good time. The possibility of hair on this Mexican hairless ‘Xoloitzcuintli’ is about as likely as the appearance of Nichols at a BSA meeting. Not going to happen – unless there’s crazy shenanigans (spelt Palaver) directly involved.

MICHAELA ORSMOND Communications Officer The Labradoodle is known for its loving, fun and people pleasing personalities. They crave and enjoy interaction with everyone and bring smiles to everyone they know. There’s not much more to say, other than I’m pretty sure Michaela was this dog in another life ...pretty much Twins!

BEN CARTER Sponsorship Director

JOE MILSOM Post-Grad Officer

The Bergamasco has a coat which varies in colour as much as Brent’s suits. A smooth-talker from The Bedlington Terrier is smart, reliable and calm. the Italian Alps this is one Big Dog who will play Like our favourite post-grad Joe they’re known for their amusing and easy-going temperament. golf with the most exclusive CEOs. An additional selected blessing to the Big Dog

BRIGETTER FOOT Publications Director

HELENA MICHAEL Secretary

Poolkies are loving companions and known for Who doesn’t admire Helena’s incredible fitness? their elegance. They are friendly, spirited and Boxers are playful, lovable, patient, friendly and won’t back down from a fight. (Secretly I just love keeping active. Like Helena, they excel in a chose this dog for myself because I wanted to be variety of sports (except apparently not netball) the cutest dog on the page). and are extremely agile.

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Her bum made her a billionaire BRIGETTE FOOT

Last year Forbes named Sara Blakely the youngest female self made billionaire. That’s a huge achievement for someone whose business was inspired by her butt. Her now billion dollar company, Spanx, began from the simple, but frustrating, fashion emergency of not being able to find the right underwear to wear under her white pair of pants. She needed something that didn’t show the undie line or expose cellulite, but still shaped the butt nicely. Realising there was nothing on the market that filled all this criteria, she started to build her product and business.

“I was 27 years old, with a pair of white trousers that I wanted to wear to a party, without VPL, and without showing my cellulite, and I couldn’t find the right underwear to go with them” Since then, she has revolutionised underwear; sucking in stomachs, slimming thighs, hoisting bums and smoothing bra bulges. She even has the same white pants framed in her office to remind her of her humble beginnings of her butt and $5000 worth of savings. However, Sara’s life has not always been bedazzling as it is today. She scored miserably on her LSAT exams , twice, deciding to forgo law school and deviate from her father’s lawyer footsteps. Instead, she spent time working at 8

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Disney World wearing Mickey Mouse ears and guiding people onto rides. She then later sold fax machines for the office equipment company, Danka. The problem was that in 1993 fax machines were not on trend yet and so making sales was slow and difficult. She never resigned from her position at Danka until she was 100%certain her venture would succeed. She’d be working all day at Danka with truckloads of Spanx being dropped outside her apartment at the same time. She resigned on the 14th October 2000 and two and a half weeks later she was on the Oprah Show. With Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement, 20,000 pairs of Spanx were sold in less than a day and celebrities began wearing them and flaunting them to the world. It is because of the large celebrity praise which has influenced Sara to have never had to spend a cent on advertising. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Blake Lively, Kim Kardashian and Beyonce are known to praise the products. Spanx is so popular that it has become the norm word used for figure-fixing shape wear. The range now offers over 200 products from shorts and slips, to bras and bodysuits. She has also introduced swimwear and pants and is in the process of designing the ‘perfect jean’. Her products are now sold in over 54 countries worldwide. What is more inspiring is that Sara has never taken a business class nor ever worked in retail or fashion. And more fascinatingly, she still owns 100% of her company.

Her determination and success is owed to her father. Each week at the dinner table he would ask his kids to explain something they failed at during the week. He wanted to instil in his children that it’s ok to fail; it’s about learning from failure and stretching yourself to exceed your expectations. If you didn’t think that she was already amazing, well, the truth is, she is even more amazing than amazing can be. Sarah donates 50% of her fortune to various charities around the world. She has donated $100,000 to the Empowerment Plan to help create jobs for homeless women and to provide them with sleeping bags and clothes. She has also contributed to Oprah’s Leadership Academy in South Africa and supports her own charity, the Sara Blakely Foundation. Her own charity is dedicated to helping woman globally through education and entrepreneurship. She helps give them a ‘leg up’. She also donates a red back pack; which was a symbolic item to her during her journey to Spanx. Her red backpack was her symbol of luck which she carried everything in! Hence, she attempts to pass on this luck, love and determination through these donations.

“I am committed to the belief that we would all be in a much better place if half the human race (women) were empowered to prosper, invent, be educated, start their own businesses, run for office — essentially be given the chance to soar” Sara shrugs off detractors. “It’s not just about weight at all,” she says. Women look to the product to simply “smooth them out,” she says—and she cites a wide demographic. Ms. Blakely recalls hearing about an 80-year-old customer who called 911 after she couldn’t get her Spanx off. When the paramedics tried to cut them, she reportedly screamed, “Don’t you dare—I want to wear them again!” Her aim is to continue to create products that allow women to feel more confident and comfortable. Part of that effort has entailed refusing to make her undergarments the slightest bit sexy. “It’s doing what it needs to do,” she says.

Sara’s Top 5 Tips #1: Differentiate yourself - You’ve got to be able to say this in a very clear, concise way. #2: Protect your idea - don’t tell it to friends and family for validation. An idea is most vulnerable in its infancy, and that’s when most people’s well-meaning loved ones put them off. #3: Trust your gut -Your inexperience can become your greatest asset, because it ensures that you will do things differently to the way everybody else has done them. #4: Don’t be afraid to fail - My dad taught me that failure is not an outcome, but involves a lack of trying and not stretching yourself far enough out of your comfort zone and attempting to be more than you were the day before. #5: Think like an inventor- and ask yourself what do you not like about life? What doesn’t work, and how could you change it? Imagine wearing a pair of glasses that allows you to see the world differently.

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Topp 10 10 tralstriaaliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sTo AusAu

Billionaires Billionaires

-1Georgina Rinehart Net Worth: $17 Billion Age: 59 Her earnings primarily come from the iron ore and coal projects she owns in Australia. She is also ranked by Forbes as the 5th wealthiest woman in the world

-2-

Ivan Glasenberg

Net Worth: $7 Billion Age: 56 CEO of Glencore International

-4-

Andrew Forrest

Net Worth: $5 Billion Age: 51 Founder of Fortescue Metals Group

-3-

Frank Lowy

Net Worth: $5 Billion Age: 83 Founder of Westfield

-5-

James Packer

Net Worth: $4.5 Billion Age:REVIEW 44 | ISSUE 133 BOND BUSINESS 11 Owns Crown Ltd and Casinos around Australia

-6-

Anthony Pratt & Family

-7-

Harry Triguboff

Net Worth: $4.5 Billion Age: 53 Visy Packaging, Pact and Thorney Holdings

Net Worth: $4.5 Billion Age: 80 Owner of Meriton

-8-

-9-

Harry Triguboff

Net Worth: $4.5 Billion Age: 80 Owner of Meriton

Kerr Nielson

Net Worth: $3 Billion Age: 64 Asset Management

Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 10 Billionaires

- 10 Paul Ramsay Net Worth: $2 Billion Age: 77 Ramsay Healthcare and Prime Media

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THE BEST PLACES Des Moines has the highest concentration of employment services in the country.

Des Moines, Iowa

Provo, Utah

Brigham Young University is the largest employer in Provo, which had the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top growth last year at 5%.

Lincoln, Neb

Raleigh, NC Everyone continues to flock to Raleigh, making it have the second highest rate of net migration of any metro area over the last five years.

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TO DO BUSINESS IN AMERICA

Nashville. Tenn.

Fort Collins, Colo Fort Collins ranks high on school attainment with 43% of adults having a college degree and 94% possessing a high school diploma.

Oklahoma City Denver, Colo

BOND BUSINESS REVIEW | ISSUE 133

How to ensure a successful start-up

Jessica Alba is most known for acting and her dazzling good looks. However, what most people don’t realise is that she is a loving mother, wife, and entrepreneur of her own company, The Honest Company. The Honest Company was launched in January last year and recently secured $25 million dollars in new venture capital funding. Whilst Jessica may be the face of the brand, she is also co-founder and very passionate about the company’s cause.

The e-commerce business is very unique operating on a subscription based system. They offer eco-friendly toddlercentric products like diapers and skincare, which are delivered straight to your doorstep. But, more importantly, a portion of the proceeds are donated to children and families in need through the Baby2Baby charity organisation. Jessica’s idea for the company derived from her inability to find unharmful and chemical free baby products on the market. After having her first daughter, Honor, she tested the much praised ‘baby safe’’ detergent on herself and immediately broke out in a rash. She realised that if it was bad on her skin, imagine the effects it would have

on her daughter baby soft skin. Then when Honour was 6 months her diaper unflatteringly exploded with absorbent gel beads falling everywhere and ending up in Honour’s mouth as she munched them up. Freaking out, she tried to read the diaper labels to see what ingredients was in them, but she was astonished to find there were none labelled! She then turned to natural alternatives, however found they were no where near effective in achieving their purpose. In realising this problem, she noticed the void which had to be filled. So she made the Honest.com brand.

“

I found my daughter sitting in her crib, eating these tiny beads from the inside of her diaper. They were all over her face. It was a moment of terror!

“

a b l a iss ca

Jessica is passionate about ensuring the brand continues to care about the families of the world, rather than focusing on increasing profits.

Mrs Alba’s 8 Point Start-Up Plan Tips * 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)

Find your niche Get your hands dirty Perfect your pitch Don’t let setbacks get you down Be true to yourself Polish your ideas Hone your brand Get social BOND BUSINESS REVIEW | ISSUE 133

Life LifeHacks Hacks

STUART MCKELVIE

With exam time creeping up, and the days seemingly becoming shorter as we slave away at those last few assignments, there are a few tips and tricks, programs and life hacks which can make getting through the day that little bit easier.

F.LUX http://justgetflux.com/ You know it, I know it. You’ve been procrastinating again, spending hours in the library, achieving nothing but finding the bottom of your Facebook feed. That assignment is still sitting there however, awaiting your return like those dirty dishes you hope your housemates will do for you. As the deadline draws closer, an all-nighter seems like the only option. Although I don’t agree with your piss poor preparation up to this point, I do agree an all-nighter is necessary. “But what about my eyes! I can’t stay up all night looking at a bright screen, my parents told me that wad bad for me at some stage ages ago and it seems logical that tonight is the night I’m going to take their advice for once.” Well worry no more, F.lux is here to save the day (or your eyes you might say). F.lux automatically reduces the strain on those pretty balls in your head by altering the colour of your screen to that of a more warmer, less screamingly hell/sun-like glow making it easier to get through those long nights surrounded by Red Bull cans and chocolate. 18

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DROPBOX

https://www.dropbox.com/ Dropbox is all about getting your stuff into the cloud. Now I’m not talking about iCloud, which uses “the cloud,” and I’m not talking about the white shapes floating in the sky. Dropbox allows you to sync your files across multiple devices giving you access to them anytime, anywhere (dependent on an internet connection). No more having to worry about losing that final draft assignment the day before it is due! You can rest safe knowing it is just floating around the Internet somewhere (it all sounds very technical, but I hear Katie Chrystal is great at explaining it to those interested.)

GOOGLE DRIVE

https://drive.google.com/

Do you hate group meetings? Would you rather just sit at home and do your section without having to talk or even see your other team members? Well, let me introduce you to the wonder that is Google Drive. Google Drive lets you write assignments, make presentations and even fill in excel spread sheets all online, even at the exact same time as someone else, all without having to remember to save it. You won’t have to worry about trying to sift through your cluttered inbox to find the latest version of your group assignment, as it is all saved in that weird “cloud” place. Bonus tip: click revision history in the file menu to see just how much work your group members aren’t doing, justifies how much you already hate them!

PREZI

http://prezi.com/ Say goodbye to Powerpoint, say hello to countless hours of productive procrastinating. Prezi gives you an alternative to those boring presentations, allowing you to zoom, spin and dance your way across a canvas of your making. There aren’t as many options to play with as in Powerpoint, yet the finished product is something that can be truly amazing. Check out some of the examples online before creating your own masterpiece to truly understand the potential possibilities BOND BUSINESS REVIEW | ISSUE 133

LIFESTYLE.

Your Study Survival Guide Starts Here... The following products are your answers to a less stressful study period.

Iced Coffee

Now that its warming up, Iced Coffee is the perfect way to refresh yourself whilst still getting that much needed caffeine hit.

Music Glasshouse Candles $39.95

Either burn it while your studying to smell the sweet aromas, or burn in during your study break to help keep calm and relax.

Its simple - you will not survive without music.

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Kiki.K Daily Planner $9.95

Invest in one of these cheap babies to help you plan out your day. While you’re there, be even more super organised and purchase your diary for 2014 so you can start planning way ahead of time!

4 5

Type Notebooks 3 for $10

Happy books can not only help uplift your spirits, but are necessary to ensure you practice your exams, handwritten, to avoid those nasty and painful hand cramps half way through finishing your paper.

Green Tea

If you don’t drink tea, drink it! Green tea contains Theanine which is a natural amino acid found in the leaves. It is this substance which provides relaxation.

Red Bull

No explanation needed.

Homemade Meals Delivered

Too tired or lazy to cook? Still want to eat healthy? Sick of campus food? www.fitfoodgoldcoast.com.au will deliver your meals fresh and unfrozen for as little as $11 for a main meal! Winning!

Comfy Pants

Ain’t nobody got time for feeling uncomfortable when you study. Comfy pants are a must - no matter how daggy you look.

Kanye West’s New Album - Yeezus

If all else fails, put on some Kanye. Get out your inner rap goddess/god and just let loose!

Things shall work out much in your favour due to your inspirational desire to do big and better things. However, you need to focus on relational concerns like looking into an older member of the family and the like. Do make efforts to detangle the lives of those around you as well as concentrating on how to balance your internal conflicts.

AQUARIUS

20 FEBRUARY - 20 MARCH

Your emotions will be at their highest this year with feelings ruling the roost for a while. In order to overcome this, it is important to live in harmony with the environment around you. It is important for you to let your inspiration create new wings of change and find someone who you can hold onto for support.

This year shall bring in goodness, strength and cheer into your life. An unusually good number of opportunities shall come your way and you will be able to venture into unknown territories.

However, you will experience immense opportunities Flaunt your individuality when it comes to showing throughout the year and it is important to make sure your creativity to the outside world. Try to sort out your emotional side does not let this opportunities any hitches in relationships during this time. pass by. Seek comfort and advice from your family as they will always be there by your side to guide you.

ARIES

PISCES

21 JANUARY - 19 FEBRUARY

TAURUS

Your diverse thoughts coupled with major changes shall diversify your portfolio of interests. Let go off the past and face the present world with confidence and renewed vigour. You will feel the urge to set yourself apart from the rest of the crowd. Make no compromise when it comes to your personal life. Raise your voice against any sort of injustice around you.

GEMINI

21 MARCH - 20 APRIL

21 APRIL - 21 MAY

22 MAY - 21 JUNE

2014 will be a wonderful year for you in that you will be able to complete all tasks that have been pending for a long time. This year also promotes high energy activities such as going on an adventurous trip. However, certain constraints cannot be ruled out with your decisions towards home and its affairs taking toll on you.

2014 will bring major changes in your personal and professional life as you will be steering away from unwanted bad habits which have been taking a toll on your peace of mind. Your mental strengths will be at it’s best this year, but remember to stick to your conscience at all times. It is also important to explore new activities to help provide you with relief.

2014 will be a soft and mellow year for you. You need to think twice before diving into new ventures and plan out your ideas. You need to re-prioritise your relationships to ensure peace and harmony prevails at home and at work. However, certain controversies which have been bothering you will come to an end eventually.

Make sure that you remain steady and sturdy with your ambitions. Make no room for any complacency and indecisions. The planetary positions for this year shall help you to target your aims in life.

Seek inspiration from those around you and listen carefully to their advice. Your greatest asset this year will be your simplicity and ability to adapt to any situations which arise. 2014 is your year to face the world with renewed courage and diplomacy.

Your increasing workload may force you to make drastic changes in your life as you will be working much longer hours than you’re used to. Unfortunately, you will also be faced with the dilemma that your hard work is not being recognised. Therefore, it is important for you to stay optimistic and involve yourself in creative pursuits.

CANCER

LEO

22 JUNE - 23 JULY

24 JULY - 23 AUGUST

This year you will become more engaged with your personal life, rather than your professional one. Relationships will suddenly become more meaningful to you than ever before. Family relations will remain stable for most of the year. However, it is important for you to listen in situations instead of constantly talking.

2014 would be highly productive for you, allowing you to reach your ambitions. This is owed to your strong will power and sheer hard work. Radical changes are likely with important professional and personal decisions to make.

You shall get more opportunities to climb up your social ladder but be sure your ego does not go to your head. Learn to throw away your authoritarian attitudes and feel your emotions through showing kindness to those around you. Your creative works shall also gain recognition and support.

LIBRA

VIRGO

24 AUGUST - 23 SEPTEMBER

Your year will be packed with energy and strength so you can live your life in good spirits. You will also gain support and energy from those around you. Your social circle is going to expand as you gain an abundant of connections in life with many overseas contacts being acquired. A much anticipated change You will be able to consolidate some of the projects will occur, such as a promotion or great recognition you stated several years earlier but also have ample for your work. time to enjoy life. But ensure that you set yourself in action when the time is ripe so that your long term Focus all your energy to do your best with life. commitments are met. Obstacles will come your way Volunteer for charity work or donate some of your now and you need to learn to overcome these hurdles extra cash. This year is a time for you to gain much through your will power. repute from the society around you.

SCORPIO

24 SEPTEMBER - 23 OCTOBER

2014 will be a year free of trials and tribulations that have been haunting you for the past few years. Because of this you will be able to steer clearly through life, moving into profitable territory. You will experience much freedom in your life, something like never before. An inner light will guide you through the year and give you a perspective of the world you have never noticed before.

2014 shall bring in new surprises for all Scorpios out there. You need to be aware of the changes happening around you in order to move forward in life. Some sort of relocation is also on the cards if you are willing to take the opportunity.

You will be given the chance to forgive and forget in relationships and now is the time to move beyond your limits. You will influence others instead of them influencing you. Now is the time when you should be able to make wise judgments related to life, but be sure that emotions do not always hold the sway.

2014 Horoscopes

CAPRICORN

22 DECEMBER - 20 JANUARY

SAGITTARIUS

23 NOVEMBER - 21 DECEMBER

This is a year when you would be able to bring shape to your long found dreams and ideals in life. Let your actions in this regard be simple and apt. Major changes are likely to occur in your lifestyle. Make sure that you do the talking and decision–making in important tasks at home. In reality you would face Challenging tasks shall come from nowhere,; you need certain hindrances but let your inspirations keep you to handle them with audacity avoiding complacency going. and procrastination of all sorts. Give priority to your ambitions and ideals in life. Let off past memories and don’t let them haunt your spirits. Let bygones be bygones. Face the world with Make it a point to present your hopes and ideals when a renewed vigour and strength now. Your social life meeting ‘higher-ups’ in society. Now is the time to toil would be fully engaged with contacts coming in from towards a better future. Do not let past memories and all quarters. Your personal choices in life would be losses dampen your spirits. too hard to handle during this time period. Have faith in yourself and let actions flow swiftly taking full freedom. Make sure you trust your instincts! BOND BUSINESS REVIEW | ISSUE 133

Can

one mineral

make study easier?

As weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re approaching the end of the semester, everything always becomes overwhelmingly stressful. DELIA MCCABE, a nutritional neuroscience researcher, explores how one simple mineral can help us study much, much easier.

A couple of years ago I bumped into one of my neighbours who was extremely cranky. She is an Advanced Care Paramedic, and her days (and many nights) are obviously very stressful. The urgency and focus required to locate and then manage the care of people who may be dying is stressful in its own right. Trying to save them adds another dimension to the stress levels she experiences regularly. And supervising the distressed people that are at the scenes of such traumatic events takes added emotional effort too. She was irritable because her children had been thoughtless and kept on banging doors and making loud noises and she told me that ‘every time a door bangs my heart stops!!’ She had gone for a walk to try and de-stress! She was a little irritated when I smiled at her and asked her some questions, but at the end of our chat she was smiling and promised to follow my advice. A few weeks later I received a call from her and she told me that she was feeling like a new person and so was her husband, who is also involved with emergency care. Their children can happily play around the home now. Banging doors no longer cause a severe reaction, and their sleep has improved too. All in all, they’d discovered the mineral with real anti-stress muscle - magnesium!

What makes magnesium so powerful? Magnesium is involved in a huge variety of critical tasks, which are essential for optimal mental and physical health. Here are the basics: 1) Magnesium supports mitochondrial functioning, being essential in the energy production process, by assisting with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Simply put, it helps to make cellular energy, which a busy brain, with more than 100 billion neurons, really needs. 2) It helps to keep blood sugar levels even, by influencing both the release and the activity of insulin. Stable blood glucose helps mood, memory and learning ability to remain stable too. 3) Magnesium is involved with neurotransmitter release and neural activity in general, and also reduces excitatory neurotransmitter release. Magnesium therefore helps your brain to stay calm and relaxed, and therefore manage stress more effectively. 4) Magnesium regulates muscle and nerve function, thereby reducing exaggerated responses to stress, and does this partly by relaxing muscle spasms during the stress response. This action may be beneficial for severe headaches too, research has indicated. 5) Magnesium’s ability to regulate the stress response is due in part to its ability to improve cortisol and adrenal functioning, because it’s a required nutrient for the synthesis of both of these compounds. Magnesium deficiency will eventually lead to adrenal exhaustion. 6) Magnesium’s action on muscles extends to the heart, facilitating steady rhythmic action, as well as regulating blood pressure. 7) Magnesium is essential for the synthesis of essential fatty acids, from alpha linolenic acid (omega 3 - ALA) and linoleic acid (omega 6 - LA) into long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), which are critical for optimal cognitive function. 8) Tryptophan is converted into serotonin, using magnesium, and other nutrients, such as vitamin B3 and B6. Serotonin is intimately involved in improving and regulating sleep patterns. A lack of magnesium will therefore interfere with deep, restful sleep. As the brain performs best when it is calm and relaxed, a magnesium deficiency will lead to significantly less than optimal cognitive

functioning! Bad news for everyone, especially people who have demanding academic schedules and tough exams! Unfortunately, as we get older, this deficiency accelerates the aging process too. As magnesium has critically important roles to play in the central nervous system (CNS), a deficiency will manifest in cognitive, emotional and behavioural symptoms. Extreme cases of deficiency lead to hyper-arousal, which can lead to hyperventilation, and eventually convulsions. A deficiency will also lead to metabolic dysfunction, which leads to low energy levels and weight gain. Mood and memory disturbances, sleep challenges, digestion difficulties, immune system disorders, muscle cramps, and an inability to handle normal, day-to-day stressors are some of the other health challenges that magnesium deficiency can cause.

Can you get enough magnesium from your diet? No, most people can’t. And there are a number of reasons why this is the case. Here are some facts about magnesium depletion in our foods: • Between 1940 and 1991 magnesium content in fruit went down by 16%* • Between 1978 and 1991 magnesium decreased by nearly 40% in our vegetables* • An increased use of NPK (Nitrogen/Phosphorous/Potassium) fertilizers, which are not balanced mineral additions to the soil, means magnesium is deficient in most produce • Continuous, and mono-crop growing leads to mineral depleted soils, as well as a reduction in essential fungi that help liberate minerals from the soil • Inherent soil deficiencies and lack of organic matter lead to magnesium deficiency in produce • Increased transport distances, as well as storage times and processing methods deplete magnesium from produce • Increased intake of processed, highly flavoured, refined, carbohydrate-rich foods, high protein intake, saturated and damaged fat intake, all take the place of unprocessed, natural foods that contain magnesium, such as fresh, leafy greens, nuts and seeds, legumes and whole grains. (* These are figures from the United Kingdom, but the trend seems to be similar for most countries.)

Could you be causing your own magnesium deficiency? You can start a magnesium deficiency, or maintain a vicious cycle of deficiency if you do certain things regularly: • Stress, whether it is mental, physical or emotional, uses up loads of magnesium, simply because your adrenal glands use magnesium, among other nutrients, to produce adrenalin. Ongoing stress will also damage your memory, as the brain is very sensitive to cortisol, which is what ends up being produced when adrenalin runs its course because your adrenal glands use magnesium, among other nutrients, to produce adrenalin. Ongoing stress will also damage your memory, as the brain is very sensitive to cortisol, which is what ends up being produced when adrenalin runs its course. • When you experience stress, your body will pull glucose out of your liver, where it is stored, to give you the energy to either fight, or run away from the thing that has caused your stress response. Your body cannot distinguish between a real physical threat to your survival, and a frustrating traffic jam, an irritating lecturer, or an overwhelming exam schedule. It simply responds automatically to the thoughts that make you feel stressed. When glucose is pumped into your blood stream, to be transferred

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to your muscles to handle the perceived threat, it causes a sudden blood glucose rise, which leads to the next situation. • A sudden rise in, or unstable blood glucose levels, sparks the release of adrenalin, because the body sees this imbalance as another stressor. Being stressed due to exams, or eating something that is highly processed, will cause your blood glucose to jump up, with the pancreas producing insulin to get blood glucose into your cells quickly. Unfortunately, this process also signals the adrenals to produce adrenalin, which will further deplete you of magnesium. • Drinking coffee also sparks off your adrenal glands, as coffee contains caffeine, which signals the release of dopamine, which turns into adrenalin. This is how coffee gives you an energy and focus ‘lift.’ So, with every cup of coffee you are also getting a ‘stress-hit,’ and using up your magnesium stores. Therefore, use coffee wisely.

What about a magnesium supplement? The Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) for magnesium varies between males and females, and between adults and children. But the RDA may very well be an extremely outdated system for assessing the real needs of vitamins and minerals, stating that adult males require about 420mg per day, while females require slightly less. People differ in their needs for vitamins and minerals, with some people needing a lot more than others, due to biochemical differences and metabolic variations. And, increased stress levels will mean you are producing more adrenalin, which uses magnesium for its synthesis. Unfortunately a simple blood test doesn’t give a good indication of magnesium levels, as only 1% of the magnesium in the body is found in the blood. Up to 60% is stored on your bones, and the rest is stored in your cells. If you answered ‘yes’ more often than ‘no’ to the questions above, you are most likely in need of a supplement. And the body has a great safety mechanism, should you take more magnesium than you need. You will simply notice loose bowel movements, which means you should cut back on the amount you are taking, until your bowels return to normal.

One of the most absorbent forms of this important mineral is magnesium citrate, and you can purchase it over the counter in any good health store. Starting off with 200mg before breakfast and another 200mg before dinner will soon have you feeling calmer and more relaxed. Your sleep will also improve. If a lovely soothing bath suits you better, then simply add a quarter of a cup of Epsom salts to your bath water daily. Soak in the water for about 20 minutes, and your skin will absorb the magnesium in these salts, allowing you to experience the soothing benefits of this wonderful mineral. Oh, and why does craving chocolate mean you may be deficient in magnesium? Apart from its heavenly flavour and texture, chocolate is loaded with magnesium. But it’s also loaded with sugar and theobromine, which can cause heart palpitations if you eat too much chocolate. So don’t think eating chocolate will solve your magnesium deficiency! Although magnesium is not the only nutrient that will help you manage stress more effectively, it is the one that will produce benefits very quickly. Magnesium can be a fantastic ally, helping your brain perform optimally. A tranquil and peaceful brain is better able to manage stress and help you to think with clarity. Thinking clearly and calmly - whether you are studying or writing exams - will help you navigate your academic career with greater ease. After all, educating yourself should be more of a pleasure than a pain, and magnesium can help you accomplish that.

Delia turned her back on conventional talking therapy, after completing her masters in Psychology. Since then she’s immersed herself in the fascinating world of nutrition and the brain and offers a focused and insightful approach - based on solid science - into how specific foods can improve your mood, concentration, memory and learning ability. To learn more about this approach visit www.deliahealth.com

Delia McCabe

How do you know if you are deficient in magnesium? Researchers have found that the answers to the questions below give them a very good idea about whether people are deficient in magnesium or not. Answering ‘yes’ eight times or more, means that you could do with more magnesium in your diet.

- Are you easily irritated and frustrated? - If a door slams, or you hear a loud noise, does your heart jump, leaving you feeling jittery? - Do you feel as if you are on edge all the time? - Does an interruption easily startle you? - Do you feel tired a lot? - Does your heartbeat feel as if it’s always racing? - Does your heartbeat feel irregular? - Do you suffer from insomnia? - Do you experience muscle spasms or cramps? - Do you feel anxious a lot of the time? - Do you find yourself worrying about things constantly? - Do you find it difficult to sit still, always needing to be doing something? - Would others call you restless? -Do you feel as if your personality has changed over the last while? - Do you sometimes feel confused while doing something, or looking for something? - Do you crave chocolate regularly?

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ѻPȣȐɑȐ Ȩɕ Ǹ ȇȨɑȐȃɜ

ɑȐȵǸɜȨɄȽɕȣȨɉ ǾȐɜɬȐȐȽ

ɴɄɤɑ ȹȨȽȇ ǸȽȇ ǾɄȇɴѼ

Is Meditation the Answer to Stress? I first caught a glimpse of the wonderful work of Tom Cronin on a morning show where he spoke about the benefits of meditation. After doing some research I came across his website, Science of Stillness, which I still regularly turn to for advice about health and wellness. I know many of you are in the midst of a crazy semester, so take some time to sit back and just be still. Here, Tom offers some advice on how you can start your journey into meditation. You’ve got an assignment due tomorrow morning, exams next week, a credit card debt that’s mounting and a relationship with your partner that is rapidly deteriorating. You’re not sleeping well, you feel cranky and tired all the time, your catching a cold, and you just want to hide under the doona and let the world pass by. Dr Bruce Lipton from Stanford Medical School said in a published journal in 1998 that 95% of all sickness is a result of stress. If that’s the case, and we eliminate stress, then we eliminate 95% of all sickness. What is stress and is it really that bad? This may shock you but there are no stressful situations. There are only stressful responses to situations. How we respond to a situation is determined by the state of mind and body that is presented with the situation. This response is going to be different for everyone. Many years ago I was suffering from anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I had to leave my job and was faced with overwhelming panic attacks at he thought of leaving the house. All that changed one day. All those symptoms of imbalance went away and a lightness and joy entered my life. I now travel the world presenting keynote talks, teaching meditation and hosting retreats. How has that changed? Meditation. The simple act of quietening the mind into stillness. Meditation is often promoted as a spiritual practice where you’re required to sit in lotus with no thoughts in your head. However meditation is as much about your physiology as it is about your mind and spirit. There is a direct relationship between your mind and body. When your mind becomes still in meditation, your physiology will also lower its metabolic rate and drop into a deep state of stillness. Scientific studies have shown that some meditation techniques will put the body into a metabolic state of rest that is 4 times deeper than sleep. These studies were done testing blood plasma levels, basal skin resistance, breath rate and pulse rate. The mind will have between 50,000 and 70,000 thoughts a day. With each of those thoughts there is a corresponding biochemical and physiological shift. This constant fluctuation in the body places huge demands on it, and will eventually lead to imbalances and distortions. However when the mind is still, the body drops into a deep restful zone and the innate healing intelligence within the body

BY TOM CRONIN

is activated and restoration begins. At this point the body shifts from sympathetic nervous system mode (fight/flight) to parasympathetic nervous system mode (rest and digest). When the body shifts into PNS mode, a rejuvenation and reorganisational process is activated. The intelligence within the body scans for anomalies and corrects the imbalance. No doctors, no tablets, no therapy, just the simple act of the body doing what it does best, repair and restore. Meditation is the key to sustainability in this time of information overload. By putting aside just 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon towards mental stillness and the deep physiological rest, you will experience less stressful responses in life, feel more vital, more energy and great creativity. Do your own research into the experience of meditation and see how your mind and body responds to daily demands. You’ll notice you have a lot less stress responses and life flows effortlessly. Tom Cronin is a meditation teacher, keynote speaker, mentor, retreat host and film producer. To find out more about Tom and to receive his weekly insights, go to www.tomcronin.com. Tom has generously offered all Bond University students a discount to his world-class online meditation program, Science of Stillness. For details of the program you can go to www.scienceofstillness.com. To purchase this program at the discounted price of $97, please email hello@tomcronin.com with ‘BOND’ in the subject line.

Ʉɬ ɜɄ LɜǸɑɜ 4ȐȇȨɜǸɜȨȽȝ 1. Sit in a chair comfortably. 2. Focus on the natural breath moving through the nostrils. 3. When thoughts come, bring the awareness back to the breath moving through the nostrils. 4. Continue this for 5 - 10 minutes.

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Good luck for the rest of your exams and assessments. And goodbye! We wish you all the best for the remainder of your degrees.

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