Cairns Local News 16-July-2021

Page 9

NEWS

Friday July 16, 2021

A coffee or 3 makes the day seem right

Dogs V Cats in lockdown

the other day and read that the medical boffins are suggesting that 4 or more coffees per day can cause blindness or even heart disease, which probably falls in line with the warnings my doctor gave me years ago when I was in sales. I was on the road traveling around FNQ drinking approximately 17 mugs of tar a day, apparently that was not good for me. Talk about limiting my fun and being a paid-up member of the ‘fun-police’. He made me cut down to a reasonable amount so the new normal is now five buckets per day and none at least three hours before snoring time. But when walking around this beautiful city while totally caff’d up and talking to various northern dwellers asking about their coffee survival stories that it seems there’s one common thread. Don’t talk or invade my space until I’ve consumed sufficient caffeine, and I seemed to be sufficiently hyped up as if I’ve drunk a bottle of red cordial. For those that had ankle biters, the suggestion of a good Irish coffee or three to start the day sounds good, and manageable. So here is my tip for those like me, with that annoying cheery morning attitude, check for blood-soaked eyes and hand tremors before making the greeting of G’day mate. Wayne

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NEW research reveals there are differences in how dogs and cats help people deal with the loneliness of COVID lockdowns. Dr Jessica Oliva is a lecturer in psychology at James Cook University. She led a study that surveyed nearly four hundred people living alone in lockdown, with or without a dog or cat. “A 2018 study showed 50 per cent of Australians ‘sometimes’ or ‘always’ felt alone – a risk factor for depression and anxiety. She said researchers are beginning to understand how mindfulness - the ability to keep the mind attending to what is occurring in the present moment – may help protect against depression, anxiety and stress, and boost well-being. Research showed pet interactions were not associated with higher mindfulness scores, or lower levels of loneliness, but there were differences between cat and dog owners when it came to loneliness and mindfulness. “Simply owning a dog did appear to buffer the effects of loneliness in some way. For dog owners more so than cat owners, an important aspect of this was the existence of a physical connection - being able to touch and feel another living creature in the house,” said Dr Oliva. She said both dog and cat owners mentioned the importance of the pet as an excuse to talk out loud, which has been shown to improve concentration and performance on cognitive tasks.

UNLEASH UNLEASH YOUR

With VPG’s support I got an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker. They helped me find work and even provided PPE gear and driving lessons to help me get my license. I’m loving my job and I’m really happy with where I’m at. OBADIAH, CABINET MAKER APPRENTICE

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G’DAY Tropicairnsians, Coffee, coffee, coffee said three times in the morning before you open your eyes is my way of slowly waking that strange weird spongy thing between my ears. I do try hard not to jolt my brain awake too rudely, as I need to maximise its function and efficiency for some part of the coming day. This doesn’t always work; however, I have found if I utter first coffee, coffee, coffee in the morning my day does get better. So now I am awake, I have to get my battered and tired body up and moving. The best way for this to happen in Wayne’s World is the attraction of getting three strong black coffees in my gob, that’s right: 3 mugs of tar ingested before the front door hits my large backside as I exit. So far so good, in the Jeep and off to Cruze for another hit. MMM... Irish cream with toffee is my favourite blend and Gil’s crew are skilled in their trade and with 4 coffees in the guts, it is time to join the humans in pondering and solving the meaning of life. I was putting on my glasses

Cairns Local News

www.vpginc.com.au 07 4032 1677

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YARRABAH

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