UPDATES FROM EXPERTS IN THE FIELD

CORPORATE PSYCHOLOGY with Dr John Barletta

Be my valentine

Relationships need regular tweaks to stay alive. If you expect the joy and satisfaction experienced early in a relationship to continue without any work, good luck! The great news is that with a little bit of effort, love can be enhanced. Here are some tips to keep romance alive or fall back in lust:

• Hug and kiss when leaving home and arriving back

• Eat together nightly and checkin as to what each of you is doing

• Overlook small negatives that peeve you about your partner

• Explore fun new places, hobbies, adventures together

• Discuss your expectations, hopes, and dreams

• Remember your partner’s best qualities by considering what their friends would say about them

• Be intimate regularly as it increases attraction and attractiveness

• Generate positive thoughts about your partner and write reminders about what you value about them

You shape your emotions and romantic feelings are no different. Go on, take the challenge, it’s absolutely worth it! DR

PSYCHOLOGIST

VARICOSE VEINS with Dr Nicholas Kemp

Lovely legs

Once February rolls around, the temperature in Brissy can get pretty steamy, and for those who suffer from varicose veins it can often be unbearable.

The heat can cause veins to dilate, which in turn can lead to increased discomfort and swelling. I find many of my patients complain that their skin becomes more sensitive with increasing itchiness and dry patches irritated by sunscreen and sand. Fortunately, some of the best activities for leg health are easy to do in our city. Going for a walk along the Brisbane River in the morning or as the heat of the day subsides is a great way to relieve venous congestion. You should aim to walk for 30 minutes every day preferably in comfortable flat shoes.

Swimming or aqua aerobics are also fantastic ways to help reduce symptoms and can even temporarily reduce the appearance of veins. Don’t own a pool? Get some friends together and visit one of the many public pools in Brissy.

The ‘anti-gravity’ movements in the water help take the pressure off and increase circulation which has been reported to help reduce restless legs at night.