Magda Szubanski did not know what she was getting herself into when she agreed to host a national TV event on health in Australia. And she definitely didn’t know she’d walk away with a new health-obsessed bestie, in Dr Sandro Demaio.  Together Magda and Sandro learned more and more about the barriers to health facing everyone in this country, and the project grew bigger and bigger.   Before she knew it, Magda herself was at the centre of the story, undergoing tests and receiving results on a national broadcast! So when we say Magda has lived experience of the topics covered in this season of In Good Health, we really mean it.   Now, Magda sits down with said bestie, Dr. Sandro Demaio, to reflect on what she’s learned about health this year, her vulnerability while making the show, and what she hopes to see for the future of health in Australia.    +++  In Good Health is a VicHealth podcast, produced by Deadset Studios. You can find out more at https://vichealth.vic.gov.au/podcasts    VicHealth acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s say an old friend invites you to join their social netball league, and you’ve never played netball before. Are you super excited... or running for the hills?   In this episode of In Good Health, Dr Erica Randle from LaTrobe University’s Centre for Sport and Social Impact, wants us to shift how we think about getting active, leaving notions of whether we’re good enough to move our bodies, behind.  Erica shares some ideas and tools for anyone who wants to move more, or wants to help the people around them move more.   +++  In Good Health is a VicHealth podcast, produced by Deadset Studios.   You can find out more at https://vichealth.vic.gov.au/podcasts VicHealth acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No blue light after 8pm! Chamomile tea before bed! Eight hours or more... or else!  In recent years, the world of sleep has become far less relaxed than you’d expect. Between wearable sleep trackers and an ever-growing obsession with self-optimisation, sleep has become the latest on a long list of activities you’ve done your whole life, but apparently should be doing better.   But what if trying so hard is making sleep harder to come by?   Dr Moira Junge, a registered health psychologist and the CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation, wants to set the record straight. She breaks down a listener’s sleep diary and explains the tools and tactics at play – and why you probably don’t need to use them all, all the time!   +++  In Good Health is a VicHealth podcast, produced by Deadset Studios.   You can find out more at https://vichealth.vic.gov.au/podcasts   VicHealth acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Wednesday evening Vivien, Zach and Meg meet at a primary school in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. They set up the chairs, put the kettle on and distribute the sheets of music they’ll be singing from that night.  They’re part of a community choir, where singers from all walks of life gather to rehearse - no auditions necessary. Anyone is welcome, and that’s the point. It’s a place where people can come to make friends, socialise and connect with one another.   Even in this age of ultra-connectivity, young people have become the loneliest generation with far-reaching implications for their physical and mental wellbeing.   Director of Social Identity and Groups Network at the University of Queensland, Professor Catherine Haslam, unpacks why we feel lonely and what we can do about it.   +++  In Good Health is a VicHealth podcast, produced by Deadset Studios.   You can find out more at https://vichealth.vic.gov.au/podcasts VicHealth acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe you know the feeling. A couple of stressful days turns into a couple of stressful weeks, then months... and sometimes even longer.   It doesn’t feel like stress anymore, more like exhaustion. You’re tired in your bones. So, are you burned out?  You might think of burnout as something that only happens in the workplace, but as our work life extends beyond the bounds of a regular 9-5, we’re discovering that burnout can look very different these days.  Tigist Kebede, a senior counsellor at Pola Psychology, explains how our thinking around burnout is changing, how to spot the warning signs and build your own burnout resilience amid all that overwhelm.  +++  If anything has been raised for you in this episode, check out the following organisation’s for support:  Beyond Blue  Black Dog Institute  Headspace  Lifeline  Reach Out    In Good Health is a VicHealth podcast, produced by Deadset Studios.   You can find out more at https://vichealth.vic.gov.au/podcasts  VicHealth acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s 6pm. Your workday was exhausting. Traffic was horrible.  And now you’re squeezing between other customers in the supermarket aisle, while you try to decipher exactly what’s in the food you’re about to buy. Unless you're a marketing and nutrition expert, you might have a tough time.  How do you know which product is healthier? What should you be looking out for in the ingredients list? And why does sugar have so many different names?   Dr Alexandra Chung, a qualified dietitian and food marketing researcher at Monash University, breaks down the techniques marketers use to get you to buy their products, and shares tactics to help you get what you actually need from your next trip to the grocery store.  +++  In Good Health is a VicHealth podcast, produced by Deadset Studios.   You can find out more at https://vichealth.vic.gov.au/podcasts   Find out about your food options. FoodSwitch is an app from The George Institute that allows you to scan a barcode to access nutrition information and healthier alternatives.  VicHealth acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all want to live healthy lives. But sometimes this feels overwhelming, and we don’t know where to start. It seems like there are so many things that influence and impact our health – some are obvious, but some are hidden in plain sight.  Help is at hand. In season 4 of In Good Health, VicHealth’s Dr Sandro Demaio will guide you through the maze of unseen barriers, including those that keep us from staying active, connected and sleeping through the night. You’ll meet people navigating similar health challenges, and you’ll hear practical suggestions that you can implement yourself, and together.  +++  In Good Health is a VicHealth podcast, produced by Deadset Studios.   You can find out more at: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/podcasts VicHealth acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building and maintaining social connections with friends and family is essential for our health and wellbeing. However, staying socially connected and maintaining social expectations can have its challenges. In this special episode we talk to one of our Future Healthy Community Champions Ravi, and discuss the value of meaningful social connections, the importance of creating safe spaces for young people and why trusting yourself always pays off. Show notes: To find out more about Future Healthy and our fantastic Community Champions, head to our website: https://futurehealthy.vichealth.vic.gov.au/ Make sure to also check us out on our social media under @futurehealthy. To find out more information on the topics discussed in today’s episode, check out our blogs on the VicHealth website: Young people coping with coronavirus: interim report: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/young-people-coping-with-coronavirus Ten go-to mental health organisations for young people: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/ten-go-to-mental-health-organisations-for-young-people VicHealth Coronavirus Victorian Wellbeing Impact Study: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/coronavirus-victorian-wellbeing-impact-study Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing your own food has many benefits, including eating fresher and tastier food, producing less waste and saving money. But sometimes, it can be tricky to even know where to begin. In this special episode we talk to one of our Future Healthy Community Champions, Felicia Lau, and discuss the journey of starting a veggie garden from scratch, which grew into a shared venture with the whole community. To find out more about Future Healthy and our fantastic Community Champions, head to our website: https://futurehealthy.vichealth.vic.gov.au/ Make sure to also check us out on our social media under @futurehealthy. To find out more information on the topics discussed in today’s episode, check out our blogs on the VicHealth website: Get the kids involved with lunchbox prep: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/veggie-snacks Healthy food without breaking the budget: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/eating-healthy-food-on-a-budget Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we learn to love veggies and find joy in cooking with them? In this episode, we welcome back Alice Zaslavsky to discuss how we can learn to love veggies once and for all (even for our little ones), as well as a few tips and tricks on how to cook them along the way. Show notes: A few key words from today's episode: Borscht – a soup common in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, where beetroot is one of the main ingredients. Braise – a cooking method that uses both wet and dry heat, where the food is first cooked at a high temperature, and then cooked in a covered pot in liquid. Brassica - is a genus of plant in the cabbage and mustard family, vegetables in this family include cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale and turnip. Caramelised - the browning of sugar (natural or artificial), a cooking method resulting in a sweet flavour and brown colour. Celeriac – looks like a root vegetable but is actually a variety of celery. Kohlrabi – is a vegetable that is part of the wild cabbage family and has the appearance of a turnip (can be green or purple). Nightshade - a family of plants that includes tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes and peppers. Satsebeli – a Georgian sauce which is very hot. Secondary cut – referring to meats, this is usually a slightly leaner (and more expensive) piece of meat. Schmaltz – concentrated chicken or goose fat made into a paste. Tempeh – plant based protein, made from fermented soybeans. To find out more information on the topics discussed in today’s episode, check out our blogs on the VicHealth website: Promoting healthy eating: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-work/promoting-healthy-eating Healthy food without breaking the budget: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/eating-healthy-food-on-a-budget Easy leftover school lunchbox ideas: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/quesadillas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have times in our lives where we find ourselves going through major life transitions, now more than ever with the impacts of COVID. In this episode, we welcome back Dr Michelle Lim and discuss how we can move through life transitions more successfully, in ways that help us thrive. Show notes: To find out more information on the topics discussed in today's episode, check out our blogs on the VicHealth website: Three tips from mental health experts as restrictions ease: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/three-tips-from-mental-health-experts-as-restrictions-ease Taking healthy habits from lockdown into ‘COVID normal’: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/taking-healthy-habits-from-lockdown-into-covid-normal Ten go-to mental health organisations for young people: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/ten-go-to-mental-health-organisations-for-young-people Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know sport and physical activity are good for our bodies and our health, but they’re also good for our mind. In this episode, we talk to Sarah Loh (the first female CEO of an AFL league) and discuss how sport can be used as a tool to create meaningful social connections, the importance of strong role models, as well as generating social change through the world of sport. Show notes: This interview was recorded during the current Victorian Coronavirus outbreak, in line with the Victorian Government’s COVID public health advice. To find out more information on the topics discussed in today’s episode, check out our blogs on the VicHealth website: Physical Activity Strategy 2019 – 2023: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/physical-activity-strategy Boost to grassroots organisations as Victorians reconnect: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/boost-to-grassroots-orgs-as-victorians-reconnect This Girl Can week: supporting Victorian women to be active again after COVID: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/this-girl-can-week-2021 How to select mental health program providers for sports clubs: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/how-to-select-mental-health-program-providers-for-sports-clubs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s no doubt that in these difficult times, we’ve turned to the arts as a source of comfort, whether it’s our favourite book, listening to music, or discovering a new TV show. In this extra special episode (adapted from our Instagram live recording of #SolidarityPancakes), we talk to Benjamin Law and discuss the importance of community, how the arts and the creative sector are keeping us all connected and inspired, as well as several ways we can actively support our fellow artists. Show notes: This interview was recorded during the current Victorian Coronavirus outbreak, in line with the Victorian Government’s COVID public health advice. To find out more information on the topics discussed in today’s episode, check out our blogs on the VicHealth website: VicHealth arts strategy 2019 – 2023: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/publications/arts-strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The disruptions of the COVID pandemic can be seen across many industries in Australia and around the world. But the impact felt by the hospitality industry in particular is undeniable. In this episode, we talk to chef Ben Shewry and discuss how his life and restaurant Attica have changed since the pandemic began, the importance of resilience and creativity, and why we should always lead our lives with kindness. Show notes: This interview was recorded during the current Victorian Coronavirus outbreak, in line with the Victorian Government’s COVID public health advice. For Victorians, up-to-date Coronavirus health information is available at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus Beyond Blue has a dedicated portal for those seeking mental and emotional support related to the pandemic: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we know what’s in season and how to enjoy it? In this episode, we talk to Alice Zaslavsky and unpack the many benefits of eating seasonally, how we can best identify different fruits and vegetables in season, as well as a few cooking tips for Spring vegies along the way. Show notes: This interview was recorded during the current Victorian Coronavirus outbreak, in line with the Victorian Government’s COVID public health advice. To help find fruits and vegies that are currently in season check out the Australian Seasonal Food Guide To find out more information on the topics discussed in today’s episode, check out our blogs on the VicHealth website: Healthy eating resources about coronavirus: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/search/healthy-eating-covid-19 Healthy food without breaking the budget:https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/eating-healthy-food-on-a-budget Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can we best use technology without being absorbed by it? In this episode, we talk with Dr Megan Lim to discuss the benefits and impacts of technology on our health, as well as some practical tips on what balancing screen time actually looks like. Show notes: Beyond Blue has a dedicated portal for those seeking mental and emotional support related to the pandemic: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/ For Victorians, up-to-date Coronavirus health information is available at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus To find out more information on the topics discussed in today’s episode, check out our blogs on the VicHealth website: How to look after your mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/mental-health-coronavirus Ten go-to mental health organisations for young people: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/ten-go-to-mental-health-organisations-for-young-people Mental health and wellbeing tips for parents with teenagers: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/mental-health-and-wellbeing-tips-for-parents-with-teenagers What is social media envy and how can we overcome it: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/what-is-social-media-envy-and-how-can-you-overcome-it Why sleep is so important in the time of coronavirus: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/coronavirus-and-sleep Why is positive news so important for our wellbeing: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/be-healthy/why-is-positive-news-so-important-for-our-wellbeing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do we feel lonely and what does meaningful connection actually mean? In this episode, Dr Michelle Lim and Dr Sandro unpack loneliness, while also providing tips for building and maintaining meaningful connections as we navigate life through COVID. Show notes: If you are feeling in crisis or at risk, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000 Beyond Blue has a dedicated portal for those seeking mental and emotional support related to the pandemic: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/ For Victorians, up-to-date Coronavirus health information is available at dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted by medical doctor, public health expert, VicHealth CEO and foodie Dr Sandro Demaio, this podcast takes a look at the science and research behind today’s buzzwords, current trends and common myths around health and wellbeing. Follow Dr Sandro for season 3 as he speaks to community heroes, health specialists, and everyday humans about what it means to eat well, be active and stay socially connected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Masks and face coverings are now mandatory for anyone in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire when leaving their homes. Dr Sandro answers all your questions on why masks can help us fight the pandemic, which masks are best to use, how to care for them and more. Show notes: This episode was recorded on July 25, 2020. Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services has released this guide on how to make your own cloth face masks: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-coverings-covid-19#how-can-i-make-a-cloth-mask For Victorian listeners, find up to date information on coronavirus here: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final episode of our coronavirus series, we reflect on what we've learned from seeing communities come together to support each other during the pandemic. Dewi talks with Isolaid Festival's Emily Ulman and COVID19-EAD's Henry Le about the work they've been doing to help workers in the music and hospitality industries, respectively, and Dr Sandro learns about the solace that shared digital spaces can bring in the video game Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Show notes: To ask Dr Sandro a question or give us feedback, follow him on instagram.com/sandrodemaio or twitter.com/sandrodemaio Stream the Isolaid Festival at isolaidfestival.com or instagram.com/isolaidfestival To learn more about the work of COVID19-EAD go to covid19ead.com.au If you are feeling in crisis or at risk, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000 Beyond Blue has a dedicated portal for those seeking mental and emotional support related to the pandemic: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/ For Victorians, up-to-date Coronavirus health information is available at dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus Thanks to mindfulness teacher Hayley McKenzie from Half Moon Mindfulness & Meditation and physio Rohan Singleton from Back in Motion, Northcote, for their contributions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices