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March 29, 2024

Remember to breathe

Latest News

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

Other News

NORPA’s wild ride at Lismore Showgrounds

NORPA is taking audiences on an adventure outside the theatre once again, announcing it will stage its original work Wildskin in a warehouse space at the Lismore Showgrounds. A sensory, destination theatre experience, Wildskin inhabits an outrageous and unpredictable world that’s part bush-thriller, part road-trip and a whole lot of NORPA’s signature theatrical style.

Coveted Wollumbin Art Award open for young and old

Are you an artist in the Northern Rivers? Now is the time to get your art ready and submitted to the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre’s coveted biennial Wollumbin Art Award.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

‘Smooth stroking’ Rainbow Dragons earn trophies

Rainbow Dragons (Lennox Head Ballina) won three trophies and had a fantastic weekend of fun, fitness and friendship at Grafton Dragon Boat Club’s regatta earlier in March.

Hiatus Beers

Launched to market in July 2022, Hiatus Beers is all about brewing crisp, refreshing, full-flavoured, non-alcoholic beer.  The founders...

Dynamic, rustic yet polished

Animal Ventura is the brainchild of Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter Fernando Aragones. Growing up playing punk and reggae in noisy garage bands in Southern Brazil, Aragones ventured to Australia where the eclectic sounds of the Sydney music scene beckoned.

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As life gets busier, many of us forget to give enough attention to the way we breathe.

With stress levels rising, it’s important to look at ways to integrate more self-care into daily routines. One way to make a rapid and significant improvement in your physical, mental and emotional health is by slowing down and deepening your breath.

Think of it as a valuable tool which is free and available at any moment. The quality of our breath, and the way it flows through our bodies, has the ability to dramatically enhance or inhibit wellbeing.

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Breathing issues

We each inhale and exhale around 20,000 times a day. For most people, breath becomes shallower with age. Slowly but surely, shallow breathing and a tense disposition can become a normal way of being, unless we consciously do something about it.

When we’re stressed or anxious, the first thing that’s affected is our breath – the chest tightens, oxygen levels in the body drop and an anxious feeling takes hold. Knowing some simple breathing techniques can help during times like these.

To manage stress, try allowing the abdomen to rise and expand like a balloon as you inhale, then gently fall back with a longer exhalation.

There are many different breathing techniques, some quite complex, including powerful dynamic diaphragmatic breathing which activates the parasympathetic nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve – the 10th cranial nerve extending from the brainstem to the abdomen (that carries signals to and from the digestive system and organs to the brain).

Breathing deeply evokes a feeling of calm and facilitates digestion. As you reduce the number of breaths per minute and move into a parasympathetic mode, your muscles relax, feelings of anxiety lessen and oxygen increases in the cells of your body.

This in turn produces endorphins, the body’s feel-good hormones.

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Breathing meditation

Focusing on breathing helps quieten the mind and brings you back to the present moment.

When doing the breath meditation, if your mind wanders, don’t pay attention to it. Instead label it as just ‘thinking’ and with loving kindness, bring your awareness back to the breath and the present moment.

The simple act of sitting and breathing naturally in silence, accepting whatever rises from moment to moment without judgement, absorbed in the now, can be one of the most peaceful experiences in life.

Over time, the wandering mind will settle as your breath becomes your best friend and you find a state of inner calm.

Because breathing has such an impact on daily life, it’s worth reflecting on how you breathe, and exploring the many benefits of regular deep breathing and breath meditation practice.

If you’re in the Northern Rivers of NSW, Byron Bay Detox Retreats can help you reclaim the power of breath.

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Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region.