And now for a little me time
MONTHLY CHALLENGE
Are you drinking enough water?
by Lorna Gordon
Staying hydrated might seem like a simple goal, but it’ s one that many of us forget about in the hustle of daily life. I find it especially difficult in winter when it’ s not so hot and you aren’ t craving water to keep you cool. So, this month I’ m challenging myself and you to get that H2O into your body.
Our bodies are mostly water, between 50 and 75 per cent, and we can lose up to 2.5 to 3 litres of water per day, even more in hot weather. We rely on water to function at our best, it plays a part in everything from blood flow, temperature regulation, digestion, mental focus and keeping our joints supple and our skin soft and clear. When we’ re dehydrated, even slightly, it can lead to fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
Simply put, water plays a role in nearly every system in the body, so making it a daily habit is essential.
While drinking water sounds like an easy thing, so many of us don’ t drink enough. If that sounds like you here are some ideas on how to make it part of your daily routine and more enjoyable.
The most basic step to drink more water is to make sure make sure you always have some water with you! You can either keep a refillable water on your desk or in your bag or have a nice large glass that you can top up during the day. Having a drink on hand makes it much easier to remember to have those regular sips that will keep you topped up.
If you don’ t like plain water, adding something to it can make it far more appealing. In summer making flavoured
PODCASTS
by Lorna Gordon
If you like trivia that’ s a bit left field, then you might find this podcast gives you the kind of gems you can drop in to your next conversation. No One Saw it Coming is hosted by Marc Fennell and he looks at the unexpected twists, turns and bit players in history that may well have changed its course.
In a recent episode he talks to writer Dan Koeppel about treadmills and how they were invented as a way to punish criminals in the 1800s. Many of us still look at running on a treadmill as a form of torture, but they are now linked with fitness and healthy living, rather than a strange and unusual way to make prisoners pay for their crimes!
Would you like fries with that? Did you know that Marie Antoinette, the Queen famous for loosing her head during the French Revolution, ice cubes can help, you can freeze mint, watermelon or lemon to add to your water or get yourself a hydration station fixed up with some fancy herbal tea bags or other fruit infusions to brighten up plain water.
You might actually enjoy drinking water, but forget to do it, if remembering to drink is an issue, then set reminders on your phone to have regular drinks through the day, you can also make it a habit to have a glass of water when you get up in the morning and with your meals. Topping yourself up with certain food like watermelon, cucumbers or citrus fruit to add some extra hydration to your snacks or meals.
By making small, consistent changes, you’ ll soon notice the difference in your energy, mood, and overall health. Your body will thank you for each sip you take.
Drinking water helps us feel good year round, not just in the summer.
No One Saw it Coming
may have been responsible for the humble potato becoming a food icon? Marc and Dr Lauren Samuelson from the University of Wollongong discuss this during an episode that looks at the popularity of the deep fried potato.
Other episodes look at submarine warfare, changes to neuroscience and where freestyle swimming actually comes from, so if finding out more about these and other unusual but interesting subjects is for you then dive into No One Saw it Coming and indulge yourself.
GIVEAWAY
Anne Being Frank AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
The Story She Never Lived to Write A new play by RON ELISHA Starring ALEXIS FISHMAN
After receiving rave reviews in New York this bold, award-winning new Australian play by acclaimed playwright Ron Elisha, will have its Australian premiere at the Sydney Opera House, playing for one week only from 13 to 21 September.
ANNE BEING FRANK offers a powerful reimagining of Anne Frank’ s legacy, transporting audiences between three worlds: the secret annex in Amsterdam, the horrors of Bergen Belsen, and an imagined future in a high-rise New York publishing house.
Winner of the Broadway World Award for Best Off-Broadway Solo Performance and Best Off-Broadway Production of a Play( 2023), this captivating solo work is brought to life by internationally acclaimed performer Alexis Fishman, who plays five characters with four accents and whose transformative performance has earned standing ovations and critical acclaim.
In this bold new interpretation Anne is alive and on the cusp of publishing her now iconic diary— but her worldview is darker, shaped by her untold experiences. As her editor fights to retain the diary’ s innocence, Anne demands her truth be heard— with raw insight and irrepressible spirit.“ This play may break your heart” – Front Row Center“ Passionate, bold, imaginative …” – Stage and Cinema“ Star Alexis Fishman is a powerhouse who flawlessly portrays Anne and several other characters with depth and precision.” – Just Intertain“ My favourite Off-Broadway performance of the entire year!” – Eyewitness News Content Warning: Adult themes, strong language, antisemitism, war, gun violence, sexual violence, concentration camps.
The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House Saturday 13 – Sunday 21 September 2025 Showtimes: Wed – Sat 7pm; Sun 14 / 9: 3pm & 6:30pm; Wed 17 / 9: 1pm & 7pm; Sat 20 / 9: 2pm & 7pm; Sun 21 / 9: 1pm Tickets: from $ 39 to $ 110(+ booking fees) Bookings: https:// www. sydneyoperahouse. com / theatre / anne-being-frank
We are giving away 6 x double passes for the Saturday show 13th Sept @ 7.00pm. Email us your entry – put“ Anne Being Frank” in the subject line and leave us your contact details. All winners will be contacted by email / phone.
14 ISSUE 183 // AUGUST 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT