Home & Lifestyle Summer 2022

Summer Grooming

S o many people aren’t sure whether it’s a good idea to shave their pets in summer. The hot weather may be near impossible for us humans to deal with at times but, believe it or not, in most cases our pets will be perfectly comfortable with their natural coats in the heat. Most experts will say to avoid shaving down dogs and cats. Cats in particular have more than enough ability to shrug off excess body heat and malting in preparation for summer is an important part of this process.

Anxiety after drinking W hen a hangover collides with anxiety, the result can be a rough time. Here are some tips for getting through it. Anyone who has had a few too many drinks on a night out will know the physical effects you can feel when you wake up the next morning. Throbbing headache, dry mouth, nausea and a desire to never again leave the sanctuary of your doona. But hangovers can take on a more sinister form when the physical effects are coupled with anxiety. There is a science behind post-drinking anxiety. When you consume alcohol the chemical balance in your brain is disrupted. Everyone is different, but most people feel more relaxed and less inhibited after a few drinks. The ‘feel-good’ chemical called dopamine is released in greater supply into your brain – resulting in a greater sense of satisfaction than you had before drinking. Alcohol is effectively tricking your brain. You pay little regard to the age-old fact that what goes up, must come down. The next day, your brain is trying feverishly to correct the chemical imbalances from the night before and what do you know – anxiety arises.. So what can you do if you wake up and post-drinking anxiety is taking a hold? There are also some helpful techniques you can employ to ease feelings of anxiety: • Slow down your breathing . Count to three as you breathe in slowly – then count to three as you breathe out slowly. Feel your heartbeat slow down and try to relax. • Stay in the present moment . Just as thinking of what’s five steps ahead of you isn’t healthy, neither is dwelling on things in the past. After you’ve slowed down your breathing, work on acknowledging the here and now. A meditation app like Smiling Mind can help with this. • Challenge your self-talk . Anxiety can make you overestimate the negative aspects of a situation and underestimate your ability to handle it. Take a step back and think rationally about the negative thoughts you’re experiencing. Give yourself a break! • Eat well. The temptation may be to indulge in greasy fast- food. Resisting this and opting for wholesome food low in GI will help your body recover faster. Hydration is also crucial and will help to ease your headache. • Learn . Last but not least, learn from past experiences. You know yourself better than anyone, so if you know having more than a few drinks will have you feeling horrible the next day, set limits and stick to them. If any form of drinking is leading to anxiety then take a break full stop! Your mind and body will thank you for it. If you find your anxiety post-drinking is regularly lasting longer than 24 hours, or increasing in intensity, go and see your GP. You can learn more about anxiety. Phone 1300 22 4636 or visit beyondblue.org.au

Shaving your dog may seem like an obvious way to help them, but it may

cause other issues. That is because there are breeds of dogs with with double coats– who’s fur actually keeps them cool in the

summer and warm in the winter – like a built-in air conditioner. Additionally, a dog’s coat acts as a natural sunscreen. Unnecessary shaving can lead to: Sunburns, Greater risk of skin cancer, Greater risk of heat stroke, Difficulty growing the hair back. Is my dog a double coat breed? Double coated dogs have two layers of fur. The underlying coat protects the skin from sun damage and heat, while the outer coat provides a layer of insulation. Dogs with double coats will naturally shed some of their outer and inner layers, which is normal. However, to shave your dog will remove that protective layer of fur and will put their skin at risk of sunburn – not to mention it wreaks havoc on their ability to regulate their own temperature. A few common double coated dog breeds are: Australian shepherds, Siberian huskies, Shelties, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, Pomeranians. Reasons you SHOULD shave your dog: Proper grooming does not always mean shaving. In fact, routine grooming keeps the coat from matting and becoming damaged. Some reasons you should shave your dog include: Severe matting, Upcoming surgery (shaving a particular area), Skin irritation needing a clean, dry treatment. Alternatives to shaving dogs to keep them cool Your dog does not need to be bald to stay cool. In fact, keeping your dog cool can be as easy as staying hydrated, playing in shady spots, and scheduling playtime and walks during cooler times of day (like the early morning or late evening). To keep your dog cool, you should also schedule regular grooming

appointments. Regular grooming will remove matted or extra hair and will help facilitate normal shedding. Grooming appointments will also ensure that any skin irritation your pet is experiencing under their coat is noticed so that you can provide proper treatment