How to stop the flood of election junk mail?

April 24th, 2012

Anywhere on Earth, whether it is a Presidential, Local Council, Federal or State election, your mailbox will groan under the weight of materials aimed at getting your vote. It might be the electronic era, but it seems that a pamphlet in your letterbox is still considered the most efficient way of getting a message across.

While an informed electorate is important for the democratic process, there appears to be huge over-sending of junk mail for political purposes – and no clear way on how to stop this. What’s worse, the content of most of the political flyers is simply mudslinging about their opponents with little to no intellectual substance. Is anyone else reminded of children in the playground?

How can you help stop this unnecessary waste of paper? Imagine the strain on our environment and the large volume of greenhouse gases generated from all the trees cut down, electricity and transport of the materials. Grab a cup of tea or your water bottle and let’s get down to it.

We know in Australia that material deemed to be political, educational, religious and charitable is exempt from “No Junk Mail” signed letterboxes according to standards developed by the Australian Catalogue Association. So there is no way to stop it being posted in your postbox along with the other junk mail catalogues enticing you to buy all sorts of stuff you don’t really need. It is likely the same in other countries.

Step 1. Incorrectly addressed political mail
A lot of of your mail may be addressed to former occupants of the house. You need to “return this to sender” with the note “no longer at this address”.

Step 2. Contact each political party or politician that is mailing you
There is no central database so you will need to call the office of each individual sender and ask to be removed from their mailing list. Remember to be polite! You catch more bees with honey than vinegar.

Step 3. National Standard to stop political junk mail
Write a letter to the Electoral Commission asking them to implement a National Standard to curb the volume of pieces each political party is allowed to put in each household’s letterbox.

Step 4. Polling day
Don’t forget to recycle any materials you are given on the day – often the Greens Party has a box at the booths for such materials on polling day!

Written by Tracey Bailey, Director of Biome Eco Stores in Brisbane, specialists in water bottles and eco friendly, reusable choices for your home, body and lifestyle.

 

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Are you neglecting your marriage or relationship?

March 23rd, 2012

Remember the halcyon days when you first came across your wife or husband? Those ecstatic romantic sexy days when you loved being in each other’s company and could converse for hours. You would do those special things for each other just to see the look of pleasure on his/her face. They were the days when your relationship was rich and vibrant and you felt fully alive because of it.

Now the “Limerance” stage is long gone, as it always does………. but have you progressed into an even better version of a deeper fuller love? …..Or have you taken your loved one for granted and busying yourself with other “more pressing” things, like jobs and children and work around the home, and finances and friends?

One of the most prevalent stories I find in my private practice as a Psychologist specializing in Relationships is a “natural neglect” in secure relationships.

Even though everything in your shared life is based on a foundation of your love for each other, and your shared life together, it’s all too easy to take for granted that your relationship will always be there, without realizing that it, too, needs attending to and nurturing.

Perhaps you could check in with your partner and ask him/her how satisfied he or she is in your relationship, on a scale of 1 to 10. Then follow it with the more important question of “What would make it a 10 for you?”

Keeping your relationship alive and healthy needs ongoing attention, but not only does it make for a more enjoyable existence, but is one of the most enduring aspects of a life well lived.

In the final years of one’s life, thoughts more often than not turn to how treated others, rather than how much money will I die with.

If you’ve let your relationship slip away from you, a relationship Psychologist can show you, in a few sessions, how to bring back the vibrancy, chemistry and love again.

The Hart Centre is a group of 51 Psychologists Australia wide who specialize in relationship counselling and marriage counselling. We have 15 Psychologists located throughout Sydney, so there is sure to be one near you. Phone the Hart Centre on 1300 830 552 for more details.

For relationship counselling Sydney, or marriage counselling Sydney contact the Hart Centre. Many marriages have been saved through couple counselling Sydney.

 

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Online Counselling Australia – New Internet Counselling Services

March 9th, 2012

Online Counselling or ‘Virtual Internet Counselling’ on Skype is a recently introduced therapy and counselling service in Australia offered by the well regarded group of Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney. Associated Counsellors have launched this service as well as a new Psychologist practice located at Castle Hill offering quality allied-health care to the Hills District.

All of the new online psychologists and counsellors as well as the office based counsellors are experienced with a range of treatments and are available to assist.

Online counselling and therapy services in Australia can be now conducted using Skype online technology. Online counselling gives a huge advantage if your mobility is limited, you have restricted care arrangements, a busy work schedule or you live in a regional or remote area where counselling and psychology services are limited or have extensive waiting lists.

The new team of virtual counsellors are based in Australia or New Zealand and have extensive experience in a range of pressing concerns. Online counselling can be particularly vital for people suffering from relationship issues, anxiety, depression, anger management, stress, life direction, grief and loss, pain management, executive pressures and a variety of other problems.

The residing therapists and psychologists use a range of modalities and approaches for their therapy dependant upon your needs and the concerns that you are struggling with.

The online counselling service is like a normal face-to-face consultation except that that we use cutting edge technology to facilitate a therapeutic connection – your counselling session is still highly personalised and conducted by a qualified and highly professional psychologist, counsellor or therapist from Australia or New Zealand. You can be assured that your personal needs will be in safe hands.

Online Skype counselling and therapy is very easy to access – all you need is a strong Internet connection and a private, uninterrupted space where you can feel comfortable and contained to discuss issues with your psychologist or therapist.

Your online counselling session with your online counsellor or psychologist can be arranged for a selection of times, dependant upon your availability, including morning, daytime and after hours appointments.

Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney are pleased to announced our new service offering online counselling, as well as our new office for access to a psychologist castle hill and marriage counselling castle hill. Associated Counsellors & Psychologists Sydney – Tel: (02)8205 0566 – 418/185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, 2000

 

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