Sleep If You Don’t Want Dementia

LBD (Lewy Body Disease) is actually a common form of dementia; maybe even more common than Alzheimer’s. However, it is most often misdiagnosed. It shares symptomatic similarities with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, both well-known forms of dementia; however, the pathology is different. A hallmark of LBD is a sleep disorder called Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Disorder.

An article titled Brains Sweep Themselves Clean of Toxins During Sleep was published that explains why sleep is an important piece in the dementia puzzle. The article describes sleep as a “dishwasher” for the brain. And that when we sleep, the cells clear harmful toxins, toxins that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.

During sleep, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain increases dramatically, washing away harmful waste proteins that build up between brain cells during waking hours.

Researchers found that one of the waste products removed is beta-amyloid, the plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It is interesting to note, that Alzheimer’s, as well as other forms of dementia, like Lewy Body Disease, are linked to sleep disorders. There are some who legitimately have a sleep disorder that requires medical attention. However, research has found that a good majority of people do not have a sleep disorder, but need to implement some healthy sleep habits, reduce stress in their lives and balance their hormones.

If sleep eludes you, you need to do something about it. And for most people, the solution is not a sleeping pill. The future of your brain health depends on it.

Sleep can dictate how much we eat, how fast our metabolism runs, how fat or thin we get, whether we can fight off infections, how creative or insightful we can be, how well we can cope with stress, how quickly we can process information and learn new things, and how well we can organize and store memories. Adequate sleep, which for the vast majority of use means at least seven solid hours, also influences our genes. Anything that negatively affects these important functions in the body impacts the brain.” David Perlmutter, MD board-certified neurologist and author of Grain Brain.

 

[c/o http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2013/10/why-you-need-sleep-if-you-dont-want-dementia.html]

Music Benefits Your Heart, Brain & Health

Have you ever wondered how music might affect our health? 

Music is capable of a number of health benefits including lowering stress levels, raising states of consciousness, changing moods, accessing different states of mind, developing the brain and is useful in meditation. The fact is, there isn’t a single human culture on earth that has lived without music! Many have said music heals the soul, and it appears that they were right!

1. Improves visual & verbal skills

Several studies have shown that music education at an early age stimulates the child’s brain in a number of ways that helps to improve verbal skills, communication skills and visual skills.

A study that looked at 4 to 6 year olds who were subject to one month of musical training that included training in rhythm, pitch, melody, voice and basic musical concepts resulted in enhanced ability to understand words and explain their meaning.

A study using subjects that were 8 to 11 year olds found that those who were involved in extra-curricular music classes were developing higher verbal IQ’s and their visual ability was greater than those who were not receiving the training.

Even children as young as one year old  who participated in interactive music lessons with their parents had a greater ability to communicate, smiled more frequently and were showing greater signs of sophisticated brain responses to music.

2. Keeps an aging brain healthy

Research has shown that having musical training and listening to or playing music in old age can help keep the brain healthy especially as it ages. Since listening to music is like exercising the brain, one can expect the benefits of better memory and mental sharpness as they age.

Even people who have some form of brain damage can regain partial or full access to memories (depending on severity) by listening to music, as listening can help draw on old memories and neurological patterns due to the fact that the rhythm and sounds of music stay within the core of the mind for a long time.

3. Music makes you happier

Music has the power to do so much. It can make you feel happy, sad, excited or even pumped up. Listening to music that hits you in a special way causes your brain to release dopamine which is known as a feel good chemical. It causes us to feel emotions like happiness, excitement, joy, etc. Listening to music provides us with the same burst of happiness that we would get from eating a piece of chocolate, sex or certain drugs.

Another study showed that music with a quick tempo played in a major key made people feel happy, while music with a slow tempo in a minor key more easily led to feelings of sadness.

4. Reduces heartbeat, pulse rate & blood pressure

Studies have shown that music strengthens the heart and improves the recovery time of patients who were suffering from heart disease.

Regardless of the genre of music, listening to your favorite music releases endorphins in the brain that help to improve vascular health. It has been seen that both men and women who listened to music soon after cardiac surgery were much less anxious and even reported having less pain as opposed to those who rested quietly.

5. Improves sleep quality

Some of the most common things to interfere with sleep are stress and anxiety (heart rates.) Since music has the ability to affect both in a positive way, research has found that listening to music at various times promotes better sleep patterns for people and even created more restful sleeps. In some cases music might even be able to be used to effectively treat insomnia.

6. Boosts your immune system & reduces pain

Research has shown that music is capable of reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is responsible for weakening the immune system, increasing risk of heart disease, interfering with learning and memory, lowering bone density, blood pressure, etc. Research found that by listening to just 50 minutes of uplifting music the levels of antibodies in the human body increases. While different types of music were not studied, it is important one listens to music they enjoy as personal preference of music does have an effect on overall physical effects.

7. Reduces depression & anxiety

Music can have positive effects on the psyche, mood, pain and quality of life as well.

 

[c/o http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2014/03/7-ways-music-benefits-your-heart-brain-health.html]

Life Lessons

There are life lessons we learn on our own, lessons our family teaches us, lessons our breakups and makeups teach us, lessons we learn the hard way and some we learn the easy way by seeing others go through something. We learn how to be kind, how to be generous, how strong we are, how deeply we can love and how deeply we can hurt. We learn that there may not always be a tomorrow, but it’s important to have hope that there always will be; that time heals all wounds (no matter how long it takes but the most important lessons, show us that we can be the ones that pick ourselves up off the ground when we’ve been bent and broken, when we’ve been tried and tested, when we’ve been high, low and everything in between, and truthfully, they’re the ones that mean the most because they’re unforgettable.

At this point in time the handful of life lessons that have significantly meant something would definitely be:

How to forgive (but not necessarily forget)

Forgiveness is a big hurdle for some, but with this is the knowledge that you don’t forget. Never forget lessons learnt, feelings felt, happenings and occurrences… as they are what help ensure that you don’t allow repetition.

Know that you’re never alone

No matter how it may feel at any point in time, this is never the case. Sometimes you just have to get the courage to know it’s so and take that first step…

To always be better than you were yesterday

No one’s always, constantly, and consistently their best, but no matter what it may be, all you can be is better than the person you were yesterday. You may flail, you may falter, but know that each moment of each day is a new chance to be a better you.

Quality is more important than quantity

It’s not the number of friends you have, it’s the depth of that friendship, the quality of your bond. It’s not the number of possessions you have, it’s the memories that come with each item.

Trust someone with everything you’ve got

To trust is to also be deemed trustworthy…

Being yourself is always enough

Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and make that choice. Whatever it is, is either going to be worth it, or you’ll know that something better was destined.

Let’s all be mentally stronger! :)

20 Things That Mentally Strong People Don’t Do

As human beings, we have a strong aversion to not doing; we feel that in order to produce results, there must be an initial action.

However, because we are almost always doing something, piling on more and more often has a negative effect, rather than a positive one. Among the mentally strong, there are several actions that are avoided in order to produce the greatest benefit in the shortest period of time.

These actions are those that the mentally strong avoid, and that we should consider adapting as our own:

1. Dwelling On The Past

Mentally strong individuals focus on the present moment and on the near future. They understand that the past is out of our control and the far future is about as predictable as the weather this winter.

2. Remaining In Their Comfort Zone

The comfort zone is a dangerous place, a dark abyss where anyone who remains there for too long loses his or herself entirely. Staying within your comfort zone is giving up on life.

3. Not Listening To The Opinions Of Others

Only the foolish believe themselves to be sufficient in all regards. When it comes to brainstorming, ideas can’t so much be forced as they can be caught. A good idea is a good idea, regardless of whether or not you came up with it. Don’t let your ego get the better of you; if someone has great advice to give, take it.

4. Avoiding Change

What the mentally strong understand that the mentally weak do not is that change is unavoidable. Trying to avoid the inevitable is pointless. Therefore, trying to avoid change is pointless; it’s a mere waste of time and energy.

5. Keeping A Closed Mind

You don’t know everything. Even the things you believe yourself to know are likely to not be entirely true. If you keep a closed mind, you are preventing yourself from learning new material. If you stop learning, you stop living.

6. Letting Others Make Decisions For Them

Only you should be making your own decisions; you can’t allow others to make them for you. All this does is shift the responsibility from you to someone else, but the only person failing in the end is you. If you don’t have the courage to fail, then you don’t have the courage to succeed.

7. Getting Jealous Over The Successes Of Others

When others succeed, you should be happy. If they can do it, so can you. The success of others does not, in any way, lessen the chances of you succeeding. If anything, it should motivate you to keep pushing forward.

8. Thinking About The High Possibility Of Failure

Our thoughts control our perspective; our perspective controls our results. The mentally strong understand this and use this to their advantage. There’s always the chance you may fail, but as long as there is the chance you may succeed, it’s worth trying.

9. Feeling Sorry For Themselves

Sh*t happens. Life can be hard. People get hurt; others die. Life isn’t all roses and butterflies. You will fall off that horse again and again and again. The question is, are you strong enough to keep getting back on it?

10. Focusing On Their Weaknesses

Although working on our weaknesses does have its benefits, it’s more important to focus on banking on our strengths. The most well-rounded person is not the person that gets the furthest in life. Being average in all regards makes you average. However, mastering a certain skillset or trait will allow you to beat the competition with less effort.

11. Trying To Please People

A job well done is a job well done, no matter who is judging the final product. You can’t please everybody, but you can always manage to do your very best.

12. Blaming Themselves For Things Outside Their Control

The mentally strong know the things they can control, understand the things they cannot control, and avoid even thinking about that which is completely out of their hands.

13. Being Impatient

Patience isn’t just a virtue; it is the virtue. Most people don’t fail because they aren’t good enough, or aren’t capable of winning or succeeding. Most people fail because they are impatient and give up before their time has come.

14. Being Misunderstood

Communication is key in any properly functioning system. When it comes to people, things get a bit more complicated. Simply stating information is never enough; if the receiving party misunderstands you, your message is not being properly relayed. The mentally strong do their best to be understood and have the patience to clear up misunderstandings.

15. Feeling Like You’re Owed

You aren’t owed anything in life. You were born; the rest is up to you. Life doesn’t owe you anything. Others don’t owe you anything. If you want something in life, you only owe it to yourself to go out and get it. In life, there are no handouts.

16. Repeating Mistakes

Make a mistake once, okay. Make a mistake twice… not so okay. Make the same mistake a third time, you may need to consider giving up alcohol and drugs. You’re either stupid or permanently high.

17. Giving Into Their Fears

The world can be a scary place. Some things frighten us with good cause, but most of our fears are illogical. If you know that you want to try something, try it. If you’re scared, then understand that being scared of failing must mean that succeeding means a whole lot to you.

18. Acting Without Calculating

The mentally strong know better than to act before completely understanding the situation at hand. If you have time to ponder over something and cover all your bases, then do so. Not doing so is pure laziness.

19. Refusing Help From Others

You’re not Superman; you can’t do it all. Even if you can, why should you? If others are offering to help, let them help. Be social. Listen to their ideas and watch how they do things. You may learn something. If not, then you can teach them something and do what humans are meant to do: socialize.

20. Throwing In The Towel

The biggest weakness in all of humanity is giving up — calling it quits, throwing in the towel. The mentally strong go about things in such a way. Only do things if they are important to you; forget the things that aren’t important to you. If they’re important to you, then pursue them until you succeed. No exceptions, ever.

 

[c/o http://elitedaily.com/life/motivation/20-things-that-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/]

4 Healthy Changes Worth Making Now

1. EAT A POWER BREAKFAST

Why? Because it’s good for you!

A car needs fuel to start, your body and mind need something to kick start the day off on a good note too. A healthy breakfast is one of them, not just something quick and laden with sugar, caffeine, and fat, moreso something hearty, filling and wonderfully delicious! Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day.

 

2. COMMIT TO SUPER SLEEP

Slumber, sleep, catching the ever elusive zzz’s… whether it be after a big day, a huge weekend, or just with plenty on – deadlines and such – a good period of rest is required to ensure your body is able to continue to function at optimal level. Sleep allows your body to de-stress and brain to cool down slightly – much like a computer’s system.

 

3. PLAN A DIGITAL DETOX

Knowing how important it is to be accessible, to be contactable, to be ‘with’ what’s hot and the news of everything every minute of every day, we all need to plan a time to put those electronic devices down, to shut out the digital world for a moment in time and get back to the good old-fashioned ways of being by yourself with your own thoughts, catching up with people face-to-face rather than online or on the phone, eating a meal without one or more people on their phone ‘tagging where we’re eating’, ‘telling Annabelle where we are’, or taking photos of food.

When was the last time you really sat down to enjoy a meal without the intrusion of technology?

 

4. BREAK YOUR ROUTINE  

Routine is a way of life. We wake up every morning at about the same time, get dressed to go to work on the 7am train, not forgetting to grab our morning coffee on the way…

How many times have you realised you were functioning on autopilot? Or another question, how many times in your routine do you allow yourself to stop and ‘smell the roses’?

Life’s only worth those little memorable moments… remember to live them, not just walk blindly through them…

5 Tips Every Successful Person Should Know

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.”

There are a few rules to keep in mind in order to be successful. 

 

1. Network Your Heart Out

Networking has many values. It provides you with perspective, expands the net of people you can potentially work with or learn from, and can be truly inspiring. Have you ever noticed that you’re more excited or productive when surrounded by people with that same enthusiasm? Well, you can use that feeling to push yourself further and meet incredible people along the way. This doesn’t mean you have to spend every second meeting people, but it does mean you should value the relationships you have and reach out to people with a call or email every once in awhile. You never know, someone you meet may help you land your dream job, or you might inspire another to follow their dreams as well.

2. Don’t Always Say You’re Sorry

Many people are passive and don’t speak up for fear of reinforcing negative stereotypes that being vocal is frowned upon by coworkers. Disregard what people think and be assertive. Present ideas you have, don’t second-guess yourself and don’t say you’re sorry when you’ve done nothing wrong. Excessively saying you’re sorry shows weakness and detours peers from seeing you as a confident individual who doesn’t doubt their decisions. When you stand by your choices, it will help future decision-making go smoothly and give your an authoritative edge.

 3. Find a Mentor

Learning helps you grow, fuels your success and gives you new skills that undoubtably will help you along your journey. That’s why it’s important to have a mentor or someone you admire for their hard work and successful attributes. Whether it’s a teacher or a boss, use their successes as models. If it’s someone you know and can frequently talk with, pick their brain and sometimes even follow their lead.

4. Find an Outlet

With success comes a need for balance. If you only did one thing over and over every day you would likely burn out within a few months. Instead, find an outlet – whether it be a creative escape that is completely different from your day-to-day work or using fitness as your ‘me’ time. It’s important to find ways to clear your mind, take care of your body, and more importantly, take care of your soul. Sometimes stepping away from work and doing something else, it will spark ideas that in turn help with work. Writers say this is a great way to rid writer’s block, and no one ever suffered from indulging in a little creative fun, time with family and friends or R&R.

5. Believe in Yourself

When it comes to succeeding, you are your worst enemy, but should also always be your biggest fan. When you believe in yourself and push yourself beyond limits you didn’t know you could reach, you’ll be more confident to move forward and be able to handle criticism in strides. Every successful person has either had someone tell them they can’t achieve their goals or been exposed to criticism of work. The difference between them and others is their ability to let that criticism and doubt fuel their ambition. They believe in themselves and know no matter what they can make their dreams a reality!

[excerpts altered but general context c/o http://michellephan.com/5-tips-every-successful-woman-should-know/]

 

25 Of The Most Incredible And Unique Parts Of Yourself That You Should Never Change

Growing up it is a never ending quest to ‘find who we are’ and what we want to be, what we want from life, who we want in our lives… but little is said about what things are really really great. What parts will help you into the future, what things we really shouldn’t alter, or tweak too much, if at all… here’s an opinion… and from this ‘child at heart’ – I certainly don’t disagree:

 

Change is great – it’s an unavoidable facet of life. To change is to make progress, to learn, to live, to continue being. However, not all change is for the better.

People seem to always think that reinventing themselves is the best thing to do when they find themselves in a rut.

People want to change their location, change their friends, change the things they like to do. Sometimes it’s for the best. But not always.

Here are 25 things you should never change about yourself:

1. The little things that make you smile.

They make you smile for a reason. It’s those things that really make our lives worth living.

2. Your sense of style.

You’re you – dress like it. Your sense of style can change along with you as an individual, but never allow others to dictate how you express yourself.

3. The way you see the good in the world.

Not everyone is so lucky and those who are can often lose sight of the beauty. The beauty is always there – we just aren’t always paying attention.

4. Being silly.

Being silly is enjoyable; don’t let anyone fool you into believing it’s not.

5. Your great sense of humor.

The world can be a dark place, but not if we remember to laugh regularly.

6. Your sense of self.

Growing isn’t forgetting who you are and starting afresh. It’s building on what you’ve already experienced and learned.

7. Your hobbies.

As long as they give you pleasure, you should always dabble. They do more good than you know.

8. Your dreams.

There is no cut-off age for dreaming or fulfilling your dreams. Dreams don’t ever really change; they either change shape or get locked up and forgotten.

9. The friends who have proven to be friends time and time again.

Life doesn’t give you true friends very often. If you make some then do your best to keep in touch, no matter where life leads you.

10. Your energy.

Without energy, there is no life. You have it – you just need to remember to harness it continuously.

11. The way you get excited about the littlest of things.

The littlest and most trivial things have a way of actually being the things that make our lives amazing. Excitement is better spread out than taken in large single doses.

12. Your curiosity.

If you stop being curious, you stop learning. If you don’t learn, you can’t claim to live.

13. Your fascination with the world.

Never stop wondering, never stop daydreaming, never stop looking at the world in pure amazement. The world is meant to amaze you. Start worrying when it no longer does.

14. The way you question things.

Never take an answer at face value. Always dig deeper and never allow yourself to stop short of the answers you seek.

15. Your sexual prowess.

It’s not about looking and touching. It’s about having others want to look and touch you.

16. The way you love.

Unfortunately, the way we love changes on its own over time; however, sometimes it won’t change from maturity, but from confusion. Don’t lose the essence of love. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world and can always be had once more.

17. Your faith.

I’m not talking about religion – that you can definitely change. But don’t lose faith in the human race and faith in yourself. People may be lost souls, but you do have the power to change that.

18. Feeling good in your own skin.

Your skin can feel a bit uncomfortable over time. Luckily, you have the power not to let it. Take care of yourself.

19. Your ethical standard.

Unless it’s lacking – then please change it.

20. Your morals.

Some may be tweaked, but most are usually solid to the core. We have a tendency to forget them over time or ignore them when they’re inconvenient.

21. The love you have for your family.

They may do stupid things. They may make huge mistakes. But they are your blood. They have your DNA. If only for that, they should be allotted another chance.

22. Your desire to live life to the fullest.

For whatever reason, life throws us plenty, most people tend to get stuck in low gear. Just keep in mind that there is a very high likelihood that you won’t get another chance to live the way you want to live.

23. Your tendency of making mistakes.

Unless, of course, you make the same ones over and over again. Otherwise, making mistakes is very healthy. If you’re not making new ones then you aren’t doing much in your life.

24. Your open-mindedness.

We have a way of becoming set in our ways with time. The world spins and things change. You often have to relearn what you think you knew.

25. The need to try new things and experience new experiences.

Never stop exploring, stop experimenting and doing the things that you never thought you’d see yourself doing. That’s what life is all about: discovery.

What are your thoughts??

 

 

[c/o http://elitedaily.com/life/things-never-completely-change/]

Smoothie that Cures Insomnia

So apparently there’s this ‘incredible smoothie that cures insomnia’… this I have to try… Lol… For someone who is able to function on little to no sleep… this will be interesting. Feel free to try out the following receipe yourself and let me know how you go! 😉

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup strawberries
• 2 medium sized bananas
• 1/2 almond milk
• 2 tbsp. crushed nuts

Instructions:

Slice the bananas and combine them with the remaining ingredients. Turn on the button and blend until you get creamy and rich texture. If the mixture is too thick, add more almond milk. When the smoothie is ready, pour in glasses, and don’t wait for another minute to taste it. Enjoy!

 

What’s your verdict??

 

 

[c/o http://www.healthyfoodstyle.com/incredible-smoothie-that-cures-insomnia/]

 

 

 

Vibrant Cities: Hong Kong

Having visited Hong Kong, or as it may be loving referred to as H.K., once a few years ago, I immediately fell in love with the dazzling lights, never ending food places, and the shopping!!! 🙂 It’s close proximity to other asian countries also makes it a great central location to travel around to neighbouring asian cities at a reasonable price.

Utilising what another H.K. lover has said about H.K. I can only concur:

 

Hong Kong can be overwhelming at first. The city has the most skyscrapers in the world — boasting more than 6500 buildings over 150 metres tall. Its population is around 7 million people, and it’s one of the world’s leading financial and business centres. As the world’s freest economy, it’s more colloquially known as the adult’s playground of Asia.

While most people see Hong Kong as the skyline of lights, the city is surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring hiking treks, stunning blue seas and secluded beaches. This combination of fast-paced city lifestyle and the ability to be alone on white sandy beaches — or one of Hong Kong’s favourite party boats, known as junks — brings the term work hard/play hard to the fore.

Hong Kong has at last census 90,000 Australian passport holders, a strong Australian business and social community and a strong ‘Aussie Rules’ competition. Above all, Australians, like in most parts of the world, are widely loved for our easy going, ‘no worries’ attitude combined with our hard working nature.

People who live in New York continually speak of the city that never sleeps, people in London speak of the culture and links to Europe, but now, as China and other Asian nations continue to grow, Hong Kong is the gateway for Australians looking to capitalise on the ‘Asian Century’.

Here are the most interesting, challenging and different parts about living in Hong Kong compared to Australia and the rest of the world …

 

1. It’s a cultural melting pot

Hong Kong is a rich melting pot of cultures from around the globe, with the obvious links back to the British Empire. Even since the 1997 handover to the Chinese, Hong Kong has remained somewhat independent of Chinese rule and has continued to encourage people from around the world to set up business and roots in the city.

There are an estimated million expats living in HK — all nationalities are represented.

Networking is a part of life; everyone is willing to help in some capacity, socially or in business, with most friendships groups spanning the globe — and as the saying goes — holiday houses around the globe.

 

2. Peter Pan lifestyle

Similar to most megacities with large expat populations, Hong Kong is renowned for the ‘Peter Pan’ lifestyle — where men and women alike continue to play hard well into their 30s. This can prove tricky to form relationships and dating is considered a minefield for many.

Hong Wrong is a term commonly used by locals and is apt due to the at times hedonistic society, the place where men can still be boys and party into the wee hours of any night.

 

3. Work hard/Play hard(ER!)

The hours of nine to five do not exist in HK. The city’s motto for more than a century has been work hard/play hard. This idea builds upon the very foundations of the psyche of Hong Konger’s where the people believe, through hard work, riches will follow.

Most people follow their 12 hour work days with the odd refreshment at the many bars across the city where to unwind is to drink to excess in a lot of cases.

This lifestyle is not for the faint hearted and one where sleep is very often sacrificed in lieu of a good time. HK is very much a city that has an addictive personality — working hard and making a way in your career is very much matched by the ability to keep up a fully functioning social life.

 

4. Apartment living

Apartment living is the only type of living. Hong Kong is a metropolis with buildings built upon buildings. It is also home to the most expensive real estate in the world. Be prepared, square metres are replaced by square feet and spacious apartments are only available to those who are paid the big bucks.

On the flip side, Hong Konger’s are rarely at home, we eat out most nights of the week, are continually socialising or playing sport.

 

5. Food

Ahh the food. Hong Kong boasts the most restaurants in the world per capita and second most Michelin starred restaurants in the world. It’s home to the world’s best chefs restaurants with names such as Blumenthal, Goldstein, and Oliver, and offers a blend of all cuisines imaginable. Hong Kong is a culinary treat.

 

6. Travel

Hong Kong is at the centre of Asia — destinations such as the beaches of the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are just a few hours away. Business centres such as Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing can be frequented daily and Europe, the Middle East, the UK and the America’s are one flight away. Hong Konger’s love to travel as it remains fairly inexpensive to have a weekend getaway to a different world that Asia provides.

 

7. Shopping

One for the girls — luxury shops mixed in with the biggest markets in the world. Places such as Central and Causeway Bay are known for luxury retailing, Mongkok and Stanley for their markets and bric-a-brac stalls, Tsim Sha Tsui for its abundance of tailors and watch retailers, Wan Chai for electronics and computers. If you’re after some retail therapy, Hong Kong has the options to fill the days.

 

8. Tax, Tax, Tax

With a top tax bracket on income set at 17.5% — the tax benefits of living in Hong Kong are obvious. Tax returns are on one page and starting a business takes less than a day to complete the regulatory procedures.

 

9. Australia in the Asian Century

Since the release of the Asian Century white paper, Australians have been encouraged to look to Asia as growth for Australian business. Hong Kong is leading the charge on many fronts as the gateway to China and the strong contingent of Australian businesses already set up in the special administrative region. Australian’s looking to move abroad now are taking Asia into consideration with Hong Kong providing the mix of work opportunities and the comforts of home.

 

Hong Kong rewards ambition and brings together highly qualified, intelligent and like-minded individuals across all nationalities and ages. It is a city where working hard and playing hard are revered.

Hong Kong should be on every Australian’s travel agenda… you just have to go at least once in your life! 🙂

 

xx

 

 

[c/o http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-travel/australian-alex-oxford-tells-what-living-in-hong-kong-is-really-like/story-e6frfqb9-1226893523445?from=public_rss]