LISTEN: Dr Lucy Hone on helping navigate ‘living losses’

Join Carolyn for the latest episode of ‘The House of Wellness with Chemist Warehouse’ on the Breeze, where she is joined by grief expert Dr Lucy Hone, author Karina McHardy, psychologist Sara Chatwin, founder of Bambi Mini Co. Nicky Verrocchi and resident pharmacist Piyara Perera. 

Featured Guest: Dr Lucy Hone

Grief expert and author Dr Lucy Hone spoke about her latest book, ‘How Will I Ever Get Through This?’, which focuses on "living losses" that don’t involve a funeral.

“If you’ve ever had your heart broken, if you’re going through fertility challenges, if you’ve had a miscarriage and abortion… there’s just so many of these other losses,” she said. 

She explained that resilience is a buildable set of internal and external skills rather than a fixed trait, and that practising these skills during good times makes them easier to access during a crisis.

Dr Hone also noted that many people experience post-traumatic growth, finding new meaning and perspective after surviving life's toughest challenges.

Featured Guest: Karina McHardy

Author Karina McCarty opened up about her deeply personal journey raising her son, Max, as detailed in her book, ‘All in a Mother's Journey Through Autism’.

She discussed the disorientation of receiving a diagnosis without a roadmap and the importance of trusting parental intuition during a child's first thousand days.

Karina highlighted that autism is a difference, not a deficit, and shared how early, multidisciplinary support allowed her son to flourish on his own terms.

Featured Guest: Sara Chatwin

Registered psychologist Sara Chatwin shared insights on maintaining wellbeing in an increasingly tense and information-heavy world.

She discussed the impact of "news scrolling" and "guilt" regarding our relative safety in Aotearoa, encouraging listeners to focus on "controlling the controllables".

Sara emphasised the importance of self-mastery, simple core values, and creating a positive family culture by moderating the information children absorb.

Featured Guest: Nicky Verrocchi 

Nicky Verrocchi, founder of Bambi Mini Co, joined the show to discuss her partnership with Chemist Warehouse and the Starship Foundation.

Inspired by her son’s journey with leukaemia, Nicky launched a charity drive selling limited-edition Super Socks throughout April to raise vital funds for New Zealand’s national children's hospital.

Listeners can support the cause by purchasing socks or donating at any Chemist Warehouse. 

Resident Pharmacist: Piyara Perera 

This week, Piyara joined Carolyn to unpack the effects of daylight savings on our circadian rhythms and overall sleep quality.

To help the body adjust, she recommends prioritising morning sunlight and maintaining regular meal and hydration habits.

Piyara also reminded listeners that flu vaccinations became available on April 1st, urging everyone to get vaccinated early to build immunity for winter.

Featured Product: Sanderson Stress, Sleep & Mind

Sanderson Stress, Sleep & Mind FX supports calmness and a balanced mood.

Supporting those dealing with stress, disturbed sleep and difficulty focusing, it contains a high-strength dose of free-form L-Theanine. This is a type of amino acid commonly found in tea, which supports the body’s normal levels of ‘feel-good’ brain chemicals.

This 1-a-day formula supports relaxation, calmness, restful sleep and mental sharpness. 

Always read the label and take as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional. Dietary supplements are not a replacement for a balanced diet. Real Vitamins, Auckland.  

Check out our extended chat with Karina McHardy here and join us next Sunday from 8am for ‘The House of Wellness’ on the Breeze.