Ashleigh Austen, The Australian Women's Weekly Journalist Profile

Articles

The surprising reason you should always wash new clothes

3 days ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

From a late‑night online splurge to a vintage bargain you found at your local second-hand shop, a special thrill comes with adding a fresh piece to your wardrobe. But while it can be tempting to skip the laundry step and wear it right away, experts agree it’s worth pausing to wash it first. Why you should wash new clothesMany of us don’t realise that new clothes aren’t necessarily as ‘clean’ as they seem.
How walking can help prevent lower back pain

4 days ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

If you deal with lower back pain, you’re far from alone. In Australia, back pain affects roughly four million people every year, making it one of the nation’s biggest health burdens. However, a new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open suggests that one of the best preventative treatments doesn’t involve expensive equipment or trips to the physio. It’s as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.
What every woman needs to know about HPV

1 week ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

More commonly known as HPV, it’s estimated that 85 per cent of people who have been sexually active will contract human papillomavirus at some stage in their life. Yet despite how common it is, there’s still plenty of confusion – and stigma – surrounding the virus. Here’s everything you need to know. What is HPV? HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus, spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact.
10 simple ways to prevent dehydration in winter

2 weeks ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

As the winter chill sets in, we instinctively reach for warming cups of coffee rather than water, and our skin cops the brunt of harsh winds and heating. Yet maintaining proper hydration through winter is just as crucial as during summer. Here are some easy ways to help prevent dehydration.
New blood test could make coeliac diagnosis easier than ever

2 weeks ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

Australians living with suspected coeliac disease could soon be spared difficult testing, thanks to a team of Melbourne researchers. Currently, the only definitive way to diagnose coeliac disease is through a biopsy of the small intestine, which must be done while a person is consuming gluten regularly.
Feeling unwell? Here’s what to do if you have COVID or the flu

3 weeks ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

While strict COVID isolation rules are now a thing of the past, the virus hasn’t disappeared, and neither has the flu. The official advice from Australia’s Department of Health and Aged Care is to stay home if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms, particularly if you test positive for COVID.
How your morning coffee could help you age better

3 weeks ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

If the thought of facing the day without your morning coffee feels unimaginable, you’re not alone. For many of us, that first cup must be consumed before our brains kick into gear. And now, there’s another reason to keep the espresso machine running. According to a new study, coffee could help women age more healthily.
Why adding this to your lunch might help you eat less

3 weeks ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

If you’ve been struggling to lose weight even after relegating yourself to flavourless chicken breast and broccoli, it could be time to spice things up – both literally and figuratively. According to recent findings published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, something as simple as adding a little heat to your lunch could help slow down the way you eat – leading to greater satisfaction and potentially fewer calories consumed overall.
Everything you need to know about vitamin A

3 weeks ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

Vitamin A has long been hailed as a gold-standard skincare ingredient – and for good reason. Backed by decades of research, it’s known for boosting collagen, improving skin texture and tone, and helping to reduce the signs of ageing. But with so many variations on the market – retinol, retinal, retinoids – it can be tricky to know where to start. Here’s everything you need to know about the skincare star. What is vitamin A?
How eating these six foods could help reverse ageing

3 weeks ago | womensweekly.com.au | Ashleigh Austen

There’s no shortage of advice on how to age well, but according to new research, the answer might be in your pantry. Researchers from the University of Washington found that a diet rich in turmeric, green and oolong tea, garlic, rosemary, and colourful berries like blueberries and raspberries may help reverse epigenetic ageing.