Te Papa Hauora together with the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation bring you ‘Living well & ageing well’, a series of free community research talks.

Our third event of this series is focused on movement, nutrition and the importance of sleep and how all of these impact on your well-being. Come and join us to learn more about what you can do to maintain wellness and stay healthy from some of Canterbury’s leading researchers.

Meet our speakers:

PRIORITISING MOVEMENT AS A PROTECTIVE FACTOR: HOW THE LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

**Dr Susannah Stevens, Senior Lecturer - University of Canterbury**

As well as energising us, movement has the power to protect our bodies against cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, depression and insomnia. Susannah will talk about the importance of taking opportunities to move during the day to help build or rebuild physical confidence, and how being active is a protective factor for your body. Susannah is interested in research on learning, physical education, the joy of movement and well-being. She currently works with schools, national bodies, government groups and international organisations; sharing expertise in the areas of physical activity, well-being and movement pleasure.

HOW TO EAT SMART AS WE AGE

**Leigh O'Brien - NZ Registered Dietitian & PhD researcher, University of Otago, Christchurch**

Learn what foods we need more of (or less of) as we age to help with energy levels, the immune system and cognitive function so that we can keep going with all the grand adventures that life has to offer. Leigh is a NZ registered dietitian, currently undertaking her PhD, investigating chronic diarrhoea in older adults. Her work interests include clients with functional gut disorders and helping with older adults to achieve optimal health through nutrition.

MANAGING SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS AS WE AGE

Professor Richard Porter - Consultant Psychiatrist, Te Whatu Ora & Director of Mental Health Clinic Research Unit, University of Otago, Christchurch

Sleep disturbance has a profound effect on people’s lives and increases the risk of mental health difficulties. Many people know about techniques to improve sleep and have Apps to help with this. However, sleep depends on what we do throughout the day and is a part of our 24-hour circadian rhythm. The presentation will explore this and discuss some practical strategies to improve sleep.

Richard is a psychiatrist working in clinical practise with people with mood disorders and with intellectual disabilities. He is particularly interested in treatments related to improving circadian rhythm and cognitive function.