RIISE: How do you maintain an attitude of gratitude?

Sara: I think a great deal about gratitude because genuine gratitude raises your heart vibration and makes it easier for you to call in the things you would like in your life. I find it best to focus on little things that bring me joy and in the moment of joy I can feel my heart vibration rising. When we focus on things we think we should be grateful for it doesn’t work so it’s better to pick small things where the feeling is genuine. For me, during my morning walk I always tap the joy and remember to feel grateful for it.

I wasn’t born an Australian citizen and naturalised aged 23. During my 20s my Australian passport was one of my most treasured possessions that brought me a lot of gratitude. I worked overseas during my 30s and 40s and came back during Covid. Resettling in Sydney rekindled a deep sense of gratitude for that passport and I often think about that.

RIISE: What have you done recently to improve your health and longevity?

Sara: I have started taking weekly infrared saunas at Nimbus in Bondi every Sunday. The staff have an incredible chill vibe and in the sauna I feel enveloped by a deep sense of wellbeing. I usually prepare dinner before I go so everything is ready when I get home and the rest of the evening is relaxing and sets me up for the week ahead. It’s another moment of gratitude and I usually listen to a podcast while I’m in the sauna.

We recently launched an optimism campaign with a T-shirt emblazoned with the word ‘Optimist’. It’s really about how we are trying to inject the spirit of hope and optimism into the climate challenge but can be taken more generally too. Optimism and the belief that things can get better has a very positive impact on health I think.