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To keep your cool in a heatwave, it may help to water your trees

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gregory-moore-1779">Gregory Moore</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><a href="https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/heatwave/">Heatwaves</a> are among the world’s <a href="https://wmo.int/topics/heatwave#:%7E:text=Impact,died%20from%20heat%2Drelated%20stress.">deadliest</a> weather hazards. Every year, vast numbers of people are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901114000999">killed by heat stress</a> and it can worsen health problems such as <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-heat-and-health">diabetes, asthma and heart disease</a>.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the bitumen roads, brick and concrete structures and roofing tiles in cities can absorb and retain vast amounts of heat, much of which is released after the sun has set. This creates what’s known as the <a href="https://www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/impacts-climate-change/built-environment/urban-heat">urban heat island effect</a>. In fact, temperatures can be <a href="https://www.climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/impacts-climate-change/built-environment/urban-heat#:%7E:text=and%20rural%20environments.-,In%20large%20cities%2C%20average%20temperatures%20can%20be%201%C2%B0C,parts%20experiencing%20even%20higher%20temperatures.">significantly higher in cities</a> than in <a href="https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/ecology-news/6-key-things-to-know-about-urban-heat-islands">surrounding or rural areas</a>.</p> <p>Trees and greenspace can <a href="https://wwf.org.au/blogs/trees-lower-temperatures-in-a-sydney-street-by-20-degrees/">drive down urban temperatures</a> – but they must be able to draw water from the soil to achieve these massive cooling effects.</p> <p>In other words, it can sometimes be helpful to water your trees during a heatwave.</p> <h2>How trees keep us cool (and no, it’s not just about shade)</h2> <p>Trees reduce urban temperatures in two significant ways. One is by the shade they provides and the other is through their cooling effect – and no, they’re not the same thing.</p> <p>Water is taken up via a plant’s roots, moves through the stems or trunks and is then misted into the air from the leaves through little holes called stomata. This is called transpiration, and it helps cool the air around leaves.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/640861/original/file-20250107-15-dfepgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/640861/original/file-20250107-15-dfepgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/640861/original/file-20250107-15-dfepgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=615&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/640861/original/file-20250107-15-dfepgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=615&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/640861/original/file-20250107-15-dfepgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=615&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/640861/original/file-20250107-15-dfepgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=772&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/640861/original/file-20250107-15-dfepgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=772&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/640861/original/file-20250107-15-dfepgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=772&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="A diagram shows how transpiration happens." /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Transpiration helps cools the air around a plant’s leaves.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/transpiration-stages-plants-roots-absorb-water-1856372440">grayjay/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Water can also evaporate from soil and other surfaces. The combined loss of water from plants and soil is called evapotranspiration.</p> <p>The cooling effects of evapotranspiration vary but are up to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095311913605432#:%7E:text=Our%20literature%20review%20suggests%20that,ways%20of%20reducing%20urban%20temperatures">4°C</a>, depending on other environmental factors.</p> <h2>Watering your trees</h2> <p>If heatwaves occur in generally hot, dry weather, then trees will provide shade – but some may struggle with transpiration if the soil is too dry.</p> <p>This can reduce the cooling effect of trees. Keeping soil moist and plants irrigated, however, can change that.</p> <p>The best time to irrigate is early in the morning, as the water is less likely to evaporate quickly before transpiration can occur.</p> <p>You don’t need to do a deep water; most absorbing roots are close to the <a href="https://theconversation.com/here-are-5-practical-ways-trees-can-help-us-survive-climate-change-129753">surface</a>, so a bit of brief irrigation will often do the trick. You could also recycle water from your shower. Using mulch helps trap the water in the soil, giving the roots time to absorb it before it evaporates.</p> <p>All transpiring plants have a cooling effect on the air surrounding them, so you might wonder if trees have anything special to offer in terms of the urban heat island effect and heatwaves.</p> <p>Their great size means that they provide much larger areas of shade than other plants and if they are transpiring then there are greater cooling effects.</p> <p>The surface area of tree leaves, which is crucial to the evaporative cooling that takes place on their surfaces, is also much greater than many other plants.</p> <p>Another advantage is that trees can be very long lived. They <a href="https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-trees-and-vegetation-reduce-heat-islands">provide shade, cooling and other benefits</a> over a very long time and at relatively low cost.</p> <h2>Not all trees</h2> <p>All that said, I don’t want to overstate the role of urban trees in heatwaves when soils are dry.</p> <p>Some trees cease transpiring early as soils dry, but <a href="https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/39/3/109">others will persist</a> until they wilt.</p> <p>Careful tree selection can help <a href="https://treenet.org/resource/it-isnt-rocket-science-street-trees-can-make-a-difference-in-climate-change/">maximise the cooling effects</a> of the urban forest. Trees that suit the local soil and can cope with some drying while maintaining transpiration can provide greater cooling</p> <p>And, of course, it is important to follow any <a href="https://www.water.vic.gov.au/for-households/water-restrictions-and-rules/permanent-water-saving-rules">water restriction</a> <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/environment-land-and-water/drought/water-restrictions">rules</a> or <a href="https://www.sydneywater.com.au/water-the-environment/what-we-are-doing/water-wise-guidelines.html">guidelines</a> that may be operating in your area at the time.</p> <h2>Trees keep us cool</h2> <p>Despite the clear benefits trees can provide in curbing heat, tree numbers and canopy cover are declining annually in many Australian cities and towns.</p> <p>Housing development still occurs without proper consideration of how trees and greenspace improve residents’ quality of life.</p> <p>It is not an either/or argument. With proper planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/adelaide-is-losing-75-000-trees-a-year-tree-removal-laws-must-be-tightened-if-we-want-our-cities-to-be-liveable-and-green-216990">you can have both</a> new housing and good tree canopy cover.</p> <p>We should also be cautious of <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/trees-butchered-by-power-company-highlight-common-problem-its-sad-012952515.html?guccounter=1">over-pruning</a> urban trees.</p> <p>Trees cannot eliminate the effects of a heatwave but can mitigate some of them.</p> <p>Anything that we can do to mitigate the urban heat island effect and keep our cities and towns cooler will reduce heat-related illness and associated medical costs.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/246486/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gregory-moore-1779">Gregory Moore</a>, Senior Research Associate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/to-keep-your-cool-in-a-heatwave-it-may-help-to-water-your-trees-246486">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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"See a therapist": Jackie O's emotional video sparks frenzy

<p>Fans have been left feeling perplexed over an unusual detail in the background of Jackie O's podcast clips. </p> <p>In a candid moment of vulnerability, the radio host opened up about her struggled with single life, chatting to her friend and co-host Gemma O’Neill about dating. </p> <p>Sitting comfortably on her couch, microphone in hand, the radio star began sharing an emotional reflection on life after dating “the one”.</p> <p>“That person just comes around once in a blue moon, and I just got disheartened,” Henderson says, holding back tears. “I don’t want to cry about it, but you just think of that person and go, ‘Am I ever going to meet someone like that again?’”</p> <p>She then admits that while she’s “fine” and “every day is great”, there are moments when she “can’t help but be sad”. </p> <p>The moment was uploaded to the podcast's Instagram with the caption, “For all the single souls out there, we see you.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFqW9CKpU1R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFqW9CKpU1R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Besties (@wearebestiesofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Despite the honest conversation taking place, eagle-eyed fans spotted an unexpectedly hilarious detail in the clip, which has over 20,000 views.</p> <p>In the background, her cleaner was busy doing laundry and ironing bed sheets, going about their duties seemingly unbothered by the ladies on the couch.</p> <p>“Love the cleaner in the background,” one comment read, while another added, “I’m distracted by the housekeeper working their butt off.” </p> <p>One also joked it was the “maid’s five minutes of fame”.</p> <p>Others were quick to slam Jackie O's complaining, as one person said, “All this while the maid cleans your $50 million house!” </p> <p>“Care factor? See a therapist,” another said bluntly. </p> <p>However, many of her fans were not bothered by the cleaner and shared messages of support. </p> <p>“I feel you,” said one, as another wrote, “This feeling is a reminder of what you want.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>

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Returning home after a flood? Prioritise your health and take it one step at a time

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kazi-mizanur-rahman-1057615">Kazi Mizanur Rahman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a></em></p> <p>Parts of North Queensland have received almost <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgpvrgezp3o">two metres</a> of rain since the weekend, causing flash and riverine flooding that claimed the lives of <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/second-death-confirmed-in-flood-hit-north-queensland-as-threat-eases-20250204-p5l9l1.html">two women</a> around Ingham.</p> <p>While some North Queensland residents are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-05/north-queensland-flooding-townsville-rainfall-flood-recovery/104894530">on alert</a> for more flooding, others are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-05/north-queensland-flooding-townsville-rainfall-flood-recovery/104894530">returning home</a> to assess the damage.</p> <p>This can be very confronting. You may have left in a rush when the evacuation order <a href="https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/aws">was issued</a>, taking only a few valuables and <a href="https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/emergencykit">necessary items</a>, and maybe your <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1423501/full">pet</a>. You may have been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37791723/">scared</a> and unsure of what would happen.</p> <p>Coming back and seeing the damage to the place you lived in and loved can be painful. You might also be worried about the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35681967/">financial consequences</a>.</p> <h2>First, focus on safety</h2> <p>Make sure it’s <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/After-a-flood-returning-home-safely">safe to return home</a>. Check with your energy provider whether power has been restored in your area and, if so, whether it’s <a href="https://www.ewoq.com.au/news-and-publications/news/support-for-customers-affected-by-floods">safe to turn the main switch back on</a>. Do not use appliances that got wet, as electrical hazards can be <a href="https://floodlist.com/dealing-with-floods/electricity-safety">deadly</a>.</p> <p>Look for any <a href="https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/what-to-do-if-you-are-affected-by-floods-in-queensland/">structural damages to your property</a> and any hazards such as <a href="https://www.asbestos.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/asbestos-cleaning-removing-asbestos-containing-materials.pdf">asbestos exposure</a>. Watch out for sharp objects, broken glass, or slippery areas.</p> <p>The hardest part is cleaning up. You will need to be patient, and prioritise your health and safety.</p> <h2>What risks are involved with flood clean ups?</h2> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/dont-go-wading-in-flood-water-if-you-can-help-it-its-a-health-risk-for-humans-and-dogs-too-178027#:%7E:text=Health%20risks%20from%20flood%20water,thrive%20in%20mud%20and%20water">Floodwater</a> carries <a href="https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/doh-media-releases/health-risks-lurking-in-far-north-queensland-floodwaters#:%7E:text=Queensland%20Chief%20Health%20Officer%20Dr,risk%20of%20disease%20and%20infection.">mud</a> and <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/ma/Fulltext/MA23051">bugs</a>. It can also be contaminated with sewage.</p> <p>Contaminated flood water can cause <a href="https://theconversation.com/drinking-water-can-be-a-dangerous-cocktail-for-people-in-flood-areas-178028">gastroenteritis</a>, skin infections, conjunctivitis, or ear, nose and throat infections.</p> <p>Mud can <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0010486">make you sick</a> by transmitting germs through broken skin, causing nasty diseases such as the bacterial infection <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/melioidosis-a-deadly-infection-that-can-spread-aft">melioidosis</a>.</p> <p>Your house may also have <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-04/qld-pest-controllers-report-spike-in-rats-snakes-after-floods/100958648">rodents</a>, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-04/qld-pest-controllers-report-spike-in-rats-snakes-after-floods/100958648">snakes</a>, or <a href="https://theconversation.com/after-the-floods-stand-by-for-spiders-slugs-and-millipedes-but-think-twice-before-reaching-for-the-bug-spray-157600">insects</a> that can bite. Rats can also carry diseases that contaminate water and enter your body through <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9151845/#:%7E:text=It%20is%20presumed%20that%20infection,urine%20from%20animal%20reservoir%20hosts.">broken skin</a>.</p> <p>Be <a href="https://asthma.org.au/triggers/flooding-and-mould/">careful about mould</a>, as it can affect the air quality in your home and make asthma and allergies worse.</p> <p>Stagnant water in and around your home can become a place where <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/8/1393">mosquitoes breed and spread disease</a>.</p> <h2>How can you reduce these risks?</h2> <p>When you first enter your flood-damaged home, open windows to let fresh air in. If you have breathing problems, wear a face mask to protect yourself from any possible air pollution resulting from the damage, and any mould due to your home being closed up.</p> <p>Cleaning your home is a long, frustrating and exhausting process. In this hot and humid weather, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks. Identify any covered part of your home with sufficient ventilation which is high and dry, and where flood water did not enter. Use that as your resting space.</p> <p>While assessing and cleaning, wear <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/emergency_preparedness/weather/Pages/household-cleanup.aspx">protective clothing</a>, boots and gloves. Covering your skin will reduce the chance of bites and infection.</p> <p>Wash your hands with soap and water <a href="https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/coping-after-a-crisis/cleaning-up-wind-water/">as often as possible</a>. And don’t forget to <a href="https://www.torres-cape.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/take-care-of-health-and-safety-during-flood-and-rain-20241213">apply</a> sunscreen and mosquito repellent.</p> <p>Throw away items that were soaked in floodwater. These could have germs that can make you ill.</p> <p>Empty your fridge and freezer because the food inside is <a href="https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/when-the-power-goes-off/#:%7E:text=Food%20stored%20in%20freezers&amp;text=If%20the%20freezer%20door%20is,food%20chilled%20for%2024%20hours.">no longer safe</a>.</p> <p>If there is standing water, avoid touching it.</p> <p>When you can, empty outdoor containers with stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes breeding.</p> <h2>Don’t overlook your mental health</h2> <p>When cleaning up after a flood, you may feel sad, anxious, or stressed. It’s hard to see your home in this condition.</p> <p>But know you are not alone. Stay connected with others, talk to your friends and families, and accept support. If you feel too overwhelmed, seek help from mental health support services in your area or contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14.</p> <p>On top of everything, be mindful about those who are vulnerable, such as older people and those with disabilities, as they may be <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/8/e056210.abstract">more affected and find the clean up process harder</a>.</p> <p>Recovering from a flood takes time. Focus on what needs to be fixed first and take it step by step.<!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kazi-mizanur-rahman-1057615"><em>Kazi Mizanur Rahman</em></a><em>, Associate Professor of Healthcare Innovations, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/returning-home-after-a-flood-prioritise-your-health-and-take-it-one-step-at-a-time-248902">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Young woman dies suddenly after international holiday

<p>Christine Visnjic, 24, from western Sydney was eagerly making plans for the year ahead, and had just returned from her dream trip to Japan. </p> <p>On January 10, a month after her overseas trip, the young woman woke up with a sharp pain in her leg and found it swollen and red. </p> <p>Christine was ushered into her father's car so he could driver her to nearby Westmead Hospital to get it checked out, but started vomiting and suffered seizures during the journey. </p> <p>“Westmead Hospital is only about 2km from us, but about 500 meters down the road she told my dad to stop the car to vomit. So he stopped the car, he opened the door, she shifted herself to lean over the side, and then she experienced a seizure," her brother, Jason, told Y<em>ahoo News</em>. </p> <p>She fell unconscious not long after, and two nurses who happened to be following in another car came to her aid. </p> <p>An ambulance was called and she was rushed to hospital, but three days later, scans showed Christine was brain dead after she had suffered a bilateral stroke, disrupting blood flow to both sides of her brain. </p> <p>“There was a blood clot in her leg that broke off and travelled up to her lung, then to her heart and then to her brain,” Jason said.</p> <p>With no family history of blood clots, it is believed that the clot was a result of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that in rare cases can arise from long-haul plane travel. </p> <p>However, the exact cause is still unknown. </p> <p>“I was talking to a doctor and I asked him ‘how often do you see this?’ and he said to me ‘a case like this, we do know about it in literature…in my career of 44 years in the ICU, this is the second time’ and he started crying,” Jason said.</p> <p>"It's unbelievable, just unbelievable," he told <em>Yahoo News</em>.</p> <p>"Who would’ve thought - 24 years old and getting a blood clot that becomes so fatal."</p> <p>Christine's family had to make the heartbreaking decision of turning off her life support. </p> <p>“We embraced her and watched her pass. For about 20 minutes her heart was independent and we just slowly saw it all go away — and she doesn’t even know,” Jason said. </p> <p>He hopes that his sister's death will "at least echo a message to all the young women and men out there" to be on alert for health issues and cherish life.</p> <p>"Don’t just go chasing work. There are many lessons to take away. Luckily for her, Christine still managed to enjoy her life till her prime, both at career and social level." </p> <p>Christine's family and friends have since created a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/headstone-in-honor-of-christine-visnjic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> to raise funds for her headstone, where they have described her as a "young, beautiful, healthy girl, full of energy and love for others, whose life was tragically cut short."</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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What are cooling blankets? Can they really help me sleep?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/linda-grosser-1461631">Linda Grosser</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/luana-main-2270550">Luana Main</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p>You wake up exhausted from yet another hot night of tossing and turning, with very little sleep.</p> <p>So you might be tempted to buy a “cooling blanket” after reading rave reviews on social media. Or you might have read online articles with <a href="https://www.news.com.au/checkout/home-and-garden/bedroom/bedding/best-cooling-blankets/news-story/118ce05eba1e7d5cdff3aeadae5ae940">taglines such as</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Stop waking up in a puddle of sweat with our roundup of the best cooling blankets – including a top-rated option from Amazon that ‘actually works’.</p> </blockquote> <p>But what are cooling blankets? And can they help you get a restful night?</p> <h2>We know a cooler bedroom is best</h2> <p>First, let’s look at why a cooler environment helps us sleep better at night.</p> <p>Our body’s internal temperature has a <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm">circadian rhythm</a>, meaning it fluctuates throughout the day. A couple of hours before bed, it drops about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079203000236">0.31°C</a> to help you fall asleep. It will drop about <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7323637/">another 2°C</a> across the night to help you stay asleep.</p> <p>During sleep, your internal temperature and skin work together to achieve a balance between losing and producing heat. Your skin has sensors that pick-up changes in the environment around you. If it gets too warm, these sensors let your body know, which may cause you to kick-off blankets or bed clothes and wake more often leading to poorer sleep quality.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thensf.org/what-is-sleep-quality/">Sleep quality</a> is an important component of sleep health ensuring you get the physical, mental and emotional benefits that come from a good night’s sleep.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132318300325">ideal temperature</a> for sleep varies depending on the season and type of bedding you have but falls between 17°C and 28°C. Keeping your sleeping environment within this range will help you to get the best night’s rest.</p> <h2>So what are cooling blankets?</h2> <p>Cooling blankets are designed to help regulate your body temperature while you sleep.</p> <p>Different technologies and materials are used in their design and construction.</p> <p>We’re not talking about <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2206487/">hospital-grade</a> cooling blankets that are used to reduce fever and prevent injury to the nervous system. These use gel pads with circulating water, or air-cooling systems, connected to automatic thermostats to monitor someone’s temperature.</p> <p>Instead, the type of consumer-grade cooling blankets you might see advertised use a blend of lightweight, breathable materials that draw moisture away from the skin to help you stay cool and dry through the night. They look like regular blankets.</p> <p>Common materials include cotton, bamboo, silk or the fibre <a href="https://goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-tencel/">Lyocell</a>, all of which absorb moisture.</p> <p>Manufacturers typically use a <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-sheets/best-thread-count-for-sheets">thread count</a> of <a href="https://www.trustsleep.com/how-do-cooling-blankets-work/">300-500</a>, creating air pockets that enhance airflow and moisture evaporation.</p> <p>Some blankets feature a <a href="https://getrest.com.au/blogs/all/unveiling-the-secrets-of-q-max-the-key-to-a-perfect-nights-sleep">Q-Max rating</a>, which indicates how cool the fabric feels against your skin. The higher the value, the cooler the fabric feels.</p> <p>Others feature <a href="https://www.trustsleep.com/how-do-cooling-blankets-work/">phase change materials</a>. These materials were developed by <a href="https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2009/ch_4.html">NASA</a> for space suits to keep astronauts comfortable during a spacewalk where temperatures are from roughly <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/spacewalk-spacesuit-basics/">-157°C to 121°C</a>. Phase change materials in cooling blankets absorb and hold heat producing a cooling effect.</p> <h2>Do they work?</h2> <p>If you believe online reviews, yes, cooling blankets can cool you down and help you sleep better in warmer weather or if you get too hot using normal sheets and blankets.</p> <p>However, there is little scientific research to see if these consumer-grade products work.</p> <p>In a 2021 <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/9099">study</a> exploring sleep quality, 20 participants slept for three nights under two different conditions.</p> <p>First, they slept with regular bed sheets in an air-conditioned room with the temperature set to their preference. Then, they used cooling bed sheets in an air-conditioned room where the temperature was set 3°C higher than their preference.</p> <p>Participants reported good sleep quality in both conditions but preferred the warmer room with its cooling sheets.</p> <p>This may suggest the use of cooling bedding may help provide a more comfortable night’s sleep.</p> <p>But everyone’s cooling needs varies depending on things like age, health, body temperature, the space you sleep in, and personal preferences.</p> <p>So while these products may work for some people who may be motivated to leave a good review, they may not necessarily work for you.</p> <h2>Are they worth it?</h2> <p>There’s a wide variety of cooling blankets available at different prices to suit various budgets. Positive customer reviews might encourage a purchase, especially for individuals experiencing disrupted sleep at night due to heat.</p> <p>Yet, these cooling blankets have limited scientific research to show they work and to say if they’re worth it. So it’s up to you.</p> <h2>What else can I do if I’m a hot sleeper?</h2> <p>If a cooling blanket isn’t for you, there are other things you can do to stay cool at night, such as:</p> <ul> <li> <p>using air conditioning or a fan</p> </li> <li> <p>placing a damp towel under or over you</p> </li> <li> <p>wearing lightweight or minimal sleepwear and avoiding thick or synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, that can trap heat</p> </li> <li> <p>if you usually share a bed, on hot nights, consider sleeping by yourself to avoid excess body heat from your partner.</p> </li> </ul> <p>On a final note, if you often struggle with hot, disturbed sleep, you can check in with your health-care provider. They can see if there is a medical explanation for your disturbed sleep and advise what to try next.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244158/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/linda-grosser-1461631">Linda Grosser</a>, Research Associate, Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/luana-main-2270550">Luana Main</a>, Associate Professor in Applied Sport Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-cooling-blankets-can-they-really-help-me-sleep-244158">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Home & Garden

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Can you get sunburnt or UV skin damage through car or home windows?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theresa-larkin-952095">Theresa Larkin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a></em></p> <p>When you’re in a car, train or bus, do you choose a seat to avoid being in the sun or do you like the sunny side?</p> <p>You can definitely feel the sun’s heat through a window. But can you get sunburn or skin damage when in your car or inside with the windows closed?</p> <p>Let’s look at how much UV (ultraviolet) radiation passes through different types of glass, how tinting can help block UV, and whether we need sunscreen when driving or indoors.</p> <h2>What’s the difference between UVA and UVB?</h2> <p>Of the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-ultraviolet-(uv)#:%7E:text=Most%20solar%20UVB%20is%20filtered,for%20the%20immediate%20tanning%20effect.">total UV</a> radiation that reaches Earth, about 95% is UVA and 5% is UVB.</p> <p>UVB only reaches the <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-why-dont-burns-bleed-130792">upper layers</a> of our skin but <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-uv-index-an-expert-explains-what-it-means-and-how-its-calculated-173146">is the major cause</a> of sunburn, cataracts and skin cancer.</p> <p>UVA <a href="https://theconversation.com/sunscreen-why-wearing-it-even-in-winter-could-be-a-good-idea-219640">penetrates deeper</a> into our skin and causes cell damage that leads to skin cancer.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=416&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=416&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=416&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=523&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=523&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/646357/original/file-20250203-17-c897dp.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=523&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Graphic showing UVA and UVB penetrating skin" /><figcaption><span class="caption">UVA penetrates deeper than UVB.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/difference-radiation-types-sunlight-which-harmful-669925423">Shutterstock/solar22</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Glass blocks UVA and UVB radiation differently</h2> <p>All <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12022">glass</a> used in house, office and car windows completely blocks UVB from passing through.</p> <p>But only laminated glass can completely block UVA. UVA <a href="https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sneaky-ways-youre-being-exposed-to-the-suns-uv-rays/#:%7E:text=UVB%20rays%2C%20the%20primary%20sunburn,the%20rays%20will%20reach%20you">can pass through</a> other glass used in car, house and office windows and <a href="https://theconversation.com/sunscreen-why-wearing-it-even-in-winter-could-be-a-good-idea-219640">cause skin damage</a>, increasing the risk of cancer.</p> <h2>Car windscreens block UVA, but the side and rear windows don’t</h2> <p>A car’s front windscreen lets in lots of sunshine and light. Luckily it <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12022">blocks 98% of UVA radiation</a> because it is made of two layers of laminated glass.</p> <p>But the side and rear car windows are made of tempered glass, which doesn’t completely block UVA. A <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2522190">study of 29 cars</a> found a range from 4% to almost 56% of UVA passed through the side and rear windows.</p> <p>The UVA protection was not related to the car’s age or cost, but to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962205046244?casa_token=qxVQnQ_mFjEAAAAA:5n6QVYBb22gfsWNLxfxbNtsibJ1JXl_C7RtRhsaQLFVkRocFgoWiI4BnNyMGO35EnyIsLNhFK90">the type</a> of glass, its colour and whether it has been tinted or coated in a protective film. Grey or bronze coloured glass, and window tinting, all increase UVA protection. <a href="https://academic.oup.com/tropej/article/59/6/496/1660803">Window tinting</a> blocks around 95% of UVA radiation.</p> <p>In a separate study from Saudi Arabia, researchers fitted drivers with a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9797294/">wearable radiation monitor</a>. They found drivers were exposed to UV index ratings up to 3.5. (In Australia, sun protection <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/about-sunscreen/spf50-sunscreen">is generally recommended</a> when the UV index is 3 or above – at this level it takes pale skin about 20 minutes to burn.)</p> <p>So if you have your windows tinted, you should not have to wear sunscreen in the car. But without tinted windows, you can accumulate skin damage.</p> <h2>UV exposure while driving increases skin cancer risk</h2> <p>Many people spend a lot of time in the car – for work, commuting, holiday travel and general transport. Repeated UVA radiation exposure through car side windows might go unnoticed, but it can affect our skin.</p> <p>Indeed, skin cancer is more common on the driver’s side of the body. A <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3117975/">study in the United States</a> (where drivers sit on the left side) found more skin cancers on the left than the right side for the face, scalp, arm and leg, including 20 times more for the arm.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20226568/">Another US study</a> found this effect was higher in men. For <a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/stages-types/melanoma-in-situ-stage-0#:%7E:text=What%20is%20melanoma%20in%20situ,grown%20deeper%20into%20the%20skin.">melanoma in situ</a>, an early form of melanoma, 74% of these cancers were on the on the left versus 26% on the right.</p> <p>Earlier Australian studies reported more <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1340770/">skin damage</a> and more <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/555250">skin cancer</a> on the right side.</p> <p>Cataracts and other eye damage are also <a href="https://www.aoa.org/news/clinical-eye-care/diseases-and-conditions/cataracts-and-uv-exposure-in-driver-side-windows?sso=y">more common on the driver’s side</a> of the body.</p> <h2>What about UV exposure through home or office windows?</h2> <p>We see UV damage from sunlight through our home windows in faded materials, furniture or plastics.</p> <p>Most glass used in residential windows lets a lot of UVA pass through, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0781.2009.00434.x">between 45 and 75%</a>.</p> <p>Single-pane glass lets through the most UVA, while thicker, tinted or coated glass blocks more UVA.</p> <p>The best options are laminated glass, or double-glazed, tinted windows that allow less than 1% of UVA through.</p> <p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12022">Skylights</a> are made from laminated glass, which completely stops UVA from passing through.</p> <p>Most office and commercial window glass has better UVA protection than residential windows, allowing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962205046244?casa_token=qxVQnQ_mFjEAAAAA:5n6QVYBb22gfsWNLxfxbNtsibJ1JXl_C7RtRhsaQLFVkRocFgoWiI4BnNyMGO35EnyIsLNhFK90#bib17">less than 25% of UVA transmission</a>. These windows are usually double-glazed and tinted, with reflective properties or UV-absorbent chemicals.</p> <p>Some <a href="https://theconversation.com/smart-windows-could-be-the-next-big-thing-in-renewable-heating-245053">smart windows</a> that reduce heat using chemical treatments to darken the glass can also block UVA.</p> <h2>So when should you wear sunscreen and sunglasses?</h2> <p>The biggest risk with skin damage while driving is having the windows down or your arm out the window in direct sun. Even untinted windows will reduce UVA exposure to some extent, so it’s better to have the <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-cant-get-sunburnt-through-glass-shade-or-in-water-right-5-common-sunburn-myths-busted-150640">car window up</a>.</p> <p>For home windows, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phpp.12022">window films or tint</a> can increase UVA protection of single pane glass. UVA blocking by glass is similar to protection by sunscreen.</p> <p>When you need to use sunscreen <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00267.x">depends on</a> your skin type, latitude and time of the year. In a car without tinted windows, you could burn after one hour in the middle of the day in summer, and two hours in the middle of a winter’s day.</p> <p>But in the middle of the day next to a home window that allows more UVA to pass through, it <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00267.x">could</a> take only 30 minutes to burn in summer and one hour in winter.</p> <p>When the UV index is above three, it is recommended you <a href="https://theconversation.com/sunglasses-dont-just-look-good-theyre-good-for-you-too-heres-how-to-choose-the-right-pair-245270">wear protective sunglasses</a> while driving or next to a sunny window to avoid eye damage.<!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/theresa-larkin-952095">Theresa Larkin</a>, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-you-get-sunburnt-or-uv-skin-damage-through-car-or-home-windows-246599">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Ray Martin cashes in after selling luxury Sydney home

<p>Ray Martin has made a whopping $7.1 million after selling the family home he has owned on Sydney's north shore for thirty-five years.</p> <p>The veteran journalist sold the five-bedroom, three-bathroom mansion in the suburb of Waverton for a reported $8 million, after Martin and his wife Dianne bought the luxurious 1930s-era house in 1990 for $900,000.</p> <p>The beautiful home, known as Finisterre, sold for between $8 million and $8.5 million after being listed on January 1st, according to reports from <em><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/ray-martins-8m-home-sale-bonanza/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a></em>.</p> <p>Located just 5km from the Sydney CBD, the gorgeous two-storey home features classic period stylings and luxurious interiors.</p> <p>The stunning home boasts impressive features such as grand scale living areas, a beautiful patio for entertaining and a glass-framed mosaic-tiled pool, while a chef's kitchen features the latest appliances and a breakfast island.</p> <p>Other highlights include a 'formal' living room, a separate family room, a home office and an open-plan dining area that opens out to the backyard and patio.</p> <p>The upper level offers a large open terrace which features views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline.</p> <p>Other luxury features on the estate also include a wine cellar, a second-floor study and landscaped gardens.</p> <p><em>Image credits: SBS / McGrath Real Estate</em> </p>

Money & Banking

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From securing pets to building ‘insect hotels’ – here are 7 ways to attract birds to your garden

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rochelle-steven-22148">Rochelle Steven</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/murdoch-university-746">Murdoch University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-newsome-117672">David Newsome</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/murdoch-university-746">Murdoch University</a></em></p> <p>Home gardens can provide vital habitat for Australian birds. But there’s more to it than just planting certain types of shrubs and flowering trees.</p> <p>After decades of encouragement to include native plants in home gardens, urban environments have come to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989423003700">favour certain species</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2006.01584.x">neglect others</a> including some of our most loved birds, such as fairy-wrens.</p> <p>Birds that thrive on nectar such as honeyeaters, and bossy birds with bold personalities such as noisy miners, some parrots and magpies, tend to dominate the scene. But it doesn’t have to be this way.</p> <p>We wanted to explore how urban gardens can best support a wider range of Australian birds. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-025-03011-2">Our new review</a> of research on this topic revealed seven key considerations. These fall into two themes: reducing threats and improving habitat.</p> <p>We found there’s no point doing just the good things (such as plantings) if we don’t stop doing the bad things (such as killing insects, poisoning owls and letting cats hunt). It’s like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it.</p> <p>So let’s acknowledge the complexity of nature and take a broader approach to attracting birds to our gardens, by ticking off the items on this shopping list.</p> <h2>1. Secure pets</h2> <p>Domestic cats kill <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/wr/pdf/WR19174">millions of Australian birds every year</a>. So no matter how innocent your cat looks, it remains a highly evolved predator.</p> <p>The only guaranteed way to protect birds and other wildlife from cats is to keep them contained inside or in purpose-built enclosures, 24 hours a day. You can find out about building your own cat enclosure from <a href="https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/cats/enclosures-and-fencing/building-a-cat-enclosure-attached-to-an-existing-structure">government</a> and <a href="https://catiospaces.com/catios-cat-enclosures/cat-behavior-enrichment/build-diy-catio-plan-for-your-cat/">retail</a> experts online.</p> <p>Dogs can also stop birds taking up residence in your garden. The mere <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.10.005">presence of a dog can deter some birds</a>. Keeping dogs contained at night can reduce the level of disturbance to nocturnal birds. But if you really want to attract birds to your garden, you may choose to keep your dog inside more.</p> <h2>2. Avoid using insecticides and outside lights</h2> <p>Many flying and ground-dwelling insects are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2002549117">in decline</a>. This is bad news for many birds including fairy-wrens, willie wagtails, fantails and robins who rely almost entirely on insects for food. But we can avoid using insecticides or any other form of lethal control such as bug zappers in our own gardens.</p> <p>Ideally, accept insects as a natural part of your garden. Don’t try to deter them, unless they pose a risk to public safety, such as swarming European honeybees or hordes of European wasps. You can also consider favouring native plants that naturally are resisitant to unwanted insect attack.</p> <p>Excess artificial light is also taking a toll on insects. Consider whether you really need to leave that outdoor light on all night. Review your existing outdoor lighting using the <a href="https://darksky.org/resources/guides-and-how-tos/lighting-principles/">five principles for responsible outdoor lighting</a>, ensuring all artificial light is useful, targeted, low-level, controlled and warm-coloured.</p> <h2>3. Stop poisoning raptors</h2> <p>The use of rat poison, especially those labelled as “fast action”, is <a href="https://theconversation.com/rat-poison-is-killing-our-beloved-native-owls-and-tawny-frogmouths-and-thats-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-212184">killing native owls</a> and other <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147673">birds of prey</a> at an alarming rate due to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.207">secondary poisoning</a>. In other words, raptors are dying after eating rats and mice that have taken the bait.</p> <p>Many countries have regulated the sale and use of these products for this reason, but Australia is lagging behind. So if you “give a hoot” about our owls, <a href="https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-the-most-humane-way-to-kill-pest-rats-and-mice/">switch to snap traps</a>. There are also various other effective, humane and efficient <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-control-invasive-rats-and-mice-at-home-without-harming-native-wildlife-180792">options</a> available, including removing unwanted fruit from the ground, keeping sheds tidy, and securing compost bins to keep rodents under control.</p> <h2>4. Prevent window strikes</h2> <p>Birds can fly into windows when they’re unable to differentiate between the glass and the surrounding environment. Strikes may be lethal upon impact or result in injury. A stunned bird is also more vulnerable to predators.</p> <p>In Australia, bird lovers can <a href="https://birdlife.org.au/preventing-bird-strike/#:%7E:text=Why%20do%20birds%20collide%20with,help%20solve%20this%20problem%20too.">reduce the risk</a> by using <a href="https://store.birdlife.org.au/product/anti-collision-bird-stickers/">decals</a> which are decorative stickers intended <a href="https://www.sureguard.com.au/page/birds-eye-view-window-strike-deflector">for windows</a>. Screens, hanging plants or mobiles can also be placed in front of windows to help the birds avoid collisions.</p> <h2>5. Create an inclusive garden</h2> <p>The diversity in Australian birds extends to their diets. Beyond honeyeaters, the nation is home to huge numbers of insectivores, carnivores, seed-eaters and fruit peckers.</p> <p>Australian gardens typically have plenty of bottlebrush and grevilleas, which <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2004.06.004">stacks the deck in the bold honeyeaters’ favour</a>. So when buying new garden plants, try catering for a wider variety of bird species.</p> <p>Choose dense shrubs with small white, yellow or blue flowers to attract insects. These bushy plants also make excellent habitat for small birds. Retaining trees ensures our larger birds have nesting sites too.</p> <p>If you get the garden design right, with a variety of plants to suit all tastes, there is <a href="https://birdlife.org.au/a-guide-to-feeding-wild-birds-in-australia/?srsltid=AfmBOooHbf9Du1CarsSg044tVUVFxfBdopOwrOmELrQWcCSdwfKv432v">no need to feed the birds</a>.</p> <h2>6. Encourage insects</h2> <p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-09/blue-banded-bee-australian-insect-of-the-year-inaugral-vote/104572938">Native bees</a> and flies play a crucial role in ecosystems, both as pollinators and food for birds.</p> <p>You can provide insects with nesting habitat in the form of insect “hotels”, food (namely flowers and other insects) and safety from pesticides. These <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2015.05.003">small gestures can make a huge difference</a>.</p> <h2>7. Water the birds too</h2> <p>With the <a href="https://climatekids.nasa.gov/heat-islands/">urban heat island</a> effect and growing frequency of extreme heat waves, birds are in need of reliable sources of fresh water. Offer this <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11252-024-01530-4">crucial resource</a> in a water feature such as a bird bath or pond.</p> <h2>Whole neighbourhoods for birds</h2> <p>Your garden has never been more important for birds. Doing your bit in your own backyard can make a visible difference – you will see the birds for yourself. But true conservation gains can only be made when people work together at a larger scale.</p> <p>Why not start a conversation with your neighbour about attracting birds to your garden? Creating one garden for birds is great, but when we start talking about whole neighbourhoods for birds, that’s magic!<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/247561/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rochelle-steven-22148"><em>Rochelle Steven</em></a><em>, Lecturer in Environmental Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/murdoch-university-746">Murdoch University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-newsome-117672">David Newsome</a>, Assoc. Professor of Environmental Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/murdoch-university-746">Murdoch University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-securing-pets-to-building-insect-hotels-here-are-7-ways-to-attract-birds-to-your-garden-247561">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Home & Garden

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Home ownership is slipping out of reach. It’s time to rethink our fear of ‘forever renting’

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dorina-pojani-413644">Dorina Pojani</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p>A wide range of voices in the Australian media have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/05/share-with-parents-or-rent-forever-i-have-put-life-on-hold-while-trying-to-buy-a-house">sounding the alarm</a> about the phenomenon of “forever-renting”.</p> <p>This describes a situation in which individuals or families are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-10/young-people-priced-out-of-home-ownership/104202602">unable to transition</a> from renting to home ownership, due to rising property values and wages that can’t keep up.</p> <p>Forever-renting is often framed as a terrible condition that should be avoided at all costs – that renting is only acceptable in the short term, as an individual or family saves for a down-payment.</p> <p>The underlying implication is that the ultimate goal in life for just about every Australian should be to own a house – or at least a condominium unit.</p> <p>This only serves to stigmatise renters, who currently make up <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/housing-occupancy-and-costs/2019-20">nearly a third</a> of Australian households. Demographic research indicates <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/24639395">about 15% of Australia’s population</a> changes address every year. Many of these moves require rental accommodation.</p> <p>And, yes, millions of Australians will <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/analysis/news/rising-proportion-forever-renters-requires-tax-and-policy-re-think">rent for their whole life</a>.</p> <p>Clearly, we need to change our thinking around renting to bring it into step with reality. We must accept that the proportion of renters may never go down – or may even increase – and that that’s not necessarily a bad thing.</p> <h2>Where did this attitude come from?</h2> <p>The Australian tradition of home ownership was established in the early decades of European settlement. To make what we now call the “Australian dream” happen, the continent had to be treated as a <em>tabula rasa</em>, or blank slate. A mass of Indigenous people were <a href="https://theconversation.com/refugees-in-their-own-land-how-indigenous-people-are-still-homeless-in-modern-australia-55183">dispossessed</a>.</p> <p>Migration to Australia offered impoverished Britons an opportunity to own a house and plenty of land. In the old country, in contrast, real estate ownership had been a privilege of the gentry. Postwar waves of immigrants from southern Europe and East Asia were also intent on home ownership.</p> <p>In a low-density nation with smallish cities and cheap land, owning a home made sense. Now, urban land is no longer cheap and our <a href="https://www.apimagazine.com.au/news/article/scale-of-urban-sprawl-in-australia-hurting-more-than-just-the-environment">cities have sprawled</a> beyond what’s sustainable.</p> <h2>Renting can have advantages</h2> <p>The first step towards rethinking renting as a norm is acknowledging it can have some significant and often overlooked advantages. For some, renting is a <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09604521011027598/full/html">lifestyle preference</a>.</p> <p>Ownership comes with burdens such as house and garden maintenance. This makes renting much more convenient and carefree for some demographics, including young people and older adults.</p> <p>Another key advantage of renting is the <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Homeownership_and_the_Labour_Market_in_E/GwoUDAAAQBAJ">employment flexibility</a> it can provide. Renters can look for work outside their commute range and are less tied to particular employers.</p> <p>There’s some evidence that high levels of home ownership could even damage the overall labour market.</p> <p>Previous <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w19079">research</a> by the US National Bureau of Economic Research has shown that increasing home ownership leads to less labour mobility, longer commutes, and fewer new businesses because homeowners are less likely to move.</p> <h2>Safe as houses?</h2> <p>One common argument against renting is that investing in your own home is a “safe bet”. But we perhaps need to rethink this unquestioned reliance on housing as a store of wealth. Those who enter the housing market for investment purposes should be aware of several issues.</p> <p>Over the long term, housing prices have historically shown a <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/articles/house-price-growth-australia-over-30-years">general upward trajectory</a>, driven by population growth and limited land supply in desirable areas.</p> <p>In the short term, however, housing prices can be <a href="https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo20832545.html">quite volatile</a>. They may move up, down, or stay the same. This depends on broader economic cycles, market conditions and interest rates.</p> <p>Think of the housing bubble in the United States, which led to a global recession in 2008, or the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-07/china-property-crash-a-warning-for-australian-housing-market/104788660">current downturn in China</a>.</p> <p>The cycles in property prices are often worsened by <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1914185">psychological biases</a> that can lead to overoptimism during booms or panic during busts. Investors may win or lose.</p> <h2>Compounded by climate change</h2> <p>In the contemporary era, we also need to factor in climate change. Areas that are currently desirable may become unappealing before too long – due to <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/how-hot-will-your-neighbourhood-be-by-2050/">heatwaves</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/one-of-the-most-extreme-disasters-in-colonial-australian-history-climate-scientists-on-the-floods-and-our-future-risk-178153">floods</a> or <a href="https://theconversation.com/la-is-on-fire-how-will-australia-cope-when-bushfires-hit-sydney-melbourne-or-another-major-city-246967">fires</a>.</p> <p>Natural disasters, or even just growing disaster risks, can prompt large drops in property prices and massive population movements.</p> <p>To illustrate: during the pandemic, South East Queensland began to draw many domestic migrants as other states struggled to contain the virus.</p> <p>People from cooler southern states were also attracted by the region’s mild winter climate. In 2024, Brisbane became Australia’s <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/uneven-price-growth-reshuffles-rankings-of-australias-most-expensive-cities/">second-most expensive</a> city for property values.</p> <p>That might appear to bode well for property buyers who’ve invested millions of dollars. But one <a href="https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/joc.5998">2019 study</a> has predicted that temperature rises could make Brisbane “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-22/temperature-increases-from-climate-change-brisbane-unliveable/11227404">unbearably hot</a>” by 2050.</p> <p>In this context, renters may be more adaptable than owners.</p> <h2>A more renter-friendly Australia</h2> <p>None of this is to argue that everyone should be a renter, or that renters should be left to the whims of the market.</p> <p>In Australia, current rent increases are <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/consumer-price-index-australia/latest-release">outpacing</a> both wage growth and inflation (CPI). The rental affordability crisis has driven a <a href="https://homelessnessaustralia.org.au/rough-sleeping-surges-as-homelessness-crisis-worsens-new-report/">recent surge</a> in homelessness.</p> <p>There is a wide range of policy tools available to us, many of which have been shown to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-16/build-to-rent-fix-housing-crisis-australia-us-uk-hong-kong/104458458">work relatively well in other countries</a> and could be adopted here.</p> <p>These include:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://thefifthestate.com.au/housing-2/the-case-for-rent-control-and-historical-norms-in-rent-increases/">rent caps</a>, which tie allowable rent increases to the CPI (Australia already <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/round5-5.pdf">regulates the price of utilities</a> in this way)</p> </li> <li> <p>nationwide no-ground eviction bans (already in place in <a href="https://www.choice.com.au/money/property/renting/articles/no-grounds-evictions-update">some states</a>)</p> </li> <li> <p>normalisation of <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-28/how-to-find-a-long-term-rental-home/100217074">long-term leases</a> beyond 12 months and restrictions on <a href="https://cities-today.com/barcelona-set-to-ban-short-term-rentals/">short-term rentals such as Airbnb</a></p> </li> </ul> <p>More vulnerable renters, including people with disabilities, single parents, victims of domestic abuse, those on low incomes, and older retirees, need extra protections.</p> <p>The supply of rental units should also be increased, through <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/analysis/brief/what-build-rent">build-to-rent</a> and <a href="https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/granny-flats-provide-housing-choice-in-tight-rental-market">granny flat</a> construction, for example.</p> <p>Landlords should not be vilified either. In an unregulated market, they are often cast as “<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/robber-barons-great-landlord-myth-exposed/">robber barons</a>” and “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/16/landlords-social-parasites-last-people-should-be-honouring-buy-to-let">social parasites</a>”.</p> <p>If tenants were protected from excessive rent increases and evictions, landlordism could also be recast as an essential service that yields <em>reasonable</em> profits to providers.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/245848/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dorina-pojani-413644">Dorina Pojani</a>, Associate Professor in Urban Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/home-ownership-is-slipping-out-of-reach-its-time-to-rethink-our-fear-of-forever-renting-245848">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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What cost-of-living crisis? Luxury travel is booming – and set to grow further

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anita-manfreda-1544057">Anita Manfreda</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/torrens-university-australia-899">Torrens University Australia</a></em></p> <p>About ten years ago, while working at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in the Swiss town of St Moritz, I was shocked to learn a guest once <a href="https://towerrevue.com/life-style/the-party-never-ends/">requested an elephant</a> be brought in to deliver a birthday gift to his wife. And the hotel made it happen, squeezing the elephant into the lobby.</p> <p>This over-the-top gesture symbolised what luxury travel once meant: wealth and power, expressed through grand displays. Think millionaires and billionaires in lavish suites and on private yachts, enjoying <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211973621001392">exclusive services</a> most of us would never dream of, let alone actually ask for.</p> <p>Consulting group McKinsey defines the luxury traveller as someone prepared to spend <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/updating-perceptions-about-todays-luxury-traveler">US$500 or more per night</a> on accommodation. But luxury tourism is evolving. Thanks to demographic shifts, sustainability concerns, and a post-pandemic desire for connection, luxury travel has become more personal and meaningful. And luxury travellers these days aren’t always the super rich elites.</p> <p>Despite the cost-of-living crisis, luxury travel is <a href="https://www.virtuoso.com/getmedia/8c9e8d73-7529-4989-a8c1-cc464d71a9d4/2024-Press-Conference_FINAL-(2).aspx">booming</a>. So, what’s driving this growth and how is luxury travel changing?</p> <h2>A trillion dollar industry</h2> <p>The luxury travel sector has shown remarkable resilience, even during economic downturns and the COVID pandemic. Globally, it is projected to grow from <a href="https://luxonomy.net/report-on-the-countries-contributing-the-most-luxury-tourists-globally-2024-2030/">US$1.4 trillion</a> in 2024 to $2.2 trillion by 2030.</p> <p>The Asia-Pacific region is leading the surge at a compound annual growth rate of <a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/asia-pacific-luxury-travel-market-report">8.6%</a> (a way of measuring growth that assumes profits are reinvested) from 2024 to 2030.</p> <p>In Australia, the trend is similar: the luxury travel market generated US$37.4 billion in 2023 and is forecast to reach <a href="https://www.imarcgroup.com/australia-luxury-travel-market">US$70 billion</a> by 2032.</p> <p>This growth is driven not just by affluence among the wealthy but by younger travellers. As <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2024/05/29/new-luxury-traveler-younger-less-affluent/">Forbes magazine</a> points out, these travellers are often non-millionaires who may not earn enormous salaries or even own their own homes – but are willing to pay top dollar for meaningful experiences.</p> <p>And some are splurging on trips to make up for time and opportunities lost due to the pandemic – a trend industry experts sometimes refer to as “revenge” and “<a href="https://latteluxurynews.com/2024/08/19/no-slow-down-in-luxury-experiences-belles/">revelry</a>” travel. As one <a href="https://latteluxurynews.com/2024/08/19/no-slow-down-in-luxury-experiences-belles/">luxury travel industry</a> observer put it:</p> <blockquote> <p>We’re seeing travel at all costs, where people are determined to have the experience they want, regardless of what that price is.</p> </blockquote> <p>Many consumers are <a href="https://www.bain.com/about/media-center/press-releases/2024/global-luxury-spending-to-land-near-1.5-trillion-in-2024-remaining-relatively-flat-as-consumers-prioritize-experiences-over-products-amid-uncertainty">prioritising luxury travel</a> experiences over other discretionary items, including luxury goods.</p> <h2>Luxury can have many meanings</h2> <p>Today’s luxury travel isn’t just about extravagance; it can also include forking out for meaningful experiences. Luxury travellers are willing to pay up for holidays that promise <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/13567667231172995">authenticity, wellness and connection</a> with people and places.</p> <p>It can mean access to something rare, like an uncrowded natural environment or an authentic cultural experience that feels deeply personal.</p> <p>It can also come from <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211973621001392">expertise</a> – like appreciating the nuances of a rare bottle of wine, or touring a place with an expert or celebrity guide who has been there many times before.</p> <p>Where it was once defined by price and status symbols, luxury travel today is about <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/13567667231172995">stories worth sharing</a> (on social media and in real life) and experiences that align with personal values.</p> <h2>Wellness, adventure and the digital detox</h2> <p>In my 17 years of working in and researching luxury travel, I have seen a lot of different luxury holidaymakers. Everything from humble retirees relishing the rewards of their hard work to VIP celebrities who send 32 pages of requests before even stepping foot in the hotel.</p> <p>While older high-net-worth individuals from North America and Europe remain a significant demographic, a growing proportion of luxury travellers are millennials, Gen Z, and tourists from <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/updating-perceptions-about-todays-luxury-traveler#/">emerging markets</a> like Asia and the Middle East.</p> <p>Traditional hallmarks of luxury travel – like presidential suites and private islands – are still popular among high-net-worth individuals.</p> <p>But a growing number of travellers seek cultural experiences, adventure, and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/travel-logistics-and-infrastructure/our-insights/updating-perceptions-about-todays-luxury-traveler#/">small, intimate group</a> trips.</p> <p>These travellers are opting for <a href="https://www.virtuoso.com/getmedia/8c9e8d73-7529-4989-a8c1-cc464d71a9d4/2024-Press-Conference_FINAL-(2).aspx">off-peak seasons</a> and less-visited destinations to avoid crowds, and may be more vocal about sustainable tourism.</p> <p>The future of luxury travel lies in its ability to adapt to evolving consumer values. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/travel/luxury-travel-wellness.html">Wellness</a> retreats, <a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/luxury-train-travel-is-entering-another-golden-age">slow</a> travel (including by train), and <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/gx-the-future-of-luxury-travel-2-the-sustainability-imperative.pdf">sustainability-focused</a> experiences are becoming central to the luxury travel narrative.</p> <p>In a hyper-connected world, luxury travel marketing is now often linked with the idea of a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sandramacgregor/2024/08/05/peace-and-quiet-11-luxury-global-resorts-for-a-true-digital-detox/">digital detox</a>. The chance to disconnect and fully immerse in the moment has become a modern indulgence.</p> <p>Luxury travellers today use their trips to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1447677023000207">explore and learn</a>, and to <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/article/why-extreme-escapism-is-the-latest-luxury-travel-trend-pntgrsr8b?id=21336839644&amp;gad_source=1&amp;region=global">reconnect with the world</a>, their relationships, and themselves.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/244727/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anita-manfreda-1544057"><em>Anita Manfreda</em></a><em>, Senior Lecturer in Tourism, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/torrens-university-australia-899">Torrens University Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-cost-of-living-crisis-luxury-travel-is-booming-and-set-to-grow-further-244727">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

International Travel

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Home and Away couple silence break-up rumours with holiday photos

<p><em>Home and Away </em>stars Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart have silenced break-up rumours with one Instagram post. </p> <p>The couple shared a series of intimate photos from their New Years vacation on the Gold Coast, accompanied by Nicodemou's son Johnas and Stewart's daughter Scout, both 12. </p> <p>“Our week spent in paradise… 3 theme parks in 3 days, go karting, JetSki’s, bowling, swimming, singing and lots of laughs and love ️…bring on 2025!!!” the actress wrote in the caption. </p> <p>The blended family visited all the different attractions in the tourist spot, including Wet N Wild, Movie World and Sea World and also enjoyed dinner at Broadbeach, where Stewart's twin brother Nick and his family joined them. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEmLXlWzcaY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEmLXlWzcaY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ada Nicodemou (@adanicodemou)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The intimate holiday photos comes weeks after the couple sparked rumours of a break-up when Nicodemou revealed on <em>TV Week </em>that they would be spending Christmas apart. </p> <p>“It’s our first Christmas together as a couple, I’m so excited,” she said in early December.  “[But] James is going to be in Queensland, as his family are all up there, and I’ll be in Sydney with mine. But that’s okay – we see each other all the time.”</p> <p>“Ada and I are so family-oriented,” James added in the interview. “She has this amazing Cypriot family, and they’re so well-connected. And my family are up in Queensland and, you know, I miss Mum.”</p> <p>Fans on the popular Home and Away Facebook group have also backed the couple, saying that they are still together. </p> <p>“I saw them on the beach at the Gold Coast last week and they were very much together," one wrote. </p> <p>“Happy families... James and Ada are very much in love,” another fan added. </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Bunnings announce game-changing venture

<p>Everyone is well-acquainted with multiple trips to Bunnings for forgotten items, but now the retail giant's new venture with Uber could make life just a little easier before Christmas. </p> <p>The retail giant is teaming up with the rideshare and courier service to equip over 100 regional and metropolitan stores with same day parcel delivery.</p> <p>So shoppers looking for a last minute Christmas gift can get same day parcel delivery for orders placed by 2pm right up until December 23rd. The packages will be delivered by 7pm that day. </p> <p>With Australia Post Christmas delivery cut-offs set to take effect from December 20, the retail giants same-day delivery service with Uber makes it much easier for shoppers over the holiday season. </p> <p>The service will operate via the Bunnings website, at a flat fee of $15 for any purchases.</p> <p>The only condition is that for some regional outlets, the same-day delivery guarantee is subject to geographical limits, a radius of 15 kilometres from any store.</p> <p>“We’re committed to offering our customers the best experience, widest range and lowest prices, and same day parcel delivery across regional Australia is another way we can improve this offering”, Bunnings Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Baker said. </p> <p>“This builds on our current same day parcel delivery offering across metro Australia, bringing more convenience to our regional customers, and hopefully helping to ease some of the stress this time of year can bring.”</p> <p>Baker also emphasised that this service would not replace the in-store experience Aussies love.</p> <p>“Some customers value coming into the store to browse, talk to the team and enjoy the Bunnings experience such as a coffee in the cafe or the sausage sizzle hosted by a local community group. But for others, the convenience of delivery is preferred,” he said.</p> <p><em>Image: haireena / Shutterstock.com</em></p>

Home & Garden

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How to deal with narcissistic relatives over the holidays

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ava-green-1396648">Ava Green</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/city-st-georges-university-of-london-1047">City St George's, University of London</a></em></p> <p>The holiday season is here, and streets are filled with festive sparkles, twinkling lights and cheerful Christmas songs. While many of us are looking forward to spending the holiday period with family and friends, Christmas is anything but jolly for others.</p> <p>Some people are dreading to spend the period without loved ones. Others are fearful of spending it in the company of their extended family and relatives.</p> <p>Will your cousin provoke heated arguments at the dinner table again, outright bullying others and refusing to consider their perspective? Will your dad bring extravagant gifts and criticise others for their presents that he deems are inadequate? Will your aunt steal the show and make it all about her?</p> <p>Such behaviour <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/09637214211044109">is common in narcissism</a>, a personality trait which we all exhibit to various degrees. Narcissistic people have an <a href="https://theconversation.com/narcissism-why-its-less-obvious-in-women-than-in-men-but-can-be-just-as-dangerous-231392">insatiable need for attention</a> and validation. They feel entitled to special treatment, are unable to empathise with others, exploit people to boost their own self-esteem and display controlling and manipulative behaviour.</p> <p>It is not surprising, therefore, that many with narcissistic family members and relatives come to dread the holiday season.</p> <p>The good news, hopefully, is that this holiday season does not need to crash and burn into discord and frustration. Here’s how you can navigate these interactions while looking after yourself.</p> <h2>Limit your exposure</h2> <p>Not everyone has the ability to avoid difficult people, particularly if they are your own parents or siblings. If you can’t avoid your narcissistic relatives entirely, consider limiting the amount of time you spend with them.</p> <p>Imagine your sister ambushing you or creates a scene to draw attention to herself. Have a plan in place for gracefully exiting the conversation or the event itself if it becomes too emotionally draining.</p> <p>This could involve having a couple of emergency exits up your sleeve to avoid confrontation, such as “I am going to go and help mum and dad in the kitchen” or “I am going to go play with the kids”. Alternatively, you could be more straightforward, and comment that “I think I need some space, we can catch up later”.</p> <h2>Set healthy boundaries</h2> <p>A hallmark of narcissism is a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656622001428">lack of empathy</a>. Because of their inability to empathise with others, narcissistic people will push boundaries and put their needs before yours. Having realistic expectations and planning accordingly can help ease feelings of frustration and disappointment.</p> <p>For instance, if you engage with your cousin during arguments, he will probably disregard your needs, perspective and feelings. He might make a comment that crosses the line.</p> <p>In any situation, set healthy boundaries by redirecting the conversation to neutralise a potential conflict. You could speak to his interests by asking questions such as “by the way, did you watch the latest episode of (his favourite show)” or “are you going to the football game next week (his favourite team)”?</p> <p>If that fails, set your boundaries firmly and concisely by saying “I do not want to talk about this right now”.</p> <h2>Focus on what you can control</h2> <p>Another hallmark of narcissism is poor emotional regulation – in other words, people with narcissistic traits may feel indignant to respond with <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2014-57455-001">rage and aggression</a> if they feel mistreated or criticised.</p> <p>In these situations, they may <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-024-01477-y">manipulate, bully and undermine others</a> to elevate themselves. Resist defensiveness and try to focus on what you can control: how <em>you</em> respond.</p> <p>If someone belittles you for a “mundane present” or for not having reached the same success in life as they think have, use the tactic of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/aug/31/grey-rocking-how-to-bore-a-toxic-narcissist-out-of-your-life">“grey rocking”</a> – being non-reactive, dull and uninteresting. This will avoid fuelling their need for attention.</p> <p>Remind yourself that their attack is not personal – this isn’t about you, it’s about their need for control.</p> <h2>Reframe empathy</h2> <p>If all else fails, you could try to manipulate a narcissistic relative into showing a bit of empathy. Research suggests that it may be possible to reframe empathy in <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-92171-6_36">a way that makes it desirable</a> to narcissistic individuals.</p> <p>While this is more likely to work in the hands of a trained psychologist, and could backfire, it may be worth a try in a desperate situation.</p> <p>For example, you could quote facts or stories about how people who are good at taking the perspective of others are more successful as leaders than those who are not. Narcissistic people want to be seen to be good at everything, so if you make empathy look advantageous, they may be more likely to show it – or at least pretend to do so.</p> <h2>Look after yourself</h2> <p>While attempting all this, make sure you prioritise your mental and emotional wellbeing. It is okay to retreat to a quiet room to get some headspace or stepping outside for a walk. Remind yourself that you do not need to engage, interact or stay for the whole duration for the sake of family togetherness.</p> <p>Take time to relax in a space where you feel safe and create the time for things you enjoy, be it baking cookies, watching your favourite Christmas movie or wrapping gifts. Try to minimise one-to-one time with people who drain you and instead surround yourself with family members who are more understanding, empathetic and supportive.</p> <p>Whatever the power dynamics in your life might be, you can maintain your authenticity with grace and not only survive, but thrive, this holiday season.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/245877/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ava-green-1396648"><em>Ava Green</em></a><em>, Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/city-st-georges-university-of-london-1047">City St George's, University of London</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-deal-with-narcissistic-relatives-over-the-holidays-245877">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Family & Pets

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Been drinking and your heart’s fluttering? You may have ‘holiday heart’

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caleb-ferguson-72">Caleb Ferguson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sabine-allida-2236436">Sabine Allida</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a></em></p> <p>It’s the time of year for workplace Christmas parties, and gatherings with family and friends. Maybe you’ll drink a lot in one go.</p> <p>Then you feel your heart beating fast or irregularly. Maybe there’s a flutter in your chest or neck. Maybe you feel dizzy or short of breath. You may feel so concerned you go to the emergency department.</p> <p>After a few tests, you’re told you have “alcohol-induced atrial arrhythmia”. In plain English, that’s an irregular heartbeat brought on by excessive, or binge drinking.</p> <p>The condition is common at this time of year. That’s why it’s also called “<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/000287037890296X">holiday heart</a>”.</p> <h2>What is holiday heart?</h2> <p>Every festive season, emergency departments see more people with <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/prehospital-and-disaster-medicine/article/impact-of-alcoholrelated-presentations-to-emergency-departments-on-days-with-a-public-holiday-or-sporting-event-a-retrospective-cohort-study/174603C0385FE6FCEBBAEA1A10DB25BD">alcohol-related issues</a> and <a href="https://www.heartlungcirc.org/article/S1443-9506(16)30583-2/pdf">irregular heart rhythms</a>.</p> <p>People often present with a fast or irregular heartbeats associated with binge drinking, overeating, dehydration and increased stress over the silly season – all contributing factors.</p> <p>We’ve known about holiday heart (or holiday heart syndrome) for <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/000287037890296X">almost 50 years</a>. Back in the 1970s, it was described as an abnormal heart rhythm (or arrythmia) in healthy people without heart disease after binge drinking alcohol. Doctors often saw this after weekends and public holidays, including the festive season.</p> <p>But an abnormal heart rhythm related to alcohol <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405500X22009379#bib2">isn’t limited</a> to the holidays and weekends. We also see it in people who binge drink at any time of year, or in people who drink heavily over many years.</p> <h2>What causes it? How is it diagnosed?</h2> <p>Alcohol affects your <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5513687/">heart, blood vessels, blood</a> and nervous system in many ways.</p> <p>For instance, when alcohol disrupts your nervous system, it can lead to dehydration and inflammation. In turn, this can cause disruption to the heart’s electrical system, which can lead to an <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28867013/">irregular heartbeat</a>.</p> <p>People may go to hospital with heart flutters, chest pain, fainting or passing out (syncope) and shortness of breath (dyspnoea). But an irregular heartbeat can also occur without symptoms, and may only be discovered when investigating other health issues.</p> <p>If you have symptoms, go to your emergency department or GP. Health professionals will likely run some tests to diagnose heart-related rhythm problems.</p> <p>These include monitoring the heart’s rhythm using an ECG or electrocardiogram. This simple and non-invasive test involves attaching some electrodes to your chest, arms and legs to produce a graph of electrical signals from the heart. Clinicians are often interested in the “p wave”, which represents the electrical activation of the upper chambers of the heart.</p> <p>You may also have a blood test to look at your electrolyte levels (essential minerals in your blood). A blood test may also test for markers of clotting and inflammation, as well as kidney and liver function.</p> <h2>Why are we concerned about it?</h2> <p>The vast majority of people diagnosed with holiday heart will recover, especially if treated early or if they stop or limit drinking alcohol.</p> <p>However, some people will be diagnosed with <a href="https://theconversation.com/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter-on-stroke-7180">atrial fibrillation</a> – the <a href="https://www.heartlungcirc.org/article/S1443-9506(18)31778-5/fulltext">most common</a> heart rhythm disorder in Australian adults, affecting <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1443950617304845">1.4-5.5%</a> of the population.</p> <p>If so, this may require medicines to restore a regular heartbeat (known as <a href="https://www.svhhearthealth.com.au/procedures/procedures-treatments/cardioversion">cardioversion</a>), electrical cardioversion (using a defibrillator to apply an electric shock to the heart) or a procedure called <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention--treatment-of-arrhythmia/ablation-for-arrhythmias">cardiac ablation</a>.</p> <p>If atrial fibrillation is left untreated, there’s an increased risk of blood clots, stroke and a heart attack.</p> <h2>How can you prevent it?</h2> <p>There is no definitive number of drinks known to trigger holiday heart. So our best advice to prevent it is to avoid binge drinking. Australian <a href="https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/alcohol">guidelines</a> recommend women and men limit alcohol to no more than ten standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day.</p> <p>We’d also recommend drinking water between alcoholic drinks. This can help reduce the dehydrating effects of alcohol and reduce the risk of alcohol-induced heart rhythm complications.</p> <p>Then do your best to <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2156587214543143">reduce stress</a>, keep up with exercise and eat a diet that’s <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/healthy-living/healthy-eating/heart-healthy-eating-pattern">good for your heart</a> – all general advice for looking after your heart, whether or not you’re drinking alcohol.</p> <p>Taking these steps will help reduce your risk of holiday heart and keep your heart healthy this festive season.</p> <hr /> <p><em>Information about alcohol and the heart is available from the <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/blog/alcohol-and-heart-health">Heart Foundation</a>. If your GP is closed over the holidays and you need health advice, call <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/">healthdirect</a> on 1800 022 222, <a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/primary-care/nurse-on-call">NURSE-ON-CALL</a> in Victoria on 1300 60 60 24 or <a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/health/contacts/advice/13health">13HEALTH</a> in Queensland on 13 43 25 84. In an emergency in Australia, call 000.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/241469/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caleb-ferguson-72"><em>Caleb Ferguson</em></a><em>, Professor of Nursing and Director of Health Innovations, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sabine-allida-2236436">Sabine Allida</a>, Research Fellow (Implementation Science), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/been-drinking-and-your-hearts-fluttering-you-may-have-holiday-heart-241469">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Body

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Why the holiday season can be triggering - and what to do to protect yourself

<p>The Christmas rush is on, with people buzzing around purchasing gifts, seeing family and friends, and planning a joy-filled annual catch up. </p> <p>But for many, this time of year can be difficult. Holiday traditions tend to revolve around family and sometimes those relationships can bring their own challenges. It may be tempting to want to hit the fast forward button and skip through Christmas altogether.</p> <p>The festive season can be isolating for some people, but if you are also navigating emotions like grief it can feel overwhelming and be a harsh reminder of what has been lost, whether in recent times or even years ago. </p> <p>There’s an expectation from society that Christmas should be about having fun and being happy, yet if you’re grieving you may be feeling the weight of heavy emotions. It’s also hard for friends and family who want to help, but who may feel awkward and be unsure of what to say. </p> <p>Planning ahead can help make this holiday season feel more bearable. Start by setting specific boundaries on what you are prepared to do (or not do) this holiday season. What you will attend or not attend, and what feels right for you, right now.</p> <p>Acknowledge your grief and make space for it. All emotions and feelings are valid at this time of the year. Practice gentle self-compassion and don’t be tempted to over-commit to activities and events. Instead, take pressure off by setting realistic expectations that allow you the time and space to ride the waves of emotion as they appear.</p> <p>It’s also okay to re-evaluate your holiday traditions. Maybe consider adapting existing traditions and adding new and comforting rituals that are meaningful at this time. This doesn’t have to represent permanent change, adapting this year’s plans for this year’s emotions makes perfect sense. </p> <p>If it feels right, take time to commemorate. Fondly remember loved ones through activities such as lighting a special candle, playing their favourite song, creating a memorial ornament, cooking a much-loved family recipe or creating a memory box of photos and stories. </p> <p>Most importantly, remember that you are not alone. Reach out for assistance whenever you need it by connecting regularly with trusted friends and family, and consider getting some professional grief support as you navigate the holidays.</p> <p>As the rest of us rush toward the end of the year, let’s pause for a moment to think of others who may have an empty seat at the Christmas table. If you know someone who might be grieving these holidays, reach out regularly and check in. A call or even a text message can help people feel more seen and can make all the difference as they navigate this holiday season.</p> <p><em><strong>This article was written by Bare Counsellor Carolyn Ganzevoort, who is an experienced bereavement professional.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Image credits: Shutterstock </strong></em></p>

Mind

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Is it ethical to take a luxury holiday in a ‘developing’ country?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-hanna-390180">Paul Hanna</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-surrey-1201">University of Surrey</a></em></p> <p>Thinking of booking a luxury holiday to a developing country so you can experience the authenticity of a culture untouched by Western influences? And are you hoping to help the underprivileged in the country to “lift them out of poverty” through your tourist spending? It’s worth exploring just how ethical such a trip might be.</p> <p>International tourism numbers have risen year-on-year ever <a href="http://mkt.unwto.org/publication/unwto-tourism-highlights-2016-edition">since the 1950s</a> with the consistent increase expected long into the future. In employment terms, more and more people are reliant on the tourism industry. For example, in 2016, there were 292m people employed in the tourism industry, representing <a href="https://www.wttc.org/research/economic-research/economic-impact-analysis/">one in ten jobs globally</a>.</p> <p>International governments have long been promoting tourism as a “smoke-free”, “non-polluting” industry with almost unparalleled power to boost national GDP. Both “developed” and “developing” countries fight to win over and attract potential tourists through national tourism campaigns – think <a href="https://twitter.com/PureNewZealand?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Pure New Zealand</a>, <a href="http://www.visitmorocco.com/en">Visit Morocco</a>, and “Jamaica: once you go you know”. But is it really all as good as it is made out to be?</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aSBNrsYLLLw?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>We know that mass tourism isn’t always a guaranteed bonus for countries and local residents. Take, for example, the Spanish seaside resort of Benidorm, where unrestricted tourism development led to the over-development of the region with little to no gain for the local communities. In fact, there has been a <a href="https://theconversation.com/anti-tourism-attacks-in-spain-who-is-behind-them-and-what-do-they-want-82097">widespread backlash</a> against mass tourism and its impacts in Spain, with protesters taking to the streets and holidaymakers being attacked.</p> <p>Consequently, niche tourism markets, such as “sustainable”, “ethical” and “luxury” tourism, are a direct response to the often negative impacts of “mass tourism”. After all, as a government or destination manager, why would you want lots of people spending little, when you could have a few people spending lots.</p> <h2>Going upmarket</h2> <p>Tourists thinking of booking a holiday might see a luxury trip as a way to experience the “crème de la crème” of rest and relaxation, while also paying more for a product that presumably has fewer negative impacts than “cheap-and-dirty” mass tourism. Further, if the luxury holiday is in a “developing” country, you could be excused for thinking that your money will have a positive impact on that country’s ability to “prosper”. Take, for example, the comprehensive <a href="http://www.oecd.org/regional/leed/46761560.pdf">Vision 20-20 document</a> produced by the Moroccan government. It outlines how sustainable tourism is seen as a key part of the country’s future development.</p> <p>But let’s look at the Maldives, a well-established luxury destination. With tourism accounting for <a href="https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic%20impact%20research/countries%202015/maldives2015.pdf">approximately 41.5% of national GDP</a>, it seems that the island state is doing well out of the industry. But, as in all societies, such economic benefits are not equally distributed and an over-reliance on tourism receipts results in the demise of traditional industries and an increasing <a href="https://lirias.kuleuven.be/bitstream/123456789/517380/1/Maldives+case+study+CfSG.pdf">vulnerability to local and global events</a>.</p> <p>Further, a look at those working in the tourism industry in the Maldives reveals that the situation is far from “ethical”. Because the hotels are scattered over numerous islands which have no other facilities, many of those working in the <a href="https://maldivesresortworkers.wordpress.com/2009/06/14/461/">tourism industry in the Maldives</a> have to live away from home for months on end, separated from family and friends. They also often live in conditions far removed from the “luxury” experience of the tourist, work seven-day weeks and often <a href="http://maldivesindependent.com/business/hundreds-of-resort-workers-quitting-over-non-payment-of-wages-116639">go months without pay</a>. And the Maldives aren’t unique in this – the situation is similar in many developing countries that are engaging with the luxury tourism market.</p> <h2>The environmental cost</h2> <p>From an environmental perspective, luxury tourism doesn’t fare particularly well either. Tourism is notoriously problematic for some developing destinations as it diverts often scarce water and energy resources from the host community <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160738312000047">to the tourist</a> (as they have more money).</p> <p>This process is further accentuated in the luxury tourism sector as luxury tourists generally consume even <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-981-10-2917-2_8">more than your “average” tourist</a>, intentionally or not.</p> <p>Take the components of your average luxury holiday. There are swimming pools, exclusive islands, private jets, cruises, golf courses and spas – all are energy and water intensive. Plants and green spaces must be kept lush, air conditioning, spas and monsoon showers must be powered. Beaches and other places are made private, with locals prohibited. And in some cases, <a href="http://www.unavainabienspanish.com/why-are-all-inclusives-bad/">up to 80%</a> of the economic benefits leave the country. Further, <a href="http://pcag.uwinnipeg.ca/Prairie-Perspectives/PP-Vol14/Tousignant-Eberts-Sanchez.pdf">waste is often dispersed</a> within the “poor” local communities.</p> <h2>Defining ‘developing’</h2> <p>It’s also worth reflecting on what is meant by “developed” and “developing”. These terms generally are used in relation to economics and GDP. But it might also be useful from an ethical perspective to recognise that those countries branded as “developing” often have more developed relationships with the natural environment, thanks to traditional farming practices and a lack of over consumption. The same can often be said about community reciprocity and human to human relationships.</p> <p>Consequently, while “ethical tourists” might think that they are helping cultures develop through their tourist expenditure, perhaps we must ask what is the “good life” – and is financial capital really the route to it? Indeed, are we simply engaging in a new form of colonialism by which Western ideologies are being forced upon cultures through the guise of helping them to “develop”.</p> <p>In fact, luxury tourism today is similar to the fashion and fads of previous forms of tourism, such as the <a href="https://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/14/what-is-the-grand-tour/">Grand Tour</a> of the 18th and 19th centuries, representing little more than a mode of class-based distinction.</p> <p>So while the tourism market is important for many countries, it’s useful to look further into how tourist income might be distributed, whether the destination is managed purely for the benefit of the tourist at the expense of the local, and what the impact of the holiday might be. Ultimately, we must also ask whether on a moral level it is beneficial for people and environments around the world to “develop” to live like those in the West.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/80984/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-hanna-390180">Paul Hanna</a>, Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-surrey-1201">University of Surrey</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-it-ethical-to-take-a-luxury-holiday-in-a-developing-country-80984">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

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Bunnings shopper transforms Christmas decor for just $5

<p>A Bunnings shopper has shared an amazing hack for transforming your home into a Christmas wonderland on a budget. </p> <p>With the help of one item for just $5, an interior designer named Cheryl - who shares home decorating tips on Instagram - transformed her entry hallway in a unique festive way. </p> <p>Cheryl revealed to Yahoo Lifestyle how she created the incredible look for under $100 from Bunnings. </p> <p>Cheryl's stunning space came to life with some $5 renter-friendly hooks from Bunnings, some solar-powered fairy lights and some baubles. </p> <p>Sticking the hooks on the ceiling, she threaded the fairy lights through, zigzagging them down the hall, and then hung baubles from the lights.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDCFN4GSGxs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDCFN4GSGxs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ▪︎ Cheryl ▪︎ (@ourcountrycoastalhome)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Describing the set-up, Cheryl told Yahoo it's "very easy" and you don't need DIY experience to pull off the festive decor. </p> <p>"All you need are some little hooks that stick onto your ceiling, some wire string lights and some colourful baubles. We got everything we needed for this from Bunnings," she says.</p> <p>She also shared some hot tips for people looking to try out the hack for themselves, jokingly telling us, "All you need is a patient husband to do it for you! Just kidding... the best tip I have is to measure the overall length and divide it by the number of hooks you have and you also want the string lights to go diagonal from one another. What also looks better is to place the baubles offset from each other."</p> <p>Cheryl added that they chose to use solar-powered lights to save money on energy use as well, saying, "To help on power bills we went with solar string lights and just placed the little solar boxes in a spot where they would be exposed to sunlight that way it automatically turns on at night and off in the morning."</p> <p>She said, "It’s a really easy little Xmas DIY and I hope other families will get to enjoy it, it looks amazing at night."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Home & Garden

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How to keep your physical and mental health on track during the holidays

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-lear-423698">Scott Lear</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/simon-fraser-university-1282">Simon Fraser University</a> </em></div> <div class="theconversation-article-body">With the festive season upon us, many people will be gathering with family and friends, whether it’s a workplace party, a friend’s get-together or a quiet night at home watching Christmas movies. While enjoyable, these events can disrupt your healthy lifestyle habits.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/12/231204135305.htm">recent survey</a> reported nearly 45 per cent of people take a break from exercise during the holidays, more than half say they feel more tired and have less time for themselves, and about one-third report drinking more.</p> <p>My research looks at the benefits of a <a href="https://drscottlear.com/">healthy lifestyle</a> on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1xsvY0F6qbBKDG8INVvy5T">physical and mental health</a>. And many of these same healthy behaviours can help you navigate the holidays.</p> <h2>Eating right</h2> <p>Cakes, chocolates, spiced ham, turkey stuffing, mulled wine and other delights abound during this time of year. Most of these foods are high in fat, sugar and calories. So it’s no surprise the holidays are associated with a greater consumption of food. And one survey even pegged people <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/calories-consumed-on-christmas-day_uk_584abfb4e4b0fccb67997275">eating close to 6,000 calories on Christmas Day</a>. That’s two to three times the daily caloric recommendation for most people.</p> <p>With this amount of eating, there are many claims the holidays result in weight gain. While there is an enduring rumour that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/health/nutrition/31real.html">average holiday weight gain is five to 10 pounds</a> (2.25 to 4.5 kilograms), in reality it may be much less. A study published in 2000 reported it to be only <a href="https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM200003233421206">around one pound</a>, or about half a kilogram. However, as this was an average amount, there were still some people in the study who gained five or more pounds.</p> <p>While indulging on one or two occasions isn’t going to derail your diet, if you have a holiday circuit of events you do, you may want to develop a strategy on how to manage your diet. First ask yourself if you need (or want) to go to all of them.</p> <p>For the events you do go to, pick one or two occasions at which you’ll indulge. These might have the best food, or your closest family and friends are present. For the others, try staying on the healthier side of things.</p> <p>Before you go, make sure you eat well during the day leading up to your event so you’re not going to the event hungry. Also, make sure you get plenty of sleep. A lack of sleep can make you more likely to reach for <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2020.104074">high-energy foods and eat more</a>.</p> <p>Try to enlist a health buddy, whether a friend or even the host, to keep you on track. And be mindful of alcohol intake, which can impair your self-discipline.</p> <h2>Staying active</h2> <p>When it comes to exercise, most of us are creatures of habit. This is a good thing, because having <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1559827618818044">a routine is the best way to maintain regular exercise</a>. But the holidays are anything but routine. Gyms, pools and community centres may have shortened hours or be closed. Your trainer or aerobics instructor may have taken time off.</p> <p>Now, missing a few exercise sessions isn’t going to affect your fitness and long-term health, but it can affect your mood. Exercise is known to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.03.013">increase energy levels</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9976-0">improve mood</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.10.019">reduce stress</a>. All of which can be helpful during the frenetic holidays. And missing an exercise session can be like not having your morning coffee.</p> <p>But the holidays also present numerous opportunities to get in a lot of activity — from shopping to Christmas markets to walking around your neighbourhood looking at the decorations.</p> <p>You can also get into the holiday spirit by singing Christmas carols (or any other song). Singing can <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026995">reduce anxiety</a>, potentially <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2021-000959">increase your lung capacity</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-004-0006-9">increase the number of infection-fighting molecules</a> in your blood. And singing with others is known to build social bonds and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356211042668">release oxytocin</a>, which can improve one’s mood.</p> <p>While the quality of your singing doesn’t matter for most of these benefits, the more you do sing, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.21173">the more you’ll likely benefit</a>.</p> <h2>Managing stress</h2> <p>Nearly <a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress">90 per cent of adults in the United States associate the holiday season with some form of stress</a>. While the holidays are meant to be a period of joy, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the shopping, hosting events, expectations of others and the added financial costs.</p> <p>This may be one of the reasons why the number of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.100.15.1630">heart attacks and cardiac-related deaths</a> increase during the holiday period. In addition, it’s believed people delay seeking treatment during the holidays, given that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000151424.02045.F7">emergency department visits spike after they’re over</a>.</p> <p>Stress occurs when people feel they don’t have control over what’s going on. Setting up a holiday plan can help. Your plan could include a spending budget, which events you’ll attend and which you’ll say no to. If you’re hosting a dinner, plan the menu ahead of time, enlist help from others or even get take-out.</p> <p>Other strategies for managing, and preventing, stress include getting regular exercise, ensuring you get enough sleep, avoiding unrealistic expectations and setting aside some quiet time to do something just for yourself.</p> <p>While we all want things to be perfect, even the best plans may go astray. If that does happen, that’s okay and go easy on yourself. If you do find the holidays challenging, make sure you speak up to the people around you for their support.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/219946/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/scott-lear-423698"><em>Scott Lear</em></a><em>, Professor of Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/simon-fraser-university-1282">Simon Fraser University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-keep-your-physical-and-mental-health-on-track-during-the-holidays-219946">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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