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Do you have a mental illness? Why some people answer ‘yes’, even if they haven’t been diagnosed

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jesse-tse-1429151">Jesse Tse</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-haslam-10182">Nick Haslam</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders have become more prevalent, especially among <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/prevalence-and-impact-of-mental-illness#changeovertime">young people</a>. Demand for treatment is surging and prescriptions of some <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35176912/">psychiatric medications</a> have climbed. These upswinging prevalence trends are paralleled by rising public attention to mental illness. Mental health messages saturate traditional and social media. Organisations and governments are developing awareness, prevention and treatment initiatives with growing urgency. The mounting cultural focus on mental health has obvious benefits. It increases awareness, reduces stigma and promotes help-seeking. However, it may also have costs. Critics worry <a href="https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/therapy-today/2023/april-2023/the-big-issue/">social media</a> sites are incubating mental illness and that ordinary unhappiness is being pathologised by the overuse of diagnostic concepts and “<a href="https://www.bustle.com/wellness/is-therapy-speak-making-us-selfish">therapy speak</a>”. British psychologist <a href="https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/team/lucy-foulkes">Lucy Foulkes</a> argues the trends for rising attention and prevalence are linked. Her “<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0732118X2300003X">prevalence inflation hypothesis</a>” proposes that increasing awareness of mental illness may lead some people to diagnose themselves inaccurately when they are experiencing relatively mild or transient problems. Foulkes’ hypothesis implies that some people develop overly broad concepts of mental illness. Our research supports this view. In a new study, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000318?via%3Dihub">we show</a> that concepts of mental illness have broadened in recent years – a phenomenon we call “<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1047840X.2016.1082418">concept creep</a>” – and that <a href="https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-023-05152-6">people differ</a> in the breadth of their concepts of mental illness. <h2>Why do people self-diagnose mental illnesses?</h2> In our new <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100326">study</a>, we examined whether people with broad concepts of mental illness are, in fact, more likely to self-diagnose. We defined self-diagnosis as a person’s belief they have an illness, whether or not they have received the diagnosis from a professional. We assessed people as having a “broad concept of mental illness” if they judged a wide variety of experiences and behaviours to be disorders, including relatively mild conditions. We asked a nationally representative sample of 474 American adults if they believed they had a mental disorder and if they had received a diagnosis from a health professional. We also asked about other possible contributing factors and demographics. Mental illness was common in our sample: 42% reported they had a current self-diagnosed condition, a majority of whom had received it from a health professional. Unsurprisingly, the strongest predictor of reporting a diagnosis was experiencing relatively severe distress. The second most important factor after distress was having a broad concept of mental illness. When their levels of distress were the same, people with broad concepts were substantially more likely to report a current diagnosis. The graph below illustrates this effect. It divides the sample by levels of distress and shows the proportion of people at each level who report a current diagnosis. People with broad concepts of mental illness (the highest quarter of the sample) are represented by the dark blue line. People with narrow concepts of mental illness (the lowest quarter of the sample) are represented by the light blue line. People with broad concepts were much more likely to report having a mental illness, especially when their distress was relatively high. People with greater mental health literacy and less stigmatising attitudes were also more likely to report a diagnosis. Two interesting further findings emerged from our study. People who self-diagnosed but had not received a professional diagnosis tended to have broader illness concepts than those who had. In addition, younger and politically progressive people were more likely to report a diagnosis, consistent with some <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560321000438">previous research</a>, and held broader concepts of mental illness. Their tendency to hold these more expansive concepts partially explained their higher rates of diagnosis. <h2>Why does it matter?</h2> Our findings support the idea that expansive concepts of mental illness promote self-diagnosis and may thereby increase the apparent prevalence of mental ill health. People who have a lower threshold for defining distress as a disorder are more likely to identify themselves as having a mental illness. Our findings do not directly show that people with broad concepts over-diagnose or those with narrow concepts under-diagnose. Nor do they prove that having broad concepts causes self-diagnosis or results in actual increases in mental illness. Nevertheless, the findings raise important concerns. First, they suggest that rising mental health awareness may <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25934573-900-why-being-more-open-about-mental-health-could-be-making-us-feel-worse/">come at a cost</a>. In addition to boosting mental health literacy it may increase the likelihood of people incorrectly identifying their problems as pathologies. Inappropriate self-diagnosis can have adverse effects. Diagnostic labels may become identity-defining and self-limiting, as people come to believe their problems are enduring, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032724002489?via%3Dihub">hard-to-control</a> aspects of who they are. Second, unwarranted self-diagnosis may lead people experiencing relatively mild levels of distress to seek help that is unnecessary, inappropriate and ineffective. Recent <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37844607/">Australian research</a> found people with relatively mild distress who received psychotherapy worsened more often than they improved. Third, these effects may be particularly problematic for young people. They are most liable to hold broad concepts of mental illness, in part due to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010440X22000682?via%3Dihub">social media</a> <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10810730.2023.2235563">consumption</a>, and they experience mental ill health at relatively high and rising rates. Whether expansive concepts of illness play a role in the youth mental health crisis remains to be seen. Ongoing cultural shifts are fostering increasingly expansive definitions of mental illness. These shifts are likely to have mixed blessings. By normalising mental illness they may help to remove its stigma. However, by pathologising some forms of everyday distress, they may have an unintended downside. As we wrestle with the mental health crisis, it is crucial we find ways to increase awareness of mental ill health without inadvertently inflating it.<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/231687/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jesse-tse-1429151">Jesse Tse</a>, PhD Candidate at Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-haslam-10182">Nick Haslam</a>, Professor of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/do-you-have-a-mental-illness-why-some-people-answer-yes-even-if-they-havent-been-diagnosed-231687">original article</a>. </div>

Mind

"I haven’t seen someone that terrified": CCTV of brave schoolgirl after attempted abduction

A chilling incident has shaken the quiet streets of Doncaster East in Melbourne's east, reminding us of the importance of vigilance and community support in ensuring the safety of our children. Depicted clearly in heart-wrenching <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/cctv-emerges-of-schoolgirl-who-hid-in-bushes-during-attempted-abduction-in-doncaster-east-melbourne-c-14243163" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CCTV footage</a> that surfaced recently, an 11-year-old girl's brave escape from a potential abduction has sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood. On March 28, the young girl was making her way home from school along Landscape Drive when a grey Audi Q3 SUV made an abrupt U-turn, pulling up dangerously close to her. The driver, a male stranger, allegedly demanded her to enter the vehicle. But the brave young girl, instead of complying with the stranger's demands, made a split-second decision that possibly saved her life; she sprinted away, seeking refuge in nearby bushes as the car ominously circled back. The harrowing moments that followed were captured on CCTV as the girl, trembling with fear, looked back at the street, her only lifeline a stranger passing by. It was a local dad, accompanied by his own daughter, who extended a helping hand to the distressed child. Recalling the encounter, he described the girl's sheer terror: “She was shivering and shaking and I haven’t seen someone that terrified and petrified like that,” he told 7NEWS. And when the young girl kept apologising to him over and over for asking him to escort her home, he responded: “I said: ‘I’m so proud of you, getting help is a really good skill’.” Meanwhile, the girl's parents, undoubtedly consumed by anguish, expressed their profound gratitude to the stranger who intervened in their daughter's moment of peril. Their daughter, though physically unharmed, had endured a trauma no child should ever have to face. As authorities launched a manhunt for the assailant, details of the suspect emerged. Described as a man in his 30s, of Middle Eastern descent with distinctive features including tan skin, black hair and a prominent beard, the perpetrator remains at large. A computer-generated image has been released by Victoria Police in hopes of eliciting information from the public. In the aftermath of this chilling incident, Detective Senior Constable Brooke Miller echoed the sentiments of the community: “It’s horrible," he said. "A little girl should feel safe to walk home from school.” Images: Victoria Police

Legal

Readers respond: What did your mum or dad make for dinner growing up that you haven't had in ages?

Sometimes love and affection comes in the form of food, especially when it’s made by our parents. As we grow older and start our own lives we begin to miss the things we got used to as we grow up, especially the food our parents made. Here are some dishes our Over60 readers grew up with that they miss dearly. Keralie Stack - Mums apple pie, lemon meringue pie. Beautiful meat and kidney pies. Roasted meat in winter cooked in the fuel stove , along with a big pot of pea and ham soup in winter, followed with damper and scones for dinner Peter Lord - Mums meat and potato pie! I’ve made it and it’s not bad but it’s nowhere near as good as mum’s! Lee Pavey - A big roast dinner with roast veges & gravy made with the juices of the meat. Jenny Yaun - In my young 8 years old Living in Indonesia I loved Mum's Nasi Goreng made with tin corn beef, I still make now and again. I'm Dutch/Australian Marie Manson - Dads fabulous vege soup.. Dawn Holmes - Triple and onions!!! Can't say I miss it but they liked it!! But then mum was a great home cook with her baked goods and tasty soups and stews!! Jennifer Sabatino - Shepherd’s Pie made with leftover lamb from the Sunday roast and apple sponge (apples with the sponge baked on top), baked custard, baked rice custard and bread & butter pudding. Kathy Bloor - Mince on toast. I have never made it for myself and I am 70 Keith Carter - I haven't had PLOT TOFFEE FOR 65 years. Just got the recipe from my 86 yo sister. So now thats the go. Lorna Turner Prunes - and custard. I still cook all the foods my mum and dad cooked except for prunes and custard.

Food & Wine

"They haven't stopped crying": Dad of school bus crash victims speaks

Gurinderdeep Singh has spoken out in the wake of the horror school bus crash in Victoria that saw <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/several-children-to-undergo-amputations-after-melbourne-school-bus-crash">seven children taken to hospital in a serious condition</a> - two of which were his own young daughters. Ten-year-old Gurnaaz and five-year-old Gurseerat were among the Exford Primary School students caught up in the accident, and were known among their peers and educators for their “bubbly personalities”, and for sitting side-by-side on their trip home. However, according to their father, the girls are far from their usual selves as they recover at the Royal Children’s Hospital. As he told the Herald Sun, “both girls just keep crying saying that they want to go home. It’s been very traumatic for them and devastating for our family. “They both haven’t been able to get out of bed. It’s just so sad to watch as they are usually laughing and so full of life.” Gurinderdeep added that the family’s “lives have changed forever”, and that the entire experience has been “very traumatic” for all of them. “It’s even worse as both my daughters are admitted at the same time and it’s very difficult to give them both my attention,” he said. “They are in different hospital rooms.” His youngest daughter, Gurseerat, had sustained “lifelong” injuries in the crash, as the pair had been sitting on the side of the bus that it had tipped onto. Gurseerat had been sitting in the window seat, while Gurnaaz had been in the one beside her, he explained. “The impact was so bad, Gurseerat’s arm was stuck and she couldn’t move, it was terrible for them to go through this,” he said. “Gurseerat now needs a skin graft as she has been left with lifelong injuries … It may take years for Gurseerat’s arm to recover. “Gurnaaz has a plaster on her arm. She has been deeply affected by the incident, she cries when she sees her little sister.” Gurinderdeep - who moved to Australia on a student visa with his wife, Balwinder, and their children - noted that they had come to the country in search of a better life. And despite the tragedy the family were fighting through, he was “extremely grateful” for the support and generosity of strangers, with <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/student-couple-family-facing-need-our-support">people rallying to raise funds for them on GoFundMe</a>. As he explained, “at the moment, we are unable to work as we are here on a student visa. We want to thank the whole community for their generosity during this very difficult time. “People have been very supportive. We are beyond grateful and want to thank all of the emergency services, Royal Children’s Hospital and school community. “Our thoughts are with the other victims affected by this tragedy, they are all in our hearts.” Images: GoFundMe

Caring

“I haven’t been able to move": Home and Away star's debilitating condition

Former Home and Away actress Sophie Dillman has opened up about the debilitating pain she suffers as she battles with endometriosis. The star took to Instagram to share the realities of her condition with two drastically different photos. “Endometriosis can look like this or this depending on the day,” her caption began. In one photo, the actress can be seen smiling and posing for photos at an event. In the second photo, Dillman is pictured lying on the floor with a hot water bottle on her stomach. “I haven’t been able to move from the floor this morning because it’s too painful to even walk around the house,” she said. “But then some days it doesn’t affect me at all. I don’t know when the pain or swelling or nausea will start or end,” she wrote. She then goes on to share that “the unknown is heartbreaking,” and gives a shout out to those who support their loved ones on the days they can’t get up. “We need more research, funding and answers. F***. Endo,” she ended her caption tagging <a href="https://www.endometriosisaustralia.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Endometriosis Australia</a>. <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/CqP_7wyIqYn/?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/p/CqP_7wyIqYn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sophie Dillman (@sophiedillman)</a> </div> </blockquote> Dillman is one of nine women who suffer from endometriosis, which is when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, and it’s a chronic disease without a known cure. One option to reduce the pain is a laparoscopy- where a tiny camera is sent into the pelvic region to investigate and “remove any of the tissue that’s causing pain”. Dillman has said that she’s undergone three of these surgeries and said that she has “a lot of tissue that they can’t remove because it’s in the lining of my various organs”. “It’s exhausting and painful and ... sometimes awkward and it sucks,” she said, adding that the surgery does not address her situation. “So it seems that it will be something I will have to continuously do throughout my life,” she added. Bindi Irwin is another woman who suffered from endometriosis, and just this month she opened up about <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/how-did-you-live-with-this-much-pain-bindi-irwin-hospitalised" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her experience and the surgery</a> she undertook. Dillman hopes to raise awareness around the stigmas surrounding the condition that stops women talking about it or seeking help. The actress hopes that she can use her platform with almost 300,000 followers, and her role as an ambassador for Endometriosis Australia to continue educating others. Image: Getty

Body

I haven’t even got cousins coming”: Kyle Sandilands comical wedding guest rule

Kyle Sandilands has revealed in a shocking statement that there will be “no ugly people” attending his wedding. Kyle and his fiancee, Tegan Kynaston, are set to tie the knot in a lavish ceremony on April 29 that is anticipated to be one of the most talked about events of the year. On Thursday, Kyle spoke to the Daily Mail Australia and revealed that not everyone has been included and that only a small number of friends and family will be in attendance. “I haven’t even got cousins coming, I’ve only invited 130 people,” he said. Despite giving away invitations to his wedding with ex-wife Tamara Jaber on-air, Kyle said there will be no chance of a free invite this time round. “It will be very close friends and family - the ones we don't like the look of didn't get an invite.” Kyle then went on to say he was adamant that the couple’s special day remained special, explaining “no ugly people” allowed. “There might be a couple of old fogies there, but that's it,” he joked. Sandilands also revealed the location for his and Kyanaston’s honeymoon. The couple will be travelling to the South of France accompanied by Kyle’s radio co-host Jackie O Henderson. “Unfortunately, I'm still gonna be working, so I'll be doing the radio show from the South of France as well,' he explained. “I'll get two weeks off from work, but I'll do one week of it and Jackie's gonna come.” Image credit: Getty

Why haven’t I had COVID yet?

Throughout the pandemic, Australia has <a href="https://covid19.who.int/region/wpro/country/au">recorded</a> 10.4 million cases of COVID-19, with the majority occurring this year. This is without doubt an underestimate, as not everyone tests for COVID-19 or reports their positive results. The <a href="https://www.ncirs.org.au/least-two-thirds-australians-including-children-and-adolescents-have-had-covid-19-two-national">latest survey</a> of donor blood looked at the proportion of people who had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It found at least two thirds of Australians have been infected. That leaves about a third of the population who are yet to have COVID. I’m one such “NOVID” – despite multiple confirmed COVID-19 exposures during the pandemic, I’m yet to have symptoms and test positive. So what do we know about NOVIDs? <h2>First, we might not actually be NOVIDs</h2> Some people claiming they’ve never had COVID-19 might be surprised to learn they have virus-targeting antibodies in their blood that could only have been generated by infection. The reliance on home rapid antigen tests (RATs), which are less sensitive than PCR testing, will contribute to many people failing to definitively determine whether they have COVID-19. Under <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-tests/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-home-use/covid-19-rapid-antigen-self-tests-are-approved-australia">ideal testing conditions</a>, the best tests detect SARS-CoV-2 infection more than 95% of the time. However in the real world, the detection rate is lower. If you have mild symptoms that don’t last long, you’re less likely to test repeatedly and may miss your window to get a positive result. So some COVID-19 cases will escape detection by RATs. At this point, it’s important to distinguish between being infected with SARS-CoV-2 and experiencing the illness (COVID-19) caused by this infection. You can be infected without experiencing COVID-19 symptoms – this is called asymptomatic infection. It’s unclear what proportion of Omicron subvariant cases are asymptomatic. Early in the pandemic, one in six people infected were <a href="https://jammi.utpjournals.press/doi/full/10.3138/jammi-2020-0030">asymptomatic</a> and it could now be as high as <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2795246?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=081722">50% or more</a> with Omicron. So, many NOVIDs will have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, generated antibodies to the virus, but did not experience or notice any COVID-19 symptoms at the time, did not test and have remained unaware of their infection status (and whether they were unknowingly <a href="https://www.sip-spp.pt/media/ab3fhmiy/johansson_2021_oi_201061_1612890816-17333.pdf">transmitting</a> the virus). <h2>What role does the immune system play?</h2> Everyone’s immune system is different. How your immune system responds to a particular infection is affected by many factors including your genes, gender, age, diet, sleep patterns, stress levels, history of other infections and illnesses, medications, vaccination status, and level of virus exposure. So are some people less likely to get COVID-19 because of the strength of their immune system? The status of our immune system at any given moment will impact our susceptibility to disease. So it’s unsurprising the people most susceptible to severe COVID-19 are those with less effective immunity because they have chronic diseases, are immune-suppressed or elderly. The other key variable is the virus. SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve with <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-centaurus-to-xbb-your-handy-guide-to-the-latest-covid-subvariants-and-why-some-are-more-worrying-than-others-192945">new Omicron subvariants</a> continuing to emerge. This will affect how the virus interacts with us and the relative impact of different factors affecting our immune protection and susceptibility. SARS-CoV-2 has proven itself to be particularly adept at evolving to generate viral variants that can evade our established immune protection. In addition, our immune protection is not stable and will begin to wane after a couple of months if not boosted by vaccination or infection. <h2>Are my genes protecting me?</h2> Let’s consider something that is relatively stable: your genes. Scientists looking for associations between specific genes and disease can undertake genome-wide association studies. The effect of individual genetic variations on disease risk is usually very small, so identifying them requires large numbers of people and factoring in other variables that make us all different. In <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01773-7#:%7E:text=08%20July%202021-,Human%20genetic%20variants%20identified%20that%20affect%20COVID%20susceptibility%20and%20severity,risk%20of%20severe%20COVID%2D19.">once such study</a>, researchers compared genomes of nearly 50,000 people with COVID-19 with the genomes of 2 million people without known infection. They identified regions in the genome (loci) associated with contracting COVID-19 and other genetic regions associated with disease severity. So this is evidence that, like many other diseases, certain genes do modify the risk of COVID-19. While association is not causation, these types of genomic studies point us in a direction to better understand the biology of COVID-19 to address questions such as who might be at risk of severe disease or long COVID and assist development of new therapies to prevent these outcomes. Another <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-021-01030-z?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100104362&CJEVENT=2d2248685e3911ed838df31f0a1c0e12">study</a> identified a small number of critically ill COVID-19 patients with rare gene variants. These could be directly linked to defective antiviral immunity. So for a very small number of people, it appears their genes make them more susceptible to COVID. But for the vast majority of people, the picture is far more complicated. <h2>Could I have immunity from previous infection with a similar virus?</h2> SARS-CoV-2 is not the only respiratory coronavirus that regularly infects humans. Four others – 229E, HKU-1, OC43 and NL63 – share some similarity with SARS-CoV-2. Most adults would have been infected by these viruses multiple times throughout their life. This raises the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04186-8?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100104362&CJEVENT=835ff5a15e3911ed836a01320a1c0e0b">possibility</a> that immunity generated by lifetime and/or recent exposure to these other coronaviruses might generate immunity that provides some protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic COVID-19. More research is needed to better understand this, but the existing evidence is compelling and it’s certainly plausible. The bottom line is there are many reasons why people who socialise and inevitably interact with people with COVID-19 believe they’ve never had COVID themselves. For most NOVIDs, it has been a combination of vaccination, leveraging a healthy immune system, sensible decisions and luck that have kept them COVID-free thus far. Of course, luck eventually runs out, so enjoy your NOVID status while you can.<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/193861/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-bartlett-1198187">Nathan Bartlett</a>, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation.</a> Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-havent-i-had-covid-yet-193861">original article</a>. Image: Getty

Body

10 European villages you haven’t been to

Of course everyone has heard about London, Paris and Rome, but sometimes it’s the hidden gems that provide the most memorable experiences for travellers. Travel + Leisure has put together a 10 of the best secret European villages. They might not be as well known, but they’re just as captivating as a place to visit in their own right. To see the villages, scroll through the gallery below. <ol> <li>Giornico, Switzerland</li> <li>Staufen im Breisgau, Germany</li> <li>Aberdour, Scotland</li> <li>Norcia, Italy</li> <li>Folégandros, Greece</li> <li>Marvão, Portugal</li> <li>Terschelling, The Netherlands</li> <li>Hellnar, Iceland</li> <li>St. Mawes, England</li> <li>Plios, Russia</li> </ol> Have you been to any of these secret villages? Do you have a holiday on the cards, and if so where are you going? Images: Getty Images

International Travel

Three reasons you haven’t caught Covid yet

Most of us have been in close contact with someone who contracted Covid but never tested positive ourselves. It raises questions as to why you would not test positive yourself despite being in the same room as a positive case, sharing food and drink despite how infectious the virus is. There are three possible reasons as to why you still haven’t caught Covid, despite the situation leaving doctors stumped. Australian National University lecturer and epidemiologist Dr Katrina Roper helps explain the three main reasons why some don’t test positive. Common cold Before Covid, we’d all be exposed to the common cold which would help build immunity against other viruses. “Having a prior infection to another cold virus can confer some protection to Covid, or other respiratory viruses,” Dr Roper told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/a-doctor-explains-why-you-havent-caught-covid-yet/news-story/d57a08a08278abf27f43c29fcfe87196" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. ”Exposure to other respiratory viruses can prime parts of the immune system, leading to better defence against infection by the SARS CoV-2 infection”. Research published in the Nature Communications journal in January 2022, confirmed the theory that being exposed to Covid won’t always cause an infection. “Being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn’t always result in infection, and we’ve been keen to understand why,” lead author Dr Rhia Kundu wrote. “We found that high levels of pre-existing T cells, created by the body when infected with other human coronaviruses like the common cold, can protect against COVID-19 infection.” Immunologist Professor Stuart Tangye insists that there’s also a possibility that you were infected with Covid but you didn’t know it. Your immune system When it comes to avoiding Covid it could be that your immune system is pretty strong, or the vaccine worked better for you. Dr Roper however did point out that it could also all depend on the individuals’ circumstance - such as their age, weight and how healthy they are. She noted that even the healthiest of people could still have weakened immune systems - citing professional athletes who push themselves and in turn feel worse afterwards. The exposure Again, everyone has been exposed differently to Covid and while some may have contracted it, you didn’t. The circumstances of where you are could be affected such as a large house but only two people living there, giving you ample space to stay away despite sharing the same areas. Genetics Professor Tangye suggested a fourth reason as to why you haven’t contracted Covid despite your exposure. Put simply, your genetics. “There are going to be people who are less susceptible to viral infection because they have differences in their genes, such as genes that are important for viral entry into your cells,” he said. Image: Shutterstock

Caring

6 travel tips you definitely haven’t tried before

Sometimes in life, the best advice seems a little left of centre the first time you receive. The same is true in the travel world, where a little bit of lateral thinking can go a long way. We’ve gathered a range of travel tips that might seem a little strange, but in certain situations can be very useful (and they might just get you out of a tight jam). To see them all, scroll through the gallery above. Do you have a strange travel tip you would like to share?

Travel Tips

8 things you haven’t done in Hobart

Hobart is the jewel in the crown of the Apple Isle, and certainly one of those destinations where those who are willing to get off the main strip and explore, are amply rewarded. While it might pale in comparison to the size of a Sydney or Melbourne, Hobart more than makes up for it in charm, and as many Hobartians will tell you, there’s so much to see and do here that you could come back time and time again without doing the same thing twice. If you’re planning a trip to Tassie in the near future, or simply looking for an excuse to do so, we’ve put together a list containing eight things you haven’t done in Hobart. To see them all, scroll through the gallery above. Have you ever been to Hobart? What’s your favourite thing to do there?

International Travel

10 gorgeous European villages you haven’t heard about

You might feel like you’ve already seen Europe, but if you’ve only been to Paris, London, Rome and Berlin, the truth is you’ve barely scratched the surface. Europe is bursting at the seams with hidden gem, and it’s these cute little villages off the beaten tourist track, that provide an experience that’s just as rewarding as the major centres. But where should you go first? Well, while we could literally spend months listing where you should go and why you should, we’ve decided to narrow our list down to 10. To see 10 cute European villages you haven’t heard about, scroll through the gallery above. If you’re planning a trip to the continent soon, these are the villages that are well worth adding an extra day or two to your itinerary for. Have you been to any of these villages?

International Travel

10 Aussie destinations you haven't visited but definitely should

Tick some more unusual Australian destinations off your bucket list. 1. Litchfield National Park, NT Nearby Kakadu gets all the press, but Litchfield National Park is one of the Northern Territory’s true hidden gems. Swim in hidden pools, soak under crashing waterfalls, walk through giant termite mounds, climb misty mountains and discover historic pioneer ruins. 2. Peninsula Hot Springs, VIC Soak away your troubles in one of Australia’s best natural hot springs on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. There are more than 20 individual baths filled with the mineral rich waters, surrounded by forest or rolling fields. 3. Wallaman Falls, QLD Australia’s highest permanent single drop waterfall is a sight to behold. Hidden away in the lush Wet Tropics of northern Queensland tumbles over a cliff and falls 268 metres 4. Murphy’s Haystacks, SA Some people call Murphy’s Haystacks, in the remote Nullarbor region, Australia’s Stonehenge. These giant wave-like outcrops of ochre granite look like they were placed there by an ancient civilisation, but are actually formed by wind and water over millions of years. 5. Willandra Lakes, NSW No, you haven’t arrived on Mars. The Willandra Lakes in the far west of New South Wales look uncannily like the desolate dry landscapes of the red planet. The oldest known humans on the continent, the Mungo people, were also found in this remarkable region. 6. Lake Gairdner, SA The third largest salt lake in Australia stretches for more than 160 kilometres. You can walk out onto the hard, brilliantly white surface and see where the lake meets the horizon and bleeds into the sky. 7. Totem Pole, TAS Every serious rock climber in the world has heard of ‘the Tote’, a gravity-defying needle-thin column of rock rising 65 metres from the Southern Ocean. If you don’t feel brave (or foolish) enough to climb it, you can take a boat to see it from the base. 9. Noosa Everglades, QLD One of only two everglades systems on the planet (the other is in Florida), the Noosa Everglades are a system of mirror-like waterways that wind through pristine, untouched wetlands. Explore by kayak or on foot. 9. Port Gregory Pink Lake, WA It’s hard to imagine that nature can produce such a technicolour hue, but Western Australia’s incredible pink lakes are the real deal. This lake at the mouth of the Hutt River on the Mid West Coast ranges from red to lilac to bubblegum, thanks to algae and bacteria in the water. 10. Admiral’s Arch, SA Think of the arch as a natural peephole out to the raging Southern Ocean. Sitting on the southwest corner of Kangaroo Island, the arch is covered in stalactites and home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals, who can frequently be seen frolicking in the waves. Have you been to these destinations?

International Travel

Great news for people who haven’t seen Uluru’s Field of Light

Uluru is one of Australia’s most easily-recognisable attractions, and tourists visiting out most-famous monolith in the last year or so have been <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/2016/09/the-incredible-light-installation-transforming-uluru/" target="_blank">enamoured by the Field of Light</a>, an installation designed by acclaimed international artist Bruce Munroe. The installation, which opened to the public on April 1, 2016, features 50,000 solar powered stems and was originally going to run for a year or so. But public response has been so overwhelming park officials have decided to extend its run. <blockquote 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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/Bdvh6tuhVBv/" target="_blank">A post shared by Mark K (@beardedmark84)</a> on Jan 9, 2018 at 12:48pm PST </div> </blockquote> The Field of Light is now set to remain open until December 31, 2020. And British-born Munroe couldn’t be happier with the way everything has turned out. “It took me years to get Australian light,” Munro explains. “You won't see colours that rich anywhere in the world. “We are all very privileged to be allowed to share this land and experience it for ourselves.” Hero image credit: Instagram / quintessentially_au

International Travel

10 celebrities who haven’t aged a day

They’ve got fame, fortune and closets the size of houses, and as if that wasn’t enough, some celebrities also appear to have found the secret to looking decades younger than they really are. Each of these photos of celebrities were taken 10 years (or more) apart, yet they look like they could’ve been taken within mere days of each other. From Will Smith to Helen Mirren, <a href="http://www.thisisinsider.com/celebrities-who-dont-aged-2016-12#how-could-eva-mendes-look-the-same-in-two-photos-taken-13-years-apart-8" target="_blank">scroll through the gallery</a> to see 10 stars who, inexplicably, never seem to age. Lucky them!

Beauty & Style

5 secluded beaches you haven’t been to in Sydney

Don’t fancy fighting the crowds at Bondi or the big waves at Manly? Then these are the beaches for you. 1. Nielsen Park This charming harbour beach is tucked away behind the leafy suburb of Vaucluse in Sydney’s east. The beach is officially known as Shark Beach, but don’t let that worry you – there’s a fully netted swimming area. The water is consistently flat and calm, and there are plenty of places to sit along the sand or on the grass in the shade of a huge fig tree. Grab a coffee or a snack at the beautifully restored Kiosk, dating back to the early 1900s. 2. Sirius Cove This quiet little beach is surrounded by bushland in the suburb of Mosman on the lower north shore. There’s a large, shaded grassy area and barbecues, so you can make a proper day of it. Sirius Cove is also one of Sydney’s few off-leash dog beaches, so you can bring your pup frolic all day during the week and before 9am or after 4pm on weekends. 3. Malabar People who grew up in Sydney may remember Malabar’s reputation as one of the city’s dirtiest beaches, thanks to a nearby sewage outfall. That’s all changed and it is now one of the nicest swimming spots in the eastern suburbs. The water in the small, curved bay stays shallow until quite far out and there are rarely any substantial waves. There’s also a large ocean pool at the south end of the beach with gorgeous views out over Long Bay. 4. Lady Martin’s Beach Get a sneak peek at how the other half live with a dip at this hidden gem. Lady Martin’s sits right in front of Point Piper, Sydney’s most exclusive suburb that’s home to plenty of millionaires and their multi-million dollar mansions. It can be a little hard to find – just a narrow strip of sand accessed by a path leading down beside the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club. It’s secluded location means it never gets crowded and there are stellar views out over the harbour. 5. Wattamolla Beach Part of the Royal National Park, just south of Sydney, Wattamolla is a world away from the city. The ocean is great for swimming, snorkelling and fishing or you can choose take a dip in the adjoining freshwater lagoon. There’s lots of shade courtesy of the many cabbage palms and a number of walking tracks lead out from the beach if you want to stretch your legs. Have you ever tried these beaches?

International Travel

5 retirement costs you probably haven’t budgeted for

With rising rents, power bills through the roof and the price of a weekly shop as fickle as the wind, retiring these days seems to be easier said than done. And that’s before you consider the many hidden costs that can unbalance even the most studiously prepared retirement budget. We’ve provided a rundown of the main retirement costs you probably haven’t budgeted for. When you’re crunching the numbers in the lead-in to retirement, make sure you consider these expenses. 1. Health issues and associated costs One of the unfortunate yet inevitable aspects of ageing is the fact that at some stage, your health costs are going to rise. Whether this comes in the form of prescription medications, hospital stays or trips to the doctor, these additional expenses should be factored into any decision about retirement, and how much you’ll need. 2. Your children’s inheritance While your children’s inheritance might not be the first thing you’re thinking about when formulating your retirement budget, it’s something to consider. And not just as a lump sum payment. Also consider financial assistance you might provide for your children (and grandchildren) over time, like marriage, education and mortgage costs. 3. Providing for your spouse Should the unthinkable happen it’s important for you to be confident your spouse is able to cope with the financial burden of you not being around. This is why expenses like life insurance policies are considered so important. 4. Downsizing costs While downsizing is ultimately a decision to make life more manageable and less expensive, the initial outlay required to make this possible is an unexpected expense you should be aware of. Make sure you consider this in your retirement budget. 5. Travel and fun Travel is one of the great joys of retirement, and finally having the time to take the trips you’ve always wanted is something every retiree should appreciate. But it’s also important that you have the money. Consider what sort of trips you want to be taking when formulating your retirement budget, and factor in money accordingly. What else would add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.

Retirement Income

More beautiful country towns you haven't visited yet

Get out of the city and fall in love with these country gems. 1. Beechworth, VIC This historic town in Victoria’s high country had its moment in the sun during the 1850s when thousands flocked here for a gold rush. Many of the buildings constructed then still stand, including the Telegraph Station and the gaol that housed Ned Kelly. Fast forward to today and it’s making its mark as a foodie destination with celebrity chefs, hatted restaurants and cool climate wines. <img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40373/in-text-one_500x375.jpg" alt="In Text One (9)"/> 2. Goolwa, SA Sitting at the mouth of the Murray River and on the shores of Lake Alexandrina, Goolwa was Australia’s first inland port when it was built in the mid 1850s. Water is still an integral part of life here and the town is recognised as the country’s small boat capital. It’s a pretty sleepy little spot today, but there are still more than 30 places to eat and drink, lots of art galleries and gift shops, and the fascinating Coorong wetlands are just a short drive. 3. Leura, NSW Leafy Leura is just two hours from Sydney, hidden away in the Blue Mountains. It’s an elegant, refined country getaway, and the streets are lined with stylish boutiques and antique shops appealing to the daytripper crowd. The town is known for its beautiful gardens, including the exquisite Everglades House, and the wilderness of the Blue Mountains National Park is just on the doorstep. 4. Kalgoorlie, WA Another gold rush town, Kalgoorlie’s boom started in the late 1890s and was thought to be one of the richest gold deposits per square mile of anywhere on earth. It's still firmly a mining town and the gold capital of Australia, and visitors can take a tour of some huge mines in operation. It also gives visitors a rough and ready taste of the Australian outback and there are plenty of 19th century pubs for a cooling afternoon schooner. 5. Stanthorpe, QLD Set in the heart of Queensland’s Granite Belt, Stanthorpe is part country comfort and part foodie haven. The unique microclimate and granite soil makes for fantastic fruit and vegetables, specialty wine and microbreweries, creating delicious blends for hungry visitors. The town itself is gorgeous with many historic 19th century buildings, and the altitude makes for pleasantly cool evenings. The town is even famous for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the Sunshine State, -14.6 degrees Celsius. Have you ever been to any of these country towns? What’s your favourite country town? Let us know in the comments below.

International Travel

Bernard Tomic: “It's just a job ... I haven't really tried”

In a candid new interview on Seven’s Sunday Night program, tennis star Bernard Tomic has opened up about his life and career, admitting he’s amazed to have come so far given how little effort he occasionally puts in. The troubled Tomic, who has slid from a high of number 17 in the rankings to a meagre 69 in the past year, is unapologetic for his behaviour on and off the court. “Throughout my career, I’ve given 100 per cent,” he told Melissa Doyle. “I’ve given also 30 per cent. But if you balance it out, I think all my career's been around 50 per cent and I haven’t really tried, and really achieved all this. So just amazing what I’ve done.” Tomic, who has been no stranger to criticism over the years, has silenced his naysayers, explaining he could’ve jumped ship at any time and been paid handsomely for it. “There’s been big offers to play for different countries. Millions that ... people could only imagine. And I never did that. I stayed loyal to Australia.” Asked if his love for the sport will ever return, Tomic responded with a firm “no”. “I’m just going to go about it as a job.” The sports star also took aim at fellow Aussie tennis success Pat Rafter, slamming his false “nice guy” image. “Pat’s said a lot of bad things about me, throughout my career, and, you know, he’s always perceived as this nice guy. People don’t know him in the back of closed doors. He’s not that much of a nice guy ... he likes to put on a show.” Did you watch the interview last night? What did you think about Tomic’s comments? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

News

8 things you haven’t done in Sydney

Robyn Kennedy loves to explore and photograph Sydney and surrounds. Her blog <a href="http://www.lifeoutandabout.com.au/" target="_blank">Life Out & About</a> has become a passion, sharing ideas for outings in and around Sydney - charming gardens, bush walks, art galleries and inspiring places to eat! Down by the harbourside the open air bars and eateries are abuzz with the sounds of youthful excitement and celebration. The holiday crowds soak up the atmosphere, while the buskers entertain anyone and everyone. This is an exciting and stunning place to be, where Sydney is at its most vibrant… and where all the main tourist attractions are found! If you venture beyond the waterfront you will find yourself surrounded by soaring glass towers and heritage sandstone buildings, and where impressive street sculpture and exotic palms bring a touch of art and greenery to the city streets. This is also where many of Sydney’s well known contemporary art and craft galleries are located. The Rocks area and Circular Quay through to Martin Place is a holiday destination in itself, even if you’re not on holidays you will certainly feel like you are! Where: Sydney CBD| Allow: 3-4 hours Getting there: Ferries – Buses – Trains – Drive Also see: <a href="https://www.lifeoutandabout.com.au/sydney-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank">Sydney Botanic Gardens</a>, <a href="https://www.lifeoutandabout.com.au/ultimo-architecture/" target="_blank">Ultimo Architecture & Art Galleries,</a><a href="https://www.lifeoutandabout.com.au/chinese-garden/" target="_blank">Chinese Garden Hidden Oasis</a> Where to Start <img width="500" height="185" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38604/cbd-2_500x185.jpg" alt="CBD 2"/> Sydney CBD – Ferry to Circular Quay & East Circular Quay area. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy. Circular Quay is the perfect place to start your outing, and easily accessible via public transport. Approaching by ferry, or walking the Harbour Bridge from Kirribilli affords expansive views of the city skyline and the iconic Opera House. For fabulous views over the Quay and harbour, take the lift to the Cahill Expressway Lookout and walkway (near wharf 2). This is also another way to access the Botanic Gardens. What to Do <img width="500" height="185" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38605/cbd-3_500x185.jpg" alt="CBD 3"/> Sydney CBD – The Rocks – Chifley Plaza – Angel Place. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy. While the Quay area is home to many of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions and entertainment, there’s still much more to explore if you fancy taking a little detour through the city streets and Botanic Gardens! Here are my picks for walks/sites in this part of the city…. 1. City Street Walk – Glass Towers & Heritage Architecture The streets between Circular Quay and Martin Place are home to some of Sydney’s most impressive and well known skyscrapers, as well as our beautiful heritage architecture. It’s such a thrill to be at street level surrounded by towering city buildings… you won’t get this feeling in the ‘burbs’! So if you love to photograph city scapes, this area offers plenty of opportunities to capture the architecture of both past and present. Even in winter when the trees are bare, the city is worth exploring… there’s something quite magical in the silhouette of winter trees against glass towers. 2. Architectural Tours <img width="500" height="185" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38606/cbd-4_500x185.jpg" alt="CBD 4"/> Sydney CBD North – Cnr Bridge & Gresham – 1 O’Connell St – Church Hill Cnr York & Jamison. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy. If you’re the type that prefers a more structured informative exploration, the <a href="http://www.architecture.org.au/tours/sydney-walks" target="_blank">Australian Architecture Association</a> offers tours of Sydney’s iconic buildings and street art…. have to say I’m tempted! For some of us, the outside view isn’t enough! To see inside some of Sydney’s architectural landmarks and heritage treasures the <a href="http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen" target="_blank">Sydney Living Museums </a>organization “unlocks the doors of the city’s most inspiring and intriguing buildings and spaces” on one weekend a year. 3. Photographic Exploration – Reflections & Angles <img width="500" height="185" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38608/cbd-5_500x185.jpg" alt="CBD 5 (1)"/> Sydney CBD – Reflections. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy. Much of my time in the CBD is consumed with searching for photographic opportunities, such as unusual reflections and exciting contrasts and angles. There’s no shortage of inspiration, with many of the tall glass office towers reflecting the light and surrounding architecture in surprising and beautiful ways. Even an escalator can be photogenic If you admire shop window displays, you might enjoy hunting for those special reflections, where overlapping worlds merge into one. 4. Street Sculpture & Installations We’re fortunate in the CBD to be surrounded by art and galleries. Just wandering the streets you will encounter superb outdoor sculptures, colourful foyer art and delightful installations, such as the <a href="http://www.cityartsydney.com.au/artwork/forgotten-songs/" target="_blank">Forgotten Songs</a>, where bird cages emitting bird sounds are suspended above Angel Place! The <a href="http://www.1bligh.com.au/Public-Artwork" target="_blank">‘Day In Day Out’</a> sculpture at number 1 Bligh St is a massive multi dimensional structure painted in hot vibrant colours, what fun, I just love it! A little further up Bent St, are the giant marble sculpted rocks ‘Touchstones’, located in the glass ceilinged foyer area of Aurora place, a perfect addition to the space. ‘Day In Day Out’ 1 Bligh St – The Robert Brough Memorial Fountain at Sydney Eye Hospital – Dobell Memorial Sculpture at Cnr Bent & Bond Streets.Governor Phillip Fountain – Botanic Gardens (near State Library NSW) 5. Galleries – Art & Craft Housed in an impressive Art Deco sandstone building is the cutting edge <a href="https://www.mca.com.au/" target="_blank">Museum of Contemporary Art</a> (MCA). Being only minutes from Circular Quay it’s an easy choice when visiting the area, there’s always some new and exciting exhibition. Also, on the George St entrance is the popular <a href="https://store.mca.com.au/" target="_blank">MCA Store</a>, selling contemporary giftware and a huge range of books on contemporary art, artists, design and architecture. One of my favourite Art & Craft galleries <a href="http://www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/" target="_blank">‘Craft NSW’</a> is located in The Rocks. This is where I go when looking for a unique artisan crafted gift… or when I’m looking for some creative inspiration! The displays are curated by the artisans to enhance each and every piece, it’s just a wonderful place to browse. The National Trust <a href="http://www.therocks.com/things-to-do/sh-ervin-gallery/" target="_blank">S.H. Ervin Gallery</a> is well recognized as one of Sydney’s leading public art institutions. Perfectly situated on Observatory Hill and within easy walking distance of Walsh Bay and Barangaroo, but hey, that’s another outing altogether! 6. The Rocks <img width="500" height="185" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38609/cbd-6_500x185.jpg" alt="CBD 6"/> Sydney CBD – The Rocks. Image credit: Robyn Kennedy This blog wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention The Rocks! I know it’s been well documented so I won’t devote too much space here. My partner and I love to spend hours just exploring this area, strolling the cobbled laneways, finding new passage ways and stairs that lead to new discoveries. The quaint cottages and intimate cafés that are nestled in behind the main shopping strip are definitely worth exploring. If you have time and energy, wander a little further toward Walsh Bay or Barangaroo. You might just find some hidden gems… or views that most visitors don’t see. It’s always a thrill to find a new place or unique view, like our recent discovery of Parbury Park and the Clifftop Walk through to The Foreshore Reserve… affectionately known as <a href="http://www.walshbay.com.au/the-paddock-history" target="_blank">‘The Paddock’</a>. 7. Royal Botanic Gardens One of our favourite destinations in this part of the city is the <a href="https://www.lifeoutandabout.com.au/sydney-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank">Botanic Gardens</a>. Our outing typically starts with a ferry trip from Mosman Bay to Circular Quay followed by a 15 minute walk to the delightful <a href="https://www.botanicrestaurant.com.au/" target="_blank">Botanic Gardens Restaurant.</a> Located at the heart of the gardens and surrounded by a large lotus pond and tropical vegetation makes it the perfect place for brunch. We can easily spend a few hours enjoying brunch and strolling the gardens. Once you’ve gone that far it’s an easy hop to the Art Gallery of NSW! 8. Eat & Drink There’s absolutely no shortage of cafés, bars and restaurants around the harbour area, with most catering for the tourists. When you’re after a casual meal with fantastic views and an upbeat vibe there are plenty of options. Of course the Quay area is also well known for having the greatest concentration of fine dining restaurants in Sydney, they’re certainly worth seeking out for that special dining experience. Have you ever tried these Sydney activities?

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