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To move or not to move: is it cheaper to find a new place or stay when your rent increases by 10%?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/park-thaichon-175182">Park Thaichon</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sara-quach-175976">Sara Quach</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> Your landlord has just raised your rent by 10% and your mind starts running the numbers – should you cop it sweet or look to move? It’s a familiar scenario in today’s unpredictable housing market. Understanding the real costs of staying versus moving is essential for making informed choices: renters must consider hidden expenses such as moving costs, deposits and changing rental rates, giving them tools to handle rising rent pressures more effectively. <h2>A grim time for many renters</h2> National median market rents have hit record highs, reaching $627 per week, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1% during the past three years, according to real estate giant <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/Budget/reviews/2024-25/Housing#:%7E:text=Based%20on%20April%202024%20CoreLogic,the%20past%203%20calendar%20years">CoreLogic</a>. <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/news-research/news/2024/rent-growth-picked-up-in-the-start-of-2024,-taking-rents-to-new-record-highs">CoreLogic</a> also reported annual rental changes (houses and units) in regional Australia are not far off from the big cities: annual rent changes were 9.4% for combined capital cities, 6.4% for combined regional areas, and 8.5% nationally. So, is it better to stay or move if your rent is raised by 10%? Let’s examine the costs and benefits of each option. <h2>A breakdown of typical moving costs</h2> We’ll start with the most obvious expense: moving costs. Professional moving services aren’t cheap. For example, moving a three-bedroom house in the Gold Coast costs <a href="https://www.muval.com.au/removalists/gold-coast">$1,095.25 on average</a>, with an hourly rate of $158.26. In a bigger city like Melbourne, the cost is slightly higher at <a href="https://www.muval.com.au/removalists/melbourne">about $1,118.46</a>. The moving costs between states or cities will be more expensive if you move further away. You could choose to handle packing yourself and hire some help with a truck – a common option with businesses such as “<a href="https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-removals-storage/gold-coast/2+men+and+a+truck/k0c18643l3006035">Two Men and a Truck</a>”, which typically costs around $100 per hour. Be aware, though, that the hourly rate often starts from the moment the truck leaves the company’s warehouse until it returns. Alternatively, you can rent a van for a lower price, such as $87 for a 24-hour <a href="https://www.bunnings.com.au/for-hire-handivan-24hr-first-100kms-inc-_p5470402">Handivan rental at Bunnings</a>. Don’t forget the cost of moving boxes, too: Bunnings’ 52 litre <a href="https://www.bunnings.com.au/bunnings-52l-light-duty-moving-carton_p0517130?srsltid=AfmBOoqCYAWT0P5apPiJpoOLRAIpUCHNi63ztvIZrG5CxCoNOv45G0TV">moving cartons</a> cost $2.66 each. End-of-lease or <a href="https://firstcallhomeservices.com.au/service-menu/bond-exit-end-lease-cleaning/">bond cleaning</a> is another common expense. For a typical three-bedroom property, internal cleaning can range from $365 to $500. If you have pets, or kids who love drawing on the walls, your cleaning costs might be a bit higher. Now, let’s look at utility connection expenses that can catch people by surprise. Cancelling your internet service can be costly if you don’t meet the exit or cancellation policies. With <a href="https://www.telstra.com.au/internet/5g-home-internet">Telstra Home Internet</a>, for example, if you cancel within the first 24 months, you must return your modem within 21 days to avoid a $400 non-return fee. Most providers charge a cancellation fee or require final device repayments, typically ranging from $100 to $500, depending on the remaining contract period. As a renter, it might be wise to choose a no-lock-in contract plan to avoid these fees if you need flexibility. Electricity and gas connection and disconnection fees are usually minor but can add up, often costing about $40 to $60 for <a href="https://www.energyon.com.au/fees-and-charges/">connection and disconnection fees</a> for electricity alone. If your house uses gas for hot water or cooking, you may have to pay additional fees for setting up service. However, there are also non-financial costs, like the time spent searching for a new home, attending inspections, and putting in applications. Moving takes effort and energy for packing, transporting and unpacking. Some people feel emotionally attached to their current home, which can make leaving harder. Older renters <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353829218311304">seem to draw strength</a> from their familiarity with, attachment to, and enjoyment of their place and community. This is something to be considered. Plus, moving can take <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41537-023-00349-w">an emotional toll</a>. <h2>The benefits of not moving</h2> The clear benefit of staying is avoiding the hassle of relocating. Staying means saving on moving expenses and avoiding the time spent searching for a new place, packing and unpacking. This may also save some people from needing to take time off work. Changing and updating an address is also another tedious task that can be avoided by staying. Moving can hit the hip pocket with “after moving costs” that people may not initially consider. For instance, a new location might mean a longer commute. If each trip adds just 15 extra minutes, that could amount to an additional 11 hours per month over 22 workdays. For drivers, increased fuel and parking expenses might also come into play. Is the current or new location closer to a supermarket, hospital, and school? This proximity could be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the surrounding environment and available services. <h2>To move or not to move?</h2> One point to note is that overall, moving costs are likely to be similar between big cities and regional areas if you get moving supplies or rent a van from a large company such as Bunnings. In the end, moving costs will be around $2,000 based on the figures above, and it can be around $800 to $1,000 cheaper if you opt to rent a van instead of using a full-service moving company. Therefore, if the current rent is $600 per week and is about to increase by 10% to $660, the additional cost would be $3,120 per year. So is it cheaper to move or stay when your rent increases by 10%? The answer is moving may save about $1,000 to $2,000, but comes with the hassle and emotional toll of relocation. Staying will be more expensive, but with less hassle and emotional strain. The right choice depends on your situation.<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/243155/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/park-thaichon-175182">Park Thaichon</a>, Associate Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sara-quach-175976">Sara Quach</a>, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</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/to-move-or-not-to-move-is-it-cheaper-to-find-a-new-place-or-stay-when-your-rent-increases-by-10-243155">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Don’t like drinking plain water? 10 healthy ideas for staying hydrated this summer

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Have you heard the saying “water is life?” Well, it’s true. Water is an <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/water/">essential nutrient</a>. Our body cannot produce sufficient water to live, so we need to consume water through food and fluids to survive. Maintaining hydration is one of the most fundamental components of good health. But lots of people don’t like drinking plain water much. The good news is there are many other healthy ways to help you stay hydrated. <h2>Why hydration is important</h2> Water is vital for many aspects of body functioning. About half our blood is “blood plasma”, which is over 90% water. Blood plasma is essential for carrying energy, nutrients and oxygen to the cells in the body that need it most. Water helps to remove waste products via the kidneys. It also helps keep joints lubricated, the digestive system functioning, the body’s temperature controlled and skin plump and strong. If you don’t consume enough water, you may experience symptoms of dehydration such as headaches, dizziness, tiredness, low concentration, constipation and a dry mouth. Being severely dehydrated increases the risk of <a href="https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones">kidney stones</a> and <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/urinary-tract-infection-uti">urinary tract infections</a>. If you feel thirsty, it means your body is already <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/9013-dehydration#:%7E:text=If%20you're%20thirsty%2C%20you,life%2Dthreatening%20illnesses%20like%20heatstroke.">mildly dehydrated</a>, so make sure you pay attention to what your body is telling you. <h2>How much fluid do you need?</h2> The amount of fluid we need changes as we age. Relative to our body weight, our needs decrease. So, a newborn baby has higher fluid needs (per kilogram body weight) than their parent, and older adults have lower fluid needs than younger adults. Fluid requirements are related to metabolic needs and vary from person-to-person. The normal turnover of water in adults is approximately 4% of total body weight per day. So, for example, if you weigh 70 kilograms, you’ll lose about 2.5 to 3 litres of water a day (not including sweating). This means you will need to consume that amount of water from food and drinks to maintain your hydration. Eight cups (or two litres) a day is often <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/09/21/1124371309/busting-common-hydration-water-myths?utm_source=npr_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20221016&utm_term=7386723&utm_campaign=health&utm_id=31926817&orgid=&utm_att1=">mentioned</a> as the amount of water we should aim for and a nice way to track your intake. But it doesn’t account for individual variation based on age, gender, body size and activity levels. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it dehydrates the body by promoting water loss through urine. This fluid loss is a key factor that contributes to the severity of a hangover. Always have a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks to help stay hydrated. Caffeinated drinks (like tea and coffee) only have a mild diuretic effect. For most healthy adults, it’s okay to consume up to 400 mg of caffeine a day – that’s about four cups of coffee or eight cups of tea. If you drink more than this, it may impact your hydration levels. To check your specific requirements, check out the Australian <a href="https://www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/water">guidelines</a> for fluid intake. <h2>People who should take extra care</h2> Some people are at greater risk of the harmful health effects from dehydration and need to pay special attention to their fluid intake. The highest priority groups are babies, young kids, pregnant women, and older adults. These groups are at greater risk for many reasons, including relatively higher water needs per kilo of body weight, reduced ability to detect and respond to symptoms of dehydration, and barriers to consuming fluids regularly. Family and friends can play an important role in <a href="https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/information/hydration-for-elderly-people-and-the-dangers-of-dehydration">supporting loved ones</a> to maintain hydration, especially during warm weather. <h2>Ten ideas for keeping fluids up this summer</h2> <ol> <li> Download a water reminder app on your phone This will help keep you on track during the day and give you digital “high fives” when you hit your water goals. </li> <li> Add sugar-free flavouring Try a sugar-free fruit infusion in your water to make it more appealing. Prepare a jug in the refrigerator and infuse it overnight so it’s chilled for you the next day. Fill it up and take it everywhere with you! </li> <li> Add some fresh fruit Add some slices of lime, lemon, berries, pineapple or orange to your water bottle for some natural flavouring. If the bottle is kept in a fridge, the fruit will stay fresh for about three days. </li> <li> Make a jug of iced tea (not the bottled stuff) There are many great sugar-free recipes online. Tea contributes to fluid intake too. For green and black teas, brew in boiling water then cool overnight on the bench before refrigerating. Fruit teas can be made using cold water immediately. </li> <li> Add a dash of cordial to your water A small amount of cordial in your water is a healthier alternative to drinking a sugar-sweetened soft drink or fruit juice. Diet cordials have less added sugar again. </li> <li> Make a fruit ‘slushie’ Combine fresh fruit, ice and water at home in the morning and sip to increase your fluid intake for the day. </li> <li> Buy a soda maker for your home Some people find plain water tastes better with bubbles. Sparkling mineral water is great too, as long as there is no added sugar or sweeteners. </li> <li> Before you eat anything, have a glass of water Make it a rule with yourself to have a glass of water before every snack or meal. </li> <li> Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables Many fruits and vegetables have a high water content. Some of the best include berries, oranges, grapes, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, spinach and melons. Keep a container full of cut-up fruit to snack on in your fridge. </li> <li> Use a water bottle Take it with you during the day and keep it by your bed overnight. </li> </ol> <h2>A tip on water bottles</h2> Water bottles are everywhere and sometimes seem to offer <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/emotional-support-water-bottle-girlies-tiktok-trend">emotional support</a> as well as hydration. Having a water bottle you enjoy using can go a long way in helping you keep up your fluids during the day. Pay attention to the material of the water bottle and use one that helps you form good habits. Some people prefer metal water bottles as they can keep water cooler for longer (others feel like they are camping). Some prefer glass bottles because the water isn’t affected by any flavours from the container (others fear breaking the glass). Consider the practical aspects, too: Will it fit in your bag? Will it be light enough to carry with you? Can you “chug” on it when you’re exceptionally thirsty? Does the lid require screwing? How durable is it in preventing leaks? Do some <a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/7842071/best-water-bottles-hydration">homework</a> on your water bottle, an essential accessory! <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, Dietitian and Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</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/dont-like-drinking-plain-water-10-healthy-ideas-for-staying-hydrated-this-summer-191859">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Readers response: What’s your top travel tip for staying comfortable on long journeys?

When it comes to a long travel day, getting comfortable can often be a mammoth task. We asked our readers to share their favourite tips and tricks to stay comfy on a long haul flight, car ride or train journey, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Amy Cardino - Long-haul journeys (to me longer than 8hrs), you need to save up or upgrade your ticket if you have mileage benefits, into business class. Ester Cibasek - My own blowup pillow and blanket (long enough to cover my head), noise reducing ear phones and keep my eyes closed so I dose in and out of sleep all the way. Valerie Keily - A neck pillow is essential and an eye shade. Keep hydrated and remember to move around if possible. Di Richardson - Memory neck pillow. Recovery sleeves on my calves. One departure drink then limit alcohol or coffee. Window seat and sleep when possible. Bliss. Anita Thornton - Go business class. Chrissie Martini - Break the journey by staying overnight in a hotel. Takes longer to get there but you practically eliminate jet lag and the worry of DVTs. On the way to Europe, two overnight stops helps me. Lyn Goodman - Keep warm and wear loose fitting clothes. June Debono - Stretch jeans and socks (as well as other clothes of course). Plus, eye shade and ear plugs. Ingrid Plueckhahn - Take a good book, break up the journey with a fave movie, and just get in the zone and relax. It’s just a day! Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

Maggie Beer wins top award while on the road to recovery

Maggie Beer has been honoured with a top award just days after opening up about her recovery following a fall last month. The 79-year-old Aussie chef won Best Host of a Format at the C21 International Format Awards in Cannes for her role hosting Maggie Beer’s Big Mission on the ABC. The leading awards recognises creativity and excellence across the global television industry. Beer was the only woman in the category, beating some of the television industry's biggest names including Jimmy Kimmel for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire US, Stephen Fry in Jeopardy UK, Alan Cumming for The Traitors US and Big Zuu for Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours. Maggie Beer’s Big Mission was inspired by the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care in 2021, which exposed high rates of malnutrition in older adults living in aged care. In the show she led a world-first social experiment to transform the meals and dining experience at an aged-care home in Perth, WA. Beer and team of experts changed the menu, dining rooms and gardens using the "care model" to improve nutrition and wellbeing of residents. In a statement, Beer said it was a “privilege to actually live the experience in an aged-care home brave enough to show warts and all.” She learned what was acceptable to feed residents and what wasn't but “…most of all how to begin the journey of change to show the difference that is made to the happiness and wellbeing not only of the residents but the staff as well,” she said. “With her extraordinary leadership she has put older Australians first and given them a voice,” managing director of Artemis media, Celia Tait said. This comes just days after Beer opened up on her fall in August, where she suffered minor bone fractures and related injuries, telling her instagram followers that "even though I want to tell you how good I’m feeling now, I still have a way to go." “I will make a full recovery, and part of it is the care and the love that I’ve been given.” Images: Instagram

Food & Wine

10 signs you’re not on the right financial path

Dreaming of owning a big house, nice car and a boat? Or just having enough cash to be comfortable? Here are 10 signs that you are not (yet) on the path to financial freedom. 1. You don't think about ways to make extra money If you are paid a salary and nothing more, you are limited in the ways you can get ahead. The only way to save is to spend less. But if you switch it up and start to look for ways to earn more, your horizons open up. Most of the world's super wealthy have more than one income stream – some of which are usually passive, requiring no regular input. This could be something such as rental income from an investment property or the sale of a product such as an ebook. Add in some sensible savings habits and you will be on your way. 2. You leave your savings in a savings account If you stick your cash in a savings account, it is basically doing nothing. You are better to look at ways to put that money to work. You could put it in a managed fund, buy shares or even lend it out via a peer-to-peer platform, to get a better return. Make sure you get good advice to understand what you are doing. 3. You borrow to buy Borrowing to buy a house is fine. Borrowing to buy a car is (generally) not. If you are putting all your purchases on finance or credit card and paying them off with high rates of interest, you are pouring money down the drain. Live within your means if you want to get rich. 4. You don't know where your money goes The first step to getting on the right track is to have a clear idea of what you're spending money on. If you don't know, chances are you're wasting it. Have a look through your recent bank statements, draw up a budget. Stamp out some discretionary spending and you'll have more of that money to put to work that we mentioned earlier. 5. You're putting off planning for your retirement If you think you are too young to have to worry about the future, you are doing yourself a huge disservice. When you are working towards a long-term financial goal, such as retirement, time is a huge asset to have on your side. The power of compounding means that any returns you make in a vehicle such as your KiwiSaver account then attract their own returns, over and over each year until you withdraw the money. The later you start saving, the more of that compounding power you miss. 6. You hate risk It is great to be careful with your money but if you never take a risk, you miss out on returns. Over the long term, the biggest gains are usually from riskier investments, such as equities. You may also find ways to wealth by getting out of your comfort zone. Quitting your job and starting a new business is risky and scary, but could pay off if you have planned it well and know your stuff. 7. You don't have a plan If you don't know how you're going to get rich, it probably isn't going to happen. Write down your goals. What do you want to achieve this week, month and year? What about in 10 years? If you can, identify someone who is in a position you'd like to get to and find out what they did to get there. Work out what you need to do to follow suit and break it down into small, achievable steps. 8. You don't pay yourself first If you have decided to save money and think you'll just put aside everything that is left in your account at the end of the month, you will be horribly disappointed. This method almost always fails because there is invariably nothing left. Pay yourself first. Using your budget and plan, put aside the amount that you have worked out you can afford to save as soon as you get paid, and then live off the rest. 9. You think you're bad with money It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think you are bad with money, you won't pay any attention to your finances and they will get out of control. Stop thinking money is some sort of secret club that you could not possibly understand. Everyone can get a handle on it. 10. You don't know the basics But having said that, it's important to get a good knowledge of the basic stuff. If you are not clear how your credit card works, or how your mortgage interest is calculated, get someone to help you break it down and bust the jargon. Websites such as Sorted have good tools or you can seek financial advice from your bank or an adviser. Image credits: Shutterstock Written by Susan Edmonds. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Money & Banking

10 things you should never do on a cruise balcony

While many cruise ship passengers may think they can abide by their own rules in the comfort of their cabins, there are still many cruise ship etiquette rules to follow. Even though some passengers may have private balconies in their rooms, that doesn't mean you can act as if no one is watching. It's important to follow these rules while in your rooms and on your balcony to ensure you'll never be forced to cop the consequences of bad behaviour. 1. Smoke Smoking on cruise balconies is a real no-no. Not only is the wafting smoke an unpleasant smell, but a half-burning cigarette blown back aboard can potentially be a fire hazard. 2. Make too much noise One think that’s often forgotten is the fact that when we’re standing on our cruise ship balconies we’re well within earshot of our neighbours, so keep the volume down. 3. Go nude The thing people sun bathing in one their cruise ship balcony in their birthday suit don’t realise is many balconies are tiered, so you may actually be in view of others. 4. Stand or climb on railings Now this should be obvious, but you should never stand on the railings or the verandah furniture can significantly increase your risk of being thrown overboard. 5. Throw items overboard It might be tempting to toss a message in a beer bottle overseas, but there are strict regulations. Not only is this dangerous, it’s also not environmentally friendly. 6. Dry clothes It can be quite difficult to dry your swimmers when you’re off a cruise, but one strong gust of wind could mean you could go the rest of your cruise without bathers. 7. Leave the balcony door open On a hot and humid day, leaving the balcony door ajar might seem like a good idea, but the gusty sea breeze can wreak havoc with any loose items in your cabin. 8. Light a candle It might seem like it’s a good way to enhance the mood, but any open flame on a cruise ship is a fire hazard, and lighting a candle is almost always against regulations. 9. Leave the balcony light on If your cruise balcony has outdoor lighting, make sure you turn if off when you’re not actually using it, to save electricity and not disturb your neighbours. 10. Amorous behaviour Cruises are inherently romantic holidays, but you might need to avoid overt displays of affection. As mentioned above, balconies are not be as private as you think. Image credits: Shutterstock

Cruising

10 rules every good house guest follows

You've been invited to stay in somebody else's house. You're instantly told "make yourself at home!" But you can't really, can you? Here's the unsaid rules of being a houseguest you just can't break. 1. Not arriving on time Always provide your itinerary to your host before you arrive. If your flight or train is delayed, give them real-time updates. Google Map your journey in advance so you know exactly how to get to their house. It's awfully inconvenient as a host to be waiting to give a guest keys, but have them arrive two hours late because of an excuse like "I got lost". 2. Turning up empty handed You don't need to bring much, but when staying at someone's house you need to arrive with a token of appreciation. A bottle of wine, some chocolates, or a kitsch little jar of jam you made. Turning up empty handed is expected by the host, but all good houseguests know a small gift is the right way to kick things off. 3. Keeping your shoes on Perhaps you live in a shoes-on house when you're at home, but unless told so, you should never keep them on when staying at another's. Especially if you only see your host walking around bare foot, or in socks/slippers. Houseguests bring in extra dirt, fluff, and marks – the most conscious you can be of that, the better. 4. Turning down food When you're staying in somebody else's home, you must eat what you are served. Hosts go to a lot of effort to make you feel welcome and cooking for you is a big part of that. If you have any dietary requirements, say so before you arrive and offer to bring a bag of shopping. Your host will probably refuse, but you've laid the groundwork for happy mealtimes for the duration of your stay. 5. Not cleaning up Picture this: you're staying with a friend, and they're at work all day while you mooch around their house. The dishwasher is full but you don't know where anything goes in the cupboards. You pile your dirties in the sink, and your friend comes home to find them. Cue instant aggression that will forever remain unspoken. Avoid being a bad guest by cleaning up when you're a houseguest – even if you put things back in the wrong place. 6. Not asking to use laundry facilities One of the most difficult things about travelling is getting your laundry done. When a washing machine and dryer become available, it's natural to want to jump on them. But you must ask your host first. They will always say yes – everybody understands what it's like to have to wear inside-out underwear when you've had no laundry facilities for a week – but it's just polite to ask. 7. Asking your host to quiet down When staying in somebody else's house, there's a high chance of noises you're not used to. That could mean your host watching TV at midnight when you've got to be up early, or them talking loudly on the phone at 6AM while you're asleep. But you can't say anything about it. If you are noise-sensitive, always bring quality earplugs. 8. Bringing lovers home We get it, maybe you're in an exciting new city and the options for a little sexy time are pinging at your phone every few minutes. But you cannot, under any circumstances, invite a new lover over to somebody's house when you're staying there. Even if you have their house to yourself, it's just a breach of respect. If you want to hook up, go to their place. 9. Leaving the bed unmade Hosts generally accept there'll be some clean-up after you're gone. But don't leave the guest bed unmade, or your dirty sheets on it. Strip them off on your final morning, and either fold them nicely, or put them in the washing machine (this is one situation where you don't need their permission to use their laundry). Remake the bed with or without clean sheets if possible. 10. Not saying thank you It doesn't have to be a formal written letter (though that would be nice, wouldn't it). But you must thank your hosts after you leave with a note, an e-mail, or even a text. It's something so easy to forget to do once you're gone, but ensures the host feels their hospitality has been appreciated. And if you've not broken any of the other rules, you'll definitely get invited back. Image credits: Shutterstock Written by Lee Suckling. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Home & Garden

Australia tops life expectancy among English-speaking nations

A recent study has revealed that Australians outlive their peers in five other high-income English-speaking countries, including the UK and US, by one to four years. The paper published in the medical journal BMJ Open last month, analysed the average life expectancies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States between 1990 and 2019. They found that Australians' life expectancy surpassed that of Canadians in the early 1990s - and it has remained in the top spot ever since. The average life expectancy for an Australian born in 2019 was 83.24 years, which is two years longer than the average Brit, and four years longer than the average American. "Australia is clearly the best-performing Anglophone country," the paper said. "While Australian men and women have lower mortality at nearly all ages, their mortality advantage at ages 45–84 accounts for the bulk of Australia's life expectancy advantage." The Irish came in second with an life expectancy of 82.39 years, followed by the Canadians with 82.28, and the Kiwis with 81.83. Australia's long life expectancy could be credited to it's high migrant population and low death rates from drug and alcohol misuse, screenable/treatable cancers, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The nation's "strong public health efforts", such as the 1996 gun law reforms and buyback programs following the Port Arthur massacre, and the creation of Headspace, the national youth mental healthcare service, could also play part in our longevity. Australia also had the lowest level of "geographic inequality", meaning that the gap in life expectancy between rich and poor regions was narrower than other countries. However, the life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues to be significantly lower than the average Australian, with males born between 2020 and 2022 expected to live for just 71.9 years, and females for 75.6 years. Image: Shutterstock

Caring

New rendered image holds hope in William Tyrrell disappearance 10 years on

A new rendered image has shown what William Tyrrell would look like now on the 10-year anniversary of his disappearance. On September 12th 2014, the then three-year-old disappeared from his foster grandmother's home in Kendall on the NSW Mid North Coast and has not been seen since, making his disappearance one of the nation's most enduring mysteries. Now, 10 years on, Ten News have released a rendered image of what William might look like now at 13, with experts hoping it might prompt someone to come forward with information. Criminologist Xanthe Mallett said the image was a way to keep William’s face in the public eye. “An image such as this could encourage someone who knows what happen to unlock the mystery,” Dr Mallett told Ten News. A $1million reward has been offered for information to help locate William, with a coronial inquest into his disappearance to take place at the end of this year. As William's family continue to struggle with the mystery around his disappearance, Close friends of Tyrrell’s foster parents, Clare and Alice Collins, have told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/how-william-tyrells-loved-ones-are-spending-the-10-year-anniversary-of-his-disappearance-c-16030683" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> reporter Michael Usher the family was “crushed” to still have no answers on the 10-year anniversary. “They remember William every minute of every day,” Clare said. “They’re living a nightmare.” Alice added, even a decade on, they believed “hope is the key”. “You hear cases from around the world with kids who had been abducted, and they turn up 10, 20 years later,” she said. “There is still a chance that he is out there ... it’s a big reach ... but in light of the fact that there is absolutely no evidence that William is deceased there is that very, very slim chance.” The pair appealed to anyone across the country with information as to where William might be to “make the call”. “It’s as though he’s just vanished ... we need answers ... Australia needs answers. Help bring William home ... and we will do everything in our power,” Alice said. “We are never giving up.” Image credits: NSW Police / Ten News

Family & Pets

Aussies top global list for biggest gambling losses

A new report has revealed that Australians are the biggest gambling losers in the world, with the average Australian adult gambling away $1635 per year according to the Grattan Institute think tank. That is more than most households pay for power and exceeds the average spend in similar countries like the US and New Zealand. Collectively, Australians lost $24 billion to gambling in 2020-21, with half of that amount lost through poker machines. The rest was lost on sports or race betting, in casinos, and on lotteries and Keno. The report also claims that there are more pokies than post boxes and public toilets across Australia, bringing light to the "lax approach" that has let the industry "run wild". "Gambling products are designed to be addictive, and the consequences can be catastrophic: job loss, bankruptcy, relationship breakdown, family violence, even suicide," the report's authors wrote. People in the Northern Territory and NSW lost the most amount of money, with the two states having the highest concentration of polies in their jurisdiction. The report recommended the federal government ban all gambling advertisements and urged them to cut the number of pokies in each state over time. They also suggested a mandatory pre-commitment system for online gambling and pokies, which would put a limit on daily losses. There are many different ways to get help and information about gambling. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858; use <a href="https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/tools-resources/chat-counselling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online counselling</a>. Images: SNEHIT PHOTO / Shutterstock.com

Money & Banking

Can a 10-year-old be responsible for a crime? Here’s what brain science tells us

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-m-sawyer-109573">Susan M. Sawyer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nandi-vijayakumar-1644262">Nandi Vijayakumar</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> The age a child can be arrested, charged and jailed in Australia is back in the spotlight. Last year, the Northern Territory became the first jurisdiction to raise the age of criminal responsibility from ten to 12. Now its new, tough-on-crime government has pledged to <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/incoming-chief-minister-says-age-of-criminal-responsibility-to-be-lowered-to-10-years-old/a1xm9jy9c">return it to ten</a>. It comes after Victoria <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-13/victoria-youth-justice-reform-criminal-age/104217160">walked back</a> its earlier commitment to raise the age to 14, settling instead on 12. But the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child says 14 should be the absolute <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/general-comment-no-24-2019-childrens-rights-child">minimum</a>. It raised this age from its earlier recommendation (in 2007) of 12, citing a decade of new research into child and adolescent development. So what does the science say? What happens to the brain between ten and 14? And how much can those under 14 understand the consequences of their actions? <h2>Who is an adolescent?</h2> Our research shows adolescence is a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30169257/">critical period</a> for development. It’s the time children’s experiences and explorations shape how they develop cognitive skills (including critical thinking and decision making), as well as social and emotional skills (including moral reasoning). Adolescence also lasts longer than we tend to think. Important brain development begins during late childhood, around eight to nine years. Intense changes then follow during early adolescence (ages ten to 14). But these changes continue well into the twenties, and full cognitive and emotional maturity is not usually reached until around age 24. However, everyone’s brain matures at a different rate. That means there is no definitive age we can say humans reach “adult” levels of cognitive maturity. What we do know is the period of early adolescence is critical. <h2>What does puberty do to the brain?</h2> Puberty is a defining feature of early adolescence. Most of us are familiar with the changes that occur to the body and reproductive systems. But the increase in puberty hormones, such as testosterone and oestrogen, also trigger changes to the brain. These hormones <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453017313252?via%3Dihub">increase most sharply</a> between ten and 15 years of age, although gradual changes continue into the early twenties. Puberty hormones change the structures in the brain which process emotions, including the amygdala (which encodes fear and stress) and ventral striatum (involved in reward and motivation). This makes adolescents particularly reactive to emotional rewards and threats. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2019.04.024">Our research</a> has shown the brain’s sensitivity to emotions increases throughout early adolescence until around 14 or 15 years old. At the same time, changes in puberty have <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000172">been linked</a> to increased sensation seeking and impulsive behaviours during early adolescence. This context is crucial when we discuss the behaviour of children in the ten to 14 age range. The way their brains change during this period makes them more sensitive and responsive to emotions, and more likely to be seeking experiences that are new and intense. <h2>How do adolescents make decisions?</h2> The emotional context of puberty influences how younger adolescents make decisions and understand their consequences. Decision making relies on several basic cognitive functions, including the brain’s flexibility, memory and ability to control impulses. These cognitive abilities – which together help us consider the consequences of our actions – undergo some of the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1741-13.2013">steepest development</a> between ages ten and 14. By age 15, the ability to make complex decisions has usually <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000315">reached adult maturity</a>. But adolescents at this age remain highly susceptible to emotions. So while their brain may be equipped to make a complex decision, their ability to think through the consequences, weighing up costs and benefits, can be clouded by emotional situations. For example, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12085">research has shown</a> 13-14 year-olds were more distracted from completing a task and less able to control their behaviour when they viewed images that made them feel negative emotions. The social world of teenagers also has a significant impact on how they make decisions – especially in early adolescence. One study found that while older adolescents (aged 15-18) are more influenced by what adults think when weighing up risk, adolescents aged 12-14 <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0956797615569578">look to other teenagers</a>. Experiments <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431616648453">have also shown</a> adolescents aged 12-15 make riskier decisions when they are with peers than by themselves. Their brain responses also suggest they experience a greater sense of reward in taking those risks <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsy071">with peers</a>. <h2>How do teens understand the consequences of their actions?</h2> The concept of <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp2122/Quick_Guides/MinimumAgeCriminalResponsibility">criminal responsibility</a> is based on whether a person is able to understand their action and know whether it is wrong. Moral reasoning – how people think about right and wrong – depends on the ability to understand another person’s mental state and adopt their perspective. These skills are in development <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.09.012">across adolescence</a>. Research suggests it may take more effort for adolescent brains to process <a href="https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2009.21121">“social” emotions</a> such as guilt and embarrassment, compared to adults. This is similar when they make <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2014.933714">moral judgements</a>. This evidence suggests teenage brains may have to work harder when considering other people’s intentions and desires. Young adolescents have the cognitive ability to appreciate they made a bad decision, but it is more mentally demanding. And social rewards, emotions and the chance to experience something new all have a strong bearing on their decisions and actions in the moment — possibly more than whether it is right or wrong. <h2>Early adolescence is critical for the brain</h2> There are also a number of reasons adolescent brains may develop differently. This includes various forms of neurodisability such as acquired brain injury, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability, as well as exposure to trauma. Teenagers with neurodevelopmental disorders will likely cope differently with decision making, social pressure, impulse control and risk assessment, and face <a href="https://www.mcri.edu.au/images/research/strategic-collaborations/Flagships/Neurodevelopment/Neurodevelopment_Flagship_Brochure.pdf">extra difficulties</a>. Across the world, they are <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(19)30217-8/fulltext">disproportionately incarcerated</a>. In Australia, Indigenous children and adolescents are incarcerated <a href="https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/2-11-contact-with-the-criminal-justice-system#:%7E:text=On%20an%20average%20day%20in%202021%E2%80%9322%2C%20there%20were%3A,AIHW%202023d%3A%20Table%20S76a">in greater numbers</a> than their non-Indigenous peers. Each child matures differently, and some face extra challenges. But for every person, the period between ten and 14 is critical for developing the cognitive, social and emotional skills they’ll carry through the rest of their life.<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/237552/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-m-sawyer-109573">Susan M. Sawyer</a>, Professor of Adolescent Health The University of Melbourne; Director, Royal Children's Hospital Centre for Adolescent Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nandi-vijayakumar-1644262">Nandi Vijayakumar</a>, Research Fellow, School of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</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/can-a-10-year-old-be-responsible-for-a-crime-heres-what-brain-science-tells-us-237552">original article</a>. </div>

Mind

Top ten places in Australia to retire

Each year, more and more Aussies are fleeing their hometowns and major cities after they retire for a slower pace of life to fully enjoy their retirement years. These small towns offer retirees more lifestyle benefits and affordable housing, while avoiding the busy hustle and bustle of city life. A new study by fintech firm Citro shared the top ten places retirees are choosing to move to, with New South Wales and Queensland housing the most desirable locations. In the top ten spot was Echuca in Victoria, followed by the Tasmanian town of Launceston, with both towns offering a unique sense of community and beautiful scenery. Three charming seaside towns were named in the next positions, with Wallaroo, the seaside paradise on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, taking out the 8th place spot, Mandurah in the south of Perth, Western Australia in 7th, and the town of Rosebud on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula landing in 6th place. Heading inland to the Australian capital was Belconnen in Canberra, ACT, in 5th place, while the whale-watching hub of Hervey Bay in southeast Queensland landed in 4th. Maryborough in Victoria came in 3rd, while Ingham – known as the "Little Italy" of tropical north Queensland – was crowned the 2nd most desirable place for Aussie retirees. However, coming out on top was the quaint country New South Wales town of Armidale, which was dubbed the best place in the country for Australian retirees, largely based on the fact that average house prices are currently sitting at $450,000. Image credits: Visit Victoria / Shutterstock

Retirement Life

“Wedding Of The Year!": Channel 10 presenter's intimate wedding

Channel 10 presenter Narelda Jacobs has officially tied the knot with Karina Natt. The presenter, who hosts the network's midday bulletin 10 News First married her partner in a star-studded ceremony in Sydney over the weekend. “Wives,” Jacobs announced their marriage with a black and white photo of them on Instagram. Jacobs and Natt said "I do" in front of a floral arch, with the pair rocking gowns from Aussie luxury label Zhivago. The pair both wore form-fitting gowns, with Jacobs adding fur accents to her gown, while Natt made statement with high shoulder pads on her dress. The lovebirds later on changed into matching sparkly dresses for the reception and kicked off their heels for dancing shoes. The romantic indoor ceremony held on Saturday was attended by the couple's family and famous friends including fellow presenter Angela Bishop, celebrity chef Kylie Kwong, former MasterChef Australia host Melissa Leong and comedian Luke McGregor. Their friends also took to Instagram to share footage from the fun-filled night. “One of the best things in life is bearing witness to this level of joy, love, and celebration. The biggest and most heartfelt congratulations to these two incandescent humans, @narelda_jacobs @karinaalyce,” Leong wrote on Instagram alongside a series of pics. “It filled my heart to celebrate your union, alongside the most extra and extraordinary gathering of friends and loved ones!” she added. “My feet are sore, and my heart is full. How good is love! I’m not crying, you are!” Jacobs was touched by the tribute, replying: “We’ve been in one big beautiful love bubble! Thank you for helping make our special day even more special Mel. Love you!!” <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/reel/C-hwa8fMkIb/?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/C-hwa8fMkIb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jeremy Fernandez (@jeznews)</a> </div> </blockquote> ABC journalist Jeremy Fernandez shared a video montage of the celebrations on Instagram with the caption: “Wedding Of The Year! - Congratulations Narelda & Karina." The wedding comes 18 months after Jacobs made their relationship Instagram-official with a sweet photo of them kissing during the World Pride celebrations in Sydney. Images: Instagram

Relationships

Sandra Sully and Angela Bishop reflect on 60 years of Network 10

Sandra Sully and Angela Bishop have reflected on their most memorable moments with Channel 10 as the network celebrates 60 years on the air. As the network looks back on 60 years servicing and informing the country, two of their long-running powerhouses have looked back on their careers at Network 10. Both Sully and Bishop have been fixtures of the 10 network since the 1990s, both carving out such influential roles within the Australian mediascape that they’ve earned Order Of Australia medals, honouring their work within the industry. The two journalists have looked back at some of their most memorable moments in their careers, ranging from covering breaking international news, keeping industry secrets and their hardest interviews. When asked about her most memorable news broadcasts, Sandra said that informing Australia about the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001 is something that will stick with her forever. “News strikes without warning,” Sandra tells <a href="https://www.pedestrian.tv/entertainment/sandra-sully-angela-bishop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PEDESTRIAN.TV</a>. “I was the deer in the headlights and in the chair that night, and it all unfolded while we were live on air. So I had to go with it.” Sully, who was part of the Ten Late News team at the time, said she remembers her broadcast on each anniversary of the devastating attacks. “It’s something that is actually always with me,” she continued. “September 11 every year is always a kind of sad time for me because we all thought World War Three was going to erupt that night, that what we were watching was the beginning of World War Three." “And I don’t think generations these days could ever fully appreciate what that was like, because news is so instant now. They can get it all day, every day, on any platform. And so it’s hard for them to appreciate what actually happened that night, and the world’s moved on. For me, it was equally daunting, challenging and rewarding.” When working in the media industry, one thing that comes with showbiz is keeping secrets, which is something Angela Bishop learned all too well in 2010 when Oprah Winfrey was planning her trip Down Under. “I’ve never kept something more in the vault in my life,” Angela said with a laugh. “Oprah rarely did interviews back then because at that time she had her show on every day, she just felt she didn’t need to, because people got to see her every day. I got a great one-on-one interview with her when she came out, and then I covered her tour. “That was an absolute pinch me moment being interviewing her up on Hamilton Island when she arrived, as two koalas started having sex right next to us in the tree.” While secret keeping is only part of Bishop's job, she has had decades of experience interviewing celebrities around the world. And while all of her interviews are memorable, not all of them are for the right reasons, as she explained how she struggled interviewing Sacha Baron Cohen during his pressrun for Borat in 2006. “He was in character the whole time, from when I met him to when it ended, and I had to keep up with him, just doing all of the Borat things that Borat does,” she explains. At one point, Borat asked her: “Where is the journalist?” and when Angelia replied that she was the journalist, Borat feigned surprise. “We say to let a woman be a journalist is like to let a monkey fly a plane,” he quipped. Angela said of the infamous interview, “I just had to think on my feet and in the sand while there was people around, interacting with us and everything.” Angela and Sandra both spoke candidly about why they've stayed with the network for so long, as Angela said, “It’s the cheekiness and the risk-taking nature of the network. It’s a bold place.” “And it’s just family. I lost my husband back in 2017 to cancer and it was really a crucial part of my healing how much support I got from 10. It felt like family here, they really looked after me during that time and so did the viewers. Channel 10 viewers are quite something.” Sandra added, “It’s always been the culture, and it’s always been the teamwork. Television news is the epitome of teamwork." “I’m really thrilled, honoured, privileged to be a part of the 10 family and to have been there so long. I try not to think about how long it is, and the poor audience have to put up with me, but it has been an absolute joy, because 10 have always taken it to the edge. They’ve always redefined what television is in Australia. They’ve done it with irreverence and humour, but also a strong sense of ethics and respect for the audience.” Image credits: Network 10

Our research shows 4 in 10 Australians in aged care are malnourished. What can we do about it?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jonathan-foo-1551045">Jonathan Foo</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marie-claire-oshea-1373994">Marie-Claire O'Shea</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> In the next 40 years <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-08/p2023-435150-fs.pdf">in Australia</a>, it’s predicted the number of Australians aged 65 and over will more than double, while the number of people aged 85 and over will more than triple. If you’re not really interested in aged care, you should be. Given these figures, you will almost certainly be engaging with aged care services at some stage – either for yourself, or supporting family members or friends seeking aged care. One service you are likely to encounter is residential aged care homes. In the past few years this sector has been under more scrutiny than ever before. Changes to legislation, workforce and funding are in motion. But the question remains as to whether these changes can happen fast enough to meet our ageing population’s needs. One area of need not being adequately met at present is nutrition. In a <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/13/1296">new study</a>, we’ve found four in ten older Australians living in residential aged care are not receiving enough of the right types of nutrients, resulting in loss of weight and muscle. This is known as malnutrition. <h2>Good nutrition is essential for healthy ageing</h2> Malnutrition in older people is <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/food-nutrition-dining/why-meals-matter">associated with</a> poorer overall health, such as increased risk of falls and infections. This can accelerate loss of independence for older people, including the need for extra assistance with basic activities such as bathing and dressing. Older people are at increased risk of <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)02612-5/abstract">malnutrition</a> for a range of reasons. These can include decreased appetite, difficulties with chewing and swallowing, and the presence of other chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia. Importantly, ensuring adequate nutrition is about more than just offering healthy foods. We eat not only to meet nutritional requirements, but for enjoyment and socialisation. We each have different preferences around what we want to eat, when and with whom. Food provision poses a challenge for residential aged care providers who must navigate the range of residents’ preferences together with dietary restrictions and texture modifications. This must also be balanced against the practicalities of having the right number of appropriately trained kitchen and mealtime assistance staff, and working within funding constraints. Understanding more about who is malnourished in aged care can help providers better address this problem. <h2>Malnutrition is an ongoing problem in aged care</h2> We looked at more than 700 aged care residents in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. We assessed participants for malnutrition using a screening tool that collects data on medical history and dietary intake, and includes a physical examination of muscle and fat. We found 40% were malnourished, including 6% who were severely malnourished. This likely underestimates the true rate of malnutrition, as residents with dementia were excluded. International <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/13/2927">studies</a> have shown an average of 80% of aged care residents with dementia are malnourished or at risk of developing malnutrition. Our findings are broadly in line with a synthesis of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378512219301148">38 international studies</a>, which reported an average malnutrition rate in residential aged care of 52%. In Australia, malnutrition was highlighted as <a href="https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/aged-care">a priority</a> for immediate attention in the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Its report cited <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/dairy-food-supplementation-may-reduce-malnutrition-risk-in-institutionalised-elderly/52E93ADD586C634A3913A2AFE9D07847">an Australian study</a> of 215 residents, published in 2017, which found 68% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. It’s difficult to directly compare malnutrition rates between studies due to differences in diagnostic measurements. But it’s clear malnutrition is an ongoing challenge in aged care. <h2>What can we do about it?</h2> Since the royal commission, we’ve seen the strengthening of the <a href="https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/quality-standards/strengthened-quality-standards">quality standards</a> to be included in the new Aged Care Act, anticipated to be introduced to parliament in 2025. The strengthened quality standards provide an important framework to guide action by aged care providers on malnutrition. Key requirements include partnering with residents to design food options, regular assessment and reassessment of resident nutrition requirements, developing systems to monitor and improve satisfaction with food, designing pleasant dining environments, and providing staff with the training they need to achieve all of the above. However, achieving these standards will require investment of money and time. At the moment, <a href="https://kpmg.com/au/en/home/insights/2023/09/australian-aged-care-sector-analysis.html">64% of residential aged care providers</a> in Australia are operating at a financial loss. While we know carers and facility managers want to provide the best care possible, it’s difficult to achieve this when contending with underlying financial problems. As such, our teams at Monash and Griffith universities are focusing on strategies that minimise the burden on staff and providers. We are working on automating malnutrition screening. Current tools take 10–15 minutes and should be used when a new resident moves into an aged care home and regularly during their stay. But anecdotal evidence suggests providers lack the staff and funding needed to routinely carry out this screening. Instead, we aim to use existing data from aged care providers, including quarterly reports from the <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/qi-program">National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program</a>, to detect malnutrition automatically. This will allow staff to focus more on care. Given the complexity of malnutrition, it’s likely that addressing the issue at a national scale will take some time. In the short term, for those with loved ones in aged care homes, we encourage you to be actively involved in their care, including noticing and speaking up if you think more can be done to optimise their nutrition.<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/235507/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jonathan-foo-1551045">Jonathan Foo</a>, Lecturer, Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marie-claire-oshea-1373994">Marie-Claire O'Shea</a>, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</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/our-research-shows-4-in-10-australians-in-aged-care-are-malnourished-what-can-we-do-about-it-235507">original article</a>. </div>

Body

You don’t need a doctor to get more physically active – here are 10 simple steps you can take by yourself

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nerys-m-astbury-410114">Nerys M Astbury</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-oxford-1260">University of Oxford</a> We all know physical activity has many <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/">health benefits</a>, including for mental health. It helps <a href="https://theconversation.com/exercise-can-reduce-stress-and-improve-sleep-particularly-for-women-with-breast-cancer-186144">manage stress</a>, ease joint or back pain, and boost energy levels. Exercise can also improve <a href="https://theconversation.com/exercise-and-the-brain-three-ways-physical-activity-changes-its-very-structure-150203">brain function</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/exercise-really-can-help-you-sleep-better-at-night-heres-why-that-may-be-192427">sleep</a>, and lift mood. In contrast, inactivity or spending too much time <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6308180/">sedentary</a> is a leading factor in developing a range of diseases. The <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128">World Health Organization</a> recommends we should do a weekly minimum of 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity, such as swimming, jogging or an exercise class – as well as <a href="https://theconversation.com/strength-training-could-be-the-answer-to-one-of-the-worlds-worst-killers-228665">regular strength training</a>. However, many people <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/physical-activity/global-status-report-on-physical-activity-2022">fail to meet these guidelines</a>. So what to do about this <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/12/lack-exercise-inactivity-preventable-diseases/">health crisis</a>? There is already <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-068465">evidence</a> that when GPs give patients guidance and continued support to increase physical activity, this encourages them to be more physically active – at least in the short term. However, we don’t yet know the best way for doctors to communicate with patients to help them sustain these increased activity levels so the current guidance and support on offer to patients isn’t as effective as it could be. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vCCD1xHKpZc?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> For example, my <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2023-078713">latest research</a> examines the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c1900">“motivational interviewing” (MI)</a> method GPs currently use to encourage patients to change their lifestyle. MI is a patient-centred, non-confrontational communication style that helps patients address any problem behaviour by exploring their ambivalence towards changing it. MI has been shown to help patients with a host of health problems, including <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25577724/">addiction issues</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23001832/">eating disorders</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25726920/">smokers</a> and those with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33637368/">diabetes</a> to change their behaviour. However, I found that while MI programmes can help patients increase their total amount of physical activity – the benefits are only short term. <h2>Ten simple ways to be more physically active</h2> If you want more physical activity in your life, then, there are many self-directed things you can do to help yourself, without joining a programme or seeing your GP. Here are ten simple and effective ways to help you become – and stay – more physically active: 1) Don’t sit, stand We <a href="https://theconversation.com/sitting-is-bad-for-your-health-and-exercise-doesnt-seem-to-offset-the-harmful-effects-225056">sit a lot</a>. In fact, it’s likely you’re sitting right now – and you needn’t be. Sitting for long periods has been <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2010.05.024">linked</a> with many adverse health outcomes, so try to stand more. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wUEl8KrMz14?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> 2) Take the stairs Being physically active needn’t mean expensive gym memberships. Try building physical activity into your daily routine. One easy way to do this is by swapping the lift or escalator for the stairs. 3) Make it fun If you like doing something, you’re <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-you-shouldnt-let-guilt-motivate-you-to-exercise-220342">more likely</a> to continue doing it. Why not try an activity you liked doing as a child, or even something new? Who knows, you might enjoy it. 4) Phone a friend Exercising <a href="https://theconversation.com/exercise-can-be-punishing-but-heres-how-to-stop-thinking-of-it-as-a-punishment-76167">with a friend</a> or loved one is a great way to stay motivated, and it can make physical activity more fun too. 5) Do less, more often <a href="https://pilotfeasibilitystudies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40814-023-01272-8">“Snacktivity”</a> – a term for breaking up your activity into shorter <a href="https://theconversation.com/forget-the-gym-in-january-exercise-snacking-is-the-way-forward-69702">activity “snacks”</a> – can help you increase activity in convenient, manageable bursts while reaping the health benefits. 6) Track your progress Activity trackers aren’t a fad. There is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(22)00111-X">evidence</a> that just using an activity tracker such as a pedometer to count steps or a smart watch that logs activity can help increase your activity levels, reduce body fat and increase muscle mass – and increase your overall physical fitness. 7) Get into a habit We know it takes about ten weeks to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3505409/">form a habit</a>. Repetition is key – so stick with it and keep going. Once you’ve formed a physical activity habit, it will be <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/habit-formation#:%7E:text=Building%20healthy%20habits%20can%20involve,listening%20to%20music%20while%20exercising">hard to shake it off</a>.). 8) Hold still Try to incorporate <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isometric_exercise">isometric exercises</a> like the plank or wall squats into your routine. These exercises, which need no equipment, require you to tighten muscles and hold still – and have been shown to <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/20/1317">lower your blood pressure</a>. 9) Set a goal Give yourself an achievable target to work towards – it will <a href="https://theconversation.com/three-tips-to-help-you-stay-motivated-to-keep-exercising-all-year-long-175868">motivate you</a> to reach your goal. 10) Reward yourself And don’t forget to reward yourself when you meet that goal. You can also build in rewards to mark your progress along the way. After all, who doesn’t like to treat themselves when they’ve done well?<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/231991/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nerys-m-astbury-410114">Nerys M Astbury</a>, Associate professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-oxford-1260">University of Oxford</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/you-dont-need-a-doctor-to-get-more-physically-active-here-are-10-simple-steps-you-can-take-by-yourself-231991">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Elon Musk tops donations as millions raised for Trump shooting victims

In the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a groundswell of support has emerged from celebrities, business leaders, Republican Party notables and countless regular Americans for those affected by the event that left Trump injured, one man dead, and two others in critical condition. A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/president-trump-seeks-support-for-butler-pa-victims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe campaign</a>, initiated by Trump's top finance person, Meredith O'Rourke of Tallahassee, initially set a goal of $1 million. However, by Monday morning, donations had already far surpassed this target. As of Monday evening, the online fundraiser had amassed over $4.6 million from more than 60,000 donations. Prominent figures have made substantial contributions, with tech mogul Elon Musk donating $100,000 in two instalments late on Monday, while the Ultimate Fighting Championship and its president, Dana White, each contributed $50,000. Meredith O'Rourke, the organiser of the fundraiser, said that the collected funds would support the victims and their families, aiding in recovery and providing assistance to those in mourning. "This is about coming together as a community to help those who have suffered from this senseless act of violence," O'Rourke stated. Among the victims is volunteer fire chief <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/hero-victim-identified-at-trump-rally-shooting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corey Comperatore</a>, aged 50, who was praised by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a hero who shielded his wife and daughter during the shooting. Two other individuals remain in critical condition as they recover from their injuries. Here are some of the notable donors who have contributed to the "Butler PA Victims GoFundMe" campaign: Elon Musk: $100,000. The Tesla CEO, X (formerly Twitter) owner, and SpaceX founder, now a Texas resident, has a significant presence in Florida due to regular launches from Cape Canaveral. Kenneth C. Griffin: $100,000. The founder and CEO of multinational hedge fund Citadel LLC, Griffin, is a Daytona Beach native who maintains a home in Miami. Governor Rick & Ann Scott: $50,000. Rick Scott, the former governor of Florida, has been serving as a U.S. senator from Florida since 2019. Kid Rock: $50,000. Versatile musician and entertainer Kid Rock is renowned for blending rock, hip-hop, and country genres, delivering energetic performances and chart-topping hits over a career spanning more than two decades. Image: GoFundMe

Money & Banking

Doctor shares his top tips for tackling jet lag

Dr Nick Coatsworth has shared his fool-proof hacks to tackle jet lag on your next international flight. The TV host and doctor often travels around the world for work, and as a result, knows a thing or two about feeling jet lagged. "I hate jet lag. I suffer from it a lot," he told <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/flight-tips-how-to-avoid-jet-lag-dr-nick-coatsworth/37872af3-ff61-48c1-810d-4b20f4d2bde2">9Travel</a>. Despite being prone to jet lag, Coatsworth has honed his own tips for tackling the dreaded side effect of travelling across time zones. "Stay awake for as long as you possibly can to try and reset your body clock," he advises. Another go-to hack to overcome jet lag is a simple change you can make as soon as you board the plane. "As soon as I get on the plane I change my watch to the destination time," he said. While there are many tips and tricks floating around that people use to beat the dreaded jet lag, Dr Nick said all you can do is try to adjust to a new time zone as soon as possible. "Ultimately you've just got to push through the fatigue and try and resync yourself as quickly as possible," he says. Image credits: Nine / Shutterstock

Travel Tips

"I love you forever": Novak Djokovic celebrates 10 year anniversary

Novak Djokovic has celebrated his 10-year wedding anniversary with Jelena Djokovic. The tennis star took to Instagram to share an adorable tribute honouring their anniversary, with a video of the couple dancing, singing and laughing together set to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' Islands In The Stream. "Ten years of joy," Novak began in the caption. "Ten years as parents. Ten years as one. Ten years of dancing. Ten years of fun," he wrote. "Ten years of flying. Ten years at sea. Ten years of you. The best part of me." "Ten years of tennis. Ten years of balls. Ten years of triumph. Ten years of falls. "Ten years as teammates. Ten years together. Ten years Jelena. I love you forever." <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/C9O8uaeoMZF/?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/C9O8uaeoMZF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole)</a> </div> </blockquote> The couple first met in high school in the 90s but didn't start dating until a few years later, when Novak finally kicked off his professional tennis career. The high-school sweethearts tied the knot in a ceremony held at Aman Sveti Stefan resort almost a decade later in July 2014, and they were also expecting their first child at the time. The couple now share two children together, Stefan, nine, and Tara, Six. Images: Instagram

Relationships

Sombre Aussie site tops global list of most unusual abandoned places

Each year, thousands of people travel to famous abandoned buildings and hotspots to explore what were once important landmarks. Some deserted sites are more popular than others, as these ten sites received tens of thousands of visitors each year. Buzludzha, Bulgaria The Buzludzha Monument in central Bulgaria has been dubbed the tenth most famous abandoned place in the world, each year welcoming over 18,000 people. The site was constructed in 1981 and used by the Bulgarian communist government, and was in use until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989. Ohio State Reformatory, USA After first opening in 1898, the goal of the Ohio State Reformatory was to truly "reform" and rehabilitate its inmates. The facility was closed in 1990, and each year attracts more than 21,000 visitors. Gereja Ayam, Indonesia The uniquely shaped house of prayer in Central Java continues to be a popular tourist attraction in Indonesia, welcoming more than 50,000 travellers each year. Construction on the church was never completed after work was halted in 2000. Lago di Resia Bell Tower, Italy The 14-century sunken bell tower can be found near the border of Switzerland, emerging from the water from a sunken village where travellers claim they can hear bells tolling, even though there are no bells in the tower. The lonely (and probably haunted) tower receives more than 54,000 tourists each year. Canfranc, Spain The abandoned railway station is located in the Spanish municipality of Canfranc, close to the French border and once was a major hub for cross-border railway traffic. It first opened in 1928, but closed its doors by 1970 before it was reimagined as a hotel. Beelitz Military Hospital, Germany The large hospital complex was first built in 1898 as a sanatorium, but was transformed into a hospital at the beginning of WWI and has been abandoned since 1990. It's understood Hitler was treated here after being wounded in the Battle of Somme, which could be the reason more than 64,000 travellers flock there each year. Eastern State Penitentiary, USA The prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is described as one of the country's most historic prisons and has housed some famous prisoners such as Al Capone. The prison was closed in 1971 and is tagged on social media by more than 79,000 every year. Croix-Rouge, Paris Also known as the Red Cross, this Paris train station has been abandoned since 1939 after France entered WWII. The station was only functional for 16 years, and welcomes more than 95,000 curious travellers each year. Teufelsberg, Germany Teufelsberg was one of the largest listening towers in the world during the Cold war. The site was closed in 1972, but still receives around 128,000 every year. Port Arthur, Australia More than a quarter of a million visitors travel to Port Arthur in Tasmania each year. The site itself was first opened as a timber station in 1830 and is known as a symbol of the country's convict past. Image credits: Shutterstock

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