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"I’ve had nine melanomas - now I help others detect skin cancer before it’s too late"

You never know when a moment could change your life. Just ask Melissa Bates. At 43, Melissa was rundown and exhausted, focused solely on caring for her sick daughter. But during a routine GP visit, the doctor noticed something unusual – not in her child, but in Melissa. "You don’t sound too great either – mind if I listen to your chest?" the GP asked. What followed was a chance discovery of a suspicious spot on her back and a suggestion she never expected: get it checked. Melissa admits she didn’t rush. "It took me six months to get a biopsy and it turned out to be melanoma." That was just the beginning. Over the next seven years, Melissa had nine melanomas removed – from her back, left leg and left arm. But here's the surprising part: Melissa had always played it safe in the sun. "I don’t tan. I don’t lie in the sun. I’ve never touched a solarium in my life. I’ve always worn sunscreen and hats." Growing up with a GP stepdad who drilled in sun safety, Melissa followed all the rules. "Don’t go out between 11 and 2,” he’d say. Even so, her fair skin, blonde hair and blue eyes made her high-risk. "I played sports outdoors constantly as a kid – tennis, surfing, little athletics, horse riding. Even with all the caution, my skin’s always been high-risk." The good news? Melissa’s melanomas were all caught early. "I feel very fortunate they were melanoma in situ, and I only had to have 9 biopsies and 10 operations without chemotherapy or radiation because they were detected early." Today, at 49, Melissa lives on 130 acres with 20 head of cattle, raising two teenage daughters – and she’s passionate about encouraging others to stay vigilant. "I have a mission to help others catch skin cancers early." Leading dermatologist <a href="https://www.getmoshy.com.au/?utm_source=paid-search&utm_medium=adwords&utm_campaign=Moshy_Cross_Search_Brand&utm_content=150994372969&utm_term=get%20moshy&hsa_acc=9605530456&hsa_cam=19998630651&hsa_grp=150994372969&hsa_ad=690117752345&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-2273660214860&hsa_kw=get%20moshy&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19998630651&gbraid=0AAAAApT1_CN5CSXJEVhBexqHMmCQF3We2&gclid=CjwKCAjwvO7CBhAqEiwA9q2YJUsDL3T-6Mwc8iq0OJi6CBWpC2YlJaV_dUCWiU5AW4kz2zhkc542NhoCqS4QAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moshy</a>'s Dr Ludi Ge agrees that year-round protection is key. She warns that even in winter, UV levels can reach 3 or higher – high enough to damage skin. And while most people remember sunscreen in summer, winter is just as important. Making a skin check part of your yearly routine might just save your life – just like it did for Melissa. Images: Supplied

Body

Why women turn to illegal cannabis despite rising medical demand

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> The number of women using medicinal cannabis is growing in New Zealand and overseas. They use cannabis treatment for general conditions such as <a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/jwh.2020.8437">pain, anxiety, inflammation and nausea</a>, as well as gynaecological conditions, including <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40445778/">endometriosis</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39766334/">pelvic floor conditions</a>, and <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10314536/">menopause</a>. However, their experiences with medicinal cannabis remain under-explored in research and overlooked in policy and regulation. As our work shows, they face several gender-specific barriers to accessing medicinal cannabis. Some of these hurdles lead women to seeking cannabis from illegal markets. New Zealand introduced the <a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/regulation-legislation/medicinal-cannabis/about-the-medicinal-cannabis-scheme">medicinal cannabis scheme</a> five years ago to enable access to legal, safe and quality-controlled cannabis products for any condition a doctor would deem suitable for a prescription. A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39418607/">recent analysis</a> found the number of medicinal cannabis products dispensed has increased more than 14-fold since 2020, with more than 160,000 prescriptions administered during 2023/2024. In the first two years of the scheme, women were the primary recipients of medicinal cannabis prescriptions. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of prescriptions issued to female patients <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-regions-age-groups-and-ethnicities-using-the-most-medicinal-cannabis/LNG7NHEDI5GYJMG6SCER7B3HKQ/">doubled to 47,633</a>. Our findings from a <a href="https://nzdrugtrends.co.nz/">large-scale national survey</a> show that although women perceive physicians as supportive of prescribing medicinal cannabis, they were less likely to have prescriptions than men. This is similar to <a href="https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-024-00992-1">findings from Australia</a>. Potential reasons include the <a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2022-23-new-zealand-health-survey">cost of visiting health professionals</a>, unpaid care-giving duties, lower workforce participation and a <a href="https://www.women.govt.nz/women-and-work/gender-pay-gap">pay disparity</a> – all creating barriers to accessing health services. Women were also more likely not to disclose their medicinal cannabis use to others, citing it would be less accepted by society because of their gender. <h2>Gendered risks in illegal cannabis markets</h2> Our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687637.2025.2481297?src=#d1e531">latest study</a> aligned with <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/3/1536">Australia</a> in finding that women often seek cannabis from illegal sources because of perceived lower prices. Many could not financially sustain accessing legal prescriptions because medicinal cannabis is not funded by New Zealand’s drug-buying agency Pharmac. Study participants discussed the health risks of accessing illegal cannabis such as consuming products without knowing how strong they are or whether they have been <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/news/news/tga-warns-consumers-about-potential-harm-unlawfully-supplied-medicinal-cannabis">contaminated</a> with harmful substances. They also characterised illegal cannabis markets as unsafe and intimidating for women, with little legal protection and the presence of predatory male sellers. Some even described gender-specific experiences of physical assault, intimidation and sexual harassment, particularly when cannabis buying occurred in drug houses or locations controlled by the seller. Women accessing medicinal cannabis in illegal markets increasingly relied on female suppliers, viewing them as safer and more reliable. Some also helped connect others to these suppliers and used social media to warn other women of unsafe male suppliers. This created informal women-led support networks for access. <h2>Accessing legal prescriptions</h2> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> One of our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2025.2476989">recent studies</a> found many women begin their journeys with medicinal cannabis online via social media, often leading them to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-09021-y">cannabis clinics</a> with a strong digital presence. Women are now a growing demographic for specialised medicinal cannabis clinics in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32019776/">New Zealand</a> and in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229921000819">other countries</a>. Cannabis clinics have a reputation among medicinal cannabis consumers for being more knowledgeable and positive about treatments than general practitioners and other health providers. Women have been encouraged by positive online testimonies from other women using cannabis treatments for gynaecological and other conditions. Female medicinal cannabis patients also described the financial burden of accessing a prescription, including consultation fees and the costs of products as barriers to access. Their relationships with their GPs strongly influenced their decision to seek a prescription. Those with prior experiences of having their pain underestimated or misdiagnosed in mainstream care were more likely to source legal medicinal cannabis from cannabis clinics. <h2>Policy and practice</h2> The current scientific evidence for using medicinal cannabis for gynaecological conditions is still emerging. Clinical trials are under way in Australia to evaluate cannabis treatment for <a href="https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/nicmhri/research/research_projects/medicinal_cannabis_and_endometriosis">endometriosis and period pain</a>. Women’s reliance on online sources and personal recommendations to learn about medicinal cannabis highlights a gap in public awareness and government education about the legal prescription scheme. <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/hc/HC22122">Hesitance to discuss and recommend cannabis</a> treatment among GPs also persists as a barrier to access. Online peer networks on social media platforms are promoting women’s agency and informing their decision making around medicinal cannabis, but also raise the risks of misinformation. Although marketing of medicinal cannabis to women may improve their engagement with the prescription scheme, it may also put them in a vulnerable position where they are encouraged to pursue expensive treatment options which may not be effective. The collective findings from our studies indicate complex financial, social and systemic factors affecting safe and equitable access to medicinal cannabis for women. To improve women’s engagement with New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis scheme, we suggest GPs should have informed and non-stigmatising discussions with female patients to explore when medicinal cannabis might be an appropriate treatment option. Better access to good official consumer information about medicinal cannabis and greater investment in clinical trials for gynaecological conditions would also improve and support women’s decision making about their health.<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/258797/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vinuli-withanarachchie-1278697">Vinuli Withanarachchie</a>, PhD candidate, College of Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/te-kunenga-ki-purehuroa-massey-university-806">Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-wilkins-1110463">Chris Wilkins</a>, Professor of Policy and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/te-kunenga-ki-purehuroa-massey-university-806">Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marta-rychert-1108013">Marta Rychert</a>, Associate Professor in Drug Policy and Health Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/te-kunenga-ki-purehuroa-massey-university-806">Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University</a> 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/more-women-are-using-medical-cannabis-but-new-research-shows-barriers-push-some-into-illegal-markets-258797">original article</a>. Image: Pexels / Binoid CBD and Alesia Kozik </div>

Caring

The surprising ways that coffee can interfere with medication

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> For many of us, the day doesn’t start until we’ve had our first cup of coffee. It’s comforting, energising, and one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. But while your morning brew might feel harmless, it can interact with certain medicines in ways that reduce their effectiveness – or increase the risk of side-effects. From common cold tablets to antidepressants, caffeine’s impact on the body goes far beyond a quick energy boost. Tea also contains caffeine but not in the same concentrations as coffee, and doesn’t seem to affect people in the same way. Here’s what you should know about how coffee can interfere with your medications – and how to stay safe. <h2>1. Cold and flu medicines</h2> Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it speeds up the central nervous system. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in cold and flu remedies such as Sudafed, is <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682619.html">also a stimulant</a>. When taken together, the effects can be amplified – potentially leading to jitters or restlessness, headaches, fast heart rate and insomnia. Many cold medications already contain added caffeine, increasing these risks further. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/10/5146">Some studies</a> also suggest that combining caffeine with pseudoephedrine can raise blood sugar and body temperature – particularly important for people with diabetes. Stimulant effects are also a concern when combining caffeine with ADHD medications such as amphetamines, or with <a href="https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/coffee-and-asthma/">asthma drugs</a> such as theophylline, which shares a similar chemical structure to caffeine. Using them together may increase the risk of side-effects such as a rapid heartbeat and sleep disruption. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9eL16Exry48?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>2. Thyroid medication</h2> Levothyroxine, the standard treatment for an underactive thyroid, is highly sensitive to timing – and your morning coffee can get in the way. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">Studies show</a> that drinking coffee too soon after taking levothyroxine can reduce its absorption by up to 50%. Caffeine speeds up gut motility (the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract), giving the drug <a href="https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(16)00200-8/abstract">less time to be absorbed</a> – and <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8002057/#:%7E:text=Several%20studies%20on%20patients%20with,Benvenga%20et%20al.">may also bind</a> to it in the stomach, making it harder for the body to take in. These effects reduce the drug’s bioavailability, meaning less of it reaches your bloodstream where it’s needed. This interaction <a href="https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2022/drinking-coffee-does-not-hinder-the-absorption-of-liquid-thyroid-medication">is more common</a> with tablet forms of levothyroxine, and less likely with liquid formulations. If absorption is impaired, <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism/">symptoms of hypothyroidism</a> – including fatigue, weight gain and constipation – can return, even if you’re taking your medicine correctly. The same timing rule applies to a class of osteoporosis medications called <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601011.html#precautions">bisphosphonates</a>, including alendronate and risedronate, which also require an empty stomach and around 30-60 minutes before food or drink is taken. <h2>3. Antidepressants and antipsychotics</h2> The interaction between caffeine and mental health medications can be more complex. <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/ssri-antidepressants/overview/">Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors</a> (SSRIs), such as sertraline and citalopram, are a type of antidepressant medication <a href="https://purehost.bath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/225886346/Lalji_McGrogan_and_Bailey_JADR_2021.pdf">widely used</a> to treat depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">Lab studies</a> suggest caffeine can bind to these drugs in the stomach, reducing absorption and potentially making them less effective. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and imipramine, are a class of older antidepressants that work by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. They were among the first antidepressants developed and are <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/overview/#:%7E:text=Tricyclic%20antidepressants%20(TCAs),to%20treat%20chronic%20nerve%20pain.">less commonly used</a> today, compared with newer antidepressants such as SSRIs, due to their potential for more side-effects and higher risk of overdose. TCAs are broken down by the liver enzyme <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">CYP1A2</a>, which also metabolises caffeine. The competition between the two can slow drug breakdown, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">increasing side-effects</a>, or delay caffeine clearance, making you feel jittery or wired longer than usual. Clozapine, an antipsychotic, is also processed by CYP1A2. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">One study showed</a> that drinking two-to-three cups of coffee could increase blood levels of clozapine by up to 97%, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a691001.html#side-effects">potentially increasing risks</a> such as drowsiness, confusion, or more serious complications. <h2>4. Painkillers</h2> Some over-the-counter painkillers, such as those containing aspirin or paracetamol, include added caffeine. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003088-200039020-00004">Coffee can speed up</a> how quickly these drugs are absorbed by accelerating how fast the stomach empties and making the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">stomach more acidic</a>, which improves absorption for some medications such as aspirin. While this may help painkillers work faster, it could also raise the risk of side-effects like stomach irritation or bleeding, especially when combined with other sources of caffeine. Though no serious cases have been reported, caution is still advised. <h2>5. Heart medications</h2> Caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate, typically lasting three-to-four hours after consumption. For people taking blood pressure medication or drugs that control irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), this <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8101832/#:%7E:text=Table%20I.&text=The%20next%20stage%20of%20hypertension,response%20to%20calcium%20channel%20blockers.&text=The%20potential%20for%20caffeine%20to,Table%20II%20summarizes%20these%20recommendations.">may counteract</a> the intended effects of the medication. This doesn’t mean people with heart conditions must avoid coffee altogether – but they should monitor how it affects their symptoms, and consider limiting intake or switching to decaf if needed. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-YwCCNDOy0?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>What can you do?</h2> Coffee may be part of your daily routine, but it’s also a potent chemical compound that can influence how your body processes medicine. Here’s how to make sure it doesn’t interfere. Take levothyroxine or bisphosphonates on an empty stomach with water, and wait 30-60 minutes before drinking coffee or eating breakfast. Be cautious with cold and flu remedies, asthma treatments and ADHD medications, as caffeine can amplify side-effects. If you’re on antidepressants, antipsychotics, or blood pressure drugs, discuss your caffeine habits with your doctor. Consider reducing intake or choosing a decaffeinated option if you experience side-effects like restlessness, insomnia or heart palpitations. Everyone metabolises caffeine differently – some people feel fine after three cups, while others get side-effects after just one. Pay attention to how your body responds and talk to your pharmacist or GP if anything feels off. If you’re ever unsure whether your medicine and your coffee are a good match, ask your pharmacist or doctor. A short conversation might save you weeks of side-effects or reduced treatment effectiveness – and help you enjoy your brew with peace of mind.<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/256919/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dipa-kamdar-1485027">Dipa Kamdar</a>, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/kingston-university-949">Kingston University</a> 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/coffee-can-interfere-with-your-medication-heres-what-you-need-to-know-256919">original article</a>. Image: Pexels / Jonathan Borba </div>

Body

More people are trying medicinal cannabis for chronic pain. But does it work?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> More Australians than ever are being prescribed <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/medicinal-cannabis">medicinal cannabis</a>. Medicinal cannabis refers to legally prescribed cannabis products. These are either the plant itself, or naturally occurring ingredients extracted from the plant. These ingredients, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), are called cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids are also made in labs to act like the ones in the plant. Medicinal cannabis comes in different forms, such as oils, capsules, dried flower (used in a vaporiser), sprays and edible forms such as gummies. Since regulatory changes in 2016 made medicinal cannabis more accessible, Australia’s regulator has issued <a href="https://dashboard-data.health.gov.au/single/?appid=1066afbe-2b37-427d-8c47-2caa5082cccc&sheet=088f611b-10de-4d72-be68-ccf8d12c54e9&select=clearall">more than 700,000 approvals</a>. (But approvals for medicinal cannabis don’t reflect the actual number of patients treated. One patient may have multiple approvals, and not all approved products are necessarily prescribed or supplied.) Around half of the approvals have been for chronic pain that isn’t caused by cancer. In Australia, chronic pain affects around <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-disease/chronic-pain-in-australia/summary">one in five</a> Australians aged 45 and over, with an enormous impact on people’s lives. So what does the current evidence tell us about the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain? <h2>What the evidence shows</h2> A <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1034">2021 review of 32 randomised controlled trials</a> involving nearly 5,200 people with chronic pain, examined the effects of medicinal cannabis or cannabinoids. The study found a small improvements in pain and physical functioning compared with a placebo. A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29847469/">previous review</a> found that to achieve a 30% reduction in pain for one person, 24 people would need to be treated with medicinal cannabis. The 2021 review also <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1034">found</a> small improvements in sleep, and no consistent benefits for other quality of life measures, consistent with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29847469/">previous reviews</a>. This doesn’t mean medicinal cannabis doesn’t help anyone. But it suggests that, on average, the benefits are limited to a smaller number of people. Many pain specialists have <a href="https://theconversation.com/medicinal-cannabis-to-manage-chronic-pain-we-dont-have-evidence-it-works-157324">questioned</a> if the evidence for medicinal cannabis is sufficient to support its use for pain. The <a href="https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/recommendations/fpm6">Faculty of Pain Medicine</a>, the professional body dedicated to the training and education of specialist pain physicians, recommends medical cannabis should be limited to clinical trials. <h2>What does the regulator say?</h2> Guidance from Australia’s regulator, the <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-guidance-documents/guidance-use-medicinal-cannabis-treatment-chronic-non-cancer-pain-australia">Therapeutic Goods Administration</a> (TGA), on medicinal cannabis for chronic non-cancer pain reflects these uncertainties. The TGA states there is limited evidence medicinal cannabis provides clinically significant pain relief for many pain conditions. Therefore, the potential benefits versus harms should be considered patient-by-patient. The TGA says medicinal cannabis should only be trialled when other standard therapies have been tried and did not provide enough pain relief. In terms of which type of medical cannabis product to use, due to concerns about the safety of inhaled cannabis, the TGA considers pharmaceutical-grade products (such as nabiximols or extracts containing THC and/or CBD) to be safer. <h2>What about people who say it helps?</h2> This evidence may feel at odds with the experiences of people who report relief from medicinal cannabis. In clinical practice, it’s common for individuals to respond differently based on their health conditions, beliefs and many other factors. What works well for one person may not work for another. Research helps us understand what outcomes are typical or expected for most people, but there is variation. Some people may find medicinal cannabis improves their pain, sleep or general well-being – especially if other treatments haven’t helped. <h2>What are the side effects and risks?</h2> Like any medicine, medicinal cannabis has <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-guidance-documents/guidance-use-medicinal-cannabis-treatment-chronic-non-cancer-pain-australia#s9">potential side effects</a>. These are usually mild to moderate, including drowsiness or sedation, dizziness, impaired concentration, a dry mouth, nausea and cognitive slowing. These side effects are often greater with higher-potency THC products. These are becoming more common on the Australian market. High-potency THC products represent <a href="https://dashboard-data.health.gov.au/single/?appid=1066afbe-2b37-427d-8c47-2caa5082cccc&sheet=088f611b-10de-4d72-be68-ccf8d12c54e9&select=clearall">more than half of approvals in 2025</a>. In research studies, generally <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29847469/">more people experience side effects</a> than report benefits from medical cannabis. Medical cannabis can also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36317739/">interact with other medications</a>, especially those that cause drowsiness (such as opioids), medicines for mental illness, anti-epileptics, blood thinners and immunosuppressants. Even cannabidiol (CBD), which isn’t considered intoxicating like THC, has been linked to serious drug interactions. These risks are greater when cannabis is prescribed by a doctor who doesn’t regularly manage the patient’s chronic pain or isn’t in contact with their other health-care providers. Since medicinal cannabis is often prescribed through separate telehealth clinics, this fragmented care may increase the risk of harmful interactions. Another concern is developing cannabis use disorder (commonly understood as “addiction”). A 2024 study found <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871624001844?via%3Dihub">one in four people</a> using medical cannabis develop a cannabis use disorder. Withdrawal symptoms – such as irritability, sleep problems, or cravings – can occur with frequent and heavy use. For some people, tolerance can also develop with long-term use, meaning you need to take higher doses to get the same effect. This can increase the risk of developing a cannabis use disorder. <h2>How does it compare to other treatments?</h2> Like many <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/chronic-pain">medicines for chronic pain</a>, the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis is modest, and is not recommended as a sole treatment. There’s good evidence that, for conditions like back pain, interventions such as exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy and pain self-management education can <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-any-non-drug-treatments-help-back-pain-heres-what-the-evidence-says-253122">help</a> and may have fewer risks than many medicines. But there are challenges with how accessible and affordable these treatments are for many Australians, <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/getattachment/e0603085-695c-4fbb-b7d9-ba77057e5a97/Management-of-chronic-pain-in-a-rural-Australian-s.aspx">especially outside major cities</a>. <h2>So where does this leave patients?</h2> The growing use of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain reflects both a high burden of pain in the community and gaps in access to effective care. While some patients report benefits, the current evidence suggests these are likely to be small for most people, and must be weighed against the risks. If you are considering medicinal cannabis, it’s important to talk to your usual health-care provider, ideally one familiar with your full medical history, to help you decide the best approaches to help manage your pain.<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/256471/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/suzanne-nielsen-35849">Suzanne Nielsen</a>, Professor and Deputy Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/myfanwy-graham-2392855">Myfanwy Graham</a>, NHMRC Postgraduate Scholar and Fulbright Alumna in Public Health Policy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> 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/more-people-are-trying-medicinal-cannabis-for-chronic-pain-but-does-it-work-256471">original article</a>. Image: </div>

Caring

Older Australians are also hurting from the housing crisis. Where are the election policies to help them?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> It would be impossible at this stage in the election campaign to be unaware that housing is a critical, potentially vote-changing, issue. But the suite of policies being proposed by the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-do-the-coalition-and-labor-plans-on-housing-differ-and-what-have-they-ignored-253337">major parties</a> largely focus on young, first home buyers. What is glaringly noticeable is the lack of measures to improve availability and affordability for older people. Modern older lives are diverse, yet older people have become too easily pigeonholed. No more so than in respect to property, where a perception has flourished that older people own more than their fair share of housing wealth. While the value of housing has no doubt increased, home <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/home-ownership-and-housing-tenure#:%7E:text=The%20home%20ownership%20rate%20of,compared%20with%2036%25%20in%202021.">ownership rates</a> among people reaching retirement age has actually declined since the mid-1990s. Older people can also face <a href="https://www.anglicare.asn.au/research-advocacy/rental-affordability/">rental stress and homelessness</a> – with almost 20,000 <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/estimating-homelessness-census/latest-release">homeless people</a> in Australia aged over 55. Severe housing stress is a key contributing to those homelessness figures. It’s easy to blame older Australians for causing, or exacerbating, the housing crisis. But doing so ignores the fact that right now, our housing system is badly failing many older people too. <h2>No age limits</h2> Owning a home has traditionally provided financial security for retirees, especially ones relying on the age pension. This is so much so, that home ownership is sometimes described as the “fourth pillar” of Australia’s retirement system. But housing has become more expensive – to rent or buy – for everyone. Falling rates of <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/money-in-retirement/">home ownership</a> combined with carriage of mortgage debt into retirement, restricted access to shrinking stocks of social housing, and lack of housing affordability in the private rental market have a particular impact on older people. <h2>Housing rethink</h2> Housing policy for older Australians has mostly focused on age-specific options, such as retirement villages and aged care. Taking such a limited view excludes other potential solutions from across the broader housing system that should be considered. Furthermore, not all older people want to live in a retirement village, and fewer than <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release#:%7E:text=5.5%20million%20Australians%20(21.4%25),a%20profound%20or%20severe%20disability.">5% of older people</a> live in residential aged care. During my <a href="https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/victoria-cornell-sa-2019/">Churchill Fellowship study</a> exploring alternative, affordable models of housing for older people, I discovered three cultural themes that are stopping us from having a productive conversation about housing for older people. <ul> <li> Australia’s tradition of home ownership undervalues renting and treats housing as a commodity, not a basic need. This disadvantages older renters and those on low income. </li> <li> There’s a stigma regarding welfare in Australia, which influences who is seen as “deserving” and shapes the policy responses. </li> <li> While widely encouraged, “ageing-in-place” means different things to different people. It can include formal facilities or the family home that needs modifications to make it habitable as someone ages. </li> </ul> These themes are firmly entrenched, often driven by policy narratives such as the primacy of home ownership over renting. In the past 50 years or so, many have come to view welfare, such as social housing, as a <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/390">last resort</a>, and have aimed to age in their family home or move into a “desirable” retirement village. <h2>Variety is key</h2> A more flexible approach could deliver housing for older Australians that is more varied in design, cost and investment models. The promises made so far by political parties to help younger home buyers are welcome. However, the housing system is a complex beast and there is no single quick fix solution. First and foremost, a national housing and homelessness plan is required, which also involves the states and territories. The plan must include explicit consideration of housing options for older people. Funding for housing developments needs to be more flexible in terms of public-private sector investment and direct government assistance that goes beyond first home buyer incentives. <h2>International models</h2> For inspiration, we could look to Denmark, which has developed numerous <a href="https://www.spatialagency.net/database/co-housing">co-housing communities</a>. Co-housing models generally involve self-managing communities where residents have their own private, self-contained home, supported by communal facilities and spaces. They can be developed and designed by the owner or by a social housing provider. They can be age-specific or multi-generational. Funding flexibility, planning and design are key to their success. Institutional investors include <ul> <li> so-called impact investors, who seek social returns and often accept lower financial returns </li> <li> community housing providers </li> <li> member-based organisations, such as mutuals and co-operatives. </li> </ul> Government also plays a part by expediting the development process and providing new pathways to more affordable ownership and rental options. Europe is also leading the way on social housing, where cultural attitudes are different from here. In Vienna, Austria, more than 60% of residents live in 440,000 <a href="https://www.wienerwohnen.at/wiener-gemeindebau/municipal-housing-in-vienna.html">socially provided homes</a>. These homes are available for a person’s entire life, with appropriate age-related modifications permitted if required. At over 20% of the total housing stock, <a href="https://lbf.dk/om-lbf/english-the-danish-social-housing-model/">social housing</a> is also a large sector in Denmark, where the state and municipalities support the construction of non-profit housing. <h2>Overcoming stereotyes</h2> Our population is ageing rapidly, and more older people are now renting or facing housing insecurity. If policymakers continue to ignore their housing needs, even more older people will be at risk of living on the street, and as a result will suffer poor health and social isolation. Overcoming stereotypes - such as the idea that all older people are wealthy homeowners - is key to building fairer, more inclusive solutions. This isn’t just about older Australians. It’s about creating a housing system that works for everyone, at every stage of 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/255391/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/victoria-cornell-2372746">Victoria Cornell</a>, Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a> 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/older-australians-are-also-hurting-from-the-housing-crisis-where-are-the-election-policies-to-help-them-255391">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock </div>

Money & Banking

Forming new habits can take longer than you think. Here are 8 tips to help you stick with them

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> If you’ve ever tried to build a new habit – whether that’s exercising more, eating healthier, or going to bed earlier – you may have heard the popular claim that it only takes 21 days to form a habit. It’s a neat idea. Short, encouraging and full of promise. But there’s just one problem: it’s not true. The 21-day myth can be traced back to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671700758/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0671700758&linkCode=as2&tag=jamesclear-20&linkId=6DQ32IRAG3LU4PKA">Maxwell Maltz</a>, a plastic surgeon in the 1960s, who observed it took about three weeks for his patients to adjust to physical changes. This idea was later picked up and repeated in self-help books, eventually becoming accepted wisdom. But as psychologists and behavioural scientists have since discovered, habit formation is <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-long-does-it-really-take-to-form-a-habit/">much more complex</a>. <h2>How long does it really take?</h2> A <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674">2010 study</a> followed volunteers trying to build simple routines – such as drinking water after breakfast or eating a daily piece of fruit – and found it took a median of 66 days for the behaviour to become automatic. We recently <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/23/2488">reviewed several studies</a> looking at how long it took people to form health-related habits. We found, on average, it took around two to five months. Specifically, the studies that measured time to reach automaticity (when a behaviour becomes second nature) found that habit formation took between 59 and 154 days. Some people developed a habit in as few as four days. Others took nearly a year. This wide range highlights that habit formation isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on what the behaviour is, how often it’s repeated, how complex it is, and who’s doing it. <h2>What determines whether a habit will stick?</h2> Habit strength plays a key role in consistency. A <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.626750/full">2021 systematic review</a> focused on physical activity and found the stronger the habit (meaning the more automatic and less effortful the behaviour felt) the more likely people were to exercise regularly. It’s not entirely surprising that easy, <a href="https://bjgp.org/content/62/605/664">low-effort behaviours</a> such as drinking water or taking a daily vitamin tend to form faster than complex ones like training for a marathon. But whatever the habit, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44159-024-00305-0">research shows</a> sticking to it is not just about boosting motivation or willpower. Interventions that actively support habit formation – through repetition, cues and structure – are much more effective for creating lasting change. For example, programs that encourage people to schedule regular exercise at the same time each day, or apps that send reminders to drink water after every meal, help build habits by making the behaviour easier to repeat and harder to forget. Our <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/23/2488">research</a>, which drew on data from more than 2,600 people, showed habit-building interventions can make a real difference across a range of behaviours – from flossing and healthy eating to regular exercise. But what stood out most was that even small, everyday actions can grow into powerful routines, when repeated consistently. It’s not about overhauling your life overnight, but about steadily reinforcing behaviours until they become second nature. <h2>8 tips for building lasting habits</h2> If you’re looking to build a new habit, here are some science-backed tips to help them stick: <ol> <li> Give it time. Aim for consistency over <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/23/2488">60 days</a>. It’s not about perfection – missing a day won’t reset the clock. </li> <li> <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3505409/">Make it easy</a>. Start small. Choose a behaviour you can realistically repeat daily. </li> <li> Attach your new habit <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/23/2488">to an existing routine</a>. That is, make the new habit easier to remember by linking it to something you already do – such as flossing right before you brush your teeth. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0144929X.2020.1801840">Track your progress</a>. Use a calendar or app to tick off each successful day. </li> <li> Build in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267215011181?casa_token=-VKsr03fXOUAAAAA:pKV0oAB5VVuj8RcPAW5T7prjo3efSVpi6P6TXFoeTLHBX_vFK0ttF6tFM9-8Fp6o45XPu_lcij5d">rewards</a>, for example making a special coffee after a morning walk or watching an episode of your favourite show after a week of consistent workouts. Positive emotions help habits stick, so celebrate small wins. </li> <li> Morning is best. Habits practised <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fhea0000510">in the morning</a> tend to form more reliably than those attempted at night. This may be because people typically have more motivation and fewer distractions earlier in the day, making it easier to stick to new routines before daily demands build up. </li> <li> Personal choice boosts success. People are more likely to stick with habits <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00560/full">they choose themselves</a>. </li> <li> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ejsp.674">Repetition</a> in a stable context is key. Performing the same behaviour in the same situation (such as walking right after lunch each day) increases the chances it will become automatic. </li> </ol> <h2>Why the 21-day myth matters</h2> Believing habits form in 21 days sets many people up to fail. When change doesn’t “click” within three weeks, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing something wrong. This can lead to frustration, guilt and giving up entirely. By contrast, understanding the real timeline can help you stay motivated when things feel slow. Evidence shows habit formation usually takes at least two months, and sometimes longer. But it also shows change is possible. Our <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/23/2488">research</a> and <a href="https://bjgp.org/content/62/605/664">other evidence</a> confirm that repeated, intentional actions in stable contexts really do become automatic. Over time, new behaviours can feel effortless and deeply ingrained. So whether you’re trying to move more, eat better, or improve your sleep, the key isn’t speed – it’s consistency. Stick with it. With time, the habit will stick with you.<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/255118/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-singh-1297213">Ben Singh</a>, Research Fellow, Allied Health & Human Performance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ashleigh-e-smith-201327">Ashleigh E. Smith</a>, Associate Professor, Healthy Ageing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> 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/forming-new-habits-can-take-longer-than-you-think-here-are-8-tips-to-help-you-stick-with-them-255118">original article</a>. Image: Shuttertock </div>

Mind

Fresh medical report sheds new light on Shane Warne’s sudden death

New details have emerged regarding the sudden death of cricketing legend Shane Warne, who passed away in a Thai hotel room in March 2022 at the age of 52. A newly surfaced medical report, published by The Sun, reveals that multiple medications were found in Warne’s luxury villa on the Thai island of Koh Samui. These included two types of Viagra – Sildenafil (marketed as Viagra) and Kamagra (an unregulated version available in jelly sachets) – as well as Dapoxetine, a drug used to prevent premature ejaculation. While Viagra and Dapoxetine are legal with a prescription, Kamagra is illegal in Thailand but widely available over the counter. It remains uncertain whether Warne had taken any of these medications before his passing. Warne had a known history of heart issues, and these medications carry warnings for individuals with cardiovascular conditions. However, a post-mortem examination conducted in Thailand concluded that Warne died of natural causes due to congenital heart disease, ruling out foul play. Despite this, recent reports claim that Thai police removed Kamagra from Warne’s hotel room during their investigation. Meanwhile, News Corp reported that Warne had openly discussed using Viagra during his relationship with actress and model Elizabeth Hurley. Warne was staying at the Smujana Villas resort with three friends at the time of his death. CCTV footage captured two massage therapists leaving his villa shortly before he was found unresponsive at approximately 5pm His friends called for medical assistance at 5:40pm, with paramedics arriving at 6pm and initiating CPR at 6:10pm. Dr Dulyakit Wittayachanyapong, who oversaw Warne’s treatment at Thailand International Hospital, described his condition upon arrival, stating: “When he arrived at hospital, his face was green and pale, he had black blood in his nose and mouth, which was unusual. There was no sign of life.” Hospital staff attempted resuscitation for 43 minutes before Warne was declared dead at 6:53pm. According to the medical report, doctors intubated him and administered adrenaline and sodium bicarbonate in an attempt to revive him. Blood tests revealed that his oxygen levels had plummeted to a critical 40%. In the weeks leading up to his death, Warne had been on a liquid diet, and his lifestyle reportedly included habitual smoking and drinking. His sudden passing sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, with fans and former teammates mourning the loss of an icon whose impact on the sport remains unmatched. Images: Instagram

Caring

Do any non-drug treatments help back pain? Here’s what the evidence says

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> Jason, a 42-year-old father of two, has been battling back pain for weeks. Scrolling through his phone, he sees ad after ad promising relief: chiropractic alignments, acupuncture, back braces, vibrating massage guns and herbal patches. His GP told him to “stay active”, but what does that even mean when every movement hurts? Jason wants to avoid strong painkillers and surgery, but with so many options (and opinions), it’s hard to know what works and what’s just marketing hype. If Jason’s experience sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor. It can be challenging to manage, mainly due to widespread <a href="https://theconversation.com/having-good-posture-doesnt-prevent-back-pain-and-bad-posture-doesnt-cause-it-183732">misunderstandings</a> and the <a href="https://ebm.bmj.com/content/early/2025/03/02/bmjebm-2024-112974">overwhelming number</a> of ineffective and uncertain treatments promoted. We assessed the best available evidence of non-drug and non-surgical treatments to alleviate low back pain. <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD014691.pub2/full">Our review</a> – published today by the independent, international group the Cochrane Collaboration – includes 31 Cochrane systematic reviews, covering 97,000 people with back pain. It <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD014691.pub2/full">shows</a> bed rest doesn’t work for back pain. Some of the treatments that do work can depend on how long you’ve been in pain. <h2>Is back pain likely to be serious?</h2> There are different types of low back pain. It can: <ul> <li>be short-lived, lasting less than six weeks (acute back pain)</li> <li>linger for a bit longer, for six to twelve weeks (sub-acute)</li> <li>stick around for months and even years (chronic, defined as more than 12 weeks).</li> </ul> In <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(16)30970-9/abstract">most cases</a> (90-95%), back pain is non-specific and cannot be reliably linked to a specific cause or underlying disease. This includes common structural changes seen in x-rays and MRIs of the spine. For this reason, imaging of the back is <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)60172-0/abstract">only</a> recommended in rare situations – typically when there’s a clear suspicion of serious back issues, such as after physical trauma or when there is numbness or loss of sensation in the groin or legs. Many people expect to receive <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013815.pub2/full">painkillers</a> for their back pain or even surgery, but these are no longer the front-line treatment options due to limited benefits and the high risk of harm. International <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30489-6/fulltext">clinical guidelines</a> recommend people choose non-drug and non-surgical treatments to relieve their pain, improve function and reduce the distress commonly associated with back pain. So what works for different types of pain? Here’s what <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD014691.pub2/full">our review found</a> when researchers compared these treatments with standard care (the typical treatment patients usually receive) or no treatment. <h2>What helps for short-term back pain</h2> 1. Stay active – don’t rest in bed If your back pain is new, the best advice is also one of the simplest: keep moving despite the pain. Changing the way you move and use your body to protect it, or resting in bed, can seem like to right way to respond to pain – and may have even been recommended in the past. But we know know this excessive protective behaviour can make it harder to return to meaningful activities. This doesn’t mean pushing through pain or hitting the gym, but instead, trying to maintain your usual routines as much as possible. Evidence suggests that doing so won’t make your pain worse, and may improve it. 2. Multidisciplinary care, if pain lingers For pain lasting six to 12 weeks, multidisciplinary treatment is likely to reduce pain compared to standard care. This involves a coordinated team of doctors, physiotherapists and psychologists working together to address the many factors contributing to your back pain persisting: <ul> <li> neurophysiological influences refer to how your nervous system is currently processing pain. It can make you more sensitive to signals from movements, thoughts, feelings and environment </li> <li> psychological factors include how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours affect your pain system and, ultimately, the experience of pain you have </li> <li> occupational factors include the physical demands of your job and how well you can manage them, as well as aspects like low job satisfaction, all of which can contribute to ongoing pain. </li> </ul> <h2>What works for chronic back pain</h2> Once pain has been around for more than 12 weeks, it can become more difficult to treat. But relief is still possible. Exercise therapy Exercise – especially programs tailored to your needs and preferences – is likely to reduce pain and help you move better. This could include aerobic activity, strength training or Pilates-based movements. It doesn’t seem to matter what type of exercise you do – it matters more that you are consistent and have the right level of supervision, especially early on. Multidisciplinary treatment As with short-term pain, coordinated care involving a mix of physical, occupational and psychological approaches likely works better than usual care alone. Psychological therapies Psychological therapies for chronic pain include approaches to help people change thinking, feelings, behaviours and reactions that might sustain persistent pain. These approaches are likely to reduce pain, though they may not be as effective in improving physical function. Acupuncture Acupuncture probably reduces pain and improves how well you can function compared to placebo or no treatment. While some debate remains about how it works, the evidence suggests potential benefits for some people with chronic back pain. <h2>What doesn’t work or still raises uncertainty?</h2> The review found that many commonly advertised treatments still have uncertain benefits or probably do not benefit people with back pain. Spinal manipulation, for example, has uncertain benefits in acute and chronic back pain, and it likely does not improve how well you function if you have acute back pain. Traction, which involves stretching the spine using weights or pulleys, probably doesn’t help with chronic back pain. Despite its popularity in some circles, there’s little evidence that it works. There isn’t enough reliable data to determine whether advertised treatments – such back braces, vibrating massage guns and herbal patches – are effective. <h2>How can you use the findings?</h2> If you have back pain, start by considering how long you’ve had it. Then explore treatment options that research supports and discuss them with your GP, psychologist or physiotherapist. Your health provider should reassure you about the importance of gradually increasing your activity to resume meaningful work, social and life activities. They should also support you in making informed decisions about which treatments are most appropriate for you at this stage. <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/253122/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rodrigo-rossi-nogueira-rizzo-1544189">Rodrigo Rossi Nogueira Rizzo</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/neuroscience-research-australia-976">Neuroscience Research Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/aidan-cashin-2355450">Aidan Cashin</a>, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/neuroscience-research-australia-976">Neuroscience Research Australia</a> 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-any-non-drug-treatments-help-back-pain-heres-what-the-evidence-says-253122">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock </div>

Body

How downsizing helps create a more comfortable home

Many older Australians find their home doesn’t work for them anymore. It might feel like there’s too much space, too much maintenance or simply too many unused rooms. This is a common experience across the country, with more than <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/news/1391/new-data-shows-top-barriers-to-downsizing">1.8 million households</a> planning to downsize in the next five years. Downsizing offers a fresh start in a space that fits your current priorities, but it’s not always easy to figure out the best way forward. If you’re considering this step, these <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/home-truths/here-are-10-top-tips-to-make-downsizing-into-your-dream-home-easy">downsizing tips</a> from Australia’s leading home builder, <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/">Metricon</a>, can help you get started. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Metricon2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></h2> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">How does downsizing help you?</h2> There are a lot of ways <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/downsizing">downsizing</a> can make life easier. With less space to look after, cleaning and maintenance become much easier. You’ll spend less time worrying about the house and more time doing things you actually enjoy. Your energy bills might also go down since it takes less power to heat or cool a smaller home. Downsizing can also give you more financial freedom. Selling a larger property means you can put that value toward what matters most, like travelling, pursuing hobbies or helping out loved ones. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Metricon3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></h2> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Is downsizing right for you?</h2> When your home starts to feel impractical or harder to manage, downsizing could be the right choice. Unused rooms and constant upkeep can quickly become overwhelming, making it clear that your current space no longer meets your needs. Moving to a smaller, more manageable home can simplify your life and let you focus on what matters most. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">When should you downsize?</h2> There’s no single right time to downsize, as it depends on your situation. However, moving earlier often makes the transition less stressful and gives you more control over the process. If managing your home is becoming physically or financially demanding, or if the upkeep feels too much to handle, it might be time to consider your options. <h2 style="margin: 14pt 0cm 6pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Metricon4.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></h2> <h2 style="margin: 14pt 0cm 6pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">How to declutter when you’re ready to downsize</h2> Decluttering for downsizing is easier when you focus on what truly matters. Ask yourself if each thing you own is something you use or genuinely value. Anything you no longer need can be donated, sold or given to family or friends. For sentimental items, keep a few meaningful pieces and take photos of the rest to preserve memories without cluttering your new space. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">What to look for in your next home?</h2> Your downsized home should be manageable, comfortable and practical. Think about how much space you really need. Homes with two to three bedrooms usually provide enough room for guests, hobbies or even extra storage without being overwhelming. To make the most of your new space, look for smart layouts that are easy to navigate and keep organised. Don’t forget about the location. Being close to shops, medical centres, and public transport makes getting around easier and saves you time. You might also prioritise energy-efficient <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/house-designs/melbourne">house designs</a>, open layouts and low-maintenance gardens to enjoy a more manageable lifestyle. <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Metricon5.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></h2> <h2 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 2pt; line-height: 24.5333px; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Start downsizing today</h2> Downsizing can feel like a big decision, but it’s also an exciting chance to find a home that fits your lifestyle now and in the years to come. With so many options, having experts guide you through the process can make everything easier. <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.metricon.com.au/">Metricon</a> offers a wide range of thoughtfully designed, easy-to-manage homes. Visit their website to explore the options or chat to their friendly team today on 1300 786 773. Images: Supplied This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Metricon

Home & Garden

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

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

Home & Garden

Most retirees who rent live in poverty. Here’s how boosting rent assistance could help lift them out of it

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-coates-154644">Brendan Coates</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joey-moloney-1334959">Joey Moloney</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-bowes-2316740">Matthew Bowes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a> Most Australians can look forward to a comfortable retirement. More than three in four retirees own their own home, most report feeling comfortable financially, and few suffer financial stress. But our new Grattan Institute <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/renting-in-retirement-why-rent-assistance-needs-to-rise/">report</a> paints a sobering picture for one group: retirees who rent in the private market. Two-thirds of this group live in poverty, including more than three in four single women who live alone. <hr /> <iframe id="x2VND" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/x2VND/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> Retirees who rent often have little in the way of retirement savings: more than half have less than A$25,000 stashed away. And a growing number of older Australians are at risk of becoming homeless. But our research also shows just how much we’d need to boost Commonwealth Rent Assistance to make housing more affordable and ensure all renters are able to retire with dignity. <h2>Today’s renters, tomorrow’s renting retirees</h2> Home ownership is falling among poorer Australians who are approaching retirement. Between 1981 and 2021, home ownership rates among the poorest 40% of 45–54-year-olds fell from 68% to just 54%. Today’s low-income renters are tomorrow’s renting retirees. Age pensioners need at least $40,000 in savings to afford to spend $350 a week in rent, together with the <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/age-pension">Age Pension</a> and <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/rent-assistance">Rent Assistance</a>. That’s enough to afford the cheapest 25% of one-bedroom homes in capital cities. But Australians who are renting as they approach retirement tend to have little in the way of retirement savings. 40% of renting households aged 55-64 have net financial wealth less than $40,000. <h2>Rent assistance is too low</h2> Our <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/renting-in-retirement-why-rent-assistance-needs-to-rise/">research</a> shows that Commonwealth Rent Assistance, which supplements the Age Pension for poorer retirees who rent, is inadequate. The federal government has <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/speeches/budget-speech-2024-25">lifted the maximum rate of Rent Assistance</a> by 27% – over and above inflation – in the past two budgets. But the payment remains too low. A typical single retiree needs at least $379 per week to afford essential non-housing costs such as food, transport and energy. But we found a single pensioner who relies solely on income support can afford to rent just 4% of one-bedroom homes in Sydney, 13% in Brisbane, and 14% in Melbourne, after covering these basic living expenses. With Rent Assistance indexed to inflation, rather than low-income earners’ housing costs, the maximum rate of the payment has increased by 136% since 2001, while the rents paid by recipients have increased by 193%. <h2>A boost is needed</h2> Our analysis suggests that to solve this problem, the federal government should increase the maximum rate of Rent Assistance by 50% for singles and 40% for couples. The payment should also be indexed to changes in rents for the cheapest 25% of homes in our capital cities. These increases would boost the maximum rate of Rent Assistance by $53 a week ($2,750 a year) for singles, and $40 a week ($2,080 a year) for couples. This would ensure single retirees could afford to spend $350 a week on rent, enough to rent the cheapest 25% of one-bedroom homes across Australian capital cities, while still affording other essentials. Similarly, retired couples would be able to afford to spend $390 a week on rent, enough to rent the cheapest 25% of all one- and two-bedroom homes. <hr /> <iframe id="EZBuw" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/EZBuw/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> <h2>Unlikely to push up rents</h2> One common concern is that increasing Rent Assistance will just lead landlords to hike rents. But we find little evidence that this is the case. International studies suggest that more than five in six dollars of any extra Rent Assistance paid would benefit renters, rather than landlords. <hr /> <iframe id="qGxQE" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qGxQE/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <hr /> In Australia, there’s little evidence that recent increases in Rent Assistance have pushed up rents. Our analysis of NSW rental bond lodgement data suggests areas with higher concentrations of Rent Assistance recipients did not see larger rent increases in the year after the payment was boosted. That’s not surprising. Rent Assistance is paid to tenants, not landlords, which means tenants are likely to spend only a small portion of any extra income on housing. Since rates of financial stress are even higher among younger renters, we propose that any increase to Rent Assistance should also apply to working-age households. Boosting Rent Assistance for all recipients would cost about $2 billion a year, with about $500 million of this going to retirees. These increases could be paid for by further <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/super-savings-practical-policies-for-fairer-superannuation-and-a-stronger-budget/">tightening superannuation tax breaks</a>, <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/housing-affordability-re-imagining-the-australian-dream/">curbing negative gearing and halving the capital gains tax discount</a>, or counting more of the value of the family home in the Age Pension assets test.<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/249134/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brendan-coates-154644">Brendan Coates</a>, Program Director, Housing and Economic Security, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joey-moloney-1334959">Joey Moloney</a>, Deputy Program Director, Housing and Economic Security, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-bowes-2316740">Matthew Bowes</a>, Associate, Housing and Economic Security, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/grattan-institute-1168">Grattan Institute</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/most-retirees-who-rent-live-in-poverty-heres-how-boosting-rent-assistance-could-help-lift-them-out-of-it-249134">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

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

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

Home & Garden

Electrolyte beverages can help your body stay balanced − but may worsen symptoms if you’re sick

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bryn-beeder-2260643">Bryn Beeder</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/miami-university-1934">Miami University</a> For generations, <a href="https://performancepartner.gatorade.com/products">Gatorade</a> and similar electrolyte beverages have been helpful tools for athletes seeking a competitive edge. In 1965, <a href="https://explore.research.ufl.edu/historical-markers/gatorades-birthplace/">Dr. Robert Cade and a team of scientists</a> at the University of Florida College of Medicine created Gatorade to help their football players combat heat exhaustion and muscle cramps during long practices in extreme temperatures. The drink’s winning formula of water, sodium, potassium and sugar works effectively with the human body to keep users hydrated, refueling them with energy and optimizing muscle function. While I don’t work for or receive funding from Gatorade, <a href="https://miamioh.edu/profiles/ehs/bryn-beeder.html">as a registered dietitian and nutrition instructor</a>, I’ve watched how specific electrolyte beverages can be handpicked to boost hydration in hospitalized patients, student athletes and even myself. And while Gatorade was one of the first electrolyte beverages heavily marketed to consumers, its ingredient combination has paved the way for the creation of even more sport and electrolyte beverages on the grocery store shelves today. If you’re looking to gain a specific nutritional edge from a sports drink, you can seek out a registered dietitian for an individualized plan. Otherwise, if you’ve ever wondered what makes these colorful beverages a nutrition attraction, here’s a closer look at some key ingredients. <h2>The importance of hydration</h2> Whether people are athletes or not, the human body is constantly losing water through normal human functions such as sweating, urinating and even breathing. When water is lost, the body also excretes key electrolytes such as <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/salt/sodium-potassium-health/index.html">potassium and sodium</a>. These electrolytes are crucial for everything from heart function to muscle contractions. <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes">Electrolytes</a> get their “electro” name from having an electrical charge when dissolved in water. This charge allows them to work throughout the body in chemical reactions that maintain normal brain functioning, balance fluids inside and outside of body cells and even balance how acidic or alkaline your blood is. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l3VWb0mUS7Y?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Electrolytes can help you rehydrate after a workout by balancing fluids in our cells.</figcaption></figure> Major stress on the body can accelerate the <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9013-dehydration">dehydration process</a> – whether it’s intentional, like running a 5K, or unintentional, like getting a nasty stomach bug. If left unchecked, dehydration can cause more serious complications, such as fainting and irregular heartbeats. To prevent these complications, you need to replenish the fluids and electrolytes you’re losing. Stressful scenarios such as exercise and sickness are a perfect time to consider an electrolyte replacement drink. <h2>A closer look at Gatorade’s ingredients</h2> Water, the main ingredient in most sports drinks, <a href="https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/water/how-much-water-do-you-need">hydrates you</a>. The human body is made up of <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body">approximately 60% water</a>, so to stay hydrated, it is important to listen to your body and drink water regularly. When the body’s water volume is decreased, it sends thirst signals to the brain. However, these signals often lag behind your hydration status. So, once you feel thirsty, your body is likely already slightly dehydrated. For a more accurate hydration assessment, check the <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-urine-color-means">color of your urine</a>. Darker yellow or golden urine? Grab some water. Pale yellow or clear urine? Keep up the good hydration. <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes">Sodium, another ingredient in Gatorade, attracts water</a>. When you are dehydrated, the body’s blood is more concentrated because less water is circulating overall. When you have a lower blood volume, your blood vessels don’t expand as much as they normally would – ultimately lowering blood pressure. If blood pressure drops too quickly due to dehydration, you might feel dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or weakness. The good news is that sodium actively pulls water into the bloodstream. So during an intense workout or while dealing with a dehydrating illness, consuming a salty snack or sports beverage can help. <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/potassium">The potassium in Gatorade regulates muscle contractions</a>. This electrolyte is especially critical for regulating your heartbeat, and it also aids in normal skeletal muscle contractions. If the body lacks enough potassium, painful muscle cramps or dizziness can disrupt your workout or day. <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15416-carbohydrates">Sugar provides quick energy</a> and nutrient absorption power. A traditional Gatorade beverage contains glucose and dextrose, which are both known as simple sugars. A simple sugar is one that the body can quickly digest and absorb, with the goal of quickly increasing blood sugar. Strenuous aerobic exercise or strength training for longer than 60 minutes, performing activities in very hot or humid climates, or the physical strain of an unwelcome illness can all rev the body’s metabolism and quickly deplete <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/bloodglucose.html">blood glucose</a>. When glucose levels drop, you may experience fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, nausea or difficulty concentrating. The nutrient combination found in Gatorade was designed with athletes in mind, but it is also sometimes discussed as a remedy to consider during an unpleasant bout of gastrointestinal illness. <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4108-diarrhea">Diarrhea</a> and <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/8106-nausea--vomiting">vomiting</a> are easy routes for electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to escape. Energy drinks’ combination of simple sugars, water and electrolytes may be one strategy to maintain hydration during a time when food and fluids are difficult to stomach. However, be cautious – many traditional sports drinks have a high sugar content aimed at refueling lost energy during a workout. When that same sugar content is introduced to an upset gastrointestinal tract, it can pull in extra water, leading to more diarrhea. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some other options to consider. Opt for a lower-sugar electrolyte beverage. Beverages to consider include Pedialyte or even a broth-based soup. Both will hydrate with minimal added sugar content. The human body is incredibly efficient at managing nutrients in the blood. In most cases, balanced meals and water consumption are enough to meet your daily nutrient needs. During intense physical exercise or an unexpected illness, however, the body may struggle to maintain its usual balance. If you notice unusual symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue or persistent thirst, your body will need attention. In specific cases of dehydration from exercise or illness, a sports drink like Gatorade can be a simple tool to help you bounce back to your best self.<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/243763/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bryn-beeder-2260643">Bryn Beeder</a>, Visiting Instructor in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/miami-university-1934">Miami 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/electrolyte-beverages-can-help-your-body-stay-balanced-but-may-worsen-symptoms-if-youre-sick-243763">original article</a>. </div>

Body

How can I keep my cat happy? 5 tips from a vet to help your feline friend live their best life

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anne-quain-12802">Anne Quain</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Around <a href="https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/report/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people-2/">one third of Australian households live with at least one cat</a>, yet surveys tell us the cats’ <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X19890189">needs are not being met</a>. Cats may <a href="https://www.sup.org/books/media-studies/unified-theory-cats-internet">rule the internet</a>, but humans often misconstrue feline behaviour. Earlier this year, the Washington Post boldly declared <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/03/12/cats-behavior-misunderstood/">cat’s arent jerks – they’re just misunderstood</a>. This was prompted by research showing that, contrary to unhelpful stereotypes, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023323000795">cats are not antisocial</a>. They can and do bond closely with humans. The more we learn about cats, the more we realise they are complex individuals with unique <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8300181/">personalities</a> and preferences, capable of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-74006-2">learning</a>. From understanding your cat’s language to keeping them safe and healthy – here are science-backed tips to improve the lives of your feline flatmates. <h2>1. Pay attention to body language</h2> Cats communicate with humans using body language and vocalisation. However, while cats direct meows at humans, and the meows vary depending on the context, humans <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7765146/">are not great at decoding them</a>. But we can read cat body language. For example, slow blinking is likely to indicate a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-73426-0">positive emotional state</a>. Cats who are not happy (for example, don’t want to be touched) will freeze, move away, flatten their ears, hiss, or – if they feel they have no other option – scratch or bite. It is better to allow cats to approach you on their terms, rather than pushing for social interaction. A cat approaching you with their tail up is giving a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8469685/">friendly signal</a>, while a tail swishing from side to side signals annoyance. Cats should always have the option to opt out of any interaction, like being touched. If you aren’t sure, just “<a href="https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/p/purr-science-of-making-your-cat-happy.html">ask</a>”: stop patting them. If they walk away, they’re not keen. If they rub their head against you, they want to continue the interaction. <h2>2. Provide a healthy environment</h2> The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine have agreed upon <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X13477537">five pillars of a healthy feline environment</a>: <ol> <li> A safe space so that cats can retreat if frightened. </li> <li> Multiple, separated key resources (food, water, toileting areas, scratching areas, play areas and resting or sleeping areas) so that cats can comfortably conduct their daily activities. </li> <li> Opportunity for play and predatory behaviour, such as games with wand toys that simulate hunting. </li> <li> Positive, consistent and predictable human-cat interactions, respecting a cat’s choice about whether and how they interact. </li> <li> Respecting the importance of a cat’s senses by avoiding undesirable stimuli (strong smells and loud noises), and providing desirable sensory stimulation (for example, use of <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-catnip-and-treats-like-it-safe-for-cats-heres-how-they-affect-their-minds-and-moods-214947">catnip or silver vine</a>). </li> </ol> These pillars provide a useful checklist. If you read this and realise your cat’s food and water are right next to the litter tray, you can improve your cat’s environment (and their experiences of eating and toileting) by separating these resources right now. <h2>3. Clean the litter tray!</h2> A litter tray may represent an unpleasant chore to you, but the importance of a spacious litter tray to your cat cannot be overstated. Cats <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376635716302972">prefer using a clean litter tray</a>, even if they are the only cat in the household. Cats like to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016815911730151X">spend time in the tray</a> before, during and after toileting, and they generally <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787814000033">prefer a large tray</a>. Poor litter hygiene is associated with a risk of urinary problems, which can be <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.16389">life-threatening</a>. A <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X19890189">survey of over 12,000 Australian cat owners</a> found that urinary problems were more common in households with a low number of litter trays per cat, less frequent removal of faeces from the trays, and the use of crystal-type cat litter. If you switch the type of litter you provide, a <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/8/946">slow transition</a> is recommended to allow cats to get used to the change. <h2>4. Read the room</h2> Do you have more than one cat? Tension between household cats is common but often overlooked, as it’s not always physical fighting. Signs of inter-cat tension can include prolonged staring, or even blocking the use of resources such as the litter tray or cat door, to prevent other cats from using them. In their <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X241263465">2024 intercat-tension guidelines</a>, the American Association of Feline Practitioners note this can case chronic fear, anxiety and stress-related illnesses in cats. Learning to recognise and manage tension between household cats can improve the welfare of all parties. When you love your cat, it is tempting to seek to amplify the joy by adopting another. But many cats prefer to be the only cat in the household, and don’t cope well with a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10083434/">feline flatmate</a>. If they have positive interactions with familiar, trusted humans, they’re unlikely to be lonely. <h2>5. Keep cats and other animals safe</h2> Historically, domesticated cats earned their keep <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534720300100">protecting grain stores</a> from rodents. But what constitutes responsible cat ownership has changed. Around 65% of Australia’s cat owners <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10215893/">confine their cats</a> indoors always, while 24% keep their cats confined at night. A major driver for indoor-only housing of cats is their <a href="https://theconversation.com/one-cat-one-year-110-native-animals-lock-up-your-pet-its-a-killing-machine-138412">predation of wildlife</a>. Another is concerns about roaming-associated risks to cats, including cat fights, infectious diseases (such as <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9546031/">feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV</a>), misadventure and motor vehicle trauma. But owners of cats kept entirely indoors were more likely to report <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159119301054?via%3Dihub">“problem” behaviours</a>. Ideally, cats shouldn’t be allowed to free-roam unsupervised where they can harm wildlife, even within the bounds of the property where you live. More than a third of local councils in Australia <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-19/banning-pet-cats-roaming-native-animals-billions-dollars-council/103856000">now require</a> cats to be contained overnight or 24 hours a day. Outdoor access provides sensory stimulation, with different sights, sounds and smells. Alternatives to free roaming include providing access to a well-designed cat run, harness-training your cat, or supervising your cat. Cats who don’t leave home unless they’re moving house or being taken to the vet, quickly learn to associate the cat carrier with a trip to an unfamiliar environment. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a vet visit is imminent when the carrier comes out. But that negative association can be changed. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159118302703">Cats who were rewarded with treats</a> when they approached, stepped inside or rested in the carrier for six weeks were much less stressed during veterinary visits. Cats are intelligent, and contrary to popular opinion, can be trained. The process can be enriching for cats and humans alike. With patience and commitment, <a href="http://www.smallanimaltalk.com/2017/04/book-review-trainable-cat-plus-that.html">you can train your cat</a> – from a simple “sit” to voluntarily stepping into the cat carrier. In short, give cats choice, respect their “cat-ness”, pay attention to their needs and try to see our world from their point of view. Your cat will be happier for 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/242774/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anne-quain-12802">Anne Quain</a>, Senior Lecturer, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</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/how-can-i-keep-my-cat-happy-5-tips-from-a-vet-to-help-your-feline-friend-live-their-best-life-242774">original article</a>. </div>

Family & Pets

Cruise line asks for travellers help with billion-dollar ship design

If you've ever been on a cruise ship and had your opinions on what elements of the ship could be improved, now is your chance to have your say. Celebrity Cruises is giving travellers the opportunity to help design the cruise line's newest billion-dollar ship, Celebrity Xcel. In a first for the cruising industry, dedicated cruisers will assist in making key decisions across culinary, entertainment and interior design for the new ship. "We want to ensure our guests love our products and experiences, so involving them in the process to perfect Celebrity Xcel was a great way to achieve this," Michael Scheiner, chief marketing and product officer of Celebrity Cruises, said. Open to anyone who wishes to have their say, the global community of travellers will test, try and vote on new experiences, through online polls and one-of-a-kind experiential in-person events. The Dream Makers community will have final say on design elements of the ship, such as textiles and interior design choices, as well as picking their favourite dining and beverage options to be served onboard. Plus, they get to provide input on headline shows, selecting playlists, and partake in selections to appoint pivotal entertainment positions onboard. "Celebrity Cruises is known for ground-breaking innovation in ship design and experiences unlike any other at sea," Michael said. "When Xcel launches guests won't have just found their happy place, they'll have helped us build it." Celebrity Xcel launches in November 2025 and will be the fifth ship in the cruise line's award-winning Edge Series. Those interested in joining Xcel Dream Makers to have their say on the new ship can learn more at <a title="" href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/xceldreammakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">celebritycruises.com/xceldreammakers</a>. Image credits: Celebrity Cruises

Cruising

What’s the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke? One’s a medical emergency

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-barton-1184088">Matthew Barton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-todorovic-1210507">Michael Todorovic</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond University</a> When British TV doctor Michael Mosley died last year in Greece after walking in extreme heat, local police said “<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/10/michael-mosley-autopsy-symi-greece-death/">heat exhaustion</a>” was a contributing factor. Since than a coroner could not find a definitive cause of death <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/dec/20/michael-mosleys-cause-of-death-unascertainable-coroner-says">but said</a> this was most likely due to an un-identified medical reason or heat stroke. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two illnesses that relate to heat. So what’s the difference? <h2>A spectrum of conditions</h2> Heat-related illnesses range from mild to severe. They’re caused by exposure to excessive heat, whether from hot conditions, physical exertion, or both. The most common ones include: <ul> <li> heat oedema: swelling of the hands, feet and ankles </li> <li> heat cramps: painful, involuntary muscle spasms usually after exercise </li> <li> heat syncope: fainting due to overheating </li> <li> heat exhaustion: when the body loses water due to excessive sweating, leading to a rise in core body temperature (but still under 40°C). Symptoms include lethargy, weakness and dizziness, but there’s no change to consciousness or mental clarity </li> <li> heat stroke: a medical emergency when the core body temperature is over 40°C. This can lead to serious problems related to the nervous system, such as confusion, seizures and unconsciousness including coma, leading to death. </li> </ul> As you can see from the diagram below, some symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion overlap. This makes it hard to recognise the difference, even for medical professionals. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636118/original/file-20241204-15-qhk6rk.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636118/original/file-20241204-15-qhk6rk.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/636118/original/file-20241204-15-qhk6rk.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636118/original/file-20241204-15-qhk6rk.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636118/original/file-20241204-15-qhk6rk.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636118/original/file-20241204-15-qhk6rk.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636118/original/file-20241204-15-qhk6rk.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/636118/original/file-20241204-15-qhk6rk.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Heat exhaustion vs heat stroke venn diagram" /></a><figcaption><a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></figcaption></figure> <h2>How does this happen?</h2> The human body is an incredibly efficient and adaptable machine, equipped with several in-built mechanisms to keep our core temperature at an optimal 37°C. But in healthy people, regulation of body temperature begins to break down when it’s hotter than about 31°C with 100% humidity (think Darwin or Cairns) or about 38°C with 60% humidity (typical of other parts of Australia in summer). This is because humid air makes it harder for sweat to evaporate and take heat with it. Without that cooling effect, the body starts to overheat. Once the core temperature rises above 37°C, heat exhaustion can set in, which can cause intense thirst, weakness, nausea and dizziness. If the body heat continues to build and the core body temperature rises above 40°C, a much more severe heat stroke could begin. At this point, it’s a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention. At this temperature, our proteins start to denature (like an egg on a hotplate) and blood flow to the intestines stops. This makes the gut very leaky, allowing harmful substances such as endotoxins (toxic substances in some bacteria) and pathogens (disease causing microbes) to leak into the bloodstream. The liver can’t detoxify these fast enough, leading to the whole body becoming inflamed, organs failing, and in the worst-case scenario, death. <h2>Who’s most at risk?</h2> People doing strenuous exercise, especially if they’re not in great shape, are among those at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. <a href="https://www.who.int/multi-media/details/main-heat-vulnerability-factors">Others at risk</a> include those exposed to high temperatures and humidity, particularly when wearing heavy clothing or protective gear. Outdoor workers such as farmers, firefighters and construction workers are at higher risk too. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung conditions (such as COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and people taking <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-my-medicine-making-me-feel-hotter-this-summer-5-reasons-why-199085">blood pressure medications</a>, can also be more vulnerable. Adults over 65, infants and young children are especially sensitive to heat as they are less able to physically cope with fluctuations in heat and humidity. <h2>How are these conditions managed?</h2> The risk of serious illness or death from heat-related conditions is very low if treatment starts early. <a href="https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/prepare/heatstroke-and-heat-exhaustion/">For heat exhaustion</a>, have the individual lie down in a cool, shady area, loosen or remove excess clothing, and cool them by fanning, moistening their skin, or immersing their hands and feet in cold water. As people with heat exhaustion almost always are dehydrated and have low electrolytes (certain minerals in the blood), they will usually need to drink fluids. However, emergency hospital care is essential for heat stroke. In hospital, health professionals will focus on stabilising the patient’s: <ul> <li>airway (ensure no obstructions, for instance, vomit)</li> <li>breathing (look for signs of respiratory distress or oxygen deprivation)</li> <li>circulation (check pulse, blood pressure and signs of shock).</li> </ul> Meanwhile, they will use rapid-cooling techniques including immersing the whole body in cold water, or applying wet ice packs covering the whole body. <h2>Take home points</h2> Heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, are serious health conditions that can lead to severe illness, or even death. With <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01208-3/fulltext">climate change, heat-related illness</a> will become more common and more severe. So recognising the early signs and responding promptly are crucial to prevent serious complications.<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/240992/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-barton-1184088">Matthew Barton</a>, Senior lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/griffith-university-828">Griffith University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-todorovic-1210507">Michael Todorovic</a>, Associate Professor of Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bond-university-863">Bond 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/whats-the-difference-between-heat-exhaustion-and-heat-stroke-ones-a-medical-emergency-240992">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Christmas can be challenging for people with hearing loss. Here are 7 ways you can help

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-ekberg-1534998">Katie Ekberg</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-hickson-2280688">Louise Hickson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> For many people, Christmas can be the most social time of the year. The holiday period is often filled with parties, lunches, dinners and celebrations of all kinds with family, friends and colleagues. For adults with hearing loss, however, these social gatherings can bring unique challenges. Communicating with others can be difficult, particularly in group conversations. And the more <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2019.1670363">background noise</a> there is (for example, Christmas music or children playing), the harder it is. For age-related or acquired hearing loss, hearing ability typically starts to decline from <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0107720">age 50 onwards</a>. <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/hearing-health/resources/publications/one-in-six-australians-experience-hearing-loss-poster-0?language=en">One in six Australians</a> experience some hearing loss, so it’s possible someone around your Christmas dinner table will be struggling to hear. Unfortunately, many adults with hearing loss suffer these challenges in silence. Our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">research</a> shows adults with hearing loss often hide their hearing loss from others, even close family members and friends, because of feeling shame due to stigma. But there are some things you can do to ensure a loved one with hearing loss is included this Christmas. <h2>Stigma and stereotypes</h2> Stigma is when someone is treated differently by others due to a particular physical or social attribute. Across a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">series of studies</a>, we conducted surveys and interviews with adults with hearing loss, their families and hearing care professionals to explore experiences of stigma for adults with hearing loss. Our research also included video recordings of real-life conversations between adults with hearing loss and their families and friends. The <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2353862">results</a> suggested people often associate hearing loss with negative stereotypes of ageing, disability, reduced intelligence, having a problem or weakness, and difference. For example, one participant with hearing loss told us: <blockquote> Once they are aware that you can’t really comprehend or hear what they’re saying, they treat you different. And it’s not always positive, it’s quite often negative […] Even people who are familiar with you, my twin brother, he thinks that there’s something wrong with me because I can’t hear him properly. </blockquote> Old age was the most common stereotype associated with hearing loss. For example, one adult with hearing loss commented: <blockquote> I guess it’s just a sign of ageing. Like wearing glasses and grey hair. </blockquote> But as hearing can start declining from middle age, many adults experiencing hearing difficulties do not fit this stereotype. We see this stereotype appear in popular media as well. For example, in the TV show Bluey, the character Bingo dresses up as a “<a href="https://www.bluey.tv/characters/granny-rita/">Can’t-Hear-Anything granny</a>” in a number of episodes. In <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2418970">our research</a>, people with hearing loss reported feeling embarrassment, shame, frustration, sadness and fatigue from trying to manage their hearing difficulties during everyday conversations. In the results of <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">a survey</a> currently under peer review, almost two-thirds felt other people laughed about or treated their hearing loss as a joke, often making them feel uncomfortable. An example <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2389189">of this teasing</a> can be seen in a real-life conversation we recorded with a grandfather with hearing loss and his extended family while having afternoon tea. After the older man has ongoing trouble hearing his granddaughters, his wife teases him with the question “You got your hearing aids in Grandpa?”, which receives laughter from his son and granddaughters. While this sort of teasing might seem light-hearted, it can cause someone with hearing loss to feel embarrassed when they have trouble hearing. A key finding from <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2024.2406885">our interview research</a> was that adults with hearing loss respond to experiences of stigma by not telling others about their hearing loss. Similarly, in an international <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651">survey of 331 adults</a> with hearing loss, the results of which are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, one in four had not told anyone about their hearing loss. Others only told certain people in specific circumstances. There might, therefore, be family and friends at your Christmas gatherings facing the challenges of hearing loss without anyone knowing. <h2>Supporting loved ones with hearing loss this Christmas</h2> For adults with hearing loss, experiences of stigma can cause them to start to withdraw from social situations, participate less in conversations, and become more <a href="https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/abstract/2013/02000/social_isolation_and_loneliness__relationships.9.aspx">socially isolated and lonely</a>. But a greater awareness about hearing loss and inclusive communication can help tackle the stigma. Here are some simple ways you can be more inclusive of people with hearing loss this festive season: <ol> <li> Think about the location of your event – how noisy is it? When possible, choose restaurants and social settings that are quieter. Outdoor settings will generally be less noisy than indoor ones (apps such as <a href="https://theambientmenu.com.au/">The Ambient Menu</a> can help you choose). </li> <li> Turn down background noise if you can (for example, TV, radio, music). </li> <li> Speak face-to-face as much as possible. This allows for lip-reading so that people are not just reliant on their hearing. If you know someone has difficulty hearing, move closer to them and talk clearly and slightly more slowly. </li> <li> Arrange seating in a way that allows everyone to face each other. Round tables are best. </li> <li> Give people the opportunity to choose where they are seated around a table or in a restaurant. Adults with hearing loss may position themselves in the middle of a table or next to specific people they need to hear. </li> <li> If you are at an event with speeches, use a microphone when possible. </li> <li> If you notice a person not joining in the conversation you could ask them if they can hear OK and, if not, what you can do to help.<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/245943/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> </li> </ol> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-ekberg-1534998">Katie Ekberg</a>, Senior Lecturer, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-hickson-2280688">Louise Hickson</a>, Professor of Audiology, <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/christmas-can-be-challenging-for-people-with-hearing-loss-here-are-7-ways-you-can-help-245943">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Many people don’t get financial advice even though it can help ensure a comfortable retirement

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/antonia-settle-1019551">Antonia Settle</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Many Australians, particularly those on lower incomes, are often characterised as <a href="https://www.mpmwm.com.au/latest-news/50475">lacking knowledge or interest</a> in superannuation. <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Research-Note-Survey-on-superannuation-and-retirement-Advice-Sept-2024.pdf#_msdynmkt_linkid=48e751d5-debe-4eb2-9309-4bc96b01930a">Research</a> by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) confirms this. It found only 51% have sought any sort of financial advice before retiring. Financial advice plays a critical role in helping people maximise their super. But most of us don’t seek professional guidance. To make matters worse, <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wealth/retirement-and-superannuation-questions-not-being-asked/news-story/cc2142c3b32c706ea6ff1dc99dab62a5">superannuation experts</a> say those with small amounts of super are the least likely to seek it. <h2>Financial literacy</h2> The failure of households to approach super like experienced asset managers is often attributed to <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-02/p2020-100554-ud00b_key_obs.pdf">poor financial literacy</a>. Better <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-literacy.asp#:%7E:text=%25%2025%25%200%25-,What%20Is%20Financial%20Literacy%3F,management%2C%20budgeting%2C%20and%20investing.">knowledge</a>, it is often reasoned, would help lower income households make financially savvy decisions. This would help give them a better chance of achieving a comfortable retirement. Getting professional advice about managing retirement savings is a first step towards knowing what you don’t know. Learning to trust independent advice can optimise risk and returns, even if those decisions conflict with our instincts. ASFA <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Research-Note-Survey-on-superannuation-and-retirement-Advice-Sept-2024.pdf#_msdynmkt_linkid=48e751d5-debe-4eb2-9309-4bc96b01930a">research</a> found while trust in super funds was relatively high, only 12% sought information or advice from the funds. <h2>Career interruptions</h2> Some households might have little superannuation because their hourly wages are low and they have long breaks from the workforce. This might be due to raising children, personal illness or caring for others. Instead of being able to rely on public healthcare or pay others to provide this support, they are required to reduce or abandon paid work to do it themselves. This group consists overwhelmingly of <a href="https://www.wgea.gov.au/publications/superannuation-gender-pay-gaps-by-age-group">women</a> They are also unlikely to have benefited from high employer contribution rates, such as those of <a href="https://www.csc.gov.au/Members/Funds-and-products/PSSap">federal public servants</a> or university employees, who have long earned a standard 17%. <h2>Tax and other benefits</h2> Low balance households are also unlikely to have paid large sums into super to avoid income tax. <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/apra-releases-superannuation-statistics-for-june-2024">One in every four dollars</a> contributed to super is deposited as voluntary contributions, which attract a low tax rate. But most of these low tax contributions are made by <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1527-Who-benefits-The-high-cost-of-super-tax-concessions-Web-1.pdf">the 20%</a> with the highest incomes. In fact, with <a href="https://povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/inequality/">70% of superannuation assets owned by the wealthiest 20% of households</a>, low balance households have relatively little to gain. Research shows those with the <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/4630688/ri2023n03.pdf">lowest balances</a> believe superannuation is a largely a tool for high income earners to avoid tax. And while financial advice will always be more useful to those who are able to use <a href="https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/tax/five-ways-to-save-tax-using-superannuation.html">super as a tax minimisation strategy</a>, even for low-balance households – getting financial advice is worthwhile. Financial advice can help households choose investments that optimise the risk/return profile of superannuation at each stage of the life cycle. It can help avoid unnecessary fees and taxes and help people make the best decisions about <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/drawdown.asp#:%7E:text=A%20drawdown%20in%20retirement%20is,known%20as%20a%20drawdown%20percentage.">spending in retirement</a> so they can get the most out of their super. <h2>Potential sticking points</h2> The <a href="https://www.royalcommission.gov.au/banking#:%7E:text=The%20Royal%20Commission%20into%20Misconduct,into%20misconduct%20in%20the%20banking%2C">2017 royal commission</a> into banking and finance misconduct revealed major conflicts of interest in the advice sector. This only made some people more wary about trusting a stranger with their life savings. At between $4,000 and $12,000 for a <a href="https://www.moneymag.com.au/financial-planning/learning/how-much-does-financial-advice-cost">personal financial plan</a>, independent financial advice is not cheap. There is free counselling to manage debts but there is no free, independent advice for longer-term financial planning. Recent <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/stephen-jones-2022/media-releases/government-unveils-comprehensive-financial-advice">regulatory efforts</a> to better position superannuation funds to provide free financial advice to households will improve access for many. But these efforts won’t resolve the conflict of interest issue, given there is little incentive for funds to suggest investment strategies using other providers. This is particularly important during the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/withdrawing-and-using-your-super/retirement-withdrawal-lump-sum-or-income-stream">draw down phase</a>. This is where people start using their super which they receive as either a lump sum or income stream. The products offered by any single super fund to set this up are limited. Superannuation balances can be seriously eroded by <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/calculators-and-tools/super-yoursuper-comparison-tool">unnecessary fees</a>, inappropriate investments and poorly planned <a href="https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/minimum-pension-payments-reduced">draw down</a> strategies. This is particularly damaging when low balances are involved. <h2>Facing poverty in retirement</h2> As a result, failure to seek financial advice can increase the risk of elderly poverty, especially if people retire without having bought or paid off a home. Any savings that can be preserved can make a meaningful difference to the capacity of such households to have a dignified retirement. For these reasons, access to free and independent advice is critically important for the superannuation system to better serve low-balance households. But free, independent advice is still not available in the superannuation system. It is not surprising low-balance households are reticent to engage in super given the lack of accessible advice. But the peripheral role of low-balance households in a system dominated by Australia’s wealthiest households may play a role in that reticence as 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/240207/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/antonia-settle-1019551">Antonia Settle</a>, Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash 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/many-people-dont-get-financial-advice-even-though-it-can-help-ensure-a-comfortable-retirement-240207">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Woman opts to end her own life while waiting for aged care help

A heartbroken son has shared the devastating story of how his chronically-ill mother decided to end her own life rather than endure a months long wait for aged care funding. After a hearing of the Senate Inquiry into the Aged Care Bill, it was determined that tens of thousands of Australians are waiting to receive their home care packages after being approved for the financial support. Home care packages, which are government-funded through MyAgedCare allow Australians to access support in their own home, including nursing, food preparation, cleaning and help with personal hygiene. It is intended to stave off or avoid moving into costly residential aged care, allowing elderly Australians to remain at home longer. However, 2GB's Ben Fordham spoke to one devastated man about his mother Ellen's struggle with accessing her funds, as she ultimately died waiting for her support. "My mum suffered severe COPD for several years while she was waiting for an upgraded package," Mark told the program. COPD is short for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a progressive inflammation in the lungs and airways that makes it difficult to breathe. "Her pride wouldn’t allow any of her boys to take care of her or to bathe her so she got approved for the assisted dying and actually a few months ago proceeded with (it)." He added, "She passed while waiting for the upgraded package." Fordham was devastated by the call and the suffering of so many vulnerable people. "We are chasing answers from the Australian government on this because people are dying while waiting for home care packages," he said. "When you’ve got Ellen choosing euthanasia instead, you know that you’ve got a serious problem." Image credits: 2GB

Caring

Black Friday sales are on again. To score a genuine bargain, it helps to go in with a plan

<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> November 29th was Black Friday, the official beginning of one of the biggest sales events of the year. With so many consumers still feeling the cost-of-living pinch, it’s expected to once again bring bargain hunters out in droves. While some sales have already started, market research company Roy Morgan <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/black-friday-sales-a-winner-this-christmas-as-cost-of-living-continues-to-bite">estimates</a> Australian shoppers will spend a record $6.7 billion over the four-day shopping window. That’s up more than 5% on last year. For Australians, it’s one of three big annual sales events. The others take place at the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-you-should-know-before-you-start-chasing-bargains-at-the-eofy-sales-232568">end of each financial year (EOFY)</a> and on <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-boxing-day-evolved-from-giving-christmas-leftovers-to-servants-to-a-retail-frenzy-219507">Boxing Day</a>. Despite being a recent entrant to Australia, Black Friday has quickly become one of the most important shopping days of the year. For consumers, navigating these sales and dodging the marketing tricks played by retailers is no mean feat. Here’s what you should know. <h2>What exactly is Black Friday?</h2> Black Friday as a major sales event originated in the United States. It falls on the day after Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. A four day sales window then typically runs over the weekend after Thanksgiving, including “Cyber Monday” – a similar event that was set up more recently to encourage online shopping. But as you might have noticed, this official start date doesn’t prevent retailers from discounting products earlier, something many do. Australians don’t officially celebrate Thanksgiving. Nonetheless, the sales event has gained significant traction here over the past decade or so. This was initially driven by big US companies operating here, such as Apple and Amazon. But it was soon adopted and ultimately embraced by Australia’s own big retailers. Some Australian retailers now say Black Friday has already <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/bigger-than-boxing-day-the-rise-and-rise-of-black-friday-sales-20231117-p5ekwo.html">overtaken Boxing Day</a> to become their most important sales event, a standing it could well cement further this year. It’s been a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonbird1/2023/11/20/le-black-friday-how-an-american-tradition-spread-round-the-world/">similar story</a> across much of the world. Countries including Canada, Brazil, France and the UK all now mark the occasion with their own big sales events. <h2>How do big sales work?</h2> Black Friday and other big sales events are designed to create a sense of urgency. They lean heavily into the phenomenon known as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cb.1885">fear of missing out</a> – called FOMO for short. Retailers know that shoppers feel the pressure to buy when they think they might miss out. This is called <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jfmm-03-2023-0082/full/html">scarcity marketing</a>. Retailers have ways of creating artificial scarcity, which can pressure us to make purchase decisions that aren’t in our best interests. You’ve probably seen phrases in stores and online such as “only two left!” or “today only”. These tactics are designed to make you act. The extent of savings can also depend on retailers’ dynamic pricing tactics. Many businesses use algorithms to adjust discounts in real time based on customer demand, inventory levels and competitor trends. Popular items may start with small discounts, while less popular products get larger price cuts to attract interest. <h2>How to be a savvy shopper</h2> With these factors in mind, there are a few strategies that can help you you keep a clear head. One tactic is to create a shopping list and understand the importance of sticking to predetermined purchase decisions and a predetermined budget. Prioritise needs over impulsive wants. For example, if you need to replace an old keyboard amid a big sale, set a budget before you start looking, and try to avoid buying an entirely new computer just because it’s discounted in-store. Shoppers should prepare for fluctuating prices, while being cautious of tactics such as artificially inflated “fake” discounts, where original prices are exaggerated to make savings seem more appealing. Our previous <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/apjml-07-2021-0475/full/html?casa_token=A3V3IU0s1GkAAAAA%3A84uQk1cv03fh5C6gJrIeOuLPrztKhU4gacoPupelIWtOBZCnqSbmFKz4OjBaL60790I-O011Itd9C63vCGJ_hDSJFuVeiwe3YaiSftT6nUzpzxDYHYkdGQ">research</a> has shown price promotion can trigger customer emotions such as surprise and lead to anticipated regret, influencing their purchase decisions. <h2>Go in with a plan</h2> Another tactic is to do some window shopping in the days or weeks beforehand. This allows you to check and research the products you’re interested in. Note down their non-sale prices for future reference. Create a list of where to buy, along with a few alternatives. For shoes and clothing, try things on if you can and note down your size. That can help you act quickly once the sales go live. And in the excitement of all the sales, don’t forget: if you don’t actually want or need anything, there’s always the option of not shopping at all.<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/244509/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/black-friday-sales-are-on-again-to-score-a-genuine-bargain-it-helps-to-go-in-with-a-plan-244509">original article</a>. </div>

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