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Woman “bullied” on plane over budget seating trick

A young woman has recalled a flight from hell when she was “bullied” by a couple who were trying to utilise a seating hack that went viral on TikTok. The solo traveller took to Reddit to recount the story and ask social media users if she was in the wrong for her action. The woman began by saying she usually pays more to select her plane seat ahead of time, but a medical emergency on another plane had her waiting on standby and left with no option other than to sit in a middle seat. When she was finally able to board, she was greeted by a couple who had purchased both the window and aisle seats in a bid to have more space, utilising a travel “trick” that has been popular on TikTok. The method, which has been dubbed the 'poor man's business class', usually leaves travellers with an empty middle seat and more space, and few travellers opt to pick a middle seat. “When I got to my row the man and woman were chatting and sharing a snack... it was obvious they were together. I mentioned to the man that I'm in the middle, and he got up to let me in,” the unsuspecting traveller wrote on Reddit. “I asked them if they would prefer to sit together, I said I was totally okay with that. The woman reacted rudely to this and said ‘you're not supposed to be sitting here anyway’.” After noticing how the plane was full, she offered to show the pair her new ticket with the correct seat number on it. “She flicked her hand at my ticket and made a disgusted sound. I offered again if they wanted to sit together to which she didn't reply, her partner said it's okay and... made some small talk,” she continued. The man’s girlfriend then interrupted their conversation to ask,”'Did you use one of those third party websites to book your flight? It's so frustrating when people cheap out to inconvenience others.” The American woman explained that she had booked her flight directly and she had been placed on standby like everyone else and didn't choose the middle seat - she was assigned it. She then tried to keep the peace by refusing to engage with the furious woman. “I was so done with her attitude, I put my headphones on and attempted to do my own thing,” she explained. But the “entitled” girlfriend wasn't letting it go, as the woman explained, “This woman kept reaching over me and tapping her partner and trying to talk to him in a way that was super intrusive.” “I could tell even her partner was trying to engage her less so that she would hopefully stop, but she didn't.” “I think they tried to pull that tactic where they don't sit together on purpose...hoping no one will sit between them. But on full flights it doesn't work. And even so - it's not the other person's fault.” The traveller's post was met with hundreds of comments slamming the girlfriend’s behaviour, as one person wrote, “It's like a toddler having a tantrum.” “She was disappointed and a total a**hole. Gross entitled people,” another added. Another person applauded the traveller’s level-headed behaviour, writing, “Wow! You are my hero for keeping it classy - I’m afraid I would not have been as kind as you.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

How much time should you spend sitting versus standing? New research reveals the perfect mix for optimal health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christian-brakenridge-1295221">Christian Brakenridge</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/baker-heart-and-diabetes-institute-974">Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute</a> People have a pretty intuitive sense of what is healthy – standing is better than sitting, exercise is great for overall health and getting <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-not-getting-enough-sleep-increase-your-risk-of-type-2-diabetes-225179">good sleep is imperative</a>. However, if exercise in the evening may disrupt our sleep, or make us feel the need to be more sedentary to recover, a key question emerges – what is the best way to balance our 24 hours to optimise our health? <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-024-06145-0">Our research</a> attempted to answer this for risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. We found the optimal amount of sleep was 8.3 hours, while for light activity and moderate to vigorous activity, it was best to get 2.2 hours each. <iframe id="dw4bx" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/dw4bx/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> <h2>Finding the right balance</h2> Current health guidelines recommend you stick to a <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity-and-exercise/physical-activity-and-exercise-guidelines-for-all-australians/for-adults-18-to-64-years">sensible regime</a> of moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity 2.5–5 hours per week. However <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.02.031">mounting evidence</a> now <a href="https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-2073">suggests</a> how you spend your day can have meaningful ramifications for your health. In addition to moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity, this means the time you spend sitting, standing, doing light physical activity (such as walking around your house or office) and sleeping. Our research looked at more than 2,000 adults who wore body sensors that could interpret their physical behaviours, for seven days. This gave us a sense of how they spent their average 24 hours. At the start of the study participants had their waist circumference, blood sugar and insulin sensitivity measured. The body sensor and assessment data was matched and analysed then tested against health risk markers — such as a heart disease and stroke risk score — to create a model. Using this model, we fed through thousands of permutations of 24 hours and found the ones with the estimated lowest associations with heart disease risk and blood-glucose levels. This created many optimal mixes of sitting, standing, light and moderate intensity activity. When we looked at waist circumference, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity and a heart disease and stroke risk score, we noted differing optimal time zones. Where those zones mutually overlapped was ascribed the optimal zone for heart disease and diabetes risk. <h2>You’re doing more physical activity than you think</h2> We found light-intensity physical activity (defined as walking less than 100 steps per minute) – such as walking to the water cooler, the bathroom, or strolling casually with friends – had strong associations with glucose control, and especially in people with type 2 diabetes. This light-intensity physical activity is likely accumulated intermittently throughout the day rather than being a purposeful bout of light exercise. Our experimental evidence shows that <a href="https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/39/6/964/29532/Benefits-for-Type-2-Diabetes-of-Interrupting">interrupting our sitting</a> regularly with light-physical activity (such as taking a 3–5 minute walk every hour) can improve our metabolism, especially so after lunch. While the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time might seem a quite high, at more than 2 hours a day, we defined it as more than 100 steps per minute. This equates to a brisk walk. It should be noted that these findings are preliminary. This is the first study of heart disease and diabetes risk and the “optimal” 24 hours, and the results will need further confirmation with longer prospective studies. The data is also cross-sectional. This means that the estimates of time use are correlated with the disease risk factors, meaning it’s unclear whether how participants spent their time influences their risk factors or whether those risk factors influence how someone spends their time. <h2>Australia’s adult physical activity guidelines need updating</h2> Australia’s <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity-and-exercise/physical-activity-and-exercise-guidelines-for-all-australians/for-adults-18-to-64-years">physical activity guidelines</a> currently only recommend exercise intensity and time. A <a href="https://www.uow.edu.au/media/2023/why-adults-need-to-move-more-stop-sitting-and-sleep-better-.php">new set of guidelines</a> are being developed to incorporate 24-hour movement. Soon Australians will be able to use these guidelines to examine their 24 hours and understand where they can make improvements. While our new research can inform the upcoming guidelines, we should keep in mind that the recommendations are like a north star: something to head towards to improve your health. In principle this means reducing sitting time where possible, increasing standing and light-intensity physical activity, increasing more vigorous intensity physical activity, and aiming for a healthy sleep of 7.5–9 hours per night. Beneficial changes could come in the form of reducing screen time in the evening or opting for an active commute over driving commute, or prioritising an earlier bed time over watching television in the evening. It’s also important to acknowledge these are recommendations for an able adult. We all have different considerations, and above all, movement should be fun.<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/228894/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christian-brakenridge-1295221">Christian Brakenridge</a>, Postdoctoral research fellow at Swinburne University, Centre for Urban Transitions, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/baker-heart-and-diabetes-institute-974">Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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-much-time-should-you-spend-sitting-versus-standing-new-research-reveals-the-perfect-mix-for-optimal-health-228894">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Selfie-taking tourists launched from Venice gondola after refusing to sit down

A group of rowdy tourists have ended up in the waters of a Venice canal after causing a ruckus onboard the boat. Six passengers were travelling on a canal in the Italian hotspot when the boat was heading towards a low bridge that they needed to pass under. The gondolier explained to the tourists that they needed to sit down and be still as the boat passed under the bridge, explaining that a change in weight would cause an issue. Despite the gondolier's warning, the tourists continued to stand up and move around the narrow vessel to take selfies of their journey. Predictably, ignoring the requests of the gondolier caused the vessel to capsize, sending the tourists into the freezing water as the gondolier jumped to safety. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSkyNewsAustralia%2Fvideos%2F854034223389998%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> No one was injured in the mishap, as the tourists swam to safety at the bank of the canal, before seeking refuge at La Fenice theatre, according to Venice police. According to a spokesman for the city’s gondola association, the gondola was not damaged, although the upholstered furniture in the vessel was ruined by the water. The spokesperson went on to confirm that the gondolier had instructed the tourists not to move around or stand up to take selfies during the manoeuvre, but due to a language barrier, the tourists did not comply. A video of the incident was posted to an Instagram page called Venezia Non è Disneyland (Venice Is Not Disneyland), an account run by young locals to chronicle tourism in the city, with the video being flooded with comments about the misbehaved tourists. Many Italian locals were quick to point out how rowdy the tourists must've been to cause the incident, with many pointing out they "didn't know it was possible to capsize a gondola". Image credits: Facebook

Travel Trouble

How 22 minutes of exercise a day could reduce the health risks from sitting too long

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-ahmadi-1241767">Matthew Ahmadi</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emmanuel-stamatakis-161783">Emmanuel Stamatakis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> People in developed countries spend an average of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106568">nine to ten hours</a> a day sitting. Whether it’s spending time in front of a computer, stuck in traffic, or unwinding in front of the TV, our lives have become increasingly sedentary. This is concerning because prolonged time spent sitting is <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1451?s=09&int_source=trendmd&int_medium=cpc&int_campaign=usage-042019">linked to a number of health issues</a> including obesity, heart disease, and certain types of cancers. These health issues can contribute to earlier death. But a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106568">new study</a> suggests that for people over 50, getting just 22 minutes of exercise a day can lower the increased risk of premature death from a highly sedentary lifestyle. <h2>What the researchers did</h2> The team combined data from two studies from Norway, one from Sweden and one from the United States. The studies included about 12,000 people aged 50 or older who wore wearable devices to track how active and sedentary they were during their daily routines. Participants were followed up for at least two years (the median was 5.2 years) during the study period, which spanned 2003-2020. Analyses took several lifestyle and health factors into account, such as education, alcohol intake, smoking status, and previous history of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. All this data was linked to national death registries. <h2>A 22 minute threshold</h2> A total of 805 participants died during follow up. The researchers found people who were sedentary for more than 12 hours a day had the highest risk of death (a 38% higher risk than people who were sedentary for eight hours). However, this was only observed in those who did less than 22 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. So for people who did more than 22 minutes of exercise, there was no longer a significantly heightened risk – that is, the risk became generally similar to those who were sedentary for eight hours. Higher daily duration of physical activity was consistently associated with lower risk of death, regardless of total sedentary time. For example, the team reported an additional ten minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day could lower mortality risk by up to 15% for people who were sedentary less than 10.5 hours a day. For those considered highly sedentary (10.5 hours a day or more), an additional ten minutes lowered mortality risk by up to 35%. <h2>The study had some limitations</h2> The team couldn’t assess how changes in physical activity or sedentary time over several months or years may affect risk of death. And the study included only participants aged 50 and above, making results less applicable to younger age groups. Further, cultural and lifestyle differences between countries may have influenced how data between studies was measured and analysed. Ultimately, because this study was observational, we can’t draw conclusions on cause and effect with certainty. But the results of this research align with a growing body of evidence exploring the relationship between physical activity, sedentary time, and death. <h2>It’s positive news</h2> Research has previously suggested <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1499">physical activity may offset</a> health risks associated with <a href="https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.02.031">high sedentary time</a>. The good news is, even short bouts of exercise can have these positive effects. In this study, the 22 minutes wasn’t necessarily done all at once. It was a total of the physical activity someone did in a day, and would have included incidental exercise (activity that’s part of a daily routine, such as climbing the stairs). Several studies using wearable devices have found short bursts of high-intensity everyday activities such as stair climbing or energetic outdoor home maintenance activities such as mowing the lawn or cleaning the windows can lower <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-02100-x">mortality</a>, <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/46/4801/6771381">heart disease</a> and <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2807734">cancer</a> risk. A recent study using wearable devices found moderate to vigorous bouts of activity <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(23)00183-4/fulltext">lasting three to five minutes</a> provide similar benefits to bouts longer than ten minutes when it comes to stroke and heart attack risk. Several other studies have found <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2596007">being active just on the weekend</a> provides similar health benefits as <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2794038">being active throughout the week</a>. Research has also shown the benefits of <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2795819">physical activity</a> and <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2809418">reducing sedentary time</a> extend to cognitive health. Routines such as desk jobs can foster a sedentary lifestyle that may be difficult to shift. But mixing short bursts of activity into our day can make a significant difference towards improving our health and longevity. Whether it’s a brisk walk during lunch, taking the stairs, or even a short at-home workout, this study is yet another to suggest that every minute counts.<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/216259/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-ahmadi-1241767">Matthew Ahmadi</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine and Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emmanuel-stamatakis-161783">Emmanuel Stamatakis</a>, Professor of Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Getty Images 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-22-minutes-of-exercise-a-day-could-reduce-the-health-risks-from-sitting-too-long-216259">original article</a>.

Body

Travelers will refuse an upgrade to sit near a loved one – new research into when people want to share experiences

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ximena-garcia-rada-1238853">Ximena Garcia-Rada</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/texas-aandm-university-1672">Texas A&M University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-norton-145591">Michael Norton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/harvard-university-1306">Harvard University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-k-ratner-1439964">Rebecca K. Ratner</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-maryland-1347">University of Maryland</a> The <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/topics/research-brief-83231">Research Brief</a> is a short take about interesting academic work. <h2>The big idea</h2> People will often sacrifice a better experience and opt for one that’s less enjoyable if it means they can do it alongside a loved one – whether that’s a romantic partner, close friend or relative. That’s the main finding of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jcpy.1352">our research</a> published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology in April 2023. For example, when taking a flight, two friends might decide to sit in adjacent seats in coach rather than accept a free upgrade to nonadjacent seats in first class. Failing to choose togetherness can have consequences, as in the “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2JKXbVGq7A">Seinfeld” episode</a> in which Elaine suffers the indignities of economy class, leading to rage against Jerry after he chooses to accept an upgrade. We conducted five studies in a variety of settings and featuring different social bonds, including friendships and romantic relationships. In one study, just over half of people chose two adjacent seats far from the stage over two nonadjacent seats closer to the stage when imagining they were attending a Cirque du Soleil performance with a close friend, compared with only about one-third who chose the adjacent seats when imagining attending with an acquaintance. In another study, we asked students whether they wanted to eat one chocolate with another person – either a new friend or a stranger – or two chocolates alone. Half the people chose the shared experience – but only if the other person was a friend. Fewer people – 38% – opted for the shared experience if the other person was a stranger. <h2>Why it matters</h2> One reason people prioritize physical proximity with close partners is because they want to create shared memories. Importantly, people believe that physical distance can disrupt the creation of shared memories, and so they forgo enjoyable experiences apart from their loved one. This also matters for companies seeking to improve customer experience, such as an airline offering free upgrades or shorter wait times. Our findings suggest that, for example, consumers traveling with a companion might not take advantage of services like TSA PreCheck, an airline VIP lounge or a free upgrade if it is available only for themselves. It also helps explain why consumers do not like when <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/06/travel/airlines-family-seating-dashboard.html">airlines split up families</a> in their seat assignments. However, we also tested a few initiatives marketers can use to encourage people to choose a higher-quality experience that requires them to be apart from their companion. In another experiment, we described a train ride as either a fun part of an excursion or as a practical way to reach a final destination. More participants accepted a free upgrade – even though it required sitting apart from their romantic partner – when they perceived the train ride as utilitarian. That’s because they cared less about creating shared memories during the experience. <h2>What still isn’t known</h2> We still don’t know how this preference affects relationship quality. For example, when can time apart from your partner actually strengthen the relationship? And how should couples split their time between lower-quality activities done together and higher-quality activities done alone? One option for separate activities, for example, might be when one partner’s desired activity does not interest the other. Also, given that people believe physical proximity is a prerequisite for creating shared memories, how can partners who live in different places also cultivate shared memories? This question is especially important in light of how COVID-19 has enabled more people to work and study remotely.<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/205363/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Image credit: Getty <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ximena-garcia-rada-1238853">Ximena Garcia-Rada</a>, Assistant Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/texas-aandm-university-1672">Texas A&M University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-norton-145591">Michael Norton</a>, Professor of Business Administration, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/harvard-university-1306">Harvard University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-k-ratner-1439964">Rebecca K. Ratner</a>, Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-maryland-1347">University of Maryland</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/travelers-will-refuse-an-upgrade-to-sit-near-a-loved-one-new-research-into-when-people-want-to-share-experiences-205363">original article</a>.

International Travel

Would you agree to ‘part-time ownership’ of your pet?

A dog owner has caused a stir after sharing an ad for “part-time” ownership of their pet, with some calling it out as an attempt to get free pet sitting. The owner’s ad, which was shared to Reddit’s ‘Sydney’ thread, offers up a cute pooch called Tedy for an “alternate family”. "Do you love dogs but are too busy to have a full-time commitment or too much financially?” the post reads. "Tedy is looking for an alternative family. Would you like your kids to have a dog? My mum is happy to share me with you on weekends or afternoons (as per agreement) for an exchange to look after me when she is travelling. "Interested to learn more? Please get in touch." <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/reddit-ad-dog.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> A dog owner advertising for an “alternative family” for their pooch has caused debate online. Image: Reddit While some Reddit users showed interest in the ad, others criticised the owner. "Next thing we know people will be looking to offer a part-time baby," one person said. "Jokes aside, this is indeed a very clever way to get free pet sitting, but also a win-win for some who would love to have a pet, but can’t afford or just don't have enough time," another added. A few came to the owner’s defence, saying that it’s possible for everyone to benefit from these kinds of arrangements. "Pet sharing is definitely a thing. It seems a bit cheeky to me but maybe everyone benefits,” one shared. "As a recently-single dog owner I would love to do something like this," a second said. One person baulked at the idea of leaving their fur baby with another family, writing: “I love him to death and I can't stand leaving my little buddy at home by himself, so I hardly go out unless it's somewhere I can bring him. Luckily I work from home and you can take your dog almost anywhere in my neighbourhood.” Another suggested that the idea could be okay if Tedy’s owners paid for his food and other supplies while they were away. “It’s free dog sitting but some people like having a temporary pet, too,” they added. Image: Getty Images

Family & Pets

‘Where would we live otherwise?’: the rise of house-sitting among seniors

The severe lack of <a href="https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/providers/housing/affordable/about/chapters/what-is-affordable-housing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">affordable housing</a> is hurting Australians right across the community – from young renters, to families seeking to buy and older people needing a stable home. The number of Australians over 55 who are homeless jumped by 28% between the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/census-population-and-housing-estimating-homelessness/latest-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2011 and 2016 censuses</a>. An increasing lack of affordable housing is forcing some older people to take <a href="https://theconversation.com/generation-share-why-more-older-australians-are-living-in-share-houses-107183" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unconventional approaches</a> to finding a home. One of these is <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-31/house-sitting-on-the-rise-for-older-people-in-financial-stress/11461726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">house-sitting</a>. My new research published in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00049182.2021.1999612?journalCode=cage20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Geographer</a>, looks at how this works – and how it doesn’t – for this often-vulnerable group. <h2>What is house-sitting?</h2> In exchange for free accommodation, house-sitters take care of the house (and garden and pets), while the owner is away. House-sitting episodes can be as short as one day to more than three years. House-sitters use different methods to find a potential house-sitting property. Most rely on house-sitting websites and specific Facebook groups. Some people also find house-sitting opportunities through referrals and repeat bookings. <h2>Our study</h2> In the first <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00049182.2021.1999612?journalCode=cage20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis</a> of its kind, a colleague and I interviewed 20 Australians between 53 and 78, who had been house-sitting for more than a year. Half our interviewees had permanent housing (either rental or owned) and were mainly casual house-sitters. The remaining were house-sitting full-time and had no permanent address. We asked people about their experiences as older house-sitters and the impact of this type of housing on their well-being. <h2>A temporary relief from rental stress</h2> Almost half of the house-sitters we interviewed reported financial issues, such as unemployment, unstable or low-paid jobs and unaffordable housing as the main reason for starting house-sitting. Relationship breakdown that left people without a secure housing was the second most common reason. They told us house-sitting provided temporary relief from the high and unrelenting costs of paying rent. As one interviewee noted: It [house-sitting] is pretty essential, where would we live otherwise? So, we did rent for a little while, but money is an issue, because I am not earning enough yet to be paying rent […] [It] just happens to be a really good solution to the situation that we happen to be in. In turn, this freed up funds to spend on other things, such as their health and social life. My husband gets his pension this year. So, [if we house-sit] it means that we will actually have an income, which means in theory we might actually save some money. Less common reasons for starting house-sitting included free accommodation for travelling and spending time with animals. <h2>‘Gorgeous pets’</h2> Apart from saving money, interviewees described multiple benefits of house-sitting. The majority referred to the opportunity to travel and experience different places. Participants also appreciated the opportunity to live in pleasant houses and meet new people. They liked the freedom, variety and “getting rid of unnecessary stuff”. As one interviewee noted: we were able to live in some beautiful homes and with gorgeous pets. <h2>But not feeling secure</h2> However, house-sitting, was not seen as a long-term option. Interviewees were concerned about the lack of security and increasing health needs as they aged. Well, for short stays and holidays this [house-sitting] is viable, but for long-term you need to have plan B and C. As you see when COVID struck, it affected many people and some are staying in their cars even. Most sitters also found the temporary, short-term nature of house-sitting made it difficult to engage in the local community and develop a sense of belonging. You might make temporary friends, but then you move on and leave the community. Constant moving around also makes it hard to acquire local knowledge, which is particularly important in unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters. As one interviewee explained: It was quite scary in the bushfire […] when suddenly you need to know […] where to go, where’s the evacuation centre […] If I was at home in my own place, I might be talking to friends or neighbours and making decisions together but […] the loneliness becomes obvious when something like that happens. <h2>Lack of transparency</h2> A further issue is the power imbalance. House-sitters have few, if any rights - home owners have ultimate control over their properties. House-sitters referred to a range of challenges because of the lack of clear agreement between parties. These included disputes over the cost of housing repairs and disagreement on the property status when departing, such as how clean the house and how tidy garden should be. Unexpected changes or cancellation of the house-sitting schedules by owners also contributed to feelings of insecurity and distress among older house-sitters. <h2>Making house-sitting more stable</h2> House-sitting may not yet be a widespread practice, but it is <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-31/house-sitting-on-the-rise-for-older-people-in-financial-stress/11461726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">growing</a>. As it gains more prominence, we need transparent policies to specify the rights and entitlements of owners and sitters and address the inherent power imbalance. We also need to investigate ways of making house-sitting a more secure proposition for people in the longer-term. And to prioritise informed discussions about secure housing options for people as they age. This article originally appeared on The Conversation. Image: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

‘Where would we live otherwise?’: the rise of house-sitting among older Australians

The severe lack of <a href="https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/providers/housing/affordable/about/chapters/what-is-affordable-housing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">affordable housing</a> is hurting Australians right across the community – from young renters, to families seeking to buy and older people needing a stable home. The number of Australians over 55 who are homeless jumped by 28% between the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/census-population-and-housing-estimating-homelessness/latest-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2011 and 2016 censuses</a>. An increasing lack of affordable housing is forcing some older people to take <a href="https://theconversation.com/generation-share-why-more-older-australians-are-living-in-share-houses-107183" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unconventional approaches</a> to finding a home. One of these is <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-31/house-sitting-on-the-rise-for-older-people-in-financial-stress/11461726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">house-sitting</a>. My new research published in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00049182.2021.1999612?journalCode=cage20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Geographer</a>, looks at how this works – and how it doesn’t – for this often-vulnerable group. What is house-sitting? In exchange for free accommodation, house-sitters take care of the house (and garden and pets), while the owner is away. House-sitting episodes can be as short as one day to more than three years. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443670/original/file-20220201-25-1bsn6xe.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Dog sitting on a couch." /><figcaption>Lack of affordable housing has seen some people turn to house-sitting. www.shutterstock.com</figcaption></figure> House-sitters use different methods to find a potential house-sitting property. Most rely on house-sitting websites and specific Facebook groups. Some people also find house-sitting opportunities through referrals and repeat bookings. Our study In the first <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00049182.2021.1999612?journalCode=cage20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis</a> of its kind, a colleague and I interviewed 20 Australians between 53 and 78, who had been house-sitting for more than a year. Half our interviewees had permanent housing (either rental or owned) and were mainly casual house-sitters. The remaining were house-sitting full-time and had no permanent address. We asked people about their experiences as older house-sitters and the impact of this type of housing on their well-being. A temporary relief from rental stress Almost half of the house-sitters we interviewed reported financial issues, such as unemployment, unstable or low-paid jobs and unaffordable housing as the main reason for starting house-sitting. Relationship breakdown that left people without a secure housing was the second most common reason. They told us house-sitting provided temporary relief from the high and unrelenting costs of paying rent. As one interviewee noted: <blockquote> It [house-sitting] is pretty essential, where would we live otherwise? So, we did rent for a little while, but money is an issue, because I am not earning enough yet to be paying rent […] [It] just happens to be a really good solution to the situation that we happen to be in. </blockquote> In turn, this freed up funds to spend on other things, such as their health and social life. <blockquote> My husband gets his pension this year. So, [if we house-sit] it means that we will actually have an income, which means in theory we might actually save some money. </blockquote> Less common reasons for starting house-sitting included free accommodation for travelling and spending time with animals. ‘Gorgeous pets’ Apart from saving money, interviewees described multiple benefits of house-sitting. The majority referred to the opportunity to travel and experience different places. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443605/original/file-20220201-23-13kl8ox.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Woman holding a cat." /><figcaption>Looking after a house can also involve looking after the resident pets. www.shutterstock.com</figcaption></figure> Participants also appreciated the opportunity to live in pleasant houses and meet new people. They liked the freedom, variety and “getting rid of unnecessary stuff”. As one interviewee noted: <blockquote> we were able to live in some beautiful homes and with gorgeous pets. </blockquote> But not feeling secure However, house-sitting, was not seen as a long-term option. Interviewees were concerned about the lack of security and increasing health needs as they aged. <blockquote> Well, for short stays and holidays this [house-sitting] is viable, but for long-term you need to have plan B and C. As you see when COVID struck, it affected many people and some are staying in their cars even. </blockquote> Most sitters also found the temporary, short-term nature of house-sitting made it difficult to engage in the local community and develop a sense of belonging. <blockquote> You might make temporary friends, but then you move on and leave the community. </blockquote> Constant moving around also makes it hard to acquire local knowledge, which is particularly important in unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters. As one interviewee explained: <blockquote> It was quite scary in the bushfire […] when suddenly you need to know […] where to go, where’s the evacuation centre […] If I was at home in my own place, I might be talking to friends or neighbours and making decisions together but […] the loneliness becomes obvious when something like that happens. </blockquote> Lack of transparency A further issue is the power imbalance. House-sitters have few, if any rights - home owners have ultimate control over their properties. House-sitters referred to a range of challenges because of the lack of clear agreement between parties. These included disputes over the cost of housing repairs and disagreement on the property status when departing, such as how clean the house and how tidy garden should be. Unexpected changes or cancellation of the house-sitting schedules by owners also contributed to feelings of insecurity and distress among older house-sitters. Making house-sitting more stable House-sitting may not yet be a widespread practice, but it is <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-31/house-sitting-on-the-rise-for-older-people-in-financial-stress/11461726" target="_blank" rel="noopener">growing</a>. As it gains more prominence, we need transparent policies to specify the rights and entitlements of owners and sitters and address the inherent power imbalance. We also need to investigate ways of making house-sitting a more secure proposition for people in the longer-term. And to prioritise informed discussions about secure housing options for people as they age.<img style="border: none !important;margin: 0 !important;max-height: 1px !important;max-width: 1px !important;min-height: 1px !important;min-width: 1px !important;padding: 0 !important" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/173984/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sara-alidoust-1124577" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sara Alidoust</a>, Lecturer in Planning, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The University of Queensland</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/where-would-we-live-otherwise-the-rise-of-house-sitting-among-older-australians-173984" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Domestic Travel

How to travel minus the expense of accommodation

Believe it or not, according to news.com.au. there’s a happy band of holiday-makers who travel far and wide and rarely pay for their accommodation. The costs of a week-long holiday in New Zealand, even staying in an Airbnb or locally-owned house, can quickly add up. Yet one Australian couple Christopher Ojala and Andrew Redfern have done it three times, all without paying a cent for accommodation. The Aussies are house-sitters, who have travelled across New Zealand, the US, the UK and Mexico, all by way of caring for strangers’ homes. “House-sitting gives you a completely different perspective, compared to going somewhere as just a tourist,” says Mr Ojala, who also manages the 17,000-strong Facebook group ‘House sitting worldwide’. “You get to see new places from a local’s perspective.” Most house sits aren't about the houses at all, rather, they're pet-sits in someone else's home. As it's a win-win situation for both parties and money rarely changes hands. Instead, it's a system built on trust between strangers which is also why the house-sitting community thrives in New Zealand, in particular. “In New Zealand, people trust other people much more than in a lot of other countries,” says Mr Ojala. “It's no big deal for people to have strangers in their homes. Whereas in the US, you almost have to go through multiple police checks just to be eligible to be considered.” In addition to sharing their homes, they're also eager to introduce guests to other facets of their lives, so they're able to truly live like a local. Still, house-sitting's biggest sell might be its affordability — but it's not just an activity for the broke backpacker set. According to Nick Fuad, founder of Kiwi House Sitters, roughly 25% of house-sitters on the platform are over the age of 60. It's also a budget-friendly vacation option for families, particularly during holiday periods when campgrounds are booked-out and hotels charge peak seasonal rates. Originally from Canada, Ms Mcallister met her future partner when she was house-sitting on the South Island. Since moving to Dunedin and settling down, she hasn't given up her favourite way to explore the country. Now, she takes her partner and his 6-year-old son along on her adventures. "It's a beautiful way to be able to travel," Ms Mcallister says. The couple regularly house sit in Queenstown and Wānaka and have even done a beachside house sit during school holidays in their home city. For her partner's son, the location doesn't matter. "He just thinks it's somewhere different. There are different toys and it makes it a fun kind of holiday," she says. Ultimately, caring for other people's pets is a serious commitment and house sitting isn't for everyone. But those who do it, tend to love it so much that they almost don't want anyone else to know about it. "My partner, is like, 'You shouldn't be telling anyone about this," says Ms Mcallister, laughing. It's a secret she wants to share, though: "House-sitting can open up doors for world travel that you would have never imagined." How to get started as a house-sitter in New Zealand House-sitting positions are typically advertised on platforms such as TrustedHousesitters.com, HouseCarers.com, but KiwiHouseSitters.co.nz is by far the most active house sitting site in New Zealand. Regardless of what platform you choose, expect to pay around $NZ85 to $NZ150 per year. If you're not willing to pony up the membership fee, gigs are also posted on the House Sitting New Zealand Facebook group. Once you've found a potential house, set up a virtual or in-person meeting with the homeowners and their pets. At the very minimum, speak on the phone so that both parties have the opportunity to ask any questions. "Do your homework before you just jump in," advises Mr Ojala. Don't have any experience? Don't worry. In lieu of house-sitting references, offer to supply personal or professional referees or a police clearance. Even without references, your services will be sought-after if you plan to house sit over a school holiday period. A quick scan of KiwiHouse sitters.co.nz reveals upcoming holiday sits ranging from a three-week stay in the Mackenzie region at a sprawling country home with an in-ground pool, to a little closer to home, where there's a five-day sit at an artist's house in Titirangi, complete with use of kayaks. Remember: Love of animals is a must "House sitting" is a bit of a misnomer, it should really be called "pet-sitting". Very rarely will you see a posting for homes without animals, although the level of time you'll devote to taking care of pets can vary. Be sure to ask homeowners about daily routines and responsibilities, as well as how long they're comfortable for their pets to be left alone. If you envision long days spent at the beach or in nearby art galleries, bypass the horses and dogs, and look for a cat instead. Image: Getty

Travel Tips

Woman's body found sitting in chair two years after her death

The body of a 70-year-old woman has been found in her house in Northern Italy, two years after her death.Marinella Beretta lived alone near Lake Como in Lombardy.Her decomposed body was discovered on Friday by the Como fire brigade following complaints that a tree had fallen in her garden as a result of overgrown vegetation, Como City Hall press officer Francesca Manfredi said.Beretta’s body was found sitting in a chair in the living room, SkyTg24 reported on Monday.Manfredi told CNN that the cause of Beretta’s death was unknown, and the examiner had established that she died sometime toward the end of 2019, based on the level of decay to her body.No relatives of Beretta had yet come forward, Manfredi said, adding that police were investigating whether she had any surviving family.For now, Beretta’s body remains at the morgue, and a funeral date has not yet been set, Manfredi added.Como mayor Mario Landriscina has invited the town’s residents to attend Beretta’s funeral. He told the Italian media on Tuesday that the local government would take care of the funeral arrangements.“I will try to be there and I invite the city to be present,” Landriscina said.“This is the moment to be together, and even if this woman had no relatives, we could become her relatives.”On Facebook, Elena Bonetti, Italy’s minister for family and equal opportunities, mourned Beretta’s solitary death.“What happened to Marinella Beretta in Como, the forgotten loneliness, hurts our consciences,” she said. “Remembering her life is the duty of a community that wants to remain united.”Bonetti added: “Taking care of each other is the experience of families, institutions, of our being citizens. No one should be alone.”Image: Getty

Beloved General Hospital actor dies "sitting on a horse" while filming

Veteran soap opera actor Jay Pickett, has died at age 60. His wife, Elena Pickett, was the one to confirm his death. Best known for his roles in General Hospital, Days of Our Lives and Port Charles, Pickett passed away while away from his family in Idaho. News broke of the actor’s death on Friday when actor and film producer Jim Heffel shared a touching note about their friendship on Facebook. “Yesterday I lost a good friend and the world lost a great person,” Heffel wrote. “Jay Pickett decided to ride off into the Heavens. Jay died sitting on a horse ready to rope a steer in the movie Treasure Valley in Idaho. The way of a true cowboy.” He went on to say: “Jay wrote the story and starred in it. He was also coproducer with myself and Vernon Walker. He will be truly missed. “Ride like the wind partner.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CSDQdQrKsPT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CSDQdQrKsPT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by ElizanTV YouTube Channel. (@elizantv)</a> </div> </blockquote> He was filming a scene for his upcoming movie Treasure Valley when he passed, his film's director, Travis Mills went on to say in a touching post. "Jay Pickett, our leading man, writer, producer, and creator of this movie passed away suddenly while we were on location preparing to film a scene," Mills posted on the film's official Facebook page. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CSCUBWCH5I6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CSCUBWCH5I6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by 12 Westerns in 12 Months (@12westerns)</a> </div> </blockquote> "Our hearts are broken, and we grieve for his family who are so devastated by this shocking tragedy." "He was doing what he loved: acting, riding horses, making movies. And he was magnificent," he continued. Mills said that while his death is not confirm, it seems he passed from “a heart attack.” Mills added that everyone who was there did their best "to keep him alive." He went on to describe Pickett as an “incredible man” who was “kind, sweet and generous.” “He was one of the best actors I ever worked with and it was an honor to collaborate with him,” he continued. “Everyone who met him, even for the briefest moment, could feel his warmth, his wonderful spirit. It is difficult to find the words right now to say more. His closest friends have said that he was very happy making Treasure Valley and my hope is that he truly was.” The director finished his devastating post with a touching note, writing, “He was doing what he loved: acting, riding horses, making movies. And he was magnificent.” Jay is survived by his wife Elena, and their three children, Maegan, Michaela and Tyler.

Caring

Are you sitting on a gold mine?

<h2>Vintage handbags</h2> OK, answer honestly: How many posh handbags have you accumulated over the years? And how many are piled in a dark corner of your closet? Fashion history is fun to look at and to collect, and such a collection could earn you a sizable chunk of change. “Vintage Chanel in good condition will retail on a secondary market for $US2,000 to $US3,000 – or even $US400 if it is in poor condition,” says Marie Dietrich, an appraiser at Gary Germer and Associates. Prada, on the other hand usually sells for much less, says Dietrich, though the nicer ones still go for $US500 to $US800. Here’s where you can sell posh handbags and other specialty items online. <h2>Postcards</h2> Almost everyone has random old postcards lying around in a drawer. A single postcard can sell for as little as $2 or as much as a few hundred dollars, depending on a few factors. According to Warwick & Warwick, the age, rarity, condition, and subject matter all play a role. If the postcard is signed by someone noteworthy, has a message of historical significance, or has a sought-after postage stamp or postal markings, it will bring in more. Some of the more popular collectible postcards can be Art Nouveau and Art Deco style, or feature social history, street scenes, or transportation. <h2>TV Guides</h2> Speaking of nostalgia, the April 9-15, 1983 issue of TV Guide featuring Elvis Presley on the cover sold for $US36 on EBTH. Although TV Guides are easy to find at garage sales and flea markets, what people seem to desire is the subject matter on the cover – especially if it fits into their collection. Fans of Elvis Presley make up a big portion of the market for TV Guides featuring him. <h2>Polaroid camera</h2> There are plenty of people willing to pay a pretty penny for your Polaroid. Taking a picture and watching it develop before your eyes has always been cool. Plus, once a Polaroid shot develops, it looks like the vintage filter on Instagram. A Polaroid instant camera with film recently sold on EBTH for $US152; a fancier Polaroid with a gold- and leather-bound case was snapped up for $US553 on EBTH. Buy these items now and stash them for safe keeping because they will be worth a lot of cash down the road. <h2>Retro video games</h2> Maybe it’s because of the fascination with gaming, the vintage artwork, or the fact that as adults, the games people were denied as children are affordable to them now – and desirable. “Retro video games are currently enjoying a renaissance in popularity,” says Denny. What that means for you if you have them stacked away in a closet is extra dosh. This past June, EBTH auctioned off a collection of vintage Sega games for $US2,382, but single titles do very well on their own. A 2001 Smash Bros. Melee for Nintendo GameCube just sold for about $US37 on eBay. Written by Lisa Marie Conklin. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/money/25-things-your-house-right-now-could-be-worth-money">Reader’s Digest</a>. Find more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="https://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.

Retirement Income

Women’s horrifying attack after sitting on toilet

A woman has learnt a strange and horrifying lesson after she was bitten on the bottom by a python when she sat on the toilet. Boonsong Plaikaew, 54, was about to finish her business while on the loo at her house in Samut Prakan, in central Thailand, when she felt a searing pain shoot across her bottom on October 19. A worrying amount of blood began to run down her legs and pants before she saw the snake bite her again, this time on the finger. She pulled the two-metre-long python off her finger and ran out of the toilet begging for help. Animal rescuers and paramedics arrived at roughly the same time. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838412/daily.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/758ed00d978e4e68883c700cef7259bc" /> They gave Mrs. Plaikaew first-aid treatment after checking on her wounds before rushing her to the hospital. Speaking at the hospital, the shocked woman said she had just finished urinating when the python struck. “I did not see the snake hiding inside the bowl, so I was just doing my stuff when I was attacked,” she said. The woman was allowed to go home after having a health check-up. Thankfully the snake was not venomous. Rescuers were able to capture the python who was found slithering on the bathroom floor. They placed the animal in a sack and took it with them to be released in the wild at a later time. “From now on, I'll check the toilet every time before I sit down,” Boonsong added.

Travel Trouble

Warren Buffett sits out a deal to acquire Tiffany & Co

Warren Buffett turned down a chance to acquire Tiffany & Co. Following a takeover bid from luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, the US jewellery giant invited Buffett to make a counteroffer, the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/9da47898-237a-11ea-b8a1-584213ee7b2b">Financial Times</a> reported. However, the Berkshire Hathaway owner rejected Tiffany’s overture, allowing LVMH to strike a US$16.2 billion deal for the company in November. The rejection marks the conglomerate company’s fourth year without any major acquisitions as its cash pile reached a record US$128 billion. “Buffett has the luxury to move slowly on purchases because of Berkshire’s cash hoard,” Berkshire investor Bill Smead told the newspaper. “Shareholders will benefit tremendously when he puts that money to work.” Most recently, Buffett bid US$5 billion on technology distributor Tech Data in November but later withdrew after private equity firm Apollo Global Management raised its offer in the auction.

Retirement Income

Meditation for people who can't sit still

Quilt therapy founder Madeline Fernbach claims that quilting is ‘meditation for people who can’t sit still to meditate’. Discover how doing craft can help you feel feel better today! So, what exactly is Quilt Therapy? It was founded by clinical psychologist and self-proclaimed amateur quilter Dr Madeline Fernbach who says Quilt Therapy is an initiative aimed at offering support, inspiration and guidance to those suffering anxiety, depression, trauma or grief. Though tricky to define, most of us intuitively understand what is meant by the term. As quilting is a creative and often times repetitive art form, Quilt Therapy is about using these skills as a way of working through emotional and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Benefits of doing craft Many quilters enjoy the therapeutic benefits of quilting without realising it, whether it’s through quilting as part of a group or making gifts for loved ones or charity. “What makes my idea different is that I want to encourage quilters to express their emotions and their issues by creating quilts just for themselves. Just to express what is going on for them,” she explains. “If someone is making a quilt from the heart, most especially when they are making a quilt entirely for themselves, it can speak volumes. With Quilt Therapy I am trying out ways of encouraging people to express their feelings and work through the darkest emotions they might have.” Craft lowering stress levels In her own case, Madeline was quilting as a way of de-stressing after an emotionally tiring day or week. In her line of work, she understandably comes across a spectrum of challenging issues and on those occasions when she feels flat or overwhelmed, she retreats to her sewing room just after dinner and only emerges when it’s time for bed. “My partner is very understanding so I try not to do this all the time or I wouldn’t have much of a relationship!” she jokes. Madeline became interested in quilting while pregnant, when she was struck by what she terms ‘an inexplicable urge’ to create quilts; first for others and then for herself. “At some point I made the connection between doing therapy and making quilts and realised after an internet search that there really wasn't anything available, either in book or electronic form, that made use of quilts for mental health healing.” Encouraged, Madeline launched the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Quilt-Therapy-530058980373318/timeline/">Quilt Therapy Facebook page</a> as a means of spreading her idea in a way that would reach quilters in both city and rural areas. It was important for Madeline to ensure access to country quilters, as these are the very people least likely to access mental health services. She recognised that, while you can talk a problem through until you’re blue in the face, non-verbal means of expression can be intensely powerful, allowing individuals to represent their ideas visually, often revealing new ways of understanding and dealing with a problem. “Country women have a culture of ‘sucking it up’ and getting on with life and not valuing their own mental health,” Madeline elaborates. “Through expressing things they find difficult to say in words, quilting can be a therapeutic process,” she says, claiming it is equally effective as a ‘timeout’ or escape from distressing situations, helping to sooth and relax. Quilt Therapy can help Combining a mix of gentle cognitive behavioural therapy interventions with new ideals Madeline is trialling, she discovered that the initiatives most enthusiastically received were those relating to community-based projects, which prompted the launch of the Quilt Therapy community projects. “I believe that as people engage with communities and other individuals, they can find a way to deal with their difficulties, moving towards a sense of peace and, hopefully, optimism about the future,” Madeline adds. Of course, the final results don’t need to be perfect. It is all about communication and connections with others. The ultimate objective is not to create a flawless piece of art, but to create a strong and healthy community. Overwhelmed by the initial response on Facebook, with over a thousand ‘likes’ attained in a matter of weeks, word quickly spread. “What has been even more rewarding was that people are willing not only to ‘like’ the page, but also participate. I am hearing stories of people’s losses, their successes, their struggles with mental health issues, and quilting is always a central part of the way through,” she says. Jacqueline Atkinson, Professor of Mental Health Policy at the University of Glasgow, investigated during the study The Relationship Between Quilting and Wellbeing for the Journal of Public Health. This study found that a strong social network fostered the formation of strong friendships. Affirmation from others boosted self-esteem and increased motivation for skill development and using colour was psychologically uplifting. Quilting was challenging, demanded concentration and participants maintained and helped participants learn new skills. Get involved today! Anybody is welcome to get involved, regardless of their sewing level and even Madeline admits she isn’t a great quilter, but her love of the craft renders this irrelevant. “The act of making a quilt, from the planning to the preparation, selection of materials, cutting and sewing, and finally quilting is creative but also repetitive. When an individual’s mind takes off in uncontrollable flights of anxiety, depression or grief, making a quilt soothes the mind and redirects it in a safe, predictable way,” Madeline is careful to state, however, that where possible it is recommended to deal with issues relating to trauma, depression and anxiety with professional help. She adds, “I invite you to come on this creative path, helping to connect people through non-verbal communication.” Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/wellbeing/hate-the-idea-of-meditation-discover-why-crafting-is-a-great-alternative-to-help-you-destress-and-feel-great.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Caring

Why moving more and sitting less is good for the mind as well as the body

Physical activity has long been associated with better mental health. What’s not well understood, however, is whether too much activity can negatively impact psychological well-being. As a researcher on physical activity and mental health, I often hear people say, “The more active I am, the better I feel.” That suggests more physical activity is always needed to increase psychological well-being. However, you may know people who have a very physically demanding job or who train a lot and are not necessarily their better selves. Similarly, others who spend several hours sitting down report they do not feel very well at the end of the day because they have moved very little. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204682">Our group of researchers and students considered whether there is a linear link</a> between physical activity levels and mental health and whether sedentary habits, such as sitting all day, influenced this relationship. Reversing curve <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22981733">Previous studies</a> identified linear or inverted U-shaped relationships between physical activity and mental health. But the biggest problem with them was that the amount of physical activity was measured using a questionnaire. There is generally a <a href="https://actiphysetc.wordpress.com/2016/01/30/categoriser-une-personne-comme-active-sur-la-base-des-reponses-a-un-questionnaire-est-ce-fiable/">significant difference between how people report their physical activity and what is measured when they use a bracelet with an accelerometer</a>. We analyzed data from the <a href="https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/sc/video/chms-mobile-centre">Canadian Survey of Health Measures</a>, collected between 2007 and 2012 (a sample that is representative of more than 95 per cent of Canadians). That data profiled 8,000 adults who had their mental health assessed the previous week and wore a bracelet, called an accelerometer, for four to seven days. Using this material, we were able to conduct statistical analyses by taking into account variables such as gender, weight or tobacco use, which can influence the relationship between daily physical activity and mental health. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/266639/original/file-20190330-71012-32wfuz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="" /> Association between moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and mental health in a nationally representative sample of adults. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/266638/original/file-20190330-70989-1ynx6d0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="" /> Association between number of steps and mental health in a nationally representative sample of adults. Moderate to intense physical activity such as playing soccer or running for one to 50 minutes per day was gradually associated with better mental health but after that period, people reported increasingly poor mental health. When it came to physical activity such as gardening or cleaning, it took more than six hours for positive effects to appear. These effects were more pronounced when combined with moderate to high intensity physical efforts. An inverted U-shape relationship was identified between the number of steps taken per day and mental health. It showed that every step up to 5,000 could be counted toward contributing to good mental health. However, this relationship stagnates as the number of steps climbs to 16,000 and then it reverses. Mixed effects for active, sedentary lifestyles We also examined how the relationship between physical activity and mental health evolved with physical inactivity. A person can be very active — for example, walking 30 minutes per day, training weekly and playing hockey — and very sedentary if he or she works in an office. A <a href="https://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/h2012-024#.XLoWyaR7mM8">sedentary lifestyle</a> is one where we are awake, sitting or standing and doing things that don’t expend much energy. It seems the benefits of physical activity are reduced the longer people are inactive. Therefore, the relationships between physical activity and mental health among Canadian adults are not necessarily linear, as studies have shown to date. Adults could likely benefit from the first few minutes of moderate to intense activity or from the first steps. The links between physical activity and good mental health seem more pronounced when people are more active and less inactive. Our results show that a key message from Darren Warburton of the University of British Columbia — “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2016.01.024">move more and sit less for better health</a>” — could also apply to mental health. Physical activities of different intensities are all related to better mental health but too much physical activity seems to have the opposite effect. It is important to note that the study is cross-sectional so no temporal link can be identified. In other words, we cannot know if it is because Canadians are physically active that they report better mental health or if it is their good mental health that makes it easier to be active on a daily basis.<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/115786/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Written by Bernard Paquito, Professeur adjoint, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/moving-more-and-sitting-less-is-good-for-the-mind-as-well-as-the-body-115786">The Conversation</a>.

Mind

Don’t even think about sitting on your bed wearing outside clothes

Let’s face it, just because you took a shower in the morning and you don’t smell doesn’t mean the outfit you wore on the train, in the bank, at work, to the gym or on a dinner date is clean. Some would say your fancy duds are downright dirty. Before you think about getting cozy under the sheets without changing into pyjamas (or at least a T-shirt and shorts), here are some potential gross consequences that may have you heading to the laundry room instead of the bedroom. Humans are nasty Of course, practicing good hygiene is very important for your overall health, not to mention your social life, but understanding what naturally occurs over the course of a day to a person’s body will clarify how gross it is to not change your outerwear or undergarments. A video from Brit Lab, shown on Lifehacker.com reveals that you, in fact, produce dirt – and a lot of it. The expert says, “We’re constantly shedding skin cells, oozing skin oils, and secreting sweat onto everything we’re wearing. In fact, a human shed about 500 million skin cells and a litre of sweat, every day.” Germs stick to you like glue “Bacteria and organisms can survive weeks or even months on clothes,” Philip Tierno, MD, director of Microbiology and Immunology at New York University revealed in a 2010 investigation after discovering that brand-new clothes (still with the tags on them) can be contaminated with bacteria, norovirus or staph germs. Since he suggests washing new clothes before wearing them, then it’s probably a good idea to sterilise the T-shirt you just walked around in on that hot day for 12 hours. Not judging, just saying. Rashes, acne, infection, oh my! <a href="http://www.dermascope.com/acne/acne-on-the-body">Dermascope.com</a> explains how restricted fabrics could trigger flare-ups or skin irritations. “One of the main causes of back and chest acne is caused by prolonged pressure and friction by anything repeatedly rubbing on skin, such as tight shirts and backpacks.” And the grimier something is, the worse the breakout could be. “Dirty sheets and dirty clothes can transfer dirt and bacteria into the hair follicle, causing it to clog and become infected.” Written by Hope Daniels. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/home-tips/dont-even-think-about-sitting-your-bed-outside-clothes">Reader’s Digest.</a> For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN87V">here’s out subscription offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Caring

How to manage back pain from sitting

We all know that heavy lifting or a sudden jolt can trigger back issues, but did you know even sedentary behaviour such as watching TV or sitting at the computer can result in chronic back strain? In fact, the number one cause of back pain according to the Australian Rheumatology Association is related to prolonged sitting or standing. We chat to physiotherapist Sharon Richens about how sitting causes back pain, and the specific exercises and stretches that may prevent it altogether. What factors cause lower back strain? Prolonged sitting affects the back because it places increased pressure along the lumbar region, specifically the discs, says Richens. These intervertebral discs are the cushions in our lower back that separate the vertebrae, or bones, of the spine. Normally, the discs protect our spine by absorbing shock and allowing for everyday movement. However, we lose this cushioning if the discs become damaged from certain activities, or lack thereof. This is particularly a concern when you factor in the ageing process, explains Richens. “One of the natural occurrences as people age is that you decrease the fluid that’s in the disc – and combined with accumulative sitting, that’s not a good thing.” Should we simply stand more? Richens says the key is to move more. “People that stand all day, they have achy bodies as well. What our body and our posture really needs is the change from sitting to standing,” she says. “When people are working on decreasing their sitting time, it’s about having short intervals of standing and walking.” She says while standing desks are great, the underlying principle of using these desks is to encourage movement. But what if you don’t have access to a standing desk at work or your home office? “Simple strategies like standing up while talking on the phone, moving the rubbish bin away from your desk so you have to get up when you need to throw something out, or it might be that you move your home laptop to your kitchen bench so that you are standing for 15 minutes instead of sitting.” Sitting affects our core muscles, too. “One of the problems that happens when we’re sitting, especially if we’re sitting poorly or in a slumped position, our core muscles are disengaged or turned off,” says Richens. These core muscles are the muscles in the back and the deep abdominal muscles that protect your back and keep your whole body stable and balanced. That’s why many physiotherapists recommend core-strengthening exercises to ease or prevent lower back strain. Regular stretching and increasing flexibility are also important. “Prolonged sitting causes the muscles in the front of our hips to get very tight, so sometimes people need to learn how to stretch their buttock muscles and the muscles in the front of their hips. And then learn to use their core and abdominal muscles as well.” So, what are the best exercises for this region? Richens says you should avoid traditional sit-ups or crunches, which can aggravate the back, and instead opt for a series of simple and subtle exercises that build strength and encourage safe movement. The plank exercise is great for the core, however, Richens says many people hold this exercise incorrectly and end up working the exterior abdominal muscles as opposed to the deep core area. She recommends seeing a physiotherapist to learn the correct technique. She also suggests a simple squat, or half squat, exercise that engages your core, your back muscles, your quadriceps and glutes. When performing a half squat, keep your chest and torso upright, gently push your bottom back and knees out into a half squat position. Place your hands on a back of a sturdy chair or bench for support. You can do this from a three-quarter squat position, with your knees slightly less bent. A standing hip flexor stretch, either performed with your front foot up on a small box or stool, or with your back leg bent up behind you, is another useful exercise to counter the strain caused by prolonged sitting or standing. When to seek advice Richens says if you have persistent pain or are unable to relieve symptoms from walking or changing posture, this is a sign to seek further advice from a GP or physiotherapist. Do you suffer from back pain? Let us know in the comments section below. Written by Mahsa Fratantoni. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/health/exercise/how-to-manage-back-pain-from-sitting.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>.

Body

Why Prince George and Princess Charlotte cannot sit with their parents at the dinner table

Being a part of the royal family means a long list of rules and etiquette that one must follow, right down the line to the youngest members of the family. The offspring of royals are taught from a very young age the prerequisites and protocols they must adhere to. So, it’s not surprising Prince George and Princess Charlotte are already being taught which behaviours are forbidden and allowed. <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/celebrity/rules-princess-have-to-follow-16628">Harper’s Bazaar Australia</a> has revealed that Prince William and Kate’s young children are not allowed to sit and eat at the same table as their parents or other adult family members, during official royal visits. Once they’re old enough and have “learned the art of polite conversation” they will be permitted to join their mother and father and other grown-ups at formal, sit-down occasions involving a meal. Another rule Prince George and Princess Charlotte are expected to adhere to (and Prince Louis once he is old enough), is to learn multiple languages, which is not surprising when you consider the number of countries that are part of the Commonwealth. Princess Charlotte has been learning Spanish from her nanny, according to <a href="https://people.com/royals/princess-charlotte-is-so-polite-and-very-confident-says-source-and-speaks-some-spanish/">PEOPLE</a>, who speaks to the royal children in her native language. The Duchess of Cambridge has also revealed that Prince George, who attends school fulltime, can already count to 10 in Spanish. Another rule that recently came to light was Prince George’s attire. The reason we always see the four-year-old wearing shorts in public – with the exception of his <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/2018/05/the-rule-prince-george-broke-at-the-royal-wedding/">page boy</a> role at Prince Harry and Meghan’s recent wedding – is due to tradition. It is traditional for upper-class boys in England to wear shorts up until the age of seven. “Trousers are for older boys and men, whereas shorts on younger boys are one of the silent class markers that we have in England,” etiquette expert William Hanson told the Express. “Although times are (slowly) changing, a pair of trousers on a young boy is considered quite middle class, quite suburban. “And no self-respecting aristo or royal would want to be considered suburban. Even the Duchess of Cambridge.” When it comes to fashion for three-year-old Princess Charlotte, you might have noticed the young royal always wears a bow in her hair to match her pretty dress. Charlotte will also not be allowed to wear any tiaras before marriage. This is because tiaras are “a sign of status and would show you were taken and not looking for a husband,” etiquette expert Grant Harrold explains. What do you think about these royal traditions bestowed upon the new generation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Family & Pets

Where to sit on a plane for the best service

How many times has it felt like you’re the last person being served on your flight. You might have waited patiently for your meal, but when the passenger four rows up is making a bit of a scene, you know who the flight attendant is going to serve first. You can hardly blame them for this, and you have to admit keeping a plane full of people fed, refreshed and comfortable at 10,000 feet mustn’t be easy. By the same token, a little bit of personalised special attention would never go astray. But what are our options, aside from springing for a first class seat? Well, it just so happens that your choice of seat can make a big difference. In <a href="http://www.oystermag.com/" target="_blank">an article on Oyster</a>, flight attendant Annie Kingston explains that it’s the passengers who’re seated in the last few rows who are most likely to get goodies. “We like to avoid responding to call bells from the front of the plane because answering one means potentially flaunting whatever item the passenger has requested to everyone else along the way. This can cause a problem since planes often don’t have enough extra vodka, pillows, earplugs, and toothbrushes, or the time on shorter flights to deviate from the service schedule. For passengers sitting near the back of the plane, however, it’s much easier to slip in that second mini bottle of wine,” she writes. “We checked in with other flight attendants, and they agreed the back is where it’s at.” What are your thoughts? Where do you like to sit on a plane?

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Meditation for people who can't sit still

Why moving more and sitting less is good for the mind as well as the body

Don’t even think about sitting on your bed wearing outside clothes

How to manage back pain from sitting

Why Prince George and Princess Charlotte cannot sit with their parents at the dinner table

Where to sit on a plane for the best service