Not playing but fighting

Have you ever watched online videos of people “playing” with cats and noticed the cat doesn’t actually look like they’re having fun? You’re probably right.

Bring back boredom

We’re all constantly bombarded with media and information from all sides but leaving a little space in our lives to do nothing but think and experience the world can be a more rewarding and productive experience.

I’ll be there for you

Despite being more connected than any previous generation, many young people struggle to build friendships that provide a genuine sense of closeness, belonging and support.

The end of days

Often misunderstood and underutilized as something that is only accessible at the very end of life, palliative care represents a truly patient-centred medicine.

A history of pain

Although pain is a universal experience, the way we understand it has changed dramatically over time.

Not with a bang, but with a whimper

Australia’s limp performance at the 2026 World Cup came to a disappointing end with defeat against lowly Egypt in the round of 32, so what can be learned from the tournament and what effect will it have on the struggling domestic competitions?

Focus!

Attention is a precious resource, so let’s invest it wisely in this age of smart phones, social media and mindless AI. Reclaiming your attention doesn’t necessarily require rigid rules or strict routines and begin with small, intentional acts of presence.

Rediscovering sophrosyne in the age of AI

It’s telling that the word sophrosyne – an ancient Greek virtue emphasising moderation, reflectiveness and self-knowledge – has fallen out of use, because in this age of AI and social incivility, we need it more than ever.

Choose life

The worst way to make life’s biggest decisions is to not quite make them and to slide into a marriage, a career, a city, then wake years later wondering why you let inertia shape your life. Instead, at least try to take control, and here are seven steps to help you.

Put down your smartphone and talk to your teens

Debates about the effects of excessive phone use on teenagers’ mental health and social skills are everywhere, but much less attention has been paid to the impact of adults’ obsession with their phones on their adolescent children.

Bouncing back

A new analysis of 24 years of Australian data found a long-term trend of deteriorating mental health among adolescents and young adults is now beginning to rebound.

Stay frosty

A new study followed more than 12,000 older Australians and found that staying socially and mentally active also helps people stay physically fit in older age.