With longer working hours, busy social lives and hyperconnectivity drawing everything together via mobile, it's perhaps unsurprising that the fast pace of life is a common complaint for so many people. But not in Australia. People are happy with the amount of free time they have Down Under.

The beach holds a privileged place in the Australian psyche. Synonymous with down time Down Under, it’s a particularly important part of the nation’s leisurely lifestyle. But is this really still true? What role does the beach play in contemporary Aussie living – and spending?

The travel industry thrives on the pursuit of happiness, but just how far will people go to ensure they are healthy as well? All the way to Australia, as it turns out. The healthy holiday industry is now worth $438.6 billion a year, and Australia is enticing travellers with its ‘wild bush luxury’, ‘indigenous ingredients’ and health-focussed hotels.

Doing laundry is at the bottom of most people's to-do list - the epitome of the boring household chore. In China, Edaixi is an on-demand laundry company providing a swift and efficient service for time-strapped and space-poor Beijingers who want to outsource their laundry.