Smile: The Story of a Face by Sarah Ruhl review – a bruising battle with Bell’s palsy

The playwright’s fascinating book shows how a decade-long struggle with the condition profoundly affected her sense of self

Can a sick note make you better? Dr Gavin Francis on the power of convalescence

After serious illness, busy lives mean a proper convalescence is now a rarity. But a full and proper recovery takes time. GP and writer Gavin Francis reveals why a sick note can be a ‘powerful prescription’

Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence by Dr Gavin Francis review – the art of getting better

This helpful history and guide reveals that the sometimes difficult healing process is part of what makes us human

Go on, I dare you: Philippa Perry’s advice for a fulfilling new year

Philippa Perry tackles readers’ personal problems every week as our agony aunt. Her tip for an amazing 2022? Get out there and find a new passion

Smile by Sarah Ruhl review – what if you could no longer look happy?

Robbed of her smile by Bell’s palsy, the playwright is forced to confront difficult truths in this moving and subtle memoir

A moment that changed me: I was crippled by negative thoughts – then I bought a silver bracelet

My self-esteem was at rock bottom, but on a break from my academic job I found myself in Paris. As I wandered through the city, an impulse buy gave me hope I could value myself again

Pick the habit: the best podcasts to get you into a new hobby

Want to learn a language, start gardening, read more, or make running and meditation a habit for the new year? There’s a podcast for that …

‘I’ve been expecting things to fall apart at any moment’: Dan Smith on 10 years of body dysmorphia, burnout and Bastille

He has found critical and commercial success, while behind the scenes the frontman has battled with his self-confidence and severe stage fright. He explains why he still loves being in the band

Five great reads: a cyclist battles bad driving, interactive self-help and a deeply weird symposium

Guardian Australia’s bespoke round-up of upbeat and occasionally infantile summertime reading, as selected by Alyx Gorman

Messy? Unproductive? Need to dismantle your privilege? There’s a guided journal for that

From tough love titles to budgeting manuals, guided journals are no longer the domain of niche and self help publishers. Jenny Valentish puts some to the test