Instant calmer: a mindful walking weekend in Wales
A trip focusing on slow immersion in the natural world is the perfect way to unwind and restore mental harmony for this busy mum
‘My daughter started to run a fever’: Britain’s swimmers on how sewage changed their summer
With pollution at high levels and growing worse, some keen swimmers have stopped going in the sea. Many have felt the impact on their mental health – not to mention the pain and discomfort of E coli
Doom busters: why some things aren’t (quite) as bad as we think
We live in worrying times. From the climate crisis to the culture wars, there is always something to keep us fretting. But sometimes the facts tell a different story – a more hopeful one. Here, we speak to experts in search of some optimism and find 13 reasons to be a little more cheerful
Light and noise pollution ‘are neglected health hazards’, say peers
Lords committee calls for creation of advisory groups to tackle the pollutants, which may increase risk of heart disease and premature death
‘They’re in the air, drinking water, dust, food …’ How to reduce your exposure to microplastics
No corner of the planet is free from minuscule fragments of plastic packaging, textiles or utensils. We ask scientists what this means for our health – and what we should do to protect it
Green revolution: how I learned to be an eco warrior, one step at a time
I was in denial about climate action – until I realised that you might just have to despair to care…
I looked for happiness in the world’s most contented nation – and learned the importance of pessimism
Yes, Finland has nature and saunas in abundance. But to my surprise, I learned that pessimism has a vital part to play, says writer Lucy Pearson
The no-wash movement: would you wear underpants for a week without cleaning them?
Do you need to wash your T-shirts after every wear? Probably not. What about your knickers? That depends. But more and more people are eschewing detergent to save time, money and the environment
‘Western arrogance’: how the wellness movement co-opted an Amazon frog toxin with deadly effects
Kambo, a secretion used in tribal cleansing ceremonies, has been implicated in deaths worldwide and experts are sounding the alarm
Should I worry about pesticides?
Many of them don’t pose a risk to humans. But what about the less natural stuff that goes on our food?