Try again. Fail again. Fail better: eight things I’ve learned in my year of ‘lifting heavy’

I didn’t expect to enjoy heaving chunks of metal. But lifting has paid off for me in surprising ways – and shown I can change my life dramatically, writes Guardian columnist Emma Beddington

Readers reply: Can art save lives?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts

How modern life makes us sick – and what to do about it

From depression to obesity, the concept of ‘evolutionary mismatch’ can help foster self-compassion and point the way to a more rewarding existence

For years I struggled with infertility and loss. Then I had a life-changing call with a psychic

On some level, I realised it was a bit unhinged, writes the author and podcaster Elizabeth Day. But what did I have to lose?

Mouldy plates, burning pans, clouds of vape smoke: how to survive the horrors of the shared kitchen

Whether it’s your first day at uni or your 10th year in a flatshare, there’s no telling what awaits you whenever you enter the communal kitchen. Here’s how to cook and eat with the minimum of squalor – and the maximum of safety

More kissing, less kimchi: seven surprising ways to boost your gut health

From gardening and humming to getting a dog – there’s more to boosting your gut microbiome than Greek yogurt

More thoughtful than a card: 24 of the best letterbox gifts, from pub snacks to pamper kits

Whether it’s for a birthday, a pick-me-up or a last-minute surprise, these thoughtful letterbox gifts deliver good vibes with zero fuss

‘You don’t need one … until you do’: 10 safety essentials cyclists won’t leave home without

From radars to rear-view sunglasses, here’s the safety kit cyclists swear by

The best sleep aids: 13 of the most-hyped remedies – tested

Can a pillow spray or magnesium bath really improve your sleep? Our exhausted reviewer put 13 popular insomnia remedies to the test

Sustainable period products that actually work: the best pads, menstrual cups and swimwear, tested

Tired of toxic tampons and plastic pads? We tested eco-friendly alternatives