Soft spaces out, stick-fighting in: Dutch call for the return of risky play

Encouraging kids to play with fire? Hear us out, says party worried by the Netherlands’ increasingly sedentary ways

Declutter, add a flat sheet and turn down the heat: hoteliers reveal how to get the best night’s sleep … at home

Hospitality experts, sleep consultants and interior designers share their tips for creating dream conditions in your bedroom

Heavenly stays: 10 of the best monastery breaks in Europe

From frugal retreats to luxury escapes, these convents and monasteries offer peace and spectacular locations for all faiths

To Big Sur, with love: a monastery stay on the northern California coast

High above the Pacific, a hermitage offers a world without distraction, where silence, serenity and joy reign supreme

Hit the road with the best bike panniers and handlebar bags

Whether you’re commuting, bike packing or day tripping, our expert recommends smart storage solutions for every journey

‘We were inspired, recharged and nourished by nature’: readers’ favourite wellness trips

From mindful walking in the Yorkshire Dales to a Buddhist retreat in Japan, our tipsters have found inner peace and rejuvenation all over the world

Stick nation! Why do 3 million people – including me and my kids – love stick reviews?

The internet’s go-to gathering place for those who rate and revere sticks is big and growing fast. The appeal is simple ...

Ditch the soap! Dermatologists on 20 simple ways to love and protect your skin

Do you need a complicated skincare routine, or is a cleanser enough? And what about sugar, sleep, stress and smoking?

All in the mind? The surprising truth about brain rot

Is screen use really sapping our ability to focus and lowering our IQs? The scientists who have actually analysed the data give their verdict

‘I couldn’t let this monster get away with it’: how I survived rape – and sent my attacker to prison

Paula Doyle was raped by a man she had known for years. It took five painful years for the case to come to trial, but she was determined to fight for justice