The life sabbatical: is doing absolutely nothing the secret of happiness?
Few of us have the money to take a long pause from work or caring responsibilities. But, as I found, even a day can make a difference
I craved quiet. Then my sons moved out, dog died and hens were killed – and noise now feels necessary
For thirty years I longed to turn down the volume on my life. But since I have, I can see the problem with insulating yourself from the world, says Emma Beddington
Keep forgetting things? Worried about your brain? Here’s what I learned when I had mine scanned
From dementia to mild cognitive impairment, it’s easy to be terrified of what ageing will do our minds. But the vast majority of us can reduce the danger – especially if we look after our bodies
Can mindfulness really make you happy, lower your blood pressure and improve your sleep? Experts reveal all
Mindfulness is said to help everything from anxiety to overeating. But how does it work? Experts separate fact from fiction
Ditch the mirror and celebrate your strengths: therapists on 20 ways to boost your body confidence
Do you want to love how you look but always compare yourself with others? There are plenty of ways to overcome this, from life drawing to CBT to social media detoxes
‘I feel more connected with humanity’: the club where phones are banned – and visitors pay for the privilege
You’ll need to hand over your phone before you can grab a coffee at the Netherlands’ Offline Club, or attend a music event from Off the Radar. Why are the Dutch so keen on digital detoxes – and are there any lessons for the rest of the world?
I spent 22 years as a problem drinker. Here are 10 things I’ve learned since I quit
Having turned my back on the partying, hangovers and self-destruction, I’ve slowly worked out what was behind them – and how to replace them with something better
From hiking to birdwatching to early nights – gen Z are coming for my hobbies, and they’re much better at them
I love the idea that the countryside is full of happy young people in Gore-Tex, finding community in beautiful places
Becoming a mother was impossibly hard during Covid. Has anything changed since?
Rates are improving in the US as healthcare organizations take steps to confront the continuing crisis. Still, new mothers often feel alone: ‘People don’t know what to do’
Is writing down my rage the secret to resolving it?
New research reveals that listing your grievances on a piece of paper, then throwing them away may make you less angry. So I gave it a try, writes Emma Beddington