When lockdown saps our hope, we can start scheming like Tom Hanks in Castaway to flee this desert island

As our worlds shrink, much attention has been paid to what’s been lost, and it has stifled a drive for dreaming of what could be

Study links too much free time to lower sense of wellbeing

Research shows there is a ‘sweet spot’ and subjective wellbeing drops off after about five hours

Postnatal depression is frightening, but seeking support helps the whole family

It affects up to 20% of women and can be as complex as depression at any stage of life. But support is there

I have a good life. But how can I experience joy when there is so much suffering outside?

So much of our polity drenches us in pain, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith, but even within torrential misery there are sparks of brightness

The power of no: how to build strong, healthy boundaries

When we find it difficult to say ‘no’ at work or at home, our responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming. For good mental health, focusing on our own needs and capabilities is crucial

‘I believe it’s a mental health issue’: the rise of Zoom dysmorphia

Time spent on the ‘funhouse mirror’ of video conferencing calls has resulted in a distortion of our self image

OCD has plagued me for most of my life – can I ever escape it?

Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist, says Annalisa Barbieri. It’s not surprising you haven’t been able to conquer it on your own

Keep it short and before 3pm: what the sleep scientists say about naps

Napping is a symbol of laziness but it can improve our memory, creativity, empathy and problem-solving

A stunning second act! Meet the people who changed course in midlife – and loved it

It can feel as if our options narrow with every passing year. But taking a big risk could mean the second half of your life is much more exciting and fulfilling than the first

Constant craving: how digital media turned us all into dopamine addicts

According to addiction expert Dr Anna Lembke, our smartphones are making us dopamine junkies, with each swipe, like and tweet feeding our habit. So how do we beat our digital dependency, asks Jamie Waters