Seeking Zen at a silent Buddhist retreat comes with its own challenges

It was supposed to be a quiet and peaceful weekend, but it left one writer lost for words

How writing about female cannibals changed my relationship with food

Describing issues of autonomy, femgore, worth and hunger all had an impact on what I wrote and how I felt about myself, says Lucy Rose

The Big Idea: looking for a better life? Follow your nose

Smell has an outsize effect on our thoughts and moods, so it’s worth paying more attention to it

Would you let AI choose your outfits?

Chloë Hamilton explores the possibilities, with surprising results…

‘The two of us book a karaoke room for an hour. It’s like tiramisu for the soul’ What’s on your dopamine menu?

From a ‘starter’ of dishing out compliments to a ‘dessert’ of smashing laptops in rage rooms, scientists and authors share 15 portion-sized ideas for a positivity boost

As an agony aunt, I know the biggest cause of unhappiness: other people. Here’s the secret to better relationships

Looking back through her post bag, Observer Magazine’s Philippa Perry answers her readers most commonly asked question: why are other people so awful?

Music As Medicine by Daniel Levitin review – musician, heal thyself

In this fascinating book, the neuroscientist makes a strong case for the therapeutic force of music, describing ways in which it can be a beneficial part of recovery for patients

How to optimise the cognitive benefits of dreams and sleep

Dreaming is vital to our mental health – and it is possible to use them for our own good

The anxiety secret: how the world’s leading life coach stopped living in fear

Famous for her work with Oprah Winfrey, Martha Beck is a bestselling author and self-help superstar. But for 60 years she was anxious and terrified - until she found a simple, uplifting answer

We need to liberate sex from shame and fear

By being true to ourselves we can find greater enjoyment and a deeper connection