How to conquer our obsession with eternal life

Our anti-ageing quest only increases anxiety, says Matt Haig. Instead, we need to understand the tricks of time

Do secrets make you ill? – Personality quiz

Some secrets are more likely to cause mind wandering and it’s that, not the secret itself, that interferes with contentment, says Ben Ambridge

How to stand the test of time as an artist

The most enduring works are made with heartfelt intent, says Ryan Holiday, not to mention a lot of hard work

If you never have enough time… then slow down

We live longer than ever, but our lives are blighted by time poverty, says Catherine Blyth. Here’s what to do…

Ultra sound: why music means so much to us

Music is one of life’s great pleasures. But why, asks Adam Ockelford, does it affect us so profoundly?

I’ve grown old with HIV. I don’t fear the virus any more, I fear the stigma

New cases among gay men in London have fallen for the first time. We’re turning a corner, but there’s a lot to do to bring attitudes and awareness up to date

Are you in with the in crowd?

The way we deal with popularity at school stays with us for life. But, asks Mitch Prinstein, is it our true self?

‘It’s a superpower’: meet the empaths paid to read your mind

They feel your pain as if it were their own – and charge you £200 an hour to do so. Why has empathy become such a prized commodity?

When playing safe is dangerous: the evaluation of risk

No one wants to expose themselves to danger but, says Steve Casner, the real worry is in overestimating the risks

Petrified of public speaking? Let your body do the talking

The prospect of speaking in public can send people in to a tailspin of anxiety. But a simple change in posture can help