Relationships, work and leisure
Sex and sexuality
idea
Everything I know about flirting, I learned from the Cold War
The rewards of flirtation go beyond sex or romance. But, as in other exchanges, you have to know where the red line is
by Youngbin Yoon
The body and physical health
idea
What I wish more people knew about deadly allergic reactions
Living with a deadly food allergy, I’ve discovered staying safe involves navigating other people’s doubts and expectations
by Hannah Waldfogel
Emerging therapies
guide
How to use cooking as a form of therapy
No matter your culinary skills, spend some reflective time in the kitchen to nourish and renew your sense of self
by Charlotte Hastings
Meaning and the good life
film
An artist captures the joys of solitude amid a month living in a beach shack
Directed by Lynne Sachs
Addiction
idea
You can want things you don’t like and like things you don’t want
The distinct neurochemistry of wanting and liking is helping to make sense of addiction – and more everyday behaviours
by Shayla Love
Music
idea
I learned to hear the music of Earth’s underwater musicians
If we consider the sounds of whales and other organisms with an open mind, we find a strange beauty – and can even join in
by David Rothenberg
Nature and the environment
guide
How to rewild yourself
You didn’t evolve to live in this techno-industrialised world. Find health and happiness by embracing your wild nature
by Jessica Carew Kraft
Friendship
film
Fatu treks into the glamorous unknown during his first outing in makeup
Directed by Iiti Yli-Harja
Emotion regulation
idea
Are emotionally resilient people also skilled at soothing others?
Research on the social side of emotion management is showing what’s distinctive about it – and its benefits for all involved
by Christian Jarrett
Communication and language
idea
Censoring offensive language threatens our freedom to think
The modern obsession with textual purity stems from a misapplication of the philosophies of Wittgenstein and Derrida
by Paul Ham
Conflict and conflict resolution
guide
How to deal with being bullied at work
You might understandably feel trapped and powerless, but there is a range of steps you can take to improve your situation
by Pat Ferris
Habits and routines
film
As a bread baker, Harriet thrives in the day’s liminal hours
Directed by David Grabias