A person gazing out a train window at a yellow field and cloudy sky, with a table and a closed laptop in view.

How much you ‘body-wander’ could affect your mental health

Some people tune into bodily sensations while daydreaming, others don’t – with implications for anxiety, depression and ADHD

by Leah Banellis

Illustration of person climbing through a window which takes the place of one square in a giant period table, through the window is a city scene.
HOME

Lab at the edge of the world

When my daughter was bullied, I decided to homeschool her. A chain reaction ensued

by Lea Page

Marble sculpture of a dynamic struggle between two naked figures on a dark background, showcasing intricate details and movement.
GENDER

Plato’s challenge to the meaning of manliness still resonates

Even in ancient Greece, Plato questioned whether gender norms around masculinity were good for men’s individual freedom

by Yancy Hughes Dominick

Impressionist painting of a green Japanese bridge over a pond with water lilies surrounded by lush greenery in a garden setting.

Monet understood the elusive power of a place’s atmosphere

by Pablo Fernandez Velasco

Painting of a dimly lit café with blurred figures inside, creating a warm atmospheric scene; some figures are seated at tables, others standing and moving around the space.

Uncertainty is stressful, but here’s why we need to feel it

by Jessica Alquist

An elderly man smiling broadly with sunglasses on, reclining on a floral lounge chair beside an elderly woman outdoors.
LOVE

Does it matter if your romantic partner is similar to you?

by Phuong Linh L Nguyen & Moin Syed

Guides

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Photo of a cupcake with white icing and orange sprinkles in a yellow wrapper against a bright yellow background.

Feel bad about eating? Here’s how to change that

If eating certain foods or having ‘too much’ triggers guilt and self-blame, it’s time to explore a less punishing mindset

by Vivienne Lewis

A person wearing a red jacket and a backpack walking on a winding path through lush green fields with hills and trees in the background.

How to plan a pilgrimage

Whether religious or not, you can undertake a special, meaningful kind of journey that could leave you changed forever

by Oliver Smith

Life stories

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A yellow taxi on a busy street, people walking, child holding flowers, historic building in the background under a blue sky.

Confessions of a teenage fundamentalist

My world was dark and scary. But beautiful things crept in, and threats of hell just couldn’t compete

by Liz Boltz Ranfeld

Editor’s picks

Bust of a man in marble against a plain background, showcasing detailed facial features and draped garment; sculpture.

Don’t be stoic: Roman Stoicism’s origins show its perniciousness

Stoicism might help you as an individual. But we need a philosophy that doesn’t dull us to the injustices of the world

by Henry Gruber

Bronze bust of a bearded man with curled hair against a black background, ancient artefact.

The Stoics were right – emotional control is good for the soul

Both neuroscience and psychotherapy agree that you can change your mental framework as the Stoic Marcus Aurelius described

by István Darabán

Latest videos

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Black and white photo of an elderly man with glasses and a moustache wearing a suit, sitting in a patterned chair.

‘Man cannot stand a meaningless life’ – a conversation with Carl Jung at 84

Video by Face to Face

A woman and a man converse while seated on chairs in a room with plants. A decorative table with glasses is between them.

The critic inside your head has something important to tell you. Here’s how to listen

Photo of a woman floating on their back in water with sunlight on their face and blurred foliage in the background.

Emotions aren’t reactions – they’re predictions we can learn to reshape

Photo of a hand using a black marker to redact text on paper several words are boxed to be emphasised.
POETRY

Reignite your creative fire with blackout poetry – the art of framing what’s already there

Notes to self

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Popular reads

Three women chatting and laughing on stone steps at night with people relaxing in the background.
GENDER

Is being single a happier experience for women or men?

More people than ever are going solo. We identified a gender difference that hints at the ingredients needed to enjoy it

by Elaine Hoan & Geoff MacDonald

An elderly man smiling broadly with sunglasses on, reclining on a floral lounge chair beside an elderly woman outdoors.
LOVE

Does it matter if your romantic partner is similar to you?

From traits like extraversion to specific habits, there are many ways a couple can match. New research tests whether it helps

by Phuong Linh L Nguyen & Moin Syed

Monks in colourful robes and hats, forming a circle during an outdoor festival with flags and onlookers in Tibet.

Complexity science can deepen your mindfulness practice

What if ‘stress reduction’ is the least interesting thing mindfulness does? Complexity science offers new ways forward

by Pavel Chvykov

Painting of a dimly lit café with blurred figures inside, creating a warm atmospheric scene; some figures are seated at tables, others standing and moving around the space.

Uncertainty is stressful, but here’s why we need to feel it

As much as people struggle with not knowing, we live in an uncertain world – and there are advantages to embracing that

by Jessica Alquist

A dirt path lined with baobab trees by water, an ox-drawn cart carrying people.
WISDOM

African proverbs provide the blueprint for a meaningful life

Incorporating ancient African wisdom into wellbeing interventions could push positive psychology beyond its Western roots

by Richard Appiah

Reflection of a group of people on water surface under blue sky photo distorted by ripples.

Why our flawed, flexible memories come with social benefits

Though relationships are grounded in shared memories, some gaps and inaccuracies can help us live well in a social world

by Gillian Murphy & Ciara Greene

People sitting around a table reading books with a tablet and mugs visible.

How to cultivate collective intellectual humility

Being smart is knowing what you don’t know. From work meetings to book clubs, use these tips to boost your group’s thinking

by Elizabeth Krumrei-Mancuso & Mark Alfano

A person drinking next to a large poster depicting steaming coffee cups on a green background.
JOY

A way to enjoy more positive mental images

Psychologists have tested a way to seed ‘involuntary positive mental images’ in the brain. You can try it for yourself

by Christian Jarrett

Explore: Reading and books

Photo of a person reading on a tablet, facing left, wearing glasses and a jumper in a dimly lit environment.

What does switching from paper to screens mean for how we read?

by Lili Yu, Sixin Liao, Jan-Louis Kruger & Erik D Reichle

Abstract illustration of a man in profile, reclining with a pipe in his hand, set against a red and black background.

Do you think more clearly when reading or when listening?

by Janet Geipel & Boaz Keysar