Habits and routines

An elderly woman in black standing in a garden of pink roses with snow-capped mountains in the background.

Mzia the elevator operator leaves her post for the first time in two decades

Directed by Madeline Leary

A cheerful picnic by a river with adults and children relaxing on blankets under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

For a happier life, we must balance two old psychological needs

Personal autonomy is abundant in the modern world. As a result, many of us get what we want but not what we need

by William von Hippel

Photo of name badges with coloured lanyards for an event laid out in a grid pattern.

How to get better at remembering

Frustrated by elusive names and misplaced phones? The science of memory reveals ways to improve your powers of recall

by Elizabeth Kensinger & Andrew Budson

Photo of a person lying in profile in a dark room with blue light, showing a calm expression and dim surroundings.

How to sleep when you’re a perfectionist

As a high achiever, your problem-solving skills can backfire at night. You need a different way to beat insomnia

by Nick Wignall

A person in a red jumper with folded arms, a closed red phone case is placed on a wooden table in front of the person.

A psychologist’s tips for getting a grip on your social media use

Is social media causing you problems? Here are some personal and practical ways to reap its benefits with fewer drawbacks

by Daria J Kuss

Black and white photo of a person wearing a jacket, eyes closed, with a foggy forest background and tree branches above.

How to find new spiritual practices

Even if religion isn’t for you, there’s a world of rituals and tools to lift yourself up and connect to something greater

by Morgan Shipley

Photo of a kitchen counter with decor, plastic cat, clock and bottles reflected on a glass surface with coffee brewing.

Is it better to live in ‘clock time’ or ‘event time’?

Do you stick to a set schedule, or have a looser relationship to the clock? It can affect more than how you plan your day

by Shayla Love

A person sleeping under a duvet on a bed with a guitar nearby, lit by dim blue light.

What to do when racing thoughts keep you up at night

Any attempts to escape your mind or make yourself sleep are likely to backfire. Try these expert tips instead

by Matt Huston

A woman runs down a dimly lit street at night wearing a headlamp. She is in a long-sleeved top and shorts, and the scene appears slightly blurred.

As a bread baker, Harriet thrives in the day’s liminal hours

Directed by David Grabias

Photo of a person in a dim room holding a smartphone and a credit card, phone screen showing a betting app.

How to control your gambling

What’s fun at first can all too easily get out of hand. Learn the warning signs and use these tips to rein things in

by Luke Clark

Painting of a child seated at a table with a white cat on a red background. A bowl of fruit is in the foreground.

How to embrace being a lark or an owl

Skip the advice about training yourself to rise early or burn the midnight oil. Your natural rhythms are your best guide

by Shayla Love

Painting of a vintage green wine glass on a beige background.

How to drink less alcohol

You don’t have an addiction, but you know you’re drinking too much. Learn to regain control and benefit your mind and body

by Michael Levy

A man in a red jacket jogs near iconic London skyscrapers, including the Gherkin and the Walkie Talkie, on a cloudy day. People walk in the background.

A commitment is different from a goal – here’s why that matters

Whatever your aims in life, the words you use matter. Here’s an important distinction that will help you stay on track

by Justin Kompf

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How to craft a harmonious life

Forget the ideal of work/life balance – your needs and interests are much richer than that, and your life can be too

by Jessica de Bloom & Merly Kosenkranius

Photo of a person wearing sunglasses sitting in dappled sunlight with a thoughtful expression. Shadows cast on the face.

How to tell whether you’re being careful or giving in to anxiety

It’s not always easy to tell what’s a sensible safeguard, and what’s an anxiety-fuelling habit. A few questions can help

by Jemma Todd, Amelia Scott, Rachel Menzies & Louise Sharpe

Photo of a person in a yellow jacket and turquoise hat running through a blurred forest path, conveying motion.

Even a single exercise session can help shift depression

The long-term benefits of regular exercise for mood are well-known. What’s surprising is that just one session can help

by Matthew Bourke & Rhiannon Patten