Guides

Practical advice on managing your mental and physical health and living well

Black and white photo of a group of people dancing outdoors, with a man in a striped shirt in the foreground.

How to thrive as a highly sensitive person

In this noisy world, being highly sensitive is a challenge. But learn to manage overwhelm and you can reap the upsides too

by Jadzia Jagiellowicz

Photo of a street with vintage cars, motel signs and a person leaning on a truck holding a broom under a blue sky.

How to alter the passage of time to feel fast or slow

Knowing the psychology behind why moments drag or whizz by can give you a degree of control over your experience of time

by Martin Wiener

In depth

A person with long blonde hair in a beanie and coat, facing away from the camera, wearing a brown backpack in a blurred busy street.

How to anticipate and cope with mania

If you have bipolar disorder, you can learn to play an active role in managing your symptoms and live a fulfilling life

by Kim Pape & Sheri Johnson

A man with crossed arms and a serious expression wearing an apron stands in the doorway of a restaurant with checkered curtains and menu on display.

What to do when someone goes on the defensive

Our natural impulses often make matters worse. Here’s an approach that works, grounded in conflict resolution and psychology

by Adar Cohen & Nick Wignall

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

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How to handle a mismatch in sexual desire

A difference in sexual appetite is a common source of tension for couples. Don’t ignore it – turn toward it with curiosity

by Ann O’Brien

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How to be an emotional leader

In times of change and pressure, a set of skills known as ‘psychological flexibility’ can help you and your team to thrive

by Selda Koydemir

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How to make someone feel seen and heard

Validation skills are not only useful for therapists. Learn them and you’ll improve your personal and work relationships

by Caroline Fleck

A waterfall under a stormy sky with mist and a building on the left cliff surrounded by trees in the background.

How to think about the sublime

An exquisite mix of fear and awe, pleasure and pain, the sublime stretches the imagination and reveals the limits of reason

by Nicole A Hall

An aeroplane seen in silhouette, flying against a dramatic sunset sky with clouds.
LOVE

How to make a long-distance relationship work

Whether an hour or an ocean apart, there will be challenges, but this therapist shows how to make the most of the upsides

by Charlie Huntington

Popular

Photo of two smiling people in waterproof jackets on a rainy beach, grey skies in the background.

How to make someone feel seen and heard

Validation skills are not only useful for therapists. Learn them and you’ll improve your personal and work relationships

by Caroline Fleck

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

Photo of a street with vintage cars, motel signs and a person leaning on a truck holding a broom under a blue sky.

How to alter the passage of time to feel fast or slow

Knowing the psychology behind why moments drag or whizz by can give you a degree of control over your experience of time

by Martin Wiener

Photo of people viewing tall abstract sculptures in a dimly lit gallery with silhouetted artwork on the walls.

How to see the humanity in anyone

Practising a form of ‘deep curiosity’ can help you connect with yourself and others, even if they’re on the ‘other side’

by Scott Shigeoka

Coloured microscopic image of pollen grains and plant fibres in close-up, showing vibrant round and elongated structures.

How to maintain a healthy gut

With a few lifestyle and dietary changes, you can protect your gut microbiome, boost your immunity and improve your mood

by Vincent Ho

Photo of nine matches in a row, progressing from unused to completely burnt.

How to recover from burnout

Feeling worn down, checked out, or bitter about work? The answer is not to ‘just work harder’. Try these steps instead

by Debbie Sorensen

Black and white photo of a couple kissing in a car, focus on a hand wearing a ring and watch embracing the partner.
LOVE

How to think differently about love

Poets, philosophers and scientists all tell stories about the nature of romantic love. It can be liberating to critique them

by Arina Pismenny

Photo of two men in dark clothing sitting and smiling at a round table in a dimly lit room with glasses.

How to tell a better story

Personal stories have the power to connect, entertain, persuade. Use a pro storyteller’s tips to pick and prepare a great one

by Micaela Blei

Popular

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Photo of two smiling people in waterproof jackets on a rainy beach, grey skies in the background.

How to make someone feel seen and heard

Validation skills are not only useful for therapists. Learn them and you’ll improve your personal and work relationships

by Caroline Fleck

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

Photo of a street with vintage cars, motel signs and a person leaning on a truck holding a broom under a blue sky.

How to alter the passage of time to feel fast or slow

Knowing the psychology behind why moments drag or whizz by can give you a degree of control over your experience of time

by Martin Wiener

Digital artwork of a grey hand squeezing a yellow stress ball with a smiley face on a black background.

Cults needn’t fit stereotypes to be dangerous. Here’s how to identify a controlling social group

Video by BBC Ideas

Close-up photo of a hand carving a pencil with a small knife, focusing on the pencil’s tip and wood shavings.

There’s joy in doing a job right. Just ask this artisanal pencil-sharpener

Directed by Kenneth Price

A woman drawing on an easel in a courtyard with greenery and a modern glass building in the background.

To become more attuned to the world around you, try sketching outdoors

Video by The Museum of Modern Art

Four people swimming in a lake surrounded by foggy hills under a cloudy sky.

How to take the plunge – from cold showers to icy swims

There’s growing evidence for the psychological and health benefits of cold-water immersion. Here’s how to get started

by Jenny Favell

Photo of a waiting room with focus on a black hat. A woman reads papers and another looks at her phone in the background.

How to chat with almost anyone

It can be awkward at first, but people are more open to conversation than you think – and it could lead to deeper connection

by Michael Yeomans

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How increasing short-term pleasure can help you achieve your long-term goals

Video by TED-Ed

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How to enjoy food without feeling guilty about it

Through mindful eating and a shift in mindset, you can alleviate unwarranted negative feelings and embrace the joy of food

by Vivienne Lewis

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

Video by Esther Perel

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

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

Directed by Andrew Lavers

A person in a cap walking on a residential street with cars parked and bare trees in the background.

How to take control of your tics – or eliminate them altogether

Whether or not you have a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, a powerful self-help approach can make a difference within a week

by Paul DePompo

Image showing a black high heel, a red and blue ball and a grey ankle boot on a light blue background.

Small talk is an art, not a triviality. Here’s how you can master it

Video by the Harvard Business Review

A person in a blue jacket standing thoughtfully on a train platform next to the tracks.

How to respond to offensive comments in a thoughtful way

When someone insults you or people you care about, this advice can help you figure out whether to speak up and what to say

by Alicia del Prado

A rural road intersection with a stop sign, traffic light and highway signs under a blue sky with clouds.

To resist dogma and accept uncertainty, think like a pragmatist

Founded in 19th-century America, the philosophy of pragmatism promises imaginative ways of coping with our circumstances

by Michael Bacon

Photo of a cluttered room filled with scattered books, papers, boxes and household items on shelves and floor.

How to tell if someone is hoarding – and provide effective help

For many, letting go of possessions is intensely stressful, even when the clutter puts them at risk. Here’s what you can do

by Michael A Tompkins

Medieval painting of a woman at a desk writing with a quill by a window with a sea view and a sailing ship.

How to find inner peace like Saint Teresa of Ávila

The 16th-century ‘spiritual rock-star’ shows how seeing your soul as a castle can be a source of strength and consolation

by Skye C Cleary