How to be indistractable

Stop blaming technology – distraction starts within. Manage your inner triggers to enjoy greater focus and a fuller life

by Nir Eyal

Painting of a person sitting indoors looking out at a garden with flying birds, framed by large windows.

WORRY AND RUMINATION

How to stop overthinking

Grappling with your thoughts will leave you even more entangled in worry. Use metacognitive strategies to break free

by Pia Callesen

Photo of two people in a pool, wearing floral swim caps using inflatable pink flamingo rings, with bunting overhead.

FRIENDSHIP

How to make friends as an adult

Friendships give us so much. Be bold, take the initiative, and you’ll be surprised how many people are pleased to connect

by Marisa G Franco

Photo of a woman leaning on a red pillar in a subway station as a train speeds by in a blur.

GOALS AND MOTIVATION

How to know what you really want

From career choices to new purchases, use René Girard’s mimetic theory to resist the herd and forge your own path in life

by Luke Burgis

Vintage poster by Roger Broders showing a seaside scene with sunbathers and swimmers on Antibes beach.

LEARNING AND EDUCATION

How to learn a language (and stick at it)

Forget about fluency and how languages are taught at school: as an adult learner you can take a whole new approach

by John Gallagher

THINKING AND INTELLIGENCE

Why some of the smartest people can be so very stupid

Struggling to understand is perfectly honourable. Being wilfully stupid is something else and we should strive to fix it

by Sacha Golob

Photo of two women in front of a wall mural showing men reading newspapers, with a construction worker nearby.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

How to have more meaningful conversations

Be brave enough to share, kind enough to listen, and you can escape the shallows of small talk to dive deep with another

by Lucy Foulkes

Painting of a man seated at a table next to a skull on books, with a patterned curtain in the background.

DEATH AND DYING

How to not fear your death

You exist, but one day you won’t. An Epicurean perspective can help you feel less afraid, and even grateful for life’s finitude

by Sam Dresser

Black and white photo of soldiers walking on a ridge with their reflections in the water below.

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF MENTAL HEALTH

One woman’s six-word mantra that has helped to calm millions

Ahead of her time, yet largely ignored by psychiatry, Claire Weekes taught millions of readers how to overcome anxiety

by Judith Hoare

Photo of a woman reading outside a café with menus on windows, chalkboard signs, and outdoor seating on a sunny day.

HABITS AND ROUTINES

How to read more books

Modern life can feel too frantic for books. Use these habit-building strategies to carve out time for the joy of reading

by Christian Jarrett

Photo of a person jogging on a leaf-covered path flanked by trees with bright yellow autumn leaves.

MIND AND BRAIN

How to maintain a healthy brain

Adopt these lifestyle changes and you will not only sharpen your mind today but also reduce your risk of dementia later on

by Kailas Roberts

A painting of a woman sitting at a table with a glass of beer, a cigarette, and a contemplative expression in a café setting.

LOVE

Why it can be sublime to love someone who doesn’t love you back

Unrequited love might be bitter and painful, but it is also the ultimate expression of your humanity. Don’t fight it

by Alexandra Gustafson

Silhouette of a person looking at a pop art painting of a crying woman.

EMOTION REGULATION

How to ease the pain of heartache

You’re experiencing a profound form of grief that can make you physically ill. These steps will give you a chance to heal

by Ziella Bryars

Photo of a person in a red hat and glasses sitting thoughtfully in a cafe with a coffee and a phone on the table.

EMOTION REGULATION

How to take things less personally

Always blaming yourself or assuming others think ill of you? A CBT therapist shares ways to break these self-critical habits

by Joel Minden

Black and white photo of a man and woman in swimwear relaxing on a sandy beach with rocky cliffs in the background.

LOVE

Love shouldn’t be blind or mad. Instead, fall rationally in love

Blind, all-consuming love goes against your interests and impedes your flourishing. Submit your love to rational scrutiny

by Berit Brogaard

Abstract painting with colourful overlapping straight and curved lines on a light background.

CREATIVITY

How to be lucky

Most of us think that luck just happens (or doesn’t) but everyone can learn to look for the unexpected and find serendipity

by Christian Busch