Relate

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

Coloured electron microscope image of bacteria and fungi; round green/yellow cells and rod-shaped pink structures on a textured surface.

FOOD AND DRINK

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

Four women outside wearing summer outfits with skyscrapers and a construction crane in the background; one woman is shown smoking.

FRIENDSHIP

Is it wrong to be good friends with a bad person?

Many think the answer is obvious: we ought to cut immoral people out of our lives. But that isn’t necessarily the best option

by Yiran Hua

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

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.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

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 Nick Wignall & Adar Cohen

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 Moin Syed & Phuong Linh L Nguyen

Photo of a man sunbathing on a rooftop next to a large satellite dish.

PROGRESS AND THE FUTURE

Why it’s possible to be optimistic in a world of bad news

The original optimist, Leibniz, was mocked and misunderstood. Centuries later, his worldview can help us navigate modern life

by Sumit Paul-Choudhury

Medieval manuscript illustration of three figures talking: a man, a knight with a shield and a shovel-bearer, set in an ornate border.

FRIENDSHIP

How the nature of friendship has changed through the centuries

The metamorphosis of this special bond from feudal to modern times reveals much about the aspirations of different societies

by Bénedicte Sère

A group of people shown through reflective surfaces creating a layered effect, one wears a purple ribbon.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

To have deeper conversations, try being more of an asshole

Conversation is a game with rules about politeness and norms. To move beyond small talk, you need to risk breaking them

by Idil Çakmur

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

CONFLICT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

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 rugby player embracing one of his teammates.

COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION

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

Photo of a young girl in a classroom holding a book with a calendar page, wearing a floral dress and hair accessories.

COMPASSION AND EMPATHY

How do we start learning to ‘read’ other people’s minds?

Studies of young children give us insight into the building blocks of an ability that most of us use every day

by Martin Doherty & Josephine Ross

A vintage voltmeter displaying a scale in volts and ampères with a brass base and needle indicator.

ETHICS

What a real-life ‘trolley problem’ reveals about morality

We used an electric-shock dilemma to test the strength of people’s moral principles when faced with real-world complexities

by Dries Bostyn

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

A person walking on a pavement, holding their head, with blue shutters and a lightly graffitied wall in the background.

COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

How to talk to yourself

Self-talk is a proven way to boost motivation, think clearly and process your emotions. These tips will help you use it well

by Maryellen MacDonald

Painting of an elderly couple in 16th century attire, man in fur-lined coat and woman in white headdress on green background.

LOVE

There’s no good reason to love each other – and that’s a relief

Loving is an unreasonable decision (we are all extremely unpleasant little beasts) and that’s what allows it to survive

by John Kaag