The brain’s reading of the body’s state is key to mental health
The neural basis of ‘interoception’ – the interpretation of bodily signals – is affected in many mental health conditions
by Camilla Nord
The body and physical health
To grasp how serotonin works on the brain, look to the gut
A new perspective uses an analogy between digestion and cognition to help explain the function of a key neurochemical
by James M Shine
How to breathe
Whether your aim is improved health, mental calm or achieving transcendence, breathing techniques can help you get there
by Martin Petrus
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
How to live with chronic illness
Whatever your own experience of long-haul sickness, a shift in perspective could help you enjoy a full and happier life
by Jennifer Crystal
How to trust your body
Your heart, lungs, abdomen and gut are trying to tell you something. Learning to tune in can significantly boost your health
by Saga Briggs
Physical fatigue is in the brain as much as in the body
The idea of ‘mind over muscle’ is more than motivational rhetoric – exercise science shows how the brain manages fatigue
by David Robson
How to love your body
Are you unhappy with what you see in the mirror? Getting comfortable in your own skin can be hard work, but it’s worth it
by Charlotte H Markey
How to overcome worrying about your health
Forever looking up symptoms and fearing the worst? There are ways to stop the endless checking and find real peace of mind
by Karen Cassiday
Solving chronic pain via the kitchen, not the medicine cabinet
While medicine still struggles with the mystery of chronic pain, simple dietary changes can bring much-needed relief
by Rowena Field
You are your body: here’s how to feel more at home in it
Just because you live in a body, doesn’t mean you feel at one with it. Embodiment psychology can help you reconnect
by Elna Schütz
How to enjoy running
Going for a jog doesn’t have to be a chore – these mental techniques will make it something you actually look forward to
by Christian Jarrett
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
Why does early puberty pose a risk to girls’ mental health?
Girls who start puberty earlier are at greater risk of depression and anxiety. To know why, we must look beyond biology
by Marjolein E A Barendse & Michelle L Byrne
Philosophy can explain what kind of achievement it is to give birth
Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding are physical achievements, like marathon running: give them the same respect, and no more
by Fiona Woollard