Guides

Practical advice on managing your mental and physical health and living well
Silhouetted people under large vibrant, colourful umbrellas against a clear blue sky.
SEX AND SEXUALITY
2

How to cope with the stress of anti-LGBTQ+ prejudice

A queer psychologist shares skills from dialectical behaviour therapy to help you cope and find joy in a stigmatising world

by Kiki Fehling

Two people sitting on a log by a lake, facing distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
THE SELF
22

How to uncover your blind spots

We all have parts of ourselves others know but we don’t. Gain greater self-awareness by seeing yourself from the outside in

by Jennifer Farrell

In depth

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COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE
3

How to be a word detective

Etymology unravels the mysteries of language and the hidden webs that link people across the world. Here’s how to dive in

by Danny Bate

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THINKERS AND THEORIES
5

How to think like a Hegelian

For Hegel, your thoughts aren’t trapped in a cerebral box: they act on the world, making meaning and expressing your freedom

by Jeffrey Reid

Photo of people swimming in a misty lake, with a person in a blue bikini entering the water in the foreground.
HABITS AND ROUTINES
5

How to become the person you want to be

Close the intention-action gap and live the way you want, using insights from the cognitive neuroscience of habits

by Eike Buabang

Abstract drawing showing shading techniques: cross-hatching, scribbles, parallel lines with pencil. Arrows and labels included.
PLEASURES AND PASTIMES

How to rediscover the joy of drawing

As a child, you knew the thrill of conjuring with a pencil. Reclaim that pleasure with these activities (no talent needed)

by Andrea Kantrowitz

A person holding a phone displaying text: “The weather is not great. We could stay in.”
DISABILITY

Tips and tools for navigating hearing loss

At home, at work and out having fun, these are the supportive tools, apps and services that have helped me and many others

by Faith Davis

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BRAIN INJURY AND DEMENTIA

How to talk to someone who has dementia

Dementia makes communication more challenging, but these practices and tips can help you stay connected through the changes

by Nathaniel Chin & Caoilfhinn Rauwerdink

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MENTAL HEALTH
1

How to navigate your menopause

From coping with hot flushes to understanding brain fog, there’s plenty you can do to help yourself through menopause

by Caroline Gurvich & Rachel Furey

Black and white photo of a man playing a classical guitar in a room with a window in the background.
MUSIC
2

How to practise a musical instrument

Everything that involves skill requires practice. Use the AIR method – awareness, isolation, repetition – to improve

by Craig Ogden

Popular

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AGEING
7

How to rediscover your purpose later in life

You don’t have to ‘reinvent’ yourself to live happily after 60. There’s a better approach grounded in lifespan psychology

by Denise Taylor

Close-up photo of a person’s face with closed eyes and freckles on their skin.
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION
7

How to know if your meditation is working

Traditional and tech-based methods can reveal what your practice is doing – and give you the confidence to stick with it

by Matt Fuchs

Black and white photo of passengers seated and standing inside a crowded train carriage, some holding bags and flowers; a woman seated in the foreground has an annoyed look on her face.
EMOTION REGULATION

How to tolerate annoying things

Hassles are part of life, but the way we react often makes them worse. ACT skills can help you handle them with greater ease

by Patricia E Zurita Ona

Turkeys crossing a foggy bridge with lamp posts, guardrails and a “Hasankeyf” sign visible.
GOALS AND MOTIVATION
7

How to imagine a better future for yourself

Feeling unclear or pessimistic about what’s ahead? Your ‘best possible self’ is a tool for seeing things differently

by Dan Tomasulo

A home entrance with a black front door, mirrored wall, umbrella stand and carpeted stairs.
MEMORY AND NOSTALGIA

How to build a memory palace

Upgrade your ability to recall dates, names or other details with an ancient trick of the memory trade: the ‘method of loci’

by Lynne Kelly

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SOCIAL ANXIETY

How to network when you’re socially anxious

Do networking events fill you with dread? Here’s how to manage your fears, show up, and take advantage of the opportunities

by Fallon Goodman

Silhouette of a person with headphones holding a phone against a twilight sky with streetlamps in the background.
CHANGE AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT

How to write yourself every day

By getting thoughts out of your head and on to a page, you can become the author of your own life, one small page at a time

by Mohsen Askari

Photo of people swimming in a misty lake, with a person in a blue bikini entering the water in the foreground.
HABITS AND ROUTINES
5

How to become the person you want to be

Close the intention-action gap and live the way you want, using insights from the cognitive neuroscience of habits

by Eike Buabang

Popular

View all
An elderly couple sitting on a bench under a patterned umbrella, with a mosaic-tiled wall in the background.
AGEING
7

How to rediscover your purpose later in life

You don’t have to ‘reinvent’ yourself to live happily after 60. There’s a better approach grounded in lifespan psychology

by Denise Taylor

Close-up photo of a person’s face with closed eyes and freckles on their skin.
MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION
7

How to know if your meditation is working

Traditional and tech-based methods can reveal what your practice is doing – and give you the confidence to stick with it

by Matt Fuchs

Black and white photo of passengers seated and standing inside a crowded train carriage, some holding bags and flowers; a woman seated in the foreground has an annoyed look on her face.
EMOTION REGULATION

How to tolerate annoying things

Hassles are part of life, but the way we react often makes them worse. ACT skills can help you handle them with greater ease

by Patricia E Zurita Ona

Photo of a crowded nightclub with people dancing under red and orange lights, creating a lively atmosphere.
PERSONALITY

How to know if you’re highly sensitive, and what to do about it

Video by Dr Julie

An elderly couple sitting on a bench under a patterned umbrella, with a mosaic-tiled wall in the background.
AGEING
7

How to rediscover your purpose later in life

You don’t have to ‘reinvent’ yourself to live happily after 60. There’s a better approach grounded in lifespan psychology

by Denise Taylor

Photo of a person feeding cats on a tree-lined path, with green hedges and shadows cast by the afternoon sun.
COMPASSION AND EMPATHY

Why nurturing your compassionate side is simple and deeply beneficial

Video by Dr Tracey Marks

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FOCUS AND ATTENTION
14

How to enter a state of flow

That moment of sweet immersion in the task at hand: that’s flow. With some strategy, you can experience it more often

by Susan A Jackson

Turkeys crossing a foggy bridge with lamp posts, guardrails and a “Hasankeyf” sign visible.
GOALS AND MOTIVATION
7

How to imagine a better future for yourself

Feeling unclear or pessimistic about what’s ahead? Your ‘best possible self’ is a tool for seeing things differently

by Dan Tomasulo

Abstract artwork of stylised eyes in various colours on a teal grid background.
FOCUS AND ATTENTION

How to reclaim your attention from the distraction economy

Video by Daniel Pink

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OCD
2

How to deal with relationship OCD

Repetitive thought spirals about a partner could be a sign of ROCD. But there are ways to reclaim your peace and intimacy

by Marisa T Mazza

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PARENTING AND FAMILIES

How to do less for your children

Being an intensive parent will make you anxious and stifle your children’s development. Help them by learning to let go

by Peter Gray

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LEARNING AND EDUCATION

Go beyond the apps to build language-learning skills that stick

Video by BBC Ideas and the Open University

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CONFLICT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
4

How to be defiant

Staying silent often feels like the safe choice, but the costs can be profound. Here’s how to stand up for yourself

by Sunita Sah

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FOCUS AND ATTENTION

How to come back to your senses

Screen-based life is deadening. Try some simple adventures and exercises to reconnect with the world’s sensory richness

by Tereza Violet Stehlíková

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FOOD AND DRINK

Skip the junk and dig into this useful guide to brain-healthy eating

Video by Dr Tracey Marks

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CONFLICT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
1

How to bring up pet peeves in your relationship

Inevitably, your partner will get on your nerves. A couples therapist explains how to talk about it well – and be heard

by Faith Drew

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CREATIVITY

George Saunders on why good storytelling is like being in love

A film by Sarah Klein and Tom Mason