Readers reply: can you acquire courage?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions ponders how to overcome fear and do what is needed

‘We almost lost you in the night’ – the life-threatening rise of measles in the UK

It is one of the most infectious diseases around, and can cause blindness and hearing loss – and can also be fatal. Why are cases now soaring and what can be done about it?

Facing meltdown? Over 75% of people suffer from burnout – here’s what you need to know

Does it only affect weak people? Is work always the cause? Burnout myths, busted by the experts

‘You think: Do I really need anyone?’ – the hidden burden of being a hyper-independent person

Self-reliance is often encouraged over asking others for help in the modern world. But doing everything yourself can be a sign that you are scared of intimacy

I took up paddleboarding in my 60s. Now I feel calm in the water and strong on land

It was a wobbly start. But every time I haul my paddleboard out I feel my balance and confidence improving

Wear shades in winter and follow the 20-20-20 rule: experts on 13 ways to look after your eyes

Everyone should get their eyes tested every two years, but there are other ways to optimise your vision, say ophthalmologists – and yes, eating carrots may help

I’m finding it difficult to live up to my morals. How do I know when it’s OK to compromise?

It can feel overwhelming, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. But ask yourself what sacrifices make the biggest proportionate impact.

‘I lived the life I’ve always dreamed of’: the man who cycled around the world for four years

Andreas Graf lived without screens and no idea of the date or time. The conditions were often brutal – but he found kindness and friendship as he rode

The best walking pads to turn your workday into a workout, tested

Sedentary lifestyles are bad for us, but which under-desk treadmills and walking pads are worth the cost? Our expert stepped up to find out

The best bath towels of 2026 in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested

We tested bath towels at all price points to find the softest, most absorbent towels that can withstand the rigors of life – and are worth the money

Exercise can be ‘frontline treatment’ for mild depression, researchers say

Biggest improvements seen in young adults and new mothers, with group activities of most benefit

My patient’s near-death experience in hospital left me with worry and guilt. This is how vicarious trauma starts

Afterwards, my team and I kept going without ever discussing the event. But something felt heavy. And because I couldn’t name it, I didn’t know how to deal with it

Schools that cultivate the mind but neglect spiritual education leave children unanchored in a challenging world

Young people are hungering for meaning. A lack of spiritual education in childhood can reverberate across a lifetime

Is Australia getting ruder? How to be kinder to others in everyday life – and break the contagion of rage

Slow down, take a deep breath, maybe even let the other car take the park. In the face of rudeness, sometimes the most radical thing to do is remain passively polite.

The troubling rise of longevity fixation syndrome: ‘I was crushed by the pressure I put on myself’

This unofficial diagnosis describes the anxiety-driven, compulsive obsession with living as long as possible. While it might seem healthy to monitor your diet, exercise and biomarkers, it can come at a huge emotional cost