Being labelled a Highly Sensitive Person was validating and empowering – until it wasn’t

An online personality quiz made me feel understood, but it also created a mental cage

Hold an ice cube – and shake like a dog: therapists on 16 simple, surprising ways to beat stress

It can cause physiological and emotional problems, but none of us can avoid it entirely. Here are some of the best ways to react when stress hormones start coursing through your body ...

Is there a dark side to gratitude?

Feeling thankful is increasingly touted as a cure-all, but sometimes there are reasons not to be grateful

After I burned out, physics helped me understand what had happened to me – and to move on

I thought hard work equalled success. I had to realise that’s not always how it works, in science or in life, says Google employee Zahaan Bharmal

The one change that worked: I was burned out and stressed – then I found a steamy solution

After a bereavement and world events left me struggling to cope, I tried meditation, yoga and therapy. But it was my local sauna that helped me find peace and purpose

She left her desk job and walked 3,541 miles from Mexico to Canada: ‘Give yourself permission’

Jessica Guo hiked 30 miles a day, becoming the first woman to continuously hike two historic trails in a single season

The one change that worked: I struggled with stress after work – until I made a discovery in my attic

When my son was growing up, his school recorder was the bane of my life. Now it’s what I reach for at the end of a hard day, rather than a glass of wine

Get your jabs, don’t oversleep, don’t be too keen to go to work: GPs’ tips for battling winter illnesses

What’s worse than being wet, chilly and light-deprived? Being wet, chilly, light-deprived and sick. Here are 14 ways to stave off colds and the flu – or bounce back if it’s already too late

Pregnant women in England at ‘growing risk’ of serious injury in childbirth

NHS figures show number of mothers sustaining third- or fourth-degree perineal tear has increased by 16% since 2020

Cumulative social advantage: is this the secret to a long, happy, healthy life?

High income levels are associated with slower ageing – but so is another factor that will cost you nothing at all. It just involves plenty of time spent hanging out with family, friends and neighbours ...

‘You are constantly told you are evil’: inside the lives of diagnosed narcissists

Few psychiatric conditions are as stigmatised or as misunderstood as narcissistic personality disorder. Here’s how it can damage careers and relationships – even before prejudice takes its toll

Running on empty: why are so many marathon runners so miserable?

One in four endurance runners displays ‘worryingly high’ levels of anxiety and depression, according to a study led by a man who has himself run more than 400 marathons. Isn’t exercise supposed to make you feel good?

What is the best pillow for your sleeping style?

The wrong pillow can disrupt sleep, so finding the right one can guard against decline in mental and physical health

Growing up, Bianca could never predict her father’s moods: the disorientation of an emotionally immature parent echoed into her adulthood

In therapy, we began with acknowledging this was not her fault. From there, we worked to rebuild Bianca’s sense of agency

Look out for number one! Selfish self-help books are booming – but will they improve your life?

If you yearn for an Ayn Randian existence of absolute self-reliance, there are plenty of bestsellers that can help. They may not make you happier though