Wild swimming gave me the courage to write my own rules
Out of his depth and determined to defy stereotypes, one writer discovered his sense of self in a bracing cold dip
I became absorbed in strangers’ fertility journeys online
What started as curiosity would turn into an emotional investment for Celia Silvani – and eventually, a lifeline
It’s time to rethink boredom, procrastination and regret
That’s the way to fulfil your goals and have fun in life, writes Simon May
Wallowing in a soup of despair? Try ‘lemonading’ to buck the gloom
Linda Geddes spends a week with a clown, a comic and some toddlers to test the science behind the uplifting power of play
Seeking Zen at a silent Buddhist retreat comes with its own challenges
It was supposed to be a quiet and peaceful weekend, but it left one writer lost for words
How writing about female cannibals changed my relationship with food
Describing issues of autonomy, femgore, worth and hunger all had an impact on what I wrote and how I felt about myself, says Lucy Rose
The Big Idea: looking for a better life? Follow your nose
Smell has an outsize effect on our thoughts and moods, so it’s worth paying more attention to it
Would you let AI choose your outfits?
Chloë Hamilton explores the possibilities, with surprising results…
‘The two of us book a karaoke room for an hour. It’s like tiramisu for the soul’ What’s on your dopamine menu?
From a ‘starter’ of dishing out compliments to a ‘dessert’ of smashing laptops in rage rooms, scientists and authors share 15 portion-sized ideas for a positivity boost
As an agony aunt, I know the biggest cause of unhappiness: other people. Here’s the secret to better relationships
Looking back through her post bag, Observer Magazine’s Philippa Perry answers her readers most commonly asked question: why are other people so awful?
Music As Medicine by Daniel Levitin review – musician, heal thyself
In this fascinating book, the neuroscientist makes a strong case for the therapeutic force of music, describing ways in which it can be a beneficial part of recovery for patients
How to optimise the cognitive benefits of dreams and sleep
Dreaming is vital to our mental health – and it is possible to use them for our own good
The anxiety secret: how the world’s leading life coach stopped living in fear
Famous for her work with Oprah Winfrey, Martha Beck is a bestselling author and self-help superstar. But for 60 years she was anxious and terrified - until she found a simple, uplifting answer
Make a much shorter to-do list! 15 quick, simple ways to avoid overwhelm
From weightlifting to woodland walks, Guardian readers and health experts share their tried-and-tested ways to keep burnout at bay
How owls helped me conquer my fear of the dark
With the aid of the birds I was able to learn to love the night