Feeling empty inside, one sociologist found answers by exploring his own traumatic childhood Along the way Corey Keyes developed concepts of languishing and flourishing which others have found helpful, writes Genevieve Fox
How an epic climb lifted one woman out of life’s lowest point In emotional pain, Jessica Hepburn decided to climb to the top of the world and listen to every single available episode of Desert Island Discs
The big idea: should you blame yourself for your bad habits? Our ability to resist temptation is increasingly shaped by forces beyond our control
When my youngest child died, I had to find a way to move forward Somehow I had felt a tragic sense of foreboding, but nothing could prepare me for the loss of Raphaël when it came. By Liz Jensen
I saw my therapist weekly for two years. Then he let slip he’d been watching me. Had he crossed a line? He said it lightly, but I was unsettled. The trust had curdled
Start with flattery, maintain eye contact and never lie: how to win people over The secrets of highly persuasive people, from a hostage negotiator to a TV producer
Play outside and sing together: what living in Denmark taught me about raising ‘Viking’ children Nordic children are out in nature for hours a day – and they top rankings in both education and happiness. So here are seven parenting tips I’ve picked up along the way…
The big idea: this simple behavioural trick can help you get more out of life Habituation is a key component of human nature, and knowing how to manipulate it can make the things you enjoy even better
I’ve always loved new hobbies and horses – then, two years ago, my equine dream came true My obsession with trying new activities finally led me to my greatest passion – horse riding – when the last lockdown lifted
I felt lost in early adulthood, so coined the term ‘quarterlife’ as a focus for study Adrift after leaving university, Satya Doyle Byock turned to psychology to bridge the journey to adulthood
The big idea: is compassion fatigue real? Can we really maintain our levels of empathy in the face of an increasingly brutal news cycle?
Loss of confidence at work can be debilitating but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence Switching off at home, mastering hobbies and greater control over workload can all help improve self-doubt at work
‘Gloom is good’: after my wife died I found solace in poetry and music You can’t fight death, sickness, ageing and life’s various indignities, but you can play very loud rock’n’roll
How We Break by Vincent Deary review – look after yourself A psychologist offers practical advice for dealing with life’s ups and downs
My path to inner peace, via ‘Dalifornia’ in southwest China How leaving Beijing for Dali, home of China’s urban escapees, was a step on my route to finding serenity