Being treated as the family favourite might seem like a blessing, while becoming the family scapegoat can feel like a curse. But psychologists say both experiences can leave lasting emotional wounds, shaping self-worth, relationships and identity well into adulthood. Many adults spend years wondering why they struggle to trust themselves. Why criticism feels devastating, they […]
If you’ve ever wondered why some habits seem so hard to shake, new research suggests the answer may have less to do with willpower than we think. Scientists say a key brain chemical could play an important role in helping us let go of old behaviours and embrace new ones. Whether you’ve promised yourself you’ll […]
Heidi Scrimgeour uncovers the common mistakes we make in our family relationships and, alongside a selection of experts, explores simple changes that will make things a whole lot better
After the deaths of her twin brother and father, Olympian Victoria Pendleton found herself confronting mortality, grief and uncertainty in a new way. She explains why courage isn’t about being fearless – and how stepping towards discomfort can help us live more fully. Victoria Pendleton spent much of her life learning how to face fear. […]
New research reveals that natural sounds, seaside scents and sensory experiences could help calm the nervous system, reduce mental fatigue and make holidays feel more restorative. Picture it: the gentle hush of waves rolling onto the shore, the rustle of leaves overhead, birdsong drifting through the trees. Before we’ve even unpacked our bags, many of […]
From lowering stress hormones to boosting serotonin and dopamine, experts say our relationship with dogs can have a powerful effect on emotional wellbeing — and new research suggests even small moments of interaction can help strengthen the bond. There is something deeply reassuring about coming home to a dog. Whether it’s the familiar excitement at […]
When depression, anxiety or postnatal depression enters a relationship, the focus naturally falls on the person who is struggling. But behind closed doors, another emotion often takes root – one that few people feel able to admit, even to themselves. There are mornings when she leaves the house with a smile fixed firmly in place, […]
Weight regain after dieting can feel deeply personal, leaving many people convinced they have failed or even damaged their health. But a major new review suggests the dangers of ‘yo-yo dieting’ may have been overstated. Few experiences feel quite as disheartening as watching weight you’ve worked hard to lose slowly return. Perhaps you spent months […]
Psychologists say many survivors of narcissistic abuse experience a hidden aftermath known as the “second injury” — and it can be one of the hardest parts of recovery
Long weekends, weddings, holidays, crowded group chats, family tension, nonstop plans — summer can quietly overload the nervous system. Discover why we absorb other people’s stress so easily, and how to stop carrying emotions that aren’t ours. Summer is supposed to feel carefree. But for many people, it can become one of the most emotionally […]
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