Mental Health

For more than 30 years, part of actor, writer, and director David Harewood’s life story has been obscured from his view. Now he’s discovered what really happened to his younger self, and has found peace, purpose, and liberation after coming to terms with his own experience of psychosis David Harewood is sitting in his kitchen

What’s the relationship between sugar and mental health, and how can we make sure it’s a balanced one? Sugar plays a huge role in our food culture, packed into tasty treats and everyday snacks. That said, it’s fair to say the sweet stuff doesn’t have the best press, with the way that it can negatively

As the singer, songwriter, and crafter of emotional masterpieces releases her latest single ‘Easy on Me’, we’re reflecting on the wellbeing lessons we can take from Adele Think moving masterpieces, and a lot of people will immediately point to Adele, whose searingly honest tracks have been taking us on journeys through the human experience since

Seeing someone we care for be consumed by perceived ‘flaws’ can be extremely difficult – especially at a time when re-entering society has us all feeling under more intense scrutiny. But if you are at a loss for what to do, the good news is there are ways you can support a friend or family

New survey results reveal one in five adults still own their childhood teddies, while 9% of us choose to sleep with a soft toy at night Cuddly toys and security blankets are just two of the most common comfort objects (also known as loveys) many of us have as children. Snuggling up with a stuffed

A new interactive online documentary pairs science and storytelling to help us improve resilience, creativity and productivity How do you feel about stepping into the unknown? After the last couple of years, you would have thought we’d be comfortable with uncertainty. But the truth is, many of us aren’t. As someone with anxiety and a

Spot the micro stressors in your life and take steps to soothe them Stress is something that all of us experience – it can come and go, or affect us over long periods of time. This stress can come from a number of different places, and we can often trace them back to big events

After personally experiencing the benefits of therapy, Natasha decided to make the switch and become a counsellor. Then she had another brainwave – a way to help people who have doubts or fears about face-to-face sessions My journey to becoming a counsellor and psychotherapist started when I was in my early 20s. I went through

However, many parents and carers believe the pandemic has improved workplace culture. Could we see a shift towards a better work-life balance? To mark the start of National Work Life Week 2021 (October 11-15), new polling results have been released by Working Families. Results show a wide gulf in how parents and carers are balancing

We’re shining a light on the inequalities impacting mental health and discuss what needs to change Every time a mental health awareness day rolls around, my social media feeds fill with people saying the same thing; awareness isn’t the problem… Getting the right support is. Talking about mental health is necessary and something we care

It can be easy to neglect your own needs when you’re focused on caring for another, but here are five tips that could help Receiving and living with a physical or mental health diagnosis can be a massive challenge. Not just for the person with the diagnosis, but for those closest to them, too. Often,

The pain of teeth grinding is something many people struggle with, and yet lots don’t even realise they’re doing it – though they certainly feel it. Here, we get to the root of bruxism, and how to stop it leaving you ground down A few years ago I was eating a Twix, when one of

It may sound cheesy, but self-belief and self-esteem are crucial to raising girls to go out into the world feeling confident and resilient for what lies ahead of them. And while raising girls with high self-esteem despite their being surrounded by digitally altered images is no easy task, it is possible. Here are some of

Ahead of physical illnesses, research finds that mental health problems are now the UK’s most common medical complaint One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime – and, now, according to new research from not-for-profit healthcare provider Beneden Health, poor mental health has become the most common medical complaint for

Poet and artist Blake Auden shares tips on how to use writing to manage your mental health I have suffered from anxiety most of my adult lifem and I’ve tried a range of therapies, techniques and approaches to managing my mental health – but nothing has quite helped me in the way that writing has.

From managing stresses, to feeling empowered by your sensitivities, we share five essential steps to help you thrive as an HSP It’s estimated that around 20% of us are considered a highly sensitive person (HSP) – someone who, due to an innate trait, experiences more intense emotional, mental, and physical reactions to stimuli. However, there

Hassan Akkad, award-winning documentary filmmaker, activist and author of Hope Not Fear: Finding My Way from Refugee to Filmmaker to NHS Hospital Cleaner, talks to Happiful’s podcast about his love of storytelling and speaking about his own mental health to support others In 2020, Hassan Akkad – a Syrian documentary filmmaker – took up a

Join Melissa James, Antony Gormley, Jonny Benjamin, Dr Kathryn Mannix, Paul Farmer and a wide range of other speakers and artists as they explore the theme of ‘positive impact’ at this year’s Mental Wealth Festival City Lit’s incredible Mental Wealth Festival returns from 10-15 October for its seventh year, with a programme packed with professionals,

A new UK study suggests that just 44% of those who stop taking antidepressants do not experience depression during the following year As a nation, we’re talking about our mental health and wellbeing more than ever before. Yet for many of us, there’s still a stigma around medication for our mental health. In England alone,

Earlier this year Happiful joined forces with RED to bring people together with a shared purpose: to move for our mood and mental health. Now, we’ve got our collective sights set on 2022 and getting ‘out there’ again, with realistic everyday activities As I write, autumn is just around the corner. I’m imagining you’re reading

Help the children in your life uplift themselves with these affirmations for kids Affirmations are simple sentences that we can repeat to set intentions and to uplift and support ourselves. They can help us when things get tough, and can feel like a comforting pat on the back on hard days. And they really do

Depression forced Andy out of the teaching career he’d enjoyed for years. Then a challenge from a friend revealed a hidden talent – and opened a door to a new life After seven mental breakdowns in 16 years, what have I learned? That the lows can be crushing; but that there is also an amazing

As tampon brand Lil-Lets announce they’re ditching plastic packaging for good, we speak to the activist who inspired the move, and delve into tips for positive change In the UK, it’s estimated that tampons, pads, and applicators generate approximately 200,000 tonnes of waste every year – to put that into perspective, that’s about seven and

Starting something from scratch holds so much potential – for growth, enjoyment, exploration… and nerves. But don’t let a fear of failure put a stop to your love of learning Whether learning a language or penning poetry, there are lots of opportunities to develop fresh skills. But alongside the excitement of starting something new can

Rachel Bambrough, Founder of Sup4, talks about stand up paddleboarding, moving for mobility and the joy being on the water brings her, at Wellbeing by the Lakes festival SUP (stand up paddleboarding) is an activity that has increased in popularity over the past few years, as more and more people find themselves drawn to the

Get back to nature and discover which counties in England offer the most accessible-friendly walks Exploring the great outdoors is not only good for our physical health, but our mental health too. Studies have shown the benefits of spending time in nature; from forest bathing to outdoor therapy, getting outside can have a positive impact

Kris Primacio, CEO of ITSO, shares how surfing changed her life, the wonders of surf therapy and the incredible upcoming International Surf Therapy Organisation Conference taking place in Cornwall and online from 6-8 October Kris Primacio exudes a deep passion for surfing, the ocean and the healing powers of nature and the water. So, as

Gua Sha: FAB A favourite on social media, the gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine tool made out of semi precious stones such as rose quartz, jade, and crystalline, used for facial massage. Used by applying medium pressure and ‘scraping’ the skin on your face in specific patterns, you may have come across videos