Mental Health

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

It’s time to shine a light on this serious mental illness, to shed the stigma, and ensure that no one has to struggle with postpartum psychosis alone In 2018, after the birth of my son, I experienced a severe and debilitating mental illness called postpartum psychosis, PP for short – and don’t worry, I’d never

Find your focus and kick procrastination with these easy mindfulness tips Procrastination is defined as the action of delaying or postponing something. Whilst it may appear to be detrimental, as with most things, it is behaviour that is serving a purpose to protect us. There are six different types of procrastination, they are: Perfectionist, worrier,

When recovering from an addiction, managing cravings isn’t easy. Here, we share six key tips to help you through these unique challenges It’s normal for anyone who has an addictive behaviour to experience cravings, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating. During the initial stages of recovery, they can be intense, but over time,

New reports reveal how much eating disorders are costing us in the UK and the amount being spent on research The coronavirus has taken its toll on our mental health as a nation over the last 18 months, affecting all of us in different ways. One area that has been hit particularly hard is eating

Recorded live at Wellbeing by the Lakes festival, Kat Nicholls, Jay Morjaria and Frances Trussell share what self worth means for them and their advice on working upon ourselves with compassion Happiful writer and founder of Blue Jay of Happiness Kat Nicholls is dedicated to supporting people when it comes to self worth. From her

In the study, researchers uncovered the extent of the stigmatisation of schizophrenia, as well as common misconceptions, highlighting the way this impacts those who live with it In the last decade, an immense amount of work has been done to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health, and the people who live with mental illnesses. But

When emotions run high, and it feels like you’re stuck on a slippery downward slope, follow these tips to find balance again It’s something that a lot of us may have experienced, and the result can be a knocked sense of self-confidence, and ongoing feelings of anxiety. When it comes to shame spirals, what may

What happens when you do a deep dive on introspection and how can we keep coming back to ourselves when life gets busy? The last few months have been somewhat frenetic for me. I moved house, moved back and forth between home and my parents (for various reasons), went to my first few in-person events,

Julia was crippled by depression and social anxiety, until she created a happy place for herself online. Now her award-winning books blog is helping her, and others, move forward I have an amazing life. In March 2020 I was named Book Blogger of the Year at the London Book Fair, for my bookish website, Julia’s

Learn to manage conflict sensitively and calmly, with these handy phrases When emotions are running high, the way that we phrase our thoughts and feelings can help keep difficult conversations productive and kind. Next time you’re trying to navigate conflict, use these phrases to help you keep the peace, without neglecting your needs and boundaries

Get your creative juices flowing with these seasonal activities Crafting is an incredible activity for wellbeing. It not only helps kids develop fine motor and problem-solving skills, but gives their self-esteem, creativity, and confidence a boost, too. And what just might be the best and most brilliant of all craft resources? Nature: it’s free, readily

Athena Laz, author, counselling psychologist and dream teacher, shares her thoughts on the gifts dreams bring us, sleeping habits and how dreams can unlock creativity Athena Laz is delighted that more people are talking about dreaming, and now with the publication of her book The Alchemy of Your Dreams: A Modern Guide to the Ancient

Have you ever commented on a pregnant friend’s body? Perhaps exclaimed, “Oh, look at your bump!” or, “You’re so tiny, you don’t look pregnant!”. I have, but I’ve only recently discovered just how damaging this can be to the person on the receiving end of these comments For some people, pregnancy and the changing shape

As we grow older, our curiosity can fade. Yet research shows that it remains essential to our wellbeing. Here, we explore how to reignite that inquisitive spark As children, we’re full of questions. Why do ladybirds have spots? How do planes stay in the air? Who invented sherbet? But, as we age, that willingness to