Mental Health

For many people across the Scandinavian countries, getting in touch with nature is a value that shapes their lives and their wellbeing. So why does it have such a profound effect on our mental health? Do you ever walk outside, take a deep breath, and instantly feel soothed? There’s a gentle breeze hitting your cheeks,

Architectural and design firm Resi reveals the six qualities of a happy home and launches a new podcast series exploring how we should live now If there’s one thing a lot of us have taken away from 2020 so far, it’s a greater appreciation for the meaning of home. Whether your home has become a

Forest bathing is the practice of immersing yourself in nature, by being quiet and still amongst trees. Here we explore the mental health benefits, as well as some surprising, self-reflective lessons We instinctively know that getting outside can make us feel better, even if we only have a few minutes a day. Forest bathing is

Latest report finds that the number of people being referred to talking therapies was up 5.7% from the previous year One in four people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives. And yet, despite its commonality, reaching out for help can often be a tricky first step. But according to this

Maintaining healthy, happy friendships can have a significantly positive effect on our emotional wellbeing It’s fair to say that I would be pretty miserable without my best friend. In fact, totally lost without my girl gang virtually cheering me on. The saying goes that “behind every great woman there is a bunch of other great

What makes us who we are? With help from a psychotherapist, we explore what happens when we lose our identity, and look at the ways we can get back in touch with the person we truly are We all fit into different ‘boxes’, capturing our relationships, our roles in the world, and our interests –

Eating disorder experts, nutrition experts and activists alike criticise the government’s approach to obesity Recently the government announced a new obesity strategy that claims to help get the nation ‘fit and healthy, protect themselves against COVID-19 and protect the NHS’. After releasing the strategy, experts in the field of eating disorders, nutrition and body positivity

It’s often difficult to communicate how it really feels to experience anxiety. To offer some insight, we share four ways to paint a visual and emotional picture… Trying to explain anxiety to friends and family is hard. How do you grasp a whirlwind of emotions and string them into a sentence? And do those words

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and the Mental Health Foundation have published findings of a three-year programme investigating mental health around the globe When we want to improve something, it’s common sense to look for approaches that other people have used to do the same thing. Learning from a tried and tested approach and implementing

Whether it’s an emotional outlet, or somewhere to explore your biggest thoughts, a journal is so much more than just ink and paper. Here, our columnist Grace Victory shares the impact journaling has had on her own self-awareness In 2014, I was in the pursuit of happiness. I knew I was unhappy and constantly stressed,

From the benefits of me-time to music for mental health, we share the weekend’s wellbeing news that you might have missed Practising a musical instrument is good for your mental health Great news for all music aficionados out there; according to a recent poll, an overwhelming 89% of us think playing music helps keeps us

Thinking of turning your dreams into reality? We share eight quick tips to help you take the plunge, and go for your ideal role Thinking of turning your dream into your day job? You’re not the only one. Nearly three quarters of our friends across the pond in America have quit a job to chase

He’s known to millions as ‘The Body Coach’, and he’s possibly the most famous PE teacher in the world, but it’s the titles of ‘dad’ and ‘husband’ that Joe Wicks loves the most This is a preview of the full interview, available in Happiful Magazine August 2020. To read the full version, buy in print

As more of us than ever are working remotely, it’s natural to miss those social moments with colleagues by the water cooler. But technology is here to help… The sound of my ringtone gives me anxiety. Who dares to call ‘just to talk’? What’s wrong with a text? Or a handwritten letter? Anything – and

Going under the inker’s needle might hurt physically, but there is some evidence that the painful process could be making you mentally stronger As someone without tattoos – I’ve always been fascinated by people who choose to get inked. Apart from the pain of an electric needle puncturing my skin 50 to 3,000 times per

New test reveals which work environments suit us best according to our personality types After taking a short survey on ISG’s website, I discover I’m a ‘flexible worker’. This means I enjoy collaboration, socialising and shaping the company culture, but I also have days when I need my own space and enjoy working from home.

If you’re heading out on a socially distanced date, follow these tips from a relationship expert for keeping the connection going while staying apart The last 21 weeks of lockdown have created a lot of pressure and uncertainty. Now that we are coming out of lockdown, we will all be experiencing different feelings be that

Celebrity organisers, the Style Sisters, have launched their new Style with Attictude series to help the one in two Brits who are ‘desperate for space’ as they continue working from home If there’s one positive thing many of us can take away from the past few months, it’s been the ability to work from home.

Award-winning cookery author, entrepreneur and champion of plant-based living, Ella Mills, joins us for the latest in our series of free wellbeing webinars On Thursday 6 August, Ella Mills, author, chart-topping podcast host and founder of Deliciously Ella, joins Happiful to talk about her reflections on 2020 so far, and the mindset and movement she

Are you a cisgender person unsure of how best to show your support to the trans community? Here are some simple ways you can learn and better your understanding 2020 has been a significant year in the world of allyship. We’re learning, listening, and playing our part to support members of other communities, reaching across

Stephen K Amos and Thanyia Moore are just some of the famous faces topping bill for an online live comedy night, in aid of Black Minds Matter Hackney agency Don’t Panic has joined forces with London-based comedy club, Nice N’ Spiky to present an evening of live comedy. Proceeds raised from the virtual event will

Ella Mills may be pregnant with her second daughter, bringing out a new cookbook, and considering the changes to life after lockdown – but the thing that keeps her up at night? Her sourdough… Ella Mills has found a new hobby – baking bread. “I’m obsessed with making sourdough,” she laughs, explaining that the process

We will all face conflict at some point in our lives. Dealing with conflict is never easy, and it can be particularly difficult in the workplace. Fortunately, there are certain tips and tricks that can help Conflict exists at work, at home and in the world at large. How you deal with it will impact

These two common managerial habits could be the reason why you’re not getting enough sleep, according to new research It’s something that we can all relate to: tossing and turning in bed, haunted by the stress and anxiety that has followed us home from work and hopped under the sheets with us. Sleep is a

Crafting a memory box can help us cherish the moments that matter most to us. Here’s how to start your collection Time flies and, before you know it, the moments that brought us so much joy are a thing of the past. But we don’t have to let those feelings slip away. Keeping a memory

A glittering City career was beckoning, until a brutal murder turned Gian’s world upside down. But from adversity, he drew the strength to forge a new future, dedicated to helping others build happier lives Outwardly, you would think my life was perfect, and until 2015 it really felt that way. Graduating from university, spending time

Samaritans’ Lucia Capobianco will join Happiful for a free webinar to discuss the importance of listening and share actionable advice on how to truly hear and support others Do you know what you are capable of, if you listen – really listen? Not only do we understand the world around us more when we listen,

New survey reveals record numbers of smokers quitting in a decade, many in direct response to the pandemic So many things have come out of this unprecedented time in our lives. Much has been negative, but some has been positive. The latest silver lining is that, for many, the threat of Coronavirus has prompted them