Mental Health

Forget hi-tech fitness trackers, jumping on the next inaccessible wellness trend, or NutriBulleting the contents of your fridge, the key to ultimate wellbeing could be as simple as stepping outside Find more exclusive wellbeing content in Happiful magazine’s August 2020 issue. Order your printed copy to be delivered straight to your door, or subscribe for

If wearing a face mask leaves you feeling anxious, you’re not alone. We share tips on how you can feel calmer and in control whilst wearing a face mask Face masks. They’ve become a divisive debate over recent months, with neither side willing to give much leeway. While scientists and experts have been sharing their

Whether we’re struggling with FOMO, or constantly falling into comparison traps, comparing ourselves to others is making us miserable. But it doesn’t have to be this way When was the last time you felt the prickly sting of comparison? You know the feeling: the hot frustration that starts in your belly, and rises to your

The BBC has launched a new online platform for parents of young children and the Duchess of Cambridge has described it as “gold dust” When children start school, it’s expected that they should be able to speak to their new friends in full sentences, ask teachers simple questions and understand what they’re told to do.

Use your voice to make a difference. If you’re passionate about being a better ally, please continue to do your research, educate yourself, and speak up against injustice 1. Page-turners Me and White Supremacy: How to Recognise Your Privilege, Combat Racism and Change the World Many of us are unaware of just how much white

A study on the power of forced positive thinking revealed realists experience the highest long-term happiness We often think that the route to happiness and joy is through the power of positive thinking, and there’s not denying that having a positive outlook on life can do wonders for our emotional wellbeing. But a study by

The International Booker Prize and music streaming platform Deezer have joined forces to create six playlists to switch on while flicking through some of this year’s most exciting reads What kind of reader are you? Do you inhale books faster than you can say ‘Dostoyevsky’, or do you flick through leisurely in a stolen moment

It’s time to sow the seeds of a more sensory natural space In today’s world, incredible advances in technology allow us to connect with our loved ones, wherever they are, but that can also come at a cost of feeling overwhelmed by being permanently connected and constantly bombarded with information. But, fortunately, there is no

If the crystal-blue waters of the ocean are calling you, and you find peace when you’re drawn to the sea, you could be experiencing the power of ‘blue mind’ When I’m stressed I get snappy. On one such day several years ago, I’d been standing on the precipice of a bad spell (I’ve lived with

Our frontline carers are there when we need them the most. We share seven ways you can give back and show your support There are many vital roles out there that we have to thank for making our day-to-day lives that much easier. But there’s a special place in our hearts for the NHS, and

Artist, designer, and cosplayer Amber Guzman’s world is full of colour and creativity. But life with muscular dystrophy isn’t always easy. Here, she shares her tips for tackling the difficult days Mental health matters to me because… with everything going on in the world right now, it’s very easy to fall into a hole of

Do you feel a sense of regret for the things you didn’t get round to doing in lockdown? Here, we work through how to challenge those feelings and move forward without guilt As lockdown is slowly but surely beginning to ease, we’re working towards our new now. For some, these small changes bring a sense

Have you ever found yourself spiralling into negative thoughts? You can shake up your perspective, and learn automatic, positive responses instead… Now, don’t get us wrong, however you are feeling is valid. And you don’t have to react positively 24/7. But if you find yourself dwelling on the worst-case scenarios too often, and persistent negative

When anxiety escalates, we can find ourselves in the midst of a panic attack. Here, we share inside tips on how you can spot your triggers and reclaim control Having lived with an anxiety disorder for almost a decade, I’ve experimented with various ways to manage the symptoms. Yoga, meditation, and switching to decaf coffee

Discover the men who are putting body confidence in the spotlight Over the past decade, body confidence has really taken off, and it’s teaching all of us how to love and accept ourselves in a shamelessly self-celebratory way. And we need it now more than ever. According to a 2019 survey by the Mental Health

Getting a good night’s rest can feel like a real struggle. New research shows as many as four in five autistic people struggle to sleep at night. We share tips to help you create a more restful sleeping environment Sleep. We all need it – yet many of us struggle to get a full, restful

Five people share what lockdown has taught them about their mental health, and what they hope to keep up as we ease back to normal Lockdown has presented us with many challenges, but it has also brought opportunities to assess what’s really important to our lives and our wellbeing. As we break free from our

A new Panorama documentary set to air tonight will highlight the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on cancer care Coronavirus has killed thousands, but now there are fears that the pandemic has caused a crisis in healthcare, which could mean that many thousands more will die. The true cost of the lockdown could see

Seeking to give a voice to women’s health, a new campaign from Essity (creators of Bodyform) highlights the myriad of experiences women have with their bodies throughout their lives Traditionally, we’ve been taught a bit of a linear narrative when it comes to women’s bodies. From a young age, we’re taught about our biological timeline

A survey has found that 86% of parents of autistic children believe that there has been a damaging lack of government support over the last three months Throughout lockdown, we’ve all had our various challenges to contend with but, wanting to get an idea of how the measures have effected the families of autistic children,

It’s a natural part of life, but how much do you really know about the menopause? Tune into the virtual talks that explore this important topic There’s an elephant in the room and it’s called the menopause. The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.

Lucy became a Samaritans listening volunteer two years ago. Having been on both sides of the Samaritans telephone line, Lucy learned the benefits of talking and how important it is to listen Hi Lucy, can you tell us a bit more about yourself? I’m Lucy and I’m a 44-year-old single mum of two boys aged

Have you ever been forced to question your version of events? For victims of gaslighting, the seeds of doubt are sewn deep, but the good news is they can be uprooted The wine was flowing, the dinner party in full swing and, as usual, my wife was holding court. She was describing her experiences undertaking

Best-selling children’s cookery author, Annabel Karmel, shares a heartfelt letter to her firstborn Natasha, disclosing the depth of the grief she endured 32 years ago, and the legacy that her baby girl left behind Please be aware this article contains details that some readers may find distressing. I’ll never forget the day I discovered I

Happiful co-founder Aimi Maunders joins Fearne Cotton’s podcast to talk all things Happiful and shares how talking to a therapist changed everything for her Marking fifteen years since Counselling Directory – the beginning of all things Happiful – was launched, co-founder Aimi Maunders joined the Happy Place podcast line up to share the life experiences

Research from Aston University and Loughborough University has shown free online resources for parents can help change their approach to tackling children’s fussy eating habits whilst cutting parental anxiety Who doesn’t worry about what their children eat? With around half of young children going through a ‘fussy eating’ stage, it’s understandable that many parents worry

Mental health charity Mind predicts a rise in the prevalence of mental health problems. Is the worst of this pandemic yet to come? A survey of more than 16,000 people during lockdown by the charity Mind has revealed the scale of the impact of the pandemic on people with mental health problems. More than half

With pinging mobiles and thumping music taking over every element of our day, silence is a rarity in the modern world. But, could switching off from these sounds help us improve our physical and emotional health? Can you hear that? It’s the sound of constant noise. We’re bombarded 24/7 by sounds of some sort –