Have you ever had the urge to pinch chubby-cheeked babies, or squeeze adorable puppies? Don’t worry, it’s a completely natural response, and here we’ll explain why… Every time my friend sends me a picture of her baby, I feel my shoulders tense up. I’m not worried or anxious, in fact I normally sport a joyous
Mental Health
Singer-songwriter Jack Garratt’s debut album, Phase, was a huge success. But, contending with self-doubt, Jack didn’t see it that way. Here, we discuss learning to live with your emotions, and the moment that made every struggle worth it Hi Jack! Your new album, Love, Death & Dancing, is out in June. How are you feeling
Is pregnancy anxiety normal? Will worrying affect my baby? What can I do to feel normal? We share everything you need to know about experiencing pregnancy anxiety, and explain how you can feel calmer and more in control Beneath the ‘pregnancy glow’, the ‘exciting times’, and the months of planning and preparation, can lay a
We speak to the award-winning blogger, and mum of three, Harriet Shearsmith about how she’s balancing homeschooling her children with work, and the way that pressing the pause button has unleashed a new-found appreciation for self-care Harriet Shearsmith and I are grappling with technology as we attempt a remote interview on a shakey line –
New study, and insight from Samaritans, has revealed that men are at risk of poor mental health and suicide during lockdown Who could have imagined this time last year what the world would look like right now? Our lives have been turned upside down, our sense of normality has all but evaporated, and we’re facing
Following on from Mental Health Awareness Week, the kindness revolution continues with Happiful and Life Coach Directory hosting a free webinar with Life and Business Change Coach, Angela Cox Life and Business Behavioural Change Coach Angela Cox will be sharing actionable advice on how to be kind to yourself, in the first of Happiful’s new
Life tends to throw tests in our path, and we can find ourselves having to adapt to the unexpected. But it’s often these difficult moments that prompt us to reflect, and reassess our priorities… Life can have a way of forcing us to suddenly ‘step up’, and demonstrate how capable we are, regardless of how
It’s time to show some compassion. Here we find out why kindness is good for us, what random acts of kindness to try and how we can be kinder to ourselves The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week this year was promptly changed to kindness in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Why? Because at times
What does it feel like when, following a period of emotional darkness, the sun rises again? We speak to five people about the moment of clarity that followed unprecedented challenges Find more exclusive self-care content in Happiful magazine’s June 2020 issue. Order your printed copy to be delivered straight to your door, or subscribe for
If the global pandemic has impacted your love life, you’re not alone. Four relationship experts discuss the biggest issues facing UK couples right now Choosing a partner and staying together through life’s ups and downs is rarely simple. When you throw a global pandemic into the equation, your love life can get even trickier. With
Relax, rest, and recharge. Take time out to enjoy nature, declutter your home and your mind, and discover the perfect inspiration for crafting with kids 1. Page-turners Secret Yoga Club: Self-empowerment through the magic of yoga Release the tension in your mind and feel empowered through the practice of yoga. Gabrielle Hales shares the rituals
It has been announced that the British Red Cross has partnered with the UK’s biggest food charity, FareShare, to help keep the country fed throughout the Covid-19 crisis and aftermath Known best for helping those in crisis around the world, the British Red Cross has partnered with FareShare, the UK’s largest charity fighting food waste
Now more than ever, we truly value and appreciate how important it is to connect with others. Here we uncover some refreshingly original ways to show someone you’re thinking of them… Staying in touch with friends and family isn’t just about being sociable – it’s something that actually supports our wellbeing. But not all our
Following the birth of her son, Hayley found herself extremely anxious and stressed. But thanks to a fresh start in 2013, she had the opportunity to create her own business, and discovered the power of coaching It was in May 2012, after the birth of my son, that my entire world changed. Having my son
Results from a new survey by the Mental Health Foundation show that two thirds of adults believe being kind to others has a positive impact on their mental health As Mental Health Awareness Week begins, new research from the Mental Health Foundation reveals that the concept of kindness is linked to positive mental health, in
Simply judging health by what we see can be damaging – or even deadly – for people with invisible conditions You look so well.” I remember how my heart sank every time I heard those words, how they’d choke like a rotten old rag across my mouth, smothering any impulse to ask for help. Whenever
Our columnist Grace Victory gets candid about feeling lost in her career. For anyone feeling the same way, she shares her insight to help guide you back on course… As a little girl I always knew what I wanted to be – ‘someone’. I wanted my everyday existence to be full of glitz, glam, and
New research has revealed an overwhelming 86% of us have a good relationship with at least one next-door neighbour Whether we’re catching up on the latest must-binge show, doing a little DIY, or unearthing the ancient BBQ we haven’t touched since last summer, we all spend a significant amount of time enjoying our homes. While
Freud called them ‘the royal road to the unconscious’, but what do our dreams really mean, and can they help to manage our mental health? I’m walking around a labyrinth of a building, looking for a bathroom, but when I finally find it the cubicles either don’t have doors or the toilets are so dirty
One of my colleagues described it perfectly this morning, ‘walking through treacle’. This is how a lot of us are feeling, lethargic, unmotivated and finding it difficult to concentrate. There is a reason for this and it’s down to the way our brains process threat. The limbic system in our brain or ‘creature brain’ is
Allowing anger to fester over a perceived injustice can be debilitating and destructive. So learn to forgive, forget, and move on I have an old school friend who I meet up with once or twice a year, and every time we do, the conversation always circles back to her ex-boyfriend. Or more importantly, how he
Try these techniques from compassion-focused therapy to help you show kindness to yourself and your mental health Although 2020 may not be a year that we look back on fondly in years to come, it has been a momentous year for kindness. We’ve supported the #BeKind campaign, clapped for our carers, stayed at home to
Here are seven things you can look forward to, to encourage a sense of normality It’s important to have fun dates in the diary, little milestones we can achieve when we’re in such strange times. We are now facing subtle changes to eventually ease the lockdown, but it’s still a slow process to allow us
With so much choice out there, how can you find an online exercise class that ticks all your boxes? In an effort to navigate these challenging times, now, more than ever, our physical and mental health is of utmost importance. Keeping up with the government guidelines for exercise (150 minutes of exercise per week) can
It’s time to get talking about our post-baby bodies I’m not talking about the aesthetics – the slim waist, the stretch marks and the other imperfections which certain media, social media and societal stereotypes could have us believing we are worth less than we are. I’m talking about the physical symptoms including urinary incontinence, pelvic
From truly traumatic circumstances, Dan Cross found a way to create a supportive, safe space for men to come together and grieve The 20-strong group of men had hiked for eight hours to reach Snowdon’s summit, moving every step of the nine miles as one, travelling only as fast as the slowest. Teamwork at its
Be inspired by these impressive creations that you can replicate at home, and reap the wellbeing benefits of slowing down and letting your imagination run free When I’m in a mood, the first thing I do is turn to my current craft project. For me, it’s the surest way to destress and unwind. And I’m
Ahead of the Live Life Well Virtual Weekender, Professional Organiser Vicky Silverthorn talks to Happiful about Covid-19, why she loves her job and the best way to begin decluttering your space – start small! Vicky Silverthorn knows all too well the impact Covid-19 can have, as she’s experienced the virus herself. She’s thankfully on the