Mental Health

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

Dr Louise Newson is a leading light in the world of menopause education, policy, and support. Believing it’s never too early to be perimenopause savvy, she’s sharing practical information to help everyone have a better experience No matter what your age or gender, chances are you’ve heard about the menopause. You may have noticed a

Married at First Sight UK is well underway, and, as the couples navigate their new relationships, there’s a lot we at home can take from the professionals’ advice It’s the show that professionally matchmakes couples, then follows them as they enter into marriage and navigate the trials and tribulations of newlywed life – all while

Kirsty Gallagher joined Happiful at Wellbeing by the Lakes Festival to talk about the moon, the autumn equinox and why now is the time to follow your dreams… At the beginning of September, Moon Mentor Kirsty Gallagher joinedHappiful on the Riverside Stage at Wellbeing by the Lakes Festival to share her love of lunar living

Social media can be a wonderful place. Somewhere to connect with others, learn and find joy. Unfortunately, it also has a darker side. We can compare ourselves and actively search for content that might harm us. Similarly to Instagram which has come under scrutiny for its impact on users mental health, TikTok can have a

Learn to spot the signs of this manipulative form of emotional abuse By nature, emotional abuse is malicious and detrimental – but, in some cases, it can also be subtle and sneaky, running under the radar while still knocking an individual’s sense of freedom, and even their sense of self. ‘Negging’ is one such example,

Dr Louise Newson is on a mission to help every woman live well during and after the perimenopause. On Happiful’s podcast she shares the impact the perimenopause can have and how to work positively with your healthcare practitioner As the founder of My Menopause Doctor, the Balance App and the author of Preparing for the

Twenty years ago, Alan Dolan quit a career in aerospace PR to build a business based on oxygen. Now the founder of Breathguru, here he explains how inhaling and exhaling can boost your health, happiness, and bring emotional peace Breathing – it keeps us alive, but most of us barely notice it happening. It’s pretty

We go through various stages in life, but a feeling we all seem to reach at some point is the desire to make an impact on the world. Here, we explore ‘generativity’ – and how it can benefit your mental health If I asked: “What’s your purpose in life?”, what would you say? Your answer

From learning new habits, to taking time to catch up on hotly-anticipated film releases, we share 10 things to do this October 1. Page-turners The Face Yoga Journal As an undated journal that can be started at any time of year, The Face Yoga Journal encourages you to take a little time out of each

It’s the phone call we all dread – letting your employer know you need a day off sick. But when your body is telling you it needs a break, it’s time to listen. So, how do we get past the guilt, to get the rest we need to recuperate? We all know the feeling; you’ve

Counsellor Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska answers your questions on suicide Q: How can I support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts? A: It’s best to stay calm and collected, and remember they are talking to you for a reason. It is really important that we react with empathy, not shock or panic, and do not close the conversation down.

Laughter yoga classes are taking off around the world, so Happiful’s Kathryn Wheeler signed up for a session to discover the serious benefits behind having a chuckle It’s 3pm on a Monday, and I’m sat in front of my laptop, ready to join a virtual laughter yoga class. When I first stumbled across the idea

Suicide bereavement can feel very different to other types of grief, as you struggle with a range of emotions. Here, grief counsellor Lianna Champ shares her advice A suicide can leave behind a particularly devastating kaleidoscope of pain, which is complicated and can be long-lasting. It can become so hard to separate the fact of

Those who rely on tips, and who must be friendly at work, could be more likely to be subjected to sexual harassment Research from the University of Notre Dame, Pennsylvania State University, and emlyon business school, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, has recently evaluated the experiences of employees who rely on tips for

We explore how to navigate the conversation, and help you integrate your therapeutic life into your dating life I need some professional help, but what will my partner think? Will they think it’s their fault? Or that I’m being overdramatic? Will they think it’s unnecessary?’ These are some of the questions that went through my

Following the deaths of both his parents, Jason felt immense pressure to be ‘the man of the house’, and to bottle up his emotions. But, with time, he discovered the healing power of vulnerability What is your most vivid childhood memory? Mine is from 15 May 1997. It was a chilly spring day in Chicagoland.

A new programme from charity UK Youth offers people from racialised communities a chance to influence mental health policy The coronavirus pandemic has hit us all in some way, but to assume we’ve all been on the same journey wouldn’t be accurate. We’re not all in the same boat, we’re in our own boats sailing

Be aware of these common gynaecological cancer myths and misconceptions September marks gynaecological cancer awareness month, bringing with it an opportunity to reflect on the ways gynaecological cancer can touch our lives, and the signs and symptoms to be aware of. Each year, more than 21,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with a gynaecological

Acclaimed actor, director and now author David Harewood, joins Happiful’s podcast to talk about his new book Maybe I Don’t Belong Here: A Memoir of Race, Identity, Breakdown and Recovery David Harewood describes himself as an actor, director, writer and “more importantly, a resilient survivor of psychosis, trying to reduce the stigma attached to mental

Have you ever found yourself confused by guidance from a newspaper? Listened to a politician continuously deny a fact when science says otherwise? Read a news story with scary health facts that don’t add up elsewhere? This type of reporting actually has a name: media gaslighting. Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks