Mental Health

Tackle the anxiety that comes with this fear of open spaces and being trapped in situations that are difficult to escape It’s a panic disorder that centres on an intense fear about the possibility of experiencing anxiety or panic attacks in a situation where it’s difficult to escape, or of being in open spaces –

With an estimated three in 100 people in the UK experiencing PTSD during their lifetime, finding effective ways to respond to traumatic events is essential for us to heal. One option, already proven to be highly effective, is EMDR. Here, we discover exactly what the treatment entails… What is EMDR? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and

One year on from the horrific death of George Floyd, a series of letters by eight Black boys has been released as part of a project that hopes to better equip schools to tackle racism, and support those affected The new project entitled The World I Want to See is a collaboration between Mind in

Founder of Fern Counselling Louise Allen joins Happiful’s podcast to talk about outdoor therapy, how working with nature can be so beneficial, the role of Death Cafes and connecting to nature wherever you are Nature has played such a huge role in our collective wellbeing since the pandemic began. When our usual routines and life

Testing, tender, and true – we speak to esteemed portrait photographer Harry Borden about his latest project, which explores the reality of single fatherhood When I begin my call with Harry Borden, he tells me he’s just finished playing the piano – something he’s practised for two years, and immediately notes is a good way

Whether it’s tossing and turning through the night, or not being able to drift off in the first place, lots of us struggle to wake up feeling refreshed. We’ve heard of sleep sprays and counting sheep, but could what we eat be just as important? We all know the importance of a great night’s sleep,

Yvette Taylor, creator of the Energy Alignment Method, shares nine affirmations and release statements to make the most of our spiritual practice Do you ever dream of a day when your spiritual practices work out? When all the affirmations, visualisation, journaling, drumming, tapping, praying and shouting out loud, finally turn into your everyday reality? The

From empowering, supportive experiences to times when healthcare providers have missed the mark, now is the opportunity to share your experiences in the Government’s call for evidence Have you ever come out of an appointment with a medical professional feeling unheard and defeated? According to a study from The Eve Appeal, you wouldn’t be alone.

Find the joy in learning about yourself and others. From supporting a greener world to treating yourself to some time to practise mindfulness, we share 10 things to do this June 1. Page-turners How to Help Your Child with Worry and Anxiety by Lauren Callaghan Children can become anxious and overwhelmed in the same way

To celebrate our 50th issue of Happiful, we’ve put together a list of 50 uplifting, amusing, and heartwarming headlines to put a smile on your face 1. Music fans rejoiced as festivals such as Reading & Leeds, Creamfields, and Rewind plan to go ahead this summer. 2. The town of Tankerton, in Kent, came up

Experts say this research could help to reverse declining mental health in young people in a post-pandemic era We know this last year has been very difficult for children. They’ve missed out on playtime with their friends, have spent months unable to see relatives and, significantly, have lost chunks of time at school. The effects

I’m quite frankly in awe of Dr Alex George. He’s an A&E Doctor working in a busy London hospital, the Government’s Mental Health Ambassador, founder of bath bomb company Prescrib’d and he’s now released his book Live Well Everyday: Your Plan for a Happy Body and Mind to share his experiences, professional knowledge and life

While we’ve been facing the challenges brought on by Covid-19 in the past year, there’s been another kind of epidemic going on behind closed doors as well – a hidden one, sending hairline fractures through household dynamics and shaking the foundations of relationships. Parental burnout is real and rife, and we need to talk about

Experiencing early menopause was unexpected and difficult for Happiful’s Lucy Donoughue, but getting out on the water and embracing joyful movement helped her to address a challenging relationship with her body I can distinctly remember the first time I experienced the wonder of water. I was eight years old, sitting on the beach at Treyarnon

Research reveals many are working 55-hour weeks, leading to an increase in early deaths from stroke and heart disease Findings from the first global analysis of health risks and loss of life associated with long working hours revealed 745,000 people lost their lives as a direct result of working 55 hours or more a week.

Given that coeliac disease affects one in 100 people living in the UK, and that it takes, on average, 13 years to be diagnosed, it’s incredibly important to raise awareness of this autoimmune disease to ensure the many people who could be living with the illness without even realising it, can get the help they

Could the key to deeper, more meaningful conversations be in the questions we ask each other? The idea of doing a Q&A with the woman who, literally, wrote the book on how to ask good questions is slightly intimidating, but that’s precisely what I did when I got together with Elke Wiss, a ‘modern practical

It should be as easy as, well, breathing – but there’s a technique to getting the most from your breath, and here a body-led psychotherapist breaks down everything you need to know It is almost certain that you are breathing incorrectly. But don’t worry, all of us are doing it, so there is no need

Discover how to approach conversations with care and compassion When I started my podcast ‘Time To Talk with Alex Holmes’, I found it hard to speak about my own mental health. There were no resources that I could find to help me and, outside of a conversation with one of my best friends, it was

How to be there when your loved ones need it most Grief affects us on every level: emotionally, physically spiritually, and mentally. We can no more control it than we can predict it. If someone close to you is grieving, it’s important to understand that this will impact every area of their life and they

Stress, anxiety, and depression threatened to destroy Johnathan’s 15-year teaching career. But a simple change in mindset enabled him to rekindle the love affair with his chosen profession The last day of the spring term in school is normally joyous. January and February are tough going, so Easter is a time for everyone to give

Five cosy games to chill out with in 2021 Traditionally rooted in competitive player-vs-player or player-vs-computer design, video games are broadening their horizons. A rise in relaxing, uncompetitive games is bringing about new ways to enjoy playing, and they’re perfect for people looking for a break from the pressure that gaming (and life!) often demands.