How to navigate a friendship when a couple splits up – without taking sides or getting caught in the middle
When a couple you care about separates, your friendships can suddenly feel complicated. How do you offer support, handle invitations and protect confidences without becoming caught in the middle?
Coercive control: How to recognise the signs and rebuild your life after abuse
It rarely starts with threats or violence. Coercive control can begin with seemingly caring behaviour before escalating into isolation, monitoring and manipulation that gradually erode your confidence and independence. Trauma specialist psychotherapist Tina Chummun explains how to recognise the warning signs, understand why leaving doesn’t always end the fear and begin rebuilding your sense of self.
Do you replay conversations long after they’re over? How to break the habit
The meeting went well and your friend seemed happy to see you. So why are you still analysing what you said hours later? Learning to leave a conversation unfinished in your mind can begin with giving yourself a little more grace.
What if winter is nature’s retreat? How to slow down, restore your energy and make space for yourself this season
We’re often encouraged to keep pushing, even when we’re exhausted. But winter offers a different approach: slow down, reflect and give yourself time to recharge before the year ahead.
CHRISTMAS OFFER
Pay only £24.99 and enjoy Psychologies for the whole year!
Explore by topic
Anxiety
Beauty
Celebrities
Depression
Dossier
Recipes
Latest articles
Why you might be avoiding family photos as you get older – and how to feel more comfortable being seen
You organise the occasion, gather everyone together and take the pictures. But how often are you in them? If being photographed has become uncomfortable, there are gentle ways to feel more at ease without having to love every image.
‘The shame was never ours to bear’: how Ruth Ellis’s execution scarred generations of her family
For decades, the execution of Ruth Ellis cast a long shadow over her family, shaping childhoods, relationships and a legacy of trauma. Now, after securing a historic posthumous pardon for her grandmother, Laura Enston tells us how she is reclaiming a story that was once a source of shame.
‘Help — I can’t stop thinking about my married coworker!’: How to stop a workplace crush from becoming an affair
You can’t always control who you’re attracted to, but you can control what happens next. A therapist explains why workplace crushes develop, what they might reveal about your needs, and how to stop attraction from crossing a line.
First-date nerves were ruining my love life — until I tried these psychology tips from an expert
If dating feels more like a job interview than a chance to connect, you’re not alone. Discover why first-date anxiety is so common — and how to shift your focus to prioritise real connection.
Love someone with ADHD? 5 ways to strengthen your relationship without taking their behaviour personally
Being with a partner who has ADHD present unique challenges, but they can be worked through with understanding, compassion, and effort
What happens when the person who murdered your loved one is on death row? The psychology of grief, justice and closure
When someone is murdered, the grief can be devastating. But for families whose loved one’s killer spends decades on death row, the wait for justice can bring its own psychological challenges. Chartered psychologist Dr Ravi Gill explains how repeated delays, anticipatory grief and the hope of an execution can affect the bereavement process – and why closure is rarely straightforward.
Why you feel guilty sharing good news when someone you love is struggling – and how to stop
You’ve got something to celebrate, but a friend is going through a difficult time. How can you share your happiness sensitively without feeling you should hide it?
Thinking about starting ADHD medication? Here’s what you need to know before talking to your doctor
If ADHD symptoms are affecting your work, relationships or everyday life, medication may be one option to consider. We asked a doctor about medications, side effects, and what you should ask in your appointments.
Top Reads
What your body is trying to tell you when you keep waking up at 3am
If you regularly wake in the middle of the night, it may not be a random sleep problem. Your body clock could be playing a bigger role than you realise
Love someone with ADHD? 5 ways to strengthen your relationship without taking their behaviour personally
Being with a partner who has ADHD present unique challenges, but they can be worked through with understanding, compassion, and effort
Could LaVita make taking vitamins simpler? What to know about its all-in-one liquid micronutrient formula
One daily serving. 22 micronutrients. More than 70 natural ingredients. LaVita is designed to make everyday supplementation refreshingly straightforward.
Five minutes that could change how you sleep every night
If you’re struggling to sleep, the answer might have less to do with your bedtime routine and more to do with how you spend your waking hours — especially what you do when you first get out of bed.
Yes, you can’t sleep. No, it might not be insomnia. Five possible reasons you’re not sleeping well
If you’re struggling with sleep, don’t automatically assume insomnia is the answer. Sleep expert Heather Darwall-Smith explains what else could be going on
Sleeping badly next to your partner? 3 bedroom hacks couples swear by for better sleep – without sacrificing intimacy
From using separate duvets to sleeping head-to-toe or even moving into different bedrooms, couples are finding creative ways to get a better night’s rest. Sleep experts explain how these unconventional arrangements could help you sleep more soundly without putting your relationship on the rocks
Find a coach
In partnership with Barefoot Coaching, find an accredited coach to help you navigate your life and make positive changes.
Recent Podcasts
Podcast: How to believe in love, receive romance and keep the flame burning
Love can be one of life’s pleasures – and its challenges! We explore how to receive, enjoy and nurture a romance that lasts
Podcast: How to welcome the new year with hope
The past two years may make it difficult to greet 2022 with much optimism, but shifting your mindset could turn the next 12 months into something to be hopeful about
Podcast: How to stop comfort eating
Do you find yourself comfort eating as a way to cope with life’s challenges? In this episode, we look at the emotions that may be driving you to reach for the biscuit tin and discover healthier ways to nurture yourself
How to get a good night’s sleep: a podcast with UKCP
Professor Sarah Niblock, CEO of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, and UKCP psychotherapist Heather Darwall-Smith discuss the importance of a good night’s sleep, and how to get one every night
Why do I feel lonely in my relationship: a podcast with UKCP
In this podcast, UKCP psychotherapist Fe Robinson speaks to Sarah Niblock, the CEO of the UKCP, to understand why we can feel lonely despite being in a relationship
Is my relationship at risk? A podcast with UKCP
In this Talking Therapies podcast with UKCP, we ask: Is it time to break up and end my relationship?
Our Journal
Packed full of prompts and exercises to help you reflect on your life, find balance with the Psychologies Journal.
Wellbeing Guides
Discover special editions and guides from the publisher of psychologies magazine
Recent videos
Katie Piper on overcoming obstacles to achieving our goals
As Spring approaches you may find yourself returning to an exercise routine or setting new goals for the season ahead. But, sticking to new behaviours can be challenging, even if they are beneficial to our wellbeing. Here, Katie Piper shares her tips for moving past mental barriers and staying on track
Kickstart your daily meditation habit for FREE with a new meditation club
Psychologies Editor-in-Chief Suzy Walker talks to Nick Scaramanga about how to meditate and how it will transform your life
Editor’s Pick
Is it time for a digital detox? Psychologist and Bake Off star Kimberley Wilson explores how to switch off and reconnect with life
Are you constantly on your phone and miss what’s going on around you? Take a moment to turn off the tech and reboot your closest relationships, says Kimberley Wilson, a psychologist and author of ‘How To Build A Healthy Brain’
How to cope with emotions during menopause
If you’re struggling with mood swings during the menopause, you’re not alone. Learn how to take back control and cope with those hormonally-charged emotions…
‘Relationships can exist in all sorts of scenarios’: Anna Williamson shares her experience of getting the best out of love
The worst thing you can do in a relationship? Nothing! Life coach, broadcaster and author Anna Williamson talks to Psychologies about checking in before you check out, the secret to lasting love, and the importance of self-care
Brené Brown on the curse of comparison and how to avoid it
It’s the curse of modern life: the crush between conformity and competition. The world-renowned author and
researcher Brené Brown explores the comparison trap… and how to avoid it
Sign up to our weekly newsletter
Our free weekly newsletter provides you with inspiration, advice, news, quotations, competitions and exclusive offers.
Take test
Test: What stops you from trusting yourself?
Discover how you make choices — and what your inner voice is asking for — with our test below!
Test: What’s your secret confidence saboteur?
If you know you’ve got much to be confident about but still have regular wobbles, take our test to find out what confidence saboteur is undermining your self-belief.
Test: What stops you doing Christmas differently?
If, despite your best intentions, you’re still stuck in a festive rut, take our test to uncover your personal barrier to ringing the changes.
Test: What stops you taking your needs seriously?
If you’re never at the top of your agenda, take our test to identify what’s holding you back from prioritising yourself — plus, find what steps you can take to start putting yourself first.
Test: What stops you getting the sleep you need?
If you dream of more restful nights, take our test to find out what is getting in the way of a good night’s sleep, and what steps to take in order to fix it.
Test: What’s your personal mood booster?
If it’s time to step off the emotional rollercoaster! Take our test to find your personal mood management focus and discover what will lift your mood when you need it the most.
