Why so many people struggle to relax on holiday — and the therapist-approved ways to finally switch off
Switching off can be harder than it sounds — if you find it tough to unwind on holiday, try these therapist-endorsed tips to let yourself go, writes Sara Keenan
Am I having a midlife crisis? Why it happens and how to reconnect with yourself
Flooded with feelings of resentment, frustration and an inner longing for something new? Here’s what’s really happening.
‘I’d lost touch with the people closest to me — here’s the expert advice that helped me to reconnect with friends and family’
When life gets busy, relationships can quietly slip away. Yasmina Floyer explores why it happens and shares expert-backed advice on reconnecting with the people who matter most. Words: Yasmina Floyer. Images: Shutterstock After the festive season, many of us find ourselves reflecting on relationships that felt stretched or strained over Christmas — the family tensions, […]
I never realised how much my sister had shaped who I became – until a psychotherapist helped me see the patterns
Caroline Butterwick explores the psychology behind our bonds with our sisters and what they reveal about us.
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Latest articles
The friendship seesaw: When a friend is only happy if they are high and you are low
Toxic friendships don’t usually begin with betrayal or cruelty. According to best-selling author and therapist Marisa Peer, they begin the moment one person needs the relationship to stay unequal — and doesn’t care what that does to the other person. All friendships go through difficult periods. Life changes, people drift, misunderstandings happen and the balance […]
Is it really supposed to be this hard? The hidden cost of masking in friendship
Friendship is often portrayed as something that should come naturally. You message back, remember birthdays, make plans and turn up. But for some people, maintaining friendships feels like a full-time job — one that comes with constant guilt, anxiety and the feeling that everyone else has been given a rulebook they somehow missed. If you’ve […]
Why a break up with a friend can hurt as much (or even more) than with a lover
Friendship break-ups are often quiet, gradual and difficult to explain. Therapists say the pain they cause is rooted in our need for connection, while modern life can make those losses harder than ever to escape. The end of a romantic relationship is something most people recognise. There are conversations, expectations and a familiar language for […]
Is your relationship with your sister subtly shaping all your friendships?
From always putting others first to never quite feeling included, the role you play in your friendships may have been shaped decades before you even met your closest friends. We tend to think of friendships as something we choose freely as adults. We meet people, we connect, and we decide who feels right for us. […]
Is your friend manipulating you? The secret signs psychologists say you shouldn’t ignore
Feeling guilty after seeing a friend? Constantly walking on eggshells or questioning yourself? Experts explain the overlooked signs of manipulation in friendships and how to tell when a relationship is no longer healthy. We often think of manipulation as something that happens in romantic relationships, but it can be just as damaging between friends. The […]
Free online event: ADHD in children – what to look for and what to do next
The Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre is hosting a free online webinar for parents and carers who want practical, straightforward information about ADHD in children.
‘Take painkillers and come back if it gets worse’: Why are midlife women being told to live with chronic pain?
Midlife women are being told chronic pain is a normal part of ageing – and that lifelong painkillers and gradual decline are inevitable. But is this really the case?
The hidden causes of midlife brain fog – and why menopause isn’t always to blame
From stress and anxiety to underlying health conditions, discover the hidden causes of midlife brain fog – and why hormonal changes during menopause are not always to blame.
Top Reads
Many adults are living with undiagnosed autism without realising it – these are the seven hidden signs experts want you to know
From workplace challenges to social exhaustion, Anne Fletcher explores the subtle traits of autism that can remain hidden for decades before a diagnosis. Words: Anne Fletcher. Images: Shutterstock. I remember the first time I heard about autism. It was the 80s, and Dustin Hoffman was huge. Then he did Rain Man. It took the world […]
An invitation to reset: The transformative retreats by Consulting & Events
Discover yoga retreats, wellness experiences, destination weddings and more.
Why a break up with a friend can hurt as much (or even more) than with a lover
Friendship break-ups are often quiet, gradual and difficult to explain. Therapists say the pain they cause is rooted in our need for connection, while modern life can make those losses harder than ever to escape. The end of a romantic relationship is something most people recognise. There are conversations, expectations and a familiar language for […]
Are women ‘losing’ themselves in midlife – or are they finally connecting with who they truly are?
Feeling like you’re losing yourself in midlife might be the beginning of remembering who you are – beyond the roles and responsibilities that have defined you for so long.
6 signs you’ve tied your entire self-worth to your career – and how to break free
Here’s how to reconnect with who you are outside of your job, achievements and ambitions.
On the brink of burnout? How to spot the signs and set healthier boundaries at work
‘Being good at your job shouldn’t require sacrificing your health, relationships or wellbeing.’
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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?
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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
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