‘Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?’ ‘Supposing it didn’t,’ said Pooh after careful thought. Piglet was comforted by this. – AA Milne Like the cautious Piglet, people are wired to anticipate problems – the brain is developed to raise the alert on potential threats. As a result, it’s natural when …
Literature repeats itself: classic tales and old myths are constantly referred to or retold in new stories. Have you ever noticed, for example, that Disney’s 1994 film The Lion King borrows much of its plot from Shakespeare’s Hamlet (written between 1599 and 1601)? Hamlet, in turn, was inspired by an ancient Scandinavian saga. Because so …
Sometimes, it can feel like just stepping out of your front door costs money. Whether it’s putting petrol in the car, buying a bus ticket or bumping into a friend and going for an impromptu coffee, you leave the house and, all too soon, the cash is slipping through your fingers. So, it’s little wonder …
You’ve probably seen the word ‘sheeple’ used about people who unquestioningly follow the herd. It’s used as an insult, in its presumption that there’s nothing worse than a sheep for blindly going along with the crowd. What about you? Have you ever unquestioningly played follow the leader? Most people have. Even if you rebel against …
In this issue: Novel take – Something to say – The best things in life – What if it goes right? – Commit to the future – Walk this way – When treatment’s over – Body talk – You might also like… – Writing by numbers Attention to detail. Whether it’s writing a book, planning …
In this issue: Room to breathe – World of imagination – Dancing in September – Pots of colour – Keepers of stories – Immersed in mindfulness – Second to none – Morning glory – Breaking the silence – Tides of change ‘It was just crazy, and so exciting.’ No matter who you’d been rooting for …
There’s nothing quite like curling up somewhere cosy – perhaps with a snug blanket and hot drink – to get lost in a good book. For many people, reading for pleasure is an evening activity and a way of unwinding and calming the mind after the busyness of the day. Perhaps you like to settle …
Imagine that you’re having a relaxing day off. With oodles of free time, you stroll to your favourite café to treat yourself to something delicious. Suddenly, your calm turns to discomfort, as the person behind you in line is standing too close. And each time you edge away, they edge closer. Most people will have …
Is there someone you always talk to at the end of a gym class, a neighbour you enjoy nattering with when you bump into each other on the street, or a colleague you chat to while waiting for the kettle to boil in the staff kitchen? Perhaps that someone makes you smile, and you feel …
Over the past decade, men’s mental health has gone from hot topic to serious issue of worldwide concern. But despite the greater awareness and a concerted push for more resources, the statistics remain shocking. Mental health problems affect almost everyone in one way or another. According to the NHS, one in four British adults experiences …
