Picture this: you’ve picked a restaurant that you’ve always wanted to go to, ordered the most exciting dish on the menu and a glass of nice wine to go with it. As you lift your fork to tuck in, you raise a silent toast to yourself for such an excellent choice, then proceed to savour …
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 …
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 …
The streets of Addis Ababa pulse with energy. Blue and white Lada taxis weave their way through the traffic, the call to prayer rings out every few hours and sellers bustle around, proudly displaying their wares. Meanwhile, traditional music booms out from shops and street corners. Yet, if you step inside homes, offices and meeting …
‘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 …
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 …
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 …
