WELLBEING

Everyone can build mental strength. Increasing your mental muscles takes exercise, in the same way as increasing your physical muscles does

Thank you for the music

Joy, motivation, peace – a good song stirs emotions, nourishes the soul and articulates the sometimes seemingly impossible. Breathe tunes in to its rhythm and power

Lift smart, stay strong

Whether it’s picking up a box of files or simply reaching for a saucepan in a bottom drawer, most of us lift things myriad times a day without even thinking about it… until we feel a sudden twinge in the back, that is. With the right techniques, however, strains and pains can be avoided

Different wavelengths

Not clicking with a new colleague or friend’s friend? It happens to everyone, but what’s behind this often-frustrating phenomena?

The joy of juggling

How keeping a set of balls in the air can be both fun and meditative

Operation: ease the nerves

Anxious about what happens when you’re given a general anaesthetic? Breathe talks to two anaesthetists who describe what it’s like to ‘go under’ and go to great lengths to allay any fears

LIVING

Creating a space where you can slow down and connect to the present gives you the chance to explore what you’re carrying inside

Tastes like home

The herb garden gives flavour to food, scent to the air and nectar and pollen to the bees. And it must be about the easiest plot that any gardener – or non-gardener – can grow

Unlikely organisers

Moved town only to discover there’s no local book club or walking group? Moved country and struggling to find an art class? Perhaps it’s time to take the lead and make it happen – no matter how implausible or challenging that might at first seem

Wonders of nature

Majestically standing guard in burial grounds, ancient yews are living connections to our past. Here’s why they deserve reverence and protection

Sense the difference

Dining without visual cues offers an opportunity to experience flavour afresh

Letters of friendship

How old-fashioned snail mail creates bridges across continents and cultures

MINDFULNESS

Losing your way is often the most important part of the journey. Sometimes letting go of a particular path allows a new one to emerge

All by myself

Self-reliance is a valuable attribute – but are you genuinely coping on your own or is there more going on?

Share the moment

How experiencing emotions with others – be that one person or hundreds – can foster greater bonds and stronger connections

Circles in the sand

The ancient practice of pacing through a labyrinth can be a mindful way to soothe modern-day problems

Let’s go outside

Meditating outdoors can work wonders for wellbeing, providing a physical boost while also reconnecting you to the natural world

To hug or not to hug?

When the feeling’s mutual, a warm embrace has many health benefits, but not everyone’s a fan of a hug. The key is to respect each other’s boundaries

CREATIVITY

Focusing on the process rather than the end

The artist’s presence

Exploring the creatives who introduced a version of themselves in their work

Cadence of creativity

No email facility, no news or social media feed, no online search function – a lack of distraction is one reason for choosing to compose first drafts on a typewriter. More than that, however, is the momentum, the rhythm, the sound of ideas moving from mind to hands to page

Stop and look afresh at the roses

These popular perennials have held all kinds of significance throughout history

Weaving through time

Multi-layered, delicate, intricate – the fabrics that reveal Venice’s long tradition of artisanship, as well as its hopes for the future

ESCAPE

Ice cream parlours, wrought iron, the sounds of

Sea full of stars

The Turks and Caicos archipelago is home to a rich biodiversity of life above and below the waves, but like many of our planet’s nature hotspots, this tropical island paradise is facing challenges of the human – and even extraterrestrial – kind

Walking on water

Few sights can be more evocative than the classic seaside pier, with its promise of holiday treats and the thrill of standing suspended above the waves. Join Breathe as we walk the planks…

MONUMENTAL MARVELS

Many piers have been lost or are at risk, from the Palais de la Jetée, in Nice, France, which was home to a crystal palace, to Vetch’s Pier in Durban, South Africa. But many are standing strong, surviving and thriving, and attracting visitors to enjoy that in-between place, just above the waves. Here are several examples to explore from around the world

Stories from the shore

Discover what’s gone before and what’s happening now with the aid of a humble seashell

SHELL-DWELLING SPECIES

A few of the creatures that can be found on beaches

Worth a thousand words

Every picture tells a story of our times in the Sony World Photography Awards, which were established in 2007 as a platform for the continuous development of photographic culture. Here’s a selection of this year’s winning images

Build yourself a sandpit

When life gets difficult, it’s good to have somewhere to play