WELCOME

Winter. Out in the streets, people hurry through

Let it snow!

Winter is coming – and there’s no better time to indulge in the cold season’s latest obsession: snow walking

Shades of grey

Finding yourself on the fringes of a close-knit friendship group can be lonely. But there are ways to break through – or break away

HOW TO COPE WITH BEING A FRINGE FRIEND

Acknowledge the sadness . Feeling left out

Water, water, everywhere

Water is one of our most precious commodities and it’s essential to life. But how do you know if you’re drinking the right amount?

The last minute

Racing to finish something? It needn’t be overwhelming if you can learn to reframe its importance

LIVING

Those hypnotic moments just before you fall asleep and after you wake can give you access to a dream world that’s rich with inspiration

Ageing with grace

Running counter to Western anti-ageing messages, the Japanese philosophy of shibui teaches that beauty, harmony and a simple appreciation of life all deepen with the passing of time

Ode to winter

A subtle beauty, with its muted colours and understated poetry, this season holds plenty for the mindful observer

Soup for the soul

Here’s one of Cristina’s favourite bowls of cosy winter fare

Green giant

The ancients were right to revere the humble pine tree. Even today, this hard-working forest stalwart continues to yield up new treasures to humanity

5 WAYS TO WELCOME PINE INTO YOUR LIFE

Decorate with evergreens . Pine foliage and

USING PINE IN THE KITCHEN

Pine has many culinary uses, with chefs and

Take it with a pinch of salt

Do carrots help you see in the dark? Will spinach give you muscles? Does cheese lead to nightmares? While lots of food beliefs are popularly circulated, not all of them are rooted in fact

Get into car-pooling

With the cost of travel and the volume of traffic on the roads regularly hitting the headlines, it’s no surprise that car-pooling is catching on. Could shared journeys be the key to an enjoyable commute?

STAYING SAFE

Follow these tips from Coseats.com for safer ride-sharing – especially when you’re meeting a stranger

MINDFULNESS

Good friendships have an emotional resilience that can weather time apart, so if you’d like to rekindle a lost one, why not seize the moment?

Two little words

‘I’ll try.’ It’s a convenient phrase that trips off the tongue, but seldom means what it says. Here’s why that matters…

Slipping away?

You emerge from the supermarket to find it’s dark outside, or lift your head from your screen to realise it’s way past lunchtime. If it feels as though time regularly escapes you, grab a moment to read this…

SOLUTIONS FOR LOST HOURS

Finding purpose in those missing moments

The one that got away

People come and go in our lives, but if there’s a friendship you regret losing, could it be time to reconnect?

Caught in between

The inclination to keep to yourself during periods of uncertainty can be strong, but connecting with others is healing in all kinds of ways

FOUR LIMBO LEVELLERS

Kate recommends the following tips to help navigate periods of limbo

Release the rescuer

When someone you know is unhappy or struggling, it can feel natural to offer your help. But if that means neglecting your own needs, it may be time to step back

CREATIVITY

Wish you could come up with a cascade

Words to keep

The quiet joy of collecting quotes

Unsung heroes

From brushes to needles, cutters to chisels, the tools you use to craft and create are worthy of appreciation

Jumpstart your art

Stuck in the creative doldrums? Breathe has a suggestion to get your mind moving

GET SET, GO!

Exercise routines to fuel your creative energy

Relight the language spark

Learning another language offers the chance to build bridges to different cultures and connect to people wherever you go, and it’s never too late to reignite a childhood interest

HOW TO MAKE THE LINGO LEAP

The approach you choose will depend on many factors, including how much time you can commit to and your learning style. Try to remember that language learning is an ongoing process that’s not about perfection or proficiency, but about curiosity. Here are three ways to kickstart a renewed practice to bring words from the deep recesses of your mind to the tip of your tongue

ESCAPE

Reducing stress, lessening anxiety, boosting mood and enhancing

Call of the wild

A selection of standout entries to 2025’s David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year. The competition honours creativity, passion and purpose in support of global conservation. Each extraordinary piece celebrates nature while helping raise vital funds for environmental projects

Spirit of adventure

The Marquesas Islands make up a remote archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean and have recently been inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List. This is the place to come if you’re seeking rich cultural heritage and rugged natural beauty

OTHER ISLANDS OF FRENCH POLYNESIA

Alongside the Marquesas Islands, there are four more archipelagos to discover

All that jazz

To the mindful listener, jazz is a hive of intriguing musical voices. Open your ears and see where the conversation leads you

Between everything and nothing

You may think you’re a reasonable person with well-considered and moderate views. But is that always true? Going to extremes is more common – and more human – than you might realise