WELLBEING

‘Be happy for this moment. This moment is

Dancing on sunshine

Discover more about the joy of moving to music in the great outdoors

In pursuit of happiness

From spiritual joy to earthly fulfilment, there’s much to be learned from how humankind has defined and expressed this emotion through the ages

When home is everywhere and nowhere

Growing up outside your culture of origin can present lifelong challenges, but it can also build resilience and provide an ability to see the world in a different way

Rest up

If you’re going through a period where sleep is proving elusive, it can feel like mind over matter. You either fall asleep or watch the clock. There might, however, be another way

Feel the lift

How to turn the gym from a no-go zone into one of comfort and even confidence

Railway tails

Once kept purely for pest control, station cats are proving themselves to be purr-fect companions for the daily commute

At your own risk

How do you figure out if a chance is worth taking?

LIVING

‘Many people will walk in and out of

Raise the roof

We explore the gardens bringing valuable pockets of nature to city skylines…

Dinner is served

Table-setting traditions can be traced back thousands of years and continue to evolve in different ways around the world

A taste for blooms

Fancy getting your five-a-dahlia? Here’s how to grow and harvest edible flowers

In with the new

Unlearning old ways of functioning can help to clear the path to fulfilment

Be my palentine?

Why it’s great to celebrate the love between friends

MINDFULNESS

‘To accomplish great things, we must not only

The choice is yours

How understanding decision-making styles can improve wellbeing

It’s not you, it’s me

Projection is a normal mental process where people attribute their own thoughts and feelings onto others – something that, in the world of social media, gets a little more complicated

Feel the meaning

Language is vital to personal and shared emotional understanding, but sometimes it’s difficult to sum up an experience in a recognised word or phrase. If this sounds familiar, it might help to embrace alternative lexicons and become creative with metaphor

Dreams can come true

The tradition of making a wish has a long history – and psychologists say this seemingly fantastical idea can be a powerful tool for turning hopes into reality

What do you do?

It’s a seemingly innocent question to ask upon meeting someone for the first time. While it might be well intended, however, it’s not always the most welcome

CREATIVITY

‘If you don’t like to read, you haven’t

Pots of love

Whether it’s because of lack of time, energy or inspiration, preparing food every evening can sometimes feel more like a burdensome task rather than an enjoyable and creative activity. Here, we share some ideas to turn that around and make dinner time something to look forward to

Abstract ardour

Alek Bélanger is an abstract painter and film-maker. Tapping into personal experience and inspired by the complexities of nature, his work conveys a variety of themes and emotions. From his home in Montreal, Canada, he spoke to Breathe about the creative impulses that inform his art

Bigger picture

Graphic novels have superpowers that go far beyond the comic

Spheres of wonder

Frivolous, fun, fleeting – bubbles have many associations. They also have a longer history than might be imagined

ESCAPE

‘We owe it to the present and future

Nature in all its glory

A selection of striking images from the 15th International Garden Photographer of the Year competition

Journeys of discovery

Road trips offer a sense of freedom and adventure – they’re also a reminder to enjoy the ride

Going the distance

What motivates some people to go beyond the short walks that are so beneficial for mind, body and spirit, and instead trek for hundreds or even thousands of kilometres? And what preparation is needed for those who feel the urge to do the same?

What’s your song?

How to find your own tune and embrace those with contrasting melodies