Next to me, on my desk, is a pile of about 50 books. Some of them I bought. Some I was given by friends. Some were sent by people I didn’t even know, who thought I might be interested in their work.

Have you ever wondered how some people see so much in what they read – whether they’re reading novels or stories, poems or plays, essays or memoirs, or something entirely different? One of the ...

What if, alongside scheduling appointments, meetings, and social events in your calendar, you started to allocate specific times just to be by yourself – to enjoy solitude? I propose this thought ...

When you feel low or fed up, it’s tempting to shut down and do very little. You might cancel activities and social events, and choose passive options instead, such as staying in bed or watching TV. It ...

You’re preparing for a big event: a presentation, say, or a tennis match or a piano recital. Your mind wanders, envisioning every possible outcome. But what do you imagine? Do you picture yourself in ...

My friend Greta gives the most amazing pep talks. She starts by asking you, ‘What’s the title of your pep talk?’ And after you tell her the title – anything from ‘You feel like you’re stagnating, but ...

Chicago’s roller rink skating regulars share incredible moves alongside words of wisdom in this vibrant short documentary ...

To be liked by others is often treated as a paramount aim. The quest for social approval begins in childhood, and it continues in a range of ways throughout the lifespan as people try to find their ...

‘Does this text message look OK?’ ‘I turned off the stove, right?’ ‘Should I be worried about this ache?’ ‘Do you think I’m doing the right thing?’ ‘Will you always love me?’ ‘Is everything going to ...

Chrysanthi Blithikioti is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of General Psychology at the University of Padova in Italy, specialising in psychology and neuroscience. Her work focuses on ...

Many people – approximately 10 per cent – will, at some point in their lives, have the experience commonly known as ‘hearing voices’. What does that mean, exactly? If this is something that happens to ...

A filmmaker takes a leap of faith when he decides to risk ridicule and make a serious film about UFO sightings ...