‘Expect to see snake-like peeling’: 19 self-care treats for the perfect pick-me-up

From weighted blankets and de-puffing masks to sunrise alarm clocks, our self-care buys are sure to brighten your mood

‘The two of us book a karaoke room for an hour. It’s like tiramisu for the soul’ What’s on your dopamine menu?

From a ‘starter’ of dishing out compliments to a ‘dessert’ of smashing laptops in rage rooms, scientists and authors share 15 portion-sized ideas for a positivity boost

Hot flashes and mood swings: why perimenopausal symptoms get misdiagnosed – and how to treat them

Symptoms like insomnia, bloating and emotional shifts can occur before menopause begins, but they are often improperly addressed by doctors

Skin is in: as sales of thong bikinis rise, is body confidence also growing?

A Sydney council’s ban on ‘inappropriate’ swimwear stirs a wider debate over complex feelings about women’s bottoms

The bedding buying guide: everything you need to know, from Egyptian cotton to thread count and washing rules

Is Egyptian cotton the holy grail? Should you be buying bamboo? Will silk save your hair? We asked the experts

Wake-up call: six ways to change your attitude to insomnia

Waking up at night is natural and even beneficial, so we should embrace insomnia and learn to enjoy it

As an agony aunt, I know the biggest cause of unhappiness: other people. Here’s the secret to better relationships

Looking back through her post bag, Observer Magazine’s Philippa Perry answers her readers most commonly asked question: why are other people so awful?

Women in the UK: share your experiences of expressing breast milk in the workplace

We’d like to hear from women about how easy – or difficult – it has been recently to express milk at work. How supportive has your employer been?

The kindness of strangers: I had a fear of flying – and as the plane shook and plummeted, she held my hand

We gripped each other tightly for 75 minutes, her lost in anguish, me in a state of panic

The best treadmills for your home: up your indoor miles with our runner-approved picks

Whether you’re chasing folding treadmills or gym quality on a budget, our top-rated running machines will accelerate your training

UK women who suffer miscarriage should get two weeks’ paid leave, MPs say

Government urged to introduce universal right of bereavement leave as ‘time to grieve’ early pregnancy loss

Stuck in the middle: advice on bringing up babies and caring for your parents

Believe it or not, you know more about babies than you think – and try to have fun with your mum and dad. Advice from the experts for the ‘sandwich generation’

Winter running gear: our top training essentials to help you conquer the cold

Bundle up and break a sweat with these winter running accessories, from base layers and gloves to waterproof jackets

‘Resolutionaries’ v gym rats: why fitness fanatics hate the crowded gyms of January

At the start of the year, many people embark on a new workout programme – leaving regular exercisers longing for Quitter’s Day

66 days to quit Pepsi Max: ‘Of course, there is a lot of misery’

From four cans a day to zero. Can Jackson Ryan last more than nine weeks without his favourite sugar-free cola?