Move body and mind: five exercises to improve mental health, from twists to lunges

Combining ideas from therapy with physical activity can bring huge health benefits, say the therapists pioneering a holistic approach

Do you feel hopeless about humanity? Look for the good things – and build a bridge towards them

We all have the capacity for creativity and growth. Hold on to this potential when life seems bleak

‘75 hard’: the viral fitness challenge is back – but is it really the best way to spend January?

Do you yearn to do two workouts a day, eat healthily, eschew alcohol and commit to reading self-improvement books? If not, there are softer options ...

The anxiety secret: how the world’s leading life coach stopped living in fear

Famous for her work with Oprah Winfrey, Martha Beck is a bestselling author and self-help superstar. But for 60 years she was anxious and terrified - until she found a simple, uplifting answer

The man making a business out of China’s burnout generation

Li Jianxiong was a highflying marketing executive in Beijing until a breakdown sent him to the west on a wellness voyage of discovery – just as his peers were losing faith in the Chinese Dream

‘The only thing you need is your own mind’: how to start meditating

Meditation isn’t about perfectionism or blocking thoughts, experts say – the goal is to develop ‘a balanced awareness’

My new year resolution is to stop using one giant list in my Notes app for literally everything

We all know I’m not going to ‘get into hiking’ or ‘understand superannuation’ – but maybe I can destroy my swollen and lumbering digital memo once and for all

Take it from me, the queen of sleep – micro-naps will transform your life

These little wonders will give you a much-needed boost, and this is the perfect time to practice. Go on, you only need 10 minutes, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes

Banana bends and a well-timed coffee: 31 easy ways to jump-start your energy levels in the new year

From morning drinks to bedtime sounds – and don’t forget a mid-afternoon boogie – experts share tips to help you boost your energy levels

‘Why are my biceps so small?’ The boys and young men turning to steroids

A generation of young people are being raised on a vision of masculinity that glorifies muscular bodies. Performance and image enhancing drugs offer a quick – but potentially risky – way to achieve their goal

‘At 98, I wouldn’t be so sharp without puzzles’: do crosswords and quizzes really boost your brain power?

We’re told that they give us a mental workout, but the evidence suggests it’s a bit more complicated …

Do you lavish attention on others but rarely receive it? It’s time to get in touch with your own needs

Protecting yourself from the feelings that drive you may give you a sense of control – but it comes at a cost. Working through them allows you to lower your defences

Consuming arts and culture is good for health and wellbeing, research finds

Engaging with arts improves quality of life, increases productivity and creates financial ‘dividend’

‘Just do something you enjoy!’ Have official targets made exercise a chore – and happiness more elusive?

We all know roughly how many minutes we should be spending getting sweaty every week, thanks to repeated messages from national governments and the World Health Organization. When it comes to mental health, the picture is a lot less clear

Readers reply: When is laughter the best medicine?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts