Innehållsförteckning för June 2020 från Psychologies

We have created a wonderful ‘Psychologies’ Connected Community group on Facebook to spread kindness, not fear. Join us and feel the love, humour and camaraderie. ‘Psychologies’ is the  UK’s biggest and bestselling mindful living magazine and the ‘Psychologies’ Connected Community group aims to support and connect all our readers, their friends and family throughout this difficult time. JOIN US! • Daily inspirational and uplifting content • 1pm live broadcasts with top experts, columnists, coaches and therapists • How to homeschool your kids and stay sane • How to create positive, healthy and happy habits in uncertain and unsettling times • Learn to be resilient, resourceful and courageous • Take the opportunity to connect with the Psychologies team and our amazing ambassadors • Access free online events, courses and webinars •…

‘The mind is amazing. We can all rebuild ourselves after trauma, be it a bad relationship, divorce or redundancy,’ says our cover star, Katie Piper. She survived rape, an acid attack, PTSD and countless operations to become an author, TV presenter, podcaster and founder of a charity for burn victims. We’re so impressed by how she walks the talk, we invited her to write a column about resilience for us from next month. From building inner strength to simplifying our lives (see our Dossier on page 48, in which I write about my epic declutter when I moved from a three-bedroom house to a canal boat), we’re focusing on what’s truly important. Mostly, it’s all about love. Rachel Garnett makes us laugh with her innovative plans to reconnect with her…

@LJR_eidyia: Good advice for anyone negotiating #WFH with their significant other in the problem pages of the Spring @PsychologiesMag @jay_virdee: Just browsing through an old @PsychologiesMag and came across this great #quote for the present situation: ‘Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.’ @Mell_Del: After a mentally tough week in lockdown, I’m making sure I switch off from work this weekend. Morning meditation and yoga complete, it’s time for @PsychologiesMag, followed by comfort reading Harry Potter. #gratitude RIGHT @_abhatiyoga_: I love being an eco panellist for #Psychologies RealEco. It is such a great initiative, shining a light on the brilliant companies creating beautiful eco-conscious products that balance ethics, style and general gorgeousness. And, it’s…

For writer Melissa Mayntz, birds have always been a source of wonder – be that in her garden or further afield. She says: ‘Humans have been fascinated by bird migration for more than 3,000 years. It is part of ancient Polynesian legends and was studied by Greek and Roman scholars. Even today, migration continues to be a mysterious and stunning spectacle.’ Her new book, Migration (Quadrille, £12), explores how birds make these incredible expeditions, such as the common emu (pictured), which undertakes the longest migration for a flightless species. ‘The more we explore migration, the more we will learn about how birds accomplish this amazing feat and how we can help them on their remarkable journeys. Together, let’s fly.’ “ If you were born without wings, do ” nothing to…

HAPPINESS is the most desired, and often elusive, state of being for humans. But how do you know what will make you feel truly content? One overlooked approach is to ask yourself: ‘How do I want to feel in life?’, then tweak your lifestyle to create moments that will enable you to experience those feelings. If you want to feel decadent, try reading in bed in the middle of the day; if you’re longing for adventure, wake up at dawn to experience the sunrise. Remember, happiness is not out there, it’s inside you. Join Kia Cannons for our weekly ‘Do What You Love’ video series and more happy hacks at lifelabs.psychologies.co.uk. Life Labs is a blogging platform where world-class experts write about everything from productivity and work-life balance to improving…

We’ve all done it. We’re browsing online and come across something  or upsets us; or someone we know posts something that unsettles us. We may find ourselves revisiting the content, unsure why it has affected us so badly or questioning its place online. These feelings can be hard to shake, but can they cause real harm? To find out, I spoke to UKCP psychotherapist Catherine Knibbs about the phenomenon known as cyber trauma. Therapist Catherine Knibbs explains how cyber trauma can affect us in a unique way Cyber trauma is distress that is experienced through digital communications, such as instant messaging, social media and browsing the internet. It might be caused by cyber bullying, seeing a shocking image, reading an upsetting email or any number of sources. Part of the…

1 Although it’s not as simple as ‘just turn it off’ or ‘don’t look’, try to be conscious of the platforms you use, how often you use them and what activities or content you engage with online. 2 Try to stay mindful when you use digital media, and regularly check in with your mood and how you are feeling in your body. 3 Make your time online purposeful. Focus on the task you want to complete or the information you seek. Try to avoid being distracted and clicking on unhelpful material in which you get lost and that makes you feel bad. 4 Use settings that allow you to limit your time on certain websites or simply remind you to put down your phone. 5 Psychotherapy can help…

One of the things I used to dread was being the new girl in the office – in the kitchen making coffee while the in-crowd chatted about the weekend. I worried that I wasn’t good enough or smart enough and, if I was asked a question, panic would set in – I’d flail for something to say while trying to look cool. At school, I was best friends with Kate and Cathy… We were a trio, until we had to walk across the road in twos, and guess who was left out? And the feeling of being an outcast has continued. But I’ve always been the outsider – from school days to office life, and back to the school gate as a parent. Or is that the story I have…

Last summer, I scaled down from a roomy three-bedroom cottage in Sussex, with a garden and shed, to a 46-foot by six-foot canal boat in a London dock. My son had just finished his GCSEs and had been offered a place at a sixth form in the city that specialised in his passion, film. From our Sussex home, it would have meant an exhausting four-hour daily commute for him. I am a single parent, my son is the most important person in my life and I wanted to support him. I also realised that I only had a couple of years left before he moves out, and I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before he flies the nest. The only way I could afford to…

1 You intend to make changes as soon as you: ♥ Have ticked off your next goal ◆ Have got through this busy period • Are feeling a bit more secure ■ Know what you want to do next 2 Life feels better when you’re: ■ Being creative ♥ Achieving ◆◊ In control • Calm 3 Your thinking time is often taken up by your: ♥ List of things to do next ◆ Daily to-do list • Fears and worries list ■ Bucket list 4 Which of these is most likely to cause you stress? ■ Feeling stuck in a routine • Feeling out of your comfort zone ◆ Feeling rushed all the time ♥ Feeling like you’re treading water 5 A simpler life would make you more: ♥ Relaxed…

This month, our Real Eco panel of readers has been taste-testing sustainable coffee. These winning independent companies help you wave goodbye to plastic packaging and wasteful pods, while still enjoying your cup of java. Our winning Eco Champion, Percol, ticks all the boxes and has been a firm favourite in our household for a while. Have you tried one of these? Or is there a green brand you want to shout about that impressed you? Let me know @Ellen_Tout with #PsychologiesRealEco and read more reviews at psychologies. co.uk/real-eco. Enjoy!…

‘In Japanese, rei means ‘‘spirit” or ‘‘soul”, and ki means ‘‘the energy of the universe”. By placing your hands over the body to share the unseen life-force energy, you use reiki to heal, reduce stress and increase relaxation,’ writes Jasmin Harsono in her book Self-Reiki. ‘The power of touch is as ancient as humanity,’ shares Harsono. ‘Start by placing your palms together, breathe deeply into your abdomen and close your eyes. Connect with reiki (universal energy) and wait to sense it in your hands. If you don’t feel anything, trust that it is present. Place your palms over, or lightly touch, the area that may need healing; spend at least five minutes in this position, noticing any changes in how you feel. To finish, thank reiki.’…

When we face challenging times, eating well, exercising in a way that we love and looking after our emotional wellbeing are even more important – but we also need to attend to the health of the soul. The word ‘soul’ can refer to the spiritual part of us, but also to the emotional or intellectual energy and intensity behind our daily creations or our life’s work. If something has ‘soul’, we know it’s come from the best part of us and that we’re on the right track. Whatever our lifestyle and beliefs, our soul can be looked at as our energetic driver; the essence deep inside us that we can use to weigh what’s right for us at any moment. And it flourishes when we nourish it. To feed our…

Lucy Griffiths Coach and journalist Lucy is a coach and journalist who helps people get the confidence to find their voice. A self-confessed introvert, she was a TV news reporter for 20 years before training as a Barefoot coach, and combines her coaching skills with her expertise in ‘becoming visible’. Read her column on page 45 and learn ‘put yourself out there when you really want to hide’. Lucy says: ‘My column will give introverts the success strategies to navigate an extrovert’s world.’ Gaëlle Berruel Motivational speaker and Psychologies ambassador Gaëlle is a mindset mentor and fear expert. She is founder of the wellness consultancy A Rockstar Mindset, which helps entrepreneurs to ‘become the rock star of their life’. She is also a Psychologies ambassador and contributes to our blogging…

WELCOMING COMMITTEE I cannot thank Psychologies enough. I’m soon moving from the US to the UK and I am quite anxious about the big change. The anxiety has been making me feel easily irritated and depressed, but whenever I open Psychologies, it offers me so many great articles about building a positive mindset, including mindfulness, joy and bravery. It is consoling me and also giving me positive images of the UK. I can’t wait to subscribe to the magazine as soon as I get an address! Thank you. Get your weekly fix! WANT MORE INSPIRATION, PERSONALITY TESTS AND INVITATIONS TO LIFE-CHANGING EVENTS? SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER – DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX! GO TO bit.ly/2KN0B8z…

WE LIVE NEAR MACCLESFIELD FOREST and enjoy going there at weekends as a family to regroup and ground ourselves again. We planned a night walk and were blessed with a crisp, cold evening. The sky was littered with stars. I’m so grateful that we can do this together and have these incredible experiences in nature. Jenni WOULD YOU LIKE to showcase your photographic talent in ‘Psychologies’? What moment has made you feel inspired, grateful or moved this month? Capture it and tell us why. We’ll print the winner, plus you’ll receive a free copy of our latest bookazine, ‘Find Your Calm’, worth £6.99. Share your photograph with us and explain its inspiration on Instagram @psychologiesmagazine with the hashtag #PsychologiesPhoto, or email it to letters@psychologies.co.uk…

• Kindness, generosity and caring are important, and can help both partners overlook insignificant mistakes or minor irritations that exists in all relationships. • Give and take carries weight in a relationship. If your partner cooks dinner, do the washing-up afterwards. • Allow each other time out to wind down and relax. Everyone needs time alone – it doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t love you. • Remembering your past can sweeten your future. My husband uses a picture of our long-ago wedding as his screensaver. It’s touching and makes me feel loved. counsellingandpsychotherapy.me.uk…

• TheUK Council for Psychotherapy(UKCP) is the leading research, innovation, educational and  regulatory body working to advance psychotherapy for the benefit of all. We have a register of more than 8,000 individual members, who offer a range of therapy approaches for couples, individuals, families and groups. We also have more than 70 training and accrediting organisations for those who wish to become psychotherapists. • To find the right therapist for you, or learn how to become a therapist, visit psychotherapy.org.uk…

MARY FENWICK is a writer, speaker and executive coach; she’s also a mother, divorcee and widow. GOT A QUESTION FOR MARY? Email mary@psychologies.co.uk, with ‘MARY’ in the subject line. FOR MORE about her one-to-one work and speaking, and to sign up for her free guide, ‘Reframe, reconnect and resources – top 3 tips for approaching a problem’, go to maryfenwick.com Q How do I know if I am ready for – or even want – a baby? It is such a massive step, and a huge life change. What if I regret it? What if I ruin my life – and the child’s? I look at friends with children and they seem permanently exhausted. I am 34 and have been with my partner for five years, and he is keen…

PEOPLE-PLEASING AUDIT • Make a list of the people who treat you with respect and those who take advantage of you. • Make a note of when and with whom you can assert your boundaries. • What are the costs and the benefits of your people-pleasing behaviour? • Answer this question: What do I believe will happen if I say no? ASSERTIVENESS TECHNIQUES Assertiveness is about the right to be treated with equal respect. It’s about learning what is fair and balancing your own rights, wants and needs with those of others. Here are some techniques to help you practise assertiveness: • Trust your gut – being assertive is about developing the habit of noticing your feelings and responses. • Don’t explain or apologise excessively when refusing a request or…

The ‘Psychologies’- endorsed ‘Find a coach’ directory, with Barefoot  Coaching, provides a choice of top coaches, all with postgraduate training accredited by the University of Chester and the International Coach Federation. Find a coach who suits you to help you navigate and transform your life – in the areas of money, work, relationships, parenting, health and leadership. ASK THE EXPERT… Amy Sinacola is on a mission to help women let go of their Superwoman capes and find their feet. She assists a woman who seeks fulfilment as a single person Q I broke up with my partner of 17 years a few months ago, and now that the initial heartbreak has passed, I face an unknown future as a single woman. I think I’m OK with that, but I know…

IF YOU SCORED MAINLY ♥ Psychological It’s great to set high standards and try to reach your full potential – but if your endless striving to be the best creates constant, low-level stress, it’s time for a rethink. The trouble with getting stuck on an achievement treadmill is that you never get to feel as if you, or your life, are enough. Self-acceptance starts with swapping extrinsic values and aspirations, such as popularity, financial success and image, for intrinsic values, such as being kind. Simplifying our lives and doing less does not have to come at the expense of success. By prioritising activities you want to do, while letting go of others, you may even be able to achieve more by doing less. Start by making a list of things…

• RUBIES IN THE RUBBLE make sauces from food waste. This natural ketchup is produced from rescued tomatoes and pears. Rubies in the Rubble ketchup, £3.50, rubiesintherubble.com • THIS VERMOUTH is made from cascara, the fruit left over when coffee beans are harvested. The brand also makes banana peel rum. Discarded Cascara vermouth, £19, waitrose.com • PUKKA’S teabags are organic and compostable, while the envelope wrap and box are now both plastic-free and recyclable. Mint Refresh tea, £2.49, pukkaherbs.com • CONSCIOUS CHOCOLATE is vegan-friendly, organic and plastic-free. I love this chocolate because it is raw but still so smooth. Orange & Tangerine bar, £1.99, consciouschocolate.com • THIS CERTIFIED ORGANIC and vegan oat milk is designed to bring cafe-quality crema to your kitchen. Great for alternative lattes. Minor Figures Oat M*lk,…

upcirclebeauty. STAR OF THE GLOW In a world that feels disrupted, our skin can mirror the imbalances we experience. The iris plant is highly adaptable, growing in conditions that are extremely dry or wet, which is why it’s been chosen as a star natural ingredient in Weleda’s Iris Moisture Balancing range. It helps restore the skin's moisture levels, promoting radiance and resilience. “Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realise that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge”ECKHART TOLLE Cultivate compassion Lately, I have been repeating my favourite Sanskrit yoga mantra,‘Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu', which means: ‘May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my life contribute in some way to happiness and…

Vajrapradama mudra UNSHAKEABLE TRUST HAND GESTURE Use this signal while meditating, as a power pose before practice, or during a mindful moment. Invoking this mudra restores our faith in something greater during times when our inner stillness wavers. • SIT OR STAND and allow your body to relax into a comfortable yet alert al posture. • BRING YOUR HANDS to your heart, palms touching. Now interlace in your fingers. • OPEN YOUR PALMS to face your chest, thumbs pointing upwards. • LOOSEN THE INTERLACE . of your fingers so that they a cross protein at the finger boost joints rather than the knuckles. • BREATHE AND FOCUS or meditate on the intentions this mudra embodies or of self-confidence, inner strength and faith in something greater than you – be that…

“Why do you go away? so that you can come back. so that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours” TERRY PRATCHETT Adventures don’t need to be faraway, they can be enjoyed in your back garden. This book has innovative suggestions for adventurous times at home: ‘Sleep outside one evening,’ writes Reid. ‘Reset your natural rhythms by going to bed as twilight falls, letting the dimming light pull you into sleep, waking as the natural world wakes… Or recall the kitchen experiments of childhood such as the baking soda and vinegar volcano.’ What else can you try?…

1 Alice In Wanderland Alice Morrison has opened my eyes to the beauty of Morocco and how you can go and live anywhere as a single woman. She grew up in Scotland with adventurous parents, worked in senior positions at the BBC and now lives in a remote village at the foot of the Atlas Mountains.She is a fully fledged adventurer, undertaking ultra marathons and long walks with camels. Listen and be transported. 2 The Outdoors Fix I love the practical approach to doing adventurous things in Liv Bolton’s podcast. Bolton interviews people who’ve taken a different path and gone off hiking, wild camping, rock climbing, cycling, skiing and wild swimming to pursue their dreams. She’s not shy about asking about finances or how it feels to choose a race…

• Acclaimed intuitive healer Fiona Arrigo is offering a free weekly sanctuary at 10am every Sunday to offer support and guidance to those who wish to connect and find peace. • Fiona shares esoteric wisdom and practical guidance to support rest, reflection, grounded teachings and interactive dialogue. • Fiona believes this is an opportune time to explore ourselves deeply, find calm and cultivate new ways of being; to work together as we pass through this period, which is having a profound impact on many people’s lives in many different ways. • The group meets via Zoom and the session begins with a short guided meditation, followed by Fiona sharing her thoughts and blessings. Participants are then invited to share if they choose, and the sanctuary will close with another gratitude…

‘There is no love sincerer than the love of food,’ said George Bernard Shaw, reminding us of one of life’s simple pleasures. On quieter days when the sun is shining, there is time to prepare dishes we love, uncomplicated or more inventive, and show greater appreciation of the food we share, indoors and out. Make mealtimes a celebration; use your best tableware and play background music or, better still, dine al fresco. Whatever feels special for you, let’s set the scene for fine dining in the comfort of home.…

1 Writers & Lovers By Lily King (Pan Macmillan, £14.99) Casey is blindsided by the loss of her mother,her debts are stratospheric and her heart is broken after a failed romance with a poet.She’s giving up on love,but not on her dream to be a writer.Then along comes Silas,with a broken-toothed smile and a kind heart,followed by widowed Oscar,who has two little boys and a successful career.But who will she choose? Romantic,funny and with wittily wicked observations on writers,readers and lovers,this is a gorgeous,life-affirming read. 2 When The Lights Go Out By Carys Bray (Cornerstone, £14.99) Emma and Chris have weathered redundancy, bereavement and broken dreams but,as the rain pours down,Chris’s obsession with the climate crisis is set to scupper all they hold dear.He stockpiles food and turns off…

PSYCHOLOGIES FRANCE Editor-in-Chief: Laurence Folléa PSYCHOLOGIES ROMANIA Ringier Magazines, 6 Dimitri Pompeiu Street, Bucharest. Tel: +40 212 03 08 00. Managing Director: Mihnea Vasiliu (mihnea.vasiliu@ringier.ro) Editor-in-Chief: Iuliana Alexa (iuliana. alexa@ringier.ro) Advertising Manager: Monica Pop (monica.pop@ringier.ro) PSYCHOLOGIES BELGIUM Edition Ventures, Chaussée de Louvain 431D, 1830 Lasne. Tel: + 32 2 379 29 90 Editorial Director: Marie-Christine De Wasseige (mc.dewasseige@ventures. be ) Chief editor (French): Christiane Thiry (christiane.thiry@ventures.be) Chief editor (Flemish): Barbara Van den Abeele (b.vandenabeele@ventures.be) Advertising Manager: Manoëlle Sepulchre (manoelle.sepulchre@ventures.be) PSYCHOLOGIES RUSSIA Hearst Shkulev Media, Psychologies Russia, 31 b Shabolovkaya Street, Moscow 115162. Tel: +7 495 981 39 10 President: Viktor Shkulev (vshkulev@hsmedia.ru) Editor-in-Chief: Xsenia Kiseleva (xkiseleva@hsmedia.ru) Publisher and Advertising Manager: Ekatarina Kerova (ekerova@hsmedia.ru)…

I was thrilled to see that you opened The Fix pages of the April issue with a paragraph about fierce mythological women. It is fabulous to see strong women celebrated in mythology, when in our culture we typically read fairy tales in which women and girls are warned about straying from the path laid by men (Little Red Riding Hood), and in which their ambition is to marry a man in order to be saved from their situation (Cinderella). I’ll certainly be buying Kate Hodges book about these women. ‘Warriors, Witches, Women’ by Kate Hodges (White Lion Publishing, £18.99)…

My ex-husband, It’s taken me a long time to pen this letter to you, and so much has happened in my life. I’m writing to say thank you for the most precious gift anyone could ever have given me – my daughter. You left in such a hurry while she was still in my belly that I struggled to come to terms with what had happened. I was so angry and hurt by your actions that I missed what was most important in all of it – our little girl. She’s almost a teenager now and, although progress is slow, I’m glad you are making an effort to visit her. Even if we are separated by an ocean, you are always welcome here. So many of her traits – both…

WHAT WILL OUR WORLD look like in 2072? A new zeitgeist novel by emerging writer Kate A Hardy imagines just this. The ‘dyst-hopian’ tale is recounted by feisty protagonist Hoxton, as she learns to navigate her new and changing land following a huge global event. Fantastical yet believable, it also shares hopeful messages for the future about how we can live more simply and create less waste – repurposing and reusing, growing food and foraging; less immersed in screens, and more connected to ourselves, each other and nature. Worried about the planet? Our Real Eco section of the magazine, from page 65, is packed with information and advice. In Ellen Tout’s Eco Worrier column on page 69, she writes about food banks and community fridges. For more, go to psychologies.…

1 Don’t live in the past. Take each day as it comes and focus on the future. 2 Surround yourself with good friends and family, because they will bring you up when you are feeling down. 3 Don’t let a bad day turn into a bad week – accept any difficulties and move on. Don’t get stuck in a rut. You have the power to change anything in your life. 4 Ask for help if you need it. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed at times, but don’t let pride stand in the way of getting the help you need and deserve. 5 Focus on the positives. It can sometimes seem impossible, but try not to let the negatives overpower you, and make sure you celebrate the small wins in life.…

MY MOVE INTO psychotherapy was born out of a need to help my kids through a difficult divorce. I realised that services for children were overwhelmed and did not have the capacity, reso urces and mechanisms to assist us adequately through the trauma of a family break-up. I wanted to be an advocate for children after witnessing the process of divorce through family courts. There was an absence of the child’s voice, from an evidence-based approach. As a single parent, I needed to work while retraining so, after completing my A levels and a psychology degree while my children were at secondary school, I worked in computing while training further as a psychotherapist. I am now a clinical and doctoral researcher, specialising in child and adult trauma. catherineknibbs.co.uk…

Family is a core value for me. I am from a big family and we’re close and passionate. We’re like an Italian mobster family in a gangster film, but without the crime and violence! I grew up surrounded by strong women. My grandmas, mum, sister, aunties – they’re all formidable, hard-working and loving, and also party animals. They’ve taught me that there’s nothing that can’t be fixed by getting together with family and remembering what really matters. I still live in Manchester even though a lot of my work is in London and that’s because I want to be around my family. It means a lot of commuting and staying in hotels, but having that grounding is important to me. I had to learn to slow down. I was a…

Psychologies’ partnership with Barefoot Coaching  gives you the tools to find a coach who meets your needs. Barefoot Coaching has been at the forefront of coaching and coach training for 25 years. It has a proven track record as a provider of high-level coaching and coach training to organisations and senior executives, nationally and internationally. Train as a coach with Barefoot Coaching The Barefoot Coaching International Coach Federation- accredited Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching is one of the most well-established coach training courses in the UK. Barefoot runs regular, free introductions to coach training throughout the year. Visit barefootcoaching. co.uk/taster-mornings to book.…

We’re working with ‘coach of the month’ Yasmine Diba, who has devised the course ‘Clutter and chaos: 4 steps towards clarity’. Take charge of the clutter in your life and create simplicity and calm in your spaces and mind. Discover how clutter represents your past and learn how to allow yourself to flourish in the here and now. Subscribe to ‘Psychologies’ (see below) to take this course, access all our other programmes, masterclasses and broadcasts, plus join our nurturing online community.…

“You’d have to prise some possessions from my cold, lifeless hands before I’d let them go” Yes, I like to keep things. Not just anything – I’m not a hoarder type who lines up empty yoghurt pots by the dozen, or buys a pair of shoes every week to feel validated, but I do think that decluttering is overrated. Simplifying your surroundings so you no longer have anywhere comfortable to sit does not make you a better person. For me, it just gives me some space… to fill with more things. Of course, a clear-out every so often can help you feel lighter, perhaps more positive and ready to move on from difficulty if you’re going through a tough patch. But it isn’t the answer to your situation. It’s not…

We’re wild about this Voted the winner of our Readers’ Choice award, this coffee supports the RSPB and is organic, vegan-friendly and shade-grown, which means it helps protect the rainforest and its native species. It’s not yet plastic-free but is a delicious, eco-conscious choice, and it’s not too strong either. • Bird & Wild RSPB coffee, £4.99, birdandwild.co.uk “Lovely and smooth with a subtle dark chocolate taste ”ROS, reader panellist, East Sussex Climate neutral We love our award-winning Eco Champion, Percol. What’s more, packaging is plastic-free and at-home compostable. The coffee is tasty, organic and Fairtrade, plus Percol is a Climate Neutral company. • Percol ground coffee, £4.75, percol.co.uk “Ethical and affordable! I love it”LAURA, reader panellist, Surrey Original source Café Direct is a certified B Corporation and reinvests its…

THAT’S WHYEACH product is carefully scrutinised by our Eco Living Editor Ellen Tout to ensure it meets our standards. The chosen products are then tested by our panel of 25 discerning readers to be rated and reviewed.We will only ever include brands we really trust – if it doesn’t match up, it’s not getting in! Cuts out plastic Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free Natural and organic Sustainable and ethical Shows real care for the planet…

One thing I know for sure is that, in dark times, compassion is our superpower. You may have heard this before, but let me elaborate… A style of mindfulness meditation called loving kindness has been scientifically proven to reduce our stress response. In fact, in just eight weeks, those who practise loving kindness meditation experience less distress than those who don’t; it has the power to increase positive emotions and lead to stronger relationships over time. Let’s lift ourselves up with loving kindness and find a better way to navigate our way through adversity. Psychologies Wellness Director, mindfulness expert and yoga teacher…

Research** shows that meat eaters have a higher risk of developing dementia than vegetarians.† On the other hand, vegetarians have more chance of being deficient in vitamin B12, which can cause cognitive problems and dementia. Eating fish could reduce that risk; a study†† found that a pescatarian diet resulted in higher cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients than a vegetarian diet. Whatever your meal choice, more fruit and vegetables can’t hurt!…

DISCOVER ANCIENT HEALING Soul Adventures, Ibiza Based at a lovely property in the hills overlooking the sea in the north of the island, the exquisite five-day ‘Soul Medicine’ kundalini yoga and healing retreat is a signature programme led by Trish Whelan. Trish has been running Soul Adventures retreats since 2013, and you can expect to find healing on a deep soul level during your five fabulous days. Review queenofretreats.com/retreats/soul-adventures-ibiza • souladventures.co.uk NATURE LEADS THE WAY Mountain Beach Fitness Retreats, Switzerland The healing power of the landscape has always been evident. These dynamic retreats are centred around mountains and beaches – two wonders of nature that have a humbling effect on our souls. Following a difficult time of worry and isolation, let the landscape restore you, along with workouts and bespoke…

Cooking for your nearest and dearest, and that includes yourself, is an act of love and, since staying in is the new going out, let’s make the most of our trusted store-cupboard ingredients – with a few lovely fresh additions – and put the excitement, and heart, back into mealtimes. In Katherine Bebo’s new cookbook, Big Night In: Delicious Themed Menus To Cook & Eat At Home (Ryland, Peters & Small, £14.99), you’ll find date-night inspiration from around the world, as well as hearty family feasts and something a little different for the children, such as ‘Chorizo and bean burgers’, ‘Springtime apple slaw’ and ‘Homemade root beer’, for a memorable picnic in the garden enjoying the spring sunshine. In the mood for Turkish or Middle Eastern? Try fresh breads with…

Jo Allison is passionate about cooking simple family food with ingredients from her pantry. Her meals are easy, quick and nutritious, and she favours seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.At joskitchenlarder.com, she shares recipes for wholesome, tasty dishes without faddy, hard-to-find ingredients. Try Jo’s ‘Vegan chilli sin carne’ or her hearty ‘Butternut squash macaroni cheese’. If you fancy baking, her gently spiced ‘Dorset apple cake traybake’ looks divine!…

“Rather than being disheantened by the uncertainty of life, what if we accepted it and relaxed into it? What if this what it means to be human and we decided to sit down and enjoy the ride” Pema Chödrön is our favourite wise woman. Beloved Buddhist teacher, author, nun and mother, she has inspired millions of people around the world who have been touched by her example and message of practising peace in these turbulent times. The Pema Chödrön Foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing Pema’s inspiration and teachings in order that they might help us all awaken wisdom and compassion in ourselves and the world around us. pemachodronfoundation.org To buy her books, go to shambhala.com; bookdepository.com; betterworldbooks.com…