How can you regain your appetite for life? Slow down a little – and savour everything

We use all sorts of things to escape our own minds, from TV to drugs, sex and Instagram. But satisfaction comes when we give ourselves time to digest our surroundings and experiences, writes Moya Sarner

Why discovering your ancestral roots can help you to truly feel like yourself

Since the age of six Greta Solomon knew she was a writer, but gained a richer sense of self when she discovered her ancestors were gifted storytellers too

‘They remind me there’s a life after cancer’: how paintings in NHS hospitals help patients feel better

Feedback on the benefits of displaying pictures on wards, now gathered in a new book, is backed by scientific studies

The experts: dentists on 22 quick, easy ways to care for your teeth

When’s the best time to use mouthwash? Are interdental brushes better than floss? And should you scrape your tongue? Here’s the full lowdown on how to avoid decay and protect your gums

Intermittent weekend exercise has same brain benefits as regular workouts, study finds

Research reveals positive cognitive health impacts of exercising once or twice a week are much the same as exercising more often

Miscarriages due to climate crisis a ‘blind spot’ in action plans – report

The harm to babies and mothers is one of the warnings being sent to Cop29 decision-makers by leading scientists

Is white pasta bad for you?

It was lauded in the low-fat era, then demonised during the low-carb craze. Plenty of alternatives exist, but what is the healthiest, tastiest, most affordable way forward?

‘It was wickedly painful. And transformative’: a tribute to all the women who ever waxed my back

In a culture that venerates grooming, I always felt self-conscious about my body hair. But intimate encounters with a series of beauticians helped me see life differently

‘A self-care date night’: gen Z and millennials embrace the pleasures of dining alone

Attitudes have changed after the Covid pandemic and solo dining is up by 14% in the UK, according to OpenTable