Remote islands free the imagination – but they also stir up fear

Bestselling author Paula Hawkins set her new book on a fictional tidal island. Here she examines the power and appeal of islands

How to check a hot-water bottle’s age, and other ways to stay safe and warm

Some dos and don’ts when it comes to portable heaters, electric blankets and real fires in winter

Gifts for fitness fans: what to give gym and yoga bunnies this Christmas

Whether it’s a foldable cycling helmet or a cold water plunge pool for the garden, we’ve found something for every activity

‘My upper arms are like jelly’: can I learn to love weightlifting in six weeks?

It builds muscle mass, improves bone density and is good for your heart, mood and sleep. But how easy is it to get started at 49, when you haven’t entered a gym for decades?

Should you make your bed in the morning? Why some doctors say no

Medically minded social media influencers have been encouraging people to leave their bed linen dishevelled – and all because of the humble dust mite

I haven’t had sex with my husband for three years – and I’m ready to look elsewhere

It’s not that I want anyone else, but I just can’t wait. I really miss the fabulous sex life we used to have together

It’s taken me 20 years, but I’ve finally updated my to-do list

Enough is enough. It’s time to stop worrying about James Dyson, Victoria’s Secret and Jilly Cooper, writes Zoe Williams

Exercise in a pill: have scientists really found a drug that’s as good for you as a 10km run?

Just how excited should we be about LaKe, the substance discovered by researchers at Denmark’s Aarhus University?

Is it true that … the blue light from night-time scrolling can stop you sleeping?

We often blame our phone’s glare for finding it difficult to fall asleep. But our expert thinks things are more complicated

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