The 20 best self-care gifts for Christmas, from slippers to essential oils to massagers

Whether you go for affordable luxury buys or true indulgence, you can’t go wrong with these presents for pampering, as chosen by our beauty expert

The missing midlife crisis: why 81% of millennials say they can’t afford one

This traditional period of inner turmoil is often accompanied by weight gain, cosmetic treatments, ill-advised purchases and new hobbies. But is it becoming a thing of the past?

The creatine conundrum: can it really help your muscles and your brain?

Long favoured by bodybuilders and other athletes, this supplement is breaking out into the mainstream, as study after study suggests a host of benefits for our minds as well as our bodies. Are there any caveats?

‘Narcissists – only more devious’: the truth about dark empaths

They seem sensitive and caring – but really they just want to manipulate you. So how do you recognise the danger signs?

‘I was doing a reverse Samson’: comedian Lloyd Griffith on having a hair transplant

For years, Lloyd Griffith had been worried about going bald. Finally, he took the plunge and had a hair transplant. Here, he describes the unexpectedly empowering result of tackling his fears

Heart attacks, diabetes, divorce: tackling the dangers faced by UK’s army of night workers

Night Club, which has helped more than 10,000 workers recover their physical and psychological wellbeing, now has four demands for Labour

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?