‘You go to a job and it’s absolutely alive with rats or bedbugs’: on the road with a pest controller

It’s boom time in the world of extermination. With rodents rampaging through hospitals and bedbug infestations up 65%, one seasoned pro has never been busier. Our writer tags along to find out why

A dinner party for dead guests serves up surprising connections

My friends came to a silent supper with their dead friends and relatives so that we could grieve our loved ones together

Want to live to 116? The secret to longevity is less complicated than you think

Good humour, a positive outlook and staying away from toxic people is more important than genes, ice baths or spartan diets

‘A call to action to love ourselves’: how women in their 50s can leave the shadows

As roles and circumstances change, women in their 50s can look inwards and find a deep acceptance of themselves

Should I worry about my clicking joints – and stop cracking my knuckles?

Our knees, shoulders, necks and hands make all sorts of pops and clicks. Sometimes we even encourage them. But is this the sound of damage being done?

How Roger Deakin’s love of water inspired me

The great nature writer and outdoor swimmer has been a huge inspiration to many with his focus on ponds, lakes and rivers

Addiction to ultra-processed food affects 14% of adults globally, experts say

Report’s authors also estimate about 12% of children hooked and call for further research into problem

The new hot spot: why we’re all falling for the warm embrace of the sauna

I travelled to Nordic forests and windswept archipelagos to understand the health benefits of the sauna – no wonder it’s becoming popular in the UK

The truth about wrinkles: what are they – and what do they really say about our skin?

The human face shows the most visible signs of ageing – from frown lines to crows’ feet. But some scientists suspect wrinkles could also be driving the ageing process

‘I steer away from sugars, and most of all stress’: how six experts look after their own skin

Dermatologists reveal their daily routines, which products they use on themselves and why they avoid soap