The ecology of calm: how nature restores a tired mind

You don’t need to summit a mountain or swim the English Channel to reap the benefits of nature. Sometimes, just being near trees, water, or even a park can make all the difference to how we feel – and perhaps even how much pain we’re able to endure

To mark our 40th birthday, we launched a landmark survey investigating how nature affects mental wellbeing. Is pottering around outside better than pounding the treadmill at the g ym? Is a walk in the park as good as weeding your garden? Which British flower is the best mood-booster? The results are in…

All this month’s best buys, news and must-know health and wellbeing tips

Can’t we avoid the harsh realities for a while, and just bask in the sweetness of summer, pleads Kate Townshend

PSYCHOLOGIST NICOLA JANE HOBBS SAYS WOMEN ARE TIRED AND BURNED OUT – BECAUSE WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN TOLD THAT WE CAN NEVER DO OR BE ENOUGH. HER CURE? GETTING THE RIGHT KIND OF R&R. MARIANNE POWER TRIES IT

WE OFTEN IMAGINE conservation unfolding in wild, far-flung landscapes, not in the middle of bustling cities. Urban environments can seem like the end of the road for nature, where even the trees appea