Having said that, sometimes it’s extremely helpful to be reminded what a “sensible person” might make of any given question. Psychology underpins everything we do, determining the decisions we make, the relationships we build, the roles we play and the places we live, and our behaviour is further influenced by the changing seasons, encouraging many of us to fall into unhelpful patterns again and again each year. Intellectual challenges: Engage in activities that challenge your thinking, such as puzzles, brain games, or learning a new language. Consultant clinical psychologist Dr Lucy Maddox explains how psychological processes thread through our lives, pinpointing those issues most frequently encountered in each month, and shows us how by reflecting upon past experiences, both joyful and painful, and considering evidence-based ideas from the realm of psychology, we can learn to live a more thoughtful, positive life that better prepares us for the future.

A Year to Change Your Mind was written during the pandemic and is suffused with an air of staying calm while the world is having a freakout. Corvus Atlantic’s commercial fiction list which includes women’s, historical, romance, sci-fi, crime and thriller. And while we’re on this point, it can be infuriating to read accounts of extraordinarily cruel animal experiments whose results are so blindingly obvious they hardly merit testing. Gratitude rituals: Develop gratitude rituals, such as saying grace before meals or expressing gratitude before bedtime. Boundaries: Establish healthy boundaries to protect your mental wellbeing and maintain balanced relationships.

If I have a criticism of the book, it’s that it contains little of the counterintuitive thinking that makes psychology not only exciting but potentially more useful than a chat with a sensible friend. Gratitude expression: Regularly express gratitude towards your friends and family for their support and kindness. The audiobook is narrated by the author, who has a very soothing but rational sounding voice, which is also the tone of the book itself.

Meaningful goals: Set specific, achievable goals that align with your values and contribute to your sense of purpose. Seek support: Reach out to friends, family, or support groups during times of uncertainty to gain perspective and encouragement. Volunteer work: Participate in community service or volunteer work to foster compassion and a sense of purpose. Coping strategies: Develop coping mechanisms to manage anxiety and uncertainty during times of change. Empathetic listening: Practice active listening when others share their thoughts and feelings with you.

Foster a supportive environment: Surround yourself with individuals who are understanding and empathetic towards mental health struggles.