Unplugged Journal

Phones eat first: how phones have changed how we eat

Giant croissants, butter boards and baked feta pasta. Social media influences what’s on our plates, but do our phones have a positive impact on what we eat?

Why writing letters to yourself and loved ones has hidden benefits

Why send a letter when you can send a text? Here’s why you should consider pulling out the pen and paper to write a letter to yourself, a loved one or a stranger.

Why you should consider spending more time talking to strangers

Making casual connections with people we encounter in the course of daily life can boost our happiness and even make us smarter.

Soph & Jodie: Cooking Off The Cuff In Nature

Recipe Writers, Soph & Jodie, tell us how time offline left them with food for thought.

What is “fika”? Benefits of the Swedish fika break

The fika break is a daily ritual in Sweden. And as one of the Top 10 Happiest Countries in the world, it might be one of our Swedish neighbours hidden secrets to living a happier and stress-free life.

Mastering the Inbox: 7 Actionable Tips to Beat Email Overload

Feel like your inbox is burning a hole in your life? Email overload at work is real, so how can you effectively manage your email to stop it taking over your life?

Do we need more sleep in winter? Why you might feel more tired in colder months

Feel like you’re even more tired during winter months? Well don’t feel guilty for being ‘lazy’. New studies have shown that you might need more sleep in colder months to beat the winter fatigue.

Second-Screening: How It Impacts Your Health and Brain Function

A lot of us are guilt of ‘second-screening’ or ‘dual-screening’ without realising it. We watch TV whilst scrolling social media with our laptops on our lap, all too often. But how is this impacting our heath and brain function? It’s more than you might think…

5 ways to cope with SAD this winter

Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) can be debilitating, but there are plenty of ways to boost your mood and make the most of the winter months.

The 7 Types of Rest: How to Beat Burnout by Resting Properly

We all know sleep is important, but it’s not the only type of rest we need. There are 7 types of rest to build into your routine to beat burnout and tiredness

Why bad weather is good for you: 6 benefits of walking in winter weather

Don’t let the rain or chill put you off getting outdoors. There’s tonnes of benefits for your immune system and mental and physical health.

FOSO: The Fear of Switching Off

We work 40 hours weeks, spend over 2 hours a day scrolling social media, yet we still can’t switch off. A new study has found that a nearly fifty perfect of people are suffering from ‘FOSO’ - the fear of switching off.

Harlie Briggs: How Nature Inspires My Art

Artist and ceramicist, Harlie Briggs, tells us how escaping the city and immersing herself in nature inspires her work and nurtures creativity.

What is ‘Monk Mode’?

#monkmode has had over 80 million views on social media. So what is ‘Monk Mode’ and how can it improve your productivity and wellbeing?

Why you should date yourself: 20 solo date ideas

Solo dating isn’t a new thing, but it’s growing in popularity on social media. And it’s a trend we’re here for. So why should you take yourself on a solo date? What can you do? And is it awkward?

How dancing can boost your brain power

Humans were dancing as long as 70,000 years ago - it’s instinctive behaviour to move our bodies to a beat. Maybe that’s because dance is proven to lower stress, boost mood and even sharpen cognitive function.

What is “sense hacking” and how does it work?

Everyone loves a hack. Especially a scientifically backed one. “Sense Hacking” is the process of optimising our sensory input through sounds or smells to make us feel happier, relaxed and more productive.

What is ‘Skychology’? How looking at the sky can boost your wellbeing

The science behind the health benefits of owning a dog

Dogs aren’t just a cute companion. They help reduce stress, boost our self-esteem and even help us make new (human) friends.

Are phones changing how our memory works?

Smartphones have helped us outsource part of our memory to an external device. But does this free up our cognitive capacity? Or cause us to stop forming new memories? We explore the pros and cons of using technology as a memory bank.