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The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is one of the most influential and illuminating books I have ever read on trauma, healing, and the mind–body connection. What makes it so powerful is not just the science it presents, but the way it fundamentally changes how we understand human suffering. Rather than framing trauma as something that exists only in memory or thought, the book reveals how deeply it is held in the body: in the nervous system, physiology, and automa

Your brain is working every second of your life, long before you think, decide, or react. Understanding how it’s organised reveals why the mind behaves the way it does, and how awareness, stress, and balance shape daily experience. A diagram showing parts of the human brain. Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 23 January 2026 The human brain is one of the most complex and remarkable systems in existence. It governs everything we experience, from thought, memory, and emotion to mo

Ikigai is often described as the Japanese philosophy for a meaningful life, yet its true power lies in how quietly it works. Rather than pushing you to define your purpose or optimise your life, Ikigai speaks to the deeper question of what makes life feel worth living, day after day. Rooted in Japanese culture and everyday living, Ikigai offers a grounded alternative to burnout, restlessness, and constant striving. This article explores the real meaning of Ikigai, how it diff

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has shaped how many of us think about motivation and personal growth. But the familiar pyramid tells only part of the story. This article looks at the hierarchy as a living framework, and explores what happens when personal development gives way to something larger. A pyramid showing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Written by Coralie Bengoechea | 7 January 2026 Most people have seen the hierarchy of needs as a pyramid: food and shelter at the bottom, s