Where kids are born in a family can be important. But it is not just about who gets more grown-up privileges or parental pressure. Research tells us firstborn children, on average, tend to do better on a range of outcomes. This includes doing better at school and being more likely to be top managers when compared to those born […] … learn more→

In November 2012, during my first year as a PhD student, a 23-year-old medical student knocked on my door. Earlier that day, we had been discussing our ages in our shared kitchen. At 30, I had stayed silent, feeling a sharp sting of embarrassment next to my 20-something housemates. But this student was determined to […] … learn more→

Before I start this post – a quick announcement. My business partner and pod cohost, Dr Jason Downs, is visiting the UK in late April. If you’d like to meet and chat with him about the products we have planned for On The Reg Team in 2026, shoot us an email to [email protected] with the subject line […] … learn more→

Reading promises so much: better mental health, a sense of wellbeing, cultural and educational enrichment, even greater confidence and eloquence. It sounds irresistible; yet for many of us, the reality is very different. Half of the adults in the UK don’t read regularly for pleasure, and more than one in ten find reading difficult. So why does something […] … learn more→

It’s that time of year when the internet turns into a giant group chat about self-improvement. New year, new you. Better habits. Better boundaries. A year older, and maybe wiser. Right on cue, the wisdom hucksters appear. They are the “one weird trick” crowd — the gurus with a microphone, a smirk and a promise of […] … learn more→

January 1st has something of a “psychological switch” about it. Suddenly, it seems easier to imagine and commit to an improved version of yourself: more active, more organized, healthier. It’s as if the calendar offers a clear starting line and, with it, a sense of control: “I’m starting from scratch,” “this is the time,” “this […] … learn more→

A popular New Year’s resolution is to take up meditation – specifically mindfulness meditation. This is a healthy choice. Regular mindfulness practice has been linked to many positive health benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep and quicker healing after injury and illness. Mindfulness can help us to be present in a distracted world and to feel […] … learn more→

Between 2014 and 2024, the proportion of people aged 16–24 in England experiencing mental health issues rose from 19% to 26%. This means over 1.6 million young people – enough to fill Wembley Stadium 18 times over – are affected by mental ill-health today. Social media is often at the centre of conversations about what’s driving this trend. […] … learn more→

A young woman posts a video of herself crying on TikTok, without giving many details. Someone on Instagram shares a long post about a breakup or a personal crisis. An influencer reveals their mental health diagnosis in a live stream. These are recurring scenes, with different faces and nuances, but the same underlying dynamic: publicly displaying personal […] … learn more→

The digital revolution has become a vast, unplanned experiment – and children are its most exposed participants. As ADHD diagnoses rise around the world, a key question has emerged: could the growing use of digital devices be playing a role? To explore this, we studied more than 8,000 children, from when they were around ten until they […] … learn more→