How To Reset Your Habits (Without Burning Out), According To A Psychotherapist

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January has a way of whispering promises of reinvention. A fresh diary, a blank calendar, a sense that this is the moment everything could finally click into place. And it’s not just psychological fluff – research shows that temporal landmarks, like the New Year, can genuinely boost motivation, at least initially.

But there’s a catch. January also arrives when many of us are depleted. Short days disrupt our circadian rhythms, routines are still wobbling post-Christmas, and December’s excesses, late nights, richer food, endless socialising, often leave us running on empty. As psychotherapist at The Soke, Sagal Hassan, points out, “it makes sense that after overindulging and overstretching ourselves, we turn our minds to a better future – but the urgency to ‘get back on track’ can mean we override the body’s very real need for rest.”

Historically, deep winter was seen as a time for slowing down and reflecting, not for radical transformation. Spring was when action followed. Yet today, we do the opposite: we choose the bleakest month of the year to set our most ambitious goals, then feel frustrated when we can’t sustain them. The novelty of January can also trigger a perfectionist, all-or-nothing mindset – resolutions framed as total reinventions, with little room for the small, imperfect steps real change actually requires.

Why Resolutions So Often Backfire

Perfectionism is closely tied to a fear of failure, which in turn fuels avoidance and procrastination. When goals are overly ambitious, they can be almost designed to fail. And, as Sagal explains, “that failure can sometimes be unconsciously sought, because it allows us to avoid the deeper emotional reflection that genuine change demands.”

Take binge eating, for example. It’s often a way of temporarily managing difficult feelings such as shame, emptiness or overwhelm. At the same time, it can disconnect us from our bodies and our relationship with food – the very things that might help us feel grounded and confident – keeping us stuck in a cycle of guilt. Overworking can function in a similar way: it may help us avoid conflict or intimacy at home, while quietly fuelling the very disconnection we’re trying to escape.

In psychotherapy, change isn’t just about the end goal. It’s about understanding the function of our current patterns; what they give us, what they protect us from, and what blocks change from happening. “Rather than starting with a list of what you ‘should’ fix,” Sagal notes, “it’s far more useful to begin with curiosity – trying to understand why things are the way they are before attempting to shift them.” That curiosity is often hard to maintain alone, which is why working with a therapist or coach can be so powerful; another mind can help hold compassion when self-judgement creeps in.

The Question To Ask Yourself Instead

So this New Year, rather than asking, How do I change everything about myself? Sagal suggests trying something gentler and far more effective: What does this behaviour do for me, and what would I need instead if I really wanted to change?

Once we understand the role a habit plays, change becomes less about perfection and punishment, and more about self-understanding and compassion, which is exactly where sustainable change begins.

Sagal Hassan suggests Three Things To Do Instead Of Setting New Year’s Resolutions

1) Treat January as a diagnostic month

Rather than launching a full reboot, take stock. Notice what’s working, what isn’t, and what keeps repeating or feeling stuck in your life. In psychodynamic terms, repetition is rarely random, it often points to an underlying conflict, fear, or unmet need. Give yourself a few weeks of honest observation before you start making rules for your future self. Journaling can be a simple way to catch patterns that are easy to miss when you’re living inside them.

2) Practise becoming a better observer of yourself

Each time you do, or don’t do, the habit or behaviour you want to shift, pause. Start with the body: tension in the chest, a tight jaw, butterflies, heaviness, restlessness. Then try to name the emotion those sensations belong to. Ask what was happening underneath in that moment, and what you were actually needing: relief, distraction, comfort, reassurance, control, closeness. Often the behaviour is not just “bad”, it’s doing a job, helping you manage something difficult. If you can understand the job, you can begin to find a healthier way to meet the same need.

3) Consider professional support based on the kind of change you’re attempting

If you mainly need structure, accountability, and consistency to build a new habit, a coach can be useful. If what you’re up against is a deep-seated emotional pattern, something repetitive, compulsive, or bound up with self-worth or relationships, therapy is usually the better fit. Either way, hard change is far easier with another mind in the room, because the patterns that keep us stuck tend to form in relationship, and they often shift in relationship too.

Because real change isn’t about willpower or white-knuckling your way through January. It’s about understanding yourself better – and letting that understanding lead the way.

Everything You Need to Know to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor in Your 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and Beyond

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By Claire Mills, Founder of Core LDN, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist & Pilates Instructor

If there is one part of the body I wish every woman understood earlier, it’s the pelvic floor. These deep-core muscles support your bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs, and play a central role in core stability, sexual function, and continence. So in my opinion they deserve far more attention than the occasional set of hurried Kegels while sitting at a red light.

Whether you’re navigating your 30s, perimenopause in your 40s, hormonal shifts in your 50s, or the decades beyond, pelvic floor strength will influence your confidence, mobility, and long-term health. And the good news is that it’s never too early or too late to improve strength, flexibility, and function.

Below is what I think all women should know about the pelvic floor, plus I have broken down what you need to know by decade, based on clients that we see at Core LDN in clinic and in studio.

What Exactly Is Your Pelvic Floor?

Think of the pelvic floor as a small but mighty hammock of muscles stretching from your pubic bone to your tailbone. It works in coordination with your diaphragm, deep abdominals, and back muscles. The pelvic floor has 3 parts – back passage/ vagina/ urethra and 3 layers – the superficial/ middle and deep layers- a strong and health pelvic floor requires you to recruit all these parts and layers. When it’s functioning well, you barely notice it. When it’s not, you feel it, symptoms such as leaking, heaviness, pain, or core weakness.

The three most common patterns we see are:

  • Weakness (leaking with cough or exercise)
  • Over-activity (tight muscles causing pain or, urgency or incomplete bladder emptying)
  • Poor coordination (muscles don’t switch on at the right time)

So strengthening isn’t always about squeezing harder, it’s about improving control.

How to Tell If You’re Doing it Right

Signs your pelvic floor contraction is correct:
– You feel a lift, not just a squeeze
– Your belly stays relatively flat and relaxed (not bulging outward)
– Your glutes, inner thighs  and bigger global abdominals don’t take over
– You can feel the release/ relax afterwards

If you’re not sure, that’s very normal. A pelvic health physio can assess your muscles properly, internally if needed, and guide you.

The Truth About Kegels

I have to say it: Kegels are often performed incorrectly. Kegels when done correctly have;

  • Good technique (involving all of the muscles of the pelvic floor)
  • Endurance
  • Relaxation phase
  • Breathing coordination

Sometimes the best first step is learning to let go, especially if you have pain with intercourse, tailbone pain, or trouble starting or stopping the flow of urine. Belly breathing is a perfect way to relax your pelvic floor. Try doing this in a position where the pelvic floor is put on a stretch to facilitate relaxation further i.e. wide knee child’s pose or a butterfly position.

Common Mistakes Women Make

  • Doing hundreds of Kegels without technique
  • Only squeezing when problems appear
  • Ignoring leaking because “it’s normal after kids” or “I’m going through the menopause”
  • Avoiding exercise out of fear of prolapse
  • Holding their breath during core work

Your pelvic floor is like any other muscle: it needs smart, progressive training.

Your 30’s: Prevention and Posture

This is often a decade of change; pregnancy, childbirth, busy careers, and long sitting hours. Even without babies, your pelvic floor is already working hard.

The focus in your 30s:

  • Learning correct activation
  • Re-training after pregnancy or injury
  • Building endurance and coordination

What to practice:

  1. The “lift and release”
    Imagine stopping passing wind or drawing a tampon upward. Gently lift, not clench, as you exhale and release fully as you inhale. 
  2. Breathing mechanics
    Learn to exhale when you exert, we know the pelvic floor naturally recruits better on an exhale. Ensure not to hold your breath when exerting, breath holding can strain the pelvic floor.
  3. Postural Pilates
    Neutral pelvis exercises improve core synergy and prevent future dysfunction. Avoiding extreme pelvic postures that can manifest from tight muscles from sustained postures, pregnancy and post-natal.

Being specific in how you train your pelvic floor, particularly if you have symptoms is honestly ground breaking. Pilates can be great to strengthen the pelvic floor but only if you’re contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor optimally. 

It’s also worth noting a common misconception: If you’re young and fit, you don’t need pelvic floor training. Not true. Even elite athletes can struggle with leakage, and women who’ve never had children experiencing prolapse. Prevention starts now.

Your 40’s: Hormones, Stress, and Early Prolapse Support

This is when subtle symptoms can begin:

  • Heavier periods
  • More bladder urgency
  • Core weakening
  • Pelvic heaviness after long days

Declining oestrogen can change tissue elasticity, meaning the pelvic floor may need more targeted strengthening.

The focus in your 40s:

  • Strength + endurance- hello reformer Pilates!
  • Starting prolapse-prevention habits i.e. thinking of your pelvic floor when exercising 
  • Managing constipation (a major pelvic strain and should always be addressed.. try 2 kiwis a day!)

What to add:

  1. Endurance holds (8–10 seconds)
  2. Functional load training (training your pelvic floor whilst doing squats, lunges, bridging- reformer Pilates is a great way to do this)
  3. Pelvic mobility, not every problem is weakness

This is the decade where we hear women say, “I wish I started sooner.” The earlier you build resilience, the easier menopause will be.

Your 50’s and Beyond: Menopause, Strength Maintenance & Lifestyle

This stage is about protecting function and quality of life. Hormonal shifts can accelerate muscle loss, and connective tissue becomes more vulnerable.

Focus areas in your 50s+:

  • Resistance training (yes, weights are your friend)
  • Continued pelvic floor conditioning- reformer Pilates is perfect for this
  • Maintaining sexual function and bladder control

What to prioritise:

  • Pelvic floor + full-body strength
  • Walking, Pilates, and loaded functional movement
  • Consistency over intensity

Important: A weak pelvic floor is not “just aging.” It is treatable at any age. We see women in their 70s and 80s reverse leakage and reduce prolapse symptoms.

When to Seek Professional Help

Book with a pelvic physio if you have:

  • Leaking (even a few drops)
  • Pelvic or lower back pain
  • Prolapse symptoms (heaviness, bulging)
  • Painful sex
  • Diastasis recti concerns
  • Want advice and support during pregnancy or with Post-natal recovery 
  • Difficulty controlling gas or bowels

Earlier intervention means easier results. At Core LDN we start you with a full Pelvic Health Consultation including a Pelvic Floor Internal assessment. This consultation will include diagnosis, treatment, a bespoke exercise plan and lifestyle advice. As part of our Pelvic Health Physiotherapy service we run a unique Core & Pelvic Floor reformer Pilates class. In our eyes, the perfect way to build strength and maintain the health of the pelvic floor through Pilates.

The Best Exercises at Any Age

I recommend a combination approach:
– Pelvic floor activation + relaxation
– Deep abdominal training through Pilates
– Strength training and impact work when appropriate

Your pelvic floor loves variety. It supports you through life, so it needs both strength and suppleness.

Take away tips

Strong pelvic floors aren’t just about avoiding leakage, they are about:

  • Core stability
  • Confidence in movement
  • Sexual wellness
  • Aging well
  • Long-term lifestyle independence

Every decade brings new challenges, but also new opportunities to build resilience. Pelvic health is not a one-time project—it’s a lifelong investment in your wellbeing.

If you take one message from this article, I would like it be this: It is never too late to improve your pelvic floor strength and function. The earlier you start paying attention, the stronger you’ll stay through every phase of life.Core LDN is a Physiotherapy and Pilates studio based in South West London and they run incredible Physiotherapy led Pilates retreats, with their next Luxury retreat in Mauritius in 2026- it’s one not to be missed https://www.coreldn.com/reformer-and-mat-pilates-retreats

Start Your Year of Wellness for Less: 50% Off Your First 3 Months of the Collagen Breakthrough Everyone’s Talking About

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January is all about fresh starts, better habits and building a foundation that genuinely supports how you want to feel in the year ahead. Wild Nutrition is making it easier than ever to support your hair, skin and nails with 50% off your first 3 months for new customers when you subscribe to the new Collagen 500 Plus. That means half the price, all the benefits, and a brighter start to 2026.

Meet Collagen 500 Plus: The New Gold Standard in Daily Collagen Support

Already loved by over 370,000 wellness-focused customers, Wild Nutrition’s best-selling innovation, Collagen 500 Plus, has quickly become one of the most talked-about launches of 2025 thanks to its breakthrough formulation and award-winning credentials. Unlike standard collagen powders, which typically require 10 grams per day, Collagen 500 Plus contains 500 Dalton-weight peptides, meaning it is absorbed and bioactive in just five minutes*. In simple terms: exceptional absorption and exceptional results with only one teaspoon, 3 grams, needed per day.

To get a bit sciency for a moment – this advanced collagen is combined with Mesoporosil®, an innovative and highly bioavailable form of Silicium. Scientifically shown to support firmer, smoother and more radiant skin*, Mesoporosil® helps catalyse collagen production in the body. This sets Collagen 500 Plus apart from anything else currently available.

The Proof is in The Product…

The results so far speak for themselves:

  • 72% reported more hydrated skin*
  • 77% said their complexion looked improved*
  • 73% felt their skin was firmer*

For hair health, studies show that the combination of Mesoporosil® and Biotin supports:

  • Stronger strands*
  • Improved volume*
  • Glossier, thicker-looking hair*
    Results can be seen in as little as 12 weeks*.

The formula also delivers antioxidant support from Vitamins C and E, which contribute to normal collagen formation and cell protection*. It is a powerful everyday supplement designed to help you look and feel your best from the inside out.

Effortless to Use, Easy to Love

Another standout is its convenience. Collagen 500 Plus is unflavoured, silky-smooth and dissolves instantly into any drink, whether that is your morning matcha, hot coffee, a glass of water or a smoothie. With only 3 grams needed daily, it is a simple habit that fits effortlessly into even the busiest January routine.

Wild Nutrition also uses responsibly sourced, Friend of the Sea certified marine collagen, reflecting their ongoing commitment to ethical and sustainable nutrition.

Your Best-You Routine Starts Here, For Half the Price

To help you begin 2026 feeling energised, confident and nourished from within, Wild Nutrition is offering an unmissable New Year saving:

50% off your first 3 months for new customers when you subscribe to Collagen 500 Plus with code HABIT50 (automatically applied at checkout). The price is £18.10 per month for new customers, with a full price of £36.50.

This is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to build a wellness routine that truly lasts.

Ready to Start Your Year of Wellness for Less?

Join the 370,000 plus customers already loving Wild Nutrition and elevate your daily ritual for 2026. Discover Collagen 500 Plus here: https://www.wildnutrition.com/products/collagen-500-plus

*Contains 500 Dalton-weight collagen, which is absorbed and bioactive in five minutes. Study: Bionos Biotech S.L. (2024) Contract Research Laboratory, Valencia, Oct 2024. Also contains Mesoporosil®, which helps improve the appearance and structure of skin. Published study: Mohta, A. et al. (2025), CosmoDerma, 5:33. Contains Biotin, which contributes to the maintenance of normal hair, skin, and nails; Vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation; and Vitamin E, which contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

How to ‘Coorie’ your way through January

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Words by Emma-Jade Stoddart

On a recent press trip to St Andrews, I came across a word I’d never heard before. I was there to review a swanky new spa featuring a snow and sauna cabin that, I later learned, “is centred around the concept of coorie.” Coor-what, I asked? “Coorie,” the spa manager said simply. “It’s the Scottish art of finding warmth, comfort and sanctuary after facing the bracing cold.” 

After a weekend oscillating between plunge pool and hydro-pool, sauna and snow cabin – not to mention a sunrise swim in the Scottish sea – I left with that rare, clear-headed sense of renewal, wondering how I might bring a touch of coorie into everyday life. Being half Scottish myself, I was also curious about the word’s heritage and how it came to encapsulate such a specific feeling.

“The origins of coorie mean to hunker down on your haunches or cower,” Gabriella Bennett, award-winning journalist and author of The Art of Coorie: How to Live Happy the Scottish Way, tells us. But the word has evolved. “More recently, it has come to mean nestling into a loved one or snuggling down. And for some Scots, it has come to mean a way of life.” 

For Anna Deacon, Edinburgh-based photographer and writer whose work centres on nature, wild swimming, wellbeing and storytelling, it has always been a term for snuggling up and being cosy. “It brings to mind sitting wrapped in a blanket by the fire after a cold wintery walk – dog on lap, warm drink in hand, a movie on or a good book, and rain lashing the windows outside on a dark night.”

But coorie isn’t just a feeling you stumble upon after being out in the elements – it’s something you can intentionally cultivate. And in a world where contrast therapy, cold-water swimming and ‘slow living’ are everywhere, the concept feels more relevant than ever.

What is coorie? The Scottish concept explained

Coorie is often translated as “to snuggle” or “to cuddle”, but that only tells part of the story. Historically, the word described a practical response to Scotland’s climate – a need to shelter, to hunker down, to find warmth when conditions demanded it.

“There’s a tactility there that feels particular to Scotland,” says Bennett. “It is more than simply being cosy. It’s about working out how to be in tune with our surroundings to evoke that feeling.”

Over time, that instinct has evolved into something broader. Now, coorie is about finding comfort through familiarity, routine and shared experience. It’s about using what’s already around you, drawing on tradition and creating a sense of calm that feels lived-in rather than staged.

Why coorie resonates now 

According to Bennett, coorie offers a chance to pare things back. “It’s about looking at how we buy, consume and spend our leisure time, and simplifying the processes involved,” she says. “A coorie way of life practises small, quiet, slow activities to feel happy.”

That idea of simplifying feels especially relevant now, when overstimulation has become the norm. Rather than pushing through the darker months with the same expectations we place on summer, coorie encourages a different pace – one that works with the season rather than against it.

“If we embrace this time,” Deacon adds, “nourish ourselves, get daylight and fresh air while it’s there, and allow ourselves more rest in the evenings, we can actually learn to love this part of the year.”

The wellbeing benefits

One of the reasons coorie feels so restorative is that it creates space for rest and connection, rather than asking us to add more to already full routines.

Spending time outdoors plays a central role. “Getting outside reduces stress, boosts mood, supports immune function and improves sleep and concentration,” says Deacon. It doesn’t need to be dramatic, either. Even a short dose of daylight or fresh air can make a difference, particularly in winter when many of us spend most of the day indoors.

Cold-water swimming and contrast therapy also echo the coorie mindset, when approached with care. “Cold water swimming is so good for our resilience and gives us a real boost, but it can also be quite hard on our bodies, so it’s important to keep it quick and get cosy as soon as possible,” Deacon explains. “Coming indoors and ‘coorieing in’ after being exposed to the cold feels all the more delicious for the contrast. Honestly, everything feels amazing after you have braved the cold water.”

At home, coorie is often found in simpler moments: slowing meals down, spending time with people you feel at ease around, choosing comfort that feels genuine rather than performative. As Bennett puts it, “coorie isn’t about spending money – it’s about drawing energy from landscapes and people.” Often, it’s these ordinary, shared moments that have the biggest impact.

How to bring coorie into everyday life

Despite its Scottish roots, coorie doesn’t depend on dramatic landscapes or rural escapes. It’s less about where you are and more about how you spend your time, using what you already have and resisting the urge to overcomplicate things.

For Bennett, that often means turning to older traditions. “You can harvest pine needles to flavour food and drinks,” she says. “Or smoke your own food – not with fancy, expensive equipment; a large metal tin will do. Or learn how to knit a Fair Isle sweater.” She also points to activities that encourage you to put your phone down and feel useful. “Knitting, walking, sitting and chatting with friends, building-spotting in cities – they’re all pretty coorie.”

Deacon agrees, pointing to the joy of simple shared moments. “Sitting by a roaring fire and chatting with someone you love, meeting in a cosy café with cheeks pink from the cold, or cooking and eating a seasonal, warming meal together by candlelight are wonderful ways to embrace coorie.”

Her approach also centres on everyday habits that support rest, like lowering the lights in the evening, switching off notifications and going to bed earlier. “I love the ritual of shutting the curtains and lighting candles or the fire,” she says. “Having the lights low and watching flickering firelight helps guide your body into winding down.” Her one non-negotiable is getting outside each morning, whatever the weather, to get daylight in her eyes and clear her head. “Seasonal stews, journalling, reading, soaking in a bath – these are all low-effort, low-cost ways to coorie at home,” she adds.

Coorie vs hygge: what’s the difference?

Coorie and hygge are often mentioned in the same breath, but they’re not quite the same. Hygge focuses on creating cosiness. Coorie, by contrast, grew out of necessity – of making do, hunkering down and finding comfort through everyday life.

“There’s a sense of endurance I feel living in Scotland,” says Bennett. “Weather, history, being a cultural underdog – it’s all wrapped up in that.” That context sits behind coorie, where comfort is practical and lived-in, shaped by routine and tradition rather than aesthetics alone.

On our coorie wish-list:

All lifestyle images are by Anna Deacon.

The Wild Fix Scotland, by Anna Deacon is being published September 2026 by Bonnier @thewildfix

Beauty SOS: How to Rescue Your Skin After Holiday Overindulgence

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The festive season has its way with us. A little extra mulled wine here, a few too many mince pies there, and suddenly your skin is looking a touch lacklustre. It’s the familiar price of seasonal cheer: dehydration, puffiness, and a complexion that’s lost its glow.

To help you navigate the post-holiday reset, we tapped Anastasia Koles, Aesthetic Nurse and Founder of ALTA Medispa, for her expert guidance. She shares a calm, effective routine designed to soothe, rehydrate, and gently revive tired skin – so you can step into the new year feeling as bright as your complexion looks.

Rehydrate Internally

Post-holiday dullness is often dehydration in disguise. When the body is low on fluids, circulation slows, the barrier becomes less effective, and the skin struggles to repair itself. Sip water consistently throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts at once, and add electrolytes if you’ve been sweating, drinking, or flying. Water-rich fruit and vegetables help top up hydration gently, giving your skin what it needs to regain its glow.

Use controlled Cooling

If your skin feels hot or reactive, controlled cooling is one of the fastest ways to calm it. A cool damp cloth, a refreshing thermal water mist, or even a chilled moisturiser helps reduce redness by gently constricting surface vessels. What you want to avoid is applying ice directly to the skin; it’s too harsh, can damage capillaries, and often leaves the skin even more irritated afterwards.

Strip Back Your Routine

Travel, sun, and sudden climate changes can weaken the skin barrier, leaving it prone to redness, dryness, and breakouts. For a few days, commit to a simplified routine: a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and a moisturiser rich in ceramides, squalane, and fatty acids. These ingredients replenish what the skin has lost and create a protective cushion so the barrier can repair properly before you reintroduce actives.

Rebuild Hydration

Once your skin feels more settled, add a hydrating serum morning and night. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin attract moisture to the skin, while ectoin helps it hold onto water for longer and protects against environmental stress. Layering these under your moisturiser improves elasticity and smooths any roughness caused by dehydration or too much sun if you were off on holiday.

Reduce Puffiness

If your face looks puffy after late nights or salty meals, light lymphatic drainage can make a noticeable difference. Using feather-light pressure, slowly guide fluid upwards and outwards towards the lymph nodes to help reduce swelling. A chilled tool can support the process, but it should never feel tight or overly cold. This is about moving fluid gently, not massaging deeply.

Reintroduce Antioxidants Wisely
Sun exposure, disrupted sleep, and alcohol all increase oxidative stress, which slows healing and contributes to dullness. Once your skin feels calmer, gradually introduce antioxidants such as vitamin C or niacinamide to brighten and repair. If you’re still a little sensitive, start with niacinamide because it supports the barrier while improving radiance.

Exfoliate With Care

It’s tempting to scrub away dullness, but post-holiday skin is often inflamed and easily irritated. Wait until the skin feels comfortable, then use a mild chemical exfoliant once or twice a week. Lactic acid or PHA formulas are gentler options that renew the skin without causing micro-tears. Avoid physical scrubs completely until the barrier is strong again.

Catch Some ZZZs
A consistent run of earlier nights can transform the skin quickly. Sleep regulates cortisol, reduces inflammation, and stabilises oil production, so within a few days you’ll notice less puffiness, fewer breakouts, and a more even tone. It’s one of the most underrated but effective ways to reset the complexion.

Balance Your Diet

Holiday indulgence is part of the fun, but your skin benefits from a short reset. Reducing sugar and salt for a few days helps regulate water retention and balance inflammation. Focus on lean proteins, colourful vegetables, and fibre-rich foods to support stable blood sugar and healthier-looking skin.

Re-Think Your Makeup

If you want coverage, choose hydrating formulas that won’t cling to dry patches. Skin tints, hydrating foundations, and cream-based products all bring the complexion back to life while the skin recovers. Avoid heavy powders until your barrier feels normal again.

See A Pro

If your skin still feels unsettled after a week, or you’re dealing with dehydration lines, congestion or pigmentation, a professional treatment can help. Hydrating facials, LED therapy, and mild resurfacing treatments such as enzyme peels gently speed up recovery without stressing the skin further.

Repair With Actives

Once everything feels stable, ease yourself back into your usual routine. Antioxidants in the morning, retinoids at night, and daily SPF help rebuild long-term resilience. Keeping a consistent routine will also make your skin far more tolerant of future stress.

Words by Frankie Jabarkhyl

This Nutritional Therapist Shares The Gentle Way to Fast For Longevity Benefits Without Extremes

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By Alexandra Cortina

As we step into a new year, many of us feel a natural desire to begin again. Not through strict resolutions or dramatic detoxes, but through a quieter intention to feel lighter, clearer, and more grounded in our bodies. For me, fasting has been one of the most powerful ways to create this sense of renewal. It offers a pause, allowing the body to step out of constant input and into genuine restoration.

Fasting is not about deprivation. It is about rhythm and intelligent rest. When we give the body space, it can repair and steady itself. With a background in nutritional therapy and integrative health, and as a training psychotherapist, I have seen how fasting supports both metabolic repair and emotional clarity, often transforming energy, digestion, mood, and steadiness.

The Science of Longevity and Fasting

A growing field of longevity research explores how fasting influences key pathways connected to long term health. While the science continues to evolve, several well studied mechanisms help explain why structured fasting practices can be supportive when used appropriately.

Autophagy, the body’s natural cellular recycling system, increases during periods without food. The foundational work of Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi, awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, demonstrated how nutrient deprivation can help trigger this repair process at a cellular level.

AMPK, a central metabolic regulator, becomes more active during fasting. Research from groups at Harvard Medical School and the Salk Institute has shown that AMPK activation is associated with improved insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial support, and healthier metabolic functioning.

Sirtuins, sometimes called longevity regulators, contribute to DNA protection and cellular resilience. Studies from Dr David Sinclair’s laboratory at Harvard have shown that energy restriction and fasting can activate sirtuin pathways that are linked with healthy ageing processes.

Ketones, which rise during fasting, act as an alternative fuel source for the brain. Research published in Cell Metabolismhas noted that ketones may support cognitive function and help reduce oxidative stress.

These strands of research are also supported by the work of Dr Valter Longo at the University of Southern California, whose fasting studies have shown benefits to immune and metabolic markers, and Dr Satchin Panda at the Salk Institute, whose research on circadian rhythms has highlighted the advantages of time restricted eating.

While fasting is not a cure or a medical treatment, these findings help explain why structured dietary pauses have been associated with improvements in metabolic stability, inflammation markers, and markers linked to healthy ageing.

Time Restricted Eating as a Daily Anchor

One of the most accessible ways to introduce fasting is through time restricted eating. This means eating within an eight to ten hour daytime window and allowing the body to rest during the remaining hours.

Many people naturally prefer an evening fast after supper. This approach can support digestion, sleep patterns, and steadier daytime energy.

A daily rhythm like this may help to:
• support blood sugar regulation
• reduce inflammatory load
• support digestion
• improve sleep quality
• offer more emotional steadiness

Its real beauty is its simplicity. It integrates into everyday life without overwhelm. It becomes a steady foundation.

The Power of an Urban Reset

There is something uniquely powerful about stepping into a deeper reset for several days. It does not require travel or stepping away from your responsibilities. In fact, the beauty of an urban reset is returning to your own bed every night. You remain in your life, but with a gentler rhythm, a slower pace, and a supportive structure around you.

My MeyaFast approach draws from European style fasting principles as well as guided experiential therapeutic immersion. It is a workshop style reset rather than a retreat. Over several days, participants receive simple vegetable based broths, several fresh juices, gentle movement practices, restorative guidance, and supported emotional reflection. It softens the internal stress load, restores metabolic ease, and brings a sense of spaciousness back into the nervous system.

Because it takes place within your city and your real schedule, the urban reset becomes accessible rather than disruptive. It offers a practical way to shift gears and create intentional restoration without leaving everyday life behind.

My New Year Longevity Tips

For anyone wanting a grounded and sustainable approach to the year ahead, these are the practices I return to most often.

1. Start with rhythm and keep it adaptive

Begin with rhythm, though even a sixteen eight window can become effortless for the body over time. Metabolic health improves when there is gentle variation. Changing meal or fasting windows occasionally keeps the system adaptive and responsive.

2. Build your plate around protein and vegetables

A longevity focused plate centres around high quality protein, abundant vegetables, healthy fats, healthy carbohydrates, and very little processed food. Think nourishing and steady rather than stimulating or erratic.

3. Create a weekly gentle reset

Choose one evening meal each week to be lighter. A simple vegetable soup or broth based plate gives the digestive system a meaningful pause and often leads to improved energy the next morning.

4. Reduce sugar rather than calories

Excess sugar contributes to inflammation and metabolic imbalance. Reducing sugar often creates noticeable shifts in clarity, mood, and steady energy.

5. Move in ways that feel grounding

Walking, yoga, Pilates, and strength work all support longevity. What matters most is regularity and choosing movement that regulates rather than stresses the nervous system.

6. Add a daily moment of stillness

Fasting is as much about emotional space as it is about physiological rest. A few minutes of quiet breathing or time away from your phone can help settle your system in meaningful ways.

7. Plan one or two deeper resets this year

A guided three day urban reset once or twice a year can offer a powerful recalibration for both body and mind.

For more information or to reach out to Alexandra Cortina – visit https://www.meyahealth.com/

From Postnatal Depression to Ultramarathon Runner: What Running Taught Me About Resilience

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words by Sabrina Pace-Humphreys

When I made the decision to shuffle my first ever mile in 2009 it wasn’t with the intention of becoming an ultramarathon runner. Back then I had no idea what an ultramarathon even was.

In my wildest dreams I could never have imagined that slow shuffle, still the hardest mile of my life, would one day lead to running 268 miles along Britain’s oldest national trail, the Pennine Way, or travelling 250 kilometres across the Sahara Desert carrying everything I owned in a race called the Marathon des Sables.

In 2009 I was simply a mum of four existing in the dark recess of postnatal depression, trying my best to survive each day. I was exhausted, highly anxious and felt buried under a mental and physical weight I was too unwell to name. That was until my 12 week post labour check when my GP named it for me. The woman I am now, the one who thrives in wild landscapes, felt like a pipe dream.

When that female GP suggested that, alongside medication and therapy, I try a jog, I remember laughing out loud. I had never run before. I didn’t know anyone who ran and, at the time, I was about 32 kilos overweight. Even the thought of stepping outside made my anxiety spike. Shame, about myself physically and mentally, ate me up.

It took days for me to do what she said. Days to quieten the devil on my shoulder and build the courage to leave the house. When I finally did, I found a quiet place where no one would see me, the canal towpath. I put one foot in front of the other and shuffled my wobbly post-baby body through a mile.

And my god, it hurt. Every part of my body hurt. But there was one thing that hurt a little less: my mind. The dark thoughts that flooded my head minute after minute eased their grip during that shuffle. I didn’t have a single thought about my value or my place on earth. All I could focus on was breathing, moving forward, being present. That tiny pocket of mental relief was enough to make me try again a few days later, once I could walk properly again.

I didn’t know it then, but the moment my feet touched the ground on that first shuffle was the moment my life began to change. A glimmer of hope seeped in. A flicker of pride for doing something hard. In my book Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5K Running Guide for Women I describe it as something taking hold of me like medicine, like a drug. And I became a willing addict, desperate to feel that sense of release again. I practised running in the same way others practise yoga or meditation. My journey was slow, at times painful, but I was consistent. Each run trained my mind as much as my body.

Running drove a stake into the landscape of mental pain I was experiencing at exactly the moment I needed a lifeline. Postnatal depression had stripped away my confidence and left me feeling disconnected from my own body. But running gave me tiny wins that rebuilt me piece by piece. It was never about pace or distance. It was about discovering, through moving my body in my own way, that I was capable of more than I allowed myself to believe.

In those early months I ran alone. But loneliness brought clarity. I realised I wanted to run toward something rather than away from it. So I set a goal to run 5K. To me that was, and still is, a monumental distance for a beginner.

When I looked around, either in my town or in the media, the landscape was filled with lithe runners in vests, long legs flying as they raced each other. None of them looked like me. Representation matters, and for so long I had been conditioned not to see myself as a runner. But finishing my first 5K changed that. Once I crossed that line, I couldn’t unsee what was reflected back at me. I was a runner. I belonged. I claimed it.

To me, resilience isn’t forged through perfection. It is built through repetition and curiosity. When I began coaching women in 2016, and eventually launched my women’s running community Stroud Mums on the Run, I recognised in those women the same fear I used to hold. The fear of being too slow, too big, too anxious or simply too different. I had been that woman. I knew exactly how heavy those doubts could be.

Guiding other women through their first miles became a full circle moment. Women would turn up terrified, but after a few weeks something powerful happened. They started to believe in themselves the way I had once learned to. Every week, every step, they began to build resilience too.

Resilience isn’t a magic trait. It is a muscle. Running taught me, and can teach you, how to strengthen it.

Running taught me that discomfort is not a sign to stop but sometimes a sign of growth. It taught me that small steps taken consistently can become life changing. It taught me that being part of a running community, whether in person or online, is not just supportive but transformative. And perhaps most importantly, it taught me that I am allowed to take up space. In running. In the world. In my own life.

Adventuring the world through running has taken me across deserts, through snowstorms and along ridgelines where the wind threatened to lift me from the earth. It has broken me open and built me back stronger. But none of those extreme moments compare to the day I first shuffled through a mile with tears in my eyes and hope in my chest.

I say that running changed my life, but what it really did was help me reclaim it. It gave, and still gives, me the space to breathe when everything feels too tight. It teaches me to trust myself and has given me a new identity built not on survival but on strength.

If you are reading this during a tough season of your life, I want you to know: resilience isn’t something you are born with. It is something you can create.

Start where you are. Move gently. Move slowly. But move. Your finish line might be a mile away or it might be a hundred. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you take that first step. And then another. And little by little you may discover what I discovered on that late summer day in 2009.

You are stronger than you know.

Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5K Running Guide for Women is published on 15th January 2026 and is available for pre-order via online bookstores. 

H&M Move’s Wellness Edit Is Here, And It’s the Reset We All Need for the New Year

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If you’re craving a fresh start (and honestly, who isn’t by January?), H&M Move’s new Wellness Edit might be exactly what you need to ease into the new year feeling grounded, strong and glowing from the inside out.

Landing globally on 30 December 2025, the collection is all about the rituals that make us feel good: the deep breaths before a workout, the heat of a hot Pilates session, the delicious shock of a cold plunge, and that post-sweat glow we all chase. It’s designed to carry you through every part of your wellness routine,  from the first stretch to the final cooldown.

The star of the launch? SculptMove™, H&M Move’s newest fabric innovation. It’s smoothing, sculpting and super supportive, giving you that “held but comfy” feeling that just makes you want to move. As Marie Fredros, Head of Design, puts it: “This collection is about glowing from the inside out and stepping into the future with purpose and excitement.” And honestly, you can feel that energy in every piece.

Expect sleek, sculpted silhouettes with a hint of ’90s minimalism. Think flared or classic leggings with a curve-loving deep V back, strappy sports bras, square-neck crops, new playsuits and a clean zip-up layer you’ll wear nonstop. The colour palette is dreamy too: ink black, ivory, sand and a perfect pomegranate pop.

But what makes this drop extra special is how it rounds out the whole wellness routine. There are matching hand and wrist weights, a frosted translucent tote, a non-slip mat towel for your hot Pilates grip, a sleek one-piece swimsuit for sauna-and-plunge days, waterproof jewellery that works from studio to street, plus beauty extras like a metallic face roller, gua sha and a few glow-boosting scents from H&M Beauty.

It’s all about creating little moments of care before, during and after you move.

The H&H Edit:

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The Best Products for a Post-Holiday Reboot

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January has a funny way of asking a lot of us. Reset your sleep. Reset your skin. Reset your energy. After the indulgence and joy of December, I always crave a slower, more intuitive kind of reboot. One that supports my body rather than forcing it into submission.

January doesn’t have to be about extremes. For me, it’s about choosing products that help me feel supported, calmer digestion, clearer skin, steadier energy and a little glow returning day by day. These heroes don’t shout; they simply work, helping the new year begin on a grounded, feel-good note.

NIANCE, GENR8 Biotic CLEANSE For The Ultimate Reset

This is such a hero product and my ultimate go-to when my digestion feels sluggish or out of sync after the holidays ( or after taking antibiotics). NIANCE’s GENR8 Biotic CLEANSE is a gentle daily ritual that supports the gut and liver without harsh detoxing. I love how it makes me feel lighter, less bloated and more energised, without feeling deprived. It’s the kind of reset that fits into real life, not one that takes it over.

Correxiko, Marine Collagen Peptides For My Year-Round, Non-Negotiable

This is the one supplement I never drop in  January or otherwise. Correxiko’s Marine Collagen Peptides has earned permanent status in my daily routine, and I notice immediately when it’s missing. It blends effortlessly into my morning vitamin water and quietly supports everything I care about: hydrated, plumper-looking skin, thicker hair ( even my hairdresser has noticed) , happier joints and a gut that just feels more balanced. What I love most is how uncomplicated it is. Clean, sustainably sourced and brilliantly absorbable, it doesn’t shout about results,  it simply delivers them over time. For me, it’s less of a “skin supplement” and more of a foundation for feeling good from the inside out. 

Hifas, Equilibrium For the Sleep Your January Needs

January can leave me feeling a little off-kilter. Late nights, festive indulgence and a disrupted routine mean I often wake up tired but somehow wired, with my mind buzzing while my body craves rest. Hifas Equilibrium has quietly become my go-to for those weeks. It doesn’t knock me out or feel artificial. Instead, it supports my nervous system and gut in a way that makes falling asleep feel natural. After a few nights, I notice I’m drifting off faster, staying asleep longer, and waking up genuinely refreshed. I also love the subtle, long-term effects: calmer evenings, steadier energy during the day, and a sense that my body is finally back in rhythm. 

Wild Nutrition, Immune Support Balance Multi Duo For Feeling Resilient Again

 January is when I realise just how much my immune system has been tested, with  late nights, travel, cold weather and festive indulgence all rolled into one. Wild Nutrition’s Immune Support Balance Multi Duo feels like a reassuring safety net during this time. Designed to support immunity while also helping the body adapt to stress, it’s something I lean on when I want to feel more resilient without overwhelming my system. I notice fewer energy dips, a stronger sense of balance, and that comforting feeling of being supported from the inside out. It’s an easy, everyday addition that helps me step into the new year feeling steadier and more robust, exactly what January calls for.

Sisterly, The Elevator For A Lift on Busy January Mornings

Some days, January feels like it needs a little encouragement. The Elevator is exactly that. A comprehensive, women-focused supplement that supports energy, immunity and skin health in one simple scoop. I keep this for the weeks when my schedule is full and my energy needs support. It doesn’t overstimulate; it just helps everything run more smoothly , like pressing refresh, gently. 

ARTĀH, Party Essentials Because Balance Is Everything

January doesn’t mean never socialising again. ARTĀH’s Party Essentials feels refreshingly realistic by supporting hydration and liver function when life includes dinners, celebrations and the occasional late night. I take it when I want to enjoy myself and feel good the next day but also I find it perfect to support my body after the festive season. Wellness without judgement is always a yes.

De Mamiel, Restorative Cleansing Balm My Winter Skin Rescue

During winter and after all the late nights my skin can feel dry, tight, and a little dull. De Mamiel’s cleansing balm is my first step in restoring comfort. Rich but gentle, it melts away impurities while nourishing my skin, leaving it soft, calm, and ready for serums and masks. It feels like a mini ritual that immediately lifts my January mood and it smells amazing. 

Dr Dennis Gross, Vitamin C Biocellulose Mask For Instant “I’ve Slept Well” Skin

I am a huge sheet mask fan for saving my skin and I just love this one. When winter skin looks dull and tired, this mask works wonders. Packed with vitamin C, it brightens and smooths in under 20 minutes, giving that fresh, well-rested look, even when January nights are long. I save this for days when I want my skin to look as good as I feel after a reset walk or Pilates class.

Evolve, Intense Hydrating Mask For Comfort for Winter-Worn Skin

Cold air, heating and festive indulgences can leave skin feeling dry and dehydrated. Evolve’s Intense Hydrating Mask feels like a deep exhale for the complexion. Rich, soothing and organic, it restores softness and comfort, perfect for Sunday evenings when I want to reset before the week ahead and works amazingly as an overnight mask for an extra boost of hydration. It’s become an essential on my bedside table. 

Renpho, Artemis LED Light Mask For A High-Tech Glow Boost

Sometimes January calls for a little indulgence. The Renpho Artemis LED Mask is such an at-home tech treat. Red light helps stimulate collagen, while blue light tackles any post-holiday breakouts. Ten minutes under the mask, and my skin feels energised, plump, and radiant. Using this regularly is the perfect way to boost your skin and the ultimate self-care evening ritual.

Forever Chemicals: Why Everyone Is Talking About the Health Risks, And How to Protect Yourself

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By Charlotte Dormon, health writer

After the BBC Panorama investigation, The Truth About Forever Chemicals, PFAS; a large family of synthetic compounds used for water-resistance, non-stick performance and stain-proofing, became headline news. But behind the headlines is a much bigger conversation, one that some of the world’s leading health experts have been raising for years.

Forever Chemicals, also referred to as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are now found in our water, soil, food packaging, beauty products, home furnishings, clothing, and even inside the human body. Their persistence and widespread use mean these chemicals accumulate over time, raising growing concerns about long-term health, particularly for hormone function.

As we learn more about PFAS, health experts are urging the public to take simple, meaningful steps to minimise exposure, especially in the products we put directly on our skin, wear daily and use around the home.

What PFAS Are And Why They Are A Health Problem 

PFAS refer to a large group of synthetic chemicals developed in the 1950s to make products water-repellent, heat-resistant and non-stick. They do not easily break down in the environment and have been detected in rivers, household dust, tap water, wildlife and human blood.

Growing scientific evidence links exposure to various PFAS compounds with subtle but measurable effects on hormone systems, particularly thyroid hormones, reproductive hormones and metabolic signalling.

Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart, Nutritionist and Health Researcher, explains:

“Multiple studies now show that PFAS can interfere with hormone regulation, including thyroid hormones, oestrogen and testosterone, in ways that may influence everything from mood and metabolism to menstrual cycles and fertility. These effects are often subtle but consistent, and that’s why experts are paying closer attention.”

Although PFAS are an issue for everyone, concerns are particularly challenging for women because of the sensitivity of female hormonal pathways, especially during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause.

Dr Naomi adds:

“PFAS don’t just affect one part of the endocrine system; research suggests they can influence thyroid, reproductive and metabolic hormones simultaneously. This cumulative effect helps explain why exposure is being studied in relation to fertility, irregular cycles, thyroid imbalance and metabolic changes. Unfortunately, PFAS can so easily sneak into our daily routine through the makeup and clothing we wear and the products we use, without us realising. The value of becoming more conscious consumers when it comes to reducing these chemicals to support our health is, in my opinion, of great importance”.

Where PFAS Are Commonly Found (and Why It Matters)

Understanding the most common exposure routes will help you make more informed decisions and prioritise swaps that minimise your PFAS exposure.

  • BAM
  • SEISSENSE

1. Activewear & Outdoor Clothing

PFAS are widely used to make leggings, sports bras, and outdoor garments water- and stain-resistant, or “performance grade.” This matters because:

  • These garments sit directly on the skin, often for hours.
  • Sweat and friction may increase the likelihood of chemical transfer from fabric.
  • Leggings and sports bras often cover areas with higher absorption rates.

Choosing PFAS-free activewear is a valuable first step to change, especially when you wear items to work out and sweat in. Brands like Seissense and BAM both offer PFAS-free activewear for women and men, including swimwear, leggings, socks, bras, and outdoor basics, making them ideal high-quality options for gym workouts, running, and everyday activewear.

2. Cookware & Non-Stick Pans

Traditional non-stick coatings (including some PTFE-based pans) can contain PFAS. When overheated or scratched, these coatings may degrade and release particles into the air or migrate into food. Not only do these last longer, but they also avoid hidden chemical exposure during mealtimes.

Safer alternatives include:

  • stainless steel
  • cast iron
  • carbon steel
  • ceramic-coated cookware

3. Beauty & Long-Wear Makeup

Some long-wear, waterproof and smudge-proof cosmetic formulas use PFAS to create a smooth, durable finish. Because these products are applied around the eyes and lips, areas of high absorption, they are essential items to consider switching. These can be found in:

  • primers
  • foundations
  • waterproof mascaras
  • liquid lipsticks

When seeking safer alternatives, explore PFAS-conscious retailers such as Planet Organic and Content Beauty, which offer natural and organic brands with transparent ingredient lists.

4. Home Textiles & Upholstery

Stain-resistant sofas, carpets and soft furnishings are often treated with fluorinated coatings. Over time, these chemicals can end up in household dust, a major exposure route, especially in homes with children or pets.

Opting for untreated fabrics, natural materials or brands that explicitly avoid PFAS is a simple way to reduce indoor exposure.

5. Water (One of the Most Overlooked Exposure Routes)

Because PFAS do not break down easily, they can accumulate in groundwater and, ultimately, tap water. Some areas have been found to exceed the levels many experts consider safe.

Using a high-quality water filter certified to reduce PFAS is one of the most effective steps you can take, especially if you primarily drink tap water.

6. General Fashion & Everyday Clothing

Outside of activewear, many garments marketed as “crease-resistant,” “stain-proof”, or “water-repellent” may use PFAS-based treatments.

Where possible, choose:

  • natural fibres like wool, cotton, linen or bamboo
  • garments without performance coatings
  • brands are transparent about chemical-free finishes

This will help reduce the amount of PFAS that touches your skin daily.

Stay Savvy, Not Stressed

YES, Forever chemicals are literally everywhere — but you are not powerless. The aim isn’t to live in fear or overhaul your entire life overnight, as that would create a lot of stress. Just becoming more aware of where these chemicals appear will help you make more informed choices. Over time, those small, consistent swaps — from the clothes you wear to the way you cook and the water you drink — can significantly lower your overall exposure. As research continues to evolve, being PFAS-savvy in your home is one of the most valuable steps you can take for your wellbeing.

Seven Ways to Reduce PFAS Exposure Daily 

These small steps create meaningful long-term protection.

  1. Filter your tap water
     Look for filters that have been independently tested for PFAS reduction. This is one of the most impactful household changes.
  2. Switch to PFAS-free activewear
     Especially leggings, sports bras and outdoor basics.
    Brands like Seissense and BAM provide clean, high-performance options.
  3. Choose safer cookware
     Upgrade from old non-stick pans to stainless steel, cast iron or ceramic.
  4. Clean household dust regularly
     PFAS can accumulate in dust. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and dust with a damp cloth.
  5. Clean up your beauty routine
     Avoid “waterproof,” “long-wear”, or “smudge-proof” claims unless the brand confirms PFAS-free status.
    Explore PFAS-conscious retailers such as Content Beauty and Planet Organic.
  6. Be cautious with stain-resistant or waterproof clothing and furnishings.
     Opt for untreated fabrics and natural fibres where possible.
  7. Read labels and ask questions?  Brands are becoming more transparent. Look for terms like “PFAS-free,” “PFC-free,” or “fluorocarbon-free.”

Wellness Awaits in Gran Canaria

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There are places that feel restorative the moment you arrive and Gran Canaria is one of them. Long-celebrated for its unique climate and natural healing elements, the island has quietly been welcoming wellness seekers for over 150 years. Back in the mid-19th century, European doctors were already prescribing time here, recognising the powerful combination of sunshine, sea air, mineral-rich waters and golden sand.

Fast forward to today and Gran Canaria’s wellness offering has evolved beautifully. Alongside its natural assets sits a new generation of thoughtful spa experiences, sleep programmes and holistic retreats, all designed to help you truly switch off. This is wellbeing, island-style: unforced, deeply nourishing and effortlessly luxurious.

Where to Stay for Deep Rest and Relaxation

For a wellness escape that balances nature with considered design, head south where many of the island’s most beautiful beaches and spa hotels are found.

Wellness meets Rest & Relaxation

Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa

Tucked into the charming harbour town of Mogán, Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa feels more like a Canarian village than a resort. With its low-rise buildings, chapel and lush botanical gardens (home to more than 450 plant species), it invites a slower pace from the outset. The Inagua Spa & Wellness is a highlight, flooded with natural light and garden views, while the flotarium pool, rich in salts, allows you to float weightlessly as the sun gently warms your skin. A deeply calming experience.

Nearby, Cordial Mogán Valle Apartments offers a relaxed, garden-filled setting with multiple pools and the Salinas Spa & Wellness centre, perfect for those seeking flexibility without compromising on wellbeing.

Meanwhile, the Cordial Santa Águeda Resort delivers a more contemporary, family-friendly take on wellness living. With its seafront location, infinity pools and the beautifully designed Callao Spa & Wellness, guests can enjoy organic treatments alongside a soothing wet circuit of sauna, steam room and leisure pool.

Seaside Escapes with Soul

Seaside Sandy Beach

Just moments from Playa del Inglés, Seaside Sandy Beach offers a tranquil oasis wrapped in Arab-inspired architecture and subtropical greenery. Its rooftop Spa & Wellness centre is particularly special with panoramic views, a private jacuzzi terrace and a heated saltwater pool complete with hydromassage jets.

A short drive away, Seaside Palm Beach, set beside the Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve, blends retro 1970s design with modern luxury. Three heated pools, palm-filled gardens and a refined spa make it an ideal base for restoration. Treatments such as the Pantai Luar massage, a rhythmic Far Eastern ritual using warm herbal pouches, melt away tension and restore balance.

For those seeking the pinnacle of indulgence, Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia offers a five-star Gran Lujo experience. Nestled within tropical gardens close to Maspalomas Beach, its colonial-style architecture sets the tone for an exceptional spa journey, complete with salt caves, ice fountains, Finnish sauna, sensation showers and deeply restorative treatments.

Wellness with a View

Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity

At Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity, architecture and landscape exist in harmony. Built into the rolling terrain just inland from the coast, the resort’s tiered design reveals breathtaking views across mountains and sea. Infinity pools, particularly the sunset pool, invite long, golden-hour soaks, while Balinese beds offer front-row seats to some of the island’s most memorable sunsets. The Be Aloe Wellness spa uses the resort’s own aloe vera in treatments, while Tempo, a science-led sleep and wellbeing programme, takes rest seriously, ideal for those looking to reset their rhythm.

Thalassotherapy at Its Finest

Gloria Palace San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel

Gran Canaria is also a destination for thalassotherapy, a wellness tool used for thousands of years. Gloria Palace San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel is home to one of Europe’s largest thalassotherapy centres, with approximately 7,000m² dedicated to seawater-based treatments designed to restore, rebalance and rejuvenate.

Perched dramatically between Puerto Rico and Amadores beaches, Gloria Palace Amadores Thalasso & Hotel appears to rise from the cliffs themselves. Its seawater hydrotherapy circuit, offering pools at varying temperatures, delivers both therapeutic and sensory benefits, all with sweeping ocean views.

Facing Amadores Beach, Gloria Palace Royal Hotel & Spa combines natural stone architecture with understated luxury. Its heated infinity pool seems to blend seamlessly with the sea, while spa treatments, including hot stone rituals and complimentary hydromassage stations, invite total relaxation.

Gran Canaria isn’t about chasing wellness trends, it’s about returning to what truly restores us. Sun, sea, thoughtful spaces and time to slow down. Whether you’re floating in salt-rich waters, indulging in a sunset soak or rediscovering deep sleep, this island offers a gentler way to reset, and a reminder that wellbeing doesn’t need to be complicated to be transformative.

For more inspiration on planning your wellness escape, visit grancanariawellness.com

Lou Loves: The Festive Tradition Edit

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There’s something about Christmas Eve that always fills me with the same fluttering excitement I felt as a child, that unmistakable mix of glamour, anticipation, and pure joy. In our family, we’ve always celebrated on the evening of the 24th, Swedish-style, which means by the time most people are still peeling potatoes or finishing the wrapping, we’re already clinking glasses and waiting for Father Christmas himself.

By 5pm, the house is twinkling. The tree, my mother’s masterpiece, gleams in golds and reds, each decoration perfectly placed (I’ve long since given up trying to compete). Every year, I take the same photograph of my son, standing in his pajamas, gazing up at it in awe. It’s become our little ritual; a captured moment of stillness before the evening’s magic begins.

While the men look impossibly dapper in velvet jackets, champagne glasses in hand, we nibble on oysters and wait for the knock on the door. And then it happens, that gentle tap tap tap that makes everyone freeze. We rush to the hallway, hearts racing, to find a large sack of presents and, in the distance, a mysterious figure disappearing into the night, lantern swinging. It’s Father Christmas, of course, or rather, the latest family member to don the beautifully old Santa suit that’s been worn by uncles, cousins, and my father before them. It’s a tradition so woven into our family fabric that I can’t imagine Christmas without it.

Once my son’s tucked up in bed, the grown-ups gather by the fire. There’s laughter, more champagne, and the delicious supper that always follows, the perfect, sparkling close to our Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day begins gently,with stockings, lussebullar (also known as saffron buns)  and cinnamon buns over a cosy breakfast, and the smell of coffee filling the house. After a brisk walk in the cold, rosy-cheeked and hungry, we come home to the most glorious Swedish smörgåsbord. Herring, gravadlax, meatballs, ham, red cabbage, potatoes and, of course, aquavit and songs. It’s a wonderfully merry chaos of toasts, laughter and music, the kind that makes your heart swell.

Boxing Day is a big family affair, with aunts, uncles, and cousins everywhere, children running wild, and the unmistakable hum of family togetherness.

And every year, as I look around, I’m reminded just how beautifully my parents have shown us what it means to celebrate, not just Christmas, but life itself. The traditions, the attention to detail, the joy in every ritual, it’s all thanks to them. My mother, in particular, is the beating heart of it all. In her late 70’s and still the chicest woman I know, she is my forever style icon. She has this effortless cool that time simply hasn’t touched. She still wears leather trousers (yes, really) not dissimilar to the Citizens of Humanity, Ayla leather trousers and somehow makes them look as classic as cashmere. There’s something about that looser fit, that relaxed elegance, that makes it so timeless especially when paired with something oversized on top.

So, in her honour, this year’s Festive Edit is a little tribute to her and to the beauty of tradition, Swedish magic, and understated style. I’ve included a few nostalgic favourites.

For The Home: 

The Christmas Goat  
A nod to the Swedish Julbock, the Christmas goat traditionally believed to guard gifts and bring good fortune. Rooted in Nordic folklore, the Julbock symbolises protection, generosity and the spirit of giving. A quiet reminder of the magic and meaning behind the festive season.

Swedish gnomes or tomte. Inspired by Swedish folklore, the tomte is a small but mighty guardian of the home, believed to protect households and bring good fortune throughout the year. These little gnomes were said to watch over families and farms, as long as they were kept happy with a bowl of porridge.

My Festive Style:

The Citizens of Humanity Ayla Leather Trousers
I can’t wait to pair these with an oversized crisp white shirt or a chunky knit and heels. Seeing my mother wear hers with such confidence makes me realise that true style never fades; it just evolves.

Stories Mohair Blend Jumper
I love this soft white and brown Fair Isle pattern, oversized and utterly cosy,perfect for Christmas Day

From the glimmer of a champagne glass to the soft glow of a swinging lantern, these little details old and new make up the tapestry of my Christmas. A celebration of family, style, and the comforting rhythm of tradition. And just like my mother, who wears leather trousers at 78 and still makes them look fabulous, I hope to carry these traditions forward with the same grace, joy, and slightly mischievous sparkle.

Merry Christmas and God Jul!