Wellness

Wellness

On October 15th, 2024, I saw a picture of myself sitting by the pool and didn't recognize myself. It was the biggest I'd ever been, and I felt like it wasn't really me. I decided to go a year without added sugar, and I lost some weight. If anything had even one gram of added sugar, I didn't eat it for a full year.

On a recent stay at a friend's house, I encountered a familiar problem. The friend, a thoughtful host, had left us washcloths, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and towels. She'd set out a bottle of filtered water and plastic cups. But when I stepped into the shower, I discovered that she had not given us what once would have seemed like a basic personal-care necessity: a bar of soap.

The aesthetic appeal of drainage massage in propelling the profile of the lymphatic system can't be denied either. Whether for health conditions or cosmetic purposes, the specialist technique can reduce swelling, making it easier for the lymph nodes to rid toxins. In turn, less puffiness and more definition can be seen immediately, "which naturally lends itself to social media and celebrity culture," points out Rhian Stephenson, a nutritional therapist, ex-athlete, and founder of Artah.

Sitting in the audience, listening to these professionals in perfect harmony, brought me back to my days in the band. I wasn't good, it was mandatory, and I played the trombone. I desperately wanted to quit. We couldn't have backpacks in school, so I walked through the halls lugging my trombone in my right hand and books under my left armpit. This made me a perfect target for a bully or two to come up behind me and smack the books out from under me.

Since good bedding can cost hundreds of dollars, though, I always make sure to buy bed sheets and pillows on sale, and Presidents Day is known as the holiday with the best discounts on sleep-related home goods. Naturally, Amazon has marked down prices on a ton of editor- and celebrity-loved pillows and bed sheets from Cozy Earth, Brooklinen, and more, starting at $15. Shop our favorite picks below from the Amazon Presidents Day sale and bring hotel-worthy sleep to your home.

But some people dare to imagine something bigger and find ways to get a substantial breather from stress or their day-to-day routines. Mini-sabbaticals. Adult gap years. Micro-retirement. Extended career breaks go by many names and take many forms, from using the time between jobs to explore or taking an employer-approved leave to becoming a digital nomad or saving up for a monthslong adventure.

I guess I'm excited because turning 80 is great. A number I never thought I'd see, but here it is. I always wanted to be an old guy who's still feeling pretty good,

One of the more unexpected tools now circulating in these high-pressure circles is tapping - a technique involving rhythmic stimulation of specific points on the body, paired with focused language, to influence mental and emotional states. Advocates claim it can restore clarity and control in minutes, whilst sceptics are sure to brand the technique as 'woo-woo'. The truth, as ever, sits somewhere between the two.

"So many women in perimenopause feel like something is 'wrong' with them because they've been sold a completely unrealistic story about female desire," Dr. Vanessa Coppola, a menopause expert and founder of Bare Aesthetic and Bare Soul Wellness, tells Scary Mommy. "You're supposed to want sex the same way you did at 25 for the rest of your life, and if you don't, it must mean you're broken or your relationship is failing."

Late-night snacking has had a bad rap for a long time. When pop culture takes a stab at this (very) human thing, it often portrays the scene as pernicious or, at best, distasteful. Combine that with regular condemnation by diet culture and accusatory media headlines that frame after-dinner eating as a moral failing, and it's easy to see why most of us want to steer clear.

Being a leader today requires a new level of performance. One that overrides fatigue, can suppress internal signals, and absorbs constant urgency, all while rapidly context-switching. Simply said, modern leadership demands have increased, and not everyone is-or wants to stay-on board. Today's leaders face growing expectations, dynamic responsibilities, and constant pressure to perform amid deep uncertainty and an ever-accelerating business ecosystem.

HOME is located in a former Triyoga space, but with a very different vibe - less hardcore wellness, more grab a comfy seat, bring a book and accidentally lose the whole day. Phone calls aren't allowed, shoes have to be removed, as do earphones, and whether that's a sign of me getting old or not, those are exactly the kind of rules I like to have at HOME.

Leadership is often thought of as managing teams, strategies or organizations. But the truth is, leadership starts with managing yourself. A leader who lacks discipline in their personal life, whether in health, time or energy, will struggle to lead others with clarity and consistency. Without personal self-management, even the best leadership strategies fall apart. This is why self-discipline is often called the hidden foundation of leadership success.

"I sleep on this pillow almost every night, and if it wasn't for the unique grid cloud texture, I would definitely mistake this for down because of its superior softness," shares Baker. Even though this falls in the down alternative pillow category, she says it's a worthwhile pick since it gives the type of support that'll help finicky side or back sleepers rest easy.

Have you ever struggled to find the perfect drink just before bed? Something like coffee or another caffeinated drink is usually out of the question. Likewise, you don't want a sugary drink if you just brushed your teeth. Cold water, and even room-temperature water, might be the standard, but you should consider the benefits of hot water if you've never tried it before. It can benefit you in more ways than you'd think.

When I arrived at Liberty Tiny Village on a warmer than usual day in November, I thought I knew exactly what to expect. The resort-style, 55-and-older tiny home community in Aubrey, Texas, markets itself as an upscale community for retirees or soon-to-be retirees ready to shed decades of belongings in exchange for a smaller, freer way of living. But that's only part of the story. That afternoon, I sat with two neighbors, widows Debbie Giamalva a retired intensive care nurse, and Sherry Miller, a retired English teacher.

These are the Condé Nast Traveller Wellness & Spa Guide winners for 2026: the top-level retreats and medi-clinics, the most-results-driven health centres and the slickest spas. Well-being has never been more at the forefront of our minds than now, and there have never been more excuses to practice wellness on a daily basis. From sound baths in the Maldives to recovery lounges in Napa Valley, 2026 is set to see boundary-pushing wellness trends in the travel world.

Happy Birthday: Set your sights on financial goals that will put your mind at ease and your budget in place for the year. A healthy attitude and a year filled with physical activity or pursuing something you feel passionate about will lead to personal contentment. Invest in quality of life, health and emotional well-being, and personal growth, positive attitude and self-improvement will follow. Love, money and opportunity are yours to behold. Your numbers are 4, 12, 25, 27, 33, 38, 42.

Robbins follows these six steps in the morning in order to "supercharge" her energy all day: get up when the alarm rings (no snoozing or lying in bed!), make the bed and tidy your space, give yourself a high-five in the mirror, drink water before anything, take in the morning light, and move your body. I decided to try Robbins' morning routine for seven days, and here's how it went.

Thailand is Asia's big-hitting wellness destination, with a clutch of grande dames and newcomers on the well-established spa scene keeping the country at the top of many people's must-visit list.