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

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

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

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

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

The post Wellness Awaits in Gran Canaria appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

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!

The post Lou Loves: The Festive Tradition Edit appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

Give the gift of adventure with an Airbnb voucher that lets them escape to anywhere from cosy cabins to chic city apartments.

Vogue Magazine Subscription

A Vogue subscription delivers year-round style inspiration straight to their door, perfect for fashion lovers who want to stay ahead of the trends.

Canopy + Stars Voucher

Treat them to a magical nature escape with a Canopy & Stars voucher, ideal for anyone craving fresh air, slow mornings and beautifully curated glamping spots.

Apple Voucher

From AirPods to apps, an Apple voucher opens the door to tech treats and upgrades they’ll genuinely use every day.

Ruby Voucher

A Ruby voucher gives them the chance to book wellbeing treatments, beauty services or wellness moments exactly when they need them.

Pooky E-Gift Card

Let them brighten their home in style with a Pooky e-gift card, perfect for design lovers who adore unique, characterful lighting.

Class Pass Voucher

Gift them endless ways to move with a ClassPass voucher, offering everything from yoga and barre to boxing and reformer Pilates at studios near them.

Bloom & Wild Subscription

A Bloom & Wild flower subscription brings fresh, thoughtful blooms to their doorstep each month, guaranteed to lift their mood.

Hertility Hormone Test Gift Card

Empower their health journey with a Hertility test gift card, giving them personalised insights into fertility, hormones and wellbeing.

With Nothing Underneath E-Gift Card

A WNU gift card lets them choose from beautifully tailored, timeless shirts that elevate any wardrobe effortlessly.

Calcot Manor Overnight Voucher

A night at Calcot Manor promises fireside relaxation, countryside luxury and spa-soaked serenity all in one unforgettable stay.

Selfridges Voucher

A Selfridges voucher unlocks an entire world of fashion, beauty and lifestyle icons, the ultimate choose-your-own-treat present.

Pottery Studio Lessons

Gift them a calming creative escape with pottery lessons, where they can switch off, get messy and make something truly unique.

Daunt Book Gift Certificate

A Daunt Books certificate opens the door to hours of browsing and the joy of discovering their next unforgettable read.

Theatre Tickets 

Treat them to a night of culture with theatre tickets—an experience full of storytelling, atmosphere and shared magic.

V&A Membership

A V&A membership offers unlimited inspiration with access to world-class exhibitions, members’ previews and a beautiful creative community.

Wylder Yoga Retreat

Send them on a restorative escape with a Wylder yoga retreat, combining mindful movement, nourishing food and soul-soothing nature.

Wellness Experience at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

A wellness experience at the Mandarin Oriental promises pure indulgence with treatments, tranquillity and a touch of London luxury.

Lisa Franklin Voucher

A Lisa Franklin voucher invites them to enjoy science-led, glow-giving skincare treatments in one of London’s most serene beauty spaces.

Tea at the Ritz

Tea at the Ritz is a timeless treat, serving up elegance, tiered cakes and a quintessentially British moment to savour.

Cirque du Soleil Tickets

Cirque du Soleil tickets deliver a night of breathtaking acrobatics, artistry and awe-inspiring performance they’ll never forget.

The post 21 Ideas for Last Minute Gifts You Can Buy Online appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

Travelling by road offers flexibility that other forms of transport often cannot provide. For travellers with mobility needs, that flexibility becomes essential. A well-planned road trip removes pressure from daily decisions and replaces uncertainty with control. When preparation aligns with the right vehicle and realistic pacing, long journeys across the UK remain comfortable, predictable, and enjoyable.

Successful trips do not depend on optimism. Route selection, vehicle suitability, accommodation access, and contingency planning shape the experience long before the engine starts.

Planning Routes with Accessibility in Focus

Route planning plays a central role in road travel with mobility needs. Navigation is not only about distance or traffic flow. It is about surface quality, service stop access, and reliable facilities along the way. A route that appears efficient on a standard map may introduce barriers that disrupt comfort or safety.

Accessible route research reduces avoidable strain. Travellers increasingly rely on accessible route planning platforms to identify venues and stops that support step-free access, appropriate parking, and usable facilities.

Service stations deserve particular attention. Not all motorway stops provide equal access. Parking layout, toilet configuration, and entrance design vary widely. Checking facilities in advance avoids unnecessary detours and limits fatigue caused by last-minute adjustments.

Road conditions also affect comfort. Extended inclines, uneven surfaces, or poorly maintained local roads increase physical strain. Allowing additional time between destinations supports regular breaks and reduces pressure to rush through uncomfortable sections of the journey.

Choosing a Vehicle That Supports Independence

The choice of vehicle defines the road trip experience. For wheelchair users, an accessible vehicle removes the need for transfers and protects physical energy throughout the journey. Ramps, lifts, lowered floors, and secure restraint systems allow travel without compromise.

Vehicle selection depends on daily use patterns and trip length. Compact models suit urban driving and limited parking. Larger vehicles offer space for families, carers, or powered wheelchairs. Entry configuration also matters. Rear-entry layouts often suit residential environments, while side-entry designs support pavement-based access during roadside stops.

Many travellers reach a point where repeated workarounds no longer feel sustainable. At that stage, transport shifts from obstacle to solution. Those who choose to see the full range of wheelchair accessible vehicles here often do so after recognising that reliability outweighs ongoing compromise.

Demonstration sessions and test drives remain essential. Practising boarding, restraint positioning, and internal movement confirms whether a vehicle supports real-world use rather than theoretical suitability.

Renting or Using an Adapted Vehicle

Road trips allow two main approaches: renting an accessible vehicle or travelling in an owned adapted car. Rental options suit occasional travel and longer holidays. They remove the need for permanent modifications while offering vehicles designed specifically for accessibility.

Before committing to a journey, testing remains critical. Internal turning space, headroom clearance, restraint ease, and ramp operation affect comfort over long distances. These factors influence fatigue levels far more than mileage alone.

For owned vehicles, understanding maintenance requirements protects reliability. Powered ramps and lifts require regular servicing. Planning journeys around service schedules reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns during travel.

Understanding Vehicle Adaptation Options

Vehicle adaptation costs vary based on conversion complexity. Manual ramps offer simplicity and lower cost but require physical effort. Powered systems reduce strain and speed up boarding, though they introduce additional mechanical components.

Each option carries practical implications. Manual systems suit users with consistent physical support. Powered solutions benefit those travelling independently or managing limited upper-body strength. Evaluating long-term use patterns prevents mismatched choices.

Reliable guidance helps prevent costly mistakes when selecting vehicle adaptations. Independent resources that explain manual and powered ramp systems, long-term suitability, and safety assessments give travellers a clearer basis for comparison. Consulting wheelchair adaptation options guidance before committing to a conversion supports informed decisions, especially where physical effort, maintenance needs, and future mobility changes must be considered.

Booking Accessible Accommodation

Accommodation access shapes the success of multi-day road trips. Accessibility claims alone rarely provide sufficient detail. Real suitability depends on doorway width, bathroom layout, step-free routes, and parking proximity.

Direct communication with accommodation providers remains essential. Asking specific questions avoids misunderstandings that surface only after arrival. Written confirmation of requirements protects expectations and supports resolution if discrepancies arise.

Travellers benefit from requesting photographs or floor plans when available. Visual confirmation often reveals constraints not described in booking listings. Keeping accessibility requirements documented within reservations strengthens clarity for both parties.

Packing for Comfort and Continuity

Thoughtful packing protects comfort during extended travel. For powered mobility equipment, spare components and basic tools reduce dependence on unfamiliar services. Temporary aids such as portable seating supports or shower equipment compensate for variable facilities along the route. Medication management also matters. Carrying surplus supplies and identifying accessible medical facilities before departure reduces anxiety during longer journeys. Practical guidance on travelling with a disability or reduced mobility supports preparation without restricting spontaneity.

Building Flexible Itineraries

Road trips work best when itineraries remain adaptable. Overloading schedules increases fatigue and reduces enjoyment. Alternating active days with lighter periods preserves energy and supports participation across the group. Guidance from organisations focused on accessible travel, including making travel accessible, helps travellers understand how realistic pacing and clear expectations reduce disruption during longer journeys.

Many attractions now publish detailed access information. Reviewing these details before arrival avoids frustration and allows realistic time allocation. Planning rest periods into scenic or low-demand locations maintains momentum without pressure.

Flexibility also supports unexpected changes. Weather shifts, temporary closures, or crowd levels influence access. Nearby alternatives provide continuity without disappointment.

Managing Unplanned Challenges

Even thorough planning cannot prevent every barrier. Backup strategies maintain confidence when original plans change. Keeping contact details for regional support services and specialist breakdown assistance protects continuity during unexpected vehicle issues.

Support organisations familiar with accessible vehicles reduce response time and minimise disruption. Knowing help remains available supports calm decision-making when plans require adjustment.

Local disability networks also provide region-specific insight. Retaining contact information across destinations ensures assistance remains accessible throughout the journey.

Road travel with mobility needs becomes manageable when preparation replaces assumptions. Clear route planning, the right vehicle, accessible accommodation, and built-in flexibility reduce pressure before challenges appear. Small, informed decisions made early protect comfort, energy, and independence throughout the journey. With the right structure in place, long road trips remain not only possible, but genuinely enjoyable.

The post Road Trip Planning with Mobility Needs in Mind appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

The Skin-Stress Connection: Why Your Complexion Needs Adaptogens

Just like your internal system, your skin faces constant aggressors – from UV radiation and pollution to the invisible impacts of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This daily onslaught can lead to a weakened skin barrier, increased sensitivity, dehydration, and accelerated ageing. No thank you.

Adaptogenic herbs work by helping the body – and in this case, the skin –”adapt” to and resist these physical and emotional stressors. When applied topically, they don’t just sit on the surface; they deliver targeted benefits to help fortify your skin’s natural defences.

Meet the Power Players: Your Topical Adaptogen Arsenal

Ashwagandha: The Ayurvedic powerhouse known for its calming properties. For the skin, it helps neutralise free radicals from pollution, soothe inflammation, and strengthen the skin’s barrier, making it a surprising ally for those with sensitive skin.

Reishi: Known as the “mushroom of immortality,” this fungus is a hydration hero. It’s packed with triterpenes and polysaccharides that help calm redness and lock in moisture, creating a plumper, more resilient complexion.

Rhodiola: This root is renowned for helping the body resist fatigue. In skincare, its high antioxidant content helps protect skin cells from oxidative stress, preventing tired-looking, dull skin and promoting a more radiant glow.

SHOP THE STORY

Ready to integrate these powerful ingredients into your routine? We’ve curated the best in adaptogenic beauty. You’re welcome.

RMS Beauty ‘Kakadu Clean Cleansing Gel’ – £37

Start and end your day by washing away impurities without stripping the skin’s microbiome. This gentle gel cleanser is infused with wild mint leaf and RMS’s proprietary Adaptogenic Herbal Blend, which works to balance and hydrate the skin, leaving it clean, soothed, and perfectly prepped for the next steps in your routine.

Kama Ayurveda ‘Vanasara Ashwagandha Invigorating Essence’ – £53

 This is far more than a facial mist. Harnessing Adaptonyl (a potent Ashwagandha extract), it works to boost skin resilience and hydration. Infused with prebiotics and Ayurvedic floral waters, it’s a sensorial treat that instantly enlivens a dull complexion and strengthens the barrier.

Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream – £54

This rich, yet non-pore-clogging, cream delivers intense, long-lasting hydration to dry, reactive, and sensitive complexions. Its hero adaptogen blend of Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and Reishi works in synergy to soothe redness and irritation, helping your skin better cope with daily stressors. Meanwhile, squalane, jojoba, and Shea butter drench skin in moisture and a dedicated Calming Peptide Complex helps fortify the skin barrier and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Ranavat ‘Renewing Bakuchi Créme’ – £95 

A truly potent moisturiser where Ashwagandha plays a key role in protecting against environmental stressors. It works in harmony with bakuchi seed (a natural retinol alternative) to improve elasticity and soften fine lines over time.

Joonbyrd ‘Daydreamer Firming Body Serum’ – £78

Founded by leading dermatologist Dr. Alexis Granite, Joonbyrd fuses science with sensoriality. This hero serum is a perfect example, tightening and toning with 18 powerful actives. It features the adaptogenic power of Songyi mushroom (Reishi) to shield skin from stress, all within a nourishing, gourmand-scented gel-to-oil formula.

Words by Frankie Jabarkhyl

The post Adaptogens For Glowing Skin (They’re Not Just for Your Smoothie!) appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

The festive season is magical, but it can also be totally exhausting. Between last-minute shopping, work deadlines, social gatherings, and family commitments, it’s easy to feel completely drained before Christmas even arrives. But staying energised doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are ten simple strategies to help you feel bright, balanced, and full of festive cheer.

1. Prioritise Sleep
It might be tempting to sacrifice rest to fit in everything on your to-do list, but lack of sleep will leave you sluggish and more prone to stress. For most healthy adults, the recommended amount of sleep is 7 to 9 hours per night, say sleep specialists at the National Sleep Foundation and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. BetterYou’s Magnesium Sleep range is perfect for both adults and kids alike at helping lull reluctant sleep goers into a deep and dreamy slumber – because let’s face it, if the kids aren’t sleeping the adults won’t be either!

2. Move Your Body Daily
Exercise doesn’t have to be intense to boost your energy. A brisk walk, a short yoga session, or even a few stretches in the morning can increase circulation, release feel-good endorphins, and help combat festive fatigue. When you’re feeling tired, we know that this might be the last thing you want to do but getting active (and even better – getting active outdoors) is a fail-safe way to help your body unwind and rest properly later. It also provides you with a bit of “me-time” to recharge the batteries. 

3. Eat for Sustained Energy
Instead of relying on sugar and caffeine, focus on whole foods that provide long-lasting energy. Incorporate protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs into your meals – think roasted vegetables with quinoa, eggs with avocado, or a handful of nuts with fruit. These healthy, energising breakfast recipes by Megan Hallett are ideal for those feeling sluggish in the morning.

4. Stay Hydrated
It’s easy to forget water amid the flurry of festive drinks, but dehydration can make you feel lethargic. Keep a water bottle handy, and balance festive indulgences like wine and coffee with plenty of H2O. For an added boost we love adding electrolytes to our water (especially brilliant around the festive season for reinvigorating tired souls) – our favourites are PHIZZ, which also come with an added bonus of vitamins to help keep immune systems strong too.

5. Manage Your Stress
The holiday season can be stressful, and stress is a major energy zapper. Take 10 to15 minutes a day for mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to reset your mind and body. Even a short walk outside can work wonders. The way I best like to do this is to wake up a tad earlier than everyone else in the house – it can sometimes be hard to do with these horrid dark mornings – but everytime I do I feel so much better for allowing myself 15 minutes to drink a cup of tea, or fold laundry to to the sound of Classic FM just so I am on top of the house too. It’s so basic and sounds boring but it’s just about being alone with my thoughts in the morning and working out what I need to do that day before actually doing it. Plus – another big thing here for me is eating right, so I really prioritise that.

6. Plan Your To-Do List Wisely
Instead of trying to do everything at once, prioritise tasks and break them into manageable steps. Crossing off small items can give you a sense of achievement without leaving you overwhelmed. I have a Smythson Diary with all my “To-Do” lists in it and I love it. I also use a family weekly planner for the kids’ holidays (like this) as I am not just juggling my own  “To-Do” lists but theirs too!

7. Supplement Smartly
Nothing stresses me out more than a mid-festive season cold! If your diet is a little depleted during the busy season, certain supplements can help maintain energy and wellbeing. Vitamin C, B vitamins, and magnesium are great for supporting energy levels and reducing fatigue. I love Wild Nutrition’s Energy Support. Always check with a healthcare professional before starting anything new.

8. Take Mini Breaks
Even five minutes away from your desk, phone, or the Christmas chaos can help you recharge. Step outside, listen to your favourite song, or enjoy a warm drink in peace, small pauses can make a big difference.

9. Keep Socialising Balanced
Festive events are fun, but overcommitting can be exhausting. Choose the gatherings that matter most, and give yourself permission to decline invitations when needed. Quality over quantity is key to staying energised. I also have a little unwritten rule that I tend not to drink at the big drinks party but I’ll allow myself a glass of champagne or two with close family and friends as I find the big drinks parties can be overwhelming at the best of time and if I add alcohol into the equation I am full-on depleted the next day. 

10. Embrace the Joy
Finally, focus on the aspects of the season that truly make you happy. Whether it’s baking, decorating, connecting with loved ones, or simply enjoying a quiet moment by the fire, leaning into joy naturally boosts your energy and mood.

Enjoy, Happy Christmas xxx

The post How To Stay Energised This Festive Season appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

Regular worry is a sign that we are listening to the wrong voice. The mind is loud, repetitive, and fear-based. But beneath it is another voice; your soul, your intuition, your heart. This inner voice is calm, wise, and always guiding you toward inner peace and alignment. When you learn to trust this voice more than the mind, worry begins to dissolve naturally.

Here are five powerful and gentle steps you can start today to live a worry-free life:

1. Quiet the Mind to Hear Your Inner Wisdom

The mind creates noise. The heart creates clarity.

Most worries come from an overactive mind trying to predict, control, or perfect the future. But your deepest wisdom doesn’t speak through mental chatter, it speaks through stillness. So the path to a worry-free life begins with quieting the mind enough to hear the guidance already within you.

You can do this by:

• Sitting in silence for a few minutes each day
• Placing your hands on your heart and breathing consciously
• Spending time in nature without your phone
• Meditating, grounding, or simply pausing

Quieting the mind isn’t about stopping thoughts. It’s about softening their grip so the whispers of your heart can rise to the surface. When the mind quiets, intuition becomes unmistakable.

2. Reduce External Noise and Reclaim Your Energy

We often feel overwhelmed not because life is chaotic, but because we allow too many external voices to interfere with our inner knowing. Society, family, friends, social media, everyone has an opinion about what you should do, who you should be, and what your life should look like.

But you cannot live peacefully if your nervous system is constantly reacting to external expectations.

A worry-free life requires learning to trust your soul before all else.

This may look like:

• Taking breaks from social media
• Choosing who you share your dreams with
• Limiting conversations or content that drain or confuse you
• Not asking for advice when you already know the answer

When you quiet the external world, you create space for your own truth to guide you. You stop absorbing other people’s fears and return to your own inner compass.

3. Trust Your Soul Above Your Fears

This is the heart of living without worry.

Your soul communicates with you constantly, through sensations, images, intuitive pulls, and feelings of expansion or contraction. When you follow this inner guidance, life flows. When you ignore it, everything feels heavier.

Worry dissolves when you choose to trust your soul more than you trust your fear or the expectations of others.

This means:

• Trusting the quiet “yes” or “no” inside you
• Trusting the dreams that keep returning
• Trusting the path that feels like home, even if you can’t explain it
• Trusting the feeling of alignment in your body

Self-trust is a practice, not a moment. Every decision made from intuition strengthens your connection to your soul. Over time, fear loses its influence because you’ve built a deeper, unshakeable trust within yourself.

4. Let Your Heart Guide Your Decisions

The mind calculates. The heart knows.

When faced with decisions, most of us turn to logic, opinions, and overthinking. But the mind can only analyse based on the past. It cannot feel what is truly meant for you, but your heart can.

Heart-led decisions are grounded, peaceful, and deeply aligned.

To make heart-centered choices, ask:

• Which option expands me?
• Which feels heavy or constricting?
• Which aligns with the woman I am becoming?
• Which choice brings me closer to love, not fear?

Your heart is your compass. The more you honor it, the more your life fills with clarity and ease and the less space worry has to grow.

5. When Fear Appears, Don’t Spiral, Heal

A worry-free life doesn’t mean you’ll never feel fear again. Fear is human. What changes is how quickly you return to your heart when it arises.

Instead of letting your mind spiral, you pause, breathe, and meet the fear with presence and compassion. You heal what the fear is showing you so it no longer controls your choices.

Try:

• Journaling or emotional release
• Inner-child connection
• Somatic movement
• Meditation
• Energy healing

These practices dissolve the emotional charge underneath the fear, allowing you to hear your intuition again. Living worry-free is not about avoiding fear, it’s about knowing how to return to alignment every time you drift away.

Fear is temporary. Your inner wisdom is constant.

You Can Live a Worry-Free Life; Because Peace Is Your Natural State

A worry-free life isn’t something you achieve. It’s something you remember. When you quiet the mind, limit external noise, trust your inner guidance, make heart-led decisions, and heal fear with compassion and love, you shift into a way of living where peace becomes your default, not the exception.

Words by Macarena Gonzalez, Energy Healer (www.bloomingrose.love)

The post How to Live a Worry-Free Life (Yes, It’s Possible): 5 Steps You Can Start Today appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

As a mental health nurse, I’ve spent over a decade supporting people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. I have great insight into what strength and resilience looked like – how to hold hope, how to cope when life doesn’t go to plan. But nothing could have prepared me for the moment, at 28 weeks pregnant with my second child, that my own world came crashing down. 

We’d gone for a routine scan to check if the placenta had moved from over my cervix, which had been of some concern. The scan confirmed placenta had moved, but the sonographer explained that he had other concerns about how small our baby was. The next day, we made our way up to the Fetal Medicine Unit at Guy’s Hospital, London, to be re-scanned. The words we heard that day would change everything: our baby had Achondroplasia, the most common form of Dwarfism – a random 1 in 30,000 genetic mutation. I sat in that hospital room with my partner, both of us numb, dizzy and in total disbelief. 

My mind started racing through everything I thought I knew. I began to grieve the journey I thought we were meant to have- the one I’d imagined ever since becoming a Mum during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I went into my own world, frightened and in despair, trying to picture what life would now look like for our little boy, and for us as a family. 

When Care Fails the Carers 

As a clinician, I’ve always believed that empathy and communication were the backbone of good care. But being on the other side of the table opened my eyes in a way I could never have imagined. Aside from my amazing Midwife, our care from the point of diagnosis was so poor- fragmented, inconsistent, and painfully lacking in compassion. 

Being someone who needs to see things in writing, we waited for around 2 weeks for the formal results from the amniocentesis that was done in London. I then received a call to tell me that the amniocentesis results had come back negative. Relief flooded through us; however, this was to be short lived as we were called back the next day to be informed there had been a mistake and that the result was, in fact positive. 

That moment, being catapulted from total relief to complete devastation, is one I’ll never forget. I remember thinking: how could this happen? I was exhausted, terrified, and losing faith in a system I’d once been proud to work within. Comments like “Was it just bad luck then?” from a consultant still echo in my mind. Nobody seemed to know much about Achondroplasia locally, and I found myself repeating our story again and again to new faces, new departments, each time reopening this fresh wound. This carries on to this day. 

Despite all the staggering love and support around us from family and friends, I’ve never felt so alone and overwhelmed in my life. No one called to ask how we were and we continued our extra appointments day by day, putting all our energy into keeping things as normal as possible for Alba, our 2-year-old little girl. 

Losing My Role, and Finding Myself 

By the time my beautiful son, Arlo, was born, I was on maternity leave from a senior leadership position in the NHS. I’d been in leadership since 2015 and had always been career-driven alongside my passion for a high standard of patient care and experience, managing services, leading teams, and supporting others. Halfway through my maternity leave I was told that my role was being removed as a result of a consultation. This was a huge piece of news to digest at an already difficult time – I was quite numb by this point. 

After time to process, I opted to take voluntary redundancy. It was the most unsettling yet strangely freeing decision I’d ever made. It bought me time to try to relax and enjoy the rest of my maternity leave and rethink my next steps. This chapter was closing, but in the space that followed, something new began to grow. 

The Birth of Postnatal Minds 

In the quiet, messy, beautiful chaos of those early months with Arlo, I started reflecting on everything that had happened. The system I’d worked within for so long had failed us, not out of malice, but out of a lack of understanding and true connection. Parents deserve better than that. They deserve to be heard and seen. I knew I had the skills and experience to make a dent in this gap. 

That’s when Postnatal Minds was born. 

I trained as a Health & Wellbeing Coach and combined this with my experience as a mental health nurse, leader and mother. My mission was simple: to give parents the emotional support we never had.  

I started offering mental health coaching, support sessions, and wellbeing workshops. Creating safe spaces where parents could be honest about how they were really feeling, without judgement. 

As Postnatal Minds has grown, so have I. I began to rediscover the passion that had drawn me to nursing in the first place- helping people to heal, not just clinically, but emotionally and mentally. I launched affirmation cards for mums and children to encourage positive self-talk and even developed emotional wellbeing workshops for pre-schoolers which I deliver in Nursery settings. 

Turning Pain into Purpose 

In its first year, Postnatal Minds has become more than I could have ever imagined. We’ve delivered online and in-person support to many parents across the UK, rolled out workshops for pre-school children around emotion in nurseries and raised money for Little People UK and the Dwarf Sports Association– organisations that mean the world to our family. We were honoured as a family to work with ITV and Ellie Simmonds this year on her latest documentary which explored disability diagnoses and the experiences of families like ours. And through my podcast, I’ve been able to open conversations about postnatal mental health topics that so often go unspoken. 

There are still hard days, of course. Moments of worry about Arlo’s future, illness, the practical challenges and the never-ending appointments. But Arlo has taught me more about perspective, love, and resilience than any textbook or leadership course ever could. Things that I thought were important before no longer are, and I take so much from the everyday little things. 

Redefining Success 

If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be self-employed, running my own business from home, hosting a podcast, and finding joy in the everyday, I’d have laughed. My old idea of success was built around career progression, status, and the next leadership opportunity. Now, success looks like flexibility. It’s walking my children to school, having time to rest (sometimes!), and feeling deeply fulfilled in the work I do. 

I’ve never felt so aligned in my career and it all came from a moment that, at the time, felt like my world had ended. 

Finding Light in the Darkness 

When life throws you something huge – something that changes everything you thought you knew upside down – it’s easy to feel like you’ll never recover. But I want other mothers, parents, and women to know this: you will. What feels unfair and unbelievable, will make sense soon. 

You might not go back to who you were before, but maybe that’s the point? Because sometimes, the most painful moments carve out space for something more beautiful to take root. For me, that’s been perspective, awareness, community, and love. 

Strength and love really can get you through. 

Arlo’s diagnosis flipped our worlds as we knew it upside down, but in doing so, it also turned it the right way up. I may have partially lost the planned career I thought defined me, but I’ve gained a life that truly aligns with who I am: a nurse, a mother, and a woman who knows that even in the darkest chapters, there’s always light waiting to be found. 

The post When Life Shifts in an Instant: A Mother’s Story of Diagnosis, Resilience and New Purpose appeared first on Hip & Healthy.

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1. Kick Off with Smart Brushing

I have never been SO impressed with a LED product as I have with the Bon Charge Red Light Toothbrush. This isn’t your average electric brush, it combines sonic vibrations with therapeutic red (660 nm) and near-infrared (830 nm) light to support gum health, boost circulation, and help calm inflammation – which it absolutely did. Having suffered from bleeding gums when I floss for years – this toothbrush cleared it up within a few days. It was genuinely remarkable. Pro tip: Brush twice a day for two minutes, using gentle, even strokes. Don’t forget to clean your tongue, too as that’s where a surprising amount of odor-causing bacteria hide.

2. Keep Mouthwash Close for a Mid-Party Refresh

Try Spotlight’s Fresh Breath Whitening Mouthwash, which uses their Evercool 180 technology to deliver a lasting fresh effect while gently whitening teeth. It’s alcohol-free, sugar-free, vegan-friendly, and contains sodium fluoride to help protect your enamel. Use around 10 ml, swish for one minute, and spit, ideal for use after meals or between brushing. 

3. Chew Smart When You’re Socialising

The Peppersmith English Peppermint Gum is a great pick when it comes to gum. Made with xylitol, it helps neutralise acids and reduce bacteria in the mouth. Plus, chewing stimulates saliva, which naturally flushes out food debris and odour-causing compounds. Keep a pack in your bag so you can pop a piece between courses or after a particularly aromatic dish, without resorting to sugary mints. These are the perfect antidote to champagne breath (we’ve all been on the wrong end of that one!).

4. Cultivate a Healthy Oral Microbiome with Probiotics

Bad breath isn’t just about what you eat, it’s also about the balance of bacteria in your mouth. Certain harmful bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which are largely responsible for that unpleasant “morning breath” or post-meal funk. That’s where SuperTeeth Dental Probiotics come in. These mint-flavoured tablets contain strains like Streptococcus salivarius M18 that help rebalance your oral microbiome, reduce VSC-producing bacteria, and support long-term breath freshness. Just take one after brushing and let it dissolve. Over time, you should notice fresher morning breath and healthier gums. 

5. Floss Like Your Confidence Depends On It (Because It Does)

In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Women “you shouldn’t neglect your gums”. Flossing isn’t glamorous (although Roberts goes a long way to making it that much cooler), but it’s vital. Without it, bits of food and plaque trapped between teeth provide a feast for bacteria, leading to odour. Use the Gutology Charcoal Dental Floss – its activated charcoal helps absorb and remove unwanted compounds, while the waxed finish makes it easy to slide between teeth. Keeping that space clean drastically reduces bacteria build-up and helps control breath.

6. Stay Hydrated & Make Smart Food Choices

• Sip water regularly: Staying hydrated keeps your mouth moist, helping saliva naturally cleanse. Dry mouth is a major trigger for bad breath.
  
• Snack smart: Opt for crunchy, fresh foods like celery or apples. These not only boost saliva but help scrape away leftover food.
  
• Limit strong-smelling or sugary foods: Things like garlic, onions, and too much sugar can exacerbate bad breath.
  

7. Be Proactive — Not Reactive

• Schedule a dental check-up: Persistent bad breath could be a sign of gum disease or other oral health issues. Regular cleanings help keep plaque and tartar in check.
  
• Replace your toothbrush head: If you’re using an electric brush (like the Bon Charge one), swap the head every 3 to 4 months or sooner if the bristles wear.
  
• Mind your lifestyle: Alcohol, coffee, and smoking all dry the mouth and encourage odour-causing bacteria.
  

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