Hi lovely,

AI is still dominating the wellness conversation this week - and not just in therapy apps or gym floor upgrades. After our last Wellness Drop, and after sharing Brené Brown’s podcast with Esther Perel (a must-listen if you haven’t already), I had some really thoughtful chats with a few of you about "artificial intimacy” and what it means to truly connect in an increasingly digitised world. (Also: please read my friend Sarah’s Substack on the topic — “I have a thousand friends, but no one to feed my cat” — it’s honest, sharp, and beautifully written.)

Then came the headline this week: Mark Zuckerberg says AI friends might just cure loneliness.

Errrr no Mark.

Let’s be real - yes, AI can be helpful. It’s available, consistent, and surprisingly good at listening. But real connection? It’s supposed to be messy, emotional, and even a little awkward. That’s where the growth, the healing, and the magic happen. (And the research actually backs this up: it’s not just the nice interactions that matter - it’s the full, uncomfortable, beautifully human spectrum that builds empathy, resilience, and emotional (and nervous system) strength.)

Replacing that with a chatbot might feel easier in the moment… but we lose something vital when we stop choosing each other.
We don’t just lose connection - we risk outsourcing our emotional lives and forgetting how to think, relate, and respond for ourselves. Let’s not all forget that the messiness of human interaction is where empathy is built, where trust is earned, and where ultimately, true belonging begins.

That’s why here at The Wellness Drop, we’ll always keep community at the heart of what we do. Over on the grid, we’ve rounded up some of the best run clubs in Dubai - because moving together matters. (Just ask Eliud Kipchoge — yes, the GOAT of marathons - who recently shared he rarely runs alone, and credits his marathon success to his collaborative training approach) 

And finally, a little shameless plug: if you haven’t already, check out our sister platform @theconnected_collective for events, retreats, and real-life connection. Less chatbot, more cacao ceremony and genuine, soul reviving connection.

Let’s dive in shall we…

With love, glowy cheeks, and a strong preference for actual friends,

Harriet and Katie xoxo

📍 The Achievher Studio, Al Thanya St

First things first - this studio is a total breath of fresh air.
No mirrors, no pressure, no performative vibes. Just soft natural light, an open space that instantly calms your nervous system, and a dreamy view of the Burj Al Arab peeking through the windows.

@achievher.studio is honestly one of the most grounding spaces I’ve been to in Dubai. Their signature class, The Practice, is this beautiful blend of somatic movement, breathwork, and nervous system care that feels like a moving meditation - but deeper. You’re not there to burn out or push through… you’re there to come back to yourself.

The class I took was private (with the incredible Constanze), but even in group sessions, they keep class sizes small so it always feels personal. Safe. Supportive. You’re encouraged to move for you, not for anyone else in the room.

If you’ve been craving a space where you can feel, release, and reconnect - this is it.

From floating sound baths to padel fuelled brunches - here’s what’s on (May 26th - June 3rd)

🛁 Wellness Morning at Banya Forrest
Monday 26th May | 9am
Banya Forrest, Bluewaters Island
Kick off the week with expert insights on seasonal detox from Natalia Belaiche + full 3-hour access to the Banya experience.
Call +971 50 900 7929 to book

🧘 Sanctum x Siro
Saturday 31st May | 11:15 AM & Sunday 1st June | 10:00 AM
Siro, One&Only Za’abeel
They’re back - and if you know, you know. This powerful session of music, movement and breathwork is led by co-founder Luuk Melisse and is bound to sell out fast. Harriet went to the last one and was blown away. Expect energy, release, and transformation in one of Dubai’s most iconic spaces.
Book now via wearesanctum.com

🐶 Puppy Yoga
Saturday 31st May | 2pm, 3pm, or 5pm
Mixed Locations
Expect 20 minutes of yoga, 35 minutes of pure puppy play, and 5 minutes of zen. Whether you're flowing or cuddling, this one’s a serotonin boost in session form.
Book via @yoppy_puppyyoga

🎶 Boiler Room Coffee Party - Upaya x Kayan Experiences
Saturday 31st May | 4pm - 8pm
Taama at Sohum Wellness Sanctuary
Boho beats, cacao/coffee elixirs, soulful house, and a post-dance dinner. This pre-festival gathering is all about community and connection.
Book via @upayafestival or @sohumwellness.ae

🌬 Breathwork & Sound Immersion
Wednesday 29th May | 7.30pm - 9.30pm
INTO Studio, Dubai
An empowering 2 hour journey of breath, movement, sound healing + tea. Think: gongs, bowls, aromatherapy, and deep release.
DM @into.meditation to book

🌸 Botanical Float & Flow
Tuesday 3rd June | 8–9pm
The Garden Pool, One&Only One Za’abeel
Float under the stars in this dreamy water sound healing experience. A new location for Beyond Wellness - act quick as it will sell out fast.
Book via link @beyondwellnessdxb 

🎾 Smash & Brunch
Weekdays | 12–5pm
The Lob, Al Quoz 3
90 minutes of padel followed by a post-game brunch, all for AED 150. The perfect way to catch up with friends!
DM @thisisthelob to book

🌵 Sunday Chill, But Epic
Every Sunday | From 9am
Terra Solis
Mindful movement, breathwork, an epic ice bath, then lunch + all-day pool access at Dubai’s dreamiest desert spot.
Book via @beyondwellnessdxb

🌿 Spa & Lunch Retreat at Blended x Bounty Beets
Any day of the week
Blended Wellness, W Dubai Marina
Start with a 60-min signature massage, chill in the Himalayan Salt Cave, sip tea, then head to Bounty Beets for a nourishing lunch. Wellness + flavour + serious feel-good energy. A gorgeous way to spend the day as the temperature starts to sky rocket!
AED 595 (Mon–Thu) | AED 695 (Fri–Sun)
Book via link @blendedwellnessdxb

Your weekly whip-smart scroll through what’s hot (and not) in the world of wellness.

🏛️ INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS

⚖️ Weight Watchers Files for Bankruptcy... But It’s Not Over Yet
After nearly 60 years of points, weigh-ins, and diet culture domination, Weight Watchers (now WW) has filed for bankruptcy.But hold the funeral - they’re not disappearing, they’re rebranding. In what might be the most 2025 move ever, WW is reportedly eyeing a comeback with a pivot into pharma-backed wellness, including talk of launching oral weight-loss drugs. From portion control to pills? It’s a big shift - and a clear sign that legacy wellness brands are chasing relevance in the Ozempic era.
Wellness verdict? The weight loss wars aren’t ending - they’re just getting a makeover. 💊
📖 Read More

🏡 Green Is the New Gold in UAE Real Estate
In the UAE, wellness is no longer just a lifestyle - it’s a property feature. A recent report shows buyers are willing to pay a premium for homes designed around well-being, from natural light and airflow to access to nature, low-tox materials, and even on-site wellness facilities. Developers are catching on fast - with eco-architecture, circadian lighting, and community gardens now high on the priority list.
Our take? From sound baths to sound insulation, we love to see wellness move off the yoga mat and into the blueprint. 🪴
📖 Read More

🍎 Spain Just Announced One of the World’s Strictest School Food Policies
Spain is rolling out a bold new nutrition policy that bans sugary snacks, ultra-processed foods, and even fruit juices in schools. The goal? Curb rising childhood obesity and put health first. Menus will focus on whole foods and home-cooked-style meals - and vending machines are getting a serious glow-up.
Some say it’s too restrictive, but one thing’s clear: Spain is putting kids’ health above corporate interests.
Our thoughts? Mandating nutrient-rich school meals is a shift we’re 100% here for. More lentils, fewer labels — and honestly, we’d love a curated lunch too. 🥗
📖 Read More

 💪 Creatine Is the New Multivitamin
Once the domain of gym bros and bulk culture, creatine clearly got a new PR agency - and the rebrand is working. Now linked to brain health, beauty, sleep, and longevity, it's being embraced by everyone from Gen Z biohackers to glow-up enthusiasts.
With sales set to surge 279% by 2030, brands like @try_create_, and @arrae are swapping scoops for sleek hydration sticks and daily blends.
Real Talk: The research stacks up on this one - so we’re sipping, scooping, and seeing what all the fuss is about. 🧠✨
📖 Read More

🤖 AI Is Coming for the Gym Floor
First therapy, now the treadmill. AI is flexing its way into fitness with tech like EGYM’s Genius AI, which syncs across machines, apps, and data from 200+ partners to build hyper-personalized workouts - based on your goals, fitness level, and even what gear is available. It’s efficient. It’s adaptive. It might even remember your reps better than you do. But as some early reviews show, the experience can feel… a little soulless. Motivation, feedback, even form corrections? Still better with a real human.
Our take? We’re all for smarter machines - just not at the expense of actual connection. You can’t high-five an algorithm. Yet. 💪🤖
📖 Read More

🏋️‍♀️ Meanwhile… IRL Fitness Is Flexing
While AI might be taking over the gym floor, the demand for real in-person fitness is growing even faster. Global gym and studio revenue is projected to grow 134% - from $101B in 2024 to $237B by 2034. Because no matter how smart the machines get, people are still craving community. The energy, the accountability, the vibes - it's not something you can download.
Bottom Line? IRL is still the vibe. No app can replicate a group exhale or post-class fist bump. 🧘🏽‍♀️💪
📖 Read More

🧪 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

🍬 Microplastics in… Chewing Gum?
A new pilot study from UCLA has found that both synthetic and natural chewing gums can release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva while being chewed - up to 3,000 per piece. While there’s no human data yet on the health effects, early research suggests microplastics may not be as harmless as we once assumed. The researchers aren’t here to scare us (and neither are we) - just to raise awareness. As one of them put it: we’re already exposed to plastic daily… this is just another piece of the puzzle.
Our take? No need to panic or ditch gum altogether - but as always, it’s worth being curious. If you chew often, try sticking with one piece longer or exploring cleaner alternatives. And as always… don’t stick it under the table. 😬🌍
📖 Read More

🔮 TREND TO WATCH

🥤 Big Food Is Buying Better-For-You Brands
Legacy food giants are shopping the wellness aisle — and they’re not being subtle. Hershey’s just acquired @lesserevilsnacks, while PepsiCo has snapped up @drinkpoppi and @sietefoods. Why? Because consumers are ditching the junk in favor of functional, high-protein, low-sugar, gut-loving snacks. As ingredient transparency and wellness trends reshape demand, Big Food is pivoting fast. But a word of caution… Not every “healthified” snack is as clean as it looks. The rise of ultra-processed products dressed up in wellness buzzwords means we still need to read the labels.
We’re calling it: If challenger brands can scale without selling out, this could be a win for everyone. But let’s not confuse clever marketing with nourishment. 🍿
📖 Read More on Big Food’s Buying Spree & More on The Rise of “Functional Foods”

📩 SHARE IT, SAVE IT, SEND IT

Loved this edition of The Wellness Wire?
→ 💬 Forward it to the friend who swears their AI chatbot understands them (but still won’t go for a walk)
→ 🍬 Save it for the next time someone offers you gum… with a side of microplastics
→ 🏃‍♀️ Or reply and tell us: Are you team real run club, or still ghosting cardio?