From therapy cats to 4am runs - it’s our special World Mental Health edition, and it’s a good one

Hey Wellness Besties,

This Friday was World Mental Health Day, so in its honour, we’ve put together a super special edition that focuses on all things mental health.

This week’s Wellness Wire takes you on a little world tour - from therapy cats to the hairdressers quietly holding space for their communities, to new research proving that movement really is medicine (finally, science catches up with us).

Our Sunday Spotlight also features a very relevant treatment that’s helping people with cognitive disorders like depression, anxiety, and general cognitive overload (aka… everyone trying to survive 2025 with a functioning brain).

And on a more personal note, Harriet’s husband and a few close friends took on the 4×4×48 challenge this week - running four miles every four hours for 48 hours in support of mental health awareness.

Exercise has played a huge role in each of their lives, helping them navigate challenges, find clarity, and reconnect with themselves a so this felt like a deeply personal way to honour the cause. 

Click here to watch our interview with them after completing the challenge.

With love always, (and a gentle reminder to talk to, and check in on your friends)

Don’t say I never do anything for you guys. Today, I volunteered as tribute and went to try out ExoMind - a neurowellness treatment making serious waves for its results with anxiety, depression, and OCD.

I headed down to Aeon Clinic (any excuse to visit the gorgeous Atlantis The Royal) to experience it for myself. Spoiler: I didn’t float off into the matrix, but I did come away deeply fascinated by what this treatment is doing for mental health and cognitive performance.

So, what actually is ExoMind?

ExoMind is the latest generation of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) — a completely non invasive, drug free treatment that uses magnetic pulses to gently stimulate specific areas of the brain linked to mood, focus, sleep, and emotional balance.

It’s a bit like a workout for your neurons. Each session sends controlled magnetic pulses into a targeted brain region (in my case, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — the part responsible for emotional regulation and cognitive function). Over time, this stimulation helps “retrain” the brain’s circuitry, improving how different areas communicate and regulate one another.

Think of it as a reboot for your neural network.

The science (in human language)

Those little magnetic pulses trigger the release of a compound called BDNF — Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. BDNF acts like fertiliser for your neurons, helping new neural connections grow and strengthening existing ones by up to 30%.

That’s why the effects of TMS can last far longer than medication. Instead of just adjusting your brain chemistry temporarily, it helps regenerate and rewire your neural pathways for more lasting change.

It’s also incredibly safe — a European study of 30,000 cases found only one mild seizure incident, and that was in someone with a pre existing condition. As long as you don’t have metal implants, epilepsy, or are on blood thinners, you’re good to go.

What it feels like

Honestly? Totally fine. The session lasts around 15 - 20 minutes. You sit comfortably while a magnetic coil rests gently against your head, producing a rhythmic tapping sound. You might feel a bit of twitching in the facial muscles (I didn’t) but its otherwise actually rather relaxing (I had a micro nap!) Earlier generations of TMS machines were much louder (think woodpecker-on-a-helmet vibes), but the ExoMind device is sleek, quiet, and far gentler.

How many sessions do you need?

This isn’t a one and done kind of treatment. To see real results, it requires consistency — because, like any training, the brain needs repetition to learn.

• For wellbeing and cognitive enhancement, Aeon Clinic recommends one session a week for six weeks.

• For clinical cases such as chronic depression, anxiety, or OCD, the recommended course is 20 sessions, ideally done daily (five to six times a week).

Most people start to notice changes after five or six sessions — things like better sleep, reduced anxiety, or sharper focus. And the results can last up to a year or longer, with only a few “maintenance” sessions needed afterwards.

Who it’s for

ExoMind isn’t just for people with diagnosed mental health conditions. It’s becoming increasingly popular among high-performing professionals, pilots, and surgeons who want to sharpen cognitive function, improve sleep, and manage stress without medication.

It’s also incredibly supportive for those of us navigating modern life overwhelm — the endless multitasking, the mental load, the brain fog that makes you question whether you have ADHD or just too many tabs open in your mind. (Errr hello everyone I know)

My honest take

I only had one session (so no major revelations yet), but I definitely left feeling calm (possibly the nap!) and genuinely intrigued by the science behind it. It’s rare to find a treatment that bridges wellness, neuroscience, and mental health so seamlessly.

This isn’t a quick fix — it’s a training programme for your brain. And given the world we’re living in, that might just be the upgrade we all need.

The details

📍 Aon Clinic, Atlantis The Royal
💡 Wellbeing Package: 1 session per week for 6 weeks
💭 Clinical Package (for anxiety, depression, OCD): 20 sessions, daily
✨ Non-invasive, drug-free, and backed by decades of research
💰 Pricing: See below

Initial Consultation – AED 1,300. Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and personalised treatment planning with Dr. Ali Vahdani.
Treatment Packages:
20 Sessions – AED 22,050 (standard protocol)
Wellness Package (6 sessions) – AED 13,230

Exclusive for The Wellness Drop community:
Enjoy 15% off all packages with code TWD15
Treatments can be claimed on insurance (referral and coverage dependent)

Mid-October brings a mix of mindful movement, soulful gatherings, and community connection - from cacao ceremonies to matcha on deck. Here’s where to fill your cup this week.

💫 Attract Miracles
Sunday 12 October, 6:00–7:15 PM
Eka Mai Studio
Join Jugat Guru from the Wisdom of You Club for a meditation and mantra session designed to open your heart and shift your energy into a state of ease and receptivity. A calming, powerful experience to help you realign and welcome in more of what you want.👉 Book here

✨ Under the Stars
Monday 13 October, 7:00–10:00 PM
Terra Solis
Not just another gathering - this is a desert ceremony under the stars. Begin with a Chaga coffee ritual by New Mind, float through chakra-balancing breathwork, and dance barefoot in a silent rave led by Soul Sessions’ Dina Rogonja. A night of release, connection, and pure energy.
👉 Book here

💛 The Mindful Taste
Thursday 16 October, 8:00 PM
TODA, Madinat Jumeirah
A heart-opening cacao ceremony with meditation and sound, guided by Sylvie of The Mindful Paths. Sip ceremonial cacao, move through guided breathwork, and melt into a crystal bowl sound bath designed to soothe your nervous system and reconnect you to stillness.
👉 Book here

🍽️ Shared Table
Thursday 16 October, 7:00 PM
Paus Club
No small talk - just good food and real conversation. A three-course communal dinner designed to spark meaningful connection. Hosted with intention, guided prompts, and family-style dishes served with warmth.
👉 Book here

🧘‍♀️ Glow Deck x TULA Pilates at Sea
Sunday 19 October, 8:30–10:30 AM
Location shared on booking
Sculpt, sip, and move with Tula Pilates aboard the Glow Deck boat. Expect a high-energy Pilates flow with matcha, music, and the Dubai skyline as your backdrop. The perfect mix of movement and magic.
👉 DM @tula.studios to book

🌙 Manifesting Your Soul’s Destiny
Sunday 19 October, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Burj Khalifa
A one-day experience with Universal Spiritual Educator David Ghiyam - designed to help you unlock the secrets to love, relationships, prosperity, and manifestation through spiritual wisdom and practical tools.
👉 Book here

🏄‍♀️ Super SUP Fit
Multiple dates & locations
After a little break over Summer, Super SUP Fit it back! HIIT, yoga, and Pilates-inspired workouts - all on paddle boards across Dubai’s most exclusive beach clubs. Boutique, bespoke, and seriously fun.
👉 Book here

Your Mind Matters – a special Wellness Wire edition 🧠

 INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS

💛 Retreats Are Cute, But 15 Minutes Might Just Fix Your Mood
Turns out you don’t need to fly to Bali or book a weekend at a five-star spa to feel better (tragic, we know). According to new research from ASICS, just 15 minutes of movement a day can lift happiness levels more than a luxury wellness retreat. The brand’s “Everyday Escape” campaign is based on a global study showing that short, consistent bursts of activity — like walking, stretching, or dancing around your kitchen — can make a bigger difference to your mental wellbeing than you think. It’s about reclaiming those little in-between moments — a midday walk instead of another scroll, a few deep breaths between meetings, or a dance break while dinner’s in the oven.
Wellness Bestie Take: Truthfully, your future self doesn’t need a five-star spa — she just needs you to put your phone down, take some deep breaths, and walk round the block.
📖 Read More

💇🏽‍♀️ The Blow-Dry That Heals More Than Bad Hair Days
Across West Africa, hairdressers are becoming mental health heroes. Through a project called Heal by Hair, stylists are being trained as community ambassadors - turning salons into safe spaces where women can talk, be heard, and feel seen. No sterile clinics, no forms to fill out - just real conversations happening over braids, blow-dries, and a lot of heart. The initiative, launched by the Bluemind Foundation, aims to reach thousands of women by using one of the most trusted relationships in many communities: the one between a woman and her hairdresser.
Outtake: We love you, stylists. We see the space you hold - the listening, the laughter, the quiet care that keeps so many of us stitched together. You’re doing sacred work (and yes, making us fabulous while you’re at it).
📖 Read More

🎧 Even K-Pop Idols Have Bad Days
Even fame isn’t a fix for burnout. The members of Tomorrow X Together have teamed up with UNICEF to speak openly about the emotional pressure of life in the spotlight — from comparison and exhaustion to the loneliness that can come with success. The collaboration is part of UNICEF’s “Love Myself” campaign, which aims to normalize conversations around mental health and self-compassion among young people worldwide. Because even global idols need rest days, too.
Wellness Bestie Take: If global pop stars can admit they’re struggling, you can absolutely cancel your plans and eat noodles in bed tonight.
📖 Read More

🧘‍♀️ This Girl Can (Still)
The UK’s iconic This Girl Can campaign is back — and this time, it’s not about PBs or perfect abs. The 2025 edition celebrates women who move for sanity, not six-packs, spotlighting real stories of using exercise to cope with anxiety, grief, and the everyday chaos of life. It’s a much-needed reminder that movement is medicine — whether that’s a run, a stretch, or just dancing in your kitchen to shake off a tough day.
Our Thoughts: The goal isn’t abs - it’s emotional stability (and possibly a strong coffee order.)
📖 Read More

💼 The Burnout Antidote for Workplaces 
Corporate wellbeing platform meQuilibrium is rolling out new programs to help managers and teams tackle burnout, build emotional resilience, and create psychologically safe workplaces. The goal? To move beyond token gestures and actually support mental health in meaningful ways — because “we care about wellbeing” should mean more than pizza Fridays and mindfulness posters.
Bottom Line: Replace “hustle harder” with “log off earlier.” Revolutionary.
📖 Read More

🐾 Cat Therapy Comes to Campus
In New York City, Purina Cat Chow just unveiled the Therapod - a travelling wellness pod where college students can take ten minutes to disconnect from their phones and reconnect with something far softer: therapy cats. The concept is simple but brilliant - offering calm, comfort, and connection during one of the most stressful times of life. No meditation apps. No mindfulness worksheets. Just fur, purrs, and presence.
Punchline: Not everyone needs a therapist’s couch to reset their nervous system — sometimes healing is warm, fuzzy, and softly purring. Call it emotional support… but make it whiskers.
📖 Read More

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

🩺 Move it, don’t just muse on it
Movement really is medicine - though it’s not yet part of everyone’s prescription pad. A new paper in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests exercise should be a first-line treatment for depression, not an afterthought. Yet 92% of mental health professionals report having little to no formal training in exercise prescription, and 41% rarely prescribe it at all.
Rather than simply suggesting patients “be active,” the authors advocate for structured, supported exercise plans — backed by referrals to qualified professionals and follow-up care. It’s a reminder that physical movement and mental health belong on the same team.
Wellness Bestie take: We’ve been saying it — a walk really can fix your mood (and apparently, science finally agrees).
📖 Read the Study

📩 SHARE IT, SAVE IT, SEND IT

💾 Save it — for the days your brain feels full. 15 minutes of movement and a deep breath can still shift the dial.
📲 Share it — with a friend who needs a gentle check-in today. Text “thinking of you, fancy a walk?”
📤 Send it — to your team as a reminder that psychological safety beats hustle. Log off on time tonight.