Hi friends,

It’s Katie here, holding the fort while Harriet takes a very deserved child-free break - the kind of soul-soothing, schedule-free pause we could all use more of. I’ve just come back from one myself, so I’m still feeling slightly more human after a string of uninterrupted nights and the rarest of luxuries… a lie in.

This week’s Drop is one of our smartest yet - packed with insights on prevention, perimenopause, peptides (yep, they’re everywhere), and the tech vs. wellness debate heating up fast. Whether you’re deep in the biohacking world or just here for a little feel-better inspiration, there’s something inside for you.

Our Sunday Spotlight? The PEAQ Club - Dubai’s first social wellness space, and a total reframe on what it means to recover, reconnect, and reset. Think Lagree, contrast therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, sound healing, and an iced matcha with a side of community. Quiet luxury, big results, and the kind of energy we’re all chasing post-summer.

So whether you’re reading this from bed, the beach, or somewhere in between - let’s get into it.

With love,
Katie & Harriet
xoxo

📍 The PEAQ Club, Goshi Warehouses City

This homegrown gem is officially Dubai’s first social wellness club — and it’s completely changing the way we recover, reconnect, and reset.

Tucked away in the industrial calm of Goshi Warehouses (yes, there’s parking a short walk away), the space is everything you’d want from a wellness sanctuary: polished concrete walls, muted tones, and an understated, quietly luxe vibe that feels more boutique hotel than gym studio.

But it’s not just the aesthetic that hits — the offering is equally elevated. Think: Lagree classes that seriously burn, ice baths, contrast therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, stretch sessions, and nervous system-soothing breathwork and sound healing.

The best part? It’s all designed to be experienced together. With a café onsite and a focus on connection, PEAQ makes looking after yourself feel less like a solo mission — and more like a community ritual.

High-performance. High-emotion. Quiet luxury. Big results.

Who’s been already? And who’s up for a group trip post-summer?

This week may be light on events — but the vibes are high.
From floating sound baths to beauty-fuelled Pilates, here’s your mini menu of movement, mindfulness, and magic.

🧘‍♀️ Reformer Pilates with Fenty Beauty
Monday 28th July, 2:00–3:00pm
HWH Studio, The Delano
A gorgeous indoor reformer Pilates class with the iconic Fenty — and yes, beauty gift bags are included.
Sign up here

🌊 Floating Sound Sessions
Wednesday 30th July, 7:30–8:30pm
The Palace, One&Only Royal Mirage
A blissful water-based sound healing session by Beyond Wellness. Float, unwind, and let the frequencies do the rest.
Book here

📓 ALO Yoga + Journaling
Thursday 31st July, 2:00–3:00pm
HWH Studio, The Delano
A gentle, ladies-only yoga and journaling session — complete with thoughtful ALO gifting to take home.
Sign up here

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

🏛️ INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS

🧬 Wellness Tracker or Medical Device? WHOOP’s in Hot Water
WHOOP’s new blood pressure feature just got flagged by the FDA — who say it qualifies as a medical device and needs official approval. WHOOP’s CEO isn’t having it, calling the move “regulatory overreach” and insisting it’s a wellness tool, not a diagnostic one. As wearables get smarter (and bolder), the line between self-care and self diagnosis is getting blurry. With blood pressure tracking on the rise - and big names like Samsung, Apple, and startup Aktiia in the game - WHOOP’s pushback might just be the start of a much bigger debate.
Our Take: It’s giving “tech rebel meets red tape.” Whether you’re Team Data or Team Keep-It-Chill, this showdown could shape the future of what our wearables can (and can’t) do.
📖 Read More

📈 Obesity & Prediabetes Are Spiking in US Kids — and It’s Complicated
New data shows pediatric obesity in the US has climbed to 23%, with severe cases up over 250% since 2008. At the same time, the CDC now estimates nearly 1 in 3 teens has prediabetes — a sharp jump from the previous 1 in 5.
But the numbers are being questioned. Experts point out that the CDC changed its methodology without releasing raw data or a peer-reviewed paper, making it hard to fully assess the new estimate. Still, most clinicians agree: even if the figure is inflated, rising rates of obesity and early blood sugar issues are real — and concerning.
Bottom Line: The data may be messy, but the problem is clear. This is less about debating numbers and more about confronting what they’re pointing to. Kids need early, consistent support — not just stats, shame, or oversimplified fixes.
📖 Read More

🔥 Flo Launches “Flo for Perimenopause”
Flo, the world’s #1 women’s health app, just launched a new in-app feature offering personalized support for perimenopause — and honestly, it’s about time.
With over a billion women expected to go through peri or menopause by 2025, most still feel unprepared. Flo’s own research shows 72% of women say symptoms like mood swings and fatigue are impacting their lives — yet over half feel confused or alone in it all. This new feature includes daily expert-backed tips, symptom tracking, smarter period predictions, and even Secret Chatsto connect with others anonymously.
Our Thoughts: Perimenopause has been underserved and misunderstood for too long. Flo’s update is a powerful step in helping women feel seen, supported, and more in control.
📖 Read More

🏨 Anantara x Technogym Bring Wellness Straight to Your Room
Anantara Hotels just raised the bar for hotel wellness, teaming up with Technogym to launch an exclusive in-room fitness and recovery series across their global properties.
Now available on-demand through in-room TVs and the Minor Hotels app, the video series includes everything from energising morning movement to evening wind-downs — think yoga, strength training, meditation, and stretches designed for jet lag, posture, and better sleep. The goal? Make movement feel like part of the luxury experience, not a to-do list.
Our Take: We love to see hotels rethinking wellness as more than a spa add-on. Whether you’re on a work trip or a wellness escape, this makes it easier to stay in rhythm without schlepping (downstairs🤣) to the gym.
📖 Read More

🌍 The Gulf Is Poised to Become a Global Wellness Travel Hotspot
Wellness tourism isn’t a niche anymore — it’s the new engine of global travel. With the market set to double to $1.4 trillion by 2027, travel is shifting from sightseeing to self-care. And the Gulf is emerging as a serious contender on the world stage.
Destinations like AlUla, Hatta, and the Dhofar coast are turning their natural beauty into sanctuaries for restoration, while new investments in hospitality, infrastructure, and air connectivity are paving the way for high-end wellness escapes. But it’s not just about spas and yoga decks - the real opportunity lies in personalised, evidence-based, cross-sector offerings that treat wellness as a serious system, not a surface-level trend.
Wellness Bestie Verdict: This isn’t a vibe shift - it’s a values shift. The Gulf has all the ingredients to lead the next wave of purpose-driven travel… if it gets the execution right. And we’re here for it.
📖 Read More

🧪 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

🧘‍♀️Yoga Tops the Charts for Back Pain Relief
A new meta-analysis of over 2,300 adults with chronic low back pain found that yoga is officially the most effective form of movement for relief — outperforming five other popular exercise approaches. The sweet spot? Short sessions (under 30 minutes), done more than 4 times a week, for around 4 weeks. Those who followed this type of routine saw the biggest improvements in function, flexibility, and day-to-day comfort.
Our Take: If you’ve been side-eyeing your mat lately, consider this your cue. Whether you're in pain or just prevention mode, yoga continues to prove it’s not just for vibes — it’s legit therapy.
📖 Read the Study

🔮 TREND TO WATCH

🧪 The Peptide Boom
Peptides are having a moment - and it’s not just biohackers paying attention. These naturally occurring amino acid chains support everything from metabolism to muscle recovery, and as our body’s supply dips with age, interest in supplements and injectables is skyrocketing (Google searches are up 550% this year).
From anti aging to libido-boosters, peptides are now the star of longevity clinics, telehealth scripts, and even your collagen latte. But while the promises are big — fat loss, energy, skin glow — it really depends on where (and who) you’re sourcing them from. Proper formulation and storage are crucial, and results depend heavily on delivery method, dosage, and proper oversight. With the category still loosely regulated and often misunderstood, peptides walk a fine line between potential and pure hype.
We’ve been quietly trialling peptides ourselves this year — under the expert guidance of Zoime (code TWD25 for 500AED off) using UAE Peptides (code HARRIET10 for 10% discount) and while the potential is exciting, we cannot stress this enough: NEVER start peptides without professional guidance and support and a clear understanding of your own biochemistry.
Bottom Line: Peptides are not a one-size-fits-all magic bullet - but they’re also not total hype. With growing clinical research and more MD-led programs, this is one frontier of wellness worth watching... just maybe not DIY’ing from a random reel.
Learn More

📩 SHARE IT, SAVE IT, SEND IT

Loved this edition of The Wellness Drop?

💾 Save it — for when you’re peptide-curious, back-painy, or just need a smarter scroll than TikTok.
📲 Share it — with the friend tracking her cycle, blood pressure, and booking a breathwork class all before lunch.
📤 Send it — to someone who needs reminding: real wellness is about progress, not perfection.