Hi besties,

It’s that time again — the UAE summer exodus is officially in full swing. One minute you’re juggling iced lattes, end-of-season chaos, and 47 WhatsApp groups... and the next, half your contacts are posting airport selfies and Aperol spritzes with captions like “finally unplugged 😌.”

I (Harriet) am writing this from the Dolomites — trying to channel my inner mountain goat while hiking with three Dubai kids in tow (pray for me). Katie’s packing up for the UK, and we know so many of you are off too — chasing cooler air, family time, or just a break from the oven that is July in Dubai.

So this week’s Wellness Drop is your gentle reminder that even when life is a little all over the place, you don’t have to be. And while Dubai slows down a little, it’s actually the perfect time to come back to your own rituals — the small things that keep you anchored. A playlist that regulates your nervous system. A few deep breaths at gate B12. A morning walk before the world wakes up.

We’ve also shared something over on the grid: a roundup of our favourite portable practices to help you stay grounded wherever you are this summer.

Because no matter how far you roam, wellness is your carry-on. And it’s always with you.

With love from the mountains and the (still very warm) desert,
Harriet & Katie
xoxo

📍 Awaken Spa - Atlantis Royal Hotel, Palm Jumeirah

If your nervous system is crying out for a little main character energy, Awaken Spa at Atlantis The Royal might just be the most exquisite place in the city to answer the call.

From the moment you’re led down its softly lit corridor, the world just….quiets. This isn’t just another hotel spa — it’s a full sensory retreat, with facilities that feel less “spa day” and more “soul revival.” Think: halotherapy salt caves, a snow shower that jolts you back to life, a charcoal sauna, vitality pool, and the most beautifully designed hammam space I’ve ever seen. Genuinely, it’s a work of art.

The Alchemy Experience Shower alone was worth the visit — a multi-sensory ritual of light, sound, and water that left me oddly emotional (in the best way). And the relaxation space? All light, calm and curated books. It’s the kind of place you stay way longer than planned. If you are going for a treatment, the spa’s Massages of the World menu is a standout — each one delivered by a therapist trained in their country’s healing traditions. Of course, for those wanting pure indulgence, the Golden Hour Massage and the diamond, gold and platinum facial are PEAK luxury. Cleopatra would’ve booked a standing weekly appointment.

If you're after a deeply restorative, energetically refined experience — with just the right amount of sparkle — Awaken Spa delivers. It’s more than a spa day. It’s an awakening.

This week is serving fascia, full moons, frozen tubs, and sunset rituals — here’s what not to miss in the world of wellness (8th July - 19th July) ❄️🌝🫶

🍵 Alo Pilates Matcha
Tuesday 8th July, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Delano
Reformer Pilates, exclusive gifting, and iced matcha lattes — a dreamy midweek movement moment.
🎟 Book here

🌕 Full Moon Yoga & Sound Healing
Tuesday 8th July, 7.30pm
Raffles The Palm
Full Moon in Capricorn — wind down with a restorative indoor flow and healing sound.
🎟 Book here

🌀 9D Breathwork Meditation
Thursday 10th July, 8pm
TODA
Step into a 360° multi-sensory journey. Using neuro-sound, breath, and guided visualisations, this immersive session taps into the subconscious for deep release and clarity.
🎟 Book here

🌅 Flow & Glow with Alo, 111Skin & HWH Studio
Friday 11th July, 5.30pm
Burj Al Arab
A golden hour yoga class with gifting from Alo and 111Skin, held in one of Dubai’s most iconic settings.
🎟 Book here

💄 Reformer Pilates with Huda Beauty
Tuesday 15th July, 2pm & 3pm
Delano
Sculpt and sweat with exclusive Huda Beauty gifts in tow.
🎟 Book here

🔮 Sound Healing 360
Thursday 17th July, 8pm
TODA
A sound and somatic session designed to help you reset and reconnect. Expect sacred movement, breathwork, and a powerful sound bath — all inside TODA’s immersive dome.
🎟 Book here

🔥 Soul Sculpt
Saturday 19th July, 9.00am – 10.00am
Achievher Studio
Where fascia meets fire. A 60-minute sculpt class for women 35+ that blends intelligent movement, lymphatic release, and low-impact burn — all without exhausting your system.
🎟 Book via @achievher

🥶 Ice Bath Workshop
Every Saturday, 7.45am
Aura Skypool
Start your morning with dynamic movement, breathwork, and a Wim Hof-style ice bath, followed by breakfast in Aura’s cosy lounge. Cold never looked so good.
🎟 Book here

🌿 Evening Rituals
Any evening
Villa Sage
Choose between a 2-hour or 3-hour ready-made ritual: spa access, body massage, yoga, matcha, cold plunge, and nourishing dinner — all designed to help you unplug and reset.
📩 Contact Villa Sage to book

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

🏛️ INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS

🌿 Deepak Goes IRL (Again)
We recently mentioned that Deepak Chopra had launched his own AI wellness assistant — a smart, accessible tool for those who can’t always afford high-end healing. But now? He’s stepping back into the real world of luxury retreats. He’s teaming up with chef Charlie Palmer and lifestyle brand Appellation to open a culinary wellness hotel in Utah’s red rock canyon — blending nourishing food, spa rituals, movement, and Chopra’s seven pillars of well-being.
Our thoughts: It’s luxe, it’s remote, and yes, it’s spenny — but what we love is how he’s bridging both worlds: scalable digital support and soul-led in-person connection. Wellness doesn’t have to be either/or — and this move feels like a thoughtful ‘both.’
📖 Read More

💎 Mayfair’s Newest Wellness Club Is Saying: One Membership to Rule Them All
There’s a new luxury player on London’s wellness scene — and it’s seriously raising the bar. Scott Best (of Fitness First UK) has just launched V, a high-end, holistic health club in Berkeley Square. Built on five pillars of wellness — physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social — it promises everything from Technogym kit to sound baths, nervous system resets, cold plunges, reformer Pilates and private GPs. The vibe is spa-meets-biohacker with soft earthy tones, zero-gravity chairs, and a £795 wellness MOT on offer. All wrapped in a slick, members-only package designed to feel like a lifestyle, not just a gym.
Our take: If you’ve got the budget, your nervous system will love it. If not, we’re still here for the message: one space, all the things, no burnout.
📖 Read more

🏃‍♂️ Runningman: Part Race, Part Retreat, Part Reset
Runningman Festival is back for year three — and still breaking the mould of what a wellness event can be. Co-founded by Jesse Itzler and Devon Lévesque, it’s a three-day movement + mindset gathering in Georgia, blending endurance, recovery, music and connection. Think: no-pressure runs, goat yoga, cold plunges, mindset talks from the likes of Rich Roll, and a 4,200-square-foot sauna… with live DJs.
The signature feature? An 8-hour movement loop where you can walk, jog or run — no times, no rankings, just a personal challenge wrapped in radical community.
Bestie Verdict: Breathwork, beats and zero pressure to compete? This is our kind of festival. Who’s coming?
📖 Read more

🍸 Gen Z Is Soberish — Not Sober
Wellness doesn’t mean dry January forever — at least not for Gen Z.
According to new IWSR data, 70% of US Gen Z adults drank alcohol in the past six months, up from just 46% in 2023. But it’s not about excess — it’s about intention. Gen Z is blending bar culture with wellness values, choosing fewer drinks, better drinks, and viewing alcohol as something to enjoy, not erase. They’re also driving demand for premium spirits, RTD cocktails, and curated drinking experiences — all while pushing non-alcoholic options into the spotlight (though NA drinks still only make up 0.5% of the market).
Our thoughts: Gen Z’s approach feels less all-or-nothing, more both-and. A spicy marg and a nervous system check-in? Honestly….you’re speaking our language there.
📖Read more

🧪 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

🖐️ Grip Strength: A Surprisingly Powerful Health Marker
Turns out, one of the best predictors of your long-term health isn’t in a blood test — it’s in your handshake. Grip strength has been linked to everything from type 2 diabetes to cognitive decline and even your chances of living to 100. Researchers say it reflects your overall muscle health, activity levels, and resilience. You can test it by squeezing a tennis ball for 15–30 seconds — if your grip gives out quickly, it might be worth paying attention. Improving it doesn’t have to be complicated: swap machines for dumbbells, carry something heavy for a walk, or even use a stress ball at your desk. It’s about daily movement that supports strength — and longevity.
Our take: In a world full of high-tech trackers, this is the signal we all should be tuning into. You don’t need fancy tools. You need daily movement, decent muscle, and something to hold on to — literally and metaphorically.
📖Read More

🔮 TREND TO WATCH

🔬 Personalised Wellness Goes Mainstream
The power is shifting — from institutions to individuals. From hospital corridors to home tests. From one-size-fits-all advice to tailored, proactive care. Startups like @prenuvo, @functionhealth, @lifeforce, and @nekohealth are leading the charge: think full-body scans to catch disease early, AI tools decoding your labs, and platforms that track your biomarkers before you even feel unwell. t’s not a rejection of healthcare — it’s a reinvention. And this kind of personal health data isn’t just for the Silicon Valley elite anymore.
Our take: We recently experienced this shift firsthand at Genesis, where Harriet and her husband both did the Executive Health Check — a deep dive into everything from hormonal health to early disease risk markers. An incredible, extremely thorough tailored experience. And if you’re considering it? Mention The Wellness Drop when you book and you’ll receive an additional test or biomarker worth up to AED 1000, tailored to your needs. (The full check ranges from AED 3,800–5,800 depending on what you choose.)
📖Watch the reel

📩 SHARE IT, SAVE IT, SEND IT

Loved this edition of The Wellness Drop?

💾 Save it — for when you need a moment of calm, a gold-dipped massage fantasy, or a fascia-sculpt class that actually delivers.
📲 Share it — with the friend deep in the airport Aperol spiral. This week has spa escapes, full moon rituals, and a longevity tip that involves… a tennis ball.
📤 Send it — to someone who needs reminding: wellness isn’t a place, it’s a practice.
And yes, it travels well.