Hi lovely,

There’s something about being away in nature that makes everything feel simpler. Slower mornings, no rushing, no endless to do lists - just space to breathe, to think, to be. And honestly? It’s made me question a lot. How do we find more of this at home? Is that even possible in a place like Dubai?

Life there can feel fast, overwhelming, and a little disconnected from the simple things that make us feel grounded. But then, just when I start spiralling into a “maybe we should move to the mountains” moment… I’m reminded of the things we do have.

While I’ve been away, I’ve heard stories from friends that really put things into perspective. A friend’s husband had to wait three days to be seen for a possible broken foot. Another two week wait for MRI results. Someone else sat in urgent care for three hours before their baby was seen.

It’s not a dig - every system has its challenges. But it reminded me how easy it is to overlook what’s working when we’re busy complaining about the heat or the air quality.

Because when it comes to healthcare access, speed, and innovation, we are incredibly lucky in the UAE.

Take my recent executive health check at Genesis — I was seen on a Monday, had a full panel of tests, and received all my results (including something unexpected that’s already being followed up) by the next week. That kind of care, speed, and attention? It’s not the global norm. (Mention The Wellness Drop if you do book this by the way and you’ll receive an additional biomarker worth 1000AED free of charge)

The UAE is genuinely leading the way in preventative, digital first wellness - giving us tools to stay well, not just get treated when things go wrong. And while it’s easy to focus on the tech and convenience, here’s what really matters:

Wellness should feel more human, not less.
More personal. More proactive. More supportive of how we actually live.

And what’s exciting is - it’s starting to feel like this shift is really taking root here. A move toward care that’s not only smarter, but also more compassionate. It’s something we should all stay connected to — and keep championing, in whatever way we can.

Scroll on to see one of those places leading the charge in our Sunday Spotlight — plus this week’s dose of what’s new, weird, and wonderful in wellness. From AI dentists to strawberry cake mints... we’ve got you, boo.

With love (and a big exhale from the mountains),
Harriet & Katie
xoxo

📍 ZOIME - Longevity and Regenerative Centre, Jumeirah 2

Longevity meets luxury at Zoime, a science-backed regenerative medicine clinic that feels as beautiful as it is rigorous. As someone who’s both wellness curious AND data-obsessed, this place struck the perfect balance — a serene, minimalist space where cutting edge technology meets truly personal care.

Zoime refers to itself as a “Moonshot” approach to health: data-driven, measured, and deeply empowering. They begin with in-depth AI diagnostics across seven key pillars of longevity, layered with multi-omics testing to decode your unique biological blueprint. It sounds intense, but the process is anything but alienating — my consult with Dr Jenna was refreshingly human. She spent time overlaying my recent bloodwork with my DNA results, and together we explored gentle, sustainable tweaks to optimise my energy, hormones, and recovery. No scare tactics, no overwhelm — just informed, supportive guidance.

And it’s not just internal health — Zoime also does aesthetics, and I had one of the best facials I’ve ever had here (trust me, ask for the Carboxy with Pink Shooter from the wonderful Jaimie). Every touchpoint is elevated, but the heart of the experience? The people. Dr Jenna and Jaimie are warm, wise, and genuinely kind — the sort of practitioners you could happily sit and have a cuppa with.

This is what empowered health looks like: clear, compassionate, and rooted in science — without losing the soul.

Use code TWD25 for 500 Dirhams off your total bill when you spend a minimum of 1500 Dirhams. This discount applies to both the Health & Wellness and Aesthetics teams. 💆‍♀️✨

A little lighter this week - because, well, summer 🧳☀️
With half the city off on their holidays, we’ve kept things calm and intentional - just what the nervous system ordered.

But if you’re planning ahead for some you time post-summer (when, let’s be honest, we’re all a little frazzled), we’ve included two retreats to pop on your radar now.

🌬 Letting Go: 9D Breathwork
Thursday 17th July, 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Johny Dar Experience, Al Quoz
A powerful 72-minute journey designed to help you release what’s weighing you down - gently and effectively. Combining breathwork, hypnotherapy and NLP techniques, this session supports deep emotional reset and inner peace.
🎟 Book here

🧘‍♀️ The Practice to Soften Control
Saturday 26th July, 11.00am – 12.30pm
Achievher Studio
This is for the woman who’s been bracing, over-doing, or micromanaging her life. Through deep hip + jaw work, breath-led yin holds, and somatic release, this class invites you to let go - safely and softly.
🎟 Book here

🌿 Retreats to Look Forward To:

Grounded & Glowing
November 7–9, 2025 | The Chedi, Muscat
Hosted by our very own co-editor Harriet Mandak.
A slow, soulful reset set along the Omani coastline. Expect yin yoga, breathwork, reflective workshops, and meaningful connection. Gentle luxury meets inner stillness — for the woman craving space without pressure, performance, or noise.
🎟 More info

Transformational Wellness Retreat
November 25–30, 2025 | Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Join the legendary Barbara O’Neill for a 5-day immersive retreat designed to nourish the mind, body, and spirit — just as Dubai enters its most beautiful season. Hosted by Empower Living.
🎟 More info & booking

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

🏛️ INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS

🥗 WeightWatchers Goes Menopause Mode
Bankruptcy who? WW is relisting on NASDAQ and rebranding around hormonal health - swapping point counting for clinical care. The play? Bundling coaching, nutrition, and hormone therapy to address midlife transitions like perimenopause and menopause. They’re still in the GLP-1 game (with Novo Nordisk, not Hims), but this time, it’s weight loss with a hormone-aware twist.
Wellness Bestie Verdict: Finally, someone’s clocked that midlife women want more than diet tips. Now let’s see if they can actually prioritise women over revenue.
📖 Read More

🦷 Dubai’s AI Dentist Will See You Now (on WhatsApp)
Dental check-ups just got a glow-up. Aster Clinics has launched Smyl AI - the UAE’s first AI-powered dental screening tool, and it’s free, fast, and available via WhatsApp. In under 2 minutes, you answer a few questions, upload 3 photos of your teeth (upper, lower, front), and get a personalised report flagging issues like plaque, cavities or gum concerns. Built with Logy.AI, it’s designed to catch issues early - especially since 80% of UAE residents reportedly suffer from dental caries, and half only visit the dentist when they’re already in pain.
Our Take: Too busy (or anxious) to squeeze in a dental visit? Same babe. This tool makes oral health more accessible - and a great reminder that AI isn’t just for productivity hacks. Sometimes it’s about protecting your smile.
📖 Read more

🧠 Psychedelics Meet AI — What Could Go Wrong?
In places where psychedelic therapy is legal but (surprise!) wildly expensive, some folks are turning to AI trip-sitters instead. Yep…People are using ChatGPT to help guide them through ketamine journeys and mushroom meditations. Platforms like Mindbloom are already weaving AI into their programs to make support more scalable. But can a chatbot actually hold space when you’re dissolving your ego and meeting your inner child in a swirl of sacred geometry? Experts say… not really. Emotional attunement matters - and that’s still a human skill.
Our take? Tech can democratise healing - but not replace trained therapists. Some journeys still deserve a human hand.
📖 Read More

🧘‍♀️ Lululemon vs. Costco: The Dupe Wars Begin
Lululemon has officially filed a lawsuit against Costco, claiming the retail giant is selling “confusingly similar” activewear that copies its signature Align leggings, right down to the stitching, waistband, and buttery soft feel. The suit argues that Costco’s lookalikes could “deceive consumers,” infringe on Lululemon’s trademark design elements, and harm its brand reputation. It’s the latest in a growing backlash against the booming dupe economy, where designer wellness and beauty brands are being mimicked faster than you can say TikTok made me buy it.
Bottom Line: We get it… $128 leggings aren’t in everyone’s budget. But this lawsuit isn’t just about leggings. It’s about brand identity, IP protection, and the tricky line between accessibility and imitation. Will be watching this one stretch out in Court…
📖 Read more

🧠 A Minty Collab with a Brainy Beat
Steve Aoki just teamed up with Neuro Gum for a Strawberry Cake Mint flavour - and while we haven’t tried it yet, ngl… we’re kind of intrigued. Each chew packs 20mg of natural caffeine, L-theanine (so no jitters), and B vitamins for that focus but make it fun vibe. Bonus: it comes with a reusable Aoki tin and a collectible HiROQUEST card for the superfans. Part hype drop, part cognitive kick, part philanthropic flex (with proceeds supporting brain research via The Aoki Foundation) - this one’s got layers.
Punchline: Functional gum is getting fun. Wellness doesn’t have to be so serious - and honestly, we’re here for the mint that parties and protects your brain.
📖 Read more

👁️ Eye Exams Just Got a Longevity Upgrade
What if your next eye check could also tell you how old your body really is - and flag your heart disease risk, too? That’s exactly what Lifeforce and Toku are teaming up to do. This new partnership combines AI-powered retinal imaging (yes, from a single photo of your eye 👁️) with personalised longevity protocols, turning routine eye exams into wellness cheat codes. Toku’s tech reads your biological age and cardiovascular risk, while Lifeforce steps in with lab tests, doctors, and data-led plans to help extend your healthspan.
Eyes on the prize: It’s proactive wellness at its peak. From ‘seeing risk’ to actually doing something about it, this collab is a big step toward making bio optimised healthcare more accessible, mainstream, and dare we say… kinda magical. We love to see it. (ba-boom-cha)
📖 Read more

🧪 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

🌀 IBS Girlies, This One’s for You
A small pilot study compared the Mediterranean diet to the Low-FODMAP diet in people with non-constipated IBS - and while both diets helped reduce symptoms like pain and bloating, Low-FODMAP came out ahead for most outcomes (including overall symptom severity). That said, the Mediterranean group still saw relief - (and we love that it’s easier to follow long-term, with proven heart and gut health benefits.)
Wellness Verdict? The study was small (just 20 people) and short (4 weeks), and used pre prepped meals - so it’s more like a promising preview than the final word. But it does echo what a lot of gut experts say: Low-FODMAP can be great for short-term symptom control, while Mediterranean might be the better long game. Overall - listen to your gut (literally) and, if IBS is stealing your sparkle, a dietitian can help you tailor what’s best for your belly.
📖Read The Study

🔮 TREND TO WATCH

🛁 The Rise of Social Wellness Clubs
From breathwork bathhouses in Brooklyn to nervous system lounges in Dubai, a new era of wellness is taking shape - and it’s less about solo self-care, more about shared space and collective healing. The latest move? Othership, the much-hyped emotional wellness club, just raised $8.5M to expand its immersive format in NYC… think: steam rooms, warm pools, guided breathwork, and emotional support sessions all under one candlelit roof. The vibe is ritual-meets-retreat, but make it social.
And closer to home, we’re seeing the same shift: from Peaq and Siro to Blended and Contrast, UAE spaces are embracing wellness as a lifestyle — not just a workout or spa day. Think curated community, somatic healing, and spaces designed to make you feel something (other than overwhelmed).
Wellness Bestie Verdict: The future of wellness is collective. And these clubs aren’t just giving us aesthetics - they’re giving us tools, connection, and a place to exhale.
📖 Read More

📩 SHARE IT, SAVE IT, SEND IT

Loved this edition of The Wellness Drop?

💾 Save it — for when you’re spiralling about city life and need a reminder that smarter, softer wellness is possible (bonus: includes the AI dental check you’ll actually use).
📲 Share it — with the friend who’s one WhatsApp away from moving to the mountains.
📤 Send it — to someone who needs reminding: real wellness isn’t just green juice and retreats — it’s care that’s smart, human, and starts wherever you are (even on WhatsApp).