Stepping into summer

These are the wellness trends making a splash in the season ahead.

Try waterless beauty
Look out for waterless cleansing powders, shampoo and conditioner bars and toothpaste tablets. They’re becoming increasingly popular as brands are trying to reduce the packaging of their products. They often last longer, too, making it a sustainable skincare swap.

Find your focus
A study by Microsoft found that the average human attention span is now less than that of a goldfish, at just eight seconds (fish are thought to manage nine). Sharpen your concentration by spending at least one hour a day in a device-free zone at home.

Say hello to bast fibres
You’ll notice the fashion industry celebrating these plant fibres this season, which include linen and jute. They’re often woven in a way that makes them more lightweight and breathable – perfect for the warmer weather.

Check your SPF
While wearing sunscreen is vital for protecting your skin from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, it can damage ocean ecosystems, with an estimated 14,000 tonnes contaminating coral reefs every year. When you’re choosing your lotion, check the label for oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene – these ingredients can be harmful to marine life.

Do the 30-Plant challenge
Diversify your gut microbiome by eating 30 different plants a week. The only rules are that each plant – for example, an apple – counts only once during the week, even if you eat lots of them. Engage the whole family by attaching a tally to your fridge and seeing who can reach 30 first.

Relax with a DIY facial massage
Massaging your face can relieve sinus pressure, smooth fine lines, promote glowing skin and loosen jaw tension. Begin by placing your index and middle fingers on your temples and moving them in a circular motion to release tension. Then lightly pinch around your eyebrows, starting at the inner corner of your eye sockets and working outwards.

Eat your sea greens
Seaweed’s nutritional profile is gaining some traction, with the Journal of Applied Phycology and Marine Drugs linking it to the maintenance of healthy blood pressure. It’s flavour-filled and versatile – stir it into noodles or seafood spaghetti.

Put the kettle on
Herbalists believe that nervine herbs could aid stress relief. Swap your late-afternoon caffeine fix and enjoy the calming aromas of dandelion, fennel and ginger infusion, camomile, and peppermint. Click here to explore more of our teabag blends.

Talk it out
Jo Love’s book Therapy is… Magic shines a light on the emotional and physical benefits of talking therapies, addressing the stigmas around seeking
help, and explores how receiving professional guidance can benefit wellbeing.

Synchronise your body and mind
Kick-start your day with a breathing and stretching routine to release stress. “The body is the back door to the mind, so breath and movement ground you, and make you less stuck in negative thinking,” says Emma Mills, author of Inhale, Exhale, Repeat.

Get your gym kit
You’re not the only one who thinks that dressing in workout gear first thing might encourage you to be more active during the day. It’s the ethos behind Lorna Jane, an activewear brand founded by a former aerobics instructor who wants to empower women to live an active life by wearing clothes that allow you to move.

Print your snaps
Whether you’re embracing time at home or jetting away this summer, rediscover the joy of photographs and get them printed. They can bring memories to life so much more brightly than on a screen.

Be brave
Avoiding fears, such as public speaking, can increase anxiety in the long term. Instead, write down the pros and cons of facing your fear, and how your
life might be different if you do overcome it. This can provide clarity for your next steps.

Care for your pelvic floor
Exercise this key area by squeezing the muscles 10 to 15 times, holding for a few seconds each time. Try not to hold your breath or tighten your
stomach or thigh muscles. Repeat three times a day.