#81 MONTHLY MEDICINE... The rule the cool girls are enlisting for healthier social media use, a new burnout to beware and why Blue Zones are a con

Your low-down on what's 'in' and 'out' in the health and wellness space as we say *good riddance* to January...

You’ve made it! To the end of that one month of the year when we’re particularly pressurised into sampling all manner of weird and wonderful things in the name of #health—some good, some bad. I’m passionate about this newsletter firmly staying within sustainable, science-backed territory all year round, and I hope you feel like it’s doing it’s job. This January, I delved into the changing ‘value’ of weight loss, charted the mainstream rise of the ‘wellness aesthetic’ and questioned society’s unhelpful ‘success timelines’. I introduced you to the new Tuesday Scoop… series (which has so far rounded-up my best recommendations for beating the blues and enhancing productivity), and the latest Buy This, Not That… also revealed the expert verdict on trainers for running, ‘natural Ozempic’ and colostrum supplements. Now, let’s get into the ups and downs of the wellness scene in 2025 so far…

Offline48

There’s been (ironically) increased online discussion about this does-what-it-says-on-the-tin challenge, created back in 2021 by influencer Venetia La Manna, who resolved many years ago to go ‘offline every weekend as a way to disconnect to reconnect and look after my mental health’. I first read about the concept on Gina Martin’s Substack, and have been totally sold on the benefits it has already brought her—from less guilt about productivity to more restful downtime. So much of life is about a healthy balance, and this feels like a great accessible way to nurture a better relationship with your phone (and social media especially).

Pvolve

It was reported this week that an exercise regime endorsed by Jennifer Aniston has been found to be better for post-menopausal women than UK government guidance. According to a study by the University of Exeter, Pvolve—an at-home or studio workout centred around low-impact functional movements using resistance equipment—was more beneficial, after 12 weeks, at improving strength and balance than the official recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. It must be said that the fitness brand, which the 55-year-old actress partnered with in 2023, helped to fund the trial—but it’s great that more research is being conducted in this area.

Mood

Earlier this month, evidence was unveiled that smartwatch users can find the constant monitoring actually renders them more stressed about their health. However, another study found that such devices can also be useful in helping to spot very early signs of depression, when activity and heart rate data is analysed—with the scientists suggesting that, in future, it could be used to encourage people to seek support before symptoms worsen. In other mental health news, interesting Oxford University research has indicated that reducing the number of hours young people spend in bed could help ease anxiety, with the sleep-restriction technique revealed to ‘jump-start’ neural mechanisms.

Drinking

It’s really not a vibe right now, and not just because we’re coming to the tail-end of #DryJanuary. Millie Mackintosh’s new book Bad Drunk details how a ‘sober coach’ helped the former reality TV star gradually remove booze from her life—along with the ‘shame’ of overconsumption that had been often served up with it. Such is the power of non-drinkers at the moment that a report has described them as the ‘new vegetarians’ when it comes to influencing where groups of friends choose to socialise out. Meanwhile, it could be worth making your alcohol-free order a fizzy water—a study revealed that it can boost metabolism if healthy, sustainable weight loss is your goal.

Longevity

It’s long been all the rage, but I like the non-faddy turn that it’s been taking of late. Case in point: this viral Substack Note in which the poster called Joy wrote: ‘I just spent several days visiting my in-laws in assisted living and my takeaway: Do whatever you can to protect your mobility. Don’t waste money on a bikini body and Botox, invest in functional fitness and flexibility.’ In this vein, a new study has shown that being fit is more important than being thin for living a long, healthy life, and I’ve just come across a 2013 campaign by the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation which makes a powerful case for looking after our bodies earlier in life. Watch it here: