This is a picture of people exploring wellness and connection. It highlights gifts for wellness in the New Year, New You blog.

New Year, New You

New Year, new you - gifts for wellness in 2025

5 Ways to Start Your Year with Wellness

As we embrace the fresh start of a new year, many of us think about new goals or habits to make 2025 a success. Goals can come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us will focus on fitness, and others will focus on saving more money. Whatever the goal, where we focus our attention is where gains and improvements are made.

Our primary focus will continue to be well-being and health, as this is a fundamental part of living a life full of enjoyment. We aim to consistently focus on this and inspire positive well-being. We have researched ways to make changes to improve our well-being and curated gift boxes for people who prioritise their well-being. 

Below are five science-backed approaches to transform our well-being in the coming year, along with a link to some gift for wellness that complement these priorities.

Featured Gifts for Wellness in this Blog

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A picture of the sleep care gift box.

Prioritise Quality Sleep: The Foundation of Wellness

One of the most fundamental necessities for wellness begins with quality sleep. Research from the National Sleep Foundation shows having good sleep hygiene is essential for both physical and is quality sleep. Research from the National Sleep Foundation shows that good sleep hygiene is essential for physical and mental well-being. Having a bedtime routine helps ensure that we get the ideal amount of sleepmental wellbeing. Having a bedtime routine helps ensure that we manage to get the ideal amount of sleep that we require.

 

As is commonly known,  most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimal health, yet not all of us are getting this. A landmark study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine demonstrates that poor sleep isn’t just about feeling tired – it’s linked to the possibility of many adverse health outcomes, weakened immunity, and mental health challenges. This shows why there is more focus on sleep hygiene as a form of improving health and wellness.

In our experience, quality sleep helps improve decision-making and enables us to approach things more calmly. A lack of sleep has knock-on effects on our performance, decisions about what we eat, and how we approach the day. More sleep equates to superior decision-making, as we operate with optimal energy.

Our Sleep Care Gift Box aims to enhance the bedtime routine. Along with the suggestions provided by the sleep foundation, a little additional self-care, provided by this gift, during our bedtime routine can help us slow down, relax, and enjoy a good night’s rest.

Move Mindfully: Exercise as Medicine

Physical activity remains one of the most researched and proven means for improving overall wellbeing, including physical and mental. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly. However, the key is finding a movement you genuinely enjoy. This could be dancing, yoga, walking, cycling or running.

Being active has multiple health benefits. It can lower your risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, boost brain health, and increase your chances of living longer. Ultimately, being fit and well improves our daily enjoyment of life.

There are numerous studies that show that even small amounts of movement can make a significant difference to our health. The goal is to achieve increased movement, which, according to this article, is crucial for maintaining healthy blood vessels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Below are some easy activities to implement movement into your day:

  • Take 10-minute movement breaks throughout your day.
  • Practice “exercise snacking” – brief bursts of activity between tasks.
  • If you work from home, you could take some calls whilst walking. Or you could suggest a walking meeting with a colleague.
  • Use your lunch time to run, walk or cycle. 
  • Walk instead of using public transport.
  • Schedule time in the gym.

The best exercise program is one you’ll actually stick to and enjoy. It should be consistent and fit within your lifestyle. This way, exercise will become part of your daily habits.

We have curated the Mini Walkers Wellness Box and the Ultimate Cycling Gift Box for those who love exploring, prioritising, and incorporating movement and fitness into their lives. These gift boxes also encourage self-care and recovery to optimise overall well-being.

A picture of the range of products included in the Mini Cyclist Gift Box. This is a novelty gifts that is suitable for Cyclists,
A picture of the Mindful thouhghts for Walkers which is part of the Mini Walkers Wellness Gift Box

Nourish Your Body and Mind: The Food-Mood Connection

What we eat matters significantly to our overall well-being and is often considered one of the main detriments of cardiovascular disease. Research is increasing that shows how nutrition impacts mental health and how paying attention to our diet can improve our wellness and reduce our risk of adverse health outcomes.

Nutritional needs vary by person, so it is important to understand the best diet for you. That said, the Mediterranean diet is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest eating patterns, and studies show its benefits for cardiovascular health. The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that emphasises natural, whole foods.  The key components of the diet are:

  • Abundant fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grains.
  • Lean proteins from Fish and Poultry.
  • Healthy fats from sources like olive oil and nuts.
  • Limited processed foods.

The gut-brain connection is real – what we eat directly impacts our mood and cognitive function.

Practice Stress Resilience: Beyond Basic Self-Care

In our fast-paced world, stress management isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about building resilience. Studies show that 63% of people in the UK are stressed at least weekly, and women are more likely to feel stressed than men. Multiple factors bring on stress, and we all deal with stress differently. What is important to realise is that we can prevent stress by using preventative strategies and coping mechanisms. 

There are numerous strategies and approaches that we can take to help us combat stress and deal with it more effectively. Exercise, eating healthy and sleep are essential components of reducing stress. Below are a few additional tips that can help that are backed up by evidence-based appaoaches:

A picture of the products for the Mindful Mum Gift Box in he MindFil packaging.
A picture of exhale book
  • Practice mindfulness meditation (even 5-10 minutes daily can make a difference).
  • Engage in regular breathing exercises.
  • Maintain social connections and support networks.
  • Set healthy boundaries with work and technology.

Stress impacts most people at some point in their lives. It is important to recognise the triggers that may bring on stress. It is essential to be kind to ourselves when feeling stressed and think about the changes we need to make to improve our situation.

We have curated two gift boxes: the Mindful Mum Gift Box, which can help mums find an element of calmness and implement mindfulness into their day, and the Breathwork Gift Box, which highlights the benefits of breathing and its positive impact on stress, health and well-being.

 

Cultivate Meaningful Connections: The Social Wellness Factor

Harvard’s long-running Study of Adult Development found that strong relationships best predict happiness and longevity. The study shows that the strength of our relationships can influence the health of our body and brain over our lifetime.

According to research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, social connections impact physical health in various ways, including longevity and mental health. 

Astonishingly, 3.8 million people in the UK were dealing with chronic loneliness, and approximately 25 million people occasionally felt lonely. This means there is an impact on broader society due to the health implications these people may have.

It is essential for us to enhance our well-being by investing in the relationships we have and also developing and nurturing new relationships. We can build stronger connections by:

  • Scheduling regular check-ins with loved ones.
  • Joining communities aligned with your interests.
  • Volunteering for causes you care about.
  • Practicing active listening and empathy.

The quality of our relationships often matters more than the quantity. We must focus on nurturing meaningful connections rather than expanding our social network. This will benefit our wellness and health over time.

Gifts for Wellness

As you implement these wellness strategies, remember that sustainable change happens gradually. Research on habit formation from the European Journal of Social Psychology suggests that it takes 18 to 254 days for new behaviors to become automatic. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small wins along the way.

Why not consider adding a little appreciation and joy to starting a new habit in 2025 by giving gifts of wellness that will help enhance some of the tips discussed above?

Remember, we are not looking for perfection but rather for changes that enable us to progress and be consistent. By focusing on these evidence-based approaches, we are investing in our long-term health and happiness. What better gift could you give yourself this year?

Just so you know, while this article references scientific research, always consult with healthcare professionals before making significant changes to your wellness routine. Everyone’s needs are unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.

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