Wellness resolutions to make for 2025, from creative healing to chanting

Humans are hard-wired to monitor time or, rather, time passing. Our days are ruled by circadian rhythms and our lives by the biological clock . It's no wonder we mark milestones through time-bound rituals such as New Year's resolutions. As well-being solidifies its positioning as a pillar of health, 2025 could be the year to commit to a resolution that supports physical, mental and spiritual happiness. In preparation for the year ahead, The National speaks to industry experts in the region about the future of wellness and what to embrace. Call it a digital detox 2.0. Wellness practices are expected to focus on injecting creativity back into people's lives in response to the AI avalanche of the past few years. “The rise of generative AI has undeniably shifted how we interact with creativity, sparking conversations about authenticity and originality,” says Eda Gungor, co-founder of Seva, a wellness centre in Jumeirah, Dubai. “As AI generates art, music and even written content, there’s a growing desire to reclaim our personal creativity … not as a skill, but as a form of healing and connection.” She says this could be anything from writing poetry at home to attending group art therapy sessions or joining clubs such as a choir, making it an accessible way to digitally disconnect and get into the creative flow. For Gungor, the beauty of this growing movement is that it is about passion and authenticity, rejecting notions of performance and perfection . “It’s a rebellion against the algorithms and a reclaiming of something sacred – the creative spark within all of us,” says Gungor. Takeaway: Find a creative outlet that's just for fun and commit to a weekly or monthly practice. Experts say those focusing on health and wellness in 2025 should remember that celebrations don't mean indulgence. “ Sound healing birthdays and wellness-themed gatherings are gaining massive momentum as people seek meaningful and unique ways to celebrate their milestones,” says Anishka Bagla, chief executive and founder of Soul Side Wellness. Hosting such an event is “a gift of relaxation, connection and transformation for everyone involved”. Gungor adds: “The era of individual wellness is expanding into community-based healing. Women’s circles, sound baths and shared rituals will grow in popularity as people seek deeper connections and support networks.” With many wellness studios across the Emirates, some in idyllic natural locations such as desert dunes and beaches, there are plenty of places to host such events in the UAE, making it an easy resolution to stick with. Takeaway: Celebrate your own birthday, special occasion or next holiday in a way that prioritises community and well-being, and have wellness top of mind when gifting this year, too. Diet, fitness and productivity routines are no strangers to New Year's resolution lists. But as society continues to dismantle diet and hustle cultures , some experts believe this year is about building a routine that reduces stress. “In today’s fast-paced world, managing stress isn’t a luxury: it’s a necessity,” says Stephan Muller, marketing director of Whoop GCC. Fitness watches and other wearable tech such as Oura rings allow users to study personalised data that can provide actionable insights. By measuring elements such as sleep, heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate and strain, devices offer “recovery rates” (Whoop) or “daily readiness scores” (Fitbit) advising users whether a workout would put their body into stress, for example. Such devices also detect signs of stress in the body, prompting users to take a moment for mindfulness, or enabling them to spot patterns or recognise triggers. “By decoding the language of your body, wearables can transform stress management from guesswork into a science,” says Muller. And that science feeds into nutrition, too, with services and devices such as Zoe testing and tracking individual reactions to certain foods. From there, they recommend diets and meal plans with the intention of reducing cortisol. Takeaway: Forget the 5am club and craft a personalised routine – from food to fitness – that focuses on meaningful wellness by reducing stress, onboarding the help of modern tech. “Cyclical living has become more than a buzzword,” explains Gungor. “It’s a movement that’s emerging as a response to the relentless pace of modern life. With burnout at an all-time high, people are craving a rhythm that feels intuitive and sustainable.” This can be anything from marking new moons by journaling or attending a group ceremony, taking on a daily routine that aligns with your circadian rhythm, or taking periods to “winter” socially throughout the year. “This is more than a trend, it’s a return to our innate wisdom,” says Gungor. Synching is part of a broader wellness movement to embrace nature with trends such as eco-therapy and ancestral living. “Spending more time outdoors, whether through hiking, gardening or simply walking in a park, can significantly boost mental and physical health,” says Indah Megayani, spa and wellness director at Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort and Spa. Takeaway: Whether it's committing to attending a monthly moon ceremony in your local studio or scheduling periods of wintering, find ways to connect more with nature this year. Nothing ruins a night's sleep quite like worrying about how many hours you'll rack up. While some are easy sleepers, for many more, the elusive eight hours only exists in a distant dreamland. Experts say those in the latter category who find sleep (or the lack thereof) constantly compromising their general well-being should make 2025 the year to stop striving for the prescribed eight hours. “If you have had poor quality sleep, then the hours are unhelpful,” says Julie Mallon, senior sleep consultant and founder of Nurture 2 Sleep. “If we're looking at how much sleep we need, we're all different … and it's so much more about quality.” Striving for better sleep this year could involve following expert tips, or enrolling a sleep coach . Like stress reduction, it can also mean using wearable tech to make data-led decisions to optimise rest or tech that focuses on optimising the bed itself. Matteo Franceschetti, co-founder and chief executive of Eight Sleep, agrees. “Sleep is no longer just about getting eight hours each night,” he says. “It’s about leveraging cutting-edge technology to optimise recovery and overall health and well-being.” Launched in the UAE in 2024, Eight Sleep is a smart mattress cover that utilises AI and sensors to automatically adjust cooling, heating and elevation overnight based on individual needs. “The better technologies understand the user, the more likely they are to actually address each individual’s sleeping problems,” says Franceschetti. Smart beds complete with bio-sensors, vibrating headboards and tracking systems are also becoming more widely available in the region. Takeaway: Invest in personalised assistance to improve sleep quality rather than stressing over quantity. For those who are interested in expanding mindfulness practice but recoil at the idea of sitting in silence, there are plenty more techniques to try. Cacao ceremonies as well as the ancient art of chanting have made their way into the mainstream in recent years. More wellness studios across the Emirates are holding chanting sessions and dedicated groups organise chanting-focused meetups. Tarika Gidwaney, a toga teacher and founder of a chanting group in Dubai, says: “Chanting is a powerful practice and deep sound immersion. It's an ideal way to start a meditation practice for yourself as there is a key focal point – the mantra Om on repetition, for instance. The practice is aloud rather than in silence, which can sometimes be a struggle for many.” Gidwaney believes chanting “promotes self-healing” due to the vibrations generated, and also fosters community spirit and goodwill. She adds: “Whenever an Om chanting circle is held, the vibrational benefits radiate out surrounding the circle, so we are not only serving ourselves, but also those around us.” Takeaway: Experiment with different forms of mindfulness in a group session such as chanting.

Wellness resolutions to make for 2025, from creative healing to chanting

Experts recommend making meaningful changes in the year ahead, from sound healing birthday parties to sleep quality over quantity