Silence notifications, book a cabin in the woods and eat live yoghurt! …
CLEAR YOUR MIND
The ultimate luxury in 2026 will be free time, a clear mind and far less connectivity. The digital detox trend called “ping minimalism” in WGSN’s Future Consumer Emotions report, is an antidote to notification fatigue. Retraining the brain away from compulsive checking of devices, the expectation of a “ping” or the phantom buzz of a phone is not always easy. That’s why spaces that quieten those impulses are proliferating, either by appealing to the senses, or capturing attention with something that isn’t tech dependent.
Hence the booming trend for off-grid cabins, demonstrating how eager people are to pay for disconnection. If you’d like to swap the glow of a smartphone for the glow of a firepit, the latest escape is Birch Cabins at Florida Manor, a historic estate in Co Down, where eight beautifully designed cabins overlooking a lake allow guests to unwind in nature.
GLIMMERS OF HOPE
The smell of rain, a hot shower, seeing swans on a lake, your favourite song being played on the radio, the taste of really good coffee – these are examples of what psychotherapist and clinician Deb Dana defines as “glimmers” – micro-moments that can help combat negative emotions. While the word glimmer – a faint or wavering light – implies these small bits of joy are hard to find, in reality, they are all around us. They may seem trivial but they’re crucial to calming the central nervous systems, says Deb, whose work is based on the Polyvagal Theory.
“Polyvagal theory helps us understand that we have three states that we are moving in and out of all the time: the state of ventral safety connection regulation, the sympathetic state of fight or flight, and a dorsal state of disconnect, collapse, shut down,” she explains. Developing the habit of noting and acknowledging glimmers can soothe and in time, retrain, an overactive nervous system.
WHITE NOISE
For those who struggle to sleep, a quietened mind at bedtime is key. To soothe those frantic thoughts that always seem to arrive just as your head hits the pillow, consider sleep headphones – sleep mask and headphones in one.
These comfortable to wear wraparound headbands are designed for people who want to be lulled to sleep by white noise, stories or music – yes, we’re talking about adults, not babies, here. They are particularly useful for those who might find earphones or earbuds uncomfortable to wear in bed or overnight. Connect your lullaby of choice via Bluetooth and hit snooze. Try the Snoozeband at Boots.
CLEAN UP YOUR GUT
“I probably eat yoghurt more than anything else,” says lively 85-year-old restaurateur, broadcaster, cookery writer and novelist Prue Leith.
@dameprueleith My darling John has been making his homemade Greek yoghurt for 14 years- and I must say, It’s utterly divine! ??? Johns top tip: If you make it before going to bed, you’ll wake up to delicious, fresh, homemade Greek yogurt! Fab. #prueleith #homemadegreekyoghurt #prueandjohn #kitchentakeover ? original sound - Headbangers Dan
Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest verified person until her death in 2024 at age 117, attributed part of her long, healthy life to eating live yoghurt, which studies suggest help reduce inflammation and support a beneficial gut microbiome, three times a day.
Live yoghurt contains live cultures, friendly bacteria produced during fermentation. These beneficial microbes contribute to a comfortable and regular digestive process. Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, for example, can improve the breakdown of lactose. Adding live yoghurt regularly to your meals can introduce a variety of beneficial bacteria that work alongside the gut’s existing microbes; this balance is key for nutrient absorption and may support your immune system as well. Combining yoghurt with high-fibre foods like fruit or oats feeds the good bacteria, helping them thrive.
THE GLOSS favourites include Glenilen Farm Live Unsweetened Natural Yoghurt, Irish Yoghurts, from Clonakilty, and Killowen Farm. And Glenilen Farm Gut Health Natural Kefir blends traditional fermentation with multiple live organisms. Encourage a clean gut environment!
SEE MORE: Don’t Miss THE GLOSS January 2026 Issue
