The Princess of Wales looked stunning in this fashion throwback from 2018 in which she sported a blue Catherine Walker coat and a faux fur hat by Lacorine, which is very ‘Mob Wife’ style.

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It’s that time again, when we start looking ahead to the year to come and promising ourselves that this will be the year we get our lives together.

And while goals can range from career progression to fitness wins, there’s one resolution we think deserves the top spot in 2026: prioritising yourself.

Whether you’re keen to slow down, stress less, sleep better or simply feel a bit more grounded in the chaos of everyday life, mindfulness is a brilliant place to start.

We’re not talking about spending hundreds on a retreat high in the mountains, or suddenly becoming a master at meditation, there is a much simpler way of achieving this goal. 

Whether you like to turn physical pages, easily flick through with the likes of a Kindle, or sit back and listen to audiobooks, these mindfulness books are packed with gentle wisdom, realistic advice and feel-good inspiration to help you step into 2026 feeling calmer, clearer and ready to live your best life.

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Shop The Best Mindfulness Reads:

Smarter by Em Austen

Hustle culture is rife in today’s society with endless social media accounts offering endless advice to us consumers, to the point where it can be considered to become toxic. Em Austen brilliantly explains how she made small changes in her life to provide her with the tools and exercises to create a better work-life balance that worked for her and allowed her to live Smarter in 10 easy steps.

Buy Now for £11.50 (was £18.98)

Let Them by Mel Robbins

If you need to shake feelings off and become unbothered in the new year, then this is the book for you. Mel Robbins is an American author and podcaster who rose to fame with her theory of 'the five second rule' and became increasingly popular on social media. Let Them is all about learning what you can and can’t control and how to mentally deal and process this. It’s a very simple rule of saying the words 'Let Them' when certain situations arise like not being invited somewhere, not being informed of a decision etc. and then stating 'Let Me' which then asks what you can do to act on this.

Buy Now for £11.49 (was £22.99)

The Confidence Journal by Jules Von Hep

This is the ultimate confidence boost to realise your own potential. Think of it as a toolkit for a new year glow up that is deeper than relying on the acceptance from others, and focuses on your own worth. Global beauty expert and confidence guru Jules Von Hep provides practices and guides you through daily self-care routines, rituals and honest truths to let go of comparison.

Buy Now from £10.11

Manifest by Roxie Nafousi

Whether you want to find your soulmate, score a promotion at work, move into a new home or simply want a less stressful life, then this is a great start. First released in 2022, Manifest is still as prevalent now as it was then. Made up of seven chapters that assist you in creating the life you want with titles such as ‘remove fear and doubt’, ‘overcome tests from the universe’, and ‘embrace gratitude’, Roxie Nafousi excellently describes and explains the process without creating confusion and overwhelm.

Buy Now for £18.99

The Power of Letting Go by John Purkiss

This book is basically a friendly guide to finally stopping yourself from holding on to all the stuff that keeps you stuck – fear, hurt, expectations and overthinking. It breaks letting go down into simple steps like being present, dropping stuck thoughts and tuning into your intuition, so you can learn to trust yourself more. Think of it as the pep talk you needed to start living lighter.

Buy Now from £7.74

How To Fail by Elizabeth Day

As humans we try not to fail at anything with all of our power. However, Elizabeth Day reveals why we should lean into failure and not run from it. In this excellent and funny book that’s all about messing up, Elizabeth takes the idea of failure and turns it on it’s head to explain how it teaches us much more than success does. So, whether you’ve had disasters in dating, careers, friendships, this is an empowering way to reflect and go forward.

Buy Now from £9.97

Start With You by Emma Grede

Known for her business ventures with the Kardashians and more, Emma Grede is now sharing her story and advice on how to conquer the world on your terms.The book is written like you’re having a heart-to-heart with a super successful friend who tells you straight how she thinks about life, work and success – no fluff. Emma shares her own journey from tough beginnings to building big businesses and offers practical mindset tools to help you stop overthinking, ditch unhelpful beliefs and start owning your goals.

pre-order for £25

Simply More by Cynthia Erivo

Whilst this isn’t specifically a self-help book, Actress and Singer Cynthia Erivo, famous for her recent role in Wicked and Wicked: For Good, tells her story of her training and upbringing, whilst posing questions at the end of each chapter to get you to reflect on your own life and experiences. From the realisation of the trauma of her father leaving her, to audition for countless movie and theatre roles, Cynthia helps you tap into your past and present to prepare for your future and realise your worth. It feels like sitting down and having a therapy session with a friend.

Buy Now for £5

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr Julie Smith

Dr Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist and TikTok star, shares shares simple, practical mental-health tools you actually use when life gets messy. From calming anxiety and beating low moods, to building confidence and breaking negative thought loops, it’s full of bite-sized advice that feels like a wise friend helping you make sense of your brain and emotions without being overwhelmed.

Buy Now for £20

Get these ordered pronto, and kick start your New Year right!

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There’s nothing quite as satisfying as tearing open a packet of crisps and savouring every last bite.

But if you think the odd treat won’t make a difference to your health, you’re sorely mistaken, because it turns out Brits’ salt intake is already through the roof.

In fact, a recent British Heart Foundation (BHF) study revealed we’re munching the equivalent of 155 packets of crisps a week thanks to the amount of sodium that’s in our food.

To put this into context, it’s effectively like eating 22 packs of ready salted every single day.

According to the research, working-age adults in England consume an average of 58.8g of salt each week — 40% more than the recommended maximum of 42g, which in snack term is roughly six more packets of ready salted crisps than the UK national guideline.

But if we adhered to the World Health Organisation’s recommended limit of less than 5g per day (35g per week), it would be even worse.

The culprits

Despite excess salt being such a problem for our health, 56% of Brits aren’t confident in estimating their daily intake, according to the BHF and YouGov poll.

And one likely reason for this is that we aren’t sure where sodium is lurking.

‘Most of the salt we eat is hidden in the food we buy, such as bread, cereals, pre-made sauces and ready meals, so it’s often hard to know exactly how much salt we’re consuming,’ commented dietitian Dell Stanford.

Action on Salt’s 2023 ‘bread report’ found 75% of sliced breads at supermarkets contained at least as much salt per slice as a packet of ready salted crisps.

What’s more, 11% of surveyed products exceeded the maximum salt reduction target for breads and rolls.

The same organisation also examined 334 breakfast cereals – including brands like Special K, All Bran, Golden Grahams, Cheerios, Shreddies, and various own-brand options – on sale in the UK, finding 35% contained more salt per serving than a bag of ready salted.

Ready meals were even worse, with Action on Salt saying 56% proved to be high in salt, according to the government’s colour-coded labelling criteria.

Researchers identified all ready meals produced by Wasabi, Jamie Oliver, and Kitchen Joy as high in salt, along with 91% of those by Charlie Bigham’s and 89% from Royal and Saputo Dairy UK, as of May 2025.

Why is too much salt bad for us?

While 32% of Brits don’t know the maximum amount of salt they should be eating, it’s worth getting familiar with, as the BHF warns that eating too much of it can cause high blood pressure, a problem linked to half of all heart attacks and strokes.

This happens because extra water is drawn into our bloodstream, which is responsible for the increase in pressure.

Otherwise known as hypertension, a high blood pressure reading is typically anything over 140/90 when checked by a healthcare professional.

If you’re checking yourself at home, a high blood pressure reading is considered to be 135/85, according to the NHS.

Hypertension puts extra stain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, sometimes resulting in heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, and vascular dementia – all serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.

It’s a big problem, given 30% of UK adults suffer with high blood pressure, and five million don’t even know they have it.

Following its latest findings, the charity is calling on the government to ensure its upcoming Healthy Food Standard – an initiative aimed at reducing obesity – includes mandatory targets that incentivise food companies to reduce salt levels in their products.

‘The Government must step in to make the healthy choice much easier for families by giving manufacturers an incentive to take out excessive amounts of salt from our food,’ dietitian Dell adds.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Zara Tindall is currently in Australia at the Magic Millions event, and Mike Tindall’s wife looked lovely in a stunning blue shirt dress by ALÉMAIS.

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When January rolls around again, it’s easy to get caught up in the furore of a ‘new year, new me’. 

However, if that doesn’t resonate for you, or you simply want to make a few small improvements rather than a total rebrand, we’ve got you covered. 

There’s a handful of ways you can improve your health and wellbeing, and a new month is the perfect time to wipe the slate clean after a busy festive period.

That might mean moving your body more, getting outside every day, trying a new hobby or making it your mission to get more sleep.

Thanks to Metro’s shopping experts, who test products for a living and are more knowledgeable than most, we’ve rounded up a select few favourites that can make all the difference.

From plush pillows that feel like sleeping on a cloud, or the best socks money can buy so you don’t have to deal with cold feet, there’s something for everyone, and some are also slashed in price thanks to the January sales. 

Of course, there are plenty of ways to look after yourself without spending any money, such as going to bed earlier, less screen time, or drinking less, but these five items come expert-recommended, so if you’re on the hunt to invest in yourself, you’re in very good hands. 

5 Ways to Boost Your Health and Wellbeing This January

SiS Hydro Electrolyte Effervescent Lemon 20 Tablets

Electrolytes were everywhere in 2025 and while you don’t need to be drinking them daily, they are great to have on hand if you regularly exercise or are recovering from one too many drinks the night before.

They’re great at keeping you hydrated, supporting your muscles and giving you energy, especially if you’re feeling sluggish, tired or a bit foggy.

These lemon tablets are the best, according to Metro’s shopping contributor Louise Whitbread.

Add them to a glass of water and wait a few seconds until they’ve dissolved and enjoy the lovely lemon flavour that isn’t sickly sweet.

For less than £8 you get 20 tablets per tube, each packed with 300mg of electrolytes.

Buy now for £6.46 (was £7.60) at holland & barrett

Boutique Silk Pillows Bundle

A good night’s sleep is essential and Metro’s senior commerce writer Lydia Wheatley, had nothing but high praise for these medium-firm Boutique Silk Pillows.

She described them as like 'resting your head on a cloud', and found she slept 'incredibly well' without being left with a stiff neck.

Best of all they hold their shape night after night's sleep!

A pair is currently on sale too, down from £76 to £71.44, and given that you’ll lay your head on them every day, the cost-per-use is fabulously low.

Buy now for £71.44 (Was £76) at fine bedding

Uniqlo Heattch Socks

Socks may seem an insignificant purchase, but these are the most practical purchases you make this winter, especially if it’s your goal to walk more.

Uniqlo’s heattech range is cleverly designed to insulate without adding bulk, and I’ve worn this pair almost every day in December alone (I have multiple versions).

They add the perfect pop of colour under your jeans, keep my feet permanently warm but aren’t so chunky I can’t fit my trainers on.

It’s a small but mighty difference to my everyday wellbeing, but are less than a tenner.

I can’t recommend them enough if you’re always cold.

Buy now for £7.90 at uniqlo

Utobest Running Vest

If picking up running is on your New Year's to-do list, Metro’s shopping contributor Louise Whitbread recommends buying yourself a running vest if you’d like to work towards long distances.

She has worn this one from Amazon to run three marathons and has nothing but positive things to report, especially how affordable it is – some running vests can cost three times the price.

It can store all your valuables, such as a bank card, house keys, lip balm, water, and Lucozade bottles, thanks to six separate compartments, including a 5-litre zipped compartment at the back.

There’s also a whistle, which comes in handy if you're running alone and need help, and reflective strips on the front and back for extra visibility if you’re running in the dark.

Buy now for £25.02 (Was £27.80) at amazon

Night Lark Seersucker Coverless Duvet Set

Another sleep-related find loved by Metro’s senior commerce writer Lydia Wheatley is this duvet set from Night Lark.

Snuggly and practical, this seersucker set can be popped in the washing machine, comes with two pillowcases and has a super-soft built-in cover, so you’ll never need to wrestle with a twister duvet cover in the middle of the night again.

'I worried at first that the duvet would be far too light, but as soon as I got myself under it, I was proven totally wrong,' she said, adding, 'there’s something properly special about the innovative duvet filling, which got me instantly toasty, while the outer cover remained lightweight on my skin to keep me from overheating.'

Buy now from £50

So what are you waiting for? These budget buys are just what we need, to make it through January… alive.

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below

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This is probably TMI, but I’ve never been a fan of a thong. 

I don’t care what anyone says; they’re just not comfortable. And don’t even get me started on G-strings.

But it seems to me that these days, it’s not just the fabric version of dental floss that appears to be designed to ride up where the sun doesn’t shine — I’m certain that all women’s underwear is getting smaller and flimsier.

And I’m not the only one feeling bitter about this.

A revolution of sorts has begun online, with thousands of women demanding the return of ‘proper’ knickers.

Uncomfy undies have caused such an issue that one woman became convinced her vagina had ‘changed shape’, when the truth was her underwear had been the problem all along.

What’s happening to our knickers?

The great knicker debate started when a social media user known as Jennifer took to the r/AskUK forum on Reddit to pose a serious question to women of the UK: What’s happening to knickers?

In her post, she explained that underwear at the likes of M&S was ‘driving her crazy’.

‘In recent years, I’ve noticed underwear no longer has proper elastic around the edges (not including the waistband). I cannot understand the logic here. Is it cheaper?

‘Because the elastic was there for a reason, now my knickers are just moving around left, right and centre,’ she writes.

‘Even the ones that look like they have elastic in have no elasticity on the edges.’ 

Thousands have upvoted and commented on the post, with many quick to bring their own underwear gripes to light. And the most common was to do with the gusset, or rather the lack thereof…

Redditor u/Kim_Catiko replied, saying: ‘I have also noticed that the undercarriage bit (the bit that has a cotton lining) seems to not even sit under my f*nny. 

‘It goes up my a*se, which then means my discharge goes through the thinner part of the knickers rather than catching on the cotton lining. It also means pads sit weird, too. It is so f**king annoying.’

And u/MrsCosmopilite agreed, writing: ‘Yes! The gusset has started to be about two inches further back than it should be.’

While u/tiny-brit commented: ‘I’ve been noticing this for a while, and it seems to go hand-in-hand with underwear now often being designed ridiculously high-waisted, and/or the gusset area being weirdly long and narrow.

‘I personally just want an appropriate amount of coverage of the important areas, without my underwear having to be adjusted every time I move.’

Several women on the thread were thrilled the topic was being brought to light and admitted they’d come across the issue so many times they’d convinced themselves something had to be wrong with the shape or size of their vagina. 

‘I thought my flaps were getting bigger or something. Amazing how much we’ll gaslight ourselves about our bodies when something changes,’ u/AtLeastOneCat confessed. 

This comes as new research by underwear brand Stripe & Stare found that 44% of women want to ‘retire’ thongs in 2026, opting instead for full briefs and ‘granny pants’, as comfort is key.

‘Gussets have truly evolved’

The consensus was that underwear had changed drastically over the last few years, but is this actually the case? 

Michael Thomson, the CEO and founder of lingerie and swimwear retailer, Pour Moi, has confirmed we’re not imagining things — gussets are shrinking. 

‘Women’s underwear and gussets have truly evolved and changed over the years, to adapt to evolving clothing trends and advances in new technologies,’ he tells Metro.

He credits the ‘surge’ in a need for smaller gussets to women wearing more leggings and athleisure wear, post-lockdown. This, he says, has triggered a requirement for shops to stock more seamless briefs, with no VPL, to be worn under tight-fitting gym clothing.

M&S has been doing just this, and it’s paid off for them. The retailer, which sells around 60 million pairs of knickers annually, has seen sales of its High Waist Thong soaring by over 160% this year, versus last year, again likely due to the trend towards wearing leggings a gym gear day-to-day.

Charlotte Davies, director of M&S lingerie, says that customers have had an appetite for ‘invisible’ underwear of late, but they still want it to have a little spice.

‘What’s particularly exciting is the growth in cheekier, more sculpted shapes. The High Waist Thong and High Waist High-Leg are leading the way,’ she says.

‘These silhouettes are redefining everyday lingerie, offering flattering fits that are comfortable and invisible under clothes, featuring innovative no VPL, with 360 degree stretch for all day comfort.

‘It’s proof women are looking for lingerie that balances both style and practicality in equal measure.’

Less elastic doesn’t mean more wedgies

To create that seamless look, designers are getting rid of traditional cotton and woven elastic, which is what often causes a visible panty line. Instead, brands are using elastane to create stretch, which is more commonly known as Lycra or Spandex. 

But the issue with elastane is that over time, it can lose its shape and elasticity. This is especially the case if it’s regularly exposed to heat, such as in the washing machine or tumble dryer, which explains why, gradually, your underwear might start to move around and become uncomfortable. 

Despite this, Katie Lopes, the founder of Stripe & Stare, claims that less elastic in our knickers isn’t actually a bad thing.

‘I spent six years making small production runs and selling to thousands of women, and the very first thing I did was remove any heavy elastic seams, replacing them with lace and a flat-lock stitch.’

Katie explains that this is because ‘heavy elastic is actually what causes wedgies’, so instead they use TENCEL, a natural cellulose fibre she says is ‘more moisture-wicking and antibacterial’ than cotton or bamboo.

Knickers are getting smarter, not smaller

Some brands are also taking this one step further, with WUKA creating the world’s first multi-size period pants. These are made entirely from an ‘innovative stretch technology’ to fit bodies across different sizes.

‘It’s not so much that knickers are getting smaller, they’re getting smarter,’ says WUKA founder and CEO, Ruby Raut. ‘Fabrics today are engineered to stretch, flex and adapt. We moved from offering 11 individual sizes to just three multi-size options that still cover the same range.’

Offering multi-sizes has reportedly helped WUKA customers find a better fit, which hopefully means they’re more comfortable too.

Ruby adds: ‘Fit and fabric have become top concerns, but since launching our multi-size range, we’ve seen our return rate drop from 6% to 3%.

‘In fact, our multi-size underwear now makes up 60% of our total underwear sales – that says a lot.’

And these aren’t the only underwear changes you can expect to see in shops these days, as the types of fabric being used are also evolving.

At M&S, Charlotte claims delicate lace knickers are out, and microfibre briefs are in, which is a much more ‘lightweight’ fabric.

Shoppers are also said to be looking for ‘pops of colour’ to bring energy to the everyday knicker drawer, so expect to see more bold shades on the horizon.

Personally, though, I’d still prefer a pair of proper knickers over a hot pink stringy thing any day…

This article was first published on November 27, 2025.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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