☆ Do this to boost your immune system, a TikTok favourite natural lash oil, an Insider's hot take on confidence

Hey lovely,

Jasmine here, back with your Wellness Dose.

Thanks for bearing with me last week whilst I recovered from the dreaded lurgy. I'll be honest, whenever I'm ill, I always feel extra thankful for my Oura ring. For one, it's so validating to know you aren't in your head about an illness and secondly, I find it super helpful to know whether things are heading in the right direction. I could see my HRV and resting heart rate slowly but surely improve over the course of about 9 days, meaning that during that time it took all pressure off working out, getting steps in etc. because all I needed to do was rest - even if it felt like I had some energy coming back.

If you're also currently going through it, I found this post helpful for so many different remedies to boost your immune system as soon as something takes hold. I personally upped my vitamin C, started taking NAC again, upped my water intake and slept in every day until around 10.30am!

We're back with a good one this week, so keep reading for:

• Your Wellness Dose exclusive of a free lash oil

• An honest interview with the one & only Roxie Nafousi (still not over it)

• A hot take on why 2026 is the year of self-empowerment & much more.

And in case you missed it, we're giving all commission earned from our 2025 gift guide to the incredible Maggie's charity, so if you've got any shopping left to do, why not do it for a good cause by browsing this list?

As always, thank you so much for being here.

Got forwarded The Wellness Dose? Subscribe here.

Your exclusive gift from Perl Cosmetics

We figured since it's the season of giving, there's a good chance you're in need of some TLC too, dear Wellness Dose reader, and Perl Cosmetics just answered our lash-loving prayers.

Founded by Isobel Perl back in 2021, her waterless & preservative-free formulations shot to fame after she shared her lash growth journey online. After struggling with stress & OCD managing the ups & downs of the business, she started pulling out her eyelashes, which in turn made her feel even worse. Keen to launch a product in line with the brand's clean ethos, she set out to create a formula without the popular prostaglandin ingredient (aka the synthetic growth hormone in most formulations with some less than ideal side effects).

And now, for the next 7 days, UK readers can try it for free (yes, really!). Just pay for postage & make sure to sign up to Perl's newsletter at checkout to be eligible.

Use code DAILYRITUALS to get longer & stronger lashes naturally today.

The best stories & updates that caught our eye this week → 

• 🔬 2026 = year of self-empowerment: A new week brings with it another at-home testing company either starting, raising or acquiring to expand their diagnostic universe - this week, all eyes are on Function Health. They just raised a sweet $300mil to build an AI system that unifies your lab tests, imaging, wearable data, medical records and layers it with global research. The goal? Create "the intelligence layer of human health" to help you live 100 healthy years. Although impressive, if you're keen for some actual human interaction whilst taking your health into your own hands, try the Healf Zone testing instead: each test comes with a 30-minute video call with an expert to add a little more nuance to your results.

• 🍫 Trending: Pistachios were 2025's viral snack ingredient, but this Danish-born brand is giving them a major revamp with their pistachio-cream covered dates for a high-fiber, naturally sweet candy alternative. Turns out they've managed to add basically any flavour to a date - cookie dough, watermelon, peach, cinnamon roll. One to watch for 2026 - they'll be a Whole Foods favorite in no time.

• 🚀 NASA-approved: Ulta Beauty just became the first major retailer to stock this game-changing portable red light device, designed to turn you into a real-life sleeping beauty. The brand shot to fame after getting a seal of approval from biohacker Bryan Johnson earlier this year - helping him get consistently perfect sleep scores as part of his (rather lengthy) sleep routine. Inspired by NASA research, it mimics the red hues of natural sunsets to boost your sleep-inducing melatonin production through a 28-minute cycle. Hot tip: if you have a red light panel for your skin already, use that. And if you want to DIY your own, buy this red light bulb instead.

• ⛵ Set sail: They've dominated land, so why not sea? If HYROX wasn't quite a cult before, it's definitely one now. They just announced their new "experiences" arm of the business (and it's genius): take a bunch of hybrid-training enthusiasts and sail off into the sunset on a 4-night Mediterranean cruise. Workouts all day, parties at night - they're giving you the chance to "train under perfect conditions, refuel, recharge, join classes and listen to plenty of panel talks" all for just £1.5k per person. Honestly, we're not sure if 4 days of burpee broad jumps is better or worse at sea - we'll let you be the judge. Up next: "camps" and "resorts", likely similar to popular training destinations like The Campus in Portugal or Club La Santa in Lanzarote - the future really is in-person, and HYROX is well-funded & perfectly positioned to capitalise on it.

• 😰 Frazzled: What a time to be alive when a device like this exists. You've likely heard many a podcast talk about "managing your cortisol levels", but aside from catch-all symptoms like poor sleep and low energy, it's been hard to track over time. Now, thanks to Eli Health's saliva-based home test, you can map your cortisol levels to work out what's actually going on and get recommendations to work with your unique rhythm to feel your best. Our hot take? Oura and WHOOP will be watching this start-up very closely with a view to integrating it into their own platform as an upsell add-on, which we'll 100% be adding to our monthly sub.

• 🎧 Can't hear you: With the festive season here, an undisrupted sleep (especially after a Bailey’s hot choc) is key and these "sleep buds" could be the answer. Voted one of TIME's best inventions of 2025 and designed by former Bose engineers, their unique shape means they fit snugly all night whilst playing soundscapes that help you drift off to sleep. And now, they've partnered with mindfulness app Calm to give users of their Calm edition 12 months of free listening in a rather aesthetic "calm" blue. For those who wouldn't use the soundscapes (or don't fancy dropping over £230 on earbuds), these are a good dupe for under £20.

★ Also caught our eye: Is anything not full of microplastics? Underrated at-home beauty hacks, silky soft chocolate PJ’s for Christmas day & four ways to trust yourself more according to a therapist. ★

Over the past 6 years, Roxie Nafousi has gone from rock bottom to becoming "the woman who got 1 million people manifesting". She's also proof of the power of being multi-faceted - bestselling author, podcast host, beauty brand founder, investor, speaker, creator - Roxie has built an empire that proves manifestation isn't just wishful thinking, it's a legitimate business strategy.

Her debut book "Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life" became an instant Sunday Times bestseller, its iconic orange cover later spotted in the hands of Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber. Now, with her latest release "Confidence" and her beauty brand Alia, Roxie is showing ambitious women everywhere that clarity, self-worth, and aligned action can truly transform your life. Today, we're finding out her go-to daily rituals, favourite wellness products and what you can do today to start creating your dream life.

★ Roxie, how much of your success do you attribute to manifestation vs traditional business strategy, or are they actually the same thing?

I genuinely attribute my success to manifestation, because when I look at my 7 Step Guide, I realise it can function as a business strategy in itself. Clear goal setting, building self-belief, taking aligned action, overcoming challenges, and maintaining a positive mindset are essential for any high-performing company. I also absolutely love the business side of what I do - personal branding, community building, creativity, and exploring new ways to communicate my message - manifestation simply gave me the confidence to make it happen.

★ What do you think people misunderstand most about manifestation?

That manifestation is wishful or magical thinking - it’s not. It’s a self-development practice that requires inner work, emotional awareness, and consistent action. 

★ Congratulations on your new book, Confidence! How does confidence play into manifestation? 

Confidence is at the absolute core of manifestation. We can only manifest what we subconsciously believe we are worthy of receiving. Without a foundation of self-worth, it's incredibly difficult to manifest to your full potential. Confidence expands what you believe is possible for you, which in turn expands what you attract.

★ You're managing multiple businesses, a podcast, writing books, investing - how do you use manifestation to sustain that level of output without burning out? 

Burnout used to happen to me constantly, and I realised I had to manage myself differently if I wanted to continue doing what I love. This year I found rituals that transformed my energy and balance: meditation, breathwork, avoiding work after 6pm, family time on weekends, spending time outdoors, exercising, prioritising sleep, keeping my home tidy and cosy, taking supplements, and eating well. They're simple, but when you commit to the basics, everything changes.

★ For someone ambitious but feeling stuck – what is the first step in manifesting the life they want?

Get clear on your goals. You can’t reach a destination if you don't know where you are going. Clarity is the starting point for everything.

★ And if they only have 5 minutes a day?

Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and repeat positive affirmations.

★ You launched Alia this year - how was the process of taking it from idea to launch? Any lessons learned?

It was incredibly challenging. I truly had no idea how stressful the production, shipping, and fulfilment side of things would be. Social media can also distort expectations, because we see overnight successes everywhere, when the reality is very different. It wasn't overnight for me, and I'm not embarrassed to say that. My biggest lessons were patience, persistence, and finding people you trust to build with.

★ What's something you're manifesting right now for Alia?

Seeing Alia in Space NK one day would be the dream.

★ What's changed in your wellness routine recently?

This year I discovered some new things I now swear by: Diome RESTED for sleep, Epetome synbiotics (they transformed my gut health), sound baths, electrolytes, and creatine. 

★ A treatment, specialist, or clinic you swear by?

For beauty, Anastasia at ALTA MediSpa - her skin boosters changed my skin this year. For hair growth, Hannah Gombardi. For acupuncture, Renata.

★ Something disrupts your sleep – what's the first thing you do in the morning?

Grab an ice cube, wrap it in a hand towel, and rub it over my face for as long as possible. It wakes you up instantly.

Get Roxie’s latest book, Confidence here - the perfect read whilst recharging over the holidays and prepping for the New Year. Also makes a thoughtful stocking filler for the ambitious women in your life.

✶Want cute (free) stuff?

You currently have 0 referrals, only 1 away from receiving exclusive access to IRL events.

Here’s your unique link: https://dailyrituals.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

★ Easiest way to rack referrals quickly? Share a screenshot of the Wellness Dose on your instagram story with your referral link.

Thank you so much for your support!