How To Make 2025 Your Year of (Travel) Wellness

This is your secret weapon during flights, where dry cabin air can zap your skin’s hydration in record time. By applying a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser, you create a protective barrier that locks in moisture and fights off that tight, flaky feeling. Plus, it helps smooth and plump the look of your skin, so you can land looking fresh-faced, not tired. Try a mini self-care ritual using a lightweight gel-cream moisturiser, like benefit’s The Porefessional Smooth Sip Moisturizer. The water-based formula feels refreshing, goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly and gives instant and all-day hydration.

This one is simple. Nothing is worse than dry, cracked lips. As well as drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated, using a nourishing lip balm like the L'Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Lip Balm, with 10% shea butter, can instantly make you look refreshed and effortlessly put together. Why not go luxe with the Givenchy Lip Balm Rose Perfecto, a skincare-infused colour lip balm made with 95% natural origin ingredients to nourish, visibly plump, & smooth the lips, with up to 24 hours of hydration.

TOP TIP: Did you know… lip balms can also hydrate cuticles or tame flyaway hairs?

Or you can choose a Tuna Nicoise Salad from Pret A Manger, a classic salad of pole & line caught tuna, a free-range boiled egg, Kalamata olives and red onion. Finished with baby plum tomatoes and a pot of Pret's French dressing. Dishes rich in vegetables and lean proteins are the best options while you travel, whether it’s long or short journeys.

Tired of endless scrolling on flights? Ditch the screens and switch up your in-flight experience with a little creativity. Cutting back on screen time during a flight doesn’t just spare your eyes, it can transform your entire travel experience. Instead of binge-watching another forgettable show and exposing your eyes to even more blue light, try to tune into the hum of the engines or take in the endless horizon outside your window for a rare moment of mindfulness?

Dive into a captivating book and let the pages transport you. From Rebecca F. Kuang’s Yellowface to Richard Osman’s latest, We Solve Murders, WHSmiths offers a fantastic range of bestselling, exciting fiction novels and fascinating biographies to lose yourself in.

You can also grab a notebook (or challenge yourself on a smaller scale and grab some scrap paper, or even a napkin!) and sketch the scenery from 35,000 feet. Or bring along a puzzle book for a mental workout. By unplugging from the tech, you might just rediscover the joy of the journey itself.

Whether you end up racing through airports (there’s always a last minute panic) or lounging mid-flight, these wellness hacks will have you arriving at your destination feeling refreshed, energised, and ready for anything. Let’s face it, airplane seats aren’t exactly known for their comfort. Combat stiffness and sluggish circulation by setting a timer to stretch or shift your position every 15 minutes. Simple exercises like seated leg lifts, ankle rolls, or shoulder stretches can help prevent those cramps and aches.

Your immune system works overtime when you travel, so give it a boost. Boots is the best place to pick up the essentials. A powerhouse for boosting immunity, vitamin C is crucial when navigating crowded airports or new surroundings. It can help fend off colds and other common pesky illnesses when travelling. Look for chewables, effervescent tablets, or gummies for a convenient, no-fuss option. While long flights, cramped spaces, and packed itineraries can leave you feeling tense and fatigued, magnesium helps with muscle relaxation and may also promote restful sleep, perfect for easing jet lag or unwinding after a hectic travel day.