Knightsbridge New Year’s resolutions

Whatever your traditions, Christmas can be an overwhelming time. Family, food and festivities are wonderful but, come January, it’s normal to feel drained and in need of a mental recharge. Our advice? Start small. Something as simple as getting out for a 10-minute walk once a day releases endorphins that counteract stress and improve your mood. Hyde Park is 350 acres of green space and tranquil waters on Knightsbridge’s doorstep – and it’s perfect for a quick stroll or a leisurely ramble. Next, try planning cultural outings that don’t revolve around food or drink. Stop into Crane Kalman Gallery for a taste of Modern British art or book a ticket to the V&A’s latest exhibition – we’re particularly looking forward to Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection in May. Finally, a spot of self-care can go a long way, so why not try a treatment at The Bulgari Spa? Its Ayurvedic-inspired “Ojas” Surrender and Revive Ritual combines guided breathwork, yogic twists and mindfulness meditations with a foot massage and full-body scrub. The treatment may be more of a one-off treat but if you use it to jumpstart your mindfulness practice, you can use an app like Headspace to make this part of your daily routine for 2024.

In January, it’s tempting to go down the extreme “New Year, New You” crash-diet route – then cave after two weeks and end up face-first in a tub of Ben & Jerry’s. This year, why not choose to eat well, instead? Prioritise quality ingredients, non-processed foods and a strong supplement routine over calorie counting or cutting out entire food groups. Try beginning your day with a delicious, healthy breakfast and a fresh pressed juice at The Berkeley. Its Green Goddess juice contains kale, parsley, cucumber, celery and green apple, which not only provides much-needed vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium but also bolsters immunity. Follow it up with one of its Boost Bowls (we like the bircher muesli best) and you’re off to a flying start. For dinner, cooking at home has so many benefits – the greatest being you know exactly what is going into your food. Mari Vanna Deli on Wellington Court offers a range of specialty items to up your supper game, such as its fillet of home salted salmon or, if you’re feeling very fancy, Beluga caviar. Last but not least, you can complete your diet with mix and match supplements and vitamins from Holland & Barrett. Feeling fatigued? You may need some extra B12. Want to keep your hair and skin looking tip-top? Biotin might be right for you.

The key to keeping an exercise-related resolution is picking something you enjoy doing. The Lanesborough Club and Spa offers fitness classes including yoga, reformer pilates, boxing, HIIT, spinning, Dance Club and more – as well as personal training for those who need that extra push. Plus, members can also make use of its hydro-pool and spa, so there is really no downside. Thinking of taking up running? One of the most appealing aspects of this form of exercise is the community around it. Hyde Park Runners is a club offered by Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park that is ‘rooted in community and connection, motivating people and giving them the confidence to run and move more – with some extra special touches’. If you’ve got the space at home and prefer to work out in private, there’s always the home gym option. Harrods has a selection of high-end equipment to create your own training space and our pick of the bunch is the Technogym Power Personal Multigym, ideal for reaching your weight-training goals.

Is this the year you level up your look? We think it might be. Luckily, Knightsbridge makes keeping resolutions about looking your best easy with shopping and beauty options galore. Build a blow-out into your routine with Duck & Dry at Harvey Nichols. Create your dream capsule wardrobe by investing in timeless seasonal pieces throughout the year from Burberry, Guess, Lacoste, Reiss and Bimba Y Lola. Get your morning beauty routine down pat with products from Prince Pharmacy – its exclusive range from Delarom Paris is made up of natural ingredients and essential oils. If you’re over waxes in 2024, commit to a course of laser hair removal at London Beauty Clinic, a gradual and virtually pain-free alternative. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Do what makes you feel happy – and have a fantastic 2024!