This Week in Global Lifestyle: Food, Sleep, Wellness and Digital Living
Suzan Seherin 
Lifestyle headlines this week focused on what we eat, how we sleep and where we choose to live and work. New research and policy moves highlighted how everyday habits shape long-term health and wellbeing.
Health and diet: ultra-processed foods under fire
Health coverage has been dominated by a major Lancet series and related research on ultra-processed foods, or UPFs. Scientists warn that rising dependence on ready-to-eat products is driving obesity, diabetes and heart disease worldwide, and call for tighter regulation and clearer food labels.
A separate study in JAMA Oncology, reported by US outlet People, linked high UPF intake to a 45% higher risk of precancerous colon polyps in women. The pattern adds to evidence that heavy reliance on processed snacks, soft drinks and frozen meals can damage long-term health.
Experts say diet is only one risk factor. However, they argue that modest shifts towards whole foods, such as vegetables, legumes and minimally processed grains, can noticeably reduce long-term risk.
Sleep and blood pressure: why routine matters
Sleep also entered the lifestyle conversation after a new study found that simply keeping a regular bedtime can lower blood pressure. The small trial, highlighted by Medical News Today, showed that adults who went to bed at the same time each night for two weeks saw clinically meaningful drops in 24-hour blood pressure.
Researchers say the benefit is comparable to cutting salt or starting an exercise program because the cardiovascular system is closely tied to the body’s internal clock. Irregular bedtimes, meanwhile, appear to keep the body in a mild “fight or flight” mode, raising blood pressure and straining the heart over time.
As a result, doctors are encouraging people to treat consistent sleep as a simple, low-cost lifestyle change, alongside regular movement and balanced eating.
Digital nomad lifestyle: visas open new doors
The dream of working from anywhere also received a boost this week. Slovenia officially launched a temporary residence permit for digital nomads, allowing non-EU remote workers to live in the country for up to one year while working for employers abroad.
Authorities emphasise that nomads will not enter the local labour market, but they can bring families and enjoy Slovenia’s mountains and historic cities. Other destinations continue to promote similar visas, hoping to attract long-stay visitors who spend money without competing for local jobs.
However, some cities remain cautious, warning that a large influx of remote workers can drive up rents and strain housing. Policymakers are still searching for a balance between tourism revenue and affordability for residents.
Wellness culture: from exclusive retreats to everyday habits
In the wellness space, the focus is shifting from luxury retreats towards accessible daily habits. Actor and writer Natasha Rothwell, speaking to The Independent, argued for a more inclusive idea of wellness that is not limited to thinness or expensive spa holidays. She highlighted the mental health benefits of simple activities such as short walks, time outdoors and regular rest.
High-end brands are also repositioning. Coverage of members-club group Soho House has noted its move away from pure nightlife towards wellness offerings, such as gyms, recovery spaces and quieter work areas. This reflects a wider trend in which younger professionals prioritise sleep, fitness and mental health over late-night partying.
The message emerging across the sector is that sustainable wellbeing relies less on costly retreats and more on consistent, realistic routines.
Fashion and beauty: sustainable style and celebrity wellness
Lifestyle fashion news this week included a fresh round-up of offers from sustainable labels by platform Good On You. The guide highlights brands that use organic fabrics, recycled materials and low-impact dyes, encouraging shoppers to see seasonal sales as a chance to back better production practices rather than fast fashion.
Meanwhile, celebrity wellness stories continued to shape beauty trends. CEO Today profiled model Bella Hadid’s 2025 routine and the growth of her alcohol-free fragrance line Ôrəbella, which promotes “skin-friendly” formulas and vegan ingredients. Fans are encouraged to view fragrance as part of a wider self-care ritual instead of a purely cosmetic luxury.
Together, these stories suggest that lifestyle in 2025 is increasingly defined by conscious choices: eating fewer ultra-processed foods, protecting sleep, travelling more flexibly and favouring wellness and sustainability over short-term excess.
Featured image: Collected
About The Author
S Arefin 
Sultanul Arefin 
