The start of a new year is often used by many as a time to reset and create new goals for the year ahead. It is also a great opportunity to focus on your self-care and prioritising your physical and mental health. There are many different ways to achieve this, by revamping your look or trying out a new fitness regime. Here are a few ways you can look after yourself going into 2024…

Get your eyes tested at Rae & Rae

Start your new year with a fresh perspective and better eyesight by getting your eyes tested at Rae & Rae options located on Bishy road in York. This award-winning, independent opticians and boutique eyewear shopping destination offers a friendly and affordable service to ensure you are getting the best eye care for you. Their state-of-the-art eyecare technology and knowledgeable team will make sure you get the expert experience that will make you leave feeling ready to tackle the new year head on.

At Rae & Rae you can also browse a wide range of independent and designer eyewear collections which is the perfect way to start experimenting with a new style for a new you! Whether the perfect frames for you are something modern or something a bit more classic, their friendly team of eyewear consultants can help find the perfect style. Their current eyewear collections include York exclusive brands that you won’t find anywhere else in York, such as Moscot, Salt, Feb31st and ECO eyewear.

If better eyesight and eye care, as well as new stylish frames, are what you are looking for this New Year make sure you pay Rae & Rae opticians a visit!

Treat yourself to a spa treatment or day

Want to feel refreshed? Why don’t you treat yourself to a trip to Middlethorpe Spa where you will feel all of life’s stresses that weigh you down disappear! The spa is secluded in its own private garden and is located in two beautiful listed Edwardian cottages. Here you can find a variety of health and beauty treatments such as aromatherapy, holistic treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, massages specifically for people living with cancer and much more. The wide selection allows you to explore and discover the best treatments for you to achieve the results you are aiming for. You can also book a spa day or a half spa day that can be tailored to your specific needs. If you want to start off your year feeling refreshed and brand new, a spa day or treatment may be for you.

Grab a healthy smoothie

If one of your resolutions this year is to get more vitamins, fruit and vegetables into your diet a smoothie may be the perfect solution. Rise is a brunch spot located in York with tasty smoothies and juices available on the menus. They have a variety of smoothies available which includes the ‘rise and shine’ with strawberry, raspberry, banana and AJ; the ‘golden glow’ with pineapple, mango and apple; the ‘surfs up’ with mango, banana, coconut and spirulina; the ‘choco lit’ with cocoa, banana and coconut and the ‘popeye’ with spinach, avocado and apple. All smoothies on their menu are £4.80 each. They also have fresh juices on their menu priced between £3.30 and £3.80 which includes homemade lemonade, strawberry lemonade and freshly squeezed orange juice. If you want to try smoothie bowls they also have two options available to buy which includes the vegan ‘flamingo bowl’ with strawberry, banana, raspberry and granola and the vegan ‘Bali bowl’ with mango, pineapple, coconut, spirulina banana and kiwi.

Give yoga a go

Have you ever considered taking a yoga class to become more active and practise mindfulness? Stables Yoga Centre located on Nunmill Street in York mindfulness sanctuaries offering yoga classes! They offer daily classes led by highly qualified and friendly instructors for people of all ages. Each day there are multiple different yoga sessions available for different needs and different skill levels such as a postnatal yoga class and beginner classes. Stables Yoga Centre also offers a range of different workshops. This includes a gong bath workshop on January 12th for £30 per person, which is an immersive sound experience where you will be bathed in endless overlapping sound waves with sounds and vibrations travelling through your body. This session can help induce feelings of deep relaxation and can help individuals feel centred which is perfect if you are looking to melt away last year’s stresses and start fresh in 2024.

Try a new hairstyle

Located in the heart of York is Sam Olgar Hair, a professional hair salon and the perfect location to give your hairstyle a refresh. Their skilled stylists and colour experts can create the perfect new style for you and transform your look completely. At Sam Olgar Hair, there is a wide selection of services and advanced treatments for you to choose from. Services at the salon include blow drying, cuts and finishes, different colour treatments and style, hair extensions by consultation and olaplex treatments. Prices for services start at £25 and they even offer men’s cuts too! They also have a selection of cruelty free and vegan friendly products that you can find out more about by talking to the stylists at the salon.

Images- @raeandraeopticians, @ntmiddlethorpe_hall, @risebrunch