Good Housekeeping Special Edition – Healthy – 24 December 2025

Summary

Dr Rangan Chatterjee's 10 new rules of happiness anchor the Good Housekeeping Healthy Living Collection 2026, a special edition from 24 December 2025 that also features Mel Robbins' "Let Them" theory, Paul McKenna's life lessons, and Julia Bradbury on relearning how to breathe. Priced with the Healthy Living Collection branding, this annual reset issue covers health, fitness, mind, beauty, and food across 194 pages.

The "Your BIG 2026 RESET" cover theme delivers: Dr Chatterjee's happiness rules focus on connection, purpose, and micro-habits rather than grand resolutions. Mariella Frostrup contributes a midlife survival guide. The health scanning revolution feature investigates full-body MRI and DEXA scans — who needs them, what they cost, and whether they cause unnecessary anxiety. The weight loss drug update reviews the latest on Wegovy, Mounjaro, and the question of long-term use.

"Healthy Body" covers the future of fitness with Caroline Idiens, "snactivity" (incorporating movement into daily life), and walking techniques. "Healthy Mind" brings Mel Robbins, Paul McKenna, Julia Bradbury on breathwork, and at-home biohacking. GHI-tested sections rate blenders, fitness trackers, trainers, non-alcoholic drinks, and exercise kit. The issue closes with 2026 journals, beauty trends, and a world of wellness travel round-up.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Feature / Happiness

p.144 · The 10 (New) Rules of Happiness by Dr Rangan Chatterjee
GP and author Dr Rangan Chatterjee presents 10 updated principles for wellbeing, emphasising connection over achievement, micro-habits over grand resolutions, and purpose over productivity. The rules include prioritising sleep, daily nature contact, and meaningful conversations. Pick one rule to implement for 7 days before adding another — trying all 10 at once guarantees none will stick.

▸ Health / Midlife

p.20 · Mariella Frostrup's Midlife Survival Guide
Journalist and presenter Mariella Frostrup shares practical strategies for navigating midlife health changes: perimenopause management, career reinvention, and maintaining friendships through life transitions. The guide addresses HRT, sleep disruption, and the importance of physical strength training for bone density. Start resistance training twice weekly to preserve muscle mass and bone density through perimenopause and beyond.

▸ Health / Scanning

p.52 · Will You Join the Health Scanning Revolution?
Full-body MRI and DEXA scans are increasingly available privately, but the article questions whether they improve outcomes or create anxiety from incidental findings. The piece covers what each scan measures, costs (GBP 300-1,500), and who might genuinely benefit. If you have specific risk factors (family history, genetic predisposition), discuss targeted scanning with your GP rather than opting for full-body screening.

▸ Health / Weight Loss

p.68 · What's Next for Weight Loss Drugs?
The article reviews the latest evidence on semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound): average weight loss of 15-22 percent, common side effects, and the challenge of maintaining weight after stopping. The piece also discusses oral versions in development and the NHS access criteria. If you stop GLP-1 medication, work with a dietitian before stopping to establish sustainable eating habits that can replace the drug's appetite-suppressing effect.

▸ Fitness / Walking

p.138 · Walk This Way
Walking techniques to increase calorie burn and engagement: Nordic walking poles engage upper body muscles; interval walking (3 minutes fast, 3 minutes moderate) boosts cardiovascular fitness; and mindful walking (focusing on each foot strike) builds body awareness. Start with 10-minute daily walks using any of these three techniques, then build to 30 minutes over 4 weeks.

▸ Fitness / Expert

p.122 · Getting in Shape with Caroline Idiens
Personal trainer Caroline Idiens shares her approach to building strength and consistency, with a focus on women over 40. She emphasises progressive overload, compound movements (squats, deadlifts, presses), and the importance of rest days. Three key exercises: goblet squats, dumbbell rows, and glute bridges. Perform 3 sets of 10-12 reps, twice weekly.

▸ Mind / Psychology

p.148 · "Let Them" with Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins explains her "Let Them" theory: stop trying to control other people's behaviour, opinions, or choices, and instead focus on your own responses. The theory reduces anxiety and conflict in relationships, work, and family life. When someone's behaviour frustrates you, say "let them" and redirect your energy to what you can control — your boundaries and your next action.

▸ Mind / Breathwork

p.161 · Julia Bradbury on Learning How to Breathe Differently
Broadcaster Julia Bradbury, after her breast cancer diagnosis, discovered breathwork techniques that helped manage anxiety, improve sleep, and support recovery. She shares specific patterns: box breathing (4-4-4-4 counts) for calm, and the 4-7-8 pattern for deep relaxation. Practice box breathing for 5 minutes morning and evening to lower resting heart rate and reduce anxiety within two weeks.

▸ Regulars / GHI-Tested
GHI-tested product sections: top-rated blenders for smoothies and soups; high-performance trainers for walking and running; fitness trackers rated for step count accuracy, heart rate monitoring, and battery life; non- and low-alcoholic drinks rated for taste as well as calorie count; and spa-at-home beauty buys. Each category includes specific brand recommendations with test scores.

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Editor's Take

This is a generously packed special edition that delivers genuine value across 194 pages. The strongest sections are the Happiness rules (Chatterjee), the midlife guide (Frostrup), and the breathwork feature (Bradbury) — all named experts with specific, actionable advice. The GHI-tested product sections are useful but veer toward commercial content. The weakest section is "Healthy Looks" — the beauty pages feel like advertising-supported filler in an otherwise health-focused collection. The wall planner-style 2026 journal section is a nice bonus but adds bulk.

Strengths
• Three expert-led features (Chatterjee, Frostrup, Bradbury) deliver genuine depth
• GHI-tested product sections offer independently verified purchase guidance
• 194-page count provides real value for the cover price

Weaknesses
• Beauty section feels misaligned with the health reset theme
• Some product sections read like padded shopping catalogues

Verdict: Recommended — The best annual reset guide on the market; Chatterjee, Frostrup, and Bradbury pieces alone justify the purchase.