Welcome to Now Trending. Here’s what’s new in the world of natural health!
Natural rubber shoes are stepping up as the cool, eco-conscious alternative to plastic-heavy kicks. If you want to cut back on synthetic chemicals, swapping to natural rubber is a solid step toward low-tox living and fits right in with the regenerative fashion movement.
Yet it’s not just about saving the planet (though being biodegradable and non-toxic is a big win!). Thanks to rubber’s flexibility and bounce, these shoes feel comfortable and move with your feet.
Like everything, one size doesn’t fit all, but, for a mix of comfort, traction, and conscience, these soles are worth a spin.
Carob: Your feel-good chocolate swap
Chocolate’s cooler, less jittery cousin is quietly making a comeback. Carob, a sweet, fiber-packed pod from the Mediterranean, is naturally low-fat and totally caffeine-free—so you can snack without the spike, or the crash.
Carob provides a healthy dose of calcium and is loaded with polyphenols—natural antioxidants that help your body fight off cell damage and inflammation. These compounds have been shown to support balanced hormones and stable blood sugar, while all that fiber feeds your gut microbiome and keeps digestion on track.
Extra bonus—its mellow, earthy flavor works in everything from smoothies to baked treats. Try swapping it for cocoa powder in brownies, blending it into energy balls, or even stirring it into warm milk for a caffeine-free “hot chocolate.”
For anyone looking to de-stress their body and mind, carob is a functional food that deserves a sweet spot in your pantry—no “chocolate withdrawal” necessary.
Unwinding with a weighted eye mask
Weighted eye masks are promising blissful sleep by delivering gentle, even pressure across your eyes—but what’s really happening under there?
The concept at work is deep pressure therapy, which uses gentle pressure to cue a sense of safety and comfort, helping some people feel more relaxed. By potentially activating the parasympathetic nervous system, weighted masks may help alleviate general feelings of unease—sometimes just what you need after a long day of, well, being human.
Whether they actually stimulate the vagus nerve (which plays a central role in calming your nervous system) or lower cortisol (that infamous stress hormone), plenty of insiders swear by this bedtime ritual.
While there’s no hard science saying a weighted mask will get you dreaming faster, the comforting pressure of a weighted eye mask can become part of a calming nighttime routine, helping signal your brain that it’s safe to unwind, unplug, and ease into rest.
The “everything” and “nothing” shower ritual
The “everything” and “nothing” showers are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventures for de-stressing.
Lean into the “everything” shower, where you transform your bathroom into an at-home spa and indulge in head-to-toe treatments by lighting candles and adding a few drops of essential oil to the tub.
If you prefer destressing with a “nothing” shower, which forgoes treatments and cleanses, let the water wash over you and focus on your breath—in, out, rinse, repeat—until your brain finally calls a timeout.
Either way, hydrotherapy (the fancy word for water therapy) helps muscles relax, and the warmth encourages circulation and supports lymphatic flow (your body’s built-in clean-up crew).
Love a hot/cold plunge? Try alternating hot and cold water—contrast showers are known for boosting circulation and waking up your senses. Add mindful breathing to the mix to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to quiet stress and boost mental clarity.
For something so ordinary, the humble shower can become a daily ritual for gentle detox and reset, whichever adventure you choose!
This article was originally published in the December 2025 issue of delicious living magazine.
