In the first of a two-part series, we explore the modern ritual of unwinding – starting with a luxurious drive through the city before stepping into the restorative calm of a social sauna How we socialise is changing. In our fast-paced modern world, it’s all about finding calm and balance; people are swapping late night drinks for moments and rituals that actually help them to recharge. Wellness experts are calling this ‘habit stacking’. Instead of trying to make one big change in your life, you string together small actions that naturally flow into each other. Each action supports the next and together they create a bigger effect than any one alone. Each habit is beneficial but together they create a complete mental and physical reset. With the 2026 Defender, the reset doesn’t wait for the destination, it starts the moment you slide into the driver’s seat. Its iconic silhouette carries forward the DNA of the original model, now paired with modern enhancements: a lightweight aluminium frame, advanced suspension options including electronic air suspension, and confident all-terrain performance. Photography by Claire Nash Designed for calm Inside, the cabin has been designed for calm. Materials are durable yet refined, maintaining a sense of newness even after thousands of miles. Choose from leather or Kvadrat, a 30% wool-blend alternative, while spacious interiors and an optional seven-seat layout ensure the car is ready for both adventure and everyday life. With all your controls in one intuitive hub, the Pivi Pro infotainment system keeps everything seamless, connecting your phone, guiding your route, or setting the perfect soundtrack for the drive through its Meridian speaker system, all without breaking the sense of calm. With some models, you can customise features to include wireless charging or a built-in fridge in the centre console. Safety features, including 3600 surround cameras and the ClearSight rearview mirror, are also integrated, so you can focus on the moment rather than stress-inducing traffic. The city streets feel effortless to navigate. Sauna session We took the Defender 110 for a spin to Boland’s Mills in Dublin’s Docklands, a sleek, industrial sanctuary tucked within the city. There, you’ll find Reformation Pilates, Grindstone Speciality Coffee and The Hot Box sauna, where we booked in for an hour of restorative heat and social connection. This is where the reset is taken to the next level. Research has found that sauna use calms the nervous system by activating the parasympathetic system, reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and triggering endorphin release. The intense heat promotes deep muscle relaxation, increases blood flow, and lowers heart rate. The Hot Box, Boland's Mills The Hot Box’s newest offering – it has six locations across Ireland – combines this ancient practice with high-end luxury. It features Ireland’s largest indoor sauna (Löyly), two additional diverse saunas and three multi-temperature plunge pools, as well as guided rituals and amenities like Dyson hair dryers in the changing rooms. When our sauna session ends, we carry the sense of calm and clarity back into the Defender and it lingers through the drive home. By the time we pull into the driveaway, the stillness we’ve carved out for ourself feels like it belongs to the whole night, not just a single moment. Stay tuned for the Rural Reset in our next edition. landrover.ie/defender
