Wellness trends for 2023

Wellness has become big business, especially since the pandemic which saw people prioritise health, leading to supercharged growth in the wellness industry. We have irreversibly shifted how we view and respond to wellness. We have realised that wellbeing is fundamental to our health and overall happiness and that taking good care of yourself is paramount to your success in life.

Wellness trends look a little different year after year. What’s trending in 2023 looks very different to the trends of 2022 that included things like opening up about mental health struggles on social media and eating our greens in powdered form.

This year there are a myriad new trends on the horizon, some with staying power and others that are likely to fade away before the year is out.

Personally I hope that in 2023 we will learn to be more mindful of our own needs. Be those needs physical, mental or spiritually. I also hope that we develop a healthy relationship with our mind and body.

Here are five wellness trends that are being shared by the trend forecasters for this year:

1. SLEEP SYNCING

This trend is all over the radar when it comes to wellness. This is because one really big study came out showing that all of us are becoming more sleep deprived. This is bad because a lack of sleep is said to make you ‘metabolically groggy’. This means it is harder for your body to process insulin and this contributes to weight gain.

Sleep syncing means we adjust our sleep cycle to the rhythms of nature, sleeping when the sun sets. It also means setting up a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Some studies have shown that sleep syncing can help people fall asleep quicker, as well as reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, which are often associated with poor sleep patterns.

2. DIGITAL DETOXING

It is said that on average people spend about 11 hours a day in front of a screen. A number that soared during the pandemic. Now even more people are starting to reconsider their relationship with their electronic devices, and this will give rise to the digital detox in 2023.

As studies come out showing the dangers of prolonged screen time we are seeing new developments such as our phones now sending us notifications to help us monitor our weekly screen time, and big-name celebrities quitting social media to reduce their time on devices. What’s more, destinations that are off the grid are becoming more popular. Namibia’s remote corners with no cell phone coverage have the opportunity to become popular for their isolation. Unplugged, a company in the UK that provides completely off grid getaways to people, says they are signing up more and more companies wanting digital detox for their staff.

WELLNESS TRAVEL

In addition to the popularity of travel to remote and digitally desolate corners, wellness travel has also become more popular than ever. This is the kind of travel that recharges the body while relaxing the mind. This is set to be a massive trend in 2023 and many people have already booked their trips to venues that focus on mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

4. GOING BACK TO OUR ROOTS

This trend is all about reconnecting with nature, and it is seeing people embracing a more natural lifestyle. It is also about wanting to grow your own food, choose holistic remedies and supplements, and aim to become more selfreliant in general.

To improve their mental health in 2023, people are opting for rest and the great outdoors. Going for walks and forest baths (a Japanese practice of intentionally taking in nature through all five senses) are all the rage.

5. EXCHANGING THE BAD FOR THE GOOD

Another trend that has especially taken root among younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) is choosing to consume healthier – replacing unhealthy choices with healthier options. This means we are seeing the much loved cuppa coffee on its way out this year and the lesser loved cuppa matcha being on trend.

Matcha is a Japanese superfood green tea that is set to be the morning energiser of 2023. It gives you a caffeinated buzz while boosting your health. In contrast, coffee can be damaging to your hormone health as it causes a spike in cortisol.

This trend is also seen in the rise of trendy non-alcoholic drink options to meet the demand of people wanting to ditch the alcohol in 2023. Especially with the World Health Organisation publishing findings that link alcohol consumption and cancer.

Whether the new trends work for you or not is your personal choice. Let’s just hope that we continue to prioritise our health and wellbeing this year, recognising that poor health habits add stress to your life, and that looking after yourself is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself.

Kirsty Watermeyer