Whilst we don’t prescribe to torturous January regimes of denial and exhaustive fitness rigour, January is in fact a good chance to take stock and think about the positive habits you could sneak into your daily life to make it that little bit brighter, lighter and more active.
A lunchtime walk to get you away from the desk? Screen-free time? A few more veggies for dinner? Wellness trends for 2024 are centred around long-term, health-focused results that promote holistic wellness above outward appearance. Better sleep, optimised workouts and all-important downtime to rest and restore are the order of 2024.
We present seven wellness trends you may want to explore in the New Year.
Functional Mushrooms
Packed with antioxidants and immune-boosting properties, functional mushrooms like reishi and chaga support overall well-being, reduce inflammation, and enhance cognitive function. A simple swap of your morning latte for a mushroom-enhanced cuppa could switch the caffeine-jitters for something altogether more zen.
TRY: Dirtea’s potent functional mushroom extract powders and super blends.
Mouth Taping
Mouth breathing is a big topic amongst sleep and wellness experts, as it can lead to brain fog, tiredness and irritability not to mention dry mouth and bad breath. Mouth taping isn’t as scary as it sounds, by gently holding the mouth closed with porous tape as you sleep, it can help to retrain the body to breathe nasally again. Nasal breathing can help to improve breathing patterns, reduce snoring, enhance oxygen intake and promoting better sleep quality, leading to increased energy levels and alertness throughout the day.
TRY: Sleep Seal’s Mouth Tape Strips.
Sound Baths
We’ve all zoned out to relaxing spa music whilst having a massage, but studies have shown that ‘immersive sound experiences’, or ‘sound baths’ in which attendees are exposed to a low-frequency combination of singing bowls, gongs and bells can help to alleviate stress, anxiety, and promote relaxation. Lying down listening to music? That we can get on board with.
TRY: Book a sound bath workshop session with The Ayurveda Coach.
VR Workouts
Dark and dreary January is not the time to be donning lycra and cramming yourself into a busy gym to get your fitness fix. Yet at-home workouts squeezed in between your TV and coffee table can leave you feeling uninspired. VR workouts bridge the gap between ‘social fitness’ and the flexibility and privacy of at-home workouts. Slip on a VR head-set and join a group class for that communal endorphin buzz, or jump on your exercise bike and climb a virtual mountain in the Alps. Virtual reality workouts are set to provide users with engaging and personalised fitness experiences to boost motivation and a sense of connectivity with an online, virtual fitness community from our own homes.
TRY: Meta’s VR fitness collection.
Hormone Health Tracking
Monitoring hormonal fluctuations enables personalized health management, supporting mood regulation, energy levels, and reproductive health, fostering overall well-being.
TRY: Hormona’s Fem-tech technology.
Longevity Wellness
Last year’s Netflix documentary series Live To 100: Secrets Of The Blue Zones brought the idea of ‘longevity wellness’ into the collective conscious. It examined the lifestyle habits found in the global regions with the highest life expectancy that promoted healthy ageing through nutrition, exercise, stress management and mindfulness. The good news is they are all eminently doable – think connecting with nature, eating a more plant-based diet and staying connected with your community.
TRY: Start by watching Live to 100: Secrets Of The Blue Zones.
At-Home Recovery Devices
Recovery has become as big a part of the fitness conversation as the workout itself, with at-home recovery kit such as massage guns, infra-red saunas and ice-baths the new ‘wellness hacks’. Fitness tech wearables such as the Oura ring look at 20 biometrics like heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen to detect illness, poor sleep and stress to gauge whether you need to work out or take a rest day.
TRY: The Oura Ring takes some beating.
By Lydia Mansi
January 2024
