From the weight loss belt vibrator of the 1960s to the 1990s Tae-Bo trend to TikTok’s recent hot girl walk craze, each year brings another health and wellness trend. So let’s jump right in and look at five wellness trends we see gaining traction worldwide.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are no longer just pizza toppings. Mushrooms are popping up everywhere and in everything from face masks to tinctures, and there’s a reason for it: Mushrooms are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine states that Hericium erinaceus (“lion’s mane”) is “an ideal culinary-medicinal mushroom…a well-established candidate in promoting positive brain and nerve health-related activities.” Other mushrooms with reported benefits include reishi, shiitake, king oysters, and more.
Mindfulness Exercises
According to the World Health Organization, the pandemic caused an increase in anxiety and mental health issues worldwide. One way people are finding relief is through intentional mindfulness exercises. There are many different options, from meditation at home or the office and using apps like Headspace or Calm to guided classes where you walk through the woods barefoot.
Infrared Saunas
Unlike traditional saunas, the air in infrared saunas doesn’t feel like suffocating desert heat. Instead, infrared saunas use radiant heat, penetrating your body deeper and having a more therapeutic effect. Infrared saunas offer a range of potential health benefits, including improved circulation and speeding up recovery from injury or illness. However, according to Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Brent Bauer, more research is still needed. Dr. Bauer does recommend an infrared sauna for relaxation – something we could all use!
Brain Health
With the brain health supplement market expected to hit $23 billion by 2030, brain health is at the top of everyone’s brain! People want to increase their focus, concentration, and overall cognitive health while decreasing anxiety and depression – and manufacturers are working to meet customer demand. Brain health supplements include gummy vitamins, beverages, transdermal patches, inhalers, and more.
Sleep
Everything we do is affected by the quality and quantity of our sleep. Circadian rhythm is “the natural cycle of physical, mental, and behavior changes the body goes through in a 24-hour cycle.” Products like circadian rhythm-supporting lighting and diets using intermittent fasting are being used to support and optimize our circadian rhythm. Some vitamins and supplements also claim to reset our circadian rhythm, but solid scientific studies are still needed.