LAST year gave us micro workouts, mouth taping and glucose tracking, but there’s a host of new weird and wonderful wellness trends already setting 2024 alight.
From saunas and sound baths to nutrition and going (nearly) sober, we reveal the trends to take notice of.
From saunas to sound baths we reveal the well being trends to take notice of Getty Images
Saunas
They may be integral to Scandinavian wellness, but for us Brits, saunas are usually reserved for spa days – until now.
“Saunas are becoming an alternative to a pub meet-up, especially with young people, who are choosing to go for one instead of out drinking,” claims Tom de Wilton, founder of The Saunaverse, which hosted the first sauna festival last year.
GettySaunas are becoming an alternative to a pub meet-up[/caption]
“Inhibitions are stripped away, making for the best and most relaxed conversations,” he says.
There’s even an award-winning documentary called Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, about how women in Estonia harness the healing powers of saunas.
Benefits include pain and stress relief, and potentially lowering heart disease risk, thanks to the heat helping blood vessels widen.
But you don’t need to leave your home to reap the benefits if you use a “sauna blanket” – like a sleeping bag that you plug in and slip into.
TRY IT On The Saunaverse’s website you can locate a sauna near you, such as the Community Sauna Baths in London, which costs from £10 for a 90-minute session.
Or try an at-home sauna with MiHigh Infrared Sauna Blanket V2, £399.
Adaptogens
Nutrient-packed powders that you can add to your morning coffee or smoothie are the thing this year.
Adaptogens are herbs, roots and plants that help our bodies manage stress.
Meghan Markle is such a big fan that she invested in Clevr Blends, a wellness brand that sells coffee powders made with adaptogens.
“They can help reduce the effects of stress, such as fatigue, compromised immunity, brain fog, anxiety and depression,” says Farzanah Nasser, nutritionist and functional medicine practitioner at superfood company Aduna.
Mushroom extract powders are reported to assist with many health issues.
“Mushrooms have more than 150 compounds and beta-glucans [soluble fibre], which support immune health and decrease inflammatory markers,” says Farzanah.
TRY IT Dirtea Coffee Mushroom Super Blend, £39.99 for 60 servings.
Virtual retreats
Post-Covid, travel companies are seeing a new wave of interest in wellness retreats.
Though with the cost of living crisis, we’ll be considering more affordable ways of switching off that don’t require a plane ticket to Thailand.
“Online retreats are definitely a cheaper alternative,” says Georgie Spurling, founder of Arvra wellness and Re:Nou Retreats. You can live-stream meditation, yoga or breathwork classes, tutorials and coaching sessions, all for a fraction of the price of most in-person retreats.
“It’s also a good option if you are more comfortable in your own home, rather than somewhere new with a group of strangers,” says Georgie.
TRY IT Tripaneer offers online reiki, life coaching, yoga and meditation retreats, costing from £27.
Nutrients over calories
The popularity of restrictive diets continues to wane.
“We’re seeing less focus on calorie content and more interest in the nutritional properties of food and drink,” says psychologist Dr Sarah Davies.
GettyLook less at calories and more at the nutritional value of foods[/caption]
Interest in nutrition for better mental health is also spiking.
A study by Bidfood revealed that one in three people in the UK are interested in eating foods that are beneficial to mental wellbeing.
“When we’re stressed or anxious, our bodies need antioxidants, B vitamins, magnesium and zinc,” says Dr Davies.
TRY IT “Berries, nuts, avocado and cruciferous vegetables are packed with antioxidants, while liver, seafood, poultry, eggs, legumes and seeds can provide you with B vitamins,” says Dr Davies.
“For zinc, introduce hemp and pumpkin seeds, beef liver, turkey and sardines into your diet.”
Workplace wellness
These days, the average Brit will be in paid work for more than 40 years, which is why companies are investing in employee wellbeing.
“They realise this attracts and retains talent,” says Simon Miller from Headspace.
GettyMany companies are investing in employee wellbeing[/caption]
“We have ‘no-meeting Fridays’, and on alternating Fridays we offer personal days for employees to use as they wish.
“We also start meetings with a brief meditation and offer regular 15-minute mindful breaks throughout the week to reset.”
TRY IT If you manage people, Perkbox offers employee wellness programmes, such as free resources, sleep stories, talking therapies and meditation guides.
Going (Nearly) teetotal
Google searches for “alcohol-free” are up 260%.
With over half of Brits struggling to sleep*, the demand for products free of alcohol and caffeine is predicted to spike in 2024.
GettyMore Brits are turning to non-alcoholic booze[/caption]
“Wellness and personal control are big news in the latest research,” explains Louise Avery, founder of LA Brewery.
“This trend is spanning generations, and the stigma around not drinking continues to dissipate as people look for flavour, ethics and a sense of wellbeing.”
TRY IT Wise Bartender has a huge variety of alcohol-free options, or check out the large ranges in your local supermarket.
Sound baths
According to a SpaSeekers report, searches for sound baths have risen 83% this year.
Kim Kardashian, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow have all tried one, but it’s actually an ancient practice stemming from Chinese gong chimes that date back to 500BC.
AlamySearches for sound baths have risen 83% this year[/caption]
At a session, you’ll lie on a mat and listen to a variety of gongs, singing bowls and chimes to create sound waves and vibrations.
It’s meditation without needing to try.
“The rhythmic sound of the gongs help relax the brain, which slows heart rate and calms the respiratory system, increasing the body’s melatonin, endorphins and dopamine chemicals. These help release stress, boost our mood, help with pain, fatigue and even depression,” says Aysha Bell, healer and sound bath practitioner.
TRY IT Search for sound bath sessions in your area on Eventbrite.
Classes last for around one hour and cost from £15.