While many have been predicting the rise of virtual and augmented reality in the fitness and wellness world for years, a report from the Global Wellness Summit a few months ago hailed the advent of the “wellness metaverse.” Everywhere from spas to gyms to workplaces, new technologies and virtual worlds will transform the way we interact with our wellness in the coming year.
Some are calling it Health 5.0, but what exactly will this wellness metaverse look like? Joining an immersive meditation session is one example. Or a virtual consultation with a therapist or life coach followed by a tailor-made scenario as an immersive treatment. It looks like we won’t have to wait long to see what the future holds.
Yăng Shēng Yourself
A few years ago, the Danish hygge trend for a comfortable lifestyle took the wellness world by storm. Now everyone is talking about yăng shēng.
Rooted in a 2,500-year-old Chinese philosophy, yăng shēng promoted self-care before it was an Instagram trend. It’s about eating well, sleeping well, and exercising your body and mind—and who can argue with that? Meditation, breathing, and journaling are great places to start, so you can find balance with your inner feelings and find true harmony.
Music Is Medicine
If you’re on TikTok, you’ve probably come across the brown noise vs. white noise debate that’s been raging recently over which is better for sleeping. Whatever you prefer, the healing power of ambient, minimalist music will continue to be a big wellness trend in 2023.
People turn to these soundscapes to tune out the background noise of our busy urban lives and tune in to themselves. So if you’re looking to focus, meditate, or sleep, try these songs for a taste of music therapy.
Cross
It’s very hot right now. Exposure to the cold has become a trend over the past year, with people opting for outdoor swimming in the winter or a cold shower after a workout.
The trend has turned Wim Hof, the extreme athlete and advocate for all things icy, into a celebrity. Some claim his method of immersing themselves in cold water has helped them manage stress, anxiety, grief, and depression — and studies back it up, too.
Sleep Supplements
The market for sleep supplements has more than doubled since 2017 as people seek out a variety of sleep aids . Ingredients like melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone, are popular, along with GABA, magnesium, and the classic chamomile.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep, it’s also a good idea to look at other aspects of your sleep routine . By establishing regular sleep and wake times, avoiding bright lights, and exercising before bed, you can improve your ability to relax and sleep better.
Without/With Little Alcohol
Expect to see more cocktail menus featuring sober spirits in 2023 as the trend toward “conscious drinking” continues. Non-alcoholic beverages, including 0% beer and wine, have gained popularity over the past year, with most bars and restaurants now offering them.
Interestingly, Gen X and younger millennials are driving this trend, with many describing themselves as sober or “sober curious.” These low- and no-alcohol options are also great for people who are working out or trying to improve their sleep, as alcohol can have a big impact on rest and recovery.
Get Ready For The #Guttalk
If talking about probiotics and microbiomes still sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, get ready to learn more about your digestive system in 2023. People are now looking to their gut health to understand and strengthen their cognition and immunity.
The enteric nervous system, a branch of the autonomic nervous system , has become known as “the brain in the gut .” Scientists are making connections between digestion and mood, mental processes, and overall health. So this New Year, remember that you truly are what you eat.