If 2022 was the year for body acceptance, 2023 is the year for wellness. The spotlight is on mental and physical health and wellbeing more than ever, with people spending huge amounts of time and money trying to achieve the perfect balance between work and life, wealth and health. So, which wellness trends are the ones to watch (and maybe give a try) in 2023?
Women’s wellness
The stereotype of nagging fishwives and bitter 50-year-old women harassing their “poor innocent husbands” is only just making sense as we realise the often devastating impact that menopause can have on women’s mental and physical wellbeing. You can’t change periods, PCOS or menopause, but we can change the way we perceive them, and a broader understanding of women’s health is seeing it become accepted as the norm, rather than talked about in hushed tones. Menopause led the way in 2022 with high profile women being open about their brain fog, paranoia, and the many other physical, emotional and cognitive impacts of menopause. 2023 will see broader women’s health issues, such as PCOS, fertility and endometriosis come to the fore, as we acknowledge the impact of hormones on our lives. In response, supplements and treatments are more readily available via the online pharmacy and the broader industry is striving to provide us with the supplements, lifestyle advice, diets and exercise regimes designed to help alleviate the many and varied side effects of women’s health, from weight gain to facial hair and mood swings.
Gut health
IBS is something that affects many people but has, until now, been as taboo – if not more so- than women’s health. Well, move over periods, because 2023 sees poo getting some of the limelight, too. Environmental factors including toxins and stress have seen a huge rise in digestive problems as well as mental health. What not many people don’t realise is that the two are often connected. The gut has such a vast network of neurons lining it that it is often referred to as our second brain. In fact, this system of neurons, which is known as the enteric system, produces more serotonin than our brain, which is why managing diet can have such a huge impact on mental health. The incredible connection between the gut and the brain is not new news to scientists and dieticians, but it is set to be a top topic for 2023, as we all set to eat, or fast, our way to a happier mental state.
It’s a matcha
If you can’t even think about getting going in the morning without your morning cup of coffee, you may just need to think again because there is a new morning drink in town and it is lean, green, and promises to make you feel great. Matcha is a Japanese drink that is said to help reduce anxiety and stress, as well as supporting your immune system. Traditionally used by monks prior to meditation, matcha also helps you to feel calm and focused. So, if you are finding yourself feeling tired and anxious, or you struggle to keep your head in the game, try switching your morning coffee for a morning matcha and see if you can notice a difference.
Face yoga
Yes, you read right. If you are not yet familiar with the concept of facial yoga, then it’s definitely one to investigate in 2023. Exercising your facial muscles can help to eliminate some signs of stress and tension, and can even have a similar visual impact to lymphatic drainage. However, don’t expect miracles; you can’t massage and exercise your way back ten years.
Facial yoga is divided into five components: exercise, massage, acupressure, relaxation, and wellbeing. When combined, the results can be brighter, tighter skin, and reduced wrinkles and sagging. A visible difference without surgical intervention? It’s go to be worth a try…
Appily ever after
In an era when most people are rarely far from their phones, there seems to be an app for everything. Whether you have decided to up your steps, indulge in daily yoga, try facial yoga, drink more water, fast, or control calories, apps can help you to track your activity, fluid and food intake, menstrual cycle, sleep, moods and more. Apps aren’t for everyone but the right one can help to keep you motivated and help you to track the impact of your latest health and wellbeing initiative.
Whatever you decide to do to improve your health and wellbeing, remember that there is no magic pill to make you younger, slimmer, less tired, or happier. However challenging it may seem finding a routine that suits you and your lifestyle, once you find a routine that suits you, you should feel healthier, happier and revitalised.
