July 6, 2023
Explore Health and Wellness Trends
Suzanne Vickers, LISW-S; Ohio State Employee Assistance Program

We’re already halfway through the year! Many people are prioritizing their health and well-being post-pandemic. Have you reviewed your goals from early in the year in terms of wellness? If not, no worries; here are some ideas that are trending now.

Enjoying experiences that are more holistic in nature are becoming more popular this year. Rather than just focusing on weight loss, people are wanting to address their whole selves, body, mind, and spirit. Below are some of those experiential activities.

The cold-water plunge. Many studies are showing that cold water can support a reduction in inflammation, improve your immune system and decrease depression. So. whether you take a cold shower or spritz your face in the morning, you can easily tap into this health trend.

Medicinal mushrooms. These fungi are a great source of protein, fiber and antioxidants. Also, some mushrooms have what are called adaptogens (“a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress”) that help you with your stress response and fatigue. While there is some research on mushrooms, more is required; however studies have shown that certain mushrooms like lion’s mane, chaga and reishi reduce stress, boost energy and immunity and increase relaxation.

Micro Workouts. I often tell my clients to try to fit in some exercise in small increments of time due to the busyness of their schedules. One article suggested that 15 minutes of “low to moderate intensity” exercise a couple of times a day for five days has shown evidence of being a benefit to both our physical and mental health. This could mean walking on your lunch break, cleaning your house or taking a short run.

Plant-based foods and products. Have you noticed more vegan options on restaurant menus or at the grocery store? I certainly have; for example, there are many more plant-based meat substitutes. Vegan Society published a survey that showed that more than half of American consumers want to see more “vegan-verified” beauty-product labeling.

Sleep and circadian rhythms. We are all aware that eight hours of sleep a night is ideal, but what is now trending is tracking your circadian rhythm (your internal clock that regulates your sleep-wake cycle that repeats every 24 hours) to better the quality of your sleep. By setting a regular sleep and wake time, your body and mind will benefit—yes, even on the weekend!

Mindful drinking. Have you seen the NA (non-alcoholic) beers on your grocery shelf? Social media is trending with high-end alcohol-free cocktails and drinking in moderation. The stigma associated with moderating your drinking seems to be decreasing. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention just changed their guidelines regarding alcohol consumption suggesting that men should limit their consumption to two drinks a day and women one drink or less per day.

Mini mediation. I often recommend that my clients try short periods of time of meditation to get back into the moment and clear their minds of stress. Apparently, it is a trend to take even just one minute to stop, take some breaths and refocus. I try to do this at least several times a day to help me let go of problem-oriented thoughts.