Eight Wellbeing Trends We’re Looking To Get On Board With In 2022

Whilst we’re not usually one to follow faddy trends, we couldn’t help but notice so many of this years are based around educating ourselves and bettering our health – and even the planet. Here are eight things we’ll be giving a try and testing out this year, so watch this space for our follow-up (and entirely honest) reviews…

1. Switching To Lower Impact Exercise

You might be pleased to hear this one… this year it seems we’re set to say goodbye to lots of HIIT workouts in favour of something a little more mindful. Not only will your body thank you for it, but it’s great for your mental health too. “Lower impact exercise such as yoga and walking can be just as beneficial to your health and fitness goals for a number of reasons,” says Alice Liveing, personal trainer and founder of the exercise app, Give Me Strength. “It often means less strain on your joints which can help prevent injury, but it’s also good for reducing stress levels and to still keep you active even on days where you might not feel up to it,” she adds. “I like to incorporate a range of different exercises into my week to not only allow for good recovery, but I find that going for a long walk outside or doing a stretching session works wonders for setting me up for a productive day.”

2. Improving Your Sleep

It’s music to our ears that they’ll be an emphasis on the importance of sleep in 2022 as it’s something we’ve always been huge advocates for. Even Joe Wicks has recently seen the benefits. (Not seen his latest transformation? We’ve popped it here for you.) “Bettering our sleep hygiene is becoming increasingly more popular due to more evidence that good sleep is an underpinning pillar of so many other aspects of our life,” says Dr Zoe Schaedel, general practitioner and clinic leader at The Good Sleep Clinic. “Sufficient and good quality sleep can help improve our productivity, mood and memory as well as our immune system and long-term health,” she adds. To better your sleep this year, look to get into a consistent routine, watch your caffeine intake, limit screen time before bed and harness the power of pure essential oils found in our Scent To Sleep range. You can even try tracking your sleep patterns via your smart watch.

3. Looking To Live A Greener Lifestyle

Finally, we’re all starting to become more aware of our environment – so much so, Google searches for climate anxiety have rocketed by 418%. With this in mind, looking at ways in which we can do our bit for the planet is set to be a real thing this year. “You just need to see the unseasonably mild weather we’re having to be reminded of our current climate crisis,” says Lisa Oxenham, beauty, health and sustainability expert. “There are several easy things we each do every day to turn eco-anxiety into action. A simple one is buying less and buying better quality. Think carefully about whether you need it, where your cash is going and who is benefitting from it. Don’t be tempted by bargains. Try taking this a step further and ask for explanations too. This helps to keep up the fight against greenwashing by understanding what good brands are doing for the climate and social structures,” she adds. You can read more about what we're doing at NEOM here.

4. Bathing At Full Moon

We know what you’re thinking… it sounds a bit crazy right? Well Pinterest searches for ‘full moon bathing ritual’ are in fact up 90% and there is some science behind the madness. In fact, recent studies (have a read of this one) shown that our sleep is hugely affected when there’s a full moon. But what exactly will bathing when there’s a full moon do? “Bathing when there’s a full moon allows you to harness the powerful energy of the moon when it’s at its peak,” says Giselle La Pompe-Moore, spiritual guide and author. “They’re the ideal time for reflection or for checking in with your intentions. I’m a big supporter of using your intention to guide your bathing ritual and recommend using bath salts or crystals as well as lighting a candle and connecting to your breath whilst you soak. You’ll be surprised at just how great you feel.” Want to give it a try? The next full moons are on 16^th February, 18^th March and 16^th April.

5. Using Mental Health Apps

There’s no denying our mental health has taken a hit due to the pandemic for a number of reasons - in fact, the ONS reported that 1 in 6 of us experienced some sort of depression last summer, but what are we doing about it? Whilst we’re fortunate enough to have free services available via the NHS, the rise of apps targeted at mental health has significantly grown due to them being so easily accessible. Our soon-to-be favourite? MindLabs – a platform offering live sessions with expert therapists which launches at the end of this month. “Our classes aim not just to alleviate stress or contribute to structural neural changes but also to educate,” says their head of mindfulness, Anne-Sophie Fluri. “A basic understanding of what’s happening in your brain and body when we act certain ways can help us acknowledge the necessity for change. Also, knowing how meditation drives those changes is more likely to encourage us to take positive action and be consistent in our practice,” she adds.

6. Trying Out Breath Technology

Collectively, our stress levels have never been higher after the past two years but did you know tuning in to your breathing can have impressive effects on helping us to feel calmer? There’s been a huge rise in experts favouring breathwork and we’re now seeing a new wave of technology created with this in mind. Enter the Sensate Pebble for example. “I created the palm-sized device to not only help reduce stress and anxiety in the present moment but to also increase your stress resilience, improve your heart rate variability and help with better quality sleep,” says leading integrated medicine physician, Stefan Chmelik. “It is an infrasound resonance device which, when paired with the sessions in the Sensate app, helps with reducing stress and improving wellbeing. It emits infrasonic sound waves that provide deep relaxation in 10 to 30 minute sessions,” he adds. If you’re the owner of one of our Pod Luxe’s, don’t forget to try out the guided breathing mode on there too.

7. Prioritising Your Gut Health

We’re all becoming far more aware of our health and the food choices we’re making, but how healthy is your gut? It seems many of us are interested as recent research from BUPA shows Google searches for ‘gut health’ are up a staggering 83%. Your gut has several important responsibilities such as digesting food, storing bacteria, absorbing nutrients and energy and also getting rid of waste, so this one’s best not viewed as a ‘trend’. “One of the best ways to support your gut microbiome is to include plenty of pre, pro and postbiotics as part of a healthy diet,” explains Alice Mackintosh, nutritional therapist, and co-founder of Equi London. “Lesser known in comparison to pre and probiotics, post-biotics are beneficial, bioactive compounds to our bodies need to keep our gut healthy. They help with inflammation, immunity support and work to ensure the environment in our gut stays balanced.” Interested? Try increases the amount of postbiotics in your body by eating more pre and probiotic foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut and wholegrains.

8. A Minimalistic Approach To Skincare

The trend of ‘skinamalism’ isn’t new per say (as it gained an impressive following last year) but it’s set to stay and grow for 2022. We can certainly see why as it’s all about adopting a more pared-back approach to your skincare and using fewer products instead of a hefty multi-step routine. Save time, be more sustainable by using less and have better skin as a result? We’re sold. “A simple approach to skincare has always been my approach, as your skin is an organ that has intrinsic homeostatic mechanisms to self-regulate,” says London-based, medical doctor, Dr David Jack. “In my opinion there are only really three essential products you need for great skin – sunscreen to protect against UV damage, antioxidants to neutralise free radicals and support regeneration and a cleanser to balance the skin and remove pollutants and traces of the day,” he adds. “That said, if your skin has a specific need, this can be addressed with extra targeted treatments.”