The Pressure of Wellness Trends
Finding Balance in the Chaos
Words Eva Rose
Wellness trends are everywhere you look, and each week it seems a ‘cure-all’ ritual is touted as the new “must-include” in your morning routine. The only problem is your morning routine would now be 4.5 hours long if you included all the other wellness trends you’ve committed to over the past 6 months. If you have a career, kids, or both, the likelihood of getting through it all feels impossible. As women, though, we can feel a sense of pressure to always look and feel “our best”—an image that is only perpetuated further by social media and wellness marketing. So, do the wellness trends have value, and how do you know which ones are worth putting your time and money into? Because, let’s not forget, wellness is now a multi-billion-dollar industry that continues to experience unprecedented growth. And is it possible to still be healthy and well without incorporating the latest TikTok fad?
Customising Your Wellness Routine
The regular rituals you incorporate should be selected based on your individual needs and/or health goals. There are very few one-size-fits-all approaches. If you add something to your routine, you want to make sure it is supporting your return to balance or moving you towards your goal.
It’s also important to remember that wellness is a journey; what works for you now might not be supportive in 12 months when you want to have a baby, or in 5 years when you hit significant hormonal shifts. We each have our individual requirements, and our wellness routine should reflect this. What your friends are raving about or what an influencer swears by might not be beneficial for you. If you try a wellness trend and it doesn’t feel right, don’t continue it based on popularity—let your own innate body intelligence guide you.
Women’s Health and the Research Gap
As women, we need to be mindful that wellness trends are supportive of our female biology. Due to the complexity of women’s hormonal fluctuations, we only became incorporated into medical research studies as late as the 90s. Up until then, much of the research was based on men, and the benefits were then extrapolated to women. However, due to natural gender differences, we may not always experience the same benefits. For instance, the latest research conducted on women gives insight that the popular ice baths and intermittent fasting trends may need to have their protocols adjusted for women.
The Basics Matter Most
I also like to remind people that you don’t need to be incorporating all the latest trends to be healthy. Often, I see people skipping the daily foundations of movement and quality nutrition, hoping the latest trend, done once a week, will make up for it. This is simply not the case. Wellness should be a lifestyle, not a trend, and sometimes what we need to do might not be Instagram-worthy—like setting a professional boundary or getting a pap smear!
Top Wellness Trends to Consider
So, which wellness trends do I see most women
benefiting from? Focusing on protein intake and forgetting intermittent fasting, plus prioritising sleep and nervous system regulation, would be high on the list. I personally love seasonal rituals that reflect our body’s natural energetic requirements at that time. Plus, I’m a big fan of simple yet clever swaps that support our overall health, such as using an analogue alarm clock to reduce morning scrolling, having meetings outside in nature, and taking short walks after lunch or dinner to support metabolic health.
Seeking Professional Guidance
If you’re feeling uncertain about which trends to incorporate or need guidance on how to align your wellness practices with your unique needs, seeking the support of a qualified naturopath or acupuncturist can be incredibly beneficial. These holistic practitioners can help you identify any underlying imbalances in your body and create a tailored approach to your health. Whether it’s optimising your nutrition, managing stress, or balancing hormones, a naturopath or acupuncturist can offer personalised advice and treatments to guide you on your wellness journey.
Wellness is a Lifestyle, Not a Trend
As you continue navigating the world of wellness trends, remember that it’s important to approach your health with intention and mindfulness. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the most effective practices are the ones that support your unique needs and lifestyle. Stay connected with your body, trust your instincts, and seek guidance when needed. Wellness is not a race or a competition; it’s about finding balance, nurturing your body, and creating a lifestyle that supports your long-term health and happiness.
Eva Rose is an Acupuncturist and Naturopath with almost 15 years of clinical experience supporting women to reconnect with themselves and find wellness. She offers a unique approach to Women’s Health, drawing upon a foundation of deep traditional wisdom supported by up-to-date scientific research. After enduring her own struggles with endometriosis and fertility, she undertook extensive learning in hormone health and obtained the natural conception she desired. This wisdom is now applied to help her patients achieve optimal vitality while maintaining balance.
