Not long ago, wellness was simply thought of as the compilation of one’s physical fitness and diet or the mere absence of disease. But, the definition of wellness is changing (for the better!). We now understand wellness to be much more far-reaching and dynamic — it encompasses all aspects of our physical, mental, and emotional health — and it can (and should) look different from person to person! Aside from diet and exercise, factors like stress, sleep, self-care, and support must be added to the equation.
The good news? Based on the 2023 wellness trends, it appears the global health and wellness industry is listening! From digestive and workplace wellness, to mood and mindfulness, to sleep health and sustainability, here are the wellness trends we’re watching.
RELATED: The Healthiest Foods to Eat in 2023
The Top 12 Health & Wellness Trends for 2023
#1 Earlier Evenings Over Late Nights
If you love to be in bed by 8 pm sharp, good news — you’ve finally got an excuse to call it an early night! According to the 2023 wellness trends, going to bed early is the new working through the night. Not only are we seeing a push for circadian health and earlier bedtimes, but we’re seeing an emphasis on earlier dinners and evening routines, too! By being an early bird instead of a night owl, you’ll improve your sleep hygiene while also benefiting digestion, reducing late-night snacking, and supporting weight loss and fat loss goals.
So, give your body a few hours to unwind and start those nightly rituals earlier!
#2 Community Workouts (From Afar!)
Despite most gyms and studios being open, many will still opt for at-home workouts in 2023. It’s not that we aren’t craving connection and community (trust us, we are). But we want the convenience of working out from home! I mean, if you can open the FitOn app anytime, anywhere, and get a killer workout without commuting or disrupting your busy schedule, why wouldn’t you?! That said, there will be a huge focus on virtual community and connection.
The best part? You can do so using the FitOn app. Invite friends and family to join the FitOn community! You can work out together using the FitOn Party feature, join and create challenges together and invite a little friendly competition as you work towards your goals!
#3 Movement Snacks
Another 2023 fitness trend to keep on your radar? Movement snacks. Also known as exercising snacking, this 2023 fitness trend is simply a fancy way of saying prioritizing daily exercise by breaking up your workouts into increments throughout the day. Rather than long, strenuous workouts (that often go uncompleted due to lack of time or energy — or worse, lead to burnout), there are lots of benefits to exercise snacking. Just like a snack provides a small burst of fuel and energy in the form of food, a movement snack does the same in the form of movement.
Whether it’s completing a 10-minute HIIT workout, walking your dog around the block, or making time for a mere five minutes of exercise, the goal is to squeeze in regular movement snacks throughout the day as your schedule allows. Not only will it keep you moving multiple times per day, but it’s an attainable and sustainable way to stay consistent with daily movement, no matter how busy you are!
#4 Low-Impact Workouts
The pandemic undoubtedly changed the fitness industry, and the rise in low-impact workouts was surely one of the best things to come out of it! Though plenty popular now, according to Yelp’s 2023 trend forecast, low-intensity workouts such as Pilates, yoga, recovery, and stretching will only continue to grow in the year ahead. With a 61% increase in searches, it appears stretching workouts will finally get the attention they deserve!
Want to get ahead of the trend? Try these low-impact FitOn workouts:
- Pilates Fusion with Sydney Belina
- Walking Party with Bree Koegel
- Lean Lines Circuit with Sydney Belina
- Quick Yin Yoga with DeAndre Sinette
#5 Mental Health & Wellness In the Workplace
More and more research depicts increased rates of employee stress and burnout. In fact, nearly 60% of Millennial and Gen-Z populations are affected by workplace burnout — which explains why more than 24 million Americans quit their jobs between April and September of 2021, which was recorded as an all-time record.
Clearly, wellness stems far beyond healthcare benefits packages. The good news? Expect to see more businesses prioritizing employee mental health and workplace wellness in 2023. This includes flexible and remote schedules, fitness in the workplace, nutrition education, and access to healthy foods. Plus, expect to see corporate mental health and stress management programs with an emphasis on things like meditation, mindfulness, work-life balance, and support (both in and outside of the workplace).
RELATED: 25 Ways to Beat Burnout When Taking Time Off is Difficult
#6 Wearable Wellness Technology
From the Apple Watch to the Oura Ring, wearable technology is nothing new! In fact, global spending on wearable devices is estimated to pass $90 billion in 2022. With a rapidly growing industry, it’s here to stay in 2023. From boosting daily workout motivation to monitoring personal health data and goals in a quick and convenient way, wearing wellness technology comes with notable health benefits. In addition to the already impressive data measurements (like calorie burn, sleep pattern data, and heart rate variability), expect to see new and more detailed technology advances (and designs!) in the year ahead.
#7 A Push for Plant-Based
Whether you’re going vegan or simply cutting back on meats, the benefits (whether for health, environmental benefit, or ethical reasons) of eating plants are clear! The search term “vegan” has seen a steady growth of nearly 140% over the past ten years with 550,000 monthly searches — and according to trends data, plant-based eating will see continual growth in 2023 and beyond. With more and more health-conscious consumers, people are concerned with how their food is sourced and how it will impact their health. This year is all about keeping it healthy and wholesome — look out for new products made with the most natural and nutrient-rich ingredients as possible!
Some of the 2023 top trending foods to look out for include new and continued formulations of:
- Nut butter spreads
- Non-dairy milk
- Dairy-free smoothies
- Alternative flours (such as banana, chickpea, oat, and nut flours)
- Digestive-friendly sauces and spreads (made without irritants like garlic)
And if you’re new to this lifestyle, companies are making it easy to go meat-free with healthy (and delicious) plant-based alternatives for nearly every food or meal. Think: plant-based yogurt and cheese, plant-based pizza and pasta, plant-based meat and seafood, and more!
Concerened you won’t get enough protein on a plant-based diet? Check out our plant-based protein guide — it’s easier than you think!
#8 Gut & Immune Health
Digestive health and immune health will remain two of the biggest wellness topics. So, expect gut-healthy foods (like kefir, kimchi, and probiotic yogurt) and immune-boosting foods (like ginger, garlic, and elderberry) to soar in popularity and fly off the shelves. Whether you’re looking to boost your overall health, reduce your risk of illness, support weight loss goals, benefit your mood and brain, or beat bloat and aid digestion, there are so many reasons to get behind this trend (and make it part of your permanent lifestyle). While there are tons of healthy options on the current market, watch out for product releases and new health hacks!
#9 Good-Mood Foods
Functional beverages, CBD, mental health mocktails, and medicinal mushrooms are among the many 2023 food trends that benefit mood and brain health. With science-backed adaptogenic and nootropic properties, we’re seeing these foods benefit stress, sleep, cognitive function, aging, and more. As mood and mental wellness continue to be a trending topic, expect to see a surge in the functional food world.
#10 Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is another major motivator for the year ahead. Expect more emphasis on sustainable practices and products in 2023.
This includes:
- Reducing your carbon footprint by opting for local foods, shopping at farmer’s markets, and growing food at home
- Supporting brands with sustainable sourcing and initiatives
- Reducing waste, recycling, and going paperless when possible
- Upcycling and reducing food waste
RELATED: 17 Genius Ways to Make Healthy Recipes Using Leftover Food Scraps
#11 At-Home Self-Care & Beauty
While skincare as self-care was trending last year, we’re taking it one step further with overall self-care and beauty hacks that are simple, effective, and can be done from the comfort of your own home!
Some of the major trends include:
- Scalp-Care: At-home and homemade treatments for your scalp (like rice water, rosemary essential oil, and natural scalp serums) to promote hair growth and increase hair shine.
- Facial Massage and Jaw Sculpting: Utilize gua sha, facial cupping, and lymphatic drainage techniques to reduce inflammation, promote anti-aging and skin regeneration, and reduce tension (hello, TMJ!)
- Collagen Supplements: Bringing this oldie but goodie back into the spotlight! Add a scoop to your coffee or smoothie for healthy joints and glowing skin, hair, and nails
#12 A Focus on Mental Health
Don’t get us wrong, we’re not saying mental health is more important than physical health! But, while exercise has taken priority in the past, it looks like mental health will be at the top of our list in the year ahead. This includes prioritizing movement, meditation, journaling, therapy, or any other practices that promote mental well-being.
The 2023 Trends That Are Redefining Wellness
With an emphasis on physical, mental, and emotional health, the meaning of wellness is positively changing in the year ahead. Expect to see a bigger emphasis on mental health hacks (at home, at work, and on the go), nutrient-rich foods, planet-driven products, sustainable wellness initiatives, and accessible self-care solutions. With more and more people becoming concerned with health and wellness as a lifestyle, we hope these 2023 wellness trends inspire your daily routine and make for a healthy year ahead!