Trend: Wellness apps, although widely used are quickly becoming redundant unless they include mixed media. Meditation is being enhanced by mixed reality to create multi-sensory experiences for customers. These modern forms of meditation are achieved through AI apps, Virtual Reality , Brain Entrainment, and even online gaming.

Insight: A perfect blend between ancient wisdom and modern technology is inspiring the future of wellness technology. High-Performers are turning to wellness practices that are often influenced by Eastern traditions, and appreciate brands that are able to fit those practices into their lifestyles.

Pro: Entertaining, attractive and adds variety, provides basic education, provides short term stress-relief.

Con: More screen time, not getting to the root of an issue, not receiving personalised support, risk of disconnection to real life connection with people. Risk of detaching from our ability to BE without anything external.

Trend: As the digital world expands digital health portals are popping up in communities, at home and in the Metaverse. Healthcare services are using the Metaverse to gives consumers easy access to health care check-ups, prescription renewals, and fitness and nutritional advice with the launch of life-like virtual hospitals. Wearable tech continues to improve so we can track various health-related metrics like medication, stress and sleep pattern-tracking.

Insight: We’re becoming more familiar and relying on technology to help us maintain fitness and access health care. Companies are responding to the demand for technology to seamlessly integrate into our lifestyles. But is it helping us manage our wellness even more efficiently? High-Performers love any innovation that helps to optimize time and results.

Pro: Health insurance companies are starting to offer better plans based on real-time data and it’s improving self-awareness. It can release pressure from health care systems and speed up implementation.

Con: Low data analysis on quality control of digital health portals. Risk of losing mind-body connection and relying on tech to tell us how we feel. Most of wearable devices rely on Bluetooth which can be a detriment to health. Overwhelming amount of personal data available. Loss of personal touch and empathy to healthcare services.

Post pandemic, we are seeing the repercussions of stress and burnout and we’re carrying the load in its wake. It’s clear lifestyles are being reviewed and we’re holding ourselves accountable for the lifestyles we’re creating.

Here’s the top stress relieving wellness trends for lifestyle.

Building momentum from last year’s trends, even more people are choosing to reduce or eliminate alcohol more than ever. That being said alcohol is still a common crutch for dealing with stress, anxiety and depression even though it’s proven that alcohol actually increases stress rather than relieves it. Hopefully with more alternatives this will shift.

Trend: The number of booze-free bars are rising and even alcohol brands are innovating to meet market demands. They’re creating everything from electrolyte-infused beers, plant-based no-los to "mindfulness" wines.

Insight: Alcohol wellness is popular among Millennials and Gen Z as they redefine social norms. Transforming our relationship with alcohol improves all areas of life and creates a new level of confidence, health and happiness. The wellness industry is growing more each day and alcohol organisations are adapting with health in mind. High-Performers tend to be conscious of what they consume.

Pro: Learn how to deal with raw emotions in a healthy way, without being dependant on self-soothing with alcohol. Alcohol organisations are taking more responsibility. It lowers cholesterol and stress levels.

Con: It can take time to adapt to an alcohol-free life personally and socially. Clever marketing can imply ‘healthy’ alternatives even when they aren’t – always read the labels!

Trend: Inundated with 24/7 news, notifications, content and online engagement, the need to escape technology is increasing the need for digital detoxing. It’s taking form in get-away cabins, pocket pouches and tech-free time in nature. Unplugging and reconnecting with the nature is proven to boost our wellbeing which leads to better mental, emotional and physical health.

Insight: Our always-on culture is increasing screen time like never before. The average screen time in UAE so far for 2023 is 8 hours 36 minutes! Up from 7 hours in 2021. It’s causing us to be increasingly more exhausted and contributing to poor mental health and leading to burn out. To perform at our peak, guarding our energy is becoming more vital than ever.

Pro: Reduces stress and anxiety, improves sleep quality, improves heart rate variability, increases creativity and productivity, recharges brain health, improved connectedness and mental health.

Con: Aside from the initial burst of FOMO, we can’t think of any!

This is our favourite trend for 2023! Since 2018 Wellness Theory have been on a mission to uplift people to see that when they’re healthy and world they can be a force for good in the world. This is why we are registered as a ‘Business for Good’ and encourage our community to give back in any way that makes sense for them. When we perform at our best, it has a ripple effect on everything else. 

Trend: Modern wellness and self-care methodologies are shifting from a seemingly self-centered approach to live healthier and happier lives as individuals to a wider focus. We’re becoming more conscious of our connection to the collective and aligning ourselves with a greater purpose.

Insight: We tend to do more for others than we do for ourselves, so recognizing how our well-being links to others helps us go further together. Community support improves stress reactivity, mental health, emotional connection and gives an energizing sense of purpose.

Pros: Shifting from ‘me’ to ‘we’, raising important questions about wellbeing in our community, connection to a greater good, seeing wellness through the lens of society not only self.

Cons: Unsure of opportunities within the community, feeling guilty for not doing enough.

In today's fast-paced and demanding world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed but often we don’t realise the significant impact it can have on both physical and mental health.

Chronic stress can lead to the development of various health problems, including cardiovascular disease, digestive problems, mental health problems, immunity suppression, sleep issues, skin issues, weight problems and musculoskeletal problems. If you feel you are at risk of chronic stress please seek specialist assistance.

In this section we highlight the directional trends in stress-related health approaches.

Trend: Traditional health care and wellness systems tend to neglect diversification of race and gender which results in lack of specialist approaches and creates unnecessary stress. Some brands and systems are now mitigating these issues with platforms and tools to promote inclusion. Such as; Black Maternal Health Platforms, Menstrual health apps , Menopause Tracking tools, and Mens health. 

Insight: A generalized approach is not enough in the wellness space and for anyone looking to perform at their peak. Personalization is leading and creating a stress-free experience for unique groups to find professional support. One size-fits-all is becoming redundant and consumers are expecting more support and specialist care.

Pros: Unique specialized support, optimized results, increased community, accessible.

Cons: Overwhelming choice of support available.

Trend: Traditionally sex has been a taboo topic, in both health and wellness circles. Shying away from sexual wellbeing has had a detrimental effect, creating isolation, shame and fear. Sex is a great stressor for every gender and is being mitigated by harnessing the healing effects of our sexual nature through sex therapy, reproductive health, self-love, healthy communication, contraception and sex education.

Insight: The focus on sexual wellness is reducing stress and anxiety by supporting individuals of all genders, orientations, and sexual experiences become more comfortable with their bodies and sexual choices. High-Performers realise that our sexual energy is great source for creation, connection and charisma.

Pros: Open dialogue around consent, body image, pleasure and addiction. Destigmatizing sexual health and pleasure. Easier to be open to explore reproductive health and sexual nature. Accessible education. Improved self connection and confidence.

Cons: Stigma and discrimination (although improving) is still vast, emotional discomfort, uncertified ‘experts’ giving advice.

Workplace wellbeing is a growing concern as the negative effects of stress, burnout, and poor health on employees and businesses become more apparent. The recent report from McKinsey Health Institute showed two thirds of GCC employees report symptoms of poor mental health.

This section will explore the latest trends in workplace wellbeing and discuss how companies are trying to create a healthier and more supportive work environment:

Trend: Mental health is increasingly becoming a priority in the workplace, with a focus on reducing stress and promoting resilience among employees. This may include offering counselling and support services, as well as creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. Responsible employers are training Mental Health First Aiders to support the stress-related issues in the work place.

Insight: Mental wellbeing has become a major focus for company’s post-pandemic. The social, financial and lifestyle disruptions are impacting employee mental health more than ever. Responsible employers are constantly looking for products, campaigns and initiatives that support mental health in the long term.

Pros: Employees feel supported, improved engagement, healthier work culture, increasing productivity, fostering a better work life balance, employers retain and attract talent.

Cons: Companies are hesitant to invest in mental health initiatives, stigma in the workplace due to being seen as ‘weak’ or ‘unable to perform their job’, implementation can be challenging.

Trend: Apps are an integral part of life as they now support day to day activities. Companies are now outsourcing employee wellbeing to third parties to support wellbeing initiatives. Often third-party apps have an array of content to support employee wellness.

Insight: Investing in wellbeing apps aids company insurance premiums, provides support to teams in an accessible way. Personalized and interactive app experiences are helping employees achieve their goals and improve their health. Implemented within a wider strategy is proving to boost performance. 

Pros: Provides education and tools, short-term relief, potential to improve engagement, data helps companies develop better programs

Cons: Low adoption rates, doesn’t get to the root cause of stress or burnout, privacy concerns, potential distraction. Lack of functionality. Requires leadership buy in to be effective. Apps can often be used as a tick box exercise instead of to implement longterm healthy change.

Trend: Employers are refining the future ways of working to suit both employee and organization. Flexible working is the top of company agendas as they design new models for the modern workplace.

Insight: Hybrid working refers to a model of work that combines both in-person and remote work. It provides employees with more flexibility and control over their work environment and can lead to a better work-life balance. In terms of employee wellbeing, hybrid working can have both positive and negative effects, depending on how it is implemented and managed.

Pros: Improved work-life balance, opportunity for better physical and mental health, more flexibility.

Cons: Less face-to-face social interaction, reduced collaboration, blurred lines of work-life integration, technical issues and appropriateness of hybrid model based on job role.

These are the stress relieving wellness trends that are underway in 2023. They reflect the ongoing conversations and latest research in wellness, stress relief and performance.

We challenge you to think about how these trends could impact your own wellbeing and impact your own performance. 

Weigh up the pro’s and con’s and chose what makes the most sense for you.

Remember, the best wellness practices are the ones that get done.

Keep it simple, listen to yourself and what works for you.

If you’re fed up of tackling your stress and wellness alone,

Or if you’re feeling burnt out and don’t know where to turn,

Check out this page of free resources that can help you enhance performance in all areas of life.

Until next time,

Be Well. Mean Well. And Make a Difference that Lasts.

Love Charlotte & Jonathan