Maintaining a healthy body is no longer the end all of things - people are expecting an overall balance of physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, environmental and occupational well-being. That's when you enter the world of wellness, and it has a lot to offer! Here's what people put on their wellness roster for 2023!
Positive affirmations joined the chat
If the powers of persuasion actually existed, people have started to exercise them on themselves. Yes, 2023 was the year of positive affirmations. From “I attract, don't chase” to “My body is healthy, and my mind, happy”—words of reassurance repeated to oneself have gained popularity across age groups. The practice that's known to have its roots on Greek philosophy is actually a good way to rewire your thought pattern and build some brain muscle. Plus, it's always good to have a collection of positive words handy to counter the negativity that seems to be around us these days.
Ashwagandha was EVERYWHERE
Commonly known as Indian ginseng, this evergreen shrub native to India, the Middle East and parts of Africa, has found its way into food, drinks, skincare, health supplements and believe it or not, even clothing! A popular adaptogen, ashwagandha is primarily used to help our bodies adapt to stress and anxiety and help reach harmony and balance in our mind from within. When ingested, it also helps build muscle supports heart health, which just so happened to be on top of the health checklist for many in 2023.
The universe became our biggest confidante
It feels like the universe heard more of our secrets this past year than even our partners! From manifestation techniques to sun-charged crystals adorning office desks globally, the universe has been charged with most of our wellness goals from now on. So, if you've ever charged your drinking water under the full moon and consumed it in hopes of ridding your body of negative energies, you are a part of the club!
2023's got guts!
The gut is often considered as the second brain of the body. That means that a healthy gut is the reason behind the saying “You are what you eat”. Gut health has been on everybody's mind, catapulted probiotics and prebiotics to the forefront because of it. From Korean celebrities singing praise about Kombucha to fermented recipes making their way into daily diets, a happy gut is an essential wellness checklist item now.
Of mindfulness and bodies
2023 said, “Listen to your body” and we did! Wellness rituals like dry brushing promoting lymphatic drainage may not have been a part of every routine, but they are now. Engaging in grounding and self-soothing exercises to release sadness or negative emotions in your body is no longer a well-kept secret. Because did you know that you hold sadness under your collarbone and massaging it gently will help you manage grief? Who wouldn't want to have that skill.
Conscious breathwork
If you've come across reels asking you to engage in box breathing while you're doom scrolling yourself to sleep, welcome to the good side of Instagram. Conscious breathwork or breathing exercises like lion's breath and alternative nostril breathing have become a kind of ‘meditation snacking’ for people to take a breather (quite literally!) in today's fast-paced world.
Toning the brain muscles
People took themselves to therapy in 2023 and we for one are all for that! The growing awareness around mental health practices, accelerated post the pandemic, and is a sight for sore eyes. Mental health experts in combination with influential voices have helped somewhat get shed the taboo around talking about one's struggles openly. Prioritising mental wellness as much as physical, if not more, is a practice that is here to stay.