New year’s resolutions are no fun when they involve giving things up, but when it’s a case of embracing new, wellbeing-boosting rituals on top of the stuff you already love? Then we’re all for it. Here, we’ve rounded up seven wellness trends set to make a big impact on 2020.
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Embrace bedtime stories
We all know that our reliance on screens is doing us no favours when it comes to falling asleep, with countless books and apps devoted to improving our “sleep hygiene” or reducing the impact of blue light. But what if the best way to ensure some shut-eye were to revert to the childhood practice of bedtime stories? A host of apps and podcasts make it simple to get your story fix (should your partner not be up for reading to you), from Calm’s Blue Gold, read by Stephen Fry, to Sleep With Me, in which host Drew Ackerman chats away in a soothing fashion that makes staying awake really quite tricky. Get into the mood with a restorative pre-bed bath using the new De Mamiel Altitude Bath Soak, which has been created as an antidote to the hectic nature of modern life.
Make the most of the great outdoors
In the Pinterest 100 Report, which rounds up the top trends to try in 2020 based on search terms, spending time in the big outdoors emerged as a key pursuit for the new year. “Nature is the perfect antidote to digital fatigue, artificial lighting and sitting culture,” the report said, flagging “bushcraft camping”, “nature travel” and “rockhounding” as terms which have seen a big boost in search. Call it eco therapy, call it forest bathing – just get outside and reconnect with nature. In fact, a 2019 study led by the University of Exeter Medical School found that a two-hour “dose” of nature per week boosts health and wellbeing, so treat it like your five-a-day.
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Drink smart
With more and more of us going alcohol-free, the drinks industry has done itself proud in terms of the great offering of non-alcoholic options on sale now. Seedlip’s distilled “spirits” mean that you’re no longer left with only a Shirley Temple for company when you fancy a mocktail, whilst Fortnum & Mason’s Sparkling Tea makes a good dupe for bubbly, with its delicate blend of jasmine, darjeeling and mint and the added bonus of a poppable cork. If you’re still drinking alcohol but trying to find healthier options, swap sugary mixers for good-for-your-gut kombucha. London-based brand Momo Kombucha makes an elderflower version that tastes great with gin.
Get to know nootropics
Do you know what nootropics are? Well, you’re about to: already a big deal in the US, nootropics are just starting to make wave here and are set to go stratospheric in 2020. Whilst research on their effects is relatively scant so far, nootropics are substances believed to improve cognitive function and energy. Perhaps the most famous of them all is caffeine, but you might find more luck with a supplement than you will by doubling your latte intake. Glow Bar sells powdered herb products which can be added to smoothies and hot drinks, including the nootropics Ashwagandha and Cordyceps.
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Pins and needles
Since cosmetic acupuncturist Sarah Bradden started offering her Signature Facial and Body Balancing Treatment at Harvey Nichols, just about everyone in the beauty industry has paid a visit. We predict a rise in popularity of this clever approach to needles, which combines the cosmetic (increased collagen growth, reduced redness and improved definition) and the holistic (many clients report improved sleep and relaxation, as well as an improvement in skin issues such as dermatitis). The only downside is that you’ll have to move fast for an appointment…
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And breathe…
Despite breathing being something we do all day without thinking about it, breathing mindfully can actually make a big difference to our wellbeing. What’s more, it’s something you can do on the go – in waiting rooms, on the bus, and even in the Topshop changing rooms when the January sales crowds get too much. For 2020, make it your resolution to take a few moments to focus on your breathing every day. Glamour loves The Breathing App, founded by Deepak Chopra and yoga teacher Eddie Stern, which aims to recreate the same rate of breathing that Buddhist monks and yogis enter into while meditating.
Expand your CBD repertoire
Our fascination with CBD-based products is going nowhere. As well as CBD oils and CBD skincare, companies like The Chillery stock products ranging from CBD chocolates to bath bombs, lip glosses to tampons. Predicting the path that the substance will take in 2020, The Chillery’s co-founder and managing director, Marisa Schwab, says “we will see a spotlight on addressing mental health through CBD and other powerful natural remedies,” as well as flagging CBD-infused bath bombs, pillow mists, candles and face masks as “revamped ways to intentionally take out time for ourselves and create powerful self-care rituals, all while experiencing the therapeutic benefits of CBD”.