WELLNESS TRENDS: debunking the latest trends in the world of wellness
Written by Rebecca Rossouw
It seems today that everyone has entered their wellness era, which we love, but with that comes a bunch of different wellness regimes that promise to be the next big thing - but are they really? In this post, we’re taking a closer look at five of the hottest wellness trends that we have seen circulating the internet, and seeing whether they really are worth the hype or not. Let's dive into it shall we.
COCONUT OIL FOR YOUR TEETH
Coconut oil for teeth. More commonly known as ‘oil pulling’ this natural folk remedy is derived from India. I don’t know about you, but having pearly whites is definitely on my ‘glow-up’ list. However, dentists are scary and expensive. So, a natural and affordable teeth whitening method is right up my alley. Oil pulling is basically replacing your mouthwash with coconut oil. You can get it from any pharmacy or grocery store, for under R150.
But why coconut oil? This oil is very absorbable. This means that it absorbs all the harmful bacteria stuck on your teeth and tongue. Of course, this also helps with bad breath. Now, it has not been proven that it whitens your teeth, but it can help to clear any staining on the teeth’s surface.
STAIRMASTER
If you’re starting your fitness journey, or you just want to change up your current workout routine to lose weight or tone up, adding in cardio is a great way to do so. But let’s be real, running is not for everyone, and if it’s not for you, go to your gym, locate the StairMaster, and hop on it! Of course, running up and down the stairs of a stadium has been around for a long time and is typically used by soccer players or athletes during training. But, now a machine that has all the same benefits has been brought into most gyms. However, you might have to wait in a line to use it since all the gym girlies are on the StairMaster trend.
This stationary fitness machine that rotates steps at your desired speed, provides an above-average cardio workout. If you are looking for a new way of losing some weight by burning calories, the StairMaster is a great machine for you to use in the gym. Just make sure that you bring a towel and some extra water because those steps are no joke!
COLD PLUNGES
Lately, we have seen our favourite influencers submerge themselves in a bath of ice-cold water after working out. Now why would any normal person be willing to immerse in water as cold as 10 degrees Celsius? Apparently, this form of cold-water therapy dates back to ancient Rome. However, a recent uproar of the hashtag ‘#coldplunge’ on TikTok features millions of videos of people doing a cold plunge. This method has always been beneficial to professional athletes for post- workout recovery, but it seems that more and more people who are not professional athletes are participating in this trend. Cold plunges typically have to be cold enough, between 10-15 degrees Celsius, to reduce muscle soreness. It is important to remember that experts have trained to stay in the water for long periods of time, but if you are a beginner, experts recommend that you do not stay in the water for longer than 15 minutes. It has also been speculated that cold plunges help with stress management. Some people notice that they have reductions in negative moods and an increased sense of well-being.
CHIA SEED WATER
If you have TikTok, you have probably seen many of your favourite
lifestyle/fitness influencers drinking unusual amounts of what looks like
tadpole water. But, don’t be alarmed, what they are actually drinking, is chia seed water. it is not that.
Chia seeds have always been a great way of adding fibre and protein into
your diet, but recently people have simply started putting a tablespoon of it in
their glass of water in the morning.
This has been proven to reduce hunger, promote hydration and aid in healthy digestion. It looks worse than it tastes, but the texture might not be for everyone.
ASMR
Has ASMR taken over the Internet? A few years ago, there was a niche corner of ASMR, now almost every Instagram reel or TikTok video, is of someone eating something, tapping on their products or whispering into the mic. ASMR does fall under wellness trends because some people benefit from these videos. If you didn’t know, ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. People describe it as a tingling feeling and many claim that it reduces their anxiety. When ASMR first blew up, it was something that people found strange, but since it has started a craze, more people are beginning to experiment with it and experience its benefits. ASMR might not be for you, but it’s worth giving it a try if you are an anxious person.
Now that you know more about what your favourite influencers are doing in their day to day life to enhance their well being, you can give it a try for yourself. But, remember, that everybody is different and what works for someone else might not work for you.
So are you going to start drinking chia seed water? Perhaps you’ll choose the Stairmaster over the treadmill the next time you visit the gym. Whatever you’re doing on your wellness journey, we’d love to hear about it! Tag us in your stories and share your current wellness obsessions in the comments below this Instagram post!
Cheers to a happy, healthier you!