Wellness

Much of the information about wellness on social media is utter bunk. If you believe the TikToks, all we need to do is buy a $14,900 bio charger or the odd vaginal egg, breathe a certain way or follow a certain diet. Probably one that’s gluten and sugar-free because they are the devils in sweet delicious disguise. “False health information spreads far faster than accurate, balanced scientific information because false information often comes across as novel or groundbreaking or revolutionary. It’s something new, right?” says British doctor Idrees Mughal, who has a master’s degree in nutritional research and is board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine. Read more at Sydney Morning Herald

Every time a new health or wellness trend emerges, there's a mad rush to incorporate the shiny new routine into our daily lives. From restrictive diets to celebrity-endorsed workouts, staying up to date on the latest quick fix can be exhausting, and these sorts of lifestyle changes are rarely sustainable. I have long doubted the efficacy of quick fixes and one-size-fits-all wellness plans, because, ultimately, we're all different. I believe (and science demonstrates) that the most effective health interventions are developed over a lifetime, through an individualized approach. This means we need new wellness goals altogether. Our Costly Obsession With Quick Fixes It's no secret that the health and wellness industry is obsessed with quick fixes, to the detriment of consumer spending. ...

Another week, another controversial Gwyneth Paltrow interview. The self-appointed wellness guru and Goop queen chatted to Dr Will Cole last week for his The Art of Being Well podcast, detailing her daily "wellness routine" – which included questionable diet habits like fasting until midday, and eating nothing but bone broth for lunch. Oh, and occasionally she might also occasionally throw in a celery juice with lemon (insert eye roll emoji here). TikTok jumped on the interview, dubbing Gwyneth an "Almond Mum" – a term that has emerged online to describe mothers who peddle in advice that promotes toxic diet culture. The phrase emerged in 2013, when ex-model and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star (and mum to models Bella and Gigi Hadid), Yolanda Hadid, told daughter Gigi on the show to...

Since practically forever, people have been searching for ways to boost their immune systems, whether through supplements or their diet. While researchers continue to investigate just how possible that really is, the lack of scientific evidence hasn’t stopped new products from emerging, often with creative delivery systems. A recent one is wellness shots, or immunity shots, which claim to deliver immune-boosting nutrients via a gulp or two of liquid. To clear up any confusion, the name refers to a nonalcoholic version of the kind of shot you’d order at a bar, and not the kind of shot delivered via a needle. You can find immunity and wellness shots at juice bars and in grocery stores. Drinking a round in the name of escaping cold and flu season unscathed sounds like it could be fun, b...

People go on wellness retreats for all kinds of different reasons, to detox, relax, lose weight, deepen their yoga practice… but to heal trauma? That kind of shift isn’t what most reasonable people would expect from a couple of days away from it all. However, that’s exactly what happened to me. I kid you not. I’ll be completely honest, as much as I love wellness I’m a sceptic and when I initially booked onto the Detox and Revive Retreat in Jervis Bay, I was mostly excited about two uninterrupted nights’ sleep. The setting was beautiful, the activities sounded great and the ethos of “detox and revive your body post silly season” was right on the money after my rosé-filled Christmas holiday, but as a new mum to an eight-month-old baby, it was the sleep I was sold on. Read the story at ...

If you've spent any time on the wellness side of the internet, you've likely been met with a plethora of fitness fads and health trends. From cracking the circadian cycle to immersing yourself in an emotional escape room, brush up on your wellness vernacular with these techniques and innovations to put on your radar for the year ahead. One: Soft Living TikTok is rife with wellness trends, and the start of the year is when they really flourish. From the space that gave you #hotgirlwalk and #pilatesprincess, get ready for #softlife. Coined by Black female influencers, it’s about slowing down and doing less. As Lady Stargazer puts it, “Healing seems to be the key to unlocking a soft lifestyle. It allows us to be gentle with ourselves and others, and allows us to recharge so we c...

Sometimes the best resolutions are the most restorative ones, and nothing beats the invigorating feeling of a great getaway. This year, people are further defining what “wellness” means in their lives, considering areas of sleep, recovery, nutrition, and mindfulness, as reported in Hilton’s 2023 Trends Report. According to the report, half of global travelers noted that they are looking for travel experiences that support their wellness goals and priorities in 2023. For those who want to maintain their routine on the road, the solution may be as easy as choosing the right hotel. “At Hilton, guest wellness is always top of mind, and we continue to find ways to ensure they feel cared for from check-in to checkout,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer at Hilton. Keep reading at H...

As we step into 2023, wellness consumers are looking for what’s real and what works. Over the last three years, health and well-being gained a greater level of importance in our minds and our daily routines. Consumers are spending a considerable amount of money on wellness and well-being, but they’re also becoming smarter when it comes to integrating wellness into their routines. Here are my predictions of what we’ll see more of as wellness brands rise to accommodate consumer wants and needs. Personalization And Real Benefits In 2023, I think we’ll be seeing more and more brands offering personalized products for well-being and self-care. Consumers and companies are realizing that physical, mental and emotional health are all very connected. Wellness brands are already formulating cus...

The ultimate goal for doctors, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, insurance companies and other health-care organizations is to help each of us lead a longer, healthier life. But at present, incentives in the industry put too much emphasis on treatment and not enough on wellness and prevention. Only about 3 percent of the $4 trillion spent by the U.S. medical industry is currently spent on prevention. Recent advances in scientific wellness offer a way to extract more benefits from this investment. But science alone isn’t enough. Delivering targeted interventions that extend the health-span—the number of years a person lives in good health—of millions of people requires translating scientific discoveries into a wellness industry. Read the article at Sci...

It is no secret that the past few years have brought turmoil and revolutionized how companies operate. Businesses have had to reassess and realign values, and leaders have learned to provide more flexibility in employee schedules. Even with this willingness to adapt to change, many companies are seeing an increasing rate of burnout among employees. When holistic workplace needs are met - and employees are supported – everyone wins. Experts from GHJ, an accounting and advisory firm headquartered in Los Angeles, recently sat down to discuss the top health and wellness issues specifically impacting women today. GHJ Partner and Nonprofit Practice Leader Donella Wilson and Managing Director Anita Wu are both leaders within GHJ’s Women’s Empowerment Cohort and share their advice to minimize bur...