5 Wellness Trends to Watch in 2023, According to Mindbody

Each December the technology platform Mindbody unveils its highly anticipated Wellness Index, which serves as the official trend forecast for the year ahead. As one of the wellness industry's largest research studies, Mindbody survey more than 17,000 to uncover which trends are emerging, fading away or even making a resurgence.

With all eyes on 2023, here are the top five Wellness Trends:

From the Ground Up: Going Back to Our Roots

Today’s consumers are looking to reconnect with nature, with nearly 40% saying they’re embracing a more natural lifestyle. When it comes to clean beauty women are more conscious, with women reporting they’re more likely to visit a salon or spa that uses natural products and try natural anti-aging techniques like facial massage and sculpting tools (we’re looking at you, gua sha).

Consumers are turning to rest and the great outdoors to boost their mental health, with nearly 40% saying they spend time outside to support their mental wellbeing while 24% go for nature walks or forest baths, a Japanese practice of intentionally taking in nature through all five senses.

Consumers are also looking to plants and herbs to reduce stress and improve cognitive function, with more than 4 in 10 Americans having either tried or are interested in trying adaptogens, mushrooms that can reduce negative effects of stress on the body, or nootropics, medical-grade supplements that can support brain performance. Millennials and especially Millennial men are most likely to try these options for optimal health.

Gen W: ‘ The Wellness Generation’

For Gen Z and Millennials, wellness isn't hours spent on cardio machines and crash diets, but rather feeling connected, emotional, and inclusive—the foundation of a well-lived life.

In almost every way, Gen Z and Millennials engage with wellness more than their mature counterparts, for example they spend the most on fitness, salon, spa, and wellness services, and they're most likely to work out at least once a week and eat the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.

Younger generations prioritize their mental wellbeing more than other generations, too. Gen Z and Millennials are also most interested in the community aspect of wellness, with more than a quarter who say they’re focused on wellness to feel connected to other people, and expect wellness to be a part of the workplace, as they’re more likely to say wellness benefits or perks are important when choosing an employer than other age groups.

Big Female Energy: The Year of The Woman

Whether it's going to a #WomensOnlyGym or taking advantage of the body’s hormonal shifts, the data is clear: American women are tapping into their feminine power like never before. For example, 39% percent of women say they prefer women-only gyms or fitness studios, which may be why the number of women who experience “gymtimidation” has decreased this year.

For those who are too intimidated to work out in public, seeing more real and diverse bodies in fitness promotions will help. But, don’t underestimate the power of a good outfit - 24% of women say finding the right ‘fit' (i.e., proper fitness attire or sportswear) will make them feel less intimidated, especially for Gen Z and Millennials.

While periods used to be a taboo topic, talking about cycle syncing, or aligning diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits--even skincare products--with the stages of the menstrual cycle is now becoming an increasingly mainstream topic. For example, 35% of women between 18-50 structure their workouts based on their menstrual cycle, with Gen Z and Millennials most likely to do so. The number of American women who say they’re sexually fulfilled is also on the rise. This could be due to the growing number of women who actively seek to improve their sexual wellness with enhancement therapies, coaching or workshops, and the like. And while there’s still room for improvement across the board—or in this case, bed—men and women report being equally sexually fulfilled.

Longevity: Functional Fitness for a Longer, More-Fufilled Life

All signs point to longevity becoming the new weight loss. Americans report being less concerned with using exercise to control their weight and more concerned with living longer. In fact, almost a third of consumers (29%) say they exercise because they want to live a long and healthy life—a significant increase from last year.

One specific way consumers are optimizing their health is functional fitness – a type of strength training that prepares the body for day-to-day activities like squatting, bending, pushing, and lunging. More than half (51%) of general consumers engage in movement that prepares the body for daily living, with Millennial men the most likely to do so. Workout recovery is also a top priority, with nearly half (47%) of Americans saying practices like stretching and restorative yoga are very important to them. More than one third of general consumers have tried or are interested in trying ice baths while over a quarter (26%) of Americans practice biohacking for peak physical and mental performance.

Strength in Numbers: The Rise of the Wellness Collective

The past few years have underscored the importance of connection in our day-to-day lives—and we’re not talking about internet connection. Consumers will continue to look to fitness, beauty, and wellness businesses as a source of community with nearly half (43%) saying that community is a very important part of wellness experiences.

More than a third of consumers are likely to choose wellness businesses that are well known for their community-building activities, and nearly a quarter say they’re more focused on their health and wellness to feel connected to other people. Showing the correlation between connectedness and wellness, consumers who use beauty and integrative health services report feeling more connected to their communities than those who don't. Similarly, the more active consumers are, the more socially connected they feel, too.