At the start of a new year, we look into our (green) tea leaves and wonder: Can fibre possibly top its 2024 glow-up? Will those weighted vests we all bought to improve our bone density soon gather dust? And can the algorithm possibly serve up anything more Gen Z-does-health than the viral Sleepy Girl Mocktail of last summer?
You can’t always pick them until they gain critical mass — who among us could have predicted that wearing a ring to track your body’s blips and murmurs would become the status symbol that the Oura has? But we can tap experts for their insight on what will be the next collagen smoothie, Reformer Pilates, ice baths etc.
Here are 8 wellness trends to keep your eye on for 2025.
Wellness as a team sport
The quest for wellness is increasingly as much about the people you meet along the way as the physical health benefits. That applies to the growing interest in run clubs — where getting a personal best is just as motivating as chatting up the person in the Hokas next to you — and to making besties at a boutique reformer studio.
“Wellness spaces are becoming the new third space, as opposed to bars and coffee shops, as people increasingly look for alcohol-free spaces to gather and have fun, especially in the evenings,” said Robbie Bent, CEO and co-founder of Othership, which offers guided sauna and ice bath “journeys” at two Toronto locations, plus one in N.Y.C. “Wellness hubs that foster connection are becoming the new go-to spaces for both socializing and wellness.”
This could be a rejection of the home-based exercise we were forced into during the pandemic. “Single-player options were convenient during lockdowns, but now people crave in-person experiences that foster connection and community,” Bent says.
Prioritizing rest
It feels like an oxymoron, but experts predict we’ll make a concerted effort to get better at resting. There’s an emerging interest in prioritizing recovery in all its forms, linked to a growing awareness of burnout, an obsession with tracking our sleep via wearables and apps, and the popularity of “7 types of rest” TikToks (take a ‘sensory rest’ by turning off The Big Light!).
Case in point: In January, recovery expert Erin Taylor is publishing a book titled “Move, Rest, Recover,” a “hands-on guide to embracing rest as an essential tool for improving mental, physical, and emotional well-being.” Roll on the benefits: Boosted immune system, lowered stress and stronger relationships.
“Ecstatic dance”
The desire for collective experiences is fuelling an interest in dance-based exercise. Specifically, “ecstatic dance” workouts, where the goal is to freestyle your way to transcendence in a group of others dancing like no one is watching — no routines, no instructor chiding you for screwing up the grapevine.
“Movements like Daybreaker have brought dance into the wellness space, blending fitness with social connection,” said Bent. “Ecstatic dance communities and dance-focused offerings at yoga studios are gaining traction as well This trend could take off as more people look for creative ways to move their bodies outside of traditional workouts.”
Goodbye Botox, hello facial workouts
The pendulum is swinging when it comes to anti-aging interventions, with growing popularity of muscle-based facial treatments such as gua sha and jade rollers. “While treatments like Botox have their time and place, I feel that many individuals are seeking options that delay the need for invasive treatments and not only enhance their appearance but also promote inner health and beauty,” said Thom Tullo, a registered massage therapist and founder of Toronto’s Aman spa. Aman recently launched a treatment called FacePilates that uses muscle manipulation and stimulation and lymphatic drainage to address facial signs of aging. (Prepare to discover cheekbones you didn’t know you had.) “In the treatment room, I often hear clients say they are looking for ways to feel more rejuvenated and youthful without sacrificing their health or undergoing invasive procedures.”
Beef tallow (yes, really)
Followers of Skincare TikTok can’t get enough of beef tallow, touting it as a miracle alternative to traditional moisturizers. Yes, beef tallow, as in the fat you get when you render a piece of brisket. Converts claim that the fats in beef tallow, which is basically a giant blob of triglycerides, “naturally” imbue the complexion with a juicy glow. This is not a trend most dermatologists are on board with, though, citing tallow’s comedogenic, aka pore-blocking, properties.
Sexual wellness taps into the power of the brain
If the past few years have seen a conversation emerge around women’s sexual wellness, 2025 will be the year that we start pushing for solutions to previously overlooked issues.
“Women are increasingly vocal about topics like low libido, vaginal dryness and hormone imbalances,” said Kelly Pigeon, founder of the arousal serum brand Epiphany. “Sexual health isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ but a core part of overall well-being, improving the quality of life and relationships.”
The next frontier of this is recognizing how big a part the brain plays in sexual wellness. “One under-the-radar trend in sexual wellness involves harnessing neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to rewire itself — to address sexual dysfunction, improve desire and reconnect with pleasure,” Pigeon said. “Techniques like guided visualizations, neurofeedback and mindfulness-based programs are beginning to emerge as powerful tools for women experiencing sexual challenges.”
If you want to learn more, Pigeon suggests the Canadian sex therapist-hosted Pleasure Playbook podcast.
Mindful minimalism
As with every other sphere of life, social media has seen health trends come and go quicker than it takes to drink Hailey Bieber’s Erewhon smoothie.
“The overarching theme I see is a return to simplicity and balance. After years of chasing complex wellness routines, people are craving mindful minimalism,” said Eva Somero of the Global Beauty and Wellness Awards. “Wellness in 2025 will focus on stripping back to what truly matters — tailored sports activities, healthy relationships, simple nutrition, and creating sustainable, stress-free lifestyles. The vibe feels less about perfection and more about embracing an authentic, balanced way of living.”
A holistic approach to weight
Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications have generated a lot of conversation around weight loss — and have, for some people, been a game-changer. Next up is a shift to seeing body weight much more holistically than ever before.
“I’ve been waiting a really long time to get to this place, where people are recognizing that it’s so much more than eating less and exercising more,” said Gina Livy, founder and CEO of Weight Loss by Gina. “People are recognizing that things like their microbiome, getting the nutrients you need, the kinds of foods you’re eating make a big difference.”
She adds that sleep is coming to be seen as an even more important “pillar of health” than food, and we’re getting better at realizing the impact chronic stress has on our physiology. “For some people, their inability to prioritize themselves in the way they need to to reach their goals comes from issues, associations, past traumas.”
And on an especially hopeful note, Livy said she sees an increased interest in people “following science, rather than the latest influencer.”
