Published November 4, 2026 03:16AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Calin Van Paris has been writing about wellness for more than a decade. Here, she breaks down a handful of wellness hacks and trends that, though beneficial for some, many of us could do without.<\/em><\/p>\n Let\u2019s talk about wellness trends. More specifically, let\u2019s talk about our collective penchant for \u201coptimizing\u201d the human experience.<\/p>\n Being a person is not always easy. We\u2019re all in bodies that are designed to decay, with minds that tend to run amok and emotions that can seem like they have brains of their own. It\u2019s only natural to try to control what we can\u2014and self-care provides what can seem like an ideal platform for the pursuit.<\/p>\n Routines that can support physical, emotional, and mental well-being fall under the ever-growing umbrella of \u201cwellness.\u201d But many wellness trends begin in a beneficial place and spiral out of control from there.<\/p>\n A growing corner of self-care fads is overly focused on tracking, streamlining, and pushing extremes. And anything that makes you feel inadequate or anxious is one we\u2019d love to fade into the background.<\/p>\n Take what, if anything, really works for you from the below trends and then notice when it\u2019s time to let it go.<\/p>\n The concept of \u201csleepmaxxing<\/a>,\u201d or maximizing the quality of your sleep, began swirling around social media a couple of years ago. Sleeping better is a trend we can get behind\u2014but you don\u2019t need expensive gadgets or high levels of anxiety to do it. More importantly, putting too much focus on your sleep habits has the potential to backfire, transforming a restful part of your day into a stressful one.<\/p>\n Good sleep is essential. Nicole Moshfegh, MD, clinical psychologist and author of The Book of Sleep<\/i>, notes that<\/a> proper (or inadequate) rest can affect your physical health and cognitive function, not to mention your mood. Sleep is meant to be restful. Relaxing. Restorative.<\/p>\n Your sleep routine should not be causing you additional stress. If habits like evening restorative yoga, breathwork<\/a>, or less blue light after dark improve your sleep quality, maxx on! But should you find yourself agonizing over a sleep score or lying awake calculating how many minutes of rest you\u2019re losing\u2014both examples of orthosomnia, an obsession with achieving the optimal sleep score\u2014know that you\u2019ve lost the plot.<\/p>\n Dunking your body into cold water might sound refreshing\u2014and for some of the population, it is! Cold plunging is a Nordic tradition that some say boosts mental clarity and resilience (again, you are willingly submerging yourself in cold water) and is thought to reduce post-workout muscle stiffness<\/a>, fatigue, and more.<\/p>\n Still, you may want to pause before adopting the cold plunge as your new cure-all. One study suggests<\/a> that using cold baths for muscle recovery may be more of a placebo effect than anything else, as parsed by longtime\u00a0Outside\u00a0<\/em>columnist Alex Hutchinson. And for those in female bodies, some research suggests that over time, exposure to cold water can adversely affect<\/a> the reproductive system, and there is no proven boon<\/a> to female muscle recovery.<\/p>\n Between phone apps, smartwatches, and Bluetooth-connected rings, it\u2019s never been easier to know exactly what\u2019s going on in your body, at least on a biological level.<\/p>\n Certain smart gadgets, like the Pulse Mindfulness Ring<\/a>, can act as a little buddy, helping you breathe deeply, commit to daily meditation, and focus. And when used correctly, the Oura Ring can also be a mindful companion<\/a>.<\/p>\n The issue isn\u2019t the tracking devices themselves, but how they\u2019re being used. Just as putting too much stock in sleep scores can be considered an obsessive condition (again, orthosomnia), too much preoccupation with the information provided by wearable devices may negatively impact<\/a> psychological well-being. For some\u2014including those with eating or health disorders\u2014this sort of constant tracking can serve as a trigger, increasing rigidity and anxiety<\/a> around otherwise healthy habits.<\/p>\n In short, try taking your smart accessories off sometimes, just to see how you feel.<\/p>\n We live in a world where the breaking news about what\u2019s going on in our minds and bodies\u2014and, usually, what we\u2019re lacking\u2014is practically non-stop. And usually, there\u2019s a supplement for that. According to one report<\/a>, the global supplement market is projected to be worth $300 billion by 2028.<\/p>\n Supplementing becomes an issue when you\u2019re adding to your stack before<\/em> looking at your diet and other habits. Studies have shown that supplements and weight loss pills offer a perceived sense of invulnerability<\/a>, ironically leading to poorer choices in nutrition<\/a> and fitness habits<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another more obvious issue is supplements offered with no scientific evidence to back up purported benefits. Not all supplements on the market are even FDA-approved; in fact, many are not.<\/p>\n But if your supplements are thoughtfully chosen and supplementing<\/em> an existing healthy lifestyle, you\u2019re probably on the positive side of this trend.<\/p>\n The internet can make your life feel like a reality show. And if you make your living as an influencer, maybe it sort of is. But even with audience perception, brand deals, and showmanship at stake, your health and wellness routine can and should make you feel good.<\/p>\n At its core, self-care is for you<\/em>. If sharing your journey feels beneficial for you and for them, go ahead. But when your wellness practices become more about the performance of tending to yourself and less about actually doing things that bring you peace and healing, you may want to reconsider your approach.<\/p>\n5 Wellness Trends 2026 We\u2019re Over<\/h2>\n
1. Sleepmaxxing Yourself Out of Real Rest<\/h3>\n
2. Cold Plunges for Everyone<\/h3>\n
3. Too Much Tracking<\/h3>\n
4. Supplements Over Everything<\/h3>\n
5. Performative Wellness<\/h3>\n