Every year (or month) a flood of wellness trends emerges, each promising to improve your quality of life. Mindfulness hacks, tips and tricks to boost energy, new ways to relax… the niche world is abuzz with suggestions.
With its focus on breathing and intentional movement, yoga is inextricably linked to well-being. But there are certain other wellness practices that pique our curiosity. This year, sleep quality was the focus, tech breaks were encouraged and an editor pledged to dunk her face in ice water every morning for a week.
Rather than asking you to overhaul your existing routines, the following wellness practices will remind you that taking care of yourself should always be a priority—and feel like a blessing rather than a burden.
5 wellness trends we tried in 2025
Choose the wellness practices that are supportive rather than burdensome for you.
1. Sleep maxxing
Whenever the internet decides that rest is trendy, our ears perk up. So when 2025 introduced “sleepmaxxing” into the modern lexicon, we couldn’t wait. The term describes countless attempts to (you guessed it) maximize your sleep hours. This means taking everything into account, including your routine, environment, screen time, diet and more: a truly comprehensive approach.
This may sound like an exaggeration, but because sleep touches every aspect of our lives, experts note that there is some merit to this trend. “The quality of sleep takes precedence over the quantity,” says Nicole Moshfegh, MD, clinical psychologist and author of The Book of Sleep. “Sleep disruptions can prevent you from achieving deep, restorative sleep, which is essential to feeling truly rested.”
Just try not to get it at obsessive about your bedtime routine, as stress can quickly undo all your actions.
Read the full story here.
2. Best time to stretch
Yogis know that stretching is an essential part of every day. But when is the optimal time to loosen your tight and tense muscles?
It turns out that the best time to stretch is when it works best for you, your body, and your routine. “If you find yourself getting up early and having time to spare before obligations take over, then stretching in the morning can be great,” says Joe LaVacca, founder of Strength in Motion Physical Therapy. “If you find it easier to build a routine in the evening after work or before bed, that will work too.”
The takeaway? If you have a moment and feel the urge, drop into that Standing Forward Bend or Downward Facing Dog and hang out for a minute or two. Your body will thank you for the purposeful break.
Read the full story here.
3. Call in another room at night
Most of us seem to have some awareness that our dependence on our phones is… not good. And sleep with all the information in the world just a few centimeters away? Probably not the best route for resting.
“Although the research is still developing, there are several well-documented reasons why keeping your phone near you at night can be disruptive,” says Nicole Moshfegh, MD, clinical psychologist and author of The Book of Sleep. Blue light, notifications, and the general temptation to reach for your device all contribute to the problem.
I started the year by putting my phone away in the bathroom every night instead of sleeping with it on my nightstand. The results were immediate, almost alarming. I experienced an immediate uplift in my dreams, more regimented calm, and the end of first-in-the-morning email checking or doom scrolling. It’s one of the best decisions I made in 2025.
Read the full story here.
4. Tummy time
What started as a bodybuilding hack for babies became one of our favorite yoga poses in 2025. Namely because TikTok introduced the masses to the concept of tummy time for adults, which consists of moments spent on your stomach with your torso partially supported by your forearms, and is said to be the key to better posture. (Those in the know will recognize this as Sphinx Pose.)
Some influencers practiced the pose dynamically, staying upright for a few breaths before lowering themselves, while others held the position while working or scrolling with the help of a well-placed pillow.
Lauren Glisic PT, DPT, CSCS and co-founder of Athletic laboratory in Los Angeles notes that assuming a pose requires minimal effort and that there is no equipment yet that can support breathing, spinal health and, yes, posture.
Read the full story here.
5. Face in ice water
Most people who start their morning by icing their face do so to defecate. But it turns out that routinely dunking your face in ice water can also benefit your mind.
One editor soaked her face in cold water every morning for seven days. (Spoiler: She has since quit.) Although she found the activity uncomfortable and somewhat uncomfortable (expect the possibility of a morning mess and water up your nose), she did notice a subsequent increase in productivity and a decrease in mindless scrolling on dunking days.
Read the full story here.
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