It’s already spring, and suddenly, many of us are realizing that 2019 is well underway. So what’s trending in the health world this year?
In 2019, trends in health and wellness are all about reconnecting with our senses. Whether it be a cup of herbal tea or bathing in the green glow of a forest, we’re coming back to the simple things and re-learning what it is to stop and smell the roses. Let’s dive in and take a look!
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas have been around for millennia, but what we are enjoying now is an unprecedented varietyof herbal teas. With global trade and tourism allowing us access to products from around the world, the options for a sumptuous cuppa are virtually endless!
When planning out your daily schedule, caffeinated and herbal teas can help to punctuate the different times of day and give you a much-needed lift:
The Morning Cuppa
In the morning, a cup of black tea can give you the gentle caffeine hit you need to get going while warming your belly and soothing the palate. You can mix it up with different types of black tea, too, including spicy masala chai and cinnamon-and-clove infused black tea.
The Afternoon Pick-Me-Up
In the mid-afternoon, give yourself a lift with the relaxed focus of a matcha latte or Sencha tea and enjoy the nourishing boost of minerals and antioxidants that are present in these oriental powerhouses. For a caffeine-free option, a fruity infusion with apple and berries can be just the thing you need to clear your mind and give you the inspiration to keep going.
The Evening Wind-Down
An hour or so before bed, build in a calming bedtime tea ritual with a cup of chamomile, valerian root, or passionflower tea. These herbal teas are known to be effective, traditional sleep remedies. When selecting teas, be sure to choose brands that operate ethically so that you can rest assured your purchase is benefiting the growers and their communities as well as helping you to relax.
DIY Probiotics
Kefir and Kombucha
Offering a rather different taste to tea, sour fermented drinks like kefir and kombucha are still in vogue for 2019. With flavors such as vanilla kefir and ginger kombucha (not to mention orange, mint, rosehip, and a myriad of other taste sensations!), there is plenty of variety to keep your interest piqued all year round.
These health-promoting probiotic drinks are easy to make at home with some starter culture and the right growth medium. For example, you can make kefir on your countertop from milk and kefir grains, and kombucha from water, tea, and unrefined sugar. After the fermentation process is complete, you can go ahead and add any flavors you like, always minding not to heat the liquid when mixing as this could kill the beneficial bacteria.
Fermented Edibles
For a refreshing accompaniment to your midday and evening meals (or even in the morning!), fermented vegetables can aid digestion and boost healthy intestinal flora. Sauerkraut is a fantastic traditional product that you can make at home with vegetables, water, salt, and some flavorings like fennel and caraway seeds. If you are among those who like it hot, Korean kimchi is another option that you can make yourself quickly and easily.
Essential Oils
These beautiful aromatic oils are back with a vengeance in 2019 with pure organic essential oils and CBD infusions topping the list. With so many new, creative options, there are more ways than ever before to use these handy little oils!
Aromatherapy
This is perhaps the most common way to use essential oils and a great way to get started. Diffusing scents such as orange during the day can help keep you energized and boost your mood. Diffusing some lavender in the evening and nighttime can help you drift off into a refreshing sleep.
Scented Baths and Showers
To clear the sinuses and boost your immune system, add a few drops of essential oil to your bath or shower. By combining essential oils, water, and steam, you can enjoy all of the benefits of aromatherapy while also feeling clean and relaxed. Different oils have different uses for varying skin issues too; for example, tea tree oil is a fantastic antifungal and German chamomile oil can help to calm inflammation.
Skin Care
When using essential oils topically, make sure that you research the specific oil that you want to use. You will find that most oils need to be diluted by mixing them with a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba oil. Apply the appropriate essential oils to wounds, bug bites, sun spots, acne, or combine with your favorite moisturizer to smell and feel great all over.
Forest Bathing
With most people now living in cities, “forest bathing” has become a trendy kind of “rewilding” therapy. Developed by the Japanese in the 1980s, forest bathing is the practice of going to a forest, walking in a relaxed way, and breathing deeply.
The practice is said to be calming, rejuvenating, and restorative, and boasts several benefits for your health, too, including:
- Stronger immune function
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lowered stress levels
- Mood elevation
- Better focus
- More energy
- Better sleep
To begin, simply head over to a forest or wooded area near you and start walking! If you prefer, you could go with a friend or form a small forest bathing group to go together for safety and to enjoy nature together.
Guided Meditation
Similar to forest bathing, meditation is another great way to slow down and center yourself in the busyness of life. For 2019, we’re seeing an increase in the popularity of personalized meditation programsand a diversification of meditation practices. Consider learning a new type of meditation or even record a series of personal affirmations to listen to out loud for encouragement throughout the day. You can even combine this with soothing music and some calming aromatherapy!
Whichever health trend you try this year, be encouraged to try it for at least a month to see results and to turn it into a lasting habit. Every step you take towards a healthier you can make a huge difference in the long term, so step out and try something new—and remember to stop and enjoy the journey!
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About the author: Alice is a freelance writer, cat lover, and content strategist. As a passionate yogi for over 10 years, she is an advocate for healthy, balanced lifestyles. She writes about the latest developments in yoga, alternative medicine, and the benefits of natural, wildcrafted ingredients in skincare and beauty products.
Photos courtesy of Unsplash.com
