With the New Year in full swing and spring on the horizon, it’s a great time to consider adding some new wellness practices to your daily or weekly schedule to lead a holistically healthy lifestyle that focuses on your physical and mental health. Here are four health and wellness trends to try this spring, that I shared with NBC California Live in a TV segment recently!
1. Sculpt workouts According to the Wall Street Journal, data from ClassPass and direct feedback from large gyms such as Lifetime Fitness and Crunch, show that bookings for sculpt workouts increased by 280% over the last year. Many people want a challenging, yet gentle workout that builds strength, mobility and flexibility. Sculpt workouts stem from a combination of Pilates, barre and yoga, and focus on spinal alignment, core stability, balance, light cardio, strengthening and lengthening your muscle fibers by working both big muscle groups and deep muscle tissues. In addition to other formats, I teach sculpt classes twice a week. It’s one of my favorite formats to teach because you work your body and mind from the inside out. Here are a few sculpt exercises to try:
- Plie squats with dancer arms
- Outer thigh, inner thigh and glute leg lifts with extended arms
- Curtsey lunges with chest presses
2. Nutrient-packed smoothies: According to MarketWatch, the smoothie industry is predicted to grow substantially between 2023 and 2027. Smoothies are on the rise because with the right ingredients, they can be packed with nutrients. You can easily make your own healthy smoothies at home using a smoothie blender. My favorite smoothie recipe includes mixed berries, a banana, peanut or almond butter, spinach or kale, almond milk and dark chocolate chips. This recipe is simple, yet it’s filled with fruits, vegetables, protein, complex carbohydrates and low fat dairy or dairy alternatives. It’s also low in added sugars and unhealthy fats. A smoothie is a fantastic breakfast or post-workout snack option and is convenient and easy to make, which is perfect for a busy, on-the-go lifestyle!
3. Breathwork: Breathwork is listed in Forbes as another big trend for 2023, but it’s already an important part of meditation, mindfulness and yoga practices. There are many different types of breathwork, but one of my favorites is known as abdominal, belly or diaphragmatic breathing. You slowly inhale through your nose as you expand your abdomen out, and then exhale through your nose or mouth as you pull or contract your abdomen back in. This deep breathing technique allows your body to relax and fill with oxygen, and it lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. It reduces stress, toxins and anxiety, improves your circulation and mood and allows you to think clearly and focus on the present. It’s very effective and is something you can do from anywhere and throughout your day.
4. Journaling for mental health: As the pandemic and recession continue to loom over our heads, many people are anticipating continued stress throught 2023, according to NBC News. One tool that’s becoming more popular for improving mental health is journaling. Journaling isn’t a new concept and can be a wonderful and cathartic release of emotions during difficult times. It can also be a pleasant experience when you’re writing about what you’re grateful for or other positive emotions or events that may be occuring in your life. Whether you’re writing about good or bad experiences, journaling allows you to process what’s happened and communicate in ways you feel most comfortable. There’s no judgment on the other side, and you’ll have a record of your thoughts and feelings, which could be a great reference point later.