Get ready to breathe a sigh of relief at ending the pressure to try yet another juice cleanse—it’s one of the wellness trends to ditch in 2023. In this Forbes article, Mindpath Health’s Kinana Shelton, LCSW, discusses what trends aren’t being brought into the new year. 

10 Wellness Trends Going Away in 2023_Kiana Shelton, LCSW_Mindpath Health

Some wellness trends legitimately make our lives better, while others are nothing more than just a passing fad. The start of the new year is an opportunity to break up with the practices that no longer serve you (we’re looking at you, intermittent fasting diets) and find genuinely meaningful ways to boost our health and well-being. 

Juice cleanses

“You don’t get the key benefit of fruits and vegetables when you juice them. When you juice them, you lose most of the fiber—a key to metabolic and gut health. Opt for whole fruits and veggies instead. They are much healthier options,” said Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, CEO, and co-founder of Pendulum, which develops medical probiotics. 

Charcoal toothpaste

“Charcoal toothpaste and powder are advertised as natural alternatives to mainstream teeth whitening products, with no scientific evidence to back up those claims. It can damage tooth enamel and cause permanent staining if used too often or incorrectly,” said Kellie Middleton, MD, MPH, an Atlanta-based orthopedic surgeon. 

Forest bathing

“Using nature to escape screen addiction only serves as avoidance from adopting better technology habits. We should focus on what’s contributing to our stress, whether it’s our devices or something else, and doing the work to address it head on,” said Karden Rabin, co-founder of CFS School. 

Facial rollers

“Crystal and jade facial rollers came in hot as a wellness trend in recent years, and really uplifted the beauty world as a great at-home technique for lymphatic drainage, lifting, and de-puffing the face. I think you will soon see these rollers replaced with tools for facial cupping, scraping, and gua sha,” said Alexandra Janelli, owner and founder of Modrn Sanctuary. 

Collagen drinks

“Even though collagen has great benefits, like improving elasticity in the skin, collagen drinks are advertised to give plump skin in just a few weeks, which has limited research to support it. Boost your collagen production naturally by eating foods that are high in vitamins,” said Alexandria Gilleo, wellness expert, celebrity makeup artist, and founder of My Zen Den. 

Misusing therapy language

“The overwhelming misuse of the word ‘triggered’ is a wellness trend to stop. On social media, we see a lot of ‘trigger warnings’ attached to posts, when really what many are trying to say is this may be something that makes you sad, upset, offended, or disgusted. When one is triggered, they have an uncomfortable emotional reaction to a stimulus that wouldn’t ordinarily cause that response. It can be hard for folks to express or seek support when terms like this are misused,” said Kiana Shelton, licensed clinical social worker with Mindpath Health. 

Intermittent fasting

“There is mixed evidence and research about its effectiveness and the types of people for whom it is most effective. Do everything in moderation, including how much and what you eat. This can also apply to physical activity, stress management, and good sleep habits,” said Alexa Mieses Malchuk, MD, MPH, a board-certified family physician. 

Intense wellness challenges

“The challenges are typically billed to kick-start a healthy lifestyle while promoting a sense of community. The pressure to conform to a strict diet and complete specific exercises every day is not sustainable long term. The strong discouragement to take a day off the challenge can potentially harm your self-esteem and derail your wellness goals, rather than help them,” said Suzanne Fisher, MS, registered dietitian, and founder of Women’s Cycling Nutrition. 

Greens powders

“Influencers tout greens powders as the end-all-be-all solution to make you feel better, fight bloating, and help you get superfoods without the inconvenience of eating them whole. If you are looking to improve gut health or fill voids that you are missing in your diet, a high-quality probiotic and multivitamin are going to be far more effective and more convenient than greens powders,” said Emily Higgins, certified personal trainer, nutritionist, and founder of Girl Let’s Glow. 

Recommending therapy for everyone 

“In 2023, one wellness trend we should stop is talking about therapy as a cure-all or the thing everyone benefits from. Therapy is one way that some people get clarity on themselves, where they’re stuck, and what they want for their life, but it’s not necessarily for everyone. There are other options for finding clarity, like going into nature mindfully and spending time with people who make you feel safe,” said Cynthia Siadat, licensed clinical social worker and founder of Living Fully Therapy. 

Read the full Forbes article with sources. 

 

 

Kiana Shelton, LCSW

Katy, TX

Kiana has over 12 years of experience working with adults. Using person-centered and trauma-informed modalities, Kiana helps patients navigate major life transitions, including birth, adoption, grief, and loss. In addition, she also provides gender-affirming mental health care to those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Following Maya Angelou’s quote: “Still I rise,” Kiana uses this as a reminder ... Read Full Bio »

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