Health and Wellness Trends for 2023: Self-Care in the New Year

It’s time to start thinking about health and wellness trends for 2023. Your New Year resolutions won't write themselves!

For many, this season is a time of busyness. It can feel overwhelming to see everything that’s still left on your to-do list at the end of Q4. Don't worry! There are steps you can take to reclaim your mental health and start the year off feeling refreshed.

Learning how to separate your work life from your professional life can be hard to do. While self-care has been a household word for a while, it’s never been more necessary. In the Digital Age, it’s not uncommon to get an email at midnight, or a text during dinner. Making time for yourself and only yourself can feel like an impossible feat.

Today, I’m sharing actionable ways to focus on wellness this year. Let's turn 2023 into the year of YOU! Let’s face it: you can’t find Career Success without taking care of yourself.

Work-Life Balance Is Essential for Your Health

The blurring of the lines

I can’t talk about self-care without mentioning the one issue that’s on everyone’s mind: work-life balance.

If you're anything like us, there are moments when these two lines blur. Maybe you worked late when everyone else went home early. Or missed dinnertime, tuck-in time, and TV time. Urgent requests that "couldn’t wait" are taking up all your time.

When those plates came crashing down, you might find yourself exhausted and burnt out. If this sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone. 60% of Americans currently have a poor work-life balance. This stems from our collective inability to place boundaries.

As a result, the following statistics are also true, according to the same report:

• 25% of employees cite their job as the number-one stressor in their lives
• 26% of in-person employees take their work home to complete
• 70% of remote employees work on the weekend

Self-care is an essential part of achieving a work-life balance.

Putting your needs first isn’t selfish. It’s exactly what you need to do to find contentment as an employee, partner, parent, sibling, and friend.

Putting yourself aside to meet the demands of others can leave you with a host of mental health problems. You can also experience physical health issues when you aren't sleeping or navigating how to manage stress. Without enough sleep, you can experience both short and long-term health consequences.

Still, there’s a difference between knowing these statistics and working to stay out of them. The idea of self-care can feel abstract! I often wonder exactly what to do when I'm feeling stretched too thin. There is so much information out there.

So what's working for most people? This is what seems to be coming in clutch for the new year.

Up and Coming Health and Wellness Trends for 2023

When you think about self-care, what comes to mind? Do you picture sinking up to your nose in a bath full of bubbles? Is there a soothing playlist humming in the background? What about taking a walk in nature? Or soothing your racing mind through art, knitting, or another relaxing hobby?

While there are some tried-and-true ways to relax, there are others that you might not be as aware of. There are even new ideas that have only recently been discovered. As we look ahead, here are some of the health and wellness trends for 2023.

Trend 1: The Digital Detox

Everyone is getting ready to log out in 2023. In fact, it’s one of the main health and wellness trends for 2023.

You know how your eyes burn with the fire of a thousand suns at the end of the day? Well, your nervous system is on edge! Blue light can actually make us crave more blue light. So start with getting a pair of blue light glasses.

Taking time away from your computer is essential to your well-being. This is especially important for anyone who works from home. Unless you’re intentional with taking breaks, it’s easy for your phone to become an extension of yourself.

Too much screen time can lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. It can also trigger neck and back pain as well as insomnia. In extreme cases, it's also linked to heart disease and even cancer.

And I’m talking about all the time you spend on your phone. This includes those hours spent scrolling social media. Obsessing over others' posts can leave you second-guessing your own real-life endeavors. Comparison is a tricky thing to quit. This does nothing to improve your self-esteem. Taking a break from your feed is one of the healthiest and most loving things you can do for yourself.

Trend 2: A Focus on Mental Health

The doctor is in

For years, the idea of going to therapy was taboo. Past generations thought that asking for help meant waving a white flag of surrender. But therapy actually offers an opportunity to work through the issues that keep you from living a fulfilled life.

According to the CDC, more than 20% of Americans received some form of mental health treatment in 2021. This year and beyond, that number is only expected to increase.

Over time, therapy is becoming destigmatized. Today, it’s seen as a normal element of any healthcare routine. Therapy is for those in the throes of a mental health low. Therapy is also for those wanting to create a firm foundation for the future. There’s no shame in scheduling an appointment.

But what about work?

If you’re still feeling stretched to the brim at the office, you may still struggle with the pressure. This is especially the case if you’re going through a big transition, such as a Career Change.

This is when real, honest conversations need to happen.

Employers understand that overworked employees shouldn't just try to push through it. That’s why in 2023, we'll see an emphasis on workplace-sponsored mental health initiatives.

• Free self-assessment tools
• Clinical screenings
• Health insurance plans with low out-of-pocket costs
• Health insurance that covers psychotherapy and counselling
• Discussions around mental wellness in the workplace

Companies are looking for ways to make it as easy as possible for employees to find the support they need. Feeling tired or burnout yourself as we close down 2022? Learn some great strategies to identify and deal with that burnout below!

Trend 3: Return of In-Person Work Out Classes

When the pandemic first began, many gyms made the hard decision to move their classes online.

Now, people are feeling more comfortable venturing out of their immediate circle. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to keep your mind and body healthy. And you can enhance your results when you bring a buddy. One study found that when people watch others work out, they increase their own exertion by 200%!

Sure there’s something fun about working out in your living room. But you can’t exactly replicate the vibe that you get from an in-person class. When you’re breaking a sweat with others, there’s a collective energy that motivates and inspires you!

The good news? Most facilities have re-opened their doors! In-person group classes are back in action. We’re talking Zumba, SoulCycle, and all your other favorite programs that you’ve grown to love over the years. There’s a new focus on building muscle and building community, and that’s a win-win for your brain and your body.

Trend 4: Low-Intensity Workouts Are Taking the Lead

A powerful gym session isn’t the only way to clear your mind and nourish your body. Taking a walk in nature can be just as restorative. If high-cardio/high-intensity workouts aren’t your thing, then don’t sweat it... literally.

Listen to your body and let it nudge you in the direction that you want to go. If you want to stretch before bed, loosen your muscles and lean into each pose. If a light jog feels best, put on your favorite music and hit the track. There’s no right or wrong way to move your body, as long as you’re doing it with intention and keeping safety in mind.

Want to move a little while you work? Think about adding a walking or standing desk to your office setup! This is a great, mindless way to do something good for yourself, even when you’re on the clock.

Putting It Into Practice: Health and Wellness Trends for 2023

The pendulum of work-life balance may always swing back and forth. But, you don’t have to get caught in the crosswinds.

At Uvaro, we know that you don’t have to sacrifice your personal life to achieve career success. We’re here to help you find fulfillment on your own terms. We offer a variety of resources to help you unlock your talents and use them to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

Download our Career Success Catalog today to learn more and connect!