Health and wellness trends have become a much bigger part of our lives than ever before. Everything from our morning routines, to the way we travel, and how we work out has come under review – there’s been a wellness movement that’s well and truly here to stay!
As the pandemic progressed, so did people’s desire to enjoy the great outdoors and wellness hasn’t been limited to the comfort of our own homes.
There have been a number of outdoor wellness trends that have picked up in popularity, and PaulCamper, a UK-based private camper rental service, has rounded up some of the best ones for you to take your wellness elsewhere!
Wild Swimming
Pack up your swimsuit and wash away your worries with a spot of wild swimming. Searches for “wild water swimming “ have seen a 130% increase over the past 12 months worldwide , and in the UK, searches for “wild swimming Scotland” have risen by 900%.
This popular wellness trend encourages you to make the most of the swimming pools nature has on offer – glistening lakes, freshwater rivers and the open sea. It’s the physical sensation you get from wild swimming that’s said to be good for your mental well-being, giving you a refreshing shock to the system! Although, you must always practice wild swimming safely, when unpredictable elements can come into play.
In search of your next invigorating swim? The UK is home to some of the most idyllic natural swim spots and there are even organised trips along the coastline each year. The best things in life are wild and free!
Earthing/grounding
Earthing or grounding refers to the act of connecting with nature through its electrical energy, and it’s much easier than it sounds! Next time you take a trip outdoors, simply take the time to get a feel for nature – whether that’s taking your shoes off to feel the grass between your toes, or lying down to unleash your mindfulness.
Earthing allows you to truly let go of day-to-day stresses and focuses on relieving the pressures of modern technology – helping you to feel calmer and more centred. The trend has a whole load of physical and mental benefits too. It’s known to help beat chronic fatigue, insomnia and even reduce anxiety levels.
“Earthing or grounding” searches have experienced an uplift of 300% over the past year, showing that 18 months stuck indoors has persuaded more people to reconnect with nature.
Breathwork
Referring to breathing techniques and exercises to help your mind and body focus, breathwork has become a go-to wellness trend for the masses, so much so that searches have increased by 950% over 12 months!
With so many different types of breathwork to try – it’s easy to get started and find the one that works for you. The beauty of breathwork is that when practising, nowhere is off-limits. You can relieve stress and tension by sitting at the park, listening to the ocean waves, or just as easily when making your morning coffee.
Digital Detoxing
Digital detoxing isn’t exactly a new wellness trend, but it’s picked up again since we’ve found ourselves at home more, immersed in our technology.
Many of us are starting to take a much-needed break from our devices and slow down. Everyone’s daily demands are different, and only you know your limitations, but going off the grid could give you the chance to have a reset and focus on what’s important to your wellbeing.
For others, it can be more damaging to disconnect when we are craving communication, but there’s a balance. If you’re finding that your tech is distracting you from sleep or making it difficult to maintain healthy relationships, then it might be time to put your phone away!
Dr Lindsay Browning, psychologist and sleep expert at And So To Bed, explains why phones may be affecting our sleep: “Blue light is the frequency that our eyes are looking for to tell us what time it is.
“When you’re on your phone late, it’s effectively flooding your eyes with “bright sunshine” and telling your brains it’s the middle of the day.
“This has a knock on effect as when you put your phone down to go to bed, your brain is telling you ‘you don’t need to go to sleep’ because it doesn’t think it’s night-time.”
Do you need a digital detox? Here’s some questions to ask yourself:
- Are your devices making you feel anxious or stressed?
- Do you feel a constant need to check your phone?
- Do you have an unhealthy relationship with your phone?
- Are you preoccupied with how others see you on social media platforms?
- Do you find yourself missing out on sleep due to playing with your phone?
Scream Therapy
Fancy getting all of that repressed anger and built-up emotion out in the middle of a field? Screaming therapy has known benefits to overcoming trauma and letting off steam. It’s exactly what it says on the tin – screaming at the top of your lungs, without any consequences or strange looks. Finding a peaceful space out in the open is key to expressing yourself if you’re struggling with overcoming something.
The trend has got mixed reviews among psychologists and whether it’s the healthiest technique to help us feel calmer, but it’s whatever works for you. Vocalising internal tension may be unconventional, but it does sound like fun!
