4 Health & Wellness Trends We're Trying in 2018

We're diving into week two of the New Year with a clear vision in place – wellness! After researching the hottest predicted health trends for 2018, we’ve culled together four probable lifestyle shifts to better support our mental and physical well-being. From taking a digital detox and becoming more environmentally conscious to replenishing collagen and incorporating CBD oil into our daily routines, read on to find out just why these four intentions made the cut.

Zero Waste Challenge

Our planet took a major hit in 2017 – a record-breaking year filled with wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes and extreme weather. Mother Earth definitely showed us her discontent, and contrary to some loud-sounding voices in politics these days, it’s clear that human actions DO affect our planet. So in order to do our part, we’re trying out the Zero Waste Challenge, avoiding as much plastic and packaged goods as possible for a week. Becoming conscious of consumption is an important first step in understanding our use of wasteful material, and it's up to us to make a change. If not, we could find ourselves living in what the most-read New York Magazine article of 2017 calls “The Uninhabitable Earth.” "Famine, economic collapse, a sun that cooks us: What climate change could wreak — sooner than you think." For more #zerowaste ideas, check out how health-conscious blogger Lee From America did a plastic-free week or flip through this awesome book, "Zero Waste Home."1

Unplugging

While it’s great to stay connected to friends and family via social media, this year we’re committing to a digital detox. New research shows that people who spend a significant amount of time on smart phones and computers have negative health symptoms, and those who employ multiple social media platforms per day are more strongly associated with signs of depression and/or anxiety.2 We, as humans, are designed to use all of our senses – to connect with others, breath fresh air and learn from real-world experiences. Screen time interferes with these practices, emphasizing blue light over sunlight and indoor, sedate activity over vitality-enhancing exercise. So our goal is to find a better ongoing plugged/unplugged balance. In other words, that airplane mode button may be getting more action than ever before, especially after reading this warning from the California Department of Public Health on the negative effects of exposure to radio frequency energy from mobile phones. 

Replenishing Collagen

Last year, we heard a lot of chatter about collagen in our drinks, food and beauty products, and this year, we're ready to check out the trend. Collagen is a key structural protein in our body that diminishes as we get older, causing signs of aging. Bone broths are an easy, natural way to restore collagen, but most of us prefer not to drink them every day. So lucky for us, we have other options – namely, a crowd favorite supplement called Vital Proteins' Collagen Peptides.4 This flavorless powder contains all the benefits of bone broth and is thus able to replenish our nails, skin and hair, reduce joint pain, improve gut and liver health, and increase metabolism (not bad!). Simply adding one scoop to our morning smoothie, coffee or tea can provide an extra beauty and protein boost. Not a fan of consuming animals? No problem. Vegans can rev collagen production and repair damage by integrating foods like berries, garlic, and vegetables into our diets, 5 as well as taking plant-based silica supplements.

Hemp/CBD Oil

After reading countless cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp oil articles, we're finally less confused and convinced of the benefits of this compound. More people, including many of us in the wellness space, will turn to CBD oil this year for its healing powers – its anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, sleep-promoting effects – bringing our bodies into homeostasis (balance). CBD is legal is all 50 states, and can be derived from hemp or marijuana plants. Unlike THC, CBD on its own is free from the psychoactive or "high" effect of this botanical, so it's important to check out the THC percentages before trying any product. The brand we'll be trying is Prime My Body – a version of CBD derived from organic hemp stalks that contains no THC and is up to ten times more absorbable than other oils on the market.6

"Take care of your body with steadfast fidelity. The soul must see through these eyes alone, and if they are dim, the whole world is clouded." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe