Health Professionals Discuss the Future of Wellness in 2026

      From dubious trends (ahem, sleepmaxxing) to valuable constants (here's to all the walking workouts), wellness enthusiasts have been keeping pace with the trends of 2025. If activities like cold plunges, mouth taping at night, or splurging on yet another viral anti-bloat pill fall under your “been there, done that” category, here’s some good news: A new year has arrived, bringing a fresh array of wellness concepts that don't depend on unnecessary extremes or placebo effects for effectiveness.

      So, what does 2026 hold for your well-being? To get an insightful glimpse into the upcoming wellness trends, I consulted health experts for their insights on what to expect in the new year. Here are the key wellness trends likely to influence how we care for ourselves in 2026, as advised by the experts who surpass TikTok's offerings.

      **Experts Consulted**

      At The Everygirl, we believe wellness guidance should be firmly based on credible, science-supported information to empower our readers to make knowledgeable health decisions. Thus, we focus on consulting trusted experts, ensuring our content is both reliable and uplifting.

      - **DR. JACLYN TOLENTINO**

      Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino is a board-certified family physician and lead functional medicine physician at Love.Life. With a specialization in women’s health and hormone optimization, her expertise has been featured in numerous reputable publications. A dedicated functional practitioner and breast cancer survivor, Dr. Tolentino aims to reveal the underlying causes of health issues, using a holistic approach to foster lasting wellness.

      - **DR. MATTHEW KESTER**

      Dr. Matthew Kester, who holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine along with advanced biology degrees, has extensively studied body healing processes and the supportive role of herbs. As an R&D scientist at Apothékary, he blends clinical experience with scientific research to create effective herbal formulas rooted in established healing principles.

      - **KATERINA SCHNEIDER**

      Katerina Schneider, founder and CEO of Ritual, has established a new standard for high-quality vitamins and supplements, all founded on scientific backing. Her recently published book, *Help Your Self: The New Rules for Wellness,* explores how real behaviors, biological needs, and research-based interventions are redefining practical wellness.

      ### 1. Biohacking Nervous System Regulation

      While stress management has always been relevant, it has evolved into something more comprehensive. As the normalization of burnout continues, individuals are seeking safety, resilience, and training to help their bodies enter parasympathetic states conducive to rest and repair. Nervous system regulation, once confined to therapy settings, is now becoming mainstream in physical health discussions, particularly concerning women’s health, where it is increasingly acknowledged as essential rather than optional. “Nervous system regulation is moving from niche wellness discussions to the forefront of women’s health dialogues, and for good reason,” stated Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino. “Chronic stress affects not only our mental health but also our overall functioning. By regulating the nervous system, we enhance mental well-being and boost our body's resilience."

      Interest in stimulating the vagus nerve—crucial for the relaxation response—is surging, reflecting a genuine curiosity about alleviating the body's stress response. This trend is evident in the development of accessible products and services that simplify nervous system work, such as wearables like Apollo Neuro, which employs touch therapy to assist in stress recovery, and the Oura Ring that tracks stress and recovery metrics in real-time.

      **How to benefit from it:**

      “You can’t out-discipline or out-supplement a dysregulated nervous system,” emphasized Dr. Tolentino. “If the body senses a constant threat, even healthy habits can yield negative effects. When the nervous system feels secure, the body can properly benefit from our nutritional, physical, and sleep efforts.” Approaches include embracing meditation apps and ice rollers (which still have value), as well as morning sunlight exposure, slow deep breaths, gentler workouts, fewer notifications, pauses throughout the day, regular meals, and organized living spaces that foster calmness. For a more tactile method, consider giving yourself a lymphatic massage to stimulate oxytocin, a crucial regulator for the female nervous system. Above all, Dr. Tolentino advised tuning into what specifically calms you rather than just doing what you “should” do: “Regulation varies for everyone. Focus on consistent, small practices rather than infrequent, intense efforts."

      ### 2. Sleep Takes the Spotlight (Without Excessive Optimization)

      The importance of quality sleep has shifted from merely desirable to absolutely essential, no longer considered an extra in our busy lives. Notably, the global sleep aids market—including smart beds, sleep monitors, medications, and white noise devices—is expected to climb to $127.8 billion by 2030, up from $85.5 billion in 2024. However, the focus is moving