2018 was the year of #selfcare - the hashtag clocked up over 10 million posts on Instagram - and for 2019, it looks like this holistic mindset will continue to evolve. So, with wellness in mind, Vogue brings you the best of the new year trends, to inspire your resolutions.
1. Hook up to an IV
While the idea of an intravenous (IV) drip to tackle a hangover has been around for some time in certain circles, vitamin IVs - stocked with a bespoke cocktail of nutrients to support the immune, or boost energy- are set to hit the mainstream as a go-to way to recharge the body. New York-based Dr Frank Lipman, a specialist in functional and integrative medicine and creator of the celebrity favourite Cleanse programme, has been using IV treatments for over 20 years.
In London, Harley Street’s Plastic Surgery Group offer a selection of IV drips that are administered over 90 minutes, with your choice of soundtrack and refreshments throughout. The Elixir Clinic has also just launched at The Ned, where you can get Vita Drip infusions of vitamins, minerals and aminos that aim to tackle everything from hydration to jet lag, stress and ageing. And in Santa Monica, LA, Infuse Wellness has drips designed specifically for migraines and pre- and post-op recovery. Could going for an IV with the girls be the new mani-pedi catch up?
2. Calm the nerves with CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) has been on the rise throughout 2018, and looks set to continue for 2019: both in skincare, with oil-based formulas (The Body Shop, Perricone MD and Dr Bronner to name a few); and increasingly in supplements, balms or oils that focus on calming anxiety and reducing stress levels and inflammation.
“It is clear stress and anxiety are pervasive in our culture and often precursors to other ailments,” says Gabe Kennedy, founder of the US-based Plant People. “We are only scratching the surface of what cannabis, CBD and the other compounds in the plant can do for the health of people and planet. CBD is being studied for therapeutic options, for severe conditions such as epileptic seizures, neuropathic pain and diabetes. Yet in more recreational settings, people are finding support in reducing stress, anxiety, pain and inflammation, as well as increasing focus, regulating appetite and metabolism.
“It’s about balancing, levelling and smoothing sensation in the body,” says Kennedy, rather than leaving the user with a “stoned” effect - this is caused by the psychoactive compound in cannabis, THC, which has been removed from these new CBD products. A resolution to relax more? Yes please.
3. One-stop wellness
Venues dedicated solely to wellness are starting to pop up across the globe - taking the logistics out of self-care, with every practitioner in one place. In New York, The Well is a members-only “wellness club” that combines Western medicine with Eastern healing practices. Their under-one-roof ecosystem offers everything from acupuncture to nutrition consultations and yoga.
In London, Bhuti studio in Richmond (to name just one of its kind in the capital) offers holistic treatments, hormone experts, yoga, pilates and even buddha bowls, all in the same space. Despite the fast pace of city life, we’re recognising that a quick HIIT workout isn’t going to cut it anymore. The wellness spots that go beyond this will be where we’re recharging in 2019.
4. Increase your intake of mesonutrients
Macro- and micronutrients have been part of our health vernacular for a while now, especially for those who record everything they eat (using apps such as MyFitnessPal). Macros are your fats, carbohydrates and proteins, and micronutrients are minerals and vitamins.
Mesonutrients, are next level. These nutrients focus on what’s inside, ie. the active ingredients and compounds within the food that have direct health benefits. For example, the super-compound in turmeric is curcumin, celebrated for its anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties. In order to extract the optimum dose of this active ingredient from the root (400mg), 10kgs of dried turmeric powder would have to be added to food. So, beyond macro and micro-counting, a good knowledge of mesos allow us to carefully tailor our supplements too (if in doubt about what to take, ask a doctor to assess any deficiencies).
5. Fitness furniture is here
Artificial intelligence at home is on the rise. Smart fridges that tell you what to eat are in development, with cameras inside to make meal planning easier and a further setting that analyses eating habits, nutritional values and can even create recipes. An in-house nutritionist of sorts.
A company called Mirror has developed a steel-framed mirror that streams live fitness classes, which include personal shout-outs and motivational instructions throughout. And The Habit - created in Hong Kong, where space is often limited - designs stylish, aerodynamic wooden coffee tables and chairs that double up as workout benches and dumbbells.
6. Crystal healing
Crystals were big news in 2018, as an element of spirituality entered our approach to wellness. And this soul healing is set to continue into 2019. The beauty industry is embracing the trend, from facial massage to holistic treatments and even skincare - where semi-precious stones are blended into formulas to balance energy and heal the skin from within.
“Crystals are an ancient beauty secret, used in China and Egypt thousands of years ago,” explains Estelle Bingham, a holistic crystal therapist at Bamford Hayburn Spa (and a favourite of Charlotte Tilbury). “Everything is made up of energy and crystals hold very powerful healing energy. When we infuse skin products with them, magic can literally happen!”
So, how does this magic work? “The frequency of crystals such as rose quartz, amethyst, and malachite changes the frequency of a cream or oil to create something quite alchemical. Not only do the high-frequency minerals target signs of ageing, but self-esteem can be boosted by your daily beauty regime,” says Bingham. Look to natural beauty brands such as Herbivore Botanicals and Ila.
7. Stress-free workouts
In the world of workouts, HIIT (high intensity interval training) has long been the most popular, promising a hardcore sweat session, burning all the calories, in a vastly reduced time frame. But now, there is a less aggressive approach afoot.
While exercise is known for boosting serotonin and releasing endorphins, it also spikes cortisol, the stress hormone - especially during HIIT, which kick-starts a fight or flight response. “We have a better understanding now of how serious chronic stress is on an individual’s health,” says Lee Mullins, founder of the Workshop Gymnasium, a bespoke personal training space that operates out of London, Milan, Bali, Beijing, Dubai and Shanghai. “We are now creating training sessions that are not high-intensity from start to finish. We use smarter programming and tools that are able to monitor if an individual has recovered enough to train.” Mullins recommends tech products such as the OmegaWave - worn around the torso to monitor exact physiological state - and the Oura ring - worn on the finger to monitor sleep, as seen on Prince Harry - as feedback tools, providing data to tailor the training depending on an individual’s physical state.
This year’s workout mantra? Listen to your body and mix it up.
The original article on British Vogue. Read the full article here.
