Forbes | These Are The 25 Wellness “Ins” And “Outs” For 2025

Nel-Olivia Waga
January 10, 2025
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As we usher in a new year, wellness continues to evolve, reflecting the shifting priorities of individuals and society. In 2025, the focus on holistic health, sustainability, and intentional living is more critical than ever. From nurturing mental well-being to making environmentally conscious choices, this year’s wellness trends encourage us to slow down, reconnect with ourselves, and embrace balance in all aspects of life.

Equally important is knowing what to leave behind. Many outdated habits and practices are not only ineffective but also detrimental to our mental, physical, and emotional health. Here are the 25 “ins” that will elevate your wellness journey in 2025 and the 25 “outs” you should eliminate to create space for a healthier, more fulfilling life.

In

  1. Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku): Immersing yourself in nature by walking through forests can significantly reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve your mental clarity. This Japanese practice encourages mindfulness and a deeper connection with the natural world.
  2. Digital detox hours: Carving out dedicated time away from screens can refresh your mind, improve focus, and strengthen real-life relationships. Start with an hour a day and observe the positive impact on your mental clarity.
  3. Sound/song alarms: Replace harsh alarm sounds with calming songs or nature-inspired tones to ease into your day with positivity. This small shift sets a peaceful tone for your morning and lowers stress levels.
  4. Journaling as therapy: Writing down your thoughts and feelings daily can help you process emotions, identify patterns, and set intentions. A few minutes each morning or night is enough to foster clarity and emotional balance.
  5. Positive affirmations: Repeating kind, uplifting phrases to yourself, such as “I am capable” or “I deserve happiness,” can rewire your mindset over time. Use sticky notes or phone alarms to make this practice consistent.
  6. Guided breathwork sessions: Practicing intentional breathing, such as box breathing or alternate nostril breathing, can quickly calm anxiety and improve your focus. Guided sessions are particularly effective for beginners.
  7. Emotional intelligence coaching: Develop skills to recognize, understand, and manage emotions effectively. Emotional intelligence not only improves relationships but also enhances your ability to handle stress.
  8. Mental health days: Take proactive days off to recharge mentally and emotionally. Use this time for activities like meditation, nature walks, or simply resting to prevent burnout.
  9. Boundary-setting as self-care: Learn to say no to demands that overextend your time and energy. Setting healthy boundaries empowers you to focus on what truly matters without guilt.
  10. Decluttering à la Marie Kondo: Clearing physical clutter not only organizes your space but also clears mental clutter. Extend this practice to digital and emotional aspects of your life to eliminate anything that doesn’t spark joy.
  11. Quality over quantity: Prioritize meaningful activities, relationships, and possessions. This mindset reduces overwhelm and allows you to focus on what truly enriches your life.
  12. Seasonal eating habits: Aligning your meals with seasonal produce ensures you get the freshest and most nutrient-rich food. It’s also environmentally friendly and supports local farmers.
  13. Local farm-to-table eating: Choosing locally sourced produce not only supports small farmers but also ensures fresher, healthier meals with fewer preservatives and transportation emissions.
  14. Sleeping well and enough: Good sleep is foundational to health, aiding everything from immune function to mental clarity. Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night and establish a calming bedtime routine.
  15. Play-based exercise: Infuse joy into your workouts with activities like trampoline jumping or Sanctum multi-sensorial experience workout classes with headphones, or outdoor play such as tennis. Having fun while exercising will keep you consistent while boosting your endorphins.
  16. Regular health check-ups: Preventive healthcare is essential for long-term wellness. Routine screenings catch potential issues early, ensuring you stay on top of your health.
  17. Replace your coffee with matcha – Matcha offers a steady energy boost, rich antioxidants, and calming focus without the jitters or crashes of coffee. Try it out, you won’t regret it.
  18. Nature-inspired interior design: Incorporate plants, natural wood, and earthy tones to create a calming and restorative space that mirrors the tranquility of the outdoors.
  19. Eco-friendly holidays: Opt for low-impact travel, like visiting less-touristed destinations or staying at eco-conscious hotels such as Six Senses, where quality, comfort and fun meet sustainability and wellness.
  20. Wellness retreats over party vacations: Instead of exhausting party trips, choose destinations that prioritize rest and renewal. These retreats offer spa therapies, nutritious meals, and relaxation-focused activities.
  21. Alcohol-free socializing: Embrace mocktail culture or sober gatherings to prioritize clarity and deeper connections with others. You’ll wake up feeling more refreshed and present.
  22. Energy Cleansing: Use palo Santo these tools to cleanse your space of negative energy or create a grounding and protective atmosphere.
  23. Natural beauty: Prioritize skin health with natural skincare or practices like mesotherapy, a nutrient-rich skin treatment, and a diet rich in antioxidants rather than invasive cosmetic treatments.
  24. Hybrid work-life balance practices: Combine the flexibility of remote work with structured routines to maximize productivity while maintaining personal well-being.
  25. Financial wellness education: Gaining financial literacy reduces money-related stress and empowers you to make informed decisions about saving, investing, and budgeting.

Out

  1. Overworking without breaks: Long hours without rest may seem productive but often lead to burnout. Short breaks throughout the day restore focus and creativity.
  2. Always being plugged in: Constant notifications and screen time prevent you from being fully present. Unplug regularly to prioritize your mental health and relationships.
  3. Mindless social media scrolling: Hours spent scrolling through feeds add little value to your life. Replace this habit with reading, hobbies, or face-to-face interactions.
  4. Oversharing on social media: Sharing less and living more prioritizes personal growth over seeking external validation. Privacy fosters deeper internal fulfillment.
  5. Blue light before bed: Staring at screens disrupts your circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep. Replace screens with a good book to wind down naturally.
  6. Negative self-talk: Self-criticism undermines confidence and happiness. Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with supportive and affirming ones.
  7. Suppressing emotions: Bottling up feelings can lead to emotional strain and even physical symptoms. Learn to express emotions in healthy, constructive ways.
  8. Toxic dynamics: Whether at work or in relationships, negativity drains your energy and well-being. Prioritize environments and people that uplift and support you.
  9. Perfection in relationships: Let go of idealistic expectations. Relationships thrive on mutual understanding and acceptance, not unrealistic standards.
  10. Being a “yes” person: Overcommitting spreads you too thin. Saying no creates space for self-care and priorities.
  11. Stressful multitasking: Juggling too many tasks at once often results in poor quality work. Focus on one thing at a time for better outcomes.
  12. Skipping breakfast: Missing this essential meal often leads to low energy and overeating later. Choose nutrient-dense options like oatmeal or smoothies.
  13. Late-night coffee: Caffeine too close to bedtime disrupts sleep. Switch to calming herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint.
  14. Overconsumption of sugar: Excessive sugar intake leads to energy crashes, weight gain, and inflammation. Replace sugary snacks with whole foods like fruits or nuts.
  15. Poor diet: A nutrient-poor diet saps energy and weakens the body. Focus on balanced meals rich in whole grains, lean protein, and vegetables.
  16. Gossip: Talking negatively about others, engaging or listening to such fosters a toxic environment and damages trust and drains your energy. Instead, focus on uplifting and constructive conversations.
  17. Envy & competitive mindset: Comparing yourself to others breeds insecurity. Embrace collaboration and personal growth instead of rivalry.
  18. Mindless shopping: Impulse purchases often lead to regret and clutter. Invest in quality, intentional purchases that align with your values.
  19. Overconsuming the news: Constant exposure to distressing headlines amplifies anxiety. Limit news intake and focus on actionable ways to make a difference.
  20. Ozempic: Quick-fix solutions for weight management ignore the importance of sustainable habits like balanced nutrition and regular exercise.
  21. Sitting for long hours: Prolonged sitting contributes to poor posture and weakened muscles. Incorporate movement breaks and stretches throughout the day.
  22. DIY health experiments: Unscientific health trends can cause harm. Stick to evidence-based practices and consult professionals when needed.
  23. Unrealistic body goals: Chasing societal beauty standards often undermines health and self-worth. Focus on how your body feels and functions over appearance.
  24. Over-reliance on wearable tech: Gadgets are helpful, but tuning into your body’s natural signals is equally important. Listen to how you feel, rather than just to data.
  25. Over-tourism: Crowded, high-season travel often adds stress rather than relief. Opt for off-season adventures and explore lesser-known destinations.

This year, is embracing habits that nourish our bodies and minds while saying goodbye to trends that no longer serve us. Wishing you a happy and healthy year ahead!

Read the full article on forbes.com 

HER/etiquette

Founded in 2014, re-launched in 2019, by Nel-Olivia Waga. HER/etiquette is an international luxury lifestyle blog, that features curated stories coming from a conscious mindset. It collaborates with leading brands and specialists who share the idea of generating a positive impact in the world. Based in Zurich, we cover local hotspots and global trends around sustainability, innovation, well-being, health, beauty, travel, time, art, business and philantropy.

Nel-Olivia Waga is the Founder & Publisher of HER/etiquette. She is a Brand Consultant, an Author and Entrepreneur, most passionate about well-being, travel, nature and art. Her work can regularly be seen in her column on FORBES. Her consultancy YMPACT LAB, creates innovative projects for luxury brands based on passion, purpose and sustainable impact.

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#ConsciousLuxury is the theme of HER/etiquette. We combine luxury lifestyle with consciousness. Each story we share, is underlined with values. The purpose and innovation of the brands we collaborate with, are as important to us, as their initiatives towards ethical craftsmanship, sustainability, holistic health and social responsibility.

This is our first step towards contributing to the global movement of creating a more positive impact within our community and beyond.

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CONSCIOUS LUXURY

#ConsciousLuxury is the theme of HER/etiquette. We combine luxury lifestyle with consciousness. Each story we share, is underlined with values. The purpose and innovation of the brands we collaborate with, are as important to us, as their initiatives towards ethical craftsmanship, sustainability, holistic health and social responsibility.

This is our first step towards contributing to the global movement of creating a more positive impact within our community and beyond.

PLANT TREES WITH US

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