These are the 2022 wellness trends that'll keep you grounded, according to experts

As we bid adieu to 2021, experts have uncovered the 2022 wellness trends that will help us find balance and prioritize our needs in the new year.

Though we oftentimes associate "wellness" with face rollers, yoga and crystals, you'll find that the term is truly multifaceted. Sure, we're up for #SpaNightRoutine tips and hygge home items to keep us cozy, but we'll see wellness tap into different areas of our lives over the next 12 months, from the workplace to our social media accounts. 

Curious what's coming down the pipeline? We spoke to professionals and think you're going to appreciate their words of wisdom. Light a candle—or not, up to you!—and take a breather. It's time to decompress.

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2022 wellness trends to try in the new year: 

1. Focus on yourself

We've been conditioned to not be greedy, but when it comes to wellness, we have to put ourselves first. There are simply no exceptions. 

If a run or a massage is necessary to keep the harmony, it needs to be done. Not only does our happiness depend on our practices, but so does our physical and mental health.  

"One thing 2021 has definitely shown many of us is how important wellness is, specifically taking time to prioritize yourself," says Nina Julia, wellness expert at CFAH. "Self-care will continue to be the most prominent trend of 2022. But that involves a number of things!"

2. Set boundaries

Saying "no" is not always easy, but sometimes it needs to happen. 

"Boundaries was one of the words we heard the most in 2021 and I think it's only going to be more common in 2022," says Michelle Elman, author of the forthcoming The Joy of Being Selfish. "I think we can expect to see people standing up for themselves, setting their limits and saying no more often. With more practice, the guilt reduces and the art of setting boundaries gets easier and easier."

3. Incorporate sexual pleasure into your wellness routine

There's a reason women's most intense orgasms are courtesy of solo sex. 

"Female masturbation is becoming far more openly talked about and is becoming widely recognized as a type of self-care," Julia says. "A great place to start is spending some time getting to know yourself and exploring what feels good to you."

Why not explore app-controlled vibrators while you're at it and start your new year off with a buzzy new purchase? Hey, the experts insist!

4. Monitor how you use social media

This year, we've spent countless hours scrolling newsfeeds—and those weekly screen reports don't do us any justice. 

When it comes to posts and accounts, it's crucial to curate your page with content that works for you. Instagram can affect mental health, much like other apps, so it's important to scope out what brings you joy and get rid of what causes you to feel anxious or inadequate. 

"Does messaging a friend make you feel happy, connected? Does following a certain influencer make you feel worse? Pay attention to these feelings and adjust the way you use the platform accordingly," Jacqueline Nesi, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University suggests. 

What's more is the fact that people are turning to social media for tips on how to destress. 

"At the moment there are over 15 billion self-care hashtags and over 126.3 million for self-care tips," Julia says. "It shows just how much people are interested in finding new ways to take time to prioritize themselves."

(Psst: these TikTok exercise tips can also be helpful for your new wellness regimen.) 

6. Head outside

Step away from the computer, pause your Netflix binge and take a breather outside. 

"Coming back to nature will also be on trend, because we need to deepen our connection with the planet," says Stuart Sandeman, founder of Breathpod and host of BBC Radio 1’s Decompression Sessions."People will still be exploring the benefits of cold water swimming and other natural, outdoorsy ways of taking care of themselves."

7. Strike a work-life balance

Going to work seems like a foreign concept. Meeting rooms have been replaced with our living-room couches, and we're all somewhat anxious about returning to an office after so much time at home. 

While there, assess what works for you in terms of your job and your professional goals. But don't forget that you have to strike an appropriate work-life balance. 

"Mental health within the workplace used to be such a taboo, but now it is at the forefront of employers’ HR teams," Julia says. "What you can do for yourself, to ensure your mental wellbeing is the priority at work?"

Life can't be all work and no play, and vice versa. It's important to keep everything in check. And, when you need a breather during the day, these easy office workout exercises will do the trick!

8. Prioritize sleep

There are no medals awarded for skipping out on shut-eye. You won't get more accomplished, you'll only crash. 

We've provided tips to help you create the perfect sleep environment, but it is worth discussing the benefits of amino acid-based natural supplements with a health professional. According to the experts at Holland & Barrett, they're a great way to catch all the zzzs you need. 

(Psst: the best sleep trackers might also be helpful to you!) 

9. Explore adaptogens

There's no way to avoid stress, no matter what your horoscope has in store for you. The only way to decrease stressful symptoms is by controlling your response to what makes you anxious. Holland & Barrett experts suggest that adaptogens "help the body adapt, adjust and reset itself from emotional and physical stress," whether it's by utilizing mango leaf extract or Rhodiola rosea. See what can help ease tensions and shop accordingly!