Wellness goes digital and the online trends that actually benefit your health

collaborative guest post

From TikTok breathing exercises to meditation apps and virtual gyms, the internet is buzzing with trends that actually enhance your health and wellness.

The internet can be a hot mess of misinformation, clickbait and too many cat videos. But every now and then, it churns out something surprisingly useful, especially in the wellness space. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a growing wave of online trends that actually help people take better care of their mental and physical health.

Now, not every trend is worth your time (hi, celery juice for everyone), but a few of these online trends are based on actual science, good practices and real self-betterment. So, if you're the kind of person who's been on a long journey to better health, or if you're just beginning, then there's probably something online somewhere today that can brighten your life and make it a whole lot healthier.

Virtual workouts: Fitness on your terms

One of the most significant lifestyle benefits of the digital age is virtual fitness. Peloton and Instagram Live fitness sessions, along with YouTube, have turned our living rooms into yoga studios, dance floors and weight rooms. This is a life changer for anyone who has ever felt embarrassed about visiting a bricks-and-mortar gym or simply lacked time to work on a commute.

Online workouts allow you to do it at your own pace, try out new moves (did you ever try Afrobeat cardio?), and squeeze in a sweat session without needing to dedicate an hour. And they're so inclusive. There's something so empowering about seeing trainers of all body types, ethnicities and abilities guide these workouts.

Also worth mentioning: TikTok is filled with bite-sized routines you can do in under 10 minutes. Sure, it's easy to get sucked into the scroll-hole, but if you're able to push past the noise, there are some really great creators that are producing great bite-sized workouts.

Community and connection in niche corners of the internet

What the pandemic did remind us of is how desperately we crave connection. And in some unexpected ways, online communities have been lifelines for those looking to feel less alone on the journey to wellness. From Facebook support groups focused on veganism to Discord servers for calming anxiety, the internet has given rise to thousands of small communities where people commiserate, offer tips and lend support.

Even wellness streams and podcasts now incorporate live chat and Q&A time when listeners are engaging in real-time. That level of access and closeness makes the process of wellness appear much less isolating.

There are also review and comparison sites springing up for nearly everything, and even, believe it or not, sites listing the best casino sites, or sites that post wellness-themed blog content such as tips for mindfulness to stay on task or how to have a healthy online gaming relationship. It's a nice example of how niches that weren't historically connected with wellness are integrating more of a whole-person approach to content and user experience.

Mindfulness meets the algorithm

Mental health is finally getting the attention it deserves, and the internet has become a massive resource for mindfulness and emotional support. Apps like Headspace and Calm have been leading the charge with guided meditations and sleep stories that actually work. But more recently, we’re seeing communities on Reddit, Instagram and even Discord pop up around topics like anxiety management, gratitude journaling and breathwork.

One quirky trend? "Digital breathwork" sessions. Yes, people are listening to Zoom breathe as a group. It sounds weird, but the results are real. Slowing down your breathing can help bring cortisol levels down and mute feelings of stress or overwhelm. And there's something beautiful about people all over the world coming together in a virtual space just to relax and breathe together.

Mindfulness influencers are popping up everywhere on YouTube and TikTok, recording everything from five-minute meditations to sound baths. If you've ever wanted to know how sound frequencies can possibly make you sleep more effectively or even feel more at ease, this is your time.

Digital wellness tools: Trackers, planners and boundaries

Not everything online has to be about consuming content. The best wellness trend out there is really just about using technology to take back control and set boundaries around your time. Exhibit A: Digital planners and habit trackers are making it easier than ever to be disciplined with healthy habits, whatever that looks like for you, whether it's drinking more water, sleeping more soundly or practicing daily gratitude.

Applications like Notion, Habitica or even the Notes application of your smartphone can become your new best friends while developing a better schedule. There is even a popular trend towards "screen time detoxes" and app blockers. The irony is that the internet is helping individuals waste less time… on the internet.

Some creators have started entire YouTube series dedicated to "digital minimalism" where they illustrate how building simplicity in your digital life can boost your mood and productivity. And let's be honest, there's something kind of wonderful about seeing someone organize their digital existence, it's the new equivalent of cleaning out your closet.

Wellness that's actually fun

Here's a wild idea: What if wellness was fun? That's the philosophy behind some of the newer online communities like adult play therapy, movement for pleasure (not calorie burn) and "dopamine dressing" (putting on clothes that put a smile on your face) which can actually make your mood better. You'll find TikTok stars taking dance breaks throughout their workday, silly journal exercises and crooked cooking routines that are about joy, not perfection.

The thread that unites? Less stress. More presence. What these trends are not is not hustling for a 'perfect' body or meditating for three hours a day, they're finding small, consistent things that make you feel a little better in the moment.