The wellness industry thrives on novelty. Every couple of months a new trend emerges (typically on social media) which promises the same sort of thing: fast fat loss, tunnel-vision focus, full body resets - the list goes on.
The majority of these fads tend to rely on exaggerated claims rather than scientific evidence. Genuine, real-life health improvements rarely come from these tactics! Instead, they come from consistent, evidenced-based habits.
5 Popular Wellness Trends To Avoid
To save you time and effort, I take a closer look at five popular ‘wellness trends’, why they don’t work, and what you can do instead for actual health benefits!
Table of Contents
1. The Celery Juice Cleanse
What is it?
Drinking celery juice daily (usually first thing in the morning) to “detox” the body or “reset” your digestion.
Why is it considered a fad?
The body already has an inbuilt detoxification system, which is primarily the role of the liver and kidneys. There is no convincing evidence that I am aware of that suggests celery juice significantly enhances these processes. Celery itself is great, just like lots of other fruit and vegetables. In its whole form, celery has lots of nutrients but juicing actually removes fibre which is one of the most important components for digestive health. Lots of the short-term reported weight loss likely comes from the calorie restriction and water loss from the body rather than true metabolic change.
What to consider instead
Focus on consistent hydration and whole foods. Supporting digestion and detoxification is less about extreme cleanses and more about daily habits, as I mentioned before. Focus on adequate water intake, fibre and micronutrients.
We are all very busy and it can be increasingly difficult to keep up our hydration levels. That’s why products like Hydree can really support your hydration routine by topping up those essential electrolytes.
2. Fibremaxxing
What is it?
Aggressively increasing fibre intake to very high levels to improve gut health or control appetite.
Why is it considered a fad?
Of course fibre is essential - but excessive intake can cause bloating, discomfort and actually even reduce mineral absorption. Online trends often encourage hitting these unrealistic targets without considering each and every person’s individual tolerance. Bodies can be extremely sensitive to dietary fibre changes. Therefore, it’s fair for me to say, more fibre is not always better and especially not when it’s introduced too quickly!
What to consider instead
Increase fibre gradually and focus on variety from vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. Digestive comfort is a real thing and it matters! No balanced, truly healthy diet should have excess or limited amounts of any nutrients, which is why supplementing with a multivitamin like Multee can give you a solid foundation for your dietary needs.
3. The “No Days Off” Mentality
What is it?
Training intensely every single day (sometimes more than once) with little or no rest. Social media can frame this as the mental toughness that is required to make progress.
Why is it considered a fad?
Recovery is not only for weak or lazy people; it’s a biological necessity! Recovery is vital for muscle repair, nervous system recovery and hormone regulation. Chronic overtraining increases injury risk and will likely impair performance and results over time. The idea that progress only comes from constant effort daily in intense workouts largely ignores decades and decades of sport science.
What to consider instead
Build structured recovery into training plans. Build your recovery around the most important pillars: hydration, sleep and adequate nutrition. These will all support your goals in addition to the actual exercise itself!
The importance of nutrition and creatine in the role of recovery cannot be understated. Extracted’s clean and pure Creatine Monohydrate can support you in rebuilding ATP stores faster after hard exercise. It can also support muscle repair and can reduce soreness. That, along with Extracted’s Magnesium Complex, can really optimise your recovery as magnesium has been proven to support muscle relaxation, reduce muscle cramps and can improve actual sleep quality (pivotal for recovery).
4. “Hormone Hacking” Drinks
What is it?
Drinks that are specifically marketed online to regulate stress hormones or “balance your cortisol” (high cortisol is often associated with high stress).
Why is it considered a fad?
Hormonal regulation is complex and influenced predominantly by lifestyle factors such as sleep, stress, nutrition and your engagement in physical activity. To attempt to simplify hormone balance into a single drink completely oversells what we know about the science.
What to consider instead
A more optimal approach, in my opinion, would be to focus on the stress management fundamentals: regular movement, sleep, structured relaxation habits (meditation, mindfulness, Qi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi, etc.), sunlight and so on.
Calmee by Extracted is a clinically proven formula of Reishi, Ashwagandha, Holy Basil and Vitamin B6 to promote balance in high-stress moments, supporting us with better regulation of stress and stress management.
5. Insanely Early Wake-ups
What is it?
Some people would have you believe that unless you are waking daily at 4am then you are clearly non-productive, unambitious and so on. Whilst in essence, early wake-ups definitely have a place, early wake-ups without early sleep times can be detrimental to your health. The recommended time to sleep per day is 7-9 hours. Sleep is the single most important factor for overall health and wellness.
Why is it considered a fad?
Sleep duration matters more than wake-up time. Chronic sleep restriction affects cognitive performance, recovery, mood and immune function, which many people simply do not realise. Therefore, early rising without adequate sleep often reduces overall productivity rather than improving it.
What to consider instead
Prioritise consistent sleep routines and relaxation habits before bed. Supporting sleep quality will have a greater influence on performance and productivity than adjusting wake times.
If your overall health and wellness is something you want to prioritise then sleep is for sure one of the biggest components. Sleepee is made up of 11 clinically proven ingredients to support deep and restorative sleep. When considering optimal health and wellness, good quality omega-3s are often overlooked. They have a strong evidence base promoting their role in improving heart health, inflammation, brain health, recovery and mood. Extracted’s vegan DHA Omega 3 could be a fantastic addition to your health and wellness journey.
The Bigger Picture
Fundamentals will always beat trends. Wellness fads and fashion often succeed because they promise short-cuts but the body responds best to consistency, always.
Sleep, hydration, nutrition, recovery and stress management techniques still remain the most reliable tools for long-term health. Supplements can play a valuable role when used to support these foundations, but there is no doubt in my mind that their impact is maximised when taken alongside sustainable habits.
The Author: Jordan Cantwell BSc Occupational Therapist
Jordan combines occupational therapy principles, health coaching and holistic support to help individuals improve their physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing.
Jordan has experience working in multiple hospital settings and currently specialises in support and rehabilitation for individuals suffering from long-term effects of Covid-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does creatine take to work?
Generally speaking, you’ll start noticing improvements in performance within a week to a few weeks of consistent use.
More significant improvements to performance, strength and muscle mass are often seen within a few weeks to a couple of months - provided you stick to your training routine and take creatine consistently.
Is Hydree just for athletes?
Not at all! While it’s great for workouts, Hydree is designed for everyday hydration and wellness - whether you’re at the gym, in the office or on the go.
What is Sleepee and how does it work?
Sleepee® is a revolutionary sleep supplement featuring CherryPURE® 50x extract and 10 other powerhouse ingredients. It’s formulated to support your body’s natural production of sleep hormones, ease racing thoughts and help you stay asleep longer - so you wake up feeling genuinely rested.
Sleepee® combines sleep inducing restorative amino acids, fruit and herbal extracts and minerals which help put your body and mind into a biological state for increased sleep quality and quantity.
How do your subscriptions work?
Subscriptions are a convenient way to get your supplements delivered every month. After purchasing you will receive an email to manage your subscription.
You can cancel or pause at any time. We also send out handy reminders 3 days before you are billed so you know when your next pouch is on its way!
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
