From gut biotics and healthspan to emotional fitness, brain-ergy and home as a wellness sanctuary — and more — these are the trends shaping 2026 before they go mainstream.
I’m Rebecca — your HealthPost Naturopath — revealing why they’re trending next and the health benefits driving the buzz.
They’re driven by deeper societal shifts, with health increasingly recognised as multidimensional — positive changes that reflect a more integrated approach to wellbeing.
What’s next in health & self-care?
‘Brain-ergy’ - brain health:
Why it’s trending next
Brain health is no longer just about ageing — it’s about staying sharp and resilient now. In a screen-heavy, always-on world, more people are looking for support with focus, mental clarity and balanced mood.
Adaptogenic herbs and targeted nutrient blends with ingredients like Bacopa, Rhodiola, Lion’s Mane, Ashwagandha, Choline and Inositol are a key part part of daily routines — helping support cognitive wellbeing in a practical, accessible way.
Brain-loving nutrients - with ashwagandha:
|
Nature-based healing
Why it’s trending next
In 2026, we’re seeing renewed interest in nature-based healing as part of everyday wellbeing.
More people are returning to earth-centred wellness rituals to help regulate mood, support circadian rhythms and reduce inflammation. Time in natural environments is also linked to lower stress hormone levels and improved heart rate variability.
This shift includes:
- Grounding and barefoot training
- Sunlight timing for circadian reset
- Forest bathing
- Herbalism
- Outdoor temperature therapies
- Nature-immersion workouts
Rather than being viewed as alternative, they’re increasingly becoming part of mainstream wellness routines.
Scent as a supplement: Aromatherapy
Why it’s trending next
Scent is shifting into an intentional wellness tool. As stress and burnout rise, essential oils are being embraced as self-care. People are realising they can turn to aromatherapy as a sensory way to uplift mood and restore calm.
Essential oil tip: Fresh and citrusy, orange oil is highly shareable — ideal when you’ve got people coming over. Diffuse for a calm, uplifting mood. Add a few drops to a tissue inside your pillow or couch cushions.
Calming and uplifting essential oil
|
Gut biotics: pre, pro & post
Why it’s trending next
Moving beyond single-strain probiotics to a broader “biotic” approach. It’s about feeding your microbes and strengthening the ecosystem they live in. The focus has shifted from quick digestive fixes to building a stronger, more resilient microbiome over time.
Think of it like a garden:
- Probiotics are the seeds.
- Prebiotics are the nourishment.
- Postbiotics are the beneficial compounds produced once everything’s thriving.
Support the full cycle and you strengthen the ecosystem itself — with benefits for digestion, immunity, mood, and metabolic and heart health.
Prebiotics for your gut ecosystem
|
Prioritising mental and emotional health
Why it’s trending next
“Emotional fitness” is gaining traction, with practices like mindfulness, breathwork, journaling and mood tracking becoming part of daily routines. This comes as reported stress levels remain high.
More people are also adjusting their diet to support mental wellbeing, with whole foods, low-carb and plant-based approaches leading the way — a pattern likely to strengthen in the year ahead. Sleep too, is being recognised as essential — not optional — with growing interest in nutrients like magnesium that support rest and recovery.
Explore our easy mindfulness guide to support your emotional health: 6 ways to stay balanced and look after yourself.
Skin as a biomarker of inner health
Why it’s trending next
Healthy skin is increasingly seen as something that starts from inside. This shift is about future-proofing healthy skin aging. Skin-support nutrients like collagen (for firmness and plumpness) and astaxanthin (an antioxidant that helps protect existing collagen) remain popular — established trends that continue to grow.
Our skin draws on nutrients from food to stay healthy. We’d all love our skin to naturally glow with health, and the rise of edible (and drinkable) beauty reflects this approach, linking nutrition to skin vitality. Skin renews from the inside-out, and true hydration begins with what we drink — not just from applying your favourite moisturiser.
Electrolyte tip: Studies show a diluted mix- half strength or extra water- (hypotonic) is better for everyday skin hydration. And the standard mix (isotonic) is best for exercise. But please don’t mix it stronger than directed.
Hydrate your skin from within
|
Exercise snacking & micro-movement
Why it’s trending next
“Movement snacks” are short bursts of movement — stretching, mobility work or light activity — scattered throughout the day. The “snacking” part makes it feel manageable -like a small treat for your body (which it is). It’s not snacking while you exercise — sorry if that got you excited.
As desk work and sedentary lifestyles continue, micro-movement is gaining momentum heading into 2026 as a practical way to stay active.
You can build small pockets of movement into your routine:
- Wall push-ups while your coffee brews
- A walk around the block at morning tea
- Lunge-walking on your way to a bathroom break
- Gentle, relaxing stretches at wind-down time
These short sessions help counter prolonged sitting, support joint health and keep metabolism active — offering a more sustainable, lifestyle-friendly alternative to all-or-nothing exercise.
Longevity: health span is the new lifespan
Why it’s trending next
Longevity is shifting — it’s now about quality of life as we age. Living better is just as important as living longer. The effects of aging are being reframed as something to optimise, not simply accept, with younger generations investing in prevention and daily nutrition earlier than ever. Nutrition and antioxidants are becoming a proactive tool for staying strong, mobile and mentally sharp over time.
As we age, levels of compounds our bodies naturally produce — like coQ10, creatine and collagen — begin to decline, which is why they’re often supplemented to support healthy aging
Ingredients like NMN are gaining attention for their role in healthy aging processes and physical performance.
For cellular energy as we age
|
Home as a wellness sanctuary
Why it’s trending next
Home is no longer just where we live — it’s becoming a space to centre, recover and restore energy. As life gets more digital and fast-paced, people are designing their homes to reduce stress, improve sleep and protect mental downtime — prioritising comfort and calm.
2026 trends spotlight wellness-led design — calming spaces with soft lighting and soothing tones, joy-forward interiors using bright colours and playful details to lift mood. Dedicated wellness zones — from meditation nooks to saunas — prioritise recovery, while digital escape zones protect real downtime. In line with the ‘Scent as a supplement’ trend, aromatherapy is a useful tool for creating a calm, comforting and uplifting atmosphere.
|
Healthy weight management
Why it’s trending next
The rise of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro has normalised conversations around appetite hormones (GLP-1, leptin, ghrelin), insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. At the same time, body composition shifts during perimenopause and menopause are prompting more people to seek hormone-informed support.
Rather than generic calorie reduction, the emphasis is on preserving muscle while reducing visceral fat. This includes growing interest in blood sugar support, appetite and satiety regulation, fibre for gut–metabolic health, targeted nutrients such as berberine and inositol, and muscle-support nutrition like protein and creatine.
For many people, improving weight and body composition can support blood sugar balance, cardiovascular health, joint comfort and overall metabolic wellbeing
New on the scene: Lifestream Akkermansia Trimbiotic
Early findings are interesting, but research into Akkermansia for metabolic support is still emerging. The more compelling evidence at present is for gut health and gut lining support. If that’s where your interest lies, it may be worth considering as part of a gut-focused approach.
|
If you’re looking for a comprehensive view on healthy weight support, you might find this naturopath guide helpful: holistic, naturopath tips for healthy weight.
|