Exciting Spa and Wellbeing Trends of 2023

This year, the Spa and Wellbeing universe joins us on our journey of discovery and growth, with trends fostering our connection with ourselves and our environment.

The year 2022 has been relatively a year of inner reflection in terms of our self-care. We stilled, got refamiliarized with ourselves and realized our self-worth... So why not make 2023 a year in which we move from stagnation to flow, grow and manifest our intentions? We can focus on our insights and unique nature and deepen our connection with both our higher self and our nature. It is also very likely we will take steps towards the realization of health and well-being not for a single being, but for the holistic existence. The Spa and Wellbeing universe will accompany us on this journey with different practices, evolving treatments and innovative equipment. 

In this article, we take a look at the most exciting and leading trends in 2023.

Adding Mindfulness to our Activities

Mindfulness is being aware of our sensory, cognitive and emotional experiences instantaneously and objectively. It allows us to pay attention to the events occurring in the present moment and our mental and spiritual reactions to them without judging them as “right” or “wrong”.

A 2023 trend, mindful movement refers to listening to the actions of our body and the responses of our senses and mind to these actions in our physical activities and accepting them as they are. The type of this activity does not matter. It can be anything from trekking, dancing, swimming, weight lifting workouts to spiritual activities such as yoga and Tai Chi...The philosophy of mindful movement actually is simple: Just like how, after carefully tasting a new dish and realizing we like it, we choose to consume it slowly and savor every bite, we can intentionally heed our insights in our movements and consciously perceive both the activities that bring us joy and the physical strength and potential we have for them. This way, we can move in a way that helps us control our body, manage our stress levels and strengthen our body-mind-spirit connection.

Thus, mindful movement might be considered a trend we can achieve on our own. But we are more likely to need professional support to improve our ability to stay in the present. With this in mind, leading spas are introducing many guided practices that bring mindfulness and intention to our physical activities in 2023. Lefay Resort & Spa Lago Di Garda's Qi Gong rituals as part of the Black Tortoise Path, Rancho La Puerta's pickleball (today's trendy version of ‘functional tennis’) events , Euphoria's “Spartan Spirit of Adventure”' program that tests our physical and mental strength, and Six Senses Ibiza's WiseMotion retreat developed by Finnish neuroscientist Dr. Hanna Poikonen are just a few outstanding examples.

Nourishing Our Brains

Programs that strengthen our immunity and detoxify our bodies have remained popular since the pandemic. In 2023, a new trend is joining this trend: Eating for our brain health. As you know, our brain is the most intense and non-stop working organ of our body and the command and transmission center of all our aspects, whether cognitive, emotional, sensory and behavioral. Ergo, the control of our stress levels, our sense of being present and ultimately our physical, spiritual and mental balance all depend on the health and functioning of our brain. So this year, we are not content with exercising to clarify our minds, improve motivation and focus, but we also pay attention to foods and supplements beneficial for our brains in our diet.

This is where neurotropics come into play, which are considered “brain foods” that optimize the functioning of our brains and ensure that our minds fulfill their potential. In this sense, they are as valuable as our vitamins C and D and the minerals magnesium and potassium. That’s why this year, neurotropics, including supplements such as bacopa monnieri, golden root (rhodiola rosea) and ginkgo biloba, as well as adaptogens such as mushrooms, will be involved in our meals and snacks alongside vitamins and antioxidants that improve our immunity and sense of holistic wellbeing.

Returning to Our Roots

With our growing awareness of self-care and self-compassion, our innate love of nature is also experiencing a greater awakening. So this year, with the help of advances in technology, the eco-friendly lifestyle is more accessible and popular than ever before. For this reason, facilities designed and operated with green and sustainable approaches and treatments using natural herbal ingredients are our top priority for our Spa visits this year. 

Our intrinsic connection with nature also shapes the therapies we receive. Forest baths, for instance, will be even more popular this year. Nature programs that enrich our senses from different angles, such as Deplar Farm's snowshoe forest baths under the Aurora lights or andBeyond's newly opened Punakha River Lodge's walks with temple views, are among the treatments we may consider adding to our agenda accordingly. 

We are also increasingly inclined towards traditional treatments that center on nature and our innate being. That's why this year, the treatments inherited from the ancient sages of the East, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic healing, will maintain their steady stance against the modern treatments and therapies of the West. So if you would like to include holistic retreats with traditional treatments in your calendar this year, consider joining the “Holistic Detox Program” at Ananda Spa, which includes Vedanta classes and dosha-focused culinary workshops in addition to Ayurvedic healing, or the “Signature Five Element Retreat” at Fivelements, which combines the ancient Sekala-Niskala philosophy with the sacred rituals of Bali.

Cherishing Our Spiritual Wellbeing

2023 will be a year in which we will trust our intuition and creative power and seek answers to our questions about our life purpose with this sense of trust, in terms of our spiritual self. To this end, we will pay more attention to enhancing our sense of inner harmony and connection. The Spa and wellbeing universe will continue to support us in this regard with holistic and balancing therapies and guided retreat programs. 

Yoga, breathwork and meditative exercises, energy healing such as Reiki, crystal healing and marma therapy, and vibration-oriented holistic therapies such as sound baths are among the treatments and therapies that focus on our spiritual wellbeing at Spas this year. For our spiritual well-being, we can experience the mysterious healing methods of the Mayans at the Yäan Healing Sanctuary or the personalized temazcal ceremony at the Four Seasons' Naviva Punto Mita, opening this year. We may also explore programs such as Anantara Tangalle's Inner Harmony retreat, which focuses on increasing our prana energy through Ayurvedic Spa treatments. If we prefer to heal with the unique frequencies of the universe, we can add Joali Being’s Discovery Sound Path Therapy, which transforms a forest bath into an inner journey with 12 unique instruments that create different vibrations, and Toscana Therme Spa's “Liquid Sound” experience, which turns into something like a concert accompanied by overwater light shows and underwater music.

Those who prefer to nourish their mental health with creativity are also in luck this year. Because therapies and retreats that allow us to express our emotions through art and craft are becoming increasingly popular on Spa menus. Schloss Elmau’s programs that combine wellness retreats with culture, Canyon Ranch's art workshops such as sculpting and Japanese Kumihimo weaving, and Royal Mansour's renowned studio Atelier d’Artiste's pottery and weaving classes are some of the best examples...

Spiritual practices for women are also a wellness trend that helps us rediscover our Yin power. One of the most notable movements, women's healing circles, allow women to honor their authentic selves while actively supporting each other by sharing their experiences and emotions. The women-only “Holistic Retreat” program at Ocean Soul Retreat in Bali aims for women to meet in the solitary silence of the jungle and achieve a sense of wellbeing together. The SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain will provide holistic support for women struggling with feminine challenges, such as menopause, to maintain their health and vitality in the “Women Aging Well” program.

Turning Spa into a Lifestyle

As we become more aware of our holistic health, we realize that self-care is not a luxury to be practiced “whenever we have time”, but a part of our lifestyle that we should “make time for”. The spa world is helping us to put this understanding into action with new spa centers opening all over the world and an expanding range of treatments. 

So this year, we will no longer need to wait for long travel chances to take a break from the stressful flow of our lives and recharge our batteries. Likewise, many spas and retreat centers in and close to city centers with a wide set of facilities that can meet our self-care needs are already in service and continue to open. The Peninsula Istanbul and One & Only Aesthesis, for example, are just two of the many near-city/in-city Spas that have opened this year.

Another wellness trend that has developed in parallel is full-day spa visits. This year, express treatments, where we say “hello” and “goodbye” to the spa almost simultaneously, and areas consisting of a sauna and steam room are likely to be ‘out’; while day and destination spas, where we can take time for ourselves throughout the day thanks to their immense spa areas and versatile treatments, are to be the new ‘in’. Comprehensive spas that are gaining popularity as part of this trend will also allow us to meet and socialize with other self-caring individuals who can accompany us on our experiences. For example, The Well Oslo, which brings together diverse spa cultures from different parts of the world under one roof, including the Russian banya, Finnish sauna, Turkish and Moroccan baths, Japanese onsen; and Richmond Nua Sapanca, which offers us immersive spa journeys with its fourteen-step wet area equipment and holistic treatments... 

Inclusion of spa and wellbeing culture in our lifestyle is invaluable. However, in this culture of almost infinite possibilities, it may be quite tricky to identify the self-care we really need on our own. This is where Spa and Wellness Coaching fits in. This trend incorporates personalized coaching and guidance to help individuals experience efficient and transformative spa journeys that are in tune with their true essence, and can cover a wide array of specialized spa plans and programs, from stress management to mindfulness, from traditional therapies to modern treatments. This trend is expected to be at least as popular as life coaching, starting this year.

Customizing Our Self-Care with Technology

The innovative dynamics of scientific technology in our daily lives are making our spa journeys and retreats increasingly progressive and customized. Spas, whether medical or non-medical, use diagnostics such as blood tests, body bioimpedance analysis and metal measurements to create a more personalized program for our visit. Spiritual retreat centers like Kamalaya, for instance, incorporate more medical features such as ozone therapy, IV infusion and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Chenot Palace Weggis, a center that takes the scientific approach to healing a step further, can recommend specific treatments in their molecular laboratories with mRNA-based tests. And Sensei Hawaii allows us to confidently create and track our personal self-care journey with the WHOOP 4.0 wearable strap, which is sent to us days before our arrival at the resort and saves our real-time fitness, sleep and recovery data to the Sensei Portal available to our access.

Synchronizing Our Sleep

Seasonal changes, our flow of life and transformations in our inner world can affect our sleep patterns. Regular and quality sleep is vital both for our longevity and for evolving creatively in our whole being. Therefore, sleep synchronization, which helps us to adjust and balance our circadian rhythm in line with the cycles of nature and the needs of our being, is among the trends gaining popularity this year. Circadian nutrition, where we lighten our evening meals to prepare for sleep, is also likely to gain value in this context. Also, breathing tools that we can use at home, such as Moonbird, are likely to be among the popular self-care devices of 2023.

Revivo Resort Bali's Sleep Well program, Six Senses' Dreamcatcher ritual and Sleep with Sex Senses program, as well as its MyCircadianDay program in partnership with TimeShifter in the coming term are among worthy precedents where we can experience this trend.

Stay tuned to Spatopia to stay up to date with the ongoing developments in the Spa and Wellbeing universe…