Wellness trends for 2026: 14 ways to beat the January Blues

• In 2026, wellness trends are all about a holistic approach that surpasses mere beauty treatments.
• Wellness is becoming part of everyday life, facilitated by the rise of gentle physical activities.
• Holistic approaches such as thermotherapy, yoga, Pilates and breathwork are ideal for combining exercise and mental health.
• Nutrition plays a key role in your daily life – your gut microbiome needs a balanced and tailored diet.
• Digital detox promotes more effective sleep rituals.

Does January signify renewal? Some say it's quite the opposite: according to certain studies, the third Monday in January, or Blue Monday, is the most depressing day of the year. Between the short Northern Hemisphere days and post-festive blues, January can feel daunting. But what if we simply flipped the script?

For the painter Yves Klein, "blue has no dimensions, it is beyond perspective". By this, he meant that blue is the embodiment of freedom, of infinite mental space.

This year, instead of Blue Monday, why not have a Blue Wellday? See it as the beginning of a sensory experience where wellness is no longer a luxury, but part of daily self-care. Choose to take care of yourself holistically.

In the context of wellness, the term "holistic" refers to an approach that considers a person in all their dimensions, rather than treating an isolated symptom or part of the body. Energy, lifestyle, emotions, physical and mental health are all interconnected.

From seaside thalassotherapy breaks to spa getaways, all the way to the privacy of your own bedroom, wellness is about embracing a holistic philosophy. Each treatment becomes part of a complete reset, through developing profoundly regenerating daily experiences. Thanks to these wellness trends for 2026, you can maintain your physical, mental and emotional balance.

Lost in the scroll, information overload, stressed out... is your mind all over the place? Recentre your thoughts in just a few minutes with breathwork. Intrinsically linked to heart coherence, this regular habit helps to focus your attention and reduce your mental load. This discreet ritual can be practised almost anywhere, whether under the duvet or at your desk.

How can you practise breathwork? Sit comfortably or lie on your back. Close your eyes and relax your muscles. Place one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest. Breathe in through your nose for 4 to 5 seconds. Hold your breath for 3 seconds. Breathe out for 7 seconds. Repeat this cycle for at least 5 minutes.

When everything is moving too fast, it's time to take a break. In 2026, wellness trends promote meditation, sound healing and relaxation as daily rituals to help with stress management. Searching for nirvana? Focus on your breathing, on a sound or a scent. Rather than long sessions that can sometimes add to your mental load, opt for micro-breaks that help rebalance your nervous system and clarify your thoughts.

Wellness trends for 2026 are reshaping travel. Combine a getaway with meditation by enjoying unique experiences in breathtaking locations. In the sacred mountains of Vietnam, find fulfilment on a spiritual trek with your head in the clouds.

Learning to listen to yourself is an act of self-care. Wellness trends in 2026 are based on your own ability to interpret your internal signals. Is your mind or body showing signs of weakness? Slow down. Learn to set boundaries and foster a healthy work-life balance. When faced with stress, emotional overload or the risk of burnout, small steps can make a big difference. Replace breaks with short walks, add some greenery to your office or allow yourself a few breathing exercises. And, if you can, try to negotiate a daily nap.

What about AI and well-being? By collecting and analysing large amounts of data, AI-powered tools might be able to help identify major trends and enable preventive measures to be put in place.

The two types of thermotherapy are:

• Cold therapy – preferred for muscle recovery and reducing stress levels through the release of hormones (noradrenaline, dopamine and endorphins). Cold baths, cryotherapy sessions, cold plunges... hotels around the world are joining this luxury wellness industry trend.
• Heat therapy – the hissing of stones in a traditional sauna, the enveloping warmth of a hammam, the languor of a hot bath. In addition to being good for your skin, these techniques promote muscle relaxation, cardiovascular health and stress reduction.

While the former stimulates and regenerates, the latter relaxes and soothes. Their effectiveness may depend on how regularly you practise them. Make sure to seek medical advice first if you have heart issues or are pregnant.

While Hyrox and CrossFit are getting increasingly popular, others prefer to take a gentler approach to their fitness routine. Thanks to these 2026 wellness trends, you can take charge of your body without succumbing to the pressure to perform.

Yoga or Pilates? Good news: you don't have to choose. Both disciplines offer similar benefits, focusing on deep muscle work and the pursuit of fulfilment. While yoga has a more spiritual dimension, Pilates also allows you to focus on your breathing and reduce stress. In both cases, you allow your body to become more supple while anchoring yourself in the present. Easy to practise in your bedroom or outdoors, they combine an effective workout that is respectful of your body.

“Staying healthy starts with knowing how to take care of your body and your mind.” - Nicolas Pauliat, yoga instructor at Sofitel Quiberon Thalassa Sea & Spa

It's 6:30pm and your day is far from over. After an afternoon of work meetings, you still have to do the laundry, prepare dinner and squeeze in a long run or swim to satisfy Strava. It's time to lighten your mental load.

In 2026, wellness trends favour short sessions that are easier to fit into your daily routine. The goal? To invigorate your body without exhausting it. A few flights of stairs, a 30-minute walk, some mobility exercises... that's all you need to stimulate your circulation and reduce accumulated tension.

The sun's caress on your cheek, the invigorating winter wind, the cotton-soft snow. Sometimes, all you need to do is open your front door to feel at peace. Whether it's a stroll through a city park or a more intensive trail, immersing yourself in nature is a form of therapy that is accessible and adaptable to all paces of life. You don't need to hop on a plane to get away from it all. A commuter train, a bike ride or a weekend in a seaside hotel can improve your mood and reduce anxiety.

Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. By adopting new eating habits tailored specifically to your needs, you are choosing a natural and profoundly transforming solution. Among the 2026 wellness trends in nutrition you can find:

It's time to enjoy your meals, all in moderation. It's no longer about following strict diets, but choosing foods that support energy, digestion and mental health. Choose healthy fats by favouring recipes rich in omega 3s and omega 9s, found in certain fish, oils, nuts and seeds. Increase your intake of natural antioxidants (red fruits, dark chocolate, tea, etc.) and remember to reduce added salt as much as possible. If you don't have time to cook, consider taking dietary supplements, as recommended by your doctor or chemist.

At Novotel Thalassa Le Touquet, the healing properties of the ocean are reflected in the dishes. Enjoy healthy, gourmet cuisine that is beneficial to your body all while gazing on a calming seascape.

Animal welfare, environmental awareness, healthy choices... whatever the reason, vegetarian diets are all the buzz! Better yet, they promote good health. We now know that eating red meat can affect the quality of your sleep. The more animal protein you consume at dinner, the more dopamine you produce, which is the hormone responsible for mental alertness. However, when it's time to go to bed, your body needs to wind down, which is facilitated by serotonin. To synthesise serotonin, opt for plant-based proteins.

Billions of bacteria live in your gut and control your mood, daily energy levels and immunity. This powerful system, known as your gut microbiome, can be regulated through a well-balanced diet that is perfectly tailored to your metabolism. First, consider consulting a nutritionist, who will help you avoid home remedies that can sometimes be harmful to your gut balance. Based on their recommendations, add fibre, fermented foods, prebiotics or probiotics to your meals.

Sleep is the most profound reset. It affects your entire day, from your mood to your energy levels. Optimise it in 2026 with these wellness trends.

Many of us fall into the trap of doomscrolling before bed. It's dark, but the screen is at maximum brightness, cycling through mindless reels that eventually send us into a restless sleep. Far from being harmless, these nocturnal encounters interfere with melatonin production, which is essential for a peaceful night's rest. The result: your circadian rhythm is disrupted, leading to insomnia and difficulty waking up. While digital detox has become inseparable from good sleep hygiene, it also has many benefits for your daily life:

• Improved cognitive function
• Reduced mental fatigue and chronic stress
• Better posture
• Stronger interpersonal relationships

Digital detox can be part of your bedtime rituals. By repeating regular actions before going to bed, you send your brain the signal that it is time to wind down. Some of the most common practices include preparing a natural herbal tea, reading, breathwork, a skincare routine or journalling. Find the ritual that works for you.

Calculating to worry? No. Measuring to optimise? Yes! You may have already invested in a smartwatch or other connected device to monitor your sleep patterns. These discreet devices help identify the sleep cycles that make up your night. How much time do you spend in deep sleep, what is your heart rate variability (HRV) score, how does stress affect your circadian rhythm? By accessing intuitive and well-organised data, you can learn valuable information about your state of health.

In 2026, your quest for fulfilment is no longer about radical transformations, but about repeating simple daily gestures of self-care. By participating in Blue Welldays or choosing the gentle approach to wellness through microdosing, you can join a continuous movement where everyone has the power to reset.