FEMOSPHERE

The world of health and wellness is incredibly over-saturated. It seems like every few weeks there’s a new $70 product being pushed that is “life-changing!” A new way to eat, a new exercise program, it can be very off-putting. Here’s a few wellness trends I’ve jumped on that have been beneficial to me.

1. Mewing

Mewing is a technique of flattening your tongue against the roof of your mouth to promote a defined jawline and aligned teeth. It was invented by orthodontist John Mew in the 1970s. The problem with the exposure in mewing is that it’s been explained in many incorrect ways. At first, I thought it was just pushing your tongue against your front teeth.

A better explanation is to press your tongue into the curvature of the roof of your mouth. When you first try it, it seems very unnatural, you think, “how can someone do this naturally?”

It became a habit for me when I decided to mew during one event of the day. For example, I told myself “I will mew while doing the dishes.” Once I mastered that, I would do it while driving, then eventually full time. There are many YouTube videos on how to mew and develop that habit and I’ve definitely been able to see a difference!

2. Oil Pulling

Also related to dental health, oil pulling. Oil pulling is something I do less consistently, but when I do, I reap the benefits. Oil pulling is a practice of swishing oil (most commonly coconut oil) in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene.

It’s important to not swallow the oil, and doing it for longer than twenty minutes is not recommended.

I am someone who has very poor genetic dental health. My teeth are extremely sensitive, prone to cavities, and naturally discolored. Since I started oil pulling, I realize that sensitivity has greatly diminished. My teeth are whiter after one session, with no harsh chemicals.

This practice is great because coconut oil is also very affordable. There are oils on the market designed specifically for oil pulling, put off the shelf coconut oil does the trick.

3. Eating Three Meals a Day

Okay, it feels a little silly to call this a “trend.” But let’s be real, it’s all too common to skip breakfast or skimp out on dinner. In a world of girl dinners, choose a balanced meal.

I used to be constantly dizzy, borderline anemic I’m sure, but I’ve made a consorted effort to eat three meals a day. On days when I don’t, I definitely notice. Admittedly, I’m not perfect with this, but making it a goal has made a difference in my health.

4. Increasing Protein

I remember being a young girl and my mom telling me that protein will make me fat. It goes to show how much our opinion on protein has changed.

You can’t go wrong increasing protein in your diet, in fact, it’s recommended to get as many grams as equal to your body weight. Protein takes longer for your body to digest, keeping you full longer. You can eat less calories with protein and feel fuller for longer.

It’s important to mention that looking at protein or calories of a given food isn’t always the best determiner for what’s good for you. Ultra-processed food with a crazy amount of saturated fat and sodium can sometimes be lower in calories than bio-available food. For the long run, it’s better to choose a higher calorie food that’s better in ingredients.

Set yourself up for longevity by eating what your body can sustain for a long period of time. Eating exclusively rice and grilled chicken is fine for a time, but eventually you will grow tired of it and revert to your old diet. It’s a sprint, not a marathon.

5. Diaphragmatic Breathing

This is something my physical therapist introduced to me, not social media. I never realized how much I hold my breath, or even how shallow my breathing is. I can think my breath is as deep as it can go and discover I’m not even using 50% of what I could.

I encourage you to pay attention to your breath throughout the day. I noticed how little I truly breathe deep. You may find the same thing.

The benefits are vast, reducing blood pressure, lowering the effects of cortisol, making core exercise more effective, reducing muscle aches. It’s a perfect exercise for managing anxiety or just winding down before bed.

What are some wellness trends you support?