"From questionable fads (ahem, Ozempic, the animal-based diet, and 75 Hard Challenge) to worthy mainstays (cheers to numbered workouts and gratitude going viral), wellness girlies were busy this year keeping up with 2024 trends. If you’re filing quivering in a cold plunge, taping your mouth before bed, or dropping extra cash on yet another anti-bloat pill with only empty promises under “been there, done that,” here’s some good news for you: The new year calls for fresh ways to breathe new life into your wellness routine. So, what does 2025 have in store for your well-being? For the next best thing to a crystal ball, I asked Yelp Trend Expert and VP of Consumer Engagement Tara Lewis to give us the scoop on the wellness “ins” that we can expect next year. Here are the top wellness trends for 2025, according to Lewis.
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Tara Lewis is vice president of community expansion and trends at Yelp. She has made appearances on The Today Show and Good Morning America and been featured in Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, Fortune, AdWeek, Forbes, and more.
1. In-Person Community Instead of “Me-Time”
Get ready to ditch scrolling social media and “solo wellness” for IRL meet-ups. “There’s a huge appetite for unique activities that can get us off our screens and spark new connections outside the home,” Lewis said. “We have seen that a lot of what Yelpers are searching for are fun activities where they can also meet new people.” Case in point: Searches for activities like padel (joining pickleball in the racquet sports craze) are up 94 percent; trivia is up 58 percent; run clubs, 82 percent; and lawn clubs, 682 percent. “Since we are now living in a post-pandemic time, people want to explore more social activities—both indoors and outdoors—and stay off their phones while they’re at it,” Lewis added.
While we’re used to screentime taking over our lives and solo wellness routines (you can’t socialize if you want to go hard at the gym and fit in that 10-step nighttime routine!), 2025 will see the shift to in-person connection–and our health will be better for it. Research shows that having deep, purposeful relationships leads to a 50 percent increased chance of longevity and generates a positive feedback loop of social, emotional, and physical well-being. A 2021 study found that those who are more socially fulfilled tend to function better cognitively. And if you’re engaging in a new pursuit, you’ll be doing your overall happiness, mood, and mental health some good.
How to Get In on the Trend
With the desire for third spaces on the rise and people looking to build more meaningful in-person communities, Lewis recommended finding a local social club to join, like run clubs, trivia groups, or book clubs. You can bring it into your wellness routine like joining a yoga club, starting a self-improvement book club, or having friends over for a monthly vision board session. But rest assured finding a community focused on any activity will be beneficial for your health because community is good for you–period.
2. On-the-Go Gut Health Products
Between the gut-brain axis, the oral–gut microbiome axis, and the abundance of supplements meant to improve digestion, gut health might as well be the holy grail to optimal wellness. After all, your gut says a lot about not only your digestion, but also your mood, immunity, and hormones. “Since wellness involves both internal and external factors, gut health has become a hot topic, where people are trying to find the next best supplement to improve their body holistically,” Lewis said. Yelp has seen an increase in searches for fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut, as well as probiotic and collagen-rich beverages like probiotic soda and bone broth. “Through our Yelp search tools, it’s clear that people are more curious than ever about where to find foods and beverages to enhance their mind-body connection,” she continued.
How to Get In on the Trend
Sure, you could hop on the trend by sipping on bone broth or stocking up on probiotic sodas. But also know that you don’t have to spend $$ to improve gut health. While probiotics and other gut health products can have a place in your routine (as long as they make you feel good), experts say the most important thing you can do for your gut health is to consume a variety of whole foods including protein, fats, and carbohydrates to ensure you obtain a wide range of nutrients necessary for optimal gut function. The diversity of plants is key (aim for 20-30 variations each week).
3. Dopamine Menus
2025 is the year of prioritizing joy. And based on Yelp’s findings, most people are here for it. “People are looking for new hobbies and passions that can improve their overall mood and well-being,” Lewis said. According to Lewis, activities like sewing classes (up 76 percent), songwriting courses (up 540 percent), and even blacksmith programs (up 516 percent) are proving to be up-and-coming pastimes. “As our data shows, people are looking to break out from their routine 9-5 work schedule and try something new and exciting,” she added. We’re fed up with having no life outside of work and busy schedules, and people are picking up activities with no other point except to enjoy them. It’s about time.
How to Get In on the Trend
Create your very own “dopamine menu” (AKA a curated list of pleasurable, healthy habits and activities that naturally elevate your dopamine levels, boosting happiness, motivation, and focus). Just like a restaurant menu, a “dopamine menu” is divided into sections—appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts, and specials—with each containing a list of dopamine-stimulating activities for different situations and needs. Start by writing down things that bring you joy (taking a walk, listening to your favorite playlist, sipping on a cup of coffee, calling your mom), and then add in activities like a dance class or pick up a hobby like scrapbooking. The point is to do more activities that do not have an end goal, where the only purpose is to enjoy them.
4. Wellness Retreats
Experiencing wellness is taking on a whole new meaning and making out-of-the-box ventures in vogue (camping attire included). Think Parent Trap’s Camp Walden (without the elaborate pranks and with an elevated adult-friendly flair). “Adults are looking for getaways to disconnect from those outside stressors of their day-to-day and reconnect with their inner child,” Lewis said. Increased searches for fitness retreats (up 83%), wellness retreats (up 58%), postpartum retreats (up 475%), and holistic retreats (up 68%) show that people are willing to invest in their health, add experience to their wellness routine, or desire an intentional break from their day-to-day that can improve their minds and bodies.
How to Get In on the Trend
Your health is arguably the most important aspect to invest in, so maybe 2025 is the year you find a budget-friendly retreat near you, or replace your annual spring break or summer adventure with a destination that is designed to support your body and mind. With a wide range of locations, themes, and budgets, wellness retreats are becoming more accessible and varied (from an adult camp by the lake to a yoga retreat in Bali, there are lots of options). Lewis recommended checking out each business’ services, amenities, and reviews to find one that’s right for you.
However, if you don’t have the time or money to invest in a weekend away, the point is to take breaks from your routine to check in with your mind and body–and you can do that from the comfort of your own home. For example, schedule a monthly or bimonthly “wellness staycation” where you spend a day off unplugging from technology, eating nourishing foods, journaling, and doing yoga in your living room or going on a hike.