First came a resurgence in the popularity of vinyl. Then, the news that social media usage likely peaked in 2022.
As we head into the new year, analogue technology and digital detoxes look likely to continue trending alongside the ongoing rise of AI. But managing the balance between digital assistance and tech overload isn’t easy.
Keep reading for a look at some of the exercise and wellbeing trends we’re likely to see this year, and how you can adopt them while remaining planted in the real (rather than the digital) world.
Wellbeing and wellness trends for 2026 look set to fall either side of the digital divide
“Ping minimalism”
One sure-fire trend for 2026, known as “ping minimalism”, could see us all adopt a kind of digital detox.
From WhatsApp and text messages to news headlines and emails, notifications can arrive with alarming regularity. During your working day, the “ping” of emails can be a constant distraction from the task at hand, while at home, the draw of social media and the family WhatsApp group can become addictive and disrupt your carefully laid plans.
The solution could be to turn off notifications.
Simply identify the apps that are your biggest distraction culprits and amend their settings. Set an hour aside each day to check in with these apps so that you don’t miss anything important – and you might find that you haven’t really missed anything at all.
Another solution is to dumb down (or de-smart) your smartphone. There are free and paid-for apps that will clear your home screen, reducing tempting app icons to minimalist text-based lists. Others place time barriers on distracting apps to help you break compulsive habits.
Consider Olauncher, Minimalist Phone, and one sec, and then decide how to spend all the extra free time you’ll have.
AI-assisted workouts and diagnostics
Even as you dumb down your phone and monitor your doomscrolling, you’ll also be aware of the continuing rise of AI in all aspects of our daily lives.
From simple apps that count your steps (StepsApp) to sleep cycle apps (Sleep Cycle, ShutEye) and fitness and social network apps like Strava, you might already be monitoring your health and wellbeing through technology.
In 2026, this sector is expected to grow further.
AI will allow people to make real-time changes to their workouts based on key health metrics. For example, smart watches and other wearable devices can monitor indicators such as muscle strain and energy levels, allowing workout intensity to be increased or reduced accordingly. One-size-fits-all exercise programmes will become a thing of the past.
Scans and at-home tests are likely to come down in price too, while remaining costly. And AI will use the data collected to suggest healthy lifestyle adjustments aligned with your results and risk factors.
A better balancing of digital and analogue could be your biggest challenge in 2026
When it comes to wellness and wellbeing, there will always be a battle between the analogue joy of time spent in nature and the draw of your mobile phone, work laptop, or the latest technological advances.
2026 is likely to see the rise of phone-free wellness retreats and more mindful social media use.
There are ways to slowly lower your phone usage, starting with phone-free rooms in the house, such as the bedroom, and setting specific times during the day to check notifications before smartphones are put away.
Back in March last year, we wrote about forest bathing, the popular nature therapy known as “shinrin yoku” in its native Japanese. It’s about switching off, taking deep breaths, and allowing the sounds, sights, and smells of the forest to envelop you. You might bring this sense of calm to other areas of your life in 2026.
The next 12 months will bring further advancements in AI and associated technologies. And these advances will increase the need for balance and ownership over our own physical and mental states. But, at its best, tech has the power to make our lives easier, freeing us all up to do more of the things we love.
Get in touch
If you’re looking for an independent financial adviser in Milton Keynes or Olney, look no further. At Jane Smith Financial Planning, we’ve been helping clients for 30 years, so contact us at info@janesmithfinancial.com or call 01234 713131 to see what we can do for you.
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