2026 wellbeing trends: recovery, JOMO and the rise of brain boosters

Wellbeing in 2026 is shifting from hard training and constant tracking to a focus on recovery, mindfulness and cognitive support, industry experts say. Jak Phillips of Les Mills says the era of "no pain no gain" is fading as smartwatches and other tech tell users when to rest, warn of overtraining and identify peak fitness days, allowing rest days to be reframed as part of staying fit.

Alongside recovery, a counter-movement to FOMO is gaining ground: JOMO, the "Joy Of Missing Out," encourages people to prioritise what suits them rather than seeking external validation for every aspect of life, including workouts and socialising. Supplements and cognitive enhancers are also rising in popularity.

Rachel Chatterton of Holland & Barrett says nootropics such as lion's mane, ashwagandha and L-theanine are increasingly in demand, with projections suggesting the category could be worth around $11bn by 2030. Many people are combining supplements throughout the day and using brain-training apps to boost memory and processing speed.

But some clinicians urge caution. Lifestyle GP Dr Alex Maxwell recommends proven measures—more sleep, regular exercise and good cardiovascular and metabolic health—over unproven supplements, saying nootropics have limited evidence for healthy populations. Interest is also growing in the body's stress systems, notably the vagus nerve.

Key Topics

AI, United States, Health, Wellbeing, Recovery, Nootropics, Vagus Nerve