From cold plunges and saunas to pilates and green juice, 2025’s hottest (and coldest) wellness trends are quickly changing people’s lives.
In recent decades, health and wellness evolved to become a high priority. The rising priority for routine workouts, clean eating and other wellness habits have transformed the industry and our generation. Physical and mental practices are showcased on social media platforms and seen as trends across society.
One of the biggest wellness trends this year is the sauna. Traditionally, saunas are wooden rooms that can be heated using a stove or heater, often using hot rocks, to about anywhere from 150 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Pouring water on the hot rocks can add humidity to the air. Users sit or lay on wooden benches in the heated room, promoting detoxification and stress relief through deep sweat. The sauna experience can be detoxifying and provide many mental benefits.
According to the article “Get Your Sweat On: The Benefits of a Sauna” published in 2024 by the Cleveland Clinic, Amy Zack, MD, of South Pointe Hospital, says, “‘There’s evidence around saunas being effective for those who have high stress work or personal situations.The sauna experience does seem to show improvement in anxiety.’”
According to SIU School of Medicine, other benefits of traditional sauna use includes a reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, improvement in pain and may even help, “alleviate common respiratory ailments like asthma.”
While similar to traditional saunas, infrared saunas do differ slightly. Infrared saunas target heating the user’s body directly, as opposed to a traditional sauna that heats the air around them.
Infrared saunas use infrared heaters to emit light in the infrared spectrum that heat your skin and inner core temperature directly. Operating at temperatures between 110 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, infrared saunas run a bit cooler but still have many of the same benefits that traditional saunas have. Infrared saunas offer a gentler but deeper sweat for participants. According to an article by Web MD, “Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas” by Jabeeen Begum, infrared saunas can aid with weight loss, detoxification, cardiovascular health, lung health, pain management, relaxation and more.
The rise of heated wellness is complemented and combined with everyday workouts. Heated yoga, pilates and spin classes are currently all the rage. Boutique studios across the world provide luxurious fusion workout classes. These classes are physically and mentally challenging, pushing participants’ boundaries beyond imagination.
According to The New York Times article, “Is a Heated Workout More Effective?” published in 2025 by Emma Yasinski, heat may improve flexibility, warm muscles directly, increase heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Some heated fusion workout studios near the school include Salt Vault Pilates, Corepower Yoga, Haute Barre and Bodyrok.
The saunas counterpoint, the cold plunge has taken the fitness and wellness world by storm. The cold plunge requires physical and mental stamina during the invigorating yet uncomfortable challenge.
According to Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, “cold plunges may bring some relief to your sore muscles, improve circulation and even help with sleep.”
The icy dip can transform one’s body and strengthen the mind for a healthier lifestyle.
While the physical and mental rituals above are important, they cannot be complete without the key to a true healthy lifestyle, clean eating. As clean, healthy eating trends take over the internet, many believe that clean eating means strict dieting, zero food freedom and by-the-book habits, but this is not the case. The healthy eating trend is beneficial to society, promoting healthier lifestyles, but it can often get stuck in the mix with dangerous diet cultures. People prioritizing wellness should understand that healthy eating looks different for everyone. Following a balanced diet tailored specifically to each individual is the healthiest option.
According to the article “Benefits of Healthy Eating by Adults” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in 2024, healthy eating may help you live longer, keep skin, teeth and eyes healthy, support muscles, boost immunity, strengthen bones, lower the risk of heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes and some cancers, support healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding, help the digestive system function and help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
