Viral wellness trends: what works, what's over-rated?

From fibremaxxing and elaborate skincare routines to lymph drainage and red-light therapy, there are a host of wellness trends doing the rounds online. But which are worthwhile and which should we scroll on by?

Breda Graham enjoys a quiet wellness moment in the sunken gardens at The Montenotte Hotel. Pictures: Chani Anderson

Wellness is something I’ve really leaned into in recent years, finding a balance that works for me, and prioritising what brings me joy and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

But the industry can be quite daunting and the trends or habits associated with living well can be overwhelming: Face masks, ice baths, red-light therapy, castor oil packs, Pilates, podcasts, smoothies, supplements, the list goes on.

There are only so many hours in the day and the whole point of wellness is to prioritise what works for you by not jumping on trends because they are popular, but because they make you feel good.

I’ve been trying and testing some viral wellness trends to see what works and what doesn’t, so you don’t have to.

1. Fibremaxxing

Any active users of social media will have heard the term ‘fibremaxxing’, a wellness trend focused on maximising daily fibre intake to improve gut health, digestion, and overall well-being.

Fibremaxxing is a social media-driven trend that encourages people to meet recommended daily fibre intake — typically about 25g to 35g per day for adults, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) — but who needs social media to tell you what your mother has been telling you since you were little?

Ever hear your parents encouraging you to eat the ‘rainbow’ of foods? It really is as simple as that.

Breda makes notes as she reviews a selection of popular wellness treatments and products. 

The fibremaxxing trend emphasises consuming a variety of fibre-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and brown rice, to support digestive health, immunity, and metabolism.

Think of each coloured food supporting a different function in your body, including immunity, hormone health, gut health, your skin, your brain, and your recovery.

Since I prioritised fibre in my diet, cut out processed food (with the exception of the odd chocolate treat), and supported digestion by getting my daily steps in, I’ve noticed a reduction in inflammation, particularly around my face, fewer breakouts on my skin, a feeling of being ‘lighter’ in my body, and increased energy levels. Sometimes, going back to the basics has the most impact.

2. Skincare simplified

In a world full of algorithms that feed you non-stop tips and tricks to help in the battle against ageing, how about we go against the grain and find out what actually works best for our own skin?

Social media has led us to believe that ageing is a curse. Those lines on your forehead? Here’s a topical treatment for that. Want to improve skin elasticity? Niacinimide. Heal your skin barrier? Peptides. Lock in moisture? Hyaluronic acid.

As a woman in her early 30s whose skin has changed, I’ve done the almost-€200 skincare shop in the hopes these new potions would miraculously make the lines that appeared on my face about two years ago disappear. 

I completely understand the panic associated with attempting to prevent early signs of ageing, but, at the end of the day, we are all going to age and maybe throwing an extortionate amount of money at ‘fixing’ an inevitable outcome is counter-intuitive.

Breda tries a Kerry Hanaphy skin roller.

There are days where I have my face shoved to the mirror, tweezers in hand, obsessing over the hairs on my chin or the new line that’s appeared on my neck, worried others will see it too. Let me tell you this: Nobody is going to be anywhere as close to your face as that mirror.

And I’ve learned that a simple routine is what really works. Last year, my colleague and I attended a press event with Eucerin in Cork City. I remember feeling self-conscious about my face while getting ready for the event, but, an hour later, I was sitting in a room of like-minded women who made me feel like I wasn’t alone. 

The next day, I bought three products from the Eucerin Dermopure range, which I have been using religiously since: Clinical Correcting Cleanser; Clinical Toner; and Clinical Triple Action. 

I pair these three products with La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50 and CeraVe’s Facial Moisturising Lotion. Those lines on my face haven’t disappeared, but they have improved. Hormonal acne along my jawline? Completely gone. Rosacea? Under control.

3. Lymphatic drainage

As someone who spent her 20s very inflamed, particularly around my face, I’ve spent the first couple of years of my 30s finally learning why: Stress, bad diet, not being consistent with movement.

Breda uses an ice eye roller to de-puff in the mornings.

Again, a diet full of fibrous foods was my first step, but I’ve since delved in to other supportive trends, including at-home ‘ice facials’ by using an ice roller to de-puff in the mornings, a gua sha tool to improve circulation and relieve muscle tension, and, most recently, a vibration plate that is said to improve bone health, muscle recovery, and joint health.

Using the Cosy Girls’ Club ice wand is something I now look forward to as part of my morning routine. It’s soothing on the skin and helps to wake me up and make my skin, particularly the area under my eyes, look more radiant. 

I also use a gua sha stone and facial roller as part of my evening routine, which helps with lymphatic drainage and makes me feel as though I’m getting rid of the tension held in my face before hopping into bed.

I’ve most recently been trying the Phoenix Fitness vibration plate from Mr Price to see if it is worth the hype. My verdict? I’ve noticed an improvement with muscle stiffness and joint pain. I go to the gym regularly, which means I often have tight muscles, and the vibration plate seems to be helping with my recovery. Almost like a massage for the whole body, it has also stimulated my digestion.

While there is research showing vibration plates can help with bone health, specifically bone density, research on its impact on improving lymphatic drainage is ongoing, but, overall, an improved diet, regular movement, and my ice roller, gua sha, and vibration plate routines have helped to improve lymph flow and circulation, and to reduce swelling.

4. Supplements that support overall wellbeing

Supplements, like skincare, can be overwhelming. If you’ve never taken any supplements before, the first step I’d take is to book a blood test through your GP, who will then be able to discuss what you might be lacking.

When it comes to supplements, there are varied opinions on social media especially, but what I will say is this: Supplements should not be a substitute for a healthy diet. Whole foods provide a complex mix of nutrients that work synergistically, including vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, which supplements cannot fully replicate.

Breda Graham enjoys a quiet wellness moment in the sunken gardens at The Montenotte Hotel as part of a feature on popular wellbeing trends. Picture: Chani Anderson

I use supplements as a boost: For those gym days where I need an extra kick and the sluggish days where I might need a boost in energy levels.

I’ve used ReviveActive for a long time now, and found it gives me a boost when I need it. It definitely got me through long days of exploring Rome recently, in 36C. That’s not for the faint-hearted.

Designed to enhance energy, immune function, and mental clarity, ReviveActive Zest is caffeine-free, and contains B vitamins, vitamin C, and magnesium.

5. Supporting collagen production

Collagen has gained a lot of attention recently as a protein that supports skin elasticity, joint health, and overall wellbeing. At-home remedies, such as red-light therapy and collagen supplements, have become popular trends online, and for good reason, in my opinion.

I’ve recently started using the Current Body Series 2 LED mask, and while I haven’t been using it for very long, it has become an important step in my evening routine.

Red-light therapy has been shown to work by stimulating collagen production, which plays a crucial role in enhancing skin elasticity and overall texture. Studies also show red-light therapy can reduce wrinkle volume by up to 30%.

Using the mask is so simple, just make sure it’s charged: Exfoliate and cleanse, and pop it on while you read some pages of your book. This, combined with the marine collagen sachets from Supplements Made Simple that I’ve been using recently, have given my skin such a glow. I’ve even been accused recently of having botox done on my forehead area!

While I’ve become more comfortable with accepting the ageing process, those sorts of compliments go a long way for someone who has struggled for so long with accepting their skin, and I’m a big believer in investing in or prioritising what will help to boost your confidence. Of course, confidence radiates when you start to feel comfortable in your own skin.

6. Improving sleep

I recently tried six sleep hacks to improve my shut-eye and I have been implementing what worked in my nighttime routine ever since.

Breda tries out the Vowmoon foam neck pillow

Using lavender products has given me the same calming, soothing feeling I get after a spa day. The silk products from Still Suain allow me to melt into a soft, cocooned feeling and help me to fall asleep much faster. 

Journaling helps me to get all of my thoughts from the day onto paper, and using Better Days’ Begin Little Moments set encourages me to embrace fresh starts and welcome what’s ahead.

A new addition to my nighttime routine is a product that popped up on my TikTok — my first TikTok shop purchase. And when your first purchase from the social media platform is a pillow to improve posture while sleeping, you know you’ve hit your 30s. 

Breda Graham examines a Suain silk eye mask.

The Vowmoon foam neck pillow has ergonomic neck control and cooling memory foam, which has allowed me to get a comfortable night’s sleep without the midnight twisting and turning and neck cricks the following morning.