The new year comes with resolutions, resolve and a wave of new wellness trends. While it is hard to land on one definition, the concept of wellness involves the pursuit of better physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.  

Interested in exploring some new healthy habits in 2022? Here are some wellness trends that have recently made their way to the Triangle.  

Float Spas 

Using a “float tank” filled with a high concentration of Epsom salts and water, floatation therapy creates a buoyancy that makes the customer feel as if they are floating on air. This zero-gravity environment is meant to eliminate the negative effects of gravity on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, giving the body a chance to relax and recover. Float spas are all the rage, with new locations popping up all over the Triangle. For those who aren’t afraid of a little sensory deprivation, there are plenty to choose from— True Rest Float Spa in Cary, The Float Spa in Holly Springs and Salty Waters Float Spa in Durham.  

Sound Therapy 

Also known as psychoacoustics, sound therapy is one of the biggest wellness trends of 2022. A form of sensory therapy, this practice covers everything from music to sound baths — a meditative experience where participants are “bathed” in sounds produced by gongs, singing bowls, chimes, etc. The use of sound and vibrational frequencies to relieve both physical and psychological pain has been used by different cultures for centuries, but now that the practice is going mainstream, prepare to hear more about it. Acutonics — the application of specially calibrated tuning forks to specific acupuncture points throughout the body — is now being offered by Emergence Bioenergetics & Bodywork in downtown Cary.  

IV Hydration 

Intravenous (IV) hydration therapy, a treatment that delivers tailor-made fluids directly into the bloodstream for immediate absorption, is officially trending. IV therapy bypasses the digestive system by delivering vitamins and minerals directly into the body via a small needle placed into a patient’s vein. “IV bars” have been gaining steam everywhere and the Triangle is no exception. After opening clinics in Raleigh, Charlotte and Fort Mill, South Carolina, Hydrate Medical has opened their newest location in Cary.   

Virtual Fitness 

Online training sessions, whether it’s for spin class, yoga, or weight-training, are now offered at gyms everywhere. Virtual races have been a great way for runners to stay on track, allowing participants to run at any location, alone or with friends, outdoors or on a treadmill. Virtual challenges and training programs are popping up all over the area — just last year, Fleet Feet Raleigh-Morrisville offered “Fleet Feet Academy,” a 10-week virtual training program designed to get you off the couch and out the door.