The terms ‘mindful moving’, ‘mindful exercise’ and ‘mindful running’ have all seen a surge on Google this year – and it’s a trend Dr Rogers predicts will grow as we move into 2022.

“Research shows that combining mindfulness with exercise has lots of benefits, including lowering your risk of depression, and giving your endurance a boost,” she says of the trend. “Regular exercise can also boost your mood, relieve stress and reduce anxiety. This is because of ‘feel good’ chemicals such as serotonin that are released into the body whilst exercising.”

She continues: “A great example of combining mindfulness and exercise is through mindful running, where you’re mentally connected with your movements and avoid any distractions. Try to notice the feeling of your body moving and the different smells and noises around you.”

Tracking stress levels

The combination of the pandemic and working from home has taken its toll on our stress levels, leaving many people feeling burnt out. To counteract this, Dr Rogers predicts, more of us will be keeping an eye on our stress in the new year.

There are plenty of ways to get started, she says. “Some fitness and stress trackers worn on your wrist are now able to track your cortisol levels, but there are other options Try taking note of any physical or mental stress symptoms, including pain or tension in your body, digestive problems such as nausea or constipation, and an increased heart rate. Emotional signs to look for include irritability, anger, feeling overwhelmed and racing thoughts.”

7 health and wellness trends you’ll be seeing everywhere in 2022, including mindful exercise and mood diaries