There was once a time when self care was something you earned—after burnout, after breaking down, after pushing yourself to some limit when you really had to stop and take care of yourself. But as we look at 2026, the conversation feels different. More intentional, maybe. And less about fixing ourselves and more about supporting ourselves.
The self care trends we want to see in 2026 aren’t flashy or extreme. They’re rooted in sustainability, science, and self-trust. They’re about listening to our bodies instead of overriding them, and finally giving women’s health the attention that it deserves.
Here’s what we’re hoping becomes the new normal.
Sleep Hygiene That’s Non-Negotiable
In 2026, sleep is no longer a luxury; it’s foundational. This year, we want sleep hygiene to be treated as essential healthcare; not as a wellness afterthought. What this looks like: turning off screens (phones, computers, tablets, T.V.s) at least one hour before bedtime to start winding down. Screens produce blue light, which blocks melatonin production.1 It also means making sure you’re doing something relaxing every night before bed— this routine could be meditation, journaling, reading, taking a bath. Whatever relaxes you. Plus, your bedroom should be dark, quiet, and cool.2
It also means acknowledging that hormonal shifts—from PMS to perimenopause—impact sleep quality in real ways. Supporting sleep might look like magnesium at night, herbal teas, or O Positiv supplements designed with women’s cycles in mind.
Grounding Techniques
The practice of “grounding” used to sound a little unusual, but in 2026, it’s a science-backed technique to regulate your nervous system.3
Think morning sunlight and walks outside, feet on the ground and in the grass, lying on a yoga mat on the floor, or a five minute breathing reset between meetings. These small practices help regulate stress hormones and can bring us back into our bodies.3
A Whole Food Diet that’s About Nourishment – Not Rules
In 2026, we’re ready to move on from rigid food trends. Instead, we hope the future of nutrition is simple: whole foods, minimally processed, and deeply nourishing. We hope for women to follow their intuition when eating; not some diet blog.
This might mean cooking more at home, choosing seasonal produce, and enjoying meals without guilt. It also means balance— yes we want those leafy greens and lots of protein; but also joy. And maybe this means replacing the nightly wine for a well-crafted mocktail during the week— still ritualistic, enjoyable, but healthier for hormones and sleep.4
Body Acceptance as a Health Practice
Body acceptance isn’t about pretending we love every part of ourselves every day. It’s about respecting our bodies enough to care for them without punishment.
In 2026, we hope wellness culture finally releases the pressure to constantly “improve.” Health isn’t about how you look; it’s about how you feel and move through the world. This shift can allow selfcare to come from compassion, rather than fear or control.
More Research on Women’s Hormones and Menopause
Women spend nearly half their lives in perimenopause and menopause, yet research on the subject remains woefully lacking.5
Our hope for 2026 is more funding, studies, and accessible education on women’s hormones, at every stage of life. Understanding how estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and other hormones impact everything from mood to metabolism is not niche; it’s necessary.
More Research on Women’s Health. Period.
Before 1993, women were rarely included in clinical trials at all, which means much of our understanding about health and medicine is still based on male bodies alone.6 It’s also one reason that language around the female anatomy is still taboo or treated like a slur.
In 2026, we want not only more research that includes females, but also less stigma about our bodies. We want open, normalized conversations about periods, discharge, dryness, and infections—without embarrassment or shame.
Mental Health Support that Meets Women Where They Are
We want mental health support in 2026 to be accessible, affordable, and hormone-aware. Anxiety, depression, burnout, and other mental health issues often present differently in women, depending on where they are hormonally – and this needs to be acknowledged by practitioners.
Support might look like therapy, community, medication, or lifestyle shifts—but most importantly, it looks like removing stigma. Asking for help should feel as normal as booking a doctor’s appointment.
Sustainable Wellness Over Extreme Changes
We want to see a move away from all-or-nothing, “This is the answer” wellness culture. Trends like the 75 Hard Challenge are a great example of what we don’t want to see in 2026. This trend was all about discipline; but after the year many of us had in 2025, we’re hoping 2026 is a little more about grace. Intro the year of the 75 Soft Challenge.7
Sustainable change comes from consistency, not intensity. It’s choosing habits you can return to, even on hard days. A wellness routine should support your life; not dominate it.
As we look forward into 2026, the biggest trend we want to see is trust. Trusting ourselves, our bodies, and trusting women in general with information, research, support, and choices. This year, wellness doesn’t need to be louder; it needs to be kinder, smarter, more balanced, and designed for real life.
