In 2022, social media inspired many of the ways we tried to get and stay healthy - but not always for the better. Talk about weight-loss drugs spread like wildfire online, as did our collective agreement to stop going the extra mile tried to keep things positive. The new year is the perfect time to re-evaluate these habits, experts say. Here are five wellness trends you’d be better off ditching in 2023—plus healthier alternatives.
BY ANGELA HAUPT
1. Weight-loss shots
Ozempic and Wegovy, two injections that are used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, are hot commodities—even among people without those conditions. “There are people on Reddit and Tik-Tok and other platforms hearing about it,” says Dr. Andrew Kraftson, a clinical associate professor in metabolism, endocrinology, and diabetes at Michigan Medicine. But “they’re not meant to be used willy-nilly.” These drugs turn down appetite, leading ton weight loss, but people who stop using them typically gain it back. Side effects can include pancreatitis, changes in vision, low blood sugar, and kidney and gallbladder problems. A better long-term plan is tob emphasize fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains, says Dr. Stephen Kopecky, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic. “It needs to be sustainable,” he says.
2. Quiet quitting
Doing the bare minimum at work, rather than going above and beyond, is a risky 2022 trend, says Susan Albers, a clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic. While setting work-life boundaries is a good idea, quiet quitting “normalizes staying stuck in a job that doesn’t feel satisfying or suit you.” That elevates the likelihood of burnout, stress, and anxiety. Instead, think about what kind of job might be more energizing: “Really take the time to look into yourself and your skills, your talents, your passion, and think about whether there’s a better match.”
3. Diagnosing yourself on TikTok
TikTok users are bombarded with mental-health content, leadingh many to diagnose themselves with whatever condition resonates the most. “We see a lot of misinformation being spread,” says Kate Kowalczik, a therapist who practices in New York and California. “Combine that with difficulty accessing mental-health care in the U.S., and it’s a recipe forh self-diagnosis.” Kowalczik challenges TikTokers to double- check mental-health information with a cred-h ible source, and discuss their symptoms with a doctor or other mental-health provider who can put them intoh context and help figure out a
