Why analog wellness is the wellness trend to watch in 2025

Imagine a weekend getaway where phones are powered down, screens stay dark, and the only notifications are the sounds of birdsong, the rustle of pages turning, or shared laughter over a meal. Feels like something out of The White Lotus's latest season, doesn't it? But the desire to disconnect isn't new. In a world where digital devices have become near-permanent extensions of the body, movements like digital detox retreats or the resurgence of journaling and slow living have long hinted at our craving for presence, intention, and sensory living. And it's this feeling that’s fuelling one of the most significant wellness movements of the decade—Analog wellness.

What is analog wellness?

In an era dominated by digital interfaces and constant connectivity, analog wellness is a counter-movement that is gaining momentum. The trend emphasises a deliberate return to offline, sensory-rich experiences that foster genuine human connection and mindfulness. Unlike temporary digital detoxes, analog wellness represents a sustained lifestyle shift towards engaging in activities that are tactile, communal, and rooted in the physical world.

The Global Wellness Summit's 2025 Trends Report identifies analog wellness as the leading trend, highlighting a collective desire to "log off" and embrace pre-digital experiences as a form of self-care and community building.

Who is embracing analog wellness?

Across the globe, various communities and organisations are adopting analog wellness practices. In Calgary, the Offline Wellness Club organises weekly run gatherings, pop-up events, and skill-based workshops, encouraging participants to engage in physical activities without digital distractions. In London, Digital Wellness & Mindful Events hosts phone-free socials, guided mindfulness sessions in nature, and community discussions aimed at fostering intentional relationships with technology. Meanwhile, in Amsterdam, The Offline Club offers "digital detox hangouts" where attendees surrender their phones to engage in meaningful, screen-free interactions, promoting mental clarity and creativity.

These collectives are not just creating alternatives to online engagement—they are cultivating new cultural norms where presence, attention, and real-life connection are prioritised.

How is it changing wellness?

Analog wellness is redefining the concept of well-being by shifting the focus from digital convenience to community engagement. This transformation is evident in several areas. Wellness retreats are now incorporating analog practices such as meditation, yoga, art therapy, and silent reflection, encouraging guests to immerse themselves fully in the present moment. At a more personal level, individuals are embracing practices such as setting no-phone zones at home, engaging in tactile hobbies, and returning to traditional tools like books, journals, and analog clocks in an effort to recalibrate their relationship with technology.

This paradigm shift underscores a broader societal recognition of the importance of slowing down, being present, and fostering genuine human connections in an increasingly digital world. This expansion is not merely experiential—it’s emotional. In the digital age, logging off has become aspirational. Offline moments generate organic digital ripple effects. Branded experiences are being designed to be shared—not through staged content, but through authentic word of mouth and post-event connection.

In embracing analog wellness, individuals and communities are not merely disconnecting from technology; they are reconnecting with themselves and each other, finding value in the tangible, the communal, and the present.

 

All images: Pexels

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