Wellness trends: keep calm and… let autumn do the rest
As the leaves turn and the pace of life slows, autumn offers the perfect moment to pause, breathe, and recalibrate.
In 2025, a new wellness trend is quietly reshaping how we approach self-care and travel: Calmcation — a gentle process of calming the mind, body, and environment to find balance in a chaotic world. According to Google Trends, searches for the term doubled at the start of September 2025, reflecting a growing appetite for escapes that prioritise stillness, simplicity and reconnection.
Andy Brooker, travel expert at kate & tom’s, calls it a cultural detox. “We’re seeing a real shift,” he explains. “Where holidays once meant jam-packed itineraries and exhaustion, now travellers want spaces that restore them — where wellness and luxury come together naturally.”
So what does a calmcation actually look like? For one, it’s about embracing nature in a deeply restorative way. Take the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing — essentially soaking in the atmosphere of the woods to boost wellbeing. This autumn, as leaves turn amber and gold, forest walks offer more than just fresh air. Searches for ‘forest bathing’ in the UK surged by 100% in early September, mirroring a collective yearning for the quiet joy of wrapping up warm and wandering beneath the canopy. Imagine finishing that walk with a soak in a hot tub nestled deep in ancient woodland, or a few relaxing laps in a heated pool, blending luxury and wellness effortlessly.
Then there’s the deliberate absence of screens. A calmcation means ditching digital distractions to reconnect with family and friends. Think tech-free holiday homes with games rooms where laughter over pool tables or retro arcade machines replaces the glow of tablets. Andy points out, “There’s nothing quite like swapping iPads for pool cues to spark real connection.” It’s a throwback to simpler pleasures, creating space for togetherness away from the constant ping of notifications.
Beyond the activities, the spaces themselves embody calm. Clean, minimalist interiors inspired by Scandinavian design — natural textures, light-filled rooms, uncluttered views of coastline or woodland — encourage mental clarity and ease. In a cluttered world, these environments offer a detox for the mind as much as the body. Imagine waking to a Cornish sea breeze through large windows or gathering around a fire pit under an autumnal sky, sharing stories and creating memories that last long after the holiday ends.
Ultimately, the calmcation represents a broader cultural shift — a move from more to less, from overstimulation to mindful simplicity. The Danish concept of Hygge, with its focus on cosy comfort and human connection, is a fitting touchstone. It’s about finding richness in stillness, and luxury in the small moments.
So this autumn, perhaps the best luxury is to keep calm, slow down, and let the season do the rest.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
