Biohacking is a ‘do-it-yourself’ approach to biology. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. Biohacking can include making additional changes to the body, diet, and lifestyle to improve specific aspects of health and wellbeing. With each person having different physical health needs, lifestyle patterns and diets, hyper-personalised health is a growing wellbeing trend in the UK.
Health tracking
A survey by Palladium Digital found that 62.3% of people believe that responsibility for overall good health lies with individuals, and the health tracking trend backs this up. Over 67% of people in the UK self-monitor at least one element of their health in search of this optimal state of wellbeing. A YouGov survey found the most tracked aspects of health in the UK:
Although this trend is gaining traction, it is at risk of becoming an anxiety-inducing habit. There is hesitancy towards the use of health tracking apps as users of symptom-checker apps are more likely to be further unsettled by feelings of uncertainty and unlikely (but serious) diagnosis suggestions.
Vitamins, minerals and supplements
Close tracking of health helps people see the ‘missing’ nutritional values in their diets and lifestyles, leading them to try additional dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS). The VMS market has grown at an average of 13.3% annually since 2018 in the UK.
People are seeking biohacking benefits from VMS through the use of nootropics, such as lion’s mane, shilajit and ginkgo biloba. They are promoted as natural, non-prescription supplements to boost focus, memory and mental clarity. The global brain health supplements market was valued at $8.63 billion in 2022. With 45% of UK employees saying their mental health has affected their productivity in the past year, more people are being proactive in the movement to increase their efficiency levels.
Vitamins may be seen as an ‘easy fix’ that doesn’t require a prescription or health appointment, but over-consumption can cause health issues too. For example, people may take additional Vitamin D supplements. While this is advised in winter months, adults who exceed the safe limit of vitamin D can experience symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea. New dietary supplements should be discussed with a health professional to ensure they’re suitable, taken in safe quantities and monitor their effect and prevent drug interactions.
Chronotypes: Tuning in with our natural energy
One trend that’s booming in 2025 is chronotypes. They are based on our natural preferences for sleep, energy and productivity. They are utilised as a ‘natural hack’ to find the best times of day for performance and structure to reach a heightened level of output and improved energy throughout the day. Chronotypes are often described in terms of four animals: lions, dolphins, bears and wolves.
- Lion: Typically know as ‘morning people’. They are early risers with productivity peaks before noon. Due to being early risers, they may struggle to maintain evening social schedules.
- Dolphin: Many dolphins have sleeping issues influenced by irregular bedtimes and wake-up times. They are light sleepers that are sensitive to light and noise while they sleep. They are generally the most productive from 10am – 2pm but have bursts of energy throughout the day.
- Bear: Their energy levels follow the sun. They typically change their patterns with the seasons, rising with sunrise and retiring in the darkness. Their peak productivity hours are between 10am – 2pm.
- Wolf: Typically known as ‘night owls’. They generally sleep later and wake up later due to a burst of energy in the evenings. Productivity peaks between 10am – 5pm.
Chronotypes are just one way that people are being proactive about their energy. In 2025, we’re likely to see employees taking their health into their own hands in new ways that help them manage their experience at work.
More workplace trends for 2025
Our Wellbeing Trends 2025 report includes information on hyper-personalisation as one of the four key themes for workplace wellbeing as we enter 2025.
The report examines search trends, NHS data, consumer behaviour and Westfield Health’s wellbeing research to help businesses get a head start on the issues affecting their people now and in the new year.