'After injuries, I’ve had to look beyond the obvious. Bands, mobility drills, and recovery tools keep me fit to play.' - Ollie Pope
From red light therapy to weighted blankets, wellness hacks dominate headlines and Instagram feeds.
But which trends actually help recovery - and which are hype?
Let's hear from our athletes, who have shared their own experiences around wellness.
BEN STOKES
"I’ve done ice baths for years - they’re brutal but effective after a long day in the field.
"But I don’t chase every trend. You need to know what actually works for your body."
OLLIE POPE
"After injuries, I’ve had to look beyond the obvious.
"Bands, mobility drills, and recovery tools keep me fit to play. Some trends stick, some don’t, but it’s about consistency."
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
"Red light therapy shows promise for muscle recovery, but evidence is still developing," says physiologist Dr. Emily Carter.
"Weighted blankets improve sleep for some by reducing anxiety. But there’s no one-size-fits-all - what matters is whether it helps YOU rest and recover."
TESTING THE TRENDS
1. Red light therapy: Emerging evidence for muscle recovery and skin health
2. Weighted blankets: Reduce anxiety, and may improve sleep quality
3. Sleep trackers: They can be motivational, but also create 'sleep anxiety'
4. Percussive guns: These are useful for muscle tension, less so for deep recovery
SCIENCE VS HYPE
Wellness hacks aren’t shortcuts - they’re tools. Some will be game-changers, others passing fads. The key is to test, track, and find what works for you.
.png)
