By Manal Qureshi
A quick scroll through TikTok and one thing becomes clear: self care is no longer just about some good old R&R but about curated, aesthetic and often expensive routines. Young adults are being sold wellness habits that seem to promise amazing sleep, clearer skin and better bodies. As these trends rack up millions of views, the question remains: Are they actually helping or just feeding into consumption culture?
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular self care trends online and whether they’re worth the hype.
Hot girl walks
Hot girl walks are daily walks aiming for 10,000 steps. These walks are done while listening to music, positive affirmations or podcasts. Hot girl walks gained traction because they’re easy to romanticize. The number 10,000 is a neat, clear and attainable goal for most people. It encourages fitness without strict rules and it’s seen as a way to lose weight without thinking too hard. Is it worth it? Yes. While 10,000 isn’t a magic number, it’s a good baseline. Walking is good for you. It’s a form of cardio and the benefits come from consistency. Walking can boost mood, energy and focus.
Red light therapy
Red light therapy is said to improve skin, reduce inflammation, boost collagen and even help with mental health. It got popular from beauty studios, fitness facilities and influencer self care routines. Is it worth it though? Not really. Clinical red light therapy can have proven benefits but at home devices vary widely in quality. Many red light masks and panels are expensive and ineffective, overpromising results. Without proper settings or consistency, it’s more likely to waste your time and empty your wallet before it transforms your skin or mental health.
Vibration plates
Vibration plates are plates that vibrate on different levels while you stand, squat or sit on them. They are usually part of a two-in-one walking pad (10,000 steps) and vibration plate combination machine. Vibration plates got popular due to their promise of improving circulation, promoting lymphatic drainage, and toning muscle also known as “lazy girl workouts.” But are they worth it? Yes, definitely. But not for the reasons you think. Vibration plates are shown to aid in muscle activation for people who are sedentary, improve bone density for postmenopausal women and help those with some mental health issues for regulating the nervous system. They will not help in weight loss or toning muscle. For the average person, no. For a specific audience, yes.
Becoming “Chinese”
Chinese-American TikTok Influencers are urging people to “become Chinese” by following Chinese wellness traditions like drinking hot water first thing in the morning, keeping your feet warm, eating boiled apples and drinking soup daily. It’s promoting general well being, weight loss, clear skin, alongside other benefits. Is becoming Chinese worth it? Yes, absolutely. The habits are harmless, drinking water is good for you, so is consuming liquids and staying warm. The trend started off by Chinese creators promoting self care rituals engraved in Chinese culture so no harm done.
Sleepy girl mocktails
A sleepy girl mocktail is a drink made before bed with tart cherry juice, magnesium powder and sparkling water to have as a natural sleep aid. Sleepy girl mocktails gained attention as they fit into TikTok’s craze for supplements and oral aids and a promise of better sleep. Are they worth it? Not really. Just take a melatonin. While tart cherry juice has melatonin and magnesium can help with sleep, the cocktail isn’t a fix for poor sleep habits. It’s more so a reason to go buy ingredients you don’t need.
The bottom line
While not every self care trend on TikTok is a scam, many blur the line between wellness and clever marketing. The most effective habits are usually the ones that are the least flashy and don’t seem too good to be true (looking at you, vibration plate) like walking or staying hydrated. When self care starts feeling a little performative it’s best to take a step back and realize real self care may be doing less and doing whatever you do consistently.
Leave a Reply