Whoop Reveals Global Wellness Trends of the Year
Recovery, stress management and sleep quality were top of mind for Whoop wearers in 2023. Those habits seem likely to persist into next year
Whoop has released its highly anticipated “Year in Review,” reflecting on its community’s achievements this past year and offering a data-driven look into the top health and fitness trends of 2023. With insights on sleep, strain, recovery, and stress, Whoop provided innovative technologies that empowered its members to unlock new insights.
Athletech News breaks down some of the key findings from Whoop’s 2023 Year in Review:
Recovery Takes Many Forms
There were interesting highlights among Whoop users with alcohol consumption in 2023. There was a notable decrease in alcohol consumption among Whoop members but when they indulged, users consumed more, with an average of three drinks per sitting. Ice baths and red light therapy also emerged as recovery superstars, gaining popularity for their ability to alleviate muscle soreness and increase melatonin production, respectively.
Whoop’s data showcased that even minor behavioral changes had substantial impacts on overall well-being. Strong sleep performance, caffeine consumption, and consistent wake times were identified as beneficial recovery practices, while alcohol intake, fever, and excessive strain were observed to hinder recovery.
A surprising revelation linked sexual activity to recovery, with endorphin and oxytocin release contributing to stress reduction and improved recovery scores. The report even highlighted the countries and U.S. states where Whoop members engaged in the most sexual activity. The U.S., Australia, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands were the countries with the most sexual activity. Within the U.S., the states with the most sexual activity were Utah, Oklahoma, Alabama, Idaho and Nevada.
Stress Management Is Top of Mind
Stress management also took a front seat in 2023, with Whoop members leveraging modalities like breathwork and meditation to counter the negative impact of stress on recovery. By monitoring key indicators such as resting heart rate (RHR) and heart rate variability (HRV), Whoop helps individuals understand and manage stress more effectively.
Sleep Quality Over Quantity
Whoop members didn’t necessarily sleep more in 2023, but they discovered ways to improve sleep quality. Over half of the members sought individualized recommendations from AI tool Whoop Coach to enhance their sleep quality. Exposure to morning sunlight and practicing daylight eating (consuming all meals during daylight hours) were linked to higher sleep consistency and improved sleep duration. When members got morning sunlight, their sleep consistency was higher and they averaged an additional 14 minutes of sleep per week. Whoop released fascinating data about bedtimes and wakeup times by country: the earliest bedtime was 10:46 pm in Australia, and the latest was 1:50 am in Qatar. The earliest wakeup was in South Africa at 6:40 am, and the latest was also in Qatar, at 9:38 am.
More Notable Trends
The report delved into optimizing fitness beyond conventional gym activities. Proper nutrition, including a surge in vegetarian, vegan, and kosher diets among the top 1% of Strain earners, played a pivotal role. On average, those members were 45 years old. The use of creatine and increased protein consumption were also notable trends for supplement intake.
Multipurpose activities gained popularity, with rucking and recreational sports such as pickleball, soccer, cricket, rugby, and paddle tennis becoming favorites among Whoop members. Stage performance saw a 19% increase, showcasing a rising trend among non-athletes using Whoop to enhance their well-being. One such performer is DJ Zedd, who uses Whoop for healthier habits.
To access Whoop’s full 2023 Year in Review and personalized reports, click here