A new year brings many new ideas to the surface. We often take time to reflect on our health and well-being, and seek out new trends in hopes of making a fresh start.

Here is a list of ten top health trends of 2018:

#1: Moringa 

Do you remember last year’s fascination with turmeric and what it does for inflammation? This year, people cannot stop talking about moringa.

Moringa is a tree native to South Asia — its leaves can be eaten fresh, dried or powdered. In the United States, the most popular way to ingest this leaf is powdered, just like turmeric.

Researchers found Moringa to be much more effective in reducing inflammation than Turmeric. Why? Because curcumin, which is the anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric, cannot easily be absorbed by the body on its own. Moringa, on the other hand, is absorbed immediately!

Not only does moringa have anti-inflammatory benefits, but it also has more than twice as much protein, calcium and iron as kale. We can probably all agree that this super food is definitely worth adding to your diet.

#2: Kombucha

Kombucha has been a big hype for quite a while now, and 2018 has not changed this fermented drink's reputation as the top probiotic beverage.

Kombucha is to probiotic drinkers what craft beer is to beer connoisseurs. This mainstream drink is known to aid digestion, provide mental clarity and support mood stability. Kombucha is offered in a variety of flavors, and it surely won't come off the shelves anytime soon.

#3: Dairy Alternatives

Plant-based diets are all the rage this year, and with plant-based diets come dairy alternatives.

It used to be that when you walked into an average grocery store there was a limited selection of yogurt and milk to choose from: Greek yogurt and regular yogurt, and milk was non-fat, 2%, whole and lactose free.

Soy milk, almond milk, rice milk and coconut milk used to be the main alternatives for dairy-free consumers. Today, however, your favorite coffee shop most likely offers an ever expanding variety of alternatives such as hemp, rice, pea and cashew milks.

The benefits of reducing your dairy intake include less bloating, a better respiratory tract, improved digestion and clearer skin! We're not saying you should cut out all dairy, but reducing your dairy intake may make a difference in your overall health.

#4: Collagen

We're seeing this word everywhere — in lotions, hair products, even as a powder to add to smoothies. But what is the big deal?

Collagen has become a main protein supplement that people take daily. It is a natural protein found in our skin, muscles, blood vessels, tendons and bones. As we age, our ability to produce collagen gets weaker and our hair starts thinning, skin starts sagging and cartilage deteriorates.

People are catching on and are starting to use collagen supplements at a much younger age to help prevent the natural slowdown of the protein. Give it a try and you might see some lasting vitality.

#5: Activated Charcoal

You’ve likely seen ads about brushing your teeth with activated charcoal and how it is known to whiten them. Usually the ad has a woman brushing her teeth, covering them in a black coating of powdered charcoal; next, you see her rinse out her mouth and – voila! – pearly whites appear. But, did you know charcoal can also be ingested?

For years emergency rooms have been using charcoal as an antidote for drug overdoses as it reduces the absorption of toxic substances. Much like taking Pepto Bismol, activated charcoal can help cure indigestion, gas and bloating; and there's more! People claim taking activated charcoal shots or capsules reduces body odor and bad breath, and even clears and brightens skin. Sounds like a miracle worker!  

#6: Aromatherapy Diffusers

Not all health benefits come from what we put in our bodies, but also from our surroundings. Aromatherapy has become a popular trend as it is known to take your senses through different journeys.

Feeling stressed and having trouble sleeping? Try some lavender essential oils in a diffuser to ease your mind and alleviate insomnia.

There are many different essential oils that soothe in countless ways. One of our favorite essential oils happens to be peppermint. Peppermint is calming and numbing, which for those of us who are prone to migraines helps reduce the pain. It has also been known to alleviate menstrual cramps with its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. Not only do aromatherapy diffusers have health benefits, but they give your home a refreshing scent. Who wouldn't want to wake up to the smell of bergamot in the morning?

Note: If you're a pet owner, you may not want to purchase a diffuser. Read more here. 

#7: Air Purification with House Plants

Help purify the space in which you spend most of your time with air-cleaning houseplants. These are a must-have for anyone suffering from “sick building syndrome.”

“What is ‘sick building syndrome’?” you may ask. Have you ever found yourself in a space that had poor ventilation? Did you start getting headaches and feel dizzy? There are many chemicals in the air creating those symptoms and NASA, after many studies, has given a list of house plants that may solve those issues for you! Here are just a few:

• Golden Pothos - Eliminates formaldehyde and carbon monoxide.
• Boston Fern - Adds humidity and eliminates formaldehyde.
• Bamboo Palm - Filters out benzene and trichloroethylene; also doubles as a humidifier. 
• Dragon Tree - Pulls xylene from the air.

Not only are house plants good for the air quality but they are also quite pleasing to the eye. 

#8: Disconnecting at Bedtime and Eliminating Light

With the advancement of technology, people now go to bed with their phones, tablets, and other devices right next to their pillow. What they may not know is that this habit can make it more difficult for their eyes to adjust to darkness and prevent them from getting a good night's sleep.

Your body is hard-wired to put your head to rest when the sun goes down and to rise when the sun comes up. Keeping electronics or lights on while you are sleeping tricks your brain to feel it is time to rise; in result not allowing for a healthy night's sleep.

More and more people are finding this to be true and have tried making sleep a top priority. Get some Zzz’s tonight by shutting down your devices at least an hour before bed. 

#9: WiFi-Free Destinations

WiFi-free cafes and phone-free social clubs have become a hit recently. More and more people are trying to put more meaning into the word "community" and are trying to disconnect to reconnect.

Many are seeking out destinations that have no cell signal and some are even going as far as checking into hotels that make you give up your phone at the front desk! But, why is a technology-crazy generation trying to part from their phones?

Studies are showing that technology, although designed to simplify lives, can create stress and anxiety when overused. Taking time to truly focus on things aside from your phone can be a huge benefit whether it be on a vacation, in the leisure of your own home, or out to coffee with a loved one. 

#10: “Me Time”

One of the most important gifts to give yourself for the healthiest life is “me time.” Everyone needs time to themselves, but many people feel they can not fit that into their schedule or they would rather go out with friends.

Being social is good and encouraged; your social life is important! But, time to yourself is just as crucial, allowing you time to relax and recharge. Wake up early before anyone else in your house and enjoy a cup of coffee to yourself, go to a park and do some yoga alone to feel your own energy, or just simply unplug from your phone and “be.” It is okay to reject an invitation to go out with friends when you are missing your own company.

We hope you enjoyed some of these health trends of 2018. Here at Good Clean Love, our first priority is your health and wellness. We have many products that will show you just how important that is to us just by looking at the ingredient label.