What to Know About the “Wellness Stacking” Trend
Midjourney
The Trend: First, there was “habit stacking,” introduced by Atomic Habits author James Clear. The idea is that by adding a new habit right on top of an existing one, the new behavior becomes easier to stick to (think reviewing your budget after cleaning your apartment on Sundays). Now, there’s “wellness stacking,” a health-related spin on the same basic principles. As wellness trends go, this one is a winner — largely because it’s so accessible and easy for anyone to customize.
What People Are Saying: Stacking isn’t just plain multitasking. It relies on “habit cueing” — tacking a new, desired behavior onto a well-established anchor habit — to build predictability and consistency. Say you want to practice breathwork or ramp up your skincare routine. You can pair it with a wellness activity you already do — like walking the dog, brushing your teeth, or reading before bed.
What to Know: Wellness stacking absolutely can work. Just don’t overstack or try to squeeze too much in during the busiest parts of your day. That’s a surefire way to fail or abandon the habits altogether — just like a stack of blocks tumbles if it gets too tall. The goal is to feel better, not to stress out trying to perform perfectly.
