Wellbeing Trends for 2025: Shadow Work, Healing Nightmares, and the Power of Breathwork
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- December 17, 2024
As we step into 2025, new approaches to mental and physical wellness are set to take center stage. From delving into shadow work and using nightmares as tools for healing to mastering the art of coherent breathing, these transformative practices are gaining traction. Charlie Morley, a renowned sleep and dream expert, bestselling author, and teacher, reveals the top wellbeing trends for 2025, offering a fresh perspective on holistic health and personal growth.
1. Shadow Work: Facing the Dark for Growth
Shadow work has been steadily rising in popularity, especially among younger generations. The term, originally coined by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, refers to confronting the hidden parts of ourselves – our fears, suppressed emotions, and unacknowledged traits.
In 2024, shadow work went viral on social media, thanks in part to The Shadow Work Journal by Keila Shaheen. Now, Charlie Morley’s 2025 release, Do the Shadow Work, aims to deepen our understanding of this powerful practice. Charlie, who has taught shadow work for over 15 years, believes this introspective approach is essential for emotional healing and self-awareness.
“Shadow work allows us to face what we’ve hidden in the dark and reclaim it,” Charlie explains. “It’s a bold and transformative practice that fosters deep personal growth. I predict it will become a core part of the wellness conversation in 2025.”
2. Shut Your Mouth: The Benefits of Nasal Breathing
One of the most surprising trends emerging for 2025 involves taping your mouth shut – while sleeping! While it may sound extreme, Charlie Morley and other wellness advocates suggest that mouth breathing is at the root of many sleep-related health issues.
Why is nasal breathing so important? Charlie shares, “Breathing through your nose filters, heats, and humidifies air, making it easier for your lungs to absorb oxygen. Nasal breathing can even boost cognitive function.”
He references a fascinating 2019 study from Japan, which found that rats forced to breathe through their mouths showed cognitive impairment and developed fewer brain cells.
By training yourself to breathe through your nose – even while sleeping – you can improve sleep quality, boost oxygen intake, and support overall wellbeing.
3. Nightmares: Your Unlikely Ally for Healing
In a cultural shift, nightmares are being reframed as tools for growth rather than sources of fear. According to Charlie, nightmares are simply “dreams that shout.” They alert us to unresolved emotional issues, stress, or trauma, offering a pathway to healing.
“Most of the time, nightmares are good for our mental health,” Charlie says. “They draw attention to emotional wounds we may ignore while awake. A nightmare is shouting, ‘Hey, look at this! Heal this fear or trauma!’”
To reduce the intensity and frequency of nightmares, Charlie suggests actively engaging with them:
- Write down your nightmares to process them.
- Discuss them with a trusted friend, therapist, or support group.
- Draw or visualize the themes to acknowledge their message.
“When we face our nightmares instead of fearing them, we can transform how they impact our lives. This healing perspective may also help us approach waking life challenges with greater resilience.”
4. Lucid Dreaming: Transforming Trauma While You Sleep
Lucid dreaming – becoming conscious while dreaming – is emerging as a groundbreaking mental health tool. Recent scientific studies have shown its potential to heal trauma, including PTSD.
In a 2024 study published in Traumatology, participants practicing lucid dreaming reported a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms. Over 85% of participants dropped below the PTSD threshold after just six days.
Charlie, who teaches lucid dreaming practices, explains: “Lucid dreaming allows us to consciously interact with our dreams, transforming nightmares into opportunities for healing. This empowers individuals to confront trauma in a safe and controlled environment.”
As awareness grows, lucid dreaming may become a mainstream tool for mental health, offering hope to those struggling with trauma, stress, and emotional pain.
5. Coherent Breathing: The Rising Star of Breathwork
Breathwork has become a cornerstone of modern wellness, and coherent breathing is emerging as the practice to watch in 2025. This simple yet powerful technique involves breathing at an even pace to calm the nervous system and improve overall health.
Charlie explains, “Coherent breathing can be practiced anytime, anywhere. By breathing in and out for the same count – such as six seconds in, six seconds out – you bring your body into a state of balance. This reduces stress, improves focus, and enhances sleep.”
Research shows that coherent breathing offers significant benefits, including:
- Lowering anxiety and depression symptoms
- Supporting trauma recovery and PTSD relief
- Reducing inflammation
- Promoting brain detoxification by improving blood flow
What’s even more fascinating is its potential to mimic the restorative effects of deep sleep. For those who struggle with insomnia, coherent breathing may offer a waking-state alternative for neurological recovery.
“This technique is easy to incorporate into daily life, whether during meditation, a morning commute, or a mindful walk. I wouldn’t be surprised if coherent breathing becomes as popular as 4-7-8 breathing or other breathwork practices we’ve embraced in recent years,” Charlie adds.
Embracing the Future of Wellbeing
As we look to 2025, these innovative trends signal a broader shift towards holistic, accessible wellness practices. Whether it’s exploring shadow work, harnessing the power of lucid dreams, or adopting coherent breathing, these approaches offer new opportunities for self-discovery and healing.
By embracing these emerging trends, we can create a more mindful and balanced future – both in waking life and the dream world.
Photo by Wiki Sinaloa on Unsplash
