Should Wellness Practitioners Follow Social Media Trends?

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on Instagram lately, you’ve probably heard it:

“Hop on this trend!”
“Use this audio before it dies!”

And while trends can be a fun way to boost reach...

Following every trend you see is not a marketing strategy.

If you fall into the trap of jumping on every trend, your content will start to feel scattered.

You’ll end up attracting the wrong people, or no one at all. 

That said, there are some real benefits to using trends:

• They’re often easy to execute (more on this below!)
• They’re naturally engaging and scroll-stopping (how do you think they become trends?)
• The algorithm tends to reward them with better reach (more eyes on your content!)

So how can you strike the balance of using trends without diluting your message?

Just follow these 5 tips ↓

1. Use Trends That Are Simple

Some trends are just too complicated.

You know the ones: they require two people, multiple camera angles, costume changes...

All for a joke your ideal client might not even get.

Sure, they might look impressive.

But they’re a time suck, and they’re not likely to bring in new clients.

Instead, look for trends that are simple and easy to implement.

Think: B-roll footage with a text overlay.

You can create those in five minutes and still get your message across.

The less time you spend making content, the more energy you’ll have to actually connect with your audience.

2. Use Trends That Are Relatable

Before jumping on a trend, ask yourself:

Would this make sense to my ideal client?
Would they find it helpful or just... weird?

Just because something is blowing up on TikTok doesn’t mean it belongs on your feed.

For example:

If you try to follow a trend where people do a choreographed dance to show how “unbothered” they are...and if your audience is struggling with burnout, hormone crashes, or chronic fatigue... this probably won’t land.

A better option?

Choose trends that let you fill in the blanks with your own message.

That way your posts can be a bit playful but still purposeful.

3. Tie Every Trend Back to Your Core Message

Trends might grab attention, but it’s your message that makes people stay.

Every time you use a trend, ask yourself:

“What do I want my audience to remember from this?”

For example:

If you're following a trend where you use text overlay on a reel to say, “You look happier” and then fill in, "Thanks! I just [did something that made you happy]"...

One possible response might be “Thanks! I just had my house painted.”

Cute... but random.

A better response?

“Thanks! I finally stopped eating after 7pm and can actually fall asleep and wake up refreshed.”

That’s a moment of value. It gives you a chance to educate about something you teach your clients.

It positions your expertise while still using the trending format.

4. Use Trending Audio to Boost the Right Message

Sometimes you don’t need to do the trend. ou can just use the audio.

Add trending audio to any reel, carousel, or post.

It gives you that little algorithm boost without compromising your message.

For example:

Layer a trending sound under a reel titled:

“3 Signs Your Blood Sugar Is Crashing Mid-Morning”

Now it’s both scroll-stopping and educational.

5. Make Trends One Piece of a Bigger Strategy

The best content plans aren’t trend-driven. They’re message-driven.

Your content ecosystem should still include:

• Thought leadership (client-centered beliefs and ideas)
• Educational posts (teach what you know)
• Relatable content (connect through emotion or story)
• And yes, occasional trends to add energy and reach

This is how people don’t just discover you. They remember you too. 

FAQ: Using Trends as a Wellness Practitioner

Q: How do I find Reels trends?
Start by scrolling! Trends often pop up repeatedly in your feed or Explore tab. You can also check the “Inspiration” section of your Professional Dashboard to see what Instagram is currently spotlighting.

Q: How do I find trending audio?
While scrolling, look at the audio label at the bottom of each reel. If it has an upward arrow (↗️), it’s trending! Click it to go to the audio page, where you can tap “Use Audio” or save it for later. You can also check “Trending Audio” inside your Professional Dashboard.

Q: What if a trending audio isn’t available for me to use?
If you’re missing the “Use Audio” button, it’s likely because of your account settings. Try this:

• Go to your Instagram Profile
• Tap Edit Profile
• Scroll to "Category" and switch it to "Entrepreneur"

This usually unlocks access to trending audios.

Q: Can I add trending audio to carousels or static posts?
Yes, but (at the time of this writing) only if you’re posting from the Instagram mobile app. The audio feature doesn’t work when uploading from desktop or most third-party schedulers. So if you want to add trending sound to a carousel, build it natively in the app.

Wrapping It Up

You don’t need to do every trend to grow on Instagram.

You don’t need to become a dancing content creator to attract aligned clients.

But when used with intention?

Trends can be a fun, strategic part of your content.

So here’s your new rule of thumb:

✨ If it’s simple, relatable, and reinforces what you want to be known for, it’s worth trying.
🚫 If it’s just for the algorithm? Leave it alone.

Because the real secret to growing your online presence isn’t the trend.

It’s the message you’re repeating inside of it.