For a long time, “wellness” was something many of us only associated with eating healthy, exercising, and generally taking care of our bodies. In the past five years, however, the wellness industry has become a booming one that’s estimated to be totaled at $4.5 trillion dollars. The industry has expanded and touched upon a wide variety of sectors from sleep to sex to social and mental wellbeing–– and we’re just naming a handful. And while it is already propelling at incredible speeds, it’s posed for hyper-growth as new trends continue to emerge. But, which areas of wellness are seeing the biggest growth, and how will consumers’ health needs shift as the wellness industry continues to expand?
Next Wave of Wellness
The health and wellness industry has claimed a firm stake within the global economy giving room for new businesses and trends to take root and reimagine how wellness plays a role in each of our lives. While the latest wave of wellness trends still pay homage to traditional modes of wellness like nutrition, exercise, sleep, and self-care, they go the extra mile in targeting specific needs and creating an opportunity for whole-body wellness.
Nutrition
Technology has reshaped the ways in which we have access to and how we consume food. Online services like Daily Harvest, Blue Apron, and HelloFresh make eating nutritional foods easy by way of convenient monthly subscription plans. Apps that can create and manage customized meal plans have also paved the way in making healthy eating more accessible for all.
Self-Care
The concept of “self-care”, which encompasses a huge swath of health and wellness trends from beauty to spa tourism to sleep and sex, has seen a major rise in popularity across the last few years. As taking care of oneself from both a physical and mental standpoint has become more of a focal point recently (and especially this past year), self-care trends that encourage total-body wellness will continue to gain traction.
Fitness & Smart Tech
At-home smart fitness equipment, apps, and customized services have revolutionized how we work out, when we work out, along with tracking things like nutrition, sleep cycles, and so much more. While the fitness industry has always been a booming one, our relationship to fitness has started to change as it becomes something that easily fits into our lives thanks to new technology that’s designed to meet you right where you are in terms of your lifestyle and capabilities. Smart tech data trackers also have the ability and benefit towards achieving one’s desired success, by helping aid in accountability. With reminders, peer communities, and reporting, it provides real time data to keep up with any lifestyle.
Mindfulness, Sleep and Mental Health
According to a Harvard study, mindfulness involves focusing on bringing your mind’s attention to the present without drifting into concerns to evoke the relaxation response, using whatever technique feels right to you. This has been directly linked to improved sleep, an important factor in overall health and a direct correlation to mental wellness. The rise in mental health awareness and the proactive and convenient treatment options has become a forefront of many companies seeking to provide health care options. Especially, during these times during COVID-19, and the times that are to follow, the rise in this category will continue.
Telehealth and Telemedicine
Virtual care via telehealth platforms will see a huge rise in participation, most notably because Covid-19 has forced many of us to stay home this year. Telehealth and telemedicine platforms will allow patients to receive personalized, attentive care right from the safety of their own homes. Telehealth platforms also have the added bonus of allowing users to store and keep track of their medical records, email concerns and updates to doctors, and book their own appointments – all from the comfort of home.
CBD & Other Adaptogens
According to Arcview Market Research, cannabis and hemp-derived CBD is expected to generate $42.7 billion in sales by 2024. The cannabis industry has seen unprecedented levels of growth and product innovation as more states begin to legalize recreational use of cannabis and as CBD increasingly becomes the natural alternative to treating chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and a host of other issues that are typically treated with traditional pharmaceuticals. And, as more companies expand the use of CBD to include it in foods, beauty, and various other segments, the study of its use and benefits will only continue to grow. This also includes the use and growth of adaptogens such as ashwagandha, ginseng, shatavari and many more that are often used as a healthy alternative to some prescribed medications and stimulants, anabolic steroids as well as common pick-me-ups like caffeine and sugar.
Looking to the Future and a New Kind of Quality Care
The big advantage of the rise in global wellness trends is that many consumers do understand that taking a more proactive approach to wellness and practicing healthy, preventative measures (taking vitamins, eating nutritious foods, using alternative medicine) can pave the way for a healthier lifestyle in the long run.
The typical inclination to treat health issues in a topical, reactionary way instead of looking at the root cause of the problem is an outdated form of thinking and treatment. Health and wellness consumer trends will continue to move forward and reshape our relationships with our own wellbeing, but the model of “separate” trends will slowly shift towards businesses that can offer all of these wellness trends as one unit, which is really how total health and wellness works.
At Greenfield Groves, founded by Lindsay Giguiere, our model echoes this sentiment. It is not all-encompassing simply because it makes maintaining one’s health and wellness easier, but because the future of health and wellness trends hinge on a whole-body mentality. Creating a space where every health need is met under one virtual roof is how we can conveniently help put health back into the hands of people. By offering offer a comprehensive combination of personalized traditional and holistic types of care for consumers, supported by technology, community and science-backed consumer products personalized, unique care, consumers will have a deep understanding and ownership over their own respective health journeys.