Some potential wellness trends for 2024 could include:
There will be a greater emphasis on mental wellness, stress management, and self-care practices. This will include meditation, mindfulness, therapy, and relaxation techniques to improve sleep, aid in grief, and enhance overall mental health.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, a cultural shift is underway in 2024, with an increase in social and emotional wellness offerings for males to help them connect with themselves and one another. Postpartum care is also evolving to provide a more holistic and compassionate approach to new parents' physical and emotional well-being.
Body & Soul forecasted that one of the biggest health goals for 2024 is ‘happiness'. “If you prioritise your mental health first, this builds a strong foundation for any other goal you set”, said Louk McLeod, founder of the meditation platform Soul Alive. In 2024, anticipate the continued growth of the non-alcoholic beverage market, mind gyms, micro-holidays, and cognitive function-optimised diets.
Destination Deluxe also highlighted that attention is turning to nervous system regulation and trauma therapy - seeking techniques that go beyond the surface, delving into the realms of nervous system regulation to foster resilience and emotional balance.
Grief-related wellness is also one of the biggest wellness travel trends in 2024, according to Condé Nast Traveler. Restorative sleep wellness is still in the spotlight, as the quest for improved sleep hygiene has become a top priority. Treatments, such as photobiomodulation, neuroacoustic deep relaxation, and cryotherapy are specifically timed to each guest’s chronotype and circadian rhythm.
The rise of personalized wellness programmes that are tailored to individual needs, taking into account factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and preferences. This will include made-to-measure fitness, prescriptions, programmes, and beauty regimens.
Generative AI has already made its way into the wearables and app industry, with some wearables using gen AI to create personalised workouts for consumers based on their fitness data. This means companies that provide software-based health and wellness services to consumers are well-positioned to include Gen AI into their customisation offerings.
Well+Good also listed generative AI in their top 2024 Wellness Trends outlook, stating that artificial intelligence in personalised fitness is becoming even smarter, being constantly trained and fed data from various sources. With all the latest advancements, a new concept has arrived: “smart boutique fitness studio”, such as Lumin - ‘a marriage of the recent boutique fitness and AI booms’, said Brandon Bean, Lumin Co-founder.
Continued growth and innovation in digital health technologies, including telehealth, wearables, and mobile apps are expected. These technologies will support remote healthcare and monitoring.
Biomonitoring wearables have entered a new era thanks to new modalities powered by breakthrough technologies, according to McKinsey. For example, consumers interested in stress management might wear a gadget that detects cortisol increases. Businesses might then use this data to provide personalised suggestions for products relating to wellness, fitness, and mindfulness exercises.
Heightened awareness of the importance of immune health, leading to increased interest in supplements, healthy eating, and lifestyle practices to boost immunity. Bio-hacking, cold plunges, and supplements will be key in supporting longevity and immune health.
Longevity measures have been booming quickly. Global Wellness Institute observed that this new industry pillar is the fastest-growing, newest genre in wellness, encouraging the fusion of medical and wellness applications. Condé Nast Traveler also backed this finding, stating that “the concept of living a longer and healthier life, will be the biggest buzzword of 2024”.
There is a growing emphasis on eco-friendly and ethical choices in wellness. This will include sustainable products, clean beauty options, and responsible travel choices. At-home beauty, hair, and sauna treatments will also become more popular.
Sustainable gyms, for example, will use energy-efficient equipment, renewable energy, and nontoxic cleaning products, whilst reducing their water usage, according to Glamour. Eco fitness, a trend reported by Destination Deluxe, explores new ways of managing energy consumption, harnessing human-generated power during workouts, eliminating single-use plastics, robust recycling programmes, sustainable materials, and biophilic designs.
Meanwhile, Body & Soul noted that people are becoming more mindful when making eco-conscious food choices, such as a reduction in food waste and a rise in sustainable agriculture.
A shift towards plant-based whole foods that prioritise real vegetables and simplicity. Nutrition will be the focus. There will be a move away from caffeine and alcohol, with new natural energy drinks gaining popularity. Nourishment will be emphasised over restriction, and fermented pre- and probiotics will be valued.
Glamour reported that one in five young adults don't drink at all. Similarly, in Mindbody’s survey, 25% across all age groups have already embraced an alcohol-free lifestyle. Instead, caffeine-free-yet-delicious alternatives are embraced even more, such as the Kuwa (桑) - Japanese for mulberry, and Matcha (抹茶) - Japanese for powdered tea.
Well&Good emphasised an open-minded and joyful approach to eating, where food centers on simplicity, comfort, and legitimate function; stating that comfort and joy can come with simple, nutritious ingredients.
The Blue Zones methods have been mentioned by several reports by Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Condé Nast Traveler, and others. The fascination with longevity will likely bring a boom in tourism to the five Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, Icaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California.
Thailand's pioneering wellness sanctuary Kamalaya has created a Blue Zones group retreat with plant-based meals inspired by these countries' traditional cuisines, natural movement, and other Blue Zones Power of 9 lifestyle habits.
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With coming-and-going trends, what should we look out for, anticipate, and focus on - in order to make strategic decisions and build impactful wellness programmes? Here are our top picks that may change the way we live.
We live in a world where personalisation is key, and this trend extends to our wellness journey. Empowered bio-stacking focuses on building personalised wellness knowledge, tools, and programmes that work specifically for individuals. By layering different experiences, individuals can achieve deeper, long-term wellness results that can be continued at home and on the road.
Wellness is not just about individual health; it's about the health of all the systems that surround us. Systemic health refers to examining the impact of various systems, including our body, family, work, community, environment, and intergenerational factors on our overall well-being. By taking a holistic approach, individuals can better understand how these systems influence their wellness.
Gone are the days when personal growth was limited to workshops or special occasions. The new trend embraces personal growth as a lifelong journey. People now desire to incorporate personal growth practices into their daily lives and even during holidays. From ongoing education to take-home wellness practices, individuals are seeking continuous evolution and self-improvement.
In a world of mass-produced goods, intentional products are gaining popularity. These items are crafted and designed with energy imparted by artisans, bringing new vibrancy to our spaces, be it in our homes or fashion choices. This trend prioritises unique, hand-made products that enhance our well-being and create a positive atmosphere.
There is a growing demand for workshops, retreats, travel, and experiences catering specifically to solo women and men. These experiences aim to build like-minded communities and nourish. From traditional circles and tribes to ritual experiences at different life stages (teen-adult/adult-elder), these solo experiences provide individuals with opportunities for wisdom-seeking and life skills development in nature.
Movement is no longer just about exercise; it has become a tool for self-awareness. Somatic movement, embodied movement, healing movement, expressive movement, and conscious dance are gaining popularity. This trend encourages individuals to release strict formats and explore new ways to move, both in their lives and in their bodies, while combining movement with conscious breathing.
Amidst technological advancements, the back-to-basics trend emphasises the importance of fundamental sensory experiences. It includes upgrades in light, sound, water, and air quality. From hertz frequencies and sound systems to circadian and natural lighting, this trend emphasises sensory enhancements such as mineralized and alkaline water, improved air quality, and oxygen integration.
Travelling for spiritual well-being is evolving. Wild spiritual travel combines immersive experiences in natural landscapes with wellness practices and nourishing food. This trend offers destinations, guides, and transformative journeys that allow individuals to connect with nature and explore their spiritual side while incorporating wellness practices and savouring nourishing food.
As the wellness industry evolves, these trends provide valuable insights into the direction it is heading. Whether it's personalised wellness, systemic health, personal growth, intentional products, solo experiences, movement, sensory upgrades, or spiritual travel, the future of wellness holds exciting possibilities for individuals seeking well-being in all aspects of their lives.
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