The wellness industry is currently bigger than ever. While the market was on the rise before the outbreak of COVID-19, the pandemic forced many of us to adjust our focus to things that really matter. As a result, an increasing number of us have begun picking up self-care practices that help us to take greater control over our wellbeing. However, with so many products and services being marketed to promote our wellness, it can be hard to separate exciting new trends from fads.
To help you understand which trends are likely to disrupt the industry in 2022, this article will track 6 wellness products and practices which are currently on the rise. But before we get stuck in, what exactly do we mean when we speak about wellness?
What is Wellness?
According to Dictionary.com, wellness refers to ‘the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, particularly as the result of a deliberate effort’. While the term is usually used in relation to a person’s physical and mental health, it can hold a very different meaning for each individual. Other definitions of wellness also describe it as something we actively engage in, whether this is referring to emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual habits.
So, with the definitions nailed, here are the emerging wellness trends of 2021:
Mindful Eating
Mindful eating simply refers to paying greater attention to the food we eat. To eat mindfully, you are required to focus on the sensory awareness of eating rather than being distracted by other things that are happening around you. Drawing inspiration from the wider mindfulness movement, mindful eating has slowly been on the rise in recent years. However, in the wake of COVID-19, a newfound focus has been placed on our eating habits and the way in which we choose to consume food.
By engaging in this practice, the act of eating can be made into more of a ritual. It also encourages people to move away from more restrictive eating habits while still allowing them to carefully consider the nutritious value of food.
Breathwork
Breathwork describes a set of breathing exercises that are understood to influence a person’s mental, emotional or physical state. Breathwork itself has actually been around for centuries, but as studies into its multiple benefits continue to mount, it’s becoming an increasingly popular wellness practice. For instance, recent research reveals that breathing practices can help to manage symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, insomnia and attention deficit disorder, to name a few.
If you’re interested in reaping the benefits of breathwork, there’s a wide variety of exercises to try out. While some require the assistance of practitioners, others are very basic and can be practised with little to no experience.
Stress Tracking
According to a YouGov survey, almost three-quarters of UK citizens have felt so stressed out at some point over the past year they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope. With these sobering statistics in mind, it’s no wonder that so many of us are harnessing technology to try and find a solution.
Stress tracking is the act of monitoring your stress levels in the hope of getting them under control. A variety of fitness trackers are able to carry out this function by measuring our physiological responses when spikes in the emotion are occurring. By using stress tracking technology, users are able to analyze their stress levels and subsequently improve their ability to relax. Popular stress trackers include Amazon Halo, Fitbit Sence and Whoop.
CBD
Consuming CBD is another practice that has been on the rise in recent years. However, as the market expands year on year, it’s safe to say that the herbal compound will continue to disrupt the wellness space into 2022. For those of you who aren’t familiar, CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical compound that is extracted from the cannabis Sativa plant. Unlike THC, the ingredient is completely non-psychoactive, so it does not deliver any intoxicating effects to the user.
Recent studies suggest that the ingredient may be effective in addressing a wide range of conditions, from anxiety and stress to insomnia and acne. Currently, it’s available in an abundance of products from CBD oil drops to edibles like Naturecan’s CBD gummies and as research into the advantages mounts, it’s expected to continue taking the wellness world by storm.
Teletherapy
Teletherapy, also referred to as telepsychiatry, refers to virtual mental health counselling. When face-to-face sessions became suspended over the pandemic, the practice surged in popularity. Now, as the virus continues to be brought under control and in-person meetings once again permitted, it looks like teletherapy will still provide people with a vital way to manage their mental wellbeing.
While teletherapy typically refers to conventional therapy sessions taking place online, it can also include the use of certain wellness apps. These apps, like Calm, BetterHelp and TalkSpace, connect users to therapists and provide individuals with a cost-effective and convenient way to seek therapy. Many of these apps also feature wellness scheduling software, so users can look after their schedules while taking control of their mental health.
Reiki Healing
Moving away from wellness technology, Reiki, or ‘energy healing’, is a Japanese form of alternative medicine. With its origins being traced back to the early 20th century, the act involves a practitioner placing their hands on a patient with the intention of stimulating their body’s natural healing abilities. At its core, it’s a meditative practice and those who are involved with the practice claim that it can promote relaxation and a positive mental state.
The practice has begun picking up steam recently, and it’s even become a staple among celebrities, including Gisele Bundchen, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson. Despite these A-list testimonials, scientific research into the practice is still lacking. Therefore, it’s important that you do not use Reiki as a replacement for established treatments. If you’re interested in testing out energy healing in 2022, your best bet is to find a reliable Reiki practitioner in your area.
