Boosting your wellness has never been more important. Over the last couple of weeks, the world as we know it has changed in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Staying healthy through self-isolation will help us all overcome this challenge. Within this guide, we’ll delve into the latest 2020 Global Wellness Trends Report to see what the year has in store. Here’s what you need to know about the top wellness trends and how to get on board.
Mental Wellness and Technology
Self-care, mental wellness and mindfulness—these areas have seen huge surges in popularity over the last few years. Yes, we are a world obsessed with taking care of our mental well-being. What’s more, since the vast majority of us will be spending more time confined to our homes, keeping our mind sharp and our emotions balanced will be a challenge. With that in mind, it’s only logical that we turn to technology to help us.
Combatting issues such as loneliness, burnout, and anxiety takes a variety of tools. While we may have previously tackled this problem by sitting on a therapist's couch, technological advancements have proved real game-changers. Tools such as chatbots, apps and digital support groups will bridge the gap and become vital to many of us.
Ginger.io is one example of emerging technology in the mental wellness sphere. The app connects users with an online behavioural health coach in a chat system. That means that people can get instant help from an expert at the touch of a button. Simple.
“The next year will see a big spike in adoption of telehealth, both in the mental healthcare space as well, as primary care,” says Ginger.io CEO Russ Glass. “In this healthcare system, we just don’t have a choice. We have to be looking at ways to change the supply-demand curve.”
True Circadian Health (and Sleep!)
Sleeping well might seem a luxury to some, but it’s the foundation to good health. In recent years, sleep has become a massive trend in the fitness and wellness sector. However, as 2020 gets going, we’re seeing a real shift in focus. The report predicts that improving our circadian health will become a major talking point throughout the year.
Put simply, your circadian rhythms are the mental, physical and behavioural changes that you experience throughout the day. For instance, you may find that you wake up filled with energy, experience a slump directly after midday and perk up again before you hit the hay. These rhythms can be impacted positively and negatively by the environment around you.
The experts predict that 2020 will see a shift towards circadian health optimisation and a change in the way that we live our daily lives. The report explains that the timing of our biology will be something that we will need to measure. That means finding ways to ensure that our circadian rhythm is in check. Given that many of us will be self-isolating for a period, this wellness trend is certain to become ever-more important to our well-being.
Wellness Music
Hearing relaxing sounds or even a song that you love can lift your mood. You might have found yourself walking in the supermarket when a song from your childhood came over the speaker. Without consciously thinking about you, you begin to smile. The sound of a familiar tune lifts your spirits and makes you feel instantly comforted. While most of us have experienced the emotional power of music, there’s now evidence to confirm it.
Research from The Arts in Psychotherapy suggests that music can have a direct impact on people’s mood regardless of their age or gender. Plus, the British Academy of Sound Therapy found that listening to 78 minutes of daily was the optimal amount to improve people’s mental health. So, it should come as no surprise that ‘wellness music’ is set to be a real trend as we move forward into 2020.
That means that we’re sure to see a variety of new apps boasting relaxing soundscapes and mood-enhancing music. If you take a look on Spotify, Apple Music or any other streaming platforms, you can already find playlists with the express purpose of boosting your mental wellness. If you want to get started with this particular trend, why not take the time to check out some of the playlists and find one that works for you?
The Science Behind Wellness
We all want to lead our best lives… but there’s one problem. When you start searching for wellness advice online, there’s a whole load of misinformation out there. From blog posts on how to lose weight healthily to articles claiming to have amazing ‘miracle cures’ for everyday health problems, it’s hard to know what resources you can trust here.
The final trend of the year that we will be looking at is the science behind wellness. In the simplest of terms, this is all about people investigating the claims that are made online and in the press. As savvy consumers, many people are taking the time to look into the research behind certain statements they read. That means that people will be digging into scientific journals, reading studies and looking into the backgrounds of so-called experts.
The Takeaway!
Needless to say, 2020 will see us redefine our everyday wellness out of necessity. Taking the time to better understand our bodies and our mental health can only be a positive move. That could mean using online services, trying out some soundscapes, and getting au fait with reading research papers. Why not get started today and boost your health?
