Canaan, CT – From the Summer Olympics in Tokyo to the upcoming presidential election, 2020 is sure to be an action-packed year. With all of this excitement and the fast pace of modern life, more people are embracing wellness techniques to promote calm, alleviate stress, and avoid burnout in 2020. Here are four predictions for wellness trends in the new year:
- Limit screen time. According to Pinterest, a social platform used by over 250 million people each month, global online searches for “social media detox” surged by 314 percent between 2017 and 2019. This trend is appealing for many because face-to-face interactions encourage people to form more meaningful connections and improve their overall quality of life. As mental wellness takes center stage in the new decade, more people will make an effort to visit friends and family in person. Leandro Carvalho, Wellness Coach at Mountainside treatment center, says, “Socializing isn’t just fun; it’s vital for physical and mental well-being. Forming and maintaining genuine bonds can help people develop self-awareness and keep negative feelings, such as loneliness, at bay.”
- Catch more Zzz’s. The demands of everyday life most likely will not slow down anytime soon, but more people are recognizing the value of sleep. Between 2016 and 2021, BCC Research anticipates that the global market for sleep aids and technologies will increase from $66 billion in 2016 to $85 billion in 2021. Sometimes, getting eight hours of sleep is easier said than done, however. Carvalho suggests, “People can schedule alarms or reminders on their phones to build positive habits, such as spending less time watching TV and remembering to make time for rest.” More phone users are also turning to sleep apps, such as Slumber and Headspace, to quiet their minds after a long day.
- More greens, less meat. The New York Times projects that vegan dishes will take over in eating establishments across the nation as more people become aware of climate change and their ecological footprint. A University of Oxford study found that replacing meat and dairy with greens could result in a whopping 49 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from food production. With conscious consumption anticipated to be a staple of 2020, impossible burgers – and other plant-based meat substitutes – will continue to gain a following. Going full vegan may not work for everyone, but even simply reducing weekly meat consumption can benefit a person’s overall health – with the added perk of saving the planet!
- Invest in “me-time.” In 2018, the wellness market was worth nearly 13 percent more than it was worth in 2015, according to findings from the Global Wellness Institute. This indicates that more consumers are valuing mental well-being and investing in ways to strengthen their mind and spirit. Within the wellness market, the sectors that saw the most growth during those years were the spa industry at 10 percent and wellness tourism at 6.5 percent. Some will shell out big bucks to go on wellness retreats, but many will take up non-costly, relaxing alternatives they enjoy, such as spending more time in nature. Expect forms of experiential wellness within the United States to rise in popularity, from cooking classes to Zumba lessons to meditation studios such as Inscape.
While the activities highlighted above are picking up steam, there are many more ways to achieve wellness. Whether it’s remembering to drink more water or setting aside five minutes each day to decompress, everyone should set an intention to cultivate wellness and practice self-care in 2020. When people put themselves first, they will be better positioned to handle all of the excitement in the new year and any challenges that may arise.