For this year’s predictions, the team at wellness brands Mindbody and ClassPass pulled together a list of the most important ones they are seeing right now.
They surveyed over 17,000 Americans to see how their relationships with wellness continue to evolve. Some of the results were surprising and some were just a continuation of last year’s trends.
Feeling better mentally is still one of the top reasons consumers exercises—it has become the norm to exercise for this reason. Consumers are looking not only to live a long life, but they also want to thrive, and mental health is a big part of the equation.
#1 - The Rise of the Wellness Collective
People are looking for a community and connection. The survey found that 43% of all consumers think community is a very important part of wellness experiences—in fact, men are more likely to say this than women.
So people are looking for a gym, fitness class, or wellness studio that offers that feeling of connectedness and where people can socialise.
The way fitness and wellness establishments can provide this for consumers is through designating spaces for consumers to congregate and socialise, creating social events, or offering services in a more communal setting anything interactive to bring people together.
#2 - Going Back to Our Roots
The survey found that many people want to reconnect with nature: Nearly 40% of Americans say they’re embracing a more natural lifestyle, with men more likely than women to grow their own food, choose holistic remedies and supplements, and aim to become more self-reliant.
Women are also more interested in “clean” beauty, trying natural products or treatments. And in general, consumers are open to reducing stress, improving cognitive function, and improving their wellbeing through plants and herbs (think: adaptogens, mushrooms, and nootropics).
Of course, reconnecting with nature doesn’t just mean opting for natural products, it also means getting out in nature.
The survey found that nearly 40% of respondents say they spend time outside to support their wellbeing.
#3 - The year of the women
The survey found that, American women are tapping into their feminine power like never before. One way they are doing that is by frequenting women-only gyms or fitness studios.
The feminine power trend also extends to periods and sexual wellness. Women are more comfortable talking about their periods, especially when discussing cycle syncing or aligning their lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.) to the stages of their menstrual cycles.
On the sexual wellness front, women are taking control and improving their sexual fulfillment through enhancement therapies, coaching, and workshops.
#4 - Functional Fitness for a Longer, More Fulfilled Life
In welcome news, people are less concerned with losing weight and more concerned with trying to live longer—a third of respondents said they exercise because they want to live a long and healthy life. There is an emphasis on functional fitness, which is a type of strength training that prepares the body for everyday activities, so you’ll do things like squats, bends, and lunges.
People are are also realising the importance of workout recovery, with 47% of Americans saying things like stretching and restorative yoga are important to them.
A third of respondents are interested in trying ice baths and a quarter practice biohacking.
#5 - The Wellness generation
Gen Z and millennials are leading the charge here—the survey found that they engage in wellness more than their other generational counterparts.
They spend the most on fitness, salon, spa, and wellness services; they are most likely to work out daily and eat the recommended servings of fruits and veggies; they prioritise their mental wellbeing; and they are most interested in the community aspect of wellness.
These generations also have expectations for wellness in the workplace. Many of them believe wellness perks or benefits are big factors when choosing an employer.
In Summary
The most exciting thing of all from the survey is further proof that there is truly a wide variety of wellness tools and services so that everyone can forge their own path to wellness. And since people are more open about their health struggles (with things like mental health, fertility, and menopause), this can open the door to even more resources and tools.
People need to be more discerning about the products and services they engage in and who they learn and buy from. My suggestion is to learn and buy from reputable sources like your healthcare practitioner and to use your own judgement—learn to trust your own guidance in making the right selection for yourself and take your wellness journey into your own hands.
Reference
Website – https://www.sunset.com/lifestyle/wellness-trends-2023
