Wellness trends of 2021: A forecast |18 January 2021

With the coronavirus pandemic, it is without a doubt that many people across the world are being left feeling depleted mentally, physically and emotionally. Our priorities, routines, plans, and relationships with family, friends and colleagues have been and continue to be affected.

For this reason, this year’s wellness trends will focus heavily on the re-prioritisation of self-care. After looking at various press releases and trend forecasts over the last few weeks, we share with you some of the most profound and creative ways that we can take better care of ourselves, and even regain some of the things we lost last year.

The year 2020 has forced many people to learn how to use more accessible, simpler and fewer resources in order to attain the most of being fit and healthy, and this trend is set to continuously rise in 2021. The focus will be on natural and wholesome foods, holistic movement, hydration, sleep and rest, as well as relief from stress, tension and anxiety.

Let’s look at some examples: if you don’t have the time, the energy or resources for a heavy workout, consider just a 20-minute online workout at home or a walk in nature; learn to prepare and cook food with more natural ingredients like herbs and spices instead of artificial sauces.

Mindful and intuitive eating

It is expected that there will be a rise of mindful and intuitive eating. This means respecting what our bodies really need to function well, less restrictive diets, listening to our bodies, listening to our hunger signals, being mindful of what foods actually work for us and which do not, and having healthier relationships with our food. Part of mindful and intuitive eating, for example, is listening to your body to know when it is hungry and when it is full and satisfied.

Prioritising mental wellbeing

This year, we can also expect to see a rise in practices which aim to improve our mental wellbeing. The challenges of 2020 have made people feel more open to talk about mental health, and more open to incorporating different practices as part of their daily routines.

People are increasingly paying more attention to how they feel and what they need, using accessible resources like meditation apps, joining support groups, and attending ‘emotional fitness classes’ which are designed to strengthen our emotional wellbeing.  

Virtual fitness and wellness

Photo source: Tahoe Forest Health System

While online, at-home fitness and wellness programmes were already an option, it is said that this is going to be an even bigger trend over the course of the year, since such services are now more accessible to people. If you need some ideas of what is already out there, we’ve come across online mental health support such as meditation apps, virtual fitness classes, telehealth, and holistic wellness sessions such as virtual yoga and life coaching.

F. P.