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BACK-TO-NATURE RITUALS MEET EVER-EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY IN EIGHT WELLNESS TRENDS SET TO SHAPE THE WAY WE LIVE, WORKOUT AND PLAY

What’s going to be hot in 2019? Here are some wellness trends to look out for:

SELF CARE

The new buzzword. What it means: prioritising healthy habits that will see you looking and feeling better. That could be eating healthier meals, writing in a journal or meditating to reduce stress, or having a spa treatment. According to Google, searches for “self care” in 2018 were 25 per cent higher than in 2017.

FERMENTED FOODS

Kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut and kefir will continue to be popular as focus remains on increasing the health of your gut, where microbiota provide essential health benefits, especially to immunity.

SLEEP HYGIENE

It sounds like something your grandmother would say. But, as we are increasingly sleepless, we’ll be offered sleep supplements, natural bedding and even light bulbs that emit less blue light to help beat insomnia. Smart devices will continue to help you have a good night, with the Fitbit Versa watch offering tracking of light, deep and REM sleep stages.

WELLNESS COACHES

As focus continues to turn to wellness and its impact on personal and professional goals, a wellness coach, life strategist or other wellness-orientated expert will become the must-have accessory. In the USA, the wellness coaching market is already estimated to be worth US$6.14 billion annually.

RECONNECTING WITH NATURE

Whether it’s indoor plants or moonlight yoga, we’re craving opportunities to commune with all that is green and good. Watch out for sunrise or sunset exercise classes in the outdoors, community gardens, permaculture classes and the use of luscious greenery in interior design. Research shows living in greener environments is associated with better mental health and lower mortality.

BRAIN ENHANCERS

It could be supplements that feature stressreducing l-theanine or brain/memory apps such as Luminosity. Keeping the grey cells in shape will be key as Baby Boomers and Generation Xers continue to age. According to Research and Markets, brain health will be worth $11.6 billion by 2024.

“FREE” FOOD AND DRINK

Increasingly it’s what we don’t want in our diet that’s defining how we shop. In 2019, consumers will continue to demand a choice of additive, nitrite, sulfite and gluten-free products. As a result, the food industry will continue to introduce foods that have less of the ingredients that consumers believe are bad for health.

TRACKING TECHNOLOGY

Smart devices that help you get healthier continue to evolve. The Fitbit Versa watch allows you to track your activity, your Cardio Fitness score and even your menstrual cycle. In the long-term, Fitbit is set to deliver nextgen features such as glucose monitoring, blood pressure and sleep apnoea tracking.