As we cruise into a new year, wellness is often at the forefront of many people’s minds. This can be due to the reality of New Year’s resolutions, a little over-indulgence over the Christmas period or some inspiration gained from podcasts on long beach walks. While the “new year, new you” concept is a bit naff, the start of a new year can be a good chance to try some fresh new ways to stay well. Like our best versions of ourselves…wellness is always evolving, and I’ve popped together a list of 8 of the wellness trends that are shaping the landscape of holistic health and self-care. past years have shown a monumental shift towards prioritising well-being, and this year is no exception. 2024, show us what you have…
1. Digital Detox Retreats
In our tech-dominated world, the desire to disconnect is stronger than ever. Digital detox retreats are gaining momentum; offering wound-up, clocked-in individuals a chance to unplug, unwind, and reconnect with nature and themselves. These retreats emphasize mindfulness, outdoor activities, and mental rejuvenation away from alerts, addictive scrolling and screens altogether. Sign me up (with pen and paper, of course!). While a retreat sounds dreamy, we can easily set our own boundaries to create our own digital detox. It can be periodic scheduled time each day, or perhaps one weekend a month. Pinterest is predicting that 2024 will be the year digital detoxing will trend on their site…so have a browse prior to your detox for a little inspo on what to do on your detox with all the extra time you will have!
2. Psychedelic Therapy
Exploring alternative approaches to mental health, psychedelic-assisted therapy is continuing to make waves. Supported by scientific research, therapies involving substances like psilocybin (the active ingredient from some mushrooms) are being used in controlled settings to address conditions such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety, under professional guidance.
3. Regenerative Wellness
A step beyond preventive care, regenerative wellness focuses on holistic practices that encourage the body’s natural healing abilities. From regenerative gardening courses to personalized regenerative medicine, this trend underscores the importance of nurturing our bodies and the environment symbiotically.
3. Biohacking for Longevity
Biohacking is a term used to describe various tips and tricks for enhancing the body’s ability to function at peak performance—and maybe even extend one’s lifespan. Advances in technology and biohacking techniques are encouraging a quest for longevity. From personalised nutrition plans based on genetic profiles to wearable devices monitoring vital signs, individuals are actively seeking ways to optimise their health and extend their lifespan.
4. Mental Fitness Apps
As the importance of looking after our mental health is at the forefront of our minds more than ever, new mental fitness apps seem to be all the rage, and it’s a trend I hope never slows down. These apps offer meditation, cognitive exercises, and personalised therapy to support emotional well-being conveniently at one’s fingertips.
5. Badminton
Move over tennis, badminton is set to serve up the love this year. It’s tennis’ more accessible cousin – with a smaller racquet, less impact and less space needed. Watch the ball…watch this space. Badminton is going to be a hit 2024 and beyond.
7. Slow Travel
The last few years have been a lot. While people have been keen to explore the world post-Covid, financially, big international holidays aren’t accessible to a lot of us. Even then, for those that can afford them, there is a trend towards slowing down and enjoying a truly relaxing holiday closer to home sans airport stress, timezone confusion and squeezing in as much as possible into a day of being a tourist. Slower travel is quickly gaining in popularity.
It’s no wonder that many of us will soon want to take time off with seriously low-key vacations where exhausting ourselves to see all the “must-see” sights in any given destination is no longer the priority. Nature walks, books slowly savoured on sun loungers (even in your own backyard) are where it is at for many. This indicates that many are slowly switching to view holidays as a way to recharge rather than run themselves ragged. More fluid travel intieraries are on the rise, with travel agent even featuring “slow travel” in many packages and offerings. Slow travel seems like the way to go to actually arrive home from holiday without needing another holiday!
8. Knockout Workouts
2024 sees the rise of workouts that up-the-ante in the stress-busting department. So called “Knockout workouts” are a goodway to kickstart the feel-good hormones released when we do an intense cardio workout, but also, when we quite literally, smash out our stress with the likes of kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and martial arts. I’ll take that combo any day! These exercise routines include combat sports like karate, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu, which not only provide an excellent cardio challenge but could also help clear your head. Knockout workouts are a great way to feel empowered, energised and in control. For 2024, fighting fit is a hit.
As we embrace these trends, we need to remember that wellness isn’t just a destination; it’s a continuous journey of self-care and growth. So here’s to a healthy mind, heart and body 2024 and beyond. Remember, each trend is an invitation to explore but professional guidance when making any changes to your health regime is recommended (and obviously, vital when it comes to psychedelic therapy of any kind!). Listen to your body, find what resonates with you, and embark on your unique path to wellness in this transformative year of 2024!
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