At the start of each new year, many people take a renewed interest in their health and vow to start on a healthier path. This year’s health and wellness trends show a continued interest in mental health, tracking biometrics and gut health.
Meditation apps
Although meditation apps have been around for a dozen years or more, a continued focus on self-care and mental health have kept them relevant. The State of Mental Health in America Report cites that 19% of Americans are living with a mental health condition and 30% of American adults currently report depression or anxiety (Kaiser Family Foundation).
The Calm meditation app, developed in 2012 is now worth over $2 billion. Another popular app, Headspace, has been downloaded by over 100 million users around the world. Other popular apps include Ten Percent Happier, Insight Timer and Breethe. These apps include guided meditations and other resources to reduce stress and improve mental health.
Sleeping pods
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), around 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders and approximately a third of Americans do not get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep necessary for optimal health.
To help combat this problem, many major corporations such as Google, NASA and Mercedes-Benz are installing sleep pods or quiet space for employees to take a rest during the workday. Napping at work may no longer get you fired! Top sleep pod brands include MetroNaps, Pop & Rest and Podtime. A focus on sufficient sleep will continue to be on the forefront of the wellness horizon for general health as well as productivity and wellbeing.
Probiotics
A study published in the journal Gastroenterology reports that over 60% of people experience at least one uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptom each week. Gut health is closely tied to overall health, including the immune system and mental health. As people experience increased gastrointestinal distress, they are turning to probiotics as a solution. Probiotic sales reached $56.6 billion in 2020 and is estimated to reach $76.7 billion by 2027, according to Statista.
Emerging in the probiotic space is a product designed to cure hangovers, developed by Zbiotics. Also on the horizon as a health and wellness trend are probiotic blends specifically tailored to the user, such as those developed by Sun Genomics. They will use a stool sample analysis to create a blend to target the specific needs of the individual.
Wearables
Wearable technology has been mainstream since the early 2000’s, with the original FitBit hitting the market in 2007. The 2022 global market for health wearables is valued at $26.8 billion, a clear indication that these devices are still very popular and have come a long way in tracking abilities.
Today’s top wearables include Oura and Whoop. The Oura ring tracks a wide variety of biometrics including body temperature (allowing for accurate period tracking), illness detection, heart rate tracking and variability, sleep patterns and overnight oxygen patterns, as well as activity and recovery feedback. They also offer meditations and allow you to follow the direct result of your biometrics after listening. Oura has also been used to predict COVID-19 up to three days in advance with 90% accuracy. The ring costs $299+ and requires a monthly $5.99 subscription fee.
Whoop is a wrist-worn device that tracks many of the same biometrics as Oura such as heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, sleep cycles, recovery and general readiness. The Whoop device also requires a membership, starting from $215 annually, which includes the cost of the device. Whoop has been on the market since 2011, with a current value of $3.6 billion.
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