Wellness is constantly evolving to offer fresh ways to explore well-being and self-care. Forbes spoke to a collection of wellness experts to gauge what trends they see in the early stages of the new year. The experts pointed to the rise of AI in the wellness world, offering more precision for our nutrition and fitness routines, per Forbes. These are 10 growing consumer trends that your clients may want to know more about.
Related: 10 New Wellness Experiences Include Celestial Alignment, Yoga Nidra & More
1. Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Kelly Smith, yoga and meditation teacher, founder of Yoga For You, and creator of the “Mindful in Minutes” meditation journal, told Forbes that she sees significant interest in vagus nerve stimulation to counteract the "fight-or-flight" response in humans. Simple stimulation through deep breathing and mindfulness can calm the body after the instinctual response.
2. Sleep Tourism
Amanda Al-Masri, vice president of wellness at Hilton, told Forbes that more guests are traveling for rest and relaxation and there has been an increase in guests' interest in holistic wellness. She anticipates sleep tourism to gain momentum in 2024 through sleep-focused spa treatments, amenities and trips.
3. Dolce Far Niente
Dolce far niente (Italian for "the sweetness of doing nothing") is a prevailing mindset among wellness goers this year, according to Andrea Quadrio Curzio, co-founder of QC Spa of Wonders. Curzio is seeing more guests aspiring to achieve the work-life balance present in Italian culture.
4. Blue Zone Diets
Andrew S. Boxer, MD, gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey, predicts that more people will adopt the blue zone diet, aspiring to eat like those in the blue zones around the world. The blue zone lifestyle supports the connection between the gut and the mind and the philosophy that what people eat, along with activity and social relationships, contribute to overall well-being, Boxer told Forbes.
5. Limpias And Spiritual Hygiene
“In limpia sessions, energetic adjustments are done to move the body and chakras back into balance, resetting guests' frequency, clearing old beliefs and creating new ones, Antoinnette Chirinos, a third-generation intuitive healer and herbalist from Peru and founder of Goddess of Avalon apothecary, told Forbes. Chirinos said limpias have been attracting a substantial following, even among people who aren’t connected with Latin culture. People leave the session feeling lighter and more peaceful.
6. Immersive ASMR
Immersive virtual reality devices are aimed mostly at gamers, but ASMR enthusiasts are discovering these products deliver an immersive ASMR experience, as well, according to Craig Richard, Ph.D., professor of physiology at Shenandoah University and founder of ASMR University. Coupled with the possibility of haptic-feedback clothing, Dr. Richard believes ASMR in 2024 will be a top wellness trend and more technology-driven than ever before.
7. Therapeutic Psychedelics
The medical benefits of micro-dosing psychedelics like psilocybin are gaining attention for their ability to treat PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, migraines and other conditions. With a new drug application submitted to the FDA in late 2023 requesting approval of MDMA for the treatment of PTSD, people battling PTSD and other mental health conditions may soon have access to these drugs as part of their medical treatment plan, Anne Peled, M.D., surgeon and co-director at Breast Care Center of Excellence at Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center, told Forbes.
8. Cycle Syncing
Cycle syncing is the practice of tying health and lifestyle habits to one's menstrual cycle. It encourages women to listen to their bodies and learn about their hormones and cycles, according to Natalie Rose, certified personal trainer, Pilates instructor, and founder of the Body By Barre studio. Rose told Forbes through cycle syncing for wellness purposes in 2024, women will be armed with insight and knowledge on their menstrual cycle and how to balance hormones, reduce PMS, improve their mood and lower their stress levels.
9. AI-Powered Precision Nutrition
Precision nutrition assesses a person’s health and diet history to help them figure out what to eat for optimal health. It also looks at other biological markers and data from continuous glucose monitors, blood biomarkers and wearables, according to Melina Jampolis, M.D., internist, board-certified physician nutrition specialist, and chief medical officer at AHARA. Dr. Jamplois believes AI is the key to analyzing the huge amount of data required, which will lead to the creation of algorithms that provide much more specific nutrition recommendations at the individual level.
10. Rucking
Joyce Shulman, author of “Walk Your Way to Better,” and founder of 99 Walks and Jetti Fitness, told Forbes that Rucking (walking with a weighted pack) will be a top wellness trend in 2024 as people look to build endurance, improve heart health burn calories, and strengthen bones. She believes new fitness brands will make rucking more accessible and mainstream instead of being only suitable for fit people.
