Top Wellness Trends To Watch Out For In 2021

Wellness is defined as the active pursuit of lifestyle choices that lead to a state of holistic health. It is a multidimensional concept that comes in many forms; by now, we’re master practitioners of at least one. Whether it be physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, or environmental wellness, we’ve grown to see such practices as self-care “must-haves.” Not only do they help us survive the demands of our daily grind, but rather, thrive.

2020 has changed the way we view wellness. Because we were confined to our homes for the most part in accordance with health and government-mandated regulations, our vacation plans, gym memberships, spa treatments, and even dental appointments suddenly ceased to be a part of our lives. Businesses in the wellness industry had to make their services accessible via online platforms—one Zoom call away, so to speak.

We’re only a few weeks into 2021; though progress has been made in the development and distribution of the long-awaited vaccines, there is still much that is uncertain. What’s certain is that we’ll still be turning to wellness-oriented activities—in whichever form they are available to us—for that much needed peace of mind.

Scroll ahead to check out what we'll be seeing more of for wellness in 2021!

1. Online Fitness Classes

Perhaps the créme de la créme of all 2020 wellness trends, this is a concept that will not only persist, but will gain even bigger traction this year. Boutique fitness studios took baby steps in migrating their services online, allowing clients to book classes via their respective websites and having them log in for a live session on Zoom. Now that they’ve mastered the basics of going digital, these businesses are set to push the envelope even farther in terms of what they offer and how they execute this. An example is local indoor cycling studio Ride Revolution, which took its On-Demand platform to the next level by releasing a special collection of cinematic quality indoor cycling classes for the new year.

2. Outdoor Activities

With restrictions having eased up somewhat, many of us have turned our attention to the great outdoors for our endorphin fix or to shake off cabin fever. Those of us who live in subdivisions have been walking, jogging, or biking around; however, venue options have since expanded. From public parks to open spaces in the cities, from hiking trails out of town to beaches near and far—we’re now allowed to venture out and reconnect with nature, albeit with a lot more preparation and no off-the-cuff itineraries. Aside from the standard health checks, outdoor recreational facilities permitted to operate usually require advanced reservations and, at times, a negative swab or PCR test.

3. Virtual Mental Health Care

Lockdown was definitely tough in the sense that it left so many of us starved for intimate human interactions. It took an extra toll on those who were forced to quarantine alone, depending on FaceTime or Zoom to be able to communicate with loved ones. But sometimes, speaking to friends and family aren’t enough. While it isn’t a big part of our culture and still has significant stigma attached to it, speaking to professionals has proven to be helpful. With face-to-face interactions still few and far in between, the emergence of numerous mental health apps such as Moodfit and Talkspace, as well as virtual consultations give us a safe and cost effective platform to access therapy.

4. Metaphysical Guidance

While some of us find solace in prayer, some of us turn to the metaphysical: astrology, reiki healing, tarot, and crystals, among other things. To a larger audience, these interests may seem like a whole load of mumbo jumbo. Given that we’re living in such strange times, the quest for clarity is a lot less linear than what it used to be. We’re in search of threads that can possibly link our past, present, and future together; we’re keen on finding out why we are the way we are simply because it keeps us sane and gives us a sense of belonging. It’s a whole lot of fun, too, and a welcome break from reality.

5. Air Purifying Devices

Tech companies have been fueling much of their R&D resources into developing air purifiers, which are one of the fastest selling wellness devices on the market right now. Clean air is essential these days, but we have limited access to it due to the presence of pollutants. According to experts, indoor air can be up to two to five times dirtier than outdoor air, which isn’t great news given we’re at home for the most part. Air purifiers are designed to remove contaminants, trap particles, and slow down dust accumulation, which can go a long way in helping us keep our environments cleaner. Expect even more hi-tech ones to roll out in 2021.

6. Focusing On Skincare

There’s little to no need for full-on make-up these days, and we beauty junkies were affected in a major way. Used to facing the world with all the works on, we found ourselves temporarily shelving our bronzers, and lipsticks due to the mandate of wearing masks and face shields in public. Because we now go bare-faced most of the time, this has inspired many of us to reexamine our skincare routines. This doesn’t necessarily mean going the Korean route and adopting a 12-step regimen. Good skincare means really understanding what our skin needs and finding the products that will make it healthier—and we’re likely to keep at moving forward.

7. Healthy Eating

Living with Covid-19 has made us even more conscious of our general health, and this trickles down to the kind of food we put into our bodies. 2021 may see an influx of superfood and probiotic rich diets, with immune system support being of utmost importance. While meal delivery services such as The Sexy Chef, Dear Diet, and Fit Food Manila are here to help us keep track of our calorie intake and make sure we’re getting the nutritional value we need, some of us have grown used to or will endeavor to prepare our own healthy meals. Either way, conscientious eating is a wellness trend that is bound to stick around for awhile—perhaps even post pandemic.

8. Better Sleep

You’re not the only one suffering from coronasomnia. A lot of us slept fitfully in 2020, with pandemic-induced stress and anxiety as the main culprits. We can still clock in the required 8 hours, but sleep quality can be poor in spite and despite, especially if our circadian rhythms are constantly disrupted. This year will see us experimenting with ways to get better sleep, whether it be through making small changes in our sleeping environments (dropping room temperature, installing blackout blinds), taking melatonin, or turning to technology by way of white noise machines or sleep tracking devices to give us information on where our issues may lie.