Each new year brings innovative movements and shifts in the health world. So what is trending is in this year? From the continued amplification of plant-based eating to opening up the conversation on mental health, here are the wellness trends to watch out for.
Regenerative Agriculture Flourishes Its Interest
Regeneration International describes regenerative agriculture as “farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity – resulting in both carbon drawdown and improving the water cycle.”
With more and more people interested in the cultivated of food crops and environmentally-friendly practices, it is anticipated regenerative agriculture will be one of the most projected wellness trends of 2019.
The Keto Diet Sticks Around
Though the ketogenic diet is decades old, it grabbed the attention of millions in 2018 and is anticipated to continue a heavy presence in 2019.
But as people recognize and experience the difficulty to sustain the high-fat, low-carb diet, nutrition experts are also anticipating a modified version of keto.
Nonetheless, food companies are increasing the availability of keto-friendly snacks, meal kits, and drinks to accommodate the growing food trend.
Freezer Foods Make a Revival
Frozen food is not a new concept and they continue to cater to the business of modern society where preparing meals is not always an option based on time or even desirability to do so.
But as consumers are becoming more health conscious, expect food companies to continue upping their health game in the freezer aisle, notes Well and Good.
Also expect to see flash frozen meals featuring wholesome ingredients and absent of high volumes of sodium and preservatives, along with frozen treats such as avocado ice cream.
Gyms Move to the Home Front
Fitness is no longer confined to the gym corridors, as more and more exercise newbies and enthusiasts alike are taking to home gyms.
And with the peloton landing on many Christmas wish lists in 2018, expect to see similar innovative products heading into homes. For instance, the “Mirror” mounted onto walls duly functions as an interactive home gym.
Mental Health Remains on the Brain
In 2018, mental health was the new wellness priority according the to Compare Retreats’ wellness travelers survey report. More specifically, respondents were asked to rank mental, physical and spiritual health in order of importance and almost 65 percent selected mental health as priority number one.
And growing awareness about mental health and rising campaigns from celebrities such as Lady Gaga, there is much anticipation the topic will continue to surge in the public eye with both compassion and confidence. Because of this, brain-enchancing nootropics are becoming a very popular nutritional supplement.
CBD Makes Its Way into the Kitchen
To clear the confusion, cannabidiol (CBD) is an extract from the cannabis plant. And unlike the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol oil is non-intoxicating. And not to mention, CBD is claimed to manage stress, pain, sleep cycles, and seizures among other things.
And since CBD has become the USA’s coolest food and drink ingredient in 2018, the extract is not intended to go anywhere. Besides, CBD-infused foods are tipped for U.S. culinary success in 2019.
Alongside aiolis, vinaigrettes, brownies, and cocktails, expect to see more CBD creations throughout the nation’s restaurant and food industry.
Health Takes to the Big Picture
Once upon a time health was dictated as weight loss, which was essentially a mathematical equation of “calories out must exceed calories in.”
But fast forward to the new era of wellness trends of 2019, health newbies and enthusiasts alike are starting to see the bigger picture of health.
So beyond diet and exercise, and while both are absolutely important, people are becoming more likely to tweak other daily lifestyle habits. This includes the importance aspects of meditating, expressing gratitude, spending time with family, unplugging from electronics, and, truly, deepening their meaning in life.
Health Goes Straight to the Core
The term ‘probiotics‘ is not new news, but people are certainly continuing their interest in supporting gut health. This is good, because the American Gut Project continues to flourish in the relation of a happy, healthy microbiome.
The fermented foods and beverages of yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha tea will continue to flood the refrigerated aisles. But also be on the lookout for innovative shelf-stable probiotics products such as granola, nut butters, and pasta.
Wearable Technology Becomes the Comeback Kid
Wearable technology first appeared as a fitness trend in 2016 and was the #1 trend in 2016 and 2017 before dropping to #3 for 2018.
But fast-forward to the new year and wearable technology tops the charts once again according to the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2019 published in ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal.
Wearable technology includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors, and GPS tracking devices, with prominent brand leaders including Misfit®, Garmin®, and Apple®.
The Importance of Sleep Is No Longer Being Slept On
According to a new survey, 35 percent of Americans get six or less hours of sleep each night. This is quite startling, as the National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of adequate sleep on a nightly basis.
Fortunately, though, people are starting to recognize the importance of those nightly Zzz’s and seek out products linked to sleep hygiene accordingly.
Anticipate more use of melatonin and magnesium that may already be in your medicine cabinet, along with innovative products that aim to support healthy circadian rhythms.
For instance, light-blocking glasses are on the rise to safeguard from the emitting intense blue light emitted electronic devices known to disrupt sleep-wake cycle. So be on the lookout and even consider some of these best blue light blocking glasses, including Pixel Eyewear.
Plant-Based Eating Continues to Amplify
There is a global rise in plant-based eating, with Nestle predicting vegetarianism will continue to amplify followers and is here to stay.
So move over traditional dairy milk, plant-based varieties are continuing to grace their existence. But in even in today’s new era, plant-based milks and dairy products have evolved past the use of soy, almond, cashew, coconut, and rice. And while oat milk was oat of this world in 2018, it plans to accompany newer plant-based contenders of pea and sesame varieties.
Plant-based snacks are also predicted to make a strong appearance in the forms of seaweed chips and vegan jerky. And while fish consumption and supplements like Nature Made fish oil continue to hit the market, Good Catch and other faux fish companies are expected to hook consumer’s interest in 2019.
Recovery Takes the Front Seat
“No pain, no gain” might dissipate its face value in the year 2019 as more and more fitness enthusiasts are putting their energy not into just their workout, but to the recovery process.
Recreational workout goers, sponsored athletes, and those far and in between are expected to utilize state-of-the-art recovery tools. High-tech recovery involves NormaTec compression “stockings” to boost blood flow, headphones to amplify training by improving the brain’s natural plasticity, and a vibrating roller to offer myofascial release around muscles.
