The wellness trends you need to know about
From climate diets to online coaching, these are the hot wellness trends you should be getting into next year.
Forget the pandemic – 2022 is a brand-new year, and there will be a host of new wellness trends for you to embrace to help find your inner zen.
If you’re looking to improve your physical and mental game, consider giving these new approaches a whirl.
Eat for the environment
People are concerned about the state of the environment and their waistline, so why not help both at the same time?
Experts from the Endeavour College of Natural Health have predicted environmental eating will increase through 2022 as people become more conscious of the impact food choices have on the planet.
Meat is one of the biggest carbon emitters, but Endeavour College nutritionist and environmental scientist Sophie Scott says more people are having meat-free days.
“Research recently found that nearly 20 per cent of people surveyed are reducing meat in their diet,” Sophie says.
The CSIRO has earth-friendly eating tips and they include:
- Consume fewer discretionary (junk) foods.
- Minimise food waste with careful meal planning.
- Don’t eat more than your body needs.
- Greater good: How your food choices can help save the planet
The rise of online wellness
Wellness coach Katie Lowndes predicts there will be more of a move to online for our consults to boost wellbeing.
Many people have come to appreciate the convenience of video catch-ups through the pandemic, so it’s not surprising accessing wellness activities and coaching online is popular.
“One hundred per cent of my coaching is now done online,” Katie says.
“People find it easier.
“You don’t have to commute anywhere and face traffic.
“It’s easier to fit into our busy lives when we just need to log on and do our session.”
- Lip service: The hottest lipstick trends to try right now
Uptake in urban gardening
Back yards and balconies across the country transformed into thriving edible gardens as people embraced their green thumb during lockdown, and it’s likely to continue according to Sophie.
“It’s all about growing your own organic fruit and vegetables and creating sustainable food practices,” she says.
People are also reaping the health rewards of toiling in the soil, with gardening proven to reduce stress, ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, and promote relaxation.
Move towards Chinese medicine
This ancient art is undergoing a revival as more people are drawn to new and exotic practices for their wellbeing, according to Endeavour College medicine educator Greg Cope.
“Acupuncture has been steadily on the rise since the ’90s,” Greg says.
“But after this particularly stressful year, Chinese medicine practitioners are reporting that they’re fully booked and taking hundreds of bookings for the new year, from people of all ages and from all walks of life.
“We’re seeing increased interest in tui na, a Chinese remedial massage, and also paediatric acupuncture, known as shonishin.”
- Alternative hot spots: 7 health-boosting Aussie towns that are just like Byron Bay
The slow movement is gathering pace
Dramatically slowing down our lives is a clear tactic people are adopting in the wake of the pandemic, according to Greg.
He says more younger people are embracing tai chi, Chinese martial arts, meditation apps and practising mindfulness in nature.
- Stress beater: How Vedic meditation can be as easy as watching Netflix
New ways to naturally boost health
Endeavour College naturopathy lecturer David Stelfox says it’s been a full-on year, and natural ways to deal with the pressure and improve overall health are very much in style.
“Galangal is tipped to be the new ginseng, with research showing this aromatic herb, which is often used in Asian dishes and is sometimes called Thai ginger, can assist with stimulation and stress alleviation,” David says.
Probiotics will also continue to rise.
“Expect to see gut-healthy cocktails and mocktails made with probiotic ice cubes, and probiotic coffee and tea, which are being touted as the best way to start the day,” he says.
- Tried and true: 7 natural remedies that really do work
Written by Alex White.
