The new year brings new opportunities for wellness trends. After a year dominated by Mental Health discussions, COVID Variants And weight loss drugs As we enter the market, we look ahead to 2024 and seek to determine which health topics will most captivate consumers.
To get an idea of what we might see, we asked experts from different areas of the health and wellness industry what they expect to make waves in the coming year.
Ozempic’s ripple effect
Experts expect a resurgence of weight loss-focused trends in 2024, driven by medicines like Ozempic become more common.
Celebrity endorsements helped new weight-loss drugs gain traction. Their popularity also appears to have spurred interest in supplements claiming to lose weight, like berberinetouted online as “nature’s Ozempic” – even though the evidence doesn’t really back that up.
“Ozempic will create even more ripple effects in the food, beverage and dietary supplement markets in 2024,” says Frank Jaksch, CEO of bioactive ingredient company Ayana Bio. “I expect we will see an increase in products containing berberine.”
He also expects that “snack makers and fast food chains will offer smaller portions and more nutritious and healthy ingredients that match the changing preferences with Ozempic and will tap into this latest wave of conscious consumers of their health.”
After a few years of reduction diet culture and by leveraging movements like body positivity, attitudes can change. A recent Forbes Health/OnePoll survey found that the top New Year’s resolution for 2024 is a return to physical health – with the majority of respondents citing fitness as a top resolution – after a few years of mental health taking the top spot.
Purchase of smart technologies
While millions of Americans play sports smart watches to follow their exercise, sleep and other health indicators for a few years now, experts have been predicting that 2024 will bring a new level of wearable health technology.
“Wearable devices and smartwatches will continue to go beyond monitoring and add more screening features to alert us to health problems before they become serious,” predicts Christine Lemke, co-founder and CEO of health data company Evidation. “The functionality of these devices will continue to shift from passive to proactive.”
Artificial intelligencewhich is already integrated into certain healthcare settingswill also become a bigger player next year.
“Your ‘second opinion’ may come from a computer rather than a doctor, as can our ability to analyze large data sets and exploit advances in AI,” adds Lemke.
Transition to science
Misinformation will undoubtedly persist in 2024, but experts say consumers will more consciously turn to wellness strategies backed by clinical studies and research.
“Consumers will expect products and services that are science-based and proven to perform,” according to Mindbody and ClassPass Annual Prediction Report.
By 2024, the report says, “consumers will be increasingly mindful of what they put on their bodies and who they listen to for advice, prioritizing research and expertise.” .
Forecasters believe the same is true for wellness-focused social media.
“The growing awareness of social media negative effects on the mental health of young people is likely to lead to a more discerning approach to consuming online mental health content,” says Nicholette Leanza, a licensed professional clinical counselor with mental health care company LifeStance Health. “As a result, young people are likely to abandon their reliance on online content. from unaccredited influencers to licensed professionals for accurate diagnoses and effective advice.
Increased emphasis on social connections
Whether it’s in-person therapy sessions or participating in group sports, experts are seeing an increased desire for connection in the new year following years of pandemic-induced isolation this has taken a toll on our mental health.
“Social activities are valued more than before,” says Bob Wright, director of lifestyle education at Hilton Head Health. “Isolation increases baseline stress, and therefore baseline inflammation. It can also increase the risk of anxiety, depression and other mental health-related problems. Many people have been given a dose of these symptoms of isolation in recent years and are craving more opportunities for healthy socialization.”
THE huge popularity of pickleball is the perfect example of the desire for better social fitness, says Teddy Savage, national head trainer at Planet Fitness.
“(It) brings people together in social settings that allow them to have fun while getting a full-body workout,” he says. “It’s the connection between exercise and functional movement and the desire to connect socially in a community setting that makes it so magnetic.”
Leanza has also seen a growing demand for in-person therapy sessions, particularly among Gen Z patients.
“This shift reflects the desire for more authentic and engaging therapeutic experiences, leveraging the benefits of face-to-face interactions. I expect a continued increase in this phenomenon in 2024,” she says.
Looking towards longevity
Health trends that endure – like the emphasis on plant-based eating, sleep health And gut health — demonstrate a constant desire to live better longerwhich, according to experts, will remain a priority in 2024.
“Some of the next trends we’ll see will fall under the themes of longevity and self-care,” says David Chesworth, program director and exercise physiologist at Hilton Head Health. “In general, the concept of longevity has been and continues to be a hot topic. In fact, many of the trends (mentioned previously) that have emerged in recent years have been reinforced by this.”
In addition to diet and sleep, some people turn to exercise to live longer. As Mindbody and ClassPass’ report points out, “nearly 30% of consumers say they exercise for a long, healthy life, and more than a third of consumers exercise specifically for longevity.”
Another necessary element for self-care and longevity? Rest and recovery, which Savage also placed increased attention on.
“This one really blew up with things like the cold diving” he says. “People are looking for cutting-edge ways to heal their body after a workout or simply dive deeper into the internal benefits of cold therapy and restorative techniques.”
Heat therapy is also a growing trend, according to the report from Mindbody and ClassPass, which notes that the rise of combination treatments — those that use both hot and cold — is likely next.
Rest and recovery is even making its way into the travel industry with “wellness tourism,” the idea of travel focused on health and wellness.
“We’re seeing more and more people seeking trips focused on things like yoga, breathing techniques, skill development, recreation, self-care, aging gracefully, and incorporating joyful activities and stress-free,” says Chesworth.
