Fitness and health will gain importance this year. Here are some things to look out for
2022 is nearly over, and oh, how the time just flew by. This year we saw the rise of face yoga, the evolution of mental wellness, and an explosion in wearable fitness tech like Fitbits and Apple watches.
Some of these trends (which really should be abiding principles of living), will continue into 2023. We’re also seeing some evolution in people’s relationship with health and wellness. For instance, people are more focused than ever on their mental and physical health and looking for easier ways to fit positive lifestyle habits into their days. Climate consciousness and good nighttime sleep are also becoming top priorities as far as the trends are concerned.
As we wrap up the year, let’s look ahead to 2023’s wellness trends.
1. Low Intensity/ Low Impact Workouts
Move over, HIIT, it’s now the age of low impact workouts focused on mobility and flexibility. According to Yelp’s 2023 wellness trend predictions, yoga and Pilates are ascending, as is stretching. Yelp data shows searches for stretching and stretching workouts are up 61%, a formidable increase.
2. Movement Snacking
A trend gathering pace is movement snacking, otherwise known as intermittent exercise or mini-workouts. They involve working out in multiple short bursts of ten minutes or less throughout the day. This is a great way to start exercising or fitting it into busy days. Moreover, research shows little to no difference between regular workouts and mini-workouts on cardiovascular health.
3. The AARP Special
The AARP special simply involves eating dinner early (sometimes as early as 5 pm), as retired folks do. Eating early is a common practice among Asian cultures and has been around for centuries. Still, it’s only now becoming popular among younger adults for its beneficial effects on digestion and sleep. The hospitality industry has already started seeing this trend reflected in dinner reservations, which are getting earlier and earlier.
4. Pickleball
Perhaps one of the funnest fitness trends slowly coming up is this sport that’s like a cross between tennis and ping pong. Invented in 1965, pickleball has now become so popular that celebrities like Tom Brady and LeBron James are investing in the game. This is a fast-paced and competitive game, played on a court with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.
5. Climate Consciousness
Climate consciousness has been seeping into all food, health and wellness habits. The last few years have a rise in plant-based eating, zero-waste cooking and a preference for local produce. More recent Whole Foods data shows consumers expect brands and retailers to do more related to carbon and climate — and brands are communicating their efforts on their labels and product packaging.
6. Mental Wellness
The pandemic upended many things, but one (very thin) silver lining is that it put mental wellness front and center. People have been normalizing conversations around mental health from dinner tables to the workplace. According to a forecast by Everfi, employers will be prioritizing employee mental health in their budgets in the year ahead, a move that translates into improved employee engagement as well.
7. Sleep Tech
People have been sleeping less over the decades since the 1970s. Although the recommended amount of sleep is eight hours, data shows that people are sleeping only for six to seven hours every night. Better sleep is a priority, and the sleep tracking function on smartwatches are already being put to good use. 2023 might see a proliferation of much more sophisticated sleep technology such as weighted soft toys, smart beds, and cooling nightwear for those night sweats.
