Four Key Mid Year Wellness Trends

Wellness travel -- yoga and meditation retreats, spa vacations, holistic approach to diet and exercise, and sound healing -- has exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic as individuals seek destinations to relax and reinvigorate the mind, body and soul. In fact, research shows the wellness travel industry is a booming $1.4 trillion industry.

The Global Wellness Institute reports that “out of the 87 percent of study respondents who intend to take a holiday in the next 12 months, 76 percent of them said this will include a wellness component.  On average, 25 percent ranked their mental, physical and social well-being 5/10 or less.”

Allen Marketing Communications, Inc. a boutique travel and lifestyle public relations agency, spotlights mid-year wellness trends to help destination marketers and hoteliers capture their share of market and share of wealth in the lucrative wellness industry.

One with Nature
Nature therapy, also known as ecotherapy, forest therapy, forest bathing, grounding and earthing, green therapy, uses nature to improve a person's physical and mental health.  

Research shows “72 percent of travelers will embark on a trip to connect with nature, while 42 percent will include an outdoor activity on their trip.” Ecotherapy can be as simple as meditating near a tree or strolling around a local park or embarking on an active experience such as rafting or rock climbing.

Other examples of nature therapy or green therapy or ecotherapy include spending time with animals on a farm, painting and drawing in a green outdoor setting, wilderness activities such as hiking and camping, 

The refreshing outdoor air helps to alleviate the stress, relax the mind, improves overall wellbeing and sleep.

Wellness Apps
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a “35 percent increase in wellness apps to relax the mind, body and soul,” according to the Global Wellness Institute.  
  
Popular wellness apps focus on “mindfulness, yoga and pilates, home gym, jogging and walking, spiritual teaching, high intensity training and sound healing,” according to the Global Wellness Institute.

Prioritize Your Mental Health
It is no secret the “Covid-19 pandemic has caused a surge in anxiety and depression -- 36.9 percent for anxiety and 30.2 percent for depressive disorders,” according to the World Economic Forum.

Mental wellness is a growing sector in the wellness industry.  The Global Wellness Institute defines mental wellness “as encompassing four sectors --1) senses, space and sleep, 2) brain-boosting nutraceuticals and botanicals, 3) self-improvement and 4) meditation and mindfulness.”

Simple elements such as aromatherapy, sound therapy and stress relief toys to more extravagant experiences such as flotation tanks, forest bathing can boost an individuals overall mental health.

Immune Boosting Vacations
The Covid-19 pandemic has made the general public aware about maintaining a healthy diet and incorporating immune boosting foods and exercise to protect against the coronavirus.

“Traditional therapies, such as Ayurevic systems, offer a holistic approach to treatment that involves boosting mental, spiritual and physical health.  Further, Ayurvedic therapies have been shown to boost immunity and lower the risk of chronic diseases, both of which are protective factors against coronavirus,” source Medical Tourism Magazine.

In fact, luxury wellness resorts are incorporating more immune boosting vacations as part of their overall travel offerings to cater to this growing market.

Wellness travel will be a key sector to reinvigorate the post Covid-19 travel industry.  Research shows that “70 percent found an unexpected benefit to their lifestyle during COVID-19 with the top benefits being a deeper connection to family, eating healthier, less stress, better sleep and increased fitness.”

Let our travel and lifestyle public relations professionals help you navigate current wellness trends.  Give us a call.
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By Mariana Alvarez at Allen Marketing Communications, Inc.

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