Our health and wellness habits have evolved over the years, as if going back full circle on what once seemed too traditional and not backed by enough science. But are we truly reconnecting with historic and traditional remedies or just following trends?
Just as the ’80s gave rise to fitness programs like Jazzercise and aerobics, the last few years saw a huge spike in interest for benefits of a gluten-free diet. Keto, paleo or dairy/gluten free may sound absurd to some due to extremities and inflexibilities, but the reality is they’re here to stay due to a reasonable response for changing consumer demands. Here’s a list of health trends to pick from because soon they will be dietary options on international flights!
Plant-Based Eating — It’s All About Quality and Flavor
Plant-based eating has gone totally mainstream: it’s not uncommon to order your latte with almond milk at Starbucks or choose the Sofritas as your protein option at Chipotle. Even Tyson Foods, one of the largest meat processors in the U.S., has invested in the popular plant-based meat-substitute, Beyond Meat. Other high-profile investors in this big meat free wave include Kyrie Irving, Jessica Chastain, and Snoop Dogg.
While plant-based eating has steadily risen over the years, the reasons have shifted. The vegan decision came with primary reasons- concerns for animal welfare, the environment, and general digestive health. Quality and flavor for vegan food options is has become a prerequisite and gained decisive importance. Mintel, a market research firm, reports that taste is now the top reason U.S. adults choose to eat plant-based (52%). The second driving factor has to do with quality: people are more likely to seek plant-based products with no artificial ingredients that are high in protein and fiber and do not contain GMOs.
Similarly, the Impossible Burger is said to be a match to ground beef for taste, nutrition, and versatility. It won the International Consumer Electronic Show’s highest honors, “Best of the Best” and can even be found abroad on the menu of Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen. Bye bye to tasteless, bland and rubbery tofu burgers.
CBD Products Are Big Business
While derived from hemp, cannabidiol—or CBD—is a non-psychoactive that does not get you high but rather relaxes you. More importantly, scientific and clinical research underscores CBD’s significant medical benefit. It carries the potential to treat a wide range of ailments, including arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, and PTSD.
Because of its appeal for those interested in relieving their symptoms, CBD oil has been garnering attention in the health and wellness space. In 2016, CBD sales were $129 million; in 2017, that number increased to $190 million. Sales are expected to reach $450 million in 2020 and exceed $645 million by 2020. The beverage company Dirty Lemon has even released +cbd, a drink infused with 20 milligrams of CBD and pure hemp oil, along with pineapple, blood orange, and tangerine juices. As expected, a brand represented reported that the product was in super high demand and over 1,000 would-be buyers were waitlisted after a pre-order rush.
Women’s Self-Defense Is About Personal Empowerment and Physical Fitness
Stationary bike Cycling is seeing competitions since there are other less exhausting ways to improve physical form. Self-defense classes go beyond that. Not only do they build strength and burn calories, they can also sharpen mental fitness and improve self-confidence. Krav Maga has been around for decades, but it’s now becoming one of the hottest self-defense disciplines around thanks to Hollywood and televised MMA. There are classes specifically designed to promote awareness, strength, and self-defense skills for women.
The curriculum, Krav Maga for Women, was created using information from law enforcement officials and criminal prosecutors to address how and where women are commonly attacked. The instructors emphasize realistic training scenarios and defenses using a variety of punches, elbows, knees, and kicks so that students are prepared to survive a real attack. The mission is to have women leaving their classes feeling strong and empowered in knowing that they are in control. Whether you’re looking for a new exercise routine, wish to gain discipline, or want to learn to protect yourself, self-defense classes are a wonderful means of both personal empowerment and fitness.
Mesonutrients Are More Than Just a Buzzword
Macronutrients, the categorization of food that contains fat, protein, and carbohydrates, became a hot topic after IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros) and the ketogenic diet were widely adopted. However, have you overlooked another category that provides a wealth of benefits?
Say a big Hola to mesonutrients- the active compounds found in superfoods that provide much of the health benefits that they’re known for. For example, green tea’s powerful antioxidants come from the mesonutrient Epigallocatechin Gallate, or EGCG. A simple way to enjoy the benefits, which include improved brain function, fat loss, and a lower risk of cancer, is to drink or eat matcha powder.
Some mesonutrients are difficult to absorb and are best consumed through supplements. Turmeric, which is widely known for its anti-inflammatory properties, derives its health benefits from the mesonutrient curcumin. Because the body cannot easily break down curcumin, it’s recommended to reap its benefits via supplements.
Yoga is now super niche, super customized and called super strange names!
Yoga has been a popular fitness practice for quite a while, with at least one in three Americans having practiced yoga at least once. What’s different now are the kinds of yoga being offered. So immensely customized, the varieties are almost unheard of in some areas making them ultra local to their community and hoods. Varieties such as goat yoga and rage yoga offer a chance for people to get centered, while also offering their own unique benefits. Here are two extremes for you to consider.
Goat Yoga
Lainey Morse created Goat Yoga after living with a herd of goats in Oregon and realizing how spending time with them improved her mood. Scientific studies have shown that yoga can increase one’s flexibility and strength, decrease stress hormone levels, and improve physical health. Studies have also shown that interacting with animals can lower one’s blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve sleeping habits. As a way to complement the two, Goat Yoga has goats wandering freely during yoga sessions, sometimes nuzzling or rubbing against students. As a form of animal-assisted therapy, Goat Yoga quickly went viral, with over 1,000 people on wait lists eager to participate.
Rage Yoga
This may benefit some of you who claim to have anger issues… but seriously, hear us out and jokes aside here. If you’re the type of person who feels release by cursing and listening to heavy metal, Rage Yoga may be the method for you. Lindsay Istace, the founder of Rage Yoga, says that sessions involve traditional yoga postures and breathing—but also war cries, f-bombs, and beer. She hopes that Rage Yoga helps people who are intimidated by traditional yoga learn to do aspects of yoga on their own terms. Regardless of how unusual these classes may seem, simply getting on the mat and practicing your downward dogs while screaming ‘F-k yeah’, it will surely help you relieve stress and get centered. Ohm.
With consumers in search of a longer and better quality of life, the health and wellness industries are now worth up to $3.7 trillion. People today are less likely to seek weight loss as an exclusive health goal and are more likely to adopt a holistic aim of feeling better and having more energy. Whether it’s paying more attention to the ingredients you eat or signing up for a new class, working on your health and wellness is something to be proud of. Have you tried any of the trends listed? What are some things you do for your health and wellness?
