You Heard It Here First; 2021 Health and Wellness Trends
By: Bridgette Clare, Nutritionist, Rhn, She Her
Tags: Nutrition, Stress Management, Health, Wellness, Sleep

Get your unlimited data because 2021 is going to be all online everything. At home wellness, at home healthcare, at-home fitness, at-home beauty. If it can’t be delivered, happen online, or be touchless, it’s not happening. At least for the first part of 2021. Because if this year has taught us anything, it’s that the future is unpredictable and what may seem like a sure thing now could pivot and change tomorrow.

Me with my first flip phone. JK this is Paris with my first flip phone. Image Getty Images co Vouge.

Fitness and Wellness

In person wellness events and boutique fitness was slated to be hot, hot, hotter for 2020. And while 2020 has impacted us on an individual basis on every level we could imagine, if you’re a business owner, you know that to be true of your business as well.

2020 has asked us to rethink what’s working, what’s not and where we can pivot to meet the needs, desires and health of ourselves (and our clients).

The start of 2020 saw more boutique fitness experiences opening their doors and according to a MindBodyOnline survey 55% of people were planning to attend a live wellness event in 2020.

While the trend of in-person experiences may be on the decline for next year one trend from the same MindBodyOnline survey is here to stay. Sleep! Or more specifically, the need to prioritize quality sleep and rest. The survey found that 54% of people were interested in trying a nap bar in 2020 and while an IRL nap experience may not be at the top of everyone’s list for 2021, sleep will be. If you’re sleeping alone more now than ever, have needed to move to a different bed during the pandemic, are working from bed or have adapted an off rhythm (circadian rhythm that is) routine, your sleep was more than likely affected this year. 2021 will be the year to really understand the restorative benefits of and the deep need for rest and sleep. And if you need some help with getting your sleep on, I got you covered.

Nutrition and Wellness

People care more about their health and the health of their families more than ever.

The International Food Information Council’s 2020 Food & Health survey found that 54% of all consumers care more about the health of their food choices in 2020 than they did in 2010 and also that 28% of Americans eat more plant-based protein vs. 2019, 24% eat more plant-based dairy, and 17% eat more plant-based meat alternatives. This means we’ll continue to see a focus on healthful foods, immune supportive foods and plant-based alternatives.

We’ll also see trends from the later half of 2020 including a focus on immune system, sleep and stress support continue into 2021.

What’s On The Come Up?

Proactive immune support and building immunity with food and supplements will be on the rise as having a healthy immune system is still top of mind for many. The immune system is something that’s often not thought of until you need it. You don’t really think of all your immune cells working until you feel a cold or flu coming on but now we’re more aware of the beauty of this “behind the scenes” system and supporting it has become important for everyday, not just when you’re feeling sick.

Sleep support products will continue to be important. CDC findings from 2015 concluded that 1 in 3 adults do not get enough sleep. And that was pre-pandemic. If you think about how your own sleep habits have changed you can imagine those numbers couldn’t have gotten any better.

If you’re asking me, which I’m soooooo glad you are, I’m calling a need for getting our hormones checked out (tested) and in check (in appropriate levels, at the appropriate time, for YOU). This is KEY. If you’re feeling out of sorts getting to the root of it is the only sustainable way to change things going forward. Hormones are often over looked, under tested or their importance under appreciated. One simple way to support your body to filter out old and recycled hormones is to eat soluble fiber. The fiber found in beans, oats and psyllium.

Think About It

Have you ever seen a 2 year old in a full on melt down when it was past nap time because they were given the wrong color sippy cup? That’s exactly what’s happening inside you’re body when you don’t get enough sleep (for you). And while as an adult, for the most part, we have more tools in our emotional and verbal toolbox to skip the melt down, it shows up in other ways in our lives.

Support of proper sleep hygiene and supplements, like melatonin (which is responsible for regulating the body’s circadian rhythm), when needed, will be important for 2021.

Products with simple and traditional ingredients to support mental wellbeing will be key because stress is on the rise and consumers are looking for more natural, back to basics options to support their overall well-being.

And We’re Also Getting Deep Into Sustainable Habits

According to 2020 Global Wellness Summit the rise of at home everything continues. From at home beauty powered by the goodness of Mother Nature’s olive oil and back by celebs and Queens of Glow like J Lo, to at home fitness with variety, like Peloton’s “more than just the bike” app with everything from intense fitness classes to guided walks, at home is the sustainable habit of 2021.

But it’s more than just that it can be done “at home”. That’s the bare minimum. 2021 will be about what consumers do at home or with less or simpler or all of the above, all while being more in line with nature, and be something that they can still share with their family and friends. Thinking of more ways we can connect with nature and our community, organically and as no-touch as possible.

That’s not to say that IRL experiences are completely gone but we’re looking for more options close to home for now and into the future, amIrite?

If I had Only One Recommendation for 2021 It Would Be….

To not limit yourself. And to eat more beans, put EVOO on everything, rest more, and find ways to connect with the people you love and your community.

Want more nutrition trends, recommendations or tips? Let me know!