8 Health & Wellness Trends To Watch In 2022
Jan 23, 2022 10:00AM ● By Boitumelo Masihleho
2021 was a year of growth and reckoning. We emerged from the tribulations of 2020 with a bit more understanding, focus, and an eagerness to move forward. As we look ahead to the wellness trends primed to influence and empower individuals in 2022, their mind-and-body benefits feel especially vital.
Affordable Smart Fitness
Fitt Insider also coolly observed that in 2022, digital fitness companies will have to compete not only against other digital fitness companies but against real-life gyms too. This means lower prices on home gym equipment as there will be more innovation this year in the home gym industry, delivering smarter tech at a price point that doesn’t make you and your wallet wince. Developments in AI and machine learning are bringing real-time form tracking to at-home equipment so you can enjoy a personalized level of attention—without a trainer needing to be present.
Soothing Our Souls With Nervine Herbs
Nervines are types of herbs intended to nourish and support the central nervous system. They’re reportedly designed to restore balance and restfulness in the body. Nervine herbs include herbs like lemon balm, chamomile, skullcap, and passionflower. People often brew nervine tonics in a tea form and drink them to enjoy their effects. However, some people may make nervine tinctures, which are extracts that are more concentrated and may be consumed by the drop or drops.
Making Peace with Periods
Surfing the red wave is about to get a lot easier and less stressful. There are lots of natural alternatives for period pain relief. PowerDot, a high-end transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device from Therabody, now has a Period Pain Relief program which is a medication-free, wear-all-day way to reduce the pain of menstrual cramps. Disposable pads and tampons are on their way out with more sustainable replacements like period panties. The Period Company‘s line of affordable, super-absorbent underwear. Most of their styles cost about $12, with the most expensive clocking in at $24.
Supporting the Immune System With Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage has risen in popularity over the years as people are becoming more familiar with the lymphatic system and its key role in fighting infection in the body. Horstman notes that its momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Getting or giving yourself a lymph drainage massage is an effective way to support the immune system, circulate blood throughout the body, and maintain proper fluid balance.
A Focus on Sperm Health
As awareness about fertility continues to trend in the right direction, there's one crucial piece of the puzzle that will get more much-needed attention in 2022: male fertility. Among heterosexual couples facing fertility issues, the male partner is a contributing factor about 50% of the time. We’re long overdue for a more inclusive fertility conversation. In-clinic sperm collection is often an uncomfortable experience for patients. Last year, bioscience company Reproductive Solutions released ProteX, the first and only product designed specifically for semen collection at home, and retailer HoMedics saw a 580% rise in sales for Swimcount, a new home test that enables men to measure the progressive motility of their sperm.
Sound Healing is Taking the Well-being World by Storm
While sound has fascinated humans for millennia, auditory experiences will strike new chords in the world of well-being next year. From personalized soundscapes powered by artificial intelligence to a renewed interest in ancient techniques like sound baths, psychoacoustics is the term to know in 2022. In late2021, Endel showed the world what A.I.-powered sound can do when they teamed up with artist Grimes to create the A.I. Lullaby, an adaptive sleep soundscape. A soundscape is simply the combination of multiple sounds to create a specific auditory environment. Powered by artificial intelligence, the A.I. Lullaby factors in location, weather, and natural light exposure to create a personalized soundscape that helps children and adults fall asleep.
Gender-Inclusive Products Are Pushing Beauty Standards
According to the marketing firm Wunderman Thompson, more than 50 percent of Gen Zers shop beyond their gender in beauty categories, which is prompting some in the industry to think outside of the gender binary. Founder of the skin-care brand Bubble Shai Eisenman said pp until this point, skincare and beauty [marketers] have been largely talking to feminine-presenting women, which leaves a huge gap for anyone who doesn’t fit into that bucket. Fenty was early on the scene in regards to gender inclusivity. When the brand launched Fenty Skin in 2020, Rihanna tweeted: “Whoever told you skincare has a gender, LIED to you!” and that ethos has carried through the brand’s marketing materials to this day.
Employers Will Finally Regard Mental Health As Serious Business
For many, burnout and stress have been on the rise since the onset of the pandemic, fueled in large part by the need to juggle work demands with competing life responsibilities. According to Talkspace for Business’s September 2021 survey, employers have no choice but to listen to employees signaling that mental health support is an important benefit to them, and this year workplaces will invest in the growing number of resources available that offer mental-health-focused benefits, including subsidized mental wellness and therapy services, mental health training at work, self-guided tools and apps. The survey also found that 52% of respondents who were considering leaving their jobs would stay if their company offered more mental health services.
Source
Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies. She's an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
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