As we wind down another orbit around the sun, it’s the perfect time to take a retrospective view of the past year and how far we’ve evolved in our personal universes. More importantly, did we feel well getting here?
Worldwide, wellness is a growing 4.2 trillion dollar industry. In 2018, Apple said the #1 app trend of the year was self-care and mental well-being (still holding firm in 2019). Wellness is omnipresent in the mainstream, with more ways than ever to tap into it.
Inspired and inferred by the current wellness climate, we’ve divined a list of upcoming trends to keep your (third) eye on.
Listening to your ear, peers.
The practice of auriculotherapy (ear seeds) is a form of alternative healing where the ear is a microcosm of the whole body, reflected in the auricle. Similar to acupuncture (but without any needles), ear seeds are intended to release blockages that inhibit the flow of energy. They’ve been shown to help alleviate jet lag, anxiety and mood imbalances.
As an antidote to stress, acupuncturists are beginning to offer ear piercings on pressure points to give a longer-lasting effect. Acugraphs, cupping and acupressure will also gain more momentum in wellness practices.
Yin & yang nutritive tonics.
New health-infused drinks are well on their way, concocted by fusing our favourite beverages with adaptogens and herbals (e.g. instant coffee with moon juice brain dust).
Now that local microbreweries are embracing kombucha on tap, we could even see more beer brewed with foraged ingredients like pine and juniper leaves.
Crystal grid with your green juice?
More plant-based cafés and operators will incorporate metaphysical healing and energetics, specifically in their retail offerings and branding. Why not learn about your spirit animal while you wait for your turmeric latte?
More CBD, please.
With continually evolving legislation, hemp and cannabis products will keep ‘budding’ in the marketplace, from pets to people – especially in the liquid/tincture/elixir form (think CBD kombucha, CBD tea, CBD smoothies).
Workplace mindfulness.
With one-third of our lives spent working, it’s no wonder we’re drawn to practices that support mindfulness at work. In 2020, we’ll see more corporate efforts to enhance workflow and productivity by encouraging meditation minutes in the office, a walking meditation at lunch and meditation apps that align with our daily work routines.
Clean skincare revolution.
Conventional make-up can no longer cover up the fact that it really messes with our hormonal balance and endocrine system. Time to toss out the talc and chemicals, and get fully on board with natural cosmetics.
As a result of recent awareness campaigns such as the Toxic Beauty documentary and startling ingredient studies, big players have finally started to purify the face of their brands, such as Clean At Sephora’s seal of approval. Clean beauty will keep being a thing in 2020.
Edible packaging.
With growing evidence showing that packaging can take up to 200 years to fully biodegrade (yikes), we’ll start seeing new options of the compostable nature –– such as cups made from algae and bowls fabricated out of fungi.
Closer to zero waste.
We’ve all been there – forgetting the reusable tote and ending up with a plastic bag, intending to reuse it as a garbage bag (while silently feeling plastic-shamed). What this really means is that we’re more aware of the adverse effects of microplastics.
Next year, the zero waste movement will strive for imperfection (i.e. doing a little bit better), rather than total perfection/life overhaul. Last year the spotlight was on plastic straws (just google ‘sea turtle with a plastic straw up his nostril’ and be prepared to well up).
We’ll start to see more emphasis on banning all single-use plastic (and maybe those plastic lids that have replaced the straws). With Greta giving us all a bit more ‘greenspiration,’ climate action meetings in 2019 have set the stage for more significant collective consciousness efforts in 2020.
Wellness politics going global.
Due to the rise in the presence of wellness politics (particularly among Millenials), we could see higher taxes on sugar, booze and fast foods along with new policies around health insurance, workplace wellness, environmental pollutants and transportation.
As we look at our lunar calendars and wait to see which wellness prophecies come true, take a minute to give gratitude for what has served us over the past year. Then do keep cultivating a little more well-being in the world, in small ways, every day ??
