The wellness industry has boomed in recent years and while many fads have come and gone, some have become a part of many people’s daily lives.
We are constantly searching for ways to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives and want to try different things that will reduce our stress levels and lower our risks of getting diseases too.
The past year has been no different, with some new wellness trends coming into play, and others getting bigger as the years went by. Here’s a roundup of the biggest wellness trends of 2019.
It’s always a good idea to take a break from work but it’s easy to indulge too much while we’re away and forget that we have to look after ourselves too (so we often try to sneak in a hotel gym trip or two to make ourselves feel better).
Sure, people have been taking things like spa weekends away or hiking trips for a long time, but wellness trips takes the idea of looking after your mental and physical wellbeing one step further. You’ll find activities like meditation and weight-loss or detox programmes.
Look for companies that organise such retreats or search online for destinations/properties that specialise in such activities – your refreshing yoga retreat is just a click away. Wind down while on holiday and feel refreshed when you’re back to the daily grind.
Photo: Instagram/ oliya_2104
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Not leaving the house to get any exercise done may sound like a lazy option but, thanks to technology, this is a totally viable choice – and often a better one too. (Oh and by the way, here are some super hot fitness influencers you can follow for #fitspo too).
There are ‘smart’ machines such as bikes by Peloton, which has taken the American market by storm, connected rowing machines by Hydrow, and Fiit, which brings the gym home via live fitness classes. If you want something more ‘real’, there are also virtual reality games that will get you sweaty in no time, while doing activities such as boxing.
But you won’t even have to get any fancy gear to enjoy a workout at home; there are plenty fitness apps and streaming services that you can use through your smartphone to enjoy workouts and even things like yoga sessions.
Examples include Openfit, Nike Training Club and 7 Minute Workout Challenge. So don’t waste money on that gym membership you never use and, instead, invest in a fitness app that works for you so you can workout in the comfort of your home, the park, or even anywhere suitable with a group of friends.
Photo: Nike club
Most of us are aware of the need to not stare at our smartphones for long periods of time but it really is hard to do this as practically everything these days is done digitally (if you need some blue light protection, read these).
But the ask here is not to totally give up your gadgets – instead, set limits on the amount of time you spend using them and take regular digital detoxes if you can, perhaps an hour or two each day spent doing non-digital things.
Or start slow and simple by turning off notifications for some apps (so you don’t constantly look at your phone) or not taking your phone to your bedroom when you sleep at night. It’s not just your mental health that will benefit from this, your neck, back and eyes will thank you for your digital detox too.
Photo: Unsplash
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While the plant-based revolution started a few years ago, it grew substantially in 2019 – especially locally. Impossible Foods’ plant-based ‘meat’ made its way to Singapore this year, as did Beyond Burger by Beyond Meat.
It’s become common to see plant-based patties sold in supermarkets here too and the number of restaurants serving plant-based protein is growing by the month.
Whether it’s out of curiosity or a genuine interest in changing diet habits, more consumers are plugging into plant-based alternatives.
Photo: Unsplash
It’s not just about our own wellness but making the planet a better place too. Reducing food waste also reduces carbon emissions and lowers our carbon footprint.
Each year, Singaporeans throw away around 393,000 tonnes of food, which costs us an estimated $2.54 billion worth of food each year, reported The Straits Times.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) designated 2019 as the Year Towards Zero Waste and among the initiatives is the Food Waste Reduction Campaign at hawker centres and supermarkets, which encourages consumers to only buy, order and cook what they need.
Veggie Rescue missions have also gained popularity, where volunteers collect unsold veggies from retailers and either give them to charity organisations or for their own consumption.
Photo: Unsplash
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We’ve become used to the healing power of aromatherapy but now it’s time to use our sense of hearing – and not smell – to feel better. Sound healing is more in demand these days and even celebs like Meghan Markle and Charlize Theron are said to be fans.
Using different frequencies to restore balance in the body and make the participant relax, there are various aspects of sound healing, such as using Tibetan singing bowls (usually made of crystal) or having a ‘gong bath’ (there’s no water involved here).
Read all about where you can try out sound healing in Singapore here.
Photo: Eventbrite
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