We will be probably wearing masks for a long time to come. We are also now getting used to walking with a mask in malls and restaurants. Today, the one thing on everyone’s mind from the consumer to the CEO is ― ‘Well-being’. This one word will now have the power to change economies, industries, health and education. It will change how we travel and how we buy and produce things.

Post-pandemic behaviours are bringing in a very different trend. Till now, wellness was a bit of a luxury. If you were affluent, you could indulge in wellnes of the exotic spas and aromatherapy kind. With consumption patterns changing, restaurants too are now changing the way they design their food menus and the food platter will now be more wellness-oriented.

The professional working class is now adopting new habits. The mental fatigue of these months, combined with job insecurity is changing how people consume things. They are already witnessing a dramatic shift towards wellness across the dimensions of physical, emotional, and financial health and security.

According to experts, well-being is going to be the emerging macro-trend that will have wellness and sustainability as micro-trends within it. Everyone’s focus will be emotional and financial well-being.

Nona Walia

The pandemic is all set to change the $4.5 trillion global wellness economy. The new wellness model will be more DIY at home, and will no longer be about scented candles and spas. Instead, it will be more a pursuit of mental and emotional happiness. Everyone will need care after being isolated for so many months and not socialising as they were used to.

Indulgences in luxury will no longer be the goal. But habits of well-being will be a priority. The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health. Even though the world will be getting obsessed with wellness, one should be careful that the quest for optimal wellness should not turn into an unhealthy addiction.

Well-being will also not really mean the desire to control your day or schedule in these isolated and uncertain times. The ‘new normal’ will witness wellness as a learned trait, yet not judge those who don’t want to be a part of the Wellness Revolution. Laurie Santos, professor of psychology at Yale University, offers many practical and scientifically proven steps for boosting happiness on her The Science of Well-Being course, where she talks about small acts of kindness and of prioritising social connection classes.

It’s all about taking small baby steps and freeing yourself from habits that make you unhappy. The future of wellness may prove to be a mélange of both Western and ancient medicine. For instance, there are “energy-healing” technologies, such as aura machines which use ancient and modern techniques of healing. The big idea is to nourish and nurture your mind and body. Everyone is experimenting ― some are pivoting their shopping energies toward home-bound skin or diet regimens, and daily routine upgrades.

According to the new ING Future Focus Report, workplaces will place a greater emphasis on mental health and well-being. But be wary of worshiping the false idols of wellness! No crystals, no fancy gyms. Wellness will be back to basics!

Self-isolation has made us thoughtful and we are returning to the roots of wellness. The most fancy wellness bloggers who found fame posting luxury wellness fads have realised that true wellness is found in realism and minimalism. We are moving into a world where New Wellness is all about simplicity and not about being trendy.

Nona Walia is a Lifestyle Journalist and Wellness Blogger. She runs her Wellness Channel on YouTube. Click on the link below

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPmDD6K1zWLOXzKdXrcGwQ