6 EMERGING HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRENDS FOR 2021

Although 2020 was one of those years that left our day to day in shambles from all the drastic changes we had to make to stay healthy, it wasn’t all bad. For the introverts and low-key germaphobes like me, other than wearing masks and the likelihood of dying from the pandemic, there was nothing out of the ordinary. If anything, we knew majority of the people were sanitized and we didn’t have to attend functions we didn’t want to. So that was a win. 2020 also gave us a chance to reset and figure out how to deal with the unexpected. A majority of us were able to slow down from the motions of life and treat ourselves to some TLC that our otherwise normally busy schedules would not allow.

We also learnt there is a need to push for changing our approach to achieving health and wellness by closing certain gaps for a healthier society. As we come together to find innovative ways to fix these gaps, certain trends are emerging to serve us better.

        I.            More Attention to Mental Health

Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash

Although mental health issues were there long before the pandemic, the need for preserving and maintaining a healthy mind has become paramount during this time. Our mental well being was taxed from being in a trying situation that saw us get anxious over uncertainties in our lives. The fears of losing our loved ones, livelihoods and our way of life have been real. Now more than ever, it has become more obvious on how important it is to integrate mental health care into our daily routines in order to help us survive this season without going nuts!

      II.            Need for Food Security

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

Zero hunger is number 2 in the SDG’s – a 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Yet when the pandemic hit, many countries realized they were far from achieving this goal. Millions of people lacked and still lack access to healthy and nutritious foods which in light of this pandemic is important now, more than ever. From this realization, many individuals and organizations (private and government) will come up with innovative ways to ensure people have access to adequate and nutritious food in a bid to close this gap.

    III.            Focus on Immunity Boosting

In the midst of the global pandemic, immunity boosting has become a great focus. In order to ensure your body is able to fight off diseases that might be creeping up on you, your immunity must be unsullied. The immune system requires balance and synchronization in order to function well. How do you ensure this? To achieve this, you should ensure: to eat a healthy, balance and nutritious diet, proper hygiene and sanitation practices, get 6-8 hours of sleep, exercise often and maintain a healthy weight.

    IV.            Reducing inflammation

While some level of inflammation in the body is normal - as this is the body’s way of protecting us against foreign attacks, too much of it is detrimental to our health. When unresolved it can lead to chronic inflammation. The body’s inflammatory response then starts to attack healthy cells and organs causing internal damage. This is linked to development of diseases such as:

•          Cancer
•          Heart Disease
•          Arthritis
•         Diabetes
•          Obesity
•          Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.

      V.            Fitness

Photo by Carl Barcelo on Unsplash

Long gone are the days when we associated work outs with the gym and fitness studios. As social distancing and observing COVID protocols continue to be the norm, those fitness businesses that will survive are those that will adapt to the changing times. As reopening continues, there are still those that will not want to go back to the gym but will still need to exercise. Digital workouts will therefore continue to be the norm well into the future. Live streaming, digital libraries will be used to cater to the needs of the client that will want to work out from home or open space such as the park. Those businesses that are smart are the ones that will capitalize on ‘hybriding’ their services by offering both in-person and virtual services.

    VI.            Virtual Health Care

As it becomes more and more ingrained in us of the need to social distance, health care workers are finding new ways to attending to their patients through online and telephone platforms. There are now apps and websites that you can sign up for such as mDaktari that have teleconsults and teleprograms whereby you can access the same services you would visiting a health care worker in person. This allows those with pre-existing conditions, the elderly, and the general population to stay safe by minimizing contact with people not in their care bubble.

 

In a nutshell, taking care of oneself from the inside out will be vital in ensuring we stay safe and free from disease. So, eat well, sleep, exercise, practice some TLC for your sanity and visit the doctor or your shrink regularly – virtually of course.