A broad definition of health and wellness is “activities that promote physical, mental, energetic and spiritual well-being”. It represents the Mind/Body/Spirit concept.
Wellness is multidimensional including: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Career, Intellectual, Environmental, Social parts of our lives. Wellness is a full integration and the pursuit of continued growth and balance in these seven dimensions of wellness.
Traditionally, wellness has been the exclusive territory of the rich and famous. The trend is changing to utilize and make accessible Health and Wellness to the masses. Can holistic health practices reach the average American communities, and will they embrace it? Will chronic health issues be better addressed by holistic health and wellness than by the limited traditional western medicine? It is my belief, after 30 years in the healthcare industry, the answer is YES!
Most chronic health issues are preventable through proper nutrition, lifestyle habits and exercise. The industry of health and wellness is showing itself to be useful not only on the medical side but the preventative side. People are changing from the old thinking ‘give me a pill, doc and make it go away’ which the individual stays dependent on the medical system; to shifting their thinking to ‘this is my body, mind, soul/spirit and I have the power, freedom and responsibility to take care of my life.’
Unhappiness, stress and disconnect coupled with chronic diseases and longer lifespan are propelling the growth of the wellness industry. People are beginning to intentionally incorporate more values of wellness into their lives. They are looking to integrate more holistic viewpoints which is changing the behavior of consumers and the markets. Wellness is rapidly growing in popularity because it has more exposure for public awareness bringing it into public consciousness.
There are many diverse areas in the Health and Wellness industry. Here are some of the fastest growing:
1.) Personal Care, beauty, and anti-aging – more individuals are investing in a commitment to themselves and their long-term health and fulfillment regardless of age, gender, or social status. They are integrating health and wellness to take care of themselves and enhance their quality of life.
2.) Holistic self-healing – individuals are taking mind/body/spirit into their own hands with guidance and education from teachers, coaches, and practitioners to guide their self-healing journeys using healing modalities in personal sessions, online courses, and group workshops.
3.) Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Weight Loss – people are actively pursuing a life that is spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically healthier.
4.) Wellness tourism – Nature is a form of self-care and healing, such as ‘forest-bathing’, using an individual’s senses to connect to the natural world for stress reduction and chronic health issues including mental health.
5.) Spa economy – Consumers are being attracted to ‘self-care oasis’ opportunities such as the day spas for relief from their overstressed, hectic lifestyles and learning to adopt an internal shift to self-love and self-care.
The global situation is rapidly changing and humankind is adapting to a new way of living – a living in Health and Wellness. As we shift and change, we grow, heal and evolve.