Health and wellness trends come and go, but it’s always interesting to see what’s in store for the new year. Now that 2019 has rolled around, we wanted to take a look at what’s trending in terms of natural health and why these trends are important right now. Will one of these health trends be part of your New Year’s resolution to help you have a healthy and positive 2019?
1. Plant-Based Foods as Meat Alternatives
Vegetarians and vegans have been few and far between in the past, but now meat-free is going mainstream. This is largely due to an increase in protein-rich foods that mimic meat but without any animal products whatsoever. Beyond meat-free burgers and sausages, you can now even find plant-based fish that is made of potatoes and peas instead of actual fish. Some of these meatless products are healthier for you than others though, so it’s important to read the ingredient labels to see what they actually contain before making major changes to your diet.
2. Stretching and Recovery Exercises
Over the years, most of the emphasis has been on cardio and strength training when it comes to getting the exercise your body needs. However, recovery is something that has been long overlooked in the fitness industry and is finally getting some attention now. For 2019, we are expecting to see more recovery-related gadgets, programs, and treatments to help revive and rejuvenate overworked bodies. This could mean more people trying massage therapy, foam rollers for stiff muscles, and gym classes that focus on the body’s recovery needs after workouts and on off days.
3. CBD Oil
You certainly don’t need to be a hippie or like getting high to experience the medical benefits of CBD, the non-hallucinogenic component of the cannabis plant. CBD in the form of oils and edibles are currently being used to help people with everything from stress to anxiety, digestive issues, sleep problems, and pain. More research studies are now being conducted about CBD as well now, which is good news for patients looking to alleviate symptoms with CBD in 2019.
4. Diversity and Inclusion
Equal access to health care and wellness opportunities emerged as a big priority in 2018, and this is expected to carry on into 2019 and beyond. Fitness brands and outdoor companies are making more of an effort to feature, sponsor, and support people of all shapes and sizes, as well as people of color who are athletes or just trying to live a healthier lifestyle. This may mean more health and wellness products targeted towards minority groups in the year ahead and breaking the stereotypes of what it means to look and feel your best.
5. Advancements in Telehealth
Much of our social and work-related communications already take place online, so why not healthcare consultations too? Telehealth has been gaining traction lately and is expected to grow even more in 2019. This involves video conferencing with health professionals, remote patient monitoring, and even communicating with patients via mobile devices. There is still a bit of a stigma associated with telehealth though, and many consumers still don’t feel comfortable with the idea of receiving a medical diagnosis via online communication. However, there are still some promising possibilities here for patients who live in remote areas of the country or who just need periodic check-ups for ongoing conditions.