2022 Wellness Trends

Top Wellness Trends to Try in 2022

It’s 2022, so what wellness trends to try?  One of the things I love about my job being continuously on the lookout for new and emerging trends in the spa and wellness travel space.  I love sharing these new and emerging trends with you, which is why last year I was recognized as an expert in Women’s Wellness Travel by LUXLife Magazine’s Travel & Tourism awards.

2022

From the start of the pandemic, the need for self-care and wellness to become an integral part of our lives has been clear.  In fact, I’ve been talking about the important of wellbeing and self-care as a driver for success since I started Love to Spa in 2017.  The mental, physical, emotional, and even spiritual toll of the pandemic has affected us all.  And spas and healing travel are more important than ever in offering us self-care, wellness, and the tools we need to live a more meaningful and purposeful life A spa visit provides a needed break from the stress we have felt because of the pandemic.

But the pandemic will ultimately change much of our lives forever.  Whether it’s the ability to finally work from everywhere, set your own hours, or resign for more work life balance and better mental wellbeing.   The pandemic is also changing what we want our of our travel and spa experiences.

Spa, Wellness Travel Expertise

As someone who is continuously on the lookout for new and emerging trends in the spa and wellness travel space, I love to be able to share my findings with you.  I participate in spa, wellness, and travel industry events, learning about spa openings, new products, technology and new platforms, and creative offering and treatments.  Of course, I also get to explore and sample and see these trends for myself in my own spa visits and travels.  I’m looking forward to getting back to more of that this.

While some of these trends are near and dear to my heart, it may seem that I am being self-serving.  Instead, i would like to note that these themes were highlighted by many of the industry associations I participate in, including the not-for-profit, the Global Wellness Institute.  Rather, these trends are confirming what i saw emerging years ago before the pandemic disrupted life and made these things all the more relevant and important today.  And its why I have been acknowledged for my expertise in women’s wellness travel, and self-care.

Here are my picks for Top Wellness Trends to try in 2022:

Spas & Wellness Travel Trends

1. Shared Wellness Experiences

This is near and dear to me as a wellness travel enthusiast, but wellness travel offers us a chance to reconnect with ourselves and others, especially after so much time apart and limited travel over the last two years.  In addition, couples that are dealing with working and raising the family from home and all that requires these days are taking time these days for themselves to reconnected.

Couples’ treatments and packages are on the rise.  They offer couples an opportunity to unwind and relax together.  People are opting for outdoor spa and wellness activities such as outdoor yoga, beachfront sunrise meditations, or even sessions that strengthen their relationship. I recently wrote about 5 of the best spas for romantic getaways.

But these treatments aren’t just limited to romantic couples.  After so many years of isolation people are choosing to forgo their separate treatment sessions and spend more time together.  You’ll see a lot more friends and even mother/daughters booking these shared experiences.

2. Wellness Travel

This one is so near and dear to my heart.  I knew that spa experiences have the power to transform our lives, which is why I became a coach to help other women do the same.   But again, the pandemic has shaped things, and after two years with limited to no travel and a desire for overall wellness, Wellness Travel is set to take over as the primary travel in 2022.

Amex’s Travel Survey said 68% of travelers say their next trip will focus on improving their metal wellbeing. Wellness travel does more than just improve our physical or mental wellbeing.  It gives us a sense of purpose.  And allows us to reconnect – whether that is with ourselves or with others.

If you are rethinking how you live your life and how you spend you days, a personal quest to reflect on how to do that can be just what you need.  Improved wellbeing, and renewed focus on what really matters can all be explored through wellness travel.

Wellness travel and destination spas offer the opportunity for emotional and spiritual wellbeing experiences in addition to physical and mental wellbeing.  Miraval offers a grief and loss session. And the Golden Door and Aurora in NY both offer emotional support programs as well.  In addition, these places also give you a space to explore creativity.

3. Urban Bathhouses and Wellness Playground

I love that we are almost going back to the origins of the spa with this one.  The concept of the modern-day spa has its roots in the healing properties of mineral springs and communal bathhouses. Thousands of years ago, in Europe, such as Bath England or in Rome, buildings were constructed around natural hot springs These warm, mineral rich waters, has healing properties, while providing rest, relaxation and socialization.

A trend to keep an eye on is affordable, open to the public bathhouses and public playgrounds that combine nature, art and wellness and pop-up wellness stations.  The rise in these is partly driven by the emphasis on community in a post pandemic era and being able to reconnect with people.  And, because those during the city did not have many options to them when everything shut down as those in the suburbs.

This trend makes wellness and spa experiences more accessible, something that is near and dear to my heart.  I know that spa and wellness travel can be expensive, and I try to help people get the benefits at a price point that works for them.

QC NY is a new concept in NYC.  It features outdoor thermal pools with views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. QC also has relaxation rooms, each featuring different style and music.  And also features the typical hydrotherapies of Vichy showers, saunas, steam baths, infrared beds, and hydro jets. Admission costs less than a typical massage.

Wellbeing Trends

4. Mental Wellbeing

The pandemic has taken a big mental toll on us, which is one of the reasons we will continue to see more treatments, services and products that support mental wellbeing.   Stress from the pandemic, constant video presence of zoom meetings, and the blurring of work and life is all affecting our mental health.  And for us women, trying to keep our families safe and deal with disruptions to school and schedules, it all adds up.

Prioritize mental wellbeing in addition to your physical wellbeing.  You’ll see this in spas and wellness travel from rejuvenating treatments, that release anxiety and calm the nervous systems.  Some treatments to try are CBD treatments for their role in reducing inflammation and increasing circulation, stretching therapy which works the mind and body connection and therapies that combine sound, light, and vibration all which help to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.

5. Wellbeing as an Investment

Another effect of the pandemic is that many of us want to improve the quality of our lives and our ability to handle our day-to-day activities like a badass. In 2022 we’ll see wellbeing as investments and priority components of our daily lives.

Spas and wellness travel experience can help you feel your best and perform at your highest level.  You’ll find treatments and activities that support longevity and rejuvenation.  And a combination of science, spirituality, and preventative therapies combined to enhance holistic health, and lengthen lifespans.

6. Self-Care and reNEWAL

I started this article by mentioning how important self-care and recovery is so important to our health and wellbeing.  And unfortunately for the last two years many women have felt like they have not had the time to take for themselves with everything going on.

But self-care is so critical to truly living a life that fulfills you, rather than drains you.  You aren’t doing too much, but rather too much of things that deplete you.  And not enough of things that bring you joy and renew you.

Studies show that when you are at your peak – firing on all cylinders – you get more done in less time.  You can solve problems easier and faster; be more creative; and react and respond better and more thoughtfully.  In essence you are the you that you always wanted to be.  Super Mom doesn’t come from putting herself last, that’s Martyr Mom.  And Super Mom is at her peak, because she takes the time to renew before she gets depleted.

I am so passionate about this, that intend to champion this in 2022 through the Love to Spa community. And after two long years, you are beyond overdue for some self-care.  There is no better time for a long weekend or even better a week-long stay at a spa focusing on your self-care.  In 2022 there will be a rise in self-care and recovery in response to the aftermath of holding it together for the last two years.  You earned it.

Services & Treatment Trends

7. Salt Therapy (Halotherapy)

Salt therapy has been around for thousands of years, but really became popular a few years ago, when Himalayan Salt came on the scene.  Salt therapies, such as saltwater flotation, have been beneficial for the joint, muscles and skin.  But Halotherapy, focus on the inhalation of salt.   Over the years salt caves have popped up, and spas have added Himalayan salt walks.   Canyon Ranch in Las Vegas has one of my favorite Halotherapy experiences.

Halotherapy also benefits lung health.   Which Is why in a post-covid area, it will continue to rise in popularity. This treatment works to help with allergies, asthma, sinus issues, bronchitis, COPD and as I mentioned Long term COVID-19 symptoms.

8. Breathwork

Breathwork will continue to be an important trend in 2022.  Again, like Halotherapy, it helps with lung health, something with more important in a post pandemic world.  And it plays a role in stress management, also a factor in a post pandemic world.  Breathing is one of the simplest and most effective things we can do to stoop stress.

The body has two sides to the nervous system – the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system.  You know them better as your fight or flight response or your rest and digest.  Our breathing is different between the two states.  In fight or flight, our breathing is shallower, in the chest and faster, and usually via the mouth.  The body’s normal way of breathing is more slowly, deeper, going all the way to the belly, and through the nose.   However due to the chronic stress we all face, the shallow, fast breather may have become so normal that we don’t even know it.

The thing is our body can’t be in two states at the same time.  So, if you are breathing fast and shallow, you are in a flight and response mode, even if you are only reading this blog.   But the reverse is also true. Just by slowing down your breathing and becoming intentional with long deep breaths in and out through the nose, you will have just shifted your body back into the rest and digest phase.  And that is what intentional breathwork does. It’s also why it is so important for health and wellbeing

Imagine doing breathwork in a Salt Cave or doing underwater breathwork in the Caribbean! Yes, please! You’ll start to see more breathwork offerings in all sort of places.

9. RED Light Therapy.

LED therapy has been more popular over the years in skincare.  Many facials use different LED lights to help calm inflamed or sensitive skin, or problems like acne, or to help stimulate collagen and longer looking skin.  In fact, you may have seen many at home LED devices for your face.

Red Light therapy is an emerging treatment that uses low wavelength red light.  But it is not just for skincare. RLT can be used to relieve pain and inflammation in the body.  It has also been known to reduce some chemotherapy side effects.

To be fair, there is still more research to be done in this space. And like anything else, it has some negative effects that you should discuss with a skincare provider or dermatologist before doing any RLT.

1o. Wellbeing and Health Coaching

I’m so glad to see this trend taking off.  A New Your Times article on why everyone needs a health coach, says coaches are as central to your health and wellbeing as a doctor.  In fact, they work in a complimentary space.  A doctor often tells you to make lifestyle changes but doesn’t show you how.   And fitness and wellness professionals will only show you how THEY make their specific lifestyle changes, which may or may not work for you.

Your health happens in the 99.9% of your life away from your doctor’s office.  In the day-to-day choices you make when you stressed, running late and with a to-do list that never ends. Most diseases are rooted lifestyle choices.  A coach can help you make the choices that best serve YOU in YOUR life.  Because coaching honors the fact that you are an expert in YOUR life.

In fact, this is really where I started Love to Spa.  Spas are these amazing transformative places.  But a week, while life-changing is not enough time to make new habits.  Especially after you come back home and return to your daily life and all the stress, and instantaneous decisions you need to make that affect your wellbeing.   So, where I really partner with my clients is on integrating the changes from that week away back into their life upon their return.

The rise and role of health and wellness coaches is one of the most impactful wellness trends seen in 2022, according to the Global Wellness Institute. And I am so honored to be able to help women like you impact their wellbeing.

Summary

So what do you think of the Wellness Trends for 2022?  There’s the spa and wellness travel trends of shared experiences, urban bathhouses, and pop-up wellness playgrounds and of course the rise of wellness and spa travel. Some wellbeing trends focus on mental wellbeing, seeing our wellbeing as an investment in ourselves, and the criticality of self-care and downtime.  And then specific treatments such as red light therapy, breathwork, halotherapy, and wellness coaching.  Which will you try in 2022?  Comment below, I love to hear which ones you are looking forward to.

As I said, I am passionate about helping women take the time they need for their self-care and how to overcome that guilt they feel when they do.  If you need help taking time for yourself, I would love to help you.  Click here to learn more about how I can help you.