For those individuals who are interested in discovering what new health trends will be the rage in 2016, Good+Fit - the online site for health and fitness - recently published its findings. While some of the data
focuses on the discovery of new foods and minerals thought to improve health, the
online listing of trends also reflects a variety of changes in perception.
Lifestyle Shifts
According to Good+Fit,
Americans will continue to address stress reduction as a way to improve health.
For the past few years, meditation has been one method that individuals have incorporated
into their lifestyle to minimize daily pressure and increase calm and a sense
of well-being. Recently, however, this
stress-reduction tool has grown beyond individual practice to include group participation
in order to improve one’s social life. Last
year, large meditation groups cropped up in New York’s Central Park where
people shared the benefits of the technique in a more congenial atmosphere. People
are turning to meditation gatherings after work as they previously would’ve
turned to a spinning class at a fitness club.
Others are gathering in hotels or yoga studios to witness the benefits
of “sound baths” where sound healers play traditional instruments for people
seeking relief from stress and anxiety. Individuals are wanting to practice
stress-reduction while connecting with others.
As society becomes
increasingly mobile and fast-paced, Americans are considering ways to
incorporate health and beauty into these changes. Some salons have created services
such as drop-in facials or massages that only incorporate 30 minutes so women
don’t have to clear their schedules. Rather than spending all day at a spa,
apps are being developed to help women choose specific beauty and wellness
regimens that are time-limited and they can book ahead of time at a chosen location.
Some of these apps (like Glamsquad,
advertised as Glam on the Go) allow services to be done in the home. Alexandra Wilkes Wilson, Glamsquad’s
co-founder and CEO explains: “During our home appointments, our clients are
sending emails, talking to their children, reading the newspaper, or browsing
on social media. Now you don’t need to
spend an hour or more at the salon and put your life on hold to look and feel
your best.” (Held, 2016)
Another lifestyle shift
for 2016 includes a move away from diets as a sole means of reducing weight.
According to Good+Fit, people will begin to think of dieting as a way to feel emotionally
strong and more mentally fit. Fitness will become not only a vehicle to improve
one’s physical self but also improve one’s mental and emotional self; fitness
will be seen as an important method to ease anxiety or increase focus and
concentration. Recently Lena Dunham sent a photo to Instagram of herself
working out at a fitness center with the message: “It ain’t about the ass, it’s
about the brain.”
Weight Watchers also
plans to move past pounds toward a new program called “Beyond the Scale”. “This is our biggest innovation in our
history and it touches every part of our experience,” said Gary Foster, Weight
Watchers’ chief scientific officer. “We’re going to talk about taking care of
yourself in ways that don’t involve food.” (Held, 2015, para. 3) This includes weighing
accomplishments in addition to weighing pounds, thus addressing inner strength
and improving overall wellness.
Herbs and Minerals
Adaptogens are
superherbs used to fight stress and improve overall health. Dr. Frank Lipman, physician
to celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, states: “Adaptogens help your body adapt
to its specific needs. No food can do
that, and I don’t know any other herbs that work that way.” (Held, 2016) Adaptogens
are found in Chinese herbal medicine (such as Asian ginseng and lyceum),
Ayurveda herbal medicine (ashwagandha, shatavari, and holy basil) and western
herbal medicine (hawthorn and rhodiola). Go+Fit expects that Americans will
begin to find more of these herbs added to teas, juices, and beauty products.
In addition, the New Year
will find less emphasis on vitamins and more emphasis on minerals, in particular
magnesium, to improve health. According to Dr. Lipman, “Magnesium controls
hundreds of chemical reactions in the body, helps regulate blood pressure, and
keeps the immune system strong.” (Lipman, parag 3) In addition, Dr. Lipman
believes that low magnesium contributes to PMS, heart irregularities,
allergies, and memory problems and that stress, caffeine, sugar and alcohol
contribute to low levels. It can even
increase the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Good+Fit believes more people will begin to
remineralize themselves by taking magnesium supplements or by using magnesium
oils and sprays.
It’s All About Seaweed
Recently, the New
Yorker published an article about seaweed, calling it a “miracle food”. The
article also discussed the environmental benefits of seaweed: “Seaweed, which
requires neither fresh water nor fertilizer, is one of the world’s most sustainable
and nutritious crops. It absorbs
dissolved nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon dioxide directly from the sea — its
footprint is negative — and proliferates at a terrific rate.” (Goodyear, 2015,
parag 3) Fiona Houston, CEO of Mara Seaweed, states: “Seaweeds are amongst the
most nutrient-dense plants on the planet, as they have access to all the
nutrients in the sea, they are an extremely rich source of minerals”. (Held,
2016) She reports that a number of
Michelin-starred chefs are now using seaweed in their dishes and manufacturers
are replacing salt with seaweed for a number of their processed foods.
References
Held,
Lisa Elaine 2016 Wellness Trends
(2016) Retrieved from http://wellandgood.com/fitness-wellness-trends/
Goodyear,
Dana A New Leaf (2015) Retrieved from
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/02/a-new-leaf
Lipman,
Frank Support Your System – With Magical
Magnesium Retrieved from http://www.drfranklipman.com/support-your-system-with-magical-magnesium/
Held,
Lisa Elaine Weight Watchers says it’s
going “Beyond the Scale” with a new wellness focus (2015) Retrieved from http://wellandgood.com/2015/12/07/weight-watchers-new-wellness-focus-beyond-the-scale
About the Author

Alicia Meade
, MA, LCSWI've helped individuals find solutions to their problems for over 30 years and am skilled in working with children, adolescents and families. I have worked in many different systems throughout the years: mental health centers, inpatient hospital settings, alternative schools, the legal system and managed care. As a therapist I am solution-focused and use aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). My approach is interactive and nonjudgmental.
Office Location:
1010 Lake St, Suite 620
Oak Park, Illinois
60302
United States
Phone: 630-747-1312
Contact Alicia Meade
Professional Website:
www.aliciameade.com