Wellness is not a static idea; each year, we find new ways to approach our health, fitness, and overall well-being. In 2023, the wellness landscape witnessed significant shifts, from groundbreaking pharmaceutical advancements like semaglutide to the rejuvenating embrace of ice baths, all while turning our attention to influential figures such as Dr. Andrew Huberman.
Yet, as the calendar flips to a new year, the horizon of well-being stretches even further.
What lies ahead for wellness in 2024? These trends are likely to redefine our understanding of health and how we prioritize wellness. From cutting-edge technologies to personalized nutrition plans, the coming year is poised to usher in a revolutionary paradigm shift in how we approach our physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
Making wellness a priority
Wellness can often feel like a buzzword but it’s not a new concept. Wellness is really a dynamic and multifaceted approach to health and well-being.
According to a McKinsey & Co. wellness study, there are six facets to the concept — better sleep, better fitness, better nutrition, better appearance, better health, and better mindfulness.
McKinsey polled about 7,500 consumers in six countries for the study. Nearly 80 percent of the respondents reported that they think wellness is important. For 42 percent of people, wellness is a top priority.
And in the pursuit of wellness, consumers are making choices that help them achieve those things.
Consumers are continuing to increase their investment in wellness, spending more than $1.5 trillion each year. And that number is expected to grow by 5 percent to 10 percent annually as people seek out products like hot tubs, cold tubs and saunas that improve their overall health and well-being.
Achieving wellness in 2024
From prioritizing quality sleep and personalized health interventions to integrating recovery strategies in fitness routines, the wellness landscape is evolving. As more and more people strive for wellness, they are looking to better their nutrition, appearance, and mindfulness.
Better sleep
In the busyness of day-to-day life, one of the first things to get sacrificed is sleep. And while it might seem impressive to report just getting a few hours of sleep each night, it’s actually detrimental to your health.
Poor sleep, or sleep deficiency, can affect your mood, concentration, and social interactions, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And 1 in 3 adults in the United States don’t get enough sleep every day.
As we step into 2024, a significant shift is on the horizon. People are ditching the mentality that sleep is for the weak and turning to proven methods to promote better sleep.
Hot tubs and warm water therapy have long been a way to improve sleep. The warm water induces a state of relaxation, promoting the release of endorphins and reducing stress — a perfect start to a restful night’s sleep.
But there’s more to it than that.
The gradual cooling of the body after a hot tub session mimics the natural drop in body temperature that occurs when you’re ready to sleep. This facilitates a smoother transition into the sleep phase.
Chronic pain can also interfere with sleep — a lot. About 90 percent of people who seek out pain treatment report trouble sleeping. Taking 20 minutes at the end of your day to soak in a hot tub can do wonders on tense muscles, relieving physical tension and promoting a state of relaxation conducive to a good night’s sleep.
A Master Spas hot tub can help you achieve better sleep and become an integral part of your bedtime routine in 2024. The premium massage jets can target any pain or soreness while the warm water soothes you.
Better health
An integral part of any approach to wellness is your overall health. But health can feel like a general term and it can often be up to an individual to define it.
Referencing the McKinsey study, health is considered a “traditional” category of wellness that includes medical intervention, supplements, and measurables that can be tracked with health wearables.
Moving into 2024, more and more people are going to take advantage of technology to take their health into their own hands. A wearable health tracker can be used to measure your physical activity, heart rate, sleep, body temperature, and even stress levels. Consumers can use apps to book their next doctor’s appointment or get a refill on a prescription.
Better fitness
Fitness and athletic performance is no longer just about going all out at the gym. It’s also about taking room in your routine for recovery.
In recent years, nearly 30 percent of Americans have taken unconventional approaches to improve their endurance and strength — including cold water immersion, according to the Mindbody 2023 Wellness Index.
Deliberate cold exposure, such as hopping into a Michael Phelps Chilly GOAT Cold Tub by Master Spas, can help you recover faster between workouts and reduce pain without medication.
When you exercise, your body produces lactic acid and builds up in the muscles. While there’s some debate as to whether this build up of lactic acid causes muscle soreness, it does cause fatigue. Cold water session in a Chilly GOAT Cold Tub causes your blood vessels to constrict, helping to flush out lactic acid.
Intense exercise, the kind that pushes boundaries, can induce microtrauma to muscle fibers, leading to inflammation. Here, cold water immersion emerges as a powerful ally, effectively reducing inflammation and allowing you to redirect your focus to the impactful work you engage in at the gym, ultimately enhancing your overall fitness.
Better nutrition
Nutrition and health have always been closely intertwined. But as our understanding of the human body and its complex needs continues to develop, so too does our approach to nutrition. With advances in technology and an increased emphasis on personalization, it is clear that the way people approach nutrition will continue to evolve in the coming years.
One of the most significant changes will be a shift toward personalized nutrition. People are already using DNA testing and other tools to determine their unique nutritional needs, and this trend is only going to grow in the coming years. By analyzing an individual’s genetic makeup, health history, and other factors, nutritionists and healthcare professionals will be able to create personalized meal plans and supplement regimens that optimize health and wellbeing.
Another trend that will likely gain traction in the coming years is a focus on whole, minimally processed foods. As people become more aware of the negative effects of processed foods on their health, there will be a greater emphasis on whole foods that are rich in nutrients and free from artificial additives. This could mean a shift toward plant-based diets, as well as a renewed interest in traditional whole foods like bone broth, fermented vegetables, and organ meats.
Better appearance
You don’t have to buy every cream at the beauty counter or change the size of your body to improve the way you look.
In fact, when it comes to wellness trends in 2024, people are looking for non-surgical ways to feel and look more youthful. Microneedling, oxygen jets, and lasers are among the services that people are booking for better appearance.
But a practice that dates back 10,000 years is also becoming a unique way to better one’s appearance.
Sauna bathing is known for its health benefits, from detoxification to immunity support. But it can also improve the appearance of your skin, reduce the signs of aging, and increase circulation.
When you get into a sauna, you are going to sweat — and that can do wonders for your skin. Even just one sauna session can open up your pores, allowing your body to rid itself of toxins and impurities. This process can help remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, promoting a clearer complexion and reducing the likelihood of breakouts.
Regular sauna use, though, leads to more benefits. A sauna routine may promote collagen production, a key protein that helps maintain skin elasticity. Collagen production tends to decline with age, leading to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. By stimulating collagen, saunas may contribute to a more youthful appearance.
Better mindfulness
For many people, their inner monologue sounds like a never-ending to-do list. Finish the report for work, fold the laundry, go to the grocery, eat more healthfully, meal prep, go to the gym. With every new item, they are further and further away from finding a much-needed moment of peace.
Mindfulness, the practice of being present in the present moment, can help reduce stress, improve mental and physical health, and increase overall happiness.
As we look towards 2024, one way to foster mindfulness is to incorporate a Master Spas hot tub into your wellness routine. Combining the therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy and the soothing ambiance of a hot tub, a hot tub is an invitation to slow down. You can turn on the jets, soak, and escape from the chaos of daily life.
Hydrotherapy, the use of water for therapeutic purposes, has long been known for its healing benefits. With a Master Spas hot tub, you’ll have access to an array of features that can enhance mindfulness through hydrotherapy. Powerful jets target specific muscle groups, relieving tension and promoting physical relaxation. The combination of warm water and massage-like jets stimulates the release of endorphins, promoting a sense of well-being.
How to buy a hot tub in 2024
Are you ready to invest in your well-being and backyard? Master Spas hot tubs can be enjoyed this year and many years to come. You can click here to learn more about the benefits of hydrotherapy. Or, contact your local Master Spas retailer to learn more about hot tub ownership. Wondering how much a Master Spas hot tub costs? You can request a quote here.