Ready or not, the new year is here! I mean, I think we can all admit we’re ready, even if no magical switch was flipped overnight to change what a dumpster fire 2020 was. With a new year comes a new wave of trends, especially in the wellness sphere. Healthy trends will certainly look a little different in 2021, thanks mostly in part for the need to adapt to an uncertain future. A lot of factors come into play when discovering which trends will see a spike in the new year, but these six seem to universally be a safe bet.

Psychedelics

Move over, CBD. You’ll be hearing a lot more about “magic mushrooms” in 2021. Not only will they gain more mainstream notoriety, we will possibly even see them legalized in 2021 after recent research has brought positive results in using psychedelics to treat depression and PTSD. We’re not scientists or doctors here at Glitter Guide (obvi), so definitely take some time to read up on the science.

Stress Tracking

Fitness trackers are a dime a dozen these days, and a new wave in technology is looking to shift the focus to tracking stress. Over the past decade, we’ve become far more familiarized with the detrimental effects of stress on the body, so it only makes sense that we pay more attention to the data. We have previously tracked stress levels using heart rate data. But with new stress tracking wearables, we can track stress in new ways. Some wearables will have a built-in blood oxygen monitor to sense quick and shallow breathing, which can then be used to detect anxiety or panic attacks. Others will utilize electrodermal activity which uses sensors on the rim to pick up on moisture triggered by stress. 

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Aesthetically Pleasing Home Gym Equipment

The majority of 2020 was spent figuring out how to adapt our fitness routines safely at home without losing momentum. 2021 will be the rise of the “home décor-friendly” home gym equipment. Think pastel-hued weights and hand-crafted walnut dumbbells, yoga mats that double as décor, chic resistance bands, beautiful blocks and even gorgeously crafted machines like water rowers and fitness mirrors. Since most of us don’t have the space for a dedicated home gym, we’ll definitely be seeing an increase of aesthetically pleasing home gym and wellness equipment in the new year.

Intuitive Eating

You’ve probably heard the phrase “intuitive eating” somewhere across the internet in 2020, but get ready to become a lot more familiar with this non-diet.

Intuitive eating is an approach developed to help people heal from the side effects of chronic dieting. People who repeatedly diet often experience a “diet backlash” – increased rigidity regarding “good” and “bad” foods, binging, feelings about not “deserving” food, social withdrawal and an overall unhealthy relationship with food. With intuitive eating, you’re empowered to make food choices without experiencing guilt, honoring hunger, respecting fullness and enjoying the pleasure of eating. No more food police in 2021!

Sober-Curious

Being sober-curious and sobriety are two different things. Sober-curiosity is often defined as having the option to choose, to question or to change your drinking habits for health-focused reasons (mental and/or physical). Cutting out alcohol, even temporarily, has a lot of positive benefits for your wellbeing. As we move forward in the new year, we will see a shift of forgoing alcohol for healthier options that can still provide a feeling of indulgence and novelty. Think bubbly kombuchas, non-alcoholic botanical cocktails and sparkling beverages with adaptogens and CBD like Kin Spritz and Collective Project.

Telehealth

Not only will virtual health continue to rise in 2021, but it will also become a lot more personalized. The accessibility of telehealth, such as video chatting with a doctor or texting with a therapist, is a huge step forward in wellness technology. And it’s not just your doctor’s visits that will stay virtual. Telehealth also provides the personalized help of nutritionists, dietitians, acupuncturists, therapists and health coaches, all while helping people reach their health goals with one-on-one care from the comfort and safety of their homes.