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6 health and wellness trends to expect in 2023
Every new calendar year brings changes that affect our daily lives. The global health and wellness market, in particular, has been soaring since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay-at-home orders and the constant focus on health have people prioritizing wellness now more than ever. This prioritization has boosted industry growth that shows no signs of abating anytime soon. In fact, the global wellness market is projected to reach almost USD $7 trillion by 2025, a staggering 25% jump from the projected USD $5.59 trillion this year.
The health and wellness industry comprises several sub-categories, including fitness, nutrition, physical health, mental health, and more. In this Pacific Prime Thailand article, we look at the 6 health and wellness trends for 2023 to keep an eye on.
1. Personalized health and wellness offerings
Digital solutions were either introduced or accelerated across various industries during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding health and wellness. A major advantage that came from turning to technology was the ability to customize services and products to meet clients’ needs and wants. According to Zendesk, 76% of consumers today expect companies to use their data to offer personalized experiences. With that said, consumers are still hesitant to trust tech companies with their health information.
Health and wellness brands can help build consumer trust by offering value to consumers who are willing to exchange privacy for personalization. In addition to building customized marketing campaigns, wellness brands are likely to start developing customized product offerings that meet the unique needs of the consumer.
2. Consumers increasingly turn to health and fitness apps
Exercising from home has become the norm in our post-pandemic world, as more people have become comfortable with working out where they can. Consequently, more consumers are looking for workout apps that allow them to exercise without a gym setting. Statistica reported that fitness, yoga, training, and health tracking apps were the most common fitness and health online services purchased by consumers in the US in 2022.
To take advantage of one of the biggest fitness trends for 2023, wellness brands can assess how their offering could fit into a health-focused app for the community. Take the Nike Training Club app, for example, which helps users stick to their fitness goals by offering free workouts and professional guidance from training to nutrition and more.
3. In-person classes will keep expanding
Gyms and fitness studios had to close when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its worst, leading many fitness professionals and enthusiasts to turn to online alternatives instead. While online and on-demand fitness looks like it’s here to stay, it may supplement in-person sessions for clients who have been waiting for gym doors to reopen. Les Mills recently revealed that 85% of gymgoers are interested in giving live classes in their facility a go.
In comparison to pre-COVID-19 levels, attendance for in-person classes has reached 120%. It’s worth noting that many consumers are now looking for a hybrid approach to fitness, with many trying out virtual classes before visiting in-person facilities. For fitness businesses, this 2023 fitness trend calls for a balance between in-person and online accessibility businesses moving forward.
4. AR and VR for fitness
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are only growing in popularity, following the rise of wearables and gamification. Through AR and VR, people can easily access more fitness classes from the comfort of their homes. Along with participating in AR fitness classes, they can also share their progress with their followers. Around 97 million people are expected to use AR at least once a month in 2023 in the US alone.
Millennial and Gen Z fitness enthusiasts are especially likely to be interested in AR fitness, and the AR wearables market is expected to be worth USD $145.49 billion in 2027. Since AR is hands-free and allows people to put their phones down, they can enjoy safer workouts that are also more effective. Mindfulness exercise apps are another example of AR applications that can improve one’s health and well-being in a visually exciting way.
5. A focus on the mind-body connection
Every person has their own problems to deal with – problems that impact the mind and body in different ways. Likewise, our nervous system can become dysregulated over time due to stress and our environment. Anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fatigue, insomnia, chronic pain, and burnout can develop as a result. Millennials and Gen Z’ers understand the importance of caring for their minds and bodies through physical exercise, breathwork, and other tools.
The mind, body, and breath connection is integral for regulating the nervous system and helping people deliberately move through their triggers. Mind-body training programs that focus on physical conditioning and mindfulness are something to look out for in 2023.
6. Companies providing mental health and wellness programs
More people have reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues since the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental issues or strain can impact productivity, job performance, job retention, and professional relationships, as well as healthcare costs for employers. By offering mental health and wellness programs, employers can help motivate their workforce and improve their job satisfaction. Moreso, employees will feel valued and cared for in knowing their employer is providing resources to support them.
Get in touch with Pacific Prime Thailand
Whether you’re an employer looking to adopt health and wellness programs or an individual looking to save on the best individual medical insurance plans, Pacific Prime Thailand is here to help. As a global health insurance broker and employee benefits specialist, we leverage our 20+ years of industry experience and insurer relationships to assist you in finding the ideal plan for your needs. We also offer value-added services that you typically won’t get when going straight to an insurer, such as claims and renewal support, insurer negotiations, and more.
Contact us for impartial insurance advice and to compare health insurance in Thailand today!
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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