For many, wellness routines may have gone out of the window in 2020. We had to cancel those vacations and retreats, mourn our gym routines and workout from home, and basically just try to keep our heads above water. But now there's some light at the end of the Covid tunnel, we can start thinking about new ways to take care of ourselves and our communities.

Here are a few wellness trends we've seen that should be on your radar in 2021... 

 

Intuitive Eating

Most of us will be trying to shift those extra festive pounds this month. Instead of calorie counting or following a strict cleanse, intuitive eating may be the way to go for long term health benefits. Intuitive eating is a way to get back to basics, with a focus on the quality of what's on your plate together with why you reach for certain foods, and how they affect your mood and energy levels. It's all about re-learning positive habits and acknowledging what your body needs to thrive. You can read more on intuitie eating here

Cold Water Therapy

You may have heard of Wim Hof (also known as the Ice Man) who has been advocating cold exposure therapy for years. Now, cold water immersion is moving more into the mainstream, as social media influencers, performance coaches, and recovery specialists around the world embrace the method. An increasing number of experts are discussing the pros of cold exposure and cold showers, which are cheap and easily available to many of us. This trend will no doubt have a surge in 2021 and make its way to most people’s social media feeds and maybe even their daily wellness practice. Start slow and give it a go!

 

Flexible Goal Setting

For 2021, why not set more realistic resolutions or micro-goals, instead of one big 'all or nothing' resolution. Due to the pandemic, our perspective on goals has changed; we've realized the world can throw unexpected curve balls and it's important to remain open and flexible. Having a long list of micro-goals to choose from, and not putting pressure on yourself for one main goal, can be beneficial for overall wellness. 

Talk and Walk Therapy

In this Covid era, walks have become the new way we socialise with friends and family, but it's also becoming a way therapists connect with their clients as a safer alternative. While online therapy sessions will surely continue, there's a lot of importance for clients and therapists to see each other face to face, so combining this with walks in nature is a bonus. With a therapist or not, maintaining daily walks is extremely important for your mental and physical wellbeing, especially during these trying times.

Digital Detoxes

There is a lot of negative energy in the news and social media right now, and it's more important than ever to set ourselves boundaries for what we take in and what we don't. So why not devote a day, a weekend, or even a week for a full digital detox - step away from the phone and go for a walk, meditate, learn a new skill and properly disconnect from all the noise around you.