Wellness trends evolve rapidly, as highlighted at the recent Global Wellness Summit. Over 500 experts from 46 countries—spanning travel, spa, beauty, fitness, nutrition, technology, medicine, and architecture—convened to pinpoint the top trends shaping 2017 and beyond. Drawing from their insights, here are eight transformative developments.
Sauna Reinvented
Saunas are evolving beyond tradition into dynamic, social experiences. Think "Sauna Aufguss" performances with theatrical flair from Sauna-meisters, hip amphitheater saunas featuring DJs and bars, pop-up saunas on lakes or suspended from bridges, and urban infrared sweat lodges like those in New York. These innovative spaces turn solitude into spectacular, out-of-the-box socializing.
Wellness Architecture
Architecture is shifting from superficial designs to health-promoting structures. "Living buildings" generate their own energy, incorporate indoor wellness features, use apps to flag unhealthy environments, and employ dawn-simulating lighting. From superior air quality and sleep optimization to better acoustics, every element prioritizes occupant well-being.
Silence Retreats
Amid constant connectivity, wellness havens emphasize true silence. Highlights include Austria's first fully Silent Spa at Therme Laa Hotel with church-inspired design, Italy's Eremito wellness monastery offering no WiFi, silent candlelit dinners, and Germany's Brenner's Park Hotel with digital switches for quiet rooms. Quiet zones are expanding to restaurants, salons, gyms, shops, and airports.
Art and Creativity Take Center Stage
The historic link between creativity and wellness is resurging. Expect more art, music, literature, and dance integrated into experiences—like over 200 annual concerts at Germany's Schloss Elmau or live violin at the UK's Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel. Upcoming offerings include stargazing painting classes, sound baths, and yoga concerts, positioning creative arts as wellness stars.
Wellness Redefines Beauty
Beauty is aligning with wellness priorities, emphasizing authenticity and inner glow. Innovations range from edible beauty boosters and organic cosmetics to neuroaesthetics backed by medical research showing the brain's response to beauty. This preventive, holistic approach outpaces traditional cosmetics, proving beauty stems from within.
Mental Wellness Leads the Future
With depression and anxiety surging—projected to top health issues by 2030—mental well-being is paramount. Spas like London's ESPA Life at Corinthia are adding neuroscientists and psychotherapists. Meditation goes mainstream with on-demand hotel sessions and novel forms like dream or floating practices. Expect mind-body workouts, apps tracking mental states (e.g., MindBit), and equal focus on mind and body.
Embracing Cancer Wellness
The industry is addressing cancer patients' needs through specialized programs like Julie Bach's "Wellness for Cancer," ESPA's "Nurture and Support," Natura Bissé's "Oncological Aesthetics," and Two Bunch Palms' "Mindful Touch Massage." Trained practitioners now provide comfort, dignity, and healing tailored to this underserved group.
Wellness Beyond Elites
As wellness gaps widen, the sector is democratizing access. Initiatives like "Yoga Gives Back" aid women in India, while Fogo Island Inn reinvests all profits into its community. "Wellness Tourism 2.0" builds sustainable regions benefiting locals and visitors alike. Affordable options—from healthy supermarkets to spa chains—are rising, balancing accessibility with fair pricing for human-centered services.
