At the dawn of each new year, experts in a number of industries do their best to predict what’s going to be hot over the next 12 months. Crafted with help from some trend spotters, here are What’s Up? Media’s thoughts on what’s going to be big in health and wellness for 2019.
An Expansion of HIIT-Style Workout Classes
Who has time for hours of workouts? More gyms and fitness studios are developing or picking up HIIT classes (that’s high-intensity interval training, for the newbies) that let members work harder in less time. Perfect example: Global fitness guru Les Mills’ new-ish Sprint and Grit classes, available in gyms across the state.
Cryotherapy: So Cold It’s Hot
You might think people who voluntarily climb into a freezing (or near-freezing) booth for three to five minutes are crazy, but just you wait—you’re going to be hearing about this non-medical treatment more and more this year. Cryotherapy reportedly soothes muscle pain and helps with joint and muscle disorders, including arthritis. Research supports cryotherapy for speeding up healing time in muscles and reducing inflammation.
Just-for-You Supplements
Not everyone needs all the vitamins and minerals that come in a standard multivitamin supplement. “We don’t eat all the same, live the same, or have the same health issues,” says Arielle Levitan, MD, of Vous Vitamin LLC, a national brand. “Why should we take the same vitamins?” Generally, the company—there’s a lot of them, including Care/Of, Ritual, and Persona—offers a quiz that helps you figure out what supplements will benefit you the most.
Workplace Wellness Wins
It started with smoking cessation and evolved into standing desks, but workplace wellness efforts will continue to expand during 2019. Expect to see wellness programs that have been tailored to the employee’s goals (whether it’s weight-loss, disease management, or otherwise), as well as an increased focus on mental health, both in the workplace and outside of it. “Mindfulness in the workplace is catching on,” notes Joy Rains, author of Meditation Illuminated: Simple Ways to Manage Your Busy Mind. “Employers realize that happy, healthy employees are productive employees. No longer a fringe practice, there’s a big demand for mindfulness programs at work, whether to reduce stress or increase productivity—or both.”
The Rise of CBD Products
CBD might be controversial, but that doesn’t mean it’s not showing up everywhere. Cannabidiol (CBD) is legal in Maryland without a prescription, and a number of companies are infusing the oil—which is totally different than THC, the compound in marijuana that gets a person high—into products such as chocolate, gumdrops, honey, and moisturizers (to apply on your skin, not to eat). “CBD-infused products have continued to grow in popularity, and with that audience growth, it is becoming increasingly mainstream versus simply a fringe product,” reports social media stylist Sandra Young of Social Styles, a national marketing firm that focuses on the health and wellness industry.