TRENDING

The new face of WELLNESS

AFTER A YEAR OF EXPERIENCING “NEW NORMALS”, IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT 2021 WILL CHANGE THE WAY WE APPROACH OUR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING

Our traditional wellness routines had a real shakeup in 2020. We started exercising at home, found different ways to de-stress, our skincare focus moved from anti-aging to sanitisation while dealing with continuous “maskne” (acne due to mask wearing), and a profound sense of grief and loss left our mental well-being in complete disarray.

For many of us, 2021 will be about regaining what we lost last year, and for some it will be about finding new ways to take care of ourselves and our communities. Amidst this collective need for catharsis and renewal, a collection of deeper, more accessible wellness experiences are emerging.

1 Touchless Spa Therapy

Relaxing massages and decadent spa days with high-touch services have sadly become a no-no during our current times. What once was a way of de-stressing and self-care is now fraught with worry and anxiety.

Touchless services – like cryotherapy, compression therapy, salt caves, infrared saunas, IV drips, hyperbaric chambers, and float tanks – offer a way for people to relax and recover, without any close personal contact.

ONE Mind Body Soul, a wellness centre specialising in holistic, non-

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invasive recovery treatments, offers Ozone therapy. This is a natural, antiviral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal treatment that enhances your body’s ability to detoxify and recover at a cellular level. By increasing oxygen levels in the body, Ozone not only fights infections but strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, boosts recovery and enhances energy levels. ONEmbs also offers Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy and Ozone Sinus Insufflation. 073 771 5668; info@onembs.co.za; www.onembs.co.za

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2 Cold Exposure Therapy

Cold exposure therapy, applied in the form of cold showers and ice bath immersions, led by Wim Hof and embraced by biohackers, performance coaches, and recovery specialists around the world, is predicted to become a mainstream trend in 2021.

Frequent exposure to cold is cheap, available to nearly everyone, and is linked to a number of different health benefits, such as an increased metabolism, reduced inflammation, improved sleep quality,

Walk-and-talk sessions with clients will become more popular in 2021

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higher energy levels and even an increased immune response. www.wimhofmethod. com; Instagram: iceman_hof

3 Radical Self-Care

After a year filled with trauma, our mental health is fragile. Anxiety, grief, loss, fear, a change in family dynamics and financial stress has resulted in us hearing the term “radical self-care” a lot this year.

Radical self-care will look different for different people. For instance, we may notice a renewed interest in spiritual practices – everything from meditation to manifestation

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to traditional religious activities. During this pandemic time, research has shown that self-care is not only about having a nice bubble bath or a glass of wine, but will often look more like community care. After a year of being forced to isolate from friends and family, removing all forms of physical nurturing and care, we will definitely see a trend towards giving back, making meaningful connections, helping others, while actually helping ourselves.

4 Talk And Walk Therapy

Forget the couch in 2021 and head outdoors for therapy sessions. Since the onset of the pandemic, many therapists have stopped seeing clients in the office due to safety concerns and are doing teletherapy

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as a safer alternative. While telehealth will continue to be a very viable and safe way to deliver therapy services, many therapists and clients miss seeing each other in person.

Walk-and-talk sessions with clients on nature trails, roads, and beaches will become more popular in 2021. With walkand-talk therapy, clients and therapists are moving together in nature while safely feeling connected.

5 Respiratory Wellness

For the last year our hygiene attention has focused on surface cleanliness and hand sanitising. However, as Covid-19 is airborne and can result in severe lung complications, it is no wonder people now, more than ever, are concerned about air quality and our air purification measures. Introducing the SOH Pure Aerial Sanitiser. A one-of-a-kind residential aerial sanitation solution which will keep your home safe from bacteria, viruses and harmful germs. Think of it as your “always-on” sanitiser. The ultrasonic unit comes with Pure aseptic liquid. When the unit arrives simply plug it in, pour the liquid into the reservoir provided and turn on. So simple and so effective. Sarah McGregor, SOH Collections, 072 671 6409/031 312 0019; www.sohcollections.com *