Wellness is riding high. From something that only a small portion of the population gave much thought to just a few decades ago, it has now become a $1.8 trillion-dollar industry that far supersedes the pharmaceutical industry. Whether it’s physical health or emotional and spiritual wellbeing, more and more of us are prioritising ourselves like never before, as we appreciate the vital importance of self-care and healthy living for a long, happy, thriving life.
Prevention has come to the fore as we consciously work towards staving off disease and sickness rather than simply treating them. We now understand that by practising wellness – both inside and out – we lead better lives. We’re less stressed, enjoy life more and have more energy to do the things we want to do. Not to mention the fact that a well society also supports our healthcare system and social systems.
The pandemic has had a large role to play in this seismic shift. An Australian consumer survey into wellbeing recently found almost half (46%) of us care more about our health and wellness now than before 2020, and almost two-thirds (61%) of Aussies want to learn more about health and wellness to better care for themselves and their loved ones.
Health trends to watch
So, what does the future of health hold for us? Science, artificial intelligence (AI), data mining and medical advancement have all paved the way for one of the biggest movements in wellness – personalisation.
Personalisation: We can now gain tailored insights into almost every aspect of our health, from physical activity to sleep patterns, heart rate, blood sugar and stress levels, to allow for a bespoke approach with the understanding humans aren’t one size fits all. Technology is integral to creating personalised and adaptable wellness programs – we can make use of devices to set goals, monitor progress and enhance motivation.
Biohacking: As the wellness industry evolves and expands, people are now seeking to go beyond basic healthy living to exploring concepts such as biohacking, in which we try to maximise our mental and physical health to its limits via practices including intermittent fasting; cryotherapy or cold plunging; breathwork; infrared saunas and oxygen therapy. Google searches for biohacking have skyrocketed by 900% worldwide this year alone.
Longevity and redefining selfcare: The 2024 Global Wellness Summit Trends Report notes the rise of wellness clinics focused on longevity and healthy ageing as a key trend. Catering to an ageing population, these clinics offer personalised programs aimed at enhancing life quality as people get older.
The Wellness Trends Report also notes that many of today’s generation, especially women, are now redefining wellness following the high-octane approach of the past decade, instead seeking out simplicity and joy via softer practices, such as intuitive eating, ‘bed rotting’ (aka luxuriating in bed all day as a form of relaxation and restoration) and simple walking, which have gained popularity on social media platforms such as TikTok.
Getting back to green spaces: Meanwhile, we may soon see an uptick in the practice of ‘nature prescriptions’ – a recommendation from health professionals to spend more time in nature.
Researchers from UNSW Sydney recently assessed international evidence from 28 studies on nature prescriptions and their ability to improve health in real-world patients and found they provided both physical and mental health benefits. Patients had reduced blood pressure, as well as lower depression and anxiety scores – and they had a higher daily step count.
Keeping climate in mind: Another trend the Wellness Trends Report lists is climate-adaptive solutions as the world grapples with rising temperatures. This incorporates everything from architectural home designs that naturally cool environments, to wearable technology and beauty products that regulate body temperature.
Cellular renewal: Elsewhere, futurists and longevity specialists are honing in on cellular renewal, focusing their attention on the trillions of cells that are the building blocks of our bodies and carry out specialised functions essential for our health and wellbeing. Cellular renewal is the process of eliminating dead, damaged cells, aka ‘zombie cells’, that can trigger inflammation and regenerating them into healthy cells that can slow ageing, courtesy of such methods as fasting and kilojoule restriction, a polyphenol (antioxidant)-rich diet, regular exercise – especially strength training – and sleep and stress management.
Health advances: get a glimpse of what’s coming
From gyms to dentistry, here are some of the latest advancements in wellness. We’ll see these health advances become more common in the future.
Gyms broaden their offering
Appreciating that health and wellness go beyond just the physical, Aussie fitness chain Virgin Active is highlighting the often-overlooked importance of rest and recovery. Already offering wellness options such as saunas, cold plunges, sleep pods and yin (restful) yoga, it has now introduced sound bath classes.
“Sound healing is a profound method for creating harmony in the body and mind,” says Kate Pippos, national group exercise manager at Virgin Active. “Considered as a form of therapy, sound baths will take you from dissonant to resonant by synchronising the left and right sides of the brain [logic and creativity respectively]. It can help reduce sound pollution, tension, stress, and also balance the nervous system.”
Reformer Recovery classes – controlled stretching for greater alignment – are also a new addition that supports recovery. “Rest is the foundation of wellness in 2024,” adds Mark Seeto, Virgin Active’s global head of yoga and Pilates. “We recognise that to maintain balance in our increasingly full schedules, we must offer opportunities for our community to come together and rest without guilt.”
Dentistry: from AI to stem cells
Seeing the dentist evokes fear in some people but dentistry has seen some huge innovations in recent years, including AI for diagnosis of X-rays and photos to ensure dental conditions are not missed. “This is happening right now and huge strides have been made over the past 12 months,” explains Sydney-based ‘dentist to the stars’ Dr Gamer Verdian, who adds that robotics for dental procedures will become the norm within 10 years.
Another futuristic development that could soon be a reality, he says, is “stem cells being used for growing teeth. This would be insanely exciting if we could simply grow new teeth rather than doing root canal therapies and extractions followed by titanium implants.”
Meanwhile, Dr Verdian has endeavoured to remove a lot of the triggers of stress and anxiety of dental procedures via his beautifully designed Dental Lounge, which even offers patients a glass of champagne during their dental visit – before the fluoride cleaning, of course.
“The 30-minute rule still applies,” says Dr Verdian. “Unfortunately, none of us are exempt from that one.”
For all the advances, however, he notes that simple old prevention will always out-trump any cutting-edge cures. “The patients who have great dental experiences are the ones who brush and floss twice a day and come in for regular hygiene visits.”
Spas take it to the next level
Multi-award-winning spa Kamalaya, located in Koh Samui, Thailand, is considered a worldwide industry leader and operates on a model of empowering individuals to proactively manage their health and holistic wellbeing long after their visit is over.
As well as extensive facilities, such as steam caverns, thermal pools and a natural meditation cave, the sanctuary offers 18 wellbeing programs. Recent additions include a focus on supporting women through their three key life stages, plus a program aimed at resilience and immunity.
Kamalaya has also unveiled a range of cutting-edge diagnostic and functional assessment services, designed to provide its guests “with comprehensive tools and data to deepen their understanding of health and vitality, fostering a proactive approach to preventative care and longevity,” explains Karina Stewart, founder and chief wellness officer of Kamalaya.
Some of its new high-tech offerings include an advanced interpretation of blood biomarkers, providing insights into key physiological indicators, metabolic functions and disease risk; a comprehensive test for heavy metal toxicity and trace elements; and functional health assessments to analyse guests’ DNA profile, epigenetics and microbiome, allowing for tailored and individualised strategies.
Another recent innovation at the spa has seen the launch of its Longevity House, offering treatments such as “IV infusions with vitamins and amino acids, ozone therapy using German ozone technology… and hyperbaric oxygen therapy,” Karina says.
Mental health treatments get personal
With statistics showing that about 44% of Australians will experience mental health issues throughout their lives, finding new ways to improve patients’ outcomes is critically important. Once again, the focus comes back to personalisation through the use of technology, with Professor Jill Newby, from UNSW Science and The Black Dog Institute, recently awarded $2.5 million to lead a centre in personalising treatments for depression.
“The major challenge in treating depression is that it’s not a single disease with a clear underlying cause,” Professor Newby says. “Depression results from diverse biological, psychological and social processes requiring individual treatments. This means that each person needs their own individual treatment, yet current approaches to treatment selection are far from precise. However, advances in data analytics and artificial intelligence are making it possible to personalise the treatment of depression in a manner like never before.”
As in all other aspects of wellness, prevention is better than cure. That’s why the Gotcha4Life Foundation is visiting schools around Australia, with a long-term plan to make learning about and building mental fitness as integral a part of the school curriculum as reading and writing.
Through its Mental Fitness Gym, it’s encouraging everyone to grow their ‘emotional muscles’ and improve resilience via three protective factors – emotional adaptability, help-seeking behaviour and social connectedness.
The preventative health revolution
With about $24 billion spent on potentially avoidable health conditions per year (2018–2019) and an ageing population destined to live to a ripe old age, it’s never been more vital to prioritise health and foster a closer connection to our bodies. That is, remaining vigilant to any early changes that could help us detect and perhaps ward off chronic disease. But, for many of us, the time and hassle involved in undergoing all the necessary health checks is a deterrent to timely action.
Now, our approach to preventative healthcare is being revolutionised. Oracle Healthcare is a pioneering organisation offering an innovative, appealing approach to minding our health, with healthy ageing, longevity and prevention of illness at the fore. The clinic combines cutting-edge medical technologies with top-of-the-line care and compassion from a team of expert specialists and healthcare practitioners working together to provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment of your health.
As I arrived at my half-day-long appointment to undergo Oracle’s ‘Kosciuszko Plus’ Health Assessment package, I knew I was set to receive a new level of care when given my own complimentary car parking spot with my name marked on it. It’s all part of the premium experience, with the service and the luxe, stylish clinic designed to make prioritising your health as positive, streamlined and stress free as possible.
My first assessment involved disrobing to stand in front of a huge machine, the Vectra WB360 (pictured left), the world’s most sophisticated skin surveillance system. By taking hundreds of photos in an instant, it generates a 3D capture, which allows for mapping and detecting changes in skin lesions and moles over time.
I then underwent a DEXA Body Composition Scan, which uses advanced technology to measure body fat and muscle mass, right down to the distribution of subcutaneous fat versus the visceral fat that sits around your organs – often a precursor to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and dementia. The speedy results of these scans allowed for discussions on the day with the respective specialists about their findings and any plans of action.
With heart disease highly prevalent in my family, I then keenly undertook a stress echocardiogram conducted by Oracle’s in-house cardiologist. While my test and cholesterol levels were in the healthy range, in my post-test assessment the cardiologist outlined several options of how I could explore further vigilance and monitoring, given my problematic family history.
Next up was an enlightening and motivating health coaching session with an in-house accredited health coach, who encouraged me to explore how some lifestyle and habit tweaks could assist me in living my best and healthiest life. These sessions (which can include follow-up appointments) are all about steering you towards slaying your health goals – whether they be to lose or maintain weight, exercise more, manage stress or sleep more effectively… you name it.
An exercise physiology session to assess my fitness and functional movement levels was my next port of call. While proud that I scored well (all those yoga and strength training classes have paid off!), my exercise physiologist was still able to ascertain areas of focus for optimal health (cardio classes, I’m looking at you).
To complete the day, I had a truly comprehensive medical assessment with GP and clinic founder Dr Lena Attebo. I was tested for everything from lung function, to blood pressure, hearing, eyes, reflexes, bloodwork analysis and more. Many of these tests had been niggling at me, so it felt very empowering to be able to cross them off my to-do (and worry) list. I left the clinic feeling encouraged and better educated on how to move forward to achieve my healthiest outcome.
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