Undoubtedly, clients have come to expect more than just great professional skincare and massage therapy services from your spa or massage practice. Many of them have come to rely on your advice for self-care, which may include tips on exercise and conditioning programs, stress management techniques to relieve tension and aid relaxation, and products for at-home use to keep skin hydrated, soft, and supple.
As part of your role as a self-care advocate, here are some of the 2017 wellness trends forecast by Well+Good, a premier lifestyle and news publication devoted to wellness, that you might want to share with clients.
Inflammation-fighting foods are becoming a priority: Since inflammation is linked to everything from bloating to acne and even to life-threatening illnesses, according to physicians and researchers, the market for inflammation-fighting foods is expected to grow. Among food items increasingly trending on social media sites like Pinterest are turmeric and ginger tea and new food choices such as zoodle (zucchini noodle), cauliflower rice, and vegan cheese. They are all substitutes for inflammatory ingredients like gluten, grains, and dairy.
Plant proteins blossom: Say goodbye to burgers and other animal proteins? This may be the direction we’re going. The future of proteins will come from plants – a much welcome message to those concerned about animal welfare and sustainability and their health. Among some of the new sources of plant protein is pea and hemp. They are finding their way into powders for smoothies, nutrition bars, and even potato chips.
“Woo woo” wellness goes mainstream: No longer on the sidelines, such wellness concepts as crystals, which are increasingly being celebrated as life-enhancing; cupping, which continues to grow in popularity; and reiki are becoming mainstream. Reiki, in particular, is increasingly becoming an in-demand service, a Brooklyn spa owner tells Well+Good.
Cannabis goes commercial: Beauty products and other consumer goods containing cannabis are now available to provide customers with the much-touted healing benefits of the plant. They are legal products and won’t give anyone a high because they use non-psychoactive extracts from the plant, most notably cannabidiol or CBD. Research finds that CBD can reduce anxiety and stress, and also inflammation. The range of products in which CBD shows up is broad and includes skincare brands, drink powders, and even suppositories to soothe menstrual cramps.
Collagen in our diet: As much as we depend on collagen for glowing skin, shiny hair, strong nails, and healthy digestion, the Western diet offers few options. So enter bone broths, a new category of amino-acid packed nutrition bars and collagen-rich powders and supplements, and bottled drinks. Consumers are learning about beautifying from within.
You can read all 15 of the 2017 wellness trends from Well+Good here and make a plan to review them with clients. You might even want to do some additional research to have on hand to give clients more examples of the trends.
The world of wellness is constantly changing as people strive for a more healthful, compassionate, and sustainable lifestyle. That’s certainly a positive message to begin the New Year.