The face of wellness is always changing. Last year, CBD reigned supreme, forest bathing was our go-to therapy and sales of vegan make-up went through the roof. But what’s going to be big in 2020? We reveal all…
Eco cleaning
You may have been using natural cleaning products for the past few years, but as more consumers jump on the (green) bandwagon, so the choice on the mass market continues to improve. According to a trend report from Waitrose, sales of eco household-cleaning products were up 17 percent in 2019 compared to the previous year, while eco laundry sales rose by 40 percent and eco dishwashing items were up 26 percent. Even recycled toilet paper sales are up by 39 percent. Brands such as Mangle & Wringer (mangleandwringer.co.uk ), ecoegg (ecoegg.com ) and Who Gives a Crap (uk.whogivesacrap.org ) have been on our radar for a while, and now new swathes of companies are delivering products that are good for both our homes and the planet. Look out for others like Ashley & Co (shop.ashleyandco.co ), KINN Living (kinn-living.com ) and Tincture (tincturelondon.com ) and restock your under-the-sink cupboard.
Taboo talk
We’ve certainly become a lot more open in recent years about traditionally taboo issues such as hair loss, childbirth, our menstrual cycles and the menopause, and it seems this willingness to talk is only going to grow. In 2019 a large number of celebrities, including our very own columnist Patsy Kensit, discussed their experiences of hormonal changes and encouraged others to do the same. One of the many positives to come from this is the compassion and fairness some employers are now showing in regard to issues like the menopause. In fact, Channel 4 recently launched a menopause policy to support employees experiencing symptoms, giving them access to flexible-working arrangements and even paid leave. And ACAS published advice in the autumn on how employers and managers should support menopausal staff.
On top of this, a growing number of natural beauty brands are launching ranges specifically designed to help women dealing with the effects of the menopause. Let’s see what 2020 has in store…
Buying less
With Marie Kondo talking about decluttering our lives in her popular Netflix show and eco warriors lamenting the impact excessive manufacturing and plastic waste is having on our planet, it seems only right that the new consumer trend is to simply buy less. Research shows that we’ve become fed up with ‘stuff’, and are instead choosing to use what we have, shop more sustainably and opt for experiences instead of materialistic presents. 2019 saw the rise of movements such as the ‘no-buy year’ (where numerous influencers on social media decided to use the items they already had, rather than buy) and ‘second-hand September’, and it’s likely that we’ll see similar initiatives launching in 2020.
Affordable green beauty
The price tag associated with some natural beauty brands has long been a bone of contention for many. Sadly, it is often the case that sustainably sourced and naturally-grown ingredients, along with recyclable packing, are more expensive than some of the chemicalladen options on the (plastic-saturated) market. But the tide is changing. As the market continues to grow (the Soil Association reported a 14 percent growth in certified organic beauty and wellbeing in 2018, when compared to 2017), people are demanding more affordable options and companies are delivering. We love the purse-friendly offerings from brands such as Yope (yope.me), Noughty (noughtyhaircare.co.uk ) and BYBI Beauty (bybi.com ), and can’t wait to discover other new ranges.
Wellness communities
We all like to feel part of a community, and something we could see rising in prominence in the UK in the coming years is the idea of living spaces being formed around key themes, such as eco living or wellness. In America, Serenbe is making headlines for its approach to creating a zen utopia. A blend of the words ‘serene being’, the community is set among acres of preserved forests and meadows and was founded entirely to promote wellbeing and good health. Alongside Serenbe’s organic farm, you’ll find gourmet restaurants, artist exhibitions, yoga studios and more. In the UK, similar enterprises have been founded. The Lammas eco-village in Wales is a collective of smallholdings working together to create and sustain a culture of land-based self-reliance. Meanwhile, Bioregional, which created BedZED – the UK’s first large-scale eco-village in south London nearly two decades ago – is helping developers to create more sustainable homes and communities. As both our personal health and the wellbeing of the planet continues to be at the forefront of people’s minds, more schemes like this are expected to come to fruition.
Clean-air solutions
We’ve seen clean eating and clean sleeping have their moment, but big on the radar for 2020 is clean breathing. The government’s Clean Air Strategy report, published in 2019, named air pollution as the top environmental risk to human health in the UK, and the fourth greatest threat to public health, and, as a result, has pledged to help reduce pollution – inside and outside. It may seem like something we as individuals can do very little about, but there are plenty of ways we can improve the quality of the spaces we live in. Sales of air purifiers are soaring, and the global market is predicted to be worth a massive $7.3billion by 2025. In 2020, we could see a rise in the number of air quality monitors and air purifiers being sold and fitted in communal spaces, plus the launch of new tech, including in-car options. Spolier: it looks like the trend for filling our homes with air-purifying house plants isn’t going to disappear, either.
Self-acceptance
2020 is set to be the year of self-acceptance. As many of us realise that our continual striving for more can, in fact, be detrimental to our wellbeing, self acceptance could reign supreme. Whether it’s a sense of feeling content with the here and now, acceptance of our body shape (which gained momentum thanks to the body neutrality movement of 2019) or simply recognising the events of our past as being unchangeable, this attitude can help improve our emotional resilience and happiness. It has close links to the South Korean term gaining traction at the moment, too – honjok. Referring to the idea of undertaking activities alone, its popularity will no doubt be buoyed by the publication of Honjok: The Art of Living Alone (£14.99, Eddison Books) in April. The book points to the journey of self-discovery and self-confidence we can all take when we accept the joy of our own company.
Mindful snacking
Snacks aren’t going anywhere, but what we’re choosing to eat is changing. As the average shopper becomes increasingly health-conscious, stores across the country are trying to offer more nutritious options. In its 2020 trend report, Whole Foods Market predicts that this will be the year of fresh, wholesome snacks that can help us up our intake of vitamins and minerals. Think hard-boiled eggs with savoury toppings, pickled vegetables, drinkable soups, plus a plethora of mini dips and dippers. Probitioc drinks will continue to be big, and we’ll see nutrition bars make their way from the shelves to the chiller, thanks to the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables. It seems that a packet of crisps really won’t cut it anymore!
And the rest…
Don’t miss these health trends set to hit the scene in 2020
Meat-plant blends: As a growing number of us look to include more fruit and veg in our diet, Whole Foods Market predicts that companies will look to incorporate plant-based ingredients into their meat products. Expect to see burgers using fresh mushrooms as well as beef, and meatballs that showcase vegetables and grains as key ingredients.
Rekindling a hobby: Many of us would admit to being workaholics, but by focusing on our careers, we often forget to take the time to enjoy what we really like doing. According to Waitrose, 47 percent of us are trying to create more time for hobbies, so 2020 might see a boom in activities such as crafting, writing and reading.
Unusual sweeteners: Move over agave nectar and make space for the new fruit-based syrups using dates, coconut and pomegranate that will be appearing in the shops soon. You might even spot a sweet potato syrup on your supermarket shelf!
Breathing better: Breathing may be something we all do instinctively, but it turns out we’re not necessarily doing it right. Get ready for the introduction of plenty of exercises and techniques designed to help you inhale and exhale in the best way possible.
Obscure butters and spreads: We all love nut butters, but 2020 is set to be the year of more obscure flavours according to Whole Foods Market. Look out for those made from watermelon seeds, pumpkins and even chickpeas
