Global Spa trends 2022 designed to heal mind, body & soul
The epidemic has lasted for two years, and the global demand for physical and mental wellness is more urgent than at any time in the past. At the same time, with the rapid development of science and technology, new technologies and new concepts have continuously penetrated into the wellness and Spa industry. Let’s take a look at the global future spa and wellness trends in 2022. It as all as close as tomorrow.
The med spas and med wellness destinations
Tomorrow will see the wellness industry absorbing and enlarging its services, offerings and features related to the Med Spa, in the spa and also in hotels, which have some of the most substantial key assets for a global wellness lifestyle proposal. This is not surprising, as many such wellness destinations already exist – in Asia they tend to be more mind and spirit-oriented, and in the US and Europe, more fitness and nature-oriented.
Technology in spas
Tomorrow is the time of artificial intelligence (AI). The younger generations are awake to the need for disease prevention rather than waiting to be sick and finding a cure. Positive psychology, pro-active and preventive medicine are now terms widely used in this growing segment of the population, and the hospitality industry and wellness spas are ideally positioned to answer customers’ aspirations in this area.
The hospitality industry needs to adapt its customer journey to integrate programming of the appropriate wellness services. First step, diagnostics: words like ‘assessment’, ‘evaluation’ and ‘prescription’ are the beginning of preventive healthcare. Therapeutic sessions or wellness programs do not need to be done by doctors any more but by educated physiotherapists and other experts assisted by technology.
These assessments can be made easier thanks to AI sub-products: fitness and body scanning machines and connected devices that allow the identification of many physical conditions. Connected health and the monitoring of the various tests results will enable the personalisation of preventive health programs. This type of personalisation will be further strengthened as it becomes a key asset of hospitality.
After identifying the key wellness and fitness issues, the spa programming manager may offer à la carte or general programs available at the spa that will enlarge and diversify the offer, with wellness services carried out by experts, not rather than doctors. Osteopaths, fitness coaches, deep tissues therapists will be able to deliver soothing experiences with an expert human touch. Naturopaths, psychologists, relaxologists and yoga masters will be able to conduct personal or group sessions to develop vitality, healing, stress management, emotional balance, mindfulness and better sleep.
The human touch
The younger generations, being so virtually and digitally connected, live in a less physical environment than their elders, who are used to moving around in a more physically expressive world. Lately, Covid has aggravated this phenomenon and even limited some of the more traditional greetings (e.g., a handshake, hug or kiss).
The younger generation is going to be in deficit in terms of physical contact. But Spa massages and other person-to-person treatments will offer a uniquely human touch and serve as a reminder that the basic human traditions and instincts of touching are fundamental to one’s wellbeing.
Be at one with Nature
Regular contact with Nature has recently become even more recognized as a proven way of combatting stress and promoting wellbeing. For the spas of the future, architects should integrate as many nature-related features as possible and effective air circulation in all its forms, from wide-open bays to new sophisticated artificial purified environments.
Natural experiences and discovery excursions should be made available in the vicinity of each property. Time spent in natural outdoor spaces has many physiological and psychological benefits, including reduced stress responses and improved mood.
Away from the traditional packages offered by many spa and wellness centres that highlight only the wet and dry rooms, therapies and treatments, it’s a good idea to create more awareness of the advantages of Mother Nature, for example via nature trails, wild nature therapy and outdoor massage.
Mental wellness
The digitally connected world offers many benefits, but has not yet created “paradise on earth” and the metaverse is a concept that is only just gaining traction. Youngsters today tend to have fewer issues to contend with in the real world, but nonetheless, they do have pressures that can take their toll: social network harassment, a sense of isolation, stress at work or at school. In the future, we will witness more mental pathologies than physical ones.
The taboo surrounding mental health issues is slowly beginning to crumble with more and more people having the courage to speak up about depression, burn-out and problems that do have a mental impact but no physical manifestation.
We mentioned earlier that the lifestyle of the millennials should include pro-active or preventive medicine, and that extends to the mental as well. The hospitality industry does not need to transform itself into health destinations, but it should seek to offer an answer to the expectations of new clients who will nowadays typically be looking at living a healthy life, preventing diseases and unnecessary stress, avoiding exhaustion and, when they go to restaurants, being nourished smartly. All professional attitudes will need to encompasss a sense of mindfulness and balance.
Stress management
Stress levels have risen for a variety of reasons since the pandemic: a sense of fear and isolation, disconnectedness from community and loved ones, economic insecurity. These circumstances have had a negative impact on many people’s mental wellbeing. What can a spa offer? Certainly, a gentler option than standard medication in pill form.
Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic methods have become increasingly popular thanks to their holistic approach and the way they connect mind and body. Their appeal lies in the fact that they address the source of the problem, not just the symptoms. Similarly, alternative healing therapies such as acupuncture and reflexology are now as well-known as massage and should be regular features in any spa offering.
Emotional wellness: adaptogens and natural remedies
Emotional wellness is defined as ‘the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.’ These challenges can include managing emotional reactions, e.g. anxiety and depression and their frequent companion, stress. We can expect to see emotional wellness as a trend in the next year with consumers seeking stress-relieving products and practices following the past two years of unprecedented turmoil.
Mindfulness and the accessibility of meditation
We see more of the conversations, which are likely to focus on mindfulness exercises and breathing techniques and the incorporation of nutrition and supplements into our daily routines. The accessibility of meditation and mindfulness is only going to become easier, and it may be that these practices will be incorporated within social platforms without the need to download an external application. We have already seen Snapchat preview The Headspace Mini, a mindfulness and mediation in-app tool, which looks at encouraging friends and family to take part in activities as a collective rather than individuals. It won’t be long before Instagram and TikTok jump on the meditation and mindfulness bandwagon as well, making it more available and accessible than ever.
Mental ‘fitness’
If there’s one good thing to take from the pandemic, it is that it has helped to grow the conversation, and remove the stigma of conversations, around mental health. A growing conversation on social media has ‘normalized’ people speaking out when they’re ‘not okay’ and communicating their struggles publicly or more openly privately. It is now seen as more acceptable and understandable to reach out for mental health support including therapy, coaching, or taking a day off work for mental health reasons. Licensed therapists have started taking to Tik Tok to educate the younger generation about mental health and to encourage those who are struggling to talk about their symptoms.
Sleep & relaxation
Sleep therapies are becoming more popular to combat insomnia and sleep problems as opposed to taking sleeping medication. To give a concrete example: The Amangiri Resort had launched a “sleep retreat” in the Utah desert which offers holistic spa therapies as well as mental and emotional support for better sleep. In Switzerland, the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz now offers yoga retreats to cultivate health, healing and happiness in our lives, because nothing is more precious than inner peace and tranquillity.
An emphasis or accent on certain types of meditation and introspective therapies can attract a new line of clientele looking for ways to retrain their mind and body.
Immunity-boosting
Unsurprisingly, immunity has been a hot topic in light of the recent pandemic and its long-term effects. Search trends indicate interest in immunity and related areas are significantly higher than before the pandemic, suggesting that immunity (and boosting it) is no longer the remit of the ultra-healthy conscious or medical professionals, but is now widely of interest and is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
We are likely to see an increased focus of interest in sleep, regular exercise and gut health as a means of boosting our immunity.
Changing dietary needs
The veganism food movement that has swept across the Western world in recent years, has picked up momentum and grown in popularity due to increasing concerns about the environment among millennials and Gen Z people. But veganism is not the only choice, there are a whole host of diets nowadays (pescatarian, vegetarian, paleo, dairy-free, Celiac, etc), and there is growing evidence that dietary intolerances and allergies are on the rise too.
Allergies aside, poor eating habits and their physical outcomes can be prevented, and the hospitality industry has the opportunity, if not the responsibility, to pay attention and communicate the benefits of its more health-focused culinary positioning. Enjoyable food and menus built by chefs with nutritionists’ help may be the best way to satisfy these clients for whom diet has become a permanent concern.
It is a fact that people have also realized the importance of immune-boosting eating habits. Spa packages should concentrate on this aspect and offer individualized menu selections for clients. This should not be limited only to medical spa and wellness operations — proper nourishment is a key factor in creating and preserving well-being. Employing or collaborating with a nutritionist will add more value to the offerings of a spa.
Natural and alternative foods and technology forward solutions
Adaptogens, for instance herbs and mushrooms, are a tool to support the body’s natural ability to deal with stress. Supplements with ashwagandha have seen a huge increase in sales in the US in 2021, and the upward trend is likely to repeated in 2022 holds. Then there are products containing magic ingredients such as ‘holy’ basil, reishi, maca, ginseng and turmeric that help to reduce stress and aim to provide an overall feeling of wellbeing.
TCM herbs are certainly a solution for Chinese communities and will always work.
